Lafutidine versus Lansoprazole in Combination with Clarithromycin and Amoxicillin for One versus Two Weeks for Helicobacter pylori Eradication in Korea

Background and Aims: Lafutidine is a novel H₂‐receptor antagonist with gastroprotective activity that includes enhancement of gastric mucosal blood flow. The aim of the present study was to test the efficacy of 7‐ or 14‐day lafutidine–clarithromycin–amoxicillin therapy versus a lansoprazole‐based regimen for Helicobacter pylori eradication. Methods: Four hundred and sixty‐three patients with H. pylori‐infected peptic ulcer disease were randomized to one of four regimens: (1) lafutidine (20 mg b.i.d.), clarithromycin (500 mg b.i.d.) and amoxicillin (1000 mg b.i.d.) for 7 days (the 7LFT group) or (2) for 14 days (the 14LFT group); (3) lansoprazole (30 mg b.i.d.), clarithromycin (500 mg b.i.d.), and amoxicillin (1000 mg b.i.d.) for 7 days (the 7LPZ group); or (4) for 14 days (the 14LPZ group). The eradication rates, drug compliance, and adverse effects among the four regimens were compared. Results: The eradication rates by the intention‐to‐treat and per‐protocol analyses in the 7LFT and 7LPZ groups were 76.5% and 81.6%, and 76.9% and 82.0% (p = .94 and .95), respectively. The eradication rates by intention‐to‐treat and per‐protocol analyses in the 14LFT and 14LPZ groups were 78.2% and 82.2%, and 80.4% and 85.9% (p = .70 and .49), respectively. The treatment duration for 7 days or 14 days did not affect the eradication rates. In addition, the adverse effect rates and discontinuation rates were similar among the four groups. Furthermore, the ulcer cure rate and symptom response rate were similar in the lafutidine and lansoprazole groups. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that lafutidine–clarithromycin–amoxicillin therapy was a safe and effective as lansoprazole‐based triple therapy for the eradication rate of H. pylori, and could be considered as an additional treatment option.     

Jasmonate-dependent plant defense restricts thrips performance and preference

Background  

The western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis [Pergande]) is one of the most important insect herbivores of cultivated plants. However, no pesticide provides complete control of this species, and insecticide resistance has emerged around the world. We previously reported the important role of jasmonate (JA) in the plant's immediate response to thrips feeding by using an Arabidopsis leaf disc system. In this study, as the first step toward practical use of JA in thrips control, we analyzed the effect of JA-regulated Arabidopsis defense at the whole plant level on thrips behavior and life cycle at the population level over an extended period. We also studied the effectiveness of JA-regulated plant defense on thrips damage in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis).     

RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase (NIb) of the Potyviruses Is an Avirulence Factor for the Broad-Spectrum Resistance Gene Pvr4 in Capsicum annuum cv. CM334

Potyviruses are one of the most destructive viral pathogens of Solanaceae plants. In Capsicum annuum landrace CM334, a broad-spectrum gene, Pvr4 is known to be involved in resistance against multiple potyviruses, including Pepper mottle virus (PepMoV), Pepper severe mosaic virus (PepSMV), and Potato virus Y (PVY). However, a potyvirus avirulence factor against Pvr4 has not been identified. To identify the avirulence factor corresponding to Pvr4 in potyviruses, we performed Agrobacterium-mediated transient expressions of potyvirus protein coding regions in potyvirus-resistant (Pvr4) and -susceptible (pvr4) pepper plants. Hypersensitive response (HR) was observed only when a RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (NIb) of PepMoV, PepSMV, or PVY was expressed in Pvr4-bearing pepper leaves in a genotype-specific manner. In contrast, HR was not observed when the NIb of Tobacco etch virus (TEV), a virulent potyvirus, was expressed in Pvr4-bearing pepper leaves. Our results clearly demonstrate that NIbs of PepMoV, PepSMV, and PVY serve as avirulence factors for Pvr4 in pepper plants.     

4-1BB costimulation enhances HSV-1-specific CD8+ T cell responses by the induction of CD11c+CD8+ T cells

Since 4-1BB plays a predominant role in CD8+ T cell responses, we investigated the effects of 4-1BB triggering on the primary and memory CD8+ T responses to HSV-1 infection. 4-1BB was detected on 10-15% of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells following the infection. 4-1BB-positive T cells were in the proliferative mode and showed the enhanced expression of anti-apoptotic proteins. Agonistic anti-4-1BB treatment exerted preferential expansion of CD8+ T cells and gB/H-2Kb-positive CD8+ T cells, and enhanced cytotoxicity against HSV-1 that was mainly mediated by CD11c+CD8+ T cells. CD11c+CD8+ T cells were re-expanded following re-challenge with HSV-1 at post-infection day 50, indicating that CD11c+CD8+ phenotype was maintained in memory CD8+ T cell pool. Our studies demonstrated that 4-1BB stimulation enhanced both primary and memory anti-HSV-1 CD8+ T cell responses, which was mediated by a massive expansion of antigen-specific CD11c+CD8+ T cells.     

Biomass accumulations and the distribution of nitrogen and phosphorus within three<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus acutissima</Emphasis> stands in central Korea

Above- and belowground biomass and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) distribution within threeQuercus acutissima stands were investigated in central Korea. The average age (year) and diameter at breast height (DBH, cm) were 10.8 and 7.9 for Stand 1, 38.2 and 17.1 for Stand 2, and 44.0 and 20.7 for Stand 3, respectively. Fifteen trees were destructively harvested for dimension analysis of component biomass (stem wood, stem bark, foliage, branches, and roots) plus N and P concentrations. Total biomass (t ha^-1) was 88.7 for Stand 1, 154.9 for Stand 2, and 278.1 for Stand 3 while N and P contents in all tree components (kg ha^-1) were 483.3 and 52.2, 697.1 and 55.0, and 1113.9 and 83.7. Nitrogen concentrations were highest in the foliage, followed by the stem bark, branches or roots, and stem wood. In contrast, P concentrations were greatest in the roots, then foliage, branches, stem bark, and stem wood. In general, N and P concentrations in these components significantly decreased with tree age and DBH, while N and P contents significantly increased with age and size. These relationships were stronger for size than for age. Our current data could be utilized to estimate N and P budgets for silvicultural practices, including fertilization, thinning, and harvesting.     

Systemic CD8+ T Cell-Mediated Tumoricidal Effects by Intratumoral Treatment of Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus with the Agonistic Monoclonal Antibody for Murine Glucocorticoid-Induced Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor

Oncolytic virotherapy combined with immunomodulators is a novel noninvasive strategy for cancer treatment. In this study, we examined the tumoricidal effects of oncolytic HF10, a naturally occurring mutant of herpes simplex virus type-1, combined with an agonistic DTA-1 monoclonal antibody specific for the glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor. Two murine tumor models were used to evaluate the therapeutic efficacies of HF10 virotherapy combined with DTA-1. The kinetics and immunological mechanisms of DTA-1 in HF10 infection were examined using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Intratumoral administration of HF10 in combination with DTA-1 at a low dose resulted in a more vigorous attenuation of growth of the untreated contralateral as well as the treated tumors than treatment with either HF10 or DTA-1 alone. An accumulation of CD8⁺ T cells, including tumor- and herpes simplex virus type-1-specific populations, and a decrease in the number of CD4⁺ Foxp3⁺ T regulatory cells were seen in both HF10- and DTA-1-treated tumors. Studies using Fc-digested DTA-1 and Fcγ receptor knockout mice demonstrated the direct participation of DTA-1 in regulatory T cell depletion by antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity primarily via macrophages. These results indicated the potential therapeutic efficacy of a glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor-specific monoclonal antibody in oncolytic virotherapy at local tumor sites.