A more rapid, sensitive, and specific HPLC-MS/MS method for nifedipine analysis in human plasma and application to a pharmacokinetic study

A more rapid, sensitive and specific high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to -tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was developed and validated for the quantification of nifedipine in human plasma, and applied to the pharmacokinetic study of nifedipine in Chinese healthy volunteers. Nifedipine and internal standard (IS) acetaminophen in plasma were extracted with ethyl acetate, separated on a C18 (150 mm×4.6 mm, 5 µm) reversed-phase column, eluted with acetonitrile mixed with 5 mM ammonium acetate solution (pH=6.62) (60:40, v/v), ionized by negative ion pneumatically assisted electrospray and detected in the multi-reaction monitoring mode using precursor→product ions of m/z 354.1→222.2 for nifedipine and 150.1→107.1 for the IS. A single oral dose of 20 mg nifedipine sustained release tablets and blood samples (4 mL) was collected before and 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 8, 12, 24, and 36 h after administration. The main pharmacokinetic parameters of nifedipine, as Tmax, t1/2α, t1/2β, t1/2z, Cmax, AUC0~36, AUC0~∞ were 2.80±0.50 h, 6.78±2.52 h, 6.82±2.53 h, 6.69±2.22 h, 76.69±19.51 (ng/mL), 546.49±162.28 (ng · h/mL) and 564.05±176.74 (ng · h/mL), respectively. The calibration curve was linear over the concentration range of 0.17-102 ng/mL (r2>0.99, n=5) with a lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 0.17 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day precision was less than 15% for all quality control samples at concentrations of 0.42, 6.53 and 81.60 ng/mL and the accuracy (relative error, RE) was - 3.92% to 7.31% at 3 quality control levels. The specificity, matrix effect, recovery, sensitivity, linearity, accuracy, precision and stabilities were validated, and can fulfill the requirement of pharmacokinetic study of nifedipine sustained release tablets in Chinese volunteers.

Unique roles of Schistosoma japonicum protein Sj16 to induce IFN-γ and IL-10 producing CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells in vitro and in vivo

Various proteins are expressed during different stages of schistosome development that are essential for cercarial penetration of vertebrate skin and evasion of host immune response. CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells are important in modulating immune responses towards helminth infections. Schistosoma japonicum protein Sj16 present in the secretions of schistosomula has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects; however, it is uncertain whether Sj16 can induce CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells to participate in the regulation of early infection. In this study, we demonstrate a relationship between recombinant Sj16 (rSj16) and the induction of CD4(+)CD25(+) Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells. An increase in CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells was observed both in splenic cells from mice injected with rSj16 and the cells pretreated with rSj16, respectively. The induced CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells suppressed CD4(+)CD25(-) T-cell proliferation; furthermore, IFN-γ and IL-10 released from rSj16-stimulated cells contribute to this suppression. Additionally, rSj16-treated bone marrow dendritic cells (BMDCs) demonstrate an immature phenotype and play a role in the conversion of CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells into suppressive CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells. Our study identified a new CD4(+)CD25(+) T-cell population that induced by rSj16 and suggests that an IFN-γ-biased microenvironment during early infection of schistosome may favour the establishment of infection.

145 EXTRA LIGHT EXPOSURE DECREASES DEVELOPMENT AND QUALITY OF PORCINE PARTHENOTE EMBRYOS

During in-vitro handling, oocytes and embryos are always exposed to light. This has been shown to affect embryonic development and quality in different species, i.e. hamster and mouse (Takenaka et al. 2007 PNAS, 104, 14 289–14 293) and human (Tatsuo et al. 2010 J. Assist. Reprod. Genet. 27, 93–96). However, similar experiments have not been made on porcine embryos, so our aim was to test effects of different types of light on the development and quality of porcine parthenote embryos. Cumulus–oocyte complexes from slaughterhouse-derived sow ovaries were aspirated and matured (38.5°C, 5% CO2, maximum humidity, 42 h). Parthenogenetic activation was made (Day 0) first by an electric pulse (1.26 kV cm–1, 80 µs) and then by incubation with 5 µg mL–1 cytochalasin B and 10 µg mL–1 cycloheximide in porcine zygote medium-3 (PZM-3) for 4 h. During these processes, the oocytes would be exposed to ~30 min of light. After activation, the oocytes were either directly cultured in incubator (0 h), or experimentally exposed to two types of light (DAY: near window, no direct sunlight; LAB: app. 40 cm from warm white lamps (12 V, 40 W) in PZM-3 while placed on a heating plate (38.5°C) with the culture dish covered by a crystal plastic foil filled with the appropriate gas (5% O2, 5% CO2) for different periods (1 h, 4 h, 24 h), and then cultured in PZM-3 in incubator. On Day 6, total and good blastocysts were counted. Good blastocysts were defined as blastocysts having expanded to 1.5 times the oocytes’ size, having cells of uniform color and distribution, and having formed a regular blastocyst cavity. The total number of cells and the apoptotic cells were detected on Day 6 blastocysts with TUNEL assay to evaluate embryonic quality. All statistics analysis were performed by ANOVA test (R). The results are summarized in Table 1. The developmental rates were decreased with both types of light: the decrease appeared earlier for good blastocyst rates, only after 1 h exposure; however, a clear adverse effect was also found on total blastocyst rates after 24 h exposure. The total cell number decreased after 4 h light exposure for both types of light. The rate of apoptotic cells tended to increase with both types of light (from approximately 7 to 9.5%) when embryos were exposed during 24 h, but no significant difference was found between groups. We conclude that the blastocyst morphology would be altered already after 1 h extra exposure to both light types, and their quality would further decrease after 4 h exposure. However, under normal working conditions, this should not represent a real problem. Table 1.Effect of light exposure on development of porcine parthenote embryos

A test stand for off-line laser ion source development at TRIUMF

A test stand for ion source development and laser resonance ionization spectroscopy was built and commissioned at TRIUMF. The test stand is needed to develop efficient ion sources that can function reliably in the hostile, high temperature, high radiation environment of TRIUMF's isotope separator on-line (ISOL) production target ion source. In addition, it enables laser resonance ionization spectroscopy to develop laser excitation schemes suitable for the solid-state laser systems used with TRIUMF's resonant ionization laser ion source . Also, it allows for possible improvement of current ion sources and validation of new designs. The test stand employs a copy of the ion optics used on-line, so that results can be transferred directly to radioactive ion beam production. Due to space restrictions and the need for rapid mass scans, a quadrupole mass spectrometer is used as a mass separator. One of the first experiments conducted on the laser ion source test stand (LIS STAND) was resonant ionization spectroscopy of gallium to improve on the ionization scheme previously used on-line, so that low yield isotopes (e.g., (62)Ga) become available for experiments. Different Rydberg series in gallium were observed and autoionizing states were searched for. The overall LIS STAND system performance, characteristics, and the first resonant ionization spectroscopy are described.

Simultaneous removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater by means of FeS-based autotrophic denitrification

The efficacy of iron(II) sulfide (FeS)-based autotrophic denitrification in simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal from wastewater was studied with batch experiments. It was efficient at a wide pH range of 5-9, and temperature range of 10-40 °C. The concentrations of NH₄⁺-N, Mg²⁺ and HCO₃⁻ in the wastewater should be kept over 7.8, 0.24 and 30 mg L⁻¹ for efficient nitrate (NO₃⁻-N) reduction, respectively. The NO₃⁻-N removal rate increased from 0 to 82 mg L⁻¹ d⁻¹ and then leveled off when the NO₃⁻-N concentration increased from 0 to 415 mg L⁻¹ and then to 700 mg L⁻¹, respectively. The NO₃⁻-N removal rate quickly increased, leveled off, and then sharply decreased when the PO₄³⁻-P concentration increased from 0 to 0.1 mg L⁻¹, then to 114.0 mg L⁻¹, and further to 683.8 mg L⁻¹, respectively. The PO₄³⁻-P removal was over 98% when the PO₄³⁻-P concentration ranged 0-683.3 mg L⁻¹. During treatment of the secondary effluent of a local municipal wastewater treatment plant containing NO₃⁻-N of 14.9 mg L⁻¹ and total phosphorus (TP) of 3.9 mg L⁻¹, NO₃⁻-N was reduced to 1.1 mg L⁻¹ and TP was completely removed.

First Report of Potato spindle tuber viroid Naturally Infecting Greenhouse Tomatoes in North Carolina

In spring 2012, a severe disease was observed on a limited number of tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in a research greenhouse facility in western North Carolina. The first symptoms noted were downward curling of the terminal leaves accompanied by a rough puckered darker green texture. This was followed in time by greater distortion of the leaves with pale green on leaf margins. Older leaves with symptoms developed necrosis, with necrotic spots and streaks appearing on a few fruits. On some of these affected fruits, stems, peduncles, pedicels, and sepals also showed symptoms. Infected plants were badly stunted, and fruits in the upper parts of plants displaying severe symptoms remained very small. In just a few months, the disease spread to other tomato plants inside the greenhouse. A survey in May 2012 showed a disease incidence of 18% (156 symptomatic plants out of a total of 864) in this greenhouse. Initial screenings for possible viruses using ELISA (Agdia, Elkhart, IN), as well as a reverse transcription (RT)-PCR panel of 15 common tomato viruses in our laboratory were negative. Because of the symptoms and negative results for viruses, a viroid infection was suspected. Total plant RNA was prepared using TRIzol reagent (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) from leaf tissues of eight diseased plants and one seed sample. Using real-time RT-PCR developed against Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) and some related pospiviroids (1), positive signals were observed with a mean Ct = 13.24 for leaf tissues and Ct = 19.91 for the seed sample. To obtain a full viroid genome, RT-PCR using two different sets of primers, one specific for PSTVd (PSTVd-F and PSTVd-R) (2), and a universal primer set for pospiviroids (MTTVd-F and MTTVd-R) (3) was performed. RT-PCR generated amplicons with expected size of ~360 bp from all eight leaf and one seed samples, but not from a healthy control. PCR products were cloned using the TOPO TA cloning kit (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA). A total of 22 full genomic sequences were obtained. A multi-sequence alignment generated a consensus sequence of 360 nt, designated as NC12-01 (GenBank Accession No. JX280944). BLASTn search in the NCBI database revealed the highest sequence identity of 96.9% to Australian (AY962324) and UK (AJ583449) isolates of PSTVd and 95.9% identity to the tomato isolate of PSTVd-CA1 (HM753555). Similar disease symptoms were observed on two 'Rutgers' tomato plants 2 weeks post mechanical inoculation and the presence of PSTVd was confirmed by real-time RT-PCR (1). A mock-inoculated plant did not show any symptoms. In the U.S., natural infection of PSTVd on tomato was first identified in California in 2010 (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of a natural occurrence of PSTVd on tomato in the eastern U.S. The diseased plants were contained, properly disposed of, and eradicated in this location. The broader geographic distribution of PSTVd on tomato in the U.S., and the potential latent infection in potato and a number of ornamentals (4), emphasizes the need for better plant and seed health tests for viroids on these plants. References: (1) N. Boonham et al. J. Virol. Methods 116:139, 2004. (2) H. Bostan et al. J. Virol. Methods 116:189, 2004. (3) K.-S. Ling and D. Sfetcu. Plant Dis. 94:1376, 2010. (4) R. A. Owens and J. Th. J. Verhoeven. The Plant Health Instructor. DOI: 10.1094/PHI-I-2009-0804-01, 2009.

185 DEVELOPMENT CAPACITY OF PRE- AND POSTPUBERTAL PIG OOCYTES EVALUATED BY SOMATIC CELL NUCLEAR TRANSFER AND PARTHENOGENETIC ACTIVATION

Most of the porcine oocytes used for in vitro studies are collected from gilts. Our aims were to study development capacity of gilt v. sow oocytes (pre- and postpubertal respectively) using 2 techniques illustrating development competence [parthenogenetic activation (PA) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)], and to describe a simple method to select the most competent oocytes. Inside-ZP diameter of in vitro-matured gilt oocytes was measured (µm; small ≤110; medium >110; large ≥120). Gilt and sow oocytes were morphologically grouped as good (even cytoplasm, smooth cell membrane, visible perivitelline space) or bad before used for PA (good and bad) or SCNT (good). The PA and SCNT were performed as before with minor modifications (Cryobiol. 64, 60; Cell. Reprogr. 13, 521) before culture for 6 days in a standard or timelapse incubator. Rates of cleavage (CL%, Day 2), blastocyst (BL%, Day 6), and blastocyst cell number (Hoechst 33342) were recorded. For PA embryos in a timelapse incubator (26 oocytes/group; 2 replicates), the first appearance of 2-cell stage was recorded. Between groups, CL% and BL% were analysed by chi-square and cell number by t-test. Results are presented in the table for the development of good oocytes after PA. The results show a low CL% of small-gilts compared with the other groups. The BL% increased with gilt-oocyte-diameter; however, sow oocytes reached the highest BL%. Total cell number was higher in sow than in gilt blastocysts. The SCNT experiments showed no differences in CL% (90–96) and blastocyst cell number (51–59) between groups. The BL% was higher in medium gilts and sows (41; 45) compared with large gilts (21). The BL% of bad oocytes was 1% from all 4 groups (176 oocytes, 25 replicates). Time interval for appearance of 2-cell stage for embryos developing into blastocysts showed no differences between groups (19–20 h). Within groups, this time interval showed a larger standard deviation for embryos not developing v. embryos developing into blastocysts. It is concluded that (a) sow oocytes have higher developmental capacity compared to gilts, (b) small gilt oocytes are not developmentally competent, (c) measurement of inside-ZP diameter, combined with morphological selection, is useful to remove non-competent oocytes. Further studies are needed to dissect the developmental capacity of medium and large gilt oocytes. Also, further timelapse studies may reveal a time interval in which the first cleavage of embryos with high developmental capacity takes place. Table 1.Rates of cleavage (CL%), blastocyst (BL%), and total no. of cells (mean ± SEM) in blastocysts of PA embryos from gilts and sows1

Fine mapping and characterization of BPH27, a brown planthopper resistance gene from wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.)

The brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens Stål; BPH) is one of the most serious rice pests worldwide. Growing resistant varieties is the most effective way to manage this insect, and wild rice species are a valuable source of resistance genes for developing resistant cultivars. BPH27 derived from an accession of Guangxi wild rice, Oryza rufipogon Griff. (Accession no. 2183, hereafter named GX2183), was primarily mapped to a 17-cM region on the long arm of the chromosome four. In this study, fine mapping of BPH27 was conducted using two BC(1)F(2) populations derived from introgression lines of GX2183. Insect resistance was evaluated in the BC(1)F(2) populations with 6,010 individual offsprings, and 346 resistance extremes were obtained and employed for fine mapping of BPH27. High-resolution linkage analysis defined the BPH27 locus to an 86.3-kb region in Nipponbare. Regarding the sequence information of rice cultivars, Nipponbare and 93-11, all predicted open reading frames (ORFs) in the fine-mapping region have been annotated as 11 types of proteins, and three ORFs encode disease-related proteins. Moreover, the average BPH numbers showed significant differences in 96-120 h after release in comparisons between the preliminary near-isogenic lines (pre-NILs, lines harboring resistance genes) and BaiR54. BPH growth and development were inhibited and survival rates were lower in the pre-NIL plants compared with the recurrent parent BaiR54. The pre-NIL exhibited 50.7% reductions in population growth rates (PGR) compared to BaiR54. The new development in fine mapping of BPH27 will facilitate the efforts to clone this important resistant gene and to use it in BPH-resistance rice breeding.

Abstract P6-02-02: Altered matrix homeostasis regulates estrogen biosynthesis in adipose tissue

Several estrogen-dependent pathological conditions including breast cancer, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis are associated with local overexpression of aromatase, a key enzyme in estrogen biosynthesis and important therapeutic target for postmenopausal ER+ breast cancer. In addition, excessive aromatase expression in adipose tissue at least partially accounts for obesity-associated breast cancer risk among postmenopausal women. While altered matrix homeostasis is associated with these aromatase-overexpressing tissues, little is known as to whether it can directly impact local steroidogenic gene expression and estrogen biosynthesis. A paucity of knowledge in this area is partly due to the lack of proper model systems that can recapitulate the mechanical properties of a cell's microenvironment.

Our data indicate that matrix alone can significantly stimulate aromatase transcription in breast stromal cells (BSCs) via distinct signaling pathways. With the help of a repertoire of molecular and biophysical tools, such as micropost, micropattern and polyacrylamide gel and 3-dimensional matrix culture, we determined that matrix rigidity and cellular shape play important role in the regulation of aromatase transcription in the BSCs. We further discovered that cytoskeleton dynamics can significantly alter the ECM-stimulated aromatase transcription in BSCs. Following careful and elaborate studies with the help of siRNA-mediated knockdown and over-expression of the individual factors, we found that a non-canonical collagen receptor member of discoidin domain receptor (DDR) family, DDR1, transduce the external signal inside the cells to facilitate the aromatase transcription. Further studies with siRNA-mediated knockdown and specific inhibitors revealed that DDR1 activates a signaling cascade, which promotes activation of the cJun kinase (JNK-1) by phosphorylation and subsequently the activation of Activation Protein-1 family member JunB. Activated JunB physically binds at the cancer-specific promoters of aromatase and induce transcription in stromal cells. To determine the consequence of the altered matrix generated aromatase on the growth of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cell lines we set up in vitro co-culture system. Proliferation of ZR75-1 and its ability to produce estrogen-stimulated genes were enhanced in multiple fold, when the cells were co-cultured physically with BSCs inside collagen or fed with BSC conditioned media in the presence of testosterone.

The link between matrix homeostasis and hormone metabolism is a vastly under-explored topic. Results from our work has bridged a major gap of knowledge in this field. Findings from the study also identified new factors that are key for the tissue-specific activation of estrogen biosynthesis and provide novel prognostic tools and markers, as well as new therapeutic targets for reducing local estrogen production, thus overcoming the side effects often associated with systemic inhibition of aromatase. The proposed work promises to establish a novel paradigm for regulation of steroidogenic gene expression and estrogen production and may have a far-reaching impact on the etiology and treatment of endocrine diseases that are associated with altered matrix homeostasis.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-02-02.

Comparison of mastoscopic and conventional axillary lymph node dissection in breast cancer: long-term results from a randomized, multicenter trial

OBJECTIVE

To compare the long-term results of mastoscopic axillary lymph node dissection (MALND) and conventional axillary lymph node dissection (CALND).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2005, a group of 1027 consecutive patients with operable breast cancer were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 study groups: MALND and CALND. The median follow-up was 63 months. The primary end points of the study were operative outcomes, complication reduction, function conservation, and cosmetics. The secondary end points were disease-free and overall survival.

RESULTS

The mean operative blood loss in the MALND group was less than in the CALND group (P<.001). The patients who underwent MALND had less axillary pain, numbness or paresthesias, and arm swelling (P<.001). The aesthetic appearance of the axilla in the MALND group was much better than that in the CALND group (P=.001 at 6 months and P=.002 at 24 months). A significant difference was found between the 2 groups in distant metastasis (P=.04). The disease-free survival rate was 64.5% in the MALND group and 60.8% in the CALND group (P=.88). The overall survival rate was 81.7% in the MALND group and 78.6% in the CALND group (P=.95).

CONCLUSION

Compared with CALND, MALND has advantages in operative outcomes, complication reduction, function conservation, and cosmetics.

Evaluation of plasma and tissue S100A4 protein and mRNA levels as potential markers of metastasis and prognosis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

To investigate levels of S100A4 protein in plasma and S100A4 mRNA in tumours from patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC), and correlate these with metastasis, survival and levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

METHODS

Plasma S100A4 and VEGF protein concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assays in 39 healthy subjects and 68 consecutive patients with untreated CCRCC. Levels of S100A4 and VEGF mRNA in tumour and matched control (healthy) tissue samples were measured using realtime quantitative reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction. Findings were analysed with respect to clinico pathological characteristics.

RESULTS

Plasma VEGF concentrations were higher in patients with CCRCC than in healthy subjects. S100A4 and VEGF mRNA levels were up-regulated in CCRCC tumour tissue compared with control tissue samples. Logistic regression analysis revealed that up-regulated tumour S100A4 and VEGF mRNA levels were independent risk factors for the presence of invasion and/or metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

S100A4 and VEGF are associated with tumour invasion and metastasis, and may be useful prognostic markers in patients with CCRCC. S100A4 and VEGF may represent potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

[The development of multifunction intravenous infusion quantitative packaging device]

Aimed at tackling the compatibility issues arising from the drug reaction in intravenous infusion tube, we developed a simple, suitable and multi-function intravenous infusion tube for the special use for rescuing critical patients, the elderly, children etc. Each drug in a transfusion process can be filtered to realize quantitative packet and packet delivery. Thus, the drugs in the infusion tube are prevented from meeting with each other. No overlap, no particle pollution occurred. Stable performance and accurate dosage are maintained. As a result safety is ensured during drug delivery.

Primordia initiation of mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) strains on axenic casing materials

The mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) has a requirement for a "casing layer" that has specific physical, chemical and microbiological properties which stimulate and promote the initiation of primordia. Some of these primordia then may develop further into sporophores, involving differentiation of tissue. Wild and commercial strains of A. bisporus were cultured in axenic and nonaxenic microcosms, using a rye grain substrate covered by a range of organic and inorganic casing materials. In axenic culture, A. bisporus (commercial strain A15) was capable of producing primordia and mature sporophores on charcoal (wood and activated), anthracite coal, lignite and zeolite, but not on bark, coir, peat, rockwool, silica or vermiculite. Of six strains tested, only the developmental variant mutant, B430, produced rudimentary primordia on axenic peat-based casing material. However, none of these rudimentary primordia developed differentiated tissues or beyond 4 mm diameter, either on axenic casing material in the microcosms or in larger-scale culture. In larger-scale, nonaxenic culture, strain B430 produced severely malformed but mature sporophores in similar numbers to those of other strains. Typically, 3-6% of primordia developed into mature sporophores, but significant differences in this proportion, as well as in the numbers of primordia produced, were recorded between 12 A. bisporus strains.

Induction of alloimmune tolerance in heart transplantation through gene silencing of TLR adaptors

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) activate biochemical pathways that evoke activation of innate immunity, which leads to dendritic cell (DC) maturation and initiation of adaptive immune responses that provoke allograft rejection. We aimed to prolong allograft survival by selectively inhibiting expression of the common adaptors of TLR signaling, namely MyD88 and TRIF, using siRNA. In vitro we demonstrated that blocking expression of MyD88 and TRIF led to reduced DC maturation. In vivo treatment of recipients with MyD88 and TRIF siRNA significantly prolonged allograft survival in the BALB/c > C57BL6 cardiac transplant model. Moreover, the combination of MyD88 and TRIF siRNA along with a low dose of rapamycin further extended the allograft survival (88.8 ± 7.1 days). Tissue histopathology demonstrated an overall reduction in lymphocyte interstitium infiltration, vascular obstruction and hemorrhage in mice treated with MyD88 and TRIF siRNA vector plus rapamycin. Furthermore, treatment was associated with an increase in the numbers of CD4(+) CD25(+) FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells and Th2 deviation. To our knowledge, this study is the first demonstration of prolonging the survival of allogeneic heart grafts through gene silencing of TLR signaling adaptors, highlighting the therapeutic potential of siRNA in clinical transplantation.

Attenuated Bordetella pertussis BPZE1 protects against allergic airway inflammation and contact dermatitis in mouse models

BACKGROUND

We previously reported that prior nasal administration of highly attenuated Bordetella pertussis BPZE1 provides effective and sustained protection against lethal challenge with influenza A viruses. The protective effect was mediated by suppressing the production of major pro-inflammatory mediators. To further explore the anti-inflammatory properties of BPZE1, we investigated the effect of BPZE1 nasal pretreatment on two mouse models of allergic disease, allergic airway inflammation, and contact hypersensitivity (CHS).

METHODS

Allergic reactions were induced in mice nasally pretreated with live attenuated BPZE1 bacteria using the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic airway inflammation and dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced CHS models.

RESULTS

Prior BPZE1 nasal treatment suppressed OVA-induced lung inflammation and inflammatory cell recruitment and significantly reduced IgE levels and cytokine production. Similarly, BPZE1 nasal pretreatment markedly inhibited ear swelling, skin inflammation, and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the DNCB-induced CHS model. For both models, we showed that BPZE1 pretreatment does not affect the sensitization phase. Upon challenge, BPZE1 pretreatment selectively reduced the level of cytokines whose production is increased and did not affect the basal level of other cytokines. Together, our observations suggest that BPZE1 pretreatment specifically targets those cytokine-producing effector cells that are recruited and involved in the inflammatory reaction.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates the broad anti-inflammatory properties of the attenuated B. pertussis BPZE1 vaccine candidate and supports its development as a promising agent to prevent and/or treat allergic diseases.

Application of mineral bed materials during fast pyrolysis of rice husk to improve water-soluble organics production

Fast pyrolysis of rice husk was performed in a spout-fluid bed to produce water-soluble organics. The effects of mineral bed materials (red brick, calcite, limestone, and dolomite) on yield and quality of organics were evaluated with the help of principal component analysis (PCA). Compared to quartz sand, red brick, limestone, and dolomite increased the yield of the water-soluble organics by 6-55% and the heating value by 16-19%. The relative content of acetic acid was reduced by 23-43% with calcite, limestone and dolomite when compared with quartz sand. The results from PCA showed all minerals enhanced the ring-opening reactions of cellulose into furans and carbonyl compounds rather than into monomeric sugars. Moreover, calcite, limestone, and dolomite displayed the ability to catalyze the degradation of heavy compounds and the demethoxylation reaction of guaiacols into phenols. Minerals, especially limestone and dolomite, were beneficial to the production of water-soluble organics.