Preparation and characterization of porous beta-tricalcium phosphate/collagen composites with an integrated structure

Porous beta-tricalcium phosphate (TCP)/collagen composites with different beta-TCP/collagen weight ratio were prepared. The influences of the preparation conditions on the microstructure of porous composite and the joint status of beta-TCP particles with collagen fibrils were characterized by X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed: (1) an acid treatment could effectively disassemble collagen fibrils; (2) in the resulting porous composites, beta-TCP particles homogenously existed on the skeleton of the collagen fibril network and bonded tightly to both the fibrils and themselves. The tight bonding formation could be due to the reaction between Ca ions in the particles and carboxyl groups in collagen polypeptide chains and due to the reprecipitation of partially dissolved beta-TCP during synthesis. The tight bonding between beta-TCP particles and collagen fibrils in the composites demonstrated an integrated structure, which was reproducible when beta-TCP/collagen ratio ranged from 2 to 4. Such integrated structure would make significant contributions in reliably tailoring properties of the porous composites by varying beta-TCP content. In addition, the porous composites had large porosity (approximately 95%) and appropriate pore size (approximately 100 microm), showed no negative impact in cytotoxicity assay and complete bone tissue regeneration after 12 weeks in animal test.     

CYP17A1基因新突变致17α-羟化酶/17,20-裂解酶部分性缺陷症

目的研究1例17α-羟化酶/17,20-裂解酶部分性联合缺陷症患者CYP17A1基因突变特点,并结合患者的临床表现与基因突变类型初步探讨P450C17酶蛋白的结构与功能的关系。方法收集1例17α-羟化酶/17,20-裂解酶部分性联合缺陷症患者的临床资料及其亲属血标本,提取基因组DNA,设计7对引物扩增CYP17A1基因的8个外显子及外显子与内含子的连接区域,琼脂糖凝胶电泳鉴定PCR产物,产物胶回收后直接做为DNA双链模板测序。DNA双链模板不一致的PCR产物经克隆后测序。测序结果在核苷酸序列数据库进行比较分析。结果患者CYP17A1基因突变检测结果为5994-5995delAT/7541C>T复合杂合子。这两种突变均未见报道。推测5994-5995delAT导致I259H,274X,突变形成的截短蛋白质缺少血红素结合区域,因此是没有功能的;而通过人类P450C17酶计算机模型分析显示7541C>T导致的A398V远离酶的活性中心,推测突变可能使酶的活性减弱,而不是完全地丧失。患者临床表现为有自发不规则月经及轻度高血压、低血钾,结合激素测定结果提示肾上腺和性腺保留部分功能。因而患者的基因型与其临床表型是一致的。结论应进行突变P450C17酶的功能学研究来进一步明确结构改变对功能的影响。     

Effect of anti-inflammatory medication on monocyte response to titanium particles

Cytokines produced by macrophages in the periprosthetic membranes surrounding joint replacements have been implicated as causal agents in osteolysis and prosthetic loosening. The present study characterizes the response of human peripheral blood monocytes to titanium particles. Monocytes were obtained from donated blood and were cultured in the presence of different-sized titanium particles. Exposure to titanium-aluminum-vanadium particles significantly changed the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 (IL-1), whereas there was no significant effect on the release of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)). When monocytes were cultured with particles, the titanium alloy particles induced significantly more release of TNF-alpha and less IL-1 secretion. Ciprofloxacin inhibited production of TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1, and PGE(2) in human monocytes exposed to titanium particles. In contrast to ciprofloxacin, indomethacin was not a potent inhibitor of TNF-alpha production but potentiated IL-6 production in titanium-stimulated monocytes. Indomethacin had no effect on the production of IL-1 and was a potent inhibitor of PGE(2) production in titanium-stimulated monocytes. Pentoxifylline had an inhibitor effect on TNF-alpha production in titanium-stimulated monocytes. Pentoxifylline potentiated IL-6 and IL-1 production in monocytes exposed to titanium particles and had a biphasic effect on the PGE(2) production. The results of this study support our hypothesis that human monocytes release bone resorption mediators after in vitro exposure to TiAlV alloy particles. The results also demonstrate the differences of bone-resorbing mediators in response to different wear particle size. The pharmacologic agents (ciprofloxacin, pentoxifylline, and indomethacin) that can modulate the release of bone resorbing mediators such as PGE(2), TNF-alpha, IL-1, and IL-6 release from human monocytes. The results help to elucidate the differences in cellular response to wear particles but may not be directly transposed to the human situation.     

CD1d deficiency exacerbates inflammatory dermatitis in MRL-lpr/lpr mice

Mechanisms responsible for the development of autoimmune skin disease in humans and animal models with lupus remain poorly understood. In this study, we have investigated the role of CD1d, an antigen-presenting molecule known to activate natural killer T cells, in the development of inflammatory dermatitis in lupus-susceptible MRL-lpr/lpr mice. In particular, we have established MRL-lpr/lpr mice carrying a germ-line deletion of the CD1d genes. We demonstrate that CD1d-deficient MRL-lpr/lpr mice, as compared with wild-type littermates, have more frequent and more severe skin disease, with increased local infiltration with mast cells, lymphocytes and dendritic cells, including Langerhans cells. CD1d-deficient MRL-lpr/lpr mice had increased prevalence of CD4(+) T cells in the spleen and liver and of TCR alpha beta (+)B220(+) cells in lymph nodes. Furthermore, CD1d deficiency was associated with decreased T cell production of type 2 cytokines and increased or unchanged type 1 cytokines. These findings indicate a regulatory role of CD1d in inflammatory dermatitis. Understanding the mechanisms by which CD1d deficiency results in splenic T cell expansion and cytokine alterations, with increased dermal infiltration of dendritic cells and lymphocytes in MRL-lpr/lpr mice, will have implications for the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases.     

A PKC epsilon-ENH-channel complex specifically modulates N-type Ca2+ channels

Multiple protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes are present in neurons, where they regulate a variety of cellular functions. Due to the lack of specific PKC isozyme inhibitors, it remains unknown how PKC acts on its selective target(s) and achieves its specific actions. Here we show that a PKC binding protein, enigma homolog (ENH), interacts specifically with both PKCepsilon and N-type Ca2+ channels, forming a PKCepsilon-ENH-Ca2+ channel macromolecular complex. Coexpression of ENH facilitated modulation of N-type Ca2+ channel activity by PKC. Disruption of the complex reduced the potentiation of the channel activity by PKC in neurons. Thus, ENH, by interacting specifically with both PKCepsilon and the N-type Ca2+ channel, targets a specific PKC to its substrate to form a functional signaling complex, which is the molecular mechanism for the specificity and efficiency of PKC signaling.     

Anticocaine catalytic antibodies

Cocaine mediates its reinforcing and toxic actions through a "loss of function" effect at multiple receptors. The difficulties inherent in blocking a pleiotropic blocker pose a great obstacle for the classical receptor-antagonist approach and have contributed to the failure (to date) to devise specific treatments for cocaine overdose and addiction. As an alternative, we have embarked on an investigation of catalytic antibodies, a programmable class of artificial enzyme, as "peripheral blockers" -- agents designed to bind and degrade cocaine in the circulation before it partitions into the central nervous system to exert reinforcing or toxic effects. We synthesized transition-state analogs of cocaine's hydrolysis at its benzoyl ester, immunized mice, prepared hybridomas and developed the first anticocaine catalytic antibodies with the capacity to degrade cocaine to nonreinforcing, nontoxic products. We subsequently identified several families of anticocaine catalytic antibodies and found that the most potent antibody possessed sufficient activity to block cocaine-induced reinforcement, organ dysfunction and sudden death in rodent models of addiction, toxicity and overdose, respectively. With the potential to promote cessation of use, prolong abstinence and provide a treatment for acute overdose, the artificial enzyme approach comprehensively responds to the problem of cocaine.     

红细胞分化调节因子对体外培养的L929和KB细胞的生长抑制作用

从兔网织红细胞提纯的红细胞分化调节因子(erythroid differentiation factor,EDF),能对体外培养的自发转化成纤维细胞系L929及人鼻咽癌细胞系KB产生作用。当EDF剂量为0.10μg/ml时,可引起L929细胞形态发生改变,并有细胞核固缩现象。第2d的细胞生长抑制率为64.86％,软琼脂集落形成率为0;第5d时细胞增殖为负值。~3H-TdR掺入率明显降低。EDF剂量为0.15μg/ml时,对KB细胞生长已有抑制作用。EDF剂量达0.30μg/ml时,生长抑制明显。以上结果证明了EDF对恶性细胞具有增殖抑制作用。这种作用对不同种类细胞敏感性不同,并且与剂量呈正相关。     

小鼠甲胎蛋白与结核杆菌热休克蛋白70基因融合载体的构建及体外表达

目的 构建小鼠甲胎蛋白(α-Fetoprotein，AFP)与结核杆菌热休克蛋白70(Mycobacterium tuberculosis heat shock protein 70，Mt．HSP70)基因融合载体．并研究其在真核细胞中的表达情况。方法 以pcDNA3.1为基本单位构建AFP及HSP70的融合表达载体，融合基因以G-S-G-G-S连接子连接；用脂质体将系列载体导入COS-7细胞．48h后以免疫化学方法检测其表达。结果 构建的AFP和HSP70的单独及融合表达载体导入COS-7细胞48h后经RT-PCR检测可扩增出相应片段，细胞免疫化学染色为阳性。结论 AFP和HSP70的单独及融合表达载体构建成功，并能在真核细胞中表达。     

老年学习记忆减退大鼠齿状回突触的定量研究

据老年大鼠在Ｍｏｒｒｉｓ水迷宫中的行为表现，将其分为老年学习记忆减退和学习记忆正常两部分，采用透射电镜观察、拍片，对齿状回中分子层触的数量和大小进行体视学定量分析。     

Spontaneous disruption of mycotic aneurysm involving innominate artery

We report a case of ruptured mycotic aneurysm involving innominate artery requiring an urgent surgical treatment. A 62-yr-old woman presented with fever and dyspnea. Previously, she was diagnosed with colon cancer and received right hemicolectomy and one cycle of adjuvant chemotherapy. On echocardiogram, pericardial effusion was noted and emergency pericardiocentesis was performed. CT scan revealed aortic aneurysm involving ascending aorta and innominate artery, and thrombi surrounding those structures. Patch repair of the defect in the ascending aorta and ringed Goretex graft to bypass the innominate and ascending aorta were performed. We believe that this is the first case of ruptured mycotic aneurysm involving innominate artery.