Physalin B ameliorates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by stimulating autophagy and NRF2 activation mediated improvement in oxidative stress

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the progressive stage of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease that may ultimately lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer, and there are few therapeutic options for its treatment. Physalin B (PB), a withanolide isolated from Physalis species (Solanaceae), exhibits a broad spectrum of biological activities, however, the potential role of PB in NASH has not been evaluated. The present study investigated the protective effects of PB against NASH and further elucidated the mechanisms of PB in hepatic autophagy and oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo. We conducted a series of experiments using methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet induced NASH mice and cultured L02 cells. Serum markers of liver injury, morphology, and the histology of liver tissues were investigated. Western blot assays and quantitative real-time PCR were used to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of PB. PB significantly ameliorated hepatic injury, including hepatic index, transaminase activities, histology, and inflammation in MCD-induced mice. Moreover, PB markedly increased the expression of P62 and the ratio of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, PB promoted the interaction between endogenous KEAP1 and P62, reduced the interaction between KEAP1 and NRF2, activated the nuclear translocation of NRF2 and NRF2 target gene expression, and ultimately attenuated oxidative stress. In addition, knockdown of P62 blocked PB-mediated activation of NRF2 in L02 cells. These results clearly indicated that PB ameliorated NASH by stimulating autophagy and P62-KEAP1-NRF2 antioxidative signaling, suggesting that PB is expected to become a novel therapeutic drug for NASH.

Large rectification magnetoresistance in nonmagnetic Al/Ge/Al heterojunctions

Magnetoresistance and rectification are two fundamental physical properties of heterojunctions and respectively have wide applications in spintronics devices. Being different from the well known various magnetoresistance effects, here we report a brand new large magnetoresistance that can be regarded as rectification magnetoresistance: the application of a pure small sinusoidal alternating-current to the nonmagnetic Al/Ge Schottky heterojunctions can generate a significant direct-current voltage, and this rectification voltage strongly varies with the external magnetic field. We find that the rectification magnetoresistance in Al/Ge Schottky heterojunctions is as large as 250% at room temperature, which is greatly enhanced as compared with the conventional magnetoresistance of 70%. The findings of rectification magnetoresistance open the way to the new nonmagnetic Ge-based spintronics devices of large rectification magnetoresistance at ambient temperature under the alternating-current due to the simultaneous implementation of the rectification and magnetoresistance in the same devices.

First Report of Anthracnose on Boehmeria nivea Caused by Colletotrichum higginsianum in China

Ramie (Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud) anthracnose is regarded as one of the most widely spread and devastating diseases of ramie. This disease is most severe during warm and humid conditions. In China, ramie anthracnose is found in approximately 10,000 ha, with yield losses averaging 20% and ranging as high as 55% in some fields (3). In September 2010, typical anthracnose symptoms were observed in cultivated fields near Xianning, HuBei Province, China. Lesions on diseased leaves were initially small, scattered, bluish white, and water soaked. As the disease progressed, irregular spots developed on the leaves and the spots turned gray in the center with a brown margin. The diameter of the lesions was approximately 1 to 3 mm. Initially, lesions on the stems were fusiform and then expanded, causing the stem to break. Leaf and stem tissue adjacent to and including lesions were surface disinfected in 0.1% sodium hypochlorite and then planted on potato dextrose agar (PDA) plus oxalic acid to inhibit bacterial growth. The plates were incubated at 25°C for 3 to 5 days until the appearance of pink spore masses with numerous dense clusters of black setae. On PDA, the fungus initially produced gray colonies with an orange conidial mass and then the colonies turned black after 5 days. Spores were single celled, colorless, straight, oval, obtuse at both ends, 10.0 to 20.0 × 3.0 to 5.0 μm with an average size of 15.8 ± 2.4 × 4.6 ± 0.4 μm, and a length/width ratio of 3.47 ± 0.62. The setae were dark brown, 1 to 3 septa. These morphological traits corresponded to Colletotrichum higginsianum Sacc (1). The ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2 sequences with primers ITS1 and ITS4 of this fungus (GenBank Accession No. JF830783) were 99% similar to sequences of multiple isolates of C. higginsianum (GenBank Accession Nos. GU935872 and AB042303). In pathogenicity tests, both sides of ramie plant leaves from 10-day-old, 30-cm high plants were sprayed with conidial suspensions (1 × 10⁶ conidia/ml) of a representative fungal isolate. This experiment was repeated three times. Inoculated plants were incubated in an artificial climate chamber with a 12-h photoperiod at 25 to 28°C and a relative humidity of 90%. Three days after inoculation, brown spots and water-soaked lesions were observed on all inoculated leaves, but no symptoms were seen on water-treated control plants. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by the reisolation of C. higginsianum from diseased leaves. C. higginsianum is known to cause anthracnose leaf spot disease on many cultivars of Brassica and Raphanus spp., but there have been no reports on it causing ramie anthracnose. C. boehmeriae Sawada and C. gloeosporioides Penz are known to be the agents of ramie anthracnose (2,3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. higginsianum causing anthracnose of ramie in China and in the world. References: (1) A. J. Caesar et al. Plant Dis. 94:1166, 2010 (2) R. M. Li and H. G. Ma. J. Plant Prot. 20:83, 1993. (3) X. X. Wang et al. Plant Dis. 94:1508, 2010.

Skin testing in patients with high risk of anaphylactic reactions to penicillin

Sequential skin testing including immediate patch test (IPT), skin prick test (SPT), and intradermal test (IT) with sodium benzylpenicillin G (Pen G), and SPT with benzylpenicilloyl human serum albumin (BPO-HSA) was done in 58 subjects with a history of probable anaphylactic reaction or shock of unknown cause. Based on positive skin tests, the diagnosis of penicillin anaphylaxis was confirmed in 30 patients. The average age of onset of penicillin allergy was 42 years ranging from 20-70 years. The sex ratio was 2:28 with marked female predominance. Anaphylactic shock, wheezing and urticaria occurred in 21, 20, 19 patients, respectively. Most symptoms were induced by skin tests and inhalation. The results of skin tests in these patients showed that IPT with 500 U/ml of Pen G was not only reliable but also safe. It is suggested that patients suspected of penicillin anaphylaxis should received IPT with 500 U/ml of Pen G as the initial diagnostic step; if a negative reaction occurred, then SPT and IT should be applied with the same concentration of Pen G, until a positive reaction developed or all the skin testing showed negative results. SPT to BPO-HSA was safe, but its positive rate was only 47.8% in our study; it seems to be less important than skin test to Pen G. As a whole, the skin testing procedure we recommend is relatively reliable, safe and practical even in individuals extremely sensitive to penicillin. In addition, once the patient develops a positive IPT, Pen G residue on the testing site should be wiped away rapidly and washed out with cool water thoroughly to disrupt further violent reaction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Food-induced asthma in China: an analysis in 40 cases

Forty patients with a history of recurrent attacks of asthma after ingesting certain foods are described. All of these individuals had positive intracutaneous skin tests to at least one of the food allergens which was suggested by their history to cause an attack. In four of these patients, a bronchoprovocational challenge was performed with an aerosolized extract of the potential offending food. Clinical manifestations, possible mechanisms, and diagnostic measures for food-induced asthma are discussed.

Silk-induced asthma in children: a report of 64 cases

A total of 64 children less than 15 years of age with asthma caused by silk were studied. The diagnosis was based on a history of wheezing, positive skin tests to silk, positive conjunctival or nasal provocation tests, or serum IgE-Sw (silk waste). The average age of onset was 4 years 2 months. Sex ratio (M:F) was 3.6:1. A positive skin test is essential for the diagnosis. Conjunctival provocation tests were performed in 80% of cases because of reliability, safety, and convenience. The first symptom appeared an average of 10 months after initial exposure to silk. In 61% of patients, asthma was accompanied by allergic rhinitis but in only 14% of cases by conjunctivitis. In most cases, asthma occurred in winter, due to seasonal use of bed quilts or clothes filled with silk. Silk is a highly potent allergen. The average mean wheal diameter elicited by silk in prick testing was larger than two histamine equivalent prick tests. A cross reactivity exists among mulberry silk, and silkworm cocoons, batryticated silkworms, and silkworm chrysalis.

A double-blind trial of oral immunotherapy for Artemisia pollen asthma with evaluation of bronchial response to the pollen allergen and serum-specific IgE antibody

Eighteen asymptomatic Artemisia pollen asthma patients with normal pulmonary function were selected for a double-blind trial of oral immunotherapy. Each patient had a positive skin test to Artemisia pollen extract and also a positive bronchial challenge response to the same extract. The patients were randomly assigned to active treatment or placebo group and received intensive oral administration of Artemisia pollen extract over a 50-day course. The nine patients who received the active treatment ingested a cumulative dose of 396,652 PNU and showed a significant decrease in serum-specific IgE antibodies (P less than .05) and a significant reduction in bronchial sensitivity to the same extract (P less than .01). The changes in these two variables correlated well (r = .8787, P less than .01). The nine patients who received the placebo showed no significant changes in serum-specific IgE or bronchial sensitivity to Artemisia pollen extract. Follow-up of two cases with the same extract showed that the reductions in serum-specific IgE as well as bronchial sensitivity induced by oral immunotherapy were maintained for 3 months.

Allergenicity of orange juice and orange seeds: a clinical study

Oranges are considered to be common allergenic fruits in China. They may induce severe food allergy in sensitive individuals. Allergic histories were analyzed in 26 orange-sensitive patients. Intradermal tests with extracts of orange juice and seeds were performed in 16 out of the 26 patients. P-K test was performed in one patient. The allergic history analysis suggested that clinical symptoms of some orange-allergic subjects were different from other fruit allergies but similar to nut and other oil plant seed allergies. The skin test and P-K test showed that the major allergenic components of orange reside in orange seeds instead of orange juice. Systemic reactions developed in 5 patients after intradermal tests with 1:20-200 (w/v) orange seed extracts. We considered that orange seed contains high potent allergens which may induce orange sensitivity due to careless chewing of orange seeds.

An investigation on in vivo allergenicity of Artemisia annua leaves and stems

Pollen of Artemisia annua is considered to be one of the most important allergens in autumnal hay fever in China, just as ragweed is in North America. In order to clarify the allergenicity of non-pollen containing components of the plant, Artemisia annua leaves and stems were collected and extracted before pollination time. The extracts of these pollen-free plant components were studied for allergenic activities using skin prick tests, intradermal tests, intranasal challenge and bronchial provocation tests. In 52 subjects sensitive to Artemisia pollen, 92.3% gave positive responses in skin prick tests, 100% gave positive responses in intradermal tests, 66.7% gave positive responses in intranasal challenge and 59.3% gave positive responses in bronchial provocation tests. Negative results to skin prick tests, intradermal tests and bronchial provocation tests were revealed in 30 seasonal asthmatics who gave negative responses to the pollen skin tests. Strict placebo control showed all negative tests in non-atopic adult human volunteers. We concluded that pollen-free plant extracts did have in vivo allergenic activities. Analysis of the plant allergenic components in vitro will be the subject of further studies.

One year observation of immunotherapy for Artemisia hay fever in China: a clinical and immunological study

A controlled trial of one year immunotherapy was conducted in 50 Artemisia-sensitive hay fever patients (treatment group). From October 1985 to July 1986, all of the treatment group patients received one year regular injection of Artemisia pollen allergen extract totalling 30,000 protein nitrogen units (PNU). For these patients, symptom score indices of the posttreatment 1986 pollination season were compared with those from the pretreatment 1985 season and also with the scores of a similar group of 30 Artemisia-sensitive patients treated only with symptomatic medications during the 1986 season (control group). The 1986 symptom scores to the treatment group were significantly improved and the effective rate was 78%. Immunological study with the Human Basophil Degranulation Test (HBDT) showed a significant decrease in degranulation reactions after immunotherapy. Moreover, The decline of the HBDT positive rate in the treatment group was significantly greater in patients with improved symptoms than patients with unchanged symptoms. No difference was observed in basophil degranulation in those patients tested with a pollen-free plant extract, which was not applied in immunotherapy. The results suggested that immunotherapy could induce desensitization of basophils and that the induction might be allergen specific. Basophil desensitization may play an important role in the mechanism of immunotherapy.

The effect of sodium crompromate in the prevention of exercise-induced asthma

Sodium crompromate (SCP) is an isomer of disodium cromoglycate (DSCG). The two chemicals are pharmacologically similar but with different chemical synthesis. A comparative double-blind latin square study of the preventive effect of SCP and DSCG versus a placebo aerosol was carried out on a group of nine cases of exercise-induced asthma (EIA). Compared with the placebo, both SCP and DSCG were able to prevent asthma under exercise provocation, as monitored by chest auscultation and FEV1. There was no significant difference in the percentage fall of FEV1 on challenge. This suggests that SCP has a similar prophylactic effect as that of DSCG on EIA.