Molecular investigation of Feline Panleukopenia in an endangered leopard (Panthera pardus) - a case report.

BACKGROUND: Feline Panleukopenia is an important disease of cats and has been reported worldwide. The disease is caused by a non-enveloped, single-stranded DNA virus; Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPLV), belonging to the Parvoviridae family. The disease causes significant mortality in unvaccinated kittens. The disease has been well documented in companion animals. However, only a few reports have surfaced from the wild. CASE PRESENTATION: An orphan leopard cub was presented to Wildlife Rescue Centre, Nagpur, for further care; the leopard was kept under quarantine. On day 22 of the quarantine, the leopard showed inappetence, lethargy and depression and did not consume the offered carabeef (Day 0 of treatment). The leopard was examined clinically and was found to have a temperature of 102°F; blood was collected and analysed. On day one, the leopard exhibited bloody diarrhoea, inappetence, fever and depression. The leopard was rationally treated with fluids, antibiotics, multi-vitamins, haemostatics and haematinics. To gain qualitative insights into the epidemiological aspect of the disease, molecular investigation, including Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and qPCR (Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction), were utilized to confirm the infection. The amplicon was sequenced and was found to be similar to sequences of FPLV reported domestic cats and other wild felids from India and abroad. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to understand the evolutionary relationship of the virus with previously reported sequences of FPLV. Sequences were submitted to National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and were allotted accession numbers. CONCLUSION: The infection in endangered leopard cubs could be managed with prompt fluid therapy, antibiotics and support treatment, ensuring an uneventful recovery. Molecular investigation and sequencing efforts can provide valuable data on epidemiology and the evolutionary relationship of the virus with the circulating strains in the field. The study has implications in the preventive management of FPLV in captivity and the selection of strains for inclusion in vaccines meant for the wild felids.

Molecular investigation and clinical management of Hepatozoon Canis infection in an Indian jackal - a case report.

BACKGROUND: Hepatozoonosis is a common tick-borne illness reported from all over the world. The infection has been well documented in dogs and cats, and has also been identified in wild canids and felids. India is home to many canid species; however, the incidence of Hepatozoonosis in wild canids is rarely reported. A wide variety of protocols have been discussed for the clinical management of the infection in companion animals; however, the suitability of treatment protocols in wild canids is understudied. The current case report highlights the clinical management of Hepatozoonosis in an Indian jackal and molecular investigation to provide vital insights into the epidemiology of the disease. CASE PRESENTATION: A paraplegic Indian jackal was rescued from Melghat Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, India. The animal had extensive decubital ulcers on the left pin bone and could not walk; however, the animal was active and dragged the hindlimb during locomotion. The vital parameters, blood and serum investigations were normal. Post physiotherapy, massage and infrared therapy, the animal could walk but started knuckling, resulting in injuries. Eight weeks into rehabilitation, the animal had a steep fall in haemoglobin concentration, platelet count, weight loss and was diagnosed with Hepatozoonosis. Considering the altered vital parameters, the jackal was rationally treated with Doxycyclin @ 20 mg/Kg O.D. (Once Daily) for 45 days along with supportive therapy. The jackal recovered after the treatment and led a normal life. CONCLUSION: Mono-drug regime using Doxycycline was effective in the alleviation of H.canis infection in jackal. The drug was effective in alleviating the clinical presentation without alteration of vital parameters. The molecular investigation provided qualitative inputs in understanding the epidemiology of Hepatozoon in wild canids.

Fabrication and Characterization of Sertaconazole Nitrate Microsponge as a Topical Drug Delivery System.

Present study was taken up to develop a topical formulation that releases the drug in controlled manner, reduce the side effects associated with topical drug delivery and improve product efficacy with aid of microsponges. Microsponges loaded with sertaconazole nitrate were prepared by using quasi emulsion solvent diffusion with five different proportions of the polymer (Eudragit RS 100). The developed microsponges were analyzed for particle size, production yield, entrapment efficiency and drug content. Scanning electron microscopic images of microsponges revealed that they are spherical in shape and contain pores. Pore structure analysis was done by using mercury intrusion porosimetry technique, which confirmed the porous nature of microsponges. Microsponges were then incorporated in to a 1% corbopol gel and evaluated for pH, drug content, texture profile analysis and in vitro drug release. The batch F IV was found to be optimal as it shown 69.38% controlled drug release in 8 h that followed Higuchi model.

Efficacy of intravenous ketoprofen for pre-emptive analgesia.

AIM: To determine whether intravenous ketoprofen is effective as pre-emptive analgesia for breast surgery. DESIGN: Randomised, controlled, double blind study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 50 patients undergoing breast surgery under general anaesthesia randomised to receive either 100 mg intravenous ketoprofen 30 minutes before (Group I), or immediately after surgical incision (Group II). Postoperatively, pain scores (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS) and time to rescue analgesic were recorded by an independent, blinded observer. The study was terminated when rescue analgesic was required (VAS > or =4 or demand for analgesic). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Continuous variables were analysed by the unpaired 't' test, discrete variables with the chi square test, and survival curves by the log-rank test. RESULTS: Pain scores were significantly lower in Group I till 10 hours after surgery. The number of patients requiring analgesia at 4, 6, 8 and 10 hours was significantly lower in group I (0% vs. 47% [P <0.0001], 0% vs. 44% [P <0.003], 0% vs. 80% [P <0.0001], 0% vs. 100% [P <0.0001] respectively). The mean time for rescue analgesic was 15.47 -/+ 2.87 hours in group I versus 4.22 -/+ 2.55 hours in group II (P <0.0001). CONCLUSION: Pre-emptive analgesia with Intravenous ketoprofen (100mg) produces better postoperative pain-relief in patients undergoing breast surgery.

Approach to learning disability.

Learning disabilities (LD) is one of the important causes of poor academic performance in school going children. Learning disabilities are developmental disorders that usually manifest during the period of normal education. These disabilities create a significant gap between the true potential and day to day performance of an individual. Dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia denote the problem related to reading, writing and mathematics. Perinatal problems are certain neurological conditions, known to be associated with LD; however, genetic predisposition seems to be the most probable etiological factors. Evaluation of a child suspected to be having LD consists of medical examination, vision and hearing test analysis of school performance. The psycho-behaviour assessment and education testing are essential in the process of diagnosis. The experienced persons in the field of LD should interpret the results of such tests. With Individualized Remedial Education Plan (IEP) most children learn to cope up with disability and may get integrated in a regular steam.

Failed intubation in the intensive care unit managed with laryngeal mask airway and percutaneous tracheostomy.

We report the management of failed intubation in a critically ill, hypoxic and catabolic patient with sepsis and acute lung injury. Insertion of a laryngeal mask airway restored ventilation and corrected hypoxia. As the laryngeal mask provides only a temporary airway, it was essential to secure the airway by percutaneous tracheostomy to initiate mechanical ventilation.

Interaction of peptide substrates of fibroblast collagenase with divalent cations: Ca2+ binding by substrate as a suggested recognition signal for collagenase action.

To correlate structural data on substrates of human fibroblast collagenase with their interaction with the enzyme, we have studied: Ac-PLG-s-LLG-O-ethyl ester (I), Dnp-PLGLWA(d-Arg)-NH2 (II), AcGPEGLRVG-O-ethyl ester (III) and Succ-GPLGP-O-amidomethylcoumaryl ester (IV). Peptides I and II represent collagenase cleavage sequences in collagen, peptide III is a mimic for the cleavage site in alpha 2-macroglobulin and peptide IV represents a non-substrate model. Kinetic data showed that peptides I, II and III were substrates of the enzyme. In contrast, peptide IV was not acted upon by the enzyme. Circular dichroism data on the peptides showed that the peptides assume ordered structures in water and trifluoroethanol. In the latter solvent, peptides I and III bound Ca2+ and Zn2+ while peptide II bound Ca2+ but not Zn2+. Peptide IV did not bind either cation in this solvent. Together with the kinetic data, the results suggest that the collagenase cleavage segments in collagen and non-collagen substrates of collagenase could interact with Ca2+ and the enzyme to form a ternary complex. This, in turn, would imply a cofactor role for Ca2+ in collagenase action in addition to the solely structural role ascribed so far to this cation.

Fibreoptic intubation in cicatricial membranes of the pharynx.

Two patients presented with almost total obliteration of the pharynx. In one, a membrane developed after corrosive poisoning; in the other, the oropharynx was filled with a dense cicatrix in the sclerosing phase of rhinoscleroma. In both patients, a single opening in the membrane provided access to both the larynx and oesophagus. Fibreoptic intubation allowed both a thorough assessment of the pathology and subsequently the passage of a cuffed tracheal tube to secure the airway. To overcome the problem of respiratory obstruction while the fibrescope passed through the opening in the membrane, either rapid intubation, or a technique using pre-oxygenation and voluntary hyperventilation followed by breath-holding during bronchoscopy, was used. The thin calibre and manoeuvrability of the flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope makes fibreoptic intubation an excellent technique of airway management in cicatricial membranes of the pharynx.

Search for peptide immunogens of the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) capable of eliciting hormone specific and neutralizing antisera. Identification of an undecapeptide eliciting hCG-specific antisera.

The work reported herein describes our attempts to identify peptide immunogens of the beta-subunit of the pregnancy-specific placental hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), capable of eliciting hormone specific and neutralizing antisera. Hydrophilicity profiles of the beta-subunits of hCG and the homologous pituitary hormone, human luteinizing hormone (hLH) were compared and two sequences which are hydrophilic but unique to hCG-beta were identified. They are 6-12 and 109-119 of hCG-beta. Results of the studies with the undecapeptide 109-119 of hCG-beta are reported in this paper. The undecapeptide amide was synthesized using the p-(acyloxy) benzhydrylamine resin and antisera to the peptide were elicited in rabbits using the peptide-diphtheria toxoid conjugate. The peptide is highly immunogenic as both the rabbits responded with high titers of antibodies to the peptide. The antipeptide antibodies bound to hCG but not to hLH showing thereby that the region 109-119 of hCG-beta is a unique determinant of hCG. However, the antibodies were found not to neutralize the biological activity of hCG.