Reduced 293T cell susceptibility to acrolein due to aldose reductase-like-1 protein expression.

Acrolein is a highly reactive alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde produced endogenously during lipid peroxidation and naturally distributed pervasively in living environments, posing serious threats to human health if not properly metabolized. In this study, we report aldose reductase-like-1 (ARL-1) as a novel enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of acrolein and protects cells from their toxicity. Using purified ARL-1 protein, we determined its enzymatic activity in response to acrolein and defined its steady-state kinetics with K(m) and V(max) at 0.110 +/- 0.012 mM and 3122.0 +/- 64.7 nmol/mg protein/min, respectively. By introducing a functional Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP)/ARL-1 fusion protein into 293T cells, we demonstrated that plating efficiency in liquid culture and focus formation in soft agar increased by more than 60% (p < 0.05), compared to the vector control cells. More significantly, at a low dose of 5 microM acrolein, EGFP/ARL-1 expression enhanced both plating efficiency and focus formation by more than threefold, and the foci (in soft agar) of 293T cells expressing EGFP/ARL-1 were significantly larger than those of the vector control cells. At high concentrations of acrolein (25 and 50 microM), EGFP/ARL-1 protein prevented oncotic death of 293T cells induced by acrolein. In summary, our data demonstrated for the first time that the ARL-1 protein protects 293T cells from acrolein toxicity. Due to the high toxicity and wide distribution of acrolein, this finding is important to the understanding of its detoxification mechanisms.     

晕厥的ICD-10编码

目的对临床12种昏厥进行ICD-10编码.方法根据临床12种昏厥的不同病因病理、临床表现,结合ICD-10编码规则对其进行ICD-10编码.结果根据临床分类,昏厥可分为12种及其对应编码.结论对于不能直接从ICD-10(三卷)中找到的昏厥编码,需根据其病因病理、临床表现变换主导词,在ICD-10中找到对应的编码.     

Effects of dextropropoxyphene on the steady-state kinetics of oxcarbazepine and its metabolites

The effects of dextropropoxyphene on the steady-state kinetics of oxcarbazepine and its metabolites were investigated in eight patients with epilepsy or trigeminal neuralgia. One patient dropped out of the study, presumably due to side-effects of dextropropoxyphene. Dextropropoxyphene did not affect the plasma levels of the principal active metabolite, 10,11-dihydro-10-hydroxy-carbamazepine. Since dextropropoxyphene is known to increase the plasma levels of carbamazepine, leading to toxicity, the findings of this study suggest that oxcarbazepine is a useful alternative to carbamazepine when concomitant dextropropoxyphene therapy is required.     

Characterization of T cell epitopes in αs1-casein in cow''s milk allergic, atopic and non-atopic children

BACKGROUND: One to two percent of infants suffer from IgE-mediated allergic reactions against cow's milk proteins. Most children develop clinical tolerance, but approximately 15% are still allergic by the age of 10 years. Little is known about the T cell epitopes in individual cow's milk protein in relation to allergy and tolerance. OBJECTIVE: To identify T cell epitopes in alphas1-casein, the most abundant milk protein, and to investigate T cell responses toward these epitopes in allergic, atopic and non-atopic children. METHODS: Allergen-specific T cell lines (TCLs) were derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 11 cow's milk allergic, nine atopic and nine non-atopic children. T cell responses were measured to alphas1-casein and to overlapping peptides (18-mers), spanning the alphas1-casein molecule. Proliferation was determined by incorporation of (3)H-thymidine, and cytokine production (IL-10, IL-13 and IFN-gamma) was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Four main regions (amino acid (AA) residues 43-66, 73-96, 91-114 and 127-180) in the alphas1-casein molecule were immunogenic to T cells, among which the AA residues 133-156 spanned the immunodominant part. Only subtle differences were found in peptide recognition between the subject groups. Some of the peptides induced slightly Th1- or Th2-skewed cytokine responses. The increased levels of IL-10 in response to alphas1-casein observed in TCLs from atopic children appeared not to be linked to recognition of specific IL-10-inducing epitopes. CONCLUSIONS: The immunodominant sequence in alphas1-casein is spanned by AA residues 133-156. Tolerance towards alphas1-casein in atopic children may be mediated by an overall induction of IL-10 and not by recognition of certain T cell epitopes. The identified T cell epitopes in children with cow's milk allergy may be useful targets in developing peptide immunotherapy.     

Transforming growth factor-β1 and interleukin-10 in breast milk and development of atopic diseases in infants

BACKGROUND: Precise relationship between breastfeeding and infant allergy is poorly understood. Objective Aim was to quantify TGF-beta(1) and IL-10 in colostrum and mature milk from allergic and non-allergic mothers and to verify relationship with allergic disease development. METHODS: Mothers (13 allergics, nine controls) of 22 newborns participated to prospective study on development of children atopy. Colostrum and mature milk were assayed for TGF-beta(1) and IL-10 by ELISA. Children underwent paediatrician evaluation at 6 months of life. RESULTS: Data are presented as median values and range. A significant difference in concentration of TGF-beta(1) between colostrum (330, range 0-3400 pg/mL) and mature milk (215, range 0-2400 pg/mL) was observed in samples from allergic mothers (P=0.015). In mature milk TGF-beta(1) was significantly lower in allergic (215, range 0-2400 pg/mL) than in non-allergic mothers (1059, range 0-6250 pg/mL) (P=0.015). IL-10 was weakly expressed without significant differences between allergic (4.8, range 0-42 and 9.5, range 0-42 pg/mL in colostrum and in mature milk) and non-allergic mothers (0, range 0-42 pg/mL in colostrum and 0, range 0-42 pg/mL in mature milk). After 6 months 46% infants from allergic mothers, but none from controls, presented atopic dermatitis. CONCLUSION: TGF-beta(1) was significantly less secreted in mature milk of allergic mothers, while no difference in IL-10 was found. Particular cytokine patterns in milk could influence development of atopic diseases. Further immunological studies in this field are necessary.     

Cloning and expression of SLC1OA4,a putative organic anion transport protein

AIM:To determine if novel bile acid transporters may be expressed in human tissues.METHODS:SLC10A1 (NTCP) was used as a probe to search the NCBI database for homology to previously uncharacterized ESTs. The homology search identified an EST (termed SLC10A4) that shares sequence identity with SLC10A1 and SLC10A2 (ASBT). We performed Northern blot analysis and RT-PCR to determine the tissue distribution of SLC10A4. SLC10A4 was cloned in frame with an epitope tag and overexpressed in CHO cells to determine cellular localization and functional analysis of bile acid uptake.RESULTS:Northern analysis revealed that SLC 10A4 mRNA is ubiquitously expressed fn human tissues with the highest levels of mRNA expression in brain,placenta, and liver. In SLC10A4-transfected CHO cells,immunoblotting analysis and immunofluorescence staining demonstrated a 49-kDa protein that is expressed at the plasma membrane and intracellular compartments.Functional analysis of SLC10A4 showed no significant taurocholate uptake in the presence of sodium when compared to untransfected CHO cells.CONCLUSION:To date, we have shown that this protein has no capacity to transport taurocholate relative to SLC1041; however, given its ubiquitous tissue distribution, it may play a more active role in transporting other endogenous organic anions.     

A Brief Mental Health Outcomes Measure: Translation and Validation of the Czech Version of the Schwartz Outcomes Scale-10

The Schwartz Outcomes Scale-10 (SOS-10) is a 10-item scale developed to measure the effectiveness of psychiatric treatments. Using standard methodology, we translated the scale into Czech and examined the psychometric properties of the Czech version. 207 in-patients admitted to Prague Psychiatric Center were included in the study. All patients completed the SOS at admission and discharge. The SOS-10 scale was also administered to 170 persons from the general population. Reliability, validity and sensitivity to treatment change of the Czech SOS-10 were analyzed. The Cronbach’s α coefficient was 0.92. The item-total correlation coefficients varied from 0.56 to 0.82. The SOS-10 correlated well with condition-specific measures including depression (BDI) and anxiety (BAI) and a global self-rated symptom severity scale (CGI). The SOS-10 also had significant correlations with the Health, Basic needs, Relationship, and Leisure time domains of the Czech version of the Subjective Quality of Life Analysis (SQUALA-CZ). The scale discriminated well between patients and controls, with patients scoring significantly lower on all SOS items. The patient sample’s admission and discharge scores were significantly different, indicating that the scale is sensitive to treatment changes. We concluded that the Czech SOS-10 is valid with reliability and factor structure similar to the American language version.     

肝炎肝硬化患者血清IL-10、IL-18水平的变化及意义

目的探讨血清IL10、IL18在肝炎肝硬化的发病机制中的作用。方法62例肝炎肝硬化患者根据childpugh分级法分为3组:childpughA级组19例、childpughB级组23例和childpughC级组20例。采用ELISA法检测3组患者和20例健康献血员血清IL10、IL18的水平。结果childpughA、B、C级组血清IL18水平均明显高于对照组(P均<0.01),childpughA级组血清IL10水平略高于对照组,但无显著性差异(P>0.05);childpughB、C级组明显低于对照组(P<0.05);有腹水组、无腹水组血清IL18水平均明显高于对照组(P均<0.01),有腹水组血清IL10水平明显低于无腹水组、对照组(P<0.05,P<0.01);血清IL10水平与血清IL8水平呈负相关(r=-0.51,P<0.01);血清白蛋白水平与血清IL10水平呈正相关(r=0.566,P<0.01),与血清IL8水平呈负相关(r=-0.315,P<0.01);血清凝血酶原活动度与血清IL10水平呈正相关(r=0.506,P<0.01),与血清IL18水平呈负相关(r=-0.463,P<0.01);血清总胆红素水平与血清IL8水平呈正相关(r=0.677,P<0.01),与血清IL10水平呈负相关(r=-0.339,P<0.01)。结论IL10、IL18在肝炎肝硬化的发病机制中起一定的作用,其水平与肝损害程度密切相关。