大狼毒三萜类化学成分的研究

自大戟科(Euphorbiaceae)植物大狼毒(Euphorbia nematocypha Hand—Mazz)根的乙醇提取物的苯溶解部分,经20%AgNO₃硅胶层析,分离得到七个三萜类成分。根据光谱(IR,EIMS,¹H—NMR和¹³C—NMR)和化学方法,确定其中一个化合物为新化合物,命名为大狼毒醇(nematocyphol,Ⅳa),其它化合物为已知物:印度荆芥醇乙酸酯(nepehinol acetate Ⅰ),日尔曼醇乙酸酯(germanicol acetate Ⅱ),大戟醇(euphol,Ⅲ),蒲公英醇(taraxasterol,Ⅴa),24-亚甲基环阿尔廷醇(24-methylenecycloartanol,Ⅴa)和印度荆芥醇(nepehinol,Ⅶa)。这些化合物均为首次从大狼毒中得到。     

Small interfering RNA inhibits SARS-CoV nucleocapsid gene expression in cultured cells and mouse muscles

SARS-CoV isa newly identified coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome （SARS）. Currently, there is no effective method available for prophylaxis and treatment of SARS-CoVinfections. In the present study, the influence of small interfering RNA （siRNA） on SARS-CoV nucleocapsid （N） protein expression was detected in cultured cells and mouse muscles. Four siRNA expression cassettes driven by mouse U6 promoter targeting SARS-CoV N gene were prepared, and their inhibitory effects on expression of N and enhanced green fluorescence protein （EGFP） fusion protein were observed.     

Low-artifact intravascular devices: MR imaging evaluation

Flow-phantom magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, with use of both spin-echo (SE) and gradient-echo (GRE) techniques at 1.5 T, was performed on the percutaneous Greenfield (beta-III titanium alloy [TMA wire]), Amplatz (MP32-N alloy), and Simon nitinol filters and TMA wire facsimiles of the bird's nest, Gunther, new retrievable, and Amplatz vena caval filters. SE imaging allowed detection of thrombi as small as 5 X 5 mm trapped within the percutaneous Greenfield, Simon nitinol, and TMA-wire facsimile filters; with the MP32-N Amplatz filter, a larger volume of thrombus (10 X 20-mm clots) was necessary for clot detection. GRE imaging allowed detection of intraluminal tilting of the percutaneous Greenfield and facsimile Amplatz (TMA-wire) filters. GRE imaging was useful for demonstrating postfilter turbulence due to clots, which was greatest for the Amplatz filter. Imaging of facsimile vascular devices made of tantalum or TMA wire did not cause the severe "black-hole" MR artifacts typical of the stainless-steel devices. SE and GRE imaging were very useful for determining caval patency in two patients with previously placed Mobin-Uddin filters. Noninvasive MR evaluation of blood vessels in the presence of a variety of low-artifact intravascular devices appears feasible.     

A dengue-2 Envelope fragment inserted within the structure of the P64k meningococcal protein carrier enables a functional immune response against the virus in mice

A gene fragment encoding for the amino acids (aa) 286-426 from the dengue Envelope (E) protein was expressed in Escherichia coli as two forms of fusion proteins. In one case, the E fragment was fused to the first 45 aa of the P64k protein from Neisseria meningitidis (PD2) while, in the other, it was inserted within the lipoil-binding domain of the aforementioned bacterial protein (PD3). PD2 was obtained as insoluble form within the cytoplasm of the bacteria while PD3 was distributed equally as soluble and insoluble forms. The insoluble forms of each protein as well as the soluble fraction of PD3 were semipurified to test the antigenicity and the immunogenicity in mice. The forms containing the entire P64k protein exhibited the highest recognition with different polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. Consequently, the neutralizing antibodies elicited by the recombinant proteins were higher in the case of PD3 forms than with PD2, independently of the solubility status. In addition, mice inoculated with the semipurified insoluble form of PD3 were partially protected against lethal challenge with dengue-2 virus, administered by intracerebral inoculation. The results suggested the folding and carrier capacity of the P64k protein over the E fragment, converting PD3 as an attractive vaccine candidate against dengue-2 virus.