Mango anthracnose disease: the current situation and direction for future research

Mango anthracnose disease (MAD) is a destructive disease of mangoes, with estimated yield losses of up to 100% in unmanaged plantations. Several strains that constitute Colletotrichum complexes are implicated in MAD worldwide. All mangoes grown for commercial purposes are susceptible, and a resistant cultivar for all strains is not presently available on the market. The infection can widely spread before being detected since the disease is invincible until after a protracted latent period. The detection of multiple strains of the pathogen in Mexico, Brazil, and China has prompted a significant increase in research on the disease. Synthetic pesticide application is the primary management technique used to manage the disease. However, newly observed declines in anthracnose susceptibility to many fungicides highlight the need for more environmentally friendly approaches. Recent progress in understanding the host range, molecular and phenotypic characterization, and susceptibility of the disease in several mango cultivars is discussed in this review. It provides updates on the mode of transmission, infection biology and contemporary management strategies. We suggest an integrated and ecologically sound approach to managing MAD.

The Global Impact of COVID-19: Historical Development, Molecular Characterization, Drug Discovery and Future Directions

In December 2019, an outbreak of a respiratory disease called the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a new coronavirus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) began in Wuhan, China. The SARS-CoV-2, an encapsulated positive-stranded RNA virus, spread worldwide with disastrous consequences for people's health, economies, and quality of life. The disease has had far-reaching impacts on society, including economic disruption, school closures, and increased stress and anxiety. It has also highlighted disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, with marginalized communities disproportionately affected by the SARS-CoV-2. The symptoms of COVID-19 range from mild to severe. There is presently no effective cure. Nevertheless, significant progress has been made in developing COVID-19 vaccine for different therapeutic targets. For instance, scientists developed multifold vaccine candidates shortly after the COVID-19 outbreak after Pfizer and AstraZeneca discovered the initial COVID-19 vaccines. These vaccines reduce disease spread, severity, and mortality. The addition of rapid diagnostics to microscopy for COVID-19 diagnosis has proven crucial. Our review provides a thorough overview of the historical development of COVID-19 and molecular and biochemical characterization of the SARS-CoV-2. We highlight the potential contributions from insect and plant sources as anti-SARS-CoV-2 and present directions for future research.

Nafarelin acetate for pituitary suppressions in in-vitro fertilisation cycles--a Singaporean experience

AIM OF STUDY

The aim of this prospective clinical trial was to determine if intranasal nafarelin acetate (NA) is as effective as leuprolide (LA), our standard GnRHa, in IVF cycles. In addition, we believe that this may be the first report of such a trial in an Asian IVF population.

METHOD

Midluteal GnRHa administration (LA = 0.5 mg/d; NA = 800 micrograms/d) was used with a standardised hMG ovarian stimulation protocol for all 88 consecutive cycles, randomised at recruitment.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between LA and NA in terms of the mean duration of agonist to reach pituitary suppression, total hMG dosage, number of embryos produced or frozen and the clinical pregnancy rate (LA = 21.4% and NA = 16.3% per cycle).

CONCLUSION

Intranasal nafarelin acetate was as effective as leuprolide acetate in our series of IVF patients of Asian origin, and may be offered as an alternative choice for pituitary suppression.

Factors affecting success in an embryo cryopreservation programme

Embryo cryopreservation is a vital part of any assisted conception programme. We analysed our experience with respect to various clinical factors which may influence success and help modify our own practice. Factors studied were endometrial preparation, number of embryos transferred, woman's age at embryo freezing and endometrial thickness. The 212 cycles analysed represented all our frozen embryo-transfers from 1994 to 1996. Four cycles were excluded because of incomplete data. Statistical analysis was done with Student's t-test, Fisher's exact test and chi-square test for trend. The clinical pregnancy rate rose yearly and it was 12.3% per transfer in 1996. The most important clinical factor appeared to be the type of endometrial preparation. Natural cycles resulted in a pregnancy rate of 17.7%, almost twice hormone-replacement cycles. When transfer was on days 14 to 16 of the natural cycle, the pregnancy rate reached 33%. Other factors that were suggestive of success were younger age at embryo freezing, transferring at least 2 embryos and endometrium thickness > or = 11 mm. The natural cycle gave the best pregnancy rate in our hands and is our method of choice for ovulatory women with normal cycle lengths. For all other women, hormonal preparation is needed but our protocols need refinement. Our initial performance is encouraging and embryo cryopreservation has certainly enhanced our overall success rate.

Superovulation-intrauterine insemination: an additional tool in the treatment of infertility

The next step in the treatment of infertility after ovulation induction is usually in vitro fertilization (IVF) or some other sophisticated and expensive assisted reproductive technique. This study looks at the method of superovulation-intrauterine insemination (SO-IUI) as an alternative before IVF in the treatment of infertility. The first 7 months of this programme were reviewed. There was a clinical pregnancy rate of 20.5% per patient. Ninety-six percent of the pregnancies occurred in the first two cycles. The cycle-cancellation rate was 5.1%. The highest success was in couples with ovulatory disorders, endometriosis and cervical factor infertility. The study suggested that SO-IUI is a cheaper and effective additional tool in the treatment of some infertility disorders before proceeding to IVF or other sophisticated techniques.