The presence of the casein kinase II phosphorylation sites of Vpu enhances the CD4(+) T cell loss caused by the simian-human immunodeficiency virus SHIV(KU-lbMC33) in pig-tailed macaques

The simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV)/ macaque model for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 has become a useful tool to assess the role of Vpu in lentivirus pathogenesis. In this report, we have mutated the two phosphorylated serine residues of the HIV-1 Vpu to glycine residues and have reconstructed a SHIV expressing this nonphosphorylated Vpu (SHIV(S52,56G)). Expression studies revealed that this protein was localized to the same intracellular compartment as wild-type Vpu. To determine if this virus was pathogenic, four pig-tailed macaques were inoculated with SHIV(S52,56G) and virus burdens and circulating CD4(+) T cells monitored up to 1 year. Our results indicate that SHIV(S52,56G) caused rapid loss in the circulating CD4(+) T cells within 3 weeks of inoculation in one macaque (CC8X), while the other three macaques developed no or gradual numbers of CD4(+) T cells and a wasting syndrome. Histological examination of tissues revealed that macaque CC8X had lesions in lymphoid tissues (spleen, lymph nodes, and thymus) that were typical for macaques inoculated with pathogenic parental SHIV(KU-1bMC33) and had no lesions within the CNS. To rule out that macaque CC8X had selected for a virus in which there was reversion of the glycine residues at positions 52 and 56 to serine residues and/or compensating mutations occurred in other genes associated with CD4 down-regulation, sequence analysis was performed on amplified vpu sequences isolated from PBMC and from several lymphoid tissues at necropsy. Sequence analysis revealed a reversion of the glycine residues back to serine residues in this macaque. The other macaques maintained low virus burdens, with one macaque (P003) developing a wasting syndrome between months 9 and 11. Histological examination of tissues from this macaque revealed a thymus with severe atrophy that was similar to that of a previously reported macaque inoculated with a SHIV lacking vpu (Virology 293, 2002, 252). Sequence analysis revealed no reversion of the glycine residues in the vpu sequences isolated from this macaque. These results contrast with those from four macaques inoculated with the parental pathogenic SHIV(KU-1bMC33), all of which developed severe CD4(+) T cell loss within 1 month after inoculation. Taken together, these results indicate that casein kinase II phosphorylation sites of Vpu contributes to the pathogenicity of the SHIV(KU-1bMC33) and suggest that the SHIV(KU-1bMC33)/pig-tailed macaque model will be useful in analyzing amino acids/domains of Vpu that contribute to the pathogenesis of HIV-1.     

Seasonal malaria transmission and variation of anopheline density in two distinct endemic areas in Brazilian Amazonia

Studies on seasonal anopheline fauna variation were performed in two distinct settlements in the State of Rond?nia, Brazil: one at the Madeira River banks (Portuchuelo) with stable native Amazonian population; the other at an inland lumber-extracting farm (Urupá) in dry land, in which adults are mostly migrants. During a 6-yr period (1994-2000), 8,638 adult anophelines were collected: 2,684 in Urupá and 5,954 in Portuchuelo. Anopheles darlingi represented >95% of total mosquitoes caught. Dissection of 4,424 A. darlingi females yielded a very low sporozoite infection index below 0.1%. Oocysts were found in both localities in approximately 0.1% of dissected mosquitoes. Determination of the hour biting rates disclosed seasonal variations in both localities. However, in Portuchuelo, mosquito density peaked at the acme of the rainy season, whereas at Urupá it peaked in the dry season. The increase in mosquito density and incidence of malaria cases were coincident. The high mosquito densities observed in the riverine settlement of Portochuelo sector B, which permits evaluation in > 10,000 mosquitoes' bites/person/year, could explain, in spite of the low mosquito's infection index, the previously described development of natural immunity in the local population that is not observed in the dry land agroindustrial settlement of Urupá.     

农村初中生考试焦虑程度及原因的调查研究

目的 通过对考试焦虑程度魔原因的抽样调查，为预防和治疗农村初中生考试焦虑提供第一手资料。方法 采用《考试焦虑程度诊断问卷》和《考试焦虑原因和表现自我检查问卷》对180名农村初中生进行问卷调查，并时其结果进行统计分析。结果 ①在考试焦虑程度方面，焦虑检出率为21．7％．士生的焦虑程度显著高于男生，且年级问差异显著；②在考试焦虑原因方面，年级差异和性别差异在整体水平上并不显著．研究发现“担心他人对自己的评价”的学生占总体的36．1％，为首要原因。结论 农村初中生考试焦虑的现状应引起有关部门的重视，建议多开展心理辅导和咨询活动。     

在中国发现普马拉型汉坦病毒

目的：确定我国是否存在普马拉（Puumala)病毒。方法：从我国东北地区棕背Bing肺标本中用RT－PCR扩增汉坦病毒S片段基因序列，对所扩增序列进行核苷酸序列测定和分析。结果：从我国东北地区棕背Bing肺标本中扩增出长度为926碱基对的cDNA片段，核苷酸序列测定证实为普马拉病毒S片段序列。与不同型别汉坦病毒代表株进行比较表明，此次发现为新的普马拉病毒株，系统发生分析结果表明，此次发现的病毒与普马拉病毒P360、K27、CG－820、CG－17株种系相近，同源性达到99％以上。结论：我国存在普马拉病毒，我国新发现的普马拉病毒核苷酸序列和俄罗斯远东地区普马拉病毒接近。     

Study on structure-property relationship of polyimide blends, 2. Structure and miscibility of polyimide PBPI-E/PTI-E blends

The structure and miscibility of polyimide PBPI-E/PTI-E blends were studied by wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering and dynamic mechanical analysis, where PBPI-E is a biphenyldianhydride-based polyimide, and PTI-E is a polyimide from 4,4′-thiodiphthalic anhydride and 4,4′-oxydianiline. The results obtained show that there exists a paracrystalline structure in the blends with high content of PBPI-E, but this does not affect the miscibility of the blends. The blends are miscible over the entire composition range, since only one T_g was observed for each blend. Meanwhile, the segregation of PTI-E during crystallization of PBPI-E in the blends is interlamellar.     

Improved controlled release study of lomustine

Lomustine (CCNU) microcapsules was prepared by improved recoacervation method, then mixed microcapsules with 0.7% collagen swelling solution to prepare the emulsion, spreaded the emulsion on the plate to form membrane and cross-linked it, the membrane would be planted into body and was expected to release at steady speed. The concentration of CCNU and the CCNU content of microcapsules were measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometry to observe the release of CCNU be slow and constant, approach to 0-class release approximately.     

Spectrum of CLCN1 mutations in patients with myotonia congenita in Northern Scandinavia

Myotonia congenita is a non-dystrophic muscle disorder affecting the excitability of the skeletal muscle membrane. It can be inherited either as an autosomal dominant (Thomsen's myotonia) or an autosomal recessive (Becker's myotonia) trait. Both types are characterised by myotonia (muscle stiffness) and muscular hypertrophy, and are caused by mutations in the muscle chloride channel gene, CLCN1. At least 50 different CLCN1 mutations have been described worldwide, but in many studies only about half of the patients showed mutations in CLCN1. Limitations in the mutation detection methods and genetic heterogeneity might be explanations. In the current study, we sequenced the entire CLCN1 gene in 15 Northern Norwegian and three Northern Swedish MC families. Our data show a high prevalence of myotonia congenita in Northern Norway similar to Northern Finland, but with a much higher degree of mutation heterogeneity. In total, eight different mutations and three polymorphisms (T87T, D718D, and P727L) were detected. Three mutations (F287S, A331T, and 2284+5C>T) were novel while the others (IVS1+3A>T, 979G>A, F413C, A531V, and R894X) have been reported previously. The mutations F413C, A531V, and R894X predominated in our patient material. Compound heterozygosity for A531V/R894X was the predominant genotype. In two probands, three mutations cosegregated with myotonia. No CLCN1 mutations were identified in two families. Our data support the presence of genetic heterogeneity and additional modifying factors in myotonia congenita.     

抗T细胞单克隆抗体对再生障碍性贫血患者TNF和IL—2水平的影响

为探讨抗Ｔ淋巴细胞克隆抗体对再生障碍性贫血患者免疫功能的调节作用，采用放射免疫检测２５例ＡＡ患者ＭｃＡｂ－Ｔ治疗前后血清肿瘤坏死因子和白细胞介素－２（ＩＬ－２）水平及其中１０例周围血单个核细胞体外诱生ＴＮＦ和ＩＬ－２水平的变化。     

内皮细胞微丝结构与血管内皮完整性关系的探讨

为证实内皮细胞微丝与血管内皮完整性之间的直接关系，用Ｒｈｏｄａｍｉｎｅ－ｐｈａｌｌｏｉｄｉｎ显示了体外培养的牛主动脉内皮细胞形成一微密单层细胞后的微丝形态及用细胞毒素Ｂ孵育单层内皮细胞后的细胞形态及微丝的变化。结果表明：内皮细胞内的微丝结构ＤＰＢ是维持内皮细胞之间连接的重要结构。文内还对内皮细胞微丝结构与动脉粥样硬化早期病变的关系进行了讨论。