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Summary: Synaptic structural plasticity, key to long-term memory storage, requires translation of localized RNAs delivered by long-distance transport from the neuronal cell body. Mechanisms and regulation of this system remain elusive. Here, we explore the roles of KIF5C and KIF3A, two members of kinesin superfamily of molecular motors (Kifs), and find that loss of function of either kinesin decreases dendritic arborization and spine density whereas gain of function of KIF5C enhances it. KIF5C function is a rate-determining component of local translation and is associated with ∼650 RNAs, including EIF3G, a regulator of translation initiation, and plasticity-associated RNAs. Loss of function of KIF5C in dorsal hippocampal CA1 neurons constrains both spatial and contextual fear memory, whereas gain of function specifically enhances spatial memory and extinction of contextual fear. KIF5C-mediated long-distance transport of local translation substrates proves a key mechanism underlying structural plasticity and memory.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent condition that can be prevented and treated, defined by ongoing respiratory symptoms and restricted airflow resulting from abnormalities in the alveoli or airways, typically due to significant exposure to harmful particles or gases.1,2. Aim and Objectives: This study aimed to compare the prognostic value of three different scoring methods of Acute exacerbation of COPD(AECOPD): DECAF score, BAP65 score, CAUDA70 score in predicting outcome and mortality in the patient with AECOPD. Material and Methods: Study Design: Prospective hospital-based observational study. Study area: The study was conducted in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine in MVJ MC AND RH. Study Period: 1 year from June 2023-June 2024. Study population: The present study involved 100 cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with acute exacerbation. Sample size: The study consisted of 100 subjects. Sampling method: Simple random Sampling Technique. All these patients with exacerbation of COPD underwent routine clinical, radiological and laboratory assessment and appropriate treatment was initiated as decided by the treating clinician. Investigations followed standard of care. All the data needed for the proposed scoring systems were collected from patients, hospital records. Results: 29.2% died with score >3, 33.3% died with score 0-1, 37.5% died with score>2, There is a significant association between mortality and BAP 65 score. Among the study subjects 14.3% had score>3, 57.1% had score >2, 28.6% had score0-1. 34.8% readmission with score 0-1, 65.2% readmission with score 2 There is a significant association between BAP 65, DECAF, CAUDA70 and 30 day readmissions. Conclusion: Our findings imply that a straightforward clinical prediction tool that incorporates indices that are frequently available at the time of hospital admission will help stratify patients with AECOPD into risk categories that are clinically relevant, which may help clinicians manage these patients. In conclusion, we propose that the DECAF, BAP 65, and CAUDA 70 scores all play a part in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The molecular mechanisms underlying age‐related declines in learning and long‐term memory are still not fully understood. To address this gap, our study focused on investigating the transcriptional landscape of a singularly identified motor neuron L7 in Aplysia, which is pivotal in a specific type of nonassociative learning known as sensitization of the siphon‐withdraw reflex. Employing total RNAseq analysis on a single isolated L7 motor neuron after short‐term or long‐term sensitization (LTS) training of Aplysia at 8, 10, and 12 months (representing mature, late mature, and senescent stages), we uncovered aberrant changes in transcriptional plasticity during the aging process. Our findings specifically highlight changes in the expression of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that encode transcription factors, translation regulators, RNA methylation participants, and contributors to cytoskeletal rearrangements during learning and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Furthermore, our comparative gene expression analysis identified distinct transcriptional alterations in two other neurons, namely the motor neuron L11 and the giant cholinergic neuron R2, whose roles in LTS are not yet fully elucidated. Taken together, our analyses underscore cell type‐specific impairments in the expression of key components related to learning and memory within the transcriptome as organisms age, shedding light on the complex molecular mechanisms driving cognitive decline during aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing incidence of tick-borne diseases and the growing resistance to conventional acaricides underscore the urgent need for innovative and sustainable tick management strategies. This study investigates the potential of assembly and sex pheromones for the control of larval stages of Rhipicephalus sanguineus, the brown dog tick, which poses significant health risks to dogs. The ticks were collected from various canine hosts in Thrissur, Kerala and subjected to Petri-dish bioassays using vapour patches impregnated with synthetic assembly pheromone (AP) and sex pheromone (SP), both individually and in combination. The efficacy of these semiochemicals was assessed based on the attraction and clustering behaviour of unfed larvae and partially fed adult ticks over a 24-hour period. Results demonstrated a significantly higher attraction to AP-impregnated patches, with notable efficacy observed in causing tick aggregation, particularly beyond 30 min of exposure. While SP also showed potential in attracting ticks, the combination of SP and AP did not result in a synergistic effect. The study highlights the potential of using semiochemicals as an environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional acaricides, highlighting their role in integrated pest management strategies Keywords: Rhipicephalus sanguineus, adenine, guanine, xanthine, 2,6-DCP, Petri-dish bioassay

Schistosomosis is a prevalent zoonotic parasitic disease affecting both humans and animals on a global scale, with an estimated 165 million cattle and 200 million people impacted worldwide. Eventhough, serological methodologies designed for the identification of specific antibodies targeting parasitic antigens are esteemed for their high sensitivity, there are criticisms due to their incapacity to reliably indicate active infection, inability to correlate with the intensity of infection and lack of specificity. Enhancing the specificity of serological assays presents a significant challenge, primarily attributable to the identification and synthesis of specific antigens. In addressing these limitations, recombinant technology with specific immunogenic proteins as candidate antigens emerges as a viable alternative. In this study, induction of 22.6 kDa recombinant tegument protein of Schistosoma spindale was achieved using 0.6 mM concentration of IPTG at 37°C for four hours. Nickel chelating affinity chromatography was employed for protein purification, yielding maximum protein concentration at 75mM elution. Subsequently, the dialysis technique was employed to remove contaminants, while lyophilisation method was employed for protein concentration. The protein concentration post dialysis was measured at 0.220 mg/mL, while lyophilisation resulted in a concentration of 2mg/m Keywords: 22.6 kDa tegumental protein, Schistosoma spindale, dialysis, lyophilisation

Food security and sustainable development is making a mandatory move in the entire human race. The attainment of this goal requires man to strive for a highly advanced state in the field of agriculture so that he can produce crops with a minimum amount of water and fertilizer. Even though our agricultural methodologies have undergone a series of metamorphoses in the process of a present smartagricultural system, a long way is ahead to attain a system that is precise and accurate for the optimum yield and profitability. Towards such a futuristic method of cultivation, this paper proposes a novel method for monitoring the efficient flow of a small quantity of water through the conventional irrigation system in cultivation using ClusteredWireless Sensor Networks (CWSN). The performance measure is simulated the creation of edge-fixed geodetic clusters using Mat lab's Cup-carbon tool in order to evaluate the suggested irrigation process model's performance. The findings of blocks 1 and 2 are assessed. Each signal takes just a little amount of energy to communicate, according to the performance. It is feasible to save energy while maintaining uninterrupted communication between nodes and cluster chiefs. However, the need for proper placement of a dynamic control station in WSN still exists for maintaining connectivity and for improving the lifetime fault tolerance of WSN. Based on the minimum edge fixed geodetic sets of the connected graph, this paper offers an innovative method for optimizing the placement of control stations. The edge-fixed geodetic cluster makes the network fast, efficient and reliable. Moreover, it also solves routing and congestion problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastro intestinal parasite (GIP) infection is an economically important disease that affects cattle population worldwide and contributes to decreased productivity and profitability in the livestock sector. An important obstacle to the management of helminth infections in cattle is the failure of therapy owing to anthelmintic resistance. The present study is aimed to identify the predominant gastrointestinal strongyles in cattle of Thrissur district, Kerala and to determine the incidence of benzimidazole resistance against these gastrointestinal strongyles in organised cattle farms and small holder farmers’ herd. Coproculture studies revealed that predominant strongyle was Mecistocirrus spp. (29.75 per cent) followed by Haemonchus spp. (21.5 per cent) and Oesophagostomum spp. (13 per cent). The in vivo method of benzimidazole resistance detection by faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) with albendazole was done in three organised cattle farms and three small holder farmers’ herd. The per cent FEC reduction in three organised farms were 38, 55 and 85 per cent and that of small holder farmers’ herd ranged between 75 - 100. This study forms the first report of anthelmintic resistance in cattle in south India and the results indicated that benzimidazole resistance was highly progressed in organised cattle farms and in a progression state in small holder farmers’ herd that necessitates the judicial utilisation of anthelmintics for the parasite control.

Ticks are obligate blood sucking ectoparasites recognised globally as vectors of various pathogens, next to mosquitoes. The present study is conducted on brown dog ticks collected from naturally infested dogs in and around Thrissur district. Adult immersion test was performed and the parameters such as engorged tick weight, egg mass weight as well as tick mortality were recorded to derive the reproductive indices, percentage inhibition of oviposition and percentage mortalities. Non-linear regression analysis of the dose response data yielded the LC50 values at 95% confidence intervals and, the slopes and regression coefficients of the different parameters were also derived. The Resistance factors (RF) were calculated to categorise resistance levels into I, II, III and IV. Resistance to amitraz was detected at level II in tick isolates collected from Choolissery and Mundur, at level III and level IV in isolates collected from Mannuthy and Paravattani, respectively. Two isolates collected from Mannuthy were found to be susceptible. One way ANOVA of resistance levels revealed that the resistance levels III and IV were significantly different from that of susceptible and resistance level II. This is the first report on detection of amitraz resistance levels in dog ticks from south India calling for proper implementation of tick control strategies to prevent spread of amitraz resistance.

Anaplasmosis is a fatal infectious disease affecting small ruminants all over the world. Haematological analysis and therapeutic evaluation of anaplasmosis were done in clinically affected goats from Thrissur district, Kerala in this study. A total of 100 blood samples from clinically affected goats were collected and microscopically examined using Field’s staining technique for anaplasmosis which revealed 50 per cent positivity. Infected goats showed significant (p

Gastro-intestinal strongylosis is a major parasitic infection in caprine causing reduced performance, irreversible damage and death, which eventually leads to huge economic loss to the producers. The use of anthelmintics as a simple, effective and quick control method against the parasitism by the farmers has been rampant since decades. But its indiscriminate and undue usage invariably paved way to the development of anthelmintic resistance in parasites. It is high time that control strategies are designed so as to utilise chemotherapy appropriately at the time that coincide with heavy incidence of strongylosis. In the present study, a total of 109 goats, comprising of 58 Malabari and 51 Attappady Black goats from an organised farm were screened for the incidence for strongyle infection. The infection was found to be very high throughout the monsoon seasons in Kerala (June to October) with 94.86 ±1.47 per cent. Majority of the animals exhibited very heavy infection with faecal egg count of (FEC) >1500 during the study period. On coproculture, Haemonchus contortus was found to be the most predominant strongyle followed by Oesophagostomum spp. and Trichostrongylus spp.

Byline: M. Reddy, P. Reddy, P. Usha Rani, L. Hema Bindu Facio Auricular Vertebral (FAV) or Goldenhar syndrome is a very rare kind of syndromic deafness and is inherited as [...]

Anaemia and thrombocytopenia are the common clinical features of blood parasite infection in dogs. Blood parasites previously identified in dogs in Kerala were Babesia gibsoni, Babesia canis vogeli, Ehrlichia canis and Trypanosoma evansi. A two-year old female Labrador Retriever was brought to the University Veterinary Hospital, Mannuthy, Thrissur, with a complaint of anorexia for the past two weeks. A thorough clinical examination did not give any evidence of involvement of other body systems, except for a splenomegaly which was confirmed by radiography. The dog was negative for microfilaria and intestinal parasites. Haematological findings revealed moderate anaemia and thrombocytopenia. Anaemia was classified as non-regenerative based on reticulocyte count. Blood smear was positive for basophilic intra-erythrocytic inclusions suggestive of small babesia and basophilic inclusions in platelets suggestive of morula of Anaplasma spp. Species-specific PCR on whole blood genomic DNA-showed specific amplification for B. gibsoni and A. platys organisms and negative for B. canis vogeli, E. canis and T. evansi. The present study reports a case of non-regenerative anaemia due to B. gibsoni and A. platys co-infection in a dog and its successful therapeutic management. This is the second report of A. platys infection in dogs in Kerala, India.

Toxoplasmosis, is a cosmopolitan zoonotic parasitic infection prevalent throughout the world affecting all warm blooded animals and man. A total of 72 serum samples from goats belonging to the organised,unorganised and small holder farms that had aborted recently or had a history of abortion were collected from the central districts of Kerala viz., Palakkad, Thrissur and Ernakulam. The samples were subjected to indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for the detection of IgG antibodies of Toxoplasma gondii. Factors predisposing to the prevalence of infection such as age, grazing behaviour and stage of gestation were also taken into account during the study. Out of 72 serum samples examined, 31(43 per cent) were negative, 13 (18 per cent) were weakly positive and 28 (38.88 per cent) were highly positive. A higher prevalence was noticed in goats above four years of age, in those with regular grazing behaviour and in those that had aborted in the second stage of gestation. District-wise prevalence revealed relatively higher prevalence in Ernakulam district (62.5 per cent) compared to Thrissur (56.09 per cent) and Palakkad (53.33 per cent), even though the difference was not statistically significant.