Replication characteristics of infectious laryngotracheitis virus in the respiratory and conjunctival mucosa

Avian infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) is an alphaherpesvirus of poultry that is spread worldwide. ILTV enters its host via the respiratory tract and the eyes. Although ILTV has been known for a long time, the replication characteristics of the virus in the respiratory and conjunctival mucosa are still poorly studied. To study these characteristics, two in vitro explant models were developed. Light microscopy and fluorescent terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labelling staining were used to evaluate the viability of mucosal explants, which were found to be viable up to the end of the experiment at 96 h of cultivation. The tracheal and conjunctival mucosal explants were inoculated with ILTV and collected at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h post inoculation (p.i.). ILTV spread in a plaque-wise manner in both mucosae. A reproducible quantitative analysis of this mucosal spread was evaluated by measuring plaque numbers, plaque latitude and invasion depth underneath the basement membrane. No major differences in plaque numbers were observed over time. Plaque latitude progressively increased to 70.4 ± 12.9 μm in the trachea and 97.8 ± 9.5 μm in the conjunctiva at 72 h p.i. The virus had difficulty crossing the basement membrane and was first observed only at 48 h p.i. The virus was observed at 72 h p.i. in 56% (trachea) and 74% (conjunctiva) of the plaques. Viability analysis of infected explants indicated that ILTV blocks apoptosis in infected cells of both mucosae but activates apoptosis in bystander cells.     

Alendronate coated poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles for active targeting of metastatic breast cancer

Delivery of therapeutic agents to bone is crucial in several diseases such as osteoporosis, Paget's disease, myeloproliferative diseases, multiple myeloma as well as skeletal metastasizing cancers. Prevention of cancer growth and lowering the cancer induced bone resorption is important in the treatment of bone metastasizing cancers. Keeping in mind the low diffusivity and availability of cell surface targets on cancer cells, we designed a targeted system to deliver chemotherapeutic agents to the bone microenvironment as an approach to tissue targeting using alendronate (Aln). We co-encapsulated curcumin and bortezomib in the PLGA nanoparticles to further enhance the therapeutic efficiency and overall clinical outcome. These multifunctional nanoparticles were characterized for particle size, morphology and drug encapsulation. The particles were spherical with smooth surface and had particle size of 235?±?70.30?nm. We validated the bone targeting ability of these nanoparticles in?vitro. Curcumin and bortezomib are known to have synergistic effect in inhibition of growth of cancer; however there was no synergism in the anti-osteoclastogenic activity of these agents. Surprisingly, curcumin by itself had significant inhibition of osteclastogenic activity. In?vivo non-invasive bioimaging showed higher localization of Aln-coated nanoparticles to the bone compared to control groups, which was further confirmed by histological analysis. Aln-coated nanoparticles protected bone resorption and decreased the rate of tumor growth as compared to control groups in an intraosseous model of bone metastasis. Our data show efficient attachment of Aln on the surface of nanoparticles which could be used as a drug carrier for preferential delivery of multiple therapeutic agents to bone microenvironment.     

“Identification of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterium by LPA (CM/AS) assay,HPLC and biochemical test: which is feasible for RNTCP?”

Introduction

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) causing clinical disease have become increasingly common and more diverse. The development of fast, inexpensive, and reliable tests to identify nontuberculous mycobacteria is need of the hour especially under the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP). The Aim of the study was to check the Diagnostic efficacy of the GenoType Mycobacterium CM/AS assay compared with HPLC and Biochemical Test for Identification of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria under the Revised Tuberculosis Control Programme.

Deregulated cyclooxygenase-2 expression in oral premalignant tissues

Establishment of an early and reliable biomarker for oral carcinogenesis whose expression can be monitored through noninvasive techniques will enable early diagnosis of cancer. Cyclooxygenases (COXs) have been implicated previously in several human malignancies, and the therapeutic benefit of specific COX-2 inhibitors has been elucidated. The expression of COX-2 and subsequent markers of malignant progression was studied in archival human specimens representing premalignant and malignant stages of oral cancer. We find that changes in COX-2 gene expression precede changes in expression of biomarkers related to apoptosis and angiogenesis in oral premalignant tissues as a veritable phenotype. We also report for the first time COX-2 mRNA variants in dysplastic samples and in a human papillomavirus-transformed cell line HOK-16B, indicating a possible stabilization of COX-2 message by human papillomavirus infection as an early event in oral cancer. Expression of other markers of tumor progression related to apoptosis and angiogenesis pathway genes shows relatively low level of changes in oral premalignant tissue. However, a determinant shift toward decrease in antitumor immunity was observed by cytokine gene expression profile changes.     

Penetrating neck injuries

The incidence of penetrating and lacerated neck injuries has been rising in recent decades largely because of urban violence. Injury to the neck frequently results in multiple regional injuries and in addition poses serious threat to vital structures in the neck. From 1999 to 2005, forty-two cases of penetrating neck injuries which were treated in our hospital were included in this study. Thirty one (73.8%) injuries were due to homicide, six cases (14.2%) were due to suicide attempt and five (11.9%) were accidental injuries. Surgical management included tracheostomy neck exploration and wound repair. All the patients were followed up for a minimum period of six months. Six patients (14.2%) had unilateral vocal cord paralysis. Two patients (4.7%) developed tracheal stenosis. A proper evaluation, rapid air way intervention and proper surgical repair are essential for a successful outcome.     

Enhanced expression of annexin II in human pancreatic carcinoma cells and primary pancreatic cancers

Annexin II is a calcium and phospholipid binding protein anda substrate for protein-tyrosine kinases. Recent investigationshave revealed involvement of annexin II in DNA synthesis andcell proliferation. Increased levels of annexin II are observedin cancer cells and tissues. To investigate the expression ofannexin II in pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells and primary tumors,we measured the levels of annexin II mRNA and protein in normalhuman pancreas, five established human pancreatic adenocarcinomacell lines, three primary pancreatic cancers and one metastatictumor. All five cell lines examined had 5- to 15-fold higherlevels of annexin II as compared to normal pancreas. Significantelevations (2-to 8-fold) of annexin II expression were observedin the three primary pancreatic tumors and one metastatic tumorexamined. Immunocytochemical analysis indicates that the increasedexpression of annexin II is limited to proliferating ductularadenocarcinoma, and annexin II expression co-localizes withcells that express PCNA. In normal pancreas, annexin II expressionis seen in ductal and ductular cells and no expression is seenin acinar or islet cells. We conclude from these findings thatannexin II has a role in cell proliferation and its regulationis altered in pancreatic cancer.