Possible risks posed by single‐stranded DNA viruses of pigs associated with xenotransplantation

Routine large‐scale xenotransplantation from pigs to humans is getting closer to clinical reality owing to several state‐of‐the‐art technologies, especially the ability to rapidly engineer genetically defined pigs. However, using pig organs in humans poses risks including unwanted cross‐species transfer of viruses and adaption of these pig viruses to the human organ recipient. Recent developments in the field of virology, including the advent of metagenomic techniques to characterize entire viromes, have led to the identification of a plethora of viruses in many niches. Single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) viruses are the largest group prevalent in virome studies in mammals. Specifically, the ssDNA viral genomes are characterized by a high rate of nucleotide substitution, which confers a proclivity to adapt to new hosts and cross‐species barriers. Pig‐associated ssDNA viruses include torque teno sus viruses (TTSuV) in the Anelloviridae family, porcine parvoviruses (PPV), and porcine bocaviruses (PBoV) both in the family of Parvoviridae, and porcine circoviruses (PCV) in the Circoviridae family, some of which have been confirmed to be pathogenic to pigs. The risks of these viruses for the human recipient during xenotransplantation procedures are relatively unknown. Based on the scant knowledge available on the prevalence, predilection, and pathogenicity of pig‐associated ssDNA viruses, careful screening and monitoring are required. In the case of positive identification, risk assessments and strategies to eliminate these viruses in xenotransplantation pig stock may be needed.     

The Agrobacterium tumefaciens Ti Plasmid Virulence Gene virE2 Reduces Sri Lankan Cassava Mosaic Virus Infection in Transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana Plants

Cassava mosaic disease is a major constraint to cassava cultivation worldwide. In India, the disease is caused by Indian cassava mosaic virus (ICMV) and Sri Lankan cassava mosaic virus (SLCMV). The Agrobacterium Ti plasmid virulence gene virE2, encoding a nuclear-localized, single-stranded DNA binding protein, was introduced into Nicotiana benthamiana to develop tolerance against SLCMV. Leaf discs of transgenic N. benthamiana plants, harboring the virE2 gene, complemented a virE2 mutation in A. tumefaciens and produced tumours. Three tested virE2 transgenic plants displayed reduction in disease symptoms upon agroinoculation with SLCMV DNA A and DNA B partial dimers. A pronounced reduction in viral DNA accumulation was observed in all three virE2 transgenic plants. Thus, virE2 is an effective candidate gene to develop tolerance against the cassava mosaic disease and possibly other DNA virus diseases.     

Natural compounds inhibiting the replication of Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is an economically important pathogenic virus in the swine production. Current vaccines against PRRSV do not induce sterile immunity and the virus evolves at a rapid rate with frequent appearances of new strains. In this study, we screened a library of 502 highly purified natural product compounds to identify specific inhibitors of PRRSV replication cycle. Our observations showed that many of the inhibitory compounds identified have activity on the cellular ion transport mechanisms. We identified for the first time, four compounds which inhibit the PRRSV replication cycle at micro molar concentration or less, namely, 12-deoxyphorbol 13-phenylacetate 20-acetate, ouabain, bufalin and valinomycin. Further, we have identified 15 other compounds which can inhibit the PRRSV replication at the concentration of 8μM. This study provides a basis for further development of pharmacological agents to inhibit PRRSV replication.     

罕见的眼睑毛发囊肿1例(英文)

患者,女,42岁,马来人,无痛性进展性右上睑肿胀2a就诊,无外伤史,身体其他处无同样病损。进行肿块切除活组织检查,组织病理学检查结果显示与毛发囊肿表现相符。毛发囊肿,尽管罕见,在眼睑病变中需要考虑到。     

Impact of fatigue on quality of life among breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy

ObjectivesFatigue is the most frequently reported symptom experienced by cancer patients and has a profound effect on their quality of life (QOL). The study aimed to determine the impact of fatigue on QOL among breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and to identify the risk factors associated with severe fatigue incidence.MethodsThis was an observational prospective study carried out at multiple centers. In total, 172 breast cancer patients were included. The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue Questionnaire was used to measure QOL, while the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) was used to assess the severity of fatigue.ResultsThe total average mean and standard deviation of QOL were 84.58±18.07 and 4.65±1.14 for BFI scores, respectively. A significant association between fatigue and QOL was found in linear and multiple regression analyses. The relationships between fatigue severity and cancer stage, chemotherapy dose delay, dose reduction, chemotherapy regimen, and ethnicity were determined using binary logistic regression analysis.ConclusionThe findings of this study are believed to be useful for helping oncologists effectively evaluate, monitor, and treat fatigue related to QOL changes.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and pharmacological evaluation of two new Cu(II) complexes of 2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline-3-carbaldehyde (benzoyl) hydrazone: a comparative investigation

Two new copper(II) complexes have been synthesized by reacting 2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline-3-carbaldehyde (benzoyl) hydrazone (H(2)L) with CuCl(2)·2H(2)O or Cu(NO(3))(2)·3H(2)O. The structures of the complexes have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Results obtained using spectroscopic methods strongly suggested that the ligand and its Cu(II) complexes could interact with calf thymus DNA through intercalation. In the case of protein binding, the obtained results indicated that all the three compounds could quench the intrinsic fluorescence of bovine serum albumin through static quenching process. In addition, antioxidant activity tests showed that H(2)L and its copper(II) complexes possess significant scavenging effect against free radicals. Further, the two copper(II) complexes exhibited effective cytotoxic activity against a panel of human cancer cell lines.     

Emergence of Porcine Circovirus 2 Associated Reproductive Failure in Southern India

Incidence of unusually high numbers of stillbirths was observed at a piggery unit at the Veterinary University research farm in Tamil Nadu State of India. Systematic examination of the tissue from stillborn piglets led to the identification of presence of Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2). Detailed analysis utilizing electron microscopy, polymerase chain reaction and sequencing confirmed the presence of PCV2 in the tissue of affected piglets. Histopathology analysis of the affected piglet tissue showed lymphoid cell depletion of lymphnodes, spleen and infiltration of liver, kidney, myocardium, etc. Retrospective examination of the morbidity and mortality history in the farm revealed high mortality in young and weanling piglets suggestive of PCV2 infection‐induced diseases. This is the first report of emergence of major disease incidence in farmed swine due to PCV2 infection in India.     

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Tualang honey in alkali injury on the eyes of rabbits: Experimental animal study

Background

In the search for new therapies novel drugs and medications are being discovered, developed and tested in laboratories. Highly diluted substances are intended to enhance immune system responses resulting in reduced frequency of various diseases, and often present no risk of serious side-effects due to its low toxicity. Over the past years our research group has been investigating the action of highly diluted substances and tinctures on cells from the immune system.

Methods

We have developed and tested several highly diluted tinctures and here we describe the biological activity of M1, M2, and M8 both in vitro in immune cells from mice and human, and in vivo in mice. Cytotoxicity, cytokines released and NF-κB activation were determined after in vitro treatment. Cell viability, oxidative response, lipid peroxidation, bone marrow and lymph node cells immunophenotyping were accessed after mice in vivo treatment.

Results

None of the highly diluted tinctures tested were cytotoxic to macrophages or K562. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages treated with all highly diluted tinctures decreased tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) release and M1, and M8 decreased IFN-γ production. M1 has decreased NF-κB activity on TNF-α stimulated reporter cell line. In vivo treatment lead to a decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) production was increased by M1, and M8, and lipid peroxidation was induced by M1, and M2. All compounds enhanced the innate immunity, but M1 also augmented acquired immunity and M2 diminished B lymphocytes, responsible to acquired immunity.

Conclusions

Based on the results presented here, these highly diluted tinctures were shown to modulate immune responses. Even though further investigation is needed there is an indication that these highly diluted tinctures could be used as therapeutic interventions in disorders where the immune system is compromised.     

Biological evaluation of a novel water soluble sulphur bridged binuclear copper(II) thiosemicarbazone complex

The reaction of 2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline-3-carbaldehyde 4(N,N)-dimethylthiosemicarbazone (HL) with copper(II) nitrate in methanol yielded water soluble [{Cu(L)(CH(3)OH)}(2)](NO(3))(2) · H(2)O. Structural analysis revealed that the complex consists of centrosymmetric binuclear entities containing square-pyramidal copper(II) ions bridged through the sulfur atoms. The spectroscopic experimental evidences strongly suggested that the ligand and complex could interact with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) through intercalation. A gel electrophoresis assay demonstrated the ability of the complex to cleave the pBR322 plasmid DNA. The complex also exhibited a strong binding to bovine serum albumin (BSA) over the ligand. Investigations of antioxidative properties showed that the complex has strong radical scavenging properties. Further, the cytotoxic effect of the complex was examined on HeLa, Hep G2, and HEp-2, which showed that the complex exhibited substantial cytotoxic specificity on HeLa over the other two.