Topical combined application of dexamethasone, vitamin C, and β-sodium glycerophosphate for healing the extraction socket in rabbits

An osteogenic inducer (OI) consisting of dexamethasone, vitamin C, and β-sodium glycerophosphate has the capacity to induce bone formation in vitro. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the application of this OI on extraction socket healing. The bilateral first mandibular premolars were extracted from 75 New Zealand rabbits. Gelatin sponges carrying OI were implanted into the sockets. Sockets undergoing implantation of gelatin sponges alone were also evaluated, as well as non-implantation sockets. Specimens from each group were evaluated radiographically, histologically, and histomorphometrically using haematoxylin-eosin staining. Results showed earlier new bone formation and higher bone quality and quantity in the OI group compared to the other groups, and the differences were significant at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks postoperative. The OI significantly reduced the absorption of alveolar bone in terms of height; however, changes in the width were not significantly different between the three groups (P>0.05). The OI was shown to have a positive effect on healing of the tooth extraction sockets, was inexpensive, and was convenient to use during the operational procedure; therefore this could represent a promising implant material for human clinical application.

Palygorskite changes heavy metal bioavailability and microbial functional diversity in sewage sludge composting

To investigate the effects of palygorskite on chemical forms of heavy metal and microbial functional diversity in the sewage sludge composting, a compost matrix of sewage sludge, wheat straw and varying contents of palygorskite were inoculated with the compound microbial preparation. The chemical speciation analysis by a Community Bureau of Reference-sequential extraction indicated the contribution of palygorskite to reduce the bioavailability of a model metal, Cu, during the composting process. The Biolog EcoPlate(TM) test revealed that the microbial community showed better capability of utilizing complex macro-molecules (such as miscellaneous and polymers) in the presence of palygorskite. Increasing the palygorskite contents from 1% to 5%, the microbial activity showed an increasing tendency. However, continuously increasing the palygorskite resulted in a decline of the microbial metabolism. Therefore, appropriate content of palygorskite is an ideal additive for composting, not only enhancing the microbial activity, but also reducing the metal toxicity.

RNA interference-mediated knockdown of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in B-cell lymphoma cells

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin superfamily that has been reported to be involved in a number of neurological and psychological situations. Recently, high expression level of BDNF is observed in diverse human malignancies, delineating a role of BDNF in tumorigenesis. Nevertheless, its effect on B-cell lymphoma remains unclear. In this study, RNA interference technology mediated by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was performed to inhibit endogenous BDNF expression in B-cell lymphoma cells. Results showed that knockdown of BDNF reduced cell growth and proliferation of Raji and Ramos cells. Furthermore, down-regulation of BDNF induced a cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase in Raji cells, and consequently led to cell apoptosis in vitro. Meanwhile, down-regulation of Bcl-2 and up-regulation of Bax, activated caspase-3 and caspase-9 and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) were observed in Raji cells when endogenous BDNF was inhibited. Besides, we also found that suppression of BDNF in Raji cells increased their sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drug, 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). Our research provides a promising therapeutic strategy for human B-cell lymphoma by targeting BDNF.

Dental Abnormalities Caused by Novel Compound Heterozygous CTSK Mutations

Cathepsin K (CTSK) is an important protease responsible for degrading type I collagen, osteopontin, and other bone matrix proteins. The mutations in the CTSK gene can cause pycnodysostosis (OMIM 265800), a rare autosomal recessive bone dysplasia. Patients with pycnodysostosis have been reported to present specific dental abnormalities; however, whether these dental abnormalities are related to dysfunctional CTSK has never been reported. Here we investigated the histologic changes of cementum and alveolar bone in a pycnodysostosis patient, caused by novel compound heterozygous mutations in the CTSK gene (c.87 G>A p.W29X and c.848 A>G p.Y283C). The most impressive manifestations in tooth were extensive periradicular high-density clumps with unclear periodontal space by orthopantomography examination and micro-computed tomography scanning analysis. Hematoxylin/eosin and toluidine blue staining and atomic force microscopy analysis showed that the cementum became significantly thickened, softened, and full of cementocytes. The disorganized bone structure was the main character of alveolar bone. The p.W29X mutation may represent the loss-of-function allele with an earlier termination codon in the precursor CTSK polypeptide. Residue Y283 is highly conserved among papain-like cysteine proteases. Three-dimensional structure modeling analysis found that the loss of the hydroxybenzene residue in the Y283C mutation would interrupt the hydrogen network and possibly affect the self-cleavage of the CTSK enzyme. Furthermore, p.Y283C mutation did not affect the mRNA and protein levels of overexpressed CTSK in COS-7 system but did reduce CTSK enzyme activity. In conclusion, the histologic and ultrastructural changes of cementum and alveolar bone might be affected by CTSK mutation via reduction of its enzyme activity (clinical trial registration: ChiCTR-TNC-10000876).

Polyimides as metal-free catalysts for organic dye degradation in the presence peroxymonosulfate under visible light irradiation

Polyimide was demonstrated as a stable metal-free photocatalyst to activate peroxymonosulfate with visible light for the degradation of organic dyes.

Metal-free activation of peroxymonosulfate by g-C3N4 under visible light irradiation for the degradation of organic dyes

g-C₃N₄ was demonstrated as a stable metal-free photocatalyst to activate peroxymonosulfate under visible light irradiation for the degradation of organic dyes.

Absence of static loop-current magnetism at the apical oxygen site in HgBa2CuO4+δ from NMR

The simple structure of HgBa(2)CuO(4+δ) (Hg1201) is ideal among cuprates for study of the pseudogap phase as a broken symmetry state. We have performed (17)O nuclear magnetic resonance on an underdoped Hg1201 crystal with a transition temperature of 74 K to look for circulating loop currents proposed theoretically and inferred from neutron scattering. The narrow spectra preclude static local fields in the pseudogap phase at the apical site, suggesting that the moments observed with neutrons are fluctuating. The nuclear magnetic resonance frequency shifts are consistent with a dipolar field from the Cu(2+) site.

Proteomic analysis of the Theileria annulata schizont

The apicomplexan parasite, Theileria annulata, is the causative agent of tropical theileriosis, a devastating lymphoproliferative disease of cattle. The schizont stage transforms bovine leukocytes and provides an intriguing model to study host/pathogen interactions. The genome of T. annulata has been sequenced and transcriptomic data are rapidly accumulating. In contrast, little is known about the proteome of the schizont, the pathogenic, transforming life cycle stage of the parasite. Using one-dimensional (1-D) gel LC-MS/MS, a proteomic analysis of purified T. annulata schizonts was carried out. In whole parasite lysates, 645 proteins were identified. Proteins with transmembrane domains (TMDs) were under-represented and no proteins with more than four TMDs could be detected. To tackle this problem, Triton X-114 treatment was applied, which facilitates the extraction of membrane proteins, followed by 1-D gel LC-MS/MS. This resulted in the identification of an additional 153 proteins. Half of those had one or more TMD and 30 proteins with more than four TMDs were identified. This demonstrates that Triton X-114 treatment can provide a valuable additional tool for the identification of new membrane proteins in proteomic studies. With two exceptions, all proteins involved in glycolysis and the citric acid cycle were identified. For at least 29% of identified proteins, the corresponding transcripts were not present in the existing expressed sequence tag databases. The proteomics data were integrated into the publicly accessible database resource at EuPathDB (www.eupathdb.org) so that mass spectrometry-based protein expression evidence for T. annulata can be queried alongside transcriptional and other genomics data available for these parasites.

Cognitive impairment in mild traumatic brain injury: a longitudinal diffusional kurtosis and perfusion imaging study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Cognitive impairment is frequent among patients with mild traumatic brain injury despite the absence of detectable damage on conventional MR imaging. In this study, the quantitative MR imaging techniques DTI, DKI, and ASL were used to measure changes in the structure and function in the thalamus and WM of patients with MTBI during a short follow-up period, to determine whether these techniques can be used to investigate relationships with cognitive performance and to predict outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty patients with MTBI and 16 controls underwent MR imaging at 3T and a neuropsychological battery designed to yield measures for attention, concentration, executive functioning, memory, learning, and information processing. MK, FA, MD, and CBF were measured in the thalamus by using region-of-interest analysis and in WM by using tract-based spatial statistics. Analyses were performed comparing regional imaging measures of subject groups and the results of testing of their associations with neuropsychological performance.

RESULTS

Patients with MTBI exhibited significant differences from controls for DTI, DKI, and ASL measures in the thalamus and various WM regions both within 1 month after injury and >9 months after injury. At baseline, DTI and DKI measures in the thalamus and various WM regions were significantly associated with performance in different neuropsychological domains, and cognitive impairment was significantly associated with MK in the thalamus and FA in optic radiations.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined application of DTI, DKI, and ASL to study MTBI might be useful for investigating dynamic changes in the thalamus and WM as well as cognitive impairment during a short follow-up period, though the small number of patients examined did not predict outcome.

Cysteamine improves growth performance and gastric ghrelin expression in preweaning piglets

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of cysteamine on growth performance of preweaning piglets and gastric expression of ghrelin mRNA in vivo and in vitro. Twelve litters of newborn piglets were allocated randomly to control and treatment groups. From 15 d of age, piglets in the control group were fed basal creep diet, whereas the treatment group received basal diet supplemented with 120 mg cysteamine per kg of diet until weaning on 35 d of age. Body weight gain, creep feed consumption, and diarrhea rates were recorded, and gastric mucosal tissues were collected for quantifying mRNA expression. To evaluate the direct effect of cysteamine on gastric ghrelin expression, primary cultures of gastric mucosal cells isolated from 35-d-old piglets were exposed to cysteamine for 20 h at 0, 1, 10, and 100 μg/mL, respectively. Dietary cysteamine increased (P < 0.05) average daily creep feed consumption and BW gain in preweaning pigs, which was accompanied by reduction in diarrhea rates. At 35 d of age, piglets treated with cysteamine showed increased (P < 0.05) ghrelin and gastrin and decreased (P < 0.05) somatostatin mRNA expression in gastric mucosa. Moreover, dietary cysteamine treatment increased serum concentration of gastrin (P < 0.05). In vitro, cysteamine significantly increased ghrelin mRNA expression in gastric mucosal cells at the concentration of 10 μg/mL. In conclusion, dietary cysteamine is effective in improving the growth performance and health condition of preweaning piglets, which is associated with its stimulatory effects on gastric ghrelin mRNA expression both in vivo and in vitro.

Plasma soluble HLA-G is a potential biomarker for diagnosis of colorectal, gastric, esophageal and lung cancer

Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is a novel tumor marker and its soluble isoforms produce secretory proteins. Increased soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) levels have been reported in patients with melanoma, neuroblastoma, lymphoproliferative disorders, breast, ovarian and colorectal carcinoma when compared to healthy controls or subjects with benign neoplasms. The aim of this study is to investigate whether or not plasma sHLA-G can be used as a potential biomarker for cancer diagnosis. We measured plasma sHLA-G levels in 166 patients with early stages of colorectal cancer (CRC, n = 37), gastric cancer (GC, n = 28), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC, n = 58) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC, n = 43), and compared them to healthy controls (n = 260) by using a specific HLA-G enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We found that plasma sHLA-G levels were significantly higher in cancer patients than in healthy controls (all P < 0.0001). The areas under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves for sHLA-G were 0.97, 0.91, 0.98 and 0.80 for healthy controls vs CRC, GC, ESCC and NSCLC, respectively. At 100% specificity, the highest sensitivity achieved to detect CRC, GC, ESCC and NSCLC was 94% [95% confidence interval (CI), 89-99], 85% (95% CI, 76-94), 91% (95% CI, 88-94) and 51% (95% CI, 43-59) at a cutoff value of 49 U/ml, respectively. These findings suggest that plasma sHLA-G may be a useful molecule in the differential diagnosis of these malignancies against healthy controls.

Image reconstruction from sparse data in synchrotron-radiation-based microtomography

Synchrotron-radiation-based microcomputed-tomography (SR-μCT) is a powerful tool for yielding 3D structural information of high spatial and contrast resolution about a specimen preserved in its natural state. A large number of projection views are required currently for yielding SR-μCT images by use of existing algorithms without significant artifacts. When a wet biological specimen is imaged, synchrotron x-ray radiation from a large number of projection views can result in significant structural deformation within the specimen. A possible approach to reducing imaging time and specimen deformation is to decrease the number of projection views. In the work, using reconstruction algorithms developed recently for medical computed tomography (CT), we investigate and demonstrate image reconstruction from sparse-view data acquired in SR-μCT. Numerical results of our study suggest that images of practical value can be obtained from data acquired at a number of projection views significantly lower than those used currently in a typical SR-μCT imaging experiment.

[Thinking about evaluation of proprietary Chinese medicines containing toxic herbs during switch process of non-prescription drugs]

To enhance the scientific and fair evaluation about proprietary Chinese medicines containing toxic herbs during the switch process of non-prescription drugs, and to ensure those medicines to be used safely by the public in their self-medication. Combined with current research status of toxic herbs, the experience and knowledge accumulated in the practical work of selection and switch of OTC Chinese medicines for years, thinking about the feasible standards about evaluation and management of proprietary Chinese medicines containing toxic herbs at this stage. Initially established ideas and methods about evaluation of proprietary Chinese medicines containing toxic herbs during the switch process of non-prescription drugs. Basically solved the main problem currently faced by toxic herbs during the OTC switch process of proprietary Chinese medicines, effectively promoted the work on OTC switch, and had the important significance in making consumers use non-prescription drugs conveniently and safely.

Curcumin attenuates the effects of transport stress on serum cortisol concentration, hippocampal NO production, and BDNF expression in the pig

Curcumin, the active component of curcuma longa, has been reported to be effective in alleviating chronic stress-induced disorders in rodents by modulating neuroprotection and neuroendocrine functions of the central nervous system, especially hippocampus. However, it is unclear whether curcumin can attenuate the subacute stress response induced by 2 h of road transport in the pig. Therefore, the present study was designed to identify the changes of serum cortisol concentration, hippocampal nitric oxide (NO) production, and related gene expression in response to 2 h of transport and to explore whether curcumin treatment (8 mg/kg, p.o.) for 21 d before transport may alleviate the stress-induced responses in the hippocampus of pigs. We found that 2 h of transport elevated serum cortisol concentration (P < 0.01), increased hippocampal NO content, and reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA expression in pigs not treated with curcumin, whereas these stress responses were all reversed or attenuated in curcumin-treated pigs. In addition, the stress-induced increase in the expression of constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) and enzyme activities of total NOS, cNOS, and inducible NOS (iNOS) was also reversed or attenuated in curcumin-treated pigs. However, neither transport nor curcumin caused significant alterations in hippocampal expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 and type 2 (11β-HSD1 and 2), glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors (GR and MR), or pro-/anti-apoptotic molecules (Bax-α and Bcl-xL). These results suggest that curcumin can alleviate subacute stress response in pigs through its neuroprotective effects on modulating hippocampal NO production and BDNF expression.

Expression of caveolin-1 in tongue squamous cell carcinoma by quantum dots

Quantum dots (QDs) are a new class of fluorescent probes to detect biomarker expression. The role of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is still unknown. This study aimed to investigate the expression profile of Cav-1 in carcinogenesis and development of TSCC by QDs immunofluorescence histochemistry (QDs-IHC) and discuss the relationship between the Cav-1 expression and the clinicopathological outcomes. QDs-IHC was used to detect Cav-1 expression in tissue microarrays including normal tongue mucosa (NTM; n=10), hyperplastic tongue mucosa (HTM; n=10), tongue pre-cancer lesions (TPL; n=15) and primary tongue squamous cell carcinoma (PTSCC; n=61). Correlations between the Cav-1 expression and clinicopathologic variables were evaluated statistically. Cells positive for Cav-1 were clearly detected and bright images were obtained in a fine, granular pattern at the cell membrane and cytoplasm using QDs-IHC. The rate of Cav-1 immunoreactivity increased progressively from NTM (0%), HTM (0%), TPL (36%) to PTSCC (74%). When compared with each other, there was statistical significance among PTSCC, TPL and NTM as well as among PTSCC, TPL and HTM. Moreover, Cav-1 expression level in PTSCC was correlated positively with clinical stage and histologic grade. QDs-IHC could accurately detect protein location in tongue mucosa. An increased expression of Cav-1 in the stepwise carcinogenesis from NTM, HTM, TPL to PTSCC suggested that Cav-1 might be an oncogene in the development of tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

Defects of synaptic vesicle turnover at excitatory and inhibitory synapses in Niemann-Pick C1-deficient neurons

Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by accumulation of free cholesterol in late endosomes/lysosomes. The pathological basis for the disease is poorly understood. In the present study, electrophysiological and fluorescent dye studies were applied to examine neuron-specific functions of Niemann-Pick disease type C1 (NPC1) and to determine whether excitatory and inhibitory synapses are differentially impaired by NPC1 deficiency. Densities of spines and postsynaptic receptor clusters were not affected by NPC1 deficiency over the period examined. However, drastic defects on exocytosis were found both in glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses. The defects were caused in part by a delay in the time required for replacement of excytosed vesicles with new fusion-competent ones. Moreover, we found that the delay of synaptic vesicle turnover was longer in inhibitory synapses (>3 s) than in excitatory synapses (<0.2 s). These defects may be early indicators, and could provide a potential explanation for key features of the disease, such as dystonia and seizures.

Use of quantum dots to detect human papillomavirus in oral squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association of oral squamous cell carcinoma with human papillomavirus (HPV) using quantum dots (QD) in situ hybridization (ISH).

METHODS

Expression of HPV16/18 was analyzed in a representative collection of 21 oral squamous cell carcinomas by tissue microarrays. The presence of HPV16/18 high risk was detected by applying QDISH which is compared with conventional ISH.

RESULTS

Seven cases out of 21 (33.3%) were positive for QDISH while 1 out of 21 (4.8%) was positive for ISH, although all of HPV DNA were localized in the nuclei in the spinous and basal cell layer of the epithelium. The difference between these two methods was significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that the QD might be an efficient method for determination of HPV infection and HPV-associated oral squamous cell carcinoma.

An Investigation of Compressive-sensing Image Reconstruction from Flying-focal-spot CT Data

Flying-focal-spot (FFS) technique has been used for improving the sampling condition in advanced clinical CT by collecting multiple cone-beam data sets with the focal-spot at different locations at each "projection view". It has been demonstrated that the increased sampling rate in FFS scans can substantially reduce aliasing artifacts in reconstructed images. However, the increase of the sampling density through multiple illuminations at each view can result in the increase of radiation dose to the imaged subject. In this work, we have applied a compressive-sensing (CS)-based algorithm to image reconstruction from data acquired in FFS scans. The results of the study demonstrate that aliasing artifacts observed images reconstructed by use of analytic algorithms can be suppressed effectively in images reconstructed with this CS-based algorithm from only data acquired at one FFS scan.

Proteomes and transcriptomes of the Apicomplexa--where's the message?

The Apicomplexa have some of the most comprehensive and integrated proteome datasets of all pathogenic micro-organisms. Coverage is currently at a level where these data can be used to help predict the potential biological function of proteins in these parasites, without having to defer to measurement of mRNA levels. Transcriptomic data for the Apicomplexa (microarrays, expressed sequence tag (EST) collections, serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) and massively parallel signature sequencing (MPSS) tags) are also copious, enabling us to investigate the extent to which global mRNA levels correlate with proteomic data. Here, we present a proteomic and transcriptomic perspective of gene expression in key apicomplexan parasites, including Plasmodium spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium parvum, Neospora caninum and Theileria spp., and discuss the alternative views of gene expression that they provide. Although proteomic evidence does not exist for every gene, many examples of readily detected proteins whose corresponding genes display little or no detectable transcription, are seen across the Apicomplexa. These examples are not easily explained by the "guilt by association", or "stock and go" hypotheses of gene transcription. With the advent of ultra-high-throughput sequencing technologies there will be a quantum shift in transcriptional analysis which, combined with improving quantitative proteome datasets, will provide a core component of a systems-wide approach to studying the Apicomplexa.

Meat quality is associated with muscle metabolic status but not contractile myofiber type composition in premature pigs

Longissimus muscles were sampled from Erhualian (EHL) and Pietrain (PIE) pigs at 20kg of body weight. No breed differences were detected in either the proportions or the mRNA/protein expression of respective MyHC isoforms, or the mRNA expression of PGC-1α (all P>0.10). However, meat quality traits were already divergent between breeds, and were associated with distinct energy metabolic status, as reflected by dramatically lower AMPK activity yet higher CK and LDH activities (all P<0.01) in longissimus muscle of EHL pigs. Moreover, mRNA expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) was found to be higher (P<0.05) in longissimus muscle of EHL pigs. These results indicate that the differences in meat quality traits occur early in premature pigs, and these are attributed to skeletal muscle energy metabolism and not contractile myofiber type composition. Breed-specific GR expression in muscle may be related to the pattern of energy metabolism and meat quality, yet the mechanism awaits further investigation.

Sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 expression and genetic polymorphism significantly affect intramuscular fat deposition in the longissimus muscle of Erhualian and Sutai pigs

Two experiments were performed to elucidate the role of sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (SREBF1) in i.m. fat (IMF) deposition in pigs. In Exp. 1, LM samples were removed from 4 male and 4 female Erhualian piglets at 3, 20, and 45 d of age, and SREBF1 mRNA expression level and IMF content were measured. Intramuscular fat content and expression of SREBF1 mRNA was greater (P < 0.05) in females than males at all 3 stages of age, providing initial evidence that the level of SREBF1 mRNA expression is related to IMF deposition in muscle of suckling pigs. Additionally, in Exp. 2 there was a positive correlation between the SREBF1 mRNA level and IMF content (r = 0.67, P < 0.01) in 100 Sutai finishing pigs, a synthetic line produced by crossing Erhualian and Duroc pigs. Single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of the reverse transcription PCR products of the SREBF1 gene revealed 3 genotypes in Sutai pigs with frequencies of 50% for AA, 36% for AB, and 14% for BB, respectively. Both SREBF1 mRNA level and IMF content in muscle were greater (P < 0.05) in AB and BB animals than in AA animals, whereas no difference in backfat thickness was observed among the 3 genotypes. Sequencing analysis identified 2 SNP at T1006C and C1033T within the open reading frame of the SREBF1 gene (NM_214157). Although both are silent mutations, they affected the secondary structure of SREBF1 mRNA. These results suggest that SREBF1 might play an important role in regulation of muscle fat deposition during postnatal growth of pigs. The SNP identified in the SREBF1 gene suggest that it could be used as a genetic marker to improve IMF content in pigs.

Expression of rabbit C-reactive protein in transgenic mice inhibits development of antigen-induced arthritis

OBJECTIVE

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a plasma protein of hepatic origin thought to play an important role in host defences. We used transgenic mice, capable of expressing high levels of rabbit CRP (serum concentration>50 microg/mL) in response to dietary manipulation, to determine whether high levels of this acute-phase reactant can alter the course of experimentally induced monoarticular arthritis.

METHOD

Arthritis was induced by a single injection of methylated bovine serum albumin (mBSA) on day 0 followed by injections of interleukin (IL)-1beta.

RESULTS

In transgenic animals in which CRP expression had been suppressed (serum concentration<10 microg/mL), inflammatory arthritis began to develop by day 4 and was fully developed by 7 days after the mBSA challenge. This arthritis was characterized by marked inflammatory cell infiltrates in soft tissues, synovitis, pannus, cartilage loss, and bone erosion. By contrast, when CRP expression was induced, resulting in serum concentrations>50 microg/mL on the day of mBSA and IL-1beta injections, the inflammatory response was dramatically reduced at day 7. These mice manifested little to no evidence of joint inflammation. This anti-inflammatory effect of CRP was seen in animals with high CRP levels on days 0-1 following immunization and did not require elevated CRP levels during the period of rapid inflammatory progression, 4-7 days after challenge.

CONCLUSION

CRP, expressed at the time of antigenic stimulation, effectively blocked the subsequent development of inflammatory arthritis in this model by altering the immune or inflammatory responses.

Postoperative Severe Pneumonia in Adult Liver Transplant Recipients

Severe pneumonia in adult liver transplantation (OLT) recipients is a dangerous condition with significant morbidity and mortality. To analyze the risk factors for postoperative severe pneumonia in OLT patients, we collected data from 132 consecutive adult patients who underwent OLT between February 1999 and April 2004. According to the American Thoracic Society consensus statement, episodes of severe pneumonia were observed in 24 patients (18.2%). We retrospectively reviewed the etiology diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of the 24 recipients. Bacteria were responsible for 95.8% of these episodes (23 of 24), fungi for 16.7% (4 of 24) and viruses for 4.4% (1 of 24). Twenty-six percent of the bacterial pneumonias were due to Streptococcus alpha hemolyticus. The mortality rate was 37.5% (9 of 24) for patients with severe pneumonia versus 7.4% (8 of 108, P = .004) for patients without pneumonia. Two cases with hepatorenal syndrome died, and three patients with coinfection by bacteria and fungi died. Acute rejection episodes occurred in 15 patients, four of whom died. Mechanical ventilation and tracheotomy were required in 13 cases (54%). Six who experienced prolonged intubation died. Sputum and pleural fluid cultures helped to establish a diagnosis in 91.7% (22 of 24) of cases. Twenty cases (83%) underwent reduction in the immunosuppressive regimen. Patient age, intraoperative transfusion requirements, extubation time, and hospital stay were fatal predictors of prognoses. We concluded that early detection of the responsible pathogen; timely and specific diagnosis; reduction in the immunosuppressive regimen; appropriate treatment with reliable, effective techniques; and implementation of sensitive culture-based antibiotics was an effective strategy to treat severe adult pneumonia in liver transplantation recipients.

Orthotopic Liver Transplantation for Incurable Alveolar Echinococcosis: Report of Five Cases From West China

Alveolar echinococcosis of the liver, caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus multilocularis, has the characteristics of a slow-growing liver cancer. The aim of the present work was to report a series of patients who received orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for life-threatening disease. Our article summarizes the medical history, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of five patients who received OLT between 2001 and 2002. Most patients had a long history of symptomatic disease (iterative cholangitis, obstructive jaundice) and repeated abdominal surgery. One patient died during the hospitalization mostly related to bacterial infection and multiple organ failure. Another accidental death happened 3 months later from heart failure. Three patients are alive in good condition verifying that OLT is a feasible option for these end-stage cases. In general, combination therapy-chemotherapy, interventional therapy, radical surgery or/and OLT at an early stage-is proposed in advanced cases of which OLT has clearly played a vital role. Despite major technical difficulties, OLT for incurable disease is feasible. Specific management is needed to improve the results: earlier decision for OLT in symptomatic disease, routine pre- and post-transplant therapy, reduced immunosuppression, and regular follow-up.

Spoilage of bottled red wine by acetic acid bacteria

AIMS

To determine the bacterial species associated with an outbreak of spoilage in commercially bottled red wine where the bottles had been stored in an upright vertical compared with horizontal position.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Bottled wines comprising Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Merlot and blended red varieties were examined for visible spoilage. Analysis of visibly affected and non-affected wines revealed a spectrum of aroma and flavour defects, ranging from loss of fruity aroma, staleness, oxidized character to overt volatile acidity. Only acetic acid bacteria, and not yeast or lactic acid bacteria, could be isolated from both spoiled and unspoiled wines and were found to grow only on Wallerstein Nutrient (WL) medium supplemented with 10% red wine or 1-2% ethanol. Analysis of the 16S rRNA region and RAPD-PCR analysis showed the isolates to be a closely related group of Acetobacter pasteurianus, but this group was differentiated from the group comprising beer, vinegar and cider strains.

CONCLUSIONS

A. pasteurianus was the species considered responsible for the spoilage but the isolates obtained had atypical properties for this species. In particular, they failed to grow on WL nutrient medium without ethanol or wine supplementation. Storage of the bottles of wine containing A. pasteurianus in an upright vertical position specifically induced growth and spoilage in a proportion of the bottles under conditions that were inhibitory for horizontally stored bottles. We hypothesize that the upright position created a heterogeneous environment that allowed the growth of bacteria in only those bottles sealed with cork closures that had upper limit for the natural permeability to oxygen. Such a heterogeneous environment would not exist in horizontally stored bottles as the larger volume of wine adjacent to the cork would strongly compete with the bacteria for the oxygen as it diffuses through the cork closure.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

A low level of bacteria (acetic acid bacteria) in wine can proliferate and cause wine spoilage in bottles stored in an upright vertical as opposed to an horizontal position under conditions that would normally limit bacterial development.

Vaccination with IL-18 gene-modified, superantigen-coated tumor cells elicits potent antitumor immune response

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the induction of antitumor immune response by vaccination with interleukin-18 (IL-18) gene-modified, C215Fab-SEA-coated tumor cells.

MATERIALS

A B16-C215 cell clone stably expressing C215 antigen was established by transfecting the gene-encoding C215 antigen into B16 melanoma cells. The manipulated tumor cell vaccine was prepared with B16-C215 cells genetically modified with the IL-18 gene, coated with the fusion protein of SEA and the Fab region of C215 mAb (C215Fab-SEA) which specifically binds to the C215 antigen and then irradiated. C57BL/6 mice were vaccinated with IL-18 gene-modified, C215Fab-SEA-coated B16-C215 cells followed by tumor challenge. Tumor growth and survival time were observed. The expansion of CD4+, CD8+ cells in lymphocytes derived from draining lymph node was detected by FACS. Induction of CTL activity by vaccination was measured by 51Cr release assay.

RESULTS

IL-18 gene-modified, C215Fab-SEA-coated B16-C215 cell vaccine effectively stimulated lymphocyte proliferation and CD4+, CD8+ cell expansion in vitro. It was more immunogenic than B16-C215 cells genetically modified with IL-18 gene alone or B16-C215 cells coated with C215Fab-SEA alone. Immunization of the mice with the manipulated vaccine elicited protective immunity against the following tumor challenge of parental B16-C215 and wild-type B16 cells. Significant expansion of CD4+, CD8+ T cells was observed in the draining lymph node of the immunized mice when compared with that in unvaccinated mice. Higher CTL activity was induced in vaccinated mice than that in unvaccinated mice.

CONCLUSION

Vaccination with IL-18 gene-modified, C215Fab-SEA-coated tumor cells elicited potent antitumor response through induction of tumor-specific immune response.

Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis reveals an evolution of cytokine mRNA production in allograft acceptor mice

BACKGROUND

The relative contribution of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in promoting the rejection or acceptance of experimental cardiac allografts remains controversial. We hypothesized that the posttransplantation induction of a new immune response to graft alloantigens at a distant delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) site would force the immune system to reveal its current disposition toward graft alloantigen as it initiates the new immune response. Thus, we should be able to monitor the evolution of the immunologic relationship between allograft recipients and their grafts at any time posttransplantation by challenging the recipient for DTH responses to donor alloantigen and evaluating the cytokine profiles displayed at the DTH site.

METHODS

We have used the sensitive and quantitative technique of real-time polymerase chain reaction to evaluate the patterns of donor alloantigen-induced cytokine mRNA production for interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-gamma, IL-4, IL-10, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta. We evaluated cytokine mRNA expression in cardiac allografts and in donor alloantigen-challenged DTH sites in mice that have either accepted or rejected cardiac allografts.

RESULTS

We observed the following. (1) Normal hearts and pinnae exhibited detectable baseline production of cytokine mRNAs: TGF-beta>IFN-gamma=IL-10>IL2->IL-4. (2) Both the accepted and rejecting cardiac allografts produced increased amounts of all cytokine mRNAs tested and displayed few quantitative differences in cytokine mRNA production. Notably, accepted allografts displayed enhanced IL-10 mRNA production on day 7 posttransplantation, but not on day 60 posttransplantation and reduced IFN-gamma mRNA production on day 60, but not day 7. (3) There was a high degree of variability in production levels among the various cytokine mRNAs, both for background levels and for allograft-stimulated levels. (4) Donor-reactive DTH sites of allograft rejector mice displayed a broad array of cytokine mRNAs, whereas the DTH sites of allograft acceptor mice displayed only IL-4 mRNA production. (5) Provision of exogenous TGF-beta or IL-10 at a DTH challenge site of allograft rejector mice caused a shift in the cytokine mRNA profile that minimized IFN-gamma and IL-2 mRNA production but spared IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-beta mRNA production.

CONCLUSIONS

A broad array of cytokine mRNAs may be stockpiled for future use in cardiac allografts, regardless of whether the grafts will be accepted or rejected. This stockpile is continuously replenished for as long as the graft survives, thereby obscuring any changes in immune disposition of the graft recipient toward graft alloantigens. However, such changes can be revealed by challenge with donor alloantigens at a distant site (DTH challenge). In allograft acceptor mice, this disposition evolves from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory.

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and ulcerative colitis in cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus)

The cotton-top tamarin (CTT; Saguinus oedipus) is an endangered New World primate that develops a highly prevalent idiopathic colitis resembling human ulcerative colitis. This study found that enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) caused acute colitis in CTTs, which was associated with ulcerative colitis. EPEC clinical isolates revealed localized adherence patterns by HEp-2 assay and were devoid of Shiga-toxin production. Sequencing of the eae gene (GenBank accession no. AF319597) revealed 99.2% identity to sequences of human isolates (GenBank AF116899) and corresponded to the epsilon intimin gene subtype. Detection of intimin sequences by polymerase chain reaction on primary fecal cultures indicated widespread EPEC infection in the CTT colony. Prospective analysis revealed that animals with fecal cultures positive for intimin sequences had a higher frequency of active colitis (75.0% vs. 27.2%; P<.005, chi(2) test) and higher histological scores of colonic inflammation (0.875 vs. 0.455, respectively; P<.05, Mann-Whitney rank sum test).

Variations in cardiac diastolic function in hypertensive patients with different left ventricular geometric patterns

To evaluate the alteration of cardiac function in hypertensive patients with different left ventricular geometric patterns. Echocardiography was used to study left ventricular geometry and cardiac diastolic function in 117 cases of essential hypertension, with 45 normal cases as controls. Echocardiographic date were used to calculated the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and relative wall thickness (RWT), which values in turn were used to divide the subjects into four groups. The left atrial dimension of the group, with the exception of these hypertensives who showed normal geometry, was larger than that of the control group. The damage of peak of E velocity, peak of A velocity, E/A and the slope between the E and F points (E to F slope) were greater than in hypertension than in the control group. The concentric hypertrophy group and eccentric hypertrophy group suffered more serious damage of left ventricular diastolic function than the concentric remodeling group, and damage of left ventricular diastolic function in the concentric remodeling group was greater than that in the normal geometry group. The degree of cardiac diastolic function damage differed among patients with different left ventricular geometric patterns, when the cardiac structure was changed, the degree of cardiac diastolic function damage increased.

Molecular cloning and characterization of chemokine-like factor 1 (CKLF1), a novel human cytokine with unique structure and potential chemotactic activity

Cytokines are small proteins that have an essential role in the immune and inflammatory responses. The repertoire of cytokines is becoming diverse and expanding. Here we report the identification and characterization of a novel cytokine designated as chemokine-like factor 1 (CKLF1). The full-length cDNA of CKLF1 is 530 bp long and a single open reading frame encoding 99 amino acid residues. CKLF1 bears no significant similarity to any other known cytokine in its amino acid sequence. Expression of CKLF1 can be partly inhibited by interleukin 10 in PHA-stimulated U937 cells. Recombinant CKLF1 is a potent chemoattractant for neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes; moreover, it can stimulate the proliferation of murine skeletal muscle cells. These results suggest that CKLF1 might have important roles in inflammation and in the regeneration of skeletal muscle.

Dexamethasone inhibits the antigen presentation of dendritic cells in MHC class II pathway

Glucocorticoids (GC) are physiological inhibitors of inflammatory responses and are widely used as anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents in treatment of many autoimmune and allergic diseases. In the present study, we demonstrated that one of the mechanisms by which GC can suppress the immune responses is to inhibit the differentiation and antigen presentation of dendritic cells (DC). DC were differentiated from murine bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells by culture with GM-CSF and IL-4 with or without dexamethasone (Dex). Our data showed that Dex, in a dose dependent manner, down-regulated surface expression of CD86, CD40, CD54 and MHC class II molecules by DC, but the expression of MHC class I, CD80, CD95 and CD95L were not affected. In addition, Dex-treated DC showed an impaired function to activate alloreactive T cells and to secrete IL-Ibeta and IL-12p70. Moreover, Dex inhibited DC to present antigen by MHC class II pathway. However, the endocytotic activity of DC was not affected. The inhibitory effect of Dex on the expression of costimulatory molecules and the antigen-presenting capacity of DC could be blocked by the addition of RU486, a potent steroid hormone antagonist, suggesting the requirement of binding to cytosolic receptors in the above-described action of Dex. Since DC have the unique property to present antigen to responding naive T cells and are required in the induction of a primary response, the functional suppression of DC by Dex may be one of the mechanisms by which GC regulate immune responses in vivo.

[Study on change of SCC Ag, CEA and CA15-3 in rat model of lung squamous cell carcinoma]

BACKGROUND

To evaluate significance of squamous cell carcinoma associated antigen (SCC Ag) and carcinoembrynoic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) in early diagnosis of lung squamous cell carcinoma

METHODS

Lung squamous cell carcinoma was induced with methylcholanthrene (MCA) in iodized oil in Wistar rats. Ninty-one rats were used for this experiment, and the rats were sacrificed on the 20th, 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th and 80th days respectively. The stage of the cancer development including atypical hyperplasia, carcinoma in situ, early invasive carcinoma was diagnosed histopathologically. SCC Ag, CEA and CA15-3 in the serum of different conceration stage rats were measured by MEIA technique.

RESULTS

Serum levels of SCC Ag, CEA and CA15-3 of the model rats in the atypical hyperplasia and carcinoma in situ had no significant difference. The level of SCC Ag increased predominantly at the early invasive carcinoma(P<0.01), but the other two markers had no change.

CONCLUSIONS

SCC Ag level in serum may be of considerable importance in the early diagnosis of lung squamous cell carcinoma.