Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) is very effective for treatment of acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) but little can pass through the blood-brain-barrier (BBB),which limits its use in the prevention and treatment of central...Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) is very effective for treatment of acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) but little can pass through the blood-brain-barrier (BBB),which limits its use in the prevention and treatment of central nervous system leukaemia (CNSL). Before creating a non-invasive method to help As2O3 ’s access,the safe and effective therapeutic concentration of As2O3 in the CNS ought to be known. The changes of apoptosis biomarkers,[Ca2+]i and PKC activity of both leukaemia cells and human cortical neurons,were monitored before and after being treated with As2O3 in vitro with laser confocal microscopy and Western blot. NSE concentration,the neuron invasive biomarker,was monitored by enzyme immunoassay (NSE-EIA). This study revealed that cortical neuron was more tolerable to As2O3 compared to NB4. 1.0 μmol / L As2O3 showed little influence on cortical neuron but effectively promoted apoptosis and induced differentiation of NB4.展开更多
Fungi are important infectious disease-causing agents,but are often overlooked as environmental factors in disease.We review several lines of evidence that point to a potential fungal origin of sporadic amyotrophic la...Fungi are important infectious disease-causing agents,but are often overlooked as environmental factors in disease.We review several lines of evidence that point to a potential fungal origin of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS),the most common form of motor neurone disease.Approximately 90%cases of ALS are sporadic,and the aetiology of sporadic ALS is still unknown.We have previously postulated that grass or soil-associated fungal infections may be a leading cause of sporadic ALS.Herein we extend this proposal to water-associated fungi.A wide variety of fungi have been reported in drinking water including Acremonium,Alternaria,Aspergillus,Cladosporium,Fusarium,Penicillium and Trichoderma.Some of these are known to produce neurotoxic mycotoxins.Despite this,drinking water is not routinely monitored for fungal contamination.Fungal contamination could explain the close correlation between distribution of well water and cases of sporadic ALS in the United States.We propose several mechanisms by which an opportunistic fungal infection from environmental exposure(to water,soil or plants)can lead to long term neuronal degradation resulting in the hallmarks of ALS.If confirmed,the association between fungal infection and sporadic ALS could lead to novel treatment strategies for this progressive and fatal disease.展开更多
BACKGROUND Mycobacterium abscessus(M.abscessus)is a rapidly growing mycobacterium and ubiquitous in the environment,which infrequently causes disease in humans.However,it can cause cutaneous or respiratory infections ...BACKGROUND Mycobacterium abscessus(M.abscessus)is a rapidly growing mycobacterium and ubiquitous in the environment,which infrequently causes disease in humans.However,it can cause cutaneous or respiratory infections among immunocompromised hosts.Due to the resistance to most antibiotics,the pathogen is formidable and difficult-to-treat.CASE SUMMARY Here,we present a case of catheter-related M.abscessus infections in a patient with motor neurone disease.Catheter and peripheral blood cultures of the patient showed positive results during Gram staining and acid-fast staining.The alarm time of catheter blood culture was 10.6 h earlier than that of peripheral blood.After removal of the peripherally inserted central catheter,secretion and catheter blood culture were positive.M.abscessus was identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and 16S rDNA sequencing.CONCLUSION For catheter-related M.abscessus infection,rapid diagnosis and timely and adequate antimicrobial therapy are crucial.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.30370507)the Key Projects Foundation of Harbin Science and Technology Commission(Grant No.2003AA9CS188-12).
文摘Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) is very effective for treatment of acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) but little can pass through the blood-brain-barrier (BBB),which limits its use in the prevention and treatment of central nervous system leukaemia (CNSL). Before creating a non-invasive method to help As2O3 ’s access,the safe and effective therapeutic concentration of As2O3 in the CNS ought to be known. The changes of apoptosis biomarkers,[Ca2+]i and PKC activity of both leukaemia cells and human cortical neurons,were monitored before and after being treated with As2O3 in vitro with laser confocal microscopy and Western blot. NSE concentration,the neuron invasive biomarker,was monitored by enzyme immunoassay (NSE-EIA). This study revealed that cortical neuron was more tolerable to As2O3 compared to NB4. 1.0 μmol / L As2O3 showed little influence on cortical neuron but effectively promoted apoptosis and induced differentiation of NB4.
文摘Fungi are important infectious disease-causing agents,but are often overlooked as environmental factors in disease.We review several lines of evidence that point to a potential fungal origin of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS),the most common form of motor neurone disease.Approximately 90%cases of ALS are sporadic,and the aetiology of sporadic ALS is still unknown.We have previously postulated that grass or soil-associated fungal infections may be a leading cause of sporadic ALS.Herein we extend this proposal to water-associated fungi.A wide variety of fungi have been reported in drinking water including Acremonium,Alternaria,Aspergillus,Cladosporium,Fusarium,Penicillium and Trichoderma.Some of these are known to produce neurotoxic mycotoxins.Despite this,drinking water is not routinely monitored for fungal contamination.Fungal contamination could explain the close correlation between distribution of well water and cases of sporadic ALS in the United States.We propose several mechanisms by which an opportunistic fungal infection from environmental exposure(to water,soil or plants)can lead to long term neuronal degradation resulting in the hallmarks of ALS.If confirmed,the association between fungal infection and sporadic ALS could lead to novel treatment strategies for this progressive and fatal disease.
文摘BACKGROUND Mycobacterium abscessus(M.abscessus)is a rapidly growing mycobacterium and ubiquitous in the environment,which infrequently causes disease in humans.However,it can cause cutaneous or respiratory infections among immunocompromised hosts.Due to the resistance to most antibiotics,the pathogen is formidable and difficult-to-treat.CASE SUMMARY Here,we present a case of catheter-related M.abscessus infections in a patient with motor neurone disease.Catheter and peripheral blood cultures of the patient showed positive results during Gram staining and acid-fast staining.The alarm time of catheter blood culture was 10.6 h earlier than that of peripheral blood.After removal of the peripherally inserted central catheter,secretion and catheter blood culture were positive.M.abscessus was identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and 16S rDNA sequencing.CONCLUSION For catheter-related M.abscessus infection,rapid diagnosis and timely and adequate antimicrobial therapy are crucial.
