Ameliorating effect of 2'-Fucosyllactose and 6'-Sialyllactose on lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal inflammation

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) affect gut microbiota during neonatal development, particularly with respect to the immune system. Bovine milk-based infant formulas have low oligosaccharide contents. Thus, efforts to fortify infant formulas with HMO are being undertaken. Two major HMO, 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) and 6'-sialyllactose (6'-SL), exert anti-inflammatory effects; however, the associations between anti-inflammatory effects induced by 2'-FL and 6'-SL co-treatment and gut microbiota composition and metabolite modulation remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the effects of a mixture of these HMO. To determine the optimal HMO ratio for anti-inflammatory effects and elucidate its mode of action, LPS-induced inflammatory HT-29 epithelial cells and intestinal inflamed suckling mice were treated with various mixtures of 2'-FL and 6'-SL. 2'-FL:6'-SL ratio of 5:1 was identified as the most effective pre-treatment HMO mixture in vitro; thus, this ratio was selected and used for low, middle, and high-dose treatments for subsequent in vivo studies. In vivo, high-dose HMO treatment restored LPS-induced inflammation symptoms, such as body weight loss, colon length reduction, histological structural damage, and intestinal gene expression related to inflammatory responses. High-dose HMO was the only treatment that modulated the major phyla Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes and the genera Ihubacter, Mageeibacillus, and Saccharofermentans. These changes in microbial composition were correlated with intestinal inflammation-related gene expression and short-chain fatty acid production. To our knowledge, our study is the first to report the effects of Ihubacter, Mageeibacillus, and Saccharofermentans on short chain fatty acid levels, which can subsequently affect inflammatory cytokine and tight junction protein levels. Conclusively, the HMO mixture exerted anti-inflammatory effects through changes in microbiota and metabolite production. These findings suggested that supplementation of infant formula with HMO may benefit formula-fed infants by forming unique microbiota contributing to neonatal development.

Proteogenomic Analysis of Human Uterine Cervical Cancer (UCC) Reveals Treatment-Resistant Subtypes of UCC

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Locally advanced uterine cervical cancer (UCC) is treated by radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy, but heterogenous treatment responses are frequently observed. To better optimize therapeutic options based on molecular signatures, we performed proteogenomic analysis of UCC.

MATERIALS/METHODS

UCC tissue and blood samples were collected from patients who underwent primary radiotherapy ± chemotherapy at the National Cancer Center (NCC) in Korea from July 2004 to March 2020. Most samples were obtained via biopsy. Genomic DNA for WES was isolated from frozen biopsy tumor tissues and peripheral blood buffy-coat of patients. Both global proteome and phosphoproteome were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Whole exome sequencing, RNA sequencing, global proteomics and phosphoproteomics were performed using 253, 337, and 147 cervical cancer samples, respectively. Patient-derived xenograft were established using intratongue implantation using 2 primary cell lines from sub3 and sub5, and flow cytometric analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Fourteen significantly mutated genes (SMG) were found in our study cohort which include 5 newly identified SMGs. Mutation-phosphorylation analysis revealed association with apoptosis and actin cytoskeleton pathway. Proteogenomic analysis defined 6 molecular subtypes of UCC. Of those, 3 subtypes (i.e., Sub3, Sub5 and Sub6) were associated with treatment-resistant phenotypes. The cell-type deconvolution analysis suggested activated stroma with activation of cancer-associated fibroblast in Sub 3, while Sub5 showed low levels of activated stroma and high levels of myeloid immune cells. FACS analysis of UCC mouse models established from these 2 radio-resistant primary cell lines showed high component of PDGFRA+CAF infiltration in Sub 3, and high level of PVR+CD45+ immune cells mainly composed of polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSC) in Sub5. For Sub6, genes and/or protein signatures represented mucin-related processes (e.g., mucin glycosylation/sugar metabolism), which are linked to metastasis-associated Tn antigen production.

CONCLUSION

The proteogenomic analysis thus suggests potential targets for radiotherapy-resistant subtypes of UCC; secretory factors from activated stroma and cancer-associated fibroblast (Sub3); RHOA signaling, PVR, and PMN-MDSCs (Sub5), and keratin/chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan and Tn antigen production (Sub6). Our study shows the importance of proteogenomic analysis in unveiling the subtype specific molecular pathways of UCC that are beyond reach by genomic data alone. The validity of our molecular pathway and cellular signatures linking these pathways should be further validated through detailed functional experiments and in larger UCC cohorts.

Reliability of synthetic diffusion-weighted imaging with a high b-value for paediatric abdominal MRI

AIM

To evaluate the reliability of synthetic diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) using a high b-value in comparison to conventional DWI for paediatric abdominal MRI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Paediatric patients (<19 years old) who underwent liver or pancreatobiliary MRI with DWI using 10 b-values (b = 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1,500 s/mm2) from March to October 2021 were included in this retrospective study. Using the software, synthetic DWI using b = 1,500 s/mm2 was generated automatically by selecting the b-value required as output. Conventional and synthetic DWI values for b = 1,500 s/mm2 were measured at the liver, spleen, paraspinal muscle, and mass lesions, if present, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were calculated using the mono-exponential model. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated to assess the reliability of conventional and synthetic DWI and ADC values with b = 1,500 s/mm2.

RESULTS

Thirty paediatric patients (M:F = 22:8, mean 10.8 ± 3.1 years old) were included and four had tumours on abdominal MRI. ICC values were 0.906-0.995 between conventional and synthetic DWI and ADC with b = 1,500 s/mm2 in the liver, spleen and muscle. For mass lesions, ICC values were 0.997-0.999 for both synthetic DWI and ADC images.

CONCLUSIONS

Synthetic DWI and ADC values obtained using a high b-value showed excellent agreement with conventional DWI for the liver, spleen, muscle, and mass in paediatric MRI.

1068 Using Sleep to Avoid Inpatient PTSD Treatment

Introduction

During inpatient psychiatric treatment, mattress actigraphy can be used to track nightly sleep in a zero-burden fashion to examine its relationships with other markers of treatment progress. We report here on associations between actigraphic sleep parameters and treatment markers in combat veteran engaged in inpatient treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder. We focus first on sleep scheduling, the best-validated outcome available from actigraphic data.

Methods

140 combat veteran inpatients provided between 5 and 164 nights of mattress actigraphy over the course of their inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations. The sample was characterized by multiple traumas and a high prevalence of comorbid mood and substance use disorders. Approximately one-half of the sample had undergone objective screening for OSA and for this subsample AHI &lt; 20 was used as an inclusion criterion. Unscreened participants were required to have a BMI &lt; 35. Inclusion also required mean actigraphic SE &gt; 60%. The PTSD Checklist and Combat Exposure Scale were obtained at admission, from which a trauma load index was created by adding z-scores obtained from standardizing these scales.

Results

In a multiple regression analysis, after accounting for secular change in LOS, higher trauma loads (p &lt; 0.001) and earlier bed times (p = 0.001) were both significantly associated with shorter lengths of stay (LOS; F(3,137) = 10.4, p &lt; 0.001; adj. R-squared = 0.17). Trauma load and bed time did not interact (p = 0.7).

Conclusion

Avoidance is a criterial symptom of PTSD. Early bed times and early exits from treatment may both reflect the impact of syndromal avoidance on treatment, limiting its dosage and benefit. If so, prescribing later bed times may have utility in inpatient treatment programming.

Support

Award W81XWH-15-2-0005 from the Department of Defense, Military Operational Medicine Research Program and the Department of Veterans Affairs. This material is the result of work supported with resources and the use of facilities at the Palo Alto VA Medical Center.

10-Phenyltriazoyl Artemisinin is a Novel P-glycoprotein Inhibitor that Suppresses the Overexpression and Function of P-glycoprotein

Background:

The effect of drugs on ATP-binding cassette transporters, especially permeabilityglycoprotein (P-gp), is an important consideration during new anti-cancer drug development.

Objective:

In this context, the effects of a newly synthesized artemisinin derivative, 10-(4-phenyl-1H-1,2,3- triazol)-artemisinin (5a), were evaluated on P-gp expression and function.

Methods:

Reverse transcript polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting techniques were used to determine the effect of 5a on P-gp expression in LS174T cells. In addition, the ability of 5a to work as either a substrate or an inhibitor of P-gp was investigated through different methods.

Results:

The results revealed that 5a acts as a novel P-gp inhibitor that dually suppresses the overexpression and function of P-glycoprotein. Co-treatment of LS174T cell line, human colon adenocarcinoma cell line, with 5a and paclitaxel recovered the anticancer effect of paclitaxel by controlling the acquired drug resistance pathway. The overexpression of P-gp induced by rifampin and paclitaxel in a colorectal cell line was suppressed by 5a which could be a novel inhibitory substrate inhibiting the transport of paclitaxel by P-gp.

Conclusion:

The results revealed that 5a can be classified as a type B P-gp inhibitor (with both substrate and inhibitor activities) with an additional function of suppressing P-gp overexpression. The results might be clinically useful in the development of anticancer drugs against cancers with multidrug resistance.

Inhibitory effects of Kampo medicines, Keishibukuryogan and Shakuyakukanzoto, on the substrate uptake activities of solute carrier organic anion transporters

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Keishibukuryogan (K-06) and Shakuyakukanzoto (TJ-68), commercial herbal medicines, on the substrate uptake activities of renal organic anion transporters. We performed transporter uptake and cell viability assays in Xenopus oocytes and HEK293 human kidney embryonic cells treated with K-06 or TJ-68. K-06 and TJ-68 markedly inhibited the substrate uptake activities of URAT1, OAT1, and OAT3, while they did not exhibit non-cytotoxic effects. Our findings demonstrated that K-06 and TJ-68 inhibited the substrate uptake activities of renal transporters, suggesting their mechanism of action as nephroprotective agents.

Comparison of the Analgesic Effect of an Ice Cube versus 4% Lidocaine Cream in Intradermal Antibiotic Skin Testing

Objective

This study was performed to compare the analgesic effect of an ice cube with that of 4% lidocaine cream (L.M.X.4®) for intradermal skin testing.

Methods

In this prospective randomised study, healthy adult volunteers were divided into ice cube and lidocaine analgesic pretreatment groups. Randomisation was performed using a randomisation table in blocks of four. Intradermal skin testing was performed after applying ice in the ice cube group and 5 mg of lidocaine cream in the lidocaine group. After the intradermal skin test, the pain intensity was investigated using the visual analog scale (VAS) on questionnaires. We calculated that a minimum of 24 subjects were required for statistical power of 80% at a significance level of 0.05 (two-sided). The groups' VAS scores were compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test.

Results

The study population consisted of 35 volunteers: 17 in the ice cube group and 18 in the lidocaine group. There were no differences in demographic characteristics between the two groups. The median VAS score was 20 (interquartile range: 0-35) in the ice cube group and 70 (interquartile range: 50-80) in the lidocaine group (p<0.001).

Conclusions

The results suggested the utility of an ice cube as analgesic pretreatment for intradermal skin testing in the emergency department.

A Novel Roux-en-Y Reconstruction Involving the Use of Two Circular Staplers after Distal Subtotal Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

Purpose

Although Roux-en-Y (R-Y) reconstruction after distal gastrectomy has several advantages, such as prevention of bile reflux into the remnant stomach, it is rarely used because of the technical difficulty. This prospective randomized clinical trial aimed to show the efficacy of a novel method of R-Y reconstruction involving the use of 2 circular staplers by comparing this novel method to Billroth-I (B-I) reconstruction.

Materials and Methods

A total of 118 patients were randomly allocated into the R-Y (59 patients) and B-I reconstruction (59 patients) groups. R-Y anastomosis was performed using two circular staplers and no hand sewing. The primary end-point of this clinical trial was the reflux of bile into the remnant stomach evaluated using endoscopic and histological findings at 6 months after surgery.

Results

No significant differences in clinicopathological findings were observed between the 2 groups. Although anastomosis time was significantly longer for the patients of the R-Y group (P<0.001), no difference was detected between the 2 groups in terms of the total surgery duration (P=0.112). Endoscopic findings showed a significant reduction of bile reflux in the remnant stomach in the R-Y group (P<0.001), and the histological findings showed that reflux gastritis was more significant in the B-I group than in the R-Y group (P=0.026).

Conclusions

The results of this randomized controlled clinical trial showed that compared with B-I reconstruction, R-Y reconstruction using circular staplers is a safe and feasible procedure. This clinical trial study was registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov (registration No. NCT01142271).

Inhibitory Interaction Potential of 22 Antituberculosis Drugs on Organic Anion and Cation Transporters of the SLC22A Family

Twenty-two currently marketed antituberculosis drugs were comprehensively evaluated for their inhibitory effect on organic anionic transporter (OAT)- and organic cation transporter (OCT)-mediated uptake using stably transfected HEK293 cells in vitro We observed moderate to strong inhibitory effects on OAT1- and OAT3-mediated para-aminohippurate (PAH) uptake and OCT1- and OCT2-mediated N-methyl-4-phenylpylidinium acetate (MPP+) uptake. Ciprofloxacin, linezolid, para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS), and rifampin were observed to have strong inhibitory effects, with the concentrations for a 50% inhibitory effect (IC50s) being 35.1, 31.1, 37.6, and 48.1 μM, respectively, for OAT1 and >100, 21.9, 24.6, and 30.2 μM, respectively, for OAT3. Similarly, pyrazinamide, rifabutin, and levofloxacin were observed to have inhibitory effects, with IC50 values being 36.5, 42.7, and 30.3 μM, respectively, for OCT1 and with the IC50 value for PAS being 94.2 μM for OCT2. In addition, we used zidovudine and metformin as clinically prescribed substrates of OATs and OCTs, respectively, and zidovudine and metformin uptake was also strongly inhibited by the antituberculosis drugs. Among the tested drugs, the highest drug-drug interaction (DDI) indexes were found for PAS, which were 9.3 to 13.9 for OAT1 and 12.0 to 17.7 for OAT3, and linezolid, which were 1.18 to 2.15 for OAT1 and 1.7 to 3.01 for OAT3. Similarly, the DDI indexes of pyrazinamide and levofloxacin were 0.57 and 0.30, respectively, for OCT1, and the DDI index of PAS was 3.8 for OCT2, suggesting a stronger possibility (DDI index value cutoff, >0.1) of in vivo DDIs. This is the first comprehensive report of the inhibitory potential of anti-TB drugs on OAT- and OCT-mediated uptake of prototype and clinically prescribed substrate drugs in vitro, providing an ability to predict DDIs between anti-TB drugs and other coprescribed drugs in clinical studies in vivo.

Factors associated with rhinostomy shape after endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy

OBJECTIVE

To determine the factors associated with rhinostomy shape after endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) in patients with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

DESIGN

Retrospective comparative study.

SETTING

University hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred and two cases in 70 patients were included in the study.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

All cases were classified into three groups according to the healed appearance of the rhinostomy: flat, ladle and ice scoop type. The flat shape was characterised by an opening with a flat surrounding and no clear border between the lacrimal sac and the nasal mucosa. The ladle shape had a depressed base without markings of a lacrimal sac. The ice scoop shape had a depressed base with a clear border between the lacrimal sac and the nasal mucosa. Anatomic success was defined as patency with syringing and endoscopic evidence of ostial patency. Functional success was defined as visualisation of fluorescein dye at the ostium and relief from epiphora. Clinical information and intra- and postoperative endoscopic video findings were compared between the three groups.

RESULTS

Of the 102 cases, 19 flat, 37 ladle and 46 ice scoop type rhinostomies were observed during the follow-up examinations. Among the variables studied, patient demographics and rhinostomy size and location did not differ between the three groups. However, intraoperative lacrimal sac findings (sac size, wall thickness and mobility), postoperative ostial shrinkage and rhinostomy movement were associated with postoperative rhinostomy shape (all P < 0.05). With regard to surgical outcomes, there were no differences in anatomical patency between the three groups. However, the flat group had a worse functional success rate (73.7%) than the ladle (91.9%) and ice scoop (97.8%) groups (P = 0.008). A higher degree of ostial shrinkage and poor rhinostomy movement was observed with the flat shape appearance, which had a small, thick and poorly mobile lacrimal sac.

CONCLUSIONS

Lacrimal sac characteristics play a prominent role in determining rhinostomy shape after endoscopic DCR. The rhinostomy shape, along with the degree of ostial shrinkage and rhinostomy movement, is predictive of functional success after endoscopic DCR.

Abstract P1-14-15: A randomized phase lll trial of neoadjuvant sequential chemotherapy with 4 cycles of adriamycin plus cyclophosphamide followed by 4 cycles of docetaxel (AC4-D4) versus shorter 3 cycles of FEC followed by 3 cycles of docetaxel (FEC3-D3) in node-positive breast cancer (Neo-Shorter): First report of efficacy & toxicity profile

Background: The addition of a taxane to anthracycline-based chemotherapy provided an improved outcome in neoadjuant setting. Two neoadjuvant chemotherapy with 4 cycles of AC followed by 4 cycles of docetaxel (AC4-D4) and 3 cycles of FEC followed by 3 cycles of docetaxel (FEC3-D3) are widely used. Short duration of chemotherapy, 6 cycles rather than 8 cycles might be an attractive approach.

Methods: This is a randomized, single-center, prospective, parallel group, comparative phase III trial (NCT02001506). Patients (pts) with breast cancer of clinically stage II or III, or sized  1.5 cm with histologically proven lymph-node involvement were included. Pts were stratified according to hormone receptor and HER2 expression status and randomized to AC4-D4 and 3 cycles of FEC3-D3 treatment. The primary endpoint was pathological complete response, defined as the absence of invasive disease in the breast and axillary lymph nodes, analyzed by intention to treat.

Results: At the time of submission, a total of 207 pts were enrolled; 1 pt failed screening; 25 pts dropped out (5 pts in AC4-D4 arm and 2 pts in FEC3-D3 arm discontinue treatment due to progressive disease); 39 pts are still receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy; 142 pts, who received surgery, were included for this analysis. In AC4-D4 arm, among 64 pts, 57 pts achieved clinical response (6 complete response [CR] and 51 partial response [PR]) and among them 9 pts achieved pathologic complete response [pCR]. In FEC3-D3 arm, among 78 pts, 66 pts achieved clinical response (7 CR and 59 PR) and among them 11 pts achieved pCR. Addition of docetaxel increased clinical response in both arms. The most common adverse event was febrile neutropenia. Without prophylactic G-CSF, grade ≥3 febrile neutropenia (FN) occurred 23/661 cycles (3.5%) in AC4-D4 arm and 23/552 cycles (4.2%) in FEC3-D3 arm, respectively. Grade 3 and 4 toxicities other than FN were reported at expected levels in both groups. Sixty-one severe adverse events were reported; 33 (including 23 FN) in AC4-D4 arm and 28 (including 23 FN) in FEC3-D3 arm.

Conclusion: Compared to AC4-D4, shorter duration of FEC3-D3 neoadjuvant chemotherapy showed similar efficacy of pCR rate of 14.0% (versus 14.1% in AC4-D4 arm). The most common and important adverse event was febrile neutropenia in both arms. Updated study findings will be provided.

Citation Format: Kim JE, Ahn J-H, Jung KH, Lee HJ, Gong G-Y, Lee E-M, Ha EJ, Son B-H, Ahn S-H, Ahn SD, Kim H-H, Shin HJ, Kim S-B. A randomized phase lll trial of neoadjuvant sequential chemotherapy with 4 cycles of adriamycin plus cyclophosphamide followed by 4 cycles of docetaxel (AC4-D4) versus shorter 3 cycles of FEC followed by 3 cycles of docetaxel (FEC3-D3) in node-positive breast cancer (Neo-Shorter): First report of efficacy & toxicity profile. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-14-15.

Efficacy of Pre- and Postoperative Chemotherapy in Patients with Osteosarcoma of the Extremities

PURPOSE

We evaluated the treatment efficacy including survival and recurrence, and factors associated with recurrence in osteosarcoma patients treated with preoperative chemotherapy, surgery, and adjuvant chemotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty nine patients with osteosarcoma were treated with preoperative chemotherapy with intra-arterial cisplatin and adriamycin infusion for 3 cycles, followed by surgery. According to the pathologic response, if tumor was necrotized more than 90%, the same adjuvant chemotherapy was reintroduced for 3 cycles, and if the response was not enough, then the salvage regimen was introduced. Plain chest film and chest CT scan were taken monthly and every 3 months, respectively. When tumor recurred, the metastasectomy was performed whenever possible.

RESULTS

Forty three patients were evaluable with amedian follow up of 53 months. Five-year disease-free and overallsurvival rate was 47.0% and 66.9%, respectively. The recurrence was observed in 22 patients (51.2%) with median time of 12.5 months. Baseline alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was the only significant factor for recurrence (p=0.03) and the patients with the possibility of metastasectomy recurrence showed higher post-relapse survival compared to other treatment modalities (26 momths vs 5~12 months).

CONCLUSION

These results indicates that pre- and postoperative chemotherapy with intra-arterial cisplatin and adriamycin infusion showed comparable treatment efficacy and acceptable toxicities.

The effect of tranexamic acid on blood coagulation in total hip replacement arthroplasty: rotational thromboelastographic (ROTEM®) analysis

We evaluated changes in rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM(®) ) parameters and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing total hip replacement arthroplasty, with concomitant infusions of tranexamic acid and of 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4. Fifty-five patients were randomly assigned to either the tranexamic acid (n = 29) or the control (n = 26) group. Hydroxyethyl starch was administered in the range of 10-15 ml.kg(-1) during the operation in both groups. In the control group, the clot formation time and maximum clot firmness of APTEM showed significant differences when compared with those of EXTEM at one hour postoperatively, suggestive of fibrinolysis. In the tranexamic acid group, there was no significant difference between each postoperative EXTEM and APTEM parameter. In the tranexamic acid and control group, postoperative blood loss was 308 ml (210-420 [106-745]) and 488 ml (375-620 [170-910], p = 0.002), respectively, and total blood loss was 1168 ml (922-1470 [663-2107]) and 1563 ml (1276-1708 [887-1494], p = 0.003). Haemoglobin concentration was higher in the tranexamic acid group on the second postoperative day (10.5 (9.4-12.1 [7.9-14.0]) vs. 9.6 (8.9-10.5[7.3-16.0]) g.dl(-1) , p = 0.027). In patients undergoing total hip replacement arthroplasty, postoperative fibrinolysis aggravated by hydroxyethyl starch was attenuated by co-administration of 10 mg.kg(-1) tranexamic acid, which may have led to less postoperative blood loss.

Increased serum bile acid concentration following low-dose chronic administration of thioacetamide in rats, as evidenced by metabolomic analysis

A liquid chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC/TOF-MS)-based metabolomics approach was employed to identify endogenous metabolites as potential biomarkers for thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver injury. TAA (10 and 30mg/kg), a well-known hepatotoxic agent, was administered daily to male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats for 28days. We then conducted untargeted analyses of endogenous serum and liver metabolites. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was performed on serum and liver samples to evaluate metabolites associated with TAA-induced perturbation. TAA administration resulted in altered levels of bile acids, acyl carnitines, and phospholipids in serum and in the liver. We subsequently demonstrated and confirmed the occurrence of compromised bile acid homeostasis. TAA treatment significantly increased serum levels of conjugated bile acids in a dose-dependent manner, which correlated well with toxicity. However, hepatic levels of these metabolites were not substantially changed. Gene expression profiling showed that the hepatic mRNA levels of Ntcp, Bsep, and Oatp1b2 were significantly suppressed, whereas those of basolateral Mrp3 and Mrp4 were increased. Decreased levels of Ntcp, Oatp1b2, and Ostα proteins in the liver were confirmed by western blot analysis. These results suggest that serum bile acids might be increased due to the inhibition of bile acid enterohepatic circulation rather than increased endogenous bile acid synthesis. Moreover, serum bile acids are a good indicator of TAA-induced hepatotoxicity.

Comparison of serum neutralization and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on sera from porcine epidemic diarrhea virus vaccinated pigs

BACKGROUND

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is an economically important pathogen of swine.

OBJECTIVE

Serum neutralization (SN) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test results as well as the utility of spike proteins S1, S2, and S3 and entire nucleocapsid protein were compared.

ANIMALS AND METHODS

Serum samples from 400 pigs vaccinated against PEDV strain SM98P were collected from 78 farms in Korea. SN test and ELISA were performed to confirm the presence of antibodies. For prokaryotic expression of partial fragments of spike protein the size and location of S1, S2, and S3, and full nucleocapsid protein, polymerase chain reaction was performed using specific primers.

RESULTS

Comparison of these results demonstrated that there was a correlation between the SN and ELISA results. Sera with higher neutralizing activity also had higher IgG titer. The antibody profiling data presented the correlation of neutralizing activity with the level of spike protein antibody. In particular, the S3 region may have an important role in neutralizing activity.

CONCLUSIONS

We confirmed that the carboxy-terminal region that includes the endodomain of the S protein induced stronger neutralizing activity than the region that includes the ectodomain.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The region of the S protein may have a stronger neutralizing KPEDV-9 epitope and could be useful for the evaluation of future PEDV vaccine efficacy.

Evaluation of antibody response of killed and live vaccines against porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in a field study

BACKGROUND

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is an infectious, highly contagious virus, and is an etiological agent of acute entero-pathogenic diarrhea in swine.

OBJECTIVES

Evaluation of the antibody response of two types of PEDV vaccines is to be carried out.

ANIMALS AND METHODS

Sows were vaccinated with either live or killed commercial PEDV SM98 (GenBank: GU937797.1) vaccines. Four different groups of sows with five sows in each group were used in this study: the unvaccinated negative control group, the killed virus vaccination group with killed virus boosting (K/K), the live virus vaccinated group with live virus boosting (L/L), and the combination group vaccinated with live virus and subsequently boosted with killed vaccine (L/K). Sows were vaccinated intramuscularly twice at four and two weeks prior to farrowing with 2ml/head vaccine dose. Antibody titers in sow and piglet serum one week after farrowing and that in colostrum were compared by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and serum neutralization test.

RESULTS

Vaccination with K/K vaccine induced the highest level of IgG and IgA in sow serum, colostrum, and especially in piglet serum, with the lowest levels found in the L/L group. The major neutralizing activity was also found in the K/K group, particularly in colostrum, with piglets bearing higher neutralizing activity compared to sow sera. Among recombinant spike S1, S2, S3, and nucleocapsid N protein of PEDV, S3 protein presented the highest antibody level in the K/K group.

CONCLUSION

Killed PEDV SM98 vaccine induced higher antibody levels.

CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

This study clearly confirms that killed vaccine has induced higher antibody levels and may contribute to the design of future research and vaccine programs.