Extra-lysosomal localization of arylsulfatase B in human colonic epithelium.

The enzyme arylsulfatase B (N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulfatase; ARSB; ASB) removes 4-sulfate groups from the sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG) chondroitin-4-sulfate (C4S) and dermatan sulfate (DS). Inborn deficiency of ARSB leads to the lysosomal storage disease mucopolysaccharidosis VI, characterized by accumulation of sGAG in vital organs, disruption of normal physiological processes, severe morbidity, and premature death. Recent published work demonstrated extra-lysosomal localization with nuclear and cell membrane ARSB observed in bronchial and colonic epithelial cells, cerebrovascular cells, and hepatic cells.

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) for the mitigation of menopausal symptoms: recent developments in clinical safety and efficacy.

The purpose of this article is to assess recent data supporting the safety and efficacy of black cohosh products for the mitigation of menopause-related symptoms. Searches of the published literature in Napralert, Cochrane Library and PubMed databases were performed from 2003 to 2006. Information from drug regulatory agencies from five different countries was obtained to evaluate safety.

Expression of nectin-1 in normal and herpes simplex virus type 1-infected murine brain.

Nectin-1 is an adherens junction protein that serves as an entry receptor for neurotropic herpes simplex virus (HSV). The expression of nectin-1 in the central nervous system (CNS) has not been well defined. Furthermore, it is not known whether HSV infection has an effect on nectin-1 expression in the brain.

Herpes simplex virus entry receptor nectin-1 is widely expressed in the murine eye.

Purpose: Nectin-1 belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily, mediates cell-cell adhesion in cadherin-based adherens junctions, and acts as a receptor for herpes simplex virus (HSV). The goals of this study were (1) to determine whether nectin-1 is expressed in ocular tissue that is an important target of HSV infections and (2) to determine whether HSV type 1 (HSV-1) infection affects nectin-1 expression in the eye.

Methods: Expression of nectin-1 and HSV-1 protein was determined by immunohistochemical analysis of ocular tissues of untreated BALB/c mice and mice that were euthanized either 7 days or 7 months after corneal inoculation of HSV-1 or sterile tissue-culture medium (mock).

Infection with chronic hepatitis C virus and liver transplantation: a role for interferon therapy before transplantation.

An analysis of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Liver Transplant Registry data shows that the greater the viral load at the time of transplantation, the more rapidly clinically evident posttransplantation hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease recurs. These data suggest that aggressive pretransplantation treatment of HCV might delay recurrent posttransplantation HCV disease and enhance posttransplantation survival. We have taken an aggressive approach to treating HCV infection pretransplantation with the use of high-dose (5 MU) daily interferon alpha(2b) in an effort to clear the virus before transplantation.