DNA probe technology: implications for service planning in Britain

For certain genetic conditions DNA testing identifies carriers and determines the risk status of foetuses, thus helping parents to make more informed prenatal decisions. Data, collected from three genetic centres in England and Wales from August 1986 to July 1990, are used to describe trends in demand for DNA testing, the impact of DNA tests on carrier risk assessment, and the use of DNA tests in relation to pregnancy outcome. Altogether the data include 23,388 subjects and 681 pregnancies in 8738 families divided into five cohorts by year of entry and referral. The most frequent gene disorders referred to the genetic centres are currently being tested or will soon be tested. For these disorders the initial high level of activity has declined and may have reached steady state. Demand for DNA services is high for cystic fibrosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, intermediate for Huntington's disease, and low for adult polycystic kidney disease, phenylketonuria and tuberous sclerosis. Based on these findings we suggest that demand for DNA tests will be high in serious, untreatable and slow progressing conditions with early onset; intermediate for conditions affecting intellect and neurological integrity with later onset; and low for treatable, late-onset conditions, or those for which there is evidence of heterogeneity, and variable penetrance. It would be helpful to assess the extent to which this view of demand is confirmed when the new disorders being DNA tested are considered and for the pattern of activity of DNA testing for some types of cancer. Since no DNA centre could offer a fully comprehensive testing service, it is recommended that a structure is created to audit overall activity, assist in policy formulation, and influence supraregional service organisation, in order that the spread of DNA services be planned as effectively as possible. This structure would facilitate monitoring of the evolution of contract specifications agreed by commissioners and providers on a regional basis.     

Different mechanisms by which anti-DNA MoAbs bind to human endothelial cells and glomerular mesangial cells.

The mechanisms by which anti-DNA MoAbs derived from MRL-lpr/lpr mice, bind to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and glomerular mesangial cells were studied using a cellular ELISA. DNAse-treatment of either the MoAb or HUVEC followed by reconstitution with DNA and/or histones was performed to determine whether DNA and histones mediated such binding. It was found that MoAb410 bound to HUVEC and mesangial cells in the form of preformed DNA/anti-DNA immune complex, and such binding was facilitated by histones. In contrast, MoAb 152 bound directly to cell membrane-associated DNA, and adding DNA to MoAb 152 reduced its cellular binding. DNA binds endothelial cell surface and histones enhance the binding of both MoAb 410 and MoAb 152 to HUVEC by increasing cell membrane-associated DNA. Finally, the degree of MoAb binding to HUVEC is critically influenced by the relative concentrations of antibody, DNA, and histones.     

PUVA治疗诱导皮肤线粒体DNA 4977 bp缺失突变累积的研究

为探讨线粒体DNA(mitochondrialDNA,mtDNA)4977bp缺失突变与皮肤光老化之间的关系,采用三条引物PCR的方法检测长波紫外线光化学疗法(PUVA)治疗的银屑病患者背部非皮损区皮肤mtDNA4977bp缺失突变的累积。结果发现,在PUVA治疗期间3～21天、治疗后1～6个月和治疗后6个月以上的各组活检标本中,发生4977bp缺失突变的mtDNA占总mtDNA比例分别为0.06,0.12和0.19,和未经PUVA治疗的对照组比较均有显著性差异(P<0.01)。表明线粒体DNA4977bp缺失突变累积与皮肤光老化密切相关,可能作为衡量皮肤紫外线损伤程度的分子生物学标志。     

Oxidative stress: does it play a role in the genesis of essential hypertension and hypertension of uraemia?

Reactive oxygen species: general aspects Reactive oxygen species, including superoxide radicals, hydrogenperoxide, nitric oxide, peroxynitrite, hydroxyl radicals andhypochlorous acid are by-products of normal metabolic processesin cells. Reactive oxygen species can be found in several cellsincluding macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells. At lowconcentrations reactive oxygen species can act as physiologicalmediators of cellular responses whereas higher concentrationsmay cause cell damage [1,2]. The major sources of reactive oxygenspecies are leakages from the electron transport chains of mitochondriaand endoplasmic reticulum. Cellular energy metabolism is basedon the production of ATP through the electron transport reactionin which O₂ accepts electrons and H⁺ and then is eventuallyreduced to water. Only 1–2% of the electrons are leakedto generate superoxide radicals in reactions mediated by coenzymeQ and ubiquinone and its complexes. During ageing (and probablyin patients     

Effect of dialysis flux and membrane material on dyslipidaemia and inflammation in haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidaemia, inflammation and oxidative stress are prominent risk factors that potentially cause vascular disease in haemodialysis patients. Dialysis modalities affect uraemic dyslipidaemia, possibly by modifying oxidative stress, but the effects of dialyser flux and membrane material on atherogenic remnant particles and oxidized low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are unknown. METHODS: We performed a randomized crossover study in 36 patients on haemodialysis to analyse the effect of dialyser flux and membrane material on plasma lipids, apolipoproteins and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Stable patients on low-flux dialysis with polysulphone for >/=6 weeks were assigned to high-flux polysulphone or high-flux modified cellulose with similar dialyser surface area and permeability characteristics and crossed over twice every 6 weeks. RESULTS: Thirty patients completed the study per protocol. Treatments with high-flux polysulphone and modified cellulose lowered serum triglyceride (by 20% and 10%, respectively; P<0.05) and remnant-like particle cholesterol by 32% (P<0.001) and 11% (NS) after the first 6 weeks of treatment. Oxidized LDL decreased significantly with high-flux polysulphone, but not with modified cellulose. Apolipoproteins CII and CIII were reduced, whereas the ratio CII/CIII was increased (all P<0.05). Acute-phase proteins and LDL and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol remained unaffected. CONCLUSIONS: This randomized crossover study demonstrates a potent effect of high-flux haemodialysis on uraemic dyslipidaemia. Polysulphone membrane material showed superiority on oxidatively modified LDL, an indicator of oxidative stress in haemodialysis patients.     

新生儿产伤79例分析

目的了解新生儿产伤种类及相关因素.方法用回顾性分析方法对该院23年间分娩造成的新生儿产伤共79例进行分析.结果23年间共分娩25 916例次,分娩造成的新生儿产伤共79例,发生率为3.05‰.产伤类型包括:骨折、臂丛神经损伤、产钳伤、刀伤、面瘫、口底损伤,其中以骨折为最多,计33例,占41.77%,骨折中颅骨骨折所占比例最大,25例(75.76%).与产伤关系最为密切的分娩方式是产钳助产.体重≥2500 g,发生新生儿产伤71例,占89.87%.新生儿产伤Apgar评分≤7分56例,占70.89%.结论正确选择分娩方式,把新生儿产伤降到最低点.     

过氧化氢导致线粒体DNA编码细胞色素C氧化酶基因突变与其编码蛋白结构与功能关系的研究

目的探讨过氧化氢(H2O2)导致线粒体DNA(mtDNA)编码细胞色素C氧化酶(COX)基因损伤(突变)后对其编码蛋白结构与功能的影响及两者之间的关系.方法采用生物信息学技术,运用计算机同源模建的方法模拟人天然COX亚单位和其突变体的空间结构,并利用已有的实验数据,结合模建的结果进行了结构、功能的分析、研究.结果在COX Ⅰ的三维结构中突变的部位(残基297～306)位于分子的最外部,而该区域参与了与B亚基(相当于COXⅡ亚基)的作用,该部位的突变使突变部位附近残基的侧链结构环境发生了极大的变化,导致附近的电荷性质、亲疏水性质和空间特性出现变化,这些变化对酶复合物的形成有直接的影响;COXⅡ突变后,组成分子结构的"椅靠"部分和"椅面"部分之间的夹角略有增大,而"椅靠"和"椅面"之间的夹角的变化将会影响整个酶分子的稳定性.结论H2O2导致的mtDNA编码COX Ⅰ、COXⅡ亚基基因突变使其编码的COX蛋白空间结构发生改变,这种改变是其功能改变(如酶蛋白活性下降)的主要原因.     

中国仓鼠肺成纤维细胞和HeLa细胞DNA氧化损伤的自身修复能力与比较

目的:研究不同氧化相关因素对中国仓鼠肺成纤维细胞(CHL)和HeLa细胞DNA损伤的自身修复情况.方法:将CHL细胞和HeLa细胞用不同氧化相关因素处理一定时间[CHL细胞:过氧化氢(H2O2)25 min,重铬酸钾(K2Cr2O7)105 min,阿霉素(Dox)75 min;HeLa细胞:H2O2 25 min,K2Cr2O7 105 min],随后立即去毒培养0、0.5、1、2、3 h,以碱性单细胞凝胶电泳技术检测DNA链断裂情况.结果:①CHL细胞经H2O2、K2Cr2O7、Dox作用后引起DNA链断裂,去毒培养1 h链断裂修复明显(P<0.01);去毒培养2～3 h,前两毒剂的损伤组完全修复,而Dox组链断裂仍高于未损伤组;②HeLa细胞经H2O2、K2Cr2O7作用后引起DNA链断裂,去毒培养0.5 h链断裂明显修复(P<0.01),去毒培养1 h则完全修复;③CHL细胞和HeLa细胞损伤后修复的拖尾率与修复时间的回归系数显著不同(P<0.05).结论:两种细胞在氧化性DNA损伤后均迅速启动自身修复,但HeLa细胞比CHL细胞有更快的修复能力;同时这两种细胞由Dox所致损伤修复能力均较H2O2、K2Cr2O7所致的差.