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Aim To determine the prevalence of joint hypermobility ( JH) among young Kuwaiti adults. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 390 randomly selected healthy undergraduate university students, aged 18-29 years from the Health Sciences Centre, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait. Beighton score at four peripheral sites bilaterally (knees, elbows, thumbs and fifth fingers) and forward flexion of the trunk were used to evaluate joint hypermobility. Any student who met four out of the nine criteria was considered hypermobile. Joint pain was documented in all subjects through personal interview. Results A total of 390 subjects (male : female ratio 1.0 : 0.9) were assessed. Of those, 87 (22.3%) were found to have JH: 60 (29.4%) males and 27 (14.5%) females, showing a significantly higher male predominance ( P < 0.001). Beighton score was inversely correlated with age (ρ = −0.15, P = 0.003). A higher incidence of finger signs was noted in comparison to elbow-knee hyperextension and hands-to-floor. Knee joint, back, neck and shoulder pains, in descending order, were the commonest type of joint complaints, although not statistically significant ( P > 0.05) in subjects with and without joint hypermobility. It was also observed that the left side, at all the sites, was slightly more hypermobile in comparison to the right side in hypermobile subjects. Conclusions The prevalence of joint hypermobility is not uncommon among young Kuwaiti adults, and was comparable to the data published in other Asian-Pacific regions. General practitioners should therefore be familiar with the condition and its clinical associations, while assessing musculoskeletal complaints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The DNA barcode approach was used to identify and establish association of Colletotrichum species complex with fruit rot disease of chili ( Capsicum annuum L.) in North-Western Himalayan region of India. Twenty isolates of five morphologically identified Colletotrichum species collected from commercial chili growing areas were identified using deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) barcode marker genes, 5.8S ribosomal ribonucleic acid flanking internal transcribed spacers 1 & 2 and β-tubulin gene. Morpho-cultural identification requires expertise to delineate C. gloeosporioides, C. boninense and C. acutatum complexes from each other, as these species possess minute variation in spore shape and size. Ribosomal DNA and β-tubulin sequence analysis along with species-specific marker amplification established the association of seven Colletorichum spp. viz., C. truncatum (syn. Colletotrichum capsici), C. coccodes, C. karstii, C. kahawae, C. nymphaeae, C. fructicola and C . gloeosporioides complex with fruit rot of chili. Phylogenetic analysis of 35 Colletotrichum sequences including authentic type sequences validated the identified sequences with strong bootstrap support. This approach delineated morphologically identified species with great ease into more reliable genotype based speciation of various Colletorichum complexes. The DNA barcode markers have direct implications for plant pathologists in relation to diagnostics in fields and for the purpose of quarantine and disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the recent past, chitosan demonstrated intriguing applications in the different domains of biomedical science, probably due to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, minimal toxicity, cost-effectiveness, and easy-going synthetic procedures. Chitosan is the second most prevalent amino polysaccharide after cellulose, generated from a deacetylated version of chitin. This short review briefly explains the preparation methods for chitosan from chitin and its role as a drug carrier for biomedical applications. [Display omitted] • Chitosan is a valuable biomaterial for biomedical science. • It is biocompatible, minimal toxic, & cost-effective. • Chitosan is the second most prevalent amino polysaccharide after cellulose. • Applications of chitosan as a delivery vehicle are accomplished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Ability to produce hemolysin by Candida species is an important determinant of its pathogenicity. Candida dubliniensis is implicated in the causation of oral candidosis, which can be treated with polyene, echinocandin, and azole groups of antifungal agents as well as chlorhexidine. After oral application, however, the concentrations of these agents tend to decrease quickly to subtherapeutic levels due to the peculiarity of the oral environment. In this study, we have evaluated the effect of short-term exposure of sublethal concentrations of these drugs on hemolysin production by oral C. dubliniensis isolates obtained from two different geographical locale. Materials and methods Twenty C. dubliniensis oral isolates obtained from Kuwait and Sri Lanka were exposed to sublethal concentrations of nystatin, amphotericin B, caspofungin, ketoconazole, fluconazole, and chlorhexidine for 1 h. Thereafter, the drugs were removed by dilution and the hemolysin production determined by a previously described plate assay. Results Hemolysin production of these isolates was significantly suppressed with a percentage reduction of 17.09, 16.45, 17.09, 11.39, 8.23 and 12.03 following exposure to nystatin, amphotericin B, caspofungin, ketoconazole, fluconazole, and chlorhexidine, respectively. Conclusion Brief exposure to sublethal concentrations of drugs with antifungal properties appears to reduce the pathogenic potential of C. dubliniensis isolates by suppressing hemolysin production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Library is a repository of reading material for use. During the last two and half decades, there has been a tremendous growth in information and communication technology (ICT) which has swayed not only publishing industry but also on the readers as well. With the development in ICT, books and journals are published in print and electronic formats. However, both of the formats have advantages and disadvantages over each other. Old generation still prefer to read print books and journals, whereas new generation prefer online text. Advent of new reading devices like Kindle, Nook, I Pad, and smart phones have made e-reading easy. Various surveys across the world have been done to know the preference of the users towards print and e-text and it has been concluded that for comprehensive reading, print books and journals are used whereas for casual reading or research projects, online books and journals are required. Keeping in view the users preference, it is assumed that print and e-version of books and journals will go simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colletotrichum truncatum is one of the most economically important fungal pathogen causing anthracnose disease in pre and post-harvest stages of many crops worldwide. Little information is available in the literature on the genetic analysis and demographic history of this fungal pathogen. In the present study nucleotide sequence data of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region were analyzed for C. truncatum isolates infecting chili and other crops worldwide to determine a metageographic pattern of distribution and evolution of the species. Levels of differentiation (genetic distances and F values) among sequences of C. truncatum from 23 countries were minimal suggesting the global occurrence of a large and geographically undifferentiated population. Only 11 haplotypes were detected among 98 isolates from 24 geographically distant populations of C. truncatum. Predominant haplotype H1 which occupied a central position in the median joining network was inferred to be ancestral haplotype as it was detected at a high frequency and was shared by multiple populations. Phylogeographic pattern of the species with worldwide presence and predominance of single haplotype suggests human mediated dispersal through domestication and introduction of host plants in different parts of the world, and might have played a significant role in structuring the populations of this devastating pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to establish normal reference ranges for the cardiac valve annulus size in preterm infants and their correlation with gestational age, body weight and chronological age. Subjects and methods: In a prospective study, 268 pre-term babies, who fulfilled the criteria for inclusion, were examined in Kuwait during the years 2008-2010. Echocardiograms were performed to measure the aortic, pulmonary, mitral and tricuspid valve annulus size on 0-6 day(s) of life and at weekly intervals until they reached 36 weeks. The gestational age was grouped into three: 24-27, 28-31 and 32-35 weeks, and body weight into five: ≤999, 1000-1499, 1500-1999, 2000-2499 and ≥2500 g. The overall group differences were compared for each period of life: 0-6 days, 1-2, 3-4 and ≥5 weeks. Results: The mean gestational age was 29.8 (±2.38 SD) weeks, ranging between 24 and 35, and the mean body weight 1479 (±413 SD) grams, ranging between 588 and 3380. At the first scan (0-6 days of life), all cardiac valve measurements correlated well with both body weight and gestational age ( P < 0.001). In the subsequent weeks valve diameters correlated well with body weight, while gestational age was found to have significant correlation ( P < 0.01) with aortic and mitral valves only. A significant gradual increase was noticed in all valve annulus measurements with body weight during each period of life. Overall, a progressive and significant increase for all four cardiac valve annulus measurements was observed during the first nine weeks of life. Conclusion: The cardiac valve annulus measurements were found to have significant correlation with body weight. All the cardiac valve measurements correlated well with gestational age ( P < 0.01) only up to 2 weeks. The study also provides reference data, which can be used as a normal reference tool for cardiac valve diameters for preterm infants against the gestational age, body weight and chronological age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was used to discriminate 18 Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains isolated from fermented foods of the North-Western Himalayas. ITS sequences were compared with other known lineages available in literature. A phylogenetic tree grouped these strains into two clusters, the first comprising Malaysian, North American, Sake, West African and wine/European strains and the second comprising all Indian strains along with certain other strains from different countries. In both clusters, mixed grouping was observed, with the exception of a few strains with a region-based grouping pattern. The baking and brewing abilities of these strains were studied to expose functional diversity. Four strains, viz. Sc06, Sc11, Sc19 and Sc20, were found promising for baking and three strains, viz. Sc04, Sc05 and Sc24, were found promising for brewing, thereby indicating the existence of functional diversity. At a genetic level, mining of the ADH1 gene of ten randomly selected yeast strains, showed very little variation in the gene sequences irrespective of their alcohol production ability. In contrast, mining of the ATF1 gene showed a lot more variation in the gene sequences, revealing the ATF1 gene to be an appropriate marker to reveal differences in ester formation among these indigenous yeast strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eupeodes corollae (F.) (Diptera: Syrphidae) is the most abundant syrphid fly which is distributed worldwide and is the sole predator of aphids. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the predation rate and functional response of E. corollae against the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.). The experiment was carried out under laboratory conditions at 25 ± 2°C with 60–70% relative humidity. The results revealed that age-specific net predation rate (qx) increased after the 4th day and a peak was recorded on the 10th day of pivotal age in the third larval instar. The stable host kill rate and finite host kill rate of E. corollae were 18.63 and 21.07, respectively, against the B. brassicae and predicted that a mean of 20.78 aphids was needed for E. corollae to produce one offspring. A negative linear coefficient (P < 0) indicated the type II functional response for all larval instars of E. corollae against the B. brassicae. At higher prey density, the prey consumption was significantly at par with second and third instar larvae of E. corollae as the prey consumption was increased with increasing the prey density, which then decreased after attaining the upper asymptote (76.40 and 81.40% consumption, respectively). The Roger's predator random equation for type II functional response was fitted to estimate attack rate (a) and handling time (Th). The maximum prey consumption was recorded for third instar of E. corollae with a higher attack rate (0.336 h−1) and lower handling time (0.514 h) against B. brassicae , followed by the second and first instar. Thus, it is concluded that the third larval instar of E. corollae was the voracious feeder and used as an efficient biocontrol agent in the IPM programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]