Altered neuroepithelial morphogenesis and migration defects in iPSC-derived cerebral organoids and 2D neural stem cells in familial bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe mental illness that can result from neurodevelopmental aberrations, particularly in familial BD, which may include causative genetic variants. In the present study, we derived cortical organoids from BD patients and healthy (control) individuals from a clinically dense family in the Indian population. Our data reveal that the patient organoids show neurodevelopmental anomalies, including organisational, proliferation and migration defects. The BD organoids show a reduction in both the number of neuroepithelial buds/cortical rosettes and the ventricular zone size. Additionally, patient organoids show a lower number of SOX2-positive and EdU-positive cycling progenitors, suggesting a progenitor proliferation defect. Further, the patient neurons show abnormal positioning in the ventricular/intermediate zone of the neuroepithelial bud. Transcriptomic analysis of control and patient organoids supports our cellular topology data and reveals dysregulation of genes crucial for progenitor proliferation and neuronal migration. Lastly, time-lapse imaging of neural stem cells in 2D in vitro cultures reveals abnormal cellular migration in BD samples. Overall, our study pinpoints a cellular and molecular deficit in BD patient-derived organoids and neural stem cell cultures.

Current Place of SGLT2i in the Management of Heart Failure: An Expert Opinion from India

Heart failure (HF) is a global health concern that is prevalent in India as well. HF is reported at a younger age in Indian patients with comorbidity of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in approximately 50% of patients. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), originally approved for T2DM, are new guideline-recommended and approved treatment strategies for HF. Extensive evidence highlights that SGLT2i exhibits profound cardiovascular (CV) benefits beyond glycemic control. SGLT2i, in conjunction with other guideline-directed medical therapies (GMDT), has additive effects in improving heart function and reducing adverse HF outcomes. The benefits of SGLT2i are across a spectrum of patients, with and without diabetes, suggesting their potential place in broader HF populations irrespective of ejection fraction (EF). This consensus builds on the updated evidence of the efficacy and safety of SGLT2i in HF and recommends its place in therapy with a focus on Indian patients with HF.

The Promise of Cilnidipine in Hypertension with Comorbidities: National Consensus Statement: National Consensus Group Comprises Cardiologists, Nephrologists, and Diabetologists from India in a National Meet at New Delhi held on 22nd May 2022

The rapidly increasing burden of hypertension is responsible for premature deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD), renal disease, and stroke, with a tremendous public health and financial burden. Hypertension detection, treatment, and control vary worldwide; it is still low, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). High blood pressure (BP) and CVD risk have a strong, linear, and independent association. They contribute to alarming numbers of all-cause and CVD deaths. A major culprit for increased hypertension is sympathetic activity, and further complications of hypertension are heart failure, ischemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, and renal failure. Now, antihypertensive interventions have emerged as a global public health priority to reduce BP-related morbidity and mortality. Calcium channel blockers (CCB) are highly effective vasodilators. and the most common drugs used for managing hypertension and CVD. Cilnidipine, with both L- and N-type calcium channel blocking activity, is a promising 4th generation CCB. It causes vasodilation via L-type calcium channel blockade and inhibits the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) via N-type calcium channel blockade. Cilnidipine, which acts as a dual L/N-type CCB, is linked to a reduced occurrence of pedal edema compared to amlodipine, which solely blocks L-type calcium channels. The antihypertensive properties of cilnidipine are very substantial, with low BP variability and long-acting properties. It is beneficial for hypertensive patients to deal with morning hypertension and for patients with abnormal nocturnal BP due to exaggerated sympathetic nerve activation. Besides its BP-lowering effect, it also exhibits organ protection via sympathetic nerve inhibition and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibition; it controls heart rate and proteinuria. Reno-protective, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective effects of cilnidipine have been well-documented and demonstrated.

Role of Bisoprolol in Heart Failure Management: A Consensus Statement from India

In India, heart failure (HF) is an important health concern affecting younger age groups than the western population. A limited number of Indian patients receive guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT). Selective β-1 blockers (BB) are one of the GDMTs in HF and play an important role by decreasing the sympathetic overdrive. The BB reduces heart rate (HR) reverse the adverse cardiac (both ventricular and atrial), vascular, and renovascular remodeling seen in HF. Bisoprolol, a β-1 blocker, has several advantages and can be used across a wide spectrum of HF presentations and in patients with HF and comorbid conditions such as coronary artery disease (CAD), atrial fibrillation (AF), post-myocardial infarction (MI), uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, and renal impairment. Despite its advantages, bisoprolol is not optimally utilized for managing HF in India. This consensus builds on updated evidence on the efficacy and safety of bisoprolol in HF and recommends its place in therapy with a focus on Indian patients with HF.

Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitor Therapy and Cardiac Remodeling in Heart Failure: Consensus Statement from India

Adverse cardiac remodeling refers to progressive structural and functional modifications in the heart because of increased wall stress in the myocardium, loss of viable myocardium, and neurohormonal stimulation. The guideline-directed medical therapy for Heart failure (HF) includes Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) (sacubitril/valsartan), β-blockers, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA). ARNI is under-prescribed in India despite its attractive safety and efficacy profile. Therefore, the consensus discusses objectives and topics related to ARNI in the management of cardiac remodeling, and experts shared their views on the early timely intervention of effective dosage of ARNI to improve the diagnosis and enhance mortality and morbidity benefits in cardiac reverse remodeling (CRR).

Role of Iron Therapy in Heart Failure: A Consensus Statement from India

Iron deficiency (ID) with or without anemia is frequently observed in patients with heart failure (HF). Uncorrected ID is associated with higher hospitalization and mortality in patients with acute HF (AHF) and chronic HF (CHF). Hence, in addition to chronic renal insufficiency, anemia, and diabetes, ID appears as a novel comorbidity and a treatment target of CHF. Intravenous (IV) ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) reduces the hospitalization risk due to HF worsening and improves functional capacity and quality of life (QOL) in HF patients. The current consensus document provides criteria, an expert opinion on the diagnosis of ID in HF, patient profiles for IV FCM, and correct administration and monitoring of such patients.

Mapping and visualizing the research contribution of India on telemedicine: A scientometric study

Background

The term "Telemedicine" is being used in the medical and health sector to treat patients and to provide medical guidance remotely. The intellectual output from India in terms of publications was harvested from Scopus^® with the keyword "Telemedicine" and analyzed by using bibliometric techniques.

Methods

The source data was downloaded from the Scopus^® database. All the publications on telemedicine and indexed in the database up to the year 2021 were considered for scientometric analysis. The software tools VOSviewer^® version 1.6.18 to visualize bibliometric networks, statistical software R Studio^® version 3.6.1 with the Bibliometrix package Biblioshiny^® were used for analysis and data visualization, and EdrawMind^® was used for mind mapping.

Result

India contributed 2,391 (4.32%) publications on telemedicine to a total of 55,304 publications worldwide until 2021. There were 886 (37.05%) papers that appeared in open access mode. The analysis revealed that the first paper was published in the year 1995 from India. Steep growth in the number of publications was observed in 2020 with 458 publications. The highest, 54 research publications, appeared in the "Journal of Medical Systems." The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, contributed the highest number of publications (n = 134). A considerable overseas collaboration was observed (USA: 11%; UK: 5.85%).

Conclusions

This is the first such attempt to address the intellectual output of India in the emerging medical discipline of telemedicine and has yielded useful information such as leading authors, institutions, their impact, and year-wise topic trends.

The Power and Promise of Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitor (ARNI) in Heart Failure Management: National Consensus Statement

;Heart failure (HF) is a huge global public health task due to morbidity, mortality, disturbed quality of life, and major economic burden. It is an area of active research and newer treatment strategies are evolving. Recently angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), a class of drugs (the first agent in this class, Sacubitril-Valsartan), reduces cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in chronic HF patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Positive therapeutic effects have led to a decrease in cardiovascular mortality and HF hospitalizations (HFH), with a favorable safety profile, and have been documented in several clinical studies with an unquestionable survival benefit with ARNI, Sacubitril-Valsartan. This consensus statement of the Indian group of experts in cardiology, nephrology, and diabetes provides a comprehensive review of the power and promise of ARNI in HF management and an evidence-based appraisal of the use of ARNI as an essential treatment strategy for HF patients in clinical practice. Consensus in this review favors an early utility of Sacubitril-Valsartan in patients with HF with reduced EF (HFrEF), regardless of the previous therapy being given. A lower rate of hospitalizations for HF with Sacubitril-Valsartan in HF patients with preserved EF who are phenotypically heterogeneous suggests possible benefits of ARNI in patients having 40-50% of LVEF, frequent subtle systolic dysfunction, and higher hospitalization risk.

Impact of the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines on the prevalence of hypertension among Indian adults: Results from a cross-sectional survey

Background

The impact of the 2017 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for diagnosis and management of hypertension on the prevalence of hypertension in India is unknown.

Methods

We analyzed data from the Cardiac Prevent 2015 survey to estimate the change in the prevalence of hypertension. The JNC8 guidelines defined hypertension as a systolic blood pressure of ≥140 ​mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of ≥90 ​mmHg. The 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines define hypertension as a systolic blood pressure of ≥130 ​mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of ≥80 ​mmHg. We standardized the prevalence as per the 2011 census population of India. We also calculated the prevalence as per the World Health Organization (WHO) World Standard Population (2000–2025).

Results

Among 180,335 participants (33.2% women), the mean age was 40.6 ​± ​14.9 years (41.1 ​± ​15.0 and 39.7 ​± ​14.7 years in men and women, respectively). Among them, 8,898 (4.9%), 99,791 (55.3%), 35,694 (11.9%), 23,084 (12.8%), 9,989 (5.5%) and 2,878 (1.6%) participants belonged to age group 18–19, 20–44, 45–54, 55–64, 65–74 and ​≥ ​75 years respectively. The prevalence of hypertension according to the JNC8 and 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines was 29.7% and 63.8%, respectively- an increase of 115%. With the 2011 census population of India, this suggests that currently, 486 million Indian adults have hypertension according to the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines, an addition of 260 million as compared to the JNC8 guidelines.

Conclusion

According to the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines, 3 in every 5 Indian adults have hypertension.

Cardiological society of India document on safety measure during echo evaluation of cardiovascular disease in the time of COVID-19

An echocardiographic investigation is one of the key modalities of diagnosis in cardiology. There has been a rising presence of cardiological comorbidities in patients positive for COVID-19. Hence, it is becoming extremely essential to look into the correct safety precautions, healthcare professionals must take while conducting an echo investigation. The decision matrix formulated for conducting an echocardiographic evaluation is based on presence or absence of cardiological comorbidity vis-à-vis positive, suspected or negative for COVID-19. The safety measures have been constructed keeping in mind the current safety precautions by WHO, CDC and MoHFW, India.

Cardiological Society of India: Document on acute MI care during COVID-19

The unprecedented and rapidly spreading Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has challenged public health care systems globally. Based on worldwide experience, India has initiated a nationwide lockdown to prevent the exponential surge of cases. During COVID-19, management of cardiovascular emergencies like acute Myocardial Infarction (MI) may be compromised. Cardiological Society of India (CSI) has ventured in this moment of crisis to evolve a consensus document for care of acute MI. However, this care should be individualized, based on local expertise and governmental advisories.

Imprint of monsoonal patterns on the fish assemblage in coastal waters of south-east India: a case study

The composition, species richness and diversity of a coastal fish assemblage from the Kalpakkam coast of south-east India are described along with temporal distribution patterns related to seasonal fluctuations in dissolved oxygen, salinity, pH, chlorophyll-a, phytoplankton and zooplankton species richness and density. A total of 244 fish species belonging to 21 orders, 87 families and 163 genera were recorded. The fish assemblage was dominated by reef-associated species, followed by demersal species. The majority of the species (63%) are widely distributed in the western Indo-Pacific as well as in the central Indo-Pacific. Jaccard's coefficient analysis showed three distinct seasonal patterns of fish occurrence: pre-monsoon (PrM), monsoon (M) and post-monsoon (PoM). The maximum number of species was during the PrM period, followed by the PoM and M periods. Species occurrence analysis showed Sardinella longiceps to be dominant during PrM and M periods, Leiognathus dussumieri during the M period and Secutor insidiator and Secutor ruconius during the M and PoM periods. Canonical correspondence analysis indicated that salinity and rainfall were the two most influential environmental factors strongly correlated with temporal variation in the fish assemblage. The physico-chemical conditions, in combination with factors such as greater food availability and shelter, might control the seasonal local distribution of the ichthyofauna in these Indian coastal waters.

Antimicrobial activity of metal based nanoparticles against microbes associated with diseases in aquaculture

The emergence of diseases and mortalities in aquaculture and development of antibiotics resistance in aquatic microbes, has renewed a great interest towards alternative methods of prevention and control of diseases. Nanoparticles have enormous potential in controlling human and animal pathogens and have scope of application in aquaculture. The present investigation was carried out to find out suitable nanoparticles having antimicrobial effect against aquatic microbes. Different commercial as well as laboratory synthesized metal and metal oxide nanoparticles were screened for their antimicrobial activities against a wide range of bacterial and fungal agents including certain freshwater cyanobacteria. Among different nanoparticles, synthesized copper oxide (CuO), zinc oxide (ZnO), silver (Ag) and silver doped titanium dioxide (Ag-TiO2) showed broad spectrum antibacterial activity. On the contrary, nanoparticles like Zn and ZnO showed antifungal activity against fungi like Penicillium and Mucor species. Since CuO, ZnO and Ag nanoparticles showed higher antimicrobial activity, they may be explored for aquaculture use.

Brain stem auditory evoked responses and visual evoked responses in children with tubercular meningitis

Thirty two patients between 6 months and 14 years of age with tubercular meningitis were evaluated for brain stem auditory evoked response (BAER) and Visual evoked responses (VER), within 7 days of admission. Absolute latencies and interpeak latencies were compared with values obtained from normal children. BAER abnormality was found in 56.25% and VER in 28%children, respectively. BAER abnormality correlated with Glasgow Coma Scale at admission and discharge, stage of meningitis, raised intracranial pressure, seizure activity, and poor outcome. VER abnormality correlated with abnormal fundus findings only.

White spot syndrome virus isolates of tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon (Fabricious) in India are similar to exotic isolates as revealed by polymerase chain reaction and electron microscopy

Microbiological analysis of samples collected from cases of white spot disease outbreaks in cultured shrimp in different farms located in three regions along East Coast of India viz. Chidambram (Tamil Nadu), Nellore (Andhra Pradesh) and Balasore (Orissa), revealed presence of Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Aeromonas spp. but experimental infection trials in Penaeus monodon with these isolates did not induce any acute mortality or formation of white spots on carapace. Infection trials using filtered tissue extracts by oral and injection method induced mortality in healthy P. monodon with all samples and 100% mortality was noted by the end of 7 day post-inoculation. Histopathological analysis demonstrated degenerated cells characterized by hypertrophied nuclei in gills, hepatopancreas and lymphoid organ with presence of intranuclear basophilic or eosino-basophilic bodies in tubular cells and intercellular spaces. Analysis of samples using 3 different primer sets as used by other for detection of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) generated 643, 1447 and 520bp amplified DNA products in all samples except in one instance. Variable size virions with mean size in the range of 110 x 320 +/- 20 nm were observed under electron microscope. It could be concluded that the viral isolates in India involved with white spot syndrome in cultured shrimp are similar to RV-PJ and SEMBV in Japan, WSBV in Taiwan and WSSV in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China and Japan.

The hospital- and field-based performances of the OptiMAL test, for malaria diagnosis and treatment monitoring in central India

The performance of the OptiMAL test, to detect and differentiate Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax, was evaluated in central India. The subjects were either symptomatic patients, who presented at a referral hospital in urban Jabalpur, or the inhabitants of remote, tribal, forested villages where malaria is a major public-health problem. In each setting, the results of conventional microscopy were used as the 'gold standard'. Under hospital conditions, the test had excellent sensitivity (100%), good specificity (97%), a high positive predictive value (98%) and a high negative predictive value (100%). The corresponding values in the field-based study in the tribal villages (100%, 67%, 84% and 100%, respectively) were almost as good. The results of OptiMAL testing reveal the decline in parasitaemias (of P. falciparum or P. vivax) after drug administration. For monitoring the effectiveness of treatment, the test could therefore be a useful alternative to microscopy, particularly (1) in places where the facilities for microscopy are poor or non-existent and (2) among hospitalized patients with severe, complicated malaria (in whom parasitaemia and drug response need to be followed very carefully). Follow-up (within 28 days of diagnosis) of the 58 malaria cases detected in the field revealed that the OptiMAL test can be used to detect re-infection with a different Plasmodium sp. (sensitivity = 100%; specificity = 100%; J-index = 1) or recrudescence/re-infection with the same Plasmodium sp. (sensitivity = 83%; specificity = 100%; J-index = 0.83) accurately. The ability to use the test to distinguish P. falciparum from P. vivax, and to identify mixed infections of these two species, is of great significance in areas where the preferred and effective therapy for P. falciparum malaria differs from that for P. vivax.

Lupus vulgaris on keloid

A 28-year-old man presented with multicentric lupus vulgaris on keloids over chest, axilla, neck and back for last 6 months. He had pulmonary tuberculosis. All the laboratory investigations were in favour of clinical diagnosis. The patient responded to antituberculosis therapy.

HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE OF MILITARY PERSONNEL IN COLD CLIMATIC ENVIRONMENT OF THE WESTERN HIMALAYAS

Indian Armed Forces are constrained to deploy a large number of troops in the western Himalayas in the interest of national security and territorial integrity. The region represents extremely rugged, arid and cold climatic conditions. The altitude ranges from 8000 to 23000 feet with winter temperatures ranging from -35°C to - 55°C in some regions. Low environmental humidity, hypo-baric hypoxia and high solar ultra-violet radiation with its attendant problems further compound the hardships faced by the troops in these climatic conditions. The role of the Armed Forces medical personnel is extremely challenging, as they have to ensure maintenance of health and physical fitness of the troops to ensure optimal performance during peace and during operations. These considerations include nutrition, physical fitness programmes suitable for the terrain and climatic conditions, protection against cold and hypoxia induced health problems, clothing and shelter taking into consideration the ergonomic factors, human waste disposal and prompt medical attention and evacuation in case of illness. An overview of the effects of cold hypoxic environment on health and performance of Indian troops, measures employed by the Armed Forces to maintain health of troops including psychological factors and the incidence of various cold induced health problems during peace time compared to operational period over the last 10 years is presented in this paper.

Seasonality of Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum in tribal villages in central India (1987-1995)

Microscopical examination of blood films produced from samples collected, over a 9-year period (1987-1995), from the inhabitants of four tribal villages of Mandla district, Madhya Pradesh (central India) revealed that malaria was highly endemic and probably transmitted perennially. Both Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum were prevalent in all age-groups but their prevalence was highly seasonal: longitudinal studies showed an autumn (October-November) peak for P. falciparum and a summer (April-May) peak for P. vivax. However, both the incidence and prevalence of infection with each Plasmodium species showed inter-village variations. Analysis of the malariometric parameters investigated revealed that there had been no improvement in the malaria situation over the study period, and that, since 1992, there had been a shift in the predominant parasite, from P. vivax to P. falciparum, in each village.

A comparative study on the effect of felodipine and propranolol on serum lipid profile of rabbits

Effect of felodipine on serum lipids of rabbits was studied and was compared with that of propranolol. Lipid parameters were estimated at basal (0 wk), end of 4th and 16th week of diet/drug administration by using standard kits for analysis. There was a significant increase in mean serum cholesterol, TG, VLDLc, LDLC and decrease in HDLc, (P<0.05) in the group of rabbits receiving Atherogenic diet (AD)/Propranolol. This effect was maximally observed in rabbits receiving both AD and propranolol. This change was satisfactorily prevented when felodipine was administered from very beginning (P<0.001). In addition, there was a significant increase in HDLc (28.89%) of rabbits receiving felodipine from beginning. Thus both AD and propranolol have dyslipidemic effect and early administration of felodipine favorably changes all lipid parameters.

Restriction fragment analysis of fowlpox virus using Bgl I, Bam HI, Hha I and Sma I restriction endonucleases

Fowlpox virus vaccine strain and two field isolates collected from out breaks of disease were purified from cell culture using sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. The viral DNAs were digested with Bgl I, Bam HI, Hha I and Sma I restriction endonucleases and the fragment pattern was analysed on 0.7% agarose gel. Bgl I digestion produced 54 fragments of size ranging from 31.50 to 0.60 kb, having similar electrophoretic mobilities in both the vaccine strain and two field isolates. Only 9 well resolved and one unresolved or partially digested fragment were obtained after Bam HI digestion. A total number of 29 and 41 fragments were obtained with Hha I and Sma I respectively. Almost similar restriction fragment pattern was observed in vaccine strain and the field isolates. The total genomic size was calculated to be between 265.00 and 302.91 kb. The three viruses were found to be genetically similar.

Fowlpox virus structural protein immunogens and characterization of single band polypeptide

A fowlpox virus isolate obtained from an outbreak of disease in a vaccinated poultry flock was propagated in chicken embryo fibroblast cell culture. Analysis of purified virus polypeptide on 7.5-15% gradient polyacrylamide gel revealed 45 structural polypeptides after Coomassie blue staining. The mol.wt. of polypeptides ranged between 225.53 and 10.50 kDa with total mol.wt. of 2650 kDa. Variable numbers of immunogenic virion polypeptides were detected in immunoblot with fowlpox virus infected chicken sera collected at different time intervals. A total of 29 polypeptides reacted with sera collected at 1st week post-infection and the number gradually declined to 27, 26, 20, 17 and 15 when reacted with 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th week post-infection sera, respectively. Reaction with fowlpox virus hyperimmune sera revealed 35 immunogenic polypeptides. A number of major and minor immunogens were detected. Antisera against seven major single band polypeptides including one double band polypeptide showed very low reactivity both in ELISA and serum neutralization test. Involvement of multigenic components in virus neutralization is indicated.

Comparative immunological and genomic characterization of fowlpox virus isolates

Chickens infected with fowlpox virus (FPV) IVRI vaccine strain and two field isolates collected from clinical cases of disease (Bareilly isolate and Panchmahal isolate) produced humoral antibody response after 2nd week post-infection, with a noticeable variation in degree of immune response. Serum antibody titre peaked at 4th week post-infection with a titre of 25,600, 25,600 and 51,200 being detected in ELISA and neutralization index of 2.75, 2.43 and 3.12 in serum neutralization test (SNT) with IVRI vaccine strain, Panchmahal isolate and Bareilly isolate, respectively. Cellular immune response was detected as early as 1st week post-infection by leukocyte migration inhibition test (LMIT). Per cent migration inhibition too peaked at 4th week with a value of 40.30 +/- 3.45, 36.93 +/- 4.11 and 45.45 +/- 3.66 being detected with the three viruses respectively. The Hind III and Hae III restriction fragment profile of viral DNA showed almost similar pattern both in vaccine strain and two field isolates. Hind III digestion produced 47 well resolved fragments of sizes between 24.30 and 1.20 kb and the total genomic size was estimated to be between 305.81 and 306.06 kb. Hae III digestion revealed 34 well resolved fragments of sizes between 27.55 and 1.32 kb. The three viruses could not be differentiated on the basis of their genomic restriction pattern. However immunogenic and antigenic differences were noticed by ELISA and SNT tests.

Structural proteins of fowlpox virus vaccine strain and field isolates

Structural polypeptides of IVRI vaccine strain and two field isoaltes of Fowlpox virus (Bareilly isolate and Panchmahal isolate) were analysed on SDS-PAGE and by immunoblotting technique. In 5%-20% gradient acrylamide gel 31, 29 and 31 polypeptide bands and in 7.5%-15% gradient gel 45, 37 and 39 polypeptide bands were detected after Coomassie blue staining respectively for Bareilly isolate, Panchmahal isolate and IVRI vaccine strain. The molecular weight (MW) of the polypeptides ranged from 226.10 to 10.30 kDa with total MW of 2650.12, 2259.50, and 2378.68 kDa respectively for the three viruses. The immunoblot revealed 35, 29 and 30 immunogenic polypeptides indicating most virion polypeptides to be immunogenic in nature. Although most polypeptides had similar electrophoretic pattern both in SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting, still the three viruses could be differentiated. The viruses were found to be antigenically different with Panchmahal isolate lacking the polypeptides 81.15, 76.33, 39.30, 37.50 and 29.35 kDa and the vaccine strain lacking 76.33, 37.50 and 29.35 kDa polypeptides as were present in Bareilly isolate.

Studies on the Antifungal Activity of Pterocarpus Marsupium: a Clinical Evaluation

Pmarsupium (Hindi Bijasar) is a powerful astringent and is used chiefly in diarrhoeas. It is also an useful remedy for diabetes mellitus and various skin diseases as mentioned in literature. In a blind clinical trial, the usefulness of this drug as a topical agent against T.cruris and T. corporis was elevated. The drug yielded good response within 3 days of the first application.

Modification of vascular response to synthetic oxytocin by oestrogen in rabbit

Intravenously administered oxytocin caused a dose-related fall in blood pressure of the rabbit. When oxytocin was administered in oestrogen-primed animals, the depressor response was converted to a pressor one "Oxytocin reversal". The "oxytocin reversal." was abolished after treatment with dihydroergotamine, hexamethonium or adrenalectomy. The "oxytocin reversal" did not appear in reserpinized animals.