Influenza virus pathogenicity regulated by host cellular proteases,cytokines and metabolites,and its therapeutic options

Influenza A virus (IAV) causes significant morbidity and mortality. The knowledge gained within the last decade on the pandemic IAV(H1N1)2009 improved our understanding not only of the viral pathogenicity but also the host cellular factors involved in the pathogenicity of multiorgan failure (MOF), such as cellular trypsin-type hemagglutinin (HA₀) processing proteases for viral multiplication, cytokine storm, metabolic disorders and energy crisis. The HA processing proteases in the airway and organs for all IAV known to date have been identified. Recently, a new concept on the pathogenicity of MOF, the “influenza virus–cytokine–trypsin” cycle, has been proposed involving up-regulation of trypsin through pro-inflammatory cytokines, and potentiation of viral multiplication in various organs. Furthermore, the relationship between causative factors has been summarized as the “influenza virus–cytokine–trypsin” cycle interconnected with the “metabolic disorders–cytokine” cycle. These cycles provide new treatment concepts for ATP crisis and MOF. This review discusses IAV pathogenicity on cellular proteases, cytokines, metabolites and therapeutic options.     

Effect of a Combined Exercise and Cognitive Activity Intervention on Cognitive Function in Community-dwelling Older Adults: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of an intervention combining exercise and cognitive activity on cognitive function in healthy older adults. Methods: This pilot randomized controlled trial recruited 33 eligible, healthy communitydwelling older adults (mean age, 77.1 years old; women, 51.5%), who were divided into intervention and waitlist control groups. The intervention group was engaged weekly in a group activity comprising exercise and discussions of homework, which included reading aloud, simple arithmetic, and simple activities, like spotting differences, for cognitive stimulation. They were also required to complete cognitive activity homework twice a week. The waitlist control group received no intervention. The main outcomes were cognitive function assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination, delayed recall score on the Logical Memory IIA of the Wechsler Memory Scale Revised, Trail Making Test, and digit symbol substitution test. Results: According to the results, Mini-Mental State Examination scores were maintained in the intervention group but declined in the control group [Mean change in outcomes in control group (95% confidence interval): -1.68 (-2.89 to -0.48)]. Additional mean change in outcomes in intervention group were found [1.68 (0.02 to 3.35)]. Conclusions: Interventions combining exercise and cognitive activity can be helpful for preserving cognitive function in healthy older adults.     

A laser flash photolysis study of the dynamic behaviour of radical pairs in micellar solutions under ultrahigh magnetic fields of up to 30 T

The photo-induced hydrogen abstraction reactions of benzophenone in aqueous micellar SDS and Brij 35 solutions, decafluorobenzophenone in an aqueous micellar Brij 35 solution and naphthoquinone in an aqueous micellar SDS solution were investigated at room temperature under pulsed magnetic fields of 0–29.6T. In each of these reactions, the radical pair decay rate is found to decrease with increasing field from 0 to about 3 T and to increase with increasing field above 3 T. The escape radical yield is found to increase with increasing field from 0 to about 3 T and to decrease with increasing field above 3 T. These magnetic field effects are explained in terms of the relaxation mechanism. In each of the Brij 35 micellar solution systems, the anisotropy in the g tensor of the ketyl radical and its correlation time are evaluated from the observed effects.