A novel bioactive 31-amino acid ET-1 peptide stimulates eosinophil recruitment and increases the levels of eotaxin and IL-5

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: Investigation of the role of a novel inflammatory mediator 31-amino acid endothelin-1 [ET-1 (1-31)], a major ET derivative in granulocytes, in eosinophil recruitment after its subcutaneous administration to mice. METHODS: Various ET-1 derivatives (100 pmol), with or without ET receptor antagonists (200 pmol), were administered subcutaneously to mice, and then the eosinophil migration into and chemokine levels in the injected loci were analyzed. RESULTS: ET-1 (1-31) and a 21-amino acid endothelin-1 (ET-1), but not big ET-1, induced eosinophil migration into the injected loci with a peak after administration for 12 h, and increased the levels of eotaxin and interleukin-5 with peaks at 6 and 24 h, respectively. These effects of ET-1(1-31) and ET-1 were significantly inhibited by an ETA receptor antagonist, BQ-123, but not by an ETB receptor antagonist, BQ-788. CONCLUSION: Novel bioactive ET-1 (1-31) induces local eosinophil migration, and increases in eotaxin and interleukin-5 through an ETA or ETA-like receptor.     

Correction to: Efficient photodynamic therapy against drug-resistant prostate cancer using replication-deficient virus particles and talaporfin sodium

Lasers in Medical Science - After publication of this paper, the authors determined an error in Fig. 1.     

Determinants of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection Among University Students in Central Bangladesh

This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and determinants of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among university students in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 614 students from five universities in central Bangladesh. Data were collected on demographic information, immunization history, medical and blood transfusion history through the face-to-face interview. Blood samples were collected and screened for anti-HBsAg using ELISA, HBsAg Rapid Test-cassette, and immune chromatographic test. The overall seroprevalence of HBV infection was 5.0%, and vaccination coverage was 19.2% among the participants. Students having a history of surgery (OR 11.004, 95% CI 3.211–37.707), blood transfusion (OR 5.651, 95% CI 0.965–33.068), being married (OR 4.776, 95% CI 1.508–15.127), and not being vaccinated (OR 9.825, 95% CI 1.130–85.367) were at higher risk of being infected by HBV. This study showed the endemicity of HBV infection among the Bangladeshi population. Marriage, surgical or blood transfusion history, not being vaccinated were the determinants of HBV infection within the study population. Public health initiatives for preventing HBV infection at the university levels should be envisaged.

     

SARS-CoV-2 host diversity: An update of natural infections and experimental evidence

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is now a pandemic threat. This virus is supposed to be spread by human to human transmission. Cellular angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the receptor of SARS-CoV-2 which is identical or similar in different species of animals such as pigs, ferrets, cats, orangutans, monkeys, and humans. Moreover, a recent study predicted that dogs might be secondary hosts during the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 from bat to human. Therefore, there is a possibility of spreading SARS-CoV-2 through domestic pets. There are now many reports of SARS-CoV-2 positive cases in dogs, cats, tigers, lion, and minks. Experimental data showed ferrets and cats are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 as infected by virus inoculation and can transmit the virus directly or indirectly by droplets or airborne routes. Based on these natural infection reports and experimental data, whether the pets are responsible for SARS-CoV-2 spread to humans; needs to be deeply investigated. Humans showing clinical symptoms of respiratory infections have been undergoing for the COVID-19 diagnostic test but many infected people and few pets confirmed with SARS-CoV-2 remained asymptomatic. In this review, we summarize the natural cases of SARS-CoV-2 in animals with the latest researches conducted in this field. This review will be helpful to think insights of SARS-CoV-2 transmissions, spread, and demand for seroprevalence studies, especially in companion animals.     

Knowledge and self-care practice regarding diabetes among type 2diabetics: experience from a non-profit hospital chain in Bangladesh

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is generally being perceived as a problem of the developed world, but currently, people from developing countries like Bangladesh are suffering from chronic diseases of which diabetes is a major one. The aim of the study was to assess knowledge and self-care practice regarding diabetes among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 11,917 (age ≥?18 years, 4418 males and 7499 females) T2DM subjects attending the health care centers and hospitals in Dhaka (Capital) and also in the northern part of Bangladesh operated by the local diabetic association. Data were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaire. The levels of knowledge and self-care practice were measured by predefined scores, categorized as poor (<mean – 1 SD), average (mean?±?1 SD), and good (>mean?+?1 SD). Independent samples t test, ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation were used to determine the association between different variables considering p value <?0.05. The mean (± SD) age (years) of the T2DM was 50?±?12. The proportion of “poor,” “average,” and “good” score for knowledge were 34%, 51%, and 15% and for that practice were 16%, 72%, and 12%, respectively. Knowledge was significantly associated with practice (r?=?0.299, p?=?0.001). The study reveals a difference between knowledge and self-care practice related to T2DM. T2DM health literacy program needs to be developed for better health promotion.     

Combined experimental and computational study of Al2O3 catalyzed transamidation of secondary amides with amines

Amides are the most extensively used substances in both synthetic organic and bioorganic chemistry. Unfortunately, the traditional synthesis of amides suffers from some important drawbacks, including low atom efficiency, high catalyst loading, separation of products from the reaction mixture and production of byproducts. Al₂O₃ is an amphoteric catalyst that activates the carbonyl carbon of the secondary amide group and helps the C–N cleavage of the reactant amide group by attacking the N–H hydrogen. By using the concepts of amphoteric properties of Al₂O₃, amides were synthesized from secondary amides and amines in the presence of triethylamine solvent. Several aliphatic and aromatic amines were used for the transamidation of N-methylbenzamide in the presence of the Al₂O₃ catalyst. Moreover, using the Gaussian09 software at the DFT level, HUMO, LUMO and the intrinsic reaction coordinates (IRCs) have also been calculated to find out the transition state of the reaction and energy. In this study, five successful compounds were synthesized by the transamidation of secondary amides with amines using a reusable Al₂O₃ catalyst. The catalyst was reused several times with no significant loss in its catalytic activity. The products were purified by recrystallization and column chromatography techniques. This catalytic method is effective for the simultaneous activation of the carbonyl group and N–H bond by using the Al₂O₃ catalyst.

Amides are the most extensively used substances in both synthetic organic and bioorganic chemistry.     

Staphylococcus aureus antigens induce IgA-type glomerulonephritis in Balb/c mice

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a common, normal pathogenic flora that colonizes mucosal tissues. We previously reported that glomerulonephritis occurs during methicillin-resistant S. aureus infection, and demonstrated polyclonal elevation of serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG levels and various histological findings, such as mesangial extracapillary and endocapillary proliferation. To investigate the pathogenic roles of S. aureus antigens, we induced IgA-type glomerulonephritis in mice by immunization with antigens derived from S. aureus, as a model of human IgA nephropathy (IgAN). METHODS: Balb/c mice (Th2 dominant type) and C57BL/6 mice (Th1 dominant type) were immunized biweekly for 4 months with antigens derived from S. aureus mixed with Freund's incomplete adjuvant. RESULTS: Mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis with IgA, IgG and complement 3 (C3) depositions were observed in all Balb/c mice. Although C3 depositions and cell proliferation in the mesangial area were also seen in C57BL/6 mice, they were not correlated with urinary findings. In Balb/c mice, S. aureus antigens were detected in glomeruli using affinity-purified human anti-S. aureus antibodies, but there was no staining in C57BL/6 mice. The antibodies reacted with several S. aureus antigens, based on Western blot analysis, and the main 30-35 kDa band differed in intensity in Balb/c and C57BL/6 mice. In addition, increased transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was seen in Balb/c mice compared to C57BL/6 mice. CONCLUSIONS: S. aureus antigens including, in particular, a 30-35 kDa protein and the host genetic background could play important roles in IgA-like glomerulonephritis pathogenesis.     

Binding of a new bioactive 31-amino-acid endothelin-1 to an endothelin ET(B) or ET(B)-like receptor in porcine lungs

Endothelin-1-(1-31) is a new bioactive 31-amino-acid-length peptide generated from big endothelin-1 by chymase or other chymotrypsin-type proteases with various pathophysiologic functions. In this study, we have detected the specific and monophasic binding of [125I]endothelin-1-(1-31) in porcine lung membranes. Competition studies of [125I]endothelin-1-(1-31) binding by unlabeled endothelin-1-(1-31), endothelin-1, endothelin-3, and antagonists and agonists of endothelin ET(A) and ET(B) receptors suggest that the binding protein is an endothelin ET(B) or ET(B)-like receptor rather than an endothelin ET(A) receptor in porcine lungs. Kinetic studies showed that the affinity of endothelin-1-(1-31) to its receptor was approximately one order of magnitude lower than that of endothelin-1, and that the specific binding of endothelin-1-(1-31) was about 19% of endothelin-1 binding. The binding of [125I]endothelin-1-(1-31) was extremely slow, slower even than that of endothelin-1, and nearly irreversible. This unique quasi-irreversibility may explain the slow-onset and long-lasting biologic effects of this peptide in vivo.