Background: Neurofibromatosis 1 and 2 (NF1 and NF2) are autosomal dominant genetic disorders caused by mutations in tumour suppressor genes. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the incidence and prevalence of NF1 and NF2 in OVID Medline, OVID Embase, Web of Science, and Cinahl. We included studies until February 19, 2021, that identified cases based on established criteria. Studies were appraised for quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute Prevalence Critical Appraisal tool. Pooled incidence and prevalence rates were estimated through meta-analysis. Results: Of 1,936 studies, 1,866 were irrelevant after title and abstract screening. Sixteen of 69 studies with full text assessment were included for full review: 13 regarding NF1 and 6 regarding NF2. Incidence rates for NF1 and NF2 ranged from 1/11,494 to 1/1,871 and 1/62,185 to 1/33,000 respectively. Prevalence rates for NF1 and NF2 ranged from 1/6,238 to 1/1,001 and 1/600,000 to 1/56,161 respectively. Meta-analysis will be presented at the conference. Conclusions: An accurate estimate of the incidence and prevalence of NF1 and NF2 will offer more insight into health resource allocation. Increased funding and resources for the development of early diagnostic and treatment tools for NF1 and NF2 may improve the quality of life of patients.

Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC is a tropical legume cover crop with promising nutritional and agronomic potentials. It is also a key source of 3,4 dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine (L-Dopa) – a precursor of dopamine used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. However, lack of well-characterized germplasm plus poor accessibility to genomic resources has hindered its breeding programs. Furthermore, the cause and effect of various biotic and abiotic stresses impacting yield is also little studied. Systematic collection and evaluation of Indian germplasm by our group revealed presence of a diverse gene pool in India that can support a variety of breeding needs. The stability of L-Dopa trait across environments examined through Genotype and environment (G × E) interaction studies, as well as feasibility check on barcoding and phylogenetic analyses based on karyotype and conserved nuclear and chloroplast genes showed promising outcome. Germplasm screening for select biotic abiotic stresses identified resilient genotypes. Advances in use of DNA markers for diversity analysis, linkage map development, tagging of genes/quantitative trait loci for qualitative and quantitative traits, and progress in genomics are presented.

Fruit and vegetable consumption produces changes in several biomarkers in blood. The present study aimed to examine the dose–response curve between fruit and vegetable consumption and carotenoid (α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin), folate and vitamin C concentrations. Furthermore, a prediction model of fruit and vegetable intake based on these biomarkers and subject characteristics (i.e. age, sex, BMI and smoking status) was established. Data from twelve diet-controlled intervention studies were obtained to develop a prediction model for fruit and vegetable intake (including and excluding fruit and vegetable juices). The study population in the present individual participant data meta-analysis consisted of 526 men and women. Carotenoid, folate and vitamin C concentrations showed a positive relationship with fruit and vegetable intake. Measures of performance for the prediction model were calculated using cross-validation. For the prediction model of fruit, vegetable and juice intake, the root mean squared error (RMSE) was 258·0 g, the correlation between observed and predicted intake was 0·78 and the mean difference between observed and predicted intake was − 1·7 g (limits of agreement: − 466·3, 462·8 g). For the prediction of fruit and vegetable intake (excluding juices), the RMSE was 201·1 g, the correlation was 0·65 and the mean bias was 2·4 g (limits of agreement: − 368·2, 373·0 g). The prediction models which include the biomarkers and subject characteristics may be used to estimate average intake at the group level and to investigate the ranking of individuals with regard to their intake of fruit and vegetables when validating questionnaires that measure intake.

Nanotechnology and nanoscience have a strong potential to impact society and the commercial sector. It is critical to introduce this area to high school classrooms as a teaching tool. Here, we report the development of ferrofluid-based experimental modules in a team effort including a high school student and a high school teacher. The basic experimental modules were developed as follows: A) Electric motor-based patterning of magnetic nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes on a silicon wafer. Electromagnetically activated or ‘spiked’-ferrofluid was utilized here. B) Basic concepts of wettability, hydrophobicity, and oleophilicity were demonstrated by combining hydrophobic CNTs, water, and ferrofluids. C) Finally, the utility of ferrofluid-based environmental remediation was demonstrated for oil removal from oil-water mixture and organic dye separation from water-dye mixture. It is envisioned that the integration of the developed experimental modules into high school curriculum will motivate high school students to pursue degrees in science, engineering, and nanotechnology. Thus, this will assist in the development of future workforce in the area of nanotechnology and materials science.

There are very few data on the prevalence of coccidian enteric parasites among low-income adults hospitalized in Chennai, India. Stool samples from 200 patients were screened for selected parasites, enteric bacterial pathogens, and other protozoa over a 3-month period. The study identified 42 (21%) Cryptosporidium, 36 (18%) V. cholerae, 17 (9%) Salmonellla, 12 (6%) Isospora, six (3%) helminths, five (3%) Shigella, one (1%) Cyclospora, one (1%) other protozoan, and 0% V. parahaemolyticus cases. Co-infection was present in 21 patients. Cryptosporidium was detected in 17 (81%) of co-infected patients. Our findings highlighted the relatively high proportion of patients in this population with Cryptosporidium and Isospora and suggest that further study be undertaken to determine the utility of broader use of diagnostic testing for coccidian parasites in India. Detection may be beneficial because isosporiasis is treatable and both Isospora and Cryptosporidium are important pathogens in AIDS patients.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) data from population studies are sparse. During the 2006 epidemic, 509 clinical cases (43% attack rate) were identified in a village survey (West India); laboratory investigations demonstrated normal blood cell counts, elevated acute-phase reactants [erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 (IL-6)] and excluded malaria and dengue. Acute CHIKV was characterized by high fever, severe peripheral polyarthralgias, axial myalgias and intense fatigue in over 90% of cases; skin rash (34%) and headache (19%) were uncommon. There were 49% and 62% of survey cases seropositive for IgM (rapid assay) and IgG (immunofluorescence) anti-CHIKV antibodies, respectively. Sixty-five percent of cases recovered within 4 weeks. None of the cases died. Of the population, 4·1% and 1·6% suffered from persistent rheumatic pains, predominantly non-specific, at 1 and 2 years, respectively. Chronic inflammatory arthritis was uncommon (0·3% at 1 year) although serum IL-6 often remained elevated in chronic cases. A larger population study is required to describe post-CHIKV rheumatism and its prognosis.

The present cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the vitamin D status of pregnant Indian women and their breast-fed infants. Subjects were recruited from the Department of Obstetrics, Armed Forces Clinic and Army Hospital (Research and Referral), Delhi. A total of 541 apparently healthy women with uncomplicated, single, intra-uterine gestation reporting in any trimester were consecutively recruited. Of these 541 women, 299 (first trimester, ninety-seven; second trimester, 125; third trimester, seventy-seven) were recruited in summer (April–October) and 242 (first trimester, fifty-nine, second trimester, ninety-three; third trimester, ninety) were recruited in winter (November–March) to study seasonal variations in vitamin D status. Clinical, dietary, biochemical and hormonal evaluations for the Ca–vitamin D–parathormone axis were performed. A subset of 342 mother–infant pairs was re-evaluated 6 weeks postpartum. Mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) of pregnant women was 23·2 (sd 12·2) nmol/l. Hypovitaminosis D (25(OH)D < 50 nmol/l) was observed in 96·3 % of the subjects. Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in winter in the second and third trimesters, while serum intact parathormone (iPTH) and alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly higher in winter in all three trimesters. A significant negative correlation was found between serum 25(OH)D and iPTH in mothers (r − 0·367, P = 0·0001) and infants (r − 0·56, P = 0·0001). A strong positive correlation was observed between 25(OH)D levels of mother–infant pairs (r 0·779, P = 0·0001). A high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was observed in pregnancy, lactation and infancy with no significant inter-trimester differences in serum 25(OH)D levels.

(Co)variance components and genetic parameters of weight at birth (BWT), weaning (3WT), 6, 9 and 12 months of age (6WT, 9WT and 12WT, respectively) and first greasy fleece weight (GFW) of Bharat Merino sheep, maintained at Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, Rajasthan, India, were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood, fitting six animal models with various combinations of direct and maternal effects. Data were collected over a period of 10 years (1998 to 2007). A log-likelihood ratio test was used to select the most appropriate univariate model for each trait, which was subsequently used in bivariate analysis. Heritability estimates for BWT, 3WT, 6WT, 9WT and 12WT and first GFW were 0.05 ± 0.03, 0.04 ± 0.02, 0.00, 0.03 ± 0.03, 0.09 ± 0.05 and 0.05 ± 0.03, respectively. There was no evidence for the maternal genetic effect on the traits under study. Maternal permanent environmental effect contributed 19% for BWT and 6% to 11% from 3WT to 9WT and 11% for first GFW. Maternal permanent environmental effect on the post-3WT was a carryover effect of maternal influences during pre-weaning age. A low rate of genetic progress seems possible in the flock through selection. Direct genetic correlations between body weight traits were positive and ranged from 0.36 between BWT and 6WT to 0.94 between 3WT and 6WT and between 6WT and 12WT. Genetic correlations of 3WT with 6WT, 9WT and 12WT were high and positive (0.94, 0.93 and 0.93, respectively), suggesting that genetic gain in post-3WT will be maintained if selection age is reduced to 3 months. The genetic correlations of GFW with live weights were 0.01, 0.16, 0.18, 0.40 and 0.32 for BWT, 3WT, 6WT, 9WT and 12WT, respectively. Correlations of permanent environmental effects of the dam across different traits were high and positive for all the traits (0.45 to 0.98).

Coumatetralyl was evaluated in the laboratory against Bandicota bengalensis and Rattus rattus. Feeding tests with 0·0375 % coumatetralyl baits produced 100 % mortality after a single day feeding period in B. bengalensis and after a 10–day period in R. rattus. The anticoagulant bait is less palatable in comparison to plain bait. In the case of R. rattus, LFP50 and LFP98 and their 95 % confidence limits were 3·89 (2·62–5·77) days and 11·22 (6·1–20·65) days respectively. Median period of survival and its 95% confidence limits of B. bengalensis and R. rattus were 4·7 (3·85–5·7) days and 11·2 (9·33–13·44) days respectively.

The anticoagulant rodenticide flocoumafen was evaluated against Rattus rattus and Bandicota bengalensis, In no-choice 24 h feeding tests 100% mortality occurred at 0·00125% concentration of the poison in the bait in the case of B. bengalensis and at 0·00375% in R. rattus. Feeding of 0·0025% poison bait in 1-day, no-choice and 2-day choice tests resulted in 60% and 75% mortality of R. rattus, respectively, and 100% of B. bengalensis. The differences between the consumption of plain food in the pretreatment period and of poison bait in no-choice tests were non-significant, except in one case. The rodents consumed significantly more (P < 0·01) poison bait than the plain alternative in the choice trials. Median period of survival and its 95% confidence limits of R. rattus and B. bengalensis, at the 100% mortality dose levels of the poison, were 6·3 (5·04–7·88) and 6·2 (4·92–7·81) days respectively.

Among a very large number of preparations reputed to possess mosquito-repellent properties, only a few are really efficacious. The most commonly used preparations are those prepared with citronella oil. Definite information, however, on the comparative efficiency of many of these preparations is lacking. It was therefore our object to determine the value of different culicifuges under laboratory conditions. The experimental results obtained in this connexion are sufficiently promising to justify their publication, especially because owing to the war the want of an effective and a cheap culicifuge is all the more important.

Growth rates were compared of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia), mung bean (Vigna radiata) and sorghum seedlings aged 2–5 weeks. The seedling growth rates were analysed in relation to leaf area development, net photosynthetic rate, nitrogen accumulation, nitrate reductase activity, and soluble protein content. Growth rates were highest in sorghum and lowest in C. cajan. Leaf area development was very fast in sorghum and very slow in C. cajan. Net photosynthetic rate of sorghum leaves was double that observed for the legume leaves. No significant difference was observed in nitrate reductase activity, nitrogen percentage or soluble protein content between sorghum and the legumes. In sorghum, early investment of assimilates into leaf development ensured a higher assimilation of carbon and nitrogen per plant. In the legumes, slow development of leaf area coupled with low photosynthetic rates probably resulted in slow growth of the seedlings. In the legume seedlings, vigour was related to the rates of leaf area expansion. Leaf area expansion rates were not related to the nitrogen status of the leaf in the species examined.