Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) levels inversely correlate with lung function improvement (delta FEV1) in cystic fibrosis patients receiving ivacaftor treatment

Background

We have recently shown that human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) levels correlate with the severity of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. However, there are no data on how HE4 levels alter in patients receiving CFTR modulating therapy.

聚合酶链反应检测实验动物弓形虫核酸的研究

建立弓形虫动物模型，常规方法提取肝、脾、肾、肺等组织DNA，应用聚合酶链反应（PCR）扩增，产物经电泳检测显示199bp的弓形虫特异带谱。并以γ－32p标记克隆的弓形虫特异DNA片段为探针，对扩增产物行Southern印迹分析，结果上述4种标本均出现阳性杂交带，进一步证实扩增条带是弓形虫特异DNA顺序。同时用酶标法检测显示鼠血清弓形虫抗体IgG；阳性。组织病理学检查结果，肝组织损伤较严重，肝细胞肿大，肝窦消失，脾、肾、肺组织可见轻微的病理改变。另外本文介绍一种简单PCR方法[1]，取鼠尾静脉血2μl直接进行扩增，结果与酚-氯仿法提取的DNA扩增结果一致。     

冷冻切片常遇到的问题及解决对策

目的 提高制作冷冻切片质量，确保实验结果科学性。方法 通过对切片机工作室温度设置选择，防卷板的调整应用及切片常遇到的问题分析，阐述提高制作高质量冷冻切片的方法。结果 通过对冷冻切片机有关参数的设定，提高了切片质量。结论 冷冻切片常遇到的问题，通过及时调整切片机相应设置，可以便捷解决。     

Monoclonal antibodies to three distinct epitopes on human IgE: their use for determination of allergen-specific IgE

Three different monoclonal antibodies (MAb) against human immunoglobulin E have been obtained which specifically bind to human myeloma and polyclonal IgE. The antibodies showed high avidities for soluble IgE (0.7 X 10(9) to 3.3 X 10(9) M-1). These MAb defined three distinct epitopes on IgE. A mixture of these antibodies in combination with an 125I-labelled anti-mouse Kappa chain MAb has been used to measure allergen-specific IgE. This determination was performed by a solid-phase radioimmunoassay using allergen extracts coated to either chemically activated paper discs or to polyvinyl chloride wells. This method is 4-10 times more sensitive than other previously reported procedures. A similar technique has also been applied to detect individual allergens in immunoblots of allergen extracts.     

微波凝固肝癌细胞活性的酶组织化学检测

目的比较HE染色和酶组织化学染色对判断微波消融灭活肝癌细胞活性的价值。方法用10W、1.5～2min(85～95℃)和5W、1.5～2min(55～65℃)两种条件的微波消融,分别治疗A、B两组(每组3只)小鼠移植型肝癌,并取微波消融前后的肿瘤组织标本制成切片,进行常规HE染色及琥珀酸脱氢酶的酶组织化学染色,在显微镜下观察两种染色的情况。结果从HE染色观察到,A、B两组小鼠肝癌组织在微波消融后的即刻,其细胞核形态和排列较消融前无明显改变。酶组织化学染色显示,A组肿瘤消融区内的琥珀酸脱氢酶的活性均消失,这说明了癌细胞的灭活;B组肿瘤消融区内上述的酶活性都呈散在阳性,提示部分癌细胞仍存活,A、B两组的肿瘤灭活效果明显不同(Ρ<0.01)。结论HE染色不能评价微波消融对肝癌的即刻灭活效应,用酶组织化学染色测琥珀酸脱氢酶的活性能判定MA对肝癌的灭活效果。     

HE4 as a predictor of adjuvant chemotherapy resistance and survival in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer

The aim of this study was to investigate the value of serum human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) and HE4 tissue protein expression to predict tumor resistance to adjuvant chemotherapy, progression‐free survival (PFS), and overall survival in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Consecutive inclusion of 198 patients diagnosed with EOC was conducted. Blood samples were collected prior to surgery and tissue samples during surgery. Patient data were registered prospectively in the Danish Gynecologic Cancer Database. The association between serum HE4 and HE4 tissue protein expression, resistance to adjuvant chemotherapy, PFS, and overall survival were analyzed in univariate analyses and in multivariate analyses adjusted for age, performance score, surgical outcome, stage, grade, and histological subtype. Serum HE4 levels predicted chemotherapy resistance, PFS, and overall survival correlated significantly (p < 0.001) in the univariate analyses; but after adjustment in a multivariate model, serum HE4 was insignificant, except in a subgroup analysis of postmenopausal women, where serum HE4 significantly predicted resistance to chemotherapy and progression‐free survival. HE4 tissue protein expression predicted PFS (p = 0.022) and overall survival (p = 0.047) in the univariate analysis, while HE4 tissue protein expression failed to predict these outcomes in the adjusted multivariate analyses. Serum HE4 or HE4 tissue protein expression are not independent factors of chemotherapy resistance or survival in patients with EOC, but serum HE4 might predict chemotherapy resistance and PFS in postmenopausal women.     

Cellular senescence determines endothelial cell damage induced by uremia

Renal dysfunction is closely associated with endothelial damage leading to cardiovascular disease. However, the extent to which endothelial damage induced by uremia is modulated by aging is poorly known. Aging can render endothelial cells more susceptible to apoptosis through an oxidative stress-dependent pathway. We examined whether senescence-associated to oxidative stress determines the injury induced by the uremia in endothelial cells.     

Lineage-related and particle size-dependent cytotoxicity of chitosan nanoparticles on mouse bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells

Chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) have potential applications in stem cell research. In this study, ex vivo cytotoxicity of CSNPs on mouse bone marrow-derived (MBMCs) hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) was determined. MBMCs were exposed to CSNPs of different particle sizes at various concentrations for up to 72 h. Cytotoxicity effect of CSNPs on MBMCs was determined using MTT, Live/Dead Viability/Cytotoxicity assays and flow cytometry analysis of surface antigens on HSCs (Sca-1⁺), myeloid-committed progenitors (CD11b⁺, Gr-1⁺), and lymphoid-committed progenitors (CD45⁺, CD3e⁺). At 24 h incubation, MBMCs' viability was not affected by CSNPs. At 48 and 72 h, significant reduction was detected at higher CSNPs concentrations. Small CSNPs (200 nm) significantly reduced MBMCs' viability while medium-sized particle (∼400 nm) selectively promoted MBMCs growth. Surface antigen assessment demonstrated lineage-dependent effect. Significant decrease in Sca-1⁺ cells percentage was observed for medium-sized particle at the lowest CSNPs concentration. Meanwhile, reduction of CD11b⁺ and Gr-1⁺ cells percentage was detected at high and intermediate concentrations of medium-sized and large CSNPs. Percentage of CD45⁺ and CD3e⁺ cells along with ROS levels were not significantly affected by CSNPs. In conclusion, medium-sized and large CSNPs were relatively non-toxic at lower concentrations. However, further investigations are necessary for therapeutic applications.     

Effect of low-molecular-weight heparin on the commitment of bone marrow cells to liver sinusoidal endothelial cells in CCl(4)-induced liver injury.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recently liver regeneration by bone marrow transplantation has been proposed as an alternative source of functional liver cells. We investigate commitment of bone marrow cells (BMCs) to liver regeneration and the effect of dalteparin sodium (DS) on regeneration of the damaged liver caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) administration in the mice. METHODS: Liver injury was produced in 8-week-old mice by treating with CCl(4) for 4 weeks. Thereafter, mice received a lethal dose of irradiation (10Gy) to whole body, followed by injection of 1x10(7) green fluorescent protein (GFP)-positive BMCs via the tail vein. DS (50IU/kg, intraperitoneally) was administered daily for 28 consecutive days starting at 1 day post-BMC transplantation. Lineage marker analysis of GFP-positive liver cells was performed immunostaining with a CD31 antibody. RESULT: Four weeks after BMC transplantation, GFP-positive cells in the CCl(4)-damaged liver could be detected in the lobule displaying a meshwork architecture extending from the periportal to pericentral regions, a pattern simulating sinusoidal lining. This localization of GFP-positive cells suggested that these cells were closely associated with sinusoidal endothelial cells. By staining the GFP-positive cells for CD31, it was confirmed that the majority of the GFP-positive cells are also positive for CD31. The GFP(+)CD31(+) cells were barely detected in the control group (1.0+/-1.2 per field). In marked contrast, a numerous number of GFP(+)CD31(+) cells were detected in the liver section obtained from the CCl(4)-induced liver damage group (3.8+/-1.3 per field, P<0.05 versus control). The number of GFP(+)CD31(+) cells in CCl(4) plus DS-treated group was further increased to 8.3+/-1.3 per field (P<0.05 versus CCl(4)-induced liver damage group). CONCLUSION: The majority of GFP-positive BMCs was committed to sinusoidal endothelial cells. DS promoted BMC differentiation into sinusoidal endothelial cells in the CCl(4)-damaged liver.