Sequence characterization of river buffalo Toll-like receptor genes 1-10 reveals distinct relationship with cattle and sheep

The present study was undertaken to characterize the full-length transcripts of Toll-like receptor (TLR) genes 1-10 of river buffalo. The conceptualized amino acid identity of bubaline TLRs ranged between 86% to 100% with ruminants, while it ranged between 45% to 91% with other vertebrate species. Simple modular architecture tool (SMART) analysis revealed the presence of TIR domains and varying numbers of leucine-rich repeat motifs in all the buffalo TLRs. With respect to TIR domains, TLRs 1, 2 and 3 of river buffalo were found to have 99.3% identity with cattle and 100% identity of TLRs 4, 6 and 10 with sheep. Phylogenetic analysis of TLRs of buffalo and different vertebrate species revealed the clustering of major TLR gene subfamilies with high bootstrap values. The evolutionary relationship between buffalo and other ruminant species was found to vary among different TLRs. In order to understand the relationship between TLRs of different ruminant species, multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis of pairwise amino acid differences between different species within each TLR was performed. Buffalo and cattle were found to be closely related only with respect to TLRs 1, 2 and 7, while buffalo and sheep were found to be clustering together with respect to TLRs 3, 6, 8 and 10. The distinct relationship of bubaline TLRs with cattle and sheep revealed the possible differences in the pathogen recognition receptor systems in these animals and consequently the differences in their susceptibility/resistance to various invading organisms.

Autonomic changes with seizures correlate with postictal EEG suppression

OBJECTIVE

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) poses a poorly understood but considerable risk to people with uncontrolled epilepsy. There is controversy regarding the significance of postictal generalized EEG suppression as a biomarker for SUDEP risk, and it remains unknown whether postictal EEG suppression has a neurologic correlate. Here, we examined the profile of autonomic alterations accompanying seizures with a wrist-worn biosensor and explored the relationship between autonomic dysregulation and postictal EEG suppression.

METHODS

We used custom-built wrist-worn sensors to continuously record the sympathetically mediated electrodermal activity (EDA) of patients with refractory epilepsy admitted to the long-term video-EEG monitoring unit. Parasympathetic-modulated high-frequency (HF) power of heart rate variability was measured from concurrent EKG recordings.

RESULTS

A total of 34 seizures comprising 22 complex partial and 12 tonic-clonic seizures from 11 patients were analyzed. The postictal period was characterized by a surge in EDA and heightened heart rate coinciding with persistent suppression of HF power. An increase in the EDA response amplitude correlated with an increase in the duration of EEG suppression (r = 0.81, p = 0.003). Decreased HF power correlated with an increase in the duration of EEG suppression (r = -0.87, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

The magnitude of both sympathetic activation and parasympathetic suppression increases with duration of EEG suppression after tonic-clonic seizures. These results provide autonomic correlates of postictal EEG suppression and highlight a critical window of postictal autonomic dysregulation that may be relevant in the pathogenesis of SUDEP.

Comparison between Allopurinol and Febuxostat in management of gout patients - a prospective study

Aim:To assesses the efficacy of a relatively new drug-Febuxostat in management of gout and its comparison with allopurinol. Method: A comparative study of both Allopurinol and Febuxostat was done on 100 patients of gout. Both were studied for efficacy. side effects and for gout flare up. Results: Primary efficacy end point (baseline values) - a serum urate concentration of less than 6.0mg per deciliter at the last three measurements was reached by 54 %( 27/50) of group A patients taking 80mgs of febuxostat and 25 %( 12/50) of group B patients taking allopurinol 300mgs per day (P<0.001) Secondary efficacy end point(follow up values)- At first visit( after 2 weeks of onset of study), the proportions of subjects with serum urate concentration of less than 6.0mg/dl was significantly higher in the group A receiving febuxostat than the group B receiving allopurinol(P<0.001)[Tableno-1]. Conclusion: Febuxostat, at a daily dose was more effective than allopurinol at the commonly used fixed daily dose of 300 mg in lowering serum urate. Results of side effects and gout flare up were similar in both groups. Key words: Allopurinol; febuxostat; uric acid; goutDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v10i4.7522 BJMS 2011; 10 (4): 257-259

Six-year analysis of treatment-related toxicities in patients treated with accelerated partial breast irradiation on the American Society of Breast Surgeons MammoSite Breast Brachytherapy registry trial

BACKGROUND

The American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) enrolled women in a registry trial to prospectively study patients treated with the MammoSite RTS device. This report presents 6-year data on treatment-related toxicities from the trial.

METHODS

A total of 1449 primary early-stage breast cancers were treated with accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) using the MammoSite device (34 Gy in 10 fractions) in 1440 women. Of these, 1255 case (87%) had invasive breast cancer (IBC) (median size = 10 mm) and 194 cases (13%) had ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (median size = 8 mm). Median follow-up was 59 months. Fisher exact test was performed to correlate categorical covariates with toxicity.

RESULTS

Breast seromas were reported in 28% of cases (35.5% with open cavity and 21.7% with closed cavity placement). Also, 13% of all treated breasts developed symptomatic seromas, and 77% of these seromas developed during the 1st year after treatment. There were 172 cases (11.9%) that required drainage to correct. Use of chemotherapy and balloon fill >50 cc were associated with the development of symptomatic seromas. Also, 2.3% of patients developed fat necrosis (FN). The incidence of FN during years 1 and 2 were 0.9% and 0.8%, respectively. Seroma formation, use of hormonal therapy, breast infection, and A/B cup size were associated with fat necrosis. There were 138 infections (9.5%) recorded; 98% occurred during the 1st year after treatment. Chemotherapy and seroma formation were associated with the development of infections.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment-related toxicities 6 years after treatment with APBI using the MammoSite device are similar to those reported with other forms of APBI with similar follow-up.

Gummatous ulcer of leg: an uncommon entity in present era

Gummatous ulcer due to Treponematoses is quite rare in present era of potent antibiotics, increased social awareness and due to improvement in living standards of society .Better hygiene and improved medical care have contributed to containment of late benign syphilis or gummas. However, pockets of endemic treponematoses is still persisting in the underdeveloped, third world countries.Key words: Gummatous ulcer, treponematoses, antibiotics.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v10i3.7514BJMS 2011; 10(3): 209-210

A Study of Psychological Correlates after Amputation

BACKGROUND

Amputation of a limb affects almost all aspects of an individual's life. Psychological aspects are important factors for adjustment with the disability.

METHODS

The present study was carried out on 50 consecutive male patients admitted to the Artificial Limb Centre. Base line and post therapy psychological assessment was carried out on Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI) was administered along with Millon Index of personality styles (MIPS). Psychological intervention was given to them on a therapy module proposed by authors. Data was analyzed with the help of SPSS.

RESULT

Findings revealed significant differences in scores on HADS, before and after therapy (p<0.05). On Trauma symptom Inventory defensive avoidance and depression were noted to be above cut off level of (>65). Predominant personality styles were self indulgence and internally focused in motivating styles (mean prevalence score <50) and thought guided in thinking styles, dominating and controlling in behaving styles. The analysis of prevalence score of above 50 and less than 50 indicated Confident/Asserting (9B), Submissive / Yielding (11A), having significant change after therapy on score of anxiety (P<0.05). The personality dimension of dutiful and conforming had shown significant influence after therapy (P<0.05) on score of depression.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicated psychological assessment and intervention is to be included as a part of the management after amputation.

Establishment of lacZ marked strain of phosphate solubilizing bacterium in the rhizosphere and its effect on plant growth in mungbean

The establishment of lacZ marked strain of P-solubilizing bacterium Pseudomonas in the rhizosphere of mungbean (Vigna radiata) under pothouse conditions was studied. The lacZ marker was transferred to Pseudomonas P-36 on LB medium using donor strain of E. coli. The lacZ marked strain formed blue colonies on selective media and could be identified from soil on the basis of this character. The lacZ marked strain was able to survive in rhizosphere of mungbean under pothouse conditions and maintained a population of about 10(4) g(-1) of rhizosphere soils up to 60 days study period. Positive effect of inoculation with P-solubilizing bacterium on dry matter yield, P and N-uptake was observed using rock phosphate and single super phosphate as P sources with and without farmyard amendment.

Short tandem repeat based analysis of genetic variability in Kanarese buffalo of South India

The goal of the present study was assessing genetic diversity within Kanarese buffalo, the dual purpose breed of South India. A total of 48 unrelated animals were genotyped at 23 short tandem repeat (STR markers) loci. The total number of observed alleles was 180 with a mean of 7.83 per locus, which varied from 3 to 12 across different loci. The mean observed and expected heterozygosity in South Kanara buffaloes was estimated to be 0.518 and 0.712 respectively. Within population inbreeding estimate (F(IS)) was significantly positive in most of the investigated loci which resulted in significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium at 19 of 23 loci analyzed. Evaluation of South Kanara buffalo population for mutation drift equilibrium revealed no significant heterozygosity excess under three different models of evolution viz. infinite alleles model (IAM), stepwise mutation model (SMM) and two phase model (TPM), thus indicating the absence of any recent genetic bottleneck. The results of the present study will help in formulating rational breeding strategies as well as conservation of this important germplasm.

Fate and transport of zoonotic, bacterial, viral, and parasitic pathogens during swine manure treatment, storage, and land application

Members of the public are always somewhat aware of foodborne and other zoonotic pathogens; however, recent illnesses traced to produce and the emergence of pandemic H1N1 influenza virus have increased the scrutiny on all areas of food production. The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology has recently published a comprehensive review of the fate and transport of zoonotic pathogens that can be associated with swine manure. The majority of microbes in swine manure are not zoonotic, but several bacterial, viral, and parasitic pathogens have been detected. Awareness of the potential zoonotic pathogens in swine manure and how treatment, storage, and handling affect their survival and their potential to persist in the environment is critical to ensure that producers and consumers are not at risk. This review discusses the primary zoonotic pathogens associated with swine manure, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, as well as their fate and transport. Because the ecology of microbes in swine waste is still poorly described, several recommendations for future research are made to better understand and reduce human health risks. These recommendations include examination of environmental and ecological conditions that contribute to off-farm transport and development of quantitative risk assessments.

Safety evaluation of long term oral treatment of methanol sub-fraction of the seeds of Carica papaya as a male contraceptive in albino rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The manuscript is one of the series of attempts in authenticating scientific documentation of the seeds of Carica papaya being traditionally used for contraception.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

To establish safety of the methanol sub-fraction (MSF) of the seeds of Carica papaya as a male contraceptive following long term oral treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MSF was administered orally to albino rats at multiples of contraceptive dose (CD) at 50 (1x), 100 (2x), 250 (5x) and 500 (10x)mg/kg body weight daily for 52 weeks. Body weight, organs weight, morbidity, mortality, clinical chemistry, sperm analysis, histopathology and serum testosterone were evaluated to assess the safety and contraceptive efficacy.

RESULTS

MSF treatment at various dose regimens, daily for 52 weeks did not show significant changes in body weight, organs weight, food and water intake and pre-terminal deaths compared to those of control animals. Sperm count and viability in 50mg/kg body weight treated animals and the weight of epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate of all the treated animals showed significant reduction compared to control. Cauda epididymal spermatozoa of 50mg/kg body weight treated animals were immotile. Azoospermia was observed in 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight treated animals. Serum clinical parameters, serum testosterone and histopathology of vital organs were comparable to those of control animals. Histology of testis revealed adverse effects on the process of spermatogenesis, while the histology of epididymis, seminal vesicles and ventral prostate showed no changes compared to control.

CONCLUSION

The long term daily oral administration of MSF affects sperm parameters without adverse side effects and is clinically safe as a male contraceptive.

Low Risk Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) Treated with Breast Conserving Surgery & Accelerated Partial Breast Irradation (APBI): Comparison of the Mammosite Registry Trial with Intergroup Study E5194

Purpose/Objective(s): Recent data from Intergroup Study E5194 prospectively defined a low risk subset of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) patients where radiation therapy was omitted after local excision alone. At 5 years, they found a 6.8% ipsilateral breast event rate (IBTR) in selected low/intermediate grade (LIG) patients and a 13.7% IBTR in selected high grade (HG) patients. The purpose of our study was to determine the IBTR in DCIS patients treated on the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) MammoSite® Breast Brachytherapy registry trial who met the criteria of E5194 treated with local excision and adjuvant APBI.Material/Methods: A total of 194 patients with DCIS were treated between 2002 and 2004 on the Mammosite registry trial; of these, 69 patients met the enrollment criteria for E5194: 1. LIG: low to intermediate grade with a pathological size &gt; 0.3cm but &lt; 2.5cm and margins &gt;3mm (n=40) or 2. HG: high grade, pathological size &lt;1cm and margins &gt;3mm (n=29). All patients were treated with lumpectomy followed by adjuvant APBI (34 Gy in 3.4 Gy fractions). Median follow-up for surviving patients was 50.7 months (range, 0-73.4). Hormonal therapy was given to 51% of these patients (compared to 30% of patients on E5194). The clinical-pathologic data and long term outcomes for each patient were entered into a database for statistical analysis using SAS (v 8.2).Results: The median age of the entire cohort was 62.5 years. In the LIG cohort, the median size was 0.8cm. In the HG cohort, the median size was 0.6cm. In the LIG cohort, the 5-year IBTR was 0%, compared to 6.8% at 5 years in E5194. In the HG cohort, the 5-year IBTR was 5.3% compared to 13.7% at 5years in E5194. The overall the 5-year IBRT was 2% and there were no cases of elsewhere or regional failures in the entire cohort. The 5-year contralateral breast event rate was 0% and 5.6% in LIG and HG patients, respectively (compared to 3.5% and 4.2%, respectively, in E5194). The 5-year disease free survival and overall survival rate was 92.4% and 96.5%, respectively. In all patients with DCIS (n=194) treated with Mammosite on the registry trial, the 5-year actuarial IBTR, DFS, and OS was 3.1%, 93.8% and 98.2%, respectively.Conclusion: Adjuvant accelerated partial breast irradiation using Mammosite is a relatively convenient form of radiotherapy which shortens treatment time to 1 week. This study found that patients who met the criteria of E5194 treated with APBI had extremely low rates of recurrence (0% vs. 6.8% in the low to intermediate grade and 5.3% vs. 13.7% in the high grade). We conclude that all patients with DCIS who were eligible for E5194 have appreciable benefit from adjuvant APBI.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 951.