Systemic infection of SARS-CoV-2 in free ranging Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) in India

We report patho-morphological and virological characterization of SARS-CoV-2 in naturally infected, free ranging Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca). Whole genome sequence analysis confirmed infection of Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, possibly spill over from humans, but the case was detected when infection level had dropped significantly in human population. This report underlines the need for intensive screening of wild animals for keeping track of the virus evolution and development of carrier status of SARS-CoV-2 among wildlife species.

Effect of Lesioning the Ventral Tegmental Area on Food Intake, Water Intake, Body Weight and Alcohol Consumption in Wistar Albino Rats.

AIM: To study the effect of lesion of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) on food intake, water intake, alcohol consumption, and alcohol preference in the post-lesion period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A group of 38 young adult healthy male Wistar albino rats was included in this experiment. The groups of rats were subjected to the bilateral electrolytic lesion of VTA, and the effect on water intake, food intake, alcohol consumption, and alcohol preference in the post-lesion period was analyzed. A sham lesioned control group was maintained for all experimental groups. RESULTS: There was no change observed in food intake and the body weight in lesioned animals (p > 0.05). It was found that increased water intake was observed if only water was given. There was also increased alcohol intake when alcohol was only provided (p < 0.05). However, two bottle-free choice tests for alcohol preference revealed that the rats preferred to consume water and not alcohol when the choice was given. There was an increase in the total volume consumed (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There was an increase in water intake and no notable changes in the food intake and body weight following the lesion. When offered alone, alcohol consumption was raised, but when a choice of alcohol and water was given in a two-bottle freechoice test, rats preferred to drink water. The present study suggests that VTA lesions may be associated with increased thirst and high fluid consumption, which may have implications in water balance.

Country-wide genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 strains

Genomic surveillance has enabled the identification of several SARS-CoV-2 variants, allowing the formulation of appropriate public health policies. However, surveillance could be made more effective. We have determined that the time taken from strain collection to genome submission for over 1.7 million SARS-CoV-2 strains available at GISAID. We find that strain-wise, time lag in this process ranges from one day to over a year. Country-wise, the UK has taken a median of 16 days (for 417,287 genomes), India took 57 days (for 15,614 genomes), whereas Qatar spent 289 days (for 2298 genomes). We strongly emphasize that along with increasing the number of genomes of COVID-19 positive cases sequenced, their accelerated submission to GISAID should also be strongly encouraged and facilitated. This will enable researchers across the globe to track the spreading of variants in a timely manner; analyse their biology, epidemiology, and re-emerging infections; and define effective public health policies.

Dynamic tracking of variant frequencies depicts the evolution of mutation sites amongst SARS-CoV-2 genomes from India

With the exponential spread of the COVID-19 pandemic across the world within the twelve months, SARS-CoV-2 strains are continuously trying to adapt themselves in the host environment by random mutations. While doing so, some variants with evolutionary advantages such as better human to human transmissibility potential might get naturally selected. This short communication demonstrates how the mutation frequency patterns are evolving in 2,457 SAR-CoV-2 strains isolated from COVID-19 patients across diverse Indian states. We have identified 19 such variants showing contrasting mutational probabilities in the span of seven months. Out of these, 14 variants are showing increasing mutational probabilities suggesting their propagation with time due to their unexplored evolutionary advantages. Whereas mutational probabilities of five variants have significantly decreased in June onwards as compared to March/April, suggesting their termination with time. Further in-depth investigation of these identified variants will provide valuable knowledge about the evolution, infection strategies, transmission rates, and epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2.

Minimally invasive osteosynthesis of distal tibial fractures using anterolateral locking plate: Evaluation of results and complications / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>PURPOSE</b>Soft tissue healing is of paramount importance in distal tibial fractures for a successful outcome. There is an increasing trend of using anterolateral plate due to an adequate soft tissue cover on ante- rolateral distal tibia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results and complications of minimally invasive anterolateral locking plate in distal tibial fractures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This is a retrospective study of 42 patients with distal tibial fractures treated with minimally invasive anterolateral tibial plating. This study evaluates the bone and soft tissue healing along with emphasis on complications related to bone and soft tissue healing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Full weight bearing was allowed in mean time period of 4.95 months (3-12 months). A major local complication of a wound which required revision surgery was seen in one case. Minor complications were identified in 9 cases which comprised 4 cases of marginal necrosis of the surgical wound, 1 case of superficial infection, 1 case of sensory disturbance over the anterolateral foot, 1 case of muscle hernia and 2 cases of delayed union. Mean distance between the posterolateral and anterolateral incision was 5.7 cm (4.5-8 cm).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The minimally invasive distal tibial fixation with anterolateral plating is a safe method of stabilization. Distance between anterolateral and posterolateral incision can be placed less than 7 cm apart depending on fracture pattern with proper surgical timing and technique.</p>

On-table reconstruction and fixation of Mason type III radial head fractures / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>PURPOSE</b>To evaluate the functional and radiological outcome of comminuted radial head fractures, which were not amenable for classical open reduction with internal fixation, treated by on-table reconstruction and fixation using low profile plates.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We reviewed 6 patients of Mason type III radial head fractures treated by on-table reconstruction technique between 2011 and 2013. There were 5 men and 1 woman with a mean age of 35 years (range 25-46 years). All surgeries were carried out at our tertiary care level 1 trauma centre within a mean of 3 days (range 1-8 days) from date of injury using on-table reconstruction technique. The functional outcome was measured using elbow functional rating index described by Broberg and Morrey and the patient-based Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) outcome measure.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean follow-up period was 25 months. The average elbow flexion was 135°(range 125°-140°) and theaverage flexion contracture was 5°(range 0-10°). The average supination and pronation was 75°(range 70°-80°) and 70°(range 65°-82°) respectively. According to Broberg and Morrey scoring system, the average score was 90 points (range 75-100). The mean DASH score was 2.49 points.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>On-table reconstruction and fixation of comminuted radial head fractures using low profile plates is a reasonable option. The reconstructed radial head acts as spacer and provides reasonably good results and no surgical intervention is required for asymptomatic nonunion of these fractures regardless of the radiological findings.</p>

Surgical treatment of proximal humerus fractures using PHILOS plate / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate functional outcome and complications of open reduction and internal fixation with proximal humeral internal locking system (PHILOS) plate for proximal humerus fractures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We reviewed 51 patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation with PHILOS plate between the years 2007 to 2012. There were 35 men and 16 women with a mean age of 38 years (range 24-68). There were 41 patients in the age group of <60 years and 10 patients in the age group of >60 years. According to Neer classification system, 8, 15 and 23 patients had 2-part, 3-part, and 4-part fractures, respectively and 5 patients had 4-part fracture dislocation. All surgeries were carried out at our tertiary care trauma centre. Functional evaluation of the shoulder at final follow-up was done using Constant-Murley score.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean follow-up period was 30 months (range 12-44 months). Two patients were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 49 patients, all fractures were united clinically and radiologically. The mean time for radiological union was 12 weeks (range 8-20 weeks). At the final follow-up the mean Constant-Murley score was 79 (range 50-100). The results were excellent in 25 patients, good in 13 patients, fair in 6 patients and poor in 5 patients. During the follow-up, four cases of varus malunion, one case of subacromial impingement, one case of deep infection, one case of intraarticular screw penetration and one case of failure of fixation were noted. No cases of avascular necrosis, hardware failure, locking screw loosening or nonunion were noted.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PHILOS provides stable fixation in proximal humerus fractures. To prevent potential complications like avascular necrosis, meticulous surgical dissection to preserve vascularity of humeral head is necessary.</p>

Acute femoral artery pseudoaneurysm due to lesser trochanter fragment: an unusual complication of an intertrochanteric fracture / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

False aneurysm of the femoral artery is a rare complication of intertrochanteric fracture. Most of these situations are due to iatrogenic trauma or the trauma itself and are rarely caused by dislocated bone fragments. Here we report a case of a 72-year-old man who presented acutely with a pseudoaneurysm of the superficial femoral artery from the spike of a lesser trochanter fragment. Percutaneous endovascular treatment of the pseudoaneurysm with a covered stent was undertaken on an urgent basis. Five days later, the patient was operated upon and the lesser trochanter fragment was excised through an anterior incision and the intertrochanteric fracture was fixed using dynamic hip screws. The fracture was united at 10 weeks. At one-year's follow-up, there were no graft-related complications. This case illustrates that an intertrochanteric fracture with a displaced lesser trochanter fragment can present acutely with bleeding and a pseudoaneurysm of the femoral artery.

Role of Moringa oleifera in regulation of diabetes-induced oxidative stress

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the antioxidant activity of aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) young leaves by in vivo as well as in vitro assays.@*METHODS@#In vitro study included estimation of total phenolic, total flavonol, total flavonoid and total antioxidant power (FRAP assay). In addition, in vivo study was done with the identified most effective dose of 200 mg/kg of its lyophilized powder on normal and diabetic rats. Its effect on different oxidative free radical scavenging enzymes,viz, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), lipid peroxide (LPO) contents were measured.@*RESULTS@#Significant increase in activities of SOD, CAT, GST while, a decrease in LPO content was observed. Whereas, total phenolic, flavonoid and flavonol contents in the extract were found to be 120 mg/g of GAE, 40.5 mg/g of QE and 12.12 mg/g of QE, respectively. On the other hand, FRAP assay results of M. oleifera leaves was (85.00 ± 5.00) μM/g of extract powder.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The significant antioxidant activities of M. oleifera leaves from both in vivo as well as in vitro studies suggests that the regular intake of its leaves through diet can protect normal as well as diabetic patients against oxidative damage.

Prevalence of Oral Manifestations and Their Association with CD4/CD8 Ratio and HIV Viral Load in South India.

The objective of the present research was to determine the prevalence of oral manifestations in an HIV infected population from south India and evaluate their association with HIV viral load and CD4/CD8 ratio. Intraoral examination of 103 patients, whose CD4/CD8 ratio was available, were conducted. HIV viral loads were available for thirty patients only. The prevalence of oral manifestations was 80.6% (83/103). The most common oromucosal lesion was erythematous candidiasis (EC) (38.8%) followed by melanotic hyperpigmentation (35.9%). Patients having any oral manifestation had a mean CD4/CD8 ratio of 0.24. EC had positive predictive value of 85.0% for CD4/CD8 ratio <0.30. The prevalence of oral manifestations in patients taking ART was lesser (78.6%) as compared to patients not taking ART (82%). Patients having any oral manifestation had a higher HIV viral load as compared to patients not having any oral manifestations (P < 0.05). Pseudomembranous candidiasis (PC) was significantly associated with higher HIV viral loads (>20,000 copies/mL) (P < 0.05). Patients having EC had 4 times greater chance of having CD4/CD8 ratio <0.30. PC can be considered as a marker of immune suppression (HIV viral load >20,000 copies/mL).