Indigenous traditional knowledge and usage of folk bio-medicines among Rongmei tribe of Tamenglong district of Manipur, India

BACKGROUND

Rongmei tribe (Kooki), are inhabitant of the Charoi Chagotlong village, Tupul, Tamenglong district of Manipur have the traditional knowledge of folk bio-medicine based on diverse plant species for the prevention and cure of certain chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to document and preserve the indigenous knowledge of the Rongmei tribe on folk medicines.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The present work was based on methodical field survey conducted between 2010, to 2013. Local people of within 30-70 age groups of both sexes were interviewed and a group discussion (using a structured interview schedule), was held to know about the type of plant parts used in folk bio-medicines, and their mode of use. The interviewers were drawn from a wide array of disciplines (Vendors, Farmers club, NGO's, scientific societies, etc.), to obtain maximum information in relation to folk bio-medicine.

RESULTS

A total of 60 species belonging to 36 different families (ranging from gymnosperm to angiosperm with medicinal benefits), were discussed briefly with significant emphasis on their local name, scientific name, family, parts used; they claimed to cure various ailments from these plants in this mode of folk bio-medicine. The different plant parts used were leaves, fruits, bulbs, bark, roots, seeds, tuber, trunk, flower, shoot, whole plant, rhizome, stem, wood and berries. Based on a life form of the reported plants comprise herbs, shrubs, trees, grasses, bulb, vine, climber, tuber and succulent.

CONCLUSION

Efforts should be made to promote the use of traditional biomedicines within rural communities to preserve the traditional knowledge.

Inclusion of Three-Vessel View in Routine Fetal Cardiac Screening

Aims: The purpose of this study was to study the feasibility of inclusion of 3-vessel view (3-VV) of the fetal upper mediastinum in routine fetal anomaly screening; and to study the size relationship of these vessels namely, main pulmonary artery (MPA), ascending aorta (AA) and the superior venacava (SVC) in fetuses between 17 and 24 weeks of pregnancy by antenatal ultrasound. Methods: This was a prospective cross sectional study involving 106 pregnant ladies between 17 and 24 weeks of gestation. The time burden to the examination due to addition of 3-VV in routine anomaly screening was recorded. The relationships of the three great vessels of the fetal upper mediastinum were studied and their diameters were obtained. Regression equations were used to construct the reference ranges for all the parameters of statistical significance. Results: The 3-VV could be easily obtained in all but eight patients within five minutes (the difficulty in these eight patients was due to fetal position). The MPA, AA and SVC were aligned in a straight line from left to right respectively, the MPA being the largest vessel, the SVC being the smallest vessel and the AA having an intermediate diameter. All of these three vessels showed significant correlation of size with advancing gestational age. Conclusions: 3-VV is easily obtained in fetuses at the time of routine anomaly screening. This should be routinely included in the screening ultrasound of fetal heart along with the four-chamber view to detect the anomalies of the outflow tract. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njog.v9i1.11197 NJOG 2014 Jan-Jun; 2(1):82-86

Subcutaneous mycoses caused by Rhytidhysteron species in an immunocompetent patient

Subcutaneous mycoses are chronic fungal infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissues caused by variety of fungal agents and usually occur following trauma with vegetative matter. We report a case of subcutaneous mycoses caused by rare fungus belonging to the genus Rhytidhysteron, in an immunocompetent male who presented with a subcutaneous nodule on left foot. This unusual species was identified and confirmed by molecular methods.

Texture-based medical image retrieval in compressed domain using compressive sensing

Content-based image retrieval has gained considerable attention in today's scenario as a useful tool in many applications; texture is one of them. In this paper, we focus on texture-based image retrieval in compressed domain using compressive sensing with the help of DC coefficients. Medical imaging is one of the fields which have been affected most, as there had been huge size of image database and getting out the concerned image had been a daunting task. Considering this, in this paper we propose a new model of image retrieval process using compressive sampling, since it allows accurate recovery of image from far fewer samples of unknowns and it does not require a close relation of matching between sampling pattern and characteristic image structure with increase acquisition speed and enhanced image quality.

Interaction of Al(2)O(3) nanoparticles with Escherichia coli and their cell envelope biomolecules

AIMS

The aim of this study is to investigate the antibacterial activity of aluminium oxide nanoparticles (Al2 O3 NPs) against multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and their interaction with cell envelope biomolecules.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Al2 O3 NPs were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Antibacterial activity and interaction of Al2 O3 NPs with E. coli and its surface biomolecules were assessed by spectrophotometry, SEM, HR-TEM and attenuated total reflectance/Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR). Of the 80 isolates tested, about 64 (80%) were found to be extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) positive and 16 (20%) were non-ESBL producers. Al2 O3 NPs at 1000 μg ml(-1) significantly inhibited the bacterial growth. SEM and HR-TEM analyses revealed the attachment of NPs to the surface of cell membrane and also their presence inside the cells due to formation of irregular-shaped pits and perforation on the surfaces of bacterial cells. The intracellular Al2 O3 NPs might have interacted with cellular biomolecules and caused adverse effects eventually triggering the cell death. ATR-FTIR studies suggested the interaction of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and L-α-Phosphatidyl-ethanolamine (PE) with Al2 O3 NPs. Infrared (IR) spectral changes revealed that the LPS could bind to Al2 O3 NPs through hydrogen binding and ligand exchange. The Al2 O3 NPs-induced structural changes in phospholipids may lead to the loss of amphiphilic properties, destruction of the membrane and cell leaking.

CONCLUSIONS

The penetration and accumulation of NPs inside the bacterial cell cause pit formation, perforation and disorganization and thus drastically disturb its proper function. The cell surface biomolecular changes revealed by ATR-FTIR spectra provide a better understanding of the cytotoxicity of Al2 O3 NPs.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Al2 O3 NPs may serve as broad-spectrum bactericidal agents to control the emergent pathogens regardless of their drug-resistance mechanisms.

Knowledge and attitude of basic health workers (BHWs) toward HIV/AIDS

BACKGROUND

The incidence of HIV infection and AIDS is rising in Nepal. The Basic Health Workers (BHWs) are front-line services providers in rural community. The aim of this study was to ascertain BHWs concerns regarding risk awareness, knowledge and attitude toward HIV/AIDS.

METHODS

A stratified random sample was used to select the BHWs from two districts. Data were collected using well-structured self-administrated questionnaire. It was consists of knowledge and attitude related question. Knowledge was assessed by asking several questions concerning issues on HIV/AIDS. Attitude was measured on a five-point Likert scale. Collected data were analyzed using the Epi-Info Software.

RESULTS

A total of 100 BHWs were participated in this study. The mean age of Basic Health Workers were 39 years. Out of all the participants 69 (69%) were male and 31 (31%) were female. The present study revealed that only 46 (46%) had good knowledge and 59 (59%) differentiate between HIV and AIDS. Only 22 (22%) BHWs had accurate knowledge of Universal Precaution. Only 38 (38%) participants showed positive and rationalized feeling towards HIV/AIDS patients and 51 (51%) BHWs agreed that HIV/AIDS patients have right to live as we do. 41 (41%) were uncertain that universal precaution can prevent transmission of HIV.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggested that the Basic Health workers who participated in this study study possess basic knowledge but inadequate, although majority of them have poor attitudes toward persons with HIV/AIDS. Most incorrect answers were related to universal precaution. Ministry of Health Services, Nepal should consider the potential benefits to be gained from improving knowledge, attitude and practice of Basic Health Workers in prevention and control of rapidly increasing health problem of HIV/AIDS.

Partial role of multiple pathways in infarct size limiting effect of quercetin and rutin against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

BACKGROUND

Reperfusion therapy used in the treatment of cerebral ischemia often causes reperfusion neurological injury. Multiple pathological processes are involved in this injury including oxidative stress and components of the inflammatory response appear to play key roles in these deleterious effects. Thus new therapeutic strategies aimed at neutralization of OS-induced neurotoxicity support the application of natural antioxidant bioflavonoids. Both experimental and epidemiological evidence demonstrate that bioflavonoid such as quercetin and rutin are neuroprotective in models of cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury. However, recent studies indicate that the radical scavenger property of quercetin and rutin is unlikely to be the only reason for their cerebroprotective actions and in fact, a wide spectrum of cellular signaling events may well account for their biological actions.

AIM

In this study we attempted to establish the various mechanisms involved in the cerebroprotective activity of quercetin and rutin.

METHODS

Adult Sprague Dawely rats were anesthetized with thiopentone and subjected to global cerebral ischemia by occlusion of bicommon carotid arteries. Infarct size (TTC staining), SOD, MDA, CAT and MPO levels was assessed 4 h after the onset of ischemia.

RESULTS

Quercetin (50 mg/kg) and rutin (10 mg/kg) administered 10 min before reperfusion resulted in significant reduction of infarct size, MDA, and MPO levels and significant increase in SOD and CAT levels. Administration of L-NAME prior to administration of quercetin and rutin, significantly reduced the cerebroprotection offered by quercetin and rutin.

CONCLUSIONS

Possible partial role of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and involvement of NO in the beneficial effects of bioflavonoids quercetin and rutin against cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury was observed.

Neuroprotective effect of allopurinol and nimesulide against cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury in diabetic rats

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the study was to determine the neuroprotective effect of allopurinol and nimesulide against the cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury in diabetic and nondiabetic rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, Wistar albino rats of either sex weighing 150-250 g were procured from authorized suppliers. Rats were anesthetized by giving thiopentone sodium (45 mg/kg) by i.p. Under anesthesia, midline incision was given. Common carotid arteries were identified and isolated carefully from vago-sympathetic nerve. Rats were made ischemic by occluding bicommon carotid arteries with thread for 30 min, followed by reperfusion for 4 h by removing the occlusion. The drugs allopurinol (15, 30 mg/kg) and nimesulide (20, 40 mg/kg) were administered 10 min before reperfusion. Then after 4 h reperfusion, animals were sacrificed and immediately brain was removed, homogenized, centrifuged and supernatant was collected, various enzyme estimations were done and same procedure was followed in streptozotocin (STZ: 45 mg/kg; i.p.) induced diabetic rats.

RESULTS

Ischemia reperfusion (I/R) group showed significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and depletion in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Treatment with allopurinol and nimesulide significantly decreased the MDA and MPO levels whereas increased the SOD and CAT levels when compared I/R group in both non-diabetic and diabetic rats.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest the cerebral injury due to over production of free radicals was inhibited by allopurinol and nimesulide that exert a neuroprotective effect probably by radical scavenging and antioxidant activities.

Influence of iron metabolism indices on HbA1c in non-diabetic pregnant women with and without iron-deficiency anemia: effect of iron supplementation

AIMS

Condition that influence erythrocyte turnover also affect HbA1c. Although many forms of anemia are associated with lowering of HbA1c, iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) tends to increase HbA1c. In this study, we examined the relationship between HbA1c and erythrocyte indices in non-diabetic pregnancy and assessed the effect of iron supplementation on HbA1c.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

150 women were studied (30 non-diabetic), non-pregnant, non-anemic women in child bearing women with varying parity as controls (Gp 1); 30 non-diabetic, non-anemic pregnant women in first trimester of pregnancy (Gp 2a); 30 non-diabetic, non-anemic pregnant women in second trimester of pregnancy (Gp 2b); 30 non-diabetic, non-anemic pregnant women in third trimester of pregnancy (Gp 2c) and 30 non-diabetic pregnant women with IDA (Gp 2d). HbA1c, OGTT, erythrocyte indices and iron metabolic indices were determined in Gp 2d subjects not supplemented with iron and repeated these indices after 3 months of iron-supplementation.

RESULTS

The mean fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels (79.9±8.0mg/dl, 108.1±14.1mg/dl) in Gp 1 were found to be significantly lower in first trimester among Gp 2a (74.4±5.3mg/dl and 97.2±11.1mg/dl), in second trimester among Gp 2b (76.2±5.2mg/dl and 103.4±7.9mg/dl) followed by increase in IIIrd trimester among Gp 2c (82.3±5.7mg/dl and 112.5±8.5mg/dl) subjects. A significant difference in HbA1c was also observed among the groups (HbA1c 4.7±0.3% in Gp 1; 4.6±0.4% in Gp 2a; 4.5±0.3 in Gp 2b; 4.7±0.3 in Gp 2c). Among Gp 2d subjects, HbA1c was 5.2±0.3% and the level decreased after iron supplementation to 5.1±0.3%. Significant correlation between erythrocyte indices, iron metabolic indices and HbA1c was also observed.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that consideration should be given for performing glucose testing in patients with IDA to ascertain the reliability of HbA1c in the diagnosis of diabetes. HbA1c concentrations in diabetic patients with IDA should be interpreted with caution.

Validity of Weech's formulae in detecting undernutrition in children

Primary care physicians in developing countries frequently use Weech's formulae to estimate the expected weight and height of children using age as a variable. The present study was undertaken to assess the validity of Weech's formulae in diagnosing undernutrition. We collected anthropometric information from 294 consecutive children, aged 12-59 months, who visited a health centre. Age was calculated from birth records and was recorded in completed months as well as completed years. Weight and height/length were measured using standard methods. Weight-for-age and height-for-age Z scores were calculated using WHO Anthro. Weech's formulae were used to calculate weight-for-age (%) and height-for-age (%). A cut off of < or =80.0% weight-forage and < or = 95.0% height-for-age were used to evaluate the validity of underweight and stunting respectively; a cut off of < or = 60.0% weight-for-age and <85.0% height-for-age were used for severe underweight and severe stunting respectively. Weech's formulae were found to be 100% sensitive in detecting underweight (weight-for-age Z score<-2) and stunting (height-for-age Z score<-2). When evaluating severe underweight (weight-for-age Z scorc<-3) and severe stunting (height-for-age Z scorc<-3), Weech's formulae were found to be 100% specific but the sensitivity was very low, 25.0% and 15.4% respectively. Based on the findings of our study Weech's formulae appear to be a sensitive tool to detect underweight and stunting in children between 12-59 months of age. Such formulae should however be used with caution when evaluating severe forms of undernutrition.

HCV-genotypes: a review on their origin, global status, assay system, pathogenecity and response to treatment

The present report is a review article on various aspects of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and their subtypes. HCV has six genotypes and several subtypes showing important epidemiological and clinical implications. The information based on previous studies and presented through this article highlight the origin, classification and causes of genetic diversity, global status, detection assays, pathogenicity and response to treatment of HCV-genotypes. The six genotypes differ in 30-35% of nucleotide sites over the complete genome. The difference in genomic composition of sub-types of genotype is usually found to be 20-25%. The variability remains more frequent in structural genes as compared to non-structural or untranslated genes. Both genotypes and their sub-types show a varied prevalence globally and raise several issues related to their transmission and treatment of HCV-infection. All this information has a great significance while planning future strategies for eradication and therapeutic management of HCV. In addition, these reports produce a further scope for more studies to unravel the mystery behind HCV-genotypes and formulate guidelines to resolve this public health problem noted worldwide.

Global developmental delay and its determinants among urban infants and toddlers: a cross sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of global developmental delay among children under 3 years of age and study the determinant factors.

METHODS

Cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in field practice areas of the Department of Community Medicine, JN Medical College, Aligarh, India. A total of 468 (243 boys and 225 girls) children aged 0-3 years were included. Developmental screening was performed for each child. A multitude of biological and environmental factors were analysed.

RESULTS

As many as 7.1% of the children screened positive for global developmental delay. Maximum delay was observed in the 0-12 months age group (7.0%). Undernutrition and prematurity were the two most prevalent etiological diagnoses (21% each). Stunting and maternal illiteracy were the microenvironmental predictors on stepwise binary logistic regression while prematurity and a history of seizures emerged significant biological predictors.

CONCLUSIONS

Developmental delay can be predicted by specific biological and environmental factors which would help in initiating appropriate interventions.

Cervical Rib causing Thrombosis of Subclavian Atery

We describe here an unusual case of thrombosis of left subclavian artery in a patient with cervical rib. The patient presented with features of ischaemia of left upper limb. X-ray chest revealed bilateral cervical ribs, longer on the left side. Color Doppler studies showed echogenic thrombus within the left subclavian artery. Angiography revealed complete occlusion of left subclavian artery. Embolectomy was done. She was planned for excision of rib. KEYWORDS:  cervical rib, thrombosis of subclavian artery.

Cervical rib causing thrombosis of subclavian artery

We describe here an unusual case of thrombosis of left subclavian artery in a patient with cervical rib. The patient presented with features of ischaemia of left upper limb. X-ray chest revealed bilateral cervical ribs, longer on the left side. Color Doppler studies showed echogenic thrombus within the left subclavian artery. Angiography revealed complete occlusion of left subclavian artery. Embolectomy was done. She was planned for excision of rib.

Cancer Diagnosis by Discrimination between Normal and Malignant Human Blood Samples Using Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

FTIR spectroscopy is a common technique for cancer diagnosis. Applied tissue samples are heterogeneous and may be damaged in preparation procedures. Easier sampling, more available samples and also easier process with assured results would be interesting. Whole blood samples include all of these qualifications and our hypothesis was the bio-molecular changes in blood which manifest themselves in different optical signatures, detectable by FTIR spectroscopy. Noncancerous blood samples were differentiated from cancerous ones using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and LDA classification method. Procedure was 100 percent and 90 percent accurate in prediction of cancerous or noncancerous situation for 33 known and 10 unknown samples, respectively.

Impact of etofenprox (Vectron 20 WP) indoor residual spray on malaria transmission

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

A longitudinal study was carried out to assess the impact of indoor residual spray with Vectron 20 WP (etofenprox) against Anopheles culicifacies and on malaria transmission in a selected village of Dadri primary health centre (PHC), District Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India.

METHODS

Two villages, namely Patadi and Anandpur in District Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, with similar malaria incidence and vector prevalence were selected for the present evaluation. In one village two rounds of indoor spraying of etofenprox (0.1 g/m(2)) were done at an interval of 12 wk and the other village was kept as control where no intervention except intensive active surveillance for early detection and prompt treatment (EDPT) was undertaken during the study period. Entomological and epidemiological data were collected using standard procedures.

RESULTS

Persistence of the effectiveness of etofenprox against An. culicifacies was observed up to 12 wk. Spraying of etofenprox significantly reduced the density (P<0.001) and proportion of parous An. culicifacies mosquitoes (P<0.05) in the experimental village. There was a significant reduction in malaria cases in the experimental village during the post-spray period when compared to the control village (P<0.05). No adverse effect was reported by the spraymen and inhabitants during and after the spray.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION

Indoor residual spray of etofenprox (0.1 g/m(2)) with an interval of three months in between two rounds of spray produced the desired impact in reducing the indoor resting density of vector mosquitoes and also in curtailing malaria transmission in the sprayed village when compared with the control village without spray.

Accuracy of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To assess the accuracy of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

METHODOLOGY

A prospective randomized study was carried in the Dept. of Radiology and Imaging, Tribhuvan University, Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal. A total of 120 patients, who were clinically diagnosed as acute appendicitis were subjected to ultrasonography of the abdomen. A detailed ultrasonography was performed and the findings were recorded. Twenty one cases had alternate diagnosis. Ninety nine cases ultimately underwent laparotomy and the retrieved appendices were sent for histopathological examination. Intra-operative, histopathological and ultrasonographic diagnoses were then statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

Ultrasonographic, intra-operative and histopathological findings were statistically insignificant (P0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy percentage of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis was 85.7%, 100%, 100%, 6.7% and 85.9% respectively.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasonography has a high degree of accuracy in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. However, the diagnosis should be considered with the diameter of appendix over 6 mm. Therefore acute appendicitis with diameter of appendix having less than 6 mm should be evaluated with other diagnostic parameters.

Efficacy of PermaNet 2.0 against Anopheles culicifacies and Anopheles stephensi, malaria vectors in India

Bioefficacy of PermaNet was evaluated in both the laboratory and field against Anopheles culicifacies and An. stephensi, major malaria vectors in India. Contact bioassays were carried out after repeated washings and ring net bioassays to determine the median knockdown time of mosquitoes. Three villages were selected for the field trial: in the 1st village PermaNets were distributed, in the 2nd village untreated nets were distributed, and the 3rd village was a control. Entomological data were collected using standard procedures. The PermaNet contact bioassays showed high mortality (>80%) even after 20 washes against both the vector species. The median knockdown time of An. culicifacies and An. stephensi was 392 and 480 sec when exposed to fresh PermaNets and 472 and 986 sec when exposed to PermaNets that had been washed 20 times, respectively. PermaNets showed high efficacy in reducing the person-vector contact as evidenced by reduced person-hour density in the PermaNet village. Long-term field trials are indicated to test the impact of use of PermaNets in controlling malaria.

Impact of Olyset nets on malaria transmission in India

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

Efficacy of Olyset nets, long-lasting insecticidal nets were tested from August 2003 to August 2006 against Anopheles culicifacies, the vector which transmits 60% of all malaria cases in rural India.

METHODS

Three villages in District Gautam Budh Nagar (Uttar Pradesh), India were selected for the trial and Olyset nets were distributed in one village, in another village untreated nets were distributed and the third village was kept as control where nets were not used. Entomological, and epidemiological data were collected using standard methods.

RESULTS

The use of Olyset nets reduced the indoor resting density of An. culicifacies and also reduced mosquito entry into the structures where Olyset nets were used. No mosquitoes were caught landing on the Olyset nets. There was a reduction in the parity rate of An. culicifacies in the Olyset net village as compared with untreated net and no net villages. The impact of Olyset nets was observed on malaria incidence and only one case of Plasmodiumfalciparum malaria was reported in the Olyset net village but these continued to be found in the village with untreated nets and the control.

CONCLUSION

Results of the present study confirmed that Olyset nets are highly effective in reducing the indoor resting density of mosquitoes, man-vector contact and malaria incidence.

Wash resistance and bioefficacy of Olyset net--a long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito net against malaria vectors and nontarget household pests

During recent years, long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) have been developed to overcome the problems of low retreatment rates, washing, and erratic dose of the insecticide resulting in the dilution of efficacy of the conventional insecticide-treated mosquito nets. These nets are treated at factory level with insecticide either incorporated into or coated around fibers. Olyset net, a polyethylene net with 2% permethrin incorporated within fibers, is one type of LLIN. Therefore, these nets were evaluated for their wash resistance and bioefficacy against malaria vectors Anopheles culicifacies Giles and Anopheles fluviatilis James (Diptera: Culicidae) and other nontarget species. Cone bioassay tests produced 100% mortality in these two vector species with 3-min exposure. Results of the bioassays on washed nets showed 100% mortality in An. fluviatilis even after 20 washings, whereas in An. culicifacies 100% mortality up to 11 washings and 80% mortality up to 20 washings were observed. Cone bioassay tests also were performed on nontarget mosquito species Culex quinquefasciatus Say; house fly, Musca domestica L.; American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.); head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer; and bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. with 30-min exposure. Except for bed bugs, 100% mortality was observed in these nontarget species after 24-h recovery period. In bed bugs, only 25% mortality was observed. The density of An. culicifacies and An. fluviatilis was significantly reduced in houses with Olyset nets compared with those with untreated nets or no nets. Thus, it may be concluded that Olyset nets are highly effective against malaria vectors and moderately against other nontarget household insects.

Bioefficacy of Olyset nets against mosquitoes in India

Olyset nets are highly effective in killing anopheline mosquitoes within 3 min of exposure, as evidenced in cone bioassay tests. These nets also showed their efficacy on other vector mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus) at higher exposure periods. The efficacy remained at approximately 90% even after 20 washings at an interval of 24 h against Anopheles culicifacies and Cx. quinquefasciatus. Use of the nets inside the house also resulted in drastic reduction of daytime resting density of mosquitoes because of high repellency, excitorepellency, and killing action of the nets. Pilot studies are indicated to evaluate the impact of use of Olyset nets on vector-borne diseases, particularly malaria, and its cost-effectiveness in comparison to conventional indoor residual spraying.

Diversity in pathogenicity of Steinernema carpocapsae and its symbiotic bacterium for Spodoptera spp

Pathogenicity of five isolates of Steinernema carpocapsae (GER: Germany, BUW: Becker Underwood, KOP: Koppert, CZ: Czech Republic, BEL: Belgium) were tested against the fourth instar larvae of the cotton leaf worm, Spodoptera littoralis and the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) at different concentrations (0, 5, 10, 25, and 50 infective juveniles/cm2) in Petri dishes (9 cm dia.) lined with filter paper. Results obtained after 48 h exposure indicated that the pathogenicity varied in time, dose of application and host species. On S. littoralis, KOP, BUW, CZ and GER were more virulent than BEL, whereas all isolates showed 100% control of S. exigua after 72 h. The LC50 values of all five isolates were lower for S. exigua than for S. littoralis. Among the isolates tested, KOP showed the lowest LC50 value in both S. exigua (3.84) and S. littoralis (4.44 infective juveniles). To further check the pathogenicity, the symbiotic bacterium of S. carpocapsae, Xenorhabdus nematophilus, was isolated from Galleria mellonella 30 h after its infection with the nematode. Ten microlitres of 50 mM phosphate buffer containing 0, 10, 100, 1000, or 10,000 cfu were injected into the haemocel of fifth instar larvae of S. exigua. Significant differences in mortality of S. exigua larvae were observed 96 h post-injection with different bacterial doses. Cell-free filtrates of X. nematophilus were isolated from a bacterial suspension; 10 microlitres of filtrates were injected into fifth instars of S. exigua. All larvae had died 72 h post-injection. To check the insecticidal capability of X. nematophilus via oral uptake, suspensions of bacteria at concentrations of 0, 1010, 109, and 108 cfu/ml were sprayed onto tomato leaves cv. Moneymaker infected with fourth instar larvae of S. exigua. None of the larvae were killed after 24 h. Finally, we tested the virulence of selected isolates of S. carpocapsae (KOP, BUW, and BEL) in the glass-house on tomato plants infested with S. exigua or S. littoralis larvae. Nematodes were sprayed at a concentration of 2.5 billion/ha. After 48 h isolate KOP caused higher mortality (99% and 85% on S. exigua and S. littoralis, respectively), than other tested isolates. S. carpocapsae isolates BUW and BEL caused 61-65% mortality on S. exigua and S. littoralis, respectively. As most of the isolates had the same origin, viz. the ALL strain, these results demonstrate differences in pathogenicity of the production.

Laboratory and field evaluation of Hilmilin against mosquitoes

Hilmilin (diflubenzuron), an insect growth regulator, was tested for efficacy against Anopheles stephensi, Anopheles culicifacies, Aedes aegypti, and Culex quinquefasciatus in the laboratory and in field conditions. Fifty percent and 90% lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC90) of Hilmilin formulations were determined by exposing early 4th-stage larvae to serial dilutions of the formulation, and data were subjected to log probit analysis. Two doses (0.004 and 0.008 g/m2) were applied in different breeding habitats of mosquitoes with the help of stirrup pumps. Percent inhibition of adult emergence was compared according to a previously described procedure. Laboratory results revealed that both 25WP (wettable powder) and 22SL (semiliquid) formulations showed more or less the same degree of efficacy against tested mosquito species (P < 0.05). Of 4 species tested, An. stephensi was more susceptible, followed by An. culicifacies, Ae. aegypti, and Cx. quinquefasciatus. One hundred percent inhibition of adult emergence was observed at a dose of 0.0125 ppm (25WP and 22SL) against all mosquitoes tested in the laboratory. Both formulations showed almost similar effect when applied in the field at doses of 0.004 and 0.008 g/m2 in their respective preferential breeding habitats. However, the effect was more pronounced at a higher concentration (0.008 g/m2) against all species of mosquitoes. Hilmilin at a dose of 0.008 g/m2 can be used to contain mosquito breeding in stone quarries, pools, cement tanks, unused wells, unused coolers, and irrigation channels.