The N-terminal domain of the vaccinia virus E3L-protein is required for neurovirulence, but not induction of a protective immune response

Encephalitis is a rare, but serious complication from vaccination against smallpox using replication competent strains of vaccinia virus. In this report we describe mutants of vaccinia virus, containing N-terminal deletions of the vaccinia virus interferon resistance gene, E3L, that are attenuated for neuropathogenesis in a mouse model system. These recombinant viruses replicated to high titers in the nasal mucosa after intra-nasal infection of C57BL/6 mice but failed to spread to the lungs or brain. These viruses demonstrated reduced pathogenicity after intra-cranial infection as well, indicating a decrease in neurovirulence. Intra-nasal inoculation or inoculation by scarification with a low dose of recombinant virus containing a deletion of the entire N-terminal domain of E3L protected against challenge with a high dose of wild-type vaccinia virus, suggesting that this replication competent, but attenuated strain of vaccinia virus may have promise as an improved vaccine for protecting against smallpox, and as a vector for inducing mucosal immunity to heterologous pathogenic organisms.     

Knowledge,awareness and attitude of eye donation among non-clinical staff of a tertiary eye hospital in South India

Purpose:This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, awareness and attitude of eye donation among non-clinical staff of tertiary eye hospitals and to convey a positive attitude toward eye donation by enhancing their awareness and knowledge.Methods:An online cross-sectional study was conducted among the non-clinical staff from all centers of a tertiary eye care hospital across Tamil Nadu. Quiz link was emailed to non-clinical staff of all the centers. On completion of the quiz, the participants viewed their respective scores and the correct answers to all questions. This activity was presumed to subsequently improve their knowledge and clear up the myths on eye donation.Results:Two hundred twenty-eight non-clinical staff from 11 hospitals participated in the quiz. Mean age was 35.3 ± 9.8 years and 130 were female staff (57.05%). One hundred eighty-one participants (79.39%) scored over 50% of the total 17 queries. One hundred eighty-six (81.58%) and 142 (62.28%) participants scored over 50% in the awareness section and knowledge section, respectively. Eye bank volunteers (73, 32.02%) were the main source of information. Twenty-four (10.53%) had already taken pledge for eye donation and 175 (76.75%) were willing to pledge, 29 (12.72%) were not willing to pledge. Twenty-two out of these 29 (75.86%) had no specific reason for not pledging. Family, religious reasons, lack of clarity and fear were least cited reasons (13.79%).Conclusion:Non-clinical staff of an eye hospital are easily approachable and are expected to be more knowledgeable by the general public around them. They might act as primary motivators in raising awareness within their family, friends, relatives and neighbors.     

Multiple Metachronous Malignancies,One Patient with Three Primary Malignancies

Development of a primary cancer after treatment of the first with radiotherapy or chemotherapy is well documented, but it is common with hematological malignancies. Variety of reasons are suggested by various researchers, but a conclusive evidence is not yet available. Excepting a few correlations like the tamoxifen therapy and endometrial cancer, angiosarcoma of the breast following radiotherapy, occurrence of other metachronous malignancies seem to be dependent on genetic and environmental factors. A patient with three primary malignancies is presented here.     

Structural elucidation of NASICON (Na3Al2P3O12) based glass electrolyte materials: effective influence of boron and gallium

Understanding the conductivity variations induced by compositional changes in sodium super ionic conducting (NASICON) glass materials is highly relevant for applications such as solid electrolytes for sodium (Na) ion batteries. In the research reported in this paper, NASICON-based NCAP glass (Na_2.8Ca_0.1Al₂P₃O₁₂) was selected as the parent glass. The present study demonstrates the changes in the Na⁺ ion conductivity of NCAP bulk glass with the substitution of boron (NCABP: Na_2.8Ca_0.1Al₂B_0.5P_2.7O₁₂) and gallium (NCAGP: Na_2.8Ca_0.1Al₂Ga_0.5P_2.7O₁₂) for phosphorus and the resulting structural variations found in the glass network. For a detailed structural analysis of NCAP, NCABP and NCAGP glasses, micro-Raman and magic angle spinning-nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR) spectroscopic techniques (for ³¹P, ²⁷Al, ²³Na, ¹¹B and ⁷¹Ga nuclei) were used. The Raman spectrum revealed that the NCAP glass structure is more analogous to the AlPO₄ mesoporous glass structure. The ³¹P MAS-NMR spectrum illustrated that the NCAP glass structure consists of a high concentration of Q⁰ (3Al) units, followed by Q⁰ (2Al) units. The ²⁷Al MAS-NMR spectrum indicates that alumina exists at five different sites, which include AlO₄ units surrounded by AlO₆ units, Al(OP)₄, Al(OP)₅, Al(OAl)₆ and Al(OP)₆, in the NCAP glass structure. The ³¹P, ²⁷Al and ¹¹B MAS-NMR spectra of the NCABP glass revealed the absence of B–O–Al linkages and the presence of B₃–O–B₄–O–P₄ linkages which further leads to the formation of borate and borophosphate domains. The ⁷¹Ga MAS-NMR spectrum suggests that gallium cations in the NCAGP glass compete with the alumina cations and occupy four (GaO₄), five (GaO₅) and six (GaO₆) coordinated sites. The Raman spectrum of NCAGP glass indicates that sodium cations have also been substituted by gallium cations in the NCAP glass structure. From impedance analysis, the dc conductivity of the NCAP glass (∼3.13 × 10⁻⁸ S cm⁻¹) is slightly decreased with the substitution of gallium (∼2.27 × 10⁻⁸ S cm⁻¹) but considerably decreased with the substitution of boron (∼1.46 × 10⁻⁸ S cm⁻¹). The variation in the conductivity values are described based on the structural changes of NCAP glass with the substitution of gallium and boron.

Understanding the conductivity variations induced by compositional changes in sodium super ionic conducting (NASICON) glass materials is highly relevant for applications such as solid electrolytes for sodium (Na) ion batteries.     

Recurrent hyperhemolytic transfusion reaction in myelodysplastic syndrome- A case based approach

We present here a case report of a 27 year old female, with myelodysplatic syndrome suspected to have recurrent hyperhemolytic transfusion reactions (HHTR). Patient was transfusion dependent for ten years and was transfused with leukodepleted and irradiated Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBC). She presented with signs and symptoms of acute intravascular hemolysis, deranged coagulation profile with post transfusion Hb lower than baseline. Post transfusion workup was uneventful. She was managed conservatively with fluid support and methylprednisolone initially. After few uneventful transfusions, patient developed second episode of HHTR with compatible unit.Immunophenotype favored an inflammatory response possibly induced by monocytic lineage. As transfusion dependent, the patient required methylprednisolone as premedication and all subsequent transfusions were uneventful.