肺癌患者PTEN基因启动子高甲基化的检测

目的 探讨肺癌患者组织、外周血浆及支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中张力蛋白同源的磷酸酶基因(PTEN)启动子异常基因化状况及其在肺癌诊断中的价值.方法 用甲基化特异性PCR方法检测组织、血浆及BALF中的PTEN基因启动子区CpG岛甲基化.结果 45例肺癌患者中,PTEN基因启动子异常甲基化率组织为26.67%(12/45)、血浆为15.56%(7/45),BALF为22.22%(10/45);而非肺癌组织、正常对照血浆、非肺癌患者BALF中未检出甲基化;血浆、BALF中甲基化改变与肿瘤组织甲基化状况显著相关(P<0.01).结论 血浆、BALF中PTEN基因异常甲基化改变的检测在肺癌的早期特异诊断等方面有一定的价值.     

肺癌细胞中NF-κB2基因表达及启动子区域甲基化状态分析

目的研究肺癌细胞和人正常支气管细胞(human bronchial epithelial cell,HBE)中NF-κB2的表达情况及其启动子区CpG岛的甲基化状态。方法采用实时荧光定量PCR(Real-time PCR)方法检测肺癌细胞和正常支气管细胞NF-κB2基因mRNA的表达情况;采用Western blot技术检测NF-κB2前体蛋白p100的表达情况;采用重亚硫酸盐测序(Bisulfite Sequencing PCR,BSP)技术检测NF-κB2启动子区CpG岛的甲基化状态。结果肺腺癌细胞株A549、肺鳞癌细胞株SK-MES-1和小细胞肺癌细胞株NCI-H446的NF-κB2 mRNA的表达分别是HBE细胞株的6.42±0.91倍(P0.05,t=5.828)、2.78±0.52倍(P0.05,t=3.219)、2.79±0.33倍(P0.05,t=4.611);3种肺癌细胞中p100蛋白较HBE细胞均上调表达;4种细胞株中所扩增片段的CpG位点均呈非甲基化状态。结论肺癌细胞及HBE细胞中NF-κB2启动子区域的CpG位点处于非甲基化状态,说明NF-κB2基因表达情况与甲基化状态无直接关系,其启动子区的甲基化修饰未直接参与该基因的表达调控,可能存在其他相关的调控机制,有待进一步的探索。     

乳腺癌发生过程中NOEY2基因启动子区甲基化及mRNA表达

目的 探讨乳腺癌发生过程中抑癌基因NOEY2启动子区甲基化状态及其对mRNA表达的影响。方法 应用甲基化特异性PCR及双亚硫酸钠基因测序技术检测MCF10模型中乳腺增生细胞系MCF10A、癌前细胞系MCF10AT、导管内癌细胞系MCFIODCIS．com、浸润癌细胞系MCF10CA1a、MCF10CA1d、MCF10CA1h及正常乳腺组织中NOEY2基因启动子区CpG岛Ⅰ甲基化状态,然后用RT-PCR和实时PCR技术检测上述样品的mRNA表达水平。结果 MCF10模型的增生细胞系、癌前细胞系、导管内癌细胞系、浸润癌细胞系均发生该基因启动子区CpG岛Ⅰ高度甲基化;与正常乳腺组织相比,上述细胞系mRNA表达显著减少。结论 NOEY2基因启动子区高度甲基化及相应的mRNA表达减少是乳腺癌发生过程中的早期事件,与乳腺癌发生有关,可能成为早期诊断乳腺癌的潜在分子生物学标记。     

非小细胞肺癌中Axin基因启动子区异常高甲基化与临床病理因素的关系

目的体轴抑制因子(Axin)是Wnt信号传导通路的关键抑制因子,其基因启动子区存在CpG岛,本研究的目的是探讨非小细胞肺癌组织中Axin基因启动子区是否存在异常高甲基化,以及高甲基化对Axin转录水平的影响,及其与肺癌患者临床病理因素的关系。方法应用巢式甲基化特异性PCR(Nested MSP)对98例肺癌组织及其配对癌旁正常肺组织中Axin基因启动子区的甲基化状态进行了检测,同时应用RT-PCR方法检测了肺癌组织及其配对癌旁正常肺组织中Axin mRNA的水平,并且通过卡方检验统计Axin基因启动子区高甲基化状态与肺癌患者临床病理因素的关系。结果部分非小细胞肺癌组织中Axin基因启动子区处于高甲基化状态(42/98),而其配对的癌旁正常肺组织中Axin基因处于半甲基化或非甲基化状态(56/98),高甲基化的肺癌组织中Axin mRNA的水平明显低于其配对癌旁正常肺组织及非高甲基化的肺癌组织中Axin mRNA的水平;Axin基因启动子区异常高甲基化与非小细胞肺癌患者的分化程度负向关,与TNM分期及淋巴结转移正相关。结论非小细胞肺癌中Axin基因启动子区高甲基化与Axin的转录水平和非小细胞肺癌的分化程度负相关,与TNM分期及淋巴结转移正相关。     

肠道肿瘤组织中C-erbB2基因启动子区CpG岛甲基化状态的分析

目的：探讨肠道肿瘤中致癌基因C-erbB2启动子区CpG岛的甲基化状态。方法收集经病理确诊的40例肠癌患者甲醛固定的肠道肿瘤组织及相应癌旁组织各40份;采用甲基化特异聚合酶链反应(MSP)检测C-erbB2基因启动子区CpG岛甲基化状态。结果肠道肿瘤组织中C-erbB2基因启动子区CpG岛甲基化率(52.5%)低于癌旁组织中存在的甲基化率(75.0%),两者之间差异有统计学意义(<0.05);肿瘤不同分期和有无淋巴结转移组间C-erbB2基因启动子区CpG岛甲基化率差异无统计学意义。结论所检标本显示肠道肿瘤组织与癌旁组织间C-erbB2基因启动子区CpG岛甲基化率差异有统计学意义,提示C-erbB2低甲基化可能是C-erbB2蛋白高表达和肠癌发生的原因之一。     

散发性乳腺癌及乳腺不典型导管增生组织BRCA1基因启动子区甲基化分析

目的 了解散发性乳腺癌及癌旁增生组织、乳腺不典型导管增生组织BRCA1基因启动子区甲基化状态,探讨其与乳腺癌发生的关系.方法 采用甲基化特异性PCR(MSP)结合巢式PCR技术,研究23例散发性乳腺癌及其癌旁增生组织、6例乳腺不典型导管增生组织及5例健康成人女性外周血淋巴细胞中BRCA1基因启动子区甲基化状态.结果 5例健康成人女性外周血淋巴细胞均表现BRCA1基因启动子区甲基化阴性;23例原发性乳腺癌组织中,BRCA1基因启动子区CpG岛甲基化率为65.22%(15/23);癌旁增生组织检出CpG岛甲基化者11例,甲基化率为47.83%(11/23),且均为癌组织阳性患者;6例乳腺不典型导管增生组织中,BRCA1基因启动子区CpG岛甲基化阳性者2例,甲基化率为33.33%(2/6);统计学检验结果表明,乳腺癌、癌旁增生组织之间,BRCA1基因启动子区甲基化阳性率无显著差异.结论 BRCA1基因启动子区CpG 岛甲基化是散发性乳腺癌发生过程中的早期事件,可能在乳腺癌发生中和乳腺增生病癌变过程中起重要生物学作用.     

痰标本FHIT、P16、MGMT、RASSF1A、APC基因甲基化在肺癌诊断中的作用

目的 探讨肺癌患者痰标本中FHIT、P16、MGMT、RASSF1A和APC等抑癌基因启动子异常甲基化及其联合检测在肺癌筛查及早期诊断中的价值.方法 采用甲基化特异性PCR(methylation specific PCR,MSP)法,检测47例肺癌组织及对应的痰标本FHIT、P16,MGMT、RASSF1A和APC基因启动子区甲基化状态.24例肺良性疾病患者痰标本作为对照.结果 47例肺癌组织标本中FHIT、P16、MGMT、RASSF1A、APC基因启动子区甲基化检出率分别为40.4%(19/47)、53.2%(25/47)、36.2%(17/47)、21.3%(10/47)和38.3%(18/47);对照的痰标本中五者甲基化检出率分别为38.3%(18/47)、48.9%(23/47)、36.2%(17/47)、17.0%(8/47)和29.8%(14/47),两组甲基化检出率存在着一致性[P>0.05;κ(0.8～1.0)].24例肺良性病变痰标本中未检测到任何异常甲基化,与肺癌组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).五项指标联合检测可明显提高肺癌检测的灵敏度(80.9%)和特异度(100.0%).FHIT和P16基因痰标本甲基化检出率与患者吸烟指数有相关性(P<0.05).结论 痰标本中多个肺癌相关基因甲基化联合检测有望成为肺癌筛查、早期诊断简便有效的指标.     

结直肠腺瘤中DNMT3B表达及RASSF1A甲基化分析

目的探讨DNA甲基转移酶的表达及抑癌基因RASSF1A的甲基化及两者表达与较大结直肠腺瘤(colorectal adenoma,CA)的关系。方法选取20对直径≥10 mm的CA患者组织及对应瘤旁组织作为对照,分别使用Real-time PCR和Western blot技术检测DNMT1、DNMT3A和DNMT3B mRNA和蛋白表达变化,应用亚硫酸氢盐限制性酶切分析(COBRA)技术分析重复序列LINE-1甲基化水平,应用甲基化特异性PCR(MS-PCR)技术分析抑癌基因RASSF1A的甲基化水平。结果与对照组相比,CA中DNMT3B的mRNA和蛋白水平升高,DNMT3B的活性显著升高。CA组织中LINE-1甲基化水平降低,肿瘤抑制基因RASSF1A的启动子甲基化水平升高,且表达降低。结论 DNMT3B过表达可能在CA的发生、发展中起重要作用,具体机制可能与降低整体甲基化水平和升高抑癌基因RASSF1A甲基化水平有关。     

雌激素受体α阴性乳腺癌雌激素受体α基因启动子区CpG岛甲基化和肼苯哒嗪去甲基化作用

目的 检测雌激素受体(ER)α阴性乳腺癌细胞株MDA-MB-231和MDA-MB-435细胞及ERα阴性乳腺癌组织中ERα基因启动子区CpG岛甲基化状态;探索肼苯哒嗪能否作为去甲基化药物恢复ERα基因表达。方法应用特异性聚合酶链反应(MSP)检测乳腺癌细胞株MDA-MB-231和MDA-MB-435细胞和20例ERα阴性乳腺癌组织ERα基因3个启动子区A、B、CpG岛甲基化情况,肼苯哒嗪处理上述两种乳腺癌细胞,逆转录(RT)-PCR检测不同启动子调控下ERα基因异型体(isoform)ERα-A、ERα-B、ERα-C mRNA和ERα基因公共编码区mRNA表达。结果MDA-MB-231和MDA-MB-435细胞启动子区ERα-A、ERα-B均存在CpG岛甲基化,ERα-C无甲基化,20例ERα阴性乳腺癌组织中,13例(65％)ERα-A、10例(50％)ERα-B CpG岛甲基化阳性。其中9例ERα-A、ERα-BCpG岛甲基化均阳性(45％),仅1例(5％)ERα-C存在CpG岛甲基化。肼苯哒嗪处理上述两种细胞后,检测到ERα-A、ERα-B mRNA和公共编码区mRNA表达。结论乳腺癌组织和细胞ERα基因表达沉默可能与ERα基因启动子区A、B甲基化有关,且肿瘤分期愈晚,甲基化程度愈高。肼苯哒嗪能作为去甲基化药物诱导ERα基因表达。     

p16、RASSF1A在肝细胞性肝癌患者肿瘤组织及血浆中异常甲基化的检测及临床意义

目的探讨原发性肝细胞性肝癌(HCC)患者肿瘤组织及血浆中p16及RASSF1A启动子区的甲基化状态及其在HCC早期无创诊断中的意义。方法采用甲基化特异性PCR技术检测60例HCC患者肿瘤组织、癌旁组织、血浆及60例正常肝脏患者肝组织及血浆中p16、RASSF1A基因启动子区域的甲基化状态,分析其与肝癌患者临床病理参数之间的关系。结果 60例HCC患者血浆、肿瘤组织及癌旁中p16基因甲基化率分别为68.3%(41/60)、63.3%(38/60)和41.7%(25/60);RASSF1A基因异常甲基化检出率分别为73.3%(44/60)、70.0%(42/60)和36.7%(22/60);60例正常肝脏患者肝组织及血浆p16、RASSF1A未检测到基因启动子区域的甲基化,差异有统计学意义(P=0.000)。HCC患者外周血浆和癌组织中p16、RASSF1A基因的甲基化率与患者年龄、性别、AFP、有无肝炎病毒感染(HBV)、有无肝硬化、Child分级、肿瘤个数、包膜完整与否、有无癌栓、是否复发、病理分级、肿瘤分期无统计学相关性。结论 HCC患者肿瘤组织及血浆DNA中可检测到RASSF1A基因和p16基因的甲基化,外周血p16基因和RASSF1A基因的甲基化检测对肝癌筛查有重要意义,可能成为HCC新的肿瘤分子标记物。     

Renal dysplasia and asplenia in two sibs

A family is reported in which two sibs, one male and the other female, both died within 24 hours of birth with enlarged polycystic kidneys. Postmortem histology in the second child showed gross renal dysplasia. In both children the pancreas was enlarged, nodular and cystic but the liver appeared macroscopically normal. In the second child, histological examination confirmed pancreatic fibrosis with cystic dilation of ducts, but showed portal fibrosis with bile duct proliferation in the liver.
This combination of findings is very reminiscent of those in a girl and her brother reported by Ivemark et al. (1959). The children reported here also showed absence or hypoplasia of the spleen, cardiac anomalies and other features of the Ivemark syndrome (Ivemark 1955), a quite different, usually sporadic, congenital disorder. It is suggested that the children described here have a distinct lethal congenital disorder, probably inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.     

Schizophrenia in a North Swedish geographical isolate, 1900–1977. Epidemiology, genetics and biochemistry

Over 200 schizophrenic patients belonging to three major and interrelated pedigree complexes have been investigated over the past 30 years in a North Swedish geographically isolated population, presently numbering about 6,000. An intensive investigation of a number of biochemical correlates and genetic markers in a few selected families belonging to one of the major pedigrees has indicated new strategies for the current research program.
Schizophrenia, as defined operationally, is significantly associated with decreased activities of two enzymes (1) blood platelet monoamine oxidase, (2) plasma dopamine-β-hydroxylase, and (3) with the genetic marker Gc² (group specific antigen). Both enzymes are subject to genetic variation. A positive score for linkage between schizophrenia and low plasma DBH activity has been calculated, but, so far, available data are insufficient for discrimination between linkage and partial contribution of genetically controlled low plasma DBH to the pathogenesis of the disease. Alternatively, both mechanisms could be involved.
As a model for continued research, schizophrenia is explained as based on a double dominant-recessive genotype (Aabb), representing a vulnerability which in about 50 % of cases develops into clinical schizophrenia. It is suggested that the dominant mutation (A) operates on or affects MAO activity, and that the recessive genotype (bb) is instrumental in low variates of DBH activity and very likely such variates within the normal range of physiological variation. Moreover, it is suggested that the combined effects of MAO- and DBH-reduced efficiency on the metabolism of e.g. dopamine could be an essential pathogenic mechanism for the schizophrenic illness which is segregating in this population.     

The dominant diseases of modernized societies as omega-3 essential fatty acid deficiency syndrome: Substrate beriberi

About 1900, modern food selection and processing caused widespread $\text{epidemics}$ of the B vitamin deficiency diseases of beriberi and pellagra which, for genetic reasons, often expressed as different diseases ranging from bowel and heart disease to dermatoses and psychoses. But the B vitamins merely help convert essential fatty acids (EFA) into the prostaglandin (PG) tissue regulators and it now turns out that, through hydrogenation, milling and selection of w3-poor southern foods, we have also been systematically depleting, by as much as 90%, a newly discovered trace Nordic EFA (w3) of special importance to primates and sole precursor of the PG3(4) series, even as a concurrent fiber deficiency increases body demand for EFA. Since substrate EFA is processed by many B vitamin catalysts, an EFA deficiency will mimic a $\text{panh}$ypovitaminosis B, i.e., a mixture of $\text{substrate}$ beriberi and $\text{substrate}$ pellagra resembling vitamin beriberi and pellagra but exhibiting as even more diverse $\text{endemic}$ disease. This would consitute a second stage of the Modern Malnutrition and explain why some workers now hold the dominant diseases of modermized societies to be new, nutritionally based, pellagraform yet lipid-related and to range, once again, from heart disease to psychosis. It is an assumption that our dominant diseases are unrelated to each other or are merely revealed by our diagnostic acumen and therapeutic success; and that hydrogenating millions of tons of food oils annually, to destroy the rancidity producing w3-EFA, is safe for $\text{primates}$. Extensive beriberiform disease is reported here in 32 typical cases taken from medical practice which responds strikingly to linseed oil supplements (60% w3-EFA) in confirmation of identical results in Capuchins.     

What will studies of Fulani individuals naturally exposed to malaria teach us about protective immunity to malaria?

There are an estimated over 200 million yearly cases of malaria worldwide. Despite concerted international effort to combat the disease, it still causes approximately half a million deaths every year, the majority of which are young children with Plasmodium falciparum infection in sub-Saharan Africa. Successes are largely attributed to malaria prevention strategies, such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets and indoor spraying, as well as improved access to existing treatments. One important hurdle to new approaches for the treatment and prevention of malaria is our limited understanding of the biology of Plasmodium infection and its complex interaction with the immune system of its human host. Therefore, the elimination of malaria in Africa not only relies on existing tools to reduce malaria burden, but also requires fundamental research to develop innovative approaches. Here, we summarize our discoveries from investigations of ethnic groups of West Africa who have different susceptibility to malaria.     

'Very sore nights and days': the child's experience of illness in early modern England, c.1580-1720

Sick children were ubiquitous in early modern England, and yet they have received very little attention from historians. Taking the elusive perspective of the child, this article explores the physical, emotional, and spiritual experience of illness in England between approximately 1580 and 1720. What was it like being ill and suffering pain? How did the young respond emotionally to the anticipation of death? It is argued that children’s experiences were characterised by profound ambivalence: illness could be terrifying and distressing, but also a source of emotional and spiritual fulfilment and joy. This interpretation challenges the common assumption amongst medical historians that the experiences of early modern patients were utterly miserable. It also sheds light on children’s emotional feelings for their parents, a subject often overlooked in the historiography of childhood. The primary sources used in this article include diaries, autobiographies, letters, the biographies of pious children, printed possession cases, doctors’ casebooks, and theological treatises concerning the afterlife.     

Guidelines for the Validation and Use of Immunoassays for Determination of Introduced Proteins in Biotechnology Enhanced Crops and Derived Food Ingredients

Recent advancements in agricultural biotechnology have created a need for analytical techniques to determine introduced proteins in crops enhanced through modern biotechnology techniques. These proteins are expressed in plant tissues and may be present in food ingredients. Immunoassays are ideally suited for protein detection and may be used as both quantitative and threshold methods. Microplate ELISA and lateral flow devices are two of the most commonly used immunoassay formats for agricultural biotechnology applications. This paper provides general background information and a discussion of criteria for the validation and application of immunochemical methods to the analysis of proteins introduced into plants and food ingredients using biotechnology methods. It is the result of a collaborative effort of members of the Analytical Environmental Immunochemical Consortium. This collaborative effort represents the combined expertise of several organizations to reach consensus on establishing guidelines for the validation and use of immunoassays. Further, the paper offers developers and users a consistent approach to adopting the technology as well as aid in producing accurate and meaningful results.     

HLA in North Colombia Chimila Amerindians

HLA-A,-B,-C,-DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles have been studied in Chimila Amerindians from Sabana de San Angel (North Colombian Coast) by using high resolution molecular typing. A frequent extended haplotype was found:HLA-A*24:02-B*51:10-C*15:02-BRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02 (28.7%) which has also been described in Amerinndian Mayos Mexican population (Mexico, California Gulf, Pacific Ocean). Other haplotypes had already been found in Amerindians from Mexico (Pacific and Atlantic Coast), Peru (highlands and Amazon Basin), Bolivia and North USA. A geographic pattern according to HLA allele or haplotype frequencies is lacking in Amerindians, as already known. Also, five new extended haplotypes were found in Chimila Amerindians. Their HLA-A*24:02 high frequencies characteristic is shared with aboriginal populations of Taiwan; also, HLA-C*01:02 high frequencies are found in New Zealand Maoris, New Caledonians and Kimberly Aborigines from Australia. Finally, this study may show a model of evolutionary factors acting and rising one HLA allele frequency (-A*24:02), but not in others that belong to the same or different HLA loci.     

Ultracryotomy: development and application (with examples from the yeast cytology) (author's transl)

The preparation steps usually necessary for obtaining ultrathin frozen sections of biological material (chemical prefixation, enclosing, cryoprotective treatment, freezing, sectioning, and post-staining the sections for transmission electron microscopy) are submitted to a critical analysis. The application of cryo-ultramicrotomy, in particularly for cytochemical purposes, is reviewed. Fundamental considerations of chemical prefixation and poststaining are supported by examples from yeast cytology. Furthermore, the efficiency of the cryo-ultramicrotomy (electron optical resolution of ultrastructural details) is demonstrated on yeast cells and protoplasts.     

The universal muscular chamber. A basic unit of the genitourinary, cardiovascular, gastro-intestinal, skeletal, cutaneous, respiratory and other systems, endocameral hypertension; and spasm, the key to their idiopathic diseases and arthropathies

Starting with the integument, we see many organs are contractile sacs or multiples thereof, which tubes or bags constitute the major part of the entire body. Recognition of this basic unit and its characteristics sheds new light, individually and collectively, on many disorders previously considered unrelated. Muscular tears and perforations develop in the walls of these chambers, being no way peculiar to those organs, wherein, hydrochloric acid occurs. So, it is not necessary to explain the absence of excessive acid from patients who exhibit holes in the gastric, uterine, aortic, duodenal, rectal, pulmonary, retina, and other walls. Muscle, not acid is the great common factor relating idiopathic disorders in the gastrointestinal tract to each other and to similar diseases in other systems. When the units are linked together, the lesions tend to appear as arthropathies, i.e. at the joints. Rephrasing common-place observations, frees us from conventional, conceptual cul-de-sacs. An observation is only as good as its interpretation, so all possibilities must be considered, otherwise, we will remain blinded by our misconceptions.