Lectins but not antifungal proteins exhibit anti-nematode activity

A variety of lectins and antifungal proteins were tested for toxicity against the plant parasitic nematodes Ditylenchus dipsaci and Heterodera glycines. It was found that lectins from the mushrooms Xylaria hypoxylon, Agrocybe cylindracea and Tricholoma mongolicum (TML-1) were the most potent against D. dipsaci, with EC(50) being 4.7, 9, and 20mg/ml, respectively. Lectins from Pseudostellaria heterophylla, samta tomato, and the mushrooms T. mongolicum (TML-2), Ganoderma lucidum, and Boletus edulis, and antifungal proteins from Ginkgo biloba toward D. dipsaci and pumpkin Cucurbita moschata had much lower anti-nematode potencies and could be considered as inactive for practical purposes. All lectins except that from P.heterophylle were potent against H.glycines.

Polar metabolite of cholesterol induces rat cognitive dysfunctions

24-hydroxycholesterol, a major polar metabolite of brain cholesterol, has neurotoxic effects. However, little is known about the effects of this polar metabolite on the CNS. In the present study, the effects of 24-hydroxycholesterol on behavior changes were investigated. Rats were divided into three groups: (i) a control group; (ii) a sham group: 0.5 ml PBS was infused into the cerebral ventricle; (iii) a model group: 0.5 ml 24-hydroxycholesterol (10 microM) was infused into the cerebral ventricle. 24-hydroxycholesterol can obviously impair rats' acquisition and probe trial in the Morris Water Maze task. Compared with rats in the sham group, rats in the model group had longer escape latency time and traveled more distance, and performed worse in the probe trial task manifested by spending less time in the annulus and training quadrant, which probably was attributed to the neuronal degeneration in hippocampal CA1 area induced by 24-hydroxycholesterol as examined by histological assay and apoptotic assay. Our results revealed that the polar metabolites, such as 24-hydroxycholesterol, exert neurotoxic effects and exacerbate the neuron injury with their abnormal accumulation. These findings suggest that measures taken promptly to eliminate or inhibit the accumulation of polar metabolites should be a potential strategy to prevent neurological dysfunctions and promote the recovery of functional deficits after neurotoxic insult.

Prognostic significance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptors (VEGFR), and vascularity in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with immunochemotherapy (R-CHOP)

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Background: Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cells coexpress VEGF, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2. In patients (pts) treated with CHOP chemotherapy alone, VEGFR1 predicted improved overall survival (OS) while microvessel density (MVD) predicted poorer OS; VEGF and VEGFR2 were not predictive (Lab Invest. 2008;88:38). We now assess these factors in pts treated with R-CHOP. Methods: 162 pts with de novo DLBCL treated with R-CHOP and median followup of 44 months were evaluated retrospectively with immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays. Scoring: VEGF, VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and phosphoVEGFR2 (pVEGFR2) in lymphoma cells (categorical variable) <5%, none; 5–30%, weak; >30%, strong. MVD (continuous variable): average CD34+ microvessels/4 hpf. Statistics: univariate Cox proportional hazards regression, and multivariate Cox regression for testing independence from the International Prognostic Index (IPI) for two endpoints, OS and progression-free survival (PFS). Pearson chi-square testing for independence of variables. Results: VEGF and MVD did not correlate with OS or PFS. Pts with higher VEGFR2 (53%) had poorer OS but not PFS independent of the IPI (z=3.15, p=0.0016; 2 yr OS 100%/84%/76%). Pts with any pVEGFR2 (13%) had worse PFS independent of IPI (z=1.98, p=0.048) and a trend toward poor OS (p=0.056). VEGFR1 did not correlate with OS or PFS in the group as a whole. Since VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 expression correlate strongly (Χ2=56, p =9.8E-12) opposing associations with outcome could be masked. On subset analysis the 39% of pts with weak VEGFR2 had better OS with higher VEGFR1 (z=-1.64, p=0.016; 2 yr OS 68%/85%/92%). Conclusions: In contrast to our prior observations in CHOP treated pts, in DLBCL treated with R-CHOP MVD was not prognostically significant. The association of VEGFR1 with better OS was previously seen with CHOP alone, whereas the correlation of VEGFR2 and phosphorylated VEGFR2 with poorer OS was only seen with R-CHOP. Independent confirmation will be important, especially because multiple comparisons were made with 5 predictors and 2 endpoints tested. It is possible that VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 oppose each other functionally; future studies are indicated to address the mechanism of this effect.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

18F-Fluorothymidine (FLT) as tumor response predictor for anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody in human lung cancer xenograft

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Background: Specific EGFR inhibition therapies are currently promising and advanced in the clinical setting. It is revealed patients with a colorectal cancer bearing mutated K-ras do not benefit from cetuximab, a chimeric mouse-human antibody to EGFR. However, appropriate evaluation of the therapeutic effects has not been clarified yet, because of the lack of reliable tumor response predictors. Measurement of tumor proliferative activity by PET using FLT may serve to assess early response of the therapy. The purpose of this study is to determine whether 18F- FLT is useful to evaluate very early response to cetuximab treatment in human lung cancer cell line xenograft. Methods: Human tumor xenograft model was established in male BALB/c athymic mice by human lung cancer cell line NCI-H1975, which expresses L858R/T790M-EGFR. These mice were assigned to two groups (n=5, each group): control and cetuximab-treated groups. Cetuximab was intra-peritoneally given 1.0mg/body once on the first day. Biodistribution of 3H-FLT (%Inject Dose/g/kg) were studied two days after the treatment. Immunohistochemical staining of EGFR, phosphorylated EGFR (pEGFR), and nuclear antigen Ki-67 as a tumor cell proliferation marker in tumor tissues were also studied to assess early effects of cetuximab. Results: FLT uptake was high in tumors compared with any other organs. Two days after the cetuximab therapy, the mean value of FLT uptake in tumor was significantly decreased to 55% of control value (0.38 ± 0.03 in control group vs. 0.21 ± 0.07 in cetuximab-treated group; p < 0.05). There were no statistical differences in the tumor volume and body weight of mice between each group. High expression of EGFR and Ki-67 were observed in this xenograft. As compared with control, Ki-67 expression was remarkably decreased in cetuximab-treated group, while there were no definite changes in expression of EGFR and pEGFR. Conclusions: In this animal model, FLT uptake and Ki-67 expression were decreased in cetuximab- treated group just two days after the treatment start. These results indicate FLT-PET can be a useful predictor to evaluate very early response to molecular targeted medicine such as cetuximab before significant change of tumor size.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Pharmacological characterization of PF-00547659, an anti-human MAdCAM monoclonal antibody

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The adhesion molecule mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule (MAdCAM) plays an essential role in the recruitment of lymphocytes to specialized high endothelial venules of the gastrointestinal tract and in their excessive tissue extravasation observed in inflammatory conditions, such as Crohn's disease. We have characterized the in vitro pharmacological properties of two monoclonal antibodies blocking MAdCAM, MECA-367 and PF-00547659, and determined their pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profiles in vivo.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Functional adhesion assays and surface plasmon resonance were used to characterize, in vitro, the pharmacological properties of MECA-367 and PF-00547659. The in vivo effects of MECA-367 and PF-00547659 on restriction of beta(7) (+) memory T lymphocytes were determined in mice and macaques, respectively, over the pharmacological dose range to confirm pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationships.

KEY RESULTS

MECA-367 and PF-00547659 bound with high affinity to mouse and human MAdCAM with K(d) values of 5.1 and 16.1 pmol.L(-1) respectively and blocked the adhesion of alpha(4)beta(7) (+) leukocytes to MAdCAM with similar potency. MECA-367 and PF-00547659 induced a similar, dose-dependent two- to threefold increase in circulating populations of beta(7) (+) memory T-cells in the mouse and macaque; without affecting the beta(7) (-) populations.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

PF-00547659 has potential utility in the treatment of inflammatory conditions by blocking tissue homing of activated alpha(4)beta(7) (+) leukocytes. The characterization of a rodent cross-reacting antibody as a surrogate for PF-00547659 in the search for potential pharmacological biomarkers and the determination of efficacious doses was effective in addressing the restricted orthologous cross-reactivity of PF-00547659 and the challenges this poses with respect to efficacy and safety testing.

Genotyping of Campylobacter coli isolated from humans and retail meats using multilocus sequence typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis

AIMS

To determine the antimicrobial resistant profiles and clonality of Campylobacter coli isolated from clinically ill humans and retail meats.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 98 C. coli isolates (20 from humans and 78 from retail meats) were phenotypically characterized. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done using agar dilution method for ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, erythromycin and doxycycline. Seventy C. coli isolates including humans (n = 20) and retail meats (n = 50) were genotyped by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Resistance to ciprofloxacin was found in 29% and 15% of isolates from retail meats and humans. We observed 61 PFGE profiles using two enzymes (SmaI, KpnI) with an Index of discrimination of 0.99, whereas MLST generated 37 sequence types. Two clonal complexes were identified with 58 (82%) C. coli isolates clustered in the ST-828 complex.

CONCLUSIONS

Resistance to ciprofloxacin and erythromycin was identified in C. coli obtained from retail meats and ill humans. PFGE typing of C. coli isolates was more discriminatory than MLST. Grouping of C. coli isolates (82%) by MLST in ST-828 clonal complex indicates a common ancestry.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

A high frequency of resistance found to ciprofloxacin and erythromycin is concerning from food safety perspective. PFGE using single or double restriction enzymes was found to be more discriminatory than MLST for genotyping C. coli. Overall, the C. coli populations recovered from humans and retail meats were genotypically diverse.

Effects of Chinese Herb Danshen-Dahuang on Hippocampal Gene Expression of APP and PS1 in Rats with Alzheimer Disease

Aims:

To investigate the effect of Chinese herb Danshen-Dahuang on learning and memory ability in rats with Alzheimer disease (AD) induced by D-galactose and AlCl3 and its possible mechanisms.

Methods:

The AD model was produced by injecting D-galactose and AlCl3 intraperitoneally for 90 days. Since the 20th day of D-galactose and AlCl3 intraperitoneal injection, the rats in Danshen-Dahuang group had been treated with Danshen-Dahuang extraction by intragastric administration for 70 days. Subsequently,learning and memory ability of the mice was evaluated by Morris water maze and hippocampal gene expression of APP, PS1 was tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Results:

Rats intragastric administration with Danshen-Dahuang, mice had shorter latency (P< 0.05) and less error times (P< 0.05) in water maze test compared with those in AD model group. At the same time, Danshen-Dahuang down regulated the expression of APP, PS1 mRNA (P< 0.05) in hippocampus.

Conclusions:

Danshen-Dahuang improves the learning and memory ability of AD rats, its mechanism may be related to the downregulated expression of APP, PS1 mRNA.

A Study on Personal Characteristics of the Freshman and Graduates of in Five Different Universities of Shanxi Province of China

Aims:

To study on Personal Characteristics of the freshman and graduates in five different universities.

Methods:

The 1022 freshman and 956 graduates from five different universities were tested with the Eysenck Personality Questiornaire (EPQ). They came from one was general university, two technological universities, one is medical university, one is agricultural university.

Results:

Distribution of freshman and graduates personal characteristics in various sexes and universities is different. There are 19% and 12% of freshman with some psychological problem were P type and N type respectively according to neuroticism scale of EPQ, 64% of that were unstable temperament; 31% of the freshman who were unstable temperament and 25% were mental health status was extroversion disposition. But in graduates are 42% and 34% ( P type and N type) respectively according to neuroticism scale of EPQ. Unstable temperament is 58% and mental health status was extroversion disposition is 39%.

Conclusion:

The freshman and graduates psychological health of Shanxi Province of China is poor and should be paid more attention. the psychological state is related to different universities. the freshman and graduates are associated with personal characteristics, unstable professions, emotional trouble and passive attitude to the value and so on.

Over-expression of SOCS-3 gene promotes IL-10 production by JEG-3 trophoblast cells

Suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS-3) plays an important role in negative regulation of inflammatory response. Evidence has shown that SOCS-3 and IL-10 expressions were significantly reduced in placental trophoblasts from preeclampsia. IL-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine. In this study, we sought to determine if enhance SOCS-3 expression could affect IL-10 production in placental trophoblasts. Placental JEG-3 cells were used. Over-expression of SOCS-3 was generated by transfection of JEG-3 cells with a green fluorescent protein (GFP) tagged SOCS-3 gene, SOCS-3/ZsGreen1, by siPORT lipid transfection. Cells transfected with ZsGreen1 vector only was used as control. Our results showed that IL-6 production was reduced in cells over-expressed with SOCS-3. Moreover, SOCS-3 transfected cells produced more IL-10 when stimulated with IL-6. The increased IL-10 production by JEG-3 cells was in a dose-dependent manner, p<0.05. Our data suggested that enhanced SOCS-3 gene expression could promote IL-10 production by placental trophoblast cells, suggesting that SOCS-3 may play an important role in regulation of cytokine induced anti-inflammatory response in placental trophoblasts.

Altered interleukin-6 receptor, IL-6R and gp130, production and expression and decreased SOCS-3 expression in placentas from women with pre-eclampsia

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and its receptor complex, IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) and gp130, are critical in induction of suppressor of cytokine signalling-3 (SOCS-3) protein, a negative cytokine regulator and anti-inflammatory mediator, in a biological system. Increased inflammatory response is believed to contribute to the placental dysfunction in pre-eclampsia (PE). However, it is not known if altered IL-6 receptor signalling and decreased SOCS-3 expression occur in placentas from PE. To study this, we examined IL-6, soluble IL-6R (sIL-6R) and soluble gp130 (sgp130) production by villous tissue from normal and PE placentas. Hypoxia effects on IL-6, sIL-6R and sgp130 production was determined. IL-6R, gp130 and SOCS-3 expression were determined by immunohistochemical staining and by Western blot. Our results showed that under normoxic conditions (21% O(2)), villous tissue from PE placentas produced relative more sgp130, but significantly less IL-6 and sIL-6R (p<0.01) than normal placental tissue. The ratio of sgp130/sIL-6R release was significantly higher by PE placentas than normal placentas, p<0.01. Under hypoxic conditions (2% O(2)), IL-6 production was significantly reduced by both normal (p<0.01) and PE (p<0.05) placental tissue. Hypoxia promoted sgp130 release by normal, but not by PE, placental tissue. Reduced IL-6R and SOCS-3 immunostaining and expression were found in PE placentas. We concluded that increased ratio of sgp130/sIL-6R production and/or reduced sIL-6R production combined with down-regulation of IL-6R and SOCS-3 expression in trophoblasts may lead to less cytokine inhibitory activity in PE placentas, which may account for the increased placental inflammatory response in PE.

First Report of Ranunculus mild mosaic virus on Ranunculus asiaticus in Yunnan Province, China

In June 2007, a new viral disease occurred in commercial fields of Ranunculus asiaticus in the Yunnan Province of China. Infected plants exhibited mosaic symptoms and growth abnormalities. Viral disease incidence for this ornamental crop host in the Yunnan Province was estimated to range from 10 to 20%. Electron microscopic examination of negatively stained leaf-dip preparations from symptomatic plants identified long, flexuous linear particles (approximately 800 nm). The samples were tested using indirect antigen-coated plate (ACP)-ELISA. ACP-ELISA results showed that the leaf samples from symptomatic plants reacted positively to the potyvirus group antibody (Agdia Inc., Eklhart, IN). Total nucleic acid extracted from symptomatic plants was tested using reverse transcription (RT)-PCR with primers (S 5'-GGNAAAAYAGYGGNCARCC-3'; M4: 5'-GTTTTCCCAGTCACGAC-3' [N = A, G, C, or T; Y = C or T; and R = A or G]) designed to amplify the 3' terminal region of genomic RNA of the genus Potyvirus (1). RT-PCR produced a 1,650-bp amplification product that was cloned and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. EU684747). The sequenced portion showed 90 and 99% identity with the Ranunculus mild mosaic virus (RMMV) isolates (GenBank Accession Nos. DQ152191 and EF445546) from Italy and Israel, respectively (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of RMMV in China. Infection from this virus may cause losses for cut-flower production of Ranunculus asiaticu and it is also a potential threat for international trade of Ranunculus germplasm. References: (1) J. Chen and J. P. Chen. Chin. J. Virol. 18:371, 2002. (2) M. Turina et al. Phytopathology 96:560, 2006.

Linkage mapping of five genes on SSC12 in a Berkshire × Yorkshire cross (Brief report)

Abstract. three-generation family of pig was generated by an intercross between animals of two Berkshire grand sires and nine Yorkshire grand dams (BY), and a total of 525 F2 offspring were produced. The initial genome scan analysis identified suggestive quantitative trait loci (QTL) for fat traits on chromosome 12 (SSC12) (MALEK et al., 2001). Animals that were homozygous for Berkshire alleles had relatively less back fat than those with Yorkshire alleles, and heterozygotes were fattest for these QTL. The objective of this study was to further characterize these SSC12 QTL by mapping five additional genes (PSME3, GRB7, MAC30, RPS6KB1 and TAX1BP3) in the BY family and see if they were associated with fatness traits.

Progress in understanding of ginsenoside biosynthesis

Ginseng is an economically important medicinal plant. The major bioactive ingredients of ginseng are ginsenosides, which are triterpene saponins. Because of difficulties in ginseng cultivation and the low productivity of ginseng cell and tissue culture, it has become important to improve ginsenoside levels by using metabolic engineering based on the biosynthetic pathway of ginsenosides. During the last decade, substantial advances have been made in biosynthesis of ginsenosides. This review is concerned with recent developments in our understanding of the biosynthesis of ginsenosides.

The feasibility of characterizing the spatial distribution of cartilage T(2) using texture analysis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was (1) to characterize the spatial distribution of cartilage T(2) in postmenopausal osteoarthritis (OA) patients and age-matched healthy subjects using second order texture measures at baseline, and (2) to analyze changes in the texture of cartilage T(2) after 9 months.

METHODS

3.0T-MRI of the knee was performed in 8 mild OA patients and 10 age-matched controls at baseline and after 9 months. Cartilage T(2), volume, and average thickness were calculated in all patients. Texture analysis, based on the gray level co-occurrence matrix, was performed on the cartilage T(2) maps. Texture parameters, including entropy and angular second moment, were calculated at 0 degrees (corresponding to the anterior-posterior axis) and at 90 degrees (corresponding to the superior-inferior axis), with pixel offsets ranging from 1 to 3 pixels.

RESULTS

Least square means analysis showed that mean T(2) values, their standard deviation (SD), and their entropy were greater (P<0.05) in OA patients than in controls. Over 9 months, the SD and entropy of cartilage T(2) significantly (P<0.05) decreased in OA patients, while no significant changes were evident in cartilage thickness or volume.

CONCLUSION

The mean cartilage T(2) values, their SD, and their entropy were greater in OA patients than in controls, indicating that the T(2) values in osteoarthritic cartilage are not only elevated, but also more heterogeneous than those in healthy cartilage. The longitudinal results demonstrate that changes in texture parameters of cartilage T(2) may precede morphological changes in thickness and volume in the progression of OA.

Diet-induced central obesity and insulin resistance in rabbits

The present study was designed to examine whether rabbits fed a diet containing high fat and sucrose could develop obesity and insulin resistance (IR), the major pathophysiological features of metabolic syndrome. Male Japanese white rabbits were fed either a normal chow diet (control) or high fat and sucrose diet (HFSD) for 36 weeks. Plasma levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), glucose and insulin were measured. To evaluate glucose metabolism, we performed an intravenous glucose tolerance test. In addition, we compared adipose tissue accumulation in HFSD-fed rabbits with that in normal rabbits. HFSD constantly and significantly led to an increase in body weight of HFSD-fed rabbits, caused by significantly higher visceral adipose tissue accumulation. Although there were no differences in plasma TG, TC, glucose, insulin levels and blood pressure between the two groups, HFSD-fed rabbits showed impaired glucose clearance associated with higher levels of insulin secretion compared to control rabbits. Our results showed that HFSD induced IR and increased adipose accumulation in rabbits, suggesting that HFSD-fed rabbits may become a model for research on human IR and obesity.