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.     

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。     

Tadalafil for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Introduction: In men, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are primarily attributed to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Therapeutic options are targeted to relax prostate smooth muscle and/or reduce prostate enlargement.

Areas covered: This article reviews the major preclinical and clinical data on PDE5 inhibitors with a specific focus on tadalafil. It includes details of the role of the nitric oxide (NO)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) – PDE5 pathway in the LUT organs (bladder and prostate) in addition to the available data on tadalafil in patients with LUTS secondary to BPH with or without erectile dysfunction (ED).

Expert opinion: Preclinical and clinical data have clearly demonstrated that PDE5 inhibitors induce bladder and prostate relaxation, which contributes to the improvement seen in storage symptoms in both animal models of bladder and prostate hypercontractility. Tadalafil is effective both as a monotherapy and add-on therapy in patients with LUTS secondary to BPH. Furthermore, as LUTS-BPH and ED are urological disorders that commonly coexist in aging men, tadalafil is more advantageous than α1-adrenoceptors and should be used as the first option. Tadalafil is a safe and tolerable therapy and unlike α1- adrenoceptors and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, which can cause sexual dysfunctions, tadalafil improves sexual function.     

金水宝胶囊生产过程中质量控制方法的建立

目的:完善金水宝胶囊生产过程中的质量控制体系,为该制剂的后续研究与应用提供实验依据。方法:采用高效液相色谱法(HPLC),Ultimate AQ-C18色谱柱(4.6 mm×150 mm,5μm),腺苷、鸟苷、尿苷含量测定的色谱条件为流动相甲醇(A)-0.1%甲酸水溶液(B)梯度洗脱(0~14 min,100%~99%B;14~19 min,99%~89%B;19~39 min,89%~85%B),流速0.4 m L·min^-1,柱温30℃,进样量10μL,检测波长260 nm。麦角甾醇含量测定的色谱条件为流动相甲醇-水(98∶2),流速1 m L·min^-1,柱温25℃,进样量10μL,检测波长283 nm。结果:发酵虫草菌粉不同生产阶段样品的指纹图谱中主要色谱峰差异性较小。腺苷、鸟苷、尿苷的线性关系良好(R2均>0.999);三者的加样回收率分别为106.06%,101.25%,105.88%,RSD均<3.0%。于2016-2018年各抽取的20批样品中腺苷、麦角甾醇的含量均符合2015年版《中国药典》的要求,鸟苷、尿苷的质量分别为0.97~1.36,0.67~1.38 mg/粒。结论:市面所售金水宝胶囊质量较为稳定。建立的方法可用于检测金水宝胶囊的质量,且操作简便、稳定可靠,可为发酵虫草菌粉类产品的检测提供参考。     

Dynamic cyclic and torsional fatigue resistance of TruNatomy compared with different nickel–titanium rotary instruments

This study evaluated the dynamic cyclic and torsional fatigue resistance of recently introduced TruNatomy instruments (TRN) and compare with HyFlex CM (HFC), Vortex Blue (VB) and FlexMaster (FM) instruments. Size 20, 0.04 taper of TRN, HFC, VB and FM instruments was tested for dynamic cyclic and torsional fatigue resistance. Dynamic cyclic fatigue resistance was evaluated using an artificial canal with a radius of 5 mm and a 90° angle of curvature. The number of cycles to failure (NCF) was calculated. The dynamic torsional fatigue resistance was evaluated by holding a 5 mm of the tip of each instrument in a metal block with composite resin. Torsional fatigue resistance was recorded by counting the number of load applications before fracture for each instrument. The HFC instruments had greater fatigue resistance than VB, TRN and FM. FM had a higher resistance to torsional stress than TRN, HFC and VB instruments.     

超极化激活环核苷酸门控阳离子通道亚型在大鼠脊髓背角浅层的特异性表达

目的:探讨超极化激活环核苷酸门控阳离子通道(hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channels,HCN通道)4种亚型在大鼠脊髓背角浅层的表达与分布特点。方法:选取3~5周龄SD大鼠,雌雄不拘,制作L4~L5段脊髓横切片,应用免疫组织化学技术及激光共聚焦成像技术,观察HCN通道的4种亚型在脊髓背角浅层神经元、胶质细胞及神经元亚细胞结构中的分布。结果:HCN通道不同亚型在正常SD大鼠脊髓背角中的表达和分布具有特异性:(1)HCN1主要与神经元标志物[神经元核抗原(neuronal nuclei,NeuN)]和星形胶质细胞标志物[胶质细胞原纤维酸性蛋白(glial fibrillary acidic protein,GFAP)]共存,HCN2和HCN3主要与NeuN共定位;(2)HCN2主要与肽能初级传入神经末梢标志物[降钙素基因相关肽(calcitonin gene-related peptide,CGRP)]共存,HCN4主要与非肽能初级传入神经末梢标志物[异凝集素B4(isolectin B4,IB4)]共存;(3)HCN1和HCN4主要与神经元树突标志物[微管相关蛋白2(microtubule-associated protein 2,MAP2)]共存;(4)HCN4主要与抑制性中间神经元轴突末梢标志物[囊泡γ-氨基丁酸转运体(vesicularγ-aminobutyric acid transporter,VGAT)]共存。结论:HCN1~4主要分布在大鼠脊髓背角浅层,且在神经元、胶质细胞及神经元亚细胞结构中呈特异性分布。     

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).     

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.