Genetic differentiation of invasive Aedes albopictus by RAPD-PCR: implications for effective vector control

Aedes albopictus is an invasive mosquito species of great concern to public health as it is responsible for the biological transmission of several pathogens causing dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, etc. In 2009, this mosquito was detected for the first time in Agra City. This study represents the first genetic analysis of A. albopictus from India. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to study the genetic structure of A. albopictus in four populations from different larval habitats. Seven RAPD primers produced 141 loci. The results displayed rich genetic variation among larval populations which is evident from high value of genetic differentiation (G _ST), i.e. 0.280, indicating a very great genetic differentiation. Effective migration rates were observed to be 1.28, depicting a limited gene flow. According to analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), the genetic distance between populations was significant (P?<?0.05), showing a very high intrapopulation variation (96 %) with only 4 % variation among populations. Average genetic distances between populations were also calculated using PopGene software. Nei’s average genetic distance between these populations was 0.112 (0.05–0.18). The cluster analysis technique of unweighted pair-group mean analysis (UPGMA) method of arithmetic averages was used to develop the phylogenetic tree which clearly shows two clusters of different larval habitats. The findings highlight high genetic differentiation indicating a slight migration rate confirming the recent introduction of this species in Agra region.     

On the increase of the percentage of females among patients with infectious and calculous renal diseases and on its possible causes

The study of sex distribution revealed an increase of the percentage of females among more than 12 000 patients with pyelonephritis, renal tuberculosis and nephroureterolithiasis in the period 1959-73 from 69 to 75%, from 63 to 69% and from 54 to 64%, respectively. The tendency revealed may be explained by a decrease of the role of general causal factors, which are of the same importance for males and females, and by the relative increase of the role of local factors, which are of greater importance for females due to pregnancy, delivery, and gynecological disorders. The role of the latter factors in the pathogenesis of infectious and calculous renal diseases in women is confirmed by the study of the history and the fate of female patients and by a more frequent affection of their right kidney. Women after complicated pregnancy and delivery, gynecological diseases and genital surgery need regulat dispensary urological observation to prevent and detect early infectious and calculous renal diseases.     

Determination of benzopyrene in the seeds of plants before and after their germination]

The possibility of BP synthesis in plants was studied. Seeds of pea, lupine, rye, oats, garden-cress were investigated in hydroponic systems with substrates containing carbon and without it. The results indicated that the quantity of BP in the seeds increased in the course of germination in solutions with carbon from 1 to 7 mug/Kg of dry weight. No increase of BP was observed after germination in media without carbon.