In vitro anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 effect of Ephedra przewalskii Stapf extract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The terrestrial stems of Ephedra (Ephedra spp.; including Ephedra sinica Stapf and Ephedra przewalskii Stapf) extracts are used in traditional medicines in East Asia. In Japan, the Kampo formula containing E. sinica extract is prescribed for the treatment of the common cold, influenza virus infections, and mild symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although ephedrine alkaloids in E. sinica exert antitussive effects, they may have side effects associated with the sympathetic nervous system. E. przewalskii extract, a drug used in traditional Uyghur and Mongolian medicine, is considered to be free of ephedrine alkaloids and is a promising candidate for the treatment of infectious diseases. However, its use is currently limited because evidence of its antiviral efficacy remains inconclusive.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We compared the anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) effects of E. przewalskii and E. sinica extracts in vitro. Additionally, we examined the differences in their antiviral effects against different SARS-CoV-2 strains.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

VeroE6/TMPRSS2 cells were infected with SARS-CoV-2 (Conventional, Delta, and Omicron strains-BA.1, BA.2, BA.4, and BA.5), and lysates prepared from each herbal extract were added. The infectious titer was determined using the 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) method; in turn, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was calculated for each extract to compare the antiviral efficacy of E. sinica and E. przewalskii extracts. Further, the extracts were compared with remdesivir for their antiviral efficacy against the conventional viral strain. To verify the effect of the inactivation of virus particles, these extracts were added to each SARS-CoV-2 strain, and the infectious titers were determined using the TCID50 method.

RESULTS

The antiviral efficacy (i.e., IC50) of the E. przewalskii extract against each SARS-CoV-2 strain was 2.7-10.8-fold greater than that of the E. sinica extract. The antiviral efficacy of the E. przewalskii extract against conventional viral strains was compared with that of remdesivir, which was 1/27.6 of remdesivir's efficacy. The E. sinica extract showed minimal inactivation of virus particles of each strain, whereas the E. przewalskii extract resulted in substantial viral inactivation.

CONCLUSIONS

The E. przewalskii extract showed higher antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 than the E. sinica extract. Overall, our study suggests that E. przewalskii extract can be used for the treatment of viral infections, including COVID-19.

Viable SARS-CoV-2 detected in the air of hospital rooms of patients with COVID-19 with an early infection

OBJECTIVES

This study assessed the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in the air of hospital rooms occupied by patients with COVID-19 who had viable SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal (NP) samples in early infection.

METHODS

Between July and October 2021, NP swabs were collected from 20 patients with early SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to a tertiary hospital in Japan. Air samples were collected from their rooms, tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, and cultured to determine potential infectivity.

RESULTS

The NP swab samples of 18 patients were positive for viable SARS-CoV-2 (median concentration: 4.0 × 10⁵ tissue culture infectious dose 50/ml). In the air samples, viral RNA (median concentration: 1.1 × 10⁵ copies/m³) was detected in 12/18 (67%) patients, and viable virus (median concentration: 8.9 × 10² tissue culture infectious dose 50/m³) was detected in 5/18 (28%) patients. The median time between illness onset and sampling was 3 days. The RNA concentration was significantly higher in samples wherein viable SARS-CoV-2 was detected than in samples in which viable virus was not detected (P-value = 0.027).

CONCLUSION

Viable SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in the air surrounding patients with early SARS-CoV-2 infection. Health care workers should pay attention to infection control when caring for patients with early SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Duration of infectious viral shedding in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 treated with REGN-CoV2

INTRODUCTION

New treatment methods, such as REGN-CoV2, have been approved for patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, the effect of the drug on the duration of infectious viral shedding and viral mutations is unknown. In this study, we investigated the clinical efficacy of REGN-CoV2 treatment in patients with mild to moderate disease and compared its antiviral effects against different strains of SARS-CoV-2.

METHODS

Viral culture and PCR testing were performed on the pharyngeal swabs collected from 28 patients with COVID-19 who were admitted and treated at Hiroshima University Hospital during the study period. Of these, 23 patients were treated with REGN-CoV2. The patients were classified into the REGN-CoV2(+) and REGN-CoV2(-) groups, and the clinical course was compared between the groups. The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of REGN-CoV2 against the isolated virus strains were determined.

RESULTS

After treatment with REGN-CoV2, the virus culture positivity rate was greatly reduced. The time to negative viral culture was significantly shorter in the REGN-CoV2(+) group than in the REGN-CoV2(-) group. In vitro evaluation of REGN-CoV2 against isolated virus strains also showed efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

REGN-CoV2 treatment was effective in patients with mild COVID-19 and could shorten the period of infectious viral shedding. This may be an important factor in preventing the spread of infection. It may be possible to revise the isolation period for patients with mild disease treated with REGN-CoV2.

In vitro Suppression of SARS-CoV-2 Infection by Existing Kampo Formulas and Crude Constituent Drugs Used for Treatment of Common Cold Respiratory Symptoms

Several traditional Japanese Kampo formulas are known to have inhibitory effects on infections with viruses that cause respiratory symptoms. Although some herbs and their components have been reported to suppress SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro, it is difficult to compare effective Kampo formulas because of the different methods used in studies. Thus, we carried out in vitro experiments on the suppression of SARS-CoV-2 infection by Kampo formulas and crude drugs used for the common cold to compare their suppressive effects on virus infection. After infecting VeroE6/TMPRSS2 cells with SARS-CoV-2, lysates of the Kampo formulas and crude drugs were added, and after 24 h, the infectious titer in the medium was measured by the TCID₅₀ method. Maoto was the most effective among the Kampo formulas, and Ephedrae herba was the most effective among the constituent crude drugs. However, a comparison of the suppressive effects of Ephedrae herba and Kampo formulas containing Ephedrae herba showed that the suppressive effect on virus infection did not depend on the content of Ephedrae herba. Based on the results, we believe that the use of Maoto among Kampo formulas is suitable as a countermeasure against COVID-19.

Duration of infectious virus shedding in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 who required mechanical ventilation

Background

Approximately 5% of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 develop severe COVID-19. Severe COVID-19 requires respiratory management with mechanical ventilation and an extended period of treatment. Prolonged infectious virus shedding is a concern in severe COVID-19 cases, but few reports have examined the duration of infectious virus shedding. Therefore, we investigated the duration of infectious virus shedding in patients transferred to Hiroshima University Hospital with severe COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation.

Methods

Nasopharyngeal swab specimens were collected and analyzed using both viral culture and reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) tests between December 2020 and February 2021.

Results

Of the 23 patients tested, the proportions of those with positive test results at first specimen collection (the median number of days to first specimen collection after symptom onset was 10) on RT-qPCR and viral culture tests were 95·7% and 30·4%, respectively. All six patients with positive viral culture test results who were followed-up tested negative 24 days after symptom onset but remained positive on RT-qPCR. Viral loads based on PCR testing did not decrease over time, but those determined via culture tests decreased over time. The longest negative conversion time was observed in a dialysis patient on immunosuppressive drugs.

Conclusions

This study indicated that patients with severe COVID-19 remain culture positive for ≥ 10 days after symptom onset. Additionally, immunosuppressed patients with severe COVID-19 could consider isolation for ≥ 20 days.

Granulocyte Colony-stimulating Factor-induced Aortitis with Lung Injury, Splenomegaly, and a Rash During Treatment for Recurrent Extraosseous Mucinous Chondrosarcoma

We herein report a case of aortitis induced by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) that coincided with lung injury, splenomegaly, and cutaneous manifestations during treatment for recurrent extraosseous mucinous chondrosarcoma. Computed tomography revealed large-vessel vasculitis, splenomegaly, and pulmonary interstitial changes. Treatment with prednisolone was successful. Because sarcoma is a rare disease, this case is valuable for showing clinicians that G-CSF preparations could cause aortitis regardless of the patient's underlying diseases or therapeutic pharmacological backgrounds.

[Selection of Operative Procedure for Breast Cancer in Carriers of BRCA VUS in Japan]

Risk classification and clinical management of the DNA variant of unknown significance(VUS)in BRCA 1/2 remains unestablished. The Japanese hereditary breast and ovarian cancer(HBOC)consortium and myriad genetics reported that the VUS rate of BRCA is 6.5% in Japanese patients, but is <2% in the USA. The types of mutation supposedly differ between Asian and European ethnicities. Breast-conserving therapy(BCT)is not recommended in HBOC breast cancer, according to the 2017 Japanese guidelines by the Ministry of Health, because of the risk of ipsilateral breast recurrence(IBR)and carcinogenesis by radiation. In our hospital, we recommend an initial mastectomy and breast reconstruction with an implant for patients with HBOC breast cancer, considering future surgery on the contralateral side and symmetry of the reconstructed breast. However, the risk of IBR after BCT is not significantly high in patients with HBOC breast cancer, and BCT is a reasonable option even for definite HBOC breast cancer under low risk conditions. Hence, BCT is feasible for treating breast cancer in carriers of VUS following decision-making and informed consent from the patients.

Two Patients with Paget-Schroetter Syndrome That Were Successfully Diagnosed by Doppler Ultrasonography: Case Studies with a Literature Review

We herein report on two male patients (age, 22 and 44 years) who were referred to our department with swelling of the upper right arm after attending other hospitals. Right subclavian vein thrombosis was demonstrated by ultrasonography and they were then further evaluated by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). Successful treatment involved venous thrombectomy in one patient and anticoagulant therapy in the other. Paget-Schhroetter syndrome was confirmed using standard vascular ultrasonography. Despite the accuracy of this method for diagnosing Paget-Schroetter syndrome, some cases are difficult to confirm. We reviewed 29 previously published case reports of Paget-Schroetter syndrome and analyzed the patient baseline characteristics, time to diagnosis, and the diagnostic methods used.

Senescent hepatic stellate cells caused by deoxycholic acid modulates malignant behavior of hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE

Deoxycholic acid (DCA), a secondary bile acid, is reportedly increased in the serum of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and animals with experimentally induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its contribution to malignant behaviors of HCC has not been precisely clarified. This study aimed to examine the effect of DCA on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), a major component of nonparenchymal cells in the liver, and its subsequent indirect effect on HCC cells.

METHODS

LX2 cells, a human HSC line, were treated with DCA in vitro. Then, HuH7 cells, a human hepatoma cell line, were incubated in conditioned media of DCA-treated LX2 to investigate the subsequent effect focusing on malignant behaviors.

RESULTS

DCA resulted in cellular senescence in LX2 with the decreased cell proliferation via cell cycle arrest at G0/1 phase, together with the induction of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors. To investigate the influence of SASP factors secreted by HSCs in response to DCA, HCC cells were treated with conditioned media that promoted cell migration and invasion via induction of epithelial mesenchymal transition. These changes were attenuated in the presence of neutralizing antibody against IL8 or TGFβ. Pathological analysis of surgical specimens from HCC patients revealed that senescent HSCs were detected in the stroma surrounding HCC.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest an important role of HSC senescence caused by DCA for the malignant biological behaviors of HCC via induction of SASP factors, particularly IL8 and TGFβ.

Toxocariasis Suspected of Having Infiltrated Directly from the Liver to the Lung through the Diaphragm

A 37-year-old woman presented to our hospital with mild abdominal pain experienced for 2 months and hepatic nodules in segments 3 and 8. Peripheral blood eosinophilia was observed, and toxocariasis was serologically diagnosed. Seventeen days after the first imaging evaluation, a new lesion was found in segment 9 of the right lung, which was contiguous through the diaphragm to the hepatic nodule in segment 8. After treatment with albendazole, the liver and lung nodules disappeared. We suspect that larvae had directly invaded the lung from the liver, through the diaphragm.

Successful Treatment of Acute Chest Syndrome with Manual Exchange Transfusion in a Patient with Sickle Beta+-thalassemia

Acute chest syndrome (ACS), characterized by fever, respiratory symptoms, and new pulmonary infiltration, is a serious complication of sickle cell disease (SCD). Regardless of the etiology, the conventional treatment options for ACS include empirical antibiotic therapy, the administration of analgesics, and red cell transfusion. The indications and methods of red cell transfusion are critical. We herein report the case of a 26-year-old African-American man with SCD who developed ACS and who was successfully treated with manual exchange transfusion. Despite increasing globalization, SCD remains extremely rare in Japan. Manual exchange transfusion can be performed easily anywhere and should be considered for treating SCD patients presenting with ACS.

An Atypical Case of Non-asthmatic Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Finally Diagnosed by Tissue Biopsy

A 78-year-old woman with fever of unknown origin that had persisted for 3 months, systemic edema, and cervical lymphadenopathy was admitted to our hospital. Skin purpura and jaw claudication were subsequently observed. Histopathological examinations of the lymph nodes, skin, and temporal artery revealed findings characteristic of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). However, she had no past medical history of asthma with modest eosinophilia. Although EGPA is a systemic vasculitis characterized by asthma and eosinophilia, various limited forms have been described. This was therefore considered to be an atypical form of non-asthmatic EGPA complicating with temporal arteritis (TA) diagnosed by tissue biopsy.

[A Case of Ileocecal Intussusception Due to Small Intestinal Adenocarcinoma]

A 67-year-old female with abdominal pain and vomiting was admitted to our hospital. Abdominal X-ray showed dilated small bowel in the left upper abdomen. She was diagnosed with ileocecal intussusception based on abdominal contrastenhanced computed tomography. Computed tomography showed a "pseudo kidney sign" in the right flank region. We also observed an enhanced mass lesion in the presenting portion ofthe intussusception. Laparotomy was performed to treat the invagination. We tried to reduce the invagination, without success. Ileocecal resection was performed. Pathological findings revealed that poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma in the ileum end portion had induced the invagination. Intussusception in adults should be treated with the knowledge that about 80% ofsuch cases have an organic lesion in the presenting portion.

[Two Cases of Obstructive Colorectal Cancer Effectively Treated with Colonic Stent Placement]

We report 2 cases of obstructive colorectal cancer that were successfully treated with a self-expanding metallic stent (SEMS). They were both diagnosed with obstructive colorectal cancer. Colonoscopy was performed to make a definitive and qualitative diagnosis and to relieve the stenosis using a SEMS. The SEMSs were inserted without complications. A few days later, the patients underwent laparoscope-assisted sigmoidectomy with lymph node resection. Despite the colon obstruction, a primary anastomosis was performed. They were both discharged without complications. Obstructive colorectal cancer is an oncological emergency commonly observed in our daily clinical practice. Conventional treatments such as stoma creation or insertion of a trans-analdrainage tube have been performed. However, these treatments significantly reduce the patient's QOL. On the other hand, colonic stent placement plays a satisfactory role in improvement of the patient's QOL by paying scrupulous attention to retaining the colonic stent.

[A Case of Long-Term Survival of Advanced Esophageal Basaloid Squamous Carcinoma Invading the Trachea]

A woman in her 50s complained of dysphagia and was diagnosed with locally advanced esophageal cancer in the middle and upper thoracic esophagus, invading the tracheal bronchus. The biopsy indicated esophageal basaloid squamous carcinoma. The pretreatment diagnosis was cT4N2M0, cStage Ⅳa. She was treated with systemic chemotherapy consisting of FAP (5-fluorouracil [5-FU], doxorubicin [DXR] and cisplatin[CDDP]), which resulted in significant tumor shrinkage. One year later, the tumor regrew, and nedaplatin (CDGP) plus docetaxel (DOC) was administered as second-line chemotherapy. The patient complained of dysphagia during the course of chemotherapy, and received radiation therapy for the residual tumor, which again significantly shrunk. Four years after the first round of chemotherapy, the patient can take oral nutrition, and is continuing to undergo chemotherapy. This is a case of long-term survival of locally advanced esophageal cancer of basaloid squamous carcinoma. Effective chemotherapy and radiation can improve the treatment outcome.

[A Case of Surgical Resection of Isolated Pulmonary Metastasis from Gastric Cancer]

We report a rare case of surgical resection for pulmonary metastasis from gastric cancer. A 71-year-old man underwent total gastrectomy for gastric cancer in October 2012. After the operation, he received S-1 chemotherapy for 1 year. In January 2014, computed tomography of the chest showed a nodule shadow with a cavity at S3 in the right lung. Because it showed a tendency to gradually enlarge, we performed an operation in September 2014. The nodule was diagnosed as metastatic adenocarcinoma from gastric cancer on pathology. The patient is being treated with S-1 chemotherapy during follow-up. The pulmonary metastases of gastric cancer often develop along with carcinomatous lymphangiosis or carcinomatous pleurisy, and isolated pulmonary metastasis is rare. A consensus has not been reached about the usefulness of surgical resection, and the accumulation of further cases is required.

[Subclavian Artery Hemorrhage Related to Everolimus in a Patient with Recurrent Breast Cancer--A Case Report]

A 53-year-old woman underwent breast-conserving surgery for right breast cancer (invasive ductal carcinoma, T1cN0M0, ly+, stage ⅠA, ER+, PR+, HER2-) 5 years previously. During treatment with tamoxifen, massive recurrence in the axillary lymph nodes was found. First- through fourth-line chemotherapy were tried, but they all failed. Everolimus and exemestane were administered, resulting in rapid shrinking of the tumor, but the patient developed sudden severe bleeding from the subclavian artery. Hemostasis was achieved with artery stenting. The patient also developed a thoracic duct-cutaneous fistula. The patient died from tumor regrowth 6.5 months after her first everolimus treatment. Treating tumors involving major vessels with everolimus can cause severe bleeding after rapid shrinking of the tumor.

[A case of locally recurrent breast cancer difficult to differentiate from nodular fasciitis]

Breast-conserving surgery was performed on a 78-year-old woman for left breast cancer 5 years previously (invasive ductal carcinoma, T1cN2M0, stage IIIA, ER[+], PR[-], HER2[-]). Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormonal therapy were administered. A left subclavian tumor was detected, and an excisional biopsy was performed. Histological examination showed spindle cells, different from primary breast cancer histology, and nodular fasciitis was diagnosed negative cytokeratin and vimentin immunostaining results. After 12 months, a mass had developed in the same region, and reoperation was performed for resection. Similar spindle cells were observed, but they tested positive for cytokeratin. Carcinoma was diagnosed and thought to be locally recurrent breast cancer. Despite postoperative chemotherapy, the patient experienced bone and lung metastasis and a third local recurrence. She died 13 months following the last surgery. Recurrent breast cancer sometimes displays different histology from the initial cancer, and mimics stromal tumors in certain cases.

[Thyroid carcinoma diagnosed by pathology during surgery]

We describe the pathological diagnosis of 4 resected cases of thyroid carcinoma made during surgery in comparison to that for 6 benign thyroid tumors. Preoperative computed tomography scanning and ultrasonography revealed 1 case of simple nodules, 3 cases of multiple nodules, 3 cases of solid cystic nodules, and 3 cases of calcification. Cytological examination of fine needle aspirates revealed 1 case to be Class II and 3 cases to be Class III. The diagnosis, which was made during the operation procedure on the basis of the frozen section and final operative methods, was papillary adenocarcinoma in 2 cases (total thyroidectomy + D1 and subtotal thyroidectomy+D1) and suspected papillary adenocarcinoma in 2 cases (hemithyroidectomy+ D1 and lobectomy of the thyroid+D1). The final pathological diagnosis of the 4 cases was papillary adenocarcinoma (pStage I: 3 cases, pStage II: 1 case). In the 6 cases of benign thyroid tumor, preoperative examinations revealed variegated tumor findings, and cytological examination of fine needle aspirates revealed 1 case to be ClassII and 5 cases to be ClassIII. Pathological diagnosis of the frozen sections of the 6 benign samples indicated 1 case of suspected malignancy and 5 cases of benign tumor. In all 10 cases, the pathological diagnosis based on frozen sections (with a sensitivity of 4/4 and specificity of 5/6) was more accurate than that established with preoperative imaging and cytological examination, and is therefore effective for the decision-making process when selecting the operative method.

[A case of extragastric pedunculated gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the stomach with peritoneal dissemination]

Here, we present the case of a 73-year-old woman in whom abdominal computed tomography showed an abdominal tumor (13 cm in diameter) in the backspace of the posterior gastric wall. Its feeding artery was detected to be the left gastric artery by abdominal angiography. We diagnosed it as a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the stomach and performed an operation. Peritoneal dissemination was observed and the tumor was connected to the gastric wall by a stalk. Histologically, the tumor consisted of spindle-shaped cells. Immunohistochemical staining showed positive c-kit and CD34 expression and negative SMA and S100 protein expression. Therefore, we diagnosed this as a case of extragastric pedunculated GIST of the stomach with peritoneal dissemination. After surgery, internal use of imatinib was started. The patient is still followed up 15 months after the operation. Combination therapy of tumor resection and imatinib chemotherapy might improve the prognosis of patients with GIST of the stomach with pedunculated growth.

[A case of recurrent breast cancer in which gemcitabine-docetaxel therapy was successful for a long period]

This is a case of a 58-year-old woman who underwent mastectomy for advanced right breast cancer (T2N2M0, stage IIIA, ER+, PR+, and HER2 0) at another hospital 13 years ago. Tamoxifen was administered after the operation. Two years later, bone and lung metastases appeared and she was transferred to our hospital. Hormonal therapies, epirubicin- cyclophosphamide-5-FU, doxifluridine, paclitaxel, vinorelbine, and capecitabine were ineffective. We planned a sixth-line chemotherapy comprising gemcitabine combined with docetaxel, but not paclitaxel. Partial response was obtained by treatment with 3 courses of gemcitabine-docetaxel. The same treatment was continued and the patient is alive in a good condition without progression for 14 months.