Does regeneration ability influence reproductive fitness in Menochilus sexmaculatus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)?

Swati Saxena,Geetanjali Mishra,Omkar 한국응용곤충학회 2016 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.19 No.3

In holometabolous insects the complete transformation in body plan occurs in two steps i.e. from last larval stage to pupa and from pupa to adults. A couple of studies revealed that regeneration depends upon the site of amputation. In the present study, third and fourth instar larvae of zig-zag ladybird beetle, Menochilus sexmaculatus, were subjected to the limb amputation treatment at three different sites (base of coxa, tibia and pretarsus). Regeneration or reformation of limbs did not occur in fourth instarwhen its preceding stage i.e. third instar was amputated. However, the adults emerging from both the amputation treatments i.e. third instar and fourth instar had all limbs. The regenerated adults were marked with longer pupa duration and increased body mass as compared to the unregenerated adults suggesting that some repair to the damage may happen during the pupal stage. When adults were allowed to mate then the unregenerated adults had shorter mating duration and reduced fecundity and percent egg viability.

Prey species modify interactions within two predator conspecific and heterospecific combinations: A case study using two sympatric Coccinella species (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Bhupendra Kumar,Geetanjali Mishra,Omkar 한국응용곤충학회 2015 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.18 No.2

Multiple interactions (antagonistic/additive/synergistic) occurring within predatory combinations, determine the suitability of combinations in suppressing the aphid pests. In the present study such interactionswithin larval (fourth instars) and adult (10-day old females) combinations were assessed using two aphidophagous ladybird beetles — Coccinella septempunctata (L.)/C7 and Coccinella transversalis (F.)/Ct, on pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), bean aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch andmustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach). Experiments were conducted to study the influence of prey species on predatory interactions of ladybirds kept within conspecific/ heterospecific combinations; and to test the hypothesis whether predatory combinations tested on one prey specieswould perform equally on the other prey species. Results revealed that the performance of predators within combinations varied on different prey. Larval Ct+Ct and C7+Ct combinations had additive effects on L. erysimi and antagonistic effects on A. pisum and A. craccivora. Similarly, adult Ct+Ct combination exhibited an additive effect on A. craccivora and antagonistic effects on A. pisum and L. erysimi. Moreover, heterospecific combinations inflicted higher prey consumption, and had a higher conversion efficiency and body biomass gain than conspecific combinations; and despite causing higher prey consumption, adult combinations showed lower conversion efficiencies and body biomass gain than the larval combinations. Thus, efficacy of predatory combinations needs to be tested on target prey prior to the release of predatory combinations in the fields. Moreover, multi-species assemblages of ladybirds may provide better biological control of aphids compared to single species.

Feasibility of Sub-Axial Cervical Laminar Screws, Including C7, in the Indian Population: A Study on 50 Patients Using Computed Tomography-Based Morphometry Measurements

Abhishek Srivastava,Geetanjali Nanda,Rajat Mahajan,Ankur Nanda,Sahil Batra,Nirajana Mishra,Naveen Pandita,Harvinder Singh Chhabra 대한척추외과학회 2019 Asian Spine Journal Vol.13 No.1

Study Design: Observational study of computed tomography (CT) data. Purpose: We performed a CT-based radiographic analysis of sub-axial cervical lamina in the Indian population to assess the feasibility of laminar screws. Overview of Literature: Morphometric studies have been performed for populations of various ethnic groups, but none exist for Indian populations. Methods: Cervical spine CT scans of 50 adults with a minimum slice thickness of <2 mm (0.5–2 mm) were obtained from the database of a single center in northern India. Measurements (e.g., length, thickness, and height) were taken in millimeters along the axial, coronal, and sagittal planes. Three measurements were made to assess laminar anatomy, namely, the translaminar/screw length, laminar thickness, and sagittal laminar height. Results: The final sample comprised 500 laminae in 50 patients, resulting in 1,500 measurements. The mean translaminar lengths of the C3, C4, C5, C6, and C7 laminae were 19.48 mm, 19.60 mm, 19.61 mm, 20.49 mm, and 22.85 mm, respectively. The mean thicknesses of these cervical laminae were 3.12 mm, 2.62 mm, 2.56 mm, 3.47 mm, and 5.20 mm, respectively. The mean sagittal heights of these laminae were 9.38 mm, 9.80 mm, 10.12 mm, 11.31 mm, and 13.84 mm, respectively. Except for the C7 vertebrae, all other levels had a success rate of <10% in the Indian population using the criteria of a laminar height of at least 9 mm and thickness of 4.5 mm. Limited success was achieved at the C5, C6, and C3 levels. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the only series on the feasibility of laminar screws in the sub-axial cervical spine in the Indian population. We found that Indian patients have smaller anatomical dimensions and thus, are not suitable for laminar screws in the sub-axial cervical spine, barring C7, which is contrary to findings for populations in western and south Asian countries.

Leg impairment affects the reproductive attributes of a ladybird, Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius)

Apoorva Shandilya,Geetanjali Mishra,Omkar 한국응용곤충학회 2018 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.21 No.3

Natural injuries and their causes have recently garnered attention amongst researchers, however the effects of these injuries on life history traits are still sparsely investigated. In the few studies that have been conducted injuries are known to have a debilitating effect on male virility and reproductive performance. Thus the effect of leg injuries in males on mating behaviour and reproductive output in the ladybird beetle, Menochilus sexmaculatus was investigated. This is the first study on the effect of injury on any life history trait in Coccinellidae. The legs of the male were amputated at three different joints on the same side and opposite sides for one leg or two legs. These amputated males were paired with uninjured females and the mating behaviour and subsequent reproductive output was observed. Time to commence mating, latent period and mating duration in impaired males were observed and were all found to be higher than that of uninjured males. Fecundity and percent egg viability were reduced in all impaired male pairs. Males with physical disability were found to copulate for an extended duration, perhaps to ensure maximum paternity.

Computed Tomography-Based Occipital Condyle Morphometry in an Indian Population to Assess the Feasibility of Condylar Screws for Occipitocervical Fusion

Abhishek Srivastava,Geetanjali Nanda,Rajat Mahajan,Ankur Nanda,Nirajana Mishra,Srinivasa Karmaran,Sahil Batra,Harvinder Singh Chhabra 대한척추외과학회 2017 Asian Spine Journal Vol.11 No.6

Study Design: A retrospective computed tomography (CT)-based morphometric study of 82 occipital condyles in the Indian population, focusing on critical morphometric dimensions with relation to placing condylar screws Purpose: This study focused on determining the feasibility of placing occipital condylar screws in an Indian population using CT anatomical morphometric data. Overview of Literature: The occipital condylar screw is a novel technique being explored as one of the options in occipitocervical stabilization. Sex and ethnic variations in anatomical structures may restrict the feasibility of this technique in some populations. To the best of our knowledge, there are no CT-based data on an Indian population that assess the feasibility of occipital condylar screws. Methods: We measured the dimensions of 82 occipital condyles in 41 adults on coronal, sagittal, and axial reconstructed CT images. The differences were noted between the right and left sides and also between males and females. Statistical analysis was performed using the t -test, with a p- value of <0.05 considered significant. Results: Mean sagittal length and height were 17.2±1.7 mm and 9.1±1.5 mm, respectively. Mean condylar angle/screw angle was 38.0°±5.5° from midline, with mean condylar length and width of 19.6±2.6 mm and 9.5±1.0 mm, respectively. Average coronal height on the anterior and posterior hypoglossal canal was 10.8±1.4 mm and 9.0±1.4 mm, respectively. The values in females were significantly lower than those in males, except for screw angle and condylar width. Based on Lin et al.’s proposed criteria, eight of 82 condyles were not suitable for condylar screws. Conclusions: Preliminary CT morphometry data of the occipital condyle shows that condylar screws are anatomically feasible in a large portion of the Indian population. However, because a small number of population may not be suitable for this technique, meticulous study of preoperative anatomy using detailed CT data is advised.

Effect of egg cannibalism on mating preferences and reproductive fitness of Menochilus sexmaculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Yadav Tripti,Omkar,Mishra Geetanjali 한국응용곤충학회 2021 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.24 No.1

Cannibalism has been reported in a large proportion of coccinellids in fields as well as in laboratories but studies involving mate preferences and potential benefits of cannibalism on reproduction in Menochilus sexmaculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) have yet not been done. Thus, we assessed the effect of conspecific egg cannibalism on mate preferences and reproductive outputs including offspring development. Higher mate preferences were recorded for non-cannibalistic mates (fed on A. craccivora) than cannibalistic ones (fed on conspecific eggs). Mating parameters were significantly influenced by cannibalism. Time to commence mating lasted less for homogeneous diet pairs than heterogeneous diet pairs. Longer copulation duration and higher fecundity were recorded when one of the individuals in mating pair or both was a non-cannibal. Egg viability did not differ significantly in all the reciprocal crosses. In addition, the total developmental durations of offspring were similar for all mating pairs.

Prolonged matings in a ladybird, Menochilus sexmaculatus: A mate guarding mechanism?

Desh Deepak Chaudhary,Geetanjali Mishra,Omkar 한국응용곤충학회 2015 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.18 No.3

Occurrence of postcopulatory mate guarding behavior is common in those insects where males directly defend their partners from rival males, avoid sperm competition and thus increase their paternity success. However, this has not yet been evaluated in ladybirds (Coleoptera:Coccinellidae). In the present investigation,mate disruption studies were conducted to establish postcopulatory mate guarding behavior in a ladybird, Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius). The laboratory findings affirmed the presence ofmate guarding in this ladybird species. Results revealed significant influence of mate guarding behavior on fecundity and egg viability of females. The findings of the present study revealed that an effective mating took a minimum duration of 2.50 min, and prior to which sexual activities of a male were not effective to fertilize the eggs of a female. The results further demonstrate that males improved their paternity with a mating duration of above 4.50 min, while fecundity increasedwith a mating duration of above 4.75min. Although fecundity increased continuouslywith an increase in mating duration from4.75 min to 30.00 min, the egg viability increasedwith amating duration of above 4.50 min and up to a duration of 10.00 min. For this reason, M. sexmaculatus males display postcopulatory mate guarding behavior after 30.00 min, andmate partners remaining in copula with themale riding on the female's back with his aedeagus inserted.

Management of patients with allergy to local anesthetics: two case reports

Arya, Varun,Arora, Geetanjali,Kumar, Sanjeev,Kaur, Amrita,Mishra, Santosh The Korean Dental Society of Anesthsiology 2021 Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine Vol.21 No.6

Lidocaine is the most commonly used local anesthetic (LA) agent in various dental as well as oral and maxillofacial procedures. Although rare, adverse effects and allergic reactions to lidocaine have been reported. In patients with suspected allergy to LA or a history of such reaction, careful history-taking and allergy testing should be performed to choose an alternative LA agent to avoid any adverse effects. Here, we present two cases of delayed hypersensitivity reaction to lidocaine, wherein the patients presented with erythema, edema, and itching. Intradermal testing confirmed allergic reaction to lidocaine, and the patients underwent successful dental treatment using an alternative LA agent. This report highlights the importance of allergy testing prior to LA use considering the serious consequences of allergy to these agents and describes the management of such patients using an alternative LA agent.

Morphometric Study of C1 Pedicle and Feasibility Evaluation of C1 Pedicle Screw Placement with a Novel Clinically Relevant Radiological Classification in an Indian Population

Abhishek Srivastava,Rajat Mahajan,Ankur Nanda,Geetanjali Nanda,Nirajana Mishra,Vijayant Kanagaraju,Sahil Batra,Harvinder Singh Chhabra 대한척추외과학회 2017 Asian Spine Journal Vol.11 No.5

Study Design: A retrospective computed tomography (CT)‒based morphometric study of 84 C1pedicles in an Indian population focusing on critical morphometric dimensions vis-a-vis C1 pedicle screw placement Purpose: To determine the feasibility of C1 pedicle screw placement in an Indian population and propose a novel classification system for the same. Overview of Literature: At present, C1 pedicle screws are rarely used, and very few studies have focused on the feasibility of pedicle screw placement in terms of racial, gender, and ethnic variations in anatomical structures. There are no CT-based data on C1 pedicles that assess the feasibility of pedicle screw placement in the Indian population. Methods: We measured C1 pedicle diameter on CT coronal scan images of 42 adult patients. Extramedullary height (EMH) and intramedullary height (IMH) were measured. We examined the differences between the right and left atlas pedicles and compared measures between males and females. These data were analyzed using significance tests. Based on the results, we propose a novel classification system, which we believe will help in determining the feasibility of C1 pedicle screw placement. Results: Forty-two adult patients (84 pedicles) were examined. Average EMH and IMH were 4.48±0.91 and 0.86±0.77, respectively. Approximately, 32% of the C1 pedicles had bone thicknesses of <4 mm, 49% had IMH of <1 mm, and 38% had no pedicles. The average thickness in women was 4.21±0.93 mm, which was significantly thinner than that in men (4.73±0.81 mm, p =0.004). Right and left pedicles were not significantly different. Conclusions: Our data indicate that approximately one-third of the Indian population may not be suitable candidates for C1 pedicle screw placement. Caution should be exercised while placing type 1B and type 2 pedicles based on our proposed classification system.

Human chorionic gonadotropin therapy in hypogonadic severe-oligozoospermic men and its effect on semen parameters

Andrabi, Syed Waseem,Makker, Giresh Chandra,Makker, Renu,Mishra, Geetanjali,Singh, Rajender The Korean Society for Reproductive Medicine 2022 Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine Vol.49 No.1

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) therapy is beneficial for improving semen parameters and clinical hypogonadism symptoms in hypogonadic oligozoospermic or severe oligozoospermic men with low or borderline testosterone levels. Methods: A weekly dose of 250 ㎍ (equivalent to approximately 6,500 IU) of hCG was administered subcutaneously for 3-6 months to 56 hypogonadic oligozoospermic or severe oligozoospermic men. Semen, biochemical, and genetic analyses were performed before the start of treatment followed by analyzing semen parameters every 3 months after the start of therapy. We grouped participants into responders and non-responders depending on positive changes in semen parameters. Results: Out of 56 men, 47 (83.93%) responded, while 9 (16.07%) did not. Upon statistical analysis, it was found that age did not affect the overall outcomes (p=0.292); however, men with higher body mass index (BMI; 28.09±3.48 kg/m²) showed better outcomes than those with low BMI (25.33±3.06 kg/m²) (p=0.042). The duration of therapy (in months) was higher in non-responders than in responders (p=0.020). We found significant improvements in sperm concentration (p=0.006) and count (p=0.005) after 3 months of therapy. Sperm motility and progressive motility were also found to be higher in responders, but did not show statistically significant changes. Conclusion: We conclude that hCG therapy can be beneficial in men with hypogonadic oligozoospermia or severe oligozoospermia.