Cell differentiation lineage in the prostate

Prostatic epithelium consists mainly of luminal and basal cells, which are presumed to differentiate from common progenitor/stem cells. We hypothesize that progenitor/stem cells are highly concentrated in the embryonic urogenital sinus epithelium from which prostatic epithelial buds develop. We further hypothesize that these epithelial progenitor/stem cells are also present within the basal compartment of adult prostatic epithelium and that the spectrum of differentiation markers of embryonic and adult progenitor/stem cells will be similar. The present study demonstrates that the majority of cells in embryonic urogenital sinus epithelium and developing prostatic epithelium (rat, mouse, and human) co-expressed luminal cytokeratins 8 and 18 (CK8, CK18), the basal cell cytokeratins (CK14, CK5), p63, and the so-called transitional or intermediate cell markers, cytokeratin 19 (CK19) and glutathione-S-transferase-pi (GSTpi). The majority of luminal cells in adult rodent and human prostates only expressed luminal markers (CK8, CK18), while the basal epithelial cell compartment contained several distinct subpopulations. In the adult prostate, the predominant basal epithelial subpopulation expressed the classical basal cell markers (CK5, CK14, p63) as well as CK19 and GSTpi. However, a small fraction of adult prostatic basal epithelial cells co-expressed the full spectrum of basal and luminal epithelial cell markers (CK5, CK14, CK8, CK18, CK19, p63, GSTpi). This adult prostatic basal epithelial cell subpopulation, thus, exhibited a cell differentiation marker profile similar to that expressed in embryonic urogenital sinus epithelium. These rare adult prostatic basal epithelial cells are proposed to be the progenitor/stem cell population. Thus, we propose that at all stages (embryonic to adult) prostatic epithelial progenitor/stem cells maintain a differentiation marker profile similar to that of the original embryonic progenitor of the prostate, namely urogenital sinus epithelium. Adult progenitor/stem cells co-express both luminal cell, basal cell, and intermediate cell markers. These progenitor/stem cells differentiate into mature luminal cells by maintaining CK8 and CK18, and losing all other makers. Progenitor/stem cells also give rise to mature basal cells by maintaining CK5, CK14, p63, CK19, and GSTpi and losing K8 and K18. Thus, adult prostate basal and luminal cells are proposed to be derived from a common pleuripotent progenitor/stem cell in the basal compartment that maintains its embryonic profile of differentiation markers from embryonic to adult stages.

Effect of growth factors on matrix synthesis by ligament fibroblasts

Although it has been reported that several growth factors modulate soft-tissue healing, the specific effects of growth factors on protein synthesis during ligament healing have not been widely investigated. In this study, we examined the effects of basic and acidic fibroblast growth factors, transforming growth factor beta 1, and epidermal growth factor on collagen and noncollagenous protein synthesis by cultured fibroblasts from medial collateral ligament and anterior cruciate ligament in vitro. Uptake of tritiated proline was used to measure synthesis of collagen and noncollagenous protein, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to analyze the type of collagens synthesized. Our data showed that transforming growth factor beta 1 increased both collagen and noncollagenous protein synthesis by medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligament fibroblasts on a dose-dependent basis. Collagen synthesis by cultured fibroblasts from the medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments was increased by treatment with transforming growth factor beta 1 by as much as approximately 1.5 times that of untreated controls. Although the response to transforming growth factor beta 1 by anterior cruciate ligament fibroblasts was equal to that by medial collateral ligament fibroblasts, the amounts of matrix proteins synthesized by anterior cruciate ligament fibroblasts were approximately half of that by medial collateral ligament fibroblasts. The increase was mostly in type-I collagen. Treatment of anterior cruciate ligament fibroblasts with epidermal growth factor increased collagen synthesis by approximately 25% but had little effect on medial collateral ligament fibroblasts. Neither basic nor acidic fibroblast growth factor increased either collagen or noncollagenous protein synthesis. These findings suggest that topical application of transforming growth factor beta 1, alone or in combination with epidermal growth factor, may have the potential to strengthen the ligament by increasing matrix synthesis during its remodeling and healing processes.

Nitric oxide inhibits the synthesis of type-II collagen without altering Col2A1 mRNA abundance: prolyl hydroxylase as a possible target

The addition of human recombinant interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) to cultures of lapine articular chondrocytes provoked the synthesis of large amounts of NO and reduced the production of type-II collagen. NG-Monomethyl-l-arginine (L-NMA), an inhibitor of NO synthase, strongly suppressed the production of NO and partially relieved the inhibition of collagen synthesis in response to IL-1beta. The NO donor S-nitrosoacetylpenicillamine (SNAP), on the other hand, inhibited collagen production. IL-1 lowered the abundance of Col2A1 mRNA in an NO-independent manner. Collectively, these data indicate that IL-1 suppresses collagen synthesis at two levels: a pretranslational level which is NO-independent, and a translational or post-translational level which is NO-mediated. These effects are presumably specific as L-NMA and SNAP had no effect on total protein synthesis or on the distribution of newly synthesized proteins between the cellular and extracellular compartments. Prolyl hydroxylase is an important enzyme in the post-translational processing of collagen, and its regulation and cofactor requirements suggest possible sensitivity to NO. Extracts of cells treated with IL-1 or SNAP had lower prolyl hydroxylase activity, and L-NMA was partially able to reverse the effects of IL-1. These data suggest that prolyl hydroxylase might indeed be a target for NO. Because underhydroxylated collagen monomers fail to anneal into stable triple helices, they are degraded intracellularly. Inhibition of prolyl hydroxylase by NO might thus account for the suppressive effect of this radical on collagen synthesis.

High-throughput generation and engineering of recombinant human antibodies

The first version of the Human Combinatorial Antibody Library (HuCAL) is a single-chain Fv-based phage display library (HuCAL-scFv) with 2x10(9) members optimised for high-throughput generation and targeted engineering of human antibodies. 61% of the library genes code for functional scFv as judged by sequencing. We show here that since HuCAL-scFv antibodies are expressed in high levels in Escherichia coli, automated panning and screening in miniaturised settings (96- and 384-well format) have now become feasible. Additionally, the unique modular design of HuCAL-genes and -vectors allows the distinctly facilitated conversion of scFv into Fab, miniantibody and immunoglobulin formats, and the fusion with a variety of effector functions and tags not only convenient for therapeutic applications but also for high-throughput purification and detection. Thus, the HuCAL principle enables the rapid and high-throughput development of human antibodies by optimisation strategies proven useful in classical low molecular weight drug development. We demonstrate in this report that HuCAL is a very convenient source of human antibodies for various applications.

FosB, a cysteine-dependent fosfomycin resistance protein under the control of sigma(W), an extracytoplasmic-function sigma factor in Bacillus subtilis

We demonstrate that the Bacillus subtilis fosB(yndN) gene encodes a fosfomycin resistance protein. Expression of fosB requires sigma(W), and both fosB and sigW mutants are fosfomycin sensitive. FosB is a metallothiol transferase related to the FosA class of Mn(2+)-dependent glutathione transferases but with a preference for Mg(2+) and L-cysteine as cofactors.

Isolation and expression of the Pneumocystis carinii dihydrofolate reductase gene

Pneumocystis carinii dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR; 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolate: NADP+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.5.1.3) cDNA sequences have been isolated by their ability to confer trimethoprim resistance to Escherichia coli. Consistent with the recent conclusion that P. carinii is a member of the Fungi, sequence analysis and chromosomal localization show that DHFR is neither physically nor genetically linked to thymidylate synthase. Expression of recombinant P. carinii DHFR in heterologous hosts provides an abundant source of the enzyme that may form a basis for the development of new therapies for this enigmatic pathogen. Studies with the recombinant enzyme show that trimethoprim is a very poor inhibitor of P. carinii DHFR and, in fact, is a more potent inhibitor of human DHFR.

Identification of target promoters for the Bacillus subtilis extracytoplasmic function sigma factor, sigma W

The Bacillus subtilis sigW gene encodes an extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factor that is expressed in early stationary phase from a sigW-dependent autoregulatory promoter, PW. Using a consensus-based search procedure, we have identified 15 operons preceded by promoters similar in sequence to PW. At least 14 of these promoters are dependent on sigma W both in vivo and in vitro as judged by lacZ reporter fusions, run-off transcription assays and nucleotide resolution start site mapping. We conclude that sigma W controls a regulon of more than 30 genes, many of which encode membrane proteins of unknown function. The sigma W regulon includes a penicillin binding protein (PBP4*) and a co-transcribed amino acid racemase (RacX), homologues of signal peptide peptidase (YteI), flotillin (YuaG), ABC transporters (YknXYZ), non-haem bromoperoxidase (YdjP), epoxide hydrolase (YfhM) and three small peptides with structural similarities to bacteriocin precursor polypeptides. We suggest that sigma W activates a large stationary-phase regulon that functions in detoxification, production of anti-microbial compounds or both.

Rapid detection of cutaneous herpes simplex virus infection with the polymerase chain reaction

A simple and specific method for detecting herpes simplex virus infection in routinely processed paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens is described. DNA is extracted from paraffin blocks, and subjected to DNA amplification with the polymerase chain reaction. After 40 rounds, an amplified band can be detected after agarose gel electrophoresis and ethidium bromide staining. This band is specific for herpes simplex virus, because tissues infected with related viruses do not give this amplified band. We have been able to detect viral DNA in small punch skin biopsies with this procedure, which can take as little as 6 h.

Expression of fibroblast growth factor-8 and regulation of cognate receptors, fibroblast growth factor receptor-3c and -4, in bovine antral follicles

Paracrine cell signaling is believed to be important for ovarian follicle development, and a role for some members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family has been suggested. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that FGF-8 and its cognate receptors (FGFR3c and FGFR4) are expressed in bovine antral follicles. RT-PCR was used to analyze bovine Fgf8, Fgfr3c and Fgfr4 mRNA levels in oocytes, and granulosa and theca cells. Fgf8 expression was detected in oocytes and in granulosa and theca cells; this expression pattern differs from that reported in rodents. Granulosa and theca cells, but not oocytes, expressed Fgfr3c, and expression in granulosa cells increased significantly with follicle estradiol content, a major indicator of follicle health. Fgfr4 expression was restricted to theca cells in the follicle, and decreased significantly with increasing follicle size. To investigate the potential regulation of Fgfr3c expression in the bovine granulosa, cells were cultured in serum-free medium with FSH or IGF-I; gene expression was upregulated by FSH but not by IGF-I. The FSH-responsive and developmentally regulated patterns of Fgfr3c mRNA expression suggest that this receptor is a potential mediator of paracrine signaling to granulosa cells during antral follicle growth in cattle.

Plasma soluble HLA-G is a potential biomarker for diagnosis of colorectal, gastric, esophageal and lung cancer

Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is a novel tumor marker and its soluble isoforms produce secretory proteins. Increased soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) levels have been reported in patients with melanoma, neuroblastoma, lymphoproliferative disorders, breast, ovarian and colorectal carcinoma when compared to healthy controls or subjects with benign neoplasms. The aim of this study is to investigate whether or not plasma sHLA-G can be used as a potential biomarker for cancer diagnosis. We measured plasma sHLA-G levels in 166 patients with early stages of colorectal cancer (CRC, n = 37), gastric cancer (GC, n = 28), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC, n = 58) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC, n = 43), and compared them to healthy controls (n = 260) by using a specific HLA-G enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We found that plasma sHLA-G levels were significantly higher in cancer patients than in healthy controls (all P < 0.0001). The areas under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves for sHLA-G were 0.97, 0.91, 0.98 and 0.80 for healthy controls vs CRC, GC, ESCC and NSCLC, respectively. At 100% specificity, the highest sensitivity achieved to detect CRC, GC, ESCC and NSCLC was 94% [95% confidence interval (CI), 89-99], 85% (95% CI, 76-94), 91% (95% CI, 88-94) and 51% (95% CI, 43-59) at a cutoff value of 49 U/ml, respectively. These findings suggest that plasma sHLA-G may be a useful molecule in the differential diagnosis of these malignancies against healthy controls.

Identification, mapping, and application of polymorphic DNA associated with resistance gene Pm21 of wheat

A new powdery mildew resistance gene designated Pm21, from Haynaldia villosa, a relative of wheat, has been identified and incorporated into wheat through an alien translocation line. Cytogenetic and biochemical analyses showed that chromosome arms 6VS and 6AL were involved in this translocation. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was performed on recipient wheat cultivar Yangmai 5, the translocation line, and H. villosa with 180 random primers. Eight of the 180 primers amplified polymorphic DNA in the translocation line, and the same results were obtained in four replications. Furthermore, RAPD analysis was reported for substitution line 6V, seven addition lines (1V-7V), and the F1, as well as F2 plants of (translocation line x 'Yangmai 5'), using two of the eight random primers. One RAPD marker, specific to chromosome arm 6VS, OPH17-1900, could be used as a molecular marker for the detection of gene Pm21 in breeding materials with powdery mildew resistance introduced from H. villosa. Key words : RAPD analysis, 6VS-specific marker, Pm21, Erysiphe graminis f.sp. tritici, Triticum aestivum - Haynaldia villosa translocation.

Long-term prognosis after a minor stroke: 10-year mortality and major stroke recurrence rates in a hospital-based cohort

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Determinants of long-term outcome are not well defined in minor stroke patients. This study aims to evaluate which factors are independent long-term predictors of death and major stroke recurrence in a cohort of minor ischemic strokes.

METHODS

A cohort of 322 patients with first-ever minor ischemic strokes (mean age, 55 years; 89% were treated with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs) with minor (Rankin score=2) or no disability (Rankin score <2) were followed for 10 years, with only 6% lost to follow-up. Death and major stroke recurrence rates were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of factors with P<.1 at the log-rank test were evaluated by multivariate Cox analysis.

RESULTS

The 10-year mortality rate was 32%, with a relative risk of 1.7 (95% CI, 1.4 to 2.1) compared with the age- and sex-matched general population. The 10-year recurrence rate of major strokes was 14%. The hazard ratio (95% CI) of death was 1.1 (1.05 to 1.09) for age (1-year increments), 3.4 (2.2 to 5.2) for minor disability, 1.8 (1.1 to 3.1) for myocardial infarction (MI), 2.0 (1.1 to 3.7) for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, and 1.8 (1.2 to 2.7) for hypercholesterolemia. The hazard ratio (95% CI) of major stroke recurrence was 2.8 (1.3 to 6.2) for recurrent minor strokes, 3.1 (1.9 to 4.6) for nonlacunar stroke, 2.9 (1.3 to 6.8) for MI, and 3.0 (1.4 to 6.4) for hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

In minor ischemic strokes, age, minor disability, MI, nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, and hypercholesterolemia increase the risk of death; recurrent minor strokes, nonlacunar stroke, MI, and hypertension increase the risk of major stroke.

Estrogen modulates cytokine expression in human periodontal ligament cells

Although systemic bone loss accompanying estrogen deficiency has been proposed as a risk factor for periodontal disease in post-menopausal women, the mechanisms involved remain unclear. The objective of this study was to elucidate the potential bone-sparing effect of estrogen (17beta-estradiol, E(2)) via modulation of inflammatory cytokine production in human periodontal ligament (hPDL) cells. E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and receptor activator of NF- B ligand (RANKL) by hPDL cells at both mRNA and protein levels. E(2) treatment reversed the stimulatory effects of LPS on pro-inflammatory cytokine expression by hPDL cells. Moreover, E(2) up-regulated osteoprotegerin (OPG) expression and therefore attenuated the reduction of the OPG vs. RANKL ratio. Our results suggested that estrogen may play a significant role in modulating periodontal tissue responses to LPS, and may exert its bone-sparing effects on periodontal tissues via altering the expression of inflammatory cytokines in hPDL cells.

Purification and characterization of myofibril-bound serine proteinase from carp Cyprinus carpio ordinary muscle

1. A novel myofibril-bound serine proteinase (MBP) has been purified from ordinary muscle of the carp Cyprinus carpio. 2. It was solubilized from the myofibril fraction with acid treatment (under the conditions of 0.6 M KCl, pH 4.0), then purified by column chromatographic steps on Ultrogel AcA 54, and Arginine-Sepharose 4B. 3. The purified enzyme revealed a single protein band on SDS-PAGE, and its molecular mass was estimated to be 30 kDa by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration. 4. The optimum pH and temperature of the enzyme were 8.0 and 55 degrees C, respectively, when Boc-Phe-Ser-Arg-MCA and casein were used as substrates. 5. The enzyme hydrolyzed Boc-Gln-Arg-Arg-MCA most rapidly, and also hydrolyzed the substrates for trypsin-type proteinase, but not for chymotrypsin. The enzyme was inhibited by serine proteinase inhibitors such as DFP, STI and leupeptin. These results suggested that the enzyme was a trypsin-type serine proteinase. 6. Boc-Phe-Ser-Arg-MCA hydrolyzing activity of the purified enzyme was reduced by addition of NaCl, but the caseinolytic activity and Boc-Phe-Ser-Arg-MCA hydrolyzing activity of the partially purified enzyme were activated by NaCl.

Safety and efficacy of telbivudine in late pregnancy to prevent mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus: A multicenter prospective cohort study

Infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) occurs in ~10% of infants of HBV-infected mothers with positive hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) after immunoprophylaxis. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of telbivudine used during late pregnancy for preventing mother-to-child transmission of HBV. We conducted a multicenter prospective cohort study in 5 hospitals from 2012 to 2014, which enrolled HBV-infected singleton pregnant women with positive HBeAg. By their choice, women were divided into therapy (telbivudine 600 mg/day, from gestation 28-32 weeks to 3-4 weeks postpartum) and control (no antiviral agent) groups. Infants received passive-active immunoprophylaxis and follow-up at the age of 7-14 months. Totally, 328 pregnant women were included: 149 in the telbivudine group and 179 in the control group. Baseline HBV DNA levels were similar in the 2 groups (7.43 vs 7.37 log₁₀ IU/mL, P = .711). At delivery, HBV DNA levels in the telbivudine and control groups were 3.80 and 7.26 log₁₀ IU/mL, respectively (P < .0001). Of the infants, 128 (85.9%) in the telbivudine group and 156 (87.2%) in the control group were followed up. No infant in the telbivudine group had chronic infection, while 2 (1.28%) infants in the control group did (P = .503). Three (2.34%) infants in the telbivudine group, but none in the control group, had severe congenital or developmental abnormalities (P = .090). The data indicate that telbivudine may block perinatal HBV transmission. However, larger studies are required to clarify whether anti-HBV therapy in pregnancy is associated with severe adverse effects in the foetuses and infants.

Decreased neuroinflammation correlates to higher vagus nerve activity fluctuations in near-term ovine fetuses: a case for the afferent cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway?

Background

Neuroinflammation in utero may contribute to brain injury resulting in life-long neurological disabilities. The pivotal role of the efferent cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) in controlling inflammation, e.g., by inhibiting the HMGB1 release, via the macrophages’ α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) has been described in adults, but its importance in the fetus is unknown. Moreover, it is unknown whether CAP may also exert anti-inflammatory effects on the brain via the anatomically predominant afferent component of the vagus nerve.

Methods

We measured microglial activation in the ovine fetal brain near term 24 h after the umbilical cord occlusions mimicking human labor versus controls (no occlusions) by quantifying HMGB1 nucleus-to-cytosol translocation in the Iba1+ and α7nAChR+ microglia. Based on multiple clinical studies in adults and our own work in fetal autonomic nervous system, we gauged the degree of CAP activity in vivo using heart rate variability measure RMSSD that reflects fluctuations in vagus nerve activity.

Results

RMSSD correlated to corresponding plasma IL-1β levels at R = 0.57 (p = 0.02, n = 17) and to white matter microglia cell counts at R = −0.89 (p = 0.03). The insult increased the HMGB1 translocation in α7nAChR+ microglia in a brain region-dependent manner (p < 0.001). In parallel, RMSSD at 1 h post insult correlated with cytosolic HMGB1 of thalamic microglia (R = −0.94, p = 0.005), and RMSSD at pH nadir correlated with microglial α7nAChR in the white matter (R = 0.83, p = 0.04). Overall, higher RMSSD values correlated with lower HMGB1 translocation and higher α7nAChR intensity per area in a brain region-specific manner.

Conclusions

Afferent fetal CAP may translate increased vagal cholinergic signaling into suppression of cerebral inflammation in response to near-term hypoxic acidemia as might occur during labor. Our findings suggest a new control mechanism of fetal neuroinflammation via the vagus nerve, providing novel possibilities for its non-invasive monitoring in utero and for targeted treatment.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12974-016-0567-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Multispecies coexistence of trees in tropical forests: spatial signals of topographic niche differentiation increase with environmental heterogeneity

Neutral and niche theories give contrasting explanations for the maintenance of tropical tree species diversity. Both have some empirical support, but methods to disentangle their effects have not yet been developed. We applied a statistical measure of spatial structure to data from 14 large tropical forest plots to test a prediction of niche theory that is incompatible with neutral theory: that species in heterogeneous environments should separate out in space according to their niche preferences. We chose plots across a range of topographic heterogeneity, and tested whether pairwise spatial associations among species were more variable in more heterogeneous sites. We found strong support for this prediction, based on a strong positive relationship between variance in the spatial structure of species pairs and topographic heterogeneity across sites. We interpret this pattern as evidence of pervasive niche differentiation, which increases in importance with increasing environmental heterogeneity.

Generation of nitric oxide by lapine meniscal cells and its effect on matrix metabolism: stimulation of collagen production by arginine

Slices of lapine meniscus produced large amounts of nitric oxide after stimulation with interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor alpha, or a mixture of lapine synovial cytokines known as chondrocyte-activating factors. Monolayer cultures of meniscal cells produced from the proteolysis of meniscal tissue contained a mixed population of chondrocytic and fibroblastic cells. These cultures also produced large amounts of nitric oxide in response to cytokines. Monolayer cultures of meniscal cells produced by the explant method, in contrast, were uniformly fibroblastic and did not produce nitric oxide in response to cytokines. We conclude that menisci contain two populations of cells, one fibroblastic and the other chondrocytic. The chondrocytic cells are responsible for generating most of the nitric oxide in response to cytokines. Endogenously generated nitric oxide suppressed the synthesis of collagen and proteoglycan by menisci but protected proteoglycan from the catabolic effects of interleukin-1. The inhibitory effect of nitric oxide on collagen synthesis occurred without greatly altering the abundance of mRNAs encoding the various collagen alpha chains. During further investigation, arginine was unexpectedly found to stimulate the synthesis of collagen and, to a lesser degree, of noncollagenous proteins but not of proteoglycans. Fragments of meniscus, but not meniscal cells in monolayer culture, increased their production of matrix metalloproteinases, lactate, and, especially, prostaglandin E2 in response to interleukin-1. Inhibition of nitric oxide production with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine enhanced production of matrix metalloproteinases but had little effect on the synthesis of lactate or prostaglandin E2.

Screening of medicinal plants from Reunion Island for antimalarial and cytotoxic activity

AIM OF THE STUDY

Nine plants from Reunion Island, selected using ethnopharmacology and chemotaxonomy, were investigated for their potential antimalarial value.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-eight extracts were prepared by maceration using CH(2)Cl(2) and MeOH, and were tested for in vitro activity against the 3D7 and W2 strain of Plasmodium falciparum. The most active extracts were then tested for in vitro cytotoxicity on human WI-38 fibroblasts to determine the selectivity index. Those extracts were also investigated in vivo against Plasmodium berghei infected mice.

RESULTS

Most active of the extracts tested were the dichloromethane leaves extracts of Nuxia verticillata Lam. (Buddlejaceae), Psiadia arguta Voigt. (Asteraceae), Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae), the methanol extracts from Aphloia theiformis (Vahl) Benn. (Aphloiaceae) bark, and Terminalia bentzoe L. (Combretaceae) leaves displaying in vitro IC(50) values ranging from 5.7 to 14.1mug/ml. Extracts from Psiadia, Aphloia at 200mg/(kgday) and Teminalia at 50mg/(kgday) also exhibited significant (p<0.0005) parasite inhibition in mice: 75.5%, 65.6% and 83.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Two plants showed interesting antimalarial activity with good selectivity: Aphloia theiformis and Terminalia bentzoe. Nuxia verticillata still needs to be tested in vivo, with a new batch of plant material.

Enhancement of the protective effect of inactivated influenza virus vaccine by cytokines

The authors examined whether or not cytokines in conjunction with inactivated influenza virus vaccine enhance protection from influenza virus infection in mice. Mice were infected with influenza virus A/PR/8/34 (PR/8) at 10 LD50 by nebulizer after intranasal administration of the cytokine and the vaccine. The survival rate of the group which received both the vaccine and mouse recombinant interferon-beta (MuIFN-beta; 1 x 10(4) IU/mouse) or mouse recombinant interferon-gamma (MuIFN-gamma; 1 x 10(4) IU/mouse) was significantly higher than that of the control group given the vaccine alone. These results show that MuIFN-beta and MuIFN-gamma have an adjuvant effect on this vaccination. In contrast, human recombinant interleukin-2 (HuIL-2) and human recombinant tumour necrosis factor (HuTNF) did not have an adjuvant effect. In order to examine the mechanism of the enhancing effect of MuIFN-gamma on this vaccination, we determined the specific IgA and IgG antibodies present in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum, and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody in serum. In the early stage of infection, the titres of IgA and IgG antibodies in the combined group receiving the vaccine with MuIFN-gamma showed a tendency to be higher than those in the group given the vaccine alone. In the late stage of infection, the titre of HI antibody in the group given the vaccine with MuIFN-gamma was significantly lower than that in the group given vaccine alone. It can be concluded from these results that a part of the adjuvant effect of MuIFN-gamma on this vaccination was due to an increase in production of antibodies which neutralized the virus in the lesion.

Influence of serum and soluble CD25 (sCD25) on regulatory and effector T-cell function in hepatocellular carcinoma

Our previous studies showed that high levels of soluble CD25 (sCD25) in the serum of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) correlated with blunted effector T-cells (Teff) responses, tumour burden and poor survival. Understanding the interactions between Teff, CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) and soluble factors can identify novel therapeutic targets. In this study, we characterize the mechanisms by which HCC serum and sCD25 mediate suppression of Teff and evaluate the effect of sCD25 on the suppression assays with normal healthy control cells (NHC) at a 1:1 Treg to Teff cell ratio to determine whether sCD25 has any impact on Treg suppression. HCC serum and sCD25 suppressed Teff proliferation and downregulated CD25 expression on HCC Teff in a dose-dependent fashion with sCD25 doses above 3000 pg/ml. Treg from HCC and cirrhosis patients suppressed proliferation of target CD4+CD25- Teff in serum-free medium (SFM). HCC Treg showed a higher degree of suppression than cirrhosis-derived Treg. In contrast, Treg from NHC did not suppress target Teff in SFM. However, isolated Treg from all three study subjects (HCC, cirrhosis and NHC) suppressed CD4+CD25- Teff in serum conditions or in the presence of sCD25 in the range 6000-12,000 pg/ml. In conclusion, downregulation of CD25 cell surface expression on Teff is part of the overall suppressive mechanism of sCD25 and HCC serum on Teff responses. The observed sCD25 and HCC serum-mediated suppression is further influenced via novel immune-inhibitory interaction between CD4+CD25+ Treg and sCD25.

Effectiveness and Safety of Minimally Invasive Orthodontic Tooth Movement Acceleration: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Doctors and patients attempt to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement with a minimally invasive surgery approach. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence of accelerated tooth movement in minimally invasive surgery and the adverse effects from it. A systematic search of the literature was performed in the electronic databases of PubMed, CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Medline and was complemented by a manual search until February 2019. The inclusion criteria were prospective clinical studies of patients treated with a fixed appliance, and the intervention was accelerated orthodontic treatment with minimally invasive surgery. Nineteen articles (538 participants) were included in the review: 9 studies assessed the rate of upper canine movement; 5 considered the treatment time; 1 evaluated the en masse retraction time; and 4 studied adverse effects. We performed a meta-analysis for the rate of canine movement and treatment time and described the results for the adverse effects in a systematic review. The results of the subgroup analysis according to micro-osteoperforation and piezocision were included in the study. No accelerated tooth movement was found in the micro-osteoperforation group. After flapless corticotomy procedures, increased tooth movement rates were identified by weighted mean differences of 0.63 (95%CI = 0.22, 1.03, P = 0.003) and 0.64 (95% CI, −25 to 1.53; P = 0.16) for 1 and 2 mo, respectively. The mean treatment time was 68.42 d (95% CI, −113.19 to −23.65; P = 0.003) less that than for minimally invasive surgery. Moreover, no significant adverse effect was found. Because of the high heterogeneity of the meta-analysis, the results must be validated by additional large-sample multicenter clinical trials. There is not sufficient evidence to support that the single use of micro-osteoperforation could accelerate tooth movement, and there is only low-quality evidence to prove that flapless corticotomy could accelerate tooth movement.

SCG10, a neuron-specific growth-associated protein in Alzheimer's disease

Neuronal growth-associated proteins (nGAPs) are markers of neuronal process outgrowth and are associated with both degenerative and sprouting responses in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. To study possible involvement of SCG10, an nGAP, in AD, we cloned human SCG10 cDNA and analyzed SCG-10 at mRNA and protein levels in control and AD brains. The deduced amino acid sequence of human SCG10 was 69% identical to stathmin, another nGAP. By in situ hybridization, both SCG10 and stathmin mRNAs were detected in selected neuronal populations in aged human brains. Quantitative analysis by RNase protection revealed that levels of neither SCG10 nor stathmin mRNAs were significantly altered in AD. Using an SCG10-specific antibody, Western blot analysis did not reveal any quantitative changes of SCG10 in AD. However, when the concentration of SCG10 protein was plotted against the number of tangles, a positive correlation was found. SCG10 levels did not correlate with plaque numbers. Furthermore, immunohistochemical study revealed that neuronal SCG10 protein accumulated in the cell bodies in AD-affected regions. Thus, SCG10 compartmentalization and metabolism may be altered in AD possibly due to mechanisms related to tangle formation in this disease.

Dielectrophoresis of human red cells in microchips

The dielectric properties of human red cells are strongly affected by the applied electric field, especially the frequency. Under the high frequency, the cells are acted on by positive dielectrophoresis (DEP) force and move to the tip region of the interdigitated electrode where the electric field is strongest. The cells are acted on by negative DEP force and aggregated in the "bay" zone between the neighboring electrode castellation tips and the surface of the electrodes. The patterns formed by DEP force are identical with the distribution of the electric field.