基于边界特征的乳腺肿瘤超声图像识别

通过对乳腺肿瘤边界特征的分析，得到边界的特征量似圆度，面积比率，长宽比组成的特征矢量，最后用反向传播人工神经网络（BP）的算法对经病理证实的119幅乳腺良、恶性肿块超声图像进行分类识别。BP神经网络对良、恶性肿瘤正确识别率分别为89．7％、73．5N。量化后的乳腺超声图像肿瘤轮廓特征结合BP神经网络可以比较有效的用于肿瘤的良、恶性识别。     

赤芝中新颖杂萜-三萜杂聚体的分离纯化及其改善C2C12细胞胰岛素抵抗作用

目的 赤芝 (Ganoderma lucidum) 在民间被用于糖尿病治疗,但缺乏数据支撑,需探索其化学成分及其是否具有抗糖尿病作用以利于临床推广。方法 采用多种分离技术,如 MCI gel CHP 20P、RP-18、Sephadex LH-20、硅胶柱色谱、 制备薄层色谱 (Preparative Thin-Layer Chromatography,PTLC) 和高效液相色谱 (High Performance Liquid Chromatography, HPLC) 等,对云南产赤芝的低极性成分进行研究,利用一维 (One Dimensional,1D) 和二维 (Two Dimensional,2D) 核磁共振波谱 (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy,NMR) 等方法鉴定化合物结构,在C2C12细胞胰岛素抵抗体外模型中研究其活性。结果 从云南2个产地赤芝中分离鉴定8个杂萜-三萜杂聚体类新化合物,ganolucinins D-K (1-8),其中化合物7和8可上调胰岛素受体底物1 (Insulin Receptor Substrate 1,IRS1) 和蛋白激酶B (Protein Kinase B,PKB/Akt) 磷酸化, 8可促进C2C12细胞葡萄糖摄取。结论 赤芝中可能存在一系列杂萜-三萜杂聚体类化合物,其中化合物8具有改善胰岛素抵抗潜力,可能是灵芝抗糖尿病的药效物质之一。     

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of full-length cDNAs encoding new group of Cyn d 1 isoallergens

BACKGROUND: Cyn d 1, the major allergen of Bermuda grass pollen, contains some acidic/basic isoforms. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of some acidic Cyn d 1 isoforms were found to be different from those of Cyn d 1 cDNA clones identified previously. METHODS: A predicted 17-meric oligonucleotide probe was designed to fish the unidentified isoallergen cDNAs out of BGP cDNA library. The reactive clones were isolated and verified by sequencing. Two of them were expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris to obtain recombinant Cyn d 1 proteins. RESULTS: All four cDNA clones encode the full-length Cyn d 1 with mature proteins of 244 amino acid residues. A 97-99% identity was found among the deduced amino acids of these four clones while an 86% identity was elicited between the four clones and the ones previously identified. The predicted isoelectric focusing (pI) values of the newly identified Cyn d 1s are acidic while pIs of the previously identified Cyn d 1s are basic. The two recombinant acidic Cyn d 1 proteins possess the epitopes recognized by mouse and rabbit polyclonal anti-Cyn d 1 antibodies, and have human IgE-binding capacity as revealed by immunodot assay. CONCLUSIONS: The present study identified full-length cDNAs encoding new isoallergens of Cyn d 1, and separated Cyn d 1 gene into an acidic group and a basic group.     

Wnt2信号通路重要成员在胶质瘤中的表达及其意义

近来发现Wnt信号通路对个体发育和肿瘤生成具有重要作用[1-2].为进一步探讨Wnt通路在胶质瘤中是否存在表达异常及其在胶质瘤生成中的作用,我们采用RT-PcR、组织芯片免疫组织化学染色以及蛋白印迹法,对人脑胶质瘤Wnt2通路相关因子的表达变化及其意义进行了分析.     

Monoclonal antibodies recognizing EVETPIRN epitope of influenza A virus M2 protein could protect mice from lethal influenza A virus challenge

Based on the fact that the 24 amino acid extracellular domain of M2 protein (M2e) is nearly invariant in all influenza A strains, several different M2e vaccine constructs and vaccination modalities have been developed by others and us. Although most of these vaccines could induce efficient and broad-spectrum immunity inhibiting influenza A virus infection in mice model, information of the refined protective epitope on M2e was scarce. In this paper, two M2e specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) conferring protective immunity in vivo were reported, which in passive administration could protect 75% mice from five LD(50) (50% lethal dose) challenge of influenza virus A/PR/8/34. In addition, higher M2e specific antibody titer (over 1:1600) could be detected after 12h of intraperitoneal passive administration in mice sera. Peptide mapping assay indicated that both mAbs strongly interacted with N-terminus and middle part peptides of M2e (NM2, aa2-12; MM2, aa8-18), but not with the C-terminus peptide (CM2, aa13-24). More importantly, M2e specific mAbs could recognize EVETPIRN (aa6-13) peptide, which were the overlapping region of NM2 and MM2 peptide and the neighboring amino acid residues. In contrast, M2e domain that was deleted EVETPIR sequence could not be recognized by either mAb in immunoblotting assay. All these results indicated that the epitope EVETPIRN (aa6-13) on M2e could be responsible for the induction of the protective immunity.     

Induction of heme oxygenase-1 expression inhibits platelet-dependent thrombosis

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) plays a key role in protecting tissue from oxidative stress. Although some studies implicate HO-1 in modulating thrombosis after vascular injury, the impact of HO-1 on the rate of clot formation in vivo is poorly defined. This study examined the potential function of HO-1 in regulating platelet-dependent arterial thrombosis. Platelet-rich thrombi were induced in C57BL/6J mice by applying 10% ferric chloride to the exposed carotid artery. Mean occlusion time of wild-type mice (n = 10) was 14.6 +/- 1.0 min versus 12.9 +/- 0.6 min for HO-1-/- mice (n = 11, p = 0.17). However, after challenge with hemin, mean occlusion time was significantly longer in wild-type mice (16.3 +/- 1.2 min, n = 15) than HO-1-/- mice (12.0 +/- 1.0 min, n = 9; p = 0.021). Hemin administration induced an approximately twofold increase in oxidative stress, measured as plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that hemin induced a robust increase in HO-1 expression within the carotid arterial wall. Ex vivo blood clotting within a collagen-coated perfusion chamber was studied to determine whether the accelerated thrombosis observed in HO-1-/- mice was contributed to by effects on the blood itself. Under basal conditions, mean clot formation during perfusion of blood over collagen did not differ between wild-type mice and HO-1-/- mice. However, after hemin challenge, mean clot formation was significantly increased in HO-1-/- mice compared with wild-type controls. These results suggest that, under basal conditions, HO-1 does not exert a significant effect on platelet-dependent clot formation in vivo. However, under conditions that stimulate HO-1 production, platelet-dependent thrombus formation is inhibited by HO-1. Enhanced HO-1 expression in response to oxidative stress may represent an adaptive response mechanism to down-regulate platelet activation under prothrombotic conditions.     

壳聚糖与硫酸软骨素共混膜性质的研究

以壳聚糖和硫酸软骨素按一定比例制备出共混膜，研究了膜片的透光性、含水量、渗透性、力学性质、表面结构、生物降解性、生物相容性等性质。结果表明该共混膜具有较好的透光性、通透性、生物降解性和生物相容性，膜表面较粗糙。以此共混膜为载体培养兔角膜基质细胞，发现细胞在此共混膜上生长良好。制备膜片随着加入CaSO4量的增加，膜的通透性也随之增加。     

Vancomycin-resistant enterococcal bacteremia: comparison of clinical features and outcome between Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have emerged as important nosocomial pathogens. This study was conducted to clarify the clinical features and outcome of patients with vancomycin-resistant enterococcal bacteremia. METHODS: Patients with vancomycin-resistant enterococcal bacteremia treated at a medical center in northern Taiwan between November 1998 and July 2006 were reviewed. Clinical and bacteriological characteristics of Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis were compared. RESULTS: Twelve patients (6 males and 6 females) were included for analyses. The mean age was 69.3 years (range, 40 to 86 years), and 8 cases (66.7%) were older than 65 years. All patients had underlying disease. Two patients received total hip replacement before development of VRE bacteremia. Twelve patients had prior exposure to broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy. Ten patients had prior intensive care unit stay and prior mechanical ventilation before VRE bacteremia. All of the patients (n = 12) had an intravascular catheter in place. Bacteremia was caused by E. faecalis in 4 patients and by E. faecium in eight. The portals of entry included urinary tract (8.3%), skin, soft tissue and bone (41.7%) and unknown sources (50.0%). E. faecium showed a higher rate of resistance to ampicillin and teicoplanin than E. faecalis (87.5% vs 0.0%, p=0.01). The 60-day mortality rate was higher in patients with E. faecium bacteremia than E. faecalis bacteremia (62.5% vs 0.0%), although statistical significance was not obtained (p=0.08). CONCLUSIONS: VRE bacteremia may have an impact on the mortality and morbidity of hospitalized patients. Patients with bacteremia caused by vancomycin-resistant E. faecium had a grave prognosis, especially immunosuppressed patients. The prudent use of antibiotics and strict enforcement of infection control may prevent further emergence and spread of VRE.