[Dislocation into the anterior chamber and spontaneous repositioning of a dexamethasone intravitreal implant: a case report]

A 61-year-old male patient presented with blurred vision in the right eye for 1 day. The patient had previously undergone phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation (10 years ago) and intravitreal implantation of dexamethasone (due to uveitis) in the eye. There was edema in the inferior cornea, along with Descemet membrane folds. The rod-shaped dexamethasone implant was visible in the inferior anterior chamber. Without pupil dilation, the patient was asked to keep a supine position and avoid head tilting for 1 day. The implant spontaneously relocated into the vitreous cavity, resulting in a reduction of corneal edema. This suggests that the dislocation of the intravitreal implant into the anterior chamber may be caused by a local zonular abnormality, and the dislocated implant has the potential to reposition itself spontaneously.

[Effect and mechanism of 1, 25(OH)2D3 on myocardial inflammation induced by Coxsackie virus B3 in mice]

Objective: To explore the effect and mechanism of 1, 25(OH)2D3 on myocardial inflammation induced by Coxsackie virus B3 (CVB3) in mice. Methods: Wild type (WT) and 1α-hydroxylase knockout [1(OH)ase-/-] male mice were divided into four groups: WT group, WT+CVB3 group, 1(OH)ase-/-+CVB3 group and 1(OH)ase-/-+CVB3+VD3 group, with 8 mice in each group. The indicators for evaluating myocardial cell injury were examined by different methods. The mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines [interlenkin (IL)-1β, IL-6, interferon γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)] were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the myocardial histopathological changes. The apoptosis of myocardial cells was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining and flow cytometry. Fluo-4/AM fluorescence probe was used to detect intracellular calcium ion content. Meanwhile, the expression levels of Ca2+/Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ (CaMKⅡ) protein as well as endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins like glucose-related protein 78 (GRP78) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) in the myocardial tissues were detected by Western blot. Results: Compared with WT group, the mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory factors increased in the cardiomyocytes of mice in WT+CVB3 group, including IL-1β (14.88±3.32 vs 1.03±0.02, P=0.009), IL-6 (7.00±1.09 vs 1.81±0.18, P=0.005), IFN-γ (4.70±1.11 vs 1.34±0.34, P=0.006) and TNF-α (17.20±3.22 vs 1.02±0.12, P<0.001). Similarly, the infiltration of inflammatory cells, and the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes elevated (16.66%±1.09% vs 7.85%±1.12%, P=0.012). The level of calcium ions in myocardial cytoplasm was significantly higher in WT+CVB3 group than that in the WT group (2.98±1.05 vs 0.96±0.10, P=0.006). Likewise, the expression levels of pCaMKⅡ(1.97±0.34 vs 1.00±0, P<0.001), GRP78 (1.78±0.19 vs 1.00±0, P=0.005) and CHOP (1.62±0.09 vs 1.00±0, P=0.002) in WT+CVB3 group up-regulated. The above myocardial cell injury markers were more significant in the 1(OH)ase-/-+CVB3 group. In the 1(OH)ase-/-+CVB3+VD3 group, 1, 25(OH)2D3 supplementation significantly improved myocardial cell injury indicators. Meanwhile, the specific inhibitors of CaMKⅡ can also reduce the myocardial injury and apoptosis rate of CVB3-infected mice. Conclusion: 1, 25(OH)2D3 deficiency can aggravate myocardial inflammation through over activation of CaMKⅡ.

Effect of alfalfa hay and starter feed supplementation on caecal microbiota and fermentation, growth, and health of yak calves

The caecum is the primary site where microbial fermentation and acidosis occurred. The supplementation of starter feed and alfalfa hay has the potential to influence caecal microbiota and then affect caecal fermentation. This study aims to investigate the effect of starter feed and alfalfa hay supplementation on caecal microbiota, immune homeostasis, and growth of preweaning yaks. Twenty 30-day-old male yak calves were randomly assigned to four groups, which separately fed with milk replacer (CON group), milk replacer with alfalfa hay (A group), milk replacer with starter feed (S group), and milk replacer with starter feed plus alfalfa hay (SA group) throughout the trial. Growth performance and plasma physiological and biochemical indicators were measured every 30 days. Calves were sacrificed at 120 days of age. The caecal contents were collected for measuring pH and contents of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and for characterizing caecal microbiota. The results indicated that individual or simultaneous supplementation with alfalfa hay and starter feed all significantly increased the BW, body height, body length, and chest girth of yak calves. However, supplementation with starter feed significantly increased plasma cortisol, nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ concentrations and the ratio of aspartate aminotransferase to alanine aminotransferase of yak calves when compared with the control and alfalfa hay feeding groups, while the co-supplementation of starter feed and alfalfa hay could significantly decrease these inflammation-related indices when compared with the starter feeding group. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene showed that starter feed and alfalfa hay separately stimulated the proliferation of starch-decomposing and cellulose- or hemicellulose-decomposing bacteria. This also significantly increased the levels of acetate, propionate, butyrate, valerate, isobutyrate, and isovalerate in the caecal contents. Furthermore, compared with the S and CON groups, the significantly increased genera of Desulfobulbus, Olsenella, Pseudoflavonifractor, and Stomatobaculum in the SA and A groups were beneficial to the immune homeostasis, and the significantly decreased Blautia, Clostridium IV, Bacteroides, Eubacterium, Clostridium XVIII, and Mogibacterium in the SA and A groups were related to the reduced caecal lactate and LPS contents, the decreased inflammatory reaction, and the improved healthy hepatic condition of yak calves. In conclusion, milk replacer supplemented with alfalfa hay and starter feed is recommended during preweaning to improve yak calf health and growth because this regimen promotes the growth and maintains the immune homeostasis of yak calves.

Characterization of a TIR-NBS-LRR gene associated with downy mildew resistance in grape

Grapevine downy mildew, caused by Plasmopara viticola, is a devastating disease that results in considerable economic losses as well as environmental damage through the repeated application of fungicides. The nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeat gene family functions in plant immunoactivity against various pathogens and pests. In this study, the 5' and 3' ends of the resistance gene homology fragment RGA5 were obtained by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The 4282-base pair full-length cDNA was obtained using gene-specific primers, and the corresponding 1335-amino acid protein sequence contained characteristic nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeat domains of plant resistance proteins, including the toll-interleukin receptor type region. Expression of RGA5 during P. viticola infection and abiotic stress was investigated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that treatment with P. viticola and 4 abiotic stimuli (salicyclic acid, methyl-jasmonate, abscisic acid, H2O2) significantly induced RGA5 within 12 days of inoculation. Therefore, RGA5 may play a critical role in protecting grapevines against P. viticola via signaling pathways involving these molecules.

Expression of erythropoietin and its receptor in kidneys from normal and cyclosporine-treated rats

Long-term treatment with cyclosporine A (CsA) is associated with various types of complications; however, CsA-induced anemia has not been reported. The present study examined the impact of CsA on hematopoietic parameters and intrarenal expression of erythropoietin (EPO) and the EPO receptor (EPOR) in a rat model of chronic CsA nephrotoxicity. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a low-salt diet (0.05% sodium) and were treated daily for 4 weeks with vehicle (olive oil 1 mL/kg subcutaneously) or CsA (15 mg/kg subcutaneously). The expression of EPO and EPOR was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting, and hematopoietic parameters were assessed by measuring blood hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, and these variables were compared between treatment groups. Renal function, oxidative stress, histopathology (tubulointerstitial fibrosis), apoptotic cell death, and expression of transforming growth factor β-inducible gene-h3 (βig-h3) were also compared between treatment groups. In kidneys from vehicle-treated rats, endogenous EPO and EPOR protein were expressed constitutively in the outer stripe of the outer medulla and the cortex. EPO protein expression decreased significantly in kidneys from CsA-treated rats. By contrast, EPOR expression was higher in kidneys from CsA-treated rats than in vehicle-treated rats. These changes were accompanied by decreases in serum hemoglobin and hematocrit levels and correlated with the number of cells positive for terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (r = -0.769, P = .003) and βig-h3 protein expression (r = -0.910, P < .001). Long-term treatment with CsA suppresses renal endogenous EPO expression, resulting in anemia. Increases in apoptotic cell death and βig-h3 expression are closely associated with inhibition of EPO expression in chronic CsA nephrotoxicity.

Reduced late asthmatic response by repeated low-dose allergen exposure

Allergic asthmatic individuals are often exposed to low-doses of allergen in their everyday life. Extended exposure to allergen has lead to down-regulation of the allergic process in cell systems and in animal models. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether any such inhibitory mechanism of allergic responses can be seen in man in vivo. Patients with mild asthma were repeatedly and double-blindly exposed to 25% of the individual dose of allergen that caused an early (EAR) and late asthmatic reaction (LAR). One day after the low-dose allergen or placebo exposure periods, the same individual was given a high-dose allergen challenge. Sputum and blood were collected for the evaluation of eosinophils. Exposure to repeated low doses of allergen induced increased bronchial methacholine responsiveness 6 h after the final allergen exposure (p=0.018), and an increase in the number of eosinophils in sputum. By contrast, the late asthmatic response after challenge with a high dose of allergen was significantly attenuated by approximately 30% at 24 h after the final low-dose allergen exposure (p = 0.03). In summary, repeated low doses of allergen given directly to the airways, attenuate the high-dose allergen-induced late response, despite enhanced bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine and elevated sputum eosinophils prior to allergen challenge.

IL-12 regulates bone marrow eosinophilia and airway eotaxin levels induced by airway allergen exposure

BACKGROUND

Airway allergen exposure causes local eosinophilic cell infiltration. This cellular inflammatory response is likely to involve the release of eosinophils from peripheral storage pools, and possibly also regeneration of eosinophils in the bone marrow. IL-12 is an inhibitory cytokine in allergic inflammation, shown to reduce eosinophilic cell infiltration. The aim of the present study was to determine whether airway allergen exposure increases bone marrow eosinophil production, and, if so, whether IL-12 modulates this effect.

METHODS

Ovalbumin-sensitized C57BL/6 mice and IL-12 knockout (KO) mice were exposed to allergen via the airway route, and the inflammatory cell response was evaluated in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, blood, and bone marrow.

RESULTS

Allergen instillation intranasally produced a dose-dependent inflammatory response in the lower airways of sensitized mice. This inflammatory response was dominated by eosinophils, but there were also increases of both lymphocytes and neutrophils. Sensitization and airway allergen exposure also increased the IL-5-dependent growth of bone marrow cells in vitro. The enhanced bone marrow responsiveness in vitro was paralleled by an increased number of bone marrow eosinophils in vivo. After sensitization and repeated allergen exposure, IL-12 KO mice showed higher eosinophil levels in both BAL and bone marrow than parallel wild-type control mice. Furthermore, BAL-eotaxin levels were increased in IL-12 KO mice as opposed to parallel wild-type controls after allergen exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

Airway allergen exposure induced systemic immunologic responses, including increased eosinophil numbers in both airways and bone marrow, and also enhanced IL-5 responsiveness in bone marrow cells. IL-12 may regulate airway eosinophilia at both the level of eosinophilopoiesis and the level of local recruitment of eosinophils into the airways.

Bronchial hyperresponsiveness and airway wall remodelling induced by exposure to allergen for 9 weeks

Prolonged exposure to allergen has been proposed to be important for the development of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and airway remodelling in asthma. The present study was designed to examine the effect of chronic allergen exposure on bronchial responsiveness, eosinophil infiltration, and airway remodelling. We sensitized brown Norway rats with the occupational allergen trimellitic anhydride (TMA) and exposed the animals to TMA conjugated to rat serum albumin (TMA-RSA) on 5 consecutive days each week for 9 weeks, starting 4 weeks after sensitization. IgE and IgG anti-TMA antibodies in serum and bronchial responsiveness to acetylcholine were evaluated before and at weeks 3, 6, and 9 of allergen exposure. Thickness of the airway wall, airway luminal narrowing, and the number of goblet cells and eosinophils in the airway wall were evaluated with an image analysis system in lungs resected after the last assessment of bronchial responsiveness, at the end of the 9-week allergen exposure. All rats developed IgE and IgG anti-TMA antibodies after sensitization. The levels of antibodies increased with allergen exposure until week 6, and then declined. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness to acetylcholine was induced in allergen-exposed rats without ongoing airway eosinophilia. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness induced by chronic allergen exposure via inhalation was accompanied by significantly increased thickness of smooth muscle and airway narrowing in the small airways, and goblet cell hyperplasia in the large airways. We conclude that chronic exposure to allergen can induce bronchial hyperresponsiveness and airway wall remodelling. Airway wall remodelling may contribute to bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

Neutrophil recruitment by human IL-17 via C-X-C chemokine release in the airways

IL-17 is a recently discovered cytokine that can be released from activated human CD4+ T lymphocytes. This study assessed the proinflammatory effects of human (h) IL-17 in the airways. In vitro, hIL-17 increased the release of IL-8 in human bronchial epithelial and venous endothelial cells, in a time- and concentration-dependent fashion. This effect of hIL-17 was inhibited by cotreatment with an anti-hIL-17 Ab and was potentiated by hTNF-alpha. In addition, hIL-17 increased the expression of hIL-8 mRNA in bronchial epithelial cells. Conditioned medium from hIL-17-treated bronchial epithelial cells increased human neutrophil migration in vitro. This effect was blocked by an anti-hIL-8 Ab. In vivo, intratracheal instillation of hIL-17 selectively recruited neutrophils into rat airways. This recruitment of neutrophils into the airways was inhibited by an anti-hIL-17 Ab and accompanied by increased levels of rat macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (rMIP-2) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. The BAL neutrophilia was also blocked by an anti-rMIP-2 Ab. The effect of hIL-17 on the release of hIL-8 and rMIP-2 was also inhibited by glucocorticoids, in vitro and in vivo, respectively. These data demonstrate that hIL-17 can specifically and selectively recruit neutrophils into the airways via the release of C-X-C chemokines from bronchial epithelial cells and suggest a novel mechanism linking the activation of T-lymphocytes to recruitment of neutrophils into the airways.

Relationship between systemic blood pressure, airway blood flow and plasma exudation in guinea-pig

Plasma exudation in the airways is mainly dependent on microvascular permeability of the tracheobronchial circulation and may be affected by local blood flow. Aortic blood pressure provides the major inflow pressure to tracheobronchial circulation. Therefore, systemically administered vasoconstrictors, in doses enough to increase systemic blood pressure, may theoretically increase the blood flow in the tracheobronchial circulation by enhancing inflow pressure. Consequently, this may influence plasma exudation induced by inflammatory mediators in the airways. To test this hypothesis, we used guinea-pigs to study: (1) the effects of i.v. vasoconstrictors (methoxamine and angiotensin II) on blood flow in the tracheal mucosa and in the leg skeletal muscle (Laser-Doppler flowmetry); (2) the effects of i.v. vasoconstrictors on plasma exudation induced by tracheal administration of the inflammatory mediator bradykinin (150 nmol). We found that i.v. methoxamine and angiotensin II significantly increase tracheal mucosa blood flow and systemic blood pressure. The increase in tracheal mucosa blood flow was, in the case of angiotensin II, found to be significantly related to the increase in systemic blood pressure. In separate experiments, pre-treatment with i.v. methoxamine and angiotensin II significantly potentiates Evan's Blue dye exudation induced by bradykinin in the trachea and main bronchi. We conclude that i.v. methoxamine and angiotensin II potentiate bradykinin-induced plasma exudation in the guinea-pig airways, possibly by increasing the local blood flow. The increase in the local blood flow is most likely induced by enhanced systemic blood pressure (inflow pressure), owing to a redistribution of the total body blood flow.

A new biologically active acylated triterpene saponin from Silene fortunei

A new acylated triterpene-saponin (1), together with a mixture of the known jenisseensosides C and D, has been isolated from the roots of Silene fortunei. The structure of the new compound was established by chemical means and spectroscopic methods as 3-O-[beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-28 -O- [[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl- (1-->3)-b eta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-[beta-D- glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-4-O-acetyl-beta-D-fucopyranosyl]quillaic acid. This saponin showed a significant enhancement of granulocyte phagocytosis in vitro.

Effect of a novel PACAP-27 analogue on muscarinic airway responsiveness in guinea-pigs in vivo

A recent study showed that the novel pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP)-27 analogue [Arg15,20,21,Leu17]-PACAP-27-Gly-Lys-Arg-NH2 causes sustained airway smooth muscle relaxation in vitro. This study examined whether this analogue also has bronchoprotective effects, by inhibiting muscarinic airway responsiveness in vivo. Total lung resistance was measured in anaesthetized, tracheostomized and ventilated guinea-pigs. Increasing doses of acetylcholine were given i.v. once before and thereafter repeatedly each hour after intratracheal instillation of either the PACAP-27 analogue or the clinical beta2-agonist bronchodilator salbutamol. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was monitored to detect cardiovascular side-effects. Both the PACAP-27 analogue and salbutamol significantly attenuated the airway responsiveness to acetylcholine. The total inhibitory effect of the PACAP-27 analogue (350 nmol) corresponded to that of salbutamol (35 nmol). The inhibitory effect of salbutamol (35 nmol) peaked during the second hour and disappeared prior to 5 h after administration. In contrast, the corresponding effect of the analogue (350 nmol) gradually increased and peaked during the fifth hour after administration, whereas it did not fade during the observation period. Both the PACAP-27 analogue (350 nmol) and salbutamol (35 nmol) produced a transient decrease in MAP within 6 min after administration. In conclusion, the novel pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide-27 analogue has bronchoprotective properties, by decreasing muscarinic airway responsiveness in guinea pigs in vivo. The time course of its effect is compatible with a more sustained duration of action compared with salbutamol.

Bystander suppression of occupational hapten sensitization in rats made tolerant to ovalbumin

Feeding a soluble antigen to an animal is known to cause a state of unresponsiveness against this antigen. If this antigen is given together with another antigen during the sensitization procedure, impairment of the response to the new antigen can also be seen, a phenomenon referred to as bystander suppression. The induction of tolerance against ovalbumin (OvA) and the effect of bystander suppression on the response to the hapten trimellitic anhydride (TMA), a cause of occupational asthma, were studied in Brown-Norway rats. Rats were fed either OvA-containing pellets or standard diet for 16 days before sensitization with the mixture of TMA and OvA. The animals were followed for 6 weeks after sensitization. Animals made tolerant to OvA showed a significantly suppressed delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction against both OvA and TMA compared with the nontolerized control group at 5 weeks after sensitization, implying bystander suppression. By contrast, immunoglobulin (Ig)E and IgG antibody levels were suppressed only against OvA, whereas anti-TMA antibody levels were not affected. Airway eosinophilia after a single aerosol challenge at 6 weeks after sensitization using TMA conjugated to rat serum albumin, correlated with IgE anti-TMA levels in the group made tolerant to OvA and was not affected by OvA ingestion. In conclusion, suppressive factors released in ovalbumin-tolerant rats when they are challenged with ovalbumin, can suppress the response to trimellitic anhydride and this suppression is more pronounced for T-helper1-type responses.

Bronchial hyperresponsiveness, epithelial damage, and airway eosinophilia after single and repeated allergen exposure in a rat model of anhydride-induced asthma

Bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and damage of the epithelium, as well as eosinophilia in the airway wall, induced by trimellitic anhydride (TMA) in sensitized brown Norway rats were studied. Rats were challenged once or seven times with aerosol of TMA conjugated to rat serum albumin (TMA-RSA) 3 weeks after intradermal TMA sensitization. Airway responsiveness (-log PC300 of acetylcholine i.v.) was measured 24 h after allergen challenge. Epithelial lesion and eosinophil infiltration in the airway walls were quantified under light microscopy, and TMA-specific IgE and IgG in serum were evaluated with ELISA. High levels of TMA-specific IgE and IgG were found in all rats in the sensitized groups compared to nonsensitized groups (P < 0.001). Repeated allergen challenges of 0.03% TMA-RSA for 7 consecutive days enhanced the level of TMA-specific IgG, compared to single challenge (P < or = 0.05). Single allergen challenge of 0.3% TMA-RSA had a nonsignificant tendency to produce BHR in sensitized rats compared to nonsensitized rats (P = 0.06). However, repeated allergen challenges (0.003% and 0.03% TMA-RSA for 7 consecutive days) produced significant BHR in sensitized rats (P < 0.05). Furthermore, repeated low-dose (0.003%) TMA-RSA challenge produced more BHR than a 10 times higher single dose (0.03%) (P < 0.05). Slight damage of the airway epithelium was seen in sensitized and repeat-challenged groups. However, bronchial eosinophilia was found in the sensitized and single-challenged groups, but not in nonsensitized nonchallenged, and sensitized repeat-challenged groups (P < 0.005). We conclude that the brown Norway rat can be sensitized with TMA, and that repeated low-dose allergen challenges produce slight epithelial damage and BHR which is independent of ongoing eosinophilia in the airway wall.

Jennisseensosides C and D, biologically active acylated triterpene saponins from Silene jenisseensis

We previously reported the isolation and structure elucidation of a new trans-p-methoxycinnamoyl triterpene-saponin along with its cis-p-methoxycinnamoyl isomer as an inseparable mixture from the roots of Silene jenisseensis. In a continuing study on this plant, two additional new acylated triterpene-saponins were obtained as an inseparable mixture. Their structures have been established by chemical means and spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D homonuclear and heteronuclear correlation NMR spectroscopy as 3-O-[beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-28 -O-[{alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)}-{4-O-trans-p-methoxycinnamoyl++ +}-beta-D-fucopyranosyl] quillaic acid and its cis-isomer, respectively. They showed a significant enhancement of the granulocyte phagocytosis in vitro.

Different effects of a thromboxane mimetic on blood flow and plasma exudation in guinea pig airways and skeletal muscle

Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) is a potent constrictor of both airway and vascular smooth muscle. In addition, plasma exudation is induced in the airways by a thromboxane mimetic (U-46619). Because plasma exudation is associated with a local vasodilatation and increased local blood flow, we hypothesized that the general vasoconstrictor effect of U-46619 would be weaker in the airways than in other vascular beds, perhaps resulting in increased local airway blood flow. We studied the effects of i.v. U-46619 on blood pressure, lung resistance as well as blood flow, plasma exudation in airways and leg skeletal muscle in guinea pigs. We found (1) i.v. U-46619 increases the systemic blood pressure, blood flow in tracheal mucosa but decreases blood flow in leg skeletal muscle; (2) i.v. U-46619 induces plasma exudation in the airways, but not in the leg skeletal muscle; (3) a positive relationship between blood pressure and tracheal blood flow as well as airway plasma exudation, a negative relationship between blood pressure and blood flow in leg skeletal muscle; (4) i.v. U-46619 significantly increases lung resistance. We conclude that i.v. U-46619 induces plasma exudation in airways but not in skeletal muscle, and that this plasma exudation is associated with the increased local blood flow, which in turn is caused by increased inflow pressure and redistribution of the total body blood flow to the airways.

8-Epi-PGF2alpha induces airflow obstruction and airway plasma exudation in vivo

8-Epi-prostaglandin F2alpha (8-epi-PGF2alpha) is an F2-isoprostane formed mainly via noncyclooxygenase pathways in vivo. We investigated whether 8-epi-PGF2alpha has any effect on airflow obstruction and plasma exudation in vivo. Airflow obstruction was quantified by measuring lung resistance (RL) in anesthetized and ventilated guinea pigs, and plasma exudation was quantified by the Evans Blue dye method (20 mg/kg intravenously). Intratracheal instillation of 8-epi-PGF2alpha (1 nmol or 10 nmol) caused dose-related increases in RL. Furthermore, the higher dose of 8-epi-PGF2alpha produced Evans Blue dye extravasation in main bronchi and intrapulmonary airways. A prostanoid TP-receptor antagonist, BAY u3405 (1 mg/kg intravenously), abolished the airway effects of 8-epi-PGF2alpha (10 nmol). A thromboxane A2 (TxA2) synthase inhibitor, OKY-406 (30 mg/kg intravenously), significantly attenuated these effects of 8-epi-PGF2alpha (10 nmol). The level of TxB2, a stable TxA2 metabolite, increased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) after 8-epi-PGF2alpha instillation. We conclude that 8-epi-PGF2alpha causes airflow obstruction and plasma exudation in vivo. This effect may be mediated primarily via prostanoid TP-receptors, and a secondary generation of TxA2 may be involved in part of the airway responses in 8-epi-PGF2alpha in the guinea pig.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of human cysticercosis in a community of Shandong, China

A community-based seroepidemiologic survey on Taenia solium cysticercosis in humans was carried out in Shandong Province, China. Blood specimens from 2,898 residents were collected and examined for anti-cysticercus antibody. Information on demographic and potential risk factors was obtained using a standardized questionnaire. The overall seroprevalence of cysticercosis was 3.2%. Seropositivity tended to increase with age ranging from 1.8% in children under 6 years of age to 5.7% in those over 60 years old. Distance between village residence and the town of the community was negatively associated with seropositivity (Chi-square for trend test p = 0.02). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified four risk factors for cysticercosis infection in the community: defecating indiscriminately (OR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.01-1.81), being unable to identify diseased pork (OR = 4.09, 95% CI 1.53-10.97), raising pigs (OR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.09-1.69), and more than 60 years old (OR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.10-2.02. These findings have implications for developing appropriate strategies for the control of Taenia solium cysticercosis in the community.

Acylated triterpene saponins from Silene jenisseensis

From the roots of Silene jenisseensis a new trans-p-methoxycinnamoyl triterpene saponin has been isolated along with its cis-p-methoxycinnamoyl isomer as an inseparable mixture. Their structures were established by chemical means and spectroscopic methods including 1D- and 2D-homonuclear and heteronuclear correlation NMR spectroscopy as 3-O-[beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-28-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl- (1 --> 2)-beta-D-4-O-trans-p-methoxycinnamoyl-fucopyranosyl] quillaic acid and its cis-isomer, respectively. They did not show any activity in the in vitro chemoluminescence granulocytes assay, but exhibited only a weak inhibitory effect in the cyclooxygenase inhibition assay.

[Video-assisted thoracic surgery: preliminary results of 25 cases]

From Oct 1992 to Dec 1993, 25 cases were done by VATS. They were: Wedge resection of the lung (5), biopsy of mediastinal mass (4), pleural biopsy (4), removal of mediastinal cyst (3), resection of pulmonary bullae and pleurodesis (2), removal of intrathoracic foreign body (2), lobectomy (2), removal of clotted blood of hemothorax (1), resection of malignant mesothelioma (1), and esophageal tumor (1). There was no severe complication. Three procedures of VATS needed to be converted to thoracotomy. All 25 patients were recovery well. The comment was done for indications and contraindications of VATS.