Immunogenicity of measles-rubella vaccine administered under India’s Universal Immunization Programme in the context of measles rubella elimination goal: A longitudinal study

Background & objectives: There is a paucity of data regarding immunogenicity of recently introduced measles–rubella (MR) vaccine in Indian children, in which the first dose is administered below one year of age. This study was undertaken to assess the immunogenicity against rubella and measles 4-6 wk after one and two doses of MR vaccine administered under India’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). Methods: In this longitudinal study, 100 consecutive healthy infants (9-12 months) of either gender attending the immunization clinic of a tertiary care government hospital affiliated to a medical college of Delhi for the first dose of routine MR vaccination were enrolled. MR vaccine (0.5 ml, subcutaneous) was administered to the enrolled participants (1st dose at 9-12 months and 2nd dose at 15-24 months). On each follow up (4-6 wk post-vaccination), 2 ml of venous blood sample was collected to estimate the antibody titres against measles and rubella using quantitative ELISA kits. Seroprotection (>10 IU/ml for measles and >10 WHO U/ml for rubella) and antibody titres were evaluated after each dose. Results: The seroprotection rate against rubella was 97.5 and 100 per cent and against measles was 88.7 per cent and 100 per cent 4-6 wk after the first and second doses, respectively. The mean (standard deviation) titres against rubella and measles increased significantly (P<0.001) after the second dose in comparison to the levels after the first dose by about 100 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively. Interpretation & conclusions: MR vaccine administered below one year of age under the UIP resulted in seroprotection against rubella and measles in a large majority of children. Furthermore, its second dose resulted in seroprotection of all children. The current MR vaccination strategy of two doses, out of which the first is to be given to infants below one year of age, appears robust and justifiable among Indian children.

Comparative study of intrathecal fentanyl, tramadol, clonidine mixed with bupivacaine for peri and post operative pain relief in lower limb and lower abdominal surgery

Background: Pain relief is of paramount importance in patients undergoing surgery during perioperative and post-operative period. After effective pain relief a smoother post-operative period and early discharge from the hospital is anticipated. Intrathecal and epidural narcotics have been widely used to relieve pain and provide post-operative analgesia. Here three drugs tramadol, fentanyl, and clonidine used as adjuvant with bupivacaine in intrathecal injection for post-operative pain relief and comparative study had been done.Methods: After the study protocol was approved by the Ethical clearance committee of the DMCH, Laheriasarai, Bihar. Study design was prospective, randomized and double-blind techniques. A group of 80 patients undergoing lower abdominal and lower limb surgery were included in the study. Every patient was fully explained about the anaesthesia and surgical procedure before inclusion in the study. The patients were in the (25-65) years age group and belonged to the American Society of Anaesthesiologist (ASA) physical status class I-II and scheduled for lower abdominal and lower limbs surgery were randomly allocated to four groups with equal number: group B [Bupivacaine (35)% 3 cc + 0.4 cc normal saline], group BT [Bupivacaine (5)% 3 cc + 25 mg tramadol], BC [Bupivacaine (0.5)% 3 c.c + 30 μg clonidine], BF [Bupivacaine (0.5)% 3 c.c + 20 μg fentanyl]. All additive drugs used intrathecally were preservative free. All intrathecal punctures were performed in the lateral (Right or Left) position with a (25G) Quinke needle, using the midline approach at the L3-L4 intervertebral space.Results: The study revealed that administration of additives in group BC and group BF did prolong analgesia. In group B, duration of analgesia and mean duration of rescue analgesic requirement was (3.57±0.45) hrs. For group BC it was (9.47±0.85) hrs, for group BF (7.6±1.14) hrs, for group BT (3.72±0.42) hrs.Conclusions:Addition of adjuvants (Fentanyl, Clonidine) to intrathecal bupivacaine for perioperative pain relief does prolong postoperative analgesia and improves the intraoperative quality of analgesia than bupivacaine alone.Background: Pain relief is of paramount importance in patients undergoing surgery during perioperative and post-operative period. After effective pain relief a smoother post-operative period and early discharge from the hospital is anticipated. Intrathecal and epidural narcotics have been widely used to relieve pain and provide post-operative analgesia. Here three drugs tramadol, fentanyl, and clonidine used as adjuvant with bupivacaine in intrathecal injection for post-operative pain relief and comparative study had been done.Methods: After the study protocol was approved by the Ethical clearance committee of the DMCH, Laheriasarai, Bihar. Study design was prospective, randomized and double-blind techniques. A group of 80 patients undergoing lower abdominal and lower limb surgery were included in the study. Every patient was fully explained about the anaesthesia and surgical procedure before inclusion in the study. The patients were in the (25-65) years age group and belonged to the American Society of Anaesthesiologist (ASA) physical status class I-II and scheduled for lower abdominal and lower limbs surgery were randomly allocated to four groups with equal number: group B [Bupivacaine (35)% 3 cc + 0.4 cc normal saline], group BT [Bupivacaine (5)% 3 cc + 25 mg tramadol], BC [Bupivacaine (0.5)% 3 c.c + 30 μg clonidine], BF [Bupivacaine (0.5)% 3 c.c + 20 μg fentanyl]. All additive drugs used intrathecally were preservative free. All intrathecal punctures were performed in the lateral (Right or Left) position with a (25G) Quinke needle, using the midline approach at the L3-L4 intervertebral space.Results: The study revealed that administration of additives in group BC and group BF did prolong analgesia. In group B, duration of analgesia and mean duration of rescue analgesic requirement was (3.57±0.45) hrs. For group BC it was (9.47±0.85) hrs, for group BF (7.6±1.14) hrs, for group BT (3.72±0.42) hrs.Conclusions: Addition of adjuvants (Fentanyl, Clonidine) to intrathecal bupivacaine for perioperative pain relief does prolong postoperative analgesia and improves the intraoperative quality of analgesia than bupivacaine alone.

Down-regulation of OsSAG12-1 results in enhanced senescence and pathogen-induced cell death in transgenic rice plants.

Senescence is a highly regulated process accompanied by changes in gene expression. While the mRNA levels of most genes decline, the mRNA levels of specific genes (senescence associated genes, SAGs) increase during senescence. Arabidopsis SAG12 (AtSAG12) gene codes for papain-like cysteine protease. The promoter of AtSAG12 is SA-responsive and reported to be useful to delay senescence by expressing cytokinin biosynthesis gene isopentenyltransferase specifically during senescence in several plants including Arabidopsis, lettuce and rice. The physiological role of AtSAG12 is not known; the homozygous atsag12 mutant neither fails to develop senescenceassociated vacuoles nor shows any morphological phenotype. Through BLAST search using AtSAG12 amino acid sequences as query, we identified a few putative homologues from rice genome (OsSAGs; Oryza sativa SAGs). OsSAG12-1 is the closest homologue of AtSAG12 with 64% similar amino acid composition. Expression of OsSAG12-1 is induced during senescence and pathogen-induced cell death. To evaluate the possible role of OsSAG12-1 we generated RNAi transgenic lines in Japonica rice cultivar TP309. The transgenic lines developed early senescence at varying levels and showed enhanced cell death when inoculated with bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv.oryzae. Our results suggest that OsSAG12-1 is a negative regulator of cell death in rice.