<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trueperella pyogenes</Emphasis> isolated from a brain abscess of an adult roebuck (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Capreolus capreolus</Emphasis>)

The present study was designed to characterize phenotypically and genotypically a Trueperella pyogenes strain isolated from a brain abscess of an adult roebuck (Capreolus capreolus). The species identity could be confirmed by phenotypical investigations, by MALDI-TOF MS analysis, and by sequencing the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene, the 16S–23S rRNA intergenic spacer region (ISR); by sequencing the target genes rpoB, gap, and tuf; and by detection of T. pyogenes chaperonin-encoding gene cpn60 with a previously developed loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay. The T. pyogenes strain could additionally be characterized by PCR-mediated amplification of several known and putative virulence factor-encoding genes which revealed the presence of the genes plo encoding pyolysin and nanH and nanP encoding neuraminidases; the genes fimA, fimC, and fimE encoding the fimbrial subunits FimA, FimC, and FimE; and the gene cbpA encoding collagen-binding protein CbpA. The present data give a detailed characterization of a T. pyogenes strain isolated from a brain abscess of a roebuck. However, the route of infection of the roebuck remains unclear.     

CD38-NAD+Axis Regulates Immunotherapeutic Anti-Tumor T Cell Response

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Imidazo[5,1-f]triazin-4(3H)-ones, a new class of potent PDE 5 inhibitors

2-aryl-substituted imidazo[5,1-f][1,2,4]triazin-4(3H)-ones represent a new class of potent cGMP-PDE 5 inhibitors that prove to be superior to other purine-isosteric inhibitors. Subnanomolar inhibitors of PDE 5 with activity in in vivo models for erectile dysfunction have been identified. BAY 38-9456 (Vardenafil-hydrochloride) has been selected for clinical studies in the indication of erectile dysfunction.     

塔里木河下游胡杨林胸径结构及林木分布特征

采用“面”上宏观调查与“点”上典型研究相结合, 集中对塔里木河下游阿拉干断面100 hm2的胡杨(Populus euphratica)林木分布与胸径结构进行了调查。结果发现, 在距河道0-20 m的范围内, 胸径为0-4 cm的幼龄胡杨占最多, 达到13.24%。以后随着离河道距离的增加, 幼龄胡杨所占比例逐渐减小。胸径分布范围简单, 胸径为16-36 cm的林木株数在胡杨林中所占的比例最多。另外, 随着离河道距离的增加, 胸径在48 cm以上的过熟林和衰老林的比例逐渐增多。距河道0-200 m的范围内, 胡杨分布占整个胡杨林的80%以上。其中以疏失度为0-50%的长势较好的胡杨为主。在200-400 m的范围内, 疏失度为50%-75%的长势较差的过熟林和衰老林的比例开始增多。距河道400 m以上, 胡杨密度开始急剧下降, 胡杨株数所占的比例几乎下降到5%以下。     

顶羽菊提取物清除亚硝酸盐及阻断亚硝胺合成能力的研究

目的:测定顶羽菊不同提取物对亚硝酸钠的清除能力以及对亚硝胺合成的阻断能力。方法:通过索氏提取法和浸提法提取顶羽菊的活性成分,在模拟人体胃液条件下,采用分光光度法测定顶羽菊不同提取物对亚硝酸钠的清除能力和对亚硝胺合成的阻断能力,并与Vc进行了比较。结果:顶羽菊提取物对亚硝酸钠的清除率和对亚硝胺合成的阻断率与其浓度呈正相关,醇提物和水提物对亚硝酸钠的清除率分别可达60%、58%,对亚硝胺合成的阻断率可达86.6%、48.6%。结论:通过与Vc的对照分析可知,顶羽菊提取物具有较强的清除亚硝酸钠和阻断亚硝胺合成的能力。     

Malondialdehyde,an Oxidative Stress Marker in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: To qualitative and quantitatively review published literature assessing the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methodology: Pubmed (MeSH), Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Willey Online Library, Cochrane, and Cross Reference were searched for studies assessing MDA levels in OSCC samples. Results: From the 1008 articles identified, 849 were excluded based on title and abstract screening due to duplication and irrelevance to the topic of interest. Full-text assessment of the remaining 159 articles led to the inclusion of only 46 articles that satisfied the selection criteria. Of these, only 26 studies had data compatible for quantitative analysis. The MDA levels in OSCC groups are significantly increased (p < 0.00001) in plasma, serum, and saliva samples in the majority of the studies evaluated. In contrast, MDA levels in OSCC tissue samples are significantly attenuated (p < 0.00001) compared to healthy controls, supported by fewer studies. Conclusions: The augmented MDA levels in plasma, serum, and saliva samples of the OSCC reflect the heightened oxidative stress level accurately. Further studies are required to understand the attenuated MDA levels in the tissue samples of OSCC. Correlation analysis between MDA levels with established clinicopathological prognostic markers could aid in formulating oxidative stress-based prognostication and treatment planning.     

Reanalysis of the Rituximab in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis trial identifies granulocyte subsets as a novel early marker of successful treatment

IntroductionIn the present study, we sought to identify markers in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) that distinguish those achieving remission at 6 months following rituximab or cyclophosphamide treatment from those for whom treatment failed in the Rituximab in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis (RAVE) trial.MethodsClinical and flow cytometry data from the RAVE trial were downloaded from the Immunology Database and Analysis Portal and Immune Tolerance Network TrialShare public repositories. Flow cytometry data were analyzed using validated automated gating and joined with clinical data. Lymphocyte and granulocyte populations were measured in patients who achieved or failed to achieve remission.ResultsThere was no difference in lymphocyte subsets and treatment outcome with either treatment. We defined a Granularity Index (GI) that measures the difference between the percentage of hypergranular and hypogranular granulocytes. We found that rituximab-treated patients who achieved remission had a significantly higher GI at baseline than those who did not (p = 0.0085) and that this pattern was reversed in cyclophosphamide-treated patients (p = 0.037). We defined optimal cutoff values of the GI using the Youden index. Cyclophosphamide was superior to rituximab in inducing remission in patients with GI below −9.25 % (67 % vs. 30 %, respectively; p = 0.033), whereas rituximab was superior to cyclophosphamide for patients with GI greater than 47.6 % (83 % vs. 33 %, respectively; p = 0.0002).ConclusionsWe identified distinct subsets of granulocytes found at baseline in patients with AAV that predicted whether they were more likely to achieve remission with cyclophosphamide or rituximab. Profiling patients on the basis of the GI may lead to more successful trials and therapeutic courses in AAV.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (for original study from which data were obtained): {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00104299","term_id":"NCT00104299"}}NCT00104299. Date of registration: 24 February 2005.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13075-015-0778-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Update on pathogenesis,diagnosis, treatment and the role of S-adenosylmethionine

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently the most common liver disease worldwide affecting over one-third of the population in the U.S. It has been associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance and is initiated by the accumulation of triglycerides in hepatocytes. Isolated hepatic steatosis (IHS) remains a benign process, while a subset develops superimposed inflammatory activity and progression to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with or without fibrosis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying NAFLD progression are not completely understood. Liver biopsy is still required to differentiate IHS from NASH as easily accessible noninvasive biomarkers are lacking. In terms of treatments for NASH, pioglitazone, vitamin E, and obeticholic acid have shown some benefit. All of these agents have potential complications associated with long-term use. Nowadays, a complex hypothesis suggests that multiple parallel hits are involved in NASH development. However, the ‘key switch’ between IHS and NASH remains to be discovered. We have recently shown that knocking out enzymes involved in S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) metabolism, the main biological methyl donor in humans that is abundant in the liver, will lead to NASH development in mice. This could be due to the fact that a normal SAMe level is required to establish the proper ratio of phosphatidylethanolamine to phosphatidylcholine that has been found to be important in NAFLD progression. New data from humans have also suggested that these enzymes play a role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and that some of SAMe cycle metabolites may serve as noninvasive biomarkers of NASH. In this review, we discuss the evidence of the role of SAMe in animal models and humans with NAFLD and how studying this area may lead to the discovery of new noninvasive biomarkers and possibly personalized treatment for NASH.     

Enhanced remedial effects for vitamin D3 and calcium co-supplementation against pre-existing lead nephrotoxicity in mice: The roles of renal calcium homeostatic molecules

Background

Lead (Pb) is a toxic heavy metal and nephropathy is common with chronic exposure. Although vitamin D (VD) and calcium (Ca) showed promising protections, their co-administration was not previously investigated in Pb nephrotoxicity. This study measured the potential interactions and remedial effects of VD and/or Ca on established Pb nephropathy.