Biomedical subjects

J Zou

Publications and source records attributed to J Zou.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

[The difference of thrombin-induced TF/uPAR mRNAs expressions in cultured endothelial cells and U937 cell line].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of thrombin on the expression of the tissue factor (TF) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) mRNA in the cultured vascular endothelial cells (VEC) and U937 cell line. METHODS: Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA levels of TF and uPAR genes in the cultured cells under stimulation of thrombin, inactivated thrombin (DFP-T), or at the presence of the inducers and anti-thrombin receptor antibody (ATR-Ab). RESULTS: In U937 cells, the TF and uPAR mRNA expression induced by thrombin could be fully quenched with the ATR-Ab, but in VEC, even at the presence of ATR-Ab, there still was a little stimulative effect of thrombin revealed. DFP-T had no effect on the expression of TF and uPAR mRNA in U937 cells, but could elicit a faint reaction in VEC. CONCLUSION: The induction effects on TF and uPAR mRNA expression in both of the cultured cells by thrombin were mainly dependent on the TR activation, which may not be the unique pathway for thrombin to induce TF and uPAR mRNA expression in VEC.

Cells, Cultured↗

PubMed2000

[HSP70 expression of middle ear mucosa in acute suppurative otitis media].

OBJECTIVE: To study HSP70 expression of middle ear mucosa in acute suppurative otitis media. METHOD: An animal model of acute middle ear infection was established by inoculating Klebsiella Pneumoniae into middle ear of guinea pigs. Animals were sacrificed 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after inoculation. The expression of Hsp70 epitope related proteins in middle ear mucosa were analysed by modified western blot test. RESULT: Very light 70 kD bands were recognized by anti Hsp70 monoclonal antibody in the unstressed group. However, middle ear mucosa of the stressed group not only showed relatively strong 70 kD bands, but also expressed more intensely 31 kD and 17 kD bands. The infected mucosa expressed one 70 kD band at 1st day, the strongest band at 3rd day, falling at 5th day; 31 kD was recognized two bands at 3rd day, the strongest bands at 5th day, falling at 7th day; two bands of 17 kD were detected in all days, with the strongest bands at 7th day. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that middle ear mucosa expressed Hsp70 and Hsp70 epitope related proteins like 31 kD and 17 kD in acute otitis media.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

[Evaluation of polymerase chain reaction for detection of chlamydia trachomatis in eye swabs].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical value of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in the diagnosis of trachoma. METHODS: Direct amplication of 16S rRNA gene which is chlamydia-specific by PCR was used to detect chlamydia trachomatis (CT). RESULTS: Of 93 subjects who conformed to the diagnosis criteria of trachoma, 69 (74.2%) was PCR-Positive; Of 178 subjects who did not comform to the criteia, 6(3.4%) was PCR-positive. PCR had a sensitivity of 74.2% and a speciticity of 96.7% for the clinical diagnosis of trachoma. The difference between trachoma group and nontrachoma group is significant(P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The PCR may be a good method in the diagnosis of ocular chlamydia trachomatis infection because of its excellent sensitivity and specificity.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

[A novel method for screening anti-inner ear autoantibody in patients with autoimmune diseases].

OBJECTIVE: To appraise the clinical value of a newly established method, rapid electric field immobilizing liquid phase molecule dot blot analysis (REILMD), for screening anti-inner ear autoantibody in patients with autoimmune diseases. METHODS: Seventy-one patients with 11 kinds of autoimmune diseases were chosen for the study. Both the general immunity and autoantibodies were tested. In the processes of detection of anti-inner ear autoantibody, REILMD was used for screening, and then the Western blot was used to define the molecular weight of inner ear antigen recognized by the positive autoantibody. RESULTS: Acceleration of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ES), positive rheumatoid factor (RF), increases in C reactive protein (CRP), IgG and circulating immune complex (CIC) were found in most cases with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematodes (SLE). Some of these patients had increased IgA, IgM and C4. Two of 16 RA had anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and anti-mitochondria and 4/16 had anti-nucleus antibodies. Eleven of 16 SLE had antinucleus, 7/13 had anti-ribonucleoprotein (RNP), anti-Sjögren syndrome A (SSA) and anti-dsDNA, 3/13 had anti-smooth muscle (Sm) and 1/13 had anti-DNA topoisomerase I (Scl)-70, striated muscle and stomach acid cell antibodies. No autoantibody was detected in AS. Anti-inner ear autoantibody existed in 9 out of 71 patients (13%) with autoimmune diseases, in 2 of 21 patients (10%) with sudden deafness and only in 1 of 48 control subjects (2%, coronary heart disease). The anti-inner ear autoantibody was positive in 5 of 16 (31%) patients with SLE and 1 each in RA, AS, Behset's disease and streptococcus infection syndrome. In patients with positive anti-inner ear antibody, 67% had anti-nucleus antibody, 50% had anti-RNP and dsDNA antibody. The molecules recognized by the positive anti-inner ear antibody were defined as 52,000, 36,000, 31,000 and 15,000 molecules of inner ear antigen. CONCLUSION: REILMD is a feasible and easy method for screening anti-inner ear autoantibody. Several autoimmune diseases, particularly SLE, may be implicated in damage to the inner ear.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

[An observation on long-term influence of middle ear bacterial infection on inner ear function and systemic immune reaction].

OBJECTIVE: To understand whether long-term inner ear heat shock response related to heat shock protein(HSP70) caused by middle ear bacterial infection and the potential influence on inner ear function. METHODS: Sixty BALB/c mice were randomly classified into 6 groups including Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP), Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus pyocyaneus, Bacillus coli, Bacillus proteus and physiological saline control groups. On 135 days after injection, distortion product otoacoustic emissions(DPOAE) was tested and all the samples were collected, which were examined with light and electronic microscopes. HSP70 related molecule expression in inner ear, nuclear factor (NF) kappa Bp65 characterization in mononuclear cell, anti-KP antibody and anti-membranous labyrinth proteins (MLP) were examined. RESULTS: No nuclear transfer of NF kappa Bp65 was observed in any animal. Anti-KP antibody was detected in 30% (3/10) of Staphylococcus aureus group, 29% (2/7) of KP group, 33% (3/9) of Bacillus pyocyaneus group and 10% (1/10) of control group. Anti-MLP antibody was created in 20% (2/10) of Staphylococcus aureus group, 20% (2/10) of KP group, one each in Bacillus pyocyaneus group and control group respectively. Double positive antibody against KP and MLP were found in Staphylococcus aureus group and KP group. When analyzed with Western blot, all the positive bands were small molecules including strongest 26,000-30,000, medium degree 38,000-41,000 and weak 46,000-50,000 except for 68,000 in one case. There was only one significant DPOAE amplification decrease at 1,625 Hz (2f1-f2) in left ear of Bacillus pyocyaneus group and right ear of Bacillus proteus group. No abnormal phenomenon was found in inner ear both under light microscope and electronic microscope. No significant expression of HSP70 was observed in inner ears. CONCLUSION: No long-term heat shock response related to HSP70 existed in the inner ear and the immune inner ear damage may be caused by multiplefactors.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Transgenic mice overexpressing protein kinase Cdelta in the epidermis are resistant to skin tumor promotion by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate.

To determine the role of protein kinase Cdelta in mouse skin carcinogenesis, we have developed transgenic FVB/N mouse lines expressing in the epidermis an epitope-tagged protein kinase Cdelta (T7-PKCdelta) regulated by the human keratin 14 promoter. The untreated T7-PKCdelta mice displayed excessive dryness in the skin of the tail with a variable penetrance over time. Histologically, the tail skin showed hyperplasia with evidence of hyperkeratosis. The epidermis of the rest of the T7-PKCdelta mouse was unremarkable. Despite this mild phenotype, the effects of PKCdelta overexpression on mouse skin tumor promotion by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) were dramatic. Two independent lines of T7-PKCdelta mice (16 and 37) expressing the T7-PKCdelta transgene were examined for responsiveness to skin tumor promotion by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene and TPA. By immunoblot analysis, the T7-PKCdelta-16 and T7-PKCdelta-37 mice showed an 8- and 2-fold increase of PKCdelta protein. The T7-PKCdelta-16 mice averaged 300% more T7-PKCdelta activity than the T7-PKCdelta-37 mice did. The T7-PKCdelta-37 mice did not manifest any difference in tumor burden or incidence. However, the reduction in papilloma burden at 25 weeks of promotion for the T7-PKCdelta-16 mice relative to wild-type mice averaged 72 and 74% for males and females, respectively. The T7-PKCdelta-16 mice reached 50% papilloma incidence between 12 and 13 weeks of promotion compared with 8 weeks for wild-type mice. Furthermore, the carcinoma incidence was also reduced in T7-PKCdelta-16 mice. Carcinoma incidence at 25 weeks of promotion treatment was: wild-type females, 78%; T7-PKCdelta16 females, 37%; wild-type males, 45%; and T7- PKCdelta-16 males, 7%. Thus, PKCdelta when expressed at sufficient levels can suppress skin tumor promotion by TPA.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

PubMed1999

Inhibitory effect of zinc on human prostatic carcinoma cell growth.

BACKGROUND: Normal human prostate accumulates the highest levels of zinc of any soft tissue in the body. In contrast, the zinc level in prostate cancer is markedly decreased from the level detected in nonprostate tissues. Despite these relationships, the possible role of zinc in the growth of normal and malignant prostate has not been determined. METHODS: Growth inhibition and various regulatory responses were investigated in two human prostate carcinoma cell lines (LNCaP and PC-3), treated with or without zinc. RESULTS: Incubation of the prostate carcinoma cell lines with physiological levels of zinc resulted in the marked inhibition of cell growth. A lower 50% inhibition of cell growth (IC50) value for zinc (about 100 ng/ml) was detected in LNCaP cells, which are androgen-responsive, whereas androgen-independent PC-3 cells exhibited a higher IC50 for zinc (about 700 ng/ml). Incubation with 1 microg/ml zinc resulted in maximum inhibition of growth in both cell lines. These inhibitory effects of zinc correlated well with the accumulation of zinc in the cells. Simultaneously, cell flow cytometric analyses revealed a dramatic increase of the cell population in G2/M phase, in both LNCaP (2.3-fold vs. control) and PC-3 (1.9-fold vs. control), and a decreased proportion of cells in S phase (LNCaP, -51.4%; PC-3, -23%), indicating a G2/M phase arrest. The cell growth inhibition and G2/M arrest in these cells were accompanied by an increase in apoptosis, as demonstrated by the characteristic cell morphology and further confirmed by cellular DNA fragmentation. The specificity of zinc-induced apoptosis was identified by ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA)-chelation, which abolished the zinc effect on cellular DNA fragmentation. The zinc-induced G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis were accompanied by increased mRNA levels of p21(Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1) in both LNCaP (p53+/+) and PC-3 (p53-/-) cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that zinc inhibits human prostatic carcinoma cell growth, possibly due to induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. There now exists strong evidence that the loss of a unique capability to retain high levels of zinc is an important factor in the development and progression of malignant prostate cells.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed1999

Evidence for a zinc uptake transporter in human prostate cancer cells which is regulated by prolactin and testosterone.

The glandular epithelial cells of the human prostate gland have the unique capability and function of accumulating the highest zinc levels of any soft tissue in the body. Zinc accumulation in the prostate is regulated by prolactin and testosterone; however, little information is available concerning the mechanisms associated with zinc accumulation and its regulation in prostate epithelial cells. In the present studies the uptake and accumulation of zinc were determined in the human malignant prostate cell lines LNCaP and PC-3. The results demonstrate that LNCaP cells and PC-3 cells possess the unique capability of accumulating high levels of zinc. Zinc accumulation in both cell types is stimulated by physiological concentrations of prolactin and testosterone. The studies reveal that these cells contain a rapid zinc uptake process indicative of a plasma membrane zinc transporter. Initial kinetic studies demonstrate that the rapid uptake of zinc is effective under physiological conditions that reflect the total and mobile zinc levels in circulation. Correspondingly, genetic studies demonstrate the expression of a ZIP family zinc uptake transporter in both LNCaP and PC-3 cells. The rapid zinc uptake transport process is stimulated by treatment of cells with physiological levels of prolactin and testosterone, which possibly is the result of the regulation of the ZIP-type zinc transporter gene. These zinc-accumulating characteristics are specific for prostate cells. The studies support the concept that these prostate cells express a unique hormone-responsive, plasma membrane-associated, rapid zinc uptake transporter gene associated with their unique ability to accumulate high zinc levels.

Biological Transport↗

PubMed1999

Fish macrophages express a cyclo-oxygenase-2 homologue after activation.

In mammals, the increased generation of prostaglandins (PG) during the onset of inflammatory responses and activation of immune cell types has been attributed to the induction of a novel cyclo-oxygenase (COX) isoform, termed COX-2, which is distinct from the well-characterized constitutive activity (COX-1). Goldfish (Carassius auratus) macrophages exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharide and leucocyte-derived macrophage-activating factor(s) showed a significant increase in the generation of the major COX product, PGE2, within the first 6 h of stimulation. The selective COX-2 inhibitor, NS398, inhibited this elevated generation of PGE, whereas the basal level of this product synthesized by unstimulated macrophages was unaffected by such exposure. PGE generation by goldfish macrophages was similarly inhibited by the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, and an inhibitor of protein synthesis, cycloheximide, suggesting that this stimulation may be due to an inducible enzyme equivalent to mammalian COX-2. The complete coding sequence of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) COX-2 was obtained by PCR. The gene contains a 61 bp 5'-untranslated region (UTR), a 1821 bp open reading frame and a 771 bp 3'UTR containing multiple copies of an mRNA instability motif (ATTTA). The predicted translation product had high homology to known mammalian and chicken COX-2 (83-84%) and COX-1 (77%) sequences. Reverse-transcriptase PCR with cDNA from control and bacterially challenged fish revealed that trout COX-2 expression was not constitutive but could be induced. Overall, these studies show for the first time that the inducible isoform of COX has a long evolutionary history, probably dating back to the evolution of fish over 500 million years ago.

Aeromonas↗

PubMed1999

Cloning of two chemokine receptor homologs (CXC-R4 and CC-R7) in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss.

Two rainbow trout chemokine receptors have been sequenced, with homology to CXC-R4 and CC-R7 molecules. The CXC-R4 sequence consisted of 1681 nucleotides, which translated into a mature protein of 357 amino acids, with 80.7% similarity to human CXC-R4. The CC-R7 sequence consisted of 2287 nucleotides, which translated into a 368-amino acid mature protein with 64.5% similarity to human CC-R7. Both sequences contained seven hydrophobic regions, representing the seven transmembrane domains (TM) typical of G-protein-coupled receptors. Extracellular cysteines, transmembrane prolines, and the DRY motif immediately following TM3 were conserved. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed a tight clustering of trout CXC-R4 with CXC-R3-5 genes. Trout CC-R7 clustered with CC-R6-7 and CXC-R1-2. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated a wide tissue distribution of CXC-R4 and CC-R7 message in trout, being present in head-kidney leukocytes, blood, gill, brain, spleen, and liver.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Molecular cloning of interleukin 1beta from rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss reveals no evidence of an ice cut site.

The complete coding sequence of rainbow trout IL-1beta has been obtained. The gene contains a short 5' UTR (97 bp), a 780 bp open reading frame and a 466 bp 3' UTR, which includes a polyadenylation signal, 7 ATTTA motifs and an 18 bp poly A tail. The predicted amino acid sequence (260 amino acids) contains 3 potential glycosylation sites, with a predicted molecular weight of 29 kDa, and shows between 49 and 56% amino acid similarity to mammalian IL-1betas and 57% similarity to carp IL-1beta. Greatest homology was apparent within the secondary structure of the gene, with few of the amino acids known to bind to the IL-1 receptor being conserved. No ICE cut site was apparent but multiple alignment with mammalian sequences allowed a putative mature peptide of 166 amino acids to be identified, in which Ala(95)would be the amino terminus. Northern blot analysis showed that whilst no IL-1beta expression was detectable in head kidney leukocytes immediately after isolation, expression could be induced by stimulation with LPS for 4 h in culture. Similarly, with isolated head kidney macrophages expression was significantly increased following stimulation with LPS.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

PubMed1999

Evaluation of disinfection and sterilization of reusable angioscopes with the duck hepatitis B model.

PURPOSE: Nosocomial transmission of viral hepatitis and retrovirus infection has been reported. The expected risk is greatest for the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The duck HBV (DHBV) has similar biologic and structural characteristics to HBV and has been adopted as a suitable model for disinfectant testing. METHODS: Angioscopic examination of the external jugular vein was performed on DHBV-infected ducks. After use, the instrument was air dried for 3 minutes. Samples were obtained by flushing the channel with 5 mL of phosphate buffered saline solution. The samples were collected immediately after drying (control), after flushing with 5 mL of water, after glutaraldehyde disinfection for 5, 10, and 20 minutes, and after ethylene oxide gas sterilization. Angioscopes were either precleaned or uncleaned before disinfection/sterilization. Residual infectivity was assessed with inoculation of samples into the peritoneal cavity of day-old ducks (n = 231). RESULTS: DNA analysis results of liver samples showed that all 38 control ducks became infected. The frequency of DHBV infection was reduced to 93% (14 of 15) by flushing the angioscope with 5 mL of sterile water. No transmission occurred after the use of any of the properly precleaned and disinfected/sterilized angioscopes. However, after the use of the uncleaned angioscopes, the transmission rate was 90% (9 of 10) and 70% (7 of 10) after 5 and 10 minutes of contact time, respectively, in 2% glutaraldehyde. Even after the recommended 20 minutes of contact time, there was still 6% (2 of 35) transmission. After ethylene oxide sterilization, two of the recipient ducklings (2 of 35) were infected with DHBV. CONCLUSION: There was no disease transmission after reuse of disposable angioscopes adequately cleaned before disinfection or sterilization. However, if the angioscopes are inadequately cleaned, DHBV can survive despite glutaraldehyde disinfection or ethylene oxide sterilization. This contrasts with previous in vitro and in vivo data with solid surgical instruments. It is postulated that the presence of a narrow lumen or residual protein shielding within the lumen may compromise effective inactivation of hepadnaviruses on angioscopes, with the potential risk for patient-to-patient transmission.

Angioscopes↗

PubMed1999

Effects of antisense repression of an Arabidopsis thaliana pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase cDNA on plant development.

Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDHK), a negative regulator of the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex (mtPDC), plays a pivotal role in controlling mtPDC activity, and hence, the TCA cycle and cell respiration. This report describes the cloning of a pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase cDNA (AtPDHK) from Arabidopsis thaliana and focuses on the effects of antisense down-regulation of its expression on plant growth and development. The deduced amino acid sequence of AtPDHK exhibits extensive similarity to other plant and mammalian PDHKs, containing conserved domains typical of two-component histidine protein kinases. The Escherichia coli expressed AtPDHK specifically phosphorylated mammalian PDH E1 in a time-dependent manner. Antisense expression of the AtPDHK cDNA led to marked elevation of mtPDC activity in transgenic plants with increases ranging from 137% to 330% compared to control plants. Immunoblot analyses performed with a monoclonal antibody to the E1alpha mtPDH component (the subunit phosphorylated by PDHK) indicated that the increased mtPDC activity was not the result of an increase in the level of PDH protein. MtPDC from transgenic plants showed a reduced sensitivity to ATP-dependent inactivation compared to that observed in wild-type plants. Collectively, these data suggest that the antisense partial silencing of the negative regulator, PDHK, was responsible for the increased mtPDC activity observed in the antisense PDHK plants. Transgenic plants with partially repressed AtPDHK also displayed altered vegetative growth with reduced accumulation of vegetative tissues, early flower development and shorter generation time. The potential role for AtPDHK gene manipulation in crop improvement is discussed.

Arabidopsis↗

PubMed1999

The Arabidopsis thaliana TAG1 mutant has a mutation in a diacylglycerol acyltransferase gene.

In Arabidopsis thaliana (ecotype Columbia) mutant line AS11, an EMS-induced mutation at a locus on chromosome II results in a reduced diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT; EC 2.3.1.20) activity, reduced seed triacylglycerol, an altered seed fatty acid composition, and delayed seed development. A mutation has been identified in AS11 in a gene, which we designated as TAG1, that encodes a protein with an amino acid sequence which is similar to a recently reported mammalian DGAT, and, to a lesser extent, to acyl CoA:cholesterol acyltransferases. Molecular analysis revealed that the mutant allele in AS11 has a 147 bp insertion located at the central region of intron 2. At the RNA level, an 81 bp insertion composed entirely of an exon 2 repeat was found in the transcript. While the seed triacylglycerol content is reduced by the lesion in AS11, there is no apparent effect on sterol ester content in the mutant seed. The TAG1 cDNA was over-expressed in yeast, and its activity as a microsomal DGAT confirmed. Therefore, the TAG1 locus encodes a diacylglycerol acyltransferase, and the insertion mutation in the TAG1 gene in mutant AS11 results in its altered lipid phenotype.

Acyltransferases↗

PubMed1999

The rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss interleukin-1 beta gene has a differ organization to mammals and undergoes incomplete splicing.

The rainbow trout interleukin (IL)-1 beta gene consists of six exons/five introns, in contrast to mammals which have seven exons/six introns. The missing exon appears to be at the 5' end of the gene, probably equivalent to exon 1 or 2 of mammals. Fewer and smaller introns make the trout IL-1 beta only half the size of mammalian IL-1 beta genes. Highest homology (> 60% amino acid similarity) is seen between exon 5 of trout and exon 6 of mammals. Reverse transcription-PCR analysis revealed two additional incompletely spliced variants of the trout IL-1 beta gene, containing intron 5 or introns 4 and 5. All three transcripts are detectable in gill, kidney, liver and spleen tissue from bacterially challenged fish but only the fully spliced transcript is detectable in blood. Northern blot analysis revealed that the latter transcript is also induced following stimulation of kidney leucocytes with lipopolysaccharide for 4 h. A second inducible transcript is also detected but is larger (approximately 3 kb) than any of the above, suggesting that it could be from a second gene. Southern blot analysis also suggests at least two copies of the IL-1 beta gene or genes related to the 3' end of the IL-1 beta sequence, are present in trout.

Alternative Splicing↗

PubMed1999

Inactivation of duck hepatitis B virus by a hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization system: laboratory and 'in use' testing.

Human hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an important cause of nosocomial infections and can be transmitted by contaminated instruments. However, tests of the efficacy of sterilization of materials and equipment contaminated by HBV are difficult to perform because the virus cannot be cultured in the laboratory. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the capability of a low temperature, hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilizer (Sterrad, Advanced Sterilization Products, Irvine California,) to inactivate duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV). In laboratory efficacy studies using DHBV dried on to glass filter carriers and exposed to one-half of the hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization process, there was a 10(7) or greater decrease in the viral titer, with no infectivity detected on the carriers after treatment. In-use studies were performed using a laparoscope that was experimentally contaminated with DHBV to mimic the possible transmission of infection between successive patients. Following exposure to the hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization process no transmission of DHBV infection from the laparoscope occurred despite obvious visual soiling with blood (N = 8) while the transmission rate for the unprocessed laparoscope (positive control) was 100% (26/26), and that for instruments after a water wash was 63% (7/11). In conclusion the hydrogen gas plasma sterilization process completely inactivates DHBV a representative of the hepadna group of viruses.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Seroprevalence of markers for hepatitis B, C and G in male and female prisoners--NSW, 1996.

OBJECTIVES: 1. Establish the prevalence of markers for hepatitis B (HBV), C (HCV) and G (HGV) in a sample of male and female inmates. 2. Examine exposure to multiple viruses. 3. Compare risk factors for HGV infection with known risk factors for HBV and HCV. DESIGN: Cross-sectional random sample stratified by sex, age and Aboriginality. Inmates were screened for three hepatitis markers. Participants were 789 inmates (657 male, 132 female) in 27 correctional centres in New South Wales, 1996. RESULTS: Overall detection of each of the three screening markers was 35% for HBV, 39% for HCV and 10% for HGV. Exposure rates were higher in female prisoners than males. Increased rates of anti-HBc were observed in Aboriginal inmates compared with non-Aboriginals (54% cf. 27%); anti-HCV and HGV-RNA were comparable between the two groups (36% cf. 41% and 9% cf. 10%). Markers were significantly higher in female injecting drug users (IDU), particularly HCV (90% cf. 66%). Thirty-five per cent of inmates were unaware of their HCV status. For HBV, 72% did not self-report past or present exposure despite serological evidence to the contrary. The multivariate analysis identified Aboriginality, long-term injecting and injecting while in prison as risk factors for HBV. HCV risk factors were female sex, non-Aboriginality, institutionalisation and IDU-associated behaviours. For HGV, female sex and previous imprisonment were significant risk factors but IDU was not. CONCLUSIONS: Blood-borne hepatitis viruses are common in prison inmates, particularly females (HBV, HCV and HGV), Aboriginals (HBV) and IDU (HBV and HCV). Infection can be related to a number of risk factors, which appear similar for HBV and HCV, but distinct from HGV.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Suppression of mitogenesis and regulation of cell cycle traverse by resveratrol in cultured smooth muscle cells.

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene), a natural product derived from grapes, has been reported to exert a plethora of biological functions. Recent studies suggest that resveratrol could act as a cardioprotective agent by controlling the oxidation of low density lipoproteins, as well as the proliferation of endothelial cells. Since migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in the intima of susceptible vessels is also widely accepted as a requisite for atherogenesis, we investigated the effects of resveratrol on proliferation and cell cycle control of cultured smooth muscle cells. Results of these experiments are reported herein. Resveratrol reduces SMC proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, with 50-100 microM resveratrol resulting in 70-90% reduction of SMC proliferation induced by such diverse mitogens as serum, endothelin and PDGF. The anti-mitogenic effects of resveratrol are not mediated by the induction of apoptosis, but appear to relate to a G1-->S block in cell cycle traverse. These results give further support to the hypothesis that resveratrol holds promise as an anti-atherosclerotic agent.

Animals↗