Use of tuf sequences for genus-specific PCR detection and phylogenetic analysis of 28 streptococcal species

A 761-bp portion of the tuf gene (encoding the elongation factor Tu) from 28 clinically relevant streptococcal species was obtained by sequencing amplicons generated using broad-range PCR primers. These tuf sequences were used to select Streptococcus-specific PCR primers and to perform phylogenetic analysis. The specificity of the PCR assay was verified using 102 different bacterial species, including the 28 streptococcal species. Genomic DNA purified from all streptococcal species was efficiently detected, whereas there was no amplification with DNA from 72 of the 74 nonstreptococcal bacterial species tested. There was cross-amplification with DNAs from Enterococcus durans and Lactococcus lactis. However, the 15 to 31% nucleotide sequence divergence in the 761-bp tuf portion of these two species compared to any streptococcal tuf sequence provides ample sequence divergence to allow the development of internal probes specific to streptococci. The Streptococcus-specific assay was highly sensitive for all 28 streptococcal species tested (i.e., detection limit of 1 to 10 genome copies per PCR). The tuf sequence data was also used to perform extensive phylogenetic analysis, which was generally in agreement with phylogeny determined on the basis of 16S rRNA gene data. However, the tuf gene provided a better discrimination at the streptococcal species level that should be particularly useful for the identification of very closely related species. In conclusion, tuf appears more suitable than the 16S ribosomal RNA gene for the development of diagnostic assays for the detection and identification of streptococcal species because of its higher level of species-specific genetic divergence.     

一氧化碳保护大鼠肠道对抗LPS的作用机制

目的： 探讨外源性CO对LPS攻击时大鼠肠道的保护作用及作用机制。 方法： 血气分析监测大鼠呼吸参数，在1、3、6 h的时点上，分别对空白组、脂多糖组（LPS，5 mg/kg）、低浓度CO吸入组（CO 250 mL/M3）、腹腔内CO注射组（CO 2 mL/kg）、脂多糖CO吸入组（LPS 5 mg/kg+CO 250 mL/M3）和脂多糖血症CO腹腔内注射组（LPS 5 mg/kg+CO 2 mL/kg），用硫代巴比妥酸法（TBA）测定肠道丙二醛（MDA）含量，用羟胺法测定超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性，并应用RT-PCR检测肠道组织内的血红素氧合酶-1（HO-1）mRNA的变化。 结果: 给予250 mL/M3的CO持续吸入以及2 mL/kg的CO腹腔内注射，在1、3、6 h时点上，大鼠无缺氧情况的出现。两种方法给予外源性的CO，均降低了内毒素血症时大鼠肠道组织中的MDA含量，提高了SOD的活性，同时诱导了肠组织的HO-1 mRNA 的表达。 结论: 低浓度的CO吸入（250 mL/M3）和一次性腹腔内注射CO（2 mL/kg）补充对大鼠是安全的，补充低浓度或小剂量的外源性CO可以对脂多糖血症肠道提供保护作用，并可以刺激HO-1的产生，促进内源性的CO产生发挥抗炎作用。     

人参二醇组皂甙及游泳训练对大鼠股四头肌α-肌动蛋白mRNA表达的影响

目的:观察大鼠7周大负荷游泳训练及人参二醇组皂甙(PDS)对大鼠股四头肌α-肌动蛋白mRNA表达的影响。方法:采用Northernblot分析7周大负荷游泳训练后恢复期大鼠股四头肌α-肌动蛋白mRNA表达水平及PDS对其影响。结果:α-肌动蛋白mRNA杂交信号的扫描积分光密度值(A),运动·盐水组较安静组略强;运动·PDS,扫描积分光密度值(A)显著强于运动·盐水组和安静组,运动·甲睾组与运动·盐水组表达无明显差异。结论:PDS可提高长期耐力运动大鼠股四头肌α-肌动蛋白mRNA表达,从而提高耐力运动能力;长期应用外源性雄激素对耐力训练大鼠股四头肌α-肌动蛋白无明显提高,这可能与外源睾酮对内源性睾酮分泌的抑制有关。     

人晶状体上皮细胞蛋白质组的双向电泳和质谱鉴定

目的： 建立人晶状体上皮细胞蛋白质组研究体系，探讨双向电泳和质谱鉴定技术在人晶状体上皮细胞蛋白质组研究中的作用。 方法: 体外培养人晶状体上皮细胞株，用两种不同方法提取总蛋白，进行固相pH梯度(IPG)等电聚焦双向凝胶电泳，凝胶通过GS-800扫描仪（Bio-Rad）获取图像并使用PDQuest专业图像分析软件分析。在此基础之上，胰酶消化蛋白质斑点并进行质谱分析。 结果: 获得了重复性较好的人晶状体上皮细胞蛋白质组电泳图谱。晶状体蛋白质斑点在等电点pH值为4-7、相对分子质量为17-72 kD之间均有分布。其中高丰度蛋白点主要分布于分子量19-50 kD、PI 5-7范围内。2个蛋白点通过质谱分析和数据库的检索得到了初步的鉴定。 结论: 建立起了一个稳定的分析人晶状体上皮细胞蛋白质组学实验体系；为进一步研究人类晶状体在生理状态及白内障等病理条件下的改变提供了蛋白质组学的研究方法和途径。     

Connexin26 gene ( GJB2): prevalence of mutations in the Chinese population

The connexin26 gene ( GJB2) has been shown to be responsible for DFNB1 and DFNA3 (Autosomal Recessive Hereditary Nonsyndromic Deafness Locus 1 and Autosomal Dominant Hereditary Nonsyndromic Deafness Locus 3). Two hundred ten independently ascertained Chinese probands with nonsyndromic hearing loss (NSHL) were evaluated for mutations in GJB2, including 43 probands from families with more than one sib with NSHL, likely indicating dominant inheritance, and sporadic cases of NSHL, compatible with recessive inheritance. Of the 210 probands, 43 (20%) were homozygous or heterozygous for mutations in GJB2. Four different mutations were identified: 35delG, 109G-A, 235delC, and 299-300delAT. It was confirmed that GJB2 mutations are an important cause of hearing loss in this population. Of these four mutations, 235delC was the most prevalent at 93%; yet the 35delG mutation, which is the most common GJB2 mutation in Caucasian subjects (Europeans and Americans), was found in low frequency in the present study. It appears from our limited data and reports from other East Asians that 235delC is the most prevalent GJB2 mutation in these populations. GJB2 mutations are consistent with ethnic predilections.     

NGF在成年猴脑的分布

为了解NGF在成年猴脑的分布,采用免疫组化SP法对成年猴脑多个冠状位切片进行免疫组化反应。结果证明,NGF阳性反应神经元主要分布于大脑皮质Ⅲ、V层,小脑Purkinje细胞,海马,齿状回,纹状体,脑干网状结构等处。此外,在黑质、舌下神经核、迷走神经背核、前庭神经核、三叉神经核、疑核、下橄榄核也出现NGF阳性反应。在大脑和脑干还观察到NGF阳性胶质细胞。本实验结果表明,在成年猴脑的多个脑区有NGF表达,提示NGF可能涉及猴脑某些神经元及胶质细胞的生理过程。     

心理治疗在全程助产责任制中的应用

目的探村心理治疗封产科全程助产责任制分娩模式的影响。方法选择2002年3月至2004年9月在我院住院的初产妇1700例（均孕足月、单胎、无难产指征），随机分为治疗组和对照组两组，比较两组分娩方式、产程时间、产后出血。结果第一产程及总产程均短于对照组（P〈0．05），两组剖宫产率、阴道助产率、产后出血率比较均有显著差异（P〈0．05）。结论心理治疗应用于产科全程助产责任制，使产妇得到心理安慰和生理上的帮助，保障母婴健康，值得推广使用。     

Rapid detection of group B streptococci in pregnant women at delivery

BACKGROUND: Group B streptococcal infections are an important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. A rapid method for the detection of this organism in pregnant women at the time of delivery is needed to allow early treatment of neonates. METHODS: We studied the efficacy of two polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) assays for routine screening of pregnant women for group B streptococci at the time of delivery. We obtained anal, vaginal, and combined vaginal and anal specimens from 112 pregnant women; in 57 women, specimens were obtained before and after the rupture of the amniotic membranes. The specimens were tested for group B streptococci by culture in a standard selective broth medium, with a conventional PCR assay, and with a new fluorogenic PCR assay. RESULTS: Among the 112 women, the results of the culture of the combined vaginal and anal specimens were positive for group B streptococci in 33 women (29.5 percent). The two PCR assays detected group B streptococcal colonization in specimens from 32 of these 33 women: the one negative PCR result was in a sample obtained after the rupture of membranes. As compared with the culture results, the sensitivity of both PCR assays was 97.0 percent and the negative predictive value was 98.8 percent. Both the specificity and the positive predictive value of the two PCR assays were 100 percent. The length of time required to obtain results was 30 to 45 minutes for the new PCR assay, 100 minutes for the conventional PCR assay, and at least 36 hours for culture. CONCLUSIONS: Colonization with group B streptococci can be identified rapidly and reliably by a PCR assay in pregnant women in labor both before and after the rupture of membranes.     

Age-dependent and iron-independent expression of two mRNA isoforms of divalent metal transporter 1 in rat brain

The DMT1(Nramp2/DCT1) is a newly discovered proton-coupled metal-ion transport protein. The cellular localization and functional characterization of DMT1 suggest that it might play a role in physiological iron transport in the brain. In the study, we evaluated effects of dietary iron and age on iron content and DMT1 expression in four brain regions: cortex, hippocampus, striatum, substantia nigra. Total iron content in all regions was significantly lower in the low-iron diet rats and higher in the high-iron diet rats than that in the control animals, showing that dietary iron treatment for 6-weeks can alter brain iron levels. Contrary to our expectation, there was no significant alternation in DMT1(+IRE) and (-IRE) mRNA expression and protein content in all brain regions examined in spite of the existence of the altered iron levels in these regions after 6-weeks' diet treatment although TfR mRNA expression and protein level were affected significantly, as was expected. The data demonstrates that expression of DMT1(+IRE) and (-IRE) was not regulated by iron in these regions of adult rats. The lack of response of DMT1 to iron status in the brain suggests that the IRE of brain DMT1 mRNA might be not really iron-responsive and that DMT1-mediated iron transport might be not the rate-limiting step in brain iron uptake in adult rats. Our findings also showed that development can significantly affect brain iron and DMT1(+IRE) and (-IRE) expression but the effect varies in different brain regions, indicating a regionally specific regulation in the brain.