Baculovirus Mediated Expression of Bovine Herpesvirus-1 Glycoprotein-C in Insect Cells

Bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) glycoprotein C (gC) is an immunodominant protein that is believed to play a role in initial viral attachment. In the present study a recombinant baculovirus was constructed by incorporating BHV-1 gC coding gene to characterize the expression of the glycoprotein in infected Spodoptera frugiperda cells. The BHV-1 complete gC gene was cloned into pENTR/SD/D Directional TOPO vector (entry clone). The purified entry clone plasmid was subjected to LR recombination with the linear baculovirus DNA which was then transfected into S. frugiperda cells. The recombinant baculovirus carrying the gC coding gene was selected against ganciclovirus in the S. frugiperda cells (first passage), serially passaged for two more generations and the third passage viral stock was used to infect fresh S. frugiperda cells for gene expression study. The reactivity of polyclonal antibody with the S. frugiperda cell expressed gC was detected by immunoperoxidase test. The recombinant gC was purified by Ni-NTA column chromatography and immunoprecipitation. Protein bands of molecular weight 54 and 28 kDa were detected consistently with both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, when the recombinant protein was subjected to SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. Expression of gC gene in the infected S. frugiperda cells was further confirmed by dot-ELISA indicating its potential use as a coating antigen in an indirect ELISA for diagnosis of BHV-1, the causative agent of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis/infectious pustular vulvovaginitis.     

Biocompatibility of polymethylmethacrylate resins used in dentistry

Biocompatibility or tissue compatibility describes the ability of a material to perform with an appropriate host response when applied as intended. Poly-methylmethacrylate (PMMA) based resins are most widely used resins in dentistry, especially in fabrication of dentures and orthodontic appliances. They are considered cytotoxic on account of leaching of various potential toxic substances, most common being residual monomer. Various in vitro and in vivo experiments and cell based studies conducted on acrylic based resins or their leached components have shown them to have cytotoxic effects. They can cause mucosal irritation and tissue sensitization. These studies are not only important to evaluate the long term clinical effect of these materials, but also help in further development of alternate resins. This article reviews information from scientific full articles, reviews, or abstracts published in dental literature, associated with biocompatibility of PMMA resins and it is leached out components. Published materials were searched in dental literature using general and specialist databases, like the PubMED database.     

Predicting the outcome of physeal fractures of the distal femur

BACKGROUND:: Distal femoral epiphyseal fractures are uncommon but have a high incidence rate of complications. It is not clear whether there are any reliable predictor factors and whether the type of fracture, displacement (degree and direction), and treatment method alter the outcome. METHODS:: We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts and images of all patients who sustained a distal femoral epiphyseal fracture and were treated at 2 large level I pediatric centers during the past 10 years. RESULTS:: The selected group included 73 patients (boys, 59; mean age, 10 years). On the basis of the Salter-Harris classification (SH), 43 fractures (59%) were of type II. Fifty-nine percent of the fractures were displaced; 36 fractures were managed conservatively with long leg cast (with or without pelvic band) in 33 patients, cylinder cast in 2, and posterior splint in 1. Thirty-seven patients underwent surgery, and 34 underwent closed reduction followed by percutaneous fixation (crossed Steinman pins, 20; cannulated screws, 13; open reduction, 3; external fixation, 1). The overall complication rate was 40% (29/73), and growth arrest was the most frequent. The SH classification significantly correlated with the incidence of complications (P = 0.031). There was also a significantly higher (P < 0.0001) incidence rate of complications among displaced fractures (48.8% vs 26.6%); the amount and direction of displacement did not correlate with the outcome (P > 0.05). The group treated conservatively had a lower incidence rate of complications (25%) than did the surgical group (54%) (P < 0.05). Among the surgical group, a higher incidence rate of complications occurred when the physis was violated by hardware (65% vs 30%; P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS:: Both SH classification and displacement of the fracture are significant predictors of the final outcome. The degree and the direction of displacement do not statistically correlate with outcome. The treatment method may influence the final outcome.     

Cutaneous ectopia of lung,located on back and neck: Hitherto undescribed presentation

Ectopia is defined as the presence of a normal-appearing tissue in an abnormal location, where it is not normally found. In the literature, it is also referred to as heterotopia and is described as choristoma when it forms a mass. Lung tissue ectopia is a rare anomaly and is characterized by the presence of mature lung tissue comprising well-formed bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli at an abnormal location. Occurrence of ectopic lung tissue in the skin is an extremely rare entity and the diagnosis is mostly established by histopathologic examination. This report documents a rare occurrence of cutaneous ectopic lung tissue at two locations (neck and back). Cutaneous ectopia at multiple sites has not been described in the literature till date.     

Disseminated Emmonsia pasteuriana infection in India: a case report and a review

We report here the first case of disseminated Emmonsia pasteuriana infection in a patient with AIDS in India. The patient presented with weight loss, dyspnoea, left‐sided chest pain and multiple non‐tender skin lesions over face and body for 3 months. Disseminated emmonsiosis was diagnosed on microscopic examination and fungal culture of skin biopsy and needle aspirate of lung consolidation. It was confirmed by sequencing internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA, beta tubulin, actin, and intein PRP8. The patient responded to amphotericin B and itraconazole therapy.     

Two unusual reports of urogenital tuberculosis: One ‘putty’ kidney and another in association with benign prostatic hyperplasia

In India urogenital tuberculosis is the second commonest form of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. Kidney is the highest and prostate is the least affected urogenital organ. But the extreme stage of renal tuberculosis named as ‘putty’ kidney is a rare manifestation. In general most cases of urogenital tuberculosis are quasi-symptomatic, and therefore an uttermost apprehension is needed from physicians to intercept such cases at the earliest. In this presentation we describe a case of ‘putty’ kidney, and another incidental association of prostate tuberculosis with benign prostatic hyperplasia.