HWY-289, a novel semi-synthetic protoberberine derivative with multiple target sites in Candida albicans

The antifungal properties of 515 synthetic and semi-synthetic protoberberines were investigated. HWY-289 was chosen for further study because it exhibited the most significant anti-Candida activity (MICs were 1.56 mg/L for Candida albicans and Candida krusei; 6.25 mg/L for Candida guilliermondii) but did not demonstrate toxicity in rats. HWY-289 inhibited the incorporation of L-[methyl-(14)C]methionine into the C-24 of ergosterol in whole cells of C. albicans (IC(50) 20 microM). However, HWY-289 (100 microM) had no effect on mammalian cholesterol biosynthesis in rat microsomes while miconazole (100 microM) was a potent inhibitor of cholesterol biosynthesis under identical assay conditions. A second major target site for HWY-289 was identified that involves cell wall biosynthesis in C. albicans. HWY-289 was a potent inhibitor of the chitin synthase isozymes CaCHS1 and CaCHS2, with IC(50) values of 22 microM for each enzyme. The effect was highly specific in that HWY-289 had no significant effect on C. albicans CaCHS3 (IC(50) > 200 microM). Thus, HWY-289 compared favourably with well-established antifungal agents as an inhibitor of the growth of Candida species in vitro, and may have considerable potential as a new class of antifungal agent that lacks toxic side effects in the human host.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for aggressive behavior in patients with dementia after head injury

Head injury of any severity can result in acute and chronic neuropsychiatric symptoms. After head injury, aggressive behaviors can be disabling to victims and stressful to their families. When aggression is compounded by dementia, treatment can be more difficult. Psychotropic agents can attenuate aggressive behaviors associated with mental disorders. Three patients with dementia and chronic aggression after head injury responded favorably to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Inhibition of neuronal apoptosis by polyunsaturated fatty acids

The effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3; DHA) and arachidonic acid (20:4n-6; AA), on apoptotic cell death was evaluated based on DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activity induced by serum starvation using Neuro-2A and PC-12 cells. The presence of 20:4n-6 in the medium during serum starvation decreased DNA fragmentation and this initial protective effect was diminished with prolonged serum starvation. The observed protective effect of 20:4n-6 was not affected by the inhibitors of cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase. Conversely, 22:6n-3 became protective only after the enrichment of cells with this fatty acid at least for 24 h prior to the serum deprivation. DNA fragmentation as well as caspase-3 activity was reduced in 22:6n-3 enriched cells with a concomitant decrease in protein and mRNA levels. During the enrichment period, 22:6n-3 steadily increased its incorporation into PS leading to a significant increase in the total PS content; the protective effect of 22:6n-3 paralleled the PS accumulation. Neither direct exposure of cells to nor enrichment with 18:1n-9 had any protective effect. In conclusion, it is proposed that 20:4n-6 prevents neuronal apoptosis primarily due to the action of nonesterified 20:4n-6 but 22:6n-3, at least in part, through PS accumulation.

Citalopram for verbal agitation in patients with dementia

Various behaviors can be associated with dementing disorders. Management of these behaviors is often challenging to caregivers and clinicians. Verbal agitation such as talking constantly, screaming, and repeating phrases and noises is one of the most frequently encountered behaviors in the long-term care setting. We report two cases in which verbal agitation favorably responded to citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. We also discuss some other factors possibly associated with this response. Nonetheless, citalopram appears to be an added option in the treatment of verbal agitation in demented patients.

The ep -->e'p eta reaction at and above the S11(1535) baryon resonance

New cross sections for the reaction e p-->e p eta are reported for total center of mass energy W = 1.5--1.86 GeV and invariant momentum transfer Q2 = 0.25--1.5 (GeV/c)(2). This large kinematic range allows extraction of important new information about response functions, photocouplings, and eta N coupling strengths of baryon resonances. Newly observed structure at W approximately 1.65 GeV is shown to come from interference between S and P waves and can be interpreted with known resonances. Improved values are derived for the photon coupling amplitude for the S11(1535) resonance.

The growth inhibition of hepatoma by gene transfer of antisense vascular endothelial growth factor

BACKGROUND

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent mediator of angiogenesis and tumor growth in solid tumors. Therefore, to induce tumor regression, antiangiogenic agents to block VEGF need to be administered repeatedly.

METHOD

We constructed the recombinant mammalian expression vector bearing an antisense-VEGF cDNA, pZeoVEGFa. We examined the effect of pZeoVEGFa on the growth of SK-HEP1 hepatoma cells, bovine capillary endothelial (BCE) cells, and tubule formation of BCE cells in fibrin gel. To evaluate the function of pZeoVEGFa in vivo, we implanted SK-HEP1 hepatoma cells subcutaneously into nude mice.

RESULTS

In SK-HEP1 hepatoma cells, we showed that the synthesis of VEGF protein was suppressed by the stable and transient transfection of pZeoVEGFa. pZeoVEGFa inhibited the proliferation of BCE cells and significantly suppressed tubule formation of BCE cells. pZeoVEGFa inhibited a morphological change from a round shape to an elongated spindle shape in fibrin gel. When pZeoVEGFa was injected peritumorally by liposomes, tumor growth was inhibited.

CONCLUSION

Endothelial cell proliferation, tubule formation and tumor growth may be diminished by down-regulation of endogenous VEGF expression in tumor cells or tissue. These findings indicate that the efficient down-regulation of the VEGF produced by tumor cells using antisense strategies has an antitumor effect. We suggest that VEGF-targeted antiangiogenic gene therapy could be an effective strategy to treat VEGF-producing tumors.

Flow cytometric analysis and chromosome sorting of barley (hordeum vulgare L)

Flow cytometric analysis was systematically performed to optimize the concentration and duration of hydroxyurea (DNA synthesis inhibitor) and trifluralin (metaphase blocking reagent) treatments for synchronizing the cell cycle and accumulating metaphase chromosomes in barley root tips. A high metaphase index (76.5% in the root tip meristematic area) was routinely achieved. Seedlings of about 1.0-cm length were treated with 1.25 mM hydroxyurea for 14 h to synchronize the root tip meristem cells at the S/G2 phase. After rinsing with hydroxyurea, the seedlings were incubated in a hydroxyurea-free solution for 2 h and were treated with 1 microM trifluralin for 4 h to accumulate mitotic cells in the metaphase. The consistent high metaphase index depended on the uniform germination of seeds prior to treatment. High-quality and high-quantity isolated metaphase chromosomes were suitable for flow cytometric analysis and sorting. Flow karyotypes of barley chromosomes were established via univariate and bivariate analysis. A variation of flow karyotypes was detected among barley lines. Two single chromosome types were identified and sorted. Bivariate analysis showed no variation among barley individual chromosomes in AT and GC content.

Tubular plasma generation with a high-power hollow bessel beam

A high power, hollow Bessel beam (J5) is generated using an axicon and a phase plate in combination. The optical breakdown of a gas target and generation of a tubular plasma fiber with such a beam is realized. Hydrodynamic simulations of the hollow beam-plasma breakdown and heating are in reasonable agreement with interferometric measurements of the plasma time evolution.

Up-regulated CNTF plays a protective role for retrograde degeneration in the axotomized rat retina

Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization, we investigated the expression and cellular localization of ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor alpha (CNTFRalpha) in the rat retina following optic nerve transection (ONT). Following ONT, a signal for CNTFRalpha mRNA appeared in a layer-specific and time-dependent manner. In the ganglion cell layer, the signal showed a peak value 1 day after ONT, and then gradually decreased. In the inner nuclear layer the signal reached a peak value at 14 days of about 500% of control level, but then decreased at 4 weeks. Our findings suggest that CNTF might play a protective role for the retrograde degeneration of retinal cells induced by ganglion cell death in the rat retina following ONT.

Seizure possibly associated with fluvoxamine

OBJECTIVE

To inform clinicians of the possibility that seizures due to therapeutic doses of fluvoxamine may not be as rare as previously considered.

CASE SUMMARY

A 49-year-old white man with schizoaffective disorder and a past history of seizures secondary to head trauma had been seizure-free for approximately 10 years. Fluvoxamine therapy was begun due to increasing obsessive-compulsive behavior. Despite receiving anticonvulsants for his mood disorder, the patient had a breakthrough seizure. There were no underlying medical conditions that might have induced this seizure. No further seizures occurred after he was placed on a higher dosage of the anticonvulsants. The obsessive-compulsive behavior improved considerably as a result of fluvoxamine treatment.

DISCUSSION

The patient presented here developed a seizure with a therapeutic dosage of fluvoxamine; seizures associated with this agent have occurred more often with overdose. Multiple factors such as a prior history of seizures, head trauma, and concurrent treatment with other psychotropic agents are considered in this case report.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the relatively safe and benign adverse effect profile of the selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors such as fluvoxamine, clinicians should be cautious about seizures as an adverse effect, especially when the patient has even a remote history of seizure or head trauma.

X-ray and extreme ultraviolet emission induced by variable pulse-width irradiation of Ar and Kr clusters and droplets

Measurements are presented of x-ray (>1.5 keV) and extreme ultraviolet (EUV, lambda=2-44 nm) emission from argon and krypton supersonic gas jets at room (T=300 K) and cryogenic (T=173 K) temperatures irradiated with constant energy (50 mJ), variable width laser pulses ranging from 100 fs to 10 ns. Two regimes of jet operation are explored: cluster formation (radius<100 nm) and droplet formation (radius>1 &mgr;m). The results for both clusters and droplets can be understood in terms of two time scales: a short time scale for optimal resonant absorption at the critical density layer in the expanding plasma, and a longer time scale for the plasma to drop below critical density.

Nitric oxide is involved in sustained and delayed cell death of rat retina following transient ischemia

We have investigated the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the rat retina following ischemic injury induced by transient increase of intraocular pressure. The thickness of both the inner plexiform layer and inner nuclear layer decreased during early postischemic stages (up to 1 week). In late postischemic stages (2-4 weeks), the thickness of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) decreased markedly. Thus, mechanisms other than excitotoxic ones may contribute to postischemic retinal cell death. Treatment of rats with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, significantly reduced ischemic damage. Our findings suggest that NO is involved in the mechanism of ischemic injury, and plays a key role in the delayed and sustained cell death in the ONL following transient retinal ischemia.

Production and characterization of recombinant guamerin, an elastase-specific inhibitor, in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris

The elastase-specific inhibitor, guamerin, was expressed and secreted into a culture medium using the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris, and the resulting recombinant guamerin was purified from the culture media using a two-step procedure composed of a hydrophobic interaction and reverse-phase chromatography. Up to 90 g/L of dry cell weight, the guamerin-producing recombinant P. pastoris was cultivated and guamerin was secreted into the culture medium at a level of 0.69 g/L. The recombinant guamerin was highly purified (>98%) with a recovery yield of 68%. Analyses of the purified guamerin revealed the same N-terminal amino acid sequence, amino acid composition, and molecular mass as found in the native leech protein. The recombinant guamerin exhibited the tight binding to porcine pancreatic elastase. Furthermore, the recombinant guamerin did not produce a humoral immune response in mice.

The immunocytochemical localization of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the developing rat retina

The localization of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was investigated in the developing rat retina by immunocytochemistry and western blot analysis, using an antiserum directed against neuronal NOS. NOS-labeled cells were first detected at postnatal day 5 (P5) in the inner row of the neuroblastic layer. These cells were considered to correspond to the type 1 cell of the adult rat retina. Type 2 cells, characterized by a small soma and weak immunoreactivity, and a class of displaced amacrine cells were detected at P9 and P7, respectively. By P14 or P15, the time of eye opening, NOS immunoreactivity appeared in some bipolar cells. NOS was first expressed at the protein level at P9. Thereafter, quantitative evaluation by immunoblotting confirmed that the intensity of the immunoreactive bands increased abruptly, reaching the same value as is found in the adult retina at P21. Our results demonstrate that differentiation of NOS-labeled cells follows a discrete developmental pattern and is most active during the 2nd postnatal period in the rat retina.

The growth inhibition of hepatoma by gene transfer of antisense vascular endothelial growth factor

BACKGROUND

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent mediator of angiogenesis and tumor growth in solid tumors. Therefore, to induce tumor regression, antiangiogenic agents to block VEGF need to be administered repeatedly.

METHOD

We constructed the recombinant mammalian expression vector bearing an antisense-VEGF cDNA, pZeoVEGFa. We examined the effect of pZeoVEGFa on the growth of SK-HEP1 hepatoma cells, bovine capillary endothelial (BCE) cells, and tubule formation of BCE cells in fibrin gel. To evaluate the function of pZeoVEGFa in vivo, we implanted SK-HEP1 hepatoma cells subcutaneously into nude mice.

RESULTS

In SK-HEP1 hepatoma cells, we showed that the synthesis of VEGF protein was suppressed by the stable and transient transfection of pZeoVEGFa. pZeoVEGFa inhibited the proliferation of BCE cells and significantly suppressed tubule formation of BCE cells. pZeoVEGFa inhibited a morphological change from a round shape to an elongated spindle shape in fibrin gel. When pZeoVEGFa was injected peritumorally by liposomes, tumor growth was inhibited.

CONCLUSION

Endothelial cell proliferation, tubule formation and tumor growth may be diminished by down-regulation of endogenous VEGF expression in tumor cells or tissue. These findings indicate that the efficient down-regulation of the VEGF produced by tumor cells using antisense strategies has an antitumor effect. We suggest that VEGF-targeted antiangiogenic gene therapy could be an effective strategy to treat VEGF-producing tumors.

Progression of hepatic stellate cell activation is associated with the level of oxidative stress rather than cytokines during CCl4-induced fibrogenesis

In order to identify a fibrogenic factor associated with the potential of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) activation that arises during the CCl4-induced fibrogenic process, the relationship between the activation of HSC and levels of several fibrogenic factors were investigated. After isolation of HSC from the liver at different stages of CCl4 intoxication, the activation of HSC was assessed by the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin. Levels of cytokines and oxidative stress in liver homogenates and plasma were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and the colorimetric method. In primary culture, HSC isolated from a rat liver were gradually activated in a time-dependent manner according to CCl4 administration. The progression of HSC activation was closely correlated with parameters related to oxidative stress in liver homogenates rather than the tissue levels of several cytokines. Also, the levels of antioxidants and arginase activity were inversely correlated with HSC activation. In plasma, the levels of oxidative stress and cytokines in CCl4-treated rat livers were not associated with the activation of HSC found during the CCl4-induced fibrogenic process. The relationship between HSC activation and oxidative stress was also confirmed through several factor-treated HSC cultures. In conclusion, the activation of HSC was accelerated according to CCl4 administration, and the progression of HSC activation is absolutely related to the oxidative stress. These results show that enhanced oxidative stress is an important signal for activation of HSC in experimental liver fibrogenesis.

Upregulation of ciliary neurotrophic factor in reactive Müller cells in the rat retina following optic nerve transection

We have investigated the expression and cellular localization of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) in the rat retina following optic nerve transection. In the normal retina, CNTF immunoreactivity was restricted to profiles in the ganglion cell layer. Following optic nerve transection, immunoreactivity appeared in Müller cell somata and processes and its intensity increased between three and seven days post-lesion. Quantitative evaluation by immunoblotting confirmed that CNTF expression increased continuously up to 7 days after optic nerve transection (to 430% of control levels), but decreased again to 250% of controls at 4 weeks post-lesion. Our findings suggest that CNTF supplied by Müller cells may play a protective role for axotomized ganglion cells in the rat retina.

Tissue-/stage-dependent expression of a cloned Bombyx mandarina QM homologue

QM, a novel gene that was firstly isolated as a putative tumor suppressor gene from Wilms' tumor cell line. Although it is well known that the QM gene product plays an important role within the tumor cells, the precise role of QM in the non-tumor cells has remained elusive. With in this mind we isolated a cDNA encoding QM homologue from Bombyx mandarina to understand the function of QM. The 596 bp cDNA has an open reading frame of 219 amino acids and a predicted mol. wt. of 25 kDa. The protein has more than 88% amino acid sequence identity to the QM protein from Drosophila melanogaster. mRNA expression gradually increased from 1-2 days after egg laying to 2 days of finial instar, while very low expressions were detected for either the pupae and the moth stages. The organs, posterior/middle division of silkgland, midgut, fat body and malpighian tubes, also show relatively high mRNA expression levels, respectively. The high degree of conservation and expression of the B. mandarina QM homologous suggest that it has a selectively conserved amino acid sequence due, presumably, to an important biological role which is associated with pupae formation.

Reduced IL-2 but elevated IL-4, IL-6, and IgE serum levels in patients with cerebral infarction during the acute stage

Cytokines in the central nervous system (CNS) may play an important role in functioning as intercellular signals that orchestrate the response to injury. Whether this is a cause or result of the brain disease process is uncertain. We investigated IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IgE in the sera of 38 patients with cerebral infarction during the acute stage and 10 normal controls using an originally devised sensitive sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We found that serum levels of IL-2 derived from T helper 1 (Th1) cells were slightly reduced in patients with cerebral infarction, whereas serum levels of IL-4 and IL-6 derived from Th2 cells were elevated significantly. IL-4 induces synthesis of IgE in human B cells. Endogenous IL-6 plays an obligatory role in IL-4-dependent human IgE synthesis. We observed that serum IgE levels were elevated significantly in patients with cerebral infarction. However, serum IFN-gamma levels were not elevated significantly in cerebral infarction patients. These findings suggest that elevated IL-4, IL-6, and IgE levels in the human serum may be an important factor in cerebral infarction during the acute stage. Decrease of IL-2 levels in the serum of patients with cerebral infarction may be a regulatory mechanism.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome associated with scrub typhus: diffuse alveolar damage without pulmonary vasculitis

Pathologic findings of scrub typhus have been characterized by vasculitis of the microvasculature of the involved organ resulting from a direct invasion by Orientia tsutsugamushi. We experienced a case of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) associated with scrub typhus. The case was proven by eschar and high titer of serum IgM antibody (positive at 1:1280). Open lung biopsy showed diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) in the organizing stage without evidence of vasculitis. Immunofluorescent antibody staining and polymerase chain reaction for O. tsutsugamushi failed to demonstrate the organism in the lung tissue. The patient expired due to progressive respiratory failure despite doxycycline therapy. Immunologic mechanism, without direct invasion of the organism, may participate in the pathogenesis of ARDS associated with scrub typhus.

Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae): an important allergen in asthmatic non-farmers symtomatic in summer and fall months

BACKGROUND

The Tetranychus urticae (two-spotted spider mite, TSM) is a spider mite commonly found on fruit trees, herbaceous plants, and greenhouse flowers.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical significance of TSM-derived allergens in non-farmers with asthma living around pear orchards, and to assess the allergenic relationship with house dust mite.

METHODS

Skin prick tests with TSM were performed in 50 asthmatic non-farmers living around pear orchards. The serum TSM-specific IgE was measured in the 16 asthmatics with a positive skin response to TSM. To diagnose TSM-induced asthma, specific bronchial challenges with TSM were performed in the 16 asthmatics. ELISA inhibition tests were performed to assess the allergenic cross-reactivity with house dust mites.

RESULTS

Ten of the 16 asthmatics with positive skin responses to TSM showed a significant bronchoconstriction following inhalation of TSM. Eight of the ten TSM-induced asthmatics had high serum TSM-specific IgE and one showed a positive skin response only to TSM. Their asthmatic symptoms were aggravated seasonally, especially in summer and early fall. On ELISA inhibition tests, partial inhibitions with D. pteronyssinus antigens were noted in sera from five asthmatics with positive skin responses to both TSM and D. pteronyssinus, although no inhibition was noted in serum from an asthmatic with a positive skin response only to TSM.

CONCLUSION

Tetranychus urticae may be an important allergen in asthmatic non-farmers living around pear orchards and TSM extracts contain species-specific allergens as well as commonly shared allergens with house dust mite.

Differential expression of four sweet potato peroxidase genes in response to abscisic acid and ethephon

Expression of four peroxidase (POD) genes, three anionic PODs (swpa1, swpa2 and swpa3), and one neutral POD (swpn1) isolated from suspension cultures of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) were analyzed by measuring the accumulation of transcripts in suspension cultured cells and leaves of sweet potato in response to the stress-related plant hormones abscisic acid (ABA) and ethephon (an ethylene generating chemical). The four genes responded differently to ABA (0.1 mM) and ethephon (0.1 mM) in cultured cells and leaves. In suspension cultures, ABA reduced the expression levels of swpa1, swpa2, and swpn1, but did not affect the level of swpa3. Ethephon strongly increased expression levels of swpa3 and swpn1, and slightly increased the level of swpa1. The expression level of swpa2 was reduced. Expression levels in intact leaves, however, were significantly changed by this treatment. Expression of the swpa1 and swpa2 genes was induced 15 min after ABA treatment, followed by a decrease to a basal level after 3 h. A strong re-expression occurred after 12 h. Expression of the swpa3 and swpn1 genes occurred from 3 to 24 h after treatment. All four genes were differentially expressed 12 h after ethephon treatment. The swpa2 gene was strongly expressed immediately after ethephon treatment. The results indicate that each POD gene is differentially regulated by ABA and ethylene in whole plants and in cultured cells in vitro.

Regulatory effect of cytokine production in patients with cerebral infarction by Yulda-Hanso-Tang

Yulda-Hanso-Tang (YH-Tang) is a prescription for the Taeumin cerebral infarction (CI) patients according to Sasang constitution philosophy. Taeumin patients with CI were treated with YH-Tang during the acute stage. Clinical signs of CI disappeared markedly in about 2 weeks after oral administration of YH-Tang in all patients. The mean interleukin (IL)-2 serum levels were lower in the patients with CI than in the normal groups, whereas the mean IL-4, IL-6 and IgE levels were significantly higher in the patients. There were no significant differences in interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) levels between the groups. Serum IFN-gamma and IL-2 levels derived from T helper (Th)1 cells elevated significantly in the patients with CI by YH-Tang administration. Significant reduced serum levels of IL-4 and IL-6 derived from Th2 cells and IgE were observed in the patients treated with YH-Tang. During the period of YH-Tang administration, there were no other adverse effects. The data indicate that YH-Tang has a good CI treatment effect, and that its action may be due to regulation of cytokine production.