Role of site-directed mutagenesis and adjuvants in the stability and potency of anthrax protective antigen

Anthrax is a zoonotic infection caused by the gram-positive, aerobic, spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Depending on the origin of the infection, serious health problems or mortality is possible. The virulence of B. anthracis is reliant on three pathogenic factors, which are secreted upon infection: protective antigen (PA), lethal factor (LF), and edema factor (EF). Systemic illness results from LF and EF entering cells through the formation of a complex with the heptameric form of PA, bound to the membrane of infected cells through its receptor. The currently available anthrax vaccines have multiple drawbacks, and recombinant PA is considered a promising second-generation vaccine candidate. However, the inherent chemical instability of PA through Asn deamidation at multiple sites prevents its use after long-term storage owing to loss of potency. Moreover, there is a distinct possibility of B. anthracis being used as a bioweapon; thus, the developed vaccine should remain efficacious and stable over the long-term. Second-generation anthrax vaccines with appropriate adjuvant formulations for enhanced immunogenicity and safety are desired. In this article, using protein engineering approaches, we have reviewed the stabilization of anthrax vaccine candidates that are currently licensed or under preclinical and clinical trials. We have also proposed a formulation to enhance recombinant PA vaccine potency via adjuvant formulation.     

Excitability of motor and sensory axons in multifocal motor neuropathy

ObjectiveTo assess excitability differences between motor and sensory axons of affected nerves in patients with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN).MethodsWe performed motor and sensory excitability tests in affected median nerves of 20 MMN patients and in 20 age-matched normal subjects. CMAPs were recorded from the thenar and SNAPs from the 3rd digit. Clinical tests included assessment of muscle strength, two-point discrimination and joint position.ResultsAll MMN patients had weakness of the thenar muscle and normal sensory tests. Motor excitability testing in MMN showed an increased threshold for a 50% CMAP, increased rheobase, decreased stimulus-response slope, fanning-out of threshold electrotonus, decreased resting I/V slope, shortened refractory period, and more pronounced superexcitability. Sensory excitability testing in MMN revealed decreased accommodation half-time and S2-accommodation and less pronounced subexcitability. Mathematical modeling indicated increased Barrett-Barrett conductance for motor fibers and increase in internodal fast potassium conductance for sensory fibers.ConclusionsExcitability findings in MMN suggest myelin sheath or paranodal seal involvement in motor fibers and, possibly, paranodal detachment in sensory fibers.SignificanceExcitability properties of affected nerves in MMN differ between motor and sensory nerve fibers.     

Anticonvulsant effect of melatonin through ATP-sensitive channels in mice

Melatonin is a neurohormone secreted principally by the pineal gland. This molecule has various pharmacological properties including improving immune system, prevent cancer, anti-aging, and anti-oxidant effects. The anticonvulsant effects of melatonin have been proved by previous studies. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium (K_ATP) channels are considered as an important target in the seizure modulation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anticonvulsant effect of melatonin in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures in mice, focusing on its ability to regulate K_ATP channels. Acute intraperitoneal administration of melatonin (40 and 80 mg/kg) increased clonic seizure threshold induced by intravenous administration of PTZ. Melatonin (40 and 80 mg/kg) increased the latency of clonic seizure and reduced its frequency in mice receiving an intraperitoneal injection of PTZ. Administration of glibenclamide, a K_ATP channels blocker, before intravenous injection of PTZ reduced melatonin anticonvulsant effect. Diazoxide and cromakalim, as K_ATP channels openers, increased antiseizure effect of melatonin in PTZ model of seizures. These findings suggest that the antiseizure effect of melatonin probably is gained through increasing the opening of K_ATP channels.     

阿萨伊油、醇提及水提物对虚热及虚寒小鼠温度趋向性及代谢水平的影响

通过考察阿萨伊油、醇提物和水提物等拆分组分对虚热及虚寒证小鼠的温度趋向性动物行为学表征,环核苷酸及代谢水平等内在生化指标的影响,探讨阿萨伊各拆分组分的寒热药性特点以及寒凉的物质基础。将昆明种雄性小鼠随机分为空白组、虚热模型组、虚热+阿萨伊冻干原粉组、虚热+阿萨伊油组、虚热+阿萨伊醇提物组、虚热+阿萨伊水提物组、虚寒模型组、虚寒+肉桂组、虚寒+阿萨伊冻干原粉组、虚寒+阿萨伊油组、虚寒+阿萨伊醇提物组、虚寒+阿萨伊水提物组共12个组。虚热组小鼠每天下午灌胃给予甲状腺片溶液160 mg·kg-1,虚寒组小鼠给予氢化可的松溶液25 mg·kg-1,连续14 d,各给药组灌胃相关药物,实验结束后测定动物温度趋向性、环核苷酸及代谢水平等相关指标。阿萨伊醇提物同阿萨伊原粉一致,表现出对虚热模型小鼠的调整作用;阿萨伊油及其水提物同肉桂一致,表现出对虚寒模型小鼠的调整作用。该研究基于中药性味可拆分理论,采用同类比较异类反证的方法证明了阿萨伊醇提物性偏凉,油及其水提物性偏温的特征,并明确了醇提物为阿萨伊性凉的物质基础。     

Direct Observation of a Cyclic Vinyl Polymer Prepared by Anionic Polymerization using N‐Heterocyclic Carbene and Subsequent Ring‐Closure without Highly Diluted Conditions

A 1:1 adduct of methyl sorbate (MS) and 1,3‐di‐tert‐butylimidazol‐2‐ylidene (NHCtBu) initiates anionic polymerization of a nonconjugated polar alkene, allyl methacrylate (AMA) in toluene at ?20 °C. After the monomer is consumed quantitatively using a bulky aluminum Lewis acid, methylaluminum bis(2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenoxide) (MAD), as an additive, successive ring‐closure occurs without highly dilute conditions to give a cyclic poly(AMA) containing α‐terminal MS unit, and an M_n of 8.8 × 10³?58.5 × 10³ with a narrow molecular dispersity index (M_w/M_n = 1.1₄–1.3₇). The lack of a need for dilution is due to the fact that an α‐terminal NHCtBu group is acting as the counter cation for the propagating center in the polymerization. From ¹H NMR and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectra, combined with transmittance electron microscope (TEM) observation of a synthesized poly(AMA) with longer alkyl side chains prepared via a thiol‐ene click reaction, it is concluded that once the monomer is consumed, nucleophilic attack at the neighboring methine of the α‐terminal NHCtBu residue by the propagating anionic center causes ring‐closing to cyclic poly(AMA).     

枳实薤白桂枝汤HPLC指纹图谱及10种指标成分含量测定研究

目的建立枳实薤白桂枝汤HPLC指纹图谱分析方法和复方中10种指标成分(辛弗林、槲皮素、桂皮酸、厚朴酚、柚皮苷、腺苷、香豆素、橙皮苷、和厚朴酚、新橙皮苷)含量测定方法,开展相关评价分析。方法采用HPLC法建立枳实薤白桂枝汤指纹图谱,开展相似度评价研究;测定复方中10个指标成分,分析复方中药材不同配伍对其量的变化影响;采用聚类分析等化学计量学方法,对获取相关数据进行分析,评价枳实薤白桂枝汤的质量控制相关指标的影响和价值。结果 10批样品的相似度在0.376～0.990,部分批次相似度大于0.9(5批),说明10批样品相似度差异较大。10批样品中S1～S3、S5、S6、S8、S10为一组,S4、S9为一组,S7单独为一组。共标定了30个特征峰,经主成分分析,主成分1～6是影响药材样品质量评价的主要因子;30个特征峰中对样品分组起关键作用的成分为21(新橙皮苷)、26、29(和厚朴酚)、3、23、17、30(厚朴酚)、5、24(香豆素)、28和7。含量测定结果显示,除槲皮素外,其余9种成分在测定的质量浓度范围内线性关系、精密度、稳定性和重复性良好;不同配伍会对药材中相关成分产生增加或抑制溶出的作用。结论所建立的HPLC方法可用于同时测定枳实薤白桂枝汤中10种化学成分的含量,该方法高效、准确、重复性好,可用于枳实薤白桂枝汤的质量控制和评价。     

13C-caffeine breath test identifies single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with caffeine metabolism

We performed a caffeine (N-3-methyl-¹³C) breath test (CafeBT) to determine whether it can be employed to identify caffeine metabolism-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms. The study included 130 healthy adults (mean age: 21.9 years). Saliva was collected using an Oragene®•DNA saliva collection kit. Breath samples were collected from the subjects. The subjects orally ingested 100 mg ¹³C-caffeine dissolved in distilled water. Subsequently, breath samples were collected in bags every 10 min for a total of 90 min. An analysis of ¹³CO₂ in the expired breath was performed by infrared spectroscopy, and the sum of Δ¹³CO₂ over 90 min (S^90m) was calculated. DNA from saliva samples was genotyped using TaqMan® SNP Genotyping for the following genes: cytochrome P4501A2: rs762551, rs2472297, aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (rs4410790), and adenosine A_2A receptor (rs5751876). All subjects had the genotype CC in rs2472297 alleles. No significant difference was observed in S^90m among the genotypes of rs762551 and rs5751876; however, a significant difference was found in S^90m among the genotypes of rs4410790 (C > T). Our findings suggest that the N-3 demethylation of caffeine is dependent on the rs4410790 allele and that CafeBT may be used to determine rs4410790 genotypes.