Sequence Analysis of the RNA Polymerase Gene of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Serotype Asia1

The complete nucleotide (nt.) sequence of the RNA polymerase (3D) gene and 81 nt. in the 3-untranslated region of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) serotype Asia1 (IND63/72) was determined and compared with the sequence of other FMDV serotypes. The 3D genomic region was 1410 nt. long encoding 470 amino acids with an inframe stop codon (TAA) at nt. position 1411–1413. The deduced amino acid sequence of the protein showed 8 conserved motifs as reported in other picornaviruses, 2 of which are 100% identical across the serotypes. Antigenic regions in the polymerase protein were predicted and found to be located at the N-terminus of the protein. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the FMD viruses were segregated into different clusters based on geographical origin; the Asia1 virus did not cluster tightly with any of the geographical groups.     

Identification of the defects in the hemagglutinin gene of two temperature-sensitive mutants of A/WSN/33 influenza virus

Two temperature-sensitive mutants of WSN influenza virus, ts-61S and ts-134, possess defects in the hemagglutinin (HA) gene. These defects are characterized as a defective intracellular transport of the HA at the nonpermissive temperature and a marked thermolability. The nucleic acid sequences of the HA gene of these two viruses, as well as a series of revertant viruses, were determined. The deduced amino acid sequences demonstrate that the HA of ts-61S varied from the wild type protein by three amino acids while that of ts-134 differed by two residues. For both mutants, analysis of revertant viruses indicated that the phenotype of transport inhibition at the nonpermissive temperature and heat lability were associated with a single amino acid change in the globular portion of the molecule. In the case of ts-61S, the critical change in the HA was the replacement of a serine residue at position 110 with that of a proline. The mutational defect in the HA of ts-134 was due to the substitution of a tyrosine residue at position 159 with that of a histidine residue. Four of five revertants of ts-134 were suppressor revertants, of which some of the compensatory changes did not restore thermostability to the HA.     

Pleural empyema due to S. typhi: a case report

In a 35 year old immunocompetent male, clinically diagnosed as a case of hydropneumothorax of left side, Salmonella typhi was isolated as the causative agent of pleural empyema.     

Giant neurofibroma arising from the intercostal nerve: a rare case report

Neurofibroma is a benign nerve sheath tumor of the peripheral nervous system. A young male presented with complaints of gradually increasing breathlessness and heaviness on the right side of the chest, and percussion notes over the chest were impaired all over the right lung fields except the basal zone. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan of the thorax revealed a large heterogeneous mass occupying most of the right hemithorax. Intraoperatively, the huge mass measuring about 18 cm?×?13 cm?×?12 cm was seemed to arise from the right fourth intercostal space. Histopathology revealed a neurofibroma. Giant intrathoracic neurofibroma is very uncommon and its malignant potential should be evaluated.     

Status of Foot‐and‐mouth Disease in India

Foot‐and‐mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in India and causes severe economic loss. Status of FMD in the country for five fiscal years is presented. Outbreaks were more in number in 2007–2008 than 2010–2011. Three serotypes of FMD virus (O, A and Asia1) are prevalent. Serotype O was responsible for 80% of the confirmed outbreaks/cases, whereas Asia1 and A caused 12% and 8%, respectively. Geographical region‐wise assessment indicated varying prevalence rate in different regions viz; 43% in Eastern region, 31.5% in Southern region, 11.6% in North‐eastern region, 5% Central region, 4.4% Western region and 4% in Northern region. Highest number of outbreaks/cases was recorded in the month of September and lowest in June. Emergence and re‐emergence of different genotypes/lineages within the serotypes were evident in real‐time investigation carried out from time to time. Continues antigenic divergence in serotype A resulted in change in the vaccine strain in 2009. As on date, all genetic diversity within the serotypes is well tolerated by the vaccine strains. Unrestricted animal movements in the country play a major role in the spread of FMD.     

Utility-Fuzzy-Taguchi based hybrid approach in investment casting process

In this paper, the use of the Utility-Fuzzy-Taguchi based hybrid approach in investment casting process for optimizing multiple quality characteristics of wax patterns has been conceptualized. Selection of an appropriate orthogonal array, preference scale construction followed by preference values, generation of multi-performance index (MPI) by fuzzy logic, analysis of means and analysis of variance are employed to study the performance characteristics of the process. The control factors considered are injection temperature, injection pressure and injection time, whereas linear shrinkage, surface roughness and penetration are the corresponding responses. The optimal setting obtained by the proposed method is validated by confirmatory experiments. This concludes the application feasibility of the proposed method for parametric optimizations in investment casting process. Further, the result of the aforementioned optimization technique has been compared with that of Utility-Taguchi technique. It is found that the optimal condition for both is same, while the most influential process parameter is different in both cases due to employment of random selection of weights in Utility-Taguchi method.     

A Novel KCNJ13 Nonsense Mutation and Loss of Kir7.1 Channel Function Causes Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA16)

Mutations in the KCNJ13 gene that encodes the inwardly rectifying potassium channel Kir7.1 cause snowflake vitreoretinal degeneration (SVD) and leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). Kir7.1 controls the microenvironment between the photoreceptors and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and also contributes to the function of other organs such as uterus and brain. Heterologous expressions of the mutant channel have suggested a dominant‐negative loss of Kir7.1 function in SVD, but parallel studies in LCA16 have been lacking. Herein, we report the identification of a novel nonsense mutation in the second exon of the KCNJ13 gene that leads to a premature stop codon in association with LCA16. We have determined that the mutation results in a severe truncation of the Kir7.1 C‐terminus, alters protein localization, and disrupts potassium currents. Coexpression of the mutant and wild‐type channel has no negative influence on the wild‐type channel function, consistent with the normal clinical phenotype of carrier individuals. By suppressing Kir7.1 function in mice, we were able to reproduce the severe LCA electroretinogram phenotype. Thus, we have extended the observation that Kir7.1 mutations are associated with vision disorders to include novel insights into the molecular mechanism of disease pathobiology in LCA16.     

A unique case of progressive hemifacial microsomia or Parry-Romberg syndrome associated with limb and brain anomalies with normal neurological findings: A review of the literature

In this report, we describe an unusual case of progressive hemifacial atrophy or Parry-Romberg syndrome in a 10-year-old girl with progressive hemifacial microsomia and limb anomalies who had brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of white matter hyper-intensities. Patients typically present with neurological manifestations such as epilepsy, facial pain, and migraines and ophthalmological symptoms in conjunction with white matter lesions. The patient demonstrated normal cognition and psychomotor development despite the presence of white matter lesions in her frontal lobe that is commonly associated with neurological symptoms. This report brings attention to the complicated relationship between facial, limb and brain imaging findings in Parry-Romberg syndrome and differentiates it from hemifacial microsomia syndrome.