Molecular detection and characterization reveals circulation of multiple genotypes of porcine astrovirus in Haryana, India.

Porcine astrovirus (PAstV) is distributed worldwide and has been reported to cause diarrhea in pigs. PAstV belongs to the family Astroviridae and genus Mamastrovirus. PAstVs are divided into five diverse genotypes (PAstV1-PAstV5) on the basis of phylogenetic analysis of a part of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene and the capsid gene. However, knowledge regarding the clinical significance and molecular characteristics of PAstV in Haryana, India, is limited. In this study, we investigated the presence of PAstV by RT-PCR of the partial RdRp gene in 110 rectal swabs collected from diarrheic pigs in different parts of Haryana, India. Of these, 35 samples (31.8%) tested positive for PAstV, with the highest positivity observed among weaning piglets 3 to 9 weeks of age (47.7%, 21/44), followed by fattening pigs 9 to 24 weeks of age (28.5%, 8/28). Phylogenetic analysis of the partial RdRp gene revealed circulation of four different genotypes (PAstV1, PAstV2, PAstV4, and PAstV5) in Haryana, with PAstV1 being the predominant genotype. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of PAstV1 and PAstV5 in the pig population of India. The PAstV sequences revealed high genetic variability and genetic heterogeneity in a relatively confined area.

Toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS): A review and update.

Toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) is an acute, sterile, postoperative inflammatory reaction of the anterior segment without vitreous involvement, following an uncomplicated and uneventful ocular surgery, having broad and multiple etiologies. The symptoms of decreased visual acuity and ocular discomfort generally occur within the first 12-48 h after intraocular surgery. The clinical signs include prominent limbus-to-limbus corneal edema, anterior chamber cells, aqueous flare, fibrinous inflammation, and/or keratic precipitates. There can be sight-threatening complications of TASS, such as permanent corneal decompensation, intractable glaucoma, and cystoid macular edema. The causes of TASS are emerging and being reported, so are the newer treatment options for managing the inflammation and its complications. Prevention guidelines for TASS are being updated, and a traceability system for surgical instruments and intraocular fluids used during the surgery is being perpetually developed. It is important to recognize TASS and start treatment on an immediate effect. Hereby, we review the literature on TASS, emphasizing its etiology, pathophysiology, management, prognosis, complications, and the importance of prevention as well as prompt recognition.

Awareness Regarding Eye Donation among Doctors, Students, and Paramedics at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: In the sub-continent, there is a huge discrepancy between the cornea collected and the ever-increasing demand. Lack of awareness, faulty perceptions, and unwillingness to donate corneas are the major hurdles. OBJECTIVES: To assess the level of awareness among doctors, students, and paramedics in a teaching hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional, pre-tested, study design assessed the awareness, knowledge, and attitude among health care workers (medical students, nurses, doctors, and paramedics) in the context of eye donation through a administered self-administered semi-structured questionnaire. RESULTS: In our study, 692 (57.7%) of the respondents were aware that the ideal time for donation was within six hours of death. Our study revealed that 875 (72.9) of the respondents were willing to donate their eyes; out of these 305 (25.4%) were MBBS students and 223 (18.6%) were nursing students, (Chi-square tests, p <0.001). Six-hundred and twenty-five (52.1%) respondents knew that the nearest eye bank should be contacted if they or any of their family members wished to donate their eyes. However, only 90 (7.5%) of the respondents' family/ relatives had donated his/her eyes. A significant association between knowledge of eye donation and the age, gender, religion, or marital status and knowledge of eye donation of participants was observed. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the need for creating awareness about eye donation among doctors, medical students, and paramedics, who can be an effective channel for planning, educating, and motivating the public to pledge for eye donation.

Omega-3 fatty acids supplements for dry eye - Are they effective or ineffective?

Purpose: To evaluate effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acid supplements in relieving dry eye symptoms and signs in symptomatic visual display terminal users (VDT). Methods: A randomized controlled study was done; eyes of 470 VDT users were randomized to receive four capsules twice daily for 6 months (O3FAgroup), each containing 180 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid. The O3FA group was compared with another group (n = 480) who received four capsules of a placebo (olive oil) twice daily. Patients were evaluated at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. The primary outcome was improvement in omega-3 index (a measure of EPA and DHA ratio in RBC membrane). Secondary outcomes were improvement dry eye symptoms, Nelson grade on conjunctival impression cytology, Schirmer test values, tear film breakup time (TBUT), and tear film osmolarity. Means of groups (pre-treatment, 1, 3, and 6-months) were compared with repeated measure analysis of variance. Results: At baseline, 81% patients had low omega-3 index. In the O3FA group, a significant increase in omega-3 index, improvement in symptoms, reduction in tear film osmolarity, and increase in Schirmer, TBUT, and goblet cell density was observed. These changes were not significant in the placebo group. Improvement in test parameters was significantly (P < 0.001) better in patients with low omega3 index (<4%) subgroup. Conclusion: Dietary omega-3 fatty acids are effective for dry eye in VDT users; omega-3 index appears to be the predictor to identify potential dry eye patients who are likely to benefit from oral omega-3 dietary intervention.

An insertion in loop L7 of human eosinophil-derived neurotoxin is crucial for its antiviral activity.

The human eosinophil granule ribonuclease, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) has been shown to have antiviral activity against respiratory syncytial virus-B (RSV-B). Other closely related and more active RNases such as RNase A, onconase, and RNase k6 do not have any antiviral activity. A remarkable unique feature of EDN is a nine-residue insertion in its carboxy-terminal loop, L7 which is not present in RNase A, and differs in sequence from the corresponding loop in another eosinophil RNase, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP). ECP has a much lower antiviral activity as compared to EDN. The current study probed the role of loop L7 of EDN in its antiviral activity. Three residues in loop L7, Arg117, Pro120, and Gln122, which diverge between EDN, ECP, and RNase A, were mutated to alanine alone and in combination to generate single, double, and triple mutants. These mutants, despite having RNase activity had decreased antiviral activity towards RSV suggesting the involvement of loop L7 in the interaction of EDN with RSV. It appears that the mutations in loop L7 disrupt the interaction of protein with the viral capsid, thereby inhibiting its entry into the virions. The study demonstrates that besides the RNase activity, loop L7 is another important determinant for the antiviral activity of EDN.

Antimicrobial activity of human eosinophil granule proteins: involvement in host defence against pathogens.

Eosinophils have been associated with the pathophysiology of various allergic diseases and asthma. Eosinophils secrete a number of granule proteins that have been identified as effector molecules responsible for many of the actions of eosinophils. The four major eosinophil granule proteins, major basic protein (MBP), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), eosinophil derived neurotoxin (EDN) and eosinophil peroxidase have been shown to be involved in a number of eosinophil associated functions. EDN possesses antiviral activity against single stranded RNA viruses like respiratory syncytial virus, Hepatitis and HIV, whereas ECP and MBP have antibacterial and antiparasitic properties. This review summarizes the studies on antipathogenic activities of eosinophil granule proteins against bacteria, viruses, protozoans and helminths.

A comparative study of various topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to steroid drops for control of post cataract surgery inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative inflammation continues to be a cause of patient discomfort, delayed recovery, and in some cases, suboptimal visual results. Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroid are commonly used in the management and prevention of noninfectious ocular inflammation following cataract surgery. AIMS: The aim was to study the safety and efficacy of various NSAIDs drops for control of postoperative inflammation following cataract surgery and compare with steroid eye drops in a patient following cataract surgery. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Totally, 200 patients undergoing phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation were randomly assigned to receive either nepafenac 0.1% 3 times daily, bromfenac 0.09% twice daily, ketorolac 0.5% 4 times daily for 1 month or 1% prednisolone eye drops as their postoperative anti-inflammatory medication with 50 cases in each group. The patients were examined at the 1st day (baseline), 1st week, 2nd week, and 4th week after surgery. Postoperative inflammation was evaluated subjectively by intraocular pressure, slit-lamp assessment of signs of inflammation, including conjunctival hyperemia, ocular pain, and aqueous cells and flare. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical analysis was performed by the SPSS program for Windows, version 17.0. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we found that prednisolone 1% was more effective in controlling postoperative intraocular inflammation in terms of reducing anterior chamber cells and flare. We found that ketorolac 0.5% and nepafenac 0.1% were equally effective in controlling postoperative ocular pain and inflammation. All four drugs are effective in controlling post cataract surgery ocular inflammation. Intraocular inflammation is best controlled with prednisolone 1%, while ocular pain and hyperemia are better controlled with NSAIDs in the early postoperative periods.

Rhinosporidiosis of lacrimal sac: An interesting case of orbital swelling.

Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic localized granulomatous disease caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi, an aquatic protistan parasite belonging to a clade, Mesomycetozoea. Infestation of Rhinosporidiosis to the eye and adnexa is termed oculosporidiosis, in such cases, conjunctival mucosa is mostly involved; however in our case, it involved only the lacrimal sac and deeper periorbital tissue and presented as a case of orbital swelling. Surgical excision of the lesion was done, postoperatively dapsone therapy was given for 6 months, and the patient responded very well with no recurrence till date.

Biochemical characterization of blood plasma of coronary artery disease patients by in vitro high-resolution proton NMR spectroscopy.

This study aimed to investigate the biochemical profile of blood plasma of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and angiographically normal subjects (controls) to determine biomarkers for their differentiation. In this double blind study, 5 mL venous blood was drawn before angiography from CAD patients (n=60) and controls (n=13) comprising angiography normal individuals. In vitro high-resolution NMR spectroscopy of these blood plasma samples was carried out at 400 MHz, and intensity data were analysed with partial least square discriminant analysis. Categorization of subjects as controls or CAD patients and the patients further as single vessel disease (SVD), double vessel disease (DVD) and triple vessel disease (TVD) was done at the end of the study based on their angiography reports. Raised levels of lipids, alanine (Ala) and isoleucine/leucine/valine (Ile/Leu/Val) were observed in CAD patients compared with controls. Partial least square discriminant analysis showed separation between controls vs CAD patients. TVD patients showed increased levels of Ile/Leu/Val and Ala compared with controls and SVD. Alanine, Ile/Leu/Val, and LDL/VLDL appear as possible biomarkers for distinguishing between controls and patients with SVD and TVD. A metabolic adaptation of myocardium may play a role in raising the Ala level.