Determination of Copy Number of rRNA Genes in Pneumocystis carinii f. sp. hominis

Differential PCR was performed to determine the copy number of rRNA genes in Pneumocystis carinii f. sp. hominis. Two different reference genes, thymidylate synthase (TS) and beta-tubulin (BTU) genes, were used. Primers for the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear rRNA genes and either the TS or BTU gene were mixed together to perform PCR on seven different bronchoalveolar lavage specimens from patients with P. carinii pneumonia. The radioactivity derived from the incorporated radioactive nucleotides of each PCR product band was then used to calculate the copy number of the ITS relative to that of the TS or BTU gene. The copy number ratio between the ITS and the TS gene was determined to be 0.8, and that between the ITS and the BTU gene was also 0.8. These results suggest that the ITS has the same copy number as the TS or BTU gene. Since the copy number of the TS or BTU gene is presumed to be 1, the results also suggest that P. carinii f. sp. hominis has only one copy of the ITS and thus one copy of the nuclear rRNA genes. Therefore, two types of ITS sequences derived from a specimen would indicate that the patient is infected by two types of P. carinii f. sp. hominis.     

Differential response to chemically altered polyethylene by activated mature human monocyte-derived macrophages

Macrophages and polyethylene (PE) particulate are currently recognized as being the two common denominators in the development of chronic inflammation, periprosthetic osteolysis, and subsequent implant failure. In this study, the effect of PE particulate surface chemistry on mature human monocyte-derived macrophage (MDM) function was investigated. Virgin high-density PE (HDPE: 4-10 microm) and HDPE oxidized by irradiation, thermal and chemical treatment were characterized by FT-IR and suspended in soluble type I collagen, which was subsequently solidified on glass coverslips. Human MDMs, derived from differentiating monocytes on polystyrene for 14 days, were trypsinized and cultured on collagen-particle substrata and collagen controls for 31 days. Analysis of conditioned media collected at 24h incubation showed a significantly higher level of IL-1beta secretion in virgin HDPE over oxidized HDPE or collagen controls, and a significant inhibition of IL-6 secretion in both virgin and oxidized samples. Esterase activity was increased in the medium at a significantly higher level in the virgin HDPE versus controls with the highest activity observed in oxidized HDPE at 31 days. These results illustrate the effect of PE particle surface chemistry (oxidation) on MDM cytokine secretion and esterase activity, and highlight the need to further investigate the potential of PE surface chemistry on modulating MDM function.     

我国HIV-1 B''亚型毒株gag基因变异特征研究

目的研究我国人免疫缺陷病毒1型（HIV-1）B’亚型主要流行株在宿主免疫压力下的基因变异及抗原表位的变化特征，探讨选择压力、基因离散率和抗原表位变化之间的关系。方法从确诊的HIV-1感染者的全血样本中提取基因组DNA，经套式聚合酶链反应（PCR）扩增后，将扩增产物进行纯化和测序。然后将所得序列进行系统进化树和氨基酸变异分析，使用GCG软件包的Distance程序对P17和P24两个区段计算基因距离，用Diverge程序计算同义替换（1（s）和非同义替换（1（a）及二者之间的比值，并对我国人群中较常见的HLA型别限制的CTL表位的突变情况进行分析。结果HIV-1B’亚型毒株的P17区段的Ks／Ka值〈1，而P24区段的Ks／Ka值〉1；P24部分的基因离散率低于P17部分；P17区段抗原表位的保守率为34．94％，而P24区段抗原表位的保守率为67．38％；从基因离散率、所受的选择压力及抗原表位的突变率3个方面来看，HIV-1的P17区段均明显大于P24区段。结论HIV-1B’亚型毒株的P17区段的抗原表位变化较大，而P24区段的抗原表位相对较为保守。提示P24区段的CTL表位更适合于表位疫苗的研制。     

重组卡介苗及猪苓多糖对荷瘤小鼠巨噬细胞NO释放量的影响

目的 观察重组卡介苗（rBCG)和中药猪苓多糖（PPS），对荷瘤小鼠空巨噬细胞释放NO的影响。方法 将黑色素瘤细胞株B16接种于小鼠左大腿外侧皮下，建立荷瘤小鼠模型，分别用rBCG－IL-2,rBCG-IL-2 PPSPPS进行局部治疗。于给药后第1，2，3和5wk处死小鼠，用NO酶法测定小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞释放NO的水平，并观察不同实验组瘤体的变化。结果 rBCG－IL－2组小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞释放NO的水平最高。与对照组相比较，PPS组小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞释放NO的水平在第1wk与第2wk增高，第3wk起与对照组释放的NO水平没有差异。rBCG－IL－2组小鼠随给药时间的延长，皮下瘤体逐渐缩小。PPS组小鼠瘤体在给药后第1wk和第2wk生长缓慢，第3wk起瘤体生长速度明显增加。结论 rBCG－IL－2与PPS能提高小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞释放NO的水平，rBCG－IL－2能明显抑制肿瘤生长。     

Specific immunoglobulin g antibody detected in umbilical blood and amniotic fluid from a pregnant woman infected by the coronavirus associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome

Specific immunoglobulin G antibody for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus was detected in maternal blood, umbilical blood, and amniotic fluid from a pregnant SARS patient. Potential protection of fetus from infection was suggested.     

干扰素诱导淋巴瘤细胞凋亡实验及临床研究

目的：分析梯度浓度的干扰素(IFN-α)对Burkitt淋巴瘤细胞株Daudi和T细胞淋巴瘤细胞株Jurkut及15例难治性淋巴瘤患者的直接作用。方法：以MTT法测定梯度浓度的IFN-α对两种淋巴瘤细胞株Daudi、Jurkat增殖作用的影响，以DNA末端标记法，流式细胞术，电镜观察测定IFN-α对淋巴瘤细胞的凋亡诱导作用，并采用瘤内注射IFN-α联合化疗治疗15例耐药的难治性淋巴瘤。结果：低浓度亚IFN-α对DaudiJurkat细胞增殖无明显抑制作用，高浓度IFN(10000U／ml)可显著抑制两种细胞增殖，且有时间相关性。高浓度的IFN-α可诱导淋巴瘤细胞凋亡。15例患者CR5例，PR7例，有效率80％，无明显毒副作用。结论：IFN-α可抑制淋巴瘤细胞增殖，诱导凋亡，有显著时间，剂量依赖性。局部应用IFN-α联合化疗是治疗难治性淋巴瘤的有效方法之一。     

束缚应激对大鼠血小板-氧化氮释放的影响

目的 观察急性应激对大鼠血小板一氧化氮(NO)释放的影响及其机制.方法 大鼠浸水-束缚应激(WRS)2、4和8 h,以胃溃疡指数(UI)作为应激损伤的标识,采用Greiss法测定血小板孵育液中亚硝酸盐(NO2-)含量;同位素法测其一氧化氮合酶(NOS)活性和L精氨酸(L-Arg)转运量.结果 WRS 2 h血小板L-Arg转运量、NOS活性和孵育液NO2-含量较对照组显著增加,但随应激时间延长,其呈下降趋势,应激8 h时均显著低于对照组,胃溃疡逐渐加重.结论 WRS应激早期阶段可上调血小板L-Arg/NO通路,促进血小板NO生成;长时间应激下调L-Arg/NO通路,减少NO释放.     

抗病毒治疗对乙型肝炎病毒感染者肾移植术后临床转归的影响

目的 探讨乙型肝炎病毒感染者肾移植术后临床转归及治疗对策.方法 将术前乙肝病毒标志物阳性(HBsAg阳性、HBeAg阳性或HBeAb阳性、HBV DNA阳性或阴性)的32例肾移植术后患者分为抗病毒治疗组和无抗病毒治疗组两组.观察两组(术前1周至术后9年)的肝功能(ALT、AST、TBIL、PT)变化、病毒复制(HBV DNA)及存活情况.结果 抗病毒治疗组23例患者肝功能损害复常率为82.60%,存活率为82.60%,HBV DNA(PCR法)下降(≥2 log10)或保持低复制率为86.95%;未抗病毒组9例患者肝功能损害复常率为22.22%,存活率为11.11%,HBV DNA(PeR法)下降(≥2log10)或保持低复制率为11.11%.抗病毒组肝功能复常率、存活率及HBV DNA下降或保持低复制率高于无抗病毒组,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).19例拉米夫定治疗患者6例出现病毒学反弹31.58%,1例加用阿德福韦酯,2例换用恩替卡韦后好转,其余3例肝功能衰竭死亡.结论 持续有效的抗病毒治疗可以有效控制乙肝病毒复制,促进肝功能恢复,减少肝衰竭发生,提高乙肝病毒感染者肾移植术后患者存活率.在治疗过程中出现病毒学反弹应及时换用或加用有效药物减少肝衰竭发生.     

EIAV减毒疫苗诱导马外周血单个核细胞Th1型细胞因子的转录

目的：探讨马传染性贫血病毒驴白细胞减毒疫苗免疫马后,外周血单个核细胞中Th1型细胞因子转录水平与免疫保护应答的关系,揭示DLV的免疫保护机制。方法：应用分子克隆及实时定量RT-PCR技术,建立了马PBMC中IFNγ-、IL-2、IL-12 mRNA转录水平的定量检测方法,定期观察4组（疫苗免疫组、阴性对照组、强毒株阳性对照组、自然感染组）12匹马外周血PBMC中细胞因子的转录水平及分布特征,同时监测体温变化等指标。疫苗株免疫动物8个月后,用EIAV强毒株攻击,观察攻击前后细胞因子转录水平的变化。结果：DLV免疫马,在免疫后3周外周血PBMC中IFN-γ、IL-2转录量显著高于阴性对照组及自然感染组（P〈0.01）;免疫后用EIAV强毒株攻击,IFNγ-、IL-2和IL-12转录的量明显升高,免疫马获得完全保护;强毒株攻击阳性对照马IFN-γ、IL-2转录量随疾病进展波动,发热期下降。结论：本研究首次证明EIAV减毒疫苗可诱导马外周血PBMC中IFN-γ、IL-2、IL-12基因高效转录,其转录水平与DLV的免疫保护密切相关,此结果在分子水平为阐明DLV的免疫保护机制提供了新的实验依据。