Association of IL8 -251A/T, IL12B -1188A/C and TNF-α -238A/G polymorphisms with Tourette syndrome in a family-based association study in a Chinese Han population

An earlier study indicated a possible relationship between Tourette syndrome (TS) and the cytokines. To explore this further, we analyzed the association of the polymorphisms, IL8 -251A/T, IL12B -1188A/C and TNF-α -238A/G, in the IL8, IL12B and TNF-α cytokine genes with TS in a Chinese Han population. A total of 108 patients diagnosed with TS and their parents were recruited for the study. The genetic contributions of the IL8 -251A/T, IL12B -1188A/C, and TNF-α -238A/G polymorphisms were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion (PCR-RFLP) and haplotype relative risk (HRR) and transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) statistics. Our results revealed no significant associations between the IL8 -251A/T, IL12B -1188A/C and TNF-α -238A/G polymorphisms and TS (for IL8 -251A/T, TDT=0.418, df=1, P=0.518; HRR=2.17, X(2)=3.000, P=0.083, 95%CI: 0.900-5.230; for IL12B -1188A/C, TDT=1.131, df=1, P=0.288; HRR=1.27, X(2)=0.35, P=0.549, 95%CI: 0.580-2.790; for TNF-α -238A/G, TDT=2.793, df=1, P=0.095; HRR=0.27, X(2)=2.90, P=0.089, 95%CI: 0.061-1.217). This result was confirmed using haplotype-based haplotype relative risk (HHRR) which allows the two alleles in each genotype to be considered separately. Our data suggests that the IL-8 -251A/T, IL-12B -1188A/C and TNF-α -238A/G polymorphisms may not be associated with susceptibility to TS in the Chinese Han population studied. However, these results need to be replicated using larger datasets collected from different populations.     

抗Ⅳ型登革病毒NS1单克隆抗体的制备及特性鉴定

目的:研制Ⅳ型登革病毒(DENV-4)非结构蛋白1(NS1)特异性的单克隆抗体(mAbs),并鉴定其特异性。方法:在表达具有良好抗原性的重组DENV4-NS1蛋白的基础上,用重组DENV4-NS1蛋白和灭活的DENV-4免疫BALB/c小鼠,取免疫小鼠的脾细胞与小鼠骨髓瘤细胞进行融合,用间接ELISA法筛选阳性的杂交瘤细胞,并结合免疫荧光测定法(IFA)和Western blot分析对mAb的特异性进行鉴定;通过竞争抑制试验对mAb识别的抗原位点进行分析。结果:获得15株特异性针对DENV4-NS1的mAbs,与其他3型DENV的NS1不产生交叉反应。mAb的Ig亚类测定均为IgG1。竞争抑制试验显示,15株mAbs存在2个不同识别抗原位点。结论:成功地获得特异性针对DENV4-NS1蛋白的mAbs,为进一步研究DENV4-NS1蛋白的结构与功能及研制DENV-4的临床诊断试剂奠定了基础。     

Apoptosis of glomerular mesangial cells induced by sublytic C5b‐9 complexes in rats with Thy‐1 nephritis is dependent on Gadd45γ upregulation

The complement C5b‐9 complexes can result in cell apoptosis, but the mechanism of sublytic C5b‐9‐mediated glomerular mesangial cell (GMC) apoptosis in Thy‐1 nephritis (Thy‐1N) remains largely unclear. The Gadd45 gene is involved in the cellular response to DNA damage and can promote cell apoptosis. In this study, both Gadd45γ expression patterns and pathologic changes of renal tissue were examined in rat Thy‐1N. Both Gadd45γ expression and GMC apoptosis were significantly decreased in Thy‐1N rats upon the depletion of complement with cobra venom factor. Our in vitro studies showed that Gadd45γ over‐expression increased sublytic C5b‐9‐induced GMC apoptosis, while Gadd45γ gene knockdown by siRNA greatly reduced GMC apoptosis. Moreover, Gadd45γ gene silencing in vivo markedly inhibited the pathologic changes in the renal tissue of Thy‐1N rats. These data suggest that Gadd45γ gene expression is involved in regulating GMC apoptosis mediated by sublytic C5b‐9 in Thy‐1N.     

Precision diagnosis and antidiastole on supernumerary cusp of tooth by CBCT

Purpose

Based on a case of supernumerary cusp on the bucca of left maxillary second molar diagnosed by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), its genesis, diagnosis and antidiastole are to be analysed. The clinic implication of CBCT is correspondingly discussed.

Methods

The supernumerary cusp was diagnosed by oral general examination, intra-oral radiograph and CBCT. The features of supernumerary cusp, fused tooth, geminated tooth and concrescence tooth, especially differentiate points among them were discussed.

Results

The case of supernumerary cusp on the bucca of left maxillary second molar was diagnosed definitely by the combined application of oral general examination, periapical radiograph and CBCT.

Conclusion

Supernumerary cusp on the bucca of left maxillary second molar is a rare phenomenon, which is difficult to be differentiated from other tooth deformities. CBCT can improve accuracy of diagnosis.

     

Detection of antibodies specific to an antigenic cell wall galactomannoprotein for serodiagnosis of Aspergillus fumigatus aspergillosis

Aspergilloma and invasive aspergillosis are important opportunistic infections caused by Aspergillus species, among which Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common species associated with human disease. We developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based antibody assay with Afmp1p, a purified recombinant antigenic cell wall galactomannoprotein of A. fumigatus. Evaluation of the test with guinea pig sera against A. fumigatus and other pathogenic fungi indicated that this assay was specific for A. fumigatus. Clinical evaluation revealed that the assay was 100% sensitive for patients with aspergilloma and 33.3% sensitive for patients with invasive aspergillosis. No false-positive results were found for serum samples from 80 healthy blood donors, 6 patients with typhoid fever, 4 patients with melioidosis, 20 patients with penicilliosis marneffei, 5 patients with candidiasis, and 4 patients with cryptococcosis, indicating a high specificity of the test. Thus, this ELISA-based test for the detection of anti-Afmp1p antibody can be of significant value as a diagnostic for aspergillosis.     

右室双腔心的外科治疗

目的 总结右室双腔心的解剖诊断和外科治疗经验.方法 回顾性分析2001年9月-2014年6月手术治疗76例右室双腔心患者的临床资料.所有患者均在低温、浅低温体外循环下施行根治手术.58例采用三尖瓣径路＋右室流出道径路（A组）,18例采用单纯三尖瓣径路或合并肺动脉径路（B组）.比较两组术中、术后情况.结果 76例患者均顺利完成手术.术中无停机困难、大出血等情况发生.A组患者体外循环时间、术后24 h平均多巴胺用量、辅助通气时间、术后24 h引流量和右束支传导阻滞发生率均高于B组,差异均有统计学意义（P值均＜0.01）;而疏通术后收缩压差、主动脉阻断时间与B组比较,差异均无统计学意义（P值均＞0.05）.全组无一例死亡.术后并发低心排血量综合征5例,严重心律失常6例,呼吸功能衰竭1例,经对症处理后均治愈.76例均获随访,随访时间3个月～13年,平均4.26年.所有患者无死亡,心功能恢复满意.结论 熟练掌握右室双腔心的病理解剖、正确有效地疏通右心室腔是手术成功的关键;通过三尖瓣或右心室流出道均可解除右室双腔心梗阻,但三尖瓣径路可获得更好的近远期效果.     

Notch ligand Delta-like1 enhances degranulation and cytokine production through a novel Notch/Dok-1/MAPKs pathway in vitro

Food allergy includes sensitization phase and effect phase, and effect cells degranulate and secrete cytokines in the effect phase, causing allergic clinical symptoms. We have demonstrated that Notch signaling plays an important role in the sensitization phase, but its role in effect phases still remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of Notch signaling in degranulation and cytokine production of the effect phase response. A RBL-2H3 cell model was used and Notch signaling was induced by priming with Notch ligands. Our results showed after priming with Notch ligand, Delta-like1(Dll1)-Fc, β-hexosaminidase release, and cytokines production, including TGF-β, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-13, were increased significantly, and the enhancement was abolished after DAPT treatment, a γ-secretase inhibitor, indicating that Dll1 Notch signaling enhanced RBL-2H3 cell degranulation and cytokine production. Western blot analysis showed that Dll1 Notch signaling augmented high-affinity IgE receptors-mediated phosphorylation of MAPKs through suppressing the expression of downstream tyrosine kinases 1 (Dok-1). Besides, a passive systemic anaphylaxis mouse model was used to confirm the role of Notch signaling. And our data showed that allergic clinical features of mice were alleviated, and the level of degranulation was decreased significantly after inhibiting Notch signaling in vivo. Therefore, we demonstrated Notch ligand Dll1 enhanced RBL-2H3 cell degranulation and cytokine production through a novel Notch/Dok-1/MAPKs pathway, suggesting Notch signaling played a key role in the effect phase of food allergy.