A new haplogroup pattern displayed in Fujian Han in China

Human Y-chromosomal binary polymorphisms have been considered to preserve the paternal genetic legacy and provide evidence on human evolution and the genetic relationships among and demographic history of different populations. To reveal the genetic origin and immigration of the Fujian Han, 13 binary markers on the Y chromosome were used to screen Fujian Han by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. The results indicated that the M₉G marker was highly prevalent (96.20%), suggesting a significant genetic drift. In addition, M₁₂₂C frequency was only 22.78%, and M₄₅A and M₁₀₃T were default. The distinctive haplogroup frequencies (H₁, H₅, and H_6/7/8) imply that the haplogroup pattern is a relatively ancestral and interim type. Received: October 13, 2001 / Accepted: December 3, 2001     

载药纳米微球的制备和评价

含有有效药物的载药纳米粒子是一种新型的缓释系统,可改变常规的给药方式,有极广阔的发展前景。我们用超声的方法结合了不同的药物制成作用不同的纳米粒子,验证了纳米粒子对局部给药治疗的有效性,建立了良好的动物动脉摄取模型,为继续研究奠定了坚实的基础。     

广东省人群中人嗜T细胞病毒Ⅰ型感染的血清流行病学调查及其与人类疾病的关系

收集广东省各类人群血清标本２２２４份，用间接免疫荧光法检测人类嗜Ｔ细胞病毒Ⅰ型（ＨＴＬＶ－１）抗体，结果：ＨＴＬＶ－１抗体阳性３５份，总阳性率为１．５７％；其中健康人群血清１８１０份，抗体阳性２３份，阳性率为１２７％；献血员血清２４８份，抗体阳性１份，阳性率０４０％；白血病患者血清１０９份，阳性８份，阳性率７３４％，与健康人群比较，有非常显著性差异（Ｐ＜０００５）；神经系统疾病患者血清５７份，阳性３份，阳性率５２６％。     

Synthesis and properties of polyamides based on a spirobichroman bis(ether-carboxylic acid)

High molar-mass aromatic polyamides were obtained from 7,7'-bis(4-carboxyphenoxy)-4,4,4′,4′-tetramethyl-2,2′-spirobichroman, a novel dicarboxylic acid monomer, by direct polycondensation reaction in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) with various aromatic diamines, using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents. Polyamides having inherent viscosities of 0,73–1,08 dL/g were obtained in quantitative yield. All the polyamides, even that derived from benzidine, are completely amorphous and readily soluble in a variety of organic solvents such as NMP, N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), and m-cresol. Their solutions can be cast into transparent, flexible and tough films. All the polyamides show distinct glass transitions in the range of 182–235°C on their differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) traces. The 10% weight loss temperatures in nitrogen and air are above 416 and 422°C, respectively.     

Loss of imprinting of IGF2 and H19 in osteosarcoma is accompanied by reciprocal methylation changes of a CTCF-binding site

The adjacent insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and H19 genes are imprinted in most normal human tissues, but imprinting is often lost in tumors. The mechanisms involved in maintenance of imprinting (MOI) and loss of imprinting (LOI) are unresolved. We show here that osteosarcoma (OS) tumors with IGF2/H19 MOI exhibit allele-specific differential methylation of a CTCF-binding site upstream of H19. LOI of IGF2 or H19 in OS occurs in a mutually exclusive manner, and occurs with monoallelic expression of the other gene. Bisulfite sequencing reveals IGF2 LOI occurs with biallelic CpG methylation of the CTCF-binding site, while H19 LOI occurs with biallelic hypomethylation of this site. Our data demonstrate that IGF2 LOI and H19 LOI are accompanied by reciprocal methylation changes at a critical CTCF-binding site. We propose a model in which incomplete gain or loss of methylation at this CTCF-binding site during tumorigenesis explains the complex and often conflicting expression patterns of IGF2 and H19 in tumors.     

Use of egg yolk-derived immunoglobulin as an alternative to antibiotic treatment for control of Helicobacter pylori infection

The present study evaluated the potential use of immunoglobulin prepared from the egg yolk of hens immunized with Helicobacter pylori (immunoglobulin Y [IgY]-Hp) in the treatment of H. pylori infections. The purity of our purified IgY-Hp was 91.3%, with a yield of 9.4 mg of IgY per ml of egg yolk. The titer for IgY-Hp was 16 times higher than that for IgY in egg yolk from nonimmunized hens, and IgY-Hp significantly inhibited the growth and urease activity of H. pylori in vitro. Bacterial adhesion on AGS cells was definitely reduced by preincubation of both H. pylori (10(8) CFU/ml) and 10 mg of IgY-Hp/ml. In Mongolian gerbil models, IgY-Hp decreased H. pylori-induced gastric mucosal injury as determined by the degree of lymphocyte and neutrophil infiltration. Therefore, in this experimental model, H. pylori-associated gastritis could be successfully treated by orally administered IgY-Hp. The immunological activity of IgY-Hp stayed active at 60 degrees C for 10 min, suggesting that pasteurization can be applied to sterilize the product. Fortification of food products with this immunoglobulin would significantly decrease the H. pylori infection. In conclusion, the IgY-Hp obtained from hens immunized by H. pylori could provide a novel alternative approach to treatment of H. pylori infection.     

Allele sharing for schizophrenia and schizo‐affective disorder within a region of Homo sapiens specific XY homology

A case (based upon an association with cerebral asymmetry) has been presented for a gene for psychosis within the Xq21.3/Yp region of homology that is specific to Homo sapiens. We tested this hypothesis using the pentanucleotide marker DXYS 156 that is located within this region. In 84 families affected by schizophrenia or schizo‐affective disorder no tendency toward increased allele sharing amongst siblings was observed (χ² = 0.002). We conclude either that this region does not include a gene predisposing to psychosis or that if it does, the relevant variation is epigenetic rather than sequence‐based. With respect to the latter possibility we draw attention to the recent evolutionary history of the Xq21.3/Yp region. Genes within the region are in transition to protection from X inactivation and therefore may be epigenetically labile. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The heat stable antigen (CD24) is not required for the generation of CD4+ effector and memory T cells by dendritic cells in vivo

Previous work has established that CD24 is a costimulatory molecule for T-cell clonal expansion. Studies using CD24 -/- mice demonstrated that CD24 plays a critical role in the CD28-independent immune response against virus and soluble antigens. The role of CD24 on dendritic cells (DCs) has not been reported. Here, we compare the CD24(+/+) and CD24(-/-) DCs in the induction of initial clonal expansion and elicitation of memory CD4(+) T cells in vivo. Our results demonstrate that the CD24 expressed on DCs is essential neither for the induction of initial T-cell clonal expansion nor for elicitation of memory activity of primed T cells in vivo.     

Assessment of anterior shoulder instability by CT arthrography

Computed tomography (CT) immediately after double-contrast shoulder arthrography was taken in twenty-two young male patients with anterior shoulder instability including recurrent dislocation and subluxation. This recently developed technique called CT arthrography can provide significant information about patients with glenohumeral instability which is difficult to obtain by conventional arthrography. Information about glenoid labrum pathology is useful for proper management of the shoulder with instability. Lesions identified in this study include anterior labral defects (attenuation, tear, displacement), anterior capsular distension and/or detachment, Hill-Sachs lesion, anterior glenoid rim compression fracture, and fracture of scapula. This article describes the method used in CT arthrography of the glenohumeral joint, reviews the normal cross-sectional anatomy, and emphasizes the importance of the application of CT arthrography in the shoulder disorder with instability. CT arthrography of the glenohumeral joint is easy to perform, is accurate, and has lower radiation dose than arthrotomography.