IL-17 Eliminates the Therapeutic Effects of Myelin Basic Protein-Induced Nasal Tolerance in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis by Activating IL-6

Interleukin (IL)-17 is a proinflammatory cytokine primarily secreted by Th17 cells, which are a CD4⁺ T-cell subset. Th17 cells and IL-17 are important in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis and in its established animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). However, it is unclear whether IL-17 contributes to EAE immune tolerance. We used the myelin basic protein (MBP) peptide MBP 68–86 to induce nasal tolerance to EAE, and simultaneously interfered with the tolerance by treatment with different doses of IL-17. We found that IL-17 dramatically interfered with MBP 68–86-induced immune tolerance. IL-17 administration increased IL-6 release, skewing T cell differentiation towards Th17 cells and decreasing the number of Treg cells. This led to an imbalance between Treg cells and Th17 cells and spurred the development of EAE.     

Nuclear and cytoplasmic bcl-2 expression in endometrial hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma

The bcl-2 proto-oncogene, which inhibits programmed cell death (apoptosis), has recently been found to be cyclically expressed in human endometrium. In order to investigate its role in endometrial hyperlasia and neoplasia, bcl-2 expression was studied in 25 cases of endometrial carcinoma and 20 cases of endometrial hyperplasia (eight simple, two complex, and ten atypical hyperplasias). Uniform intense cytoplasmic bcl-2 expression was found in all cases of non-atypical hyperplasia, and less strong positivity in eight out of ten cases of atypical hyperplasia. In well-differentiated carcinomas, nine out of ten showed weak to moderate bcl-2 expression, whereas six out of seven poorly differentiated carcinomas were bcl-2-negative. Moderately differentiated tumours were an intermediate group, with six out of eight being positive. Widespread localization of bcl-2 protein to the chromosomes of dividing cells was also demonstrated, regardless of cytoplasmic bcl-2 expression, with rare staining of interphase nuclei. Our findings suggest a role for bcl-2 in the natural history of endometrial neoplasia and studies are needed to determine its usefulness as a prognostic marker. The finding of bcl-2 localization to chromosomes has important implications for its mode and site of action.     

Molecular analysis in Japanese patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: DGGE analysis for PMP22, MPZ,and Cx32/GJB1 mutations

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a heterogeneous disorder and is traditionally classified into two major types, CMT type 1 (CMT1) and CMT type 2 (CMT2). Most CMT1 patients are associated with the duplication of 17p11.2-p12 (CMT1A duplication) and small numbers of patients have mutations of the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22), myelin protein zero (MPZ), connexin 32 (Cx32/GJB1), and early growth response 2 (EGR2) genes. Some mutations of MPZ and Cx32 were also associated with the clinical CMT2 phenotype. We constructed denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis as a screening method for PMP22, MPZ, and Cx32 mutations and studied 161 CMT patients without CMT1A duplication. We detected 27 mutations of three genes including 15 novel mutations; six of PMP22, three of MPZ, and six of Cx32. We finally identified 21 causative mutations in 22 unrelated patients and five polymorphic mutations. Eighteen of 22 patients carrying PMP22, MPZ, or Cx32 mutations presented with CMT1 and four of them with MPZ or Cx32 mutations presented with the CMT2 phenotype. DGGE analysis was sensitive for screening for those gene mutations, but causative gene mutation was not identified in many of the Japanese patients with CMT, especially with CMT1. Other candidate genes should be studied to elucidate the genetic basis of Japanese CMT patients.     

Two novel mutations in the EPM2A gene in a Korean patient with Lafora's progressive myoclonus epilepsy

The progressive myoclonus epilepsy of the Lafora type (LD; MIM 254780) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by epilepsy, myoclonus, progressive neurological deterioration, and the presence of periodic acid-Schiff-positive polyglucosan inclusions (Lafora bodies). Mutations in the EPM2A gene have recently been found to cause LD and about 30 or more mutations have been reported thus far. LD is relatively common in countries of the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East, India, and Pakistan. Although a few sporadic cases with the typical LD phenotype have also been reported in the Far East including Korea and Japan, a recent effort to find mutations in Japanese LD families was not successful. In the present study, we report two novel mutations in a Korean girl with LD; a 1-bp insertion mutation (c.223insC; G75fsX107) in exon 1 and a missense mutation (c.559A>G; T187A) in exon 3 of the EPM2A gene. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a genetically confirmed case of LD in Koreans and also in the Far East.     

Mutagenic activity from nitrosation of oligoamines

To determine structural features necessary for the production of direct mutagenic activity from oligoamine-nitrate reaction mixtures, we systematically tested a group of aliphatic amine substrates for comutagenic action with nitrite. The ability to react with nitrite and form direct-acting mutagenic derivatives was common to a reasonably well defined class of aliphatic polyamines. In general, primary-secondary diamino compounds were mutagenic in the Ames Salmonella tester system when reacted with nitrite, whereas primary and secondary amines produced no direct mutagenic activity when tested separately. In combination with teritary amino groups, primary amines were inactive; one secondary-tertiary amine was tested, and this substrate produced mutagenic activity.     

黄芪-当归通过TGF-β1/Smad2信号途径抑制兔血管内膜增生模型外膜成纤维细胞的活化作用

目的：探讨黄芪-当归配伍对兔血管内膜增生模型血管外膜成纤维细胞(VAF)活化的影响及其作用机制。方法：清洁级家兔,雌雄各半,随机分为假手术组、模型组、单用黄芪组(1 g·kg^-1)、单用当归组(1 g·kg^-1)、黄芪-当归1∶1组(黄芪1 g·kg^-1+当归1 g·kg^-1)、黄芪-当归1∶5组(黄芪1 g·kg^-1+当归5 g·kg^-1)、黄芪-当归5∶1组(黄芪5 g·kg^-1+当归1 g·kg^-1)、阿托伐他汀钙组(5 mg·kg^-1),采用颈总动脉套管复合高胆固醇饮食制备家兔血管内膜增生模型,假手术组只进行分离操作,不进行套管。术后第1天开始假手术组喂饲普通饲料,其余各组喂饲高胆固醇饲料(2%胆固醇+3%橄榄油+95%普通饲料),同时各用药组给予相应药物灌胃,假手术组、模型组给予等体积蒸馏水灌胃,持续给药28 d。实验结束后腹主动脉采血,马松(Masson)染色观察血管外膜形态学变...     

In Vivo Evaluation of Dendropanax morbifera Leaf Extract for Anti-Obesity and Cholesterol-Lowering Activity in Mice

Metabolic syndrome is a worldwide health problem, and obesity is closely related to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and cancer. According to WHO in 2018, the prevalence of obesity in 2016 tripled compared to 1975. D. morbifera reduces bad cholesterol and triglycerides levels in the blood and provides various antioxidant nutrients and germicidal sub-stances, as well as selenium, which helps to remove active oxygen. Moreover, D. morbifera is useful for treating cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. Therefore, we study in vivo efficacy of D. morbifera to investigate the prevention effect of obesity and cholesterol. The weight and body fat were effectively reduced by D. morbifera water (DLW) extract administration to high-fat diet-fed C57BL/6 mice compared to those of control mice. The group treated with DLW 500 mg∙kg⁻¹∙d⁻¹ had significantly lower body weights compared to the control group. In addition, High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol increased in the group treated with DLW 500 mg∙kg⁻¹∙d⁻¹. The effect of DLW on the serum lipid profile could be helpful to prevent obesity. DLW suppresses lipid formation in adipocytes and decreases body fat. In conclusion, DLW can be applied to develop anti-obesity functional foods and other products to reduce body fat.     

1—丙二烯基—2，3，4，6—四—氧—乙酰基—β—D—吡喃糖苷的合成及应用机理

分别采用化学、声化学及光辐射等方法合成了1-丙二烯基-2,3,4,6四-氧-乙酰基-β-D-吡喃糖苷,结果表明声化学方法最有效、快速;借助电子自旋共振（ESR）技术及相关实验,证实此类糖苷的生成为一离子消除反应,所合成的糖苷化合物脱去乙酰基后对T、B淋巴细胞具有体外免疫调节作用。     

先天性外耳道闭锁中耳畸形临床分析

采用外耳道及鼓室再造术治疗先天性外耳道完全闭锁29例。统计各种外、中耳畸形情况,比较耳廓发育程度、颞骨相当于外耳道口处有无骨性小凹、术前听力损失程度与中耳畸形的关系,将术前的常规横断位CT检查结果与术中所见进行对照。结果显示,术前可通过耳廓发育程度、相当于外耳道口处有无骨性小凹、听力损失程度和颞骨CT扫描来综合估计中耳畸形情况,为术前了解手术难度和确定手术进路及方式提供一定的参考依据。