Analysis of the reliability of rapid diagnostic tests for varicella, including breakthrough cases

In the era of universal varicella vaccination, diagnosis of varicella is challenging, especially for breakthrough cases. We sought to clarify the reliability of direct varicella-zoster virus (VZV) loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and DermaQuick® VZV using the immunochromatography technique as rapid diagnostic tests for varicella. In addition, the usefulness of saliva as a sample type for direct LAMP was investigated. Among the 46 enrolled patients with suspected VZV infection, 31 patients (67.3%) were positive for the nucleic acid test based on real-time PCR from skin swab samples. Direct LAMP of skin swabs was positive in 29 (63.0%) of 46 patients. DermaQuick® VZV was positive in 25 (54.3%) of 46 patients. VZV DNA was detected in only 48.4% of oral swabs with the direct LAMP method. With real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as the standard for diagnosing varicella, the sensitivity and specificity of DermaQuick® VZV were 80.7% and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of direct LAMP from skin swabs were 93.6% and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of real-time PCR for DNA extracted from oral swabs were 74.2% and 93.3%, respectively. Thus, oral swab samples are not suitable for breakthrough varicella diagnosis. Although DermaQuick® VZV is considered the most convenient point-of-care test for varicella, its sensitivity and specificity were lower than those of direct VZV LAMP.

A20 targets caspase-8 and FADD to protect HTLV-I-infected cells

Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) arises from a human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I)-infected cell and has few therapeutic options. Here, we have uncovered a previously unrecognized role for a ubiquitin-editing enzyme A20 in the survival of HTLV-I-infected cells. Unlike in lymphomas of the B-cell lineage, A20 is abundantly expressed in primary ATL cells without notable mutations. Depletion of A20 in HTLV-I-infected cells resulted in caspase activation, cell death induction and impaired tumorigenicity in mouse xenograft models. Mechanistically, A20 stably interacts with caspase-8 and Fas-associated via death domain (FADD) in HTLV-I-infected cells. Mutational studies revealed that A20 supports the growth of HTLV-I-infected cells independent of its catalytic functions and that the zinc-finger domains are required for the interaction with and regulation of caspases. These results indicate a pivotal role for A20 in the survival of HTLV-I-infected cells and implicate A20 as a potential therapeutic target in ATL.

High-Strength PET Fibers Produced by Conjugated Melt Spinning and Laser Drawing

The mechanical properties of conjugated-spun and laser drawn poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers were investigated. The as-spun fibers used for the laser drawing were made by conjugated melt spinning with the copolymer of p-hydroxybenzoicacid and 2-hydroxy-6-naphthoicacid or polystyrene. The PET fibers prepared by conjugated spinning could be laser drawn to higher draw ratios under lower drawing stresses. The drawn fiber could be re-drawn up to a higher total draw ratio. Thus, a PET fiber having a tensile strength of 1.14 N/tex could be produced.

Kuguaglycoside C, a constituent of Momordica charantia, induces caspase-independent cell death of neuroblastoma cells

Kuguaglycoside C is a triterpene glycoside isolated from the leaves of Momordica charantia, and the biological effects of this compound remain almost unknown. We investigated the anti-cancer effect of kuguaglycoside C against human neuroblastoma IMR-32 cells. In the MTT assay, kuguaglycoside C induced significant cytotoxicity against the IMR-32 cells (IC(50) : 12.6 μM) after 48 h treatment. Although examination by Hoechst 33342 staining revealed that kuguaglycoside C induced nuclear shrinkage at a high concentration (100 μM), no apoptotic bodies were observed on flow cytometry. No activation of caspase-3 or caspase-9 was observed at the effective concentration (30 μM) of kuguaglycoside C. On the other hand, the substance significantly decreased the expression of survivin and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Kuguaglycoside C also significantly increased the expression and cleavage of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF). Moreover, kuguaglycoside C was found to induce caspase-independent DNA cleavage in the dual-fluorescence apoptosis detection assay. These results suggest that kuguaglycoside C induces caspase-independent cell death, and is involved, at least in part, in the mechanism underlying cell necroptosis.

Hypofibrinogenemia caused by a nonsense mutation in the fibrinogen Bbeta chain gene

Congenital hypofibrinogenemia, fibrinogen Tottori II, caused by a nonsense mutation in the fibrinogen Bbeta chain gene, was found in a 68-year-old Japanese female. The plasma fibrinogen level was 99.2 mg dL(-1) as determined by the thrombin time method. No overt molecular abnormalities were observed in purified patient fibrinogen by SDS-PAGE analysis. After sequencing all exons and exon-intron boundaries of three fibrinogen genes, we found a heterozygous single point mutation of T-->G at position 3356 of the patient fibrinogen Bbeta chain gene. This nucleotide mutation results in a nonsense mutation (TAT sequence for Bbeta 41Tyr to TAG sequence for a translation termination signal). The mutation was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, since this nucleotide mutation results in a new NheI recognition sequence at this position. These data indicated that the nonsense mutation of the fibrinogen Bbeta chain gene caused a truncated fibrinogen Bbeta chain, which may not be assembled in the fibrinogen molecule.

An Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cell line produces autoregulatory interleukin-1 that regulates bone remodeling

In this study, we demonstrate that an Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cell line, A-11, produced interleukin-1 (IL-1), a cytokine that regulates bone remodeling. A-11 cells produce IL-1 in a cell dose- and culture time-related manner. The IL-1 activity was neutralized by recombinant human IL-1 (rhIL-1) alpha antiserum, but not by rhIL-1 beta antiserum. The IL-1 was semi-purified by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, Superose prep 12 gel filtration, and anion-exchange chromatography strongly stimulated in vitro bone resorption. The stimulatory effect of the purified IL-1 on bone resorption was prostaglandin independent. Purified IL-1 inhibited DNA and collagen synthesis in the osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1. However, it enhanced significantly the cellular activity of alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1), a marker enzyme for differentiation of osteoblasts. On the other hand, A-11 cell proliferation was inhibited by addition of rhIL-1 alpha antiserum, but not by rhIL-1 beta antiserum. And cell proliferation was stimulated by exogenous rhIL-1 alpha and -beta.

Numerical study on post-stenotic dilatation

Steady flows and pulsatile flows of a Newtonian fluid through a channel with a rectangular hump were numerically studied as a two-dimensional model of blood flow in a constricted artery. From the numerical calculation, it was shown that one of the hydrodynamic causes of endothelial lesion of artery and post-stenotic dilatation can be found in the large temporal variation of shear stress behind a constricted portion of artery. Local maximum of the pressure there can be seen as secondary factor for the post-stenotic dilatation.