猪链球菌2型溶血素sly基因的表达及其产物的纯化和活性研究

目的 克隆并表达猪链球菌2型(SS2)溶血素基因(sly),为筛选SS2疫苗保护性抗原奠定基础.方法 用PCR方法从SS2临床分离株05ZYH33的基因组DNA中扩增出溶血素基因片段,将目的 基因插入表达载体pET-30b(+)中,构建重组表达载体pET30b-sly.重组载体经限制性内切酶酶切和DNA测序鉴定后,转化大肠埃希菌(E.coli Rosetta).IPTG诱导表达,镍离子亲和层析纯化重组蛋白,鉴定目的 蛋白的免疫学活性以及溶血活性.结果　PCR扩增的sly基因长度约为1500 bp,经测序分析,插入载体的sly基因序列准确并保持了正确的读框.经IPTG诱导的目的 蛋白表达量约占总蛋白的30%,亲和层析纯化后,蛋白纯度达80%以上.Western blot检测证实该蛋白能与感染SS2的人血清发生特异性结合.溶血试验表明重组蛋白溶血素能使猪红细胞发生溶解,溶血价为256.结论 成功构建了表达载体pET30b-sly,该载体可在大肠埃希菌中表达,表达蛋白具有免疫反应原性及溶血活性.     

梅毒螺旋体外膜蛋白Tp0136的制备及在血清学诊断中的应用

目的:为探索梅毒螺旋体(Treponema Pallidum,Tp)外膜蛋白Tp0136在早期梅毒诊断中的价值,利用基因重组技术制备Tp0136蛋白,用于血清抗体的检测。方法:采用PCR扩增Tp0136基因,构建不含信号肽序列的Tp0136基因原核表达载体,SDS-PAGE检测目的蛋白的表达情况,镍离子亲和凝胶分子筛二步法纯化目的蛋白,Western blot检测其免疫反应性,免疫日本大耳白兔评价其免疫原性,免疫双扩检测其效价,以rTp0136为包被抗原的间接ELISA检测早期梅毒血清抗体。结果:重组工程菌包涵体形式表达相对分子质量约为46 KDa的rTp0136,表达率为15%,制备得到纯度大于98%的rTp0136。纯化的rTp0136能诱导大耳白兔产生特异性免疫应答,免疫双扩测得其效价为1:32。Western blot检测重组蛋白能与兔抗Tp0136多克隆抗体发生特异性反应。间接ELISA检测正常人血清均为阴性,而早期梅毒血清抗体的阳性率为75.1%。结论:重组Tp0136具有良好的免疫活性,预示其在早期梅毒血清学诊断中具有良好的前景。     

人源性DNA聚合酶β原核蛋白的表达、蛋白纯化及其功能初探

[目的]利用人源性DNA聚合酶β原核表达载体,在大肠杆菌中表达并纯化DNA聚合酶β蛋白,并检测蛋白活性。[方法]将重组质粒pCR-BluntII-TOPO-DNApolβ转化入大肠杆菌E.coli中,IPTG诱导其表达并鉴定。利用金属螯合层析技术进行蛋白纯化,得到人源性DNApolβ融合蛋白,纯化的融合蛋白用EK酶酶切后,通过Ni2+柱纯化获得高纯度的人源性DNApolβ蛋白,电泳迁移率变动分析实验检测DNApolβ融合蛋白的AP修复活性。[结果]转化入大肠杆菌E.coliRosetta2的DNApolβ诱导表达最好,蛋白表达量高。金属螯合层析纯化后得到融合蛋白经EK酶切后得到高纯度的人源性DNApolβ蛋白,EMSA实验证明所纯化的DNApolβ融合蛋白不具有AP修复活性。[结论]利用原核表达载体pCR-BluntII-TOPO-DNApolβ在E.coliRosetta2中表达和纯化获得高纯度的DNApolβ融合蛋白,为下一步开展DNApolβ蛋白的生物学功能研究打下基础。     

结核分枝杆菌H37Rv株重组蛋白CFP-10的表达及纯化研究

目的表达、纯化结核分枝杆菌H37Rv株重组蛋白CFP-10(rCFP-10),为结核病血清学诊断价值的研究及亚单位疫苗的研制提供物质基础。方法重组质粒pET23b-CFP-10转化E.coli表达菌株BL21(DE3)pLysE,IPTG诱导rCFP-10表达。经SDS-PAGE电泳和Western印迹法鉴定后,优化表达条件用镍离子螯合亲和层析柱HisTrapTMHP纯化重组蛋白,最后用斑点金免疫渗滤法初步评价纯化蛋白的免疫反应性。结果成功构建了重组质粒pET23b-CFP-10,并且rCFP-10以可溶性形式高效表达,表达量约占菌体总蛋白的10%。经亲和层析后得到高纯度有免疫反应性的重组蛋白(纯度约为98.5%)。结论高纯度有免疫反应性的rCFP-10为新型亚单位疫苗的研发及其结核病血清学诊断价值的研究奠定了基础。     

幽门螺杆菌外膜36kDa蛋白重组表纯化及初步鉴定

[目的]构建幽门螺杆菌(H. pylori) NCTC11637菌株36kDa (OMP36)外膜蛋白基因原核表达系统,探索研制H. pylori疫苗的新途径.[方法]培养和收集H. pylori NCTC11637菌株,提取基因组DNA, PCR扩增目的基因片断.将其克隆到T载体并测序,再将目的基因克隆入PET32a( ),构建重组表达载体PET32a-OMP36.转化E.coliBL21后IPTG诱导表达,经SDS-PAGE鉴定、镍亲和层析纯化、Western blot检测表达蛋白.(结果)测序分析表明,插入的基因片断为987bp,表达的蛋白的相对分子质量(Mr)约为36kDa,并显示具有良好的抗原性.SDS-PAGE检测表明,表达量占细菌总蛋白的37%,镍亲和层析纯化率约92%.Western blot检测表达蛋白具有良好的抗原活性.[结论]成功克隆了外膜蛋白OMP 36kDa的编码基因,其表达产物OMP 36有望成为新的Hp疫苗候选分子,为H. pylori疫苗的研制和试剂盒的开发奠定了良好的基础.     

狂犬病毒糖蛋白基因在原核系统中的表达及纯化

[目的]选取狂犬病毒糖蛋白富集表位基因片段进行克隆、表达和纯化,以期获得能应用于血清学诊断的纯化重组蛋白。[方法]从狂犬病毒感染的Vero细胞上清液中提取病毒RNA,通过RT-PCR扩增CTN株糖蛋白表位富集区基因片段,与表达载体pPROEX HTb连接,构建重组表达载体,在BL21（DE3）中表达,重组蛋白经Western blot鉴定活性,最后用电洗脱法纯化重组蛋白。[结果]重组表达质粒在大肠杆菌中表达高产量的重组蛋白,Western blot结果显示,重组蛋白具有免疫活性,用电洗脱法纯化后的重组蛋白具有较高的纯度,测定蛋白含量为1.07 mg/ml。[结论]狂犬病毒糖蛋白富集表位基因片段能在大肠杆菌中成功表达,重组蛋白具有免疫活性,并可通过电洗脱法纯化,为狂犬病疫苗免疫血清抗体检测试剂的研制奠定了基础。     

幽门螺杆菌外膜36kDa蛋白重组表达、纯化及初步鉴定

[目的]构建幽门螺杆菌（H．pylori）NCTC11637菌株36kDa（OMP36）外膜蛋白基因原核表达系统，探索研制H．pylorl疫苗的新途径。[方法]培养和收集H．pylori NCTC11637菌株，提取基因组DNA，PCR扩增目的基因片断。将其克隆到T载体并测序，再将目的基因克隆入PET32a（＋），构建重组表达载体PET32a—OMP36。转化E．coli BL21后舢诱导表达，经SDS-PAGE鉴定、镍亲和层析纯化、Western blot检测表达蛋白。[结果]测序分析表明。插入的基因片断为987bp，表达的蛋白的相对分子质量（Mr）约为36kDa。并显示具有良好的抗原性。SDS—PAGE检测表明，表达量占细菌总蛋白的37％。镍亲和层析纯化率约92％。Western blot检测表达蛋白具有良好的抗原活性。[结论]成功克隆了外膜蛋白OMP36kDa的编码基因，其表达产物0MP36有望成为新的Hp疫苗候选分子，为H．pylori疫苗的研制和试剂盒的开发奠定了良好的基础。     

结核分枝杆菌分泌蛋白NPT64的克隆、表达、纯化和复性

目的 构建结核分枝杆菌分泌蛋白MPT 64的重组质粒,并在大肠杆菌中表达及纯化和复性重组蛋白.方法 用PCR方法从结核分枝杆菌H37Rv基因组中扩增出mpt64基因片段,插入PKRX-T载体中,再亚克降到表达载体PET30a中,在大肠杆菌中表达;应用组氨酸标签（His-Tag）纯化重组蛋白;在PBS中通过半透膜恢复重组蛋白的天然结构.结果 构建了含MPT64重组质粒的大肠杆菌工程菌,并以包涵体形式表达重组蛋白MPT 64,其占细胞总蛋白的20%～30%;重组蛋白变性后经镍柱纯化,其纯度达90%以上;通过半透膜完全恢复重组蛋白的天然结构.结论 具有天然结构和高纯度的重组融合蛋白有可能成为有效的结核病血清学诊断的候选抗原.     

幽门螺杆菌omp22基因工程菌蛋白表达条件优化、纯化及活性鉴定

[目的]优化幽门螺杆菌omp22基因工程菌(pMAL-c2X-omp22-TB1)的表达条件,并对目的蛋白进行纯化和免疫活性鉴定. [方法]在不同诱导时机、诱导剂(IPTG)浓度、诱导时间下诱导pMAL-c2X-omp22-TB1的表达,测定目的蛋白的表达量.在优化条件下诱导工程菌表达,采用SDS-PAGE方法对表达产物分析;Amyloss树脂预装柱对可溶性OMP22蛋白进行分离、纯化,对纯化蛋白做Westem blot分析. [结果]工程菌培养2 h时加入IPTG(终浓度为0.3mmol/L)诱导4 h,目的蛋白表达量达到菌体总蛋白的25%以上;经纯化得到了较高纯度(>90%)的目的蛋白,并具有良好的免疫原性. [结论]建立了从TB1(pMAL-c2X-omp22)可溶性表达产物中纯化较高纯度OMP22融合蛋白的方法,为进一步的动物实验和诊断性抗原的研制以及工程菌高效表达生产工艺的研究打下了基础.     

结核分枝杆菌分泌蛋白MPT 64的克隆、表达、纯化和复性

目的构建结核分枝杆菌分泌蛋白MPT 64的重组质粒,并在大肠杆菌中表达及纯化和复性重组蛋白。方法用PCR方法从结核分枝杆菌H37Rv基因组中扩增出mpt 64基因片段,插入PKRX-T载体中,再亚克降到表达载体PET30a中,在大肠杆菌中表达;应用组氨酸标签(His-Tag)纯化重组蛋白;在PBS中通过半透膜恢复重组蛋白的天然结构。结果构建了含MPT 64重组质粒的大肠杆菌工程菌,并以包涵体形式表达重组蛋白MPT 64,其占细胞总蛋白的20%~30%;重组蛋白变性后经镍柱纯化,其纯度达90%以上;通过半透膜完全恢复重组蛋白的天然结构。结论具有天然结构和高纯度的重组融合蛋白有可能成为有效的结核病血清学诊断的候选抗原。     

The human drama of genetics: 'hard' and 'soft' media representations of inherited breast cancer

This paper examines media coverage of 'breast cancer genetics', and explores its implications for public understanding. We present a content analysis of coverage in British newspapers and look at a variety of popular forms, including women's magazines, television soap opera and radio drama. Genetic/inherited risk receives a great deal of coverage across a wide range of media formats and outlets. Much of this attention has focused on individuals from 'high risk families' and dilemmas around prophylactic mastectomies. Through examining media coverage, combined with interviews with media personnel and their sources, we show why this story proved so attractive to the media and highlight the different production values which influence coverage. Finally, we introduce preliminary findings from focus group discussions to demonstrate how such 'human interest' framing has engaged audience attention and influenced public understandings. The paper concludes by highlighting the implications for analysing, predicting, and engaging with, media representations of science.     

Worker education in the primary prevention of occupational dermatoses

This paper reports the evaluation of a skin care education programmeconducted on a fine chemicals manufacturing site where over1,000 employees are located. Approximately 60% are involvedin chemical manufacture. Over a 12 month period production staffreceived training in prevention of occupational dermatoses linkedto a site-wide poster initiative. The incidence of new casesof occupational dermatoses fell from 0.055 (70 cases in 1,277employees) to 0.021 (27 cases in 1,277 employees) before andafter the intervention respectively (p<0.0001). After otherfactors such as chemicals handled, observer bias and changesin reporting related to socioeconomic climate were taken intoaccount it is concluded that this study demonstrates the importanceof worker education as a tool for primary prevention of disease.Training materials such as video and poster presentations maybe effectively used in the chemical manufacturing industry asan adjunct to prevention and control of exposure to substanceshazardous to the skin. Such methods may also be used in otherindustries where there are significant risks of dermatoses.     

Regional Variation in Travel-related Illness acquired in Africa,March 1997–May 2011

To understand geographic variation in travel-related illness acquired in distinct African regions, we used the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network database to analyze records for 16,893 ill travelers returning from Africa over a 14-year period. Travelers to northern Africa most commonly reported gastrointestinal illnesses and dog bites. Febrile illnesses were more common in travelers returning from sub-Saharan countries. Eleven travelers died, 9 of malaria; these deaths occurred mainly among male business travelers to sub-Saharan Africa. The profile of illness varied substantially by region: malaria predominated in travelers returning from Central and Western Africa; schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, and dengue from Eastern and Western Africa; and loaisis from Central Africa. There were few reports of vaccine-preventable infections, HIV infection, and tuberculosis. Geographic profiling of illness acquired during travel to Africa guides targeted pretravel advice, expedites diagnosis in ill returning travelers, and may influence destination choices in tourism.     

The design of hazard risk assessment matrices for ranking occupational health risks and their application in mining and minerals processing

Two hazard risk assessment matrices for the ranking of occupational health risks are described. The qualitative matrix uses qualitative measures of probability and consequence to determine risk assessment codes for hazard-disease combinations. A walk-through survey of an underground metalliferous mine and concentrator is used to demonstrate how the qualitative matrix can be applied to determine priorities for the control of occupational health hazards. The semi-quantitative matrix uses attributable risk as a quantitative measure of probability and uses qualitative measures of consequence. A practical application of this matrix is the determination of occupational health priorities using existing epidemiological studies. Calculated attributable risks from epidemiological studies of hazard-disease combinations in mining and minerals processing are used as examples. These historic response data do not reflect the risks associated with current exposures. A method using current exposure data, known exposure-response relationships and the semi-quantitative matrix is proposed for more accurate and current risk rankings.     

Psychopathological features of a patient population of targets of workplace bullying

BACKGROUND: A strong association between workplace bullying and subsequent anxiety and depression, indicated by empirical research, suggests that bullying is an aetiological factor for mental health problems. AIMS: To evaluate levels of stress and anxiety-depression disorder developed by targets of workplace bullying together with outcome at 12 months and to characterize this population in terms of psychopathology and sociodemographic features. METHODS: Forty-eight patients (36 women and 12 men) meeting Leymann Inventory of Psychological Terror criteria for bullying were included in a prospective study. Evaluations were performed at first consultation and at 12 months using a standard clinical interview, a visual analogue scale of stress, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale, the Beech scale of stress in the workplace and a projective test (Picture-Frustration Study). RESULTS: At first consultation, 81% of patients showed high levels of perceived stress at work and 83 and 52% presented with anxiety or depression, respectively. At 12 months, only 19% of working patients expressed a feeling of stress at work. There was a significant change in symptoms of anxiety while there was no change in symptoms of depression. Stress at work and depression influenced significatively capacity to go back to work. At 12-month assessments, workers showed a significantly better score on the HAD scale than non-workers. Over half the targets presented a neuroticism-related predominant personality trait. CONCLUSION: Workplace bullying can have severe mental health repercussions, triggering serious and persistent underlying disorders.     

The rise and fall in incidence of malignant mesothelioma from a British Naval Dockyard, 1979-1999

BACKGROUND: The incidence of malignant mesothelioma in Britain is predicted to rise over the next 15-25 years because of past failure to protect the workforce against inhalation of asbestos. In British Naval dockyards, alternative insulation materials and respiratory protection were introduced from the mid-1960s. Aims This study was carried out to investigate the effects of these control measures on mesothelioma deaths in dockyard workers. METHODS: Cases of mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum between 1979 and 1999 in workers from the Devonport Naval Dockyard, south-west England, were sought from coroners' and medico-legal records. RESULTS: Three hundred and one cases were identified, 7% peritoneal. The peak incidence occurred in 1991 with 25 cases per annum (quadratic model fit R(2) = 74.2%, P < 0.001) and we predict that by 2003 the incidence will fall to fewer than five cases per annum. The mean time between first exposure and presentation was 48.5 years [95% confidence interval (CI) = 47.3-49.8], but this was significantly shorter in the more heavily exposed trades, when compared with the less heavily exposed (42 years, 95% CI = 39.0-45.0, versus 49.5 years, 95% CI = 48.2-50.9). Those with higher exposure were also at significantly greater risk of peritoneal disease (P < 0.023, Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSION: The reduction in incidence of mesothelioma is greater than can be accounted for by reduction in numbers of dockyard workers over the last 50 years. Changes in insulation materials and improved industrial hygiene measures introduced into the Devonport Dockyard from the mid-1960s have resulted in an earlier decline in the incidence of malignant mesothelioma than that predicted for the British workforce as a whole.     

Organophosphate toxicity and occupational exposure

The ubiquitous organophosphates present a continuing health hazard in agriculture, public health eradication programmes and as chemical warfare agents. Despite significant progress in understanding the potential mechanisms of toxicity far beyond the commonly accepted mechanism of cholinesterase inhibition in intentional exposures, the precise health effects following occupational exposures are yet to be completely defined. A much greater understanding exists of the clinical features of organophosphate poisoning. These are characterized by a triphasic response involving an initial acute cholinergic phase, an intermediate syndrome (both associated with high mortality) and a disabling but non-lethal delayed polyneuropathy. The delayed polyneuropathy may occur in the absence of the cholinergic or intermediate phases. However, progress is still required in order to improve the quantification and assessment of occupational exposures and the implementation of appropriate preventive measures. Finally, evidence-based guidelines for appropriate or optimal therapeutic interventions following poisoning are required urgently and collaborative work with colleagues in developing countries, where the occurrence of organophosphate exposures is more frequent, may provide the answers.     

Miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in underground miners

This report documents a case series of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in miners at a deep underground metalliferous mine in tropical arid Australia. During the summer months of February and March 1999, all cases of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in underground miners seen at the mine's medical centre were clinically examined and administered a questionnaire. Twenty-five patients were seen, an incidence of 56.4 cases per million man-hours. Miliaria rubra was most often located between the ankle and knee (88% of cases). Twenty-four percent had concurrent folliculitis and 20% had concurrent tinea. Thirty-two percent had a personal history of asthma. Walking through ground-water and splashing of the legs was common. Three to 4 weeks of sedentary duties in air conditioning was generally required to achieve resolution of miliaria rubra. The incidence of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs is 38% of the incidence of heat exhaustion at the same mine. The length of disablement is greater, however. Atopics may be at increased risk of miliaria rubra. Control measures are discussed.     

Planning research

The starting point for any research project should be a question.Once this has been defined and the relevant scientific literaturereviewed, a protocol should be drawn up. This will be used notonly as a guide to the conduct of the study and in the preparationof the final report, but also in seeking any financial supportand approvals that are required for the investigation. A protocolis normally arranged in sections covering the background tothe study, the question(s) that it will address, the methodsthat will be used for the collection and analysis of data, thestatistical power of the investigation (where relevant), anyethical considerations, and the financial input that will beneeded. A pilot study is often helpful where aspects of thestudy method are untried or of uncertainvalidity.     

Stress in the Norwegian police service

BACKGROUND: High levels of stress have been attributed to the conditions of police work, but there is little empirical evidence for this. AIMS: To develop a new instrument to measure job stress in the police; to assess the most severe and frequent police stressors; to compare levels of stress according to the demographic and organizational factors; and to study stress in relation to personality traits, work locus of control and coping strategies. METHODS: A comprehensive nationwide questionnaire survey of 3272 Norwegian police at all hierarchical levels, including the Norwegian Police Stress Survey (NPSS), the Job Stress Survey, the Basic Character Inventory, the Work Locus of Control Scale, and the Coping Strategies Scale. RESULTS: Work injuries were appraised as the most stressful but least frequent stressor and job pressure was reported the least severe but most frequent stressor. Females experienced job stressors less frequently, but appraised them as more severe than men did. Older police officers reported more job pressure severity and fewer work injuries. The police in districts where peer support was planned but not implemented, and who worked in districts with more than 50,000 inhabitants, perceived the lack of support more severely than others. The correlations between stress and personality traits, work locus of control, and coping were moderate. CONCLUSIONS: The NPSS captures police-specific stressors that are not adequately measured by global stress instruments. The study of stress in police work should preferably involve a nationwide use of police-specific stress instruments.