Nipah virus (NiV), a pathogen with pandemic potential, lacks approved treatments or vaccines, highlighting the urgent need for research on immune-targeted antigenic determinants. A significant gap persists in NiV research, as studies on the fusion (F) protein critical for viral entry as well as the B cells epitopes, have primarily focused on computational prediction rather than experimental validation of immunogenic epitopes obtained through immunoinformatics approach. This study focused on the conserved F protein across NiV human isolates and employed an immunoinformatics approach to predict linear B-cell epitopes capable of direct immune activation. Predicted epitopes were screened for antigenicity, toxicity, and allergenicity. Molecular docking analysis was performed to evaluate its binding affinity with B-cell receptors (BCRs). To validate its immunogenicity, the LF6 peptide was synthesized and used in an indirect ELISA to test sera from cohort previously infected with NiV as well as with negative cohort. Epitope LF6 (LISNIEIGFCL) was identified as a strong candidate based on its immunogenic properties. Molecular docking showed favorable binding of LF6 with BCR. ELISA results revealed that one sera from the survival cohort showed positive response which is an IgG antibody response 2-fold higher (0.343) than the cut-off value (0.0171). This study provides the first reported evidence linking computational predictions with functional immune reactivity for a B-cell epitope of NiV. The findings suggest that LF6 has the potential to elicit specific immune responses. However, given the small sample size, further validation in larger cohorts is essential to confirm LF6’s vaccine relevance.

Various methods have been developed for rapid and high throughput full genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we described a protocol for targeted multiplex full genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA directly extracted from human nasopharyngeal swabs using the Ion Personal Genome Machine (PGM). This protocol involves concomitant amplification of 237 gene fragments encompassing the SARS-CoV-2 genome to increase the abundance and yield of viral specific sequencing reads. Five complete and one near-complete genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 were generated with a single Ion PGM sequencing run. The sequence coverage analysis revealed two amplicons (positions 13 751-13 965 and 23 941-24 106), which consistently gave low sequencing read coverage in all isolates except 4Apr20-64Hu. We analyzed the potential primer binding sites within these low covered regions and noted that the 4Apr20-64-Hu possess C at positions 13 730 and 23 929, whereas the other isolates possess T at these positions. The genome nucleotide variations observed suggest that the naturally occurring variations present in the actively circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains affected the performance of the target enrichment panel of the Ion AmpliSeq™ SARS CoV 2 Research Panel. The possible impact of other genome nucleotide variations warrants further investigation, and an improved version of the Ion AmpliSeq™ SARS CoV 2 Research Panel, hence, should be considered.

Serological confirmation of dengue in 1,410 school-going children aged 7-18 years provided prevalence data for 16 different sites in Malaysia. These sites ranged from highly urbanized cities to small towns. We found that at least ~7 % of children in the study group had been exposed to dengue by age 12 and ~16% by age 18. Here we report that the dengue seroprevalence correlates with i) increasing land development and decreased vegetation, and ii) the overall population growth. Water bodies did not significantly affect dengue prevalence. High prevalence of dengue was also recorded in few of the non-urban sites suggesting the expanding geographical locality of those who get dengue in Malaysia in tandem with increased land usage activities. These findings highlight the need to give closer consideration to future urban planning and development, taking into consideration the changing demography and the importance of built environment to mitigate the increasing incidence of dengue in the non-urban areas of Malaysia.

Twenty one polio patients with severe knee flexion contractures admitted at the Santo Tomas University Hospital, Clinical Division from 1984 to 1990 were studied. There were 11 males and 10 females with age ranging from 12 to 18 years with a mean of 14.3 years. The degree of knee flexion ranged from 45 to 120 degrees with an average of 62.5 degrees. Clinical data included the ranges of motion, the stability of the hip, knee and ankle. Manual muscle testing as well as limb length and girth were recorded. the technique as described by Huckstep was conducted either as a one or two staged procedure with or without preliminary skeletal tractions. One patient required an internal fixation on the osteotomized fragments for stability. Two patients had residual flexion contracture of 5 ad 10 degrees after removal of cast. Only one patient abandoned her braces and opted to use her wheel chair despite healed osteotomy. (Author)

Human ; Male ; Female ; Adolescent ; Child ; Osteotomy ; Patients ; Poliomyelitis