Cloning and sequencing of putative acetylcholinesterase cDNAs from the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis, and the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae)

Two putative cDNAs of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), one from Dermacentor variabilis, and the other from Rhipicephalus sanguineus, were amplified and sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequences have high amino acid identities (between 70 and 94%) to known tick AChE sequences deposited in GenBank. Furthermore, these two AChEs also possess common features in their primary AChE structure such as catalytic active sites. A 2,220-bp contiguous sequence, containing a 1,791-bp open reading frame encoding an AChE precursor with 596 amino acid residues, was obtained from D. variabilis. The deduced proteins of R. sanguineus are different in size by 6 amino acids because of alternative splicing at the 5' end. A gene tree deduced from phylogenetic analysis indicates that there are at least three lineages of AChE in arthropods.     

Detection of expansion regions in Portuguese bipolar families

We have studied 24 families with multiple affected members with bipolar disorder to test the hypothesis that in those families clinically showing genetic anticipation [Macedo et al., 1999] we would find large repeat expansions. The families meeting inclusion criteria had a minimum of two affected members over two generations and showed marked anticipation both in terms of age of onset and disease severity. We used the repeat expansion detection (RED) method to test patients (n = 24) and controls from these families and unrelated controls (n = 53). We also genotyped patients and family members from two families with large expansions at the known expansion loci on chromosomes 13, 17, and 18. The RED method revealed a higher number of large expansions in patients compared with controls (t-test; P < 0.0055: Mann-Whitney U; P = 0.02). The patients with the largest expansions were typed at the specific loci on chromosomes 13, 17, and 18 and the chromosome 18 expansion locus segregated with disease in one family, and a second family showed segregation with the expansion located at the SCA8 locus on chromosome 13. Genetic anticipation had been analyzed in this cohort of families, with correction for potential ascertainment bias, possible proband effects, cohort effects, regression to the mean, gender effects, and maternal vs. paternal transmission. None of these potential confounds appeared to account for the observed anticipation. We also identified that the presence of large expansions in affected family members derives primarily from two families from the genetically isolated Azores population. One family shows segregation with the chromosome 18 locus, whereas the other family segregates with expansions at the SCA8 locus. Am. J. Med. Genet. (Neuropsychiatr. Genet.) 96:854-857, 2000.     

Increased inducible apoptosis in CD4+ T lymphocytes during polymicrobial sepsis is mediated by Fas ligand and not endotoxin

Recent studies suggest that increased lymphocyte apoptosis (Ao) detected in peripheral blood T cells from burn patients appears to contribute to decreased lymphocyte immunoresponsiveness. However, while it is known that sepsis induces a marked depression in the splenocyte immune response (i.e. decreased interleukin-2, interferon-gamma production and proliferation) in response to the T-cell mitogen concanavalin A (Con A), it is unknown whether this depression is associated with an increase in inducible Ao and if so, which mediators control this process. To assess this, splenocytes were harvested from mice at 24 hr (a period associated with decreased Con A response) after the onset of polymicrobial sepsis [caecal ligation and puncture (CLP)] or sham-CLP (Sham) and then stimulated with 2.5 microg Con A/ml (24 hr). Septic mouse splenocytes stimulated with Con A, while not showing a change in their phenotypic make-up, did exhibit a marked increase in the percentage of splenocyte that were Ao+ which was associated with altered cytokine release. This appears to be due to an increase in the percentage of Ao+ cells in the CD4+ CD8- population and was associated with enhanced Fas antigen expression as well as an increase in mRNA for the Fas-FasL gene family. To determine if the changes in Ao are due to either endotoxin (a product of Gram-negative bacteria seen in CLP mice) or the expression of Fas ligand (FasL; a mediator of activation-induced lymphocyte Ao), a second set of studies examining Con A-inducible Ao was performed with splenocytes harvested from septic endotoxin-tolerant C3H/HeJ and the FasL-deficient C3H/HeJ-Fasl gld mice. The results show that increased splenocyte Ao detected following CLP is due to a FasL-mediated process and not to endotoxin. Thus the inadvertent up-regulation of FasL-mediated splenocyte Ao may contribute to the depression of splenocyte immune responses seen during polymicrobial sepsis.     

中国人群DXS102座位多态性鉴定及其应用

目的探讨中国人群中ＤＸＳ１０２座位的多态分布。方法应用ＰＣＲ扩增片段长度多态性（Ａｍｐ－ＦＬＰ）研究了无亲缘关系的２３４条Ｘ染色体。结果ＤＸＳ１０２座位等位片段有８个，核心单元ＡＣ二核苷酸重复数为１３～２１，频率分布在０．０１３～０．１５６之间，杂合度观察值和无偏估测值分别为０．８７和０．８０，多态信息含量（ＰＩＣ）０．８０，女性基因型数为２２个，男性基因型数为８个，该座位多态分布符合Ｈａｒｄｙ－Ｗｅｉｎｂｅｒｇ平衡定律。ＤＸＳ１０２座位在中国人群和欧洲人群的分布有明显的种族差异，在中国人群中发现了两个新的等位片段。应用ＤＸＳ１０２座位的短串联重复序列多态性对一接受基因治疗的血友病Ｂ家系进行分析和携带者筛查。结论ＤＸＳ１０２座位连锁分析有望成为一种有效的血友病Ｂ基因诊断的方法。     

Artificial Circulation of the Liver: Machine Perfusion as a Preservation Method in Liver Transplantation

Due to the sharp increase in liver transplant candidates and the subsequent shortage of suitable donor livers, an extension of the current donor criteria is necessary. Simple cold storage, the current standard in organ preservation has proven to be insufficient to preserve extended criteria donor livers. Therefore a renewed interest grew toward alternative methods for liver preservation, such as hypothermic machine perfusion and normothermic machine perfusion. These “new” preservation methods were primarily assessed in rat models, and only a few clinically relevant large animal models have been described so far. This review will elaborate on these alternative preservation methods. Anat Rec, 291:735–740, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

肾盂加肾后唇实质段间线切开治疗巨大鹿角形肾结石(附24例报告)

目的：探讨。肾内型。肾盂并发巨大鹿角型。肾结石的手术疗效。方法：采用。肾盂加。肾后唇实质段间线切开取石术治疗24例25侧巨大鹿角型。肾结石。结果：本组手术顺利取尽结石者22例23侧。肾，术后。肾内残留小结石（直径〈5mm）2例，经ESWL治愈。随访3个月，25侧术。肾功能良好。结论：该术式不阻断。肾蒂，操作简单，出血少，取石干净，对肾功能影响小，是治疗巨大鹿角型。肾结石较理想的手术方法之一。     

Proteomic analysis of salt-sensitive outer membrane proteins of Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a universal marine pathogen with available genome sequences, could be used as a bacterial model to clarify the various physiological phenomena of its native and host environments. In the present study, proteomic methodologies were applied to investigate the expression pattern of outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of V. parahaemolyticus at different NaCl concentrations. OmpW, OmpV, elongation factor TU and polar flagellin were determined to be osmoregulation-sensitive OMPs, among which OmpW and OmpV were reported to vary with changed NaCl concentrations in the pattern of osmolarity regulation. Therefore, our results not only expand our knowledge on osmoregulation-related proteins, but also provide a valuable strategy for the screening of salt-sensitive proteins.     

汉滩病毒G1蛋白胞质区ITAM样基序与Syk细胞内相互作用

目的：研究汉滩病毒（HTNV）G1蛋白胞质区ITAM样基序与Syk的细胞内相互作用。方法：构建用于研究Syk和G1ITAM样基序之间相互作用的哺乳动物细胞双杂交系统，验证G1ITAM样基序与Syk之间是否存在细胞内相互作用。结果：哺乳动物细胞双杂交分析证实G1ITAM样基序在哺乳动物细胞内可以与Syk相互作用；而突变体分析表明，这种相互作用依赖于该基序中两个高度保守的酪氨酸残基的存在。结论：HTNVG1蛋白胞质区高度保守ITAM样基序在体外和哺乳动物细胞内可以与Syk相互作用，为进一步探讨G1蛋白ITAM样基序在HFRS免疫信号传递中的作用及其与血管内皮损伤的关系奠定了基础。     

Prenatal presentation and diagnosis of Baraitser‐Winter syndrome using exome sequencing

Baraitser‐Winter cerebrofrontofacial syndrome (BWCFF) is a rare autosomal dominant developmental disorder associated with missense mutations in the genes ACTB or ACTG1. The classic presentation of BWCFF is discerned by the combination of unique craniofacial characteristics including ocular coloboma, intellectual disability, and hypertelorism. Congenital contractures and organ malformations are often present, including structural defects in the brain, heart, renal, and musculoskeletal system. However, there is limited documentation regarding its prenatal presentation that may encourage healthcare providers to be aware of this disorder when presented throughout pregnancy. Herein we describe a case of a pregnancy with large cystic hygroma and omphalocele. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed and a de novo, heterozygous, likely pathogenic mutation in ACTB was detected, c.1004G>A (p.Arg335His), conferring a diagnosis of BWCFF.