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Macaques, Macaca fascicularis, are a known reservoir of Plasmodium knowlesi, the agent of simian malaria which is the predominant zoonotic species affecting humans in Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries. Recently, a naturally acquired human infection of another simian malaria parasite, P. cynomolgi has been reported. Thus, it is crucial to study the distribution of simian Plasmodium infections with particular attention to the macaques. Four hundred and nineteen (419) long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) were trapped in selected areas where human cases of P. knowlesi and P. cynomolgi have been reported. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted to identify the Plasmodium spp., and circumsporozoite protein (CSP) genes of P. knowlesi samples were sequenced. Plasmodium cynomolgi infection was shown to be the most prevalent among the macaque population (68.4%). Although 50.6% of analyzed samples contained single infections either with P. knowlesi, P. cynomolgi, P. inui, P. coatneyi, or P. fieldi, mixed infections with double, triple, quadruple, and all 5 species were also detected. Infection with P. cynomolgi and P. knowlesi were the highest among Malaysian macaques in areas where humans and macaques are in close contact. The risk of zoonotic infection in these areas needs to be addressed since the number of zoonotic malaria cases is on the rise. With the elimination of human malaria, the risk of humans being infected with simian malaria is very high and steps should be taken to mitigate this issue.

Introduction: Arboviruses are growing concern for state and central health authorities in India. Prevention of arbovirus infections or to break the chain of infection valuable strategy is by vector control measures. However, it's not effective to control the country's mosquito population. The primary aim of this study was to analyse the epidemiology and demographic characteristics of dengue and chikungunya. Materials And Methods: In this prospective study patients presenting with clinical features suggestive of dengue and chikungunya data was collected. Specimens about 5 ml of blood from each patient were collected for serological testing. Results: The mean age of dengue and chikungunya positive patients was 34.8±2.34 and 43±4.21 respectively with a slight male predominance. Dengue confirmed cases count increased in August and September and more number of cases was noted from November to January. Whereas, Chikungunya confirmed cases didn’t show any much seasonal variation during the studied years. 49.7% positives were detected as IgM antibodies, 28.57% were tested as NS1 antigen positive and remaining 21.6% positives were detected as both NS1 and IgM antibodies. Conclusion: South India region is endemic for dengue & chikungunya, research studies on incidence, demographic parameters and transmission dynamics will be useful for central and state government authorities to implement protocols like vector control measures, early diagnostic testing and health education at higher level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to understandthe efficacy of yoga therapy on biochemical deviations deferent disorders. The disorders studied are Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) Syndrome, Hyperthyroidism, and hypertriglyceridemia through yoga therapy, the case study was employed as the method of research. Method: Each subject volunteered themselves for the intervention, the details of clients who visited a health clinic were involved in the study. They practiced one-hour yoga intervention daily composed of specific asanas, pranayama, bandhas, mudra, and meditation based on the stipulation of the disorder. Yoga intervention was given for MRKH syndrome for 6 months, hyperthyroidism for 6 months, and hypertriglyceridemia for 3 months. Parameters related to their ailment were measured on the baseline of the study and compared to their post-intervention analysis of the data shows that integrated yoga therapy had positive effects in the management of the respective ailments. Discussion: In MRKH syndrome, biochemical analysis showed good improvement in functional changes, such as prolactin hormone increased by 59.2%, serum TSH increased by 39.1%, and decrease observed in FSH & LH by 10.9% and 17.8% respectively, which is normal during menarche. Improvements in structural changes like a reduction in weight by 6.1%, Uterus size length increased by 113.8%, width increased by 133.5%, and depth increased by 7.3%. In the case of hyperthyroidism, the biochemical analysis showed a decrease in serum TSH by 54.5%. In hypertriglyceridemia, triglyceride levels decreased by 74.1%. Conclusion: This study helps us to understand that integrated yoga therapy (Pranayama, yoga postures and meditation) is efficient in helping to manage the three deferent disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Quercetin on the pharmacokinetics of Atorvastatin Calcium. In-vivo Pharmacokinetic studies were performed on rats in a single dose study and multiple dose study. Rats were treated with Quercetin (10mg/kg) and Atorvastatin Calcium (20mg/kg) orally and blood samples were collected at (0) pretreatment and 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 8, 12, 24 hours post treatment. Plasma concentrations of Atorvastatin were estimated by HPLC method. Quercetin treatment did not significantly alter the pharmacokinetic parameters of atorvastatin like AUC0-24, AUC0-a, Tmax, Cmax and T1/2 in both single dose and multiple dose studies of Atorvastatin Calcium. Quercetin does not alter the oral bioavailability of Atorvastatin Calcium in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A modified approach for extracting Banana bract mosaic virus (BBrMV) RNA was developed from infected pseudostem and bract of banana. The RNA preparation was suitable for reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to amplify the coat protein (CP) gene and 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of an Indian isolate of BBrMV. The PCR product from pseudostem was cloned and sequenced. It consisted of 1062 nucleotides (nt) including 900 nt of the CP coding region and 162 nt from the 3′ UTR. The nucleotide sequence of the CP gene was compared with other Indian isolates of BBrMV. Variability of 1.0 – 4.6% at nucleic acid level and 0.7 – 2.0% at the amino acid level was observed. Variability between our isolate and the four southeast Asian isolates, ranged from 4.5 – 5.3% at nucleotide and 1.4 – 3.0% at amino acid levels, respectively. A set of primers was also designed to amplify a smaller 699-bp product of the CP coding region to identify the pathogen from infected tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abnormal increase in the incidence of dengue was reported at Vellore Corporation since September 2012. Intensive control operations supported with health education campaigns were carried out from September to November 2012 till the outbreak situation subsided. During December 2012, a cross sectional survey was conducted at Vellore Corporation to assess the impact of the health education campaigns on the knowledge, attitude and practice in the community and also to assess future needs. A total of 101 families from four different locations at Vellore corporation were interviewed on pre-structured formats. Though 80% of the respondents felt that dengue could be effectively prevented and controlled only with community participation, majority of them lacked awareness on the day time biting behaviour of Aedes mosquitos, their indoor resting and breeding habits and relevance of specific control measures focused on the bionomics of dengue vectors.