In vivo evaluation of three isoxazolines against Cx. tritaeniorhynchus (Diptera: Culicidae): A novel approach to control Japanese encephalitis vector.

As Culex tritaeniorhynchus the primary vector of JE is a highly zoophagic and exophilic nature, a novel vector control approach use of isoxazolines drugs (Sarolaner, Fluralaner and Afoxolane) to reduce the survival of blood-fed mosquito was studied by in vivo model using Rattus norvegicus as an experimental animal. All the drugs are orally administered to the animal with therapeutic dosage. The drugs Fluralaner, Sarolaner and Afoxolaner induced 100 % mortality of Cx.

Malaria and missed school days: exploring school absenteeism patterns and local strategies in Odisha, India.

Background: Malaria continues to pose a significant global health challenge, disproportionately affecting children. While its effects on physical health are well-documented, the impact on education, particularly school absenteeism, remains less understood. This study aimed to explore the influence of malaria on school absenteeism in Odisha, India.

Laboratory evaluation of drugs/systemic insecticides as endectocides through membrane feeding method: a unique approach for the control of mosquito vectors.

Background: Insecticide resistance, changing vector feeding behavior, and zoonotic transmission are key challenges for current vector control strategies. Use of endectocide drugs/systemic insecticides is a novel vector control strategy by the World Health Organization (WHO). We evaluated the efficacy of different concentrations of endectocide drugs/systemic insecticides against Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus by membrane blood feeding method.

Molecular xenomonitoring of Wuchereria bancrofti infection in three different evaluation settings of lymphatic filariasis elimination programme in India.

Objectives: Molecular xenomonitoring (MX) is a recommended post-validation surveillance tool for detecting early signs of lymphatic filariasis (LF) transmission. This study reports the MX results for Culex quinquefasciatus transmitted Wuchereria bancrofti in three evaluation units (EUs) in different settings of LF elimination in India.

Methods: Female Cx.

Enhanced Mosquito Larvicidal Efficacy and Dehairing Properties of Bacillus thuringiensis Serovar israelensis Strain VCRC-B649 Isolated from Malabar Coast, India.

In recent years, there has been a global threat from emerging vector-borne diseases (VBD), despite the implementation of several vector control programs. Considering the benefits of bacterial pesticides, the present study aimed to isolate potential mosquitocidal bacteria from the various soil types collected from the Kasaragod (12.5°N, 75.

Impact of Climatic Factors on the Temporal Trend of Malaria in India from 1961 to 2021.

Malaria remains a significant public health problem in India. Although temperature influences Anopheline mosquito feeding intervals, population density, and longevity, the reproductive potential of the Plasmodium parasite and rainfall influence the availability of larval habitats, and evidence to correlate the impact of climatic factors on the incidence of malaria is sparse. Understanding the influence of climatic factors on malaria transmission will help us predict the future spread and intensification of the disease.

Factors influencing participation of elderly population in mass drug administration for lymphatic filariasis: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The success of mass drug administration (MDA) for lymphatic filariasis (LF) elimination relies on achieving a participation rate of at least 65% within the endemic community. However, participation of sub-population in the community varies and a significant treatment gap among the elderly population, remains to be addressed. The present study explores the factors influencing the elderly participation in MDA and propose possible solutions to bridge the gap.

Anti-Dengue Sanitation Practices: A Health Education Approach for Municipal Sanitary Workers in Puducherry, India.

Introduction Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease of global health concern, especially in tropical areas. , its vector, thrives in inadequate sanitation conditions. The role of sanitary workers is pivotal in dengue control and prevention efforts; hence, educating them is essential for enhancing their vector control awareness.

Mating of unfed, engorged, and partially to fully gravid Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) female mosquitoes in producing viable eggs.

Background: Understanding the relationship between blood-feeding and mating is important in effectively managing the most well-adapted vector insect, Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus). Although extensive studies have investigated the behavioural aspects of Aedes such as blood-feeding, mating, and their relationship, several knowledge gaps still exist. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to determine the possibility of successful mating by unfed, engorged, and partially to fully gravid (up to 5 days after blood-feeding with fully developed eggs) female Ae.

Toward Malaria Elimination: Understanding Awareness, Prevention, and Health-Seeking Patterns in Odisha, India.

Given India's goal of eliminating malaria by 2030, this study aimed to investigate community perspectives on malaria in highly endemic areas of Odisha, a region historically prone to malaria. The research explores self-reported malaria events, community knowledge, attitudes, practices, health-seeking behaviors, and access to healthcare services. A community-based cross-sectional survey conducted among 387 households between November 2022 and May 2023 served as an extension of our recent project, monitoring malaria elimination efforts in remote and challenging-to-reach communities in Odisha.

Evaluation of the mosquitocidal efficacy of fluralaner, a potential candidate for drug based vector control.

Vector control is a key intervention against mosquito borne diseases. However, conventional methods have several limitations and alternate strategies are in urgent need. Vector control with endectocides such as ivermectin is emerging as a novel strategy.

Comparative Evaluation of Different Tissues and Molecular Techniques for the Zoonotic Surveillance of Scrub Typhus.

Scrub typhus (ST) is detected in one-fourth of patients with acute febrile illnesses, confirming its nationwide re-emergence. The disease, if not diagnosed, can lead to multiple organ dysfunction and mortality. Being a vector-borne zoonotic disease, the molecular survey for pathogens in animal hosts is essential to predict the risk of its transmission to humans.

Factors for hesitancy towards vaccination against COVID-19 among the adult population in Puducherry, India - a cross sectional study.

Background: Vaccine hesitancy is a complex phenomenon that threatens global health. Present-day communication technology has paved the way for self-education but also contributed to the infodemic surrounding vaccination. This has resulted in pockets of people who are reluctant, refuse recommended vaccinations, or choose to delay being vaccinated.

Docking Studies on Biomolecules from Marine Microalga Skeletonema costatum Against Hemolysin Protein of Bioluminescence Disease-Causing Vibrio harveyi.

Grow-out and hatchery units of shrimps are being impacted by disease-causing bacterial pathogens and predominantly marine Vibrios. The use of chemicals for governing bacterial pathogens in the aquaculture practices is developing resistance to bacteria. Henceforth, the application of bio-therapeutic agents from marine resources for controlling pathogens is most vital to be considered.

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown during 2020 on the occurrence of vector-borne diseases in India.

Background & Objectives: India imposed one of the world's largest nationwide lockdown in the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 which was partly extended up to December. Some of the impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown on the economy, research, travel, education, and sports were readily apparent; the same was less obvious in the occurrence of vector-borne diseases (VBDs). The objective of this study was to statistically determine the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the occurrence of VBDs in India.

Studies on the fitness characteristics of Mel- and AlbB-introgressed (Pud) lines in comparison with Mel- and AlbB-transinfected (Aus) and wild-type (Pud) lines.

, an intracellular maternally transmitted endosymbiont, has been shown to interfere with the replication of dengue virus in mosquitoes. The -transinfected has been currently released in many countries to test its effectiveness in preventing the transmission of dengue virus. ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre in collaboration with World Mosquito Program Monash University, Australia, has generated two new -introgressed Puducherry (Pud) lines backcrossing females of Australian (Aus) strains, infected with Mel and AlbB with wild-type Puducherry (Pud) males.

Sensitivity of wMel and wAlbB Wolbachia infections in Aedes aegypti Puducherry (Indian) strains to heat stress during larval development.

Background: ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre, Puducherry, India, developed two colonies of Aedes aegypti infected with wMel and wAlbB Wolbacia strains called Ae. aegypti (Pud) lines for dengue control. The sensitivity of wMel and wAlbB strains in Ae.

Analysis of entomological indices for transmission of Japanese encephalitis in Malkangiri district, Odisha State, east central India during 2015-2019.

There have been repeated episodes of the outbreak of Japanese encephalitis (JE) in Malkangiri district of Odisha State in the recent past. In the current study, we aimed to assess the entomological parameters of JE vectors in the district. Prevalence of JE vector species, their per man hour density (PMHD), dusk index (DI), human blood index (HBI), infection status and other factors responsible for transmission of JE were assessed over 5 years (2015-2019).

Molecular docking study of bio-inhibitors extracted from marine macro-alga Ulva fasciata against hemolysin protein of luminescence disease-causing Vibrio harveyi.

Shrimp grow-out and hatchery systems are being affected by bacterial disease particularly Vibrios. The use of chemotherapeutic agents in aquaculture practices has to lead to the development of resistance among aquatic bacteria. Thus, health management becomes of major importance in aquaculture.

Insights on the Quest for the Structure-Function Relationship of the Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier.

The molecular identity of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) was presented in 2012, forty years after the active transport of cytosolic pyruvate into the mitochondrial matrix was first demonstrated. An impressive amount of and studies has since revealed an unexpected interplay between one, two, or even three protein subunits defining different functional MPC assemblies in a metabolic-specific context. These have clear implications in cell homeostasis and disease, and on the development of future therapies.

Screening of FDA Approved Drugs Against SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease: Coronavirus Disease.

At the end of December 2019, a new strain of coronavirus was identified in the Wuhan city of Hubei province in China. Within a shorter period of time, an unprecedented outbreak of this strain was witnessed over the entire Wuhan city. This novel coronavirus strain was later officially renamed as COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) by the World Health Organization.

Making the decision to donate eyes: Perspectives from the families of the deceased in Madurai, India.

Purpose: To identify factors affecting family members' decision whether to donate eye organs.

Methods: A community-based case-control study based on in-home interviews with families of deceased individuals who had or had not donated eye organs, in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, India. Data collected were knowledge and awareness of eye donations, whether the deceased individual had expressed or pledged willingness to donate, and family members' attitudes and willingness to donate their own eye organs.