Rotavirus in organ transplantation: drug-virus-host interactions

Although rotavirus is usually recognized as the most common etiology of diarrhea in young children, it can in fact cause severe diseases in organ transplantation recipients irrespective of pediatric or adult patients. This comprehensive literature analysis revealed 200 cases of rotavirus infection with 8 related deaths in the setting of organ transplantation been recorded. Based on published cohort studies, an average incidence of 3% (187 infections out of 6176 organ recipients) was estimated. Rotavirus infection often causes severe gastroenteritis complications and occasionally contributes to acute cellular rejection in these patients. Immunosuppressive agents, universally used after organ transplantation to prevent organ rejection, conceivably play an important role in such a severe pathogenesis. Interestingly, rotavirus can in turn affect the absorption and metabolism of particular immunosuppressive medications via several distinct mechanisms. Even though rotaviral enteritis is self-limiting in general, infected transplantation patients are usually treated with intensive care, rehydration and replacement of nutrition, as well as applying preventive strategies. This article aims to properly assess the clinical impact of rotavirus infection in the setting of organ transplantation and to disseminate the interactions among the virus, host and immunosuppressive medications.

Studies on expression of p14ARF and MDM2 in human thyroid neoplasms

AIM

We sought to evaluate the expression and clinical significance of p14ARF and MDM2 proteins in thyroid neoplasm.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical streptavidin-peroxidase (S-P) method was used to detect the expression of p14ARF and MDM2 proteins in 78 cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), 34 cases of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) and 45 cases of thyroid adenoma.

RESULTS

The expression of p14ARF and MDM2 protein differed significantly (P<0.01) among three group. The positivity rate of p14ARF protein in PTC was significantly lower than that in thyroid adenoma (P=0.002) and PTMC (P=0.008). While the positivity rate of MDM2 protein in PTC was significantly higher than that in thyroid adenoma (P=0.000) and PTMC (P=0.009). There was a significant correlation found between the expressions of p14ARF and MDM2 proteins in PTC (P=0.013) and PTMC (P=0.012). Also, a significant correlation was found between p14ARF protein expression and lymph node metastasis in PTC (P=0.011).

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that p14ARF and MDM2 proteins might be involved in the induction and development of PTC and PTMC whereas p14ARF also had diagnostic value in determining the biological behavior of PTC.

Pharmacokinetics of cefquinome in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) after a single intramuscular or intraperitoneal administration

The pharmacokinetics of cefquinome was studied in plasma after a single dose (10 mg/kg) of intramuscular (i.m.) or intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration to tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in freshwater at 30 °C. Ten fish per sampling point were examined after treatment. The data were fitted to two-compartment open models following both routes of administration. The estimates of total body clearance (CL/F), volume of distribution (Vd/F), and absorption half-life (T1/2ka ) were 0.049 and 0.037 L/h/kg, 0.41 and 0.33 L/kg, and 0.028 and 0.035 h following i.m. and i.p. administration, respectively. After i.m. injection, the elimination half-life (T1⁄2β ) was calculated to be 5.81 h, the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax ) to be 49.40 μg/mL, the time to peak plasma cefquinome concentration (Tmax ) to be 0.14 h, and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) to be 204.6 μg h/mL. Following i.p. administration, the corresponding estimates were 6.05 h, 44.39 μg/mL, 0.17 h and 267.8 μg h/mL. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of cefquinome, determined for 30 strains of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from diseased tilapia, ranged from 0.015 to 0.12 μg/mL. Results from these studies support that 10 mg cefquinome/kg body weight daily could be expected to control tilapia bacterial pathogens inhibited in vitro by a minimal inhibitory concentration value of ≤2 μg/mL.

Nutrient biomarkers and vascular risk factors in subtypes of mild cognitive impairment: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the interrelationships among blood nutrient biomarkers, the Framingham Stroke Risk Profile (FSRP), and cognitive impairment features in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subjects and to verify whether nutrient biomarkers and FSRP are risk factors for MCI.

METHODS

According to the criteria for MCI developed by Petersen, 81 subjects aged 50-80 years were divided into a normal control group (NC group, n = 36) and an MCI group (n = 45). Then, the MCI group was divided into an amnestic MCI (a-MCI) and a multidomain MCI (md-MCI) group. All subjects were administered a comprehensive health history to calculate their FSRP score and a thorough neuropsychological assessment of four cognitive domains. Blood samples from all subjects were collected to measure the nutrient biomarkers.

RESULTS

FSRP score was not only associated with memory function, but also with executive function, which itself had a negative relationship with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFAs) levels, and a positive relationship with the ratio of n-6 PUFAs to n-3 PUFAs(n6/n3). Compared with the NC group, the concentrations of EPA, DHA, 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD), and folate and the ratio of n3/n6 in the md-MCI group were significantly lower. In the a-MCI group, only DHA concentrations and the ratio of n3/n6 were significantly lower. After adjustment for potential confounding variables, low education level [Adjusted OR=8.71 (95%CI: 1.83-41.50), p trend = 0.007], decreased plasma 25OHD [Adjusted OR = 4.41 (95% CI: 1.08-17.94), p trend=0.04] and decreased plasma DHA [Adjusted OR = 6.69 (95% CI: 1.37-32.72), p = 0.02] were associated with a higher risk of MCI.

CONCLUSIONS

Several nutrient biomarkers in MCI patients, especially in md-MCI patients, were lower compared with healthy controls, suggesting that lower 25OHD and DHA levels are risk factors for MCI. However, we found no evidence that FSRP is an early biomarker of MCI.

Reagent concentration dependent variations in the stability and photoluminescence of silica-coated ZnO nanorods

ZnO nanorods produced hydrothermally, using different precursor concentrations, show strikingly different morphologies and photoluminescence properties after encapsulation in silica. These differences are traced to differences in the nanorod growth chemistry.

A novel mutation of PAX6 identified in a Chinese twin family with congenital aniridia complicated with nystagmus

Genetic variations within the paired box gene 6 (PAX6) gene are associated with congenital aniridia. To detect the genetic defects in a Chinese twin family with congenital aniridia and nystagmus, exons of PAX6 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequenced and compared with a reference database. Six members from the family of three generations were included in the study. The twins' father presented with congenital aniridia, nystagmus and cataract at birth, while the twins presented with congenital aniridia and nystagmus. A novel mutation c.888 insA in exon 10 of PAX6 was identified in all affected individuals. This study suggests that the novel mutation c.888 insA is likely responsible for the pathogenesis of the congenital aniridia and nystagmus in this pedigree. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of this mutation in PAX6 gene in pedigree with aniridia. Furthermore, no PAX6 gene defect was reported in twins with congenital aniridia.

Arrays of nanorods composed of ZnO nanodots exhibiting enhanced UV emission and stability

A novel one-step coating and assembly approach for fabricating well-defined ZnO nanodot/SiO₂ nanorod arrays by hydrolysis-recrystallization growth from 1-D ZnO nanorods is described. The resultant composite nanorod arrays exhibit much enhanced UV emission efficiencies and excellent stability, and thus offer particular promise for application in UV emission devices operating in harsh environments.

A novel NF1 frame-shift mutation (c.702_703delGT) in a Chinese family with neurofibromatosis type 1

This study aimed to characterize the clinical features of a Chinese pedigree with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and to identify mutations in the NF1 gene. In this three-generation family containing 8 members, 5 had been diagnosed with NF1 and the others were asymptomatic. All members of the family underwent complete medical examinations. Molecular genetic analyses were performed on all subjects included in the study. All exons of NF1 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction, sequenced, and compared with a reference database. Possible changes in function of the protein induced by amino acid variants were predicted by bioinformatic analysis. In this family, the 5 patients presented different clinical phenotypes, but all manifested typical café-au-lait macules. One novel frame-shift mutation, c.702_703delGT, in exon 7 of NF1 was identified in all affected family members, but not in the unaffected family members or in 102 normal controls. This mutation generates a premature stop codon at amino acid position 720. Additionally, a synonymous mutation c.702 G>A was found in 3 family members, including 2 affected and 1 normal individuals. In conclusion, our study suggests that a novel c.702_703delGT frame-shift mutation in NF1 is likely to be responsible for the pathogenesis of NF1 in this family. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time that a c.702_703delGT mutation has been identified in a family with neurofibromatosis type 1.

Expression features of CXCR5 and its ligand, CXCL13 associated with poor prognosis of advanced colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE

CXCL13 plays a unique role in the trafficking and homing of B1 cells associated with its cognate receptor, CXCR5. The CXCR5-CXCL13 axis has been previously demonstrated to be a poor prognosis factor in malignancies. However, the clinical significance of the CXCR5-CXCL13 expression in colorectal cancer carcinoma (CRC) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the CXCR5-CXCL13 expression in CRC and determine its correlation with the progression and prognosis of the tumor.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 144 paraffin-embedded specimens with advanced colon cancer were assessed for CXCR5 and CXCL13 by immunohistochemistry. Patients' long-term survival was also monitored. There were significant differences in lymph node metastasis (p = 0.0066), neural invasion (p = 0.0061) and neural invasion (p = 0.0001) between high and low expression of CXCR5.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in distant metastasis (p = 0.0261), TNM stage (p = 0.0409), differentiation (p < 0.0001) and neural invasion of the CXCL13. Both CXCR5 and CXCL13 was associated with poor correlation with the overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that the CXCR5 and CXCL13 may play a crucial role in the development, metastasis and relapse of advanced colon cancer. They can be used as prognostic markers of colon cancer in clinical practice.

Abnormalities in whole-brain functional connectivity observed in treatment-naive post-traumatic stress disorder patients following an earthquake

BACKGROUND

Convergent studies have highlighted the dysfunction of the amygdala, prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, only a few studies have investigated the functional connectivity between brain regions in PTSD patients during the resting state, which may improve our understanding of the neuropathophysiology of PTSD. The aim of this study was to investigate patterns of whole-brain functional connectivity in treatment-naive PTSD patients without co-morbid conditions who experienced the 8.0-magnitude earthquake in the Sichuan province of China.

METHOD

A total of 72 PTSD patients and 86 trauma-exposed non-PTSD controls participated in the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study. All these subjects were recruited from the disaster zone of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. Functional connectivities between 90 paired brain regions in PTSD patients were compared with those in trauma-exposed non-PTSD controls. Furthermore, Pearson correlation analysis was performed between significantly abnormal connectivities in PTSD patients and their clinician-administered PTSD scale (CAPS) scores.

RESULTS

Compared with non-PTSD controls, PTSD patients showed weaker positive connectivities between the middle prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the amygdala, hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus and rectus, as well as between the inferior orbitofrontal cortex and the hippocampus. In addition, PTSD patients showed stronger negative connectivity between the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and the insula. The CAPS scores in PTSD patients correlated negatively with the connectivity between the amygdala and the mPFC.

CONCLUSIONS

PTSD patients showed abnormalities in whole-brain functional connectivity, primarily affecting the connectivities between the mPFC and limbic system, and connectivity between the PCC and insula.

Effects of beraprost sodium on renal function and inflammatory factors of rats with diabetic nephropathy

Beraprost sodium (BPS) is a prostaglandin analogue. We investigated its effects on rats with diabetic nephropathy. There were 20 rats each in the normal control group (NC), the diabetic nephropathy group (DN), and the BPS treatment group. The rats in DN and BPS groups were given a high-fat diet combined with low-dose streptozotocin intraperitoneal injections. The rats in the BPS group were given daily 0.6 mg/kg intraperitoneal injections of this drug. After 8 weeks, blood glucose, 24-h UAlb, Cr, BUN, hs-CRP, and IL-6 levels increased significantly in the DN group compared with the NC group; however, the body mass was significantly reduced in the DN group compared with the NC group. Blood glucose, urine output, 24-h UAlb, Cr, hs-CRP, and IL-6 levels were significantly lower in the BPS group than in the DN group; the body mass was significantly greater in the DN group. Therefore, we concluded that BPS can improve renal function and protect the kidneys of DN rats by reducing oxidative stress and generation of inflammatory cytokines; it also decreases urinary protein excretion of rats with diabetic nephropathy.

Review: Chinese herbs as alternatives to antibiotics in feed for swine and poultry production: Potential and challenges in application

Gong, J., Yin, F., Hou, Y. and Yin, Y. 2014. Chinese herbs as alternatives to antibiotics in feed for swine and poultry production: Potential and challenges in application. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 223–241. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history of clinical practice, and its own theoretical framework focused on functions at the whole-body level. However, due to cultural differences, TCM has not been fully recognized in Western countries. With the recent development of the theory of whole-body systems biology and “-omics”, there is a new opportunity to study TCM and to close the gap between TCM and Western medicine, because of the similarity in the theoretical foundations between TCM and whole-body systems biology. The uniqueness of TCM theory and practice is the approach to maintain and restore the body balance as a whole with no or little unfavourable side effects. Recent studies have also shown that Chinese herbs used as feed additives can modulate nutritional metabolism, immune responses, and intestinal health of food-producing animals, demonstrating good potential as substitutes for dietary antibiotics. Nonetheless, some issues need to be addressed before Chinese herbs can reach their full application. This article has critically reviewed recent progresses in scientific research of Chinese herbs as feed additives and their potential to replace dietary antibiotics. Possible challenges in future application for swine and poultry production are also discussed.