Pseudocyst in Pulmonary Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Childhood ARDS is mostly caused by pneumonia. Pulmonary pseudocysts are reported in adults recovering from ARDS, usually in non-dependent lung regions. We present a 1.5-year-old boy, who survived severe pulmonary ARDS with development of pulmonary giant pseudocysts and other structural abnormalities in dependent lung region. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first follow up report of pulmonary abnormality In a toddler with ARDS of extreme severity.     

Inhibitors of catechol-O-methyltransferase sensitize mice to pain

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors are used in Parkinson''s disease in which pain is an important symptom. COMT polymorphisms modulate pain and opioid analgesia in humans. In rats, COMT inhibitors have been shown to be pro-nociceptive in acute pain models, but also to attenuate allodynia and hyperalgesia in a model of diabetic neuropathy. Here, we have assessed the effects of acute and repeated administrations of COMT inhibitors on mechanical, thermal and carrageenan-induced nociception in male mice.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

We used single and repeated administration of a peripherally restricted, short-acting (nitecapone) and also a centrally acting (3,5-dinitrocatechol, OR-486) COMT inhibitor. We also tested CGP 28014, an indirect inhibitor of COMT enzyme. Effects of OR-486 on thermal nociception were also studied in COMT deficient mice. Effects on spinal pathways were assessed in rats given intrathecal nitecapone.

KEY RESULTS

After single administration, both nitecapone and OR-486 reduced mechanical nociceptive thresholds and thermal nociceptive latencies (hot plate test) at 2 and 3 h, regardless of their brain penetration. These effects were still present after chronic treatment with COMT inhibitors for 5 days. Intraplantar injection of carrageenan reduced nociceptive latencies and both COMT inhibitors potentiated this reduction without modifying inflammation. CGP 28014 shortened paw flick latencies. OR-486 did not modify hot plate times in Comt gene deficient mice. Intrathecal nitecapone modified neither thermal nor mechanical nociception.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Pro-nociceptive effects of COMT inhibitors were confirmed. The pro-nociceptive effects were primarily mediated via mechanisms acting outside the brain and spinal cord. COMT protein was required for these actions.     

Letter to the Editor: Characterization of a Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 from India showing incongruence in its phylogeny

Survey conducted during 2010-2011 in the vineyards of Nashik and Pune regions of India revealed the association of an Ampelovirus antigenically related to Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) with seven cultivars of grapevine. Upon sequencing of the coat protein (CP) and partial heat shock protein 70 homologue (HSP70h) genes of GLRaV-3 present in the cultivar Cabernet Souvignon showed distinct grouping behaviour. It clustered in group 2 and group 1 on the basis of CP and HSP70h sequences, respectively. Incongruent clustering pattern observed on the basis of two genomic regions suggest that GLRaV-3 is a distinct isolate from India.     

Dengue vaccine: The current status

Dengue fever is a re-emerging public health problem with two-fifths of the world population being at risk of infection. Since there are no antiviral drugs available against the dengue virus, and vector control programmes have been largely unsuccessful in preventing outbreaks, vaccination seems to be the most viable option for preventing infection. An ideal dengue vaccine should provide long lasting immunity against all four serotypes of the virus. The envelope protein of the virus plays a key role in vaccine development. The present day candidate vaccines includes a live attenuated tetravalent vaccine, intertypic chimaeric vaccines based on live attenuated dengue virus vectors, chimaeric vaccines based on the live attenuated Yellow Fever 17D vector and recombinant vaccines which include vaccines based on flavivirus and non-flavivirus vectors. Tetravalent live attenuated vaccines, intertypic chimaeric vaccines and chimaeric vaccines are being tested in human trials. Recombinant DNA vaccines based on flavivirus and non-flavivirus vectors are being tested in animal trials. Recent studies have shown that the tetravalent formulations may elicit an unbalanced immune response. Research is continuing to find means of obtaining a balanced response to all antigens in the tetravalent formulations.