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The experiment of extraction of polysaccharide from foxtail millet was investigated. Response surface methodology (RSM), based on a three-level, threevariable Box-Behnken design (BBD), was employed to obtain the best possible combination of liquid-solid ratio (X1: 15.0-25.0 mL ⋅ g-1), extraction time (X2: 1.5- 2.5 h), and extraction temperature (X3: 65.0-75.0 °C) for maximum polysaccharide yields. The experimental data obtained were fitted to a second-order polynomial equation using multiple regression analysis and also analyzed by appropriate statistical methods (ANOVA). The optimum extraction conditions were as follows: liquid-solid ratio 20.7 mL ⋅ g-1, extraction time 2.0 h and extraction temperature 72.3 °C. Under these conditions, the experimental yield was 8.08 mg ⋅ g-1, which is well in close agreement with the 8.02 mg ⋅ g-1 predicted value by the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By self-assembly of (E)-2-(3-(4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)styryl)-5,5-dimethylcyclohex-2-enylidene)malononitrile (L1) and (E)-2-(3-(4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)styryl)-5,5-dimethylcyclohex-2-enylidene)malononitrile (L2) with silver(I) salts, eight new complexes, namely AgL1 2ClO4 (1), AgL12NO3 (2), [AgL12NO3].C6H6 (3), [AgL12OOCCF3].C6H6 (4), [AgL1 2PF6].C6H6 (5), AgL22NO3 (6), [AgL2OOCCF3]2 (7) and AgL22PF6 (8), are presented along with an analysis of their structural features. The structures are built up through the combination of coordination bonds, Ag...π, Ag...F (or O), hydrogen bonding, and π...π stacking interactions to generate new supramolecular architectures. We observed the formation of two-dimensional coordination polymers for complex 7. Solvent benzene molecules and anions are dispersed in the supramolecular structure and play a vital role in building the supramolecular structures of the complexes. The nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of the complexes were investigated using the Z-scan technique and complexes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 show obviously nonlinear absorption compared with ligands (L1 and L2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: 2D braiding tubular composites has become widely applied. A multilayer 2D annularity braiding method with the same array is proposed, the novel braiding process has synchronous suture step in the radial direction of the fabric. Introduced the principle of braiding process and designed the braiding equipment. This process is a novel way for achieving the composite''s preform of which is large diameter and high strength tubular component. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• The onset lath boundary sliding sensitively depends on the microscopic structure of the interfacial planes. • The lath boundary sliding is mediated by the motion of dislocation arrays lying on the interfacial plane. • For predominant lath boundary sliding: - The Burgers vector of the interfacial dislocations must lie on the interfacial plane. - The interfacial plane must be parallel to the common slip planes in the BCC structure, i.e., {110}. In the hierarchically-arranged crystallographic structure of reduced-activation ferritic/martensitic (RAFM) steel, the smallest but the most abundant microstructural unit, i.e., the lath, plays an important role in dislocation plasticity. Due to the multi-scale complexity in the lath-martensitic microstructure, miniaturized mechanical characterization at very fine scale is required to understand the deformation mechanism associated with laths. In this study, uniaxial micro-compression tests combined with rigorous crystallographic analysis were performed to figure out the plastic deformation mechanism of lath boundary sliding in RAFM steels. These experimental results were further interpreted via molecular dynamics simulations to discover the underlying dislocation mechanisms. We found that the amount of lath boundary sliding is controlled by the crystallographic orientation of the lath boundary plane, the direction of Burgers vectors of the interfacial dislocations, and the magnitude of resolved shear stress on the lath boundary plane. Also, the effect of normal stress on the lath boundary plane was investigated. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article was updated to include revised versions of Figures 3 and 4 that were overlooked during proof revisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic fluid hyperthermia, as a novel cancer treatment, requires precise temperature control at 315 K–319 K (42 °C–46 °C). However, the traditional temperature measurement method cannot obtain the real-time temperature in vivo, resulting in a lack of temperature feedback during the heating process. In this study, the feasibility of temperature measurement and feedback control using magnetic nanoparticles is proposed and demonstrated. This technique could be applied in hyperthermia. Specifically, the triangular-wave temperature measurement method is improved by reconstructing the original magnetization response of magnetic nanoparticles based on a digital phase-sensitive detection algorithm. The standard deviation of the temperature in the magnetic nanoparticle thermometer is about 0.1256 K. In experiments, the temperature fluctuation of the temperature measurement and feedback control system using magnetic nanoparticles is less than 0.5 K at the expected temperature of 315 K. This shows the feasibility of the temperature measurement method for temperature control. The method provides a new solution for temperature measurement and feedback control in hyperthermia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hematite (Fe 2 O 3 ) nanopowders were synthesized from commercially available micro-sized iron powders by a DC thermal plasma process at atmospheric pressure. The micro-sized iron powders were vaporized in the plasma region, after which the plasma processing equipment was rapidly quenched, resulting in the formation of iron nanopowders with a size of less than 100 nm. Subsequently, the iron nanopowders were heated to convert hematite with a high purity, which was then formed into a thin film with a binder for preparation of electrodes for photoelectrochemical water oxidation. Iron oxide nanopowders were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), particle size analysis (PSA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The photoelectrochemical properties of the Fe 2 O 3 film were characterized in 1 M NaOH under AM 1.5 conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanopillar compression tests were applied on δ-ferrites in austenitic stainless steel welds to measure the thermal ageing activation energy caused by spinodal decomposition. Welds of an austenitic stainless steel were thermally aged at 343, 375, and 400 oC for up to 20,000 h. To avoid the interference of surrounding austenite matrix on embrittlement measurement, austenite matrix was selectively dissolved before the nanopillar fabrication. Using the yield stress changes measured by nanopillar compression tests, the thermal ageing activation energy of δ-ferrite was estimated as 154 KJ/mol, which was compared with literature results and the reasons of discrepancy were discussed. (a) SEM micrographs of δ-ferrite network after selective dissolution of austenite matrix, (b) fabrication of nanopillar from δ-ferrite, (c) the deformed nanopillar after compression test for 316 L weld aged at 400 oC for 20,000 h, (d) the critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) vs. ageing time at different temperatures where non-linear fit and corresponding characteristic time constant are indicated, and (e) the activation energy of thermal ageing of δ-ferrite calculated from nanopillar compression tests. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An austenitic stainless steel weld was thermally aged at 400 °C for 20,000 h, and subsequently proton irradiated up to 10 displacement per atom (dpa) at 360 °C. After thermal ageing, only spinodal decomposition was observed without G-phase precipitates in δ-ferrite. However, ~ 1023 m−3 of fine (~ 3 nm in diameter) G-phase precipitates were observed after proton irradiation. Also, wavelength of spinodal decomposition was increased with proton irradiation. The additional hardening in δ-ferrite after proton irradiation was attributed to enhanced spinodal decomposition and G-phase precipitation. After irradiation, the contribution to addition hardening was greater for G-phase than enhanced spinodal decomposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honey bee physiology follows an annual cycle, with winter bees living ten times longer than summer bees. Their transition can be disrupted by climate change. Several climate factors, mainly temperature, may contribute to the global losses of winter bees. We simulated global warming by maintaining constant temperatures of 25°C (Group 25) and 35°C (Group 35) in rooms around hives from June to October, while a Group control experienced natural conditions. Colony performance was assessed in August and September. In February, workers were examined for physiological traits (acinus size and lipid content in the fat body) and molecular markers (vg and JHAMT), along with potential markers (ilp1, ilp2, TOR1, and HSP70). Our findings suggest that temperature decreases around winter worker broods from Group 25 in the fall led to their different physiological states related to aging in winter compared to Group 35 workers. Changes in bees from Group 35 the end of diapause were detected with an upregulation of HSP70, ilp2, and TOR1 genes. These signs of winter bees in response to summer global warming could lead to the development of strategies to prevent bee losses and improve the identification of physiological states in insect models., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Frunze et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Conyza sumatrensis (Retz.) E. Walker (syn. Erigeron sumatrensis) or commonly known as fleabane, is an annual herbaceous plant native to South America. It/span>was accidentally introduced to Korea in the 1930s and became invasive in natural and managed ecosystems of the country (Kim et al. 2008). Leaf spots on this plant were first observed in March 2013 in Jeju (33°29'45"N; 126°26'26"E), and then in February 2017 in Seoguipo (33°14'30"N; 126°32'58"E), Korea. The severity of the disease was estimated to be greater than 50%. Initial symptoms were small, distinct, reddish-brown, then turned into brown spots with dark purplish-brown margins. Conidiomata were pycnidial, epigenous, occasionally hypogenous, scattered, dark brown to rusty brown, globose, embedded in host tissue or partly erumpent, 70 to 165 µm in diameter, with ostioles measuring 10 to 26 µm in diameter. Conidia were straight to flexuous, 24 to 65 × 1.5 to 2.0 µm, hyaline, and 1 to 5 septate. Morphological circumscriptions were consistent with Septoria erigerontis Peck (Verkley et al. 2013). To obtain a monoconidial isolate, conidia were collected from lesions, placed in an Eppendorf tube containing sterile water and streaked onto the surface of 2% water agar (WA) plates supplemented with 100 mg/L of streptomycin sulfate, and after five days transferred onto potato dextrose agar (PDA). The two-week-old colonies incubated at 25°C on PDA had a slightly ruffled, but mostly colorless margin; colonies were 5 to 7 mm in diameter, slightly elevated in the center, surface black, covered with a diffuse to a dense mat of grey aerial mycelium. Voucher specimens were housed in the Korea University Herbarium (KUS-F27274 and F29725), and two cultures were deposited in the Korea Agricultural Culture Collection (Accession Nos: KACC47219 and KACC48297). Nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), translation elongation factor 1-α (EF), actin (ACT), 28S rDNA (LSU), and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) genes obtained from KACC47219 were determined (Verkley et al. 2013) and deposited in GenBank (Accession Nos: OM909018, OM908934, OM974318, OM974319, OM974320). Results of BLASTn search for ITS and LSU were 99-100% identical with reference sequences of Septoria erigerontis (MH865036, MH876473), S. lactucae (MK617321), and S. phlogis (MH876550) in GenBank. Whereas it showed 97% similarity for ACT, 93-94% for EF and RPB2 genes with sequences of S. erigerontis (JQ325031, KF253363, KF252411). Pathogenicity was tested by spraying 20 leaves of four-month-old three potted plants with a conidial suspension (1×104 propagules/mL) harvested from a four-week-old culture (span style="font-family:'Times New Roman'">KACC47219). Ten leaves were used as controls. The plants were placed in a dew chamber at 26°C for 24 h, then moved to a greenhouse. Inoculated leaves developed typical symptoms after seven days, whilst no symptoms were observed on control ones. S. erigerontis was re-isolated from symptomatic lesion and its identity was confirmed by microscopic studies, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Although S. erigerontis has been recorded to be associated with leaf spots of Erigeron spp. and Conyza spp. (Farr and Rossman 2022), there is no previous record of this fungus on C. sumatrensis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf spot caused by S. erigerontis on C. sumatrensis worldwide as well as in Korea. We presume that this fungus may have potential as a biocontrol agent on fleabanes, particularly glyphosate-resistant Conyza species (Sansom et al. 2013). References: Farr, D. F., and Rossman, A. Y. Fungal Databases, Syst. Mycol. Microbiol. Lab., Online publication. ARS, USDA. Accessed 6 February 2022. Kim, C. S., et al. 2008. Korean J. Weed Sci. 28:42. Sansom, M., et al. 2013. Plant Protect. Sci. 49:44. Verkley, G. J. M., et al. 2013. Stud. Mycol. 75:213.

Commercially available tunas and billfishes are generally processed as steaks, making it difficult to visually distinguish between the two. We developed and validated species-specific primers to prevent the adulteration of tunas by billfishes. Tunas and billfishes primers were designed on the cytochrome oxidase subunit I. Multiplex PCR bands obtained were 579 bp, 291 bp and 114 bp for tunas, billfishes and internal control. Sensitivity was determined to be 5 ng for tunas and billfishes. A total of 50 samples were monitored: 49 for tunas and 1 for billfish. As a result of the monitoring, the fake tunas did not show due to the agreement between product name and the raw material of the wrapping paper. Our results indicate that the species-specific primers developed in this study are suitable for differentiating tunas and billfishes. The newly developed multiplex PCR assay is a time and cost effective technique for determining the authenticity of tunas and billfishes., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding publication of this paper., (© The Korean Society of Food Science and Technology 2021.)

The human β-amyloid (Aβ) cleaving enzyme (BACE-1) is a target for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatments. This study was conducted to determine if acacetin extracted from the whole Agastache rugosa plant had anti-BACE-1 and behavioral activities in Drosophila melanogaster AD models and to determine acacetin's mechanism of action. Acacetin (100, 300, and 500 μM) rescued amyloid precursor protein (APP)/BACE1-expressing flies and kept them from developing both eye morphology (dark deposits, ommatidial collapse and fusion, and the absence of ommatidial bristles) and behavioral (motor abnormalities) defects. The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that acacetin reduced both the human APP and BACE-1 mRNA levels in the transgenic flies, suggesting that it plays an important role in the transcriptional regulation of human BACE-1 and APP. Western blot analysis revealed that acacetin reduced Aβ production by interfering with BACE-1 activity and APP synthesis, resulting in a decrease in the levels of the APP carboxy-terminal fragments and the APP intracellular domain. Therefore, the protective effect of acacetin on Aβ production is mediated by transcriptional regulation of BACE-1 and APP, resulting in decreased APP protein expression and BACE-1 activity. Acacetin also inhibited APP synthesis, resulting in a decrease in the number of amyloid plaques.

The toxicity of two cassia oils, four cinnamon oils and (E)-cinnamaldehyde and (E)-cinnamic acid and 34 structurally related compounds to adult Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer) collected from a poultry house was examined using a vapour-phase mortality bioassay. Results were compared with those of dichlorvos, a conventional acaricide. The cassia and cinnamon oils (cinnamon technical, cinnamon #500, cassia especial, cassia true, cinnamon bark and cinnamon green leaf) exhibited good fumigant toxicity (LD(50), 11.79-26.40 μg cm(-3)). α-Methyl-(E)-cinnamaldehyde (LD(50), 0.45 μg cm(-3)) and (E)-cinnamaldehyde (0.54 μg cm(-3)) were the most toxic compounds and the toxicity of these compounds was comparable to that of dichlorvos (0.30 μg cm(-3)). Potent fumigant toxicity was also observed in allyl cinnamate, ethyl-α-cyanocinnamate, (E)-2-methoxylcinnamic acid and (Z)-2-methoxylcinnamic acid (LD(50), 0.81-0.92 μg cm(-3)). Structure-activity relationships indicate that structural characteristics, such as types of functional groups and carbon skeleton rather than vapour pressure parameter, appear to play a role in determining toxicity. The essential oils and compounds described merit further study as potential acaricides for the control of D. gallinae populations as fumigants with contact action due to global efforts to reduce the level of highly toxic synthetic acaricides in the agricultural environment., (Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The hazardous effects on the earthworm numbers and biomass of eight consecutive yearly applications of three levels (12.5, 25, and 50 tons of dry matter/ha/y) of four different organic sludges (municipal sewage, industrial sewage, alcohol fermentation processing, and leather processing) to earthworm-free soils were examined using field lysimeters. Results were compared with those of pig manure compost (PMC)-treated soil. Of five species (Amynthas agrestis, A. sangyeoli, A. hupeiensis, Drawida koreana, and D. japonica) from 390 adult specimens collected 4 and 8 years after treatment, the number of species appeared to be lower in sludge-treated soils than in PMC-treated soils. Earthworm populations and biomass were correlated negatively with the pollution index [∑(heavy-metal concentration in soil/tolerable level)/number of heavy metal] 4 and 8 years after treatment. These results suggest that the long-term application of these sludges, particularly from industrial sewage and leather processing, might affect adversely the establishment of Megascolecid and Moniligastrid earthworms in field conditions.

The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of various formulation strategies to achieve sustained release of the peptide, from injectable poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and d-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) microparticles. The microparticles were prepared by a solvent evaporation method. Peptide loaded PLGA microparticles exhibited a pronounced initial burst release (22.3% in 1 day) and lag phase in phosphate buffer of pH 7.0. In contrast, blending of 5.0% TPGS (8.6% release in 1 day) or 10.0% TPGS (5.5% release in 1 day) in PLGA microparticles reduced initial burst release and the lag-phase time. Incorporation of TPGS in PLGA microparticles further increased drug release, attributable to improved drug encapsulation, increased particle size, and exempt of pores. PLGA+ 10.0% TPGS composite microparticles exhibited the most desirable drug release among all the formulations tested, and demonstrated triphasic release after minimal initial burst.

The acaricidal activity of methanolic extracts from 40 oriental medicinal plant species and a steam distillate of Cinnamomum camphora towards poultry house-collected adult Dermanyssus gallinae De Geer was examined using direct contact and vapour phase toxicity bioassays. Results were compared with those of 15 acaricides currently used. In filter paper contact toxicity bioassays using adult D. gallinae, C. camphora steam distillate (0.0051 mgcm(-2)) was the most toxic material, followed by extracts from Asarum sieboldii var. seoulens whole plant, Eugenia caryophyllata flower bud and Mentha arvensis var. piperascens whole plant (0.0063-0.0072 mgcm(-2)), based upon 24h LD(50) values. The acaricidal activity of these four plant preparations was almost comparable to that of profenofos (LD(50), 0.003 mgcm(-2)) but less effective than dichlorvos (LD(50), 0.0004 mgcm(-2)). The toxicity of Illicium verum fruit and Lysimachia davurica leaf extracts (0.09 mgcm(-2)) was almost comparable to that of benfuracarb, prothiofos, propoxur and fenthion (0.053-0.070mgcm(-2)). In vapour phase toxicity tests, these plant preparations were more effective in closed containers than in open ones, indicating that the mode of delivery of these plant extracts was largely a result of action in the vapour phase. Plants described herein merit further study as potential D. gallinae control agents.

The interaction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and caveolin in the cultured mouse mesangial cells (MMC) was investigated. In normal MMCs, high levels of caveolin-2 and low level of caveolin-1 at mRNA and protein level were observed without any detectable expression of caveolin-3. Upon treating the MMCs either with cadmium (Cd) or spermine NONOate (SPER/NO), expression of HO-1 mRNA and protein was increased. Caveolae rich membranous fractions from the MMCs treated with Cd or SPER/NO contained both HO-1 and caveolin-1 or caveolin-2. The experiments of immuno-precipitation showed complex formation between the HO-1 and caveolin-1 or caveolin-2 in the Cd treated MMCs. Confocal microscopic results also support co-localization of HO-1 and caveolin-1 or caveolin-2 at the plasma membrane. Co-localization of caveolins with HO-1 in caveolae suggested that caveolin could also play an important role in regulating the function of HO-1.

The Hox genes of the oligochaete, Perionyx excavatus, were surveyed using PCR and phylogenetic analysis. We were able to identify 11 different Hox gene fragments. Comparative and phylogenetic analyses revealed that this oligochaete would have at least five Hox genes of the anterior group, including three copies of labial-type, five of the central group and one of the posterior group. This is the first report regarding sequence information and phylogenetic analysis of Hox genes in the earthworm.

Aims: The present work aimed at isolating antibacterial constituents from the whole plant of Artemisia princeps var. orientalis active towards nine human intestinal bacteria., Methods and Results: The growth-inhibiting activities of materials derived from the Artemisia whole plant towards test bacteria were examined using an impregnated paper disc method. The biologically active constituents of the Artemisia whole plant were characterized as the sesquiterpene lactones seco-tanapartholides A and B by spectroscopic analysis. In a test using 1 mg per disc, seco-tanapartholides A and B produced a clear inhibitory effect against Clostridium perfringens, Bacteroides fragilis and Staphylococcus aureus. These compounds did not affect the growth of test lactic acid-producing bacteria (Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Bif. breve, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lact. casei) and Escherichia coli, whereas weak growth inhibition towards Bif. bifidum was observed. At 0.5 mg per disc, seco-tanapartholides A and B exhibited moderate growth inhibition towards Cl. perfringens but weak growth inhibition towards Bact. fragilis and Staph. aureus., Conclusions: Inhibitory action of seco-tanapartholides A and B towards specific bacteria without any adverse effects on lactic acid-producing bacteria may be an indication of at least one of the pharmacological actions of A. princeps var. orientalis whole plant., Significance and Impact of the Study: These naturally occurring Artemisia whole plant-derived materials could be useful as a new preventive agent against various diseases caused by harmful intestinal bacteria such as clostridia.

The prevalence of intestinal parasites and Clonorchis sinensis infection was observed among inhabitants in the upper stream of Kumgang (River) from January to October 1991. A total of 743 fecal specimens was examined by cellophane thick smear and formalin-ether concentration technique. The parasite positive rate including helminth eggs and protozoan cysts was 40.8%, the positive rates for every species were: Clonorchis sinensis 30.8%, Metagonimus spp. 14.5%, Fasciola spp. 0.7%, Taenia spp. 1.5%, Ascaris lumbricoides 0.4%, Enterobius vermicularis 0.1%, Hookworm 0.1%, Trichuris trichiura 1.6%, Entamoeba coli 0.7%, E. histolytica 0.3%, Endolimax nana 0.3%, Giardia lamblia 0.3% and Iodamoeba buetschlii 0.1%, respectively. The cumulative positive rate in Okchon-gun showed 51.1%, in the Kumsan-gun 50.8% and in the Muju-gun 28.6%. Through this survey, it was concluded that the soil transmitted intestinal parasites including helminthseggs and protozoan cysts have been decreased remarkably among the inhabitants along the upper stream of Taechong Dam, Kum-gang (River), on the other side, Clonorchis sinensis, Metagonimus spp. and Taenia spp. are still morderate prevalent.

Experimental results are presented to support the view that symbiont-derived lipopolysaccharides are involved in the prevention of lysosome-symbiosome fusion in xD amoebae harboring bacterial endosymbionts. Monoclonal antibodies against lipopolysaccharides and a 96-kDa protein present on symbiosome membranes of amoebae were used to monitor the appearance of the membrane-specific components in newly infected amoebae with endosymbionts from xD amoebae. The lipopolysaccharides and protein appeared on the newly forming symbiosome membranes within 3 to 7 days, as detected by indirect immunofluorescence staining with monoclonal antibodies. The lysosome-symbiosome fusion was followed by double staining of two antigens with different monoclonal antibodies applied to the same amoeba. Antilipopolysaccharide monoclonal antibodies were detected by staining with a fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated secondary antibody, and a biotinylated anti-lysosomal protein monoclonal antibody was detected by staining with Texas Red-conjugated streptavidin. In xD amoebae injected with an antilipopolysaccharide antibody, lysosomes fused with some of the symbiosomes that did not fuse with lysosomes in noninjected cells.

This study was performed to evaluate differences of T cell subsets according to the injection period of recombinant mouse interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in acute Toxoplasma gondii infection. Each mouse was infected intraperitoneally with 100 cysts of Beverley strain T. gondii, and injected with 5 x 10(4) units of IFN-gamma every other day two tmres. The percentage of Thy-1,2 cells and L3T4/Ly-2 cell ratio were significantly increased in the mice that received two doses of IFN-gamma on days 2 and 0 before infection, or days 0 and 2 after infection. The percentage of Ly-2 cells decreased in the IFN-gamma injected groups at the 3rd and 4th week after infection. The results suggest that administration of IFN-gamma to T. gondii-infected mice improves the changed population of T cell subsets to a normal state, especially when IFN-gamma was injected just after the infection.

This study was performed to observe the therapeutic effects of interferon-gamma(IFN-gamma) and gamma-globulin(gamma-globulin) in experimental Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia of immune suppressed mice. After 9 weeks, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole(TMP-SMZ; 10-50 mg/mouse/day), mouse IFN-gamma(5 x 10(4) units/mouse/day) and mouse gamma-globulin(20 mg/mouse/day) were administered to the mice for 3 weeks by the experimental group. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by body weights, histopathologic and electron microscopic findings of the lungs, and number of P. carinii cysts by Gomori's methenamine silver stain. Body weights of the mice were significantly increased in the group of combination therapy of TMP-SMZ with IFN-gamma or gamma-globulin, and in the group of TMP-SMZ treatment (p < 0.05), however, little effect was found in the group of gamma-globulin alone. Histopathologic findings of P. carinii pneumonia were much improved in the group of combination therapy of TMP-SMZ with IFN-gamma. Treatment with either TMP-SMZ or IFN-gamma significantly reduced the number of cysts in the P. carinii pneumonia, but gamma-globulin alone was ineffective. In electron microscopic findings of P. carinii pneumonia, the number of trophozoites and cysts were reduced by treatment with either TMP-SMZ or IFN-gamma, and most of the cysts were empty or containing one or two intracystic bodies. The present results suggested, that combination therapy of TMP-SMZ with IFN-gamma had synergistic effects in treatment of P. carinii pneumonia in experimental mice.

This study was performed to observe the cell-mediated and humoral immune responses in mice which were infected with Beverley, Fukaya and ME49 strain of Toxoplasma gondii, respectively. The blastogenic responses of splenocytes using [3H]-thymidine and serum antibody titers were measured weekly up to 10 weeks after infection. The blastogenic responses of splenocytes treated with concanavalin A and Toxoplasma lysate were significantly declined in the 3 strain groups as compared with the non-infected group (p less than 0.05), however lipopolysaccharide-treated blastogenic responses were not significantly different between infected and non-infected groups. The serum IgG antibody titers in the three infected groups increased from 2 weeks after infection, and the serum IgM antibody titers increased until 4 weeks after infection. No significant differences were revealed in blastogenic responses and serum antibody titers among the 3 groups. The present study suggested that cell-mediated immune responses were involved in T. gondii infected mice and blastogenic responses of T lymphocytes were inhibited in acute T. gondii infection.

This study was performed to observe the role of Pneumocystis carinii as an etiologic agent of interstitial pneumonia in immunocompromised hosts. Total 90 male Sprague-Dawley rats, approximately 150-180 g, were used. Fifteen of them were used as control group and remaining 75 (5 groups) were as immunosuppression groups; group 1 received prednisolone (25 mg/kg twice weekly) only; group 2 prednisolone and tetracycline (75 mk/kg/day); group 3 prednisolone, tetracycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (50-250 mg/kg/day); group 4 prednisolone and trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole; and group 5 prednisolone and griseofulvin (300 mg/kg/day) until death. The survival days of each group rat were calculated, and upon death their lungs were removed immediately and then stamp smears were prepared and stained by Giemsa or toluidine blue O. For histopathologic observation, lungs were fixed in 10% formalin, cut into sections and stained with Gomori's methenamine silver, hematoxylin-eosin, and Brown & Brenn stain. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The mean survival time of each group rat was 19.3 +/- 5.2 days (group 1), 41.1 +/- 14.0 days (group 2), 50.5 +/- 18.4 days (group 3), 43.0 +/- 22.9 days (group 4) or 21.8 +/- 5.1 days (group 5). Significant differences were noted between group 1 and group 2(p less than 0.01), group 1 and group 3 (p less than 0.01), and group 1 and group 4 (p less than 0.01), which represented bacterial infections were most fatal in immunocompromised rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)