Vaccination inhibits the human adenoviral transduction in a mouse keratoconjunctivitis model

Adenovirus infections are a major cause of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC), which can lead to corneal subepithelial infiltrates and multifocal corneal opacity. In the current study, we investigated the use of an E1/E3-deleted adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) vector as a vaccine administered intramuscularly (IM) or intranasally (IN) against subsequent challenges with a luciferase-expressing Ad5 (Ad5-Luci) vector via eyedrop. We evaluated the adaptive immune response to Ad5 vector vaccination and confirmed a robust polyfunctional CD8 T cell response in splenic cells. Neutralizing Ad5 antibodies were also measured in the sera of vaccinated mice as well as Ad5 antibody in the eye wash solutions. Upon challenge with Ad5-Luci vector 8 weeks post the primary immunization, transduction was significantly reduced by > 70% in the vaccinated mice, which was slightly better in IM- vs. that in IN-vaccinated animals. Resistance to subsequent challenge was observed 10 months post primary IM vaccination, with sustained reduction up to 60% in the Ad5-Luci vector transduction. Passive immunization of naive mice with antisera from IM to vaccinated mice subsequently challenged with the Ad5-Luci vector resulted in approximately 40% loss in transduction efficiency. Furthermore, the mice that received IM immunization with or without CD8 T cell depletion showed > 40% and 70% reductions, respectively, in Ad8 genomic copies after Ad8 topical challenge. We conclude that Ad-vector vaccination successfully induced an adaptive immune response that prevented subsequent Ad transduction in the cornea and conjunctiva-associated tissues in a mouse model of adenovirus keratoconjunctivitis, and that both cellular and humoral immunity play an important role in preventing Ad transduction.     

Ebola Virus RNA Stability in Human Blood and Urine in West Africa’s Environmental Conditions

We evaluated RNA stability of Ebola virus in EDTA blood and urine samples collected from infected patients and stored in West Africa’s environmental conditions. In blood, RNA was stable for at least 18 days when initial cycle threshold values were <30, but in urine, RNA degradation occurred more quickly.     

Determinants of anti-PD-1 response and resistance in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

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人精子体外氧化损伤对线粒体tRNA~(LeuUUR)基因的影响

目的:探讨活性氧(ROS)对人类精子线粒体tRNALeuUUR基因的氧化损伤。方法:采用Percoll梯度离心法筛选具有正常生理功能的精子,作为正常精子模型,并分为损伤组20例和对照组20例,分别加入次黄嘌呤-黄嘌呤氧化酶体系或不予处理,37℃有氧环境中孵育60min。分别提取精子DNA,以Fpg酶切损伤碱基并采用接头介导PCR(LM-PCR)检测线粒体tRNALeuUUR基因的氧化损伤。采用Rhodamine(Rh123)荧光探针标记精子,通过流式细胞仪检测线粒体膜电位,观察精子的功能。结果:与对照组相比,损伤组精子孵育后线粒体膜电位明显降低[(116.27±11.72)%vs(64.00±4.88)%,P<0.05]。Fpg酶切和LM-PCR显示精子线粒体tRNALeuUUR基因损伤。结论:ROS可能通过对精子线粒体tRNALeuUUR基因氧化损伤而影响精子功能(线粒体膜电位明显降低),从而引起不育。     

Wild Edible Plants and Their Traditional Use in the Human Nutrition in Bosnia-Herzegovina

This article presents first systematical procedure results on traditional usage of wild, edible, vitaminous, and aromatic plants in the nutrition of human population in Bosnia and Herzegovina (W. Balkan peninsula; SE Europe). By method of an ethnobotanical interview, which comprised of over 250 persons, whose average age was 55, and by research on edible wild flora all around Bosnia and Herzegovina that extended over many years, detected were 308 plants belonging to 73 plant families that are being used in nutrition and diet of indigenous population. Edible wild plants are used as delicious vegetables, fruits, peer and spices, in either fresh, raw, or dried condition. Plants are being used for the making of cooked food (33%), fresh salads (19%), mush and bread (17%), or as fresh, wild fruits and drinks (13%) or as spices and ethno-pharmacological potions (10%). The majority of identified, wild edible plants may satisfy the daily human need for elementary nutrition material, particularly those of vitamins C and A, and for some minerals, according to the regulations of World Health Organization (WHO).     

Intravenous cidofovir treatment for recalcitrant warts in the setting of a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome

Cidofovir is an acyclic nucleoside phosphonate with broad-spectrum activity against DNA viruses, including human papilloma virus (HPV). However, data on the efficacy of cidofovir in an immunosuppressive setting remain contradictory. We report for the first time on the promotion of the healing of recalcitrant warts in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome with intravenous cidofovir treatment.