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Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) affecting populations is considered a public health issue in South/Southeast Asia. The purpose of this study was to analyze the scientometric characteristics and research trends of OSF. All the papers on OSF were comprehensively retrieved from the Scopus database. Regional comparison (India versus outside of India) and chronological comparison (before 2015 versus after 2015) were performed. Among all the 1357 papers on OSF, 930 (68.5%) were from India. In India, biology research on antioxidant, oxidative stress, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix were distinctive keywords. Risk factors of smokeless tobacco and gutkha and the roles of saliva and blood sampling were also distinctive keywords in India. In outside of India, biology research on myofibroblast, alpha smooth muscle actin, microRNA, long untranslated RNA, and protein p53 were distinctive keywords. The trend of biology research on connective tissue, genotype, genetic predisposition, messenger RNA, and cytology before 2015 has changed to research on myofibroblast, biological marker, microRNA, epithelial mesenchymal transition, extracellular matrix, and oxidative stress after 2015. The trend of clinical aspects of surgery and mouth hygiene before 2015 has changed to the aspects of adverse event/effects, complication, and quality of life after 2015. This scientometric study elucidated the current scenario and research trends of OSF, and would help in improving in reciprocal collaboration and communication for this disease control in South/Southeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The political and security relationship between India and Southeast Asia (SEA) has developed beyond the traditional domain after the Cold War era. As the Cold War ended, and new geopolitics were redefined, both parties sought a strategic approach through greater engagement with extra-regional partners. Since 2003, both parties have engaged in various political partnerships with SEA states and a few security challenges collectively. The paper answers the following questions: what is the pattern of this relationship? What kind of mechanism has been adopted by both parties in strengthening their relationship? Is the factor of China imperative enough to 'boost' India's efforts in reinforcing political and security relations with SEA states? Using content analysis, emerging themes from relevant literature by selected scholars in the area of India and SEA states' relations are explored. This paper also reviews several governmental documents and official websites. In general, some scholars agree that the development of the relationship between India and SEA states is important in creating a regional balance with other international actors especially China. This paper aims to examine the growing relations between India and SEA states in the political and security terms since 2003. The paper suggests that the strong political and security relationship between India and SEA states creates an "external balancing strategy" to counter-balance the presence of China in the region. Meanwhile, it also shows that SEA states are turning to India as a counterweight to China and the US in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India has been engaging the South East Asian nations actively as a result of its 'Look East Policy' started in 1990. India and ASEAN have mutual interests in a wide range of areas which include Commerce, Tourism, Foreign Affairs, Renewable Energy and Telecommunications, Agriculture, and Renewable Energy. It indicates the deepening and strengthening friendship of India and ASEAN. In this context, the present study attempts to throw light upon the evolution of Indo-ASEAN relations from a historical perspective. It dwells upon the developments that took place after the end of the Second World War and subsequent tectonic shifts in the geo-political equations across South East Asia. The study provides an account of the key events that shaped the Indo-ASEAN relations over a period of time. It also discusses the challenges posed to this relationship in the backdrop of China's emergence in Asia and makes policy suggestions to deal with these challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For healthcare delivery to be optimally effective, health systems must possess adequate levels and we must ensure a fair distribution of human resources aimed at healthcare facilities. We conducted a scoping review to map the current state of human resources for health (HRH) in India and the reasons behind its shortage. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in various electronic databases, from the earliest available date till February 2024. We applied a uniform analytical framework to all the primary research reports and adopted the "descriptive-analytical" method from the narrative paradigm. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted to arrange the retrieved data into categories based on related themes after creating a chart of HRH problems. Results: A total of 9675 articles were retrieved for this review. 88 full texts were included for the final data analysis. The shortage was addressed in 30.6% studies (n = 27) whereas 69.3% of studies (n = 61) addressed reasons for the shortage. The thematic analysis of data regarding reasons for the shortage yielded five kinds of HRH-related problems such as inadequate HRH production, job dissatisfaction, brain drain, regulatory issues, and lack of training, monitoring, and evaluation that were causing a scarcity of HRH in India. Conclusion: There has been a persistent shortage and inequitable distribution of human resources in India with the rural expert cadres experiencing the most severe shortage. The health department needs to establish a productive recruitment system if long-term solutions are to be achieved. It is important to address the slow and sporadic nature of the recruitment system and the issue of job insecurity among medical officers, which in turn affects their other employment benefits, such as salary, pension, and recognition for the years of service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As far as human life, cultures, and economies are concerned, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is likely the largest worldwide pandemic in more than a century. The global spread of COVID-19 has been exponential, especially when compared to other global pandemics. There have been 3,386,825 fatalities and 163,312,429 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported to WHO as of 18 May 2021. There have been a total of 1,407,945,776 doses of vaccination given as of May 18, 2021. Reported cases included more than 65,054,067 in the Americas and more than 53,704,835 in Europe, more than 9,705,215 in the eastern Mediterranean and 2,763,608 in the western Pacific, 3,412,133 in Africa, and 28,671,811 in Southeast Asia. The 2019 coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19) has triggered significant societal and economic shifts (WHO). These changes have also affected many aspects of India. As of May 18, India has a total of 2,55,13,398 confirmed cases and the death toll exceeds 2,83,572 (covid19india.org n.d.). Even after the advent of vaccines, this global dilemma seems to have no end, as it is evident that the virus is getting stronger with each mutation. For a country like India, with a population in the billions, the second wave had a harsh impact. The country suffers from a shortage of medical equipment, with the number of infected increasing every day. Mandatory lockdowns have had a crippling effect on organizations and their performance. This article focuses primarily on the extent of the impact of COVID-19 on organizational culture in total quality management. This paper assesses the impact of COVID-19 on Total Quality Management (TQM) and traces the shift in organizational culture after COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines China and India's status-seeking efforts in Southeast Asia through the lens of disaster relief cooperation. It explores status-seeking processes and the region's responses, as well as how these shape the regional security order in the Asia-Pacific. We argue that the outcomes of China and India's status-seeking are determined by their own behaviours and the region's interpretations of them. Our analysis reveals that China seeks to elevate its status to become a leading security partner of Southeast Asia, which has only been partially accepted by the region, as demonstrated by its active and institutionalized cooperation with ASEAN but its haphazard bilateral HADR engagement with individual Southeast Asian countries. Meanwhile, India has gone from a low-key player to an important partner, primarily in military terms, as shown by its membership in regional multilateral institutions, the holding of regular bilateral exercises and an acceptance by Southeast Asian states of the deployment of its military for HADR missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the current and future dynamics of Southeast Asia's maritime cooperation with China and India. Southeast Asian states do not only have diverse agendas when it comes to non-traditional and traditional maritime security issues, but their prioritization of these threats also vary. Those variations primarily define Southeast Asian interests for partnerships with actors such as India and China. Given China's geographical centrality, its strong economic relationship with countries in the region and the proximity of its military power, Southeast Asia states will remain far more invested in maritime security cooperation with China than India. Yet, China's territorial and maritime jurisdictional disputes in the South China Sea, and its overpowering shadow on the region, have contributed to anxiety among Southeast Asian states and their search for other security partners. The evolving threat of China's rise and polarization within the region gives New Delhi opportunities to engage. India-China rivalry is also a significant motivation for New Delhi to engage in Southeast Asia's maritime security. Two avenues for this include naval arms transfers and training for sea denial missions to claimant countries in the South China Sea, and cooperation in Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southeast Asian states face numerous security challenges that require the assistance of external partners. China and India, two Indo-Pacific powerhouses, could offer potential solutions but their relations with Southeast Asian states vary considerably. At the same time, escalating tensions between China and India increase the risks of their engagement with Southeast Asian states leading to greater polarization in the region. By utilizing the "4-C Calculus", which comprises cost, complexity, credibility and capacity, this special issue seeks to understand how Southeast Asian states evaluate China and India as potential security cooperation partners, and whether cooperation with both--together or individually--can help address the region's security needs. The articles in this special issue employ the 4-C framework to analyse five key security concerns: defence modernization; health security; the post-coup crisis in Myanmar; humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; and maritime security. They contribute to the literature on security partnerships by providing fresh insights into our understanding of why and how smaller states partner with larger powers over shared security challenges, as well as by illustrating how certain policy considerations can influence the direction and quality of security partnerships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South Asian and East Asian summer monsoons are globally significant meteorological features, creating a strongly seasonal pattern of precipitation, with the majority of the annual precipitation falling between June and September. The stability the monsoons is of extreme importance for a vast range of ecosystems and for the livelihoods of a large share of the world's population. Simulations are performed with an intermediate-complexity climate model in order to assess the future response of the South Asian and East Asian monsoons to changing concentrations of aerosols and greenhouse gases. The radiative forcing associated with absorbing aerosol loading consists of a mid-tropospheric warming and a compensating surface cooling, which is applied to India, Southeast Asia, and eastern China both concurrently and independently. The primary effect of increased absorbing aerosol loading is a decrease in summer precipitation in the vicinity of the applied forcing, although the regional responses vary significantly. The decrease in precipitation is not ascribable to a decrease in the precipitable water and instead derives from a reduction in the precipitation efficiency due to changes in the stratification of the atmosphere. When the absorbing aerosol loading is added in all regions simultaneously, precipitation in eastern China is most strongly affected, with a quite distinct transition to a low precipitation regime as the radiative forcing increases beyond 60 W m -2. The response is less abrupt as we move westward, with precipitation in southern India being least affected. By applying the absorbing aerosol loading to each region individually, we are able to explain the mechanism behind the lower sensitivity observed in India and attribute it to remote absorbing aerosol forcing applied over eastern China. Additionally, we note that the effect on precipitation is approximately linear with the forcing. The impact of doubling carbon dioxide levels is to increase precipitation over the region while simultaneously weakening the circulation. When the carbon dioxide and absorbing aerosol forcings are applied at the same time, the carbon dioxide forcing partially offsets the surface cooling and reduction in precipitation associated with the absorbing aerosol response. Assessing the relative contributions of greenhouse gases and aerosols is important for future climate scenarios, as changes in the concentrations of these species has the potential to impact monsoonal precipitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis, commonly known as kala-azar in India, is a global public health problem. In Southeast Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand are endemic for visceral leishmaniasis. The role of sandflies as the vector of kala-azar was first confirmed in 1942 in India. Insecticide resistance in Phlebotomus argentipes Annandale and Brunetti, the vector of kala-azar in the Indian subcontinent, was first reported in 1987 in Bihar, India. This article provides a scoping review of the studies undertaken from 1959 to 2015 on insecticide resistance in P. argentipes and P. papatasi (Scopoli), the vectors of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis respectively, in Southeast Asia, mainly in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Results: Studies undertaken in areas of Bihar and West Bengal in India where kala-azar is endemic have reported resistance of P. argentipes to DDT, while in non-endemic areas it has been reported to be susceptible. In areas of Nepal bordering India, there are indications of resistance to DDT; biochemical resistance has been reported in Sri Lanka. No laboratory studies have been undertaken in Bangladesh; however, the sandfly vector is reported to be still susceptible to pyrethroids in all kala-azar endemic areas in the aforementioned countries. Conclusions: Studies are needed to determine the resistance of sandfly vectors to all available classes of potential insecticides in kala-azar endemic areas. There is a need to assess the impact of indoor residual spraying with DDT and pyrethroids on the incidence of kala-azar in India where 54 districts remain endemic for the disease, strengthen entomological surveillance capacity, and develop and implement an insecticide management plan. Alpha-cypermethrin indoor residual spraying has been introduced in 33 kala-azar endemic districts in Bihar State of India in a pilot trial; the outcomes should be used to inform decisions on expanding coverage with alpha-cypermethrin in all remaining endemic districts to achieve the revised goal of elimination of visceral leishmaniasis by 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The present study provides the first genetic data on Hipposideros nicobarulae, an endangered and endemic leaf-nosed bat in the Nicobar Islands, India. Preliminary data sheds light on the phylogenetic relationship of H. nicobarulae and other closely related species (H. cf. antricola and H. cf. einnaythu) from South and Southeast Asia. Additionally, the distribution modelling provides information on suitable habitats for H. nicobarulae in the insular biogeography of Nicobar Island. Further integrated studies are needed to clarify the evolution, population genetics, distribution, and diversification of the Hipposideros species in the world. The Nicobar leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros nicobarulae) was described in the early 20th century; however, its systematic classification has been debated for over 100 years. This endangered and endemic species has achieved species status through morphological data in the last 10 years. However, the genetic information and phylogenetic relationships of H. nicobarulae remain neglected. The generated mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (mtCytb) sequences (438 bp) of H. nicobarulae contains 53.42–53.65% AT composition and 1.82% variable sites. The studied species, H. nicobarulae maintains an 8.1% to 22.6% genetic distance from other Hipposideros species. The genetic divergence estimated in this study is congruent with the concept of gene speciation in bats. The Bayesian and Maximum-Likelihood phylogenies clearly discriminated all Hipposideros species and showed a sister relationship between H. nicobarulae and H. cf. antricola. Current mtCytb-based investigations of H. nicobarulae have confirmed the species status at the molecular level. Further, the MaxEnt-based species distribution modelling illustrates the most suitable habitat of H. nicobarulae (294 km2), of which the majority (171 km2) is located on Great Nicobar Island. The present study suggests rigorous sampling across the range, taxonomic coverage, the generation of multiple molecular markers (mitochondrial and nuclear), as well as more ecological information, which will help in understanding population genetic structure, habitat suitability, and the implementation of appropriate conservation action plans for H. nicobarulae and other Hipposideros species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a paucity of literature that addresses the health vulnerabilities of readymade garment (RMG) workers in South and Southeast Asian regions. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to identify the distinctive types of health vulnerabilities along with the causes and consequences of these vulnerabilities of the RMG workers in South and Southeast Asian regions.Methods: Systematic review search methods were applied utilising the PRISMA protocol. Literature published between July 2007 to June 2017 on health vulnerabilities of the RMG workers of South and Southeast Asian countries were identified through electronic databases and manual searches.Results: A total number of 19 studies (16 quantitative studies, 3 mixed-method studies) were included from the primary 17,001 papers identified. The quality of these studies was assessed by using the EPHPP (effective public health practice project) and the CASP (critical appraisal skills programme) tools. From the identified studies, 14 were considered 'strong,' with the remainder assessed as 'moderate' quality. The findings reported in these studies suggest that RMG workers of South and Southeast Asian countries are prone to several health vulnerabilities which include physical and psychological issues. Further, many of these health vulnerabilities arise from the nature of the RMG workplace, and include unhygienic and unsafe working environments, hazardous conditions of the factories, and lack of safety equipment.Conclusions: This systematic review suggests that RMG workers' health vulnerabilities are an emerging area of inquiry that needs to be better understood and solutions identified. Little is currently known about the distinctive types of health vulnerabilities of the RMG workers of these countries, other than Bangladesh and India, due to the lack of robust studies in other South and Southeast Asian countries. Although the health vulnerabilities of the Bangladeshi and Indian RMG workers have been previously highlighted, the health vulnerabilities arising from sudden disasters in the sector remain a neglected issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to Southeast Asia's geopolitical, economic, and commercial significance, world powers have focused on this region. China and India, the two neighboring nations of Southeast Asia, both with aspirations to become the dominating force in the Indo-Pacific region, have been employing all means to draw Southeast Asia into their sphere of influence. Controlling Southeast Asia would confer immense strategic gains on both nations. The goal of this study is to assess the policy of India and China toward Southeast Asia utilizing pertinent data and documents, official comments from the respective governments, and the research of Vietnamese and foreign researchers. The analysis reveals that India and China seek benefits by promoting close ties with Southeast Asia, but their methods for achieving this objective are distinct. Suppose India employs flexible diplomatic measures to develop its good relations with Southeast Asia. In that case, China has the upper hand when pursuing a diplomatic strategy that is both flexible and assertive to advance its objectives, particularly in East Sea-related problems. This provides Southeast Asia/ASEAN with difficult choices and decisions about India and China to balance their respective interests and, more significantly, to maintain ASEAN's central position in regional and international concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environment has finally risen to the top of the global political agenda. The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 signified international recognition of the environment as an issue that could not be constrained by the borders of nation states. But Rio also revealed deep political divisions on the world environmental stage. Those divisions were represented and articulated primarily as a North-South, rich versus poor country schism. Ironically, the ecological internationalism that was to be the breakthrough of the conference gave way to positioning in which negotiations were geared back to the interests of nation states. Yet the politics of Rio mask a different type of environmental politics, one that is much closer to home for the majority of the world's people. The politics of environment in most countries of the world are played out not only at a different level, but also within a quite different structural framework. Environmental politics within individual nation states reflect, but also increasingly act upon, specific aspects of social relations and power structure within each country, while interests and interdependencies of the main protagonists often transcend national borders. These politics of environment are an important force in their own right as well as a window on broader aspects of political economy. There is thus a reflexive relationship between environmental conditions, discourses and activism on the one hand and changing economic, social and political relations on the other. Nowhere is this more the case than among those countries of the world where environmental and political-economic change is most rapid, notably the dynamic societies and economies of Southeast Asia whose bio-physical environment and resource base have undergone rapid degradation. This article discuss the laws which India has compliance towards saving its Biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: India has set a goal to eliminate measles and rubella/Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) by 2023. Towards this goal, India conducted nationwide supplementary immunization activity (SIA) with measles-rubella containing vaccine (MRCV) targeting children aged between 9 months to <15 years and established a hospital-based sentinel surveillance for CRS. Reliable data about incidence of CRS is necessary to monitor progress towards the elimination goal. Methods: We conducted serosurveys in 2019–20 among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics of 6 hospitals, which were also sentinel sites for CRS surveillance, to estimate the prevalence of IgG antibodies against rubella. We systematically sampled 1800 women attending antenatal clinics and tested their sera for IgG antibodies against rubella. We used rubella seroprevalence data from the current survey and the survey conducted in 2017 among antenatal women from another 6 CRS surveillance sites to construct a catalytic models to estimate the incidence and burden of CRS. Result: The seroprevalence of rubella antibodies was 82.3% (95% CI: 80.4–84.0). Rubella seropositivity did not differ by age group and educational status. Based on the constant and age-dependent force of infection models, we estimated that the annual incidence of CRS in India was 225.58 per 100,000 live births (95% CI: 217.49–232.41) and 65.47 per 100,000 live births (95% CI: 41.60–104.16) respectively. This translated to an estimated 14,520 (95% CI: 9,225–23,100) and 50,028 (95% CI: 48,234–51,543) infants with CRS every year based on age-dependent and constant force of infection models respectively. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that about one fifth of women in the reproductive age group in India were susceptible for rubella. The estimates of CRS incidence will serve as a baseline to monitor the impact of MRCV SIAs, as well progress towards the elimination goal of rubella/CRS. Author summary: Rubella infection during the first trimester of pregnancy can affect fetus, resulting in spontaneous abortion, stillbirth or birth of a baby with a combination of birth defects known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Vaccination with rubella containing vaccine (RCV) is recommended as one of the strategies for eliminating rubella/CRS. The Southeast Asia region has set a target to eliminate rubella/CRS by 2023. Towards this goal, India completed nationwide immunization campaigns using measles-rubella vaccine during 2017–19, targeting children aged 9 months to <15 years. A case-based surveillance for CRS was initiated in five sentinel hospitals (Phase-1) in 2016 and later expanded to additional 6 sites (Phase-2) in 2019, to estimate burden of CRS and monitor its trend. As an adjunct to CRS surveillance, periodic serologic surveys were also planned to monitor the rubella seroprevalence among the pregnant women. A serosurvey conducted in 2017 indicated that 83.4% pregnant women attending antenatal clinics of Phase-1 sentinel hospitals had IgG antibodies against rubella. The second serosurvey conducted during 2019–20 in 6 Phase-2 sites indicated a comparable seroprevalence of 82.3%. Using seroprevalence data from these two serosurveys, we estimated that the annual incidence of CRS in India was 225.58 per 100,000 live births with constant force of infection and 65.47 per 100,000 live births with age-dependent force of infection model. This incidence rates translated to an estimated 14,520 to 50,028 infants with CRS every year. The estimates of CRS incidence will serve as a baseline to monitor the progress towards the elimination goal of rubella/CRS in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This research explores the significant contribution of human resource development (HRD) managers in building organisational brands in the hotel industry through the lenses of dynamic capabilities for sustaining competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach: Using a qualitative case study design, this study deployed a semi-structured interview research method. It used a purposive sample of 20 HRD managers across twenty different hotels in India and South East Asia (ISEA) to explore their contribution to organisational brands. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: The findings show the significance of HRD in building organisational brands. From a dynamic capabilities perspective, it was found that HRD has an impact on fostering brand awareness culture; HRD functional branding enhances the creation and sustaining of quality service culture; functional branding of HRD helps differentiate the brand and quality service, for product development and innovation by linking talent development and growth of key competencies and capabilities; brand training and behavioural training directly influence the right behaviour knowledge and effective communication that is translated into the enhancement of guest experience; and finally, organisational branding through branding culture and employer branding creates organisational wealth. Originality/value: The authors propose a new conceptual framework for the branding of the Heroes to reclaim the HRD's splendour in the realm of other functions in the hotel industry in ISEA contexts. While the authors do not claim an external generalisability, we believe that an analytical application of this framework could be relevant in similar environments. The study also claims that HRD practitioners could use parallel literature repertoires from brand management discourse to value their strategic contributions in building and maintaining their reputational position at the board level. Practical implications and further research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anatomy Act provides legal ambit to medical educationists for the acquisition of cadavers. The changing medical education scenario, socio-demographic change, and ethical concerns have necessitated an urgent review of its legal and ethical framework. Suitable amendments addressing the current disparities and deficiencies are long overdue.Methods: Anatomy Act in India is a state Act, which ensures the provision of human bodies for medical education and research. The methodology included three components namely: Comparison of various Anatomy Acts clause by clause, Feedback from anatomists, and Formulation of comprehensive model Anatomy Act.Results: Various Acts studied showed discrepancies in the purpose of the Act, roles and duties of stakeholders, regulation for body donation, the procedure to handle unclaimed bodies, disposal of dissected bodies, etc. No Act defines a donor and neither addresses the issue of transport of anatomical material. Only ten states have a clause for body donation. Acts of only six states have been amended over the last 50 years. Three states denied having an Act. The whole exercise of review of Acts, extensive feedback received from end-users, and taking into account global good practices, culminated in drafting a comprehensive model Anatomy Act founded on ethical principles.Conclusion: India, with the largest number of medical colleges, is not only at the forefront but also a hub of medical education in the Southeast Asia region. Legal reform can be a torchbearer to promote ethical and transparent practices for obtaining cadavers for other countries of the region with similar socio-demography and shall also motivate anatomic fraternity across the globe for critical analysis of their respective Anatomy Acts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chikungunya fever caused by chikungunya virus is an Aedes mosquito borne disease responsible for recent epidemics not only in India but also in Africa, Southeast Asia and America. There are no reports of successful anti-viral drug or vaccine available for the treatment of this fever. Since the symptoms are very severe, development of specific treatment or prophylactic measures are need of the h to control this fever. India is known for its wealth of medicinal plants. Natural compounds from the medicinal plants have been used traditionally for the treatment of several infectious diseases. Indian medicinal plants namely Andrographis paniculata, Tinospora cordifolia and Carica papaya have been selected for this study based on the reports of their usage against this virus in our traditional medicine. The present study evaluates the potentiality of using various compounds derived from these plants as antiviral agent by computationally docking these compounds with some of the viral proteins responsible for its pathogenicity using Auto Dock program. The drug likeness of these compounds was also analyzed based on Lipinski's rule of five. Out of 28 compounds tested, more than 15 compounds are found to be more effective in docking with 5 different viral proteins in comparison with the standard drug prescribed for this fever. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a serious public health problem. Fecal carriage of drug-resistant bacteria has been suggested as an important source of antimicrobial resistant genes (ARGs). We aimed to identify risk factors associated with fecal carriage of drug-resistant commensal Escherichia coli among healthy adult population. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following the PRISMA guideline. We identified observational studies published from 2014 to 2019 through PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Studies were eligible if they investigated and reported risk factors and accompanying measure of associations for fecal carriage of drug-resistant E. coli for healthy population aged 18-65. Data on risk factors assessed in three or more studies were extracted. Results: Fifteen of 395 studies involving 11480 healthy individuals were included. The pooled prevalence of drug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae was 14% (95% confidence interval [CI] 8-23%). Antimicrobial use within the 12 months prior to stool culture (odds ratio [OR] 1.84 [95%CI 1.35-2.51]), diarrhea symptoms (OR 1.56 [95%CI 1.09-2.25]), travel to India (OR 4.15 [95%CI 2.54-6.78]), and vegetarian diet (OR 1.60 [95%CI 1.00(1.0043)-2.56(2.5587)]) were associated with increased risk of fecal carriage of drug-resistant E. coli. Among travellers, antimicrobial use (OR 2.81 [95%CI 1.47-5.36]), diarrhea symptoms (OR 1.65 [95%CI 1.02-2.68]), travel to India (OR 3.80 [95%CI 2.23-6.47]), and vegetarian diet (OR 1.92 [95%CI 1.13-3.26]) were associated with increased risk. Among general adult population, antimicrobial use (OR 1.51 [95%CI 1.17-1.94]), diarrhea symptoms (OR 1.53 [95%CI 1.27-1.84]), and travel to Southeast Asia (OR 1.67 [95%CI 1.02-2.73]) were associated with the increased risk of drug-resistant E. coli carriage. Conclusions: The findings indicate that dietary habit as well as past antimicrobial use and travel to high-risk country are associated with the risk of fecal carriage of drug-resistant commensal E. coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mussaenda philippica (Rubiaceae) is a shrub distributed in all the planes of India, Philippines and South-East Asia. Its synonyms are M. grandiflora, M. acutifolia, M. frondosa etc. The plant is preferred as medication for the treatment of jaundice, dysentery, stomachache and influenza. The current study was based on the evaluation of antiulcer property of M. philippica leaves extract. Methods: The methods used were pylorus ligated, ethanol induced and 0.2(M) NaOH induced ulcer in rats. Results: In pylorus ligation model, aqueous extract (200 mg/kg) produced a substantial reduction in ulcer index followed by decrease in gastric volume, total acidity associated with a raise in pH, which, confirmed that tested extract of the plant act by altering the mucosal barrier Thus, the gastro protective effect of this extract may be due to the presence of flavonoid in the plant. In the same way, aqueous extract of the plant showed significant effect against ethanol induced gastric ulcer in rat as compared to methanol-treated group, which, may be due to leukotriene antagonistic effect or the inhibition of 5-lipooxygenase pathway. In NaOH induced ulcer model, aqueous extract of M. philippica revealed significant antiulcer effects on the basis of pH effect and ulcer index in rats. The anti-ulcerogenic and anti-secretory effect of the tested M. philippica leaves extracts point out its possible cyto-protective effect. Conclusion: In conclusion the aqueous extract of M. philippica leaves possess potential antiulcer activity in experimental rat models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new sardine, Sardinella pacifica sp. n., is described on the basis of 21 specimens collected from the Philippines. The new species closely resembles Sardinella fimbriata (Valenciennes, 1847), both species having lateral scales with centrally discontinuous striae, a dark spot on the dorsal-fin origin, more than 70 lower gill rakers on the first gill arch, the pelvic fin with eight rays, and 17 or 18 prepelvic and 12 or 13 postpelvic scutes. However, the new species is distinguished from the latter by lower counts of lateral scales, pseudobranchial filaments, and postpelvic scutes (38-41, 14-19 and 12-13, respectively vs. 44-46, 19-22 and 13-14), and a shorter lower jaw (10.4-11.6% of standard length vs. 11.1-12.2%). Sardinella pacifica sp. n. is known only from the Philippines, whereas S. fimbriata is restricted to the Indian Ocean, although previously considered to be an Indo-West Pacific species, distributed from India to the Philippines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the spatiotemporal patterns of emergence and circulation of new human seasonal influenza virus variants is a key scientific and public health challenge. The global circulation patterns of influenza A/H3N2 viruses are well characterized, but the patterns of A/H1N1 and B viruses have remained largely unexplored. Here we show that the global circulation patterns of A/H1N1 (up to 2009), B/Victoria, and B/Yamagata viruses differ substantially from those of A/H3N2 viruses, on the basis of analyses of 9,604 haemagglutinin sequences of human seasonal influenza viruses from 2000 to 2012. Whereas genetic variants of A/H3N2 viruses did not persist locally between epidemics and were reseeded from East and Southeast Asia, genetic variants of A/H1N1 and B viruses persisted across several seasons and exhibited complex global dynamics with East and Southeast Asia playing a limited role in disseminating new variants. The less frequent global movement of influenza A/H1N1 and B viruses coincided with slower rates of antigenic evolution, lower ages of infection, and smaller, less frequent epidemics compared to A/H3N2 viruses. Detailed epidemic models support differences in age of infection, combined with the less frequent travel of children, as probable drivers of the differences in the patterns of global circulation, suggesting a complex interaction between virus evolution, epidemiology, and human behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted over 3 years in a salt-affected coastal rainfed lowland ecosystem. Farmers most commonly grow tall rice varieties in the wet season to cope with flash and/or stagnant floods, leading to large amounts of rice residue production. Most of the land remains fallow during the dry season because of increased salinity and scarcity of freshwater for irrigation. The study aims to provide options for increasing cropping intensity through management of crop residues (CR) and soil salinity, conservation of soil moisture, and reduction in production cost. The rice–maize rotation was assessed with rice as the main plot as (1) puddled transplanted rice (PTR) with CR of both rice and maize removed, (2) PTR and 40% CR of both crops retained, (3) dry direct-seeded rice (DSR) with CR of both crops removed, and (4) DSR with 40% CR of both crops retained. Maize in the dry season was supplied with different N levels as sub-plots—control (0 kg N ha−1), 80, 120, and 160 kg N ha−1. DSR, when combined with CR retention (DSR + R), reduced soil salinity. The increase in rice grain yield with CR retention (observed in second and third years) and crop establishment (higher in DSR versus PTR in the third year) was 16 and 24%, respectively. The cost of production increased by 17% (USD 605 ha−1) in PTR compared with DSR (USD 518 ha−1). CR retention reduced irrigation water requirement by 37% and N requirement by 40 kg ha−1 for hybrid maize. When CR was removed (−R), the N requirement for hybrid maize increased to 160 kg N ha−1 compared to when it was partially (40%) retained, where the requirement was 120 kg ha−1 with similar yields. Available N was highest under DSR + R (314 kg ha−1) and lowest under PTR − R (169 kg ha−1), and it also increased with increasing N application up to 120 kg ha−1 (+R) and 160 kg ha−1 (−R). The results of the study hold promise for increasing cropping intensity and farmers' incomes, with broader implications for increasing productivity on about 2.95 million hectares currently under a rice–fallow system in eastern India, and in coastal areas affected by similar conditions in South and Southeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]