BackgroundJatropha curcas L. is promoted as an important non-edible biodiesel crop worldwide. Jatropha oil, which is a triacylglycerol, can be directly blended with petro-diesel or transesterified with methanol and used as biodiesel. Genetic improvement in jatropha is needed to increase the seed yield, oil content, drought and pest resistance, and to modify oil composition so that it becomes a technically and economically preferred source for biodiesel production. However, genetic improvement efforts in jatropha could not take advantage of genetic engineering methods due to lack of cloned genes from this species. To overcome this hurdle, the current gene discovery project was initiated with an objective of isolating as many functional genes as possible from J. curcas by large scale sequencing of expressed sequence tags (ESTs).ResultsA normalized and full-length enriched cDNA library was constructed from developing seeds of J. curcas. The cDNA library contained about 1 × 106 clones and average insert size of the clones was 2.1 kb. Totally 12,084 ESTs were sequenced to average high quality read length of 576 bp. Contig analysis revealed 2258 contigs and 4751 singletons. Contig size ranged from 2-23 and there were 7333 ESTs in the contigs. This resulted in 7009 unigenes which were annotated by BLASTX. It showed 3982 unigenes with significant similarity to known genes and 2836 unigenes with significant similarity to genes of unknown, hypothetical and putative proteins. The remaining 191 unigenes which did not show similarity with any genes in the public database may encode for unique genes. Functional classification revealed unigenes related to broad range of cellular, molecular and biological functions. Among the 7009 unigenes, 6233 unigenes were identified to be potential full-length genes.ConclusionsThe high quality normalized cDNA library was constructed from developing seeds of J. curcas for the first time and 7009 unigenes coding for diverse biological functions including oil biosynthesis were identified. These genes will serve as invaluable genetic resource for crop improvement in jatropha to make it an ideal and profitable crop for biodiesel production.

Recombinant human platelet derived growth factor BB (rhPDGF-BB) is clinically approved for treating diabetic neuropathic ulcers. Plant-based expression systems offer less expensive ways of producing recombinant drugs, which do not require purification for clinical use. From this perspective, rhPDGF-BB is an ideal candidate for expression in plants as it can be applied topically. Here, we report a proof of concept study, in which rhPDGF-BB was expressed in tobacco plants, and its biological activity was tested in vitro. The mature human platelet derived growth factor BB (hPDGF-BB) gene was codon-optimized for tobacco and fused with ER targeting and retention signals, 5' and 3' UTRs of arc5-1 gene along with CaMV 35S promoter, and then, transferred by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Gene and protein expression of hPDGF-BB were confirmed by PCR and immunoblot studies. Bioactivity of hPDGF-BB expressed protein was determined by in vitro assays such as proliferation and migration in NIH3T3 cells. Our data reveals that total soluble proteins containing hPDGF-BB from transgenic plants showed a 4.5-fold increase in fibroblast proliferation compared to non-transgenic plants. Furthermore, plant-made rhPDGF-BB induced chemotaxis of treated cells and promoted wound healing in vitro. These results clearly demonstrate that functionally active rhPDGF-BB protein can be produced in plants and might have therapeutic benefits.

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The term balanoposthitis refers to inflammation of the glans and the prepuce. It is a widespread condition in male patients attending the genitor-urinary clinic. It may be acute or chronic, occurring most commonly in the uncircumcised men. The aim of the study was to study the incidence of balanoposthitis in all male, to identify the etiological agents by microbiological investigations and the risk factors and the complications associated with balanoposthitis.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> Study group consists of 100 male patients presenting with the complaints of pain, pruritus, fissuring of the prepuce and subpreputial discharge attending the STD department were chosen. The detailed history was taken, and clinical examination was done. The subpreputial discharge was collected, and wet mounts, cultures, and subcultures were done.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> All the patients in the study group with balanoposthitis were uncircumcised. 55% of the patients had some associated systemic disease. Out of the 55 patients, diabetes was present in 45 patients. Of the 51 patients of diabetics, 77.77% were in the recently diagnosed group within the past 5 years. Phimosis and preputial adhesions were the most common complications. The Sensitivity of the KOH wet mount in detecting yeast cells was around 93%. Candida albicans was grown by 56%. In our study, <em>S. aureus</em> (24%) was the most common bacterium isolated.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The most common systemic association and the predisposing factor was diabetes mellitus. The infective etiological agents were associated with the majority of balanoposthitis. The most common complication associated with balanoposthitis was phimosis.</p>

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Allergic contact dermatitis is common dermatoses seen among patients attending dermatology clinics. Allergic contact dermatitis is due to delayed type of hypersensitivity reaction. The diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis is made by patch testing. A positive reaction to a patch test commonly proves the cause of dermatitis.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A retrospective study was conducted<strong> </strong>to estimate the incidence of various allergens among 150 patch test positive patients with allergic contact dermatitis who had attended the dermatology OPD in Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai, between October 2014 and September 2016. All the details regarding history, examination findings, investigations and patch test results were collected from case records, the data were tabulated and analysed.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Allergic contact dermatitis to cement was the commonest (44.7%), followed by nickel (10%) and plant antigens (9.3%). The commonest allergen to be tested positive was Potassium dichromate (82 cases), followed nickel (15 cases) and formaldehyde (8 cases). Most of the patients were in the age category between 41 and 50 years (47 cases– 31.33%). Male to female ratio was 2.41:1. 14 were atopic individuals (9.33%) by Hanifin and Rajka's criteria. Allergic contact dermatitis in 103 cases of our study were of occupational in origin (67%).</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Avoidance of allergen and proper preventive measures in workplace and day to day activities will lead to significant decrease in the morbidity of the disease and improvement in quality of life in patients with allergic contact dermatitis. </p>

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> In India, approximately 6 million populations are affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Anemia and leukopenia, especially thrombocytopenia is seen commonly in HIV infections. Low CD4+ count and increased viral load are some of the factors associated with increased risk of thrombocytopenia. The aim of the study was to study the hematological changes that occur in HIV infected patients who attend the Institute of Venereology, before starting HAART.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Institute of Venereology, Madras Medical College/Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai in 100 treatment-naive HIV infected patients. Detailed history and clinical examination was done. Blood samples were collected. Complete blood count, CD4 count, prothrombin time, activated plasma thromboplastin time, peripheral smear etc., were done. Results were collected and analysed.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Out of 100 patients, 56% were males and 43% females and one transgender. Anaemia was detected in 72%patients. 73.5% males and 76.2% females with CD4 count &lt;350/μl were anemic. The commonest anaemia was normochromic normocytic, seen in 65% patients. 7 male and 7 female patients had leukopenia. 81.25%patients with lymphocytopenia had CD4 count &lt;350/μl. 12% males and 4% females had neutropenia. 17% had neutrophilia. Patients in WHO stage I did not have neutropenia. 23% patients had thrombocytopenia. 47% patients with thrombocytopenia were in stage IV. Maximum number of patients with normal platelet count was in stage I.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Haematological abnormalities are a common occurrence during the course of HIV infection. Identifying and treating the haematological changes have great impact on both the morbidity and mortality of HIV infected patients.</p>