Immunogenicity and safety of a novel yeast Hansenula polymorpha-derived recombinant Hepatitis B candidate vaccine in healthy adolescents and adults aged 10–45 years

The aim was to determine whether the immunogenicity of an investigational hepatitis B vaccine (spHB) is at least as high as that of a licensed control vaccine, Engerix B^®, and to evaluate its safety before inclusion in new pediatric combination vaccines. Two randomized, controlled, blind-observer, Phase 3 trials were performed: one in Argentina (344 participants aged 10–15 years, 10 μg HBsAg/dose) and one in Uruguay (344 participants aged 16–45 years, 20 μg HBsAg/dose). Both vaccines were given in a 0, 1, 6 month schedule to all participants with a baseline anti-Hep B antibody titer <0.6 mIU/mL. Antibody titers were measured pre-dose 1, 1 month after dose 2, pre-dose 3, and 1 month after dose 3. Statistical non-inferiority analyses were performed on seroprotection rates (SP) post-dose 3 (% with anti-Hep B titers ≥10 mIU/mL; delta non-inferiority limit of −10%). In both studies, SP for the spHB vaccine was 100% and the spHB vaccine was non-inferior in terms of SP to the licensed control vaccine. GMTs post-dose 3 were approximately 1.8- and 4.1-fold higher for spHB in the 10–15 year and 16–45 year age groups, respectively. Reactogenicity was low for each vaccine, after each dose. This highly immunogenic hepatitis B candidate vaccine was selected for further investigation as a component of new pediatric combination vaccines.     

小干扰RNA干扰大鼠神经元Nogo受体mRNA表达的实验研究

目的观察大鼠Nogo受体(NgR)特异性小干扰RNA(small interfering RNA,siRNA)在原代神经元干扰其mRNA表达的效果。方法体外培养大鼠原代皮层和海马细胞,应用阳离子脂质体转染试剂转染4对化学合成的大鼠NgR特异性siRNA,72h后提取细胞总RNA,实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测NgR mRNA表达情况。结果4对siRNA均能够下调靶基因NgR的mRNA表达水平,siNgR199、siNgR562、siNgR772和siNgR964等干扰后,NgR mRNA的表达分别为对照siRNA干扰组的6.5%、62.4%、15.2%和6.86%,与对照siRNA干扰组比较有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论化学合成的NgR特异性siRNA能够有效的干扰大鼠原代皮层和海马细胞内NgR基因mRNA的表达水平。     

HBV转录激活蛋白HBx、MHBst78MHBst155真核重组载体构建

目的分别构建人乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)X蛋白、羧基端截断的中分子表面蛋白MHBst78、MHBst155编码基因的真核重组表达载体,以便进一步研究其转录激活功能及对宿主细胞信号传导通路的影响。方法设计合成3对寡核苷酸引物,以adr亚型HBV质粒pHBVDNA为模板,采用PCR法分别扩增HBVX基因、MHBst78与MHBst155编码基因片段;用HindⅢ,KpnⅠ双酶切HBVⅩ基因;用HindⅢ和BamHⅠ双酶切MHBst78与MHBst155编码基因片段后,分别定向插入到真核表达载体pcDNA3.1相应酶切位点,转化宿主菌JM109,提取质粒,分别用上述内切酶酶切及DNA测序鉴定重组质粒。结果酶切重组体显示所切下的片段大小均与预计相符,测序结果与文献报道序列及预计结果一致。结论成功构建了HBVX基因、羧基端截断的HBV中分子表面蛋白MHBst78、MHBst155编码基因的真核重组表达载体,为进一步研究HBV转录激活蛋白HBx、MHBst78MHBst155对宿主细胞信号转导通路的影响奠定基础。     

Distinct osteogenic mechanisms of bones of distinct origins

Mammalian bones have three distinct origins (paraxial mesoderm, lateral plate mesoderm, and neural crest) and undergo two different modes of formation (intra-membranous and endochondral). Bones derived from the paraxial mesoderm and lateral plate mesoderm mainly form through the endochondral process. During this process, hypertrophic chondrocytes play a vital role in inducing both osteogenesis and angiogenesis. One of the essential osteogenic factors secreted from hypertrophic chondrocytes is Indian hedgehog (Ihh). In contrast, bones derived from the neural crest mainly form through the intramembranous pro-cess and do not require Ihh. Thus, depending on their origin, bones have distinct signaling properties, which need to be considered in the research and application of bone biology.Presented at the 18th Annual Research Meeting of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association, Kitakyushu, Japan, October 17, 2003     

海上应急作战卫勤组织指挥探讨

海上应急作战卫勤保障将是多军兵种联合作战联勤保障体制下组织实施,传统的卫勤保障模式和以线性作战形成的分级救治体系已不适应。因此,本文从海上应急作战特点出发,探讨海上应急作战卫勤组织指挥体制、机构、医疗后送体系、救治任务区分等问题,研究建立适合我军联勤体制的卫勤组织指挥体制与运行机制。     

Non-invasive temperature imaging of muscles with magnetic resonance imaging using spin-echo sequences

The application of spin-echo magnetic resonance imaging sequences on non-invasive temperature imaging for temperature mapping of human limbs is investigated. In an in vitro expriment performed on a meat sample, the equilibrium magnetisation P and the spin-lattice relaxation time T₁ are calculated from the values for the repetition time TR and the signal intensities obtained by a spin-echo sequence at different tissue temperatures tures as measured by a fibre-optic probe. T₁ is linearly correlated to the tissue temperature, and P is linearly correlated to the reciprocal value of the absolute temperature. Both effects, taken together, lead to a non-linear dependency of the signal intensity on temperature. Therefore a TR leading to maximum temperature dependency of the signal intensity is calculated and used in the futher experiments. In the in vivo experiments, the lower legs of two volunteers are cooled from outside. Images are acquired with a spin-echo sequence (1.5T, TR=1200 ms, TE=10 ms). A rise in signal intensity in the muscle with falling skin temperature is observed, particularly in more peripheral muscle layers. This study shows that spin-echo sequences can be used to monitor temperature changes and temperature differences in living muscle tissue.     

Ex vivo neutrophil function in response to three different doses of glycosylated rHuG-CSF (Lenograstim)

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is being considered as adjuvant treatment for infections in non-neutropenic patients. Normal healthy donors were given rHuG-CSF (Lenograstim) at 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 μg/kg subcutaneously daily for 5 d. Polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) function tests were carried out on peripheral blood PMN before the first injection and at 24 h and 96 h. Circulating PMN levels were also measured at these time intervals and found to be significantly increased with all doses by 24 and 96 h. Investigation of cell surface antigen expression revealed no changes in β₂ integrin (CD11b/CD18) expression. L-selectin (CD62L) expression was reduced with all doses by 96 h, this being significant with the 7.5 μg/kg dose. FcγRI (CD64) levels were significantly up-regulated with the 7.5 μg/kg dose by 96 h whereas FcγRIII (CD16) expression was found to be reduced during G-CSF treatment. Superoxide anion production was significantly increased in response to N -formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine (FMLP) and opsonized Staphylococcus epidermidis stimulation at 24 h and 96 h with the 5.0 and 7.5 μg/kg doses. The initial rate of phagocytosis (0–2 min) appeared to have increased with the 7.5 and 5.0 μg/kg doses at 96 and 24 h compared with PMN responses pretreatment, although these increases were not statistically significant. These results show that G-CSF enhances the functional responses of PMN stimulated by physiological agonists and may help in the treatment of infections.     

Effect of Glass Transition Temperature on the Stability of Lyophilized Formulations Containing a Chimeric Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibody

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to highlight the importance of knowing the glass transition temperature, T_g, of a lyophilized amorphous solid composed primarily of a sugar and a protein in the interpretation of accelerated stability data. Methods. Glass transition temperatures were measured using DSC and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy. Aggregation of protein in the solid state was monitored using size-exclusion chromatography. Results. Sucrose formulation (T_g ~ 59°C) when stored at 60°C was found to undergo significant aggregation, while the trehalose formulation (T_g ~ 80°C) was stable at 60°C. The instability observed with sucrose formulation at 60°C can be attributed to its T_g (~59°C) being close to the testing temperature. Increase in the protein/sugar ratio was found to increase the T_gs of the formulations containing sucrose or trehalose, but to different degrees. Conclusions. Since the formulations exist in glassy state during their shelf-life, accelerated stability data generated in the glassy state (40°C) is perhaps a better predictor of the relative stability of formulations than the data generated at a higher temperature (60°C) where one formulation is in the glassy state while the other is near or above its T_g.     

甲基强的松龙对低温保存大鼠肝脏的保护作用

应用Ｗｉｓｔａｒ大鼠肝脏离体灌流模型，用ＣＭＵ—１号液，含有甲基强的松龙的ＣＭＵ—１号液，以及缺血前预用甲基强的松龙后再用ＣＭＵ—１号液分别对肝脏进行灌洗保存。检测ＬＤＨ、ＡＬＴ、肝组织匀浆ＳＯＤ活性和ＭＤＡ含量，并观察肝组织结构。结果表明：甲基强的松龙对低温保存的离体大鼠肝脏具有保护作用