Utility of nuclear matrix protein (NMP22) in the detection of recurrent bladder cancer

This article examines the Nuclear Matrix Protein (NMP22) urine test for recurrent bladder cancer detection. Studies with NMP22 are compared to cytology for sensitivity and specificity. False positives and false negatives do occur, and consequences of these are discussed. Speculations are made regarding possible future uses of this test.     

Profile of non-compliance in lymphoblastic leukaemia

A nationwide study of intracellular drug metabolite concentrations in children prescribed 6-mercaptopurine for the treatment of lymphoblastic leukaemia was carried out to assess interpatient variability at a standardised dose. Nine children (2% of the total) had completely undetectable metabolites, indicative of non-compliance. Five were adolescents, but otherwise they had no obvious distinguishing characteristics. Not taking any 6-mercaptopurine at all is uncommon, but the problem cannot be predicted. The total number of children who do not comply cannot be determined from this study, but the nine children described represent only a fraction of these.     

Immune responses against SARS-coronavirus nucleocapsid protein induced by DNA vaccine

The nucleocapsid （N） protein of SARS-coronavirus （SARS-CoV） is the key protein for the formation of the helical nucleocapsid during virion assembly. This protein is believed to be more conserved than other proteins of the virus, such as spike and membrane glycoprotein. In this study, the N protein of SARS-CoV was expressed in Escherichia coli DHSalpha and identified with pooled sera from patients in the convalescence phase of SARS. A plasmid pCI-N, encoding the full-length N gene of SARS-CoV, was constructed. Expression of the N protein was observed in COS1 cells following transfection with pCI-N. The immune responses induced by intramuscular immunization with pCI-N were evaluated in a murine model. Serum anti-N immunoglobutins and splenocytes proliferative responses against N protein were observed in immunized BALB/c mice. The major immunoglobulin G subclass recognizing N protein was immunoglobulin G2a, and stimulated splenocytes secreted high levels of gamma interferon and IL-2 in response to N protein. More importantly, the immunized mice produced strong delayed-type hypersensitivity （DTH） and CD^8＋ CTL responses to N protein.     

千层塔中三萜成分的研究

前曾报道自千层塔[Huperzia serrata Thunb.(Trev)=Lycopodium serratum Thunb(Trev.)]中分得具有胆碱酯酶抑制活性的新生物碱——石杉碱甲、石杉碱乙、甲基石杉碱乙及已知生物碱8-deoxyserratinine,serratinine,lycodoline及lycoclavine。为进一步阐明该植物的化学成分,我们对其三萜成分进行了研究。从浙江安吉产的千层塔植物中分到六个石松三萜,其中一个为新化合物,经下述方法推定为serratenediol-21-acetate(Ⅰ)。另五     

国产麻黄的形态组织学研究——Ⅱ.西南主产种及其它种

本文报道我国西南产麻黄——丽江麻黄Ephedra likiangensis Florin、匍枝丽江麻黄E.likiangensis f.mairei(Florin)C.Y.Cheng、藏麻黄E.saxatilis Royle ex Florin、山岭麻黄E.gerardiana Wall、垫状山岭麻黄E.gerardiana Var.congesta C.Y.Cheng、矮麻黄E.minuta Florin和异株矮麻黄E.minuta var.dioeca C.Y.Cheng,以及形态组织特征较特殊的宁夏产斑子麻黄E.lepidosperma C.Y.Cheng、新疆产窄膜麻黄E.lomatolepis Schrenk,西藏产西藏中麻黄E.intermedia var.tibetica Stapf的生药形态组织学研究结果。并根据对国产麻黄的生药形态组织学的系统研究结果,分别编写了各种国产麻黄(包括13种3变种1变型)的生药性状和生药显微特征检索表。     

蜜环菌菌丝体化学成分的研究——Ⅴ.蜜环菌辛素和蜜环菌壬素的分离与鉴定

从人工液体发酵培养的蜜环菌[Armillaria mellea(Vahl.ex Fr.)Quel.]菌丝体的石油醚提取物中,经硅胶柱层析,低压柱层析和制备性薄层层析分离得到两个新的原伊鲁烷型倍半萜芳香酸酯类化合物。命名为蜜环菌辛素(armillarilin)和蜜环菌壬素(armillarinia),根据光谱(UV,IR,~1HNMR,~(13)CNMR和MS)分析,推定它们的化学结构分别为Ⅰ和Ⅱ。     

固相法合成心肌兴奋肽及其类似物

用Boc-和Tos-基团分别保护氨基和侧链胍基,以1%交联度聚苯乙烯二苯甲氨基树脂为载体,用DCC固相法合成肽,HF断裂肽树脂键和去除侧链保护基团,粗产物经高效液相层析纯化,合成了心肌兴奋肽Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH_2及其类似物Phe-Pro-Arg-Phe-NH_2,并观察了此二种肽对大鼠血压和心率的影响。     

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction as an initial presentation of systemic sclerosis in two children

Two children are reported in whom intestinal pseudo-obstruction was the initial manifestation of systemic sclerosis. Gastrointestinal symptoms and skin changes resolved or improved in both children following treatment with prednisone and penicillamine (case 1) or methotrexate (case 2), although radiological changes of the gastrointestinal tract persisted at 3 and 2 yr of follow-up, respectively.      

Interleukin-10 promoter polymorphisms in rheumatoid arthritis and Felty's syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether promoter polymorphisms associated with variation in interleukin-10 (IL-10) production are relevant to the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or Felty's syndrome (FS). METHODS: DNA was obtained from 44 FS patients, 117 RA patients and 295 controls. The promoter region between -533 and - 1120 was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, and polymorphisms detected by restriction enzyme digest or sequence-specific oligonucleotide probing. RESULTS: We found no significant difference in allele or haplotype frequencies between the groups. CONCLUSION: There is no association between FS or RA and these recently identified IL-10 promoter polymorphisms. Other genetic or environmental factors could explain the alterations in IL-10 levels seen in these conditions.