In order to obtain virus-like particles (VLPs) for prevention of bovine viral diarrhea virus 1 (BVDV-1), the C-E^rns-E1-E2 region was cloned into a pFastBacDaul vector for generating the recombinant Bacmid-BVDV-1 in DH10Bac Escherichia coli. The recombinant baculovirus Baculo-BVDV-1 was produced by transfecting the Sf9 cells with Bacmid-BVDV-1. The expressed protein and the assembled VLPs were determined by immunofluorescence, Western blotting and electron microscopy. Guinea pigs were immunized with inactivated VLPs coupled with the Montanide ISA-201 adjuvant. The immunogenicity of VLPs was evaluated by monitoring the humoral immune response with neutralizing antibody titer determination, as well as by analyzing the cell-mediated immune response with lymphocyte proliferation assay. The protective efficacy of VLPs was evaluated by challenging with 10⁶ TCID₅₀ virulent BVDV-1 strain AV69. The results showed that the recombinant Baculo-BVDV-1 efficiently expressed BVDV structural protein and form VLPs in infected Sf9 cells. The immunization of guinea pigs with VLPs resulted in a high titer (1:144) of neutralizing antibody, indicating an activated cellular immunity. Significantly lower viral RNA in the blood of the post-challenged immunized guinea pigs was observed. The successful preparation of BVDV VLPs with insect cell expression system and the observation of the associated immunogenicity may facilitate further development of a VLPs-based vaccine against BVD.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; Diarrhea ; Diarrhea Virus 1, Bovine Viral ; Guinea Pigs ; Mineral Oil ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; Viral Vaccines

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of Montanide ISA-720 and Naloxone (NLX) in Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) vaccine formulation on cytokine and long-lasting antibody responses. METHODS: First, the HBsAg was formulated in Montanide ISA-720 adjuvant and Naloxone at 5 and 10 mg/kg. The experimental mice were immunized three times at a 2-week interval, and then IL-4, IL-2, TNF-α, and IFN-γ cytokines; long-lasting IgG antibody responses 220 days after the last shot; and IgG1/IgG2a isotypes were assessed by ELISA. RESULTS: The HBsAg-Alum group exhibited the highest IL-4 cytokine response among the experimental groups, whereas NLX in HBsAg-MON720 vaccine formulation did not affect cytokine responses. In addition, NLX in Alum-based vaccine suppressed IL-4 cytokine response and increased the IL-2/IL-4 cytokine ratio. Moreover, HBsAg-MON720 was more potent than HBsAg-Alum in the induction of antibody responses, and NLX in Alum- and MON720-based vaccines induced long-lasting antibody responses. CONCLUSION NLX in Alum-based vaccine decreased IL-4 cytokine response, increased IL-2/IL-4 cytokine ratio, and improved long-lasting humoral immune responses in both vaccine formulations. Therefore, the adjuvant activity of NLX in the vaccine formulation depends on the type of adjuvant and the nature of the antigen in the vaccine formulation.
Adjuvants, Immunologic/pharmacology* ; Alum Compounds ; Animals ; Cytokines ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; Immunity, Humoral ; Immunoglobulin G ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-4 ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mineral Oil ; Naloxone/pharmacology* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Here we reported a case of exogenous lipoid pneumonia from Peking University Third Hospital. A 62-year-old male presented with chronic cough and expectoration for 8 years, without chest pain, hemoptysis or short of breath. He was an ex-smoker. In his past medical history, the patient reported chronic rhinitis sicca for 20 years. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed patchy ground glass opacities in his bilateral lower lobe. In recent 3 years, his symptoms showed slowly deteriorative changes, as did his chest CT findings. No improvement of the patient's symptoms was observed, although he had been treated with many antibiotics. Then he was referred to our hospital for a detailed investigation for interstitial lung disease. On admission, the physical examination showed no abnormal findings except for inspiratory fine crackles in his bilateral lower lung field on auscultation. The results of the laboratory analysis, including complete blood cell count, biochemistry, arterial blood gas, urinalysis, antinuclear antibody (ANA), antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) and tumor markers were all within normal ranges. To exclude the possibility of infectious or malignant conditions, bronchoscopy was performed. Secretions from the left lower lobe bronchus were collected for bacterial, fungal and fast-acid cultures, which were all negative. A bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed in the left lower lobe with a 30% recovery. The total cell count of the BAL fluid was 6.5×10⁴/mL, and the cellularity differential revealed increased neutrophils (20%) and lymphocytes (17%). The cytological examination in the BAL fluid showed no malignant cells. All the clinical data above did not reveal any conclusive information. However, the pathological findings of his transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) were highlighted with lipid-laden macrophages engulfed by large vacuoles occupying almost completely the cytoplasm of the cells, which were consistent with those of exogenous lipoid pneumonia. Given these findings, it emerged that the patient was taking twice daily inhalations of a compound menthol nasal drops (essential oil of camphor, menthol and liquid paraffin) for his chronic rhinitis sicca for at least 10 years. Then he discontinued oil nasal sprays and showed gradual improvement 3 months later without intensive treatment. The presenting case report emphasizes the fact that chronic inhalation of nasal sprays and decongestants containing mineral oils was a cause of exogenous lipoid pneumonia, and clinicians should bear it in mind.
Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Humans ; Male ; Menthol ; Middle Aged ; Mineral Oil ; Pneumonia, Lipid

Background: Xerosis is one of the most common dermatologic complaints in the elderly. People in the tropics, including the Philippines, have effectively used coconut oil as a traditional moisturizer for centuries. Its film-forming qualities allow it to act as a skin moisturizer and as a protectant against moisture loss. To date, only one randomized clinical trial has proven the efficacy and safety of coconut oil as a skin moisturizer for xerosis. With the increasing number of VCO products in the market, this study aimed to validate the use of an indigenous agricultural product, virgin coconut oil, for senile xerosis. With its moisturizing, antioxidant, and antiseptic effects, VCO may be superior and more cost-effective compared to the frequently used synthetic mineral oil. Objective: This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of virgin coconut oil compared to mineral oil for the treatment of senile xerosis. Methods: This was a community-based assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial, which included elderly patients with mild to moderate senile xerosis of the legs. Participants were instructed to apply the test oil twice daily to the legs for 2 weeks. The following primary outcomes were measured at baseline and 2-weeks post treatment: skin dryness (over-all dry skin score, ODSS), skin hydration (corneometer readings), skin lipid content (sebumeter readings), and quality of life (Dermatology Life Quality Index). Secondary outcomes like patient-assessed clinical efficacy and adverse effects were also measured. Results: A total of 148 participants (59 males, 89 females) with mean age of 68 years (SD 6.02) were included in the study. Eighty-one (81) were assigned under the VCO group and 67 under the mineral oil group. There was a total of 25 dropouts, 7 in the virgin coconut oil group, and 18 in the mineral oil group. The distribution of the patients’ ODSS after treatment with VCO and mineral oil showed a trend towards improvement: 43% in the VCO group had no visible signs of leg xerosis versus 22.4% in the mineral oil group. The proportion of participants with>1 point decrease in ODSS, was statistically greater in the VCO group at 74% (60/81) compared to the mineral oil group, 34% (23/67) (p<0.0001). VCO showed significantly greater skin hydration at 74% (60/81) as compared to 46% (31/67) in the mineral oil group (p<0.0010). Improvement in the skin lipid content using the sebumeter showed 82.7% (67/81) in the VCO group compared to 61.2% (41/67) in the mineral oil group (p=0.6591). Moreover, the patients’ perceived efficacy of the oil applied on their skin was 29.6% (24/81) in the VCO group compared to 5.9% (4/67) in the mineral oil group (p=0.0030). Baseline DLQI scores showed no significant difference in the assessed quality of life of the patients between the two treatments (p=0.0161).Over all, the VCO group showed 32.1% (26/81) treatment success compared to 8.9% (6/67) in the mineral oil group (p=0.004614). Adverse events in the 2 groups were all mild and transient with 8% (6/74) patients in the VCO group and 26.5% (13/49) in the mineral oil group (p=0.089). Conclusion Among elderly patients with mild to moderate xerosis, 2-week topical application of VCO was superior to mineral oil in the immediate improvement of leg xerosis based on primary outcome measures of the Over-all Dry Skin Score (ODSS), corneometer, sebumeter readings, and the Dermatology Life Quality Index.
Coconut Oil ; Mineral Oil

Lipoid pneumonia (LP) is an uncommon form of pneumonia that is characterized by the presence of intra-alveolar lipid and lipid-laden macrophages on microscopy. It categorized as exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ExLP) and endogenous lipoid pneumonia (EnLP). Exogenous lipoid pneumonia caused by inhalation of liposuction substances (animal fat, vegetable oil, or mineral oil), mostly, in adult cases, they were medicines for constipation or rhinopharyngitis. Most of these patients showed mild clinical manifestations, and chronic medical condition. There were reports of lipoid pneumonia being successfully treated with corticosteroids, immunoglobulins and whole lung lavage. We report a case of exogenous lipoid pneumonia characterized by high fever and acute medical condition. A 77-year-old woman with hypertension and diabetes mellitus, accepted paraffin oil treatment for "incomplete intestinal obstruction", then, an accident of aspiration happened, as she went through the history of coughing while eating, followed by persistent hyperthermia and increases of white blood cells (WBC). Chest CT showed progressive ground-glass opacities, accompanied with fusion of consolidation, her sputum etiological examination was negative, and the therapy of broad-spectrum antibiotic was invalid. The patient was subjected to bronchofibroscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) appeared colorless and transparent, and did not show a milky appearence. Total cell count of the BALF was 2.0×10⁹ cell/mL, including 7.2% macrophages and 92.8% neutrophils. Cultures of the BALF were negative for bacterial, fungal, and mycobacterial pathogens. The BALF cytologic findings showed vacuolated lipid-laden macrophages (Oil Red O staining). These findings revealed exogenous lipoid pneumonia. There were reports of lipoid pneumonia being successfully treated with corticosteroids, immunoglobulins, and whole-lung lavage. So this patient was treated with methylprednisolone 120 mg/d for 3 days and 80 mg/d for 6 days, at the same time, immunoglobulins was given to infusion, but the daily peak temperature of the patients fluctuated between 38 and 39 degrees. Then, whole lung lavage was performed 28 days after admission. Unfortunately, acute pulmonary edema occurred during the operation, as the tracheal intubation problems, and 6 days later, the patient died at last. The clinical manifestations of exogenous lipid pneumonia vary greatly, from asymptomatic to life-threatening symptoms, and as febrile low fever is the main manifestation, but hyperthermia may also be the remarkable presentation.
Adult ; Aged ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Female ; Humans ; Mineral Oil ; Pneumonia, Lipid/therapy* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

A paraffinoma is a type of inflammatory lipogranuloma that develops after the injection of an artificial mineral oil, such as paraffin or silicon, into the foreskin or the subcutaneous tissue of the penis for the purpose of penis enlargement, cosmetics, or prosthesis. The authors experienced a case of macro-paraffinoma associated with sexual dysfunction, voiding dysfunction, and pain caused by a buried glans penis after a paraffin injection for penis enlargement that had been performed 35 years previously. Herein, this case is presented with a literature review.
Foreskin ; Granuloma* ; Male ; Mineral Oil ; Oils ; Paraffin* ; Penis ; Prostheses and Implants ; Silicon ; Subcutaneous Tissue

Paclitaxel (taxol) has long been used as a potent anticancer agent for the treatment of many cancers. Ever since the fungal species Taxomyces andreanae was first shown to produce taxol in 1993, many endophytic fungal species have been recognized as taxol accumulators. In this study, we analyzed the taxol-producing capacity of different Colletotrichum spp. to determine the distribution of a taxol biosynthetic gene within this genus. Distribution of the taxadiene synthase (TS) gene, which cyclizes geranylgeranyl diphosphate to produce taxadiene, was analyzed in 12 Colletotrichum spp., of which 8 were found to contain the unique skeletal core structure of paclitaxel. However, distribution of the gene was not limited to closely related species. The production of taxol by Colletotrichum dematium, which causes pepper anthracnose, depended on the method in which the fungus was stored, with the highest production being in samples stored under mineral oil. Based on its distribution among Colletotrichum spp., the TS gene was either integrated into or deleted from the bacterial genome in a species-specific manner. In addition to their taxol-producing capacity, the simple genome structure and easy gene manipulation of these endophytic fungal species make them valuable resources for identifying genes in the taxol biosynthetic pathway.
Biosynthetic Pathways ; Colletotrichum* ; Fungi ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Genome ; Genome, Bacterial ; Methods ; Mineral Oil ; Paclitaxel*

PURPOSE: To investigate the therapeutic effects of mineral oil (MO) and hyaluronic acid (HA) mixture eye drops on the tear film and ocular surface in a mouse model of experimental dry eye (EDE). METHODS: Eye drops consisting of 0.1% HA alone or mixed with 0.1%, 0.5%, or 5.0% MO were applied to desiccating stress-induced murine dry eyes. Tear volume, corneal irregularity score, tear film break-up time (TBUT), and corneal fluorescein staining scores were measured at 5 and 10 days after treatment. Ten days after treatment, goblet cells in the conjunctiva were counted after Periodic acid-Schiff staining. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the tear volume between desiccating stress-induced groups. The corneal irregularity score was lower in the 0.5% MO group compared with the EDE and HA groups. The 0.5% and 5.0% MO groups showed a significant improvement in TBUT compared with the EDE group. Mice treated with 0.1% and 0.5% MO mixture eye drops showed a significant improvement in fluorescein staining scores compared with the EDE group and the HA group. The conjunctival goblet cell count was higher in the 0.5% MO group compared with the EDE group and HA group. CONCLUSIONS: The MO and HA mixture eye drops had a beneficial effect on the tear films and ocular surface of murine dry eye. The application of 0.5% MO and 0.1% HA mixture eye drops could improve corneal irregularity, the corneal fluorescein staining score, and conjunctival goblet cell count compared with 0.1% HA eye drops in the treatment of EDE.
Animals ; Conjunctiva/*drug effects/pathology ; Cornea/metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drug Combinations ; Dry Eye Syndromes/*drug therapy/metabolism ; Emollients/administration & dosage ; Female ; Goblet Cells/drug effects/metabolism/pathology ; Hyaluronic Acid/*administration & dosage ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mineral Oil/*administration & dosage ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; Tears/*metabolism ; Viscosupplements/administration & dosage

Direct injection of foreign material, such as liquid paraffin and silicone, into the breast can induce a foreign body granulomatous reaction and fibrosis, resulting in hard, nodular breast masses and architectural distortion that can mimic neoplasm. Conventional methods, including physical examination, mammography, and ultrasonography are of little use to differentiate between foreign body-induced mastopathy and breast cancer. In patients with foreign body injection such as breast augmentation, dynamic contrast enhanced MR imaging is an excellent imaging modality. Here, the authors report the MR imaging and pathological findings of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) with multicystic changes in a 41-year-old woman with a previous history of interstitial mammoplasty by paraffin injection.
Adult ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating* ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Mammaplasty* ; Mammography ; Mineral Oil ; Paraffin* ; Physical Examination ; Silicones ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo investigate clinical characteristics and changes of pulmonary imaging of mineral oil aspiration pneumonia in children.

METHODThe clinical features, CT findings, and effects of corticosteroid therapy were analyzed in 16 children with mineral oil aspiration pneumonia, who were hospitalized in our hospital from January 2003 to July 2013.

RESULTAll patients with mineral oil aspiration pneumonia had a history of mineral oil administration.Four patients had no clinical manifestations. Ten cases presented fever, and 8 of the 10 patients had fever in 4-8 h after taking mineral oil, and the temperature was between 39-40 °C. There were wheezing in 2 cases, shortness of breath in 6 cases, cyanosis in 1 case, dyspnea in 3 cases, and moaning in 2 cases, chest pain in 1 case, headache and abnormal EEG in 1 case.Six patients had rales in lungs. Peripheral blood white cells increased in 10 cases, and C- reactive protein elevated in 7 patients. Chest CT examination showed abnormal findings in 6 children, and the earliest CT was performed within 2 h after the accident. The rest 10 children got chest X-ray, and 9 of 10 children had abnormal findings. The earliest X-ray was done within 3 h after the accident. And the remaining 1 of 10 children showed no significant changes in the first chest X-ray 2-3 h after the accident until 3 days. All of the patients received corticosteroid and antibiotic treatments, 4 cases underwent bronchoalveolar lavage, 3 patients were given albumin, 6 cases received intravenous immunoglobulin. Three cases delayed in treatment with hormone because of misdiagnosis, and 2 of them had clearly secondary infections. Twelve patients recovered completely from oil aspiration pneumonia after 8 days to 5.5 months.

CONCLUSIONOil aspiration pneumonia in children occurs in almost all cases after mineral oil aspiration. Pulmonary opacities can be found by chest CT in most patients within 24 hours after mineral oil aspiration. Corticosteroids therapy was effective for patients with exogenous lipid pneumonia, which may inhibit the inflammatory response and possible pulmonary fibrosis.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fever ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Glucocorticoids ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Infant ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Mineral Oil ; adverse effects ; Pneumonia, Lipid ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed