Molecular surveillance of rubella viruses in Taiwan from 2005 to 2011

Rubella has been listed as a mandatory notifiable disease in Taiwan since 1988. Because of high coverage rates with an effective vaccine, rubella cases have decreased dramatically in Taiwan since 1994. However, rubella outbreaks still occur due to imported transmission. Five large clusters were detected in Taiwan from 2007 to 2011. In 2007, one cluster was caused by rubella genotype 1E viruses that were imported from Vietnam, whereas another cluster was caused by genotype 2B viruses and was untraceable. In 2008, two clusters were caused by different lineages of genotype 1E viruses that were imported from Malaysia. In 2009, a cluster that was caused by genotype 2B viruses was associated with imported cases from Vietnam. The rubella viruses from 124 confirmed cases from 2005 to 2011 were characterized, and the data revealed that these viruses were distributed in the following four genotypes: 1E (n = 56), 1h (n = 1), 1j (n = 4), and 2B (n = 63). Of these viruses, 93 (75%) were associated with imported cases, and 43 of 56 genotype 1E viruses were associated with imported cases from China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. One genotype 1h virus was imported from Belarus, and three of four genotype 1j viruses were imported from the Philippines. Of 63 rubella genotype 2B viruses, 46 were imported from Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, China, Germany, and South Africa. Molecular surveillance allows for the differentiation of circulating rubella viruses and can be used to investigate transmission pathways, which are important to identify the interruption of endemic virus transmission. J. Med. Virol. 85:745–753, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Cedrus atlantica Extract Suppress Glioblastoma Growth through Promotion of Genotoxicity and Apoptosis: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor in humans, exhibiting highly infiltrative growth and drug resistance to conventional chemotherapy. Cedrus atlantica (CAt) extract has been shown to decrease postoperative pain and inhibit the growth of K562 leukemia cells. The aim of this study was to assess the anti-GBM activity and molecular mechanism of CAt extract in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that CAt extract greatly suppressed GBM cells both in vitro and in vivo and enhanced the survival rate in subcutaneous and orthotopic animal models. Moreover, CAt extract increased the level of ROS and induced DNA damage, resulting in cell cycle arrest at the G₀/G₁ phase and cell apoptosis. Western blotting results indicated that CAt extract regulates p53/p21 and CDK4/cyclin D1 protein expression and activates extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis. Furthermore, CAt extract enhanced the cytotoxicity of Temozolomide and decreased AKT/mTOR signaling by combination treatment. In toxicity assays, CAt extract exhibited low cytotoxicity toward normal cells or organs in vitro and in vivo. CAt extract suppresses the growth of GBM by induction of genotoxicity and activation of apoptosis. The results of this study suggest that CAt extract can be developed as a therapeutic agent or adjuvant for GBM treatment in the future.     

Determination of Poly(4,4′‐diphenylsulfonyl terephthalamide) Crystalline Structure Via WAXD and Molecular Simulations

The crystal structure of poly(4,4′‐diphenylsulfonyl terephthalamide) (pt‐PSA) is studied by X‐ray diffraction and molecular simulation. Although the number of observed reflections is limited to warrant a precise determination of the unit cell structure and symmetry, a reasonable monoclinic unit cell is suggested with dimensions of a = 0.645 nm, b = 0.488 nm, c = 3.010 nm, and γ = 122.5°. A twofold molecule with two monomeric units forming a large zigzag conformation satisfies the X‐ray diffraction data. A layer structure is formed in the crystal phase, which is stabilized by the hydrogen bond between ? NH and ? C?O and the parallel‐displaced π–π stacking from the distortional coplanarity of the benzene rings and amide group.

     

Novel MIR143‐NOTCH fusions in benign and malignant glomus tumors

Glomus tumors (GT) have been classified among tumors of perivascular smooth muscle differentiation, together with myopericytoma, myofibroma/tosis, and angioleiomyoma, based on their morphologic overlap. However, no molecular studies have been carried out to date to investigate their genetic phenotype and to confirm their shared pathogenesis. RNA sequencing was performed in three index cases (GT1, malignant GT; GT2, benign GT and M1, multifocal myopericytoma), followed by FusionSeq data analysis, a modular computational tool developed to discover gene fusions from paired‐end RNA‐seq data. A gene fusion involving MIR143 in band 5q32 was identified in both GTs with either NOTCH2 in 1p13 in GT1 or NOTCH1 in 9q34 in GT2, but none in M1. After being validated by FISH and RT‐PCR, these abnormalities were screened on 33 GTs, 6 myopericytomas, 9 myofibroma/toses, 18 angioleiomyomas and in a control group of 5 sino‐nasal hemangiopericytomas. Overall NOTCH2 gene rearrangements were identified in 52% of GT, including all malignant cases and one NF1‐related GT. No additional cases showed NOTCH1 rearrangement. As NOTCH3 shares similar functions with NOTCH2 in regulating vascular smooth muscle development, the study group was also investigated for abnormalities in this gene by FISH. Indeed, NOTCH3 rearrangements were identified in 9% of GTs, all present in benign soft tissue GT, one case being fused to MIR143. Only 1/18 angioleiomyomas showed NOTCH2 gene rearrangement, while all the myopericytomas and myofibroma/toses were negative. In summary, we describe novel NOTCH1–3 rearrangements in benign and malignant, visceral, and soft tissue GTs. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

It takes two to talk: Longitudinal associations among infant–mother attachment,maternal attachment representations,and mother–child emotion dialogues

Research on the attachment-dialogue link has largely focused on infant–mother attachment. This study investigated longitudinal associations between infant–mother attachment and maternal attachment representations and subsequent mother–child emotion dialogues (N = 50). Maternal attachment representations were assessed using the Adult Attachment Interview when children were 3 months, infant–mother attachment was assessed using the Strange Situation Procedure at 13 months, and mother–child emotion dialogues were assessed using the Autobiographical Emotional Events Dialogue at 3.5 years. Consistent with past research, the three organized categories of infant–mother attachment relationships were associated with later mother–child emotion dialogues. Disorganized attachment relationships were associated with a lack of consistent and coherent strategy during emotion dialogues. Autonomous mothers co-constructed coherent narratives with their children; Dismissing and Preoccupied mothers created stories that were less narratively organized. Although the Unresolved category was unrelated to classifications of types of mother–child discourse, mothers’ quality of contribution to the dialogues was marginally lower compared to the quality of their children’s contributions to the emotion discussion. Secure children showed highest levels of child cooperation and exploration. Autonomous mothers displayed highest levels of maternal sensitive guidance during emotion dialogues. We provide preliminary evidence for role reversal in dialogues between Preoccupied and Unresolved mothers and their children.     

Anti-inflammatory effects of peptides from a marine algicolous fungus Acremonium sp. NTU492 in BV-2 microglial cells

Located in tropical and subtropical region, Taiwan is an island with high algal species diversity. In this study, a number of fungal strains were isolated from marine macroalgae collected from northeastern intertidal zone of Taiwan. Preliminary anti-inflammatory screening has shown that the methanolic extracts of solid fermented products of the red alga Mastophora rosea-derived fungal strain Acremonium sp. NTU492 exhibited significant bioactivity. In an attempt to disclose the active principles from this fungal strain, a series of separation and purification was thus undertaken, which has led to the isolation and characterization of seven compounds including four new peptides, namely acrepeptins A–D (1–4), along with previously reported destruxin B (5), guangomide A (6), and guangomide B (7). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and compared with literatures. Of these, acrepeptins A (1) and C (3) showed markedly inhibitory activities on nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated microglial BV-2 cells with IC₅₀ values of 12.0 ± 2.3 and 10.6 ± 4.0 μM, respectively. Furthermore, acrepeptins A (1) and C (3) significantly attenuated the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in a concentration-dependent manner (5–40 μM).     

Myocardial tissue Doppler-based indexes to distinguish right ventricular volume overload from right ventricular pressure overload

The objective of this study was to develop tissue Doppler parameters that could be used to differentiate right ventricular (RV) volume overload from RV pressure overload. The RV-pressure-overload group consisted of 40 patients with severe pulmonary hypertension, and the RV-volume-overload group consisted of 40 patients who had an atrial septal defect without evidence of right-to-left shunt, significant pulmonary hypertension, or Eisenmenger's complex. Another 40 healthy subjects were enrolled and served as a control group. Routine echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging were performed. RV myocardial performance index was determined based on data collected during tissue Doppler imaging over the lateral tricuspid annulus. In patients with RV pressure overload, tissue Doppler parameters showed characteristically lower systolic velocity over the tricuspid annulus (RV myocardial systolic wave [Sm]) and longer isovolumic relaxation time (RV-IVRT). Nevertheless, in patients with RV volume overload, RV-Sm increased significantly, but early-diastolic velocity over tricuspid annulus was relatively low. In conclusion, RV-MPI, RV-Sm/early-diastolic velocity over tricuspid annulus, and RV-IVRT/RV-Sm were all useful to differentiate RV pressure overload from volume overload, although RV-IVRT/RV-Sm was the best parameter, with excellent sensitivity and specificity.     

Massive Lower Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage Caused by a Large Extraluminal Leiomyoma of the Colon: Report of a Case

The occurrence of leiomyoma of the colon is uncommon. Most of these lesions are clinically silent and are found incidentally during laparotomy or endoscopic procedures for unrelated conditions. Symptomatic leiomyomas of the colon are encountered less frequently, with only sporadic reports in the literatures. We describe a heretofore unreported case of a large extraluminal leiomyoma of the sigmoid colon presenting as massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Because it was extraluminal in position, it was difficult to make an accurate diagnosis endoscopically and the condition was easily misdiagnosed as angiodysplasia of the colon until CT scan results were seen. Although rare and benign in nature, leiomyoma of the colon may cause life-threatening complications that require emergency surgery and should be included in the differential diagnosis of lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage.