Role of calcium/calmodulin signaling pathway in Vibrio vulnificus cytolysin-induced hyperpermeability.

Endothelial hyperpermeability, a hallmark of septicemia, is induced by stress fiber formation, which is primarily regulated by the calcium/calmodulin signaling pathway in endothelial cells. We previously reported that trifluoperazine, a calcium/calmodulin antagonist, blocks Vibrio vulnificus cytolysin (VVC) -induced lethality at in vivo animal model. The object of this study was therefore to examine whether VVC induces stress fiber formation through calcium/calmodulin signaling in endothelial cells. Here, we monitored calcium-influx after treatment of VVC using confocal microscopy in CPAE cells, pulmonary endothelial cell line. Interestingly, we found that VVC-induced dose-dependently increases of [Ca(2+)](i) in CPAE cells. Moreover, VVC-induced stress fiber formation as well as phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC) in a dose- and time-dependent manner, which was completely blocked by trifluoperazine. These results suggest that the calcium/calmodulin signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in VVC-induced hyperpermeability.

Epigallocatechin gallate prevents autoimmune diabetes induced by multiple low doses of streptozotocin in mice.

Cytokines produced by immune cells infiltrating pancreatic islets have been incriminated as important mediators of beta-cell destruction in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. In non insulin-dependent diabetes, cytokines are also associated with impaired beta-cell function in high glucose condition. By the screening of various natural products blocking beta-cell destruction, we have recently found that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) can prevent the in vitro destruction of RINm5F cell, an insulinoma cell line, that is induced by cytokines. In that study we suggested that EGCG could prevent cytokine-induced beta-cell destruction by down-regulation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) through inhibition of NF-kappaB activation. Here, to verify the in vivo antidiabetogenic effect of EGCG, we examined the possibility that EGCG could also prevent the experimental autoimmune diabetes induced by the treatment of multiple low doses of streptozotocin (MLD-STZ), which is recognized as an inducer of type I autoimmune diabetes. Administration of EGCG (100 mg/day/kg for 10 days) during the MLD-STZ induction of diabetes reduced the increase of blood glucose levels caused by MLD-STZ. Ex vivo analysis of beta-islets showed that EGCG downregulates the MLD-STZ-induced expression of inducible NOS (iNOS). In addition, morphological examination showed that EGCG treatment ameliorated the decrease of islet mass induced by MLD-STZ. In combination these results suggest that EGCG could prevent the onset of MLD-STZ-induced diabetes by protecting pancreatic islets. Our results therefore revealed the possible therapeutic value of EGCG for the prevention of diabetes mellitus progression.

Introduction to Distribution and Ecology of Sterile Conks of Inonotus obliquus.

Inonotus obliquus is a fungus that causes white heart rot on several broad-leaved species. This fungus forms typical charcoal-black, sterile conks (chaga) or cinder conks on infected stems of the birche (Betula spp). The dark brown pulp of the sterile conk is formed by a pure mycelial mass of fungus. Chaga are a folk remedy in Russia, reflecting the circumboreal distribution of I. obliquus in boreal forest ecosystems on Betula spp. and in meridional mountain forests on beech (Fagus spp.) in Russia, Scandinavia, Central Europe, and Eastern Europe. Distribution at lower latitudes in Western and Southern Europe, Northern America, Asia, Japan, and Korea is rare. Infected trees grow for many years without several symptoms of decline. The infection can penetrate through stem injuries with exterior sterile conks developing later. In the Czech Republic, cinder conk is found on birches inhabiting peat bogs and in mountain areas with a colder and more humid climate, although it is widespread in other broad leaved species over the Czech Republic. The most common hosts are B. pendula, B. pubescens, B. carpatica, and F. sylvatica. Less frequent hosts include Acer campestre, Acer pseudoplatanus, Alnus glutinosa, Alnus incana, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus cerris, Q. petraea, Q. robur, Q. delachampii, and Ulmus sp.

Chemical Components of Paecilomyces tenuipes (Peck) Samson.

The caterpillar-shaped Chinese medicinal mushroom (DongChongXiaCao) looks like a worm in the winter and like a grass in the summer. The fruiting body has been regarded as popular folk or effective medicines used to treat human diseases such as asthma, bronchial and lung inflammation, and kidney disease. The fruiting bodies of Paecilomyces tenuipes that formed on the living silkworm (Bombyx mori) host were used in this examination. This study was carried out to investigate the proximate composition, soluble sugar, amino acid and fatty acid profiles, and contents of the bioactive ingredient including adenosine and D-mannitol in the fruiting-bodies. The moisture content was 57.56%. Soluble sugars found were glycerol, glucose, mannitol and sucrose, and the contents exceeded 24 mgg(-1)dry weight. Total free amino acid content was 17.09 mg g(-1)dry weight. Arginine, glycine, proline and tyrosine were main amino acids. The content of oleic acid in fatty acids was high. Adenosine was more abundant in fruiting bodies than corpus.

Seed Germination of Gastrodia elata Using Symbiotic Fungi, Mycena osmundicola.

The germination rate and longevity of seeds of Gastrodia elata Blume have been observed for 48 weeks using Mycena osmundicola strain H-21, one of fungi stimulating seed germination. Storage condition of post-harvest seeds was observed in the different temperature ranges of -30℃, -5℃, 5℃ and 30℃ for 48 weeks. After storage period of 48 weeks, the germination rate of G. elata was 65.7% at 5℃ and 71.6% at -5℃, respectively. Although the germination rate of G. elata was 77.3% for 11 weeks at 25℃, the germination rate had been decreased gradually to 49.3% at 13 weeks, 0.3% at 23 weeks and then 0% at 25 weeks. The germination rate was reached to the level of 10% for 2 weeks at -30℃ and then decreased to 0%.