, an increasing number of cases of novel coronavirus, designated SARS-CoV-2, has caused worldwide outbreak of respiratory infection now termed coronavirus disease 2019

Sugarcane mosaic disease is widespread in many countries and has been identified to be caused by Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV), Sorghum mosaic virus (SrMV) and Sugarcane streak mosaic virus (SCSMV). Viral surveys of SCMV, SrMV and SCSMV were performed from 104 leaf samples of Saccharum spp. hybrid growing in China and two leaf samples in Myanmar. Sorghum mosaic virus was a major causal agent for sugarcane mosaic disease in China whereby 72.1% (75/104) of samples had SrMV infection alone, 6.7% (7/104) were mixed with SCMV and 17.3% (18/104) were mixed with SCSMV. Sugarcane streak mosaic virus infection alone occurred in 3.8% (4/104) of samples, but no single infections were observed for SCMV. Two viruses (SrMV and SCSMV) were detected in sugarcane mosaic samples in Myanmar. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all of the SrMV isolates were clustered into three major lineages encompassing six phylogroups/genotypes based on the CP sequences (825 nucleotides) of 113 Chinese and 2 Burmese isolates from this study and 73 isolates reported worldwide. Six clearly distinct SrMV phylogroups (G1-G6) were formed and shared 74.3-94.1% nucleotide identity and 84.7-98.1% amino acid identity of CP sequences. SrMV-G5 was identified to be new distinct phylogroup that was restricted to the Fujian and Guangxi provinces. The unique SrMV-G6 phylogroup only occurred in Yunnan province. Insertion/deletion mutations, negative selection and frequent gene flow are factors driving the genetic evolution and population structure of SrMV in China.

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Sugarcane-infecting badnaviruses (sugarcane bacilliform viruses, SCBVs) represent a genetically heterogeneous species complex, posing a serious threat to the yield and quality of sugarcane in all major producing regions. SCBVs are commonly transmitted across regions by the exchange of sugarcane germplasm. In this study, we develop two quick, sensitive, and reliable protocols for real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) of Sugarcane bacilliform MO virus (SCBMOV) and Sugarcane bacilliform IM virus (SCBIMV) using two sets of TaqMan probes and primers targeting the reverse transcriptase/ribonuclease H (RT/RNase H) region. The two assays had a detection limit of 100 copies of plasmid DNA and were 100 times more sensitive than conventional PCR. High specificity of the two assays was observed with respect to SCBIMV and SCBMOV. A total of 176 sugarcane leaf tissue samples from Fujian and Yunnan provinces were collected and analyzed in parallel by conventional PCR, SCBIMV-qPCR, and SCBMOV-qPCR. The SCBIMV-qPCR and SCBMOV-qPCR assays indicated that 50% (88/176) and 47% (83/176) samples tested positive, respectively, whereas only 29% (51/176) tested positive with conventional PCR with the primer pairs SCBV-F and SCBV-R. We demonstrate for the first time that SCBIMV and SCBMOV occur in China and reveal coinfection of both Badnavirus species in 29% (51/176) of tested leaf samples. Our findings supply sensitive and reliable qPCR assays for the detection and quantitation of SCBV in sugarcane quarantine programs.

Ratoon stunting disease (RSD) of sugarcane, one of the most important diseases seriously affecting the productivity of sugarcane crops, was caused by the bacterial agent Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli (Lxx). A TaqMan probe-based real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay was established in this study for the quantification of Lxx detection in sugarcane stalk juice. A pair of PCR primers (Pat1-QF/Pat1-QR) and a fluorogenic probe (Pat1-QP) targeting the Part1 gene of Lxx were used for the qPCR assay. The assay had a detection limit of 100 copies of plasmid DNA and 100 fg of Lxx genomic DNA, which was 100-fold more sensitive than the conventional PCR. Fifty (28.7%) of 174 stalk juice samples from two field trials were tested to be positive by qPCR assay, whereas, by conventional PCR, only 12.1% (21/174) were tested to be positive with a published primer pair CxxITSf#5/CxxITSr#5 and 15.5% (27/174) were tested to be positive with a newly designed primer pair Pat1-F2/Pat1-R2. The new qPCR assay can be used as an alternative to current diagnostic methods for Lxx, especially when dealing with certificating a large number of healthy cane seedlings and determining disease incidence accurately in commercial fields.

Objective: frequency of dyslipidemia in obese subjects Methodology: In this was a cross sectional study, we included a total of 100 cases, between 30 and 70 years of age of either gender having body mass index >30 whereas we excluded all those cases who were already taking treatment of dyslipidemia. A fasting blood sample was followed for lipid profile from the hospital lab and results were followed for presence/absence of dyslipidemia. Results: In this trial, mean age was 44.57+8.52 years. Mean lipid profile was recorded as 210.17+36.73 total cholesterol, 178.83+12.10 triglycerides, 133.55+9.74 LDL and 34.42+6.58 HDL. Mean Body mass index was calculated as 34.11+7.25. Frequency of dyslipidemia in obese subjects was recorded as 51%(n=51) Conclusion: We concluded that frequency of dyslipidemia is higher in obese subjects coming to a tertiary care hospital Lahore. So, it is recommended that every patient who present with obesity, should be sort out for dyslipidemia. However, it is also required that every setup should have their surveillance in order to know the frequency of the problem Keywords: Obese, dyslipidemia, frequency

There is a rising global concern about the SARS CoV-2 as a public health threat. Complete genome sequence have been released by the worldwide scientific community for understanding the molecular characteristics and evolutionary origin of this virus. Aim of the current context is to present phylogenetic relationship and genomic variation of 2019-nCoV. Based on availability of genomic information, we constructed a phylogenetic tree including also representatives of other coronaviridae, such as Middle East respiratory syndrome, severe acute respiratory syndrome and Bat coronavirus. The phylogenetic tree analysis suggested that SARS CoV-2 significantly clustered with bat SARS like coronavirus genome, however structural analysis revealed mutation in Spike Glycoprotein and nucleocapsid protein. However our phylogenetic and genomic analysis suggests that bats can be the reservoir for this virus. Lack of forest might be the fact in association of bats with human environment. It is also difficult to study on bats due to absence of proper reagent and availability of few species for research. We confirm high sequence similarity (>99%) among sequenced SARS CoV-2 genomes, and 96% genome identity with the bat coronavirus, confirming the notion of a zoonotic origin of SARS CoV-2.

Introduction: Diabetic guidelines are important tools to provide evidence based structured diabetic care. There are no national guidelines and it has been noted that diabetic care is suboptimal in Pakistan.The objective of our study was to identify various contextual barriers and propose possible solutions foroptimal diabetic guideline use by physicians in Pakistan. Study Design: Quasi experimental study. Setting: Two hospitals in Lahore Pakistan. Period: Jan to Dec 2016. Methodology: We analyzed data of 53 Physicians from two hospitals in Lahore Pakistan. These physicians were recruited in a quasi-experimental study done by the authors to check the effectiveness of m-health technology for improving diabetic guideline adherence and also to check the various barriers to diabetic guidelines adherence. The responses were obtained on Likert scale and were analyzed by factor analysis. Results: Majority of participating physicians were postgraduate trainees 34(64.1%) and females 33(62.3%). Majority 41(77.3%) were in the age group 20-29 years. Majority of the physicians agreed that diabetic guideline were helpful in diabetic management 46(86.8%) however they also noted following several barriers to diabetic guidelines adherence.These barriers were grouped into organizational, patients and physicians related factors by factor analysis. Majority of the physicians cited lack of patient care time, patient work overload, noncompliance and financial constraints in diabetic patients, lack of education in diabetics and diabetic guideline information among doctors and patients as major barriers for adherence to diabetic guidelines. Cultural differences between doctors and diabetic patients and lack of incentives and consequences for doctors to use diabetic guidelines were not considered as important as the rest of the variables. Conclusion: This study illustrates the various contextual barriers for diabetic guidelines implementation categorized into patient factors; physician factors; and systemic factors. It is important to identify and mitigate these barriers for effective diabetic guidelines implementation.