Isolation of bovine viral diarrhea virus 1, a pestivirus from autopsied lamb specimen from Tamil Nadu, India

An epizootic of febrile illness among the Madras red breed of sheep had occurred in 1994 in Verrapuram, Chennai, India. The epizootic was suspected as Rift Valley fever (RVF)-like sickness based on clinical features. However, its etiological agent could neither be isolated nor implicated conclusively. During the post-epizootic period a male lamb died of similar clinical features and the spleen was immediately collected. Inoculation of spleen suspension in infant mouse brain yielded a virus that was serially passaged in infant mice and rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells. Electron microscopic observations revealed virus particles resembling flaviviruses. RT-PCR performed on extracted total RNA from infected cells and mouse brains with flavivirus-specific or RVF-specific primers gave negative results. However, an amplicon of 280 bp was obtained with pestivirus-specific primers from the 5'-UTR. Further, a nested PCR yielded a product of 157 bp. Nucleotide sequencing of the 157 bp product showed 100% homology to BVDV-1. Western blot analysis with a flavivirus envelope protein-specific MAb revealed three proteins of 33 K, 45 K and 55 K. Further studies suggested that the 33 K and 55 K proteins were glycosylated. This is the first report of isolation of BVDV-1 from a lamb in India.

SUBACUTE CUTANEOUS LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS WITH PSEUDO-PORPHYRIA AND VITILIGO

Sub acute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (SCLE) is a distinct subset of LupusErythematosus. It can present as non scarring psoriasiform or annular polycycliclesions. About half the patients fulfil the criteria of the American RheumatismAssociation for systemic lupus erythematosus. In this report, we present the case of a45 years old male who came with psoriasiform depigmented plaques and papulo-vesicular lesions developed after taking some medication. Clinically diagnosed as subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus with acral vitiligo. A histopathological studyand urine analysis however revealed presence of pseudo porphyria along with theSCLE. Although SCLE is not a rare disease, the association of it with pseudo porphyriaand vitiligo is of significance as the treatment for SCLE and pseudo porphyria isphoto protection and for the vitiligo it is photo chemotherapy.ABSTRACTKey Words: Sub acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, pseudo porphyria,vitiligo, psoriasiform eruptions.

Metabolism of benzyl alcohol via catechol ortho-pathway in methylnaphthalene-degrading Pseudomonas putida CSV86

Pseudomonas putida CSV86 metabolizes 1- and 2-methylnaphthalene through distinct catabolic and detoxification pathways. In spite of the similarity in the steps involved in the methylnaphthalene detoxification and the toluene side-chain hydroxylation pathways, the strain failed to utilize toluene or xylenes. However, it could grow on benzyl alcohol, 2- and 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol. Metabolic studies suggest that the benzyl alcohol metabolism proceeds via the benzaldehyde, benzoate, and catechol ortho-cleavage pathway, in contrast to the well established catechol meta-cleavage pathway. Carbon source-dependent enzyme activity studies suggest that the degradation of aromatic alcohol involves two regulons. Aromatic alcohol induces the upper regulon, which codes for aromatic alcohol- and aromatic aldehyde-dehydrogenase and converts alcohol into acid. The aromatic acid so generated induces the specific lower regulon and is metabolized via either the ortho- or the meta-cleavage pathway. CSV86 cells transform 1- and 2-methylnaphthalene to 1- and 2-hydroxymethyl naphthalene, which are further converted to the respective naphthoic acids due to the basal level expression and broad substrate specificity of the upper regulon enzymes.

Fibrous dysplasia complicated by aneurysmal bone cyst formation affecting multiple cervical vertebrae

Fibrous dysplasia is a well-known benign dysplastic process of bone. However, fibrous dysplasia is very uncommon in the spine. Further, to our knowledge, coexistence of fibrous dysplasia and aneurysmal bone cyst in the spine has not been reported. This manuscript presents a patient who had both processes involving the cervical spine.

Is digital image compression acceptable within diabetic retinopathy screening?

AIMS

The National Screening Committee (NSC), whilst recommending the use of digital mydriatic retinal photography for diabetic retinopathy screening, has not yet accepted the use of digitally compressed images for grading. By greatly reducing the file size, however, compression of images is invaluable for storage and for its rapid transmission across computer networks. We undertook a study to compare the different levels of JPEG compression with the original bit-mapped image to determine whether there was any loss of clinical detail following compression.

METHODS

Three hundred and thirty images were analysed in this study. These images had been captured from 66 eyes consecutively photographed in a diabetic retinopathy screening programme, using a Sony DXC-950 P 3CCD colour video camera mounted on a Canon CR6-45NMf fundus camera. Single 45 degrees macula-centred images were taken from each eye. The images were compressed using the JPEG algorithm within Adobe Photoshop (version 4.0) and then displayed with a Sony Trinitron colour monitor. Four different levels of compression were used, JPEG-1, JPEG-2, JPEG-3, JPEG-4, and an objective analysis was undertaken using 'lesion counts'. The compressed images were assessed separately and blindly and the results compared with their original BMP images.

RESULTS

Eight BMP images could not be evaluated (five right eye and three left eye). A total of 290 images were therefore used in the final evaluation. All the JPEG-1 images with file sizes between 16 and 24 kb were found to be 'pixelated', while the JPEG-4 images (66-107 kb) appeared similar to the original BMP (1.3 Mb) images. Both JPEG-2 and JPEG-3 images had significantly lower counted lesions than the BMP images.

CONCLUSIONS

From our findings we can conclude that only some degree of image compression (compression ratios of 1 : 20 to 1 : 12) with file sizes of 66-107 kb is permissible using JPEG format, whereas the images obtained after higher compression ratios may not be suitable for diabetic retinopathy screening.

Glucose-induced suppression of endogenous glucose production: dynamic response to differing glucose profiles

To determine whether, in the presence of constant insulin concentrations, a change in glucose concentrations results in a reciprocal change in endogenous glucose production (EGP), glucagon ( approximately 130 ng/l) and insulin ( approximately 65 pmol/l) were maintained at constant "basal" concentrations while glucose was clamped at approximately 5.3 mM (euglycemia), approximately 7.0 mM (sustained hyperglycemia; n = 10), or varied to create a "postprandial" profile (profile; n = 11). EGP fell slowly over the 6 h of the euglycemia study. In contrast, an increase in glucose to 7.13 +/- 0.3 mmol/l resulted in prompt and sustained suppression of EGP to 9.65 +/- 1.21 micromol x kg-1 x min-1. On the profile study day, glucose increased to a peak of 11.2 +/- 0.5 mmol/l, and EGP decreased to a nadir of 6.79 +/- 2.54 micromol x kg-1 x min-1 by 60 min. Thereafter, the fall in glucose was accompanied by a reciprocal rise in EGP to rates that did not differ from those observed on the euglycemic study day (11.31 +/- 2.45 vs. 12.11 +/- 3.21 micromol x kg-1 x min-1). Although the pattern of change of glucose differed markedly on the sustained hyperglycemia and profile study days, by design the area above basal did not. This resulted in equivalent suppression of EGP below basal (-1,952 +/- 204 vs. -1,922 +/- 246 mmol. kg-1. 6 h-1). These data demonstrate that, in the presence of a constant basal insulin concentration, changes in glucose within the physiological range rapidly and reciprocally regulate EGP.

Epidermodysolasia Verruciforms

Abstract

The structure of the pineal complex in a common Indian teleost, Catla catla: evidence for pineal-induced inhibition of testicular function within an annual reproductive cycle

The structure of the pineal complex and the annual reproductive cycle in a major Indian carp, Catla catla, were investigated in the present study. Additionally, given the well-known inhibitory effects of the pineal on reproductive function in mammals, attempts were made to investigate whether or not the pineal exerts an inhibitory influence on reproductive function in this piscine species as well. Sexually adult animals were utilized in all experiments. The cytomorphology of the pineal complex and a number of parameters for testicular function--such as testicular cytology, serum testosterone levels, and testicular activities of two steroidogenic enzymes, 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17beta-HSD) and delta5-3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (delta5-3beta-HSD) were examined over a period of two years. Our studies showed that the pineal complex in this species consists of three separate but distinctly connected components: (a) an end vesicle (EV); (b) a long pineal stalk (PS); and (c) a dorsal sac (DS). Of these, the epithelial lining of the EV consists of cells that have rounded vesicular nuclei and long apical cytoplasmic processes that reach the lumen, features suggestive of photoreceptor cells. The cells of the PS have some similarity with those of the EV, while DS cells appear columnar and ciliated. With regard to gonadal activity, germ cell profiles revealed that this species has four distinct phases during the annual reproductive cycle: (a) preparatory (January-April); (b) pre-spawning (May-June); (c) spawning (July); and (d) post-spawning (August-December). During the spawning phase (July), seminiferous tubular diameter, percentage of late spermatids within seminiferous tubules, and serum testosterone levels showed the highest values compared to those obtained in most of the other phases of the reproductive cycle. Also in July, along with peak serum testosterone levels, the activities of 17beta-HSD and delta5-3beta-HSD were at their highest levels. In a correlation between the pineal cytology and testicular functional status, it was noted that both the nuclear diameter and the apical cytoplasmic projections of the EV photoreceptor cells showed a significant reduction, thus suggesting a reduced synthetic activity, during the month of July, the spawning phase of the reproductive cycle. In contrast, the same features of the EV cells during the other phases of the reproductive cycle showed an increased cellular and metabolic activity--a time when the gonads were less active and in a quiescent stage. These data suggest an inhibitory role of the pineal on gonadal function and thus provide additional credence to the concept that, as in higher mammals, there exists an inverse relationship between the pineal activity and gonadal function in teleost fishes as well.

Chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges in individuals exposed to arsenic through drinking water in West Bengal, India

Arsenic contamination in groundwater has become a worldwide problem. Currently an unprecedented number of people in West Bengal, India and Bangladesh are exposed to the ubiquitous toxicant via drinking water in exposure levels far exceeding the maximum recommended limit laid down by WHO. This arsenic epidemic has devastated nine districts of West Bengal encompassing an area of 38,865 km(2) leading to various clinical manifestations of chronic arsenicosis. We conducted a human bio-monitoring study using chromosomal aberrations (CA) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) as end points to explore the cytogenetic effects of chronic arsenic toxicity in the population of North 24 Parganas, one of the arsenic affected districts in West Bengal. Study participants included 59 individuals residing in this district where the mean level (+/-S.E.) of arsenic in drinking water (microg/l) was 211.70+/-15.28. As age matched controls with similar socio-economic status we selected 36 healthy, asymptomatic individuals residing in two unaffected districts--Midnapur and Howrah where the mean arsenic content of water (microg/l) was 6.35+/-0.45. Exposure was assessed by standardized questionnaires and by detecting the levels of arsenic in drinking water, nails, hair and urine samples. In the exposed group the mean arsenic concentrations in nails (microg/g), hair (microg/g) and urine (microg/l) samples were 9.04+/-0.78, 5.63+/-0.38 and 140.52+/-8.82, respectively, which were significantly high (P<0.01) compared to the corresponding control values of 0.44+/-0.03, 0.30+/-0.02 and 5.91+/-0.49, respectively. Elevated mean values (P<0.01) of the percentage of aberrant cells (8.08%) and SCEs per cell (7.26) were also observed in the exposed individuals in comparison to controls (1.96% and 5.95, respectively). The enhanced rates of CAs and SCEs among the residents of North 24 Parganas are indicative of the cytogenetic damage due to long term exposure to arsenic through consumption of contaminated water.

Mucinous Cystadenoma Ovary With a Component Of benign Teratoma-A rare Combination

Abstract

A RARE CASE OF PERFORATED MECKEL'S DIVERTICULUM PRESENTING WITH PERITONITIS IN A CHILD

ABSTRACT

Muscle changes in aging

This review summarizes the recent studies to understand the mechanisms of sarcopenia of aging. A decrease in mitochondrial and nuclear gene transcriptions in skeletal muscle is likely to be responsible for reduced synthesis rates of muscle mitochondrial protein, myosin heavy chain (MHC) and actin. A decrease in muscle mitochondrial protein synthesis could contribute to reduced mitochondrial function. A decrease in synthesis rate of MHC and actin, the key contractile proteins could be responsible for reduced muscle strength. The MHC synthesis rate seems to result from a selective decrease in transcription of MHC isoforms (MHCIIa and IIx) responsible for fast-twitch fibers. Resistance training increases MHC-I isoform mRNA levels with an overall increase in MHC synthesis rate. Aerobic training increases muscle oxidative enzymes equally in young and old but its impact on overall mitochondrial function remains to be clearly defined. Long-term studies are needed to determine the potential benefits and undesirable effects of replacements of various hormones that decline with aging. An individualized exercise prescription involving both aerobic and resistance training is definitely helpful to overcome many aging-related muscle dysfunctions.

Growth of respiratory syncytial virus in mink lung epithelial cells

Mink lung epithelial cells (Mv-1-Lu) were tested for their ability to support the growth and serial passage of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in vitro. Indian isolates of RSV induced distinctive cytopathic effect with typical rounding of cells followed by detachment with more than 50 per cent cells showing bright fluorescence using anti-RSV monoclonal antibodies in immunofluorescence test. Serial passage of RSV was possible in Mv-1-Lu cells without loss of sensitivity of the cells for virus growth. Titration of cell associated virus and virus released in the supernatant indicated that 60 per cent of the virus was released in the supernatant, and 40 per cent remained cell associated. Transmission electron microscopic studies of negatively stained RSV particles and ultra-thin sections of RSV infected Mv-1-Lu cells showed roughly spherical particles with club shaped projections, budding from the cytoplasmic membrane. These results indicate that Mv-1-Lu cell line is suitable for the growth and propagation of RSV.

Peripheral bone density in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and factors which influence it

INTRODUCTION: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) frequently possess a number of risk factors for osteoporosis. Additionally, oral steroids are often used to control active rheumatoid disease and may further potentiate bone loss. We wished to establish the degree of peripheral bone loss in RA and to assess the influence of oral steroids and other risk factors. METHODS: We measured bone mineral density (BMD) in the non-dominant forearm using a DTX 200 osteometer in 191 RA patients who were receiving oral prednisone in a dose of at least 5 mg daily for over 3 months. We compared the results with those of two other groups: 165 RA patients who had never received oral prednisone and 242 normal controls without RA or any history of steroid therapy. Forward stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to determine the effects of age, disease variables and steroids on BMD. RESULTS: Age (P<0.001), RA (P<0.02) and steroid therapy (P<0.05) were all associated with reduced BMD using multiple regression analysis. Duration of RA was also associated with reduced BMD (P<0.05), but activity of disease was not. By WHO criteria (BMD T score<-2.5 S.D.), 95 (50%) of the RA steroid-treated patients (RAS) had osteoporosis, while 48 (25%) of the RA patients not exposed to steroids (RAN) were osteoporotic. Among the normal controls (NC), 48 (20%) had osteoporosis. The mean (S.D.) BMD Z scores for the three groups were -0.8 (1.3) for RAS, -0.4 (1.3) for RAN and 0.0 (1.0) for NC (P<0.01 for all differences). The percentages of patients with a Z score of -1 or less were 51% for RAS, 29% for RAN and 14% for NC. These differences were also significant (P<0.01). Male sex was associated with reduced BMD when compared to female sex (Z<-1) in the RAS (57 vs. 49%; P<0.05) but not in the RAN (25 vs. 31%) groups. For men with RA, the mean (S.D.) BMD Z scores were -1.3 (1.3) for RAS compared to -0.5 (1.3) for RAN (P<0.005), while for women the differences were less marked at -0.7 (1.3) for RAS compared to -0.4 (1.3) for RAN (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In general, patients with RA have a significantly reduced forearm BMD, which correlates with increasing disease duration. Exposure to oral steroids increases bone loss, notably in male patients. Patients with RA on oral steroids need BMD measurements with a view to prophylactic therapy in those with a low result. Previous fractures and a daily dose of 15 mg or more of prednisone are also important factors in determining when prophylaxis is indicated.

Hyponatremia and hypoglycemia in acute Sheehan's syndrome

We report the case of a 23-year-old Saudi Arabian woman who presented to the medical intensive care unit with severe hyponatremia and hypoglycemia following a Cesarean section delivery complicated by hemorrhage due to disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. She was treated successfully for adrenal insufficiency acutely, and was later discharged on hormone replacement therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of acute Sheehan's syndrome presenting with both hyponatremia and suggestive hypoglycemia. Pituitary necrosis is an uncommon complication of peripartum hemorrhagic shock. Since the initial description by Sheehan in 1937, the incidence of the syndrome has gradually declined through improved management of hemodynamic complications leading to the infarction of the gland. There are many studies describing complications of late Sheehan's syndrome; however, relatively few contain descriptions of the acute phase. In addition, the diagnosis of this syndrome is often determined after resolution of the acute process with resultant lack of data regarding immediate endocrine and imaging abnormalities. In this report, we describe the complete endocrine and imaging assessment of a patient presenting in critical condition due to necrosis of the pituitary gland in the immediate postpartum period.

Identification of the primer binding domain in human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase

We have labeled the primer binding domain of HIV1-RT with 5'-32P-labeled (dT)15 primer using ultraviolet light energy. The specificity of the primer cross-linking to HIV1-RT was demonstrated by competition experiments. Both synthetic and natural primers, e.g., p(dA)15, p(dC)15, and tRNA(Lys), inhibit p(dT)15 binding and cross-linking to the enzyme. The observed binding and cross-linking of the primer to the enzyme were further shown to be functionally significant by the observation that tRNA(Lys) inhibits the polymerase activity on poly(rA).(dT)15 template-primer as well as the cross-linking of p(dT)15 to the enzyme to a similar extent. At an enzyme to p(dT)15 ratio of 1:3, about 15% of the enzyme can be cross-linked to the primer. To identify the domain cross-linked to (dT)15, tryptic peptides were generated and purified by a combination of HPLC on a C-18 reverse-phase column and DEAE-Sephadex chromatography. A single peptide cross-linked to p(dT)15 was identified. This peptide corresponded to amino acid residues 288-307 in the primary sequence of HIV1-RT as judged by amino acid composition and sequence analyses. Further, Leu(289)-Thr(290) and Leu(295)-Thr(296) of HIV1-RT appear to be the probable sites of cross-linking to the primer p(dT)15.

Enhanced frequency of micronuclei in individuals exposed to arsenic through drinking water in West Bengal, India

In West Bengal, India arsenic in ground water has been found to be above the maximum permissible limit in seven districts covering an area of 37,493km2. In the present study, evaluation of the micronuclei (MN) formation in oral mucosa cells, urothelial cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes was carried out in the symptomatic individuals exposed to arsenic through drinking water. Forty five individuals with cutaneous signs of arsenicism from four affected districts (368.11 microg/l of As in drinking water) were considered as the exposed group and 21 healthy individuals with no symptoms of arsenic poisoning and residing in two unaffected districts (5.49 microg/l of As) were considered as controls. The exposed and control groups had similar age distribution and socioeconomic status. Standardised questionnaires were utilised and medical examination was conducted to ascertain exposure history, sociodemographic characteristics, diet, health, medication, addiction and chief symptoms in the study participants. Arsenic exposure was confirmed by measuring the arsenic content in the drinking water, nails, hair and urine samples from the volunteers. Arsenic contents in the urine, nail and hair in the exposed group were 24.45 microg/l, 12.58 and 6.97 microg/g, respectively which were significantly high in comparison to corresponding control group values of 4.88 microg/l, 0.51 and 0.34 microg/g, respectively. Exposed individuals showed a statistically significant increase in the frequency of MN in oral mucosa, urothelial cells and lymphocytes (5.15, 5.74 and 6.39/1000 cells, respectively) when compared with the controls (0.77, 0.56 and 0.53/1000 cells, respectively). Thus, the above results indicate that the symptomatic individuals exposed to arsenic through drinking water in this region have significant cytogenetic damage.

Glucose effectiveness: measurement in diabetic and nondiabetic humans

It is well established that under the conditions of daily living, insulin secretion and insulin action determine glucose tolerance in nondiabetic humans both in the post-absorptive and post-prandial states. However, in recent years, glucose effectiveness (i.e., the ability of glucose per se to stimulate its own uptake and to suppress its own release) has also been shown to influence glucose tolerance in both diabetic and nondiabetic individuals. In states of deficient insulin action, e.g., in individuals with type 2 diabetes, glucose effectiveness assumes a greater role in determining glucose tolerance both during fasting and post-prandial conditions. A mathematical model (Minimal Model) of glucose turnover has been applied to estimate glucose effectiveness in both diabetic and nondiabetic individuals. Several investigators have demonstrated reduced glucose effectiveness in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, measurements of glucose effectiveness by the traditional single compartment minimal model approach have been fraught with errors when compared to model independent estimates, especially in the diabetic population. This has led investigators to modify the parameters of the model with the incorporation of glucose tracers and the use of two-compartment model of glucose kinetics. Although this has made the indices of glucose effectiveness more robust, proper validation experiments are necessary before widespread application of these methods.