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The addition of a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-azacytidine, to Aspergillus sydowii fungus culture broth changed its secondary metabolites profile. Analysis of the culture broth extract led to the isolation of three new bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoids: (7S)-(+)-7-O-methylsydonol (1), (7S,11S)-(+)-12-hydroxysydonic acid (2) and 7-deoxy-7,14-didehydrosydonol (3), along with eight known compounds. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory activities. Among the isolates, (S)-(+)-sydonol (4) did not only potentiate insulin-stimulated glucose consumption but also prevented lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Additionally, (S)-(+)-sydonol (4) exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity through inhibiting superoxide anion generation and elastase release by fMLP/CB-induced human neutrophils. This is the first report on isolating a secondary metabolite with anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory activities from microorganisms., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To describe a case of bilateral necrotizing retinitis induced by Angiostrongylus cantonensis., Design: Interventional case report., Methods: A 52-year-old Asian woman developed eosinophilic meningitis after eating several undercooked snails. One week later, sudden onset of vision loss was noted in both eyes. Widespread yellow retinal exudates were accompanied by bullous retinal detachment in both eyes., Results: Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection was confirmed by positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of the serum and cerebrospinal fluid, and a positive Western blot test of the subretinal fluid. After treatment with mebendazole, levamisole, and corticosteroid, these necrotizing patches regressed gradually. However, the final visual acuity was no light perception., Conclusions: Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection should be considered as one of the causes of necrotizing retinitis.

Salicylates and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) induce apoptosis in a variety of cancer cells, including those of colon, prostate, breast, and leukemia. We examined the effects of sodium salicylate (NaSal) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the association of these effects with apoptotic tumor cell death. We demonstrate that NaSal mediates ROS production followed by a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (deltapsi(m)), release of cytochrome c, and activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. However, expression of Bcl-2 or Bcl-x(L) prevents ROS production and subsequent loss of deltapsi(m), thereby inhibiting apoptotic cell death. The presence of ROS scavengers and an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase or expression of a dominant negative form of Rac1 blocks ROS production, deltapsi(m) collapse, and the subsequent activation of caspases. These observations indicate that NaSal mediates ROS production critical in the triggering of apoptotic tumor cell death through a Rac1-NADPH oxidase-dependent pathway. Our data collectively imply that NaSal-induced ROS are key mediators of deltapsi(m) collapse, which leads to the release of cytochrome c followed by caspase activation, culminating in tumor apoptosis.

Purpose: To report two young healthy women who developed endogenous Candida endophthalmitis after undergoing surgically induced abortion., Method: Case reports., Results: In two eyes of two patients, a diagnosis of Candida endophthalmitis was established by typical fundus appearance, positive vaginal culture, and, in one case, positive vitreous culture. After vitrectomy and intravitreal amphotericin B injection, one eye of one patient had a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/200, whereas one eye of one patient, who had systemic corticosteroid treatment before the correct diagnosis, developed recurrent retinal detachment and a best-corrected visual acuity of counting fingers., Conclusions: Induced abortion may cause endogenous Candida endophthalmitis in young healthy pregnant women. Systemic corticosteroid treatment may increase the risk of endophthalmitis.

Paris formosana Hayata (Liliaceae) grown in the mountain areas of Taiwan, has been used as a folk remedy for snake bite, and as an anti-inflammatory or anti-neoplastic agent. The effects of formosanin-C, a diosgenin saponin isolated from Paris formosana, on immune responses and transplantable murine tumor were studied. In culture systems, formosanin-C (0.03-0.16 microM) displayed significant enhancement of the blastogenic response of human peripheral blood cells to phytohemagglutinin. Formosanin-C also significantly increased the 3H-thymidine incorporation of ConA-stimulated lymphocytes at concentrations of 0.1 and 0.01 microM. The responsiveness of the granulocyte/macrophage colony-forming cells (GM-CFC) to mouse fibroblast cells L929 conditioned medium was altered in the presence of 0.01 and 0.001 microM of formosanin-C. In addition, formosanin-C given intraperitoneally activated natural killer cell activity at doses of 1-2.5 mg/kg. An intraperitoneal injection of 2.5 mg/kg of formosanin-C markedly induced interferon production, the peak blood level of which was observed 24 h after formosanin-C injection. Growth of subcutaneously transplanted MH134 mouse hepatoma was retarded by intraperitoneal treatment with 1-2.5 mg/kg of formosanin-C. The activity of 5-fluorouracil against MH-134 mouse hepatoma was potentiated by intraperitoneal treatment with formosanin-C. These results suggest that formosanin-C might display antitumor activity in association with modification of the immune system.