Case Report: Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing for Diagnosis of Human Encephalitis and Endophthalmitis Caused by Pseudorabies Virus

PurposeThe objective of our study was to report a case of encephalitis and endophthalmitis caused by pseudorabies virus (PRV), identified using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS).Case PresentationA 54-year-old worker, from a swine slaughterhouse, developed signs of severe encephalitis, including fever, disturbance of consciousness, hypopnea, and status epilepticus, after finger injury at work. The PRV sequences were successfully identified from the blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and aqueous humor of the patient through mNGS, which was further verified using a Sanger sequencing.ConclusionOur case emphasizes the importance of mNGS in early diagnoses of infectious diseases, and gives a clue that PRV can spread across species and infect human. It is necessary to carry out a skin protection and education about disease prevention for people who have close contact with swine.

Canthaxanthin Biofabrication, Loading in Green Phospholipid Vesicles and Evaluation of In Vitro Protection of Cells and Promotion of Their Monolayer Regeneration

In the present study, canthaxanthin was produced by biofermentation from Dietzia natronolimnaea HS-1 (D. natronolimnaea) and was loaded in phospholipid vesicles prepared with natural component using an easy and low dissipative method. Indeed, glycerosomes, hyalurosomes, and glycerohyalurosomes were prepared by direct hydration of both phosphatidylcholine and the biotechnological canthaxanthin, avoiding the use of organic solvents. Vesicles were sized from 63 nm to 87 nm and highly negatively charged. They entrapped a high number of the biomolecules and were stable on storage. Canthaxanthin-loaded vesicles incubated with fibroblasts did not affect their viability, proving to be highly biocompatible and capable of inhibiting the death of fibroblasts stressed with hydrogen peroxide. They reduced the nitric oxide expression in macrophages treated with lipopolysaccharides. Moreover, they favoured the cell migration in an in vitro lesion model. Results confirmed the health-promoting potential of canthaxanthin in skin cells, which is potentiated by its suitable loading in phospholipid vesicles, thus suggesting the possible use of these natural bioformulations in both skin protection and regeneration, thanks to the potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiageing effects of canthaxanthin.

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Fermented Eggplant Fruit Extracts with Leuconostoc mesenteroides KD20

We isolated Leuconostoc mesenteroides KD20, which has its application as a cosmetic material, while searching for useful microbes in Gangwon-do’s traditional fermented foods. Eggplant fruit extract (EG) was fermented with lactic acid bacteria L. mesenteroides. HPLC analysis results for the component analysis of EG and the fermented eggplant fruit extract (FEG) showed bio-conversion of quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucoside and rutin. To investigate skin protection effects of EG and FEG against skin damage by ultraviolet ray, we measured antioxidation and inhibitory effect of inflammation-related cytokines in keratinocytes irradiated with ultraviolet B (UVB). Biosynthesis of IL- 1α, which is increased with UVB in keratinocytes, was inhibited by 24.7% and 28.3% at 100 μg/ml of EG and FEG, respectively. Biosynthesis of PGE2 in keratinocytes was inhibited by 45.7% and 52.3% at 100 μg/ml of EG and FEG, respectively, indicating a greater effect of FEG. Therefore, EG and FEG can be used as an excellent material for cosmetics with skin protection effect against ultraviolet irradiation in keratinocytes.