A dietary anthocyanidin delphinidin induces apoptosis of human prostate cancer PC3 cells in vitro and in vivo: involvement of nuclear factor-kappaB signaling

Delphinidin, a major anthocyanidin present in many pigmented fruits and vegetables, possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiangiogenic properties. In this study, we provide evidence that it could be developed as a novel agent against human prostate cancer (PCa). We observed that delphinidin treatment to human PCa LNCaP, C4-2, 22Rnu1, and PC3 cells resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth without having any substantial effect on normal human prostate epithelial cells. We selected PC3 cells as a test model system because of their highly aggressive proliferative nature. Delphinidin treatment of cells resulted in a dose-dependent induction of apoptosis and arrest of cells in G(2)-M phase. This induction of apoptosis seems to be mediated via activation of caspases because N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp(OMe)-fluromethylketone significantly reduced apoptosis induced by delphinidin. We also observed that delphinidin treatment of cells resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in (a) phosphorylation of IkappaB kinase gamma (NEMO), (b) phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) inhibitory protein IkappaBalpha, (c) phosphorylation of NF-kappaB/p65 at Ser(536) and NF-kappaB/p50 at Ser(529), (d) NF-kappaB/p65 nuclear translocation, and (e) NF-kappaB DNA binding activity. Delphinidin administration (2 mg, i.p. thrice weekly) to athymic nude mice implanted with PC3 cells resulted in a significant inhibition of tumor growth. Analysis of tumors from delphinidin-treated mice showed significant decrease in the expression of NF-kappaB/p65, Bcl2, Ki67, and PCNA. Taken together, our data suggest that delphinidin could be developed as an agent against human PCa.     

Non-Typhoidal Salmonella Gastroenteritis at a Diarrheal Hospital in Dhaka,Bangladesh, 1996–2011

Data on non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) infection in South Asia are limited. We used data gathered prospectively from 1996 to 2011 as part of a hospital surveillance system in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to identify diarrheal patients with NTS isolated from stool. NTS was isolated in 1.3% (468 of 37,439) of diarrheal patients; 47% of total cases of NTS were in children < 5 years of age, although older adults (≥ 60 years) had the highest isolation rates. NTS isolation peaked in the monsoon months of July and August. Over the study period, rates of multidrug resistance decreased, whereas rates of decreased susceptibility to ciprofloxacin increased. Compared with control patients, NTS patients were older and wealthier; however, no differences in type of housing or exposure to animals were found. NTS patients had increased inflammatory cells in stool and required more fluid resuscitation.     

Investigation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coxiella burnetii</Emphasis> in Iranian camels

Coxiella burnetii is a zoonotic, obligate intracellular bacterium that caused Q fever. Antibodies to this organism have been reported in a wide range of animals including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. This study is aimed to detect C. burnetii in camel by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Blood samples from 130 camels were collected between August and September 2011 then examined in laboratory conditions. Detection of the presence of C. burnetii DNA was carried out using a PCR assay with specific primers (Coc-F and Coc-R) targeting the 16S ribosomal RNA gene (242 bp). In this study, a total of 14 (10.76 %) camel blood samples were found PCR positive for C. burnetii. This result proves that camels are an important reservoir of C. burnetii infection. This study showed relatively high positivity of C. burnetii in Iranians camels, and accordingly, it seems necessary to evaluate the prevalence for this microorganism in Iran.     

Detection of human bocavirus in the cerebrospinal fluid of children with encephalitis

We report 4 children with encephalitis associated with human bocavirus (HBoV) 1 or 2. All children were severely underweight, and 2 died; 1 of them had a matching HBoV2 nucleotide sequence isolated from serum and bocavirus like particles in the cerebrospinal fluid that were observed with electron microscopy. No further pathogens were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid of these patients.