Plasma levels of active ghrelin until 8 weeks after birth in preterm infants: relationship with anthropometric and biochemical measures

This study investigated the relationship between plasma levels of ghrelin and postnatal growth in preterm infants. The levels of active ghrelin in cord blood and in plasma in 25 very low birthweight (VLBW) infants were measured. The results indicate that the levels of circulating active ghrelin markedly increases after birth in VLBW infants, and suggest that the increased levels of ghrelin reflects the maturation of ghrelin production in the stomach and an increased physiological need for ghrelin.

Characterization of virus-induced gene silencing in tobacco plants infected with apple latent spherical virus

Apple latent spherical virus (ALSV) expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP-ALSV) was used for analysis of virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) in tobacco plants expressing GFP (GFP-tobacco). In GFP-tobacco inoculated with GFP-ALSV, small dark spots appeared on inoculated leaves at 5 days post-inoculation (dpi), then expanded, and finally covered the whole area of the leaves after 12 dpi. Most of the fluorescence of upper leaves above the 12th true leaf disappeared at 21 dpi. Thus, GFP-ALSV infection efficiently triggered VIGS of a transgene (GFP gene) in tobacco plants. Analysis of GFP-silenced leaves showed that viral RNAs and proteins accumulated in all leaves where most GFP mRNA had been degraded. The siRNAs derived from ALSV-RNAs were not detected in samples from which siRNA of GFP mRNA could be easily detected. Direct tissue blot analysis showed that the spread of GFP-ALSV always preceded the induction of VIGS in infected leaves of GFP-tobacco. GFP leaf patch tests using Nicotiana benthamiana line 16c showed that Vp20, one of the three capsid proteins, is a silencing suppressor which interferes with systemic silencing.

Cheravirus and Sadwavirus: two unassigned genera of plant positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses formerly considered atypical members of the genus Nepovirus (family Comoviridae)

The genus Nepovirus (family Comoviridae) was known both for a good level of homogeneity and for the presence of atypical members. In particular, the atypical members of the genus differed by the number of capsid protein (CP) subunits. While typical nepoviruses have a single CP subunit with three structural domains, atypical nepoviruses have either three small CP subunits, probably corresponding to the three individual domains, or a large and a small subunit, probably containing two and one structural domains, respectively. These differences are corroborated by hierarchical clustering based on sequences derived from both genomic RNAs. Therefore, these atypical viruses are now classified in two distinct genera, Cheravirus (three CP subunits; type species Cherry rasp leaf virus) and Sadwavirus (two CP subunits; type species Satsuma dwarf virus).

Exact static solutions for discrete phi4 models free of the Peierls-Nabarro barrier: discretized first-integral approach

We propose a generalization of the discrete Klein-Gordon models free of the Peierls-Nabarro barrier derived in Spreight [Nonlinearity 12, 1373 (1999)] and Barashenkov [Phys. Rev. E 72, 035602(R) (2005)], such that they support not only kinks but a one-parameter set of exact static solutions. These solutions can be obtained iteratively from a two-point nonlinear map whose role is played by the discretized first integral of the static Klein-Gordon field, as suggested by Dmitriev [J. Phys. A 38, 7617 (2005)]. We then discuss some discrete phi4 models free of the Peierls-Nabarro barrier and identify for them the full space of available static solutions, including those derived recently by Cooper [Phys. Rev. E 72, 036605 (2005)] but not limited to them. These findings are also relevant to standing wave solutions of discrete nonlinear Schrödinger models. We also study stability of the obtained solutions. As an interesting aside, we derive the list of solutions to the continuum phi4 equation that fill the entire two-dimensional space of parameters obtained as the continuum limit of the corresponding space of the discrete models.

Plasma angiotensin II concentrations in the early neonatal period

BACKGROUND

There have been only a few reports on the renin-angiotensin system in low birthweight infants; in particular, plasma angiotensin II concentrations have not been studied.

AIM

To investigate plasma angiotensin II concentrations in early neonatal infants including low birthweight infants.

METHODS

Forty six patients were studied, of whom 14 weighed not less than 2500 g (normal birth weight), 16 weighed less than 2500 g but not less than 1500 g (moderately low birth weight), and 16 weighed less than 1500 g (very low birth weight). Blood samples were collected twice, on day 0 and day 7. Angiotensin II concentration was assayed using an enzyme immunoassay kit with a microplate.

RESULTS

Geometric means of angiotensin II concentrations on day 7 were 19 pg/ml in the normal birthweight group, 28 pg/ml in the moderately low birthweight group, and 76 pg/ml in the very low birthweight group. The concentrations on day 7 in the very low birthweight group were significantly higher than those in the normal birthweight and moderately low birthweight groups (p = 0.005, p = 0.031). There were significant correlations between angiotensin II concentration on day 7 and gestational age (r(s) = -0.4, p = 0.007) and birth weight (r(s) = -0.36, p = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

Specific physiological conditions associated with a very low birth weight are thought to be responsible for the increased concentration of angiotensin II on day 7. It is necessary to measure angiotensin II concentration for a longer period after birth and study the factors that could influence it.

Interference of Long-Distance Movement of Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus in Transgenic Plants Expressing a Defective Movement Protein of Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus

ABSTRACT Transgenic Nicotiana occidentalis plants expressing a movement protein (P50) and partially functional deletion mutants (DeltaA and DeltaC) of the Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV) showed resistance to Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus (GINV). The resistance is highly effective and GINV was below the level of detection in both inoculated and uninoculated upper leaves. In contrast, GINV accumulated in inoculated and uninoculated leaves of nontransgenic (NT) plants and transgenic plants expressing a dysfunctional mutant (DeltaG). On the other hand, in some plants of a transgenic plant line expressing a deletion mutant (DeltaA', deletion of the C-terminal 42 amino acids), GINV could spread in inoculated leaves, but not move into uninoculated leaves. In a tissue blot hybridization analysis of DeltaA'-plants inoculated with GINV, virus could be detected in leaf blade, midribs, and petiole of inoculated leaves, but neither in stems immediately above inoculated leaves nor in any tissues of uninoculated leaves. Immunohistochemical analysis of GINV-inoculated leaves of DeltaA'-plants showed that GINV could invade into phloem parenchyma cells through bundle sheath of minor veins, suggesting that the long-distance transport of GINV might be inhibited between the phloem cells and sieve element (and/or within sieve element) rather than bundle sheath-phloem interfaces. Immunogold electron microscopy using an anti-P50 antiserum showed that P50 accumulated on the parietal layer of sieve elements and on sieve plates. The results suggested that resistance in P50-transgenic plants to GINV is due to the interference of both long-distance and cell-to-cell movement of the virus.

BRAF mutations and phosphorylation status of mitogen-activated protein kinases in the development of flat and depressed-type colorectal neoplasias

Although some molecular differences between flat-depressed neoplasias (FDNs) and protruding neoplasias (PNs) have been reported, it is uncertain if the BRAF mutations or the status of phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-MAPK) are different between theses two groups. We evaluated the incidence of BRAF and KRAS mutations, high-frequency microsatellite instability (MSI-H), and the immunohistochemical status of p-MAPK in the nonserrated neoplasias (46 FDNs and 57 PNs). BRAF mutations were detected in four FDNs (9%) and none of PNs (P=0.0369 by Fisher's exact test). KRAS mutations were observed in none of FDNs and in 14 PNs (25%; P=0.0002 by Fisher's exact test). MSI-H was detected in seven out of 44 FDNs (16%) and in one out of 52 of PNs (2%) (P=0.022 by Fisher's exact test). Type B and C immunostaining for p-MAPK was observed in 34 out of 46 FDNs (72%), compared with 24 out of 55 PNs (44%; P=0.0022 by χ² test). There was no significant difference in the type B and C immunostaining of p-MAPK between FDNs with and without BRAF mutations. BRAF and KRAS mutations are mutually exclusive in the morphological characteristics of colorectal nonserrated neoplasia. Abnormal accumulation of p-MAPK protein is more likely to be implicated in the tumorigenesis of FDNs than of PNs. However, this abnormality in FDNs might occur via the genetic alteration other than BRAF or KRAS mutation.

A movement protein and three capsid proteins are all necessary for the cell-to-cell movement of apple latent spherical cheravirus

Immunoblot analysis of apple latent spherical cheravirus (ALSV)-infected leaves using a polyclonal antibody against the 21 C-terminal amino acids of a 53 K/42 K movement protein (MP) showed that a protein with an Mr of 42 kDa (42KP) is the dominant form found in vivo, which could indicate that the second AUG is used as an initiation codon of a ORF in RNA2. Co-expression of GFP with 42KP in tobacco epidermal cells showed that 42KP is able to facilitate cell-to-cell trafficking of GFP that is expressed in the same cells. The analysis of deletion mutants on each of MP, Vp24, Vp20, or Vp25 using an ALSV vector that stably expresses GFP indicated that an MP and three capsid proteins are all indispensable for the cell-to-cell movement of the virus. In ultrathin sections of infected leaves, a file of virus-like particles passing through the plasmodesmata connecting neighboring cells and tubular structures containing virus-like particles extending into the cytoplasm were observed. These results show that ALSV moves from cell to cell as virus particles.

In vitro production of myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody and establishment of Th1-type T cell lines from peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the pathogenic role of T cells in the development of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis.

METHODS

Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were isolated from myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA) associated vasculitis patients and cultured in medium. The production of MPO-ANCA in the medium of PBL stimulated with Concanavalin-A (Con-A), with or without cyclosporin (CyA), was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on MPO coated plates. RNA isolated from PBMC of one patient was used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and single stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) studies, and MPO-specific T cell lines (TCL) were established by antigen stimulation techniques.

RESULTS

PBL of patients with MPO-ANCA-associated vasculitis produced MPO-ANCA following Con-A stimulation, and this effect was inhibited by treatment with cyclosporin A (CyA) or elimination of CD4 cells. PCR-SSCP showed autoantigen-reactive oligoclonal T-cell accumulation in PBMC of one of these patients. We established MPO-specific TCL which secreted interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), but not interleukin-4 (IL-4); all TCL were CD4 positive, CD8 negative, and HLA-DR restricted.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that Th1-type T cells may mediate MPO-ANCA production, and may play a role in the onset of MPO-ANCA vasculitis.

Stable expression of foreign proteins in herbaceous and apple plants using Apple latent spherical virus RNA2 vectors

Infectious cDNA clones of Apple latent spherical virus (ALSV)-RNA1 (pEALSR1) and -RNA2 (pEALSR2) were constructed using an enhanced 35S promoter. A viral vector was constructed from pEALSR2 by creating artificial protease processing sites by duplicating the Q/G protease cleavage site between 42KP and Vp25. Eight RNA2-derived vectors expressing GFP with varied sizes of duplications around the 42KP/Vp25 junction were constructed and tested for infectivity in Chenopodium quinoa. The results indicated that greater than five aa from the C-terminus of 42KP and N-terminus of Vp25 in duplication are necessary for systemic infection. In infected C. quinoa plants, GFP fluorescence was observed in both inoculated and upper leaves. Serial passages of the viruses derived from the above vectors in C. quinoa showed that the size of duplications affected the stability of the GFP gene. The version of the RNA2-vector (pER2L5R5GFP) with the shortest duplications and its silent mutant version could stably express GFP in leaves even after at least nine serial passages. ALSV-RNA2 vector has a capacity to maintain a DNA insert as long as 1300 bp because Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus movement protein (50KP) gene could be expressed in C. quinoa. Inoculation of a virus derived from pER2L5R5GFP to apple seedlings resulted in the expression of GFP fluorescence in uninoculated upper leaves, indicating that the vector is available for the expression of foreign genes in apple trees.

Acute transverse myelitis caused by Coxsackie virus B5 infection

A 6-year-old boy developed symptoms of rapidly progressive paraplegia, associated with bowel and urinary dysfunction, but without sensory loss. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination showed diffuse swelling of the lower spinal cord on T1-weighted images. Based on the clinical presentation and MRI findings, a diagnosis of acute transverse myelitis was made. The serum titer of neutralizing antibody against Coxsackie virus B5 rose from 1/4 on admission to 1/256 1 month later and Coxsackie virus B5 was isolated from stool samples. This case serves as a reminder that acute transverse myelitis can be a rare clinical manifestation of Coxsackie virus B5 infection.

MxA expression in patients with viral infection after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Many patients suffer febrile diseases soon after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Some of the symptoms of viral infections and acute GVHD are often difficult to distinguish. However, an accurate diagnosis is important since the treatments for these conditions are different. It is known that MxA protein is specifically induced in patients with several viral infections. We investigated the cytoplasmic expression of MxA in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with fever after allogeneic SCT using a newly generated monoclonal antibody (KM1135) and flow cytometry. The level of MxA expression was significantly higher in patients diagnosed with viral infections (n=6, cytomegalovirus in three, Epstein-Barr virus in one, human herpesvirus-6 in one, adenovirus in one) than control individuals (n=9) (P<0.05, Mann-Whitney test). The level of MxA in patients with aGVHD (n=7) was identical to that in controls. The level of MxA correlated well with the amount of the cytomegalovirus antigen-positive cells in the presence of acute GVHD in two patients. The measurement of MxA is simple and useful in distinguishing viral disease from acute GVHD after allogeneic SCT.

The 50-kDa protein of Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus interferes with intracellular and intercellular targeting and tubule-inducing activity of the 39-kDa protein of Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus

To understand why transgenic Nicotiana occidentalis plants expressing a functional movement protein (MP) of Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV) show specific resistance to Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus (GINV), the MPs of ACLSV (50KP) and GINV (39KP) were fused to green, yellow, or cyan fluorescent proteins (GFP, YFP, or CFP). These fusion proteins were transiently expressed in leaf cells of both transgenic (50KP) and nontransgenic (NT) plants, and the intracellular and intercellular trafficking and tubule-inducing activity of these proteins were compared. The results indicate that in epidermal cells and protoplasts from 50KP plant leaves, the trafficking and tubule-inducing activities of GINV-39KP were specifically blocked while those of ACLSV-50KP and Apple stem grooving virus MP (36KP) were not affected. Additionally, when 39KP-YFP and 50KP-CFP were coexpressed in the leaf epidermis of NT plants, the fluorescence of both proteins was confined to single cells, indicating that 50KP-CFP interferes with the cell-to-cell trafficking of 39KP-YFP and vice versa. Mutational analyses of 50KP showed that the deletion mutants that retained the activities described above still blocked cell-to-cell trafficking of 39KP, but the dysfunctional 50KP mutants could no longer impede cell-to-cell movement of 39KP. Transgenic plants expressing the functional 50KP deletion mutants showed specific resistance against GINV. In contrast, transgenic plants expressing the dysfunctional 50KP mutants did not show any resistance to the virus. From these results, we conclude that the specific resistance of 50KP plants to GINV is due to the ability of the 50KP to block intracellular and intercellular trafficking of GINV 39KP.

Histological findings after placement of a self-expanding stent in rectal carcinoma with complete obstruction--case report

Patients with acute obstruction due to colorectal carcinomas frequently require emergency surgery. However, such emergency procedures are associated with various complications, a high mortality rate and a poor prognosis. If the obstruction could be immediately relieved, the patient could later undergo an elective operation with a much better prognosis. Recently, expanding metallic stents have been used to treat obstruction due to colorectal carcinoma. In the case reported here, we initially inserted a colonoscopic retrograde bowel drainage tube per anus to achieve decompression. We then placed a self-expanding metallic stent, since we anticipated a prolonged preoperative period due to high fever, congestive heart failure, cerebral infarction, and persistent high blood sugar concentrations. The patient had no complications for 57 days after placement of the stent, and eventually underwent an elective operation. Histologically, the side of the cancerous lesion compressed by the stent was thin and consisted solely of a serosal layer. Implantation of a metallic stent is safe for the treatment of acute malignant obstruction. Stent placement is indicated not only as a palliative treatment for inoperable or recurrent cases, but also as a preoperative procedure before elective surgical resection.

Functional modulation of the glucocorticoid receptor and suppression of NF-kappaB-dependent transcription by ursodeoxycholic acid

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is the current mainstay of treatment for various liver diseases including primary biliary cirrhosis. UDCA acts as a bile secretagogue, cytoprotective agent, immunomodulator, and inhibitor of cellular apoptosis. Despite this cumulative evidence of the cytoprotective and immunosuppressive effects of UDCA, both the target molecule and pathway of UDCA action remain unknown. We previously described that, in the absence of glucocorticoid ligand, UDCA activates the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) into DNA binding species but does not elicit its transactivational function in a transient transfection assay. Here we further studied the molecular mechanism of UDCA action and revealed that the ligand binding domain of the GR is responsible for UDCA-dependent nuclear translocation of the GR. Indeed, we demonstrated that UDCA acts on the distinct region of the ligand binding domain when compared with the classical GR agonist dexamethasone, resulting in loss of coactivator recruitment and differential regulation of gene expression by the GR. Our data clearly indicated that UDCA, at least in part via activation of the GR, suppresses NF-kappaB-dependent transcription through the intervention of GR-p65 interaction. Together with the established clinical safety of UDCA, we may propose that UDCA could be a prototypical compound for development of a novel and selective GR modifier.

CJ-13,981 and CJ-13,982, new squalene synthase inhibitors

Two new squalene synthase (SSase) inhibitors, CJ-13,981 (I) and CJ-13,982 (II), were isolated from the fermentation broth of an unidentified fungus CL 15036. They inhibited human liver microsomal SSase with IC50s of 2.8 and 1.1 microM, respectively, but showed no inhibitory activity against human brain protein farnesyltransferase (PFTase) at 100 microM. Based on FAB-MS and NMR analyses, the structures of I and II were determined to be 3-hydroxy-3,4-dicarboxy-15-hexadecenoic acid and 3-hydroxy-3,4-dicarboxyhexadecanoic acid, respectively.

CJ-19,784, a new antifungal agent from a fungus, Acanthostigmella sp

A new antifungal agent, CJ-19,784 (I), was isolated from the fermentation broth of a fungus, Acanthostigmella sp. CL12082. Based on spectroscopic analyses, structure of I was determined to be 3'-bromo-2',5-dihydroxy-3,7,8-trimethoxy-flavone. Compound I inhibits the growth of pathogenic fungi, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus with IC50 values of 0.11, 20 and 0.54 microg/ml, respectively.

Suitable indices for evaluating the intensity of tumor metastasis in a mouse experimental metastatic model

We investigated the time course of developmental changes of tumor metastasis in mice intravenously inoculated with B16-F10 melanoma cells. The mice showed a normal blood profile at 7 and 14 days after the injection, while at 21 days they developed severe anemia and thrombocytopenia. The number of metastatic lung nodules in the mice at 7 and 14 days after the cell injection was 68 +/- 12 and 326 +/- 39 (mean +/- S. E. of 5 mice), respectively, while it could not be accurately counted at 21 days owing to a fusion of the nodules. The wet weight and the melanin content of the lung markedly increased at 21 days. These results suggest that an abnormal blood profile, lung weight and the melanin content of the lung are suitable indices for the late stage of the experimental metastatic model, while the number of lung nodules is suitable for the early stage.

New pyrrolizidinone antibiotics CJ-16,264 and CJ-16,367

Two new antibiotics, CJ-16,264 (I) and CJ-16,367 (II), were isolated from the fermentation broth of an unidentified fungus CL39457. These antibiotics have a pyrrolizidinone skeleton, first discovered in fungi. Compounds I and II inhibit the growth of Gram-positive multi-drug resistant bacteria and some Gram-negative strains such as Moraxella catarrhalis and Escherichia coli with altered permeability (imp). Comparison of an antibacterial profile between the two compounds suggested that the gamma-lactone portion of I is important for the activity.

Cytokine production inhibitors produced by a fungus, Oidiodendron griseum

A series of diterpenes were isolated from the fermentation broth of a fungus, Oidiodendron griseum CL37215. The diterpenes were identified as LL-Z1271alpha, LL-Z1271gamma, CJ-14,445, PR 1388, CJ-14,604 and a new diterpene, CJ-14,515. They inhibited both lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production in human whole blood with IC50s of the range from 0.049 to 100 microM.

Recovery from cyclosporine-associated arteriolopathy in childhood nephrotic syndrome

Cyclosporine (CS) is well recognized to be effective in the treatment of children with steroid-dependent and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (NS), but its use can result in chronic nephrotoxicity. The histological changes that occur after CS discontinuation are unknown. Therefore, we examined the histological changes [CS-associated arteriolopathy (CAA), tubulointerstitial lesions, and focal glomerular lesions] in renal biopsy specimens after the drug had been discontinued in eight children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS). These children had been treated with long-term moderate-dose CS and had shown mild-to-moderate chronic CS nephrotoxicity. The degree of CAA improved significantly after CS discontinuation (mean CAA grade from 1.30+/-0.46 to 0.25+/-0.46, P=0.028). CAA disappeared in six of these children after CS discontinuation. However, the tubulointerstitial lesions and the focal glomerular lesions did not change after CS discontinuation. In conclusion, in children with idiopathic NS, CAA is improved by discontinuation of CS, but tubulointerstitial changes and focal glomerular lesions do not regress with drug discontinuation.

Novel cytokine production inhibitors produced by a basidiomycete, Marasmiellus sp

New cytokine production inhibitors, CJ-14,877 (I) and CJ-14,897 (II), were isolated from the fermentation broth of a basidiomycete, Marasmiellus sp. CL21624. Their structures were determined to be methyl-(7S,8S)-5-(7,8-dihydroxypropyl)pyridine-2-carboxylate and methyl-(7S,8S)-5-(8-acetoxy-7-hydroxypropyl)pyridine-2-carboxylate [corrected], respectively, by spectroscopic analyses. These compounds showed inhibitory activities for lipopolysaccharide-induced production of interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in human whole blood with IC50 values of the range from 0.059 to 2.6 microM.