Association of the CTLA-4 gene with rheumatoid arthritis in Chinese Han population

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) is important for downregulation of T-cell activation, and CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms have been implicated as risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Previous studies of the association between the +49 polymorphism of the CTLA-4 gene in RA have provided conflicting results. In order to determine association of the CTLA-4 gene with RA in Chinese Han population, we used denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) to genotype polymorphisms of four SNPs (MH30, +49, CT60 and JO31) of the CTLA-4 gene in 326 RA patients and 250 healthy controls. Furthermore, meta-analysis of all available studies relating +49 polymorphism to the risk of RA was performed to confirm the disease association. Among the SNPs examined, the genotype frequencies of CTLA-4 +49 and CT60 in RA patients differed significantly from controls (P=0.028 and 0.007). In addition, the distribution of four haplotypes constructed by these two SNPs was significantly different between patients and controls (chi(2)=10.58, d.f. =3, P=0.014). The meta-analysis also revealed that in both European and Asian populations, the CLTA-4 +49 G allele was associated with the risk of RA. These results suggested that the CTLA-4 gene might be involved in the susceptibility to RA in the Chinese Han population and both +49 and CT60 of CTLA-4 gene might be the causal variants in RA disease.     

Association of genetic polymorphism in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 gene with endometrial hypoplasia in infertile women

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) polymorphisms and endometrial hypoplasia in infertile women. METHODS: The study was conducted in 105 primary infertile patients with endometrial hypoplasia diagnosed by pathology and the thickness of endometrium by B-mode ultrasound and 85 controls who were not pregnant and had normal fertility. The -675 4G/5G polymorphism in the PAI-1 gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymerphim analysis. RESULTS: The frequencies of 4G/4G genotype and 4G allele of the PAI-1 gene were higher in the patient group (48.6% and 66.2%) than in the normal controls (22.4% and 47.1%) (P < 0.01). ThePAI-1 4G/4G genotype was significantly associated with endometrial hypoplasia in the infertile patients (OR=4.9, 95% CI: 2.10-10.12). CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest that the 4G/5G polymorphism of the PAI-1 gene was associated with endometrial hypoplasia in infertile patients.     

Enhancement of S-antigen and its mRNA in the irides of uveitic patients

S-antigen (S-Ag) and its mRNA were analysed by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization in 32 iridectomy specimens from 29 uveitic patients and 10 non-uveitic patients. S-Ag was detected in one iris and its mRNA was detected in 12 uveitic patients. Neither S-Ag nor its mRNA was found in the controls (P < 0.003). Ten of the 12 patients who had detectable S-Ag mRNA, while only four of the 17 patients who did not, had received corticosteroids for more than 3 years (P = 0.006). We also demonstrated S-Ag and its mRNA in bovine iris by immunoprecipitation and polymerase chain reaction. These results indicate that S-Ag and its mRNA accumulate in the irides of some uveitic patients. This accumulation may be the result of local immunoregulatory factors and an effect of corticosteroid treatment, and may modulate ocular inflammation.     

REMISSION OF ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA OF CHILDHOOD FOLLOWING ACUTE INFECTIOUS DISEASE A CASE REPORT

"Spontaneous" remission of leukemia has been observed in both humans and animals. Bierman et al2 in 1953 reported 11 cases of remis- sion in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) of childhood following acute infectious disease. In 1979 we saw a case of ALL remission in a child following a severe attack of respiratory infection.     

Reevaluation of the Correlation between Angiotensinogen Gene M235T Polymorphism and Familial Essential Hypertension Using MS-PCR Technique

Renin- angiotensin system( RAS) candidat-ing gene,such as angiotensinogen( Ag T) as wellas angiotensin- converting enzyme( ACE) genepolymorphism were thought to have positive association with various cardiovasculardiseases.In1 992 ,Jeunemaitre[1] detected a microsatellitepolymorphism in the region of the an-giotensinogen gene which has linked to occur-rence of essential hypertension.Further analysisled to detection of several mutations in the cod-ing region of angiotensinogen gene[2 ] . Ma…     

口腔链球丙酮酸氧化酶的克隆和序列分析

目的 阐明血链球菌产生过氧化氢及其调节的分子机理。方法 根据已知的肺炎链球菌丙酮酸氧化酶基因（spxB）序列设计PCR引物,扩增血链球菌ATCC10557的丙酮酸氧化酶基因,以pUC18及M13mp18、M13mp19为载体进行克隆和亚克隆,并进行序列分析。结果 成功地从血链球菌ATCC10557扩增出丙酮酸氧化酶基因,获得该基因的全部序列（1788bp),具有完整的开放读框,能编码591个氨基酸的多肽。结论 血链球菌丙酮酸氧化酶基因的克隆和序列分析,为进一步研究调节血链球菌产生过氧化氢的分子机理打下了基础。     

The effect of electro-acupuncture on motor function recovery in patients with acute cerebral infarction: a randomly controlled trial.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture treatment in acute phase of cerebral infarction on the motor functions. In this randomly controlled trial, 86 patients were allocated to two groups, the experimental group given clinical and electro-acupuncture treatments for a period of 4 weeks, and the control group given clinical treatment plus active and/or passive functional exercise. The result showed that the level of impairment and disability in both groups were improvement according to the Chinese Stroke Scale, Brunnstrom-Fugl-Meyer score, and Barthel Index throughout the study and 3 months after. The motor functions and the activities of daily living (ADL) were improved significantly in the electro-acupuncture group as compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Also, the results showed greater reduction of neurological deficit in the electro-acupuncture group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Early acupuncture treatment for acute stroke patients may improve motor functions, and consequently the activities of daily living.     

普罗布考对体外培养的主动脉平滑肌细胞NF-κB活性的影响

目的：观察普罗布考（probucol ）对血管平滑肌细胞（VSMCs）核因子κB（NF-κB）活性的调控作用,以探讨probucol在 动脉粥样硬化（AS）和经皮腔内冠状动脉成形术后再狭窄（RS）防治中的某些可能的作用机 制。方法：采用电泳迁移位移测定法观察probucol对VSMCs NF-κB活 性的影响。结果：H2O2或胎牛血清（NCS）处理VSMCs 72 h后,NF -κB活性均明显增强;而加入100 μmol/L probucol 后,NF-κB活性受到部分抑制,抑 制率分别为37.1%和14.8%。结论：Probucol 抑制NCS、H2O2诱导 的VSMCs NF-κB的活性,可能是其临床有效防治RS及AS的作用机制之一。