Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease, has become a major public health problem with marked expansion in recent decades. Dengue has now become hyperendemic in India with co-circulation of all the four serotypes. Herein, we report an unprecedented outbreak which occurred during August to October 2011 in Odisha, eastern India. This is the first report of a large epidemic in Odisha. Detailed serological and molecular investigation was carried out to identify the aetiology. Almost half of the samples were found to be dengue antigen (NS1) positive. Further molecular assays revealed circulation of mixed dengue serotypes (DENV-2 and DENV-3). Cosmopolitan genotype of DENV-2 and -3 were identified as the aetiology by phylogenetic analysis. Interestingly, a new lineage of DENV-3 within cosmopolitan genotype was incriminated in this outbreak. The emergence of the unprecedented magnitude of the dengue outbreak with the involvement of a novel lineage of DENV in a newer state of India is a major cause for concern. There is an urgent need to monitor phylodynamics of dengue viruses in other endemic areas.
Dengue non-structural protein (NS1) is known to be protective antigen and also has immense application for serodiagnosis. Several serodiagnostic assays available for dengue viral infection are dependent on tissue culture-grown viral proteins. This task is unsafe, laborious, more expensive that makes it unsuitable for routine large-scale production. Although bacterial expression is relatively simple and easy for recombinant protein expression, it is more challenging to make NS1 protein with native structural and immunological features using bacterial expression system. We have successfully developed a method leading to the purification and refolding of recombinant dengue virus type 3 (DENV3) NS1. The gene encoding NS1 was amplified and cloned in pET28a (+) vector. In order to increase the purity of the recombinant NS1, the transgene was engineered to carry 6× Histidine tags at both N and C-terminal ends. The recombinant construct (pETNS1) was transformed into E. coli Rosetta-gami cells and the expression conditions viz IPTG concentration, media type, temperature, and harvest time were optimized. The size of the expressed protein was found to be ~45 kDa and the authenticity of the expressed protein was confirmed using anti-His and anti-NS1 monoclonal antibodies. The NS1 protein was purified under denaturing conditions, to attain the native conformation, NS1 protein was in vitro refolded and dialyzed. The refolded NS1 protein was detected by commercial Immuno chromatographic strip and NS1 specific monoclonal antibodies. IgM antibody capture ELISA was performed using refolded recombinant NS1 protein which recognized the IgM antibodies in dengue-positive samples of acute phase of infection. Our result suggests that rNS1 protein has immense diagnostic potential and can be used in developing point of care diagnostic assays.
In the last decade India has seen an increase in the adoption of solar energy‐based technologies by consumers, which has been supported by various government efforts and policies. The rural areas and low‐income households that lack a proper electricity supply have emerged as a market for solar off‐grid technologies, with private developers increasing their market base slowly in this group. This has promulgated the need to restructure the decentralized energy sector. Existing literature points out the suitability of solar off‐grid in such markets; the present study investigates the challenges that have hindered its growth. The study reviews the concept of poverty with respect to the energy sector and analyzes methods of determining poor energy access in the present scenario. It emphasizes the need to understand and reconceptualize policy instruments in order to make solar off‐grid a powerful tool in tackling energy demand and providing adequate energy access. It further explores the causes of energy disconnects and how grid‐independent solar energy is a technological solution of utmost relevance and in consonance with the idea of sustainable development. For a successful venture, both consumer behavior and marketer objectives are important determinants. The work also provides insights into various models, tools, factors, and social constructs that affect consumer perception and subsequently demand. Over the course of the study, it has been revealed how private players and entrepreneurs are tapping the wrong solar market, leading to misappropriation of solar energy technologies. The suggested improvements and recommendations of the present study from the analysis can serve as a guide for policy makers, technological innovators, and financial stakeholders. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:364–375. © 2020 SETAC
IntroductionGlobally, hypertension has been acknowledged as a significant public health concern to the population in socioeconomic and epidemiological transition, and is also the most prevalent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases [1]. In-fact, recent estimates show that hypertension affects more than a third of adults aged 25 and above, accounting for about a billion people worldwide and contributes to nearly 9.4 million deaths from cardiovascular diseases each year [2]. Furthermore, it has been estimated that by the year 2030, 23 million cardiovascular deaths are projected to be due to hypertension, of which about 85% cases will be from low-resource settings and developing nations [2]. A high and increasing prevalence of hypertension in both rural and urban areas of India has been reported in recent studies [3,4]. An analysis of nationally-representative survey data revealed that almost 22% of the men and 26% of women had hypertension [3]. In addition, findings of studies performed in different settings have revealed a conclusive evidence between high blood pressure and early onset/precipitation of other disorders (viz. coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure and impaired renal function) [3,4].Prevention of hypertension is possible. Early detection and appropriate/effective control of blood pressure is a critical element to reduce the risk of hypertension-induced-organ damage and other serious complications [3,5]. In addition, creating awareness among the members of the community regarding the potential risk factors that eventually determine the occurrence of hypertension is essential for combating the rising trends of hypertension in the community [5]. Thus implementation of effective primary and secondary prevention measures should be the most important goals in the planning of health policy measures [5]. There is a scarcity of literature on hypertension from rural India, which constitutes 70% of the total population. We followed a cohort of adults in rural Pondicherry, India over three years to study the incidence of T2DM. The research data were analyzed to explore the prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors [6]. Materials and Methods Study setting Sample sizeThe sample size was estimated by employing a freely available open source software, Open Epi Version 2.3.10 [6]. The sampling frame comprised individuals aged above 25 years (n=2608). Single stage cluster random sampling was carried out. Using streets as the primary sampling unit, four streets in Ramanathapuram and six streets in Pillaiyarkuppam were chosen by lot method. AbstractBackground: Globally, hypertension has been acknowledged as a significant public health concern, and is also the most frequent potential risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. The present study has been undertaken to determine the burden of hypertension and its determinants in a rural area of Pondicherry.
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