Rajendra Singh

Bio: Rajendra Singh is an academic researcher from All India Institute of Medical Sciences. The author has contributed to research in topics: Population & Aphididae. The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 129 publications receiving 492 citations. Previous affiliations of Rajendra Singh include Gautam Buddha University.

Genetic variability and trait association studies in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea)

Abstract: Thirty released varieties of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss.] were evaluated during winter (rabi) 2006–07 and 2007–08 under irrigated and rainfed environments. Analysis of variance on 14 quantitative traits was carried out and pooled analysis over the environments was conducted. The mean, range, phenotypic, genotypic and environmental variance, genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, heritability in broad sense and genetic advance were calculated. Path coefficient analysis was carried out using correlation coefficients to know the yield- contributing traits having true associations with seed yield. Improvement in seed yield can be achieved by selection using the correlation and path analysis data generated in this study. 1 000-seed weight was positively correlated with siliqua length. 1 000-seed weight and total siliquae/plant also had higher phenotypic and genotypic direct effects on seed yield/ plant, revealing that indirect selection for these traits would be effective in improving seed yield. The high heritability coupled with high genetic advance for 1 000-seed weight would also be of great use for indirect selection for improvement in seed yield. The material used in the study is of diverse nature and can be used in the breeding programme for development of improved genotypes in mustard.

High prevalence of asymptomatic malaria in apparently healthy schoolchildren in Aliero, Kebbi state, Nigeria.

Abstract: Background & objectives: In malaria endemic areas, continuous exposure to Plasmodium parasites leads to asymptomatic carriers that provide a reservoir, contributing to the persistence of malaria transmission. Thus, a study of the degree of prevalence of asymptomatic parasitaemias will help in assessing the level of reservoir of infection. Methods: All the consented participants without any signs and symptoms, suggestive of malaria were interviewed and thick blood smears were made to detect malaria parasites. The children presenting with malaria or any other severe illness, and those declining to give consent were excluded from the study. Results: A total of 118 (59.6%) children out of 198 apparently healthy children were positive for malaria parasites while 80 (40.4%) children were negative for malaria parasites. Prevalence of asymptomatic malaria was higher in males 75 (63.6%) compared to females 43 (36.4%), but the difference was not statistically significant. Incidence of asymptomatic malaria was highest with 76.1% in the children aged 6–10 yr. There was statistically significant association of the use of bednet on prevalence of asymptomatic malaria. Interpretation & conclusion: High prevalence of asymptomatic malaria detected in this study is a big challenge and can be a threat to the present malaria control programme. Thus, it should be considered in assessing and reorganising more effective malaria elimination strategies to achieve the desired goal of malaria control.

Food plant records of Aphidini (Aphidinae: Aphididae: Hemiptera) in India

Abstract: The Aphidini is one of the 2 tribes of the subfamily Aphidinae (Aphididae: Hemiptera) containing about 830 species/subspecies assigned to 33 genera. Out of these, only 9 genera and 70 species/subspecies were recorded from India infesting 940 plant species belonging to 138 families, out of which only 19 families are monocot. Indian Aphidini are recorded mostly on the plant family Asteraceae (102 plant species), followed by Fabaceae (96 plant species), Poaceae (92 plant species), Lamiaceae (46 plant species), Rosaceae (38 plant species), Solanaceae (34 plant species), Apocyanaceae (28 plant species), Rubiaceae (26 plant species), Malvaceae (25 plant species), Rutaceae (22 plant species), Cucurbitaceae (22 plant species), Polygonaceae (21 plant species), etc. Out of 70 described species of Aphidini from India, 14 species are monophagous; 40 species are oligophagous infesting 2 to 20 plant species; and 8 species are moderately polyphagous infesting 21 to 55 plant species while 8 species are highly polyphagous feeding on 55 upto 569 plant species. The present contribution provides updated checklist of Indian Aphidini with the valid scientific name of the aphids as well as their food plants.

Updated Checklist and Distribution of Mantidae (Mantodea : Insecta) of the World

Abstract: The praying mantids (Order Mantodea, Class Insecta) are a group of over 2500 carnivorous polyneopteran insects distributed in tropical and subtropical habitats of the world, from the rainforest to the desert ground. The order Mantodea comprises over 20 families, out of which the family Mantidae is the largest one and consists of almost 50% of the total mantids described so far. In this compilation, the family Mantidae was grouped into most acceptable 21 subfamilies: Amelinae (148 spp.), Angelinae (55 spp.), Antemninae (2 spp.), Choeradodinae (8 spp.), Chroicopterinae (70 spp.), Compsothespinae (14 spp.), Danuriinae (29 spp.), Deroplatyinae (20 spp.), Dystactinae (17 spp.), Heterochaetinae (11 spp.), Mantinae (420 spp.), Mellierinae (7 spp.), Miomantinae (187 spp.), Orthoderinae (11 spp.), Oxyothespinae (49 spp.), Photinainae (75 spp.), Phyllothelyinae (15 spp.), Schizocephalinae (1 spp.), Stagmatopterinae (45 spp.), Stagmomantinae (29 spp.), Vatinae (48 spp.) consisting 1261 species/subspecies. In India, 89 species of Mantidae are reported so far. The global distribution of each species was given.

Updated Checklist of Food Plants of Macrosiphini (Aphididae: Hemiptera) in India-1

Abstract: The Macrosiphini is one of the 2 tribes of the subfamily Aphidinae (Aphididae: Hemiptera) containing about 2166 species/subspecies assigned to 242 genera. Out of these, only 96 genera and 374 species are recorded from India infesting hundreds of plant species belonging to several families. The food plants of Indian Macrosiphini is catalogued alphabetically (aphid species-wise) in three parts. In this contribution, food plants of only 25 genera and 109 species of aphids belonging to the tribe Macrosiphini (Acutosiphon to Dysaphis) are catalogued. These aphids feeds on 400 plant species belonging to 79 families. Most suffered families are Asteraceae (81 species) followed by Rosaceae (35 species), Fabaceae (27 species), Brassicaceae (22 species), Lamiaceae (18 species) and Solanaceae (17 species). Among them, several species are crops of agricultural and horticultural importance. The update checklist of food plants of rest of Macrosiphini will be dealt in successive articles.

Clinical course and risk factors for mortality of adult inpatients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract: Summary Background Since December, 2019, Wuhan, China, has experienced an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19 have been reported but risk factors for mortality and a detailed clinical course of illness, including viral shedding, have not been well described. Methods In this retrospective, multicentre cohort study, we included all adult inpatients (≥18 years old) with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from Jinyintan Hospital and Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital (Wuhan, China) who had been discharged or had died by Jan 31, 2020. Demographic, clinical, treatment, and laboratory data, including serial samples for viral RNA detection, were extracted from electronic medical records and compared between survivors and non-survivors. We used univariable and multivariable logistic regression methods to explore the risk factors associated with in-hospital death. Findings 191 patients (135 from Jinyintan Hospital and 56 from Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital) were included in this study, of whom 137 were discharged and 54 died in hospital. 91 (48%) patients had a comorbidity, with hypertension being the most common (58 [30%] patients), followed by diabetes (36 [19%] patients) and coronary heart disease (15 [8%] patients). Multivariable regression showed increasing odds of in-hospital death associated with older age (odds ratio 1·10, 95% CI 1·03–1·17, per year increase; p=0·0043), higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (5·65, 2·61–12·23; p Interpretation The potential risk factors of older age, high SOFA score, and d-dimer greater than 1 μg/mL could help clinicians to identify patients with poor prognosis at an early stage. Prolonged viral shedding provides the rationale for a strategy of isolation of infected patients and optimal antiviral interventions in the future. Funding Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences; National Science Grant for Distinguished Young Scholars; National Key Research and Development Program of China; The Beijing Science and Technology Project; and Major Projects of National Science and Technology on New Drug Creation and Development.

Coronavirus Disease 2019–COVID-19

Abstract: SUMMARYIn recent decades, several new diseases have emerged in different geographical areas, with pathogens including Ebola virus, Zika virus, Nipah virus, and coronaviruses (CoVs). Recently, a new type of viral infection emerged in Wuhan City, China, and initial genomic sequencing data of this virus do not match with previously sequenced CoVs, suggesting a novel CoV strain (2019-nCoV), which has now been termed severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is suspected to originate from an animal host (zoonotic origin) followed by human-to-human transmission, the possibility of other routes should not be ruled out. Compared to diseases caused by previously known human CoVs, COVID-19 shows less severe pathogenesis but higher transmission competence, as is evident from the continuously increasing number of confirmed cases globally. Compared to other emerging viruses, such as Ebola virus, avian H7N9, SARS-CoV, and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), SARS-CoV-2 has shown relatively low pathogenicity and moderate transmissibility. Codon usage studies suggest that this novel virus has been transferred from an animal source, such as bats. Early diagnosis by real-time PCR and next-generation sequencing has facilitated the identification of the pathogen at an early stage. Since no antiviral drug or vaccine exists to treat or prevent SARS-CoV-2, potential therapeutic strategies that are currently being evaluated predominantly stem from previous experience with treating SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and other emerging viral diseases. In this review, we address epidemiological, diagnostic, clinical, and therapeutic aspects, including perspectives of vaccines and preventive measures that have already been globally recommended to counter this pandemic virus.

An Update on Current Therapeutic Drugs Treating COVID-19.

Abstract: The current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has presented unprecedented challenges to the healthcare systems in almost every country around the world. Currently, there are no proven effective vaccines or therapeutic agents against the virus. Current clinical management includes infection prevention and control measures and supportive care including supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilatory support. Evolving research and clinical data regarding the virologic SARS-CoV-2 suggest a potential list of repurposed drugs with appropriate pharmacological effects and therapeutic efficacies in treating COVID-19 patients. In this review, we will update and summarize the most common and plausible drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. These drugs and therapeutic agents include antiviral agents (remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, lopinavir, umifenovir, favipiravir, and oseltamivir), and supporting agents (Ascorbic acid, Azithromycin, Corticosteroids, Nitric oxide, IL-6 antagonists), among others. We hope that this review will provide useful and most updated therapeutic drugs to prevent, control, and treat COVID-19 patients until the approval of vaccines and specific drugs targeting SARS-CoV-2.