Cyclosporin A inhibits hepatitis C virus replication and restores interferon-alpha expression in hepatocytes

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the leading indication for liver transplantation and a major cause of graft failure. This study investigated whether cyclosporin A (CsA), a widely used immunosuppressant for organ transplantation, inhibits full cycle HCV replication and restores type I interferon (IFN) signaling pathway in human hepatocytes. CsA treatment of hepatocytes before, during, and after HCV infection significantly inhibited full cycle viral replication, which is evidenced by decreased expression of HCV RNA, protein, and infectious viruses in human hepatocytes. The suppression of HCV replication by CsA was associated with elevated levels of endogenous IFN-α in infected hepatocytes. Although CsA had little effect on IFN-α signaling pathway in uninfected hepatocytes, CsA treatment of HCV-infected hepatocytes specifically upregulated the expression of IFN regulatory factor-1 and inhibited the expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 and protein inhibitor of activated signal transducers and activators of transcription-x, the primary negative regulators of IFN signaling pathway. These findings provide additional evidence to support the development of CsA-based prevention/treatment of HCV infection for transplant recipients.

Ultrashort electron pulses as a four-dimensional diagnosis of plasma dynamics

We report an ultrafast electron imaging system for real-time examination of ultrafast plasma dynamics in four dimensions. It consists of a femtosecond pulsed electron gun and a two-dimensional single electron detector. The device has an unprecedented capability of acquiring a high-quality shadowgraph image with a single ultrashort electron pulse, thus permitting the measurement of irreversible processes using a single-shot scheme. In a prototype experiment of laser-induced plasma of a metal target under moderate pump intensity, we demonstrated its unique capability of acquiring high-quality shadowgraph images on a micron scale with a-few-picosecond time resolution.

Effect of heparin-superoxide dismutase on γ-radiation induced DNA damage in vitro and in vivo

The effects of heparin-superoxide dismutase (SOD) conjugate (heparin-SOD) on γ-radiation induced DNA damage in vivo and in vitro were evaluated. Plasmid pcDNA3.0 solution was mixed with heparin-SOD, SOD, and a mixture of heparin and SOD (heparin + SOD), respectively, and irradiated with (60)Co at a dosage of 120 Gy. DNA injury was analyzed using agarose gel electrophoresis. The results showed that the degree of injury of pcDNA3.0 mixed with heparin-SOD, SOD, or heparin + SOD was less than that of untreated pcDNA3.0, and among them the degree of injury of pcDNA3.0 mixed with heparin-SOD was the least. It also showed that the protective effect increased with an increase of heparin-SOD concentration. The effects of SOD and heparin-SOD on the DNA damage and tumor inhibition rate of (60)Co γ-radiation exposure on tumor-bearing mice were also studied. Agarose gel electrophoresis showed that, when different SOD samples were administered before irradiation, the thymus DNA injuries of heparin-SOD, SOD, or heparin + SOD groups were more serious than that of the control group, and the DNA injuries of heparin-SOD or heparin + SOD groups were the most serious, which contradicted the above in vitro experiments. However, when heparin-SOD was administered post irradiation, it showed a repairing effect on the injured DNA.

Metabolic syndrome: prevalence and risk factors in southern China

This was a cross-sectional study to investigate the epidemiology of metabolic syndrome and the distribution of inter-related metabolic abnormalities in different population groups in Guangdong, southern China. Individuals were recruited according to the percentage of different occupational populations in southern China. The study cohort included 1206 subjects, and the prevalence and distribution of the components of metabolic syndrome were assessed using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III 2005 criteria. The unadjusted rate of metabolic syndrome was 26.7%, and the prevalences of hypertension and diabetes were 38.0% and 4.3% respectively. Hypertension, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, abdominal obesity, elevated blood glucose and elevated blood pressure decreased significantly with increasing levels of life stress and anxiety. The prevalence of hypertension and metabolic syndrome in southern China is very high, and early identification and treatment of at-risk individuals may help target intervention to improve future cardiovascular health.

Taste genes associated with dental caries

Dental caries is influenced by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors, including dietary habits. Previous reports have characterized the influence of genetic variation on taste preferences and dietary habits. We therefore hypothesized that genetic variation in taste pathway genes (TAS2R38, TAS1R2, GNAT3) may be associated with dental caries risk and/or protection. Families were recruited by the Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia (COHRA) for collection of biological samples, demographic data, and clinical assessment of oral health, including caries scores. Multiple single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assays for each gene were performed and analyzed by transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) analysis (FBAT software) for three dentition groups: primary, mixed, and permanent. Statistically significant associations were seen in TAS2R38 and TAS1R2 for caries risk and/or protection.

Caloric restriction, aerobic exercise training and soluble lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 levels in overweight and obese post-menopausal women

Background

Elevated circulating levels of soluble lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (sLOX-1) have been observed in obese persons and are reduced by weight loss. However, it is not known if combining caloric restriction (CR) with exercise training is better in reducing sLOX-1 levels than CR alone.

Objective

We examined whether the addition of aerobic exercise to a weight loss intervention differentially affects sLOX-1 levels in 61 abdominally obese postmenopausal women randomly assigned to a CR only (n=22), CR + moderate-intensity exercise (n=22), or CR + vigorous-intensity exercise (n=17) intervention for 20 weeks. The caloric deficit was ~2,800 kcal/week for all groups.

Results

The intervention groups were similar at baseline with respect to body weight, body composition, lipids, and blood pressure. However, plasma sLOX-1 levels were higher in the CR only group (99.90 ± 8.23 pg/ml) compared to both the CR + moderate-intensity exercise (69.39 ± 8.23 pg/ml, p=0.01) and CR + vigorous-intensity exercise (72.83 ± 9.36 pg/ml, p=0.03) groups. All three interventions significantly reduced body weight (~14%), body fat, and waist and hip circumferences to a similar degree. These changes were accompanied by a 23% reduction in sLOX-1 levels overall (−19.00 ± 30.08 pg/ml, p<0.0001), which did not differ among intervention groups (p=0.13). Changes in body weight, body fat, and VO₂ max were not correlated with changes in sLOX-1 levels. In multiple regression analyses in all women combined, baseline sLOX-1 levels (β = − 0.70 ± 0.06, p<0.0001), age (β = 0.92 ± 0.43, p=0.03) and baseline BMI (β = 1.88 ± 0.66, p=0.006) were independent predictors of the change in sLOX-1 with weight loss.

Conclusions

Weight loss interventions of equal energy deficit have similar effects on sLOX-1 levels in overweight and obese postmenopausal women, with the addition of aerobic exercise having no added benefit when performed in conjunction with CR.

Effect of clofarabine on apoptosis and DNA synthesis in human epithelial colon cancer cells

Clofarabine, a new-generation purine nucleoside analogue, was thought to work via three mechanisms: incorporation into DNA; induction of apoptosis; and inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase, and showed significant efficacy in pediatric relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and hematologic malignancies in adults. By way of its unique metabolic properties, clofarabine is being explored in lymphoproliferative disorders and solid tumors. In this study, the effect of clofarabine on the DNA synthesis of human colon carcinoma cells (HCT116) was investigated by LigandTracer White which provides a simple and accurate method for investigating the uptake, phosphorylation, retention and DNA incorporation of nucleosides in cells. Clofarabine enters into HCT116 cells in a clearly detectable manner. At 100 nM, the interaction is visible and at 10 microM a high signal is achieved and approaches equilibrium after 1 approximately 2 hours. The thymidine incorporation into the DNA synthesis was rapidly stopped by incubation with 10 microM clofarabine and a 3-fold increase in apoptosis induction in HCT116 cells by clofarabine was detected.

Analysis of genetic diversity in flowering dogwood natural stands using microsatellites: the effects of dogwood anthracnose

Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida L.) populations recently have experienced severe declines caused by dogwood anthracnose. Mortality has ranged from 48 to 98%, raising the concern that genetic diversity has been reduced significantly. Microsatellite data were used to evaluate the level and distribution of genetic variation throughout much of the native range of the tree. Genetic variation in areas affected by anthracnose was as high as or higher than areas without die-offs. We found evidence of four widespread, spatially contiguous genetic clusters. However, there was little relationship between geographic distance and genetic difference. These observations suggest that high dispersal rates and large effective population sizes have so far prevented rapid loss of genetic diversity. The effects of anthracnose on demography and community structure are likely to be far more consequential than short-term genetic effects.

Higher-order dispersion compensation to enable a 3.6 micros wavelength-maintaining delay of a 100 Gb/s DQPSK signal

We demonstrate a method for dispersion slope compensation of a conversion/dispersion-based optical delay to enable 100 Gb/s operation based on a spatial light modulator and fiber Bragg gratings. A continuous delay of up to 3.6 micros for 100, 80, and 20 Gb/s differential quadrature phase-shift-keyed (DQSPK) and 50, 40, and 10 Gb/s differential phase-shift-keyed (DPSK) waveforms is shown. A time-delay bit-rate product of approximately 360,000 for 100 Gb/s DQPSK with wavelength-maintaining operation is achieved.

High-resolution soft X-ray beamline ADRESS at the Swiss Light Source for resonant inelastic X-ray scattering and angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopies

The concepts and technical realisation of the high-resolution soft X-ray beamline ADRESS operating in the energy range from 300 to 1600 eV and intended for resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) and angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES) are described. The photon source is an undulator of novel fixed-gap design where longitudinal movement of permanent magnetic arrays controls not only the light polarization (including circular and 0-180 degrees rotatable linear polarizations) but also the energy without changing the gap. The beamline optics is based on the well established scheme of plane-grating monochromator operating in collimated light. The ultimate resolving power E/DeltaE is above 33000 at 1 keV photon energy. The choice of blazed versus lamellar gratings and optimization of their profile parameters is described. Owing to glancing angles on the mirrors as well as optimized groove densities and profiles of the gratings, the beamline is capable of delivering high photon flux up to 1 x 10(13) photons s(-1) (0.01% BW)(-1) at 1 keV. Ellipsoidal refocusing optics used for the RIXS endstation demagnifies the vertical spot size down to 4 microm, which allows slitless operation and thus maximal transmission of the high-resolution RIXS spectrometer delivering E/DeltaE > 11000 at 1 keV photon energy. Apart from the beamline optics, an overview of the control system is given, the diagnostics and software tools are described, and strategies used for the optical alignment are discussed. An introduction to the concepts and instrumental realisation of the ARPES and RIXS endstations is given.

A Comparison of Two Different Doses of Rectal Ketamine Added to 0.5 mg.kg-1 Midazolam and 0.02 mg.kg-1 Atropine in Infants and Young Children

In some circumstances, a high degree of sedation that results in a child being unconscious at the time of parental separation is desirable. We set out to investigate the efficacy and safety of a rectal premedication regimen designed to produce this increased level of sedation.

Sixty-seven children aged two to 24 months were randomised into two groups. Group MK received 4 mg.kg-1 ketamine, 0.5 mg.kg-1 midazolam and 0.02 mg.kg-1 atropine and group MKK received 8 mg.kg-1 ketamine, 0.5 mg.kg-1 midazolam and 0.02 mg.kg-1 atropine per rectum. The sedation score at the time of parental separation 30 minutes after drug administration and the response to intravenous cannulation were evaluated on a four-point scale. Respiratory rate, heart rate and arterial oxygen saturation were recorded immediately before parental separation.

More patients in group MKK were asleep during separation (62 vs 35%, P <0.05). Fewer patients in group MKK cried during intravenous cannulation (37 vs 68%, P <0.05). Sedation scores were significantly increased at both time points. There was no difference between groups in vital signs at the time of parental separation and no adverse respiratory events occurred during the study period.

In cases where a high degree of sedation following premedication in infants and toddlers is desired, the addition of 8 mg.kg-1 ketamine to 0.5 mg.kg-1 midazolam and 0.02 mg.kg-1 atropine administered rectally is more efficacious than 4 mg.kg-1 ketamine.