Effective metabolization of exogenous compounds in humans is a key for health and drug efficacy albeit a complex process determined by one’s genetic background. The enzyme, N-Acetyltransferase-2 (NAT2), which metabolizes different xenobiotic compounds (including folate) and various therapeutic drugs, is encoded by the NAT2 gene. Based on acetylation capacity, an individual is either a fast or slow acetylator. Although the apportionment of NAT2 gene and its acetylator types are widely documented in human populations, the evolutionary genetic affinities and functional background of NAT2 variations with closely-related taxa are not well understood. Herein, we have analyzed 60 NAT2 gene coding sequences (873 bp) representing 59 different taxa belonging to mammalian and avian taxa and two most prevalent human NAT2 alleles ((NAT2*4 and NAT2*6A) to document the phylogenetics relationship among taxa; to characterize DNA methylation patterns in this gene and to evaluate species specific binding efficiency to folate using molecular docking approach. Phylogenetic analysis showed 3 broad clades representing where humans and other primates were found to be closely related. The CpG analysis revealed a one conserved region of same length (total 200 bp) across taxa as well as variable short regions of differing lengths (ranging from minimum 50 to maximum 100 bp length sequences) in some taxa. Molecular docking showed variable binding affinities of NAT2 protein models with human slow acetylator allele (NAT2*6A) showing highest binding affinity to folate, indicative of adaptive response to folate bioavailability. Through our analysis we highlight the evolutionary conservation and functional divergence in NAT2 gene across Mammals and Aves likely to be driven by ecological and dietary factors. Our findings provide new insights into evolutionary adaptations to processing folate across various taxa, which may be significant in studies focusing on evolutionary genetics of drug metabolism.
BackgroundIndia aims to eliminate malaria by 2030; however, a thorough understanding of the current biology and behavior of vector species will facilitate the efforts. Vector species often alter their biting and resting behaviors in response to long-term chemical control measures, posing significant challenges to ongoing vector control interventions. Therefore, it is essential to investigate and update our knowledge of the bionomics of malaria vectors in the current context.MethodsThis study was carried out across 14 districts in eight Indian states between 2021 and 2023, employing various entomological techniques. Anopheles mosquito species were tested for human blood meal preference and Plasmodium infection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Insecticide susceptibility status was assessed according to World Health Organization (WHO) protocols, and key metrics, such as degree of exophily, trap density, human biting rate (HBR), and man-hour density (MHD), were determined to understand mosquito abundance and behavior.ResultsAnopheles culicifacies, a major malaria vector species, was found in all study states. The highest indoor MHD of this species was 11.95, recorded in the Kanker district of Chhattisgarh, whereas 27.16 was the highest outdoor MHD as observed in the Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh. In Assam and Tripura, Anopheles minimus exhibited differential resting behavior, whereas An. baimaii was found to be exophilic in Kokrajhar, Udalguri, and South Tripura. An. stephensi showed endophilic behavior with an indoor MHD of 4.36 in Barmer. An. minimus exhibited high anthropophagic behavior, with a human blood index of 0.94 in South Tripura. A high sporozoite infection rate was observed in An. baimaii (5.88) compared with the other vector species. An. culicifacies was found to be resistant to alpha-cypermethrin (0.05%) in the Jagdalpur and Kanker districts, with possible resistance in Barmer study sites, and resistant to deltamethrin (0.05%) in Kanker, Surendranagar, and Dahod. An. stephensi showed resistance to multiple insecticides in the North Goa.ConclusionsAn. culicifacies was prevalent in all eight study states, with a higher abundance in Kanker and Bareilly. Changes in the resting behavior of An. minimus in Tripura, and insecticide resistance that has developed in An. culicifacies and An. stephensi against pyrethroids poses a significant concern. The findings of this study will aid in implementing effective vector control strategies in India's pre-elimination efforts against malaria.
This paper examines how the Green HR practices (GHRP) influence the organizational culture and organizational performance in the Mumbai area and the highway corridor. The study examined factor, correlation, regression and ANOVA tests applied in the study in analyzing results and adoption using primary data that had been collected on 100 respondents in manufacturing, services and IT. The findings indicate a great level of consciousness and compliance to such strategies like energy saving workplace policies, paperless paper works and green recruitment. By facilitating sustainability values, openness, ethics and teamwork, GHRP has been shown to have a positive influence highly forewarns the organizational performance on the organizational culture. GHRP strongly predicts organizational performance and, is partially mediated by culture, as regression analysis reveals. The sectoral differences showed that the service firms adopted more than manufacturing firms in meeting sustainability expectations. The research offers both the localized empirical research in the Indian financial center into an accumulating trading body and writings on GHRM. The results have strategic implications on the HRM integration of sustainability in organizational systems since it offers real implications to the managers, policymakers and academicians who wish to align the organizational practices with the economic and environmental objectives of the organizations.
BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES:Molecular tests play a crucial role in diagnosis, however, acquiring appropriate controls is challenging owing to strict biosafety and biosecurity regulations. In this work, we suggest an alternative to live virus for inclusion as positive controls in molecular testing. METHODS:We used inactivated antigens provided with ELISA kits, both as they are and after spiking the vector samples. The extracted RNA/DNA was used as a positive control in RT-PCR/PCR reactions. RESULTS:The PCR product of expected size and sequencing results confirmed that the inactivated antigens can be used as positive controls for dengue, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis and lymphatic filariasis in molecular tests. INTERPRETATION CONCLUSION:We demonstrate that the inactivated antigens supplied with ELISA kits or obtained from microscopic slides can be used as positive controls in molecular tests while testing human and vector samples. This will be a useful technique for resource-constrained laboratories and during emergencies.
Hypertension control is the crucial indicator for cardiovascular disease programs. We conducted a baseline cross-sectional survey to estimate hypertension awareness, treatment, and control in the selected districts in 2018–19, where the India Hypertension Control Initiative is being implemented. We conducted cross-sectional surveys in nine project districts for 18–69 years age group. The sample size was 624 per district. The study population was individuals with raised BP/diagnosed HT. We estimated the proportion and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each district’s awareness, treatment, and control. We computed unadjusted and adjusted prevalence ratios (APR) with 95% CI for factors associated with BP control. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) > = 140 or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) > = 90 mmHg or treatment in the previous two weeks. Control was defined as SBP < 140 and DBP < 90 mmHg. Among 7047 who had hypertension, 52.4% were aware, 40.8% were on treatment, and 14.5% had BP control. BP control was below 5% in two districts, 5–15% in three districts, and more than 15% in four districts. Among hypertensives aware of the diagnosis, the factors (APR with 95% CI) associated with control were lack of alcohol consumption [1.28 (1.09–1.52)], recent visit to government [1.98 (1.57–2.50)] or private facility [1.99 (1.61–2.46)] and treatment with single drug [2.40 (1.98–2.90)] or multiple drugs [2.84 (2.27–3.55)]. The simple, rapid population-based surveys can document awareness, treatment, and control changes. Improving access to treatment for hypertension through the public or private sector should be a high priority for India.
