红细胞补体受体1单核苷酸多态性与骨关节结核易感性的关联研究

目的探讨红细胞补体受体1(CR1)单核苷酸多态性(SNP)与骨关节结核(bone and joint tuberculosis)发病的关系。方法收集110例骨关节结核患者(实验组)和104例健康体检者(对照组)的外周血样本,采用单碱基延伸的PCR技术和DNA测序方法对CR1基因3个SNP位点(rs11118167C/T、rs2274567G/A、rs4844600G/A)进行多态性检测,分析2组CR1表达水平、2组CR1基因各SNP位点基因型对于CR1水平差异、CR1基因各SNP位点基因型、等位基因的分布差异及其与骨关节结核患病风险的关系。结果 2组rs4844600G/A基因型和等位基因分布的差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。CR1基因rs4844600G/A位点GG基因型携带者患骨关节结核的风险为非携带者的2.262倍(95%CI:1.275~4.013),其等位基因G携带者患病风险为非携带者的1.565倍(95%CI:1.058~2.314)。rs11118167C/T、rs2274567G/A这2个SNP位点与骨关节结核的患病风险无关(P0.05)。健康对照组CR1的平均荧光前强度为50.87±14.526,高于骨关节结核组的38.95±12.794,差异有统计学意义(t=-6.379,P0.001)。骨关节结核组中,CR1基因rs11118167 C/T、rs2274567 G/A和rs4844600 G/A位点多态性与骨关节结核患者红细胞CR1水平无关(P0.05)。健康对照组中,rs11118167 C/T位点CC、CT基因型携带者的红细胞CR1水平低于TT基因型者;rs2274567G/A位点GG、GA基因型携带者的CR1水平低于AA基因型者(P0.05)。结论骨关节结核患者红细胞免疫功能降低,CR1基因rs4844600G/A位点与骨关节结核发病相关,CR1基因rs4844600G/A位点GG基因型与骨关节结核患者CR1水平低无关。     

has-miR-27a和has-miR-124a基因单核苷酸多态性与妊娠期糖尿病的相关性

目的 探讨has-miR-27a基因rs895819位点和has-miR-124a基因rs531564位点单核苷酸多态性(SNP)与妊娠期糖尿病(GDM)发病的相关性.方法 共纳入1 719例孕妇,其中GDM 839例;糖耐量正常和50 g葡萄糖负荷试验阴性者880例,作为对照组.采用TaqMan探针法检测两组孕妇SNP位点基因型,比较两组孕妇各SNP位点等位基因和基因型频率差异,以及不同基因型间临床生化指标的差异.结果 1)rs895819位点CC、CT和TT基因型频率在GDM组分别为3.1％、39.3％和57.6％,对照组分别为7.1％、37.6％和55.3％,CC基因型频率显著低于对照组(P＜0.05);隐性模型(CC vs CT +TT)中两组差异仍具有显著性[P=0.001;OR0.435(0.270,0.702)];GDM组C等位基因频率(22.8％)低于对照组(25.9％)(P＜0.05).2)rs895819 CC基因型孕妇空腹血糖低于CT +TT基因型孕妇(P＜0.05).结论 has-miR-27a基因rs895819位点与GDM相关,C等位基因降低GDM的发病风险.     

EGLN1基因两个位点多态性与藏族人群高原低氧适应的关系

目的 探讨西藏藏族人群EGLN1基因2个SNP(单核苷酸多态性)位点rs479200（C/T）、rs480902（T/C）多态性与高原低氧适应的相关性。
方法 选取世居西藏拉萨藏族150人及辽宁汉族150人的血样,提取白细胞基因组DNA,应用限制性片段长度多态性-聚合酶链反应（PCR-RFLP）技
术检测EGLN1基因2个SNP位点,分析其多态性特征。结果 rs479200位点等位基因C等位基因频率在藏族人和汉族人分别为71.33%和38.17%,
rs480902位点等位基因T等位基因频率在藏族人和汉族人分别为66.67%和36.67%,两组比较差异显著（P<0.01）;rs479200位点TT、TC和CC基因
型频率在藏族人和汉族人分别为6.67%和56.67%、29.33%和33.33%、64%和10%,rs480902位点TT、TC和CC基因型频率在藏族人和汉族人分别为
60.67%和9.33%、30.66%和28.67%、8.67%和62%。两位点TC基因型两组比较差异无统计学意义;TT和CC基因型两组比较差异均显著（P<0.01）。
结论 EGLN1基因rs479200（C/T）和rs480902（T/C）SNP位点多态性与西藏藏族适应高原低氧环境存在相关性。rs479200位点的CC基因型和
rs480902位点的TT基因型可能更有利于适应低氧环境。     

成都地区肥胖患者GNB3基因825C/T多态性研究

目的 研究G蛋白β3亚单位(G-protein β3 subunit,GNB3)基因825C/T多态性是否与中国人肥胖有关联,为探讨肥胖的分子遗传基础提供依据.方法 应用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析法,对成都地区270名非肥胖者及129例肥胖患者GNB3基因825C/T多态性位点进行分析,采用酶法和单向免疫扩散法对血脂和载脂蛋白水平进行测定.结果 GNB3基因825C/T位点C、T等位基因的频率在肥胖组为0.531、0.469,在非肥胖组为0.528、0.472,两绀间等传基因的频率差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).中国人825C/T位点T等位基因频率(0.471,合并组)较德国白人的0.319显著增高(P＜0.01),而低于非洲黑人的0.788(P＜0.01),与日本人的0.487相近(P＞0.05).825C/T位点在非肥胖组TT基因型携带者血清甘油三酯水平高于CT基因型者(P＜0.05);在肥胖组CC基因型携带者血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平较CT基因型者降低(P＜0.05).进一步按件别分层后,这种差异仪在相应各组的男性、女性亚组存在;此外,非肥胖男性TT型者、女性CC型者血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、载脂蛋白A Ⅰ水平分别低于和高于相应业组CT型者(P＜0.05),肥胖男性亚组TT型者血清载脂蛋白A Ⅰ水平高于CC型者(P＜0.05).结论 GNB3基因825C/T多态性与中国成都地区汉族人肥胖无关联,但与血清甘油三脂、高密度脂蛋白胆同醇和载脂蛋白A Ⅰ水平含量有关,且具有性别差异存在.     

白细胞介素1α基因单核苷酸多态性与甲型H1N1流感易感性的关系

目的 探讨白细胞介素1d(IL-1α)基因单核苷酸多态性(SNP)与甲型H1N1流感易感性的关系.方法 从IL-1α基因启动子区域中选取4个SNP位点rs1800587、rs2856836、rs2856838、rs3783525,针对以上位点建立基于飞行时间质谱分析技术(TOF-MS)鉴定SNP的方法,对167例H1N1流感患者(H1N1组)和192例健康对照人群(对照组)进行检测.确定各SNP位点的等位基因和基因分型;对比两组等位基因和各基因型的频率.结果 rs1800587、rs2856836、rs2856838位点具有T和C两种等位基因,包括TT、TC、CC 3种基因型.rs3783525具有A和T两种等位基因,包括AA、AT和TT3种基因型.H1N1组和对照组rs 1800587位点的等位基因频率差异有统计学意义(x2=12.69,P=0.000,OR=2.424,95％CI=1.472 ～ 3.993),rs2856836,rs2856838,rs3783525等位基因频率在H1N1组和对照组中差异则无统计学意义.H1N1组rs1800587位点CC纯合子频率低于对照组[72.5％(121/167)比87.0％(167/192),P＜0.05],杂合子(TC)频率高于对照组[25.1％(42/167)比12.5％(24/192),P＜0.05],而两组TT纯合子频率差异则不具有统计学意义.H1N1组rs2856836位点杂合子(TC)频率高于对照组[25.7％(43/167)比17.2％(33/192),P＜0.05],TT基因型与CC基因型频率在两组间差异均没有统计学意义.rs2856838位点对照组TT纯合子频率低于H1N1组[4.2％(8/192)比10.8％(18/167),P＜0.05],其余2种基因型TC与CC在两组间差异没有统计学意义.H1N1组rs3783525位点TTT纯合子频率高于对照组[21.0％ (35/167)比13.0％(25/192),P＜0.05],两组间的另两种基因型TC与CC差异也没有统计学意义.结论 IL-1α基因多态性位点rs1800587、rs2856836、rs2856838、rs3783525与甲型H1N1流感易感性相关.     

广西人群miRNA-107基因多态性分布特征及其与血脂的关系

目的探讨miR-107基因单核苷酸多态性(SNP)位点rs2296616 C/T在广西地区健康人群中的分布特点,对比其在不同种族间基因型及等位基因频率分布的差异,并进一步探讨rs2296616 C/T位点单核苷酸多态性(SNP)与血脂水平的相关性。方法采用多重单碱基延伸SNP分型技术(multiplex SNa Pshot)和DNA测序法,检测372例广西健康人rs2296616 C/T位点的多态性,用7600生化仪检测其血脂相关指标,并用统计学方法分别比较rs2296616C/T位点多态性在各种族人群间的分布差异及不同基因型间的血脂水平差异。结果广西人群miR-107基因rs2296616 C/T位点存在TT(91.1%)和CT(8.9%)两种基因型及T(95.6%)和C(4.4%)两种等位基因。该位点的基因型和等位基因型频率在广西人群不同性别间的比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。其基因型和等位基因频率与人类基因组单体型图(Hap Map)所公布的欧洲人、日本人、非洲人、印第安人和墨西哥人分型数据相比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),但与北京汉族人群比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。rs2296616 C/T位点两种基因型人群血脂之间比较,携带TT基因型人群的高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)与CT组比较,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论广西人群miR-107基因rs2296616 C/T位点多态性与其他种族人群之间比较存在不同程度的差异;rs2296616 C/T位点多态性与HDL-C水平高低有关。     

妊娠期糖尿病患者血清中TGF-β_1表达水平及其基因rs1800470T/C位点单核苷酸多态性分析

目的了解妊娠期糖尿病(GDM)患者转化生长因子-β_1(TGF-β_1)水平情况,并探讨其基因rs1800470T/C位点单核苷酸多态性(SNP)与深圳地区GDM之间的遗传易感性。方法选择2017年6月至2019年5月于深圳市龙华区人民医院就诊并确诊为GDM患者154例(GDM组),年龄23～42岁,平均年龄29.03岁;孕周24～28周,平均孕周26.02周;体质量指数24～31 kg/m~2。同期产检的非GDM孕妇120例(HC组),年龄24～40岁,平均年龄28.49岁;孕周25～28周,平均孕周26.53周;体质量指数23～32 kg/m~2。采用酶联免疫吸附分析(ELISA)法检测TGF-β_1水平,同时采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)技术检测TGF-β_1基因rs1800470T/C位点SNP。结果 GDM组患者血清中TGF-β_1水平为(23.97±3.48) ng/L,明显高于HC组[(14.06±1.52) ng/L],差异有统计学意义(t=3.105 7,P 0.05)。GDM组患者TGF-β_1基因rs1800470T/C位点CC基因型和C等位基因检出率分别为31.17%和53.57%,明显高于HC组(12.50%和33.33%),差异有统计学意义(P 0.05);携带TGF-β_1基因rs1800470T/C位点CC基因型GDM患者TGF-β_1水平为(35.92±5.16) ng/L,明显高于TT和TC基因型[(17.57±1.89) ng/L和(19.07±2.46) ng/L],差异有统计学意义(t=4.260 3～4.528 9,P 0.05);而TT和TC基因型之间差异无统计学意义(t=0.980 5,P 0.05)。结论GDM患者TGF-β_1基因rs1800470T/C位点CC基因型及C等位基因检出率明显升高,且CC基因型GDM患者TGF-β_1水平明显升高。因此,CC基因型可能是深圳地区GDM发病的易感危险遗传基因之一。     

ATM基因rs227060位点单核苷酸多态性与肺癌易感性的相关性

目的:探讨共济失调毛细血管扩张症突变基因(ataxia telangiectasia mutated,ATM)rs227060位点单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphisms,SNPs)与肺癌易感性之间的相关性.方法:采用聚合酶链反应-SNP敏感性分子开关方法,检测225例肺癌患者和128例健康体检者ATM基因rs227060多态位点等位基因以及基因型频率分布特点;并应用非条件Logistic回归法统计分析rs227060单核苷酸多态性与肺癌的相关性.结果:rs227060多态位点共检测出CC,CT,TT三种基因型和C,T两种等位基因,其在肺癌组与对照组的基因型分布频率为:CC基因型17.3％与29.7％、CT基因型61,4％与59.3％、TT基因型21.3％与11％,两组间基因型频率和等位基因频率分布差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).在对ATM rs227060基因型的多态性分析过程中发现:吸烟史在肺癌组与对照组相比差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),而年龄、性别、肿瘤家族史在肺癌组与对照组相比差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05);且以CC基因型作为对照,携带TT基因型的个体患肺癌的风险是携带CT基因型个体的3.49倍(OR=1.829;95％CI:1.045～3.199).结论:ATM基因rs227060位点单核苷酸多态性与肺癌易感性存在相关性,且携带TT基因型可增加肺癌的发病风险.     

E-钙黏蛋白基因多态性与上皮性卵巢癌发病风险关系的研究

目的 探讨E-钙黏蛋白基因(E-cadherin gene,CDH1)单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphism,SN-P)与上皮性卵巢癌发病风险的关系.方法 采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性方法分析207例上皮性卵巢癌患者和256名健康对照的CDH1基因启动子区-160C/A、-347G/GA和3′UTR+54C/T3个SNP位点基因型频率分布;采用免疫组织化学方法检测携带3′UTR+54C/T SNP位点不同基因型的卵巢癌患者癌组织CDH1基因的表达情况.结果 CDH1基因-160C/A和-347G/GA 2个SNP位点的基因型和等位基因频率分布在患者组与健康对照组间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).3′UTR+54C/T SNP 位点的基因型与等位基因频率分布在患者与健康对照组间差异有统计学意义,患者组中CC基因型和C等位基因频率(65.2%,89.1%)明显高于对照组(52.7%,64.5%)(P＜0.01);CC基因型可能显著增加上皮性卵巢癌的发病风险(比值比为1.85,95%可信区间为1.27～2.69);且免疫组化研究表明CC基因型患者癌组织CDH1基因的表达明显低于T等位基因(CT+TT)携带者(P＜0.05).采用2LD软件分析显示-160C/A、-347G/GA两位点间存在连锁不平衡(D′=0.999 582),-160A/-347GA单倍型仅在患者组中检测到(5.1%),-160C/-347GA单倍型可能明显降低卵巢癌的发病风险(比值比为0.66,95%可信区间为0.45～0.96).结论 CDH1基因-160C/A、-347G/GA SNP可能与上皮性卵巢癌的发病风险无关,但两位点的单倍型可能改变上皮性卵巢癌的发病风险.3′UTR+54C/T多态CC基因型可能成为上皮性卵巢癌发病的潜在危险因素.     

先兆子痫患者HLA-DQA1、-DQB、-DPA1基因多态性

目的：探讨人类白细胞抗原HLA-DQA1、-DQB1、-DPA1基因多态性与先兆子痫发病的关系。方法：采用序列特异性引物技术（PCR-SSP） 对46例先兆子痫患者和105例正常孕妇及其新生儿进行HLA-DQ-DPA1等位基因分型。结果：所有标本共检出11种HLA-DQA1基因表型、16种HLA-DQB1基因表型、6种HLA-DPA1基因表型。先兆子痫患者HLA-DQB1＊0301基因频率高于正常孕妇，差异有显著性（Pc=0．032，RR=2．43，AR=0．30），其余各基因表型频率两组比较差异均无显著性。结论：HLA-DQB1＊0301基因可能是一种先兆子痫发病的易感基因。     

FoxO1 基因对Jurkat 细胞FoxO1-KLF2-S1P1 通路的调节作用

目的:通过构建FoxO1 表达和干扰慢病毒载体,建立细胞内FoxO1-KLF2-S1P1 信号通路调控研究模型,观察FoxO1 过表达、干扰表达在Jurkat 细胞内对其下游分子表达及功能的影响。方法:构建FoxO1 表达和干扰表达慢病毒载体,分别感染Jurkat 细胞,采用荧光定量PCR、Western blot 和流式细胞术检测S1P1、CD62L、CCR7、CD69 mRNA 水平和蛋白分子的表达。结果:FoxO1 过表达组于感染后120 h FoxO1、KLF2、S1P1 和CD62L mRNA 水平显著增高(P<0.05),FoxO1、FoxO1-p 和KLF2 胞浆蛋白水平增高,S1P1+细胞和CD62L+ 细胞比率增高(P<0.05),CCR7+ 细胞和CD69+ 细胞未见显著改变(P>0.05)。FoxO1 干扰组于转染后120 h FoxO1、KLF2、S1P1 和CD62L mRNA 水平降低(P<0.05),FoxO1、FoxO1-p 和KLF2 胞浆蛋白水平低于对照组,S1P1+细胞百分比增多(P<0.05) ,但S1P1+细胞和CD62L+细胞在72 h 时减少(P<0.05)。结论:FoxO1 表达和干扰慢病毒载体转染Jurkat 细胞并调节KLF2、S1P1 和CD62L 等分子的表达,为开展细胞内FoxO1-KLF2-S1P1 信号通路调控和细胞相关功能的研究打下了基础。     

中国海南黎族群体HLA-DRB1、DQA1、DQB1基因多态性研究

[摘要] 目的 了解海南黎族群体HLA-DRB1、DQA1、DQB1基因的遗传多态性。方法 应用PCR-SSP方法对随机抽取的94名海南黎族无血缘关系的健康个体进行HLA-DRB1、DQA1、DQB1基因分型。结果 鉴定了海南黎族群体HLA-DRB1位点的16种等位基因,DQA1位点的10种等位基因,DQB1位点的19种等位基因,包括了DR、DQ位点目前已知的全部血清学特异性,三个位点的基因型分布均符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡（P>0.5）。结论 提供了一套比较完整准确的海南黎族群体DRB1、DQA1、DQB1等位基因的基因频率和连锁不平衡参数。对群体遗传和疾病关联研究具有参考意义。     

先兆子痫患者HLA-DQA1、-DQB1、-DPA1基因多态性

目的:探讨人类白细胞抗原HLA-DQ-A1、DQB1、DPA1基因多态性与先兆子痫发病的关系。方法:采用序列特异性引物技术(PCRSSP)对46例先兆子痫患者和105例正常孕妇及其新生儿进行HLA-DQ-DPA1等位基因分型。结果:所有标本共检出11种HLADQA1基因表型、16种HLADQB1基因表型、6种HLADPA1基因表型。先兆子痫患者HLA-DQ-B10301基因频率高于正常孕妇,差异有显著性(Pc=0.032,RR=2.43,AR=0.30),其余各基因表型频率两组比较差异均无显著性。结论:HLADQB10301基因可能是一种先兆子痫发病的易感基因。     

Molecular analysis of HLA-DRB1, -DQA1 and -DQB1 polymorphism in Turkey

We report the evaluation of MHC class II polymorphism in the population of Turkey. HLA-DRB1, -DQA1 and -DQB1 have been investigated by polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe hybridisations (PCR/SSO) and sequence-specific priming (SSP) in 250 randomly selected healthy individuals. We also report the allelic distribution of these genes. The most frequent alleles detected were DRB1*1101 (0.104), *0301 (0.092), *0701 (0.090), DQA1*0501 (0.334), *0102 (0.164) and *03 (0.148) and DQB1*0301 (0.256), *02 (0.164), *0302 (0.128). The frequent 'putative' three-locus haplotypes carry the most frequent alleles at these loci. The most frequently detected class II "haplotypes" are DRB1*1101 DQA1*0501 DQB1*0301 (0.100), DRB1*0301 DQA1*0501 DQB1*02 (0.092) and DRB1*0701 DQA1*0201 DQB1*02 (0.072). The distribution of alleles and 'putative' haplotypes has shown common features with other Mediterranean populations. The results extend the HLA map to another Mediterranean country and provide a database for further HLA-disease association studies and transplantation applications.     

Differential regulation of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 expression in resveratrol-treated human medulloblastoma cells

Resveratrol induces differentiation and Fas-independent apoptosis of medulloblastoma cells by a largely unknown mechanism. CYP1A1 and 1B1 are involved in resveratrol-mediated tumor suppression but their expression in medulloblastoma cells and their relevance to anti-medulloblastoma activity of resveratrol have not been described. The statuses of CYP1A1 and 1B1 in UW228-3 medulloblastoma cells without and with resveratrol treatments were elucidated in this study with ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation assay, followed by RT-PCR, immunocytochemical staining and Western blot hybridization. CYP1A1/1B1 enzymatic activity was low in UW228-3 cells but became several folds higher upon resveratrol treatments. CYP1A1 was undetectable and CYP1B1 was expressed in normally cultured cells. Accompanied by the increased fraction of apoptosis, enhanced CYP1A1 and downregulated CYP1B1 were observed in resveratrol-treated cells in time- and dose-related fashions. Our results demonstrate for the first time that in the medulloblastoma cell system, CYP1A1 upregulation is paralleled with resveratrol-induced differentiation and apoptosis, while CYP1B1 may not be an essential element in metabolic activation of resveratrol in those cells. CYP1A1 and 1B1 are resveratrol response genes and potential chemosensitive markers of medulloblastoma cells.     

Association between polymorphisms in the biometabolism genes CYP1A1, GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 in bladder cancer

Numerous enzymes, including Cytochrome P450s (phase I) and Glutathione-S-transferases (phase II), are involved in the metabolic activation and detoxification of carcinogens. Epidemiological studies have consistently demonstrated that bladder cancer is strongly associated with cigarette smoking, and the risk for the development of this neoplasia may be modified by individual differences in carcinogen-metabolizing genes. We investigated the relationship between polymorphisms in the CYP1A1, GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 genes in a case–control study with 100 bladder cancer patients and 100 controls matched for age, gender, race, and smoking status. The GSTM1, GSTT1, CYP1A1 (A2455→G), and GSTP1 (A313→G) genotypes were determined using a multiplex PCR, an allele specific PCR, and a restriction fragment length polymorphism-PCR method. The present case–controlled association study did not detect any positive or negative association for the GSTM1 and GSTP1 genes [odds ratios (OR) = 1.35; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.76–2.41 and OR = 0.75; 95% CI = 0.41–1.38, respectively]. Notably, the genes GSTT1 and CYP1A1 exhibited a statistically significant association with bladder cancer (OR = 1.77; 95% CI = 1.01–3.12 and OR = 1.99; 95% CI = 1.07–3.73). No differences for GSTM1 and GSTP1 genotype prevalence between the bladder cancer cases and the controls were observed, however, the null genotype for the GSTT1 gene and the A/G and G/G variants of the CYP1A1 gene may contribute to the development of bladder cancer.     

Role of Niemann-Pick C1–Like 1 (NPC1L1) in Intestinal Sterol Absorption

Absorption of cholesterol by the proximal small intestine represents a major pathway for entry of cholesterol into the body pools. This cholesterol is derived primarily from the bile and diet. In adult humans, typically several hundred milligrams of cholesterol reach the liver from the intestine daily, with the potential to impact the plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration. There are three main phases involved in cholesterol absorption. The first occurs intraluminally and culminates in micellar solubilization of unesterified cholesterol, which facilitates its movement up to the brush border membrane (BBM) of the enterocyte. The second phase involves transport of cholesterol across the BBM by Niemann-Pick C1 Like-1 (NPC1L1), whereas the third phase entails a series of steps within the enterocyte involving esterification of cholesterol and its incorporation, along with other lipids and apolipoprotein B-48, into nascent chylomicrons. Discovery of the role of NPC1L1 in intestinal sterol transport occurred directly as a consequence of efforts to identify the molecular target of ezetimibe, a novel, potent, and specific inhibitor of sterol absorption that is now widely used in combination therapy with statins for management of hypercholesterolemia in the general population. Some aspects of the role of NPC1L1 in cholesterol absorption nevertheless remain controversial and are the subject of ongoing research. For example, one report suggests that NPC1L1 is located not in the plasma membrane, but intracellularly, where it is believed to be involved in cytosolic trafficking of cholesterol, whereas another concludes that a protein other than NPC1L1 is responsible for the high-affinity binding of cholesterol on intestinal BBM. However, other new studies that show that in vivo responsiveness of different species to ezetimibe correlates with NPC1L1 binding affinity further support the widely held belief that NPC1L1 does facilitate sterol uptake by the enterocyte and is the target of ezetimibe. Added to this is the unequivocal finding that deletion of the gene for NPC1L1 in mice results in near complete prevention of cholesterol absorption and an accelerated rate of fecal neutral sterol excretion. In summary, the development of ezetimibe and the identification of NPC1L1 as a key player in sterol absorption have taken research on the molecular control of this pathway to an exciting new level. From this, it is hoped that we will now be able to determine more precisely what effect, if any, other classes of lipid-lowering agents, particularly the statins, might exert on the amount of intestinal cholesterol reaching the liver.     

2009H1N1 Infection in a 1-day-old neonate

A full-term female neonate was delivered with meconium stained amniotic fluid by cesarean section by a 2009H1N1 positive 22-year-old second gravida mother, who developed symptoms 8 days prior to delivery. The neonate was completely and immediately isolated from the mother after delivery. Oseltamivir was started at birth to the neonate who had a potential possibility of 2009H1N1 infection. At 5 hours of life, the neonate developed respiratory distress. The neonate's throat swab sent for 2009H1N1 by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was positive. The neonate required oxygen by hood for 3 days and made an uneventful recovery. The mother developed acute respiratory distress syndrome after delivery, requiring ventilatory care for 14 days and was discharged after 25 days stay in hospital. 2009H1N1 infection, although rare, needs a high index of suspicion and prompt therapy in neonates. Clinicians should be alert about the possibility of perinatal transmission of 2009H1N1.     

Distribution of HLA-DRB1, DPB1 and DQB1 alleles and haplotypes in Mongolian Minority in China

HLA-DRB1, -DQB1 and -DPB1 allele frequencies and estimated haplotype frequencies from 496 unrelated healthy Mongol subjects who living in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China has been reported. HLA genes were genotyped using high-resolution sequence-based typing method. Chinese-Mongolian belongs to northern group of East Asians, but with its specific HLA-DRB1, DPB1 and DQB1 alleles and haplotypes characteristic.