Correlation of total and specific serum immunoglobulin E levels with the severity of chronic sinusitis in children

Chronic sinusitis is frequently associated with allergy and asthma. Previous studies have shown that serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels correlate with allergy and asthma in adults. Because the role of allergic inflammation in the severity of chronic sinusitis remains controversial in children, we set out to determine whether a correlation exists between serum levels of total and specific IgE and the severity of chronic sinusitis in children. Forty-four children with chronic sinusitis were enrolled in the study. Computed tomographic scans were reviewed and scored for the severity of sinusitis. All children were mite-sensitive. Serum samples were assayed for total IgE and specific IgE antibodies to mite allergen using a fluoroimmunoassay. Fourteen subjects had extensive sinus disease. There was no significant difference in the average of total and specific IgE between the subjects with extensive and limited disease (p = 0.562 and 0.755, respectively). Thirty-four subjects were diagnosed with asthma. The subjects with extensive sinus disease had a higher prevalence of moderate to severe asthma than the subjects with limited disease (p = 0.006), but there was no significant difference in the average of total and specific IgE between the subjects with different severities of asthma. (p = 0.833 and 0.425, respectively). The data suggests that levels of total or specific IgE do not correlate with severity of chronic sinusitis in children. Nonetheless, the severity of chronic sinusitis and asthma correlate well with each other irrespective of total and specific IgE.

Screening procedure from cattle feces and the prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Taiwan dairy cattle

A procedure has been established for screening Escherichia coli O157:H7 from bovine feces. It consists of four steps: enrichment, selective culture, phenotyping and genotyping. Modified trypticase soy broth (mTSB) containing 20 microg/mL of novobiocin was used for the enrichment step. The selective culture step was done using sorbitol MacConkey agar containing 0.05 microg/mL of cefixime and 2.5 microg/mL of potassium tellurite. The phenotyping steps include: species confirmation as E. coli, serotyping to O157 and H7, and the detection of verocytotoxin (VT) production. Genotyping was made up of confirmation of the presence of the O157 antigen (rfb), the H7 antigen (ficC), the adherence factor (eaeA), hemolysin (hlyA), and VT production (vt I and vt II) by polymerase chain reaction. mTSB gave better enrichment for E. coli O157 than gram-negative (GN) broth. The detection limit for this screening procedure was 0.85 +/- 0.5 cfu/g. Using the screening procedure described above, E. coli O157 was found in four out of 3062 (0.13%) fresh bovine fecal specimens, and in two out of 78 (2.56%) dairy herds in Taiwan. Three out of the four detected strains were vt II producing E. coli O157:H7, while the other was E. coli O157:H7 which lacked VT-producing ability.

The neuroprotective effects of phytoestrogens on amyloid beta protein-induced toxicity are mediated by abrogating the activation of caspase cascade in rat cortical neurons

Amyloid beta protein (Abeta) elicits a toxic effect on neurons in vitro and in vivo. In present study we attempt to elucidate the mechanism by which Abeta confers its neurotoxicity. The neuroprotective effects of phytoestrogens on Abeta-mediated toxicity were also investigated. Cortical neurons treated with 5 microm Abeta-(25-35) for 40 h decreased the cell viability by 45.5 +/- 4.6% concomitant with the appearance of apoptotic morphology. 50 microm kaempferol and apigenin decreased the Abeta-induced cell death by 81.5 +/- 9.4% and 49.2 +/- 9.9%, respectively. Abeta increased the activity of caspase 3 by 10.6-fold and to a lesser extent for caspase 2, 8, and 9. The Abeta-induced activation of caspase 3 and release of cytochrome c showed a biphasic pattern. Apigenin abrogated Abeta-induced cytochrome c release, and the activation of caspase cascade. Kaempferol showed a similar effect but to a less extent. Kaempferol was also capable of eliminating Abeta-induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species. These two events accounted for the remarkable effect of kaempferol on neuroprotection. Quercetin and probucol did not affect the Abeta-mediated neurotoxicity. However, they potentiated the protective effect of apigenin. Therefore, these results demonstrate that Abeta elicited activation of caspase cascades and reactive oxygen species accumulation, thereby causing neuronal death. The blockade of caspase activation conferred the major neuroprotective effect of phytoestrogens. The antioxidative activity of phytoestrogens also modulated their neuroprotective effects on Abeta-mediated toxicity.

Essential role for caspase-8 in transcription-independent apoptosis triggered by p53

p53's dual regulation of arrest versus apoptosis may underlie tumor-selective effects of anti-cancer therapy. p53's apoptotic effect has been suggested to involve both transcription-dependent and -independent mechanisms. It is shown here that caspase-8 is activated early in cells undergoing p53-mediated apoptosis and in S100 cell-free extracts that recapitulate transcription-independent apoptosis. Depletion or inactivation of caspase-8 either in cells or cell-free extracts completely prevents this transcription-independent apoptosis and significantly attenuates overall death induced by wild-type p53. Importantly, caspase-8 activation appears to be independent of FADD, and caspase-8 is found in a novel 600-kDa complex following p53 activation. These findings highlight the roles of both transcription-dependent and -independent apoptosis by p53 and identify an essential role for caspase-8 in the transcription-independent pathway.

Dihydrophenanthrenes from Spiranthes sinensis

Six novel dihydrophenanthrene derivatives, sinensols A-F (1-6), were isolated from the aerial parts of Spiranthesis sinensis. Their structures were determined on the basis of various spectroscopic data, in particular those yielded by MS and 2D NMR techniques.

[The regulation of NO on sleep-wakefulness in rats]

AIM AND METHODS

The effects of an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase L-NAME and a precursor of NO(L-arginine) on sleep-wakefulness in rats were examined.

RESULTS

1. The time of waking was increased(P < 0.01) and the time of SWS was decreased(P < 0.01) during the first two hours after injection intracerebroventricularly(i.c.v.) of L-NAME 1 mg, this effect was showed across the 4 h recording period(P < 0.05). The i.c.v. injection of L-NAME 0.2 mg had no significant effect. 2. The time of waking was su-ppressed during the third and fourth hours after i.c.v. injection of L-arginine 300 micrograms(P < 0.05). At the same time the increase of SWS was observed (P < 0.01). 3. There was no change on W, SWS, PS when L-NAME 1 mg was given after administration of L-arginine.

CONCLUSION

The excitatory effect of L-NAME on wakefulness is mediated by inhibition of NOS. This effect could be antagonized by L-arginine. It suggests that NO is involved in regulation of sleep-wakefulness.

Suppressive effect of penta-acetyl geniposide on the development of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase foci-induced by aflatoxin B(1) in rats

The suppressive effects of penta-acetyl geniposide, (Ac)(5)-GP, on the hepatotoxic lesions-induced by aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) were investigated in male Wistar rats. Rats were divided into six groups: groups I and II served as normal and solvent control, respectively; group III was given AFB(1) (2 mg/kg body weight) alone; group IV was given (Ac)(5)-GP (2 mg/kg) alone; and groups V and VI received both AFB(1) (2 mg/kg body weight) and (Ac)(5)-GP (1 mg and 2 mg/kg body weight, respectively). Rats received treatments for 8 weeks, then were maintained on basal diet for 32 weeks. At the end of the experiment (week 40), the liver lesions (e.g. fatty change, eosinophilic and bile duct dilation) and preneoplastic changes in rats of groups V and VI were reduced when they were compared with group III. There were no liver lesions and preneoplastic changes in rats treated with (Ac)(5)-GP alone. Although no differences in the total number of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)-positive foci was observed between the groups treated with AFB(1) along with or without (Ac)(5)-GP, the treatment of (Ac)(5)-GP significantly reduced the number of AFB(1)-induced GGT positive foci (with diameter larger than 0.3 mm). These results indicated that the protective effect of (Ac)(5)-GP on early hepatocarcinogenesis-induced by AFB(1) was associated with the inhibition of GGT foci development.

Involvement of oxidative stress, NF-IL-6, and RANTES expression in dengue-2-virus-infected human liver cells

The liver has been suspected to be one of the major targets of dengue virus infection. Here, we detected increasing secretion of the chemokine RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted), which functions to recruit the immune cells, in dengue-virus-infected liver cells and patients. Three luciferase reporter genes with various deletions at the 5'-end of the RANTES promoter were constructed to explore the RANTES activation mechanism in human liver cells. The reporter gene was optimally activated by dengue-2 virus when the RANTES promoter contains the region from the transcription starting site (+1) to the nucleotide at the -181 position. NF-IL-6 and an undefined factor forming DNA-protein complexes in the RANTES promoter E and A/B regions in the infected cells were demonstrated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Further analysis showed that oxidative stress was an upstream inducer of NF-IL-6 and RANTES signaling in dengue-virus-infected liver cells. This finding was demonstrated by three antioxidants (N-acetyl-l-cysteine, nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate) used to suppress the activation. In contrast, the DNA binding activity of the undefined factor was not affected by the antioxidant treatment, indicating the existence of an oxidant-independent pathway. We hypothesize that dengue virus infection of the liver cells may trigger both an oxidant-dependent and an oxidant-independent pathway to up-regulate RANTES mRNA expression through activating NF-IL-6 and an undefined factor, respectively. In conclusion, the present study suggests a new direction for the study of liver pathogenesis involving RANTES in host immune responses during dengue virus infection.

Inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitors from Saposhnikovia divaricata and Panax quinquefolium

A series of polyacetylenes, falcarinone, panaxynol, falcarindiol, panaxydol, and panaxytriol, were isolated from Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk and Panax quinquefolium L. These polyacetylenes were identified as active principles on the inhibition of nitrite production by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Treatment with 10 microM of panaxynol, falcarindiol, panaxydol and panaxytriol decreased the LPS/IFN-gamma-stimulated accumulation of nitrite by 71.92 +/- 3.07, 69.95 +/- 3.68, 45.48 +/- 6.11 and 36.85 +/- 8.80%, respectively. The IC50 value of falcarinone, panaxynol, falcarindiol, panaxydol and panaxytriol was > 20, 2.23, 1.98, 6.58 and 9.85 microM, respectively.

Relaxant effects of petasins in isolated guinea pig trachea and their structure-activity relationships

In the present study, we attempted to compare four petasins, isolated from Petasites formosanus Kitamura, and to look for structure-activity relationships, which may be helpful for synthesizing more active compounds for the treatment of asthma. Four petasins, including petasin, isopetasin, S-petasin and S-isopetasin, concentration-dependently relaxed histamine (10 microM)-, carbachol (0.2 microM)-, KCl (30 mM)-, and leukotriene D4 (10 nM)-induced precontractions of isolated guinea pig trachealis. The IC50 values strongly showed that the relaxant effects of the sulfur-containing petasins, S-petasin and S-isopetasin, were more potent than those of non-sulfur-containing petasins, petasin and isopetasin. S-isopetasin, with IC50 values around 10 microM, selectively relaxed carbachol- and KCl-induced precontractions, and had almost no effects (IC50s > 300 microM) on histamine- and leukotriene D4-induced precontractions. However, S-petasin, with IC50 values about 6-9 microM, non-selectively relaxed the precontractions induced by all these contractile agents. The influence of isomerization of either petasin to isopetasin or S-petasin to S-isopetasin on the relaxant effects is not clear.

Complexes formation between insulin receptor and extracellular signal-regulated kinases ERKs

A property of signal transduction pathways that might explain their efficiency and specificity is the formation of signaling complexes. The recent demonstration that adaptor proteins can interact with many components of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) signaling cascade leads us to investigate whether such complexes may include the transmembrane receptor. The present work shows that in human hepatoma Hep3B cells, insulin receptor (IR) can be coimmunoprecipitated with other components of the ERKs cascade: insulin receptor substrate (IRS), Raf-1, and ERKs. Furthermore, these complexes formed near the cytoplasmic membrane even prior to insulin stimulation.

Light-independent inactivation of dengue-2 virus by carboxyfullerene C3 isomer

Carboxyfullerene (C60) is known as a photosensitizer for virus inactivation. Its regioisomer with C3 symmetry, named the C3 isomer, could also inactivate the dengue-2 virus without light when the dose of C3 isomer was increased to 40 microM, indicating the possible involvement of a light-independent mechanism. Further analysis showed that the C3 isomer blocked viral replication at the attachment and penetration stages, suggesting that a direct interaction between the C3 isomer and the virion is required for inactivation. The C3 isomer with a bipolar structure showed better lipid interaction and dengue-2 virus suppression than D3, another isomer that contains evenly distributed hydrophilic side chains. Moreover, the C3 isomer selectively inactivated enveloped viruses (viz., dengue-2 virus and Japanese encephalitis virus) instead of nonenveloped viruses (viz., enterovirus 71 and coxsackievirus B3). Collectively, these findings support the hypothesis that C3 isomer suppression of enveloped viruses is effected through its hydrophobic interaction with the viral lipid envelope. Our report, which demonstrates the light-dependent and -independent mechanisms of C60 on viral inactivation, will aid in the development of novel anti-viral agents for use against enveloped viruses.

Inhibition of testosterone secretion by S-petasin in rat testicular interstitial cells

S-petasin, a kind of sesquiterpene ester, is the anti-inflammatory ann analgesic component of the butterbur (Petasites hybridus). The clinical benefit of S-petasin is the spasmolytic activity, but its side effects on the reproductive endocrinology are not clear yet. The present study was to explore the effects of S-petasin on the secretion of testosterone in vivo and in vitro. We found that single intravenous injection of S-petasin (1 microg/kg) decreased basal plasma testosterone concentration in adult male rats. The enzymatically dispersed rat testicular interstitial cells were incubated with S-petasin (0-4.3 x 10(-5)M) in the presence or absence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, 0.05 IU/ml), forskolin (adenylyl cyclase activator, 10(-5) M), and androstenedione (testosterone biosynthesis precursor, 10(-9) M) at 34 degrees C for 1 h. The concentrations of testosterone in the incubation medium were measured by radioimmunoassay. S-petasin at 4.3 x 10(-7) M was effective to reduce the basal and hCG-stimulated release of testosterone in rat testicular interstitial cells. The stimulatory effects of testosterone secretion induced by forskolin and androstenedione were significantly reduced by S-petasin at 4.3 x 10(-5) M and 4.3 x 10(-6) M, respectively. These results suggest that S-petasin inhibits the production of testosterone in rat testicular interstitial cells in part through diminishing the activities of adenylyl cyclase and 17-ketosteroid reductase.

Effects of baicalein and wogonin on drug-metabolizing enzymes in C57BL/6J mice

Effects of baicalein and wogonin, the major flavonoids of Scutellariae radix, on cytochrome P450 (CYP), UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UGT), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were studied in C57BL/6J mice. One-week treatment of mice with a liquid diet containing 5 mM baicalein resulted in 29%, 14%, 36%, 28%, and 46% decreases of hepatic benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylation (AHH), benzphetamine N-demethylation (BDM), N-nitrosodimethylamine N-demethylation (NDM), nifedipine oxidation (NFO), and erythromycin N-demethylation (EMDM) activities, respectively. Treatment with a liquid diet containing 5 mM wogonin resulted in 43%, 22%, 21%, 24%, and 35% decreases of hepatic AHH, BDM, NDM, NFO, and EMDM activities, respectively. However, hepatic 7-methoxyresorufin O-demethylation (MROD) activity was increased and decreased by baicalein- and wogonin-treatments, respectively. Similar modulation was observed with caffeine 3-demethylation (CDM) activity. Immunoblot analysis showed that the levels of hepatic CYP2E1 and CYP3A proteins were decreased by both baicalein- and wogonin-treatments. Hepatic CYP1A2 protein level was increased by baicalein but decreased by wogonin. In extrahepatic tissues, renal AHH activity was decreased by wogonin whereas pulmonary AHH, 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation (EROD), and MROD activities were increased by both flavonoids. Both baicalein and wogonin strongly increased CYP1A protein level in mouse lung. Hepatic and renal UGT activities toward p-nitrophenol were suppressed by baicalein- and wogonin-treatments. However, cytosolic GST activity was not affected by flavonoids. These results suggest that ingestion of baicalein or wogonin can modulate drug-metabolizing enzymes and the modulation shows tissue specificity.

Quantitative competitive reverse transcription-PCR for quantification of dengue virus RNA

A quantitative competitive reverse transcription-PCR assay was developed to quantify dengue virus RNA in this study. The main features include a primer pair targeting a highly conserved region in the capsid and the addition of competing RNA that contains an internal deletion to provide a stringent internal control for quantification. It can be utilized to quantify RNA isolated from the four dengue virus serotypes but not RNA isolated from other flaviviruses, including Japanese encephalitis virus and hepatitis C virus, both prevalent in Asia. It can also be used to quantify dengue virus RNA isolated from the plasma of infected individuals. The sensitivity of the assay was estimated to be 10 to 50 copies of RNA per reaction, and twofold differences in virus titer are distinguishable. This assay is a convenient, sensitive, and accurate method for quantification and can be used to further understanding of the pathogenesis of dengue virus infection.

Prevalence of microalbuminuria and relationship to the risk of cardiovascular disease in the Japanese population

The prevalence of microalbuminuria and its relationship to cardiovascular disease risk factors were examined in subjects participating in an annual physical and laboratory examination program. The urinary albumin concentration and the urinary albumin/creatinine ratio were determined in morning urine specimens. A turbidimetric immunoassay was used for the measurement of urinary albumin. Of the 731 subjects, 41 (5.6%) who were weakly positive or positive on a routine dipstick test for protein were excluded from the final analysis of data. Microalbuminuria was present in 14.5% of the men, in 12.4% of the women, and in 13.2% of the entire subject population when defined as a urinary albumin concentration of 30-299 microgram/ml. The prevalence of microalbuminuria was significantly higher in subjects with a high normal blood pressure (15.0%) or hypertension (26.2%) as compared with normotensive subjects (6.5%). Subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (24.3%) or hyperglycemic subjects (50.0%) had a significantly higher prevalence of microalbuminuria than normoglycemic subjects (11.3%). The prevalence of microalbuminuria was significantly higher in subjects with left ventricular hypertrophy (47.1%) as compared with those with normal electrocardiograms (11.3%). A good correlation was observed between urinary albumin concentration and albumin/creatinine ratio, and both showed a significant positive correlation with age, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and fasting plasma glucose, total serum protein, albumin, and triglyceride levels, but not with angiotensin-converting enzyme activity. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that both the urinary albumin concentration and the albumin/creatinine ratio show a significant positive correlation with systolic blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose. The prevalence of microalbuminuria was about 13% in this Japanese cohort, and the systolic blood pressure and the fasting plasma glucose level were demonstrated as independent risk indicators for both urinary microalbumin level and urinary microalbumin/creatinine ratio.

Association of protein phosphatase 2A with its substrate vimentin intermediate filaments in 9L rat brain tumor cells

The importance of protein phosphatases in maintaining the integrity of intermediate filaments is supported by the fact that intermediate filaments would undergo a massive reorganization in cells treated with inhibitors of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A. Herein we used okadaic acid to investigate the differential roles of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A in the maintenance of intermediate filament integrity in 9L rat brain tumor cells. Protein phosphatase 2A activity was substantially inhibited after treatment with 400 nM okadaic acid for 2 h, whereas the activity of protein phosphatase 1 was only slightly affected. Furthermore, protein phosphatase 2A shows selective specificity toward phosphovimentin, which was immunologically precipitated from isotopically labeled and okadaic acid-treated cells. Further biochemical fractionation and microscopic studies revealed that vimentin intermediate filaments were colocalized with protein phosphatase 2A, but not protein phosphatase 1, in control cells. On okadaic acid treatment, vimentin filament disassembled and protein phosphatase 2A redistributed throughout the cytoplasm, suggesting that these two proteins separate from each other, whereas protein phosphatase 2A was inhibited. This working hypothesis was further supported by treatment with a low concentration (40 nM) of okadaic acid, which causes the same phenomenon. Taken together, our results showed that protein phosphatase 2A could be assigned to the intermediate filaments to serve the physiological role in maintaining the proper phosphorylation level of intermediate filaments in normal cells. This finding should pave the way for the elucidation of the regulatory mechanism of intermediate filament organization governed by protein phosphorylation.

Discovery of a potent, non-triketone type inhibitor of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase

3-Cyclopropanecarbonyloxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one has been found to be a new, potent, low molecular weight non-triketone type inhibitor of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase with IC50 value of 30 nM. Preliminary studies suggest that the two carbonyl groups present in the compound are crucial for the inhibition activity.

Molecular epidemiological studies on foot-and-mouth disease type O Taiwan viruses from the 1997 epidemic

Sequence diversity was assessed of the complete VP1 gene directly amplified from 49 clinical specimens during an explosive foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Taiwan. Type O Taiwan FMD viruses are genetically highly homogenous, as seen by the minute divergence of 0.2-0.9% revealed in 20 variants. The O/HCP-0314/TW/97 and O/TCP-022/TW/97 viral variants dominated FMD outbreaks and were prevalent in most affected pig-raising areas. Comparison of deduced amino acid sequences around the main neutralizable antigenic sites on the VP1 polypeptide showed no significant antigenic variation. However, the O/CHP-158/TW/97 variant had an alternative critical residue at position 43 in antigenic site 3, which may be due to selective pressure in the field. Two vaccine production strains (O1/Manisa/Turkey/69 and O1/Campos/Brazil/71) probably provide partial heterologous protection of swine against O Taiwan viruses. The type O Taiwan variants clustered in sublineage A1 of four main lineages in the phylogenetic tree. The O/Hong Kong/9/94 and O/1685/Moscow/Russia/95 viruses in sublineage A2 are closely related to the O Taiwan variants. The causative agent for the 1997 epidemic presumably originated from a single common source of type O FMD viruses prevalent in neighboring areas.

SAR studies of 2-o-substituted-benzoyl- and 2-alkanoyl-cyclohexane-1,3-diones as inhibitors of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase

Inhibition studies of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) with various synthesized 2-o-substituted-benzoyl- and 2-alkanoyl-cyclohexane-1,3-diones suggest that the presence of a strongly electronegative group at the ortho position and the conformation of the benzene ring moiety on the benzoylcyclohexane-1,3-dione inhibitors are crucial for potent HPPD inhibition.

Seminal plasma zinc levels and sperm motion characteristics in infertile samples

BACKGROUND

Zinc (Zn) in seminal plasma stabilizes the cell membrane and nuclear chromatin of spermatozoa. It may also have an antibacterial function. However, extremely high concentrations of Zn (10 to 100 x the normal range) may inhibit sperm motility and the function of the mannose receptor on the sperm head. In this study, we analyzed the correlation between Zn levels in seminal plasma and the characteristics of semen as measured by conventional and computer aided sperm analysis (CASA).

METHODS

One hundred fifteen infertile couples were recruited for conventional semen analysis and CASA from December 1995 through January 1996, and Zn levels in semen samples were determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS).

RESULTS

A good correlation in a positive direction (r = 0.73, p = 0.0001) was noted between the total amount of Zn per ejaculate and the Zn concentration. The Zn concentration in seminal plasma was negatively correlated with the seminal pH (r = -0.35, p = 0.0081). There was no significant correlation between the total amount of Zn per ejaculate and sperm characteristics, including sperm count, motility (% sperm count), progressive motility (% motility), rapid motility (% motility), average path velocity (VAP, microns/s), straight-line velocity (VSL, microns/s), curvilinear velocity (VCL, microns/s), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH, microns), beat/cross frequency (BCF, beats/s), straightness (STR), and linearity (LIN). There was also no significant correlation between the Zn concentration in seminal plasma and the above sperm characteristics.

CONCLUSION

The characteristics of semen as determined by conventional semen analysis or CASA bore no correlation with total seminal Zn amount or Zn concentrations in the ejaculates. Routine determination of the Zn concentration in seminal plasma offers no advantages in infertility work-ups.

Infection of five human liver cell lines by dengue-2 virus

Elevated serum transaminase levels of dengue patients indicate the possible impact of dengue virus infection on liver function. To elucidate the action of dengue virus infection in liver cells, an in vitro cell line system was established that mimicked the liver status of diverse clinical patients. Briefly, four hepatoma cell lines (HA22T, Huh7, Hep3B, and PLC) and one nonmalignant hepatocyte cell line (Chang liver) were included, representing various levels of tumorigenicity and differentiation. Our data showed that in these five cell lines, dengue-2 virus attached to each cell type equally well; however, this virus had higher replication rates and levels of virion production in differentiated Huh7, PLC, Hep3B, and Chang liver cells. Likewise, a lower replication rate was observed in the de-differentiated HA22T cells. Differentiation-related factors seem to play an important role in dengue virus replication. Further study showed that sodium butyrate (NaB, a differentiation inducer) treatment enhanced dengue virus replication in HA22T cells. Moreover, we found that the severity of morphologic aberration and the increase in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels correlated with the virus replication rate in the four infected hepatoma cells. In conclusion, we showed that dengue virus can infect diverse liver cells with differing replication efficiency, which causes cytopathic effects (CPEs) of diverse severity. Among the CPEs, the increased AST levels correlated with the clinical results from 24 dengue fever patients, who showed increased AST levels at the onset of fever. In summary, we find that dengue-2 virus replicates actively and causes severe CPEs in differentiated hepatoma cells. Factors related to differentiation as well as tumorigenicity seem to play critical roles, though the mechanisms of action remain unclear.

Inhibition of low density lipoprotein oxidation by tetrahydrofurofuran lignans from Forsythia suspensa and Magnolia coco

Based on the inhibition of Cu(2+)-induced LDL oxidation as marker, the major antioxidants in the fruits of Forsythia suspensa and the stems of Magnolia coco were identified. Of these bioactive tetrahydrofurofuran lignans, pinoresinol, phillygenin, and syringaresinol were more potent than probucol. Sesamin and fargesin, which do not contain phenol groups, were found much less active.

Screening of protective antigens of Japanese encephalitis virus by DNA immunization: a comparative study with conventional viral vaccines

In this study, we evaluated the relative role of the structural and nonstructural proteins of the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in inducing protective immunities and compared the results with those induced by the inactivated JEV vaccine. Several inbred and outbred mouse strains immunized with a plasmid (pE) encoding the JEV envelope protein elicited a high level of protection against a lethal JEV challenge similar to that achieved by the inactivated vaccine, whereas all the other genes tested, including those encoding the capsid protein and the nonstructural proteins NS1-2A, NS3, and NS5, were ineffective. Moreover, plasmid pE delivered by intramuscular or gene gun injections produced much stronger and longer-lasting JEV envelope-specific antibody responses than immunization of mice with the inactivated JEV vaccine did. Interestingly, intramuscular immunization of plasmid pE generated high-avidity antienvelope antibodies predominated by the immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) isotype similar to a sublethal live virus immunization, while gene gun DNA immunization and inactivated JEV vaccination produced antienvelope antibodies of significantly lower avidity accompanied by a higher IgG1-to-IgG2a ratio. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the JEV envelope protein represents the most critical antigen in providing protective immunity.