Serum hepatitis B virus DNA in healthy HBsAg-negative Chinese adults evaluated by polymerase chain reaction

Serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was assayed using polymerase chain reaction, in 107 HBsAg-negative normal Chinese subjects. The results showed that eight subjects (7.5%) had HBV DNA. In the subgroup with antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) and to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), 7.3% (5/68) were positive for HBV DNA; HBV DNA was not detected in six individuals with anti-HBs only and in nine with anti-HBc only. In four persons with anti-HBc and anti-HBe, one had HBV DNA. In 20 subjects negative for all hepatitis B serological markers, two (10%) were found to have HBV DNA. This study indicates that serological markers are not adequate to rule out HBV infection, and it further implies that present blood donor screening methods may need improving.     

Bizarre leiomyoma of the scrotum

Scrotal leiomyomas with atypical bizarre nuclei are rare, which might be misdiagnosed as malignant tumor. We describe a case of scrotal bizarre leiomyoma in a 65-yr-old man. The tumor was a 1 cm-sized, well circumscribed, oval mass arising from the tunica dartos muscle. Histologically, it was formed by whorling bundles of fusiform cells with occasional atypical, pleomorphic nuclei and pseudo-inclusions. Mitosis was not found. Although morphologically atypical, scrotal bizarre leiomyomas take on a biologic behavior not different from that of conventional leiomyoma, they should be distinguished from leiomyosarcoma to avoid unnecessary treatment.     

A novel missense mutation (I344K) in the SPG4gene in a Korean family with autosomal-dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia

 Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorders characterized by slowly progressive spasticity and weakness of the lower extremities. Among eight loci linked with autosomal-dominant (AD)-HSP, the SPG4 locus on chromosome 2p22 accounts for about 40% of all patients. Recently, mutations in a new member of the AAA protein family, called spastin, have been identified as responsible for SPG4-linked AD-HSP. Here, we describe a novel missense mutation (c.1031T>A; I344K) in exon 7 of the SPG4 gene identified in a Korean family with typical clinical features of pure AD-HSP. The mutation affects the third amino acid of the highly conserved AAA cassette domain, which is the most fore part of the domain altered by a missense mutation reported so far. Clinical presentations of affected individuals carrying the I344K mutation were not different from those of pure AD-HSP with SPG4 mutations reported previously. However, it is noteworthy that neither urinary dysfunction nor involvement of upper extremities was noticed in this family. To our knowledge, this is the first report of genetically confirmed AD-HSP in Korea. Received: February 20, 2002 / Accepted: May 21, 2002     

Persistent infection of SARS coronavirus in colonic cells in vitro

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) can produce gastrointestinal symptoms. The intestinal tract is the only extrapulmonary site where viable viruses have been detected. This study examined seven established human intestinal cell lines, DLD-1, HCT-116, HT-29, LoVo, LS-180, SW-480 and SW-620, for their permissiveness to SARS-CoV infection. The results showed that only LoVo cells were permissive to SARS-CoV infection as evident by positive findings from indirect immunofluorescence staining for intracellular viral antigens, in situ hybridization for intracellular viral RNA, and electron microscopy for intracellular viral particles. In contrast to Vero cells, SARS-CoV did not produce cytopathic effects on LoVo cells. However, LoVo cells were found to be highly permissive for productive infection with a high viral titre (>3 x 10(7) viral copies/ml) produced in culture supernatant following a few days of incubation. SARS-CoV established a stable persistent chronic infection that could be maintained after multiple passages. Being a cell line of human origin, LoVo cells could be a useful in vitro model for studying the biology and persistent infection of SARS-CoV. Our results on the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a recently identified cellular receptor for SARS-CoV, in these cell lines indicated that it might not be the sole determinant for cells to be susceptible to SARS-CoV infection.     

The effect of Jeo Dang-Tang on cytokines production in the patients with cerebral infarction

The herbal formulation "Jeo Dang-Tang" (JDT) has long been used for various cerebrovascular diseases. However, very little has scientific investigation been carried out. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of JDT on the production of various cytokines in the patients with cerebral infarction (CI). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from the patients with CI were cultured for 24h in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phytohemagglutinin (PHA). The amount of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-1beta, in culture supernatant, was significantly increased in the JDT, LPS or PHA treated cells compared to unstimulated cells (P < 0.05). We also show that increased IL-4, and IL-10 level by LPS or PHA was significantly inhibited by JDT in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal inhibition rate of IL-4 and IL-10 production by JDT was 45 +/- 2% and 51 +/- 5% for LPS-stimulated cell and 41.5 +/- 3% and 70.8 +/- 2% for PHA-stimulated cells, respectively (P < 0.05). On the other hand, JDT significantly increased the LPS or PHA-induced TGF-beta1 production (P < 0.05). These data suggest that JDT has a regulatory effect on the cytokines production, which might explain its beneficial effect in the treatment of CI.     

Pulmonary pathological features in coronavirus associated severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) became a worldwide outbreak with a mortality of 9.2%. This new human emergent infectious disease is dominated by severe lower respiratory illness and is aetiologically linked to a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV). METHODS: Pulmonary pathology and clinical correlates were investigated in seven patients who died of SARS in whom there was a strong epidemiological link. Investigations include a review of clinical features, morphological assessment, histochemical and immunohistochemical stainings, ultrastructural study, and virological investigations in postmortem tissue. RESULTS: Positive viral culture for coronavirus was detected in most premortem nasopharyngeal aspirate specimens (five of six) and postmortem lung tissues (two of seven). Viral particles, consistent with coronavirus, could be detected in lung pneumocytes in most of the patients. These features suggested that pneumocytes are probably the primary target of infection. The pathological features were dominated by diffuse alveolar damage, with the presence of multinucleated pneumocytes. Fibrogranulation tissue proliferation in small airways and airspaces (bronchiolitis obliterans organising pneumonia-like lesions) in subpleural locations was also seen in some patients. CONCLUSIONS: Viable SARS-CoV could be isolated from postmortem tissues. Postmortem examination allows tissue to be sampled for virological investigations and ultrastructural examination, and when coupled with the appropriate lung morphological changes, is valuable to confirm the diagnosis of SARS-CoV, particularly in clinically unapparent or suspicious but unconfirmed cases.     

Dithiothreitol prevents age-associated decrease in oocyte/conceptus viability in vitro

The present study was designed to ascertain whether the negative effects on reproductive potential of post-ovulatory ageing in vitro of oocytes can be prevented by antioxidant therapy. Mouse metaphase II (MII) oocytes were aged in vitro for 12 h prior to insemination in the presence of varying concentrations of L-ascorbic acid, 6-methoxy- 2,5,7,8-tetramethylchromane-2-carboxylic acid (Trolox), L-cystine dihydrochloride, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), beta- mercaptoethanol and DL-dithiothreitol (DTT). In-vitro ageing of oocytes was associated with lower fertilization rate, higher proportion of concepti exhibiting cellular fragmentation at 24 h post-insemination and lower percentage of concepti reaching the blastocyst stage. Ascorbic acid, Trolox and EDTA had no effect on cellular fragmentation or potential of oocytes for development. However, the probability of an oocyte reaching the blastocyst stage was decreased (P < or = or = 0.05) in oocytes incubated in the presence of L-cystine (50 and 500 microM) and beta-mercaptoethanol (5, 50 and 500 microM) when compared to control aged oocytes. Age-associated cellular fragmentation at 24 h post-insemination was partially prevented (P < or = 0.05) by incubating oocytes in the presence of beta-mercaptoethanol (500 microM). DTT (50 and 500 microM) increased (P < or = 0.05) fertilization rate and number of cells at 81 h post-insemination to levels similar to those exhibited by control oocytes. Furthermore, both age-associated fragmentation at 24 h post-insemination (P < or = 0.05) and decreased potential of oocytes for development to the blastocyst stage (P < or = 0.05) were prevented, at least in part, by culturing oocytes in the presence of DTT (50 microM). Although the mechanism by which DTT exerts its beneficial effects on aged oocytes remains to be elucidated, it may protect oocytes by preventing oxidation of free thiol groups and/or altering a redox-independent signalling pathway that mediates cellular fragmentation and death.      

Intramucosal Helicobacter pylori in the human and murine stomach: its relationship to the inflammatory reaction in human Helicobacter pylori gastritis

Intramucosal Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been described in biopsy tissues and culture systems. However, the association of intramucosal H. pylori with histopathologic features has not been evaluated. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between intramucosal H. pylori and inflammatory reactions in H. pylori infection. In 113 randomly selected human gastric biopsies and 20 murine stomachs, which were inoculated with SSI every day for a week, immunohistochemical analysis for intramucosal H. pylori was done and correlated with histologic parameters. Electron microscopic examination was done on murine stomachs. H. pylori infection was present in 104 gastric biopsies and 17 murine stomachs. Intraepithelial immunopositivity for H. pylori was detected in 27 of 104 (26%) biopsies and in 11 of 17 (65%) murine stomachs. Lamina proprial immunopositivity for H. pylori was present in 51 of 104 (48%) biopsies. Neutrophil-associated immunopositivity for H. pylori was observed in 22 of 90 (24%) biopsies with H. pylori chronic active gastritis. Lamina proprial and neutrophil-associated immunopositivity for H. pylori correlated significantly with the density of H. pylori and the grade of acute inflammatory reaction in H. pylori gastritis. Intramucosal location of H. pylori itself or its antigen is closely associated with acute inflammatory reactions and may play an important role in establishing a persistent infection in chronic H. pylori gastritis. Furthermore, lamina proprial and/or neutrophil-associated H. pylori appears to be more important than intraepithelial H. pylori in acute inflammatory reactions of H. pylori gastritis.     

The effect of passive smoking on asthma symptoms,atopy,and airway hyperresponsiveness in schoolchildren

Passive smoking is a major cause of respiratory morbidity, and is associated with increased bronchial responsiveness in children. To evaluate the effect of smoking by a parent on asthma symptoms, atopy, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 503 schoolchildren that involved questionnaires, spirometry, allergy testing, and a bronchial challenge test. If the PC20 methacholine was less than 16 mg/mL, the subject was considered to have AHR. The prevalence of a parent who smoked was 68.7%. The prevalence of AHR was 45.0%. The sensitization rate to common inhalant allergens was 32.6%. Nasal symptoms such as rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal itching, and nasal obstruction were present in 42.7%. Asthma symptoms such as cough and wheezing were present in 55.4%. The asthma symptoms were significantly more prevalent in children who had a parent who smoked than in those whose parents did not. The nasal symptoms, atopy, and AHR did not differ according to whether a parent smoked. In a multiple logistic regression model, the asthma symptoms and atopy were independently associated with AHR, when adjusted for confounding variables. Passive smoking contributed to asthma symptoms in schoolchildren and was not an independent risk factor of airway hyperresponsiveness in an epidemiological survey.     

Additive effect of TRAIL and p53 gene transfer on apoptosis of human lung cancer cell lines

TRAIL is a cytokine that can induce tumor-specific apoptosis through its specific death receptors (DR4 and DR5) and p53 has been proven to increase the expression of death receptors. To examine their interaction in tumor suppression, p53 and TRAIL genes were inserted in recombinant adenovirus vectors and transferred simultaneously into non-small cell lung cancer cell lines (NCI-H157, NCI-H358, NCI-H460 and A549). Western blot assay demonstrated production of TRAIL protein in NCI-H157 and A549 cell lines. Increased expressions of DR4 and DR5 of NCI-H157 and DR4 of A549 after p53 overexpression were confirmed by flow cytometry. p53 or TRAIL gene transfer increased sub-G1 fraction in cell cycle analysis and inhibited the tumor growth dose-dependently and the degree was potentiated by co-transfer. But isobologram analysis indicated an additive effect. Together, these data indicate that p53 and TRAIL interact additively on tumor apoptosis despite theoretical synergism.