Sequence analysis of coding DNA fragments of pfcrt and pfmdr-1 genes in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Odisha, India

The global emergence and spread of malaria parasites resistant to antimalarial drugs is the major problem in malaria control. The genetic basis of the parasite's resistance to the antimalarial drug chloroquine (CQ) is well-documented, allowing for the analysis of field isolates of malaria parasites to address evolutionary questions concerning the origin and spread of CQ-resistance. Here, we present DNA sequence analyses of both the second exon of the Plasmodium falciparum CQ-resistance transporter (pfcrt) gene and the 5' end of the P. falciparum multidrug-resistance 1 (pfmdr-1) gene in 40 P. falciparum field isolates collected from eight different localities of Odisha, India. First, we genotyped the samples for the pfcrt K76T and pfmdr-1 N86Y mutations in these two genes, which are the mutations primarily implicated in CQ-resistance. We further analyzed amino acid changes in codons 72-76 of the pfcrt haplotypes. Interestingly, both the K76T and N86Y mutations were found to co-exist in 32 out of the total 40 isolates, which were of either the CVIET or SVMNT haplotype, while the remaining eight isolates were of the CVMNK haplotype. In total, eight nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were observed, six in the pfcrt gene and two in the pfmdr-1 gene. One poorly studied SNP in the pfcrt gene (A97T) was found at a high frequency in many P. falciparum samples. Using population genetics to analyze these two gene fragments, we revealed comparatively higher nucleotide diversity in the pfcrt gene than in the pfmdr-1 gene. Furthermore, linkage disequilibrium was found to be tight between closely spaced SNPs of the pfcrt gene. Finally, both the pfcrt and the pfmdr-1 genes were found to evolve under the standard neutral model of molecular evolution.

The role of subsidy in ensuring the sustainability of small-scale anaerobic digesters in Odisha, India

Small-scale anaerobic digester installation has been a development objective of the Indian government to provide rural households clean fuel. Anaerobic digester installation is heavily subsidised. Depending on caste, the rate of subsidy offered for the smallest system available (1m3) varies between 32.35% and 41.18% of the total installation price. Yet, there are gaps in knowledge regarding the usefulness of such subsidies from a sustainability perspective. A cost-benefit analysis was conducted to evaluate the circumstances required for digester sustainability. The analysis used household data collected from 115 cattle owning households in Odisha, India to evaluate profitability at three levels of subsidy (none, General caste subsidy, and Schedule Caste/Schedule Tribe subsidy). Additional analyses considered the effect of; taking a loan, replacing electric lighting with biogas lighting, and the wealth level of the household. The results indicated that access to subsidy improved profitability. Yet, profitability could be achieved without the use of subsidy. The level of benefit accrued by households was similar independent of wealth. However, the provision of subsidy was essential for ensuring profitability for those households required to take a loan to meet the expense of installation. Such findings highlight the importance of subsidy as a means of including the poor.

[Archives de la Parole]. , Birah : in Oriya [chant] / [Sir George Grierson], éd. ; Linguistic survey of India ; [Bepin Chandra Patra], voix

[Traditions. Asie. Inde. Provinces du Bihar et d'Orissa. Etat d'Orissa [i.e. Odisha]. Cuttack]

Multifaceted Role of Heme during Severe Plasmodium falciparum Infections in India

Several immunomodulatory factors are involved in malaria pathogenesis. Among them, heme has been shown to play a role in the pathophysiology of severe malaria in rodents, but its role in human severe malaria remains unclear. Circulating levels of total heme and its main scavenger, hemopexin, along with cytokine/chemokine levels and biological parameters, including hemoglobin and creatinine levels, as well as transaminase activities, were measured in the plasma of 237 Plasmodium falciparum-infected patients living in the state of Odisha, India, where malaria is endemic. All patients were categorized into well-defined groups of mild malaria, cerebral malaria (CM), or severe noncerebral malaria, which included acute renal failure (ARF) and hepatopathy. Our results show a significant increase in total plasma heme levels with malaria severity, especially for CM and malarial ARF. Spearman rank correlation and canonical correlation analyses have shown a correlation between total heme, hemopexin, interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha, gamma interferon-induced protein 10 (IP-10), and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) levels. In addition, canonical correlations revealed that heme, along with IP-10, was associated with the CM pathophysiology, whereas both IP-10 and MCP-1 together with heme discriminated ARF. Altogether, our data indicate that heme, in association with cytokines and chemokines, is involved in the pathophysiology of both CM and ARF but through different mechanisms.

Orissa review.

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