Glial fibrillary acidic protein and neurofilament protein in medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma is the most common primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) with the potential to differentiate along glial or neuronal lines. Thirty cases of medulloblastoma were tested by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method with anti-GFAP serum (DAKO) and by the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex (ABC) method with 68kd subunit of anti-NF antibody. All the cases were classified into three subtypes based on these immunohistochemical findings and were analyzed in relation to clinico-pathological features. Fifteen of thirty medulloblastomas contained GFAP positive cells, seventeen showed cells reacting to NF. The reactions for both proteins were present in eight medulloblastomas (PNET-BD, bipotential differentiation). Seventeen medulloblastomas reacted to only one protein (PNET-MD, monopotential differentiation). No reaction for either was found in five cases (PNET-NOS, not otherwise specified). The two year survival rate was 12.5% for PNET-BD compared to 49.2% for PNET-MD and 53.3% for PNET-NOS. Nine variables, i.e. age, tumor stage, metastatic stage, operation, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, histology, GFAP and NF, were analyzed using Cox's proportional hazard model. This revealed that the significant factors were tumor stage (p = 0.0002), GFAP (p = 0.0008) and operation (p less than 0.05). In conclusion, GFAP is the most important histological factor for prognosis and medulloblastoma without glial differentiation has a much better prognosis than one with glial differentiation.     

Angiogenic protein therapy

Therapeutic angiogenesis, in the form of growth factor protein administration or gene therapy, has emerged as a new method of treatment for patients with severe, inoperable coronary artery disease. Improved myocardial perfusion and function after the administration of angiogenic growth factors has been demonstrated in animal models of chronic myocardial ischemia. A recent clinical study reported beneficial long-term effects of therapeutic angiogenesis using FGF-2 protein in terms of freedom from angina and myocardial perfusion on nuclear imaging and suggested that protein angiogenic therapy has the potential to extend treatment options to patients who are not optimal candidates for conventional methods of myocardial revascularization. The ultimate role that angiogenesis will play in the treatment of ischemic heart disease will, however, be determined from adequately powered, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. It is likely that endogenous antiangiogenic influences, intrinsic lack of response of patients with severe endothelial dysfunction, and other limitations will have to be overcome before angiogenesis becomes standard therapy for the treatment of coronary artery disease.     

Plasma protein derivatives

Plasma protein derivatives produced from human plasma include albumin, blood coagulation factors, immuno globulins, haptoglobin, and c1-inactivator and have been widely used clinically. However, the HIV-tainted blood scandal in which HIV was transmitted to many Japanese patients through blood coagulation factors, must be remembered. The safety of blood products has increased since then in response to that event. Because blood products are provided by volunteer donors, there is a risk of contamination by unknown pathogens and they must be used appropriately. In addition, blood products including plasma derivatives are defined as "special biological products" and regulated by the new Medicine Act. All physicians who prescribe plasma derivatives should understand not only their clinical use but also social expectations and legal regulations.     

Sperm protein carbonylation

The cryopreservation of sperm is a well established technique that plays an essential role in dissemination of elite germplasm of livestock. Despite having numerous advantages, the cryopreservation induces certain stresses on sperm including structural and functional damages leading to impaired sperm quality and fertility, which might be associated with production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, the ROS upon reacting with sperm lipids, DNA and proteins may lead to a cascade of sperm damages. The sperm membrane contains a rich amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which increases their susceptibility to oxidative stress induced damages, leading to formation of secondary products. These secondary products result in oxidation of sperm proteins via carbonylation. The carbonylation could lead to disturbances in specific proteins that are involved in capacitation. The present review deals with sperm protein carbonylation.     

脑胶质瘤中p16蛋白、nm23蛋白及c-erbB-2蛋白的表达及其意义

目的 探讨p16蛋白、nm23蛋白及c-erbB-2蛋白在脑胶质瘤发生、发展中的作用。方法 应用免疫组织化学技术检测60例脑胶质瘤中p16蛋白、nm23蛋白及c-erbB-2蛋白的表达。结果 p16蛋白、nm23蛋白及c-erbB-2蛋白在脑胶质瘤和正常脑组织中的阳性表达率分别为43.3％和90％（P＜0.05）；36.7%和80％（P＜0.05）；41.7%和0（P＜0.05）。脑胶质瘤中p16蛋白及nm23蛋白缺失率在死亡组和生存组分别为73.7%和31.8%（P＜0.05）；84.2%和36.3%（P＜0.05）；c-erbB－2蛋白过度表达率在死亡组和生存组为68.4%和27.2%（P＜0.05）。结论 p16蛋白、nm23蛋白及c-erbB-2蛋白过度表达与脑胶质瘤发生、发展密切相关。     

Increased levels of protein C activity, protein C concentration, total and free protein S in nephrotic syndrome

Plasma protein C (PC) antigen concentration has been shown to be normal or increased in patients with proteinuria. However, the available data concerning PC anticoagulant activity in nephrotic syndrome (NS) are limited. We measured plasma PC antigen concentration. PC anticoagulant activity, total and free protein (PS) concentrations, and antithrombin III (AT-III) antigen concentration in 21 adult patients with NS. The results were compared with those obtained in a control group of normal volunteers. PC antigen concentration and its anticoagulant activity were significantly increased in the NS group when compared with the normal control group. Likewise, plasma total and free PS values were significantly higher in the NS patients than the corresponding values found in the control group. In contrast, plasma AT-III antigen concentration was significantly reduced in patients with NS. A negative correlation was found between plasma PC and AT-III levels. These observations suggest that increased plasma PC concentration and anticoagulant activity in NS may afford some protection against the thrombotic diathesis associated with antithrombin deficiency and other coagulation abnormalities in this otherwise hypercoagulable state.     

蛋白质精氨酸甲基转移酶5和细胞分裂周期蛋白42在胃癌组织的表达及其临床意义

目的探讨蛋白质精氨酸甲基转移酶5(PRMT5)和细胞分裂周期蛋白42(Cdc42)在胃癌组织表达及临床意义。方法收集2014年6月至2020年8月山西医科大学第二医院病理学确诊的84例胃癌组织和对应癌旁组织,应用免疫组织化学方法检测PRMT5蛋白和Cdc42在标本中表达,结合临床资料采用χ²检验。结果PRMT5蛋白在胃癌组织中的表达率为73.81%(62/84),明显高于癌旁组织表达率[25.00%(21/84)],两者差异有统计学意义(χ²=40.030,P<0.01);Cdc42蛋白在胃癌组织中的表达率为80.95%(68/84),明显高于癌旁组织表达率[29.76%(25/84)],两者差异有统计学意义(χ²=44.535,P<0.01)。PRMT5表达水平与胃癌TNM分期、淋巴结转移呈明显相关(分别为χ²=6.149、5.497,P<0.05),Cdc42表达水平与胃癌TNM分期、淋巴结转移、组织学分化程度明显相关(分别为χ²=6.421、5.132、4.271,P<0.05)。结论胃癌组织中PRMT5蛋白和Cdc42蛋白表达上调,PRMT5和Cdc42有助于预测胃癌患者病情和预后。     

酪氨酸酶相关蛋白家族

哺乳动物的色素分布于皮肤、毛囊及眼睛。在细胞水平上,黑素由黑素细胞内黑素小体产生。黑素有褐黑素(pheomelanin)和优黑素(eumelanin)两种类型。酪氨酸酶(TYR)是黑素合成过程中的关键酶,酪氨酸相关蛋白-1(TRP-1),酪氨酸相关蛋白-2(TRP-2)各自催化特异的反应。鼠和人的酪氨酸酶、TRP-1及TRP-2的基因可能来源于共同的祖先基因。这三种蛋白都包含一个跨膜区和富含组氨酸、半胱氨酸的序列。它们相互作用,共同形成了200-700KD的多聚体复合物。该复合体从高尔基体转运到黑素小体囊泡,激活黑素小体膜内表面的溶酶体相关膜蛋白(LAMP-1),从而保护黑素小体膜的完整性。