The immunomodulatory effects of 3-monochloro-1,2-propanediol on murine splenocyte and peritoneal macrophage function in vitro.

3-Monochloro-1,2-propanediol (MCPD) is a well-known by-product of acid-hydrolyzed soy sauce during its manufacturing process. MCPD has been reported genotoxic in vitro, and reproductive toxicity and carcinogenicity in rats. To evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of MCPD on murine splenocyte and macrophage in vitro, we investigated splenocyte blastogenesis by concanavalin A (Con A), anti-CD3, and lipopolyssacharide (LPS), the production of cytokines from splenocyte, and the activity of mouse peritoneal macrophages. There was a significant decrease in lymphocyte blastogenesis to Con A or anti-CD3 at subtoxic dose of MCPD. A significant decrease in splenocyte blastogenesis to LPS was also observed. The production level of interferon (IFN)-gamma on splenocyte culture with Con A was significantly reduced at the higher concentration than 1.0mM of MCPD. The levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 were also decreased at high concentrations of MCPD. There was a significant decrease in production of nitric oxide (NO) by peritoneal macrophages treated with MCPD. MCPD also inhibits tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha production of stimulated macrophages. These results indicate that MCPD might be able to reduce the functionality of lymphocytes and peritoneal macrophages in vitro.     

Cytotoxic activity of cardenolides from Beaumontia brevituba stems.

Five known cardenolides, digitoxigenin (1), oleandrigenin (2), digitoxigenin alpha-L-cymaroside (3), digitoxigenin beta-gentiobiosyl-alpha-L-cymaroside (4), and delta 16-digitoxigenin beta-D-glucosyl-alpha-L-cymaroside (5), were isolated from the stems of Beaumontia brevituba Oliver by cytotoxicity-directed fractionation monitored by a cultured human lung cancer cell line. The cytotoxic activity of these compounds was evaluated with a panel of twelve human and murine cancer cell lines. The lignan glycoside, syringaresinol beta-D-glucoside, was obtained for the first time in the form of its levo-enantiomer.     

Spontaneous resolution of prenatally diagnosed dural sinus thrombosis: a case report.

Fetal thrombosis of the dural sinus is an extremely rare congenital cerebrovascular condition that is potentially fatal. We report a case of dural sinus thrombosis diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography and fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the second trimester. The thrombosis showed partial resolution during pregnancy and resolved spontaneously after birth without neurological complications. This is the first report of spontaneous postnatal resolution, and may provide helpful information on the natural history and prenatal counseling of fetal thrombosis of the dural sinus.     

FasL启动子调控的报告基因表达质粒的构建及活性分析

目的扩增FasL启动子并构建带有FasL启动子的荧光素酶报告质粒,并评价在皮质酮(啮齿类动物体内的糖皮质激素)作用的睾丸Leydig细胞中,由FasL启动子调控的荧光素酶的表达活性。本研究将为进一步分析Leydig细胞中FasL启动子转录调控的作用机制奠定基础。方法采用DNA重组技术构建由FasL启动子调控的荧光素酶报告基因的表达质粒。此重组质粒经阳离子脂质体LipofectAMINE介导,瞬时转染入Leydig细胞中,36h后细胞经皮质酮处理,并于48h时收集细胞。测定荧光素酶的相对表达活性。结果(1)酶切及测序证实成功扩增FasL基因启动子并构建了带有FasL基因启动子的报告基因表达质粒；(2)皮质酮处理的Leydig细胞中FasL启动子调控的荧光素酶表达质粒的表达活性显著增高。结论构建成功的带有FasL启动子的荧光素酶报告质粒可准确地评价FasL启动子在凋亡过程中的作用。     

Phenotypic variability of a distinct deletion in McLeod syndrome

The X‐linked McLeod neuroacanthocytosis syndrome strongly resembles Huntington's disease and has been reported in various countries world‐wide. Herein, we report two Chilean brothers with predominant psychiatric features at disease onset including schizophrenia‐like psychosis and obsessive compulsive disorder. Molecular genetic analysis revealed a small deletion in the XK gene (938‐942delCTCTA), which has been already described in a North American patient of Anglo‐Saxon descent and a Japanese family, presenting with seizures, muscle atrophy or chorea yet absence of psychiatric features. These findings argue against a founder effect and indicate a profound phenotypic variability associated with the 938‐942delCTCTA deletion. Our report supports the inclusion of McLeod syndrome in the differential diagnosis of Huntington's disease as well as acute psychosis in male subjects. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society     

Clinical Significance of an Early Protocol Biopsy in Living-Donor Renal Transplantation: Ten-Year Experience at a Single Center

We report here our 10-year experience of a biopsy performed at day 14 after transplantation in 304 patients with stable graft function. The factors that may have influenced subclinical rejection were analyzed according to histology. The incidence of subclinical rejection was 13.2%. Addition of mycophenolate mofetile (MMF) as a primary immunosuppressant significantly decreased the incidence of subclinical rejection compared with patients without such treatment (odds ratio, 0.23; p < 0.05). On the other hand, HLA-DR antigen mismatch (odds ratio, 2.39) and unrelated donor (odds ratio, 2.10) were also significantly associated with decreased subclinical rejection (p < 0.05). The incidence of acute rejection in patients with normal findings was lower than in those with borderline changes or subclinical rejection (0.23 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.48 +/- 0.07 and 0.60 +/- 0.11, respectively; p < 0.05). The graft survival rates in patients with subclinical rejection were lower than in patients with normal or borderline changes at 1 (88.4% vs. 97.9% and 99.1%; p < 0.05), 5 (77.8% vs. 96.2% and 95.9%; p < 0.05) and 10 (62.3% vs. 96.2% and 93.7%; p < 0.05) years. Thus, a protocol biopsy performed on day 14 after transplantation is useful for predicting graft survival. Triple therapy including MMF, related donor and HLA-DR antigen match are important factors for reducing subclinical rejection in living-donor renal transplantation.     

Rapidly Progressive Toxic Leukoencephalomyelopathy with Myelodysplastic Syndrome: a Clinicopathological Correlation

Neurological disorders induced by long-term exposure to organic solvents typically have a slowly progressive clinical course, which may be arrested or even reversed following discontinuation of exposure. We report an unusual case of rapidly progressive toxic leukoencephalomyelopathy in a 29-year-old man who had worked at a chemical factory that used toluene for the manufacture of nylon 66 for 5 years. He presented with progressive weakness of legs, recurrent seizures, and cognitive decline. Widespread white-matter changes in the brain and spinal cord, and myelodysplastic syndrome were noted. He died 6 months after the onset of his symptoms, and autopsy showed discrete multifocal demyelination and necrosis in the central nervous system, and dysplastic cells of erythroid, myeloid, and megakaryotic lineages in blood vessels. The co-occurrence of leukoencephalomyelopathy and myelodysplastic syndrome highlights the vulnerability of the white matter and bone marrow to injury from organic solvents. Intravascular congestion of dysplastic hematopoietic cells might have led to his unusually rapid progression of leukoencephalomyelopathy.     

The study of diethylstilbestrol toxic effect in the mouse sertoli cell line by comparison of miRNA and mRNA expression

It is important to acknowledge the harmful effects of environmental chemicals in human’s lives. The toxic effects of Diethylstilbestrol (DES), one of the endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), have been documented in many studies. As expected, DES affect male gendal hormone as well as female’s; therefore, epigenetic study should be considered. In this study, microarray technology was used to study harmful effects on the level of genomics, and here, two types of microarray chips- the Agilent mouse genome 4 × 44 K array for gene expression profiling and the Agilent mouse miRNA v13 for miRNA expression profiling-was used to study the relation between gene and miRNA expression profiles. As a result, we identified 4 miRNAs (miR 203, 350, 421, and 466i) that were similarly expressed at 3 hrs and 24 hrs of DES treat times. Twenty one genes matched between predicted target for 4 miRNAs and 118 genes expressed similarly. These genes have functions related to cell differentiation and cell cycle. Therefore, DES affects cellular function and induces toxicity in TM4 cells. In future studies, it is necessary to find more related functions and mechanisms of DES in the system.