Steroid-responsive multifocal motor neuropathy with cranial manifestations - a case report.

The typical presentation of multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) is progressive asymmetric limb weakness. Cranial neuropathy is rare. We report a 28-year-old woman with cranial and bulbar palsies but with typical electrophysiological features of MMN by multifocal motor conduction blocks and serological markers of anti-ganglioside GM1 antibodies.

Effect of hot water extracts of Arthrospira maxima (spirulina) against respiratory syncytial virus.

Background: Spirulina (Arthrospira maxima) hot water extracts such as calcium spirulan (Ca-SP) have demonstrated antiviral effects against herpes simplex virus (HSV), human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), and influenza virus infections. There is no prior evidence suggesting the anti-viral activity of the spirulina hot water extract against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Purpose: There are currently no effective antivirals available to treat RSV infection.

Learning Continuous-Time Dynamics With Attention.

Learning the hidden dynamics from sequence data is crucial. Attention mechanism can be introduced to spotlight on the region of interest for sequential learning. Traditional attention was measured between a query and a sequence based on a discrete-time state trajectory.

Novel Role for miR-1290 in Host Species Specificity of Influenza A Virus.

The role of microRNA (miRNA) in influenza A virus (IAV) host species specificity is not well understood as yet. Here, we show that a host miRNA, miR-1290, is induced through the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway upon IAV infection and is associated with increased viral titers in human cells and ferret animal models. miR-1290 was observed to target and reduce expression of the host vimentin gene.

Population dynamics at neuraminidase position 151 of influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus in clinical specimens.

Influenza A virus mutates rapidly, allowing it to escape natural and vaccine-induced immunity. Neuraminidase (NA) is a surface protein capable of cleaving the glycosidic linkages of neuraminic acids to release newly formed virions from infected cells. Genetic variants within a viral population can influence the emergence of pandemic viruses as well as drug susceptibility and vaccine effectiveness.

Inhibition of Avian Influenza A Virus Replication in Human Cells by Host Restriction Factor TUFM Is Correlated with Autophagy.

Avian influenza A viruses generally do not replicate efficiently in human cells, but substitution of glutamic acid (Glu, E) for lysine (Lys, K) at residue 627 of avian influenza virus polymerase basic protein 2 (PB2) can serve to overcome host restriction and facilitate human infectivity. Although PB2 residue 627 is regarded as a species-specific signature of influenza A viruses, host restriction factors associated with PB2E have yet to be fully investigated. We conducted immunoprecipitation, followed by differential proteomic analysis, to identify proteins associating with PB2K (human signature) and PB2E (avian signature) of influenza A/WSN/1933(H1N1) virus, and the results indicated that Tu elongation factor, mitochondrial (TUFM), had a higher binding affinity for PB2E than PB2K in transfected human cells.

Superior upconversion fluorescence dopants for highly efficient deep-blue electroluminescent devices.

In this study, we revealed a new approach for the development of new triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) materials with highly efficient deep-blue fluorescence the incorporation of a styrylpyrene core and an electron-donating group. The resulting deep-blue emitters (PCzSP, DFASP, and DPASP) exhibit intramolecular charge transfer emissions with remarkably high emission quantum yields. The electroluminescent devices based on these three fluorophores as dopants using CBP as a host exhibit very high device efficiencies; in particular, the DPASP-doped device reveals an extremely high EQE of 12%, reaching the limit of a TTA-based device.

Correction: Superior upconversion fluorescence dopants for highly efficient deep-blue electroluminescent devices.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/C6SC00100A.].

Well-tolerated Spirulina extract inhibits influenza virus replication and reduces virus-induced mortality.

Influenza is one of the most common human respiratory diseases, and represents a serious public health concern. However, the high mutability of influenza viruses has hampered vaccine development, and resistant strains to existing anti-viral drugs have also emerged. Novel anti-influenza therapies are urgently needed, and in this study, we describe the anti-viral properties of a Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) cold water extract.

One-pot synthesis of highly substituted polyheteroaromatic compounds by rhodium(III)-catalyzed multiple C-H activation and annulation.

A new method for the synthesis of highly substituted naphthyridine-based polyheteroaromatic compounds in high yields proceeds through rhodium(III)-catalyzed multiple C-H bond cleavage and C-C and C-N bond formation in a one-pot process. Such highly substituted polyheteroaromatic compounds have attracted much attention because of their unique π-conjugation, which make them suitable materials for organic semiconductors and luminescent materials. Furthermore, a possible mechanism, which involves multiple chelation-assisted ortho C-H activation, alkyne insertion, and reductive elimination, is proposed for this transformation.

Synthesis of diimidazolylstilbenes as n-type blue fluorophores: alternative dopant materials for highly efficient electroluminescent devices.

Two new n-type diimidazolylstilbenes as blue-fluorescent dopant materials are synthesized and characterized. Blue-fluorescent devices based on these two compounds as the dopants reveal outstanding external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) (current efficiencies) of 7.8% (10.

A magnesium hydroxide preconcentration/matrix reduction method for the analysis of rare earth elements in water samples using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

This paper describes a simple method for simultaneous preconcentration and matrix reduction during the analysis of rare earth elements (REEs) in water samples through laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). From a systematic investigation of the co-precipitation of REEs using magnesium hydroxide, we optimized the effects of several parameters - the pH, the amount of magnesium, the shaking time, the efficiency of Ba removal, and the sample matrix - to ensure quantitative recoveries. We employed repetitive laser ablation to remove the dried-droplet samples from the filter medium and introduce them into the ICP-MS system for determinations of REEs.

Involvement of hepcidin in the anemia of multiple myeloma.

Purpose: Hepcidin is a liver-produced peptide implicated in the anemia of inflammation. Because interleukin (IL)-6 is a potent inducer of hepcidin expression and its levels are elevated in multiple myeloma, we studied the role of hepcidin in the anemia of multiple myeloma.

Experimental Design: Urinary hepcidin and serum levels of IL-6, ferritin, C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and IL-1 beta were studied in newly diagnosed myeloma patients.

Combined GM-CSF and IL-12 gene therapy synergistically suppresses the growth of orthotopic liver tumors.

Unlabelled: Immunotherapy is often effective only for small tumor burdens and, in many cases, is restricted to subcutaneous tumors. Here, we investigated the antitumor effects of combination therapy with GM-CSF and IL-12 on orthotopic liver tumors with intermediate or large tumor volumes, or on chemically-induced multifocal liver tumors in animals. Adenoviruses encoding GM-CSF or IL-12 were injected intratumorally to animals bearing transplanted tumors, or injected via intrahepatic artery in animals with primary multifocal liver tumors induced by diethylnitrosamine.

Breast augmentation in the patient with von Willebrand disease.

The authors describe breast augmentation in a patient with von Willebrand disease (vWD), providing a template for treating such patients. Because there is no single ideal laboratory test predictive of surgical bleeding, preoperative history remains the most important diagnostic tool. A vigilant pursuit of signs of undiagnosed vWD or other coagulopathy in the preoperative patient may prevent unexpected intraoperative or postoperative hemorrhage.

Effects of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine on fetal hemoglobin levels, red cell adhesion, and hematopoietic differentiation in patients with sickle cell disease.

Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) decreases polymerization of sickle hemoglobin (HbS) and improves outcomes in sickle cell disease (SSD). Therefore, a therapeutic goal in SSD is pharmacologic reactivation of HbF. Silencing of the gamma-globin (HbF) gene is associated with DNA methylation.

Decitabine induces cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase via p21(WAF1) and the G2/M phase via the p38 MAP kinase pathway.

Methylation of the p16 (INK4a) tumor suppressor gene is observed frequently in multiple myeloma and various forms of lymphoma and mediates silencing of p16 gene expression. In this investigation, we have determined the effect of the DNA demethylating drug decitabine (DAC; 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine) on the growth, cell cycle kinetics, RB phosphorylation, and expression of p16 (INK4a) and p21(WAF1) in EBV- human myeloma and EBV+ lymphoblastic cell lines possessing silenced, methylated p16 (INK4a) genes to: (1). evaluate its potential as a therapeutic agent and (2).

Allogeneic blood cell transplantation following reduced-intensity conditioning is effective therapy for older patients with myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia.

Standard myeloablative conditioning prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation has been associated with significant toxicity in patients older than 45 years of age with myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia (MMM). We sought to evaluate the efficacy of a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen for allogeneic HSC transplantation in this setting. A regimen consisting of fludarabine (30 mg/m(2) intravenously daily for 5 days) and melphalan (70 mg/m(2) intravenously daily for 2 days) followed by transplantation of filgrastim-mobilized peripheral blood cells from HLA-identical siblings was administered to 4 older patients (median age, 56 years; range, 48-58 years) with advanced MMM.