Shilpi Jain

Production and preclinical evaluation of Plasmodium falciparum MSP-119 and MSP-311 chimeric protein, PfMSP-Fu24.

ABSTRACT A Plasmodium falciparum chimeric protein, PfMSP-Fu24, was constructed by genetically coupling immunodominant, conserved regions of two merozoite surface proteins, the 19-kDa region C-terminal region of merozoite surface protein 1 (PfMSP-119) and an 11-kDa conserved region of merozoite surface protein 3 (PfMSP-311), to augment the immunogenicity potential of these blood-stage malaria vaccine candidates. Here we describe an improved, efficient, and scalable process to produce high-quality PfMSP-Fu24. The chimeric protein was produced in Escherichia coli SHuffle T7 Express lysY cells that express disulfide isomerase DsbC. A two-step purification process comprising metal affinity followed by cation exchange chromatography was developed, and we were able to obtain PfMSP-Fu24 with purity above 99% and with a considerable yield of 23 mg/liter. Immunogenicity of PfMSP-Fu24 formulated with several adjuvants, including Adjuplex, Alhydrogel, Adjuphos, Alhydrogel plus glucopyranosyl lipid adjuvant, aqueous (GLA-AF), Adjuphos+GLA-AF, glucopyranosyl lipid adjuvant-stable emulsion (GLA-SE), and Freunds adjuvant, was evaluated. PfMSP-Fu24 formulated with GLA-SE and Freunds adjuvant in mice and with Alhydrogel and Freunds adjuvant in rabbits produced high titers of PfMSP-119 and PfMSP-311-specific functional antibodies. Some of the adjuvant formulations induced inhibitory antibody responses and inhibited in vitro growth of P. falciparum parasites in the presence as well as in the absence of human monocytes. These results suggest that PfMSP-Fu24 can form a constituent of a multistage malaria vaccine.

Significant Liver Toxicity in Albino Rats Upon Oral Aluminium Administration: A Serious Public Health Implication

Aluminium is widely used in medicines, as food additives, as water purification agent, as in the making of household cookware and storage utensils. Aluminium absorption depends on the chemical form of aluminium taken up. Aluminium hydroxide and chlorides are absorbed more efficiently than its phosphorus and fluorine compounds. As aluminium is stored mainly in the liver,1 the present work is conducted to study the morphological and morphometric changes in the liver produced by aluminium chloride(AICI3). 20 inbred adult albino rats weighing 150–200gm each were administered 37.5mg per day of aluminium chloride orally for 21 days with maintenance of 20 similar controls. A small piece of liver tissue was processed for paraffin sections. 7μ thick sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin stain and observed under light microscope. The changes were observed at tissue and cellular level along with general architectural derangement, degenerative changes and nuclear variations such as karryorrhexis, pyknosis. These findings are highly conclusive of toxic hepatitis.

Duplication of Optic Canal in Human Skulls

Abstract Duplication of optic canal is a rare anomaly. 194 Human skulls were collected from the Department of Anatomy, Subharti Medical College Meerut, LLRM Medical College Meerut and Seema Dental College Rishikesh. These skulls were of the age between 18-70 years and included both male and female skulls. Out of these, 5 skulls showed duplication of optic canal. 3 skulls showed bilateral duplication and 2 skulls showed unilateral duplication . It is important to know this anatomical variation during interventional procedures of optic canal and surrounding regions especially during endoscopic tumor removal and optic nerve decompression.

Transverse Cerebellar Diameter - A Marker for Estimation of Gestational Age

The cerebellum lies in the posterior cranial fossa. In the embryo, cerebellum appears at the end of fifth week. The cerebellum is easily visualized sonographically. Measurement and demonstration of fetal cerebellum is a new and unique parameter of fetal brain growth and also useful in assessing gestational age. The prospective study was carried out on 50 antenatal patients (20–40 years of age) between 14–40 weeks of pregnancy attending the clinic for routine ultrasound examination. Ultrosonographic measurement of Transverse cerebellar diameter (TCD) was done to assess the Gestational age. Mean TCD was 17.32 mm in 14–20 weeks of gestation, 26.63 mm in 21–30 weeks and 40.73mm in 31–40 weeks. Regression analysis indicates a significant relationship between TCD and gestational age, indicating that TCD is a good marker for estimation of gestional age.

Embryological Basis and Clinical Correlation of the Rare Congenital Anomaly of the Human Gall Bladder: - "The Diverticulum" - A Morphological Study

BACKGROUND Diverticulum of the human gall bladder is an important but distinct anatomical entity with significant clinical implications. It is one of the rarest congenital anomalies of the gall bladder being rarely discussed in literature. This article details the morphology of the diverticula found, along with the embryological basis and clinical significance of this important anatomical and clinical entity. AIM To study the diverticula found, with respect to their morphology, and ascertain whether they were of congenital or acquired variety. Setting and Designs: The present study is a retrospective study carried on hundred cadavers during undergraduate dissection, in the Department of Anatomy, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha, and Department of Anatomy, Subharti Medical College , Meerut during a four year period i.e. 2008-2012 after obtaining necessary permission from institutional ethical committee. MATERIAL AND METHODS Hundred gall bladder specimens collected from 10% formalin fixed cadavers were studied in detail with regard to their number, position, shapes dimensions and histology. RESULTS Nine, congenital (true) diverticula were found in one hundred gall bladder specimens. The diverticula were of various shapes and dimensions. They formed pouches on the luminal surface of the gall bladder. Diagnosis of congenital diverticulum was confirmed by histology. CONCLUSION In this cadaveric study, solitary diverticulum was found in nine (9%) specimens out of one hundred specimens. Association of diverticulum with non-specific prolonged ailments, acalculus cholecystitis, cholecystitis and cholelithiasis, recurrent cholangitis and carcinoma of gallbladder has been reported in literature. This important anatomical as well as clinical entity poses challenges for radiologists and laparoscopic surgeons during interventional procedures and also should be differentiated from other types of congenital anomalies and pathological states of gall bladder.

Variations in the External Morphology of Gall Bladder

Abstract Variations of extrahepatic biliary tract are commonly encountered in surgery. Study was carried out to determine the external morphology of the gall bladder obtained from sixty embalmed cadavers. Differences in dimensions and shalie of the gall bladder, apart from other variations such as folded neck and folded fundus (Phrygian cap anomaly) were found. The variations are essentially due to aberration or arrest in normal embryological development. The growing importance of such variations, lie not only from the point of biliary disease but also with respect to the various invasive techniques in the treatment of gallbladder and extrahepatic bile duct disease.

Histopathological Study of Placental Villi in Pre-Eclampsia-a Quantitative Study

Abstract Placenta is a vigorous energetic, resourceful organ which shows compensatory changes in response to hypertension A study was done to find the histopathological changes in placentae of pre-eclamptic mothers in comparison to mothers with normotensive pregnancies. Histopathological findings like syncytial knot formation, cytotrophoblastic cellular proliferation and fibrinoid necrosis were present in greater amount in placentae from pre-eclamptic mothers.

ANATOMICAL STUDY OF ORIGIN OF SINOATRIAL NODAL ARTERY IN HUMAN CADAVERIC HEARTS

Address for Correspondence: Dr Priti Sinha, Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Subharti Medical College, Meerut, UP, India. PIN250005, Mob: 9837017328 E-Mail: drpritianatomy@yahoo.com Introduction: Sinoatrial Nodal artery is an artery which supplies the sinoatrial node, the natural pacemaker center of the heart, usually a branch of right coronary artery but also from left coronary artery in variable percentage in different population. Aim: The aim of the study was to study the anatomical origin of sinoatrial Nodal artery , from Right coronary artery or left coronary artery in indian human cadavers Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on 50 formalin fixed Adult Human Cadaveric Heart of Indian population obtained from department of Anatomy subharti medical college Meerut UP INDIA. Specimens with gross congenital anomalies were excluded from the study. The coronary arteries were dissected for the origin of sinoatrial Nodal artery. Results: Out of total 50 cases studied, sinoatrial nodal artery was originating from right coronary artery in 39 (78%) hearts while in remaining 11 (21.27%) hearts SA nodal artery was arising from left coronary artery. When it is arising from left coronary artery it is a branch of left circumflex artery rather than the main trunk. Conclusions: In present study of Indian Human cadaveric hearts SA Nodal artery is originating from right coronary artery in maximum (78.0) percent population comparing with the previous studies done globaly. Further studies are needed in Indian population in relation to SA Nodal Artery. Study of origin and distribution of sinoatrial nodal artery helps cardiologist and cardiac surgeons to understand the ischemic etiology of sinus node diseases and corrective steps needed.

ASSOCIATION OF SDF-1β GENE SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISM IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS IN NORTH INDIAN POPULATION

Address for Correspondence: Dr. Hina Nafees, Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, TMU, Moradabad, India. Contact no. 9761684179. E-Mail: 786drhinanafees@gmail.com Introduction: T2D affects over 340 million people worldwide. T2D affects low – and middle – income populations accounting for more than 80% of the deaths due to diabetes. The genetic variants associated with T2D are complicated by lifestyle and environmental factors that play a major role in disease onset and progression. This research work is an attempt to contribute in the search for genes responsible for complex forms of T2DM. Objective of the Study: Our study explores the association of SDF1 between genetic variants and T2DM in North Indian Population. Materials and Methods: This study was retrospective, analytical case control study & was carried out in the Central Research lab of Subharti Medical College. Meerut. Peripheral blood was collected from 150 unrelated T2DM patients attending Out – patient and In-patient departments of medicine C.S.S.H Meerut. India for diabetes & 150 healthy controls. Whole venous blood was collected & used for DNA extraction. DNA was further amplified by the technique of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Two sets of primers were used in PCR i-e forward and reverse primer. These fragments were further subjected to the digestion by restriction endonuclease enzyme Msp1 and were subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: The odd ratio of SDF -1 genotypes and alleles were calculated in T2DM and compare them with control subjects. The frequency of SDF -1 ß G / G homozygous wild in T2DM showed a significantly high relative risk, when compared with healthy controls. Relative risk associated with this genotype was 4.500. p value was calculated to be < 0.0001. Conlusion: On the basis of our study we can conclude that The “GG” genotype of SDF-1 gene is confined to be the risk allele and is associated with T2DM patients in North Indian population. Although this study focused on a relatively small number of individuals, its finding contribute to the growing evidence of the presence and effects of genetic variant in the understudied North Indian population.

Ossified Pterygospinous Ligament-An anomaly in the infratemporal region of human Skulls and its applied importance

Pterygospinous ligament stretches from pterygospinous process of lateral pterygoid plate to the spinous process of sphenoid bone. Ocassionally this ligament ossifies in elderly. We carried out a study in subharti medical college, Meerut on 50 adult dry skulls to observe ossification of pterygospinous ligament. In our study, bilateral completely ossified Pterygospinous ligament was found in only 2% of skulls and rest 98% showed no ossification of the ligament. This ligament lies in close relationship to foramen ovale thus may cause entrapment of various branches of mandibular nerve resulting in mandibular neuralgia. Knowledge of ossified pterygospinous ligament is of great importance to maxillofacial, dental surgeons and anesthetists.