Molecular isolation and characterization of a novel occlusion body protein gene from Penaeus monodon nucleopolyhedrovirus

The full-length of the occlusion body (OB) protein gene of Penaeus monodon nucleopolyhedrovirus (PemoNPV) was successfully isolated. The OB gene sequence contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 1359 nucleotides encoding a protein of 452 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular mass of 50.6 kDa. A putative late promoter element, TAAG, was identified 72 nt upstream of the translation start site. The amino acid sequences of tryptic digested peptides of PemoNPV OB protein obtained from LC-MS analysis matched quite well with various regions of deduced amino acid sequences. Recombinant PemoNPV OB proteins specifically reacted with monoclonal antibodies to PemoNPV OB protein. After comparison with nucleotide database, the PemoNPV OB ORF demonstrated 67% identity to an uncharacterized ORF of a baculovirus pathogenic for Penaeus vannamei. However, comparison against protein databases revealed no significant homology to other known proteins.To our knowledge, this PemoNPV OB gene is the first isolated and characterized gene of nucleopolyhedrovirus from shrimp.     

Oral lymphangiectasia and gastrointestinal Crohn disease

Lip edema with non-caseating granulomas or lymphangiectasia pose a clinical and pathological challenge. These findings can be attributed to cheilitis granulomatosa (CG), Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS), or Crohn disease (CD) depending on the appropriate clinical context. Lymphangiectasis, in particular, is a common pathological finding in CD due to lymphatic obstruction by granulomas and intralymphatic granulomas. Because oral symptoms can precede gastrointestinal symptoms of CD or be seen in patients with asymptomatic gastrointestinal disease, the identification of lymphangiectasia should raise the possibility of underlying CD. We present a case of a young woman with several years of lip swelling, with notable lymphangiectasia and subtle granulomas on pathological evaluation. The patient was diagnosed with MRS at an outside institution and treated with systemic steroids, without further systemic evaluation. We believe that early recognition of lymphangiectasia and consideration of CD early in the work-up are critical for early diagnosis and appropriate management. Neither clinical nor histopathological findings should be used in isolation to diagnose GC, MRS, or CD as there is significant debate as to the etiology and overlapping findings of these conditions. We highlight the importance of lymphangiectasia in diagnosing underlying CD in the appropriate clinical context.     

The metabolic syndrome: what to treat, how to treat, what are the goals?

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors for cardiovascular disease that include obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, raised blood pressure, and insulin resistance. The growing trend of obesity is associated with increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Optimizing diet and exercise are still the leading therapy for controlling the metabolic syndrome. Based on the current evidence, further emphasis should be placed on aggressive management of other metabolic risk factors such as high blood pressure and dyslipidemia.     

Diets and cardiovascular disease: an evidence-based assessment

With rising obesity, despite low-fat diet recommendations, there is an increased interest in weight loss and alternative dietary approaches for cardiovascular health. Physicians must have an understanding of the literature to better counsel their patients about diets and cardiovascular disease. This review examines several dietary approaches to cardiovascular health and evaluates the available scientific evidence regarding these diets.