Effects of fucosylated milk of goat and mouse on Helicobacter pylori binding to Lewis b antigen

AIM:To evaluate the effects of animal milk containing fucosylated antigens on Helicobacter pylori (H pylon) binding to Lewis b antigen.METHODS:A mammary gland expression vector containing human α1-3/4-fucosyltransferase cDNA sequences was constructed. Transient expression of human(α1-3/4-fucosyltransferase cDNA in goat mammary cell and establishment of transgenic mice were performed. The adhesion inhibitory properties of milk samples were analyzed by using Hpylori.RESULTS: Goat milk samples were found to inhibit bacterial binding to Lewis b antigen. The highest inhibition was observed 42 h after injection of the plasmid. The binding activity of Hpylori to Lewis b antigen reduced mostly, by 83%, however milk samples from transgenic mice did not inhibit Hpylori binding to Lewis b antigen.CONCLUSION: The use of “humanized“ animal milk produced by the transgenic introduction of fucosylated antigen can perhaps provide an alternative therapy and preventive measure for Hpylori infection.     

Apolipoprotein B: a clinically important apolipoprotein which assembles atherogenic lipoproteins and promotes the development of atherosclerosis

Apolipoprotein (apo) B exists in two forms apoB100 and apoB48. ApoB100 is present on very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), intermediate density lipoproteins (IDL) and LDL. ApoB100 assembles VLDL particles in the liver. This process starts by the formation of a pre-VLDL, which is retained in the cell unless converted to the triglyceride-poor VLDL2. VLDL2 is secreted or converted to VLDL1 by a bulk lipidation in the Golgi apparatus. ApoB100 has a central role in the development of atherosclerosis. Two proteoglycan-binding sequences in apoB100 have been identified, which are important for retaining the lipoprotein in the intima of the artery. Retention is essential for the development of the atherosclerotic lesion.     

Do maternal parenting practices predict problematic patterns of adolescent alcohol consumption?

Objective This study examines whether a mother's style of parenting at child age 5 years predicts problematic patterns of drinking in adolescence, after controlling for relevant individual, maternal and social risk factors. Methods Data were used from the Mater‐University Study of Pregnancy, an Australian longitudinal study of mothers and their children from pregnancy to when the children were 14 years of age. Logistic regression analyses examined whether maternal parenting practices at child age 5 predicted problematic drinking patterns in adolescence, after controlling for a range of confounding covariates. Results Physical punishment at child age 5 did not predict adolescent alcohol problems at follow‐up. Results indicated that low maternal control at child age 5 predicted adolescent occasional drinking patterns at age 14. More frequent maternal partner change coupled with lower levels of control was the strongest predictor of more problematic patterns of drinking by adolescents. Conclusions These findings highlight the importance of family structure and level of parental control in the development of problematic patterns of drinking in adolescence.     

Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background and Aim: It is speculated that the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) might increase with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of GERD in patients with asthma and COPD in an area representative of developing countries. Methods: A validated GERD questionnaire was conducted face‐to‐face with 308 consecutive asthma (240 women) and 133 COPD (35 women) patients in the tertiary referral pulmonary outpatient clinic, and 694 controls from the research area. Detailed histories of patients and pulmonary function tests were also recorded. Results: The prevalence of GERD (heartburn/regurgitation once a week or more) was 25.4%, 17.0%, 19.4% and occasional symptoms (less than weekly) were 21.2%, 16.3% and 27.0% of patients with asthma, COPD and controls, respectively. The prevalence was higher in the asthma group compared with the controls and the COPD group. No significant difference was found between the COPD group and the controls. Heartburn started following pulmonary disease in 24.1% of the asthma group, and 26.4% of the COPD group. The majority of additional symptoms were significantly higher in asthmatics compared with the controls. No difference was found in the consumption of pulmonary medications in asthmatic patients in groups with different symptom frequency. Heartburn was increased 13.8% by the consumption of inhaler medications. Conclusions: These results implicate that the prevalence of GERD in asthma and COPD are lower than in published reports in a tertiary referral center. These differences might be related to the characteristics of developing countries, increased consumption of powerful medications in GERD and pulmonary diseases, or methodological flaws in earlier studies.     

静脉药瘾者人类免疫缺陷病毒核酸测定及亚型分析

目的：了解静脉药瘾者人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）感染情况及感染亚型，追踪传染源，预测未来流行株。方法：对1997年从新疆至杭州的15例静脉药瘾者血清进行抗－HIV的初步筛选，结果为阳性者再行免疫印迹（Western blot)、套式聚合酶链反应（Nest-PCR)及HIV核酸序列分析，结果：15例新疆籍静脉药者均感染了HIV－1，其中有2例E亚型，其余均为C亚型。结论：静脉吸毒者主要感染HIV－1C亚型，我国HIV－1主要流行株可能已经发生变化。     

Triglyceride-Rich Lipoproteins and Remnants: Targets for Therapy?

It is now evident that elevated circulating levels of triglycerides in the non-fasting state, a marker for triglyceride (TG)-rich remnant particles, are associated with increased risk of premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent findings from basic and clinical studies have begun to elucidate the mechanisms that contribute to the atherogenicity of these apoB-containing particles. Here, we review current knowledge of the formation, intravascular remodelling and catabolism of TG-rich lipoproteins and highlight (i) the pivotal players involved in this process, including lipoprotein lipase, glycosylphosphatidylinositol HDL binding protein 1 (GPIHBP1), apolipoprotein (apo) C-II, apoC-III, angiopoietin-like protein (ANGPTL) 3, 4 and 8, apoA-V and cholesteryl ester transfer protein; (ii) key determinants of triglyceride (TG) levels and notably rates of production of very-low-density lipoprotein 1 (VLDL1) particles; and (iii) the mechanisms which underlie the atherogenicity of remnant particles. Finally, we emphasise the polygenic nature of moderate hypertriglyceridemia and briefly discuss modalities for its clinical management. Several new therapeutic strategies to attenuate hypertriglyceridemia have appeared recently, among which those targeted to apoC-III appear to hold considerable promise.     

Effects of methylene blue-treated plasma on red cells and stored platelet concentrates

BACKGROUND: Photochemical methods can effectively inactivate extracellular viruses and bacteria found in blood components. Treatment of plasma with methylene blue (MB), a phenothiazine dye, and visible light inactivates enveloped viruses including HIV-1. The effects of MB- treated plasma on cellular components stored in vitro have not been well characterized. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: MB-treated plasma (83 microg MB/250 mL plasma) was added to single-donor platelets, stored AS- 1 red cells (RBCs), irradiated RBCs, and frozen-deglycerolized RBCs. In vitro platelet assays performed after 1 and 5 days of storage in MB- treated plasma included pH, pO2, pCO2, HCO3, platelet number, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose, osmotic recovery, and CD62 expression. RBC components were examined at specific intervals for leakage of potassium, plasma hemoglobin level, and percentage of hemolysis. Direct antiglobulin tests, osmotic fragilities, and RBC antigen stability tests were also performed on RBCs stored in MB-treated plasma. Components stored with autologous plasma or nontreated allogeneic plasma served as controls. RESULTS: Similar storage-induced changes in pH, glucose, and platelet numbers, as well as increases in lactate dehydrogenase, CD62 expression, and lactate were seen in single-donor platelets stored with MB-treated and control plasma. Platelet morphology scores and osmotic recoveries were not altered. Plasma hemoglobin and potassium and percentage of hemolysis increased equally in the various RBC components stored with MB-treated or nontreated plasma. Osmotic fragility and RBC antigen stability were not appreciably altered by MB-treated plasma. CONCLUSION: Plasma treated by MB photoinactivation can be used for in vitro resuspension and storage of platelets or RBCs, because of the lack of influence of MB-treated plasma on a variety of in vitro platelet and RBC assays.