Absence of the lectin-like domain of thrombomodulin reduces HSV-1 lethality of mice with increased microglia responses

Background

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) can induce fatal encephalitis. Cellular factors regulate the host immunity to affect the severity of HSV-1 encephalitis. Recent reports focus on the significance of thrombomodulin (TM), especially the domain 1, lectin-like domain (TM-LeD), which modulates the immune responses to bacterial infections and toxins and various diseases in murine models. Few studies have investigated the importance of TM-LeD in viral infections, which are also regulated by the host immunity.

Methods

In vivo studies comparing wild-type and TM-LeD knockout mice were performed to determine the role of TM-LeD on HSV-1 lethality. In vitro studies using brain microglia cultured from mice or a human microglia cell line to investigate whether and how TM-LeD affects microglia to reduce HSV-1 replication in brain neurons cultured from mice or in a human neuronal cell line.

Results

Absence of TM-LeD decreased the mortality, tissue viral loads, and brain neuron apoptosis of HSV-1-infected mice with increases in the number, proliferation, and phagocytic activity of brain microglia. Moreover, TM-LeD deficiency enhanced the phagocytic activity of brain microglia cultured from mice or of a human microglia cell line. Co-culture of mouse primary brain microglia and neurons or human microglia and neuronal cell lines revealed that TM-LeD deficiency augmented the capacity of microglia to reduce HSV-1 replication in neurons.

Conclusions

Overall, TM-LeD suppresses microglia responses to enhance HSV-1 infection.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12974-022-02426-w.

Integrin-Linked Kinase Reduces H3K9 Trimethylation to Enhance Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Replication

Histone modifications control the lytic gene expression of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). The heterochromatin mark, trimethylation of histone H3 on lysine (K) 9 (H3K9me3), is detected on HSV-1 genomes at early phases of infection to repress viral gene transcription. However, the components and mechanisms involved in the process are mostly unknown. Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is activated by PI3K to phosphorylate Akt and promote several RNA virus infections. Akt has been shown to enhance HSV-1 infection, suggesting a pro-viral role of ILK in HSV-1 infection that has not been addressed before. Here, we reveal that ILK enhances HSV-1 replication in an Akt-independent manner. ILK reduces the accumulation of H3K9me3 on viral promoters and replication compartments. Notably, ILK reduces H3K9me3 in a manner independent of ICP0. Instead, we show an increased binding of H3K9 methyltransferase SUV39H1 and corepressor TRIM28 on viral promoters in ILK knockdown cells. Knocking down SUV39H1 or TRIM28 increases HSV-1 lytic gene transcription in ILK knockdown cells. These results show that ILK antagonizes SVU39H1- and TRIM28-mediated repression on lytic gene transcription. We further demonstrate that ILK knockdown reduces TRIM28 phosphorylation on serine 473 and 824 in HSV-1-infected cells, suggesting that ILK facilitates TRIM28 phosphorylation to abrogate its inhibition on lytic gene transcription. OSU-T315, an ILK inhibitor, suppresses HSV-1 replication in cells and mice. In conclusion, we demonstrate that ILK decreases H3K9me3 on HSV-1 DNA by reducing SUV39H1 and TRIM28 binding. Moreover, our results suggest that targeting ILK could be a broad-spectrum antiviral strategy for DNA and RNA virus infections, especially for DNA viruses controlled by histone modifications.

Microglia Reduce Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Lethality of Mice with Decreased T Cell and Interferon Responses in Brains

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infects the majority of the human population and can induce encephalitis, which is the most common cause of sporadic, fatal encephalitis. An increase of microglia is detected in the brains of encephalitis patients. The issues regarding whether and how microglia protect the host and neurons from HSV-1 infection remain elusive. Using a murine infection model, we showed that HSV-1 infection on corneas increased the number of microglia to outnumber those of infiltrating leukocytes (macrophages, neutrophils, and T cells) and enhanced microglia activation in brains. HSV-1 antigens were detected in brain neurons, which were surrounded by microglia. Microglia depletion increased HSV-1 lethality of mice with elevated brain levels of viral loads, infected neurons, neuron loss, CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, neutrophils, interferon (IFN)-β, and IFN-γ. In vitro studies demonstrated that microglia from infected mice reduced virus infectivity. Moreover, microglia induced IFN-β and the signaling pathway of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1 to inhibit viral replication and damage of neurons. Our study reveals how microglia protect the host and neurons from HSV-1 infection.

Associations Between Infant Developmental Delays and Secondhand Smoke Exposure Modified by Maternal Prepregnancy Overweight and Obesity Status

INTRODUCTION

Secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy has long been associated with adverse health outcomes in children, but only a few studies have examined its effect modifiers. In this study, we applied effect modification analysis for maternal prepregnancy weight status on detrimental neurodevelopmental effect of secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy and infancy in a nationwide representative population.

AIMS AND METHODS

Term singleton mother-infant pairs with nonsmoking mothers were included for main analysis (N = 15 987) from the Taiwan Birth Cohort Study (TBCS), and were further matched with propensity score (n = 5434). We extracted secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy and infancy, and eight neurodevelopmental milestones from the responses in the baseline visit at 6 months, and 18-month follow-up of TBCS. The associations between secondhand smoke exposure and neurodevelopmental achievement were analyzed with multivariable logistic regression and Cox model. Propensity score weighting and matching were applied for high-versus-low analysis, and relative excess risk due to interaction were used to estimate effect modification.

RESULTS

Higher secondhand smoke exposure was associated with increased likelihood of delayed milestone achievement across gross motor, fine motor, language-related, and social-related domains. The associations in fine motor domains remained observable in propensity score-weighted and -matched models. We identified additive interaction with self-reported maternal overweight and obesity status before pregnancy in milestone development for walking with support, scribbling, and waving goodbye.

CONCLUSIONS

Secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy and infancy were associated with delayed neurodevelopmental milestone achievement at 18 months, and the associations were modified by maternal prepregnancy overweight and obesity status.

IMPLICATIONS

The study results suggested the association between maternal secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy and infancy and delayed fine motor and language-related milestone achievement at 18 months in multivariable, propensity score weighting, and matching populations. The results of positive effect modifications for maternal prepregnancy overweight and obesity status suggested the importance of concurrent interventions on smoke-free environment and maternal health during pregnancy.

Associations between household incense burning and delayed motor development among preterm infants modified by gestational age and maternal educational status

BACKGROUND

Household incense burning is a common ritual behavior in the Asia-Pacific region but has been associated with inferior developmental outcomes in term infants. We aimed to examine these associations among preterm infants.

METHODS

Information from 1190 mother-infant pairs during 6- and 18-month follow-up to the Taiwan Birth Cohort Study was examined for associations between household incense burning exposure and infant neurodevelopmental milestone achievement using multivariable Cox proportional hazard model with propensity score weighting, along with stratified, sensitivity, and decomposition analysis.

RESULTS

Household incense burning exposure was associated with delayed gross motor milestone achievement among all preterm infants according to the Cox model and after propensity score weighting. Meanwhile, associations for delayed development were found in gross motor domain milestones among late preterm infants, while fine motor domain delay was found among other preterm infants. Furthermore, the associations between household incense burning status and gross motor milestone delays were attenuated by the interaction between higher education level and household incense burning exposure status.

CONCLUSIONS

Household incense burning exposure was associated with delays, and the motor domains affected differed according to degree of prematurity. These associations were modified by the attenuation upon higher maternal educational status and exposure status interaction.

Prevalence of childhood wheeze and modified DNA methylation at 7 years of age according to maternal folate levels during pregnancy in the Hokkaido Study

A high dose of folic acid during pregnancy may increase the risk of asthma, wheezing, and respiratory disease in childhood. Folate acid can modify inflammation and immune susceptibility of offspring with some epigenetic differentiation, including DNA methylation. This study evaluated associations between maternal folate levels during pregnancy and childhood wheezing; furthermore, the study assessed whether maternal folate-modified DNA methylation is related to asthma. Methods Participants in the current study were 6651 mother-child pairs who had complete data on characteristics and who had completed at least one of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaires when the child was 1, 2, 4, and 7 years of age. Moreover, a case-control study to assess DNA methylation at 7 years of age was conducted among 136 children who experienced wheezing and a control group of 139 children with no history of allergies. Results The median of maternal serum was 16.76 nmol/L, assayed by chemiluminescent immunoassay. We found significantly increased adjusted odds ratios of childhood wheezing at 2 years age according to maternal folate levels, compared with the lowest folate quartile (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = highest; 1.27 [1.03, 1.56], and second, 1.27 [1.05, 1.55]); however, no changes were observed at 1, 4, and 7 years of age. In a case-control study, no association of maternal folate levels with DNA methylation was observed. Conclusion Our results suggest that maternal folate did not affect persistent wheezing in school-aged children, or DNA methylation of gasdermin B, orosomucoid-like 3, and Ikaros family zinc finger 3 at 7 years of age.

Intrauterine exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances may harm children's lung function development

BACKGROUND

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUA), are common persistent environmental organic pollutants. Animal studies have indicated that PFAS influence inflammatory responses and lung development. However, whether prenatal or childhood PFAS exposure affects children's lung function remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate both in utero exposure and childhood exposure to PFAS and the relationships between them and lung function development in childhood.

METHODS

In total, 165 children were recruited from the Taiwan Birth Panel Study (TBPS). Cord blood plasma and children's serum were collected when they were eight years old. PFAS levels were analysed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. When these children reached eight years of age, we administered detailed questionnaires and lung function examinations.

RESULTS

The mean concentrations of PFOA, PFOS, PFNA and PFUA in cord blood among the 165 study children were 2.4, 6.4, 6.0, and 15.4 ng/mL, respectively. The mean concentrations in serum from eight-year-olds were 2.7, 5.9, 0.6, and 0.3 ng/mL, respectively. At eight years of age, the mean FEV1 (forced expiratory volume per sec), FVC (forced vital capacity), PEF (peak expiratory flow) and FEV1/FVC values were 1679 mL, 1835 mL, 3846 mL/s and 92.0%, respectively. PFOA, PFOS, PFNA and PFUA levels in cord blood were inversely associated with FEV1, FVC and PEF values. The PFOS concentration in cord blood was the most consistently correlated with decreasing lung function before and after adjusting for confounding factors. The PFOS concentration was also significantly inversely correlated with lung function in subgroups with lower birth weight and allergic rhinitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our cohort study revealed that the concentrations of PFOA, PFOS, PFNA and PFUA were higher in cord blood than in serum from eight-year-olds. Some trends were also noted between intrauterine PFOS exposure and children's decreasing FEV1, FVC and PEF, especially in subgroups with lower birth weight and allergic rhinitis. Therefore, intrauterine PFAS exposure, especially PFOS, may play a vital role in lung development.

Association between exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and metabolic syndrome and related outcomes among older residents living near a Science Park in Taiwan

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are an emerging class of artificial environmental chemicals that have multiple potentially harmful effects on health. The largest Science Park in Taiwan discharges wastewater containing PFASs into the Keya River, and a high concentration of PFASs has been found in this river and its aquatic creatures. We conducted a cross-sectional study from 2016 to 2017 of 397 subjects aged 55-75 years living near the river and evaluated the association of PFASs with metabolic syndrome and related outcomes. The results indicated that perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) levels were positively associated with serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels (P for trend = 0.03) and that perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and PFOS levels were positively correlated with uric acid levels (P for trend = 0.03 and 0.03). Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) levels were negatively associated with serum triglyceride levels (P for trend = 0.014 and < 0.01). After excluding lipid-lowering drug users, the association between certain PFAS levels and the LDL level was significantly enhanced, but the downward trends of serum triglyceride levels were weakened. When stratified by sex, PFNA (P for trend <0.01), perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS) (P for trend <0.01), and PFOS (P for trend <0.01) showed positive associations with the uric acid level only among males. In conclusion, our results showed that associations were consistently null between PFASs and metabolic syndrome. PFAS levels were associated with serum lipids, and lipid-lowering drugs may interfere with this relationship. Certain PFASs were found to be positively associated with uric acid levels, especially in males. Further studies are warranted to clarify the causal relationships.

A case-control study of perfluoroalkyl substances and the risk of breast cancer in Taiwanese women

Breast cancer (BC) is a common cancer in women worldwide; however, the incidence of BC is increasing in younger women, possibly associated with the environment. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are one of endocrine disruptors that accumulate in environment and impact human health. This study aimed to investigate whether the PFAS and BC are associated. We enrolled 120 BCE patients and 119 controls at National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) and also collected bio-specimen and questionnaire from 2013 to 2015. All subjects' plasma PFAS levels were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method with electrospray ionization (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS). A logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between PFAS and BC. In the ≤50 years age group, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 2.34 (95% CI = 1.02, 5.38) for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) exposure per natural log unit increase. After stratifying the estrogen receptor (ER) status and age group, we obtained a positive association for PFHxS and PFOS concentrations with respect to the risk of ER positive tumors for ≤50 years age group. In conclusion, we found that PFAS were associated with the BC risk of ER positive tumors in young Taiwanese women. Further studies are needed to follow and explore whether these associations are causal.

Children's environmental health based on birth cohort studies of Asia (2) - air pollution, pesticides, and heavy metals

The life style and child raising environment in Asia are quite different compared with Western countries. Besides, the children's environmental threats and difficulties in conducting studies could be different. To address children's environmental health in Asia area, the Birth Cohort Consortium of Asia (BiCCA) was co-established in 2011. We reviewed the mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, perfluoroalkyl substances, phthalates, and environmental tobacco smoke in pervious based on birth cohort studies in Asia. The aim of this study was to summarize the traditional environmental pollution and the target subjects were also based on the birth cohort in Asia area. Environmental pollutants included air pollutants, pesticides focusing on organochlorine pesticides, diakylphosphates, and pyrethroid, and heavy metals including lead, arsenic, cadmium, manganese, vanadium, and thallium. Fetal growth and pregnancy outcomes, childhood growth and obesity, neurodevelopment and behavioral problems, and allergic disease and immune function were classified to elucidate the children's health effects. In total, 106 studies were selected in this study. The evidences showed air pollution or pesticides may affect growth during infancy or childhood, and associated with neurodevelopmental or behavioral problems. Prenatal exposure to lead or manganese was associated with neurodevelopmental or behavioral problems, while exposure to arsenic or cadmium may influence fetal growth. In addition to the harmonization and international collaboration of birth cohorts in Asia; however, understand the whole picture of exposure scenario and consider more discipline in the research are necessary.

Treatment efficiency and stability of skeletal Class III malocclusion with a surgery-first approach

OBJECTIVES

To compare treatment duration in skeletal Class III malocclusion patients managed with a 2-step treatment (surgery-first approach, SFA) and conventional 3-step treatment, and to compare stability of surgical outcomes between segmentation and non-segmentation in the 2-step treatment group.

SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION

The sample population consisted of 37 patients who completed orthognathic surgery (OGS) and orthodontic correction at the Charm Aesthetic Surgery Clinic (Taipei, Taiwan) between 2012 and 2015. Of these, 26 received 2-step treatment and 11 received 3-step treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To compare treatment efficiency and stability, three time points were analysed: T₀ , before treatment (before OGS in the 2-step group and before orthodontic treatment in the 3-step group); T₁ , after OGS but before orthodontic correction (cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was obtained within 2 weeks of OGS); and T₂ , after orthodontic correction (CBCT was obtained on the day of bracket removal). The post-OGS (T₁ ) CBCT items were individually superimposed on the pre-treatment (T₀ ) CBCT items to determine the distance of B point migration.

RESULTS

A significant difference was found in treatment times between 2-step treatment and conventional 3-step treatment. In addition, no significant difference was found when comparing B-X (mm) and B-Y (mm) at T₂ -T₁ for the segmentation and non-segmentation groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Using SFA for skeletal Class III malocclusions saves approximately 6 months of treatment time over 3-step treatment; the stability of the segmentation group was comparable to that of the non-segmentation group, a result that is possibly associated with the fixation of 2 miniplates.

Childhood exposure to phthalates and pulmonary function

Phthalate exposure is related to the development of allergic diseases; however, studies regarding its effect on lung function are limited. Our study aims to identify an association between phthalate exposure at different ages and lung function in children at age 9 by conducting a cohort study. The Taiwan Birth Panel Study (TBPS) was established from April 2004 to January 2005. Urine samples were collected from children in the TBPS cohort at ages 2, 5, and 9years. Urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations were measured via ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Questionnaires, lung function tests and serum IgE levels were obtained from children at the age of 9. Multiple linear regressions adjusted for confounding factors were applied to investigate the associations between phthalate exposure at different ages and lung function at age 9. Our results demonstrate that in children with allergic diseases, a per log unit increase in the urinary phthalate metabolite mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP) concentration at age 9 was associated with a decreasing forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) (β=-25.22; 95% CI: -47.53 to -2.91 per log ml/ln-μg/g cr) and forced vital capacity (FVC) (β=-32.3; 95% CI: -63.51 to -1.09 per log ml/ln-μg/g cr). For children with high serum IgE levels (>100kU/L) at age 9, the urinary MEP concentrations at the same age were negatively associated with the FEV1 (β=-30.4; 95% CI: -56.8 to -4.0 per log ml/ln-μg/g cr), FVC (β=-47.6; 95% CI: -84.2 to -11.0 per log ml/ln-μg/g cr) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) (β=-102.4; 95% CI: 180.2 to -24.7 per log ml/ln-μg/g cr). Phthalate exposure at ages 2 and 5 had little effect on lung function at age 9. Our study suggests that concurrent exposure to phthalates, such as MEP, is negatively associated with lung function in children. Further investigation is required to elaborate on this correlation.

Children's environmental health based on birth cohort studies of Asia

Numerous studies have explored the associations between environmental pollutants and pediatric health. Recent studies have investigated the issue in Asia, but no systematic review has been published to date. This study aims to elucidate the issue by summarizing relevant epidemiologic evidence for cohorts in Asia, using information from the Birth Cohort Consortium of Asia (BiCCA). Environmental pollutants include mercury, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and phthalates. This study sought to classify the effects of such compounds on fetal growth and pregnancy outcomes, neurodevelopment and behavioral problems, allergic disease and immune function and the endocrine system and puberty. These evidences showed ETS has been associated with infant birth weight, children's neurodevelopment and allergy disease; mercury and PCB have been shown to affect children's neurodevelopment; phthalate has effects on endocrine function; PFAS alters children's neurodevelopment, the endocrine system, and the allergic response. However, more consistent and coordinated research is necessary to understand the whole picture of single environmental and/or co-exposure and children's health. Therefore, harmonization and international collaboration are also needed in Asia.

Prenatal phenolic compounds exposure and neurobehavioral development at 2 and 7years of age

BACKGROUND

Phenolic compounds such as bisphenol A (BPA), nonylphenol (NP), and octylphenol (OP) are known as endocrine-disrupting compounds and are commonly used. Their impacts on the neurodevelopment of children are inconclusive. The current study aims to investigate the association between umbilical cord blood levels of BPA, NP, OP and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 and 7years of age.

METHODS

The study was based on the Taiwan Birth Panel Study, a prospective birth cohort. We collected cord blood plasma to measure phenolic compound levels using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In the follow-up, 208 mother-child pairs with 2-year-old children and 148 mother-child pairs with 7-year-old children were recruited in this study. We used the Comprehensive Developmental Inventory for Infants and Toddlers (CDIIT) and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) for neurodevelopmental assessments at 2 and 7years of age, respectively. Multiple linear regressions were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The detection rates of BPA, NP, and OP were 55.9%, 77.6%, and 68.3%, respectively. In this study, the median BPA, NP, and OP levels in 2-year-olds were 3.3, 72.6, and 3.3 (ng/ml), respectively. However, the median levels of BPA, NP, and OP were 3.2, 49.3, and 6.6 (ng/ml), respectively. The levels of phenolic compounds were log₁₀-transformed for statistical analysis. Gender stratification was performed. In the WISC-IV neurocognitive assessment, we found both a significant negative association and a trend between cord blood plasma BPA levels and full-scale IQ (p for trend<0.01), the verbal comprehension index (p for trend<0.01), and the perceptual reasoning index (p for trend<0.01) in the study population. After stratification by sex, significant associations were found in full-scale IQ (p for trend=0.03) and the verbal comprehension (p for trend<0.01) index in boys. In girls, prenatal BPA exposure had adverse effects on full-scale IQ (p for trend=0.02), perceptual reasoning index (p for trend<0.01), and working memory index (p for trend=0.02). None of the developmental quotients (DQs) of the CDIIT analysis were significantly associated with phenolic compound levels in cord blood based on continuous or categorical measures.

CONCLUSION

Prenatal exposure to BPA affects neurocognitive development, and this effect differs between 7-year-old boys and girls. More studies are needed to elucidate the relationship between phenolic compound exposure in utero and children's neurobehavioral development.

Perfluoroalkyl substances and thyroid hormones in cord blood

BACKGROUND

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are pollutants that tend to accumulate in the environment and organisms. The animal and human studies to date have focused on thyroid function, but the results are inconsistent.

METHODS

A sample of 118 mother-infant pairs was obtained from the Taiwan Birth Panel Study (TBPS). Cord blood PFASs levels were evaluated using the Waters ACQUITY UPLC system coupled with a Waters Quattro Premier XE triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, and cord blood thyroid hormones were assessed using a Roche Analytics E170 modular analyser (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany). PFASs concentrations were analysed in the final models to examine the associations between cord blood PFASs levels and thyroid hormone concentrations.

RESULTS

The cord blood perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) concentration was negatively associated with the cord blood thyroxine (T4) concentration [per ln unit: adjusted β (95% confidence interval, CI) = -0.458(-0.916, -0.001)]. Moreover, the level of cord blood thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was positively associated with the cord blood PFOS concentration [per ln unit: adjusted β (95% confidence interval, CI) = 0.346(0.101, 0.592)]. The sex stratified effects of PFOS on T4 were suggestive of differential effects in high-exposure groups compared with low-exposure group in boys.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that cord blood thyroid hormone levels are affected by PFASs, with a negative association between T4 and PFOS and a positive association between TSH and PFOS. The causal associations of thyroid hormones and PFASs require further exploration.

NbRABG3f, a member of Rab GTPase, is involved in Bamboo mosaic virus infection in Nicotiana benthamiana

The screening of differentially expressed genes in plants after pathogen infection can uncover the potential host factors required for the pathogens. In this study, an up-regulated gene was identified and cloned from Nicotiana benthamiana plants after Bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV) inoculation. The up-regulated gene was identified as a member of the Rab small guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) family, and was designated as NbRABG3f according to its in silico translated product with high identity to that of RABG3f of tomato. Knocking down the expression of NbRABG3f using a virus-induced gene silencing technique in a protoplast inoculation assay significantly reduced the accumulation of BaMV. A transiently expressed NbRABG3f protein in N. benthamiana plants followed by BaMV inoculation enhanced the accumulation of BaMV to approximately 150%. Mutants that had the catalytic site mutation (NbRABG3f/T22N) or had lost their membrane-targeting capability (NbRABG3f/ΔC3) failed to facilitate the accumulation of BaMV in plants. Because the Rab GTPase is responsible for vesicle trafficking between organelles, a mutant with a fixed guanosine diphosphate form was used to identify the donor compartment. The use of green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion revealed that GFP-NbRABG3f/T22N clearly co-localized with the Golgi marker. In conclusion, BaMV may use NbRABG3f to form vesicles derived from the Golgi membrane for intracellular trafficking to deliver unidentified factors to its replication site; thus, both GTPase activity and membrane-targeting ability are crucial for BaMV accumulation at the cell level.

Upregulation of Haploinsufficient Gene Expression in the Brain by Targeting a Long Non-coding RNA Improves Seizure Phenotype in a Model of Dravet Syndrome

Dravet syndrome is a devastating genetic brain disorder caused by heterozygous loss-of-function mutation in the voltage-gated sodium channel gene SCN1A. There are currently no treatments, but the upregulation of SCN1A healthy allele represents an appealing therapeutic strategy. In this study we identified a novel, evolutionary conserved mechanism controlling the expression of SCN1A that is mediated by an antisense non-coding RNA (SCN1ANAT). Using oligonucleotide-based compounds (AntagoNATs) targeting SCN1ANAT we were able to induce specific upregulation of SCN1A both in vitro and in vivo, in the brain of Dravet knock-in mouse model and a non-human primate. AntagoNAT-mediated upregulation of Scn1a in postnatal Dravet mice led to significant improvements in seizure phenotype and excitability of hippocampal interneurons. These results further elucidate the pathophysiology of Dravet syndrome and outline a possible new approach for the treatment of this and other genetic disorders with similar etiology.

Sigma-1 receptor mediates cocaine-induced transcriptional regulation by recruiting chromatin-remodeling factors at the nuclear envelope

The sigma-1 receptor (Sig-1R) chaperone at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays important roles in cellular regulation. Here we found a new function of Sig-1R, in that it translocates from the ER to the nuclear envelope (NE) to recruit chromatin-remodeling molecules and regulate the gene transcription thereof. Sig-1Rs mainly reside at the ER-mitochondrion interface. However, on stimulation by agonists such as cocaine, Sig-1Rs translocate from ER to the NE, where Sig-1Rs bind NE protein emerin and recruit chromatin-remodeling molecules, including lamin A/C, barrier-to-autointegration factor (BAF), and histone deacetylase (HDAC), to form a complex with the gene repressor specific protein 3 (Sp3). Knockdown of Sig-1Rs attenuates the complex formation. Cocaine was found to suppress the gene expression of monoamine oxidase B (MAOB) in the brain of wild-type but not Sig-1R knockout mouse. A single dose of cocaine (20 mg/kg) in rats suppresses the level of MAOB at nuclear accumbens without affecting the level of dopamine transporter. Daily injections of cocaine in rats caused behavioral sensitization. Withdrawal from cocaine in cocaine-sensitized rats induced an apparent time-dependent rebound of the MAOB protein level to about 200% over control on day 14 after withdrawal. Treatment of cocaine-withdrawn rats with the MAOB inhibitor deprenyl completely alleviated the behavioral sensitization to cocaine. Our results demonstrate a role of Sig-1R in transcriptional regulation and suggest cocaine may work through this newly discovered genomic action to achieve its addictive action. Results also suggest the MAOB inhibitor deprenyl as a therapeutic agent to block certain actions of cocaine during withdrawal.

Association between perfluoroalkyl substances and reproductive hormones in adolescents and young adults

BACKGROUND

Few studies have explored the association between perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and reproductive hormones in adolescents and young adults.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the association of PFAS with reproductive hormones in adolescents and young adults.

METHODS

We recruited 540 subjects aged 12-30 years from a 1992 to 2000 mass urine screening population and established a cohort from 2006 to 2008 via invitations by mail or/and telephone. Serum PFAS levels were analyzed with a Waters ACQUITY UPLC system coupled with a Waters Quattro Premier XE triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Serum reproductive hormone levels were measured by immunoluminometric assay with an Architect random access assay system. PFAS levels were divided into different percentiles according to their detection limits in the multiple regression models to analyze associations between reproductive hormone levels and exposure with PFAS.

RESULTS

The adjusted mean serum level of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) decreased significantly in association with the <50th, 50-75, 75-90 and >90th percentile categories of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) compared with a reference category for the females in the 12-17-year-old group. The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were significantly decreased in association with the different percentile categories of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in the male 12-17-year-old group and the different percentile categories of perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUA) in the female 12-17-year-old group. The serum FSH levels in the females aged 12-17 were also decreased in association with the different percentile categories of PFUA. On the other hand, there was a significantly negative association between the different percentile categories of PFOS and the serum testosterone level among the female 12-17-year-old group.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that the serum concentrations of PFOA, PFOS, and PFUA were negatively associated with the serum levels of SHBG, FSH, and testosterone in the young Taiwanese population and that these effects were the strongest in the females aged 12-17. Further studies are needed to determine whether these associations are causal.

Ser/Thr kinase-like protein of Nicotiana benthamiana is involved in the cell-to-cell movement of Bamboo mosaic virus

To investigate the plant genes affected by Bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV) infection, we applied a cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism technique to screen genes with differential expression. A serine/threonine kinase-like (NbSTKL) gene of Nicotiana benthamiana is upregulated after BaMV infection. NbSTKL contains the homologous domain of Ser/Thr kinase. Knocking down the expression of NbSTKL by virus-induced gene silencing reduced the accumulation of BaMV in the inoculated leaves but not in the protoplasts. The spread of GFP-expressing BaMV in the inoculated leaves is also impeded by a reduced expression of NbSTKL. These data imply that NbSTKL facilitates the cell-to-cell movement of BaMV. The subcellular localization of NbSTKL is mainly on the cell membrane, which has been confirmed by mutagenesis and fractionation experiments. Combined with the results showing that active site mutation of NbSTKL does not change its subcellular localization but significantly affects BaMV accumulation, we conclude that NbSTKL may regulate BaMV movement on the cell membrane by its kinase-like activity. Moreover, the transient expression of NbSTKL does not significantly affect the accumulation of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and Potato virus X (PVX); thus, NbSTKL might be a specific protein facilitating BaMV movement.

Body mass index may modify asthma prevalence among low-birth-weight children

Childhood asthma, a growing health concern, has been associated with low birth weight and elevated body mass index. This study tested the hypothesis that overweight and obese adolescents with a history of low birth weight are at even greater risk of developing asthma. A cohort of 75,871 junior high school students was screened for asthma during 1995-1996 in Taiwan. Birth weight and estimated gestational age were obtained from the birth registry. Logistic regression and simple regression analyses were adjusted for confounding variables. Asthma was more prevalent in those with birth weights below 3,000 g and higher adolescent body mass indexes. Furthermore, those with both characteristics were consistently most likely to have asthma. Whether the asthma diagnosis among low-birth-weight subjects was assigned by physicians or medical questionnaire, the risks were elevated for both overweight (physician diagnosis: odds ratio = 1.41; medical questionnaire: odds ratio = 1.25) and obese (physician diagnosis: odds ratio = 1.38; medical questionnaire: odds ratio = 1.47) boys as well as overweight (physician diagnosis: odds ratio = 1.63; medical questionnaire: odds ratio = 1.30) and obese (physician diagnosis: odds ratio = 1.44; medical questionnaire: odds ratio = 1.32) girls (P < 0.05). Low birth weight predisposes one to develop asthma, and excess body mass amplifies the risk. A sex difference was observed. This study suggests that prenatal care and nutritional counseling could reduce asthma prevalence.

Expression of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase WOX1 in the developing murine nervous system

WW domain-containing oxidoreductase WOX1, also known as WWOX or FOR, is a proapoptotic protein and a putative tumor suppressor. Hyaluronidases such as PH-20, Hyal-1 and Hyal-2 induce the expression of WOX1, and hyaluronidases and hyaluronan are involved in the embryonic development. In the present study, we document the expression of WOX1 in the developing murine nervous system. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that WOX1 was differentially expressed in early dividing cells from all three germ layers from embryonic to perinatal stages. In murine fetuses, WOX1 was present prevalently in the brainstem, spinal cord and peripheral nerve bundles, but its expression decreased after birth. In parallel, the expression of WOX1, as determined by Western blotting, was significantly reduced in the brain stem and spinal cord of adult mice. Notably, high levels of WOX1 immunoreactivity was observed in the neural crest-derived structures such as cranial and spinal ganglia and cranial mesenchyme during the late fetal stage. In the adult brain, WOX1 is abundant in the epithelial cells of the choroids plexus and ependymal cells, while a low to moderate level of WOX1 is observed within white matter tracts, such as axonal profiles of the corpus callosum, striatum, optic tract, and cerebral peduncle. WOX1 is shown to mediate apoptosis synergistically with p53 in vitro. Nonetheless, the expression profiles of WOX1 were found to be similar in both p53 wild type and knockout mice, suggesting that WOX1 expression is not controlled by p53-mediated gene transcription. Taken together, in this study we have shown the expression and distribution of WOX1 in developing and adult murine nervous system. The potential role of WOX1 in the neuronal differentiation is discussed.

Tuberculous wrist in the era of effective chemotherapy: an eleven-year experience

BACKGROUND

The chronic course and non-specific clinical manifestations of tuberculous (TB) wrist often cause failure to make a timely diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE

To better understand the rarely encountered TB wrist.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective review and analysis of cases of TB wrist between 1986 and 1997 in a medical centre in southern Taiwan.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven cases (16 definitive, 13 probable and eight possible) of TB wrist (25 men, 12 women; mean age, 56.3 +/- 13.0 years) were found among a total of 4970 cases of tuberculosis. The most common presenting sign and symptom (mean duration 9.4 months) were local swelling and pain over the affected wrist. The mean white blood cell (WBC) count in peripheral blood was 7.04 x 10(9)/l, and the erythrocyte sediment rates (ESR) in seven of 31 patients who had ESR assayed were normal. Forty-six per cent of the patients had abnormal chest X-ray, and 35% had had previous manipulation of the affected wrist.

CONCLUSION

Physicians should have a high index of suspicion for TB wrist among patients with chronic arthritis, even when their peripheral WBC count and ESR are normal. An abnormal chest X-ray and/or a history of previous manipulation of the affected wrist could be important clues for possible TB wrist.

The chelating treatment is not useful in human's intoxication with acute herbicidal organic arsenic

The clinical manifestations of acute organic arsenic intoxication in humans have seldom been described and the associated treatment has been thought to be the same as that of acute inorganic arsenic intoxication. We have studied a collection of patients from 1996 to 2001 who called the Poison Control Center of Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital asking for information regarding acute organic arsenic intoxication. The 17 patients ranged in age from 23 to 64 years old, with 5 females and 12 males. The cause of arsenic ingestion was attempted suicide. Abdominal pain and vomiting were the main symptoms. There were no differences in results between patients treated with and those treated without chelating agents. We therefore believe that the results of acute organic intoxication are not same as acute inorganic intoxication and it is unnecessary to use chelating agents in such conditions.

Signaling molecules implicated in heregulin induction of growth arrest and apoptosis

Heregulin (HRG) is one of the groups of polypeptide growth factors that activate the erbB-2 receptor via induction of heterodimerization with erbB-3 and erbB-4 receptors. The biological effects of HRG have been extensively studied. The vast majority of the reports indicate that HRG induces cell growth in breast cancer cells expressing normal levels of erbB-2 and growth inhibition and apoptosis in cells over-expressing erbB-2. However, the mechanism by which HRG promotes cell growth inhibition and apoptosis is still unknown. Previously we reported that constitutive expression of HRG in an erbB-2-overexpressing cell line (SKBr-3) induced growth arrest and apoptosis. We also demonstrated that constitutive expression of HRG promoted a marked morphological change, G2/M delay of the cell cycle, and DNA fragmentation. In this study, we demonstrate the mechanism by which HRG induces these cellular effects. The doubling time of the SK/HRG cells increased in relation to the level of HRG expression, and the level of HRG expression dictates the morphological change of the cells as well as their ability to grow or not grow in an anchorage-independent manner. We demonstrate that these effects are accompanied by downregulation of both erbB-2 and erbB-3 receptors at the transcriptional and translational levels and that down-regulation of the erbB-receptors results in reduced receptor tyrosine phosphorylation. The decrease in erbB-receptor phosphorylation in turn results in a marked reduction of ERK activity and a significant increase in JNK activity. Consequently, overexpression of HRG promoted the expression of PEA3, an Ets nuclear transcription factor. Taken together, our data demonstrate that the cellular effects induced by constitutive expression of HRG in SKBr-3 cells are correlated with the level of HRG expression. This is a first report demonstrating that HRG induction of apoptosis is directly correlated with decreased MAPK activity, increased JNK activity resulting in upregulation of PEA3 and down-regulation of the erbB-2 receptor. Overall, these data provide important clues regarding the mechanism and downstream molecules involved in HRG induction of apoptosis that can be used as targets for therapeutic prevention.

Carbohydrate specificity of a galectin from chicken liver (CG-16)

Owing to the expression of more than one type of galectin in animal tissues, the delineation of the functions of individual members of this lectin family requires the precise definition of their carbohydrate specificities. Thus, the binding properties of chicken liver galectin (CG-16) to glycoproteins (gps) and Streptococcus pneumoniae type 14 polysaccharide were studied by the biotin/avidin-mediated microtitre-plate lectin-binding assay and by the inhibition of lectin-glycan interactions with sugar ligands. Among 33 glycans tested for lectin binding, CG-16 reacted best with human blood group ABO (H) precursor gps and their equivalent gps, which contain a high density of D-galactopyranose(beta1-4)2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose [Gal(beta1-4)GlcNAc] and Gal(beta1-3)GlcNAc residues at the non-reducing end, but this lectin reacted weakly or not at all with A-,H-type and sialylated gps. Among the oligosaccharides tested by the inhibition assay, the tri-antennary Gal(beta1-4)GlcNAc (Tri-II) was the best. It was 2.1x10(3) nM and 3.0 times more potent than Gal and Gal(beta1-4)GlcNAc (II)/Gal(beta1-3)GlcNAc(beta1-3)Gal(beta1-4)Glc (lacto-N-tetraose) respectively. CG-16 has a preference for the beta-anomer of Gal at the non-reducing end of oligosaccharides with a Gal(beta1-4) linkage >Gal(beta1-3)> or =Gal(beta1-6). From the results, it can be concluded that the combining site of this agglutinin should be a cavity type, and that a hydrophobic interaction in the vicinity of the binding site for sugar accommodation increases the affinity. The binding site of CG-16 is as large as a tetrasaccharide of the beta-anomer of Gal, and is most complementary to lacto-N-tetraose and Gal(beta1-4)GlcNAc related sequences.

Carbohydrate specificity of a lectin isolated from the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii

In order to investigate the functional roles of a phytopathogenic fungal lectin (SRL) isolated from the bodies of Sclerotium rolfsii, the binding properties of SRL were studied by enzyme linked lectinosorbent assay and by inhibition of SRL-glycan interaction. Among glycoproteins (gp) tested for binding, SRL reacted strongly with GalNAc alpha1-->4Ser/Thr (Tn) and/or Gal beta1-->3GalNAc alpha1-->(T(alpha)) containing gps: human T(alpha) and Tn glycophorin, asialo salivary gps, and asialofetuin, but its reactivity toward sialylated glycoproteins was reduced significantly. Of the sugar ligands tested for inhibition of SRL-asialofetuin binding, Thomsen-Friedenreich residue (T(alpha)) was the best, being 22.4 and 2.24 x 10(3) more active than GalNAc and Gal beta1--> residues, respectively. Other ligands tested were inactive. When the glycans used as inhibitors, T(alpha), and/or Tn containing gps, especially asialo PSM, asialo BSM, asialo OSM, active antifreeze gp, asialo glycophorin and Tn-glycophorin were very active, and 1.0 x 10(4) times more potent than GalNAc. From these results, it is clear that the combining site of SRL should be of a cavity type and recognizes only Tn and T(alpha) residues of glycans; it is suggested that T(alpha) and Tn glycotopes, which are present only in abnormal carbohydrate sequences of higher orders of mammal, are the most likely sites for phytopathogenic fungal attachment as an initial step of infection. The affinity of SRL for ligands can be ranked in decreasing order as follows: multivalent T(alpha) and Tn >> monomeric T(alpha) and Tn > GalNAc >>> II (Gal beta1-->4GlcNAc), L (Gal beta1-->4Glc), and Gal.

Hepatic Schistosomiasis japonica in a patient with gallstones and bile duct stones--a case report

Schistosomiasis, a common parasitic disease in many countries, is found as imported cases in Taiwan. Responsible for human infections are five species, one of which, Schistosoma japonicum, is currently endemic in China and South-east Asia. Chronic infection with S. japonicum may lead to the development of liver fibrosis, calcification and portal hypertension. Under investigation by sonography and computed tomography (CT) scan, a peculiar "turtle-back" appearance of liver fibrosis and calcification may be found. Herein, we report a case referred to our department due to jaundice. The sonography of liver showed typical "turtle-back" appearance. Gallstones and bile duct stones were also found in this case. Surgical interventions with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD), cholecystectomy and choledocholithotomy were performed to relieve the obstructive jaundice and remove the stones. There were no parasitic eggs in the extracted stones or in drained bile juice. However, deposits of calcified S. japonicum eggs in liver parenchyma and portal tracts were identified in liver biopsy. No special treatment was given for the schistosomiasis japonica because the calcified parasitic eggs were the sequelae of past infection.

Two episodes of ethylene oxide poisoning--a case report

Ethylene oxide is used as a sterilizer, a solvent, a plasticizer and in the manufacture of special solvents, antifreeze, polyester resins and non-ionic surfactants. Its toxicity is caused by an alkylating reaction with most organic substances in the body. Four workers, without any protection, managed the leakage of ethylene oxide from the collecting tank improperly on July 29, 2000. In the same factory, the overflow of ethylene oxide in process resulted in leakage of ethylene oxide again on Aug. 7, 2000. Two workers were poisoned despite wearing full-face respirators with ethylene oxide approved canisters. In these two events, the workers all smelled an ether-like odor. Six workers experienced nausea, vomiting, chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness, cough and ocular irritation. One worker had transient loss of consciousness. Oxygen therapy and supportive care were used. Patients were discharged in stable condition. The permissible exposure limit of ethylene oxide in air is 1 ppm as an eight hour TWA. Above 50 ppm, the odor threshold, a positive-pressure supplied air respirator is needed to protect the worker. Full-face respirators with ethylene oxide approved canisters could not protect our cases who smelled the odor and were exposed to an unknown concentration. It is important to wear positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatuses equipped with full facepieces to clean up the contamination area and rescue the patients.

Combined measurement of fetal nuchal translucency, maternal serum free beta-hCG, and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A for first-trimester Down's syndrome screening

PURPOSE

It has been proposed that first-trimester Down's syndrome screening has a higher detection rate compared to second-trimester biochemical screening. This study investigated the accuracy of Down's syndrome screening during gestational weeks 10 to 13 using the combination of fetal nuchal translucency (NT) measurement with maternal serum concentrations of free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A).

METHODS

A total of 1,514 women with singleton pregnancies were enrolled in this study. Fetal NT was measured using the criteria published by the Fetal Medicine Foundation. Maternal serum concentrations of free beta-hCG and PAPP-A were determined by microtiter-plate ELISA. Down's syndrome risk was calculated using multivariate Gaussian distribution and Alpha software.

RESULTS

Seventeen (1.12%) of the 1514 screened pregnancies had a fetal NT of at least 3 mm, and 41.2% of these had a poor pregnancy outcome, including four fetal aneuploidies. The odds of a fetal aneuploidy when the NT was greater than 2.0 multiples of median (MoM) was 90, when serum PAPP-A concentration was less than 0.45 MoM, it was 8.6, and when serum free beta-hCG concentration was greater than 2.2 MoM, it was 4.7. Using a risk cut-off level of 1 in 400, nine of 10 fetal aneuploidies were identified with a 4.7% false-positive rate, including two with trisomy 21, one with trisomy 18, and three with Turner's syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that Down's syndrome screening using the combined test in the first trimester had a higher detection rate than that of serum screening in the second trimester. Implementation of NT measurement in the first trimester provides substantial advantages for Down's syndrome detection and early diagnosis of fetal structural abnormalities.

Multiple actinomyces brain abscesses: case report

A case of multiple cerebral abscesses caused by actinomyces is reported in a 37 year old male with mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the right lung. In conjunction with penicillin, sulfonamide and erythromycin, the patient underwent stereotactic surgery for aspiration of the brain abscesses under (CT). The bacteria, considered to originate from the right lung, were identified from the abscess material obtained at surgery. Using proper therapy to control infection and intracranial pressure is important. A lon g term follow up with frequent computerised tomography evaluation has been conducted and the patient outcome has been successful recovery.

The effect of magnitudes and duration of pressure on cerebral cortex in a rat model

The aim of this biomechanical study was to investigate the pressure-time-damage relationship on the cerebral cortex using a rat model. During brain surgery, additional cortical injuries induced by traction have been an important clinical issue. A total of 84 rats underwent a unilateral craniectomy, and conduction by hydrostatic pressure loading through a modified central venous pressure device with various combinations of magnitudes ranging from 0.5 to 10 cm H2O and duration from 0.5 to 20 minutes was then performed. Histopathological examination has exhibited three patterns of clustered, spotted damaged neurons and undamaged neuron. Two best-fitted exponential curves were derived from the data to establish the damaged, critical and tolerable loadings responsible for the neuron viability. This research provides information to enhance understanding of the additional cortex injuries induced by traction. Furthermore, the results may have implications in providing clinical guidance and/or development of alarm systems for minimising cortical damage during surgery.

Expression and function of CYR61, an angiogenic factor, in breast cancer cell lines and tumor biopsies

We have previously shown that expression of heregulin (HRG) is closely correlated with breast cancer progression. We have subsequently isolated Cyr61, a ligand for the alpha(v)beta3 integrin that is differentially expressed in HRG-positive cells, and have shown that it is expressed in all of the invasive and metastatic breast cancer cell lines tested. Preliminary evaluation of Cyr61 expression in breast tumor biopsies revealed expression of Cyr61 in about 30% of invasive breast carcinomas. Significantly, we demonstrated that Cyr61 is a downstream effector of HRG action, because a Cyr61-neutralizing antibody abolished the ability of HRG-expressing cells to migrate in vitro. Furthermore, we have shown that HRG-expressing cells denote higher levels of alpha(v)beta3 expression, and we have established that Cyr61 action is mediated, at least in part, through its receptor alpha(v)beta3, because a functional blocking antibody of the alpha(v)beta3 blocked the Matrigel outgrowth of HRG-expressing cells. These results strongly suggest that Cyr61 is necessary for HRG-mediated chemomigration and that Cyr61 plays a functional role in breast cancer progression, possibly through its interactions with the alpha(v)beta3 receptor.

Dynamical studies of gratings formed in polymer-dispersed liquid crystal films doped with a guest-host dye

This study investigated the dynamic behavior of the first-order diffraction efficiency of gratings formed in polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films doped with a guest-host dye. PDLC films were fabricated using various LC-polymer mixing ratios, and written with various powers. Experimental results indicated that several peaks appeared in the curve of the first-order diffraction efficiency versus time. According to the light scattering study, we believe that the first peak was due to the superposition of density and absorption gratings. The density grating was associated with the spatially varied molecular weight of polymer molecules across the sample, and the absorption grating resulted from the spatially varied density of free electrons. The other peaks were caused by the superposition of the absorption and phase gratings. The phase grating was generated by the formation of a periodic structure of polymer-rich and LC-rich regions in the sample. This study also proposes a model to explain these experimental results. Moreover, the theory derived from this model correlates well with the experimental results, allowing us to determine the amplitude of the final grating.

Carbohydrate specificity of an agglutinin isolated from the root of Trichosanthes kirilowii

The root of Trichosanthes kirilowii, which has been used as Chinese folk medicine for more than two thousand years, contains a Gal specific lectin (TKA). In order to elucidate its binding roles, the carbohydrate specificities of TKA were studied by enzyme linked lectinosorbent assay (ELLSA) and by inhibition of lectin-glycoform binding. Among glycoproteins (gp) tested, TKA reacted strongly with complex carbohydrates with Galbeta1-->4GlcNAc clusters as internal or core structures (human blood group ABH active glycoproteins from human ovarian cyst fluids, hog gastric mucin, and fetuin), porcine salivary glycoprotein and its asialo product, but it was inactive with heparin and mannan (negative control). Of the sugar inhibitors tested for inhibition of binding, Neu5Ac alpha2-->3/6Galbeta1-->4Glc was the best and about 4, 14.6 and 27.7 times more active than Galbeta1-->4GlcNAc(II), Galbeta1-->3GalNAc(T) and Gal, respectively. From these results, it is suggested that this agglutinin is specific for terminal or internal polyvalent Galbeta1-->4GlcNAcbeta1-->, terminal Neu5Ac alpha2-->3/6Galbeta1-->4Glc and cluster forms of Galbeta1-->3GalNAc alpha residues. The unusual affinity of TKA for terminal and internal Galbeta1-->glycotopes may be used to explain the possible attachment roles of this agglutinin in this folk medicine to target cells.

Expression and regulation of macrophage inflammatory protein-2 gene by vanadium in mouse macrophages

Environmental and occupational exposure to vanadium (V) dusts results in inflammation mainly confined to the respiratory tract. Macrophages apparently play an important role in mediating the inflammation via the production of many chemokines. In the current study, we investigated whether vanadium can regulate the gene expression of a CXC chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), and to determine the molecular mechanisms controlling MIP-2 gene expression. A mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 was treated with sodium metavanadate (NaVO3) at the dose of 0.5, 5, or 10 microg/mi V. Northern blot analysis showed that induction of MIP-2 mRNA expression was in a dose-dependent manner. To define the time course of the inflammatory response, RAW 264.7 cells were exposed to 5 microg/ml V, MIP-2 mRNA in macrophages increased markedly as early as 1 h after treatment, maximally induced at 4 h and reduced to 2-fold above control levels by 6 and 8 h. The protein levels of MIP-2 in conditioned media, measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), was well correlated with the levels of MIP-2 mRNA following all of the treatments in the study. In addition, the increase in MIP-2 mRNA expression by vanadium was attenuated by co-treatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC), at the doses of 10 and 20 mM, suggesting that the induction of MIP-2 mRNA is mediated via the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). To further investigate transcriptional regulation of the MIP-2 gene expression by vanadium, we performed RNA decay assay by measuring the half-life of MIP-2 mRNA. Co-treatment of macrophages with the transcriptional inhibitor actinomycin D at 5 microg/ml following exposure to 5 microg/ml V for 4 h revealed complete stabilization of vanadium-induced MIP-2 mRNA and no sign of mRNA degradation, at least, for 6 h, in comparison to the half-life of MIP-2 mRNA was approximately 2.5 h by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment, supporting post-transcriptional stabilization as the predominant role of MIP-2 gene expression. In conclusion, these observations demonstrate that in vitro vanadium can induce MIP-2 mRNA expression, mediating, at least in part, via the production of ROS. In addition, the increase in MIP-2 mRNA level involves, most likely, post-transcriptional control via increased mRNA stability.

Lectinochemical characterization of a GalNAc and multi-Galbeta1-->4GlcNAc reactive lectin from Wistaria sinensis seeds

An agglutinin that has high affinity for GalNAcbeta1-->, was isolated from seeds of Wistaria sinensis by adsorption to immobilized mild acid-treated hog gastric mucin on Sepharose 4B matrix and elution with aqueous 0.2 M lactose. The binding property of this lectin was characterized by quantitative precipitin assay (QPA) and by inhibition of biotinylated lectin-glycan interaction. Of the 37 glycoforms tested by QPA, this agglutinin reacted best with a GalNAcbeta1-->4 containing glycoprotein (GP) [Tamm-Horsfall Sd(a+) GP]; a Galbeta1-->4GlcNAc containing GP (human blood group precursor glycoprotein from ovarian cyst fluid and asialo human alpha1-acid GP) and a GalNAcalpha1-->3GalNAc containing GP (asialo bird nest GP), but poorly or not at all with most sialic acid containing glycoproteins. Among the oligosaccharides tested, GalNAcalpha1-->3GalNAcbeta1-->3Galalpha1-->4Galbeta 1-->4Glc (Fp) was the most active ligand. It was as active as GalNAc and two to 11 times more active than Tn cluster mixtures, Galbeta1--> 3/4GlcNAc (I/II), GalNAcalpha1-->3(L-Fucalpha1-->2)Gal (Ah), Galbeta1-->4Glc (L), Galbeta1-->3GalNAc (T) and Galalpha1--> 3Galalpha-->methyl (B). Of the monosaccharides and their glycosides tested, p-nitrophenyl betaGalNAc was the best inhibitor; it was approximately 1.7 and 2.5 times more potent than its corresponding alpha anomer and GalNAc (or Fp), respectively. GalNAc was 53.3 times more active than Gal. From the present observations, it can be concluded that the Wistaria agglutinin (WSA) binds to the C-3, C-4 and C-6 positions of GalNAc and Gal residues; the N-acetyl group at C-2 enhances its binding dramatically. The combining site of WSA for GalNAc related ligands is most likely of a shallow type, able to recognize both alpha and beta anomers of GalNAc. Gal ligands must be Galbeta1-->3/4GlcNAc related, in which subterminal beta1-->3/4 GlcNAc contributes significantly to binding; hydrophobicity is important for binding of the beta anomer of Gal. The decreasing order of the affinity of WSA for mammalian structural carbohydrate units is Fp >/= multi-II > monomeric II >/= Tn, I and Ah >/= E and L > T > Gal.

Constitutive expression of Heregulin induces apoptosis in an erbB-2 overexpressing breast cancer cell line SKBr-3

We have previously reported that Heregulin (HRG)/neu differentiation factor (NDF) induced growth arrest and cellular differentiation in breast cancer cells overexpressing erbB-2 receptor. To elucidate the cellular mechanisms underlying the growth inhibition by HRG, we developed an in vitro model by transfection of HRG cDNA into the erbB-2 overexpressing breast cancer cell line, SKBr-3. We showed that the enforced expression of HRG in SKBr-3 cells induces dramatic morphological changes and pronounced inhibition of anchorage-dependent and -independent growth. Most SKBr-3/HRG-transfected (SK/HRG) cells exhibited about 15-fold increase in size and persisted as multinucleated cells with extended flattened vacuole-filled cytoplasm with reduced cell attachment. The growth suppression of SK/HRG cells was accompanied by a reduction in S phase, the presence of a G2-M cell cycle delay, and an increase in DNA aneuploid components. In addition, DNA fragmentation assays showed that HRG induced apoptosis of SKBr-3 cells. In contrast, while HRG treatment of other erbB-2 overexpressing breast cancer cell lines led to growth arrest and cell detachment, it did not induce apoptotic features. Thus, this study demonstrates that while growth arrest and cell detachment are general effects of HRG towards erbB-2 overexpressing cells, the ability of HRG to induce apoptosis is a phenomenon confined to selective cells including SKBr-3 cells.

Follow-up in the micronucleus frequencies and its subsets in human population with chronic low-dose gamma-irradiation exposure

Forty-eight individuals, who received protracted low-dose rate gamma-irradiation from radioactive environments for 2-10 years, have been evaluated repetitively for cytogenetic damage by the cytochalasin-B micronuclei assay (CBMN) after they relocated from radioactive buildings. These subjects were shown to have a significant decrease in the CBMN frequencies during 26.2+/-8.4 months of follow-up. By the mixed effect multiple linear regression analysis, the CBMN frequencies in these 48 subjects during repetitive measurements were significantly associated with the relocation duration since leaving the radioactive environments (relocation time or RT in months; estimate -0.47, standard error 0. 0016, p value 0.0074). The alteration rate in the proportions of binucleates carrying a single micronucleus and those with multiple micronuclei was further compared among 26 of these exposed individuals. The proportions of binucleates with multi-micronuclei were shown to decline significantly faster than those with a mono-micronucleus between these two repetitive assays (proportional Z-test, p value 0.003). Moreover, some of the exposed subjects were shown to have a persistent increase in the total micronuclei frequencies or carrying multi-micronuclei in the binuclei even 3-4 years post-cessation of exposure. This suggests potential genomic instability in stem cells of the exposed individuals and the phenomenon deserves further closer monitoring. Understanding the dynamics of micronucleus expression in lymphocytes in subjects with previous mutagenic exposure would be of significant importance for human population monitoring.

Lemierre's syndrome caused by viridans streptococci: a case report

A 53-year-old man had fever, chills, and a progressively enlarged mass over the left mandibular angle for one month. A chest radiograph showed two small nodules in the upper right lung field. A contrast-medium-enhanced head-and-neck computed tomograph revealed severe necrosis within the left lateral pharyngeal space and total obliteration of the left internal jugular vein. Viridans streptococci were identified in the blood culture and the debrided tissue culture 2 days post-admission. The presentations were characteristic of Lemierre's syndrome and were evident in this case, however, the causative agent was viridans streptococci and the host was much older than the others previously reported. The normal flora of the oropharynx could become a fatal bacterium when the intact mucosal barrier of the mouth is impaired, regardless of the patient's age.

Serum hepatocyte growth factor levels in patients with inflammatory lung diseases

HGF is a pulmotrophic factor in the regeneration of an injured lung. However, the physiological role of HGF in vivo remains largely unknown. We studied HGF in patients with inflammatory lung diseases to investigate the clinical significance of HGF and compared with C-reactive protein (CRP) in inflammatory lung diseases. Forty-seven patients with inflammatory lung diseases (16 tuberculosis, 18 pneumonia, and 13 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)) were studied. Fifty normal, healthy individuals were analyzed as normal control subjects. Serum HGF levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Serum CRP levels were also performed. The mean +/- SE numbers of serum HGF levels in the patients with inflammatory lung diseases (4.33 +/- 0.41 ng/ml) were significantly elevated when compared with those in normal control subjects (0.36 +/- 0.02 ng/ml) (p < 0.0001). Serum HGF levels in patients with COPD was significantly lower than those were with tuberculosis or pneumonia (p < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between serum HGF levels and CRP in inflammatory pulmonary diseases (r = 0.48, p = 0.00087). The significantly decreased serum HGF levels in patients with improved inflammatory lung diseases were also observed subsequently. Our results suggest that secreted HGF may play an important role in bronchial epithelium reconstruction during respiratory inflammation.

Bamboo mosaic potexvirus satellite RNA (satBaMV RNA)-encoded P20 protein preferentially binds to satBaMV RNA

A satellite RNA of 836 nucleotides [excluding the poly(A) tail] depends on the bamboo mosaic potexvirus (BaMV) for its replication and encapsidation. The BaMV satellite RNA (satBaMV) contains a single open reading frame encoding a 20-kDa nonstructural protein (P20). The P20 protein with eight histidine residues at the C terminus was overexpressed in Escherichia coli. Experiments of gel retardation, UV cross-linking, and Northwestern hybridization demonstrated that purified P20 was a nucleic-acid-binding protein. The binding of P20 to nucleic acids was strong and highly cooperative. P20 preferred binding to satBaMV- or BaMV-related sequences rather than to nonrelated sequences. By deletion analysis, the P20 binding sites were mainly located at the 5' and 3' untranslated regions of satBaMV RNA, and the RNA-protein interactions could compete with the poly(G) and, less efficiently, with the poly(U) homopolymers. The N-terminal arginine-rich motif of P20 was the RNA binding domain, as shown by in-frame deletion analysis. This is the first report that a plant virus satellite RNA-encoded nonstructural protein preferentially binds with nucleic acids.

Studies on the binding of wheat germ agglutinin (Triticum vulgaris) to O-glycans

The binding profile of Triticum vulgaris (WGA, wheat germ) agglutinin to 23 O-glycans (GalNAc alpha1-->Ser/Thr containing glycoproteins, GPs) was quantitated by the precipitin assay and its specific interactions with O-glycans were confirmed by the precipitin inhibition assay. Of the 28 glycoforms tested, six complex O-glycans (hog gastric mucins, one human blood group A active and two precursor cyst GPs) reacted strongly with WGA and completely precipitated the lectin added. All of the other human blood group A active O-glycans and human blood group precursor GPs also reacted well with the lectin and precipitated over two-thirds of the agglutinin used. They reacted 4-50 times stronger than N-glycans (asialo-fetuin and asialo-human alpha1 acid GP). The binding of WGA to O-glycans was inhibited by either p-NO2-phenyl alpha,betaGlcNAc or GalNAc. From these results, it is highly possible that cluster (multivalent) effects through the high density of weak inhibitory determinants on glycans, such as GalNAc alpha1-->Ser/Thr (Tn), GalNAc at the nonreducing terminal, GlcNAc beta1--> at the non-reducing end and/or as an internal residue, play important roles in precipitation, while the GlcNAc beta1-->4GlcNAc disaccharide may play a minor role in the precipitation of mammalian glycan-WGA complexes.

Anticardiolipin antibody-related Budd-Chiari syndrome: report of a case

We report a case of a 37-year-old female who suffered from upper abdominal pain, progressive abdominal distention, shortness of breath, palpitation and pitting edema of lower legs for more than one month. Abdominal sonography showed small caliber of hepatic veins, mild hepatosplenomegaly and moderate ascites. Computed tomography of abdomen disclosed extensive thrombi in bilateral femoral veins, ovarian veins and inferior vena cava. Ascites was transudate with normal cell count. Laboratory data showed hypoalbuminemia, mild elevation of total bilirubin and iron deficiency anemia. Anti-cardiolipin antibody was positive and antinuclear antibody was negative. The histopathological features, including sinusoidal dilatation with atrophic change of adjacent hepatocytes, slight congestion and hemosiderin-like material within the cytoplasm of Kupffer cells, were compatible with the criteria of Budd-Chiari syndrome. Heparin was intravenously administered immediately to prevent further progression of thrombosis. The ascites was successfully controlled with diuretics (spironolactone and furosemide). After a two-week course of treatment, she was discharged in good condition and on warfarin anti-coagulant medication.

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor and transforming growth factor-alpha in human non-small cell lung cancers

Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family that binds to the EGF receptor (EGFR), is thought to function in an autocrine manner in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), a novel member of the EGF family, also binds to EGFR. To compare the expression of HB-EGF, TGF-alpha and EGFR genes in NSCLC and normal lung tissue, we measured the levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) for these genes in human NSCLC and normal lung tissues by Northern hybridization, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and in situ hybridization. A total of eight specimens (paired tumor tissue and normal lung tissue) were harvested from four patients who underwent resection of primary resectable NSCLC. HB-EGF was not expressed in either tumor tissue or normal lung tissue, while EGFR and TGF-alpha were expressed in all samples. TGF-alpha was overexpressed in all tumor tissue samples by several hundred-fold, while the expression of EGFR was not significantly different in tumor tissue and normal lung tissue. There was no correlation between the expression of TGF-alpha and EGFR. In situ hybridization showed that TGF-alpha mRNA was localized mainly in the cancer cells of tumor tissues and in the macrophages of alveoli in normal lung tissue. Our results showed that HB-EGF plays no role in the growth of NSCLC, and that there was no significant overexpression of EGFR in tumor tissue. TGF-alpha may play a major role in the growth of NSCLC. This supports a new direction in rational NSCLC treatment.

Comparison of cytokeratin fragment 19 (CYFRA 21-1), tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) as tumour markers in bronchogenic carcinoma

To elevate the diagnostic value of the serum cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA 21-1) and compare it with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) in bronchogenic carcinoma, the sera of 161 patients (58 with benign pulmonary disease and 103 with bronchogenic carcinoma) was investigated using immunoradiometric assay. Sensitivities for CYFRA 21-1, CEA and TPA (using 3.5 ng ml-1, 5.0 ng ml-1, 110 U l-1, respectively, cut-off values corresponding to a 95% specificity for benign pulmonary disease) in bronchogenic carcinoma were 64, 47 and 61%, respectively. Positive CYFRA 21-1 levels were identified in 75% of patients with squamous cell carcinoma (n = 36), in 67% with adenocarcinoma (n = 45), in 17% with large cell carcinoma (n = 6), and in 50% with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) (n = 16). However, CYFRA 21-1 levels were not significantly different between squamous cell carcinoma and the other histological types. The sensitivity of the combined measurement of CYFRA 21-1 with any other tumour marker was significantly higher than that of CYFRA 21-1 measurement alone. Elevated CYFRA 21-1 levels were observed in 44% of Stages I and II (n = 18) and 72% of Stage III and IV (n = 69) patients with non-small cell lung cancer (P < 0.05). A significant inter-marker correlation was observed between CYFRA 21-1 and TPA (n = 103, r = 0.448, P < 0.0001). Twenty-one patients were monitored by CYFRA 21-1, and significantly different changes in progressive patients (P = 0.0058) and regressive patients (P = 0.016) were obtained. These results indicate that CYFRA 21-1 may be not only a sensitive tumour marker in the diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma, but also a useful marker for the monitoring of bronchogenic carcinoma.

Spirometry in life-long non-smoking, healthy Chinese women in Taiwan

To establish the spirometric values for normal, healthy Chinese women in Taiwan, the spirometry of 506 life-long non-smoking, healthy Chinese women was examined, including 140 subjects over the age of 60 years. Significant correlations among age, height and forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC%, peak expiratory flow (PEF), Vmax75, Vmax50, Vmax25 were found. However, there were no significant correlations between age and FEV1/FVC%, nor age and Vmax25 in the elderly group. FEV1 (FEV1*) and FVC (FVC*) were standardized to the overall mean height for elderly women using Cole's formula. The decline in FEV1* and FVC* with age were observed. The predicted value for the average 70-year-old woman with a height of 1.5 m derived from the present study is compared with those from other surveys of the elderly. The values from the present study are somewhat higher than the values from the Hong Kong study. The authors believe the fact that all of the present subjects were life-long non-smokers might explain the differences.

Cytokeratin fragment 19 (CYFRA 21-1) as a tumor marker in non-small cell lung cancer

To evaluate the diagnostic value of the serum cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA 21-1) in bronchogenic carcinoma, we investigated the sera of 138 patients (58 with benign pulmonary disease and 80 with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)) using immunoradiometric assay. The mean (SD) value of serum CYFRA 21-1 in NSCLC (13.26 (16.54)) was significantly higher than in benign lung diseases (1.74 (1.55)) (p < 0.0001). Sensitivity for CYFRA 21-1 (using 3.5 ng/ml, a cut-off value corresponding to a 95% specificity for benign pulmonary disease) in NSCL was 62%. Positive CYFRA 21-1 levels were significantly higher in 75% of patients with squamous cell carcinoma (n = 36) than in 53% with other NSCLC (n = 44) (p < 0.05). CYFRA 21-1 levels were significantly different between squamous cell carcinoma (17.28 (19.94)) and the other NSCLC (9.96 (12.44)) (P < 0.05). Elevated CYFRA 21-1 levels in patients with stage III and IV disease (n = 64, 18.19 (26.51)) were significantly higher than in stage I and II (n = 16, 4.41 (5.76)) (p < 0.02). The positive rate of CYFRA 21-1 in tumor stage I and II was only 37%. Our results indicate that CYFRA 21-1 may be a useful tumor marker in NSCLC, especially in squamous cell carcinoma. However, CYFRA 21-1 cannot be used for the diagnosis of early stage disease of NSCLC. CYFRA 21-1 may also contribute to the monitoring of NSCLC.