Synergistic anti-influenza virus A (H1N1) activities of PM-523 (polyoxometalate) and ribavirin in vitro and in vivo

A Kegin-type polyoxometalate, PM-523, in combination with ribavirin, was tested for its therapeutic effectiveness against influenza virus (FluV) A (H1N1) infection in tissue culture and in mice. PM-523 [(PriNH3)6H [PTi2W10O38(O2)2] x H2O, where Pri is isopropanol] and ribavirin individually inhibited FluV A-induced cytopathic effects in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells at median effective concentrations (EC50s) of 30 and 34 microM, respectively, and at 70% effective concentrations (EC70s) of 48 and 72 microM, respectively. On the other hand, a combination of PM-523 and ribavirin at a ratio of 1:16 exhibited lower EC50s and EC70s than each compound used singly, and combination indices were less than 1. A wide range of combinations of PM-523 and ribavirin at ratios of from 1:128 to 1:1 exhibited additive or synergistic anti-FluV effects in MDCK cells. When these compounds were tested for their anti-FluV A activities in vivo by aerosol exposure of mice which had been infected with a lethal dose of FluV A by an intranasal route, a 1:16 combination of PM-523 and ribavirin was found to have a significantly better therapeutic effect than a single dose of either compound used singly with respect to both the survival rate of the mice and the virus titer in the lungs of the infected mice. PM-523 was effective for the treatment of experimental FluV infection, and in combination with ribavirin, PM-523 exhibited enhanced anti-FluV effects in vitro and in vivo compared with the effect of PM-523 alone.     

Effect of ribavirin on subacute sclerosing panencephalitis virus infections in hamsters

The antiviral activity of ribavirin was studied in hamsters infected with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) virus. Ribavirn did not improve the survival of infected hamsters when administered intraperitoneally at the maximal nonlethal dose of 50 mg/kg/day for 10 days. However, when administered intracranially, ribavirin improved the survival of infected hamsters in a dose-dependent manner. The 50% effective dose was calculated to be 1.4 mg/kg/day, and the selectivity index, based on the ratio of the 50% lethally toxic dose (31 mg/kg/day) to the 50% effective dose, was 22. When begun 12 h, but not 36 h, postinfection, ribavirin at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day completely prevented mortality and inhibited the replication of SSPE virus in brains of infected hamsters. Intrathecal or intraventricular administration of ribavirin should be explored for potential use in the treatment of patients with SSPE.     

Enhanced and Engineered d0 Ferromagnetism in Molecularly‐Thin Zinc Oxide Nanosheets

Molecularly‐thin nanosheets are ultimate two‐dimensional (2D) nanomaterials potentially giving unusual physical and chemical properties due to the strong 2D quantum and surface effects. Here, it is demonstrated that 1.5‐nm‐thick ZnO nanosheets exhibit greatly enhanced room‐temperature ferromagnetism. Saturation magnetization value of the nanosheets with intercalated dodecyl sulfate layers is approximately 100 times that of ZnO mesocrystals. Anion exchange with dodecyl phosphate layers strongly suppresses ferromagnetic ordering as a result of surface defect passivation while maintaining bulk‐like n‐type semiconducting properties, which reveals significance of interfacial states to engineer functional properties of nanosheet‐based hybrid materials.     

Effect of a curved duct upstream on performance of small centrifugal compressors for automobile turbochargers

Since the automobile turbochargers are installed in an engine compartment with limited space, the ducts upstream of the turbocharger compressor may be curved in a complex manner. In the present paper, the effect of a curved duct upstream on performance of small centrifugal compressors for automobile turbochargers is discussed. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of a turbocharger compressor validated for the compressor model with the straight pipe applied to the compressor with the curved pipe are executed, and the deterioration of the performance for the curved pipe is confirmed. It is also found that the deterioration of compressor performance is caused by the interaction of the secondary flow and the impeller.     

The correlation between changes in EEG and eye movement (EOG) accompanied by lowered arousal level

We investigated the correlation between the components of spontaneous eye movement (EOG) and EEG in six healthy individuals. The study was conducted in three periods; from the resting to drowsy stage, from the drowsy to spontaneous awakening stage, and in the forced waking stage. EEG, as registered from bipolar electrodes attached between the left parietal region (P3) and the left occipital region (O1), was monitored continuously by the FFT method with a segment of 12.8 seconds. Rapid eye movement and slow eye movement were observed simultaneously. In conclusion, even when the arousal level varies considerably, there is a close correlation between frequency of rapid eye movement and EEG patterns of 10.16 integral of 10.94 Hz & 17.97 integral of 19.53 Hz (simple correlation p < 0.01). Additionally, during the forced waking period (after stage 2), delta and theta bands increased in cases along with sleepiness. Even if the depth of sleep was the same, one's mood upon awakening was determined by the frequency of slow waves before awakening.     

Differences in response of patient's blood cells with bronchial asthma to diverse house dust mite allergens by histamine release assay

A HPLC method was developed for the determination of histamine released from washed blood cells of allergic patients after exposure to allergens in the presence or absence of plasma. The blood cells used were preserved in a vital state at 4 degrees C during at least 6 hours after blood-collecting. The responses of blood cells to an appropriately diluted series of a mite feces extract (Dff) solution were evaluated in three patient's groups (68 cases of hyposensitized, 59 cases of newly visited and 44 cases of the others) with bronchial asthma. Washed blood cells from the hyposensitized groups had a tendency to release histamine easily even with lower concentration of the Dff solution. Both the sensitivities of washed blood cells to Dff or mite body extract (Dfb) and the responses of the cells to diverse antigens in neither extract differed largely in individual cases. The titer of blocking antibody could be expressed as the amount proportional to the concentration of Dff or Dfb.     

Analysis of mutations in the thymidine kinase gene of varicella zoster virus associated with resistance to 5-iodo-2''-deoxyuridine and 5-bromo-2''-deoxyuridine

The activity of monoamine oxidase (MAO) and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH), enzymes involved in monoamine metabolism, were studied in 29 bipolar patients (mean age = 33.12 years, SD = 7.27) who were treated with lithium carbonate and in 20 healthy volunteers (mean age = 30.05 years, SD = 6.04). Platelet MAO activity was higher after lithium withdrawal, whereas plasma DBH activity was lower in remitted euthymic bipolar patients compared with normal volunteers. During lithium treatment, platelet MAO activity decreased and plasma DBH activity increased compared with the lithium-withdrawal values. It was also observed that the activities of these enzymes in the bipolar patients during lithium treatment did not differ from those in the volunteers. Thus, platelet MAO and plasma DBH activities differed in unmedicated patients with bipolar affective disorder from those of healthy subjects. Treatment with lithium appeared to have a normalizing effect on MAO and DBH activity levels.     

Significance of fructose-induced protein oxidation and formation of advanced glycation end product

Resolution of lesions and subsequent protection against ringworm is primarily associated with the development of a cell-mediated immune (CMI) response, in which stimulation of Type-1 lymphocytes and cytokines such as interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-12 and interferon gamma are significant. Type-2 lymphocyte activation and antibody formation seem a feature of chronic disease states, rather than protection, and are antagonistic to a Type-1 cell response. Initial studies on ringworm vaccines should be directed at identifying and characterizing dermatophyte antigens elaborated during spore germination and early hyphal growth, and the method of their presentation which best potentiates Type-1 cell-associated events, and primes the recipient for a subsequent CMI response.     

Fever after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for patients with upper urinary tract calculi associated with bacteriuria before treatment

Twenty five patients with vesicovaginal fistulae were managed at St. Gaspar Hospital, Itigi, Tanzania between February 1993 and March 1994. Most of them, 92% were repaired vaginally routinely using the Martius labial flap and 8% were repaired transabdominally because the fistulae were inaccessible vaginally as they were vesicouterine or vesicocervical fistulae. The success rate was 96% after the first operative attempt.