Functional SNPs in the human ficolin (FCN) genes reveal distinct geographical patterns

The ficolin protein family comprises three different molecules encoded by the FCN1, FCN2, and FCN3 genes, respectively, that play roles in innate immunity. The FCN genes in Caucasians are polymorphic and genetic variations may have functional consequences both in relation to function and concentration. The ethnic diversity of the FCN genes is unknown. The promoter and coding regions of the FCNs genes were sequenced in individuals from five different ethnic groups: Caucasians (Denmark, n=60), Japanese (Japan, n=50), South-East Africans (Mozambique, n=50), West-Africans (Ghana, n=50), and Indians (Argentina, n=50). We identified the most common FCN gene polymorphisms in five ethnic groups. Large ethnic differences were observed and the African populations contained several SNPs that were not observed in the other groups. Several variations, that will have major impact on the function of the ficolin proteins, were found. Three novel amino acid variations in Ficolin-1*Gly303Ser, Ficolin-2*Arg103Cys, and Ficolin-2*Thr137Met SNP were predicted by computational analyses to have a major functional physicochemical effect on their respective proteins. Additionally, a Gly43Asp in Ficolin-1 affects the Gly-Xaa-Yaa repeats and a Trp279STOP introduces a stop codon, thereby destroying the fibrinogen-like domain of Ficolin-1. In contrast to FCN1 and FCN2, the number of SNPs in FCN3 was very low. In conclusion, large ethnic differences in the FCN genes that will affect the concentration, structure, and function of the ficolin molecules were detected and which probably will be of pathophysiological relevance in different disease settings.     

Alginate-based microencapsulation of retinal pigment epithelial cell line for cell therapy

The goals of this study were to evaluate human retinal pigment epithelial cell line (ARPE-19) for cell encapsulation and to optimize the alginate-based microencapsulation. We used immortalized ARPE-19 cells and the transfected sub-line that expresses secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) reporter enzyme. Alginate was cross-linked with different divalent cations (Ca(2+), Ba(2+), Sr(2+) and combination of Ca(2+) and Ba(2+)), coated first with poly-l-lysine (PLL), and then with alginate. Microcapsules with different pore sizes and stability were generated. The pore size of the microcapsules was assessed by the release of encapsulated fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextrans. The viability of the cells in the microcapsules was studied in vitro by assessing the secretion rates of SEAP and oxygen consumption by the cells. The best microcapsule morphology, durability and cellular viability were obtained with alginate microcapsules that were cross-linked with Ca(2+) and Ba(2+) ions and then coated with PLL and alginate. Based on FITC-dextran release these microcapsules have porous wall that enables the rapid contents release. The ARPE-19 cells maintained viability in the Ca(2+) and Ba(2+) cross-linked microcapsules for at least 110 days. The alginate microcapsules cross-linked with Ca(2+) and Ba(2+) have sufficiently large pore size for prolonged cell viability and for the release of secreted SEAP model protein (Mw 50 kDa; radius of gyration of 3 nm). ARPE-19 cells show long-term viability and protein secretion within alginate microcapsules cross-linked with Ca(2+) and Ba(2+). This combination may be useful in cell therapy.     

不孕症治疗中的人文关怀

不孕症患者心理上承受的痛苦明显大于生理上的,而我们的医护人员只注重解决患者的生理问题,并未重视其心理的疏导。生物一心理一社会医学模式的改变就是引导我们要以人为本来反思医学。在不孕症治疗过程中应耐心倾听、细心解释、真心关怀,充分体现出对女性不孕症患者的人文关怀。     

老年转子间骨折PFNA内固定术后髋关节功能的影响因素分析

目的探讨老年转子间骨折PFNA内固定术后髋关节功能的影响因素。方法回顾性分析2013年3月—2017年9月于中国贵航集团三O二医院骨科治疗的133例股骨转子间骨折患者的临床资料,其中男性70例,女性63例;年龄60~78岁,平均67.5岁;摔伤96例,道路交通伤17例,高处坠落伤12例,其他伤8例。依据术后髋关节功能将患者分为优、良、可、差四组,采用单因素χ2检验和多因素Logistic回归分析探究PFNA内固定术后髋关节功能的影响因素。结果术后随访6~29个月,平均随访13.5个月。末次随访时,患者髋关节Harris评分58~93分,平均82.7分,其中髋关节功能优46例、良64例、可16例、差7例。单因素分析结果显示年龄、骨折分型、美国麻醉师协会(ASA)分级、手术时机、骨质疏松、复位质量为髋关节功能的影响因素;多因素Logistic回归分析显示年龄(OR=22.357,95%CI:3.553~87.286,P=0.013)、骨折分型(OR=12.206,95%CI:1.528~36.654,P=0.029)、ASA分级(OR=9.675,95%CI:1.412~32.344,P=0.035)、手术时机(OR=18.542,95%CI:3.206~78.348,P=0.022)、复位质量(OR=19.685,95%CI:3.347~85.376,P=0.016)为髋关节功能的独立影响因素。结论老年转子间骨折PFNA内固定术后髋关节功能影响因素较多,年龄、骨折分型、ASA分级、手术时机、复位质量为髋关节功能的独立影响因素。     

Ageing is associated with a prolonged fever response in human endotoxemia

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether an age-associated impaired acute-phase response exists. Nine healthy elderly volunteers (median, 66 years; range, 61 to 69 years) and eight young controls (median, 24 years; range, 20 to 27 years) were given an intravenous bolus of endotoxin (2 ng/kg). The rectal temperature was monitored continuously, and blood samples for cytokine measurements were obtained before endotoxin administration as well as 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after the injection. The elderly subjects showed a more prolonged fever response compared to the young controls. Levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), soluble TNF receptors (sTNFR-I), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-10, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) in plasma increased markedly following endotoxin administration in both groups. The elderly group showed larger initial increases in TNF-alpha and sTNFR-I levels and prolonged increased levels of sTNFR-I. Monocyte concentrations decreased in both groups, with the elderly group showing a more rapid decrease and a slower subsequent increase than did the young group. Furthermore, the elderly group had a more rapid increase in C-reactive protein levels than did the young group. In conclusion, ageing is associated with an altered acute-phase response including initial hyperreactivity, prolonged inflammatory activity, and prolonged fever response.     

手足口病患儿血清心肌酶谱检测及临床意义

1临床资料 2005年3月～10月期间，锦州市手足口病（HFMD）流行，发病人数约1500例。本文收集我院手足口病患儿40例，男25例，女15例，男：女为5：3，年龄最小5个月，最大13岁，0～3岁28例（70％），4～7岁10例（25％），8～13岁2例（5％）。所有病例均伴有发热，体温～38℃8例，～39℃25例，〉39℃7例。手足口均有米粒大小的圆形或椭圆形疱疹，诊断标准符合《诸福棠实用儿科学》第七版。对照组：34例中男19例，女15例，年龄0～13岁，均来自同期住院非感染患儿。病例组40例均于入院次日晨空腹抽取静脉血，