Biochemical changes in cultivars of sweet oranges infected with citrus tristeza virus / Mudanças bioquímicas em vários cultivares de laranjas doces infectadas com o vírus citrus tristeza

Abstract Citrus fruit production occupies a place of considerable importance in the economy of the world including Pakistan. Tristeza disease caused by Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV) exists in various forms that may or may not cause symptoms in the plants. The bioactive compounds and antioxidants are naturally present in plants and provide a defense mechanism that is generally accelerated in response to a stress. The objective of the present study was to target and analyze the citrus plants that were CTV positive to observe the changes in the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants of citrus (Sweet Oranges only). It was observed that in response to CTV infection, both the non-enzymatic antioxidants (total flavonoid, ascorbic acid, phenolic acid) and enzymatic antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase) activities showed an increasing trend overall. The profiling of antioxidants in response to a viral infection may help in the discovery of new biomarkers that can be used as a monitoring tool in disease management.

Resumo As frutas cítricas ocupam um lugar de considerável importância na economia do Paquistão, assim como o resto do mundo. A doença da tristeza causada pelo Vírus da Tristeza dos Citros (CTV) existe em várias formas que podem ou não apresentar sintomas nas plantas. Os compostos bioativos e antioxidantes estão naturalmente presentes nas plantas e fornecem um mecanismo de defesa que é geralmente acelerado em resposta a um estresse. O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar as alterações causadas pelo CTV nos antioxidantes enzimáticos e não enzimáticos de laranjas doces. Foi observado que, em resposta ao ataque de CTV, os antioxidantes não enzimáticos como flavonoides totais, ácido ascórbico, ácido fenólico e antioxidantes enzimáticos, como as atividades de catalase, superóxido dismutase e peroxidase, geralmente mostram uma tendência crescente. O perfil de antioxidantes em resposta a um ataque viral pode ajudar na descoberta de novos biomarcadores que podem ser usados ​​como uma ferramenta de monitoramento no gerenciamento de doenças.

Evaluation of hospitalized infants and young children with bronchiolitis - a multi centre study.

Four hundred and twenty nine young children with bronchiolitis admitted consecutively in different hospitals of Bangladesh were evaluated. Three hundred and forty eight children studied for their putative risk factors, clinical profile, management and the outcome. Both cases and controls were examined for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antibody status. The diagnosis of bronchiolitis was made on the basis of first attack of wheeze in previously healthy children below two years of age. Detailed history including the possible risk factors, the management and daily follow-up on the ward and the outcome at discharge were documented through a structured questionnaire. Chest x-ray was done in each case to find out the radiological changes. Blood of 266 patients and 30 controls were studied for RSV IgM and IgG antibody by ELISA. There were 66% male and 34% female children. The median age of the children was 3.0 months and 82.7% were below 6 months of age. Most of the babies were born term (88%), with ABW (73%), by normal vaginal delivery (88%). Exclusive or predominant breast-feeding were given in 72% cases. The location of the patient was rural in 55% cases. Around half of the parents were illiterate or slightly educated (up to 5 years schooling) fathers 46.5% and mothers 56% and majority of the parents were poor (74%). In 52% cases the number of family members in one room were four or more. Half of the parents (52%) were smokes and there was atopy in 26.5% families. The clinical features of bronchiolitis were mostly cough (99%), respiratory distress (97%), feeding difficulty (93%) and fast breathing (96%) (median RR 68/min). Fever (1000F or more) was in only 33% cases, though parents complained in 90% cases. All children (100%) had wheeze and crackles in lungs in 96% cases. Liver could be palpable in 83% and spleen in 42% cases. Important radiological features were increased translucency (96%), increased interstitial markings (87%), hyperinflation (75%) and streaky densities (61%). In 69.6% cases TLC was 12,000 or less and only 15% with a neutrophil fraction greater than 60%. Children were positive for IgM antibody in 43.6% cases and both IgM and IgG in 5.3% cases. The main modalities of treatment were antibiotics (99%) (Ampicillin, 76%), oxygen therapy (83%), nebulised salbutamol (76%) and intravenous fluid (51%). The median duration of hospital stay was 4 days. Most of the children were discharged with improvement (96%) with 2% mortality. Not a single case was diagnosed as bronchiolitis in hospitals outside Dhaka. Cefrtiaxone (72.5%) and parenteral steroids (70.5%) were the mainstay of therapy there.