Search

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the primary causative agent of porcine circovirus-associated diseases in pigs. The sole structural capsid protein of PCV2, Cap, consists of major antigenic domains, but little is known about the assembly of capsid particles. The purpose of this study is to produce a large amount of Cap protein using Escherichia coli expression system for further studying the essential sequences contributing to formation of particles. By using codon optimization of rare arginine codons near the 5′-end of the cap gene for E. coli, a full-length Cap without any fusion tag recombinant protein (Cap1-233) was expressed and proceeded to form virus-like particles (VLPs) in normal Cap appearance that resembled the authentic PCV2 capsid. The N-terminal deletion mutant (Cap51-233) deleted the nuclear localization signal (NLS) domain, while the internal deletion mutant (CapΔ51-103) deleted a likely dimerization domain that failed to form VLPs. The unique Cys108 substitution mutant (CapC/S) exhibited most irregular aggregates, and only few VLPs were formed. These results suggest that the N-terminal region within the residues 1 to 103 possessing the NLS and dimerization domains are essential for self-assembly of stable Cap VLPs, and the unique Cys108 plays an important role in the integrity of VLPs. The immunogenicity of PCV2 VLPs was further evaluated by immunization of pigs followed by challenge infection. The Cap1-233-immunized pigs demonstrated specific antibody immune responses and are prevented from PCV2 challenge, thus implying its potential use for a VLP-based PCV2 vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enthalpies of dilution of matrine (MAT) in pure water and aqueous sodium chloride solutions were determined by isothermal titration microcalorimetry at 298.15 K, and the corresponding homogeneous enthalpic interaction coefficients were calculated according to the modified McMillan–Mayer model. The values of enthalpic pair-wise interaction coefficients, h2, are all positive and become more positive with increasing concentration of sodium chloride. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine the ameliorative effects of a crude extract of Vaccaria segetalis (Neck.) Garcke (Caryophyllaceae) (VSE) on osteopenia in ovariectomized (OVX) rats over 12 weeks. Rats were divided into the sham and OVX groups. The OVX rats were allowed to lose bone for 6 weeks. At 6 weeks post-OVX, the OVX rats were divided into four groups treated with water, 17β-estradiol (30 μg/kg, daily subcutaneous injection), or VSE (0.5 or 1.0 g/kg, daily, orally) for 6 weeks. In OVX rats, the increases of serum total cholesterol were significantly decreased by VSE or 17β-estradiol treatment. There were decreases in bone density and calcium content, including the left femur and the fourth lumbar vertebra, when compared with the sham control rats. Treatment with 17β-estradiol or VSE ameliorated these changes induced by OVX. In addition, ovariectomy increased urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD) amounts ( P < 0.001). The increases were suppressed by 17β-estradiol and 0.5 or 1.0 g/kg VSE ( P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively). Our results demonstrated that VSE ameliorates ovariectomy-induced osteopenia by inhibition of bone resorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  The concentration effect on the dilution enthalpies (Δdil H m) of colchicine (COL) in aqueous NaCl solutions has been investigated by isothermal titration microcalorimetry at 298.15 K. The corresponding homogeneous enthalpic interaction coefficients have been calculated according to the excess enthalpy concept. The results show that the dilution enthalpies of COL in aqueous NaCl solutions at different mass fractions are positive. The overall trend is that enthalpies of dilution become more positive with the increase of the salt mass fraction. The values of enthalpic pair-wise interaction coefficients, h 2, have been obtained by fitting the data of the enthalpies of dilution with a viral expansion. The results can be interpreted from the view of solute-solute and solute-solvent interactions involved in the solvent effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]