Sendai virus-mediated CFTR gene transfer to the airway epithelium

The potential for gene therapy to be an effective treatment for cystic fibrosis has been hampered by the limited gene transfer efficiency of current vectors. We have shown that recombinant Sendai virus (SeV) is highly efficient in mediating gene transfer to differentiated airway epithelial cells, because of its capacity to overcome the intra- and extracellular barriers known to limit gene delivery. Here, we have identified a novel method to allow the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) cDNA sequence to be inserted within SeV (SeV-CFTR). Following in vitro transduction with SeV-CFTR, a chloride-selective current was observed using whole-cell and single-channel patch-clamp techniques. SeV-CFTR administration to the nasal epithelium of cystic fibrosis (CF) mice (Cftr(G551D) and Cftr(tm1Unc)TgN(FABPCFTR)#Jaw mice) led to partial correction of the CF chloride transport defect. In addition, when compared to a SeV control vector, a higher degree of inflammation and epithelial damage was found in the nasal epithelium of mice treated with SeV-CFTR. Second-generation transmission-incompetent F-deleted SeV-CFTR led to similar correction of the CF chloride transport defect in vivo as first-generation transmission-competent vectors. Further modifications to the vector or the host may make it easier to translate these studies into clinical trials of cystic fibrosis.

Pesticides and metals induced Parkinson's disease: involvement of free radicals and oxidative stress

Environmental factors play a critical role in the etiology of Parkinson's disease in genetically susceptible aged individuals. Epidemiological findings have suggested the role of pesticides and metals in the onset and progression of Parkinson's disease. Environmental chemicals such as pesticides and metals induced PD animal models are established and evidences obtained from biochemical; molecular and behavioral studies indicated significant contribution of oxidative stress in PD. In this article, an update on the role of free radicals and antioxidants in the onset and progression of pesticides and metals induced PD has been discussed.

The 69 kDaEscherichia colimaltodextrin glucosidase does not get encapsulated underneath GroES and folds throughtransmechanism during GroEL/ GroES‐assisted folding

Escherichia coli chaperonin GroEL and GroES assist in folding of a wide variety of substrate proteins in the molecular mass range of approximately 50 kDa, using cis mechanism, but limited information is available on how they assist in folding of larger proteins. Considering that the central cavity of GroEL can accommodate a non-native protein of approximately 60 kDa, it is important to study the GroEL-GroES-assisted folding of substrate proteins that are large enough for cis encapsulation. In this study, we have reported the mechanism of GroEL/GroES-assisted in vivo and in vitro folding of a 69 kDa monomeric E. coli protein maltodextrin glucosidase (MalZ). Coexpression of GroEL and GroES in E. coli causes a 2-fold enhancement of exogenous MalZ activity in vivo. In vitro, GroEL and GroES in the presence of ATP give rise to a 7-fold enhancement in MalZ refolding. Neither GroEL nor single ring GroEL (SR1) in the presence or absence of ATP could enhance the in vitro folding of MalZ. GroES could not encapsulate GroEL-bound MalZ. All these experimental findings suggested that GroEL/GroES-assisted folding of MalZ followed trans mechanism, whereas denatured MalZ and GroES bound to the opposite rings of a GroEL molecule.

Use of ultrasound to enhance nonviral lung gene transfer in vivo

We have assessed if high-frequency ultrasound (US) can enhance nonviral gene transfer to the mouse lung. Cationic lipid GL67/pDNA, polyethylenimine (PEI)/pDNA and naked plasmid DNA (pDNA) were delivered via intranasal instillation, mixed with Optison microbubbles, and the animals were then exposed to 1 MHz US. Addition of Optison alone significantly reduced the transfection efficiency of all three gene transfer agents. US exposure did not increase GL67/pDNA or PEI/pDNA gene transfer compared to Optison-treated animals. However, it increased naked pDNA transfection efficiency by approximately 15-fold compared to Optison-treated animals, suggesting that despite ultrasound being attenuated by air in the lung, sufficient energy penetrates the tissue to increase gene transfer. US-induced lung haemorrhage, assessed histologically, increased with prolonged US exposure. The left lung was more affected than the right and this was mirrored by a lesser increase in naked pDNA gene transfer, in the left lung. The positive effect of US was dependent on Optison, as in its absence US did not increase naked pDNA transfection efficiency. We have thus established proof of principle that US can increase nonviral gene transfer, in the air-filled murine lung.

Clinical Evaluation of an Indigenous Paclitaxel-Eluting Stent in De NovoCoronary Artery Stenosis

BACKGROUND, Drug-eluting stents have enabled considerable reduction in restenosis in patients subjected to angioplasty. However, in view of high cost of drug-eluting stents, efforts to develop medicated stents at reduced cost using alternative polymers in Indian setting are imperative. Hence a multi-center study was undertaken to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the indigenously developed paclitaxel-eluting RELEASE-T stent. METHODS, The study included 100 patients (male:86, Female:14) who were undergoing angioplasty for various indications at four centres viz. Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune and Warangal. The age range was 29 - 76 years; 37 patients were diabetic. All patients were pre-treated with aspirin 150-325 mg plus clopidogrel 75 mg daily four days before procedure or clopidogrel alone. Aspirin was continued indefinitely. RESULTS, Direct stenting ws done in majority of patients. One patient, in whom stent could not be delivered, received only baloon angioplasty. Sixty-four patients had stenting of left anterior descending artery. The stent diameter ranged from 2.5 to 3.5 mm, and the length, 15 to 20 mm. All patients were followed up at 1,3 and 6 months. There was two deaths: one had subacute thrombosis on both stents, and the other (who was HIV positive) had sudden cardiac death. The 6-month rate of major adverse cardiac events was 4% and target lesion revascularization rate ws 2%. CONCLUSION, This ulti-locational study brings out that the use of indigenously developed paclitaxel-eluting stent is safe and clinically efficacious.

Follicular dendritic cell tumour of tonsil - is it an under-diagnosed entity?

Neoplasms of follicular dendritic cells are uncommon and while majority of them occur in lymph nodes, they are increasingly recognized at varied sites such as abdominal viscera. Tonsil is the most common extra nodal site for occurrence of FDCT in the head and neck region. We describe three cases of follicular dendritic cell tumour occurring in the tonsil.

Response of anestrus rural buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) to intravaginal progesterone implant and PGF2alpha injection in summer

An investigation was conducted to study the genital condition and response of intravaginal progesterone implant with and without administration of PGF2alpha in anestrus rural buffaloes during summer (April-June, 2001) in tropical climate. The ovarian status of 40 lactating (1st to 4th lactation) noncycling buffaloes and 15 noncycling buffalo heifers (3.5 to 5.0 years of age) maintained under village management condition were examined per rectum. Inactive genitalia with [12] and without [28] palpable corpus luteum (CL) were detected on per rectum examination in buffalo cows. The PGF2alpha-injection caused luteolysis and induction of estrus in 83% buffaloes having distinct corpus luteum. Implantation of progesterone in form of CIDR (Controlled Internal Drug Release device) intravaginally for 10 to 14 days induced resumption of estrus among 83% of anestrus buffaloes within 12 to 120 h after implant removal. Of those detected estrus about 80% of buffaloes conceived following natural service. Implantation of CIDR in combination with intramuscular injection of PGF2alpha was more effective than CIDR alone in terms of exhibition of estrus and conception rate. Long term of 10 to 14 days CIDR implant was superior to short term of 8 days in terms of resumption of estrous cyclicity. The observation suggests that during summer about 30% of rural buffaloes were cycling but due to lack of estrus detection they were declared anestrus, though they were having distinct corpus luteum on ovary. The summer sterility can be overcome by raising progesterone level for 10 to 14 days in buffaloes under rural managemental condition.

Implantation metastasis in a 13-year-old girl: a case report

We report a case of a 13-year-old girl with an osteosarcoma of the right humerus, which had been diagnosed as an aneurysmal bone cyst at our institution. She underwent curettage and bone grafting of the lesion, which resulted in implantation metastasis of the tumour to the ilium. She died 15 months after presentation owing to pulmonary metastases. This report highlights the possibility of metastasis occurring by direct implantation to a graft donor site. We strongly recommend that a biopsy be performed in cases of presumed benign lesions before proceeding with the definitive surgery.

In vitro cytotoxic elemanolides from Vernonia lasiopus

Two new elemanolides, epivernodalol and lasiopulide, were isolated after chromatographic separation of the alcoholic extract of the dried aerial parts of the Vernonia lasiopus. These elemanolides are new C-10 epimers of the sesquiterpene lactones vernodalol and demethylacroylated vernodalol isolated from other species of Vernonia. Both elemanolides showed in vitro cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines in culture. This is the first report of isolation and cytotoxic activity of the two elemanolides from V. lasiopus.

Ab initio calculations, FTIR and raman spectra of 2,3-difluorobenzonitrile

Geometry, vibrational frequencies, atomic charges and several thermodynamic parameters (the total energy, the zero point energy, the rotational constants and the room temperature entropy) were calculated using ab initio quantum chemical methods for 2,3-difluorobenzonitrile molecule. The results were compared with experimental values. With the help of two specific scaling procedures, observed FTIR and Raman vibrational frequencies were analysed and assigned to different normal modes of the molecule. The error obtained was in general very low. Other general conclusions have also been deduced.

Study of drug utilization pattern in dental OPD at tertiary care teaching hospital

Irrational prescribing is a global phenomenon. The objective of the study was to find out the prescribing practices of dental prescribers in a tertiary care teaching hospital with special emphasis on the utilization of antimicrobial agents. A prospective study was conducted in the month of March 2000. A total of 491 prescriptions were collected randomly. Prescribing pattern was analyzed using WHO basic drug indicators. The average number of drugs for prescription was 2.4. 78.8% of all prescriptions contained antimicrobial agents. It was most commonly prescribed (40.37%) group of drugs followed by anti-inflammatory and analgesics (33.8%). Fixed dose combination of ampicillin and cloxacillin was most commonly prescribed antimicrobial agents. Prophylactic use of AMA (78%) was more than therapeutic purpose (21.9%). Prophylactic use of antimicrobial agents was irrational in all the cases as duration for the use of antimicrobial agents was 5.1 +/- 0.5 days. Fixed dose combinations (45%), drugs by brand name (98.5%) were frequently used. Drug prescribed from Essential Drug List was maximum when one drug was prescribed. Results indicate that there is a scope for improving prescribing habits and minimizing the use of antimicrobial agents. This could be facilitated by periodic education to the prescribers.

Role of supravital staining of urine sediment and bright field microscopy in diagnosis of acute renal failure in bedside medicine

BACKGROUND

An early accurate etiological categorization of acute renal failure (ARF) into acute glomerulonephritis (AGN), acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is very important in clinical medicine.

METHODS

To evaluate the efficacy of a simple, cheap supravital staining method developed in our laboratory, we examined urine of 32 cases of ARF at their initial presentation in oliguric phase, which were later biopsied. The stain consisted of 1% crystal violet and 0.5% safranin in normal saline. The coverslip preparations of coded and stained urine sediments were examined under ordinary bright field microscope (BFM) by two independent observers.

RESULTS

The renal biopsy showed 12 cases of AGN, 12 ATN and 8 AIN. The diagnosis could be predicted by supravital staining method in 75% cases with 95% uniformity among two observers with a sensitivity of 85.7% for AGN followed by AIN (80%) and ATN (75%).

CONCLUSION

Thus this simple supravital staining technique can be used with ordinary BFM for accurate urine sediment analysis in cases of ARF in bedside medicine.

Assessment of iodine deficiency disorders in Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh

Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) are an important public health problem in India. Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh, is a known IDD endemic area. A study conducted in 1986 reported a total goitre rate of 24.9% in the entire population of Meerut district. During 1990-97 intensive efforts were taken by the Uttar Pradesh Government to ensure universal availability of iodized salt to the population. No survey has been conducted since 1997 on the status of iodine deficiency in the Meerut district. Hence, the present study was conducted in order to assess the prevalence of IDD and to estimate the iodine content of salt consumed in the households of Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh. The 30 cluster sampling methodology and indicators for assessment of IDD as recommended by the joint WHO/UNICEF/ICCIDD (World Health Organization/United Nations Children's Fund/International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders) Consultation in full was utilized for the survey. A confidence level of 95%, relative precision of 10% and design effect of three were considered in the calculation of the sample size. The prevalence of goitre at the time of survey was estimated to be 15%. A total of 6485 school children in the 6-10 years age group were selected using probability proportionate to size cluster sampling methodology. A total goitre prevalence rate of 11.6% was found in the district. It was observed that 5.4, 2.9 and 19.9% of the children had urinary excretion levels of < 2.0, 2.0-4.9, and 5.0-9.9 μg/dL, respectively. The median urinary iodine excretion of the children studied was found to be 15.0 μg/dL. Fiftythree percent of the children studied consumed salt with an iodine content of less than 15 p.p.m., which was below the stipulated level (15 p.p.m.). The study showed that the population is in a transition phase from iodine deficient (as revealed by total goitre rate) to iodine sufficient (as revealed by median urinary iodine excretion of 15.0 μg/dL). There is a need to further strengthen the existing monitoring system for the quality of iodized salt in the district in order to achieve the elimination of IDD.

Micronutrient deficiency disorders amongst pregnant women in three urban slum communities of Delhi

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of three micronutrient deficiency disorders (MDDs), i.e., iron deficiency, iodine deficiency and vitamin-A deficiency individually and in combination amongst pregnant women.

METHODS

A hospital based study was conducted amongst 829 pregnant women of II and III trimester attending antenatal clinic, Rural Health Training Center (RHTC), Najafgarh, New Delhi. Anemia was assessed by the presence of clinical signs and by hemoglobin levels. Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) were assessed by clinical examination of thyroid gland and by urinary iodine excretion levels. Iodine content of the salt consumed by the pregnant women was also assessed by iodometric titration method. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) was assessed by the presence of clinical symptoms of nightblindness. Current dietary intake, morbidity conditions on the day of survey and anthropometric measurements of pregnant women were also documented.

RESULTS

Prevalence of anemia, IDD and VAD amongst pregnant women was 78.8%, 22.9% and 4.8%, respectively. One per cent of the pregnant women had concomitant presence of all the three MDDs. Pregnant women having combined prevalence of IDD and anemia, IDD and VAD, and VAD and anemia was 15.1%, 0.18% and 2.69%, respecively. Eighty nine per cent of the pregnant women were consuming salt with iodine content of more than 15 ppm which was recommended at household level. Results on dietary intake showed that 18%, 34%, 85% and 57% of the pregnant women were consuming less than 50% of calories, proteins, iron and b-carotene, respectively as compared to their RDA. Forty per cent of the pregnant women were suffering from various morbidity conditions on the day of survey.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies amongst pregnant women of urban slum communities is high.