On the traditional medicinal plants and plant-derived natural drugs used by indigenous people of Nagaland, India

An ethnobotanical documentation on the medicinal plants used by local people of Nagaland (North-east India) has been presented here. The study explored 33 plant species (with their local names, indigenous applications, sources/origins, parts of plants used, bioactive compounds present, process of preparing medicines from the plants) belonging to 28 families have been reviewed thoroughly. Some examples are, Catharanthus roseus (Tsuinrinaro, Periwinkle), Acacia pennata (Chakrangaing, Ballikhadira), Adhatoda vasica (Kicharangnaro, Malabar-nut), Ageratum conzyoides (Imchenriza, Billy-goat-weed,/Tropical-white-weed), Alstonia scholaris (Lazarongpang, Blackboard), Rauvolfia serpentina (Per-mozutong, Indian-snakeroot), etc. Plant based drugs are very popular and effective in Nagaland from ancient times but thorough-documentation with scientific-background of effectiveness, active chemical-compounds present, their action-mechanism, etc., are still scanty. Such review can be of useful for pharmacologist, phyto-chemists to a broad group of researchers and may lead to discovery of new sources of novel medicines through traditional therapeutic knowledge.

Comprehensive bacterial-metabolite profiles of Hawaijar, Bekang, and Akhone: a comparative study on traditional fermented soybeans of north-east India

Preparation of traditionally fermented soybeans varies across ethnicities with distinct tastes, flavour, and nutritional values. The fermented soybean varieties Hawaijar, Bekang, and Akhone of north-east India are associated with diverse ethnic groups from Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland, respectively. These varieties differ in substrate and traditional practice that exerts differential bacterial-metabolite profile, which needs an in-depth analysis i. Culture-dependent and independent techniques investigated the bacterial diversity of the fermented soybean varieties. Gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) studied these varieties' metabolite profiles. The common dominant bacterial genera detected in Hawaijar, Bekang, and Akhone were Bacillus, Ignatzschinaria, and Corynebacterium, with the presence of Brevibacillus and Staphylococcus exclusively in Hawaijar and Oceanobacillus in Bekang and Akhone. The metabolite analysis identified a higher abundance of essential amino acids, amino and nucleotide sugars, and vitamins in Hawaijar, short-chain fatty acids in Bekang, polyunsaturated fatty acids in Akhone and Hawaijar, and prebiotics in Akhone. The bacteria-metabolite correlation analysis predicted four distinct bacterial clusters associated with the differential synthesis of the functional metabolites. While B. subtilis is ubiquitous, cluster-1 comprised B. thermoamylovorans/B. amyloliquefaciens, cluster-2 comprised B. tropicus, cluster-3 comprised B. megaterium/B. borstelensis, and cluster-4 comprised B. rugosus. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comparative study on traditional fermented soybean varieties of north-east India linking bacterial-metabolite profiles which may help in designing starters for desired functionalities in the future.

Evaluation of ecosystem carbon storage in major forest types of Eastern Himalaya: Implications for carbon sink management

Forest's ecosystem is changing at an alarming rate and anthropogenic alteration of forests to other land use is a major driver of carbon (C) emission and biodiversity loss. We estimated ecosystem-level C stock and factors affecting C stock in six major forest types; tropical wet evergreen forest, montane subtropical forest, temperate forest, bamboo forest, quercus forest, and jhum land of the eastern Himalayan region (India). We determined ecosystem structure, biodiversity, and plant and soil C stock by laying random plots in each forest site. The average C stock was estimated in the range of 79.0-373.4 Mg C ha^-1 and found significantly different among the forest types. Partitioning ecosystem C stocks in plant (24-55%), soils (43-75%), deadwood (1-4.8%) and litter (0.20-1.25%) components varied largely. Pearson correlation analysis shows a significant positive relation of basal area with species diversity, tree density, and ecosystem C stock. Linear mixed-effect model demonstrates the high influence of species density and soil moisture content on the ecosystem C stock. We recommend the inclusion of forest structural attributes and pedological characteristics while predicting synergies between C stock and future climatic conditions. Additionally, conversion of natural forests to jhum land should be minimized because they stored lesser ecosystem C stocks thus plays a minimum role in C accumulation and cycling. The study provides estimates of C stocks in major forests that can be useful in suggesting a path forward to partially fulfill India's commitments to REDD + policy.

Magnetic Resonance Angiography and Multidetector CT Angiography in the Diagnosis of Takayasu's Arteritis: Assessment of Disease Extent and Correlation with Disease Activity

BACKGROUND

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a large vessel vasculitis with diverse clinical presentations and arterial vascular bed involvement. It is characterized by chronic, nonspecific inflammation of all layers of the vessel wall, which results in stenosis, occlusion, dilatation, or aneurysm formation in the involved blood vessels.

METHODS

The study included 36 patients of TA. All patients fulfilled the modified Ishikawa's diagnostic criteria for TA. All patients were evaluated for clinical presentation, angiographic findings, and severity of the disease. The disease activity was assessed based on Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) and also by CT angiography (CTA)/Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) imaging. The angiographic types were classified based on the International TA Conference in Tokyo, 1994 angiographic classification.

RESULTS

A total of 36 patients were included in the study, 86% were females and a mean age of 21.6 years. Hypertension (78%) was the most common clinical presentation. Type V was the most common angiographic type (42%), followed by type III (25%), type IV (14%), type IIb (11%), type I (5%) and type IIa (3%). Among the aortic arch branches, the left subclavian artery (50%), right subclavian artery (38.8%), left vertebral artery (33.3%) and left common carotid artery (27.7%) were the most commonly involved arteries. Disease activity based on CT/MR imaging showed a significant statistical correlation with elevated ESR and positive CRP (p < 0.0001). Mediastinal lymphadenopathy was seen in 21 patients, out of which 11 had active disease. However, no significant correlation was found between mediastinal lymphadenopathy and disease activity.

CONCLUSIONS

TA presents varied symptomatology and differing vascular involvement. CT/MR angiography is effective in diagnosis and accurately predicted the active stage of the disease.

Development of cost-effective quantitative PCR method for parallel detection of porcine circovirus2 and porcine parvovirus in perspective of North-eastern India

Pig farming performs as an intricate part in the socio-economic situation in the north-eastern region of India. This region contributes 38% (3.95 million) of total pigs in India. In spite of this, the region unables to flourish as an enterprise as per the expectation due to a low productivity rate. Porcine infectious pathogens like porcine cirovirus2 (PCV2) and porcine parvovirus (PPV) have a direct economic impact on pig farming through slow growth rate, abortion, and mortality and ultimately maximize the production cost by increasing the usage of antibiotic or antiviral drugs. The veterinary diagnostic infrastructure is a fundamental aspect of the development of livestock status by rapid and effective detection of pathogens. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) is a precise and fast-track technique used for the routine diagnostic method. Hence, we developed a highly precise and comparatively cost-effective SYBR Green reporter dye-based qPCR assay for parallel identification of PCV2 and PPV. In the present assay, the correlation coefficient (R²) value was 0.99, and 10 copies of the gene/μl were the least limit of detection (LOD) concerning both viruses. Melt curve analysis of this study represented PCV2-specific melt curve (Tm) at 81.2 °C and PPV-specific melt curve (Tm) at 73.5 °C. Therefore, the assay easily differentiates the true positive amplicons of PCV2 and PPV through specific Tm values. Among the 50 field samples, 26 (52%) samples were PCV2 positive, 18 (36%) samples PPV positive, and 11 (22%) samples were co-infected of both the viruses. This method is cost-effective, precise, and sensitive to diagnose the concurrent or individual infection of the PCV2 and PPV in the pig. Hence, considering the impact of pig farming in the north-eastern part of the country, the present assay gives an unprecedented achievement in disease diagnosis.

Distribution, molecular characterization and diversity of banana bunchy top virus in Tripura, India

Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) is a serious threat to banana (Musa spp.) production in India. Generally, BBTV isolates within the country share very low genetic diversity. However, in India, relatively greater diversity has been observed between isolates from north-eastern (NE) region (Meghalaya) and rest of India. Tripura is situated in the south-west corner of NE India and shares international border with Bangladesh. During 2014-2015, diagnostic surveys were conducted in seven districts of Tripura and polymerase chain reaction based detection established that BBTD is widely prevalent in all parts of Tripura showing an average incidence of 22.02%. Among the cultivars, maximum BBTV infection (27.03%) was recorded in 'Chini Champa', followed by plantain (24.29%). A representative population (31 isolates) of BBTV from Tripura was characterized based on DNA R and DNA S. Phylogenetic analysis based on BBTV DNA R and DNA S generated two broad clusters of Pacific-Indian Oceans (PIO) and south-east Asian groups including all Tripura isolates within PIO cluster. The clustering pattern and genetic diversity of BBTV population from Tripura suggested monophyletic origin of majority of representative isolates from a common ancestor of PIO group. The exchange of vegetative propagules within and in between countries could have contributed to the geographical expansion of PIO isolates in Tripura. However, four variant BBTV isolates has been identified from North Tripura and Khowai districts possessing somewhat unique variability than that of distinct isolate (BBTV-Umiam) reported from NE India (Meghalaya).

Evidence of triple mutant Pfdhps ISGNGA haplotype in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from North-east India: An analysis of sulfadoxine resistant haplotype selection

Background

North-east region of India has consistent role in the spread of multi drug resistant Plasmodium (P.) falciparum to other parts of Southeast Asia. After rapid clinical treatment failure of Artemisinin based combination therapy–Sulphadoxine/Pyrimethamine (ACT-SP) chemoprophylaxis, Artemether-Lumefantrine (ACT-AL) combination therapy was introduced in the year 2012 in this region for the treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria. In a DNA sequencing based polymorphism analysis, seven codons of P. falciparum dihydropteroate synthetase (Pfdhps) gene were screened in a total of 127 P. falciparum isolates collected from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura of North-east India during the year 2014 and 2015 to document current sulfadoxine resistant haplotypes.

Materials and methods

Sequences were analyzed to rearrange both nucleotide and protein haplotypes. Molecular diversity indices were analyzed in DNA Sequence Polymorphism software (DnaSP) on the basis of Pfdhps gene sequences. Disappearance from selective neutrality was assessed based on the ratio of non-synonomous to synonomous nucleotide substitutions [dN/dS ratio]. Moreover, two-tailed Z test was performed in search of the significance for probability of rejecting null hypothesis of strict neutrality [dN = dS]. Presence of mutant P. falciparum multidrug resistance protein1 (Pfmdr1) was also checked in those isolates that were present with new Pfdhps haplotypes. Phylogenetic relationship based on Pfdhps gene was reconstructed in Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MEGA).

Results

Among eight different sulfadoxine resistant haplotypes found, ISGNGA haplotype was documented in a total of five isolates from Tripura with association of a new mutant M538R allele. Sequence analysis of Pfmdr1 gene in these five isolates came to notice that not all but only one isolate was mutant at codon 86 (N86Y; YYSND) in the multidrug resistance protein. Molecular diversity based on Pfdhps haplotypes revealed that P. falciparum populations in Assam and Tripura were under balancing selection for sulfadoxine resistant haplotypes but population from Arunachal Pradesh was under positive selection with comparatively high haplotype diversity (h = 0.870). In reconstructed phylogenetic analysis, isolates having ISGNGA haplotype were grouped into two separate sub-clusters from the other isolates based on their genetic distances and diversities.

Conclusion

This study suggests that sulfadoxine resistant isolates are still migrating from its epicenter to the other parts of Southeast Asia and hence control and elimination of the drug resistant isolates have become impedimental. Moreover, P. falciparum populations in different areas may undergo selection of particular sulfadoxine resistant haplotypes either in the presence of drug or after its removal to maintain their plasticity.

Hemoglobin E disease and glycosylated hemoglobin

Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) is a routinely measured parameter to monitor long-term glycemic control in people with diabetes mellitus. The presence of hemoglobin (Hb) variants can affect the accuracy of HbA1C methods. Hb E variant is the most common Hb variant in South-east Asia and North-east India. In the presence of Hb E, HbA1C may not be detectable by ion-exchange chromatography (high-pressure liquid chromatography), but may be estimated by immunoassay technique and boronate affinity chromatography. However, the result may be underestimated when correlated with plasma glucose and serum fructosamine levels. Clinicians should be aware of this limitation of HbA1C estimation in patients with Hb E and other Hb variants.

A prospective hospital based study of childhood orthopaedic problems - a case series

INTRODUCTION

Children may present to an orthopaedic surgeon with congenital bone diseases, nutritional disorders like rickets, infective or traumatic due to fall etc of bones and joints.

AIM

To know the percentage, common orthopaedic problems and demographic profile of paediatric orthopaedic problem in patients attending the orthopaedic OPD of NEIGRIHMS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The prospective study was conducted for the duration of one year from May'2012-May'2013 in the Department of Orthopaedics in North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), Shillong, India.

RESULTS

In our study majority of the patients were in the age group of 11-15 y (37.4%), followed by the group of 0-5 y (25.6%). Majority of the paediatric orthopaedic patients came from the group of Rs.10,000/- to 30,000/- monthly income families (56.2%). The study showed that in majority (51.6%) of the cases trauma was the major cause for bringing the child to the medical center. Male children were most commonly affected, with playing as the most common mode of injury especially outdoor (60.3%) and fractures especially of upper limb were the most common form of presentation.

CONCLUSION

Our study here has given the bird's eye view of various pediatric orthopedic disorders as may be found in a tertiary health care setting. This may help in formulating training modules for the medical students in the subspecialty of pediatric orthopedics. However, more community based cross-sectional studies may be required to be undertaken to determine the prevalence & incidence of the various disorders found in our patients.

Genetic diversity and phylogenetic analysis of Citrus (L) from north-east India as revealed by meiosis, and molecular analysis of internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA

The north-eastern region of India is reported to be the center of origin and rich in diversity of Citrus (L.) species, where some wild and endangered species namely Citrus indica, Citrus macroptera, Citrus latipes, Citrus ichagensis and Citrus assamensis exist in their natural and undisturbed habitat. In order to have comprehensive information about the extent of genetic variability and the occurrence of cryptic genomic hybridity between and within various Citrus species, a combined approach involving morphological, cytogenetical and molecular approaches were adopted in the present study. Cytogenetic approaches are known to resolve taxonomic riddles in a more efficient manner, by clearly delineating taxa at species and sub species levels. Male meiotic studies revealed a gametic chromosome number of n = 9, without any evidence of numerical variations. Bivalents outnumbered all other types of associations in pollen mother cells (PMCs) analyzed at diplotene, diakinesis and metaphase I. Univalents were frequently encountered in nine species presently studied, though their presence appropriately did not influence the distributional pattern of the chromosomes at anaphases I and II. The molecular approaches for phylogenetic analysis based on sequence data related to ITS 1, ITS 2 and ITS 1 + 5.8 s + ITS 2 of rDNA using maximum parsimony method and Bayesian inference have thrown light on species inter-relationship and evolution of Citrus species confirming our cytogenetical interpretations. The three true basic species i.e. Citrus medica, Citrus maxima and Citrus reticulata with their unique status have been resolved into distinct clades with molecular approaches as well. C. indica which occupies a unique position in the phylogenetic ladder of the genus Citrus has been resolved as a distinct clade and almost behaving as an out-group. The presences of quadrivalents in C. indica also echo and support its unique position. From our study it is amply clear that C. reticulata also has close relation to C. ichagensis, as these species have clustered together, denoting their close genetic relationship. On the other hand, our studies did not demonstrate a clear differentiation between subgenera Citrus and Papeda at the rDNA level. The combined approach of cytogenetical and molecular analysis did complement our early karyological findings and helped in resolving many a taxonomic riddles.