ABSTRACT
Objective: To identify the residue determinants of the serospecificity and sero-cross-reactivity of dengue virus (DENV) envelope protein domain 3 (ED3), which contains two major putative epitopes of DENV. Methods: We constructed ED3 from DENV3 (3ED3) and DENV4 (4ED3), and six epitope-grafted variants, where we transferred epitope 1 (L304I, K305D, V309M, and S310A) and/or epitope 2 (D383N, K384S, K387T, and N389H) of 4ED3 onto 3ED3 and vice-versa. Swiss albino mice aged 3-4 weeks were immunized against wildtype and epitope-grafted ED3 variants and anti-ED3 IgG antibody responses were determined using ELISA. Results: Mouse immunization using 3ED3 and 4ED3 generated serotype-specific antisera, as expected. Similarly, most epitopegrafted ED3s produced antisera serospecific to the template ED3 with little or no cross-recognition of ED3 of the serotype from which the epitopes were taken. These indicated that a mere grafting of the epitope was not sufficient to transfer serospecificity, contrary to our expectations. However, one epitope-grafted ED3 mutant, where epitope 1 of 3ED3 was grafted onto 4ED3 (4ED3epi1), generated antisera that was serospecific to both 4ED3 and 3ED3. Conclusions: The 4ED3epi1 is a chimeric ED3 that produces antisera possessing serospecificity to both 3ED3 and 4ED3 onto a common 4ED3 scaffold. The 4ED3epi1, therefore, provides a unique tool for analyzing serospecificity and sero-cross-reactivity in dengue. We believe that chimeric ED3 may provide a template for future recombinant ED3 possessing serospecificity of multiple DENVs onto a single scaffold and may pave a way developing tri-and/or tetravalent anti-DENV antisera.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To identify the residue determinants of the serospecificity and sero-cross-reactivity of dengue virus (DENV) envelope protein domain 3 (ED3), which contains two major putative epitopes of DENV. Methods: We constructed ED3 from DENV3 (3ED3) and DENV4 (4ED3), and six epitope-grafted variants, where we transferred epitope 1 (L304I, K305D, V309M, and S310A) and/or epitope 2 (D383N, K384S, K387T, and N389H) of 4ED3 onto 3ED3 and vice-versa. Swiss albino mice aged 3-4 weeks were immunized against wildtype and epitope-grafted ED3 variants and anti-ED3 IgG antibody responses were determined using ELISA. Results: Mouse immunization using 3ED3 and 4ED3 generated serotype-specific antisera, as expected. Similarly, most epitopegrafted ED3s produced antisera serospecific to the template ED3 with little or no cross-recognition of ED3 of the serotype from which the epitopes were taken. These indicated that a mere grafting of the epitope was not sufficient to transfer serospecificity, contrary to our expectations. However, one epitope-grafted ED3 mutant, where epitope 1 of 3ED3 was grafted onto 4ED3 (4ED3epi1), generated antisera that was serospecific to both 4ED3 and 3ED3. Conclusions: The 4ED3epi1 is a chimeric ED3 that produces antisera possessing serospecificity to both 3ED3 and 4ED3 onto a common 4ED3 scaffold. The 4ED3epi1, therefore, provides a unique tool for analyzing serospecificity and sero-cross-reactivity in dengue. We believe that chimeric ED3 may provide a template for future recombinant ED3 possessing serospecificity of multiple DENVs onto a single scaffold and may pave a way developing tri-and/or tetravalent anti-DENV antisera.
ABSTRACT
Disaster induced migration has the potential to become a phenomenon of a scale and scope not experienced in human memory. Displacement due to disaster is considered to be a socio-economic and political problem, when it gets solved, the issue of displacement is also ignored. Bangladesh was struck by a category-4 cyclone (Sidr) on the evening of 15 November in 2007 which resulted in displacement of 650,000 people. Such migration posed a serious threat towards social stability and leads towards social conflict. Migration is generally considered as a source of social conflict. Over 3 million people live in slums and squatters of Dhaka city with very little utility service. Slums and squatters are the informal settlements of Dhaka city that accommodate the low-income group of people. Conflict (quarrel, clash, fight) in the slums and squatters is a regular phenomenon. The displaced persons are knowingly and unknowingly discriminated on various grounds and suffer as the survivors of various stigmas. The study reveals that, undue influence by the muscleman, discrimination between migrated and poor slum dwellers, and demand for money by the terrorist group, ignorance to the migrated people by the different quarters and sexual harassment to the migrated adolescent girls are responsible for slumping of social conflict. Their voices are ignored, their pleas are neglected and thus they are excluded from the mainstreamed section in the society.
ABSTRACT
Methanolic extract of the seed of Manilkara zapota [L.] Royen [Family: Sapotaceae] and the bark of Cynometra ramiflora Linn. [Family: Leguminosae] were tested for their antibacterial activity. The methanolic extract of Manilkara zapota showed a moderate antibacterial activity against E. coli, S. flexneri and Staphylococcus aureus, whereas the methanolic extract of Cynometraramiflora was found to have a moderate antibacterial activity against all the tested species
ABSTRACT
Management of posterior urethral injuries with pelvic fracture remains a major controversy and has always been a challenge to urologists. Objective of this study was to see the outcome of optical internal urethrotomy in treatment of urethral strictures following fracture pelvis. This prospective study was conducted at the Urology Department, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar from January 2007 to July 2008. A total of 45 male patients [20-60 years of age] and having urethral strictures following fracture pelvis were treated with internal optical urethrotomy. Follow-up ranged from 3 months to 1 year. Fracture pelvis resulting from the road traffic accident, was the cause of urethral stricture. The good and fair results of internal optical urethrotomy were 68.56% patients who were treated with single internal optical urethrotomy. Internal optical urethrotomy was repeated in 22.86% of patients. Clean intermittent self urethral dilatation was applied as adjuvant treatment to prevent recurrence of stricture for variable period ranging from 1 to 3 months. Internal optical urethrotomy is safe and effective procedure for short yet inaccessible strictures from the perineum
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Urethral Stricture/therapy , Urologic Surgical Procedures , Pelvic Bones/injuries , Treatment Outcome , Urethra/injuries , Urethra/surgery , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
To know the out come of a randomized controlled trial of early oral feeding, no nasogastric [NG] suction and no peritoneal cavity drainage after gastric and small bowel anastamoses. Patients admitted for anastomosis involving stomach and small bowel were randomized into two groups [50 patients each] by lottery methods of prewritten cards. In group A [control], patients were managed by conventional postoperative protocol [N/G decompression, peritoneal drain and nil per oral for 5 days]. In group "B" [under trial] patients were managed without NG decompression and peritoneal drain and were allowed oral feeds on third postoperative day. Surgery was done by various grades of surgeons from consultants to Senior Trainees. In group A, 39/50 patients were male and average age was 47.5 years. Morbidity recorded in this group was 14% including postoperative chest infection, wound dehiscence, vomiting and hypovolumia in one patient [2%] each. Three patients [6%] had anastamotic failure resulting into fistula. Three [6%] patients died of the procedure. In group B; 34/50 were males and average age was 42.5 years. Postoperative abdominal distension was recorded in 3 [6%] patients and vomiting in 2 [4%] patients. No anastamotic failure occurred in this group. Mortality was nil. Patients of gastric and small bowel anastamoses/ repair can be managed without N/G tube and peritoneal drain. These patients can be allowed home on fourth postoperative day
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Gastric Bypass , Jejunoileal Bypass , Postoperative Complications , Postoperative PeriodABSTRACT
To compare the outcome of various operative procedures of hemorrhoidectomy. This comparative study was conducted in Surgical Department, LRH, Peshawar, from March to December 2005. Ninety patients with 2nd and 3rd degree internal hemorrhoids, were randomly divided in to three groups of 30 patients each: "Group A" low ligation and excision with anal stretch. [Group B]: low ligation and excision without anal stretch. [Group C]: closed hemorrhoidectomy. Postoperative pain was present in 4 [13.33%] cases in [Group A] and 3 [10%] cases each in [Group B] and [Group C]. Postoperative bleeding per rectum was present in 2 [6.66%] cases each in Group A and Group B and 1 [3.33%] case in Group C. Postoperative urinary retention was observed in 1 [3.33%] case each in Group A and group B only. Postoperative wound infection and Postoperative peri-anal abscess were recorded in 3 [10%] and 1 [3.33%] patients respectively in Group C only. Postoperative incontinence of flatus was reported in 1 patient [3.33%] of Group A only. Postoperative skin tags were seen in 2 [6.66%] cases of Group A, 1 [3.33%] case in Group B, and none in Group C. Recurrence was not observed in patients during follow up. Mortality was not encountered in the three groups. No statistical significance was found in these three operative procedures with respect to less pain during the early postoperative period and faster wound healing with no recurrence in any group