Galectin-1 and galectin-3 in chronic pancreatitis

Galectin-1 and galectin-3 have important functions in cell-cell interactions, cell adhesion to extracellular matrix, the organization of extracellular matrix, and tissue remodeling. To assess their potential role in chronic pancreatitis (CP), we examined their expression by Northern blot analysis, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis in normal and CP pancreatic tissues. Northern blot analysis revealed a 4.5-fold increase of galectin-1 mRNA (p < 0.01) and a 3.8-fold increase of galectin-3 mRNA (p < 0.01) in CP samples compared with normal controls. In situ hybridization analysis of normal pancreas indicated low abundance of galectin-1 mRNA in fibroblasts, whereas galectin-3 mRNA was moderately present in ductal cells. CP samples exhibited moderate to intense galectin-1 mRNA signals in fibroblasts, whereas galectin-3 mRNA signals were intense in the cells of ductular complexes and weak in the degenerating acinar cells. In addition, intense galectin-1 and galectin-3 mRNA signals were present in nerves of normal and CP samples. Immunohistochemistry showed a distribution pattern of galectin-1 and galectin-3 similar to that described for in situ hybridization. Relative quantification of galectin-1 and galectin-3 protein by immunoblotting revealed an increase of 3.2-fold and 3.0-fold, respectively, in CP compared with normal controls. There was a significant correlation between galectin-1 and fibrosis and between galectin-3 and fibrosis and the density of ductular complexes. Up-regulation of galectin-1 in fibroblasts and galectin-3 in ductular complexes suggests a role of these lectins in tissue remodeling in CP. Galectin-1 might participate in ECM changes, whereas galectin-3 seems to be involved in both ECM changes and ductular complex formation.     

Molecular and genetic characterizations of five pathogenic and two non-pathogenic monoclonal antiphospholipid antibodies

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by thrombosis, recurrent fetal loss and thrombocytopenia. Antiphospholipid antibodies, detected by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assays (aCL) and/or in vitro blood clotting assays (LAC) are strongly associated with APS. Both the molecular structures used by pathogenic antiphospholipid antibodies and the genetic mechanisms leading to their production are unknown. We describe here the variable region genes of seven IgG antiphospholipid antibodies derived from two APS patients. Of these, five are pathogenic as defined in a mouse model of thrombosis and two are not. Analyses of the expressed variable region genes show no preferential V gene usage. However, similar to anti-DNA antibodies, pathogenic antiphospholipid antibodies contain an increased number of arginine residues in the third complimentarity-determining region (CDR3) of their H chains. The increased accumulation of arginine residues in the V(H) CDR3 may act to enhance antigen binding, promote disease and point to the importance of the H chain in the pathogenic potential of certain antiphospholipid antibodies.     

Biochemical and biophysical analysis of heptad repeat regions from the fusion protein of Menangle virus,a newly emergent paramyxovirus

E. coli in vitro expression system. The GST-removed purified 2-Helix protein could form a stable trimer in vitro judging by gel-filtration and chemical cross-linking. CD spectra showed that the 2-Helix protein had a high percentage of α-helix and was very thermo-stable. Crystals of the 2-Helix protein preparations have been obtained in many conditions with hanging-drop diffusion method. These results indicated that Menangle virus has the common features of the fusion protein for other paramyxoviruses and should adopt a similar fusion mechanism to other members. As the HR regions of Menangle virus F protein could form stable six-helix bundle coiled coil structure, they should be used as drug target for the design of fusion inhibitors, as successfully used for other parmyxoviruses. This is especially relevant to such a newly emergent virus with zoonotic potentials. Received January 23, 2003; accepted February 28, 2003 Published online April 28, 2003     

用小波变换提取视觉诱发电位信号

视觉诱发电位（ＶＥＰ）信号的动态提取及处理具有重要的临床意义。通过硬件采集的ＶＥＰ信号经过叠加平均处理后仍含有大量背景噪声，不能直接用于诊断分析。小波变换是一种新兴时频分析方法，适于分析非平稳信号。在我们研制的视觉生理地形图系统中，成功地用它从背景噪声中提取出ＶＥＰ信号，完成信号的预处理。     

5一羟色胺能神经对横断损伤脊髓的再支配-脊髓内移植研究

用成年SD大鼠20只在脊髓的低位胸髓完全横断损伤,分别在1周和1月后,用富含5一羟色胺(5—HT)神经元的胚鼠脑干中缝组织悬液植人损伤尾侧的脊髓内,动物存活2个月,脊髓作5—HT免疫组化观察.结果:(1)胚5-HT能神经元能在成年大鼠脊髓内存活,5-HT纤维大多在灰质中延伸并向靶区分布,(2)损伤后1周移植组的5-HT能神经元存活量,5-HT纤维在宿主脊髓内延伸距离,以及5-HT末梢再分布的密度都优于损伤后1月移植组.     

异种骨内固定器力学性能的实验研究

目的了解牛骨材料及其构件的力学强度[抗拉、抗压、抗折(弯曲)和抗扭(剪切)强度].方法将材料分为天然、处理和构件(即产品)三组并制成标准试件,用规定设备按标准方法进行检测.结果(1)牦牛股骨拉伸、压缩、抗折、扭转极限应力分别为106.35±3.45、127.60±2.65、225.9±4.1、53.45±1.55(MPa),胫骨拉伸、压缩、抗折、扭转极限应力分别为114.96±1.46、184.75±3.25、211.35±2.45、51.9±0.5(MPa).湖区水牛胫骨拉伸、压缩、抗折、扭转极限应力分别为1 28.1±11、195.8±9.4、167.4±1 2.7、54.25±0.75(MPa).(2)E0气薰灭菌对牛骨材料的力学性能无明显影响,幅照灭菌对牛骨材料的力学性能稍有影响.(3)处理后,牛骨螺钉、圆钉的抗折强度较材料有所降低,而抗拉强度、抗压强度、抗扭强度变化不大.结论牛骨是一种力学性能良好,适合制作内固定构件的高强度生物材料.     

单克隆抗体2A7亲和层析法纯化红细胞膜表面的CD59分子

用抗ＣＤ５９单抗２Ａ７与ＣＮＢｒ－Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ４Ｂ偶联制备亲和层析柱，从正常人红细胞膜蛋白抽提物中分离纯化出ＣＤ５９分子。本法纯化的ＣＤ５９分子量为１８－２０ＫＤａ对还原剂敏感，与ＭｃＡｂｓｓＭＥＭ４３和１Ｆ５有高亲和性，再掺入豚鼠红细胞后，能够抑制人体补体的反应性溶血，本文还对三株抗ＣＤ５９单抗２Ａ７，ＭＥＭ４３及１Ｆ５的抗原特异性进行了初步分析。     

Changes in HIV-1 incidence in heroin users in Guangxi Province, China

Guangxi Province, China recently experienced an outbreak of HIV-1 infection among heroin users. We studied HIV-1 incidence rates and associated risk factors for HIV-1 infection among heroin users residing in Pingxiang City. A total of 318 heroin users were followed from February 1998 through January 1999 (median follow-up: 8.1 months). Of these, 130 were prospectively followed from January through September 1999 (median follow-up: 8.3 months). HIV-1 and hepatitis C virus (HCV) incidence rates for each period were calculated. A generalized estimating equation approach was implemented to identify independent risk factors associated with HIV-1 infection across both periods. Among 318 study participants, 97.2% were men. The median age was 22 years. Approximately 60% reported sharing needles. HIV-1 prevalence at baseline was 15.4%. During the first follow-up period, HIV-1 incidence was 2.38 per 100 person years (py), and HCV incidence was 26.8 per 100 py. During the second follow-up period, HIV-1 incidence was 6.86 per 100 py, and HCV incidence was 28.9 per 100 py. After controlling for age and other factors, HCV seropositivity, history of sexually transmitted diseases, and sharing needles were independently associated with HIV-1 infection. These data suggest that HIV-1 incidence was rising over time in Pingxiang City, Guangxi Province. The high incidence of HCV heightens the importance of enhanced prevention programs to reduce injection and needle sharing among heroin users.     

TGFβ1基因对血管内皮细胞细胞外基质表达及与基质黏附的影响

了解TGFβ1基因对血管内皮细胞表达细胞外基质蛋白及与基质黏附力的影响。用DOTAP脂质体转染p MAMneo TGFβ1于原代培养的脐静脉内皮细胞,经G4 18筛选,TGFβ1表达经免疫荧光鉴定。Western blot确定 型胶原、纤黏连蛋白的表达,微管吸吮系统确定内皮细胞与基质的黏附力。结果表明生理情况下的内皮细胞能表达少量的TGFβ1及胶原、纤黏连蛋白。经G4 18筛选,外源性TGFβ1在血管内皮细胞中稳定表达,能显著提高胶原、纤黏连蛋白纤维的表达及细胞与基质的黏附。说明TGFβ1在血管组织工程中促进内皮细胞的黏附具有一定的应用价值。