Human methionine synthase: cDNA cloning and identification of mutations in patients of the cblG complementation group of folate/cobalamin disorders

Methionine synthase catalyzes the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine in a methylcobalamin-dependent reaction. We used specific regions of homology within the methionine synthase sequences of several lower organisms to clone a human methionine synthase cDNA by a combination of RT-PCR and inverse PCR. The enzyme is 1265 amino acids in length and contains the seven residue structure-based sequence fingerprint identified for cobalamin-containing enzymes. The gene was localized to chromosome 1q43 by the FISH technique. We have identified one missense mutation and a 3 bp deletion in patients of the cblG complementation group of inherited homocysteine/folate disorders by SSCP and sequence analysis, as well as an amino acid substitution present in high frequency in the general population. We discuss the possibility that a mild deficiency of methionine synthase activity could be associated with mild hyperhomocysteinemia, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and possibly neural tube defects.      

Immunolocalization of the apoptosis regulating proteins Bcl-2 and Bax in human endometrium and isolated peritoneal fluid macrophages in endometriosis

Endometriosis, a debilitating disease associated with infertility, is characterized by the prolonged presence of ectopic endometrial tissue and the involvement of activated peritoneal fluid macrophages. Apoptosis, which occurs in both endometrium and peritoneal fluid macrophages, is controlled in part by members of the Bcl-2/Bax family of proteins. Here, through immunohistochemical staining, we investigated the Bcl-2/Bax status in endometrium and peritoneal fluid macrophages in endometriosis. Bcl-2/Bax immunoreactivity was found predominantly in the glandular epithelial cells, mainly during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle for Bcl-2 but throughout the entire menstrual cycle for Bax. Ectopic endometrium contained a population of Bcl-2 positive. Bax negative tissue macrophages. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting of isolated peritoneal fluid macrophages showed that women with endometriosis had a significantly higher proportion of Bcl-2 positive macrophages than the non- endometriotic group. The proportion of Bax positive peritoneal fluid macrophages was significantly elevated in women without endometriosis. The increased proportion of Bcl-2 positive macrophages found in women with endometriosis may predispose these cells to resist apoptosis. The continued survival of these active cells could have important consequences for the survival and proliferation of the ectopic endometrial tissue.      

Effects of Diet-Modulated Autologous Fecal Microbiota Transplantation on Weight Regain

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How to Increase Reach and Adherence of Web-Based Interventions: A Design Research Viewpoint

Nowadays, technology is increasingly used to increase people’s well-being. For example, many mobile and Web-based apps have been developed that can support people to become mentally fit or to manage their daily diet. However, analyses of current Web-based interventions show that many systems are only used by a specific group of users (eg, women, highly educated), and that even they often do not persist and drop out as the intervention unfolds. In this paper, we assess the impact of design features of Web-based interventions on reach and adherence and conclude that the power that design can have has not been used to its full potential. We propose looking at design research as a source of inspiration for new (to the field) design approaches. The paper goes on to specify and discuss three of these approaches: personalization, ambient information, and use of metaphors. Central to our viewpoint is the role of positive affect triggered by well-designed persuasive features to boost adherence and well-being. Finally, we discuss the future of persuasive eHealth interventions and suggest avenues for follow-up research.     

含钛镍铬烤瓷合金的金瓷结合强度实验

目的:比较中国科学院金属研究所研制的3种成分及含量不同的含钛镍铬(Ni-Cr)烤瓷合金与Vita VMK88瓷的结合性能。方法:实验于2005-05/12在中国医科大学口腔医学院技工室和中国科学院金属研究所完成。采用铸造法制作实验合金试件,3种含钛镍铬烤瓷合金依成分不同分为高钛组(含钛量最高且不含铍的Ni-Cr组),中钛组(含钛量较高且不含铍的Ni-Cr组),低钛组(含钛最少且含铍的Ni-Cr组),以HI BOND非贵金属烤瓷合金为对照组,每组试件8个。在试件中份熔附厚度为2mmVita VMK88瓷,形成4.4mm×3.8mm×2.0mm的瓷块。在万能试验机上采用剪切力试验测试金瓷分离时的载荷。结果:高钛组、中钛组、低钛组的剪切强度值低于对照组[分别为(28.4364±4.7918),(25.5335±3.9612),(24.6663±4.4316),(31.1975±3.7038)MPa],各组的剪切强度均值间进行两两比较(q检验),差异均无显著性意义(P>0.05)。结论:3种含钛镍铬烤瓷合金均与Vita VMK88瓷有良好的结合力。     

外侧半月板切除术后膝关节周围骨密度的改变

目的:观察外侧半月板切除术后膝关节周围骨密度的改变。方法:选择1984/2002年唐山市第二医院骨科、华北煤炭医学院附属医院以及开滦医院施行外侧半月板切除术的患者128例,其中男64例,女64例;年龄14～68岁。实验分组:根据术后时间分为:0～1年组32例,2～4年组32例,5～10年组30例和11～17年组34例,设健侧为对照组。方法及评估:应用双能X射线骨密度仪分别测量膝关节周围6个感兴趣区骨密度(6区:以胫骨上端松质骨区腓骨小头水平面作为参考平面,在胫骨外、内侧分别作0.8cm×0.8cm的感兴趣区,称为R1,R2。以股骨下端股骨髁间切迹水平面作为参考平面,在股骨内外侧髁分别作0.8cm×0.8cm的感兴趣区,称为R3,R4。在胫骨上端密质骨区胫骨平台外、内侧软骨下分别作1.4cm×0.4cm的感兴趣区,称为R5,R6)并计算出外侧、内侧骨密度的变化值,用均数百分数±标准差表示。结果:128例患者全部进入结果分析。①在术后17年内胫骨上端外内侧(R56)密质骨骨密度变化值:0～17年术侧均明显高于健侧[0～1年:(-10.20±13.62)%,(-22.80±13.54)%;2～4年:(-8.87±15.05)%,(-17.82±11.06)%;5～10年:(5.06±18.64)%,(-8.62±12.97)%;11～17年:(6.17±14.56)%,(-7.86±10.73)%,t=2.41～8.95,P<0.05]。②5～17年胫骨上端外内侧(R12)松质骨骨密度变化值:5～17年术侧均明显高于健侧[5～10年:(12.15±22.48)%,(0.40±14.40)%,11～17年:(8.16±13.37)%,(-4.90±10.44)%,t=2.31,2.40,P<0.05]。③11～17年股骨下端近膝关节区外内侧(R43)骨密度变化值:术侧明显高于健侧[(4.43±13.70)%,(-4.68±17.68)%,t=2.17,P<0.05]。结论:外侧半月板切除术后可引起膝关节周围骨密度的改变,发生适应性的骨重构:胫骨上端密质骨区最早发生,胫骨上端松质骨区其后发生,股骨下端近膝关节区最后发生。     

Ultrasound Monitoring of In Vitro Radio Frequency Ablation by Echo Decorrelation Imaging

Objective. The purpose of this study was to test ultrasound echo decorrelation imaging for mapping and characterization of tissue effects caused by radio frequency ablation (RFA). Methods. Radio frequency ablation procedures (6‐minute duration, 20‐W power) were performed on fresh ex vivo bovine liver tissue (n = 9) with continuous acquisition of beam‐formed ultrasound echo data from a 7‐MHz linear array. Echo data were processed to form B‐scan images, echo decorrelation images (related to rapid random changes in echo waveforms), and integrated backscatter images (related to local changes in received echo energy). Echo decorrelation and integrated backscatter values at the location of a low‐noise thermocouple were assessed as functions of temperature. Echo decorrelation and integrated backscatter images were directly compared with ablated tissue cross sections and quantitatively evaluated as predictors of tissue ablation and overtreatment. Results. Echo decorrelation maps corresponded with local tissue temperature and ablation effects. Consistent echo decorrelation increases were observed for temperatures above 75°C, whereas integrated backscatter maps showed a nonmonotonic temperature dependence complicated by acoustic shadowing, with high variance at large temperature elevations. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of echo decorrelation and integrated backscatter maps as predictors of local tissue ablation, echo decorrelation performed well (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC] = 0.855 for ablation and 0.913 for overtreatment), whereas integrated backscatter performed poorly (AUROC < 0.6). Conclusions. Echo decorrelation imaging can map tissue changes due to RFA in vitro, with local echo decorrelation corresponding strongly to local tissue temperature elevations and ablation effects. With further development and in vivo validation, echo decorrelation imaging is potentially useful for improved image guidance of clinical RFA procedures.