The clinical significance of plasma CFHR 1–5 in lupus nephropathy

A deficiency of complement factor H may lead to excessive consumption of C3 and an increase in C3b deposition, which are important pathological characteristics of lupus nephritis. Complement factor H-related proteins (CFHRs), comprising CFHR1 to CFHR5 (CFHR1–5), are members of the wider factor H/CFHR family. Their role in lupus nephritis remains unclear. In this study, we compared circulating levels of CFHR1–5 in 152 patients diagnosed with lupus nephritis and 20 unrelated healthy individuals to explore the relationship between the expression of CFHR1–5 and development of the disease. We found that plasma levels of CFHR3 and CFHR5 were higher in patients with lupus nephritis than in healthy individuals; also, CFHR3 and CFHR5 concentrations increased with increasing systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) values (P < 0.05). Pearson's and Spearman's correlation test results confirmed that plasma CFHR3 and CFHR5 levels in lupus nephritis patients were positively correlated with proteinuria and levels of creatinine (Cr) and anti-dsDNA (correlation coefficients = 0.491–0.717, P < 0.05), while they were negatively correlated with plasma C3 levels and eGFR [correlation coefficients = –(0.706–0.788), P < 0.05]. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis results confirmed that plasma CFHR3 and CFHR5 levels were predictive of SLEDAI values and disease end points (area under the curve = 0.664–0.884, P < 0.05), with patients with both high CFHR3 and high CFHR5 exhibiting the shortest progression-free survival. Thus, both CFHR3 and CFHR5 are of prognostic value in lupus nephritis status.     

High genetic diversity and recombination events of porcine astrovirus strains identified from ill and asymptomatic pigs in 2017, Hunan Province,China

Astroviruses (AstV) are associated with enteric and systemic disease in mammals and birds. Astroviruses have received increased attention recently as they have been found to be associated with sporadic neurologic disease in mammals including humans. In pigs, porcine astrovirus (PoAstV) can be widely detected and has been grouped in five genotypes (PoAstV1 to PoAstV5). In the present study, we detected multiple PoAstVs in serum samples, nasal swabs, and fecal swabs collected from pigs suffering from respiratory disease or diarrhea but also from asymptomatic pigs, indicating a wide tissue tropism of the identified PoAstV genotypes. Coinfection of different genotypes in the same pig was commonly observed, and within an individual pig a high genetic diversity was observed for viruses belonging to the same PoAstV genotype. Two complete genomes of PoAstV2-WG-R2/2017 and PoAstV4-WG-R2/2017 were successfully obtained and characterized, with genome sizes of 6396 and 6643 nucleotides, respectively. The PoAstV2-WG-R2/2017 genome showed identities of 67.2–77.4% to other known PoAstV2 genomes, and the PoAstV4-WG-R2/2017 genome showed identities of 72.8–80.5% to other known PoAstV4 genomes. The predicted spike domain of open reading frame 2 (ORF2) of these strains showed the highest genetic heterogeneity, with amino acid identities of 13.7–70.9% for PoAstV2-WG-R2/2017 to other known PoAstV2 strains, and identities of 24.4–63.3% for the PoAstV4-WG-R2/2017 to other known PoAstV4 strains. Possible recombination events were identified in each of the two sequences. Two subclades of PoAstV2 and three subclades of PoAstV4 were defined in the present analyses. The obtained data provide further evidence for extraintestinal infectivity of PoAstVs, and confirmed the high genetic diversity of PoAstVs and the coinfection potential of different PoAstV types in a single pig.

     

Further confirmation of second- and third-generation Eimeria necatrix merozoite DEGs using suppression subtractive hybridization

Parasitology Research - In our previous study, we obtained a large number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between second-generation merozoites (MZ-2) and third-generation merozoites (MZ-3)...     

Novel missense mutation in VPS33B is associated with isolated low gamma‐glutamyltransferase cholestasis: Attenuated,incomplete phenotype of arthrogryposis,renal dysfunction,and cholestasis syndrome

The typical phenotype of arthrogryposis, renal dysfunction, and cholestasis (ARC) syndrome involves three cardinal symptoms as the name describes, harboring biallelic mutations on VPS33B or VIPAS39. Except for ARC syndrome, low gamma‐glutamyltransferase (GGT) cholestasis often implies hereditary hepatopathy of different severity; however, some remain undiagnosed. Several monogenic defects typically with multiorgan manifestations may only present liver dysfunction at times, such as DGUOK defect and AGL defect. Previously, four VPS33B mutated cases were reported without arthrogryposis, or with less severe symptoms and longer lifespan, indicating the possibility of incomplete ARC phenotype of isolated hepatopathy. So we retrospectively reviewed all patients with confirmed VPS33B/VIPARS39 defect in our center and identified three presenting isolated low‐GGT cholestasis with intractable pruritus. Distinguished from others with typical ARC phenotype, these patients did not suffer the other two typical characteristics, survived much longer, and shared a novel missense VPS33B variation c.1726T>C, p.Cys576Arg, causing declined protein expression and abolished interaction with VIPAS39 in‐vitro. Serum bile acid profiles of our VPS33B/VIPAS39 mutated patients revealed similar changes to primary defect of bile salt export pump, among which those with isolated cholestasis phenotype had a higher level of total secondary bile acids than that with typical ARC phenotype, indicating the partial residual function of VPS33B.     

高山红景天多糖的硫酸化修饰及DPPH自由基清除活性研究

目的优选高山红景天多糖(RSP)的最佳硫酸化修饰条件,提高RSP的抗氧化活性。方法利用氯磺酸-吡啶法对RSP进行了硫酸化修饰,并通过单因素实验确定了硫酸化反应的最佳工艺条件;应用红外光谱(IR)和扫描电子显微镜(SEM)对RSP和硫酸化高山红景天多糖(S-RSP)的理化性质进行了分析;通过测定RSP和S-RSP对1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼(DPPH)自由基的清除能力,考察了S-RSP的取代度(DS)与多糖抗氧化活性之间的关系。结果当氯磺酸与吡啶的体积比为1∶4、反应时间为2 h、反应温度为60℃时,制得的S-RSP的含硫量最大值为18.83%,取代度最大值为2.38。RSP经硫酸化修饰后,增强了其抗氧化活性,S-RSP的DS与DPPH自由基清除能力存在一定的正比例关系。结论氯磺酸与吡啶的体积比影响S-RSP的DS大小;RSP经硫酸化修饰后通过改变多糖的极性而增加了其抗氧化能力。     

LC-MS/MS分析银杏二萜内酯葡胺注射液在人尿液中的代谢产物

目的:研究银杏二萜内酯葡胺注射液在人尿液中的主要代谢产物及其代谢途径。方法:3名受试者静脉滴注银杏二萜内酯葡胺注射液后收集0~6 h的尿样,分别按酸化和不酸化样品处理后,以液相色谱-串联质谱法(LC-MS/MS)对样品进行分析。采用ACE C_(18)-AR色谱柱(4.6 mm×150 mm,3μm),酸性HPLC条件流动相Ⅰ为乙腈-0.4%甲酸铵水溶液(p H3.2)梯度洗脱,中性HPLC条件流动相Ⅱ为乙腈-水梯度洗脱,流速0.7 m L·min~(-1)。通过比较空白尿样和给药后尿样的总离子流和提取离子流色谱图以及各个色谱峰的保留时间、准分子离子和二级碎片离子,分析银杏内酯A(GA),银杏内酯B(GB)和银杏内酯K(GK)在人体内可能的代谢产物。结果:除原型药外,共鉴定了12个代谢产物,其中GA相关的代谢产物有6个,包括5个Ⅰ相和1个Ⅱ相代谢产物;GB相关的有4个,包括1个Ⅰ相和3个Ⅱ相代谢产物;GK相关的有2个,包括1个Ⅰ相和1个Ⅱ相代谢产物。结论:GA在人体内主要的代谢途径为羟基化和内酯环水解,并可进一步共价结合成硫酸酯;GB主要的代谢途径为羟基化和内酯环水解,并可进一步共价结合成硫酸酯、葡萄糖醛酸苷或谷胱甘肽结合物;GK在人体内主要的代谢途径为甲基化葡萄糖醛酸结合反应。     

建构主义理念下的《医古文》趣味互动教学设计

《医古文》课程的传统教学模式存在较大问题,难以达到良好的教学效果。为了改进教学方法,提升教学质量,现以建构主义和形成性教学评价为理论基础,举例采用两种趣味互动教学方式,培养学生对传统文化的兴趣,夯实学生的基础知识,提高学生的古文应用能力。证明趣味互动教学法符合当今学生的认知规律,具有独到的优势,并值得推广。     

Potential application of shape memory plastic as elastic material in clinical orthodontics

Polynorbornen, a shape memory plastic developed in Japan, has a glass transitional point of 35 degrees C. Once the environmental temperature exceeds the critical point, this plastic will begin to display an elastic property, then return to its original shape, if deformed. We examined whether the force generated during the elastic phase of polynorbornen could be used to displace human teeth. We found that the shape memory plastic wire of 1 mm in diameter stretched to two to three times of its original length at a temperature of 50 degrees C and a speed of 0.5 mm/sec would exert a relatively stable continuous light force of 119-156 g to move the teeth. This new material, compared with conventional elastic modules used in orthodontic therapy, exhibited a lesser degree of force degradation at a body temperature of 37 degrees C for a long period, and can be manufactured to near the tooth colour required. These advantages make feasible clinical application of the shape memory plastic in orthodontics.     

Processing of ameloblastin by MMP-20

Ameloblastin (AMBN) cleavage products are the most abundant non-amelogenin proteins in the enamel matrix of developing teeth. AMBN N-terminal cleavage products accumulate in the sheath space between enamel rods, while AMBN C-terminal products localize within rods. We tested the hypothesis that MMP-20 is the protease that cleaves AMBN. Glycosylated recombinant porcine AMBN (rpAMBN) was expressed in human kidney 293F cells, and recombinant porcine enamelysin (rpMMP-20) was expressed in bacteria. The purified proteins were incubated together at an enzyme:substrate ratio of 1:100. N-terminal sequencing of AMBN digestion products determined that rpMMP-20 cleaved rpAMBN after Pro(2), Gln(130), Gln(139), Arg(170), and Ala(222). This shows that MMP-20 generates the 23-kDa AMBN starting at Tyr(223), as well as the 17-kDa (Val(1)-Arg(170)) and 15-kDa (Val(1)-Gln(130)) AMBN cleavage products that concentrate in the sheath space during the secretory stage. We conclude that MMP-20 processes ameloblastin in vitro and in vivo.