Experimental infection of calves with recombinants of bovine herpesvirus 5 defective in glycoprotein E (gE), thymidine kinase (TK) and both, gE/TK / Infecção experimental de bezerros com recombinantes do herpesvírus bovino tipo 5 defectivos na glicoproteína E (gE), timidina quinase (TK) e ambos, gE/TK

This article describes an investigation on the virulence/attenuation of bovine herpesvirus type 5 (BoHV-5) recombinants deleted in the genes encoding glycoprotein E (BoHV-5gEΔ), thymidine kinase (BoHV-5TKΔ), and both gE and TK (BoHV-5gEΔTKΔ). Seronegative calves (80 to 90 days-old) inoculated with the parental strain (SV-507/99, n=5) shed virus in nasal secretions for up to 15 days (average 10.8 days). Duration of virus shedding was 11 days for BoHV-5gΔ, 9.6 days for BoHV-5TKΔ and 6.2 days for BoHV-5gEΔTKΔ groups. The highest titers were observed between days 1 and 6 post-infection (pi) for SV-507/99 (10(6.8)TCID50/mL), 10(5.1)TCID50/mL (BoHV-5gEΔ), 10(5.9)TCID50/mL (BoHV-5TKΔ) and 10(4.7)TCID50/mL (BoHV-5gEΔTKΔ). Calves inoculated with the parental virus presented anorexia, profound apathy and loss of body condition. Two calves were euthanized in extremis on days 10 and 11 pi; infectious virus was recovered from several areas of the brain. In contrast, calves inoculated with the recombinants remained healthy and a few presented a mild and transient nasal secretion. Dexamethasone (Dx) administration at day 42 pi resulted in virus shedding by all controls calves (mean duration 3.7 days), by 2/5 of BoHV-5TKΔ calves (two days) and 2/5 of BoHV-5gEΔ (one day). No virus shedding was detected in BoHV-5gEΔTKΔ calves upon Dx treatment. PCR examination of brain sections of calves euthanized at day 30 post Dx treatment revealed the presence of latent viral DNA widely distributed in the brain of SV-507/99 calves. Latent viral DNA was detected in a few sections (3/30) of the brains of BoHV-5gEΔ calves and was not detected in the brains of calves inoculated with BoHV-5TKΔ and BoHV-5gEΔTKΔ. These results show that the single BoHV-5 mutants (gE and tk-deleted) are attenuated for calves and establish and/or reactivate latent infection inefficiently. The double mutant BoHV-5gEΔTKΔ is fully attenuated and appears not to establish or not reactivate efficiently from latent infection. Thus, these recombinants, especially the double mutant BoHV-5gEΔTKΔ, display an adequate phenotype for use in modified-live vaccine formulations.

Este artigo descreve uma investigação da virulência/atenuação de recombinantes do herpesvírus bovino tipo 5 (BoHV-5) com deleções nos genes da glicoproteína E (BoHV-5gEΔ), timidina quinase (BoHV-5TKΔ), e ambos gE e TK (BoHV-5gEΔTKΔ). Bezerros soronegativos (80-90 dias de idade) inoculados com o vírus parental SV-507/99 (n=5) excretaram o vírus em secreções nasais por até 15 dias (média de 10,8 dias). Nos animais inoculados com os recombinantes, a duração da excreção viral foi de 11 dias (BoHV-5gEΔ), 9,6 dias (BoHV-5TKΔ) e 6,2 dias (BoHV-5gEΔTKΔ). Os maiores títulos foram observados entre os dias 1 e 6 pós-inoculação (pi), sendo de 10(6,8)TCID50/mL para o SV-507/99, 10(5,1)TCID50/mL (BoHV-5gEΔ), 10(5,9)TCID50/mL (BoHV-5TKΔ) e 10(4,7)TCIΔ50/mL (BoHV-5gEΔTKΔ). Os bezerros inoculados com o vírus parental apresentaram anorexia e apatia; três deles mostraram apatia profunda e perda da condição corporal. Dois bezerros foram eutanasiados in extremis nos dias 10 e 11 pi, respectivamente e o vírus foi isolado de várias regiões do encéfalo. Já os bezerros inoculados com os recombinantes permaneceram saudáveis; alguns apresentaram uma secreção nasal serosa transitória. Administração de dexametasona (Dx) no dia 42 pi resultou em excreção viral por todos os bezerros inoculados com o vírus parental (duração média de 3,7 dias), por 2 de 5 bezerros dos grupos BoHV-5TKΔ (dois dias) e BoHV-5gEΔ (um dia). Os bezerros inoculados com o duplo mutante BoHV-5gEΔTKΔ não excretaram o vírus após o tratamento com Dx. Pesquisa de DNA viral por PCR no dia 30 pós-Dx revelou uma ampla distribuição do DNA do vírus parental no encéfalo; poucas seções (3/30) foram positivas no encéfalo dos animais do grupo BoHV-5gEΔ, e não detectou-se DNA latente no encéfalo dos animais dos grupos BoHV-5TKΔ e BoHV-5gEΔTKΔ. Esses resultados demonstram que os mutantes simples (gE and tk-deletados) são atenuados para bezerros e estabelecem e/ou reativam infecção latente ineficientemente. Já o duplo mutante BoHV-5gEΔTKΔ é atenuado e parece não estabelecer e/ou não reativar eficientemente a infecção latente. Portanto, os vírus recombinantes, e em especial o duplo mutante BoHV-5gEΔTKΔ apresentam um fenótipo compatível com a sua inclusão em vacinas vivas modificadas.

Serum ICAM-1 in asthmatic children

The recruitment of leukocytes to inflamed tissues depends on the function of adhesive molecules of the leukocytes and of vascular endothelium. Intercellular adhesion molecules-1 [ICAM-1, CD.54] is a number of the immunoglobulin super-family of adhesion proteins. It is expressed by a number of blood cells and by endothclial, fibroblastic, and epithelial cells. The expression of ICAM-1 is upregulated by a number of cytokines that are released at sites of inflammation. It is probable that ICAM-1 participates in the recruitment of eosmophils to asthmatic airways and contributes to the pathogenesis of asthma. Serum ICAM-1 contains most of the structure of the extracellular portion of membrane-bound ICAM-1 could potentially have physiologic function, perhaps as a modifier of lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 [LFA-1] dependent leukocyte adhesion. The principle objective of this work is to assess serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecules-1 [slCAM-1] level in asthmatic children during acute asthma exacerbation of their symptoms. We will pay attention to the effect of corticosteroid therapy on serum ICAM-1 level when administered for a short period of time during the acute episode. The study included 30 wheezy children with age from [6 months to 12 year] and 10 normal controls with the same age range. All children and controls undergo good history taking and thorough clinical examination, plain chest X-ray and laboratory investigations including; serum IgE, CBC with differential, serum ICAM-1 determination. Bacterial infection is excluded by clinical examination, leukocytic count, and chest X-ray. Our results showed that serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecules-1 [sICAM-1] level is significantly higher during acute asthma exacerbation in comparison to its level in serum of healthy controls. Also the level of serum soluble adhesion molecules-1 [slCAM-1] is reduced significantly 10 days following the acute episode after a short period of oral corticosteroid therapy

Prevalence of allergic sensitization to regional inhalants among allergic patients in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Sensitization towards a panel of eight regional inhalant allergens was evaluated among 107 patients with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma. A total of 32 children (age 5-13 years, mean 9 years; 18 male, 14 female), 75 adolescents and adults (aged 14-66 years, mean 32 years; 21 male, 54 female) and 20 normal control volunteers (aged 16-46, mean 30 years; 4 male, 16 female) were evaluated via skin prick test. A weal response of 3 x 3 mm or greater was taken to be positive. The sensitization rates among individuals to these allergens were: house dust mites, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (77.57%), Blomia tropicalis (71.96%), Austroglycyphagus malaysiensis (33.64%), pollen, palm oil Elaeis guineensis (22.43%), Acacia auriculiformis (12.15%), fern spore, resam Dicranopteris spp (11.21%), fungal spores: Curvularia fallax (8.41%) and Exserohilum rostratum (13.08%). There were significantly higher frequencies of sensitization to these allergens among allergic individuals compared to normal controls, and among atopic individuals with two allergy manifestations (rhinitis and asthma) compared to those with only one. No difference was noted between children and adults in the allergic group. In conclusion, the allergic patients were highly sensitized to dust mites and sensitization to regional pollen and spores was also documented. They should be considered as relevant and be included in skin test batteries in Indonesia.

Role of allergy in nasal polyps of Thai patients.

As distinct from many countries, allergy in Thailand is of the perennial type which may play a role in the formation of nasal polyps. Forty consecutive patients with nasal polyps and 30 normal subjects as control were studied at the Allergy Clinic, Department of Otolaryngology, Pramongkutklao Hospital. A positive clinical history and skin allergy testing are diagnostic criteria for allergy. In the nasal polyps group, these were 28 males and 12 females, aged between 12-65 years, with an average age of 38.5 years. In the control group, there were 18 males and 12 females, aged between 15-53 yeas, with an average age of 34 years. All had received prick skin testing with 6 common aeroallergens. The prick skin test was considered positive when the wheal was > or = 3 mm with surrounding erythema. Twenty-four of 40 patients (60%) with nasal polyps had a positive prick skin test, while 6 in the 30 control cases (20%) had a positive prick skin test. This difference was statistically significant (P = 0.0019), Odd's ratio = 6.0 which means allergic persons were 6 times more prone to have polyps form than normal persons.

Fármaco antiarrítmicos / Anti-arrhythimia agents

O diagnóstico correto do tipo de arritmia cardíaca é a primeira etapa na avaliação do paciente. A necessidade da terapêutica antiarrítmica deve ser cuidadosamente avaliada para, em seguida, decidir se a abordagem será farmacológica ou não. A escolha do fármaco antiarrítmico deve ser individualizada, considerando-se a farmacocinética e as interaçöes medicamentosas. A identificação e correção de condiçöes associadas (isquemia miocárdica, disfunção ventricular, distúrbios eletrolíticos) e a avalização periódica da função dos órgãos responsáveis pela metabolização e excreção das drogas são fundamentais para minimizar os efeitos pró-arrítmicos.

Single cell protein: a promising dietary substitute.

Promises and limitations in exploitation of microorganisms for single cell protein (SCP) production have been reviewed. Various aspects discussed include global protein problem, microbes as potential sources of food and feed with its advantages and disadvantages, salient features in selection of microorganisms for SCP production, production of SCP from petroleum based hydrocarbons, renewable raw materials like agricultural and forestry residues, industrial by-products and wastes, nutritional and safety evaluation of SCP, ways of improving SCP production, economics of SCP production and the present status of SCP in India.

Estudio de la actividad biológica del coralan III: influencia sobre los leucocitos / Study of the biologic activity of coralan III: influence on leukocytes

Los polisacáridos influyen sobre el organismo provocando leucocitosis. En el trabajo se estudió la influencia del coralán administrado por la via endovenosa y se determinó que en ratas y perros provoca una leucocitosis. debida fundamentalmente al aumento del porcentaje de granulocitos

Efectos del coralan sobre la mucosa gástrica y su relación con la actividad antinflamatoria / Effects of coralan on gastric mucosa and its relation to antiinflamatory activity

El coralán es unpreparado obtenido a partir de una glicoproteina proveniente de un coral blando que presenta cierto efecto inmunomodulador y notable actividad antiinflamatoria experimental, lo que prevé su posible uso en la terapéutica oncológica. Se conocen los efectos adversos de algunos agentes antiinflamatorios sobre la mucosa gástrica. Se demostró que este producto tiene muy baja actividad ulcerogénica, que potencializa la irritabilidad gástrica debida a otros agentes y que su actividad antiinflamatoria se verifica por mecanismos no relacionados con la actividad ulcerogénica

Estudio de los cambios histopatológicos en ratas tratadas con un inmunomodulador de origen marino (corolan), por tres vías de administración prenteral / Study of histopathologic changes in rats treated with an immunomodulator of marine origin (coralan) by 3 parenteral routes of administration

Se describen las principales alteraciones histopatológicas en ratas provocadas por el tratamiento con coralan por las vias intraperitoneal, endovenosa y subcutanea. Hubo diferencias en cuanto a las respuestas al tratamiento de tipo local y general con las distintas formas de tratamiento ensayadas y se encontró una mayor y constante respuesta y asiento de lesiones de tipo degenerativo en el hígado en todos los casos