Unveiling Paramyrothecium kamalii (Stachybotryaceae) as a novel foliar fungal pathogen on Matourea azurea in Kerala, India, based on morpho-cultural, pathological and molecular phylogenetic evidences.

During recent survey for the investigation of foliar fungi in Kerala, India, a new species of foliicolous hyphomycete, Paramyrothecium kamalii was discovered on living leaves of Matourea azurea (Plantaginaceae) based on morpho-cultural characteristics and multigene (ITS, LSU, cmdA, tub2, and rpb2) phylogenetic analysis; is described, illustrated and discussed. In vitro Pathogenicity tests were performed and confirmed the pathogenic nature of the fungus, thereby fulfilling Koch's postulates. Phylogenetically, P.

Unveiling the risk of marine litter and derelict fishing gear in remote coral reefs of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, North Indian Ocean.

An increasing amount of plastic litter and derelict fishing gear in the global oceans poses significant threats to corals and reef-associated marine biota. In this context, an underwater marine litter survey was conducted along the fringing coral reefs in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands- a remote archipelago in the Bay of Bengal, Northern Indian Ocean. The result revealed entanglement and smothering of coral colonies by plastic and derelict fishing gear.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 1697-1780.

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: , from accumulated snow sediment sample. , on leaf spots of . , on submerged decaying wood in sea water, on , as endophyte from healthy leaves of .

Occurrence of multidrug-resistant ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in livestock and in silico identification of probable catalytic domains in circulating ESBL variants.

This study was conducted to detect the occurrence and phenotypic resistance pattern of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae in livestock using docking-based analysis to reveal the classes of antibiotics against which ESBL-producers are active. Rectal swabs from healthy cattle (n = 100), goats (n = 88), and pigs (n = 66) were collected from backyard farms in Andaman and Nicobar Island (India). In total, 304 isolates comprising Escherichia coli (131), Salmonella (75), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (98) were recovered.

A preliminary account of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with 13 new records and updated species inventory from India.

Background: The detection of multiple bluetongue virus serotypes, increasing trend in livestock density, rich biological diversity with high endemism, and the status of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a popular tourist destination underscore the need for a faunistic survey of medically and veterinary significant vector species, specifically Culicoides, in this region. Moreover, scattered information on Indian Culicoides species complicates the planning and implementation of preventive measures for pathogens transmitted by these vectors. This study aims to provide the first comprehensive account of the Culicoides fauna in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, along with an updated checklist of Indian Culicoides species and their state-wise distribution.

Difference in the epidemiological and clinical profiles of mortality between the first and second waves of COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary care hospital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Background: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands reported the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case on March 26, 2020. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological and clinical profiles of COVID-19 mortality that occurred during the first and second waves of COVID-19 pandemic and to compare the differences between them.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study carried out among COVID-19 patients admitted at GB Pant Hospital, Port Blair.

Can morphometrics and shell preference behaviour be a tool for hermit crab species identification?

The hermit crabs are 'ecosystem engineers' and are a critical link in the oceanic food web. Six species of genus Coenobita are reported in the group of Andaman and Nicobar Islands namely, Coenobita rugosus, C. brevimanus, C.

Morphology and Phylogenetic Analysis of Henneguya sp. Infecting the Orange-Spotted Snakehead (Channa Aurantimaculata) from Tamil Nadu, India.

Purpose: Henneguya sp. is a crucial myxosporean parasite known to cause milky flesh or tapioca disease in the freshwater fish population, leading to heavy mortality. Studies to investigate its host range and to monitor their prevalence in wild and aquacultured fish are necessary.

A Systematic Review on Safety and Efficacy of Ayurvedic Interventions in Hemiplegia ().

The study's objective is to conduct a comprehensive systematic review for assessing the safety and efficacy of Ayurvedic interventions in managing hemiplegia/Pakshaghata. The study involved a search across multiple online databases and online clinical trial registries. Additionally, major Ayurveda postgraduate institutes were contacted to acquire unpublished trial data related to hemiplegia/Pakshaghata.

Three Years of Stable Water Isotope Data of Daily Rain Samples Collected from Three Geomorphic Regions of India.

High-frequency precipitation (solid/liquid) isotope datasets are useful for identification of moisture sources and various dynamical and thermodynamical processes controlling precipitation formation. Here, we report three-year (2019-2021) daily rain isotope (both oxygen, δO hereafter, and hydrogen, δH, hereafter) datasets from three unique locations in India during the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM). The locations are- (1) Port Blair- an island situated in the Bay of Bengal (BoB); (2) Mahabaleshwar, located at the crest of the Western Ghats Mountain; and (3) Tezpur, in northeast India, situated close to a dense forest.

Initial Evaluation of the Safety and Performance of Single-Port Robotic-Assisted Thymectomy Through a Subxiphoid Incision.

Background: Sternotomy is the traditional approach for thymectomy. However, over the last 2 decades, minimally invasive surgical approaches (multiport thoracoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery) have proven feasible, offering similar survival, lower morbidity, and shorter length of stay. Single-port (SP) subxiphoid thymectomy potentially offers less pain and allows bilateral visualization of the mediastinum.

Two new polyclad (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida) flatworm species from the Lakshadweep Islands, India.

Two new species of marine flatworms, Paraplanocera kalpeniensis sp. nov. and Pseudoceros bifascia sp.

Cost-effectiveness of vector control for supplementing mass drug administration for eliminating lymphatic filariasis in India.

Background/methodology: Despite progress using mass drug administration (MDA), lymphatic filariasis (LF) remains a major public health issue in India. Vector control could potentially augment MDA towards LF elimination. We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of MDA alone and MDA together with vector control single (VCS) modality or vector control integrated (VCI) modalities.

A non-autochthonous human rabies case in the historically rabies-free Andaman And Nicobar Islands, India.

Rabies, a fatal zoonotic viral disease claims numerous lives annually worldwide, particularly in Asia and Africa. Despite the high prevalence of rabies in India, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have historically maintained a rabies-free status. This report documents the first non-indigenous case of human rabies in these islands, emphasizing the imperative for heightened surveillance measures.

Multifaceted growth promotion and biocontrol of Agroathelia rolfsii and induction of defense mechanism by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SS-CR10 on chilli.

Plant-growth-promoting (PGP) endophytic bacteria are beneficial microorganisms that can help plants withstand biotic stress caused by fungal phytopathogens. In the present study, 78 endophytic bacterial isolates were isolated from chilli (Capsicum annuum L.).

Attrition in serum anti-DENV antibodies correlates with high anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels and low DENV positivity in mosquito vectors-Findings from a state-wide cluster-randomized community-based study in Tamil Nadu, India.

The decline in dengue incidence and/or prevalence during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-22) appears to be attributed to reduced treatment-seeking rates, under-reporting, misdiagnosis, disrupted health services and reduced exposure to mosquito vectors due to prevailing lockdowns. There is limited scientific data on dengue virus (DENV) disease during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we conducted a community-based, cross-sectional, cluster-randomized survey to assess anti-DENV and anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence, and also estimated the spatial distribution of DENV-positive aedine mosquito vectors during the COVID-19 pandemic across all the 38 districts of Tamil Nadu, India.

Assessment of transboundary macro-litter on the remote island of Andaman and Nicobar: Unveiling the governing factors and risk assessment.

The increasing occurrence of mismanaged plastic litter along India's coastline and the ominous challenges it poses to biodiversity and ecosystem health is a growing environmental concern. To address this issue, we comprehensively investigated the abundance, composition, and probable sources of marine litter on North Cinque Island, a remote uninhabited island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, Bay of Bengal. This island is a designated wildlife sanctuary and serves as an important nesting site for Green, Hawksbill and Leatherback turtles.

Phylo-geo haplotype network-based characterization of SARS-CoV-2 strains circulating in India (2020-2022).

Background & objectives Genetic analysis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) strains circulating in India during 2020-2022 was carried out to understand the evolution of potentially expanding and divergent clades. Methods SARS-CoV-2 sequences (n=612) randomly selected from among the sequences of samples collected through a nationwide network of Virus Research Diagnostic Laboratories during 2020 (n=1532) and Indian sequences available in Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data during March 2020-March 2022 (n=53077), were analyzed using the phylo-geo haplotype network approach with reference to the Wuhan prototype sequence. Results On haplotype analysis, 420 haplotypes were revealed from 643 segregating sites among the sequences.

Cross-cultural reliability of Van Rie TB perceived Stigma Scale among TB survivors in North India.

Background: As India progresses towards TB elimination five years ahead of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), Community-based perceptions of tuberculosis stigma become particularly relevant in the context of TB elimination efforts. This study aims to assess the cross-cultural reliability of 'Community Perspectives Van Rie TB Stigma Scale' which can been used for screening and rapid evaluation of prevalent stigma themes in community.

Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in North India among 400 TB survivors to assess the cross-cultural reliability of 'Community Perspective Van Rie TB stigma Scale'.