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Dengue and Chikungunya are two major arboviral infections transmitted worldwide by the mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus. India suffers enormously with both Dengue and Chikungunya as they pose a great public health challenge. The present study aims to evaluate the prevalence of Dengue Virus (DENV), Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV) and DENV/CHIKV co-infection (by Reverse-Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)/Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), their clinical features, DENV serotypes and CHIKV specific Immunoglobulin G (IgG) within a 7 years gap in the Delhi population. The study sample included clinically suspected febrile patients (?7 days) sera collected during 2017-2018 (n=87) and during 2008-2010 (n=623) from Delhi. Captured ELISA was performed for CHIKV IgG screening and nested PCR was done for DENV serotyping. The percentage prevalence for DENV was significantly higher than CHIKV with 41.38% (n=87) and 16.1% (n=87), respectively; interestingly, DENV/CHIKV co-infection was detected in 10.34% (n=9/87) cases during 2017-2018. Similarly, a high DENV prevalence was observed during 2008-2010 with the prevalence rate of 38.3% (69/180), 34.65% (35/101) and 47.07% (161/342), respectively. DENV 1 and DENV 3 were dominant serotype during 2008-2010 and 2017-2018 respectively. We have noticed a high prevalence (36.67%, 22/60) of the CHIKV IgG antibody in the 2017-2018 samples. Joint pain was more preferential to CHIKV mono-infection and DENV/CHIKV co-infection compared to DENV mono-infection. The present study highlights the need for active surveillance simultaneously for both DENV and CHIKV and to evaluate the role of CHIKV/DENV co-infections in disease severity in the endemic regions.

Intra-articular fractures of the distal radius represent a significant problem in terms of treatment and outcomes. We conducted a prospective study of patients with fractures of the distal radius managed by internal fixation using the volar locking plate between June 2014 and October 2016. Forty four patients including 32 males and 12 females with intra-articular distal radius fractures were included in this prospective study.Mean time for follow up was 30 months. Quick DASH score and the modified MAYO wrist score were used for functional outcome assessment. The median DASH score for all patients was 2.3 (IQR 0- 6.4) and the median MAYO score was 90 (IQR 75-100). Seven patients had complications including infection and CRPS. We concluded that ORIF with volar plating provide good functional outcome in midterm follow-up of intra-articular distal radius fractures.

Introduction: Extraarticular proximal tibia metaphyseal fractures are very common fractures along with soft tissue injuries. Aim of this study is to evaluate effectiveness of Expert Tibia Nail (ETN) for these fractures in view of early rehabilitation, soft tissue complications, radiological union and malalignment. Materials and Methods: A prospective study of 60 patients treated with ETN for extraarticular proximal tibia metaphyseal fractures from July 2013 to July 2016 at a tertiary care centre. The commonest deformity of apex anterior and valgus angulation was addressed with modification in surgical technique. Results: The commonest mode of injury in the study was RTA (60%). Johnerand wruhs criteria was used to assess the functional outcome of patient, according to which out of 60 patients outcome were excellent in 41(68.33%), good in 10(16.67%), fair in 4(6.67%) and poor in 5(8.33%). . Mean union time was 20.5 weeks. Nonunion and malalignment was seen in cases 5 each. Conclusion: With experience and good technique, the overall complication rates are quite low along with early weight bearing and union. It can be considered as an effective alternative technique for extraarticular proximal tibia metaphyseal fractures.

Introduction: Extraarticular proximal tibia metaphyseal fractures are very common fractures along with soft tissue injuries. Aim of this study is to evaluate effectiveness of Expert Tibia Nail (ETN) for these fractures in view of early rehabilitation, soft tissue complications, radiological union and malalignment. Materials and Methods: A prospective study of 60 patients treated with ETN for extraarticular proximal tibia metaphyseal fractures from July 2013 to July 2016 at a tertiary care centre. The commonest deformity of apex anterior and valgus angulation was addressed with modification in surgical technique. Results: The commonest mode of injury in the study was RTA (60%). Johnerand wruhs criteria was used to assess the functional outcome of patient, according to which out of 60 patients outcome were excellent in 41(68.33%), good in 10(16.67%), fair in 4(6.67%) and poor in 5(8.33%). . Mean union time was 20.5 weeks. Nonunion and malalignment was seen in cases 5 each. Conclusion: With experience and good technique, the overall complication rates are quite low along with early weight bearing and union. It can be considered as an effective alternative technique for extraarticular proximal tibia metaphyseal fractures.

Intra-articular fractures of the distal radius represent a significant problem in terms of treatment and outcomes. We conducted a prospective study of patients with fractures of the distal radius managed by internal fixation using the volar locking plate between June 2014 and October 2016. Forty four patients including 32 males and 12 females with intra-articular distal radius fractures were included in this prospective study.Mean time for follow up was 30 months. Quick DASH score and the modified MAYO wrist score were used for functional outcome assessment. The median DASH score for all patients was 2.3 (IQR 0- 6.4) and the median MAYO score was 90 (IQR 75-100). Seven patients had complications including infection and CRPS. We concluded that ORIF with volar plating provide good functional outcome in midterm follow-up of intra-articular distal radius fractures.

Anatomical reduction and stable internal fixation continues to be the standard methods of treatment for fractures of both bones of the forearm. But there have been no investigations using validated subjective functional outcome instruments. We have therefore evaluated the outcome of patients treated by ORIF for such injuries by comparing subjective, validated outcome measures i.e. musculoskeletal function assessment (MFA) and the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) scores. Out of 23 participating patients, (24 fractures), 14 were males and 9 were females. Mean follow-up was 30 months. The mean total MFA score was 19 17 (0 to 51). The two domains with the highest scores (suggesting poorest function) were mobility and coping.The mean DASH score was 12 10 (0 to 42). A strongly positive correlation was noted between the total MFA score and the DASH score.

Anatomical reduction and stable internal fixation continues to be the standard methods of treatment for fractures of both bones of the forearm. But there have been no investigations using validated subjective functional outcome instruments. We have therefore evaluated the outcome of patients treated by ORIF for such injuries by comparing subjective, validated outcome measures i.e. musculoskeletal function assessment (MFA) and the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) scores. Out of 23 participating patients, (24 fractures), 14 were males and 9 were females. Mean follow-up was 30 months. The mean total MFA score was 19 17 (0 to 51). The two domains with the highest scores (suggesting poorest function) were mobility and coping.The mean DASH score was 12 10 (0 to 42). A strongly positive correlation was noted between the total MFA score and the DASH score.

Elicitation of CD4 IFN-gamma T cell responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is a rational vaccine strategy to prevent clinical tuberculosis. Diagnosis of MTB infection is based on T-cell immune memory to MTB antigens. The MTB proteome contains over four thousand open reading frames (ORFs). We conducted a pilot antigen identification study using 164 MTB proteins and MTB-specific T-cells expanded in vitro from 12 persons with latent MTB infection. Enrichment of MTB-reactive T-cells from PBMC used cell sorting or an alternate system compatible with limited resources. MTB proteins were used as single antigens or combinatorial matrices in proliferation and cytokine secretion readouts. Overall, our study found that 44 MTB proteins were antigenic, including 27 not previously characterized as CD4 T-cell antigens. Antigen truncation, peptide, NTM homology, and HLA class II tetramer studies confirmed malate synthase G (encoded by gene Rv1837) as a CD4 T-cell antigen. This simple, scalable system has potential utility for the identification of candidate MTB vaccine and biomarker antigens.

CD4+ T cells differentiate into multiple effector types, but it is unclear how they form memory T cells during infection in vivo. Profiling virus-specific CD4+ T cells revealed that effector cells with T helper 1 (Th1) or T follicular helper (Tfh) cell characteristics differentiated into memory cells, although expression of Tfh cell markers declined over time. In contrast to virus-specific effector CD8+ T cells, increased IL-7R expression was not a reliable marker of CD4+ memory precursor cells. However, decreased Ly6C and T-bet (Tbx21) expression distinguished a subset of Th1 cells that displayed greater longevity and proliferative responses to secondary infection. Moreover, the gene expression profile of Ly6CloT-betint Th1 effector cells was virtually identical to mature memory CD4+ T cells, indicating early maturation of memory CD4+ T cell features in this subset during acute viral infection. This study provides a framework for memory CD4+ T cell development after acute viral infection.

The effectiveness of oil-based conidia formulations of indigenous fungal isolates Metarhizillm anisopliae M34412, Beallveria bassiana 83301 and Nomuraea rileyi N812 were evaluated against Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) infestation on pigeon pea under field conditions. The M. allisopliae M34412 conidia in the oil formulation (7:3, diesel: Sunflower oil) were found to be most effective in controlling H. armigera. The results were compared with other control agents such as, endosulfan and HaNPV (H. armigera Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus). The per cent efficacies were, .W. anisopliae,/i> 66.74, endosulfan 62.58, N. rileyi 60.88 and HaNPV 55.58. B. bassiana preparation was found to be relatively less effective (51.25% efficacy). The effectiveness of all the control agents based on per cent pod damage and yield has also been discussed.

Papaya ( Carica papaya L.) is grown over 2300 ha in Maharashtra and almost 50% of the crop is utilized for papain production. Recently, the papaya crop was found to be infested by the invasive papaya mealybug (PMB), Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink. The PMB was first noticed in Maharashtra in the papaya orchard at Regional Fruit Research Station (RFRS), Ganeshkhind, Pune on 14 th July, 2010 by a survey team of scientists of the All India Co-ordinated Research Programme on Biological Control of Crop Pests and Weeds, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, College of Agriculture, Pune.

Papaya ( Carica papaya L.) is grown over 2300 ha in Maharashtra and almost 50% of the crop is utilized for papain production. Recently, the papaya crop was found to be infested by the invasive papaya mealybug (PMB), Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink. The PMB was first noticed in Maharashtra in the papaya orchard at Regional Fruit Research Station (RFRS), Ganeshkhind, Pune on 14 th July, 2010 by a survey team of scientists of the All India Co-ordinated Research Programme on Biological Control of Crop Pests and Weeds, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, College of Agriculture, Pune.

The effectiveness of oil-based conidia formulations of indigenous fungal isolates Metarhizillm anisopliae M34412, Beallveria bassiana 83301 and Nomuraea rileyi N812 were evaluated against Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) infestation on pigeon pea under field conditions. The M. allisopliae M34412 conidia in the oil formulation (7:3, diesel: Sunflower oil) were found to be most effective in controlling H. armigera. The results were compared with other control agents such as, endosulfan and HaNPV (H. armigera Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus). The per cent efficacies were, .W. anisopliae,/i> 66.74, endosulfan 62.58, N. rileyi 60.88 and HaNPV 55.58. B. bassiana preparation was found to be relatively less effective (51.25% efficacy). The effectiveness of all the control agents based on per cent pod damage and yield has also been discussed.

During acute infections, a small population of effector CD8+ T cells evades terminal differentiation and survives as long-lived memory T cells. We demonstrate that the transcriptional repressor Blimp-1 enhanced the formation of terminally differentiated