Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Cladophialophora bantiana

Primary subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis can rarely be caused by Cladophialophora bantiana, and we present the histologic and culture findings of such a case. A 32-year-old African American woman with systemic lupus erythematosus presented with a 2-year history of multiple, recurrent, tender, and ulcerated skin nodules with purulent drainage on her upper back. Histologic sections of the excision demonstrated features of phaeohyphomycosis. Culture findings were characteristic of C bantiana. Of interest, at age 10 she had sustained traumatic implantation of wood splinters into this area during a tornado, yet clinical symptoms of a subcutaneous infection did not manifest until she developed lupus erythematosus at age 27. Our case highlights the role of trauma and immunosuppression in the pathogenesis of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis.     

Sequencing of the alpha-synuclein gene in a large series of cases of familial Parkinson's disease fails to reveal any further mutations. The European Consortium on Genetic Susceptibility in Parkinson's Disease (GSPD)

A mutation in exon 4 of the human alpha-synuclein gene was reported recently in four families with autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease (PD). In order to examine whether mutations in this exon or elsewhere in the gene are common in familial PD, all seven exons of the alpha- synuclein gene were amplified by PCR from index cases of 30 European and American Caucasian kindreds affected with autosomal dominant PD. Each product was sequenced directly and examined for mutations in the open reading frame. No mutations were found in any of the samples examined. We conclude that the A53T change described in the alpha- synuclein gene is a rare cause of PD or may even be a rare variant. Mutations in the regulatory or intronic regions of the gene were not excluded by this study.      

Distribution of mutations in the PEX gene in families with X-linked hypophosphataemic rickets (HYP)

Mutations in the PEX gene at Xp22.1 (phosphate-regulating gene with homologies to endopeptidases, on the X-chromosome), are responsible for X-linked hypophosphataemic rickets (HYP). Homology of PEX to the M13 family of Zn2+ metallopeptidases which include neprilysin (NEP) as prototype, has raised important questions regarding PEX function at the molecular level. The aim of this study was to analyse 99 HYP families for PEX gene mutations, and to correlate predicted changes in the protein structure with Zn2+ metallopeptidase gene function. Primers flanking 22 characterised exons were used to amplify DNA by PCR, and SSCP was then used to screen for mutations. Deletions, insertions, nonsense mutations, stop codons and splice mutations occurred in 83% of families screened for in all 22 exons, and 51% of a separate set of families screened in 17 PEX gene exons. Missense mutations in four regions of the gene were informative regarding function, with one mutation in the Zn2+-binding site predicted to alter substrate enzyme interaction and catalysis. Computer analysis of the remaining mutations predicted changes in secondary structure, N-glycosylation, protein phosphorylation and catalytic site molecular structure. The wide range of mutations that align with regions required for protease activity in NEP suggests that PEX also functions as a protease, and may act by processing factor(s) involved in bone mineral metabolism.      

一氧化氮与白细胞精子症不育的关系探讨

目的　探讨一氧化氮 (NO)与白细胞精子症不育的关系。方法　参照WHO标准方法 ,进行精液常规分析。采用过氧化物酶染色法检测精液中白细胞密度。用改良的低渗肿胀法检测精子细胞膜的完整性。采用镀铜镉还原荧光法 ,检测精液中NO代谢产物硝酸盐 (NO 3 )。结果　白细胞精子症不育组白细胞的密度为 (1.4 8± 0 .90 )× 10 9/L ,NO水平为 (10 3.5± 2 .0 ) μmol/L ,显著高于正常生育组的(0 .73± 0 .2 8)× 10 9/L和 (41.6± 1.8) μmol/L (P分别为<0 .0 5和 <0 .0 0 1)。精子的活动率、精子速度试验 (SVT)及精子头、尾部膜完整率 ,均明显低于生育组 (P <0 .0 1) ,而精子的死亡率则显著高于生育组 (P <0 .0 1)。结论　NO水平与白细胞密度呈正相关 ;与精子的活动率、SVT及精子头、尾膜的完整率呈负相关。表明当精液中的白细胞增高时 ,可产生过量的NO导致精子中毒受损使精子的受精能力下降