The nucleotide sequence of chicken Mx cDNA was reported earlier using the White Leghorn breed in Germany, but it showed no enhanced resistance to viruses. In this study, the nucleotide sequences of chicken Mx cDNA were determined in many breeds. A total of 25 nucleotide substitutions, of which 14 were deduced to cause amino acid exchanges, were detected, suggesting that the chicken Mx gene is very polymorphic. Transfected cell clones expressing chicken Mx mRNA were established after the Mx cDNA was constructed with an expression vector and introduced into mouse 3T3 cells, and the Mx genes from some breeds were demonstrated to confer positive antiviral responses to influenza virus and vesicular stomatitis virus. On the basis of the comparison among the antiviral activities associated with many Mx variations, a specific amino acid substitution at position 631 (Ser to Asn) was considered to determine the antivirally positive or negative Mx gene. Thus, a single amino acid substitution influences the antiviral activity of Mx in domesticated chickens

Normal murine bone marrow cells were transduced with a retroviral vector to overexpress and release human acid sphingomyelinase (ASM). The transduced cells were then transplanted intravenously into 3-day-old, irradiated ASM-deficient mice, a model of human Niemann-Pick disease (NPD). At 4 weeks, engrafted mice received intracerebral injections of mesenchymal stem cells obtained from the original, transduced bone marrow. By 16 weeks, most of the treated NPD mice had near-normal levels of ASM activity in their tissues, including the brain; dramatically improved histology; and marked reductions in sphingomyelin. Cerebellar function also was normal, and the number of Purkinje cells was > 80% of normal. Remarkably, in certain regions of the cerebellum many of the surviving Purkinje cells expressed human ASM RNA, suggesting that either they were donor-derived or that the transplanted bone marrow cells had fused with existing Purkinje cells. However, despite these positive results, by 24 weeks the ASM activities were dramatically reduced and cerebellar function began to decline, coincident with the detection of anti-human ASM antibodies in the plasma. We conclude that this gene therapy procedure might be useful in Type A NPD and other neurological lysosomal storage disorders, particularly since it is an approach that could be beneficial for both the neurological and the visceral organ features of these diseases.

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AbstractInterferential current electrical stimulation alters blood flow velocity and vessel size. We aimed to investigate the changes in the autonomic nervous system depending on electrical stimulation parameters.Forty-five healthy adult male and female subjects were studied. Bipolar adhesive pad electrodes were used to stimulate the autonomic nervous system at the thoracic vertebrae 1-4 levels for 20 min. Using Doppler ultrasonography, blood flow was measured to determine velocity and vessel size before, immediately after, and 30 min after electrical stimulation.Changes in blood flow velocity were significantly different immediately and 30 min after stimulation. The interaction between intervention periods and groups was significantly different between the exercise and pain stimulation groups immediately after stimulation (p<0.05). The vessel size was significantly different before and 30 min after stimulation (p<0.05).Imbalances in the sympathetic nervous system, which regulates balance throughout the body, may present with various symptoms. Therefore, in the clinical practice, the parameters of electrical stimulation should be selectively applied in accordance with various conditions and changes in form.

ABSTRACT. Polysaccharides isolated from fungi, Phellinus spp. is well-known material with anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties. We have assessed the adhesion-and abscess-reducing capacity of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and polysaccharides from Phellinus spp. combination in a rat peritonitis model. In 72 Sprague-Dawley rats, experimental peritonitis was induced by means of the ce cal ligation and puncture model (CLP). After 24 hr, the abdomen was reopened and the ligated cecum was resected. Peritoneal fluid samples were taken for microbiological examination. Rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups: ringer lactate solution (RL group), polysaccharides from Phellinus gilvus (PG group) and Phellinus linteus (PL group), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC group), and their combinations (PG+CMC and PL+CMC groups). Adhesions and abscesses were noted at day 7 after CLP. RT-PCR assay for urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), its cellular receptor (uPAR), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α was performed to assess the cecal tissue. Microbiological examination showed polymicrobial bacterial peritonitis. Adhesion formation was significantly reduced in PG+CMC and PL+CMC groups (P<0.05). The incidence of abscesses was reduced in all treated groups except the RL group (P<0.05). uPA, uPAR, and TNF-α mRNA were highly expressed in the PG+CMC and PL+CMC groups, as compared to the RL group. We concluded that the combination of polysaccharides and CMC had significant adhesion-and abscess-reducing effects compared with their single treatment and the effects may act by modifying the fibrinolytic capacity of uPA, uPAR and TNF-α produced from activated macrophages in a rat peritonitis model.