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Inhibition of the protease activity of the light chain of type A botulinum neurotoxin by aqueous extract from stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) leaf.

We investigated the inhibitory effect of stinging nettle leaf extract on the protease activity of botulinum neurotoxin type A and B light chains. The nettle leaf infusion was fractionated and HPLC-based enzymatic assays were performed to determine the capacity of each fraction to inhibit the protease activity of botulinum neurotoxin type A and B light chains. Assay results demonstrated that a water-soluble fraction obtained from the nettle leaf infusion inhibited type A, but did not inhibit type B light chain protease activity. The inhibition mode of water soluble fraction against protease activity of type A light chain was analyzed and found to be a non-competitive.

Botulinum Toxins, Type A↗

'Sting' procedure in the treatment of secondary reflux in children.

The authors present their experience (24 children) with the endoscopic subureteral injection of Teflon paste in the correction of secondary vesicoureteral reflux: reimplantation failure; ureterocele; obstructive bladder; exstrophy; postchemocystitis, and Hutch's diverticulum. Of these 24 cases (31 refluxing ureters), 18 were treated with success. Each cause justifies a comment on the particularities of its endoscopic treatment. The 'sting' can be particularly attractive to cure secondary reflux, avoiding the difficulties and complications of open surgical reimplantation.

Child↗

First successful case of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer with venom immunotherapy for hymenoptera sting allergy.

BACKGROUND: To describe immune and endocrine responses in severe hymenoptera hypersensitivity requiring venom immunotherapy (VIT) during in vitro fertilization (IVF). CASE PRESENTATION: A 39-year old patient was referred for history of multiple miscarriage and a history of insect sting allergy. Four years earlier, she began subcutaneous injection of 100 mcg mixed vespid hymenoptera venom/venom protein every 5-6 weeks. The patient had one livebirth and three first trimester miscarriages. Allergy treatment was maintained for all pregnancies ending in miscarriage, although allergy therapy was discontinued for the pregnancy that resulted in delivery. At our institution ovulation induction incorporated venom immunotherapy (VIT) during IVF, with a reduced VIT dose when pregnancy was first identified. Serum IgE was monitored with estradiol during ovulation induction and early pregnancy. Response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation was favorable while VIT was continued, with retrieval of 12 oocytes. Serum RAST (yellow jacket) IgE levels fluctuated in a nonlinear fashion (range 36-54%) during gonadotropin therapy and declined after hCG administration. A healthy female infant was delivered at 35 weeks gestation. The patient experienced no untoward effects from any medications during therapy. CONCLUSION: Our case confirms the safety of VIT in pregnancy, and demonstrates RAST IgE can remain <60% during IVF. With proper monitoring, VIT during IVF can be safe and appropriate for selected patients and does not appear to adversely affect blastocyst implantation, early embryo development or perinatal outcome. Further studies will be needed to develop VIT guidelines specifically applicable to IVF.

Journal Article↗

Comparing cost per use of 3M Cavilon No Sting Barrier Film with zinc oxide oil in incontinent patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study compares the total cost of treatment, skin-condition management and prevention of skin breakdown of perianal/buttock skin in incontinent patients receiving 3M Cavilon No Sting Barrier Film (Cavilon NSBF) and zinc oxide oil. METHOD: This single-centre open-label prospective randomised study involved 40 patients with at least moderate skin damage resulting from incontinence. Patients were randomised to receive either zinc oxide oil or Cavilon NSBF and were treated for 14 days. The study products and other treatment-related products used were recorded, as was the time needed to cleanse the application site and apply the product. RESULTS: Use of both products resulted in an improvement in skin condition after 14 days, but this was significantly better with Cavilon NSBF than zinc oxide oil. Cavilon NSBF was more cost-effective as fewer applications were required, less time was spent applying the skin barrier product and faster healing rates were achieved. The cost-effectiveness ratio per treatment group showed an improvement of one point in the total score of the skin-assessment scale costs: 28.36 Euro for Cavilon NSBF versus 98.06 Euro for zinc oxide oil. CONCLUSION: Both products resulted in an improvement in skin condition after 14 days, but Cavilon NSBF was found to be more cost-effective. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: This study was supported by an educational grant from 3M.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Antiproliferative effect of a polysaccharide fraction of a 20% methanolic extract of stinging nettle roots upon epithelial cells of the human prostate (LNCaP).

In Germany, plant extracts are often used in the treatment of early stages of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). The effects of different concentrations of the polysaccharide fraction of the 20% methanolic extract of stinging nettle roots (POLY-M) on the cellular proliferation of lymph node carcinoma of the prostate (LNCaP) cells were determined by measurement of the genomic DNA content of the samples. All concentrations of POLY-M showed an inhibitory effect on the growth of the LNCaP cells during 7 days except the two lowest concentrations. The reduced proliferation of POLY-M treated LNCaP cells was significantly (p < 0.05) different from the untreated control. The inhibition was time- and concentration-dependent with the maximum suppression (50%) on day 6 and at concentrations of 1.0E-9 and 1.0E-11 mg/ml. No cytotoxic effect of POLY-M on cell proliferation was observed. The in vitro results show for the first time an antiproliferative effect of Urtica compounds on human prostatic epithelium and confirm our previous in vivo findings.

Antigens, Surface↗

Antirheumatic effect of IDS 23, a stinging nettle leaf extract, on in vitro expression of T helper cytokines.

OBJECTIVE: Stinging nettle leaf extracts are registered in Germany for adjuvant therapy of rheumatic diseases. In a whole blood culture system the nettle extract IDS 23 (Rheuma-Hek) inhibited lipopolysaccharide stimulated monocyte cytokine expression, indicating an immunomodulating effect. We investigated the immunomodulating effects of IDS 23 on phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in vitro. METHODS: Using commercial immunoassays the distinct cytokine patterns of Th1 and Th2 cells were determined. Interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) mRNA expression was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with PHA stimulated PBMC. RESULTS: IDS 23 inhibited PHA stimulated production of Th1-specific IL-2 and IFN-gamma in PBMC culture (n = 10) in a dose dependent manner up to 50+/-32% and 77+/-14%, respectively. In contrast, IDS 23 stimulated the secretion of Th2-specific IL-4. The dose dependent inhibiting effect on IL-2 and IFN-gamma expression was also detected with RT-PCR, while the amount of actin-specific mRNA transcript was not modified by IDS 23. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest the effective ingredient of IDS 23 acts by mediating a switch in T helper cell derived cytokine patterns. IDS 23 may inhibit the inflammatory cascade in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

Antirheumatic Agents↗

Immunosuppressant effect of IDS 30, a stinging nettle leaf extract, on myeloid dendritic cells in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: Dendritic cells are important antigen presenting cells that play a role in the initiation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The stinging nettle leaf extract IDS 30 (Hox alpha) has been recommended for adjuvant therapy of rheumatic diseases. We investigated the immunomodulating effect of IDS 30 extract on the maturation of hematopoietic dendritic cells. METHODS: Human dendritic cells were generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells cultured in granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor and interleukin 4 (IL-4). Dendritic cell maturation was induced by keyhole limped hemocyanin (KLH). Dendritic cell phenotype was characterized by flow cytometric analysis; dendritic cell cytokine production was measured by ELISA. The ability of dendritic cells to activate naive autologous T cells was evaluated by mixed leukocyte reaction. RESULTS: IDS 30 prevented the maturation of dendritic cells, but did not affect their viability. IDS 30 reduced the expression of CD83 and CD86. It increased the expression of chemokine receptor 5 and CD36 in a dose dependent manner. The secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha was reduced. Application of IDS 30 to dendritic cells in culture caused a high endocytosis of dextran and a low capacity to stimulate T cell proliferation. CONCLUSION: Our in vitro results showed the suppressive effect of IDS 30 on the maturation of human myeloid dendritic cells, leading to reduced induction of primary T cell responses. This may contribute to the therapeutic effect of IDS 30 on T cell mediated inflammatory diseases like RA.

Antigens, CD↗

The gene for stinging nettle lectin (Urtica dioica agglutinin) encodes both a lectin and a chitinase.

Chitin-binding proteins are present in a wide range of plant species, including both monocots and dicots, even though these plants contain no chitin. To investigate the relationship between in vitro antifungal and insecticidal activities of chitin-binding proteins and their unknown endogenous functions, the stinging nettle lectin (Urtica dioica agglutinin, UDA) cDNA was cloned using a synthetic gene as the probe. The nettle lectin cDNA clone contained an open reading frame encoding 374 amino acids. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence revealed a 21-amino acid putative signal sequence and the 86 amino acids encoding the two chitin-binding domains of nettle lectin. These domains were fused to a 19-amino acid "spacer" domain and a 244-amino acid carboxyl extension with partial identity to a chitinase catalytic domain. The authenticity of the cDNA clone was confirmed by deduced amino acid sequence identity with sequence data obtained from tryptic digests, RNA gel blot, and polymerase chain reaction analyses. RNA gel blot analysis also showed the nettle lectin message was present primarily in rhizomes and inflorescence (with immature seeds) but not in leaves or stems. Chitinase enzymatic activity was found when the chitinase-like domain alone or the chitinase-like domain with the chitin-binding domains were expressed in Escherichia coli. This is the first example of a chitin-binding protein with both a duplication of the 43-amino acid chitin-binding domain and a fusion of the chitin-binding domains to a structurally unrelated domain, the chitinase domain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Exploring the sting.

Stinging on insertion has been reported by hydrogel lens wearers after use of the AOsept system. The authors investigated the pH of AOsept and various salines used in conjunction with AOsept to determine if there were differences. A significant range (6.57-7.25) was found in the various solutions. The authors recommend the use of a sterile buffered saline as a morning soak for patients using the AOsept system.

Contact Lenses↗

[The small halophilic zygopteric odonate, Mortonagrion hirosei, of central Japan, a predator utilizable against tiny stinging diptera of coastal salt marshes, especially Ceratopogonidae of the genera Culicoides and Oecacta, pests of sea shores in southwestern U.S.A. and Caribbean area].

Among stinging diptera pullulating in coastal salt marshes Ceratopogonidae gnats (mainly of genus Culicoides and Oecacta) are especially troublesome, particularly in Southeastern U. S. A. and Caribbean area, escaping attacks of most predators by their tiny size. But the zygopteric odonate insect Mortonagrion hirosei is well fitted for hunting those minute diptera, by its tiny size and its behaviour, seeking shelter between halophilic plants (2 facts explaining that it was not discovered in central Japan before 1971...). Its larvae, living in brackish waters of coastal lagoons, can devour those of Ceratopogonidae and at least young stages of those of Mosquitoes whose some halophilic species are dangerous vectors of diseases. According to similarity of climates M. hirosei can certainly thrive in Southeastern U. S. A., and probably in Southern Europe. At lower latitudes problems for completion of annual cycle could perhaps arise from lack of hivernal cooling. It is necessary to make at the world scale methodical researches for other species of zygopteric odonates of similar ecology which could exist in other countries, both for avoiding harmful competition of introduced M. hirosei with native species still unknown and for fulfilling the same ecological function in areas of climate no suitable for this Japanese insect. Introduction of M. hirosei in new geographic areas would be very useful, too, for protection of this interesting species threatened by human activities in its natural biotopes, made of discontinuous and rather little areas.

Animals↗

Honey bee venom specific immunoglobulin G4 in honey bee sting allergic patients and bee keepers.

Honey bee venom (HBV) IgG4 antibody was studied in bee keepers and honey bee sting allergic patients on immunotherapy using mouse monoclonal anti-human IgG4 antibody in a modified microtiter solid phase radioimmunoassay (MSPIRA). The mean HBV IgG4 in bee keepers was 31 units/ml. In patients the mean HBV IgG4 pre- and post-immunotherapy were 2.9 and 11.6 units/ml, respectively, representing a mean rise of 7.3-fold as compared to a rise of 1.6-fold for total HBV IgG. The mean HBV IgG level in bee keepers was 14 micrograms/ml which was not significantly different from the mean level of 17 micrograms/ml in allergic patients at diagnosis. The percentage interference of HBV IgE detection in vitro correlated with HBV IgG but not with HBV IgG4. On the other hand, there was an inverse relationship between serum HBV IgE and HBV IgG4 levels while none was found for HBV IgE and IgG.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗

Insect-sting allergy in Israel: immunotherapy with pure venoms.

Demographic, atopic and other clinical characteristics of 25 patients with insect-sting allergy are reported. All patients were skin tested by pure venoms (PVs) or whole body extracts obtained from bees and several vespids. PVs were found to be extremely useful and highly superior to whole body extracts in the diagnosis of insect allergy. Immunotherapy was indicated in 15 patients, 12 of whom completed a 12-wk PV desensitization course. Immunization was associated with minimal side effects and proved to be highly effective against a live-insect challenge.

Adolescent↗

Vibrio in stinging seaweed: potential infection.

Toxic strains of the finely filamentous, velvety, dark-olive green to black algal organism, Microcolus Lyngbyaceus, (formerly Lyngbya majuscula Gomont, or "lyngbya") have been recognized as etiologic agent of "stinging seaweed" dermatitis (one of several forms of "swimmer's itch") in Hawaii since the late 1950s as reviewed. Lymphadenopathy, pustular folliculitus, and local infections have been reported in some persons.

Cyanobacteria↗