Nationwide and long-term molecular epidemiologic studies of mumps viruses that circulated in Japan between 1986 and 2017.

In Japan, major mumps outbreaks still occur every 4-5 years because of low mumps vaccine coverage (30-40%) owing to the voluntary immunization program. Herein, to prepare for a regular immunization program, we aimed to reveal the nationwide and long-term molecular epidemiological trends of the mumps virus (MuV) in Japan. Additionally, we performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) using next-generation sequencing to assess results from conventional genotyping using MuV sequences of the small-hydrophobic (SH) gene.

Molecular evolution of the VP1, VP2, and VP3 genes in human rhinovirus species C.

Human rhinovirus species C (HRV-C) was recently discovered, and this virus has been associated with various acute respiratory illnesses (ARI). However, the molecular evolution of the major antigens of this virus, including VP1, VP2, and VP3, is unknown. Thus, we performed complete VP1, VP2, and VP3 gene analyses of 139 clinical HRV-C strains using RT-PCR with newly designed primer sets and next-generation sequencing.

Alteration in serum levels of inflammatory cytokines during parainfluenza virus type 1 infection in patients with severe multiple disabilities.

An epidemic of parainfluenza virus type 1 (PIV1) infection occurred in a hospital ward housing patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities. Twenty-three infected patients exhibited persistent high fever for 4-16 days and decreased lymphocyte counts. One-half of the symptomatic patients had increased blood monocyte counts and the other half progressed to bronchitis or pneumonia.

Epidemiology of virus-induced asthma exacerbations: with special reference to the role of human rhinovirus.

Viral respiratory infections may be associated with the virus-induced asthma in adults as well as children. Particularly, human rhinovirus is strongly suggested a major candidate for the associations of the virus-induced asthma. Thus, in this review, we reviewed and focused on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of virus-induced asthma with special reference on human rhinovirus.

Genetic analysis of human rhinovirus species A to C detected in patients with acute respiratory infection in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan 2011-2012.

We performed detailed genetic analysis of the VP4/VP2 coding region in human rhinovirus species A to C (HRV-ABC) strains detected in patients with a variety of acute respiratory infections in Kumamoto, Japan in the period 2011-12. The phylogenetic tree and evolutionary timescale were obtained by the Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo method. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the present HRV-A, -B, and -C strains belonged to 25, 4, and 18 genotypes, respectively.

Characteristics of human metapneumovirus infection prevailing in hospital wards housing patients with severe disabilities.

Epidemics of infectious diseases often occur at long-term inpatient facilities for patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities. However, the pathogens causing these infections remain unknown in approximately half of such epidemics. Two epidemics of respiratory tract infection occurred in 2 wards in the National Hospital Organization Ehime Hospital (prevalence 1, 34 infected out of 59 inpatients in the A ward in September 2011; prevalence 2, 8 infected out of 58 inpatients in the B ward in June 2012).

Genetic analysis of the VP4/VP2 coding region in human rhinovirus species C in patients with acute respiratory infection in Japan.

Detailed genetic analysis was carried out of the VP4/VP2 coding region in human rhinovirus species C (HRV-C) strains detected in patients with acute respiratory infection in Japan. Phylogenetic trees were constructed by the neighbour-joining (NJ) and maximum-likelihood (ML) methods. The NJ phylogenetic tree assigned 11 genotypes to the present strains, whilst the ML tree showed that the strains diversified sometime in the early 1870 s.

A confirmation of sapovirus re-infection gastroenteritis cases with different genogroups and genetic shifts in the evolving sapovirus genotypes, 2002-2011.

Sapovirus (SaV) is an important pathogen that causes acute gastroenteritis in humans. Human SaV is highly diverse genetically and is classified into multiple genogroups and genotypes. At present, there is no clear evidence for gastroenteritis cases caused by re-infection with SaV.

Molecular epidemiology of the attachment glycoprotein (G) gene in respiratory syncytial virus in children with acute respiratory infection in Japan in 2009/2010.

This study performed a detailed genetic analysis of the glycoprotein (G) gene of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) detected in 50 Japanese children with acute respiratory infection (ARI) in the 2009/2010 season. A phylogenetic tree constructed by the neighbour-joining method showed that 34 and 16 of the RSV strains could be classified into subgroups A and B, respectively. Strains belonging to subgroups A and B were further subdivided into GA2 and BA, respectively.

Tomatidine, a tomato sapogenol, ameliorates hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in apoE-deficient mice by inhibiting acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyl-transferase (ACAT).

It was previously revealed that esculeoside A, a new glycoalkaloid, and esculeogenin A, a new aglycon of esculeoside A, contained in ripe tomato ameliorate atherosclerosis in apoE-deficent mice. This study examined whether tomatidine, the aglycone of tomatine, which is a major tomato glycoalkaloid, also shows similar inhibitory effects on cholesterol ester (CE) accumulation in human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDM) and atherogenesis in apoE-deficient mice. Tomatidine significantly inhibited the CE accumulation induced by acetylated LDL in HMDM in a dose-dependent manner.

Natural compounds containing a catechol group enhance the formation of Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine of the Maillard reaction.

Inhibition of advanced glycation end-product (AGE) formation is a potential strategy for the prevention of clinical diabetes complications. Screening for new AGE inhibitors revealed several natural compounds that inhibited the formation of N(ε)-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML), a major antigenic AGE structure, whereas natural compounds containing a catechol group, such as gallic acid and epicatechin, significantly enhanced CML formation. A similar enhancing effect was also observed by culturing THP-1 macrophages in the presence of catechol compounds.

Astragalosides isolated from the root of astragalus radix inhibit the formation of advanced glycation end products.

Because advanced glycation end product (AGE) inhibitors such as pyridoxamine significantly inhibit the development of retinopathy and neuropathy in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat, treatment with AGE inhibitors is believed to be a potential strategy for the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetic complications. A crude extract of Astragali Radix (AR; roots of Astragalus membranaceus ) inhibits the formation of N(epsilon)-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) and pentosidine during the incubation of bovine serum albumin with ribose. In the present study, compounds were isolated from AR that prevented CML and pentosidine formation.

New C(28) steroidal glycosides from Tubocapsicum anomalum.

Two new C(28) steroidal glycosides, tuboanosides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the fruit of Tubocapsicum anomalum MAKINO. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction analysis of the p-bromobenzoyl derivative (4) of tuboanosigenin (3), the sapogenol derivative of these two glycosides. Tuboanosides have the structural peculiarity of an unusual side chain carrying an unusual linkage with a C-21 bound to C-25 on the lactone ring.

Three new acyclic diterpene glycosides from the aerial parts of paprika and pimiento.

Paprika and pimiento are used as vegetables and spices. We have obtained three new acyclic diterpene glycosides, called capsianosides XVII (1), V methyl ester (2) and XIV (3) together with capsianosides I and II from the aerial parts of paprika and pimiento. The structures of these compounds have been established by (1)H- and (13)C-NMR spectra and two-dimensional NMR methods.

Some natural compounds enhance N epsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine formation.

Since pyridoxamine, which traps intermediates in the Maillard reaction and lipid peroxidation reaction, significantly inhibits the development of retinopathy and neuropathy in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat, treatment with advanced glycation end product inhibitors and antioxidants may be a potential strategy for the prevention of clinical diabetic complications. However, the paradoxical effect of green tea has been reported; although plasma hydroperoxide levels were ameliorated, the level of N epsilon-(carboxyethyl)lysine (CML) in tendon and plasma was increased by the oral administration of green tea to diabetic rats. In the present study, we measured the effect of natural compounds on CML formation by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Esculeogenin A, a new tomato sapogenol, ameliorates hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in ApoE-deficient mice by inhibiting ACAT.

Objective: We recently identified esculeoside A, a new spirosolane-type glycoside, with a content in tomatoes that is 4-fold higher than that of lycopene. In the present study, we examined the effects of esculeoside A and esculeogenin A, a new aglycon of esculeoside A, on foam cell formation in vitro and atherogenesis in apoE-deficient mice.

Methods And Results: Esculeogenin A significantly inhibited the accumulation of cholesterol ester (CE) induced by acetylated low density lipoprotein (acetyl-LDL) in human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDM) in a dose-dependent manner without inhibiting triglyceride accumulation, however, it did not inhibit the association of acetyl-LDL to the cells.

Acyclic diterpene glycosides, capsianosides C, D, E, F and III, from the fruits of hot red pepper Capsicum annuum L. used in Kimchi and their revised structures.

Acyclic diterpene glycosides, named capsianosides I', II, III (1), C (2), D (3), E (4) and F (5), have been isolated from the dried hot red pepper fruits of Capsicum annuum L. used in Kimchi. The structures of these compounds have been revised in the sugar connectivities by 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic and chemical methods.

New C(28) steroidal glycosides from Tubocapsicum anomalum.

Three new C(28) steroidal glycosides, isotubocaposides A (1), B (2), and C (3), were isolated from the fruits of Tubocapsicum anomalum MAKINO. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction analysis of p-bromobenzoyl derivative (5) of isotubocaposigenin (4), the sapogenol derivative of these three glycosides. Isotubocaposides have the structural peculiarity of an unusual side chain carrying a C-21 bound to C-24 on the lactone ring.

Acyclic diterpene glycosides, capsianosides VIII, IX, X, XIII, XV and XVI from the fruits of Paprika Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum BAILEY and Jalapeño Capsicum annuum L. var. annuum.

Paprika and Jalapeño are used as vegetables and spices. We have obtained six new acyclic diterpene glycosides, called capsianosides XIII (2), XV (3), IX (4), XVI (5), X (6) and VIII (7) together with known capsianoside II (1) from the fruits of the Paprika and Jalapeño. The structures of these compounds have been elucidated by the (1)H- and (13)C-NMR spectra and two-dimensional NMR methods.