Antiviral activity of lambda-carrageenan against influenza viruses in mice and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in vitro

Influenza virus and coronavirus, belonging to enveloped RNA viruses, are major causes of human respiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the broad spectrum antiviral activity of a naturally existing sulfated polysaccharide, lambda-carrageenan ({lambda}-CGN), purified from marine red algae. Cell culture-based assays revealed that the macromolecule efficiently inhibited both influenza A and B viruses, as well as currently circulating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), with EC50 values ranging from 0.3-1.4 g/ml. No toxicity to host cells was observed at concentrations up to 300 g/ml. Plaque titration and western blot analysis verified that {lambda}-CGN reduced expression of viral proteins in cell lysates and suppressed progeny virus production in culture supernatants in a dose-dependent manner. This polyanionic compound exerts antiviral activity by targeting viral attachment to cell surface receptors and preventing entry. Moreover, intranasal administration to mice during influenza A viral challenge not only alleviated infection-mediated reductions in body weight but also protected 60% of mice from virus-induced mortality. Thus, {lambda}-CGN could be a promising antiviral agent for preventing infection by several respiratory viruses.

Synchronization of oxygen delivery with breathing pattern for enhanced comfort: a bench study.

BACKGROUND: Oxygen has been widely used for COPD patients because long-term oxygen therapy can improve survival duration of COPD patients with severe hypoxemia. The typical oxygen delivery methods used for long-term oxygen therapy are continuous flow oxygen (CFO) and demand oxygen delivery (DOD). Currently, DOD is preferred to CFO in oxygen conserving devices because waste of oxygen is substantial in CFO. However, DOD causes discomfort to patients since it abruptly supplies high-flow oxygen during inhalation only. METHODS: To overcome the drawbacks of CFO and DOD, we developed a novel oxygen delivery method, synchronized DOD (SDOD), which can reduce waste oxygen and patient discomfort. We used the concept of "jerk" from physics, which indicates the rate of change of acceleration, and defined a discomfort index (DI) to quantitatively represent the degree of discomfort. To determine the correlation between DI and the actual human feeling of discomfort, we tested subjects' responses to different levels of DI. Moreover, depending on the level of oxygen saving of each method, CFO, DOD, and SDOD regions were identified in a prescription flow/supply flow plane. A bench study was conducted to experimentally compare the Fio2 between CFO and SDOD at 20 breaths/min. RESULTS: The results of this study illustrate that there is a region of compromise between oxygen saving and patient comfort that is filled by SDOD. DI is positively correlated with actual human discomfort (P < .001). In addition, the DI of SDOD was much lower than that of DOD. Fio2 of SDOD was 2-5% less than that of CFO. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, SDOD might provide more comfortable oxygen delivery by reducing DI, and conserves oxygen while offering an equivalent Fio2.

5-(4-Hydroxy-2,3,5-trimethylbenzylidene) thiazolidine-2,4-dione attenuates atherosclerosis possibly by reducing monocyte recruitment to the lesion

A variety of benzylidenethiazole analogs have been demonstrated to inhibit 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX). Here we report the anti-atherogenic potential of 5-(4-hydroxy-2,3,5-trimethylbenzylidene) thiazolidin-2,4-dione (HMB-TZD), a benzylidenethiazole analog, and its potential mechanism of action in LDL receptor-deficient (Ldlr-/-) mice. HMB-TZD Treatment reduced leukotriene B4 (LTB4) production significantly in RAW264.7 macrophages and SVEC4-10 endothelial cells. Macrophages or endothelial cells pre-incubated with HMB-TZD for 2 h and then stimulated with lipopolysaccharide or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) displayed reduced cytokine production. Also, HMB-TZD reduced cell migration and adhesion in accordance with decreased proinflammatory molecule production in vitro and ex vivo. HMB-TZD treatment of 8-week-old male Ldlr-/- mice resulted in significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesions without a change to plasma lipid profiles. Moreover, aortic expression of pro-atherogenic molecules involved in the recruitment of monocytes to the aortic wall, including TNF-alpha , MCP-1, and VCAM-1, was downregulated. HMB-TZD also reduced macrophage infiltration into atherosclerotic lesions. In conclusion, HMB-TZD ameliorates atherosclerotic lesion formation possibly by reducing the expression of proinflammatory molecules and monocyte/macrophage recruitment to the lesion. These results suggest that HMB-TZD, and benzylidenethiazole analogs in general, may have therapeutic potential as treatments for atherosclerosis.

A case report of congenital epulis in the fetus

A CLINICAL STUDY OF ODONTECTOMY IN IMPACTED MANDIBULAR THIRD MOLARS

Surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars frequently require tooth sectioning or bone removal. In this study, 361 mesioangular or horizontal impacted mandibular third molars are removed surgically by tooth section, the methods of tooth section are classified as 4 stages and 12 grades in the number of times and technics of crown or roots section and difficulties. Grades and their cases are followings: 1. occlusal crown first section(100, 28%) 2. distal crown first section(69, 19%) 3. occlusal crown second section(29, 8%) 4. distal crown second section(52, 14%) 5. occlusal crown first section and root section(10, 3%) 6. distal crown first section and root section(27, 7%) 7. occlusal crown third section(3, 1%) 8. distal crown third section(22, 6%) 9. occlusal crown second section and root section(13, 3%) 10. distal crown second section and root section(17, 5%) 11. occlusal crown third section and root section(2, 1%) 12. distal crown third section and root section(17, 5%)