Last-male sperm precedence in Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier): observations in laboratory mating experiments with irradiated males

The Red PalmWeevil (RPW)Rhynchophorus ferrugineus(Olivier 1790) is an invasive pest from southeastern Asia and Melanesia that in the last 30 years has spread widely in the Middle East and Mediterranean Basin. Its stem-boring larvae cause great damage to several palm species of the Arecaceae family, many of which are economically important for agricultural and ornamental purposes. Therefore, great attention has recently been focused in studying this species to identify sustainable and effective eradication strategies, such as sterile insect technique (SIT). The rapid spread of RPW is associated with its high reproductive success. To evaluate the suitability of a SIT strategy, particular physiological and behavioral aspects of RPW reproduction, such as the presence of polyandry and post-copulatory sperm selection mechanisms, were investigated. To determine paternity of progeny from multiply mated females, double-crossing experiments were carried out confining individual females with either a wild-type male or a γ-irradiated male (Co-60). Fecundity and fertility of females were scored to evaluate post-copulatory sperm selection. Results showed that progeny were almost exclusively produced by the sperm of the second male, suggesting that a last-male sperm precedence is expressed at high levels in this species, and providing interesting insights for an area-wide RPW management strategy such as the SIT

Evaluation of riskiness of Indian Banks and probability of book value insolvency

Recently, a lot of questions were raised about the financial health of commercial banks in India. This paper analyzes the Indian banks' riskiness and the probability of book-value insolvency under the framework developed by Hannan and Hanweck (1988). A risk index, known as Z score, for Global Trust Bank that became insolvent in 2004 suggests that the framework developed by Hannan and Hanweck (1988) is also relevant in the Indian context. For a random sample of 15 Indian Banks (public & private sector), we determine the riskiness/probability of book value insolvency over the years and also carry out a relative comparison between public and private sector banks in India. Results obtained in the study show that the probability of book value insolvency of Indian Banks has reduced over years and the probability of book value insolvency is lower in case of public sector banks in comparison to private sector banks

Evaluation of riskiness of Indian Banks and probability of book value insolvency

Recently, a lot of questions were raised about the financial health of commercial banks in India. This paper analyzes the Indian banks' riskiness and the probability of book-value insolvency under the framework developed by Hannan and Hanweck (1988). A risk index, known as Z score, for Global Trust Bank that became insolvent in 2004 suggests that the framework developed by Hannan and Hanweck (1988) is also relevant in the Indian context. For a random sample of 15 Indian Banks (public & private sector), we determine the riskiness/probability of book value insolvency over the years and also carry out a relative comparison between public and private sector banks in India. Results obtained in the study show that the probability of book value insolvency of Indian Banks has reduced over years and the probability of book value insolvency is lower in case of public sector banks in comparison to private sector banks

Diagnostic yield and complications of thoracic ultrasound-guided biopsy performed by pulmonologists

Interventional pulmonology is a growing field in India, and adding thoracic ultrasound (TUS)-guided lung biopsy can be useful for interventional pulmonologists. This study evaluated whether TUS-guided lung biopsy performed by pulmonologists, without the help of radiologists, can accurately diagnose pulmonary disease. A single-center prospective study was conducted with patients with pulmonary lesions requiring transthoracic biopsy. The primary objective was to find out the time taken by an experienced pulmonologist for the procedure without the aid of a radiologist. The secondary objective included the diagnostic yield of TUS-guided lung biopsy performed by a pulmonologist and the complication rate of the procedure. The study included 88 patients aged 18 to 86 years with a mean age of 62.7±12.9 years. The mean time taken for biopsy was 13±2.42 minutes. A total of 68 (77.2%) cases were biopsied in 11-15 minutes. Diagnosis could be established in 88.5% of cases. Pain at the biopsy site was the most common complication seen in 11 (12.5%) cases. Hemoptysis and bleeding at the biopsy site were seen in 7 (7.95%) cases. Pneumothorax was seen in 2 (2.27%) cases. Air embolism, post-procedure intubation, and malfunctioning of the forceps were seen in 1 (1.14%) case. TUS-guided lung biopsy performed by a pulmonologist without the help of a radiologist has a diagnostic yield similar to that performed by radiologists but can take a shorter time. The complications are also similar but can be addressed quickly

Effect of moxifloxacin administration on pharmacokinetics of tolfenamic acid in rats

Pharmacokinetics of tolfenamic acid as a single drug (4 mg/kg, intramuscularly) and its co-administration with moxifloxacin (5 mg/kg, intramuscularly) in wistar rats were studied. The plasma drug concentration of tolfenamic acid was assayed by LC-MS/MS. Following intramuscular administration of tolfenamic acid as single drug and in combination with moxifloxacin in male rats, the mean values of observed peak plasma drug concentration (Cmax), area under plasma drug concentration-time curve (AUC(0-¥) ), volume of distribution (Vz), half-life (t½) and clearance (Cl) were 4111.44 ± 493.15 and 3837.69 ± 351.83 ng/ml, 20280.77 ± 3501.67 and 15229.18 ± 678.80 ng.h/ml, 822.17 ± 115.38 and 1249.64 ± 139.52 ml, 2.59 ± 0.16 and 3.27 ± 0.32 hr, and 218.39 ± 25.47 and 265.18 ± 11.36 ml/hr, respectively. The peak plasma drug concentration (Cmax) was significantly higher in female rats compared to male rats. The volume of distribution (Vz) of the drug was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in moxifloxacin-treated male rats compared to female rats. Concomitant administration of moxifloxacin may alter the disposition of tolfenamic acid in male rats

Health seeking behaviour, health system experience and tuberculosis case finding in Gambians with cough

BACKGROUND: Studies in Africa investigating health-seeking behaviour by interviewing tuberculosis patients have revealed patient knowledge issues and significant delays to diagnosis. We aimed to study health-seeking behaviour and experience of those with cough in The Gambia and to identify whether they had tuberculosis. METHODS: During a round of a population under 3-monthly demographic surveillance, we identified people >10 years old who had been coughing ≥ 3 weeks. A questionnaire was administered concerning demographic data, cough, knowledge, health seeking, and experience at health facilities. Case finding utilised sputum smear and chest X-ray. RESULTS: 122/29,871 coughing individuals were identified. Of 115 interviewed, 93 (81%) had sought treatment; 76 (81.7%) from the health system. Those that visited an alternative health provider first were significantly older than those who visited the health system first (p = 0.03). The median time to seek treatment was 2 weeks (range 0 – 106). 54 (58.1%) made their choice of provider because they believed it was right. Of those who left the health system to an alternative provider (n = 13): 7 believed it was the best place, 3 cited cost and 2 failure to improve. 3 cases were identified by sputum analysis, 11 more by X-ray; all had visited the health system first. Total 'excess' cough time was 1079 person weeks. CONCLUSION: The majority of people with cough in this population seek appropriate help early. Improved case detection might be achieved through the use of chest X-ray in addition to sputum smear

Pulmonary tuberculosis among people living with HIV/AIDS attending care and treatment in rural northern Tanzania

Tuberculosis is the commonest opportunistic infection and the number one cause of death in HIV/AIDS patients in developing countries. To address the extent of the tuberculosis HIV coinfection in rural Tanzania we conducted a cross sectional study including HIV/AIDS patients attending care and treatment clinic from September 2006 to March 2007. Sputum samples were collected for microscopy, culture and drug susceptibility testing. Chest X-ray was done for those patients who consented. Blood samples were collected for CD4+ T cells count. The prevalence of tuberculosis was 20/233 (8.5%). Twenty (8.5%) sputum samples were culture positive. Eight of the culture positive samples (40%) were smear positive. Fifteen (75%) of these patients neither had clinical symptoms nor chest X-ray findings suggestive of tuberculosis. Nineteen isolates (95%) were susceptible to rifampicin, isoniazid, streptomycin and ethambutol (the first line tuberculosis drugs). One isolate (5%) from HIV/tuberculosis coinfected patients was resistant to isoniazid. No cases of multi- drug resistant tuberculosis were identified. We found high prevalence of tuberculosis disease in this setting. Chest radiograph suggestive of tuberculosis and clinical symptoms of fever and cough were uncommon findings in HIV/tuberculosis coinfected patients. Tuberculosis can occur at any stage of CD4+T cells depletion