Background/AimsHBV has been classified into ten genotypes (A–J) and multiple subgenotypes, some of which strongly influence disease outcome and their distribution also correlate with human migration. HBV infection is highly prevalent in India and its diverse population provides an excellent opportunity to study the distinctiveness of HBV, its evolution and disease biology in variegated ethnic groups. The North-East India, having international frontiers on three sides, is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse region of the country. Given the paucity of information on molecular epidemiology of HBV in this region, the study aimed to carry out an in-depth genetic characterization of HBV prevailing in North-East state of Tripura.MethodsFrom sera of chronically HBV infected patients biochemical/serological tests, HBV DNA quantification, PCR-amplification, sequencing of PreS/S or full-length HBV genomes were done. HBV genotype/subgenotype determination and sequence variability were assessed by MEGA5-software. The evolutionary divergence times of different HBV subgenotypes were estimated by DNAMLK/PHYLIP program while jpHMM method was used to detect any recombination event in HBV genomes.ResultsHBV genotypes D (89.5%), C (6.6%) and A (3.9%) were detected among chronic carriers. While all HBV/A and HBV/C isolates belonged to subgenotype-A1 and C1 respectively, five subgenotypes of HBV/D (D1–D5) were identified including the first detection of rare D4. These non-recombinant Indian D4 (IndD4) formed a distinct phylogenetic clade, had 2.7% nucleotide divergence and recent evolutionary radiation than other global D4. Ten unique amino acids and 9 novel nucleotide substitutions were identified as IndD4 signatures. All IndD4 carried T120 and R129 in ORF-S that may cause immune/vaccine/diagnostic escape and N128 in ORF-P, implicated as compensatory Lamivudine resistance mutation.ConclusionsIndD4 has potential to undermine vaccination programs or anti-viral therapy and its introduction to North-East India is believed to be linked with the settlement of ancient Tibeto-Burman migrants from East-Asia.
The relationship between pineal and thyroid in response to the adrenocortical modulation is poorly understood. In the present study post pubertal male rats were treated with natural and synthetic corticoids and an antiadrenal agent mitotane. Hydroxycortisone was administered at a dose of 4 mg / 100 g b.w., dexamethasone 2 mg / 100 g b.w. and mitotane 3 mg / 100 g b.w. for fifteen consecutive days. Our data revealed that both the corticoids, hydroxycorticosterone and dexamethasone induced hyperactivity of pineal and thyrofollicular cell morphology. The functional relation between the cells of the pineal parenchyma and thyroid follicles were noted. Similar results were induced by mitotane, an antiadrenal agent. It is concluded, that our present study indicates a mutual relationship between the pineal and the thyroid gland karyomorphological and functional parameters in response to corticoids and an antiadrenal agent in post pubertal male rat (Rattus rattus).
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