Molecular characterization of a human rotavirus reveals porcine characteristics in most of the genes including VP6 and NSP4

Summary. Long electropherotype with Subgroup I specificity is a common feature of animal rotaviruses. In an epidemic of infantile gastroenteritis in Manipur, India, long but SG I strains predominated in the outbreak in the year 1987–88. One such strain isolated from that region, following the outbreak had G9P [19] specificity. As this is a rare combination, the gene sequences encoding VP4, VP6, VP7, NSP1, NSP2, NSP3, NSP4 and NSP5 of this strain were analyzed. All these genes except VP7 were closely related to porcine rotaviruses (95–99% identity at amino acid level) and clustered with the porcine strains in phylogenetic analysis. In addition, it had subgroup I nature and belonged to NSP4 genotype B which is characteristic of animal rotaviruses. This is the first report of a rotavirus with VP6 and NSP4, two crucial proteins thought to be involved in host range restriction and pathogenicity, were of porcine origin and caused diarrhoea in a human host. Among the genes of this strain sequenced so far, only VP7 had highest identity to human strains at amino acid level. This study suggests reassortment may be occurring between human and other animal strains and some of the reassortant viruses may be virulent to humans.     

Modulation of humoral immune responses by endogenous opioids

The effects of opioid agonists and antagonists were investigated on humoral immune mechanisms in mice and rats. Opioid agonists like morphine, Leu-enkephalin, and Met-enkephalin, enhanced antigen-induced histamine release from mixed peritoneal cells of rats in vitro; this enhancement was effectively antagonized by naloxone, an opioid antagonist. Naloxone, per se, decreased anaphylactic mortality in doses of 10 mg/kg, while it increased mortality in a dose of 1 mg/kg. Reduced IgE antibody titer, measured by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis, decreased hemagglutination titer to sheep red blood cells, blocked histamine release from mixed peritoneal cells of rats in vitro induced by antigen, but had no significant effect when histamine release was induced by compound 48/80. Thus, it appears that endogenous opioids are involved in humoral immune responses.     

Serotypic and genotypic characterization of human serotype 10 rotaviruses from asymptomatic neonates.

Human rotaviruses were isolated from asymptomatic neonates at various hospitals and clinics in the city of Bangalore, India, and were found to be subgroup I specific and possess long RNA patterns (M. Sukumaran, K. Gowda, P. P. Maiya, T. P. Srinivas, M. S. Kumar, S. Aijaz, R. R. Reddy, L. Padilla, H. B. Greenberg, and C. D. Rao, Arch. Virol. 126:239-251, 1992). Three of these strains were adapted to tissue culture and found by serotype analysis and neutralization assays to be of serotype 10, a serotype commonly found in cattle but infrequently found in humans and not previously identified in neonates. By RNA-RNA hybridization, a high level of relatedness to a serotype 10 bovine rotavirus strain and a low-to-medium level of relatedness to a human rotavirus strain were observed. Since this human isolate shares a genogroup with bovine rotavirus, it is likely that it originated by interspecies transmission. A human rotavirus strain isolated from asymptomatic neonates and similar to bovine rotavirus might represent a good vaccine candidate.     

The National Football Head and Neck Injury Registry. 14-year report on cervical quadriplegia, 1971 through 1984

Data on cervical spine injuries resulting from participation in football have been compiled by a national registry. Analysis of epidemiologic data and cinematographic documentation clearly demonstrated that the majority of cervical fractures and dislocations were due to axial loading. On the basis of this observation, rule changes banning both deliberate "spearing" and the use of the top of the helmet as the initial point of contact in making a tackle were implemented at the high school and college level. Subsequently, a marked decrease in cervical spine injury rates has occurred. The occurrence of permanent cervical quadriplegia decreased from 34 in 1976 to five in the 1984 season. It is suggested that axial loading of the cervical spine is also responsible for the catastrophic injuries in diving, rugby, ice hockey, and gymnastics. Implementation of appropriate changes in playing techniques and/or equipment modifications could possibly reduce the incidence of cervical spine injuries in these activities.     

Effect of lycoriside,an acylglucosyloxy alkaloid,on mast cells

The effect of lycoriside, an acylglucosyloxy alkaloid from Crinum asiaticum Linn, (family Amaryllidaceae), with or without sitosterol-3-O--D-glucoside, was studied on the rate of degranulation of peritoneal mast cells of albino rats. Lycoriside, at lower concentrations (1–20 µg/ml), in vitro, produced statistically significant protection against Tween 80-induced degranulation, as also to sensitized mast cells challenged with an antigen (horse serum). It also provided protection against compound 48/80-induced degranulation of mast cells when administered in vivo (1–5 mg/kg, po). At higher concentrations (100 µg/ml and above), in vitro, however, it had a mast-cell degranulation effect per se. The addition of sitosterol-3-O--D-glucoside to lycoriside did not modify the effect of the latter compound. The mechanism of the dual response elicited by lycoriside is appraised in view of a concentration-dependent anti- or prerelease effect on mast-cell mediators.     

Depression,sleeping pattern,and suicidal ideation among medical students in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional pilot study

Journal of Public Health - Depression is a major morbidity and the most common mental disorder among the medical students in medical schools globally. Undergraduate students suffer stress more due...     

Open Classic Latarjet Procedure Performed Using Freehand Technique—Surgical Technique and Outcome

IntroductionLatarjet procedure is commonly performed for recurrent anterior shoulder instability with glenoid side bone loss. Classic Latarjet procedure can be performed using specially designed drill guides, jigs, or by freehand technique. Here we have described a technical note on classic Latarjet procedure performed with freehand technique utilizing simple rulers and caliper. The functional and radiological outcomes of our patients have also been analysed.Material and Methods149 open classic Latarjet procedures were performed using our technique between March 2015 and July 2018. The mean age of the patients was 32.95 years (Range 22–59 years). The functional outcome of the patients was measured using Western Ontario Shoulder Instability (WOSI) and Oxford Shoulder Instability Score (OSIS) at 2 years of follow-up. Screw and graft positioning were studied in 24 consecutive patients with a postoperative computed tomography (CT) scan.ResultsThere was no incidence of recurrent subluxation or dislocation post-surgery. Mean OSIS score increased from 15.63 ± 3.20 preoperatively to 42.44 ± 3.88 postoperatively (p value < 0.05). WOSI score decreased significantly from 62.54% ± 8.24 to 10.26 ± 6.33 postoperatively at 2-year follow-up (p value < 0.05). Postoperative CT scan also showed satisfactory screw placement in all patients.ConclusionOpen Latarjet procedure performed using freehand technique provides good functional and radiological outcomes in patients with recurrent anterior shoulder instability with glenoid side bone loss.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43465-021-00385-7.