Search

Introduction: Platelet-rich Fibrin (PRF) is an autologous platelet concentrate preparation containing several proteins that aid in healing. Vitronectin is one of these proteins that has not been quantified in all types of PRF. Various protocols have been suggested to alter the yield of different components of PRF to enhance wound healing. Hence, it is beneficial to know the vitronectin levels in PRF. Aim: To detect, estimate, and compare the levels of vitronectin in two PRF protocols and serum. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Periodontics at the SDM College of Dental Sciences and Hospital. Dharwad, Karnataka, India from January 2019 to June 2020 involved 12 systemically and periodontally healthy volunteers. Blood was obtained from each volunteer to collect and prepare serum, Leukocyte-PRF (L-PRF), and injectable-PRF (i-PRF), respectively. Three distinct samples-supernatant, exudate, and clot-were collected and categorised into seven groups (L-PRF supernatant, L-PRF exudate, L-PRF clot, i-PRF supernatant, i-PRF exudate, i-PRF clot, blood serum) that were assayed for levels of vitronectin. The data were statistically analysed using the independent t-test, one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Newman-Keuls Post-hoc procedures. Results: The mean age was 24.92±2.57 years. Vitronectin was detected and estimated in all the samples. Vitronectin levels ranged from 64.09±0.04 ng/mL to 64.20±0.21 ng/mL. Oneway ANOVA applied to test between and within groups was significant (p=0.049). A statistically significant difference was observed only between L-PRF exudate and serum (p=0.05). Conclusion: The comparable levels of vitronectin in L-PRF and i-PRF observed in present study suggest that vitronectin in these two PRF protocols may aid wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus belonging to the henipavirus genus in the family Paramyxoviridae. Since NiV was first identified in 1999, outbreaks have continued to occur in humans in Bangladesh and India on an almost annual basis with case fatality rates reported between 40% and 100%. Methods: Ferrets were vaccinated with 4, 20 or 100 μg HeVsG formulated with the human use approved adjuvant, CpG, in a prime-boost regime. One half of the ferrets were exposed to NiV at 20 days post boost vaccination and the other at 434 days post vaccination. The presence of virus or viral genome was assessed in ferret fluids and tissues using real-time PCR, virus isolation, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry; serology was also carried out. Non-immunised ferrets were also exposed to virus to confirm the pathogenicity of the inoculum. Results: Ferrets exposed to Nipah virus 20 days post vaccination remained clinically healthy. Virus or viral genome was not detected in any tissues or fluids of the vaccinated ferrets; lesions and antigen were not identified on immunohistological examination of tissues; and there was no increase in antibody titre during the observation period, consistent with failure of virus replication. Of the ferrets challenged 434 days post vaccination, all five remained well throughout the study period; viral genome - but not virus - was recovered from nasal secretions of one ferret given 20 μg HeVsG and bronchial lymph nodes of the other. There was no increase in antibody titre during the observation period, consistent with lack of stimulation of a humoral memory response. Conclusions: We have previously shown that ferrets vaccinated with 4, 20 or 100 μg HeVsG formulated with CpG adjuvant, which is currently in several human clinical trials, were protected from HeV disease. Here we show, under similar conditions of use, that the vaccine also provides protection against NiV-induced disease. Such protection persists for at least 12 months post-vaccination, with data supporting only localised and self-limiting virus replication in 2 of 5 animals. These results augur well for acceptability of the vaccine to industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nearly 1.7 million cases of dog bites are reported every year in India and many cases of animal rabies are left unattended and undiagnosed. Therefore, a mere diagnosis of rabies is not sufficient to understand the epidemiology and the spread of the rabies virus (RV) in animals. There is a paucity of information about the evolutionary dynamics of RV in dogs and its biodiversity patterns in India. In total, 50 dog-brain samples suspected of rabies were screened by the nucleoprotein- (N) and glycoprotein- (G) gene PCR. The N and G genes were subsequently sequenced to understand the molecular evolution in these genes. The phylogenetic analysis of the N gene revealed that six isolates in the Mumbai region belonged to a single Arctic lineage. Time-scaled phylogeny by Bayesian coalescent analysis of the partial N gene revealed that the time to the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) for the sequences belonged to the cluster from 2006.68 with a highest posterior density of 95 % betweeen 2005-2008, which is assigned to Indian lineage I. Migration pattern revealed a strong Bayes factor between Mumbai to Delhi, Panji to Hyderabad, Delhi to Chennai, and Chennai to Chandigarh. Phylogenetic analysis of the G gene revealed that the RVs circulating in the Mumbai region are divided into three lineages. Time-scaled phylogeny by the Bayesian coalescent analysis method estimated that the TMRCA for sequences under study was from 1993 and Indian clusters was from 1962. In conclusion, the phylogenetic analysis of the N gene revealed that six isolates belonged to single Arctic lineages along with other Indian isolates and they were clustered into a single lineage but divided into three clades based on the G-gene sequences. The present study highlights and enhances the current molecular epidemiology and evolution of RV and revealed strong location bias and geographical clustering within Indian isolates on the basis of N and G genes.

Surra, caused by Trypanosoma evansi affects a wide range of domestic and wild animals in the tropics, taking a huge toll on the already impoverished economy here. In bovines surra normally develops into a chronic infection that is often associated with severe production losses, yet with no distinct clinical signs making its adequate diagnosis vital. Though direct microscopic observation of T. evansi in circulation may be the diagnostic gold standard for surra, it is insensitive and impractical for population prevalence studies, making sero-diagnosis the preferred choice for the latter. In this study, we standardize an ELISA with Concanavalin-A (Con-A) affinity purified T. evansi surface glycoprotein antigen and compare its sensitivity and specificity to direct microscopy of stained thin smears and molecular (PCR) diagnostics. The ELISA was then put on field trial for sero-surveillance of cattle for surra in three geographically distinct populations in the Indian subcontinent, to yield an overall sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 89.15% compared to standard stained thin smear examinations and 95.23% and 90.84% compared to blood PCR examinations., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)