Association of the CTLA-4 gene with rheumatoid arthritis in Chinese Han population

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) is important for downregulation of T-cell activation, and CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms have been implicated as risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Previous studies of the association between the +49 polymorphism of the CTLA-4 gene in RA have provided conflicting results. In order to determine association of the CTLA-4 gene with RA in Chinese Han population, we used denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) to genotype polymorphisms of four SNPs (MH30, +49, CT60 and JO31) of the CTLA-4 gene in 326 RA patients and 250 healthy controls. Furthermore, meta-analysis of all available studies relating +49 polymorphism to the risk of RA was performed to confirm the disease association. Among the SNPs examined, the genotype frequencies of CTLA-4 +49 and CT60 in RA patients differed significantly from controls (P=0.028 and 0.007). In addition, the distribution of four haplotypes constructed by these two SNPs was significantly different between patients and controls (chi(2)=10.58, d.f. =3, P=0.014). The meta-analysis also revealed that in both European and Asian populations, the CLTA-4 +49 G allele was associated with the risk of RA. These results suggested that the CTLA-4 gene might be involved in the susceptibility to RA in the Chinese Han population and both +49 and CT60 of CTLA-4 gene might be the causal variants in RA disease.     

Pigeon allergens in indoor environments: a preliminary study

BACKGROUND: Few studies have measured pigeon allergens in non pigeon coop environments. This study was conducted to determine approximate pigeon dropping allergen concentrations in indoor environments. METHODS: Polyclonal antibody serum was prepared by injecting a rabbit three times with crude wild pigeon dropping extract in 50 mM Tris buffer with Freund's adjuvant. One hundred and fifteen dust samples were collected in a pigeon-infested school, pigeon coops, homes and hospitals and analyzed by a direct competitive pigeon enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The highest level of pigeon allergen inhibitory activity were recorded in four samples from pigeon coop bedding samples with a median activity of 11.2% relative to pigeon droppings. The second highest level of pigeon allergens was in a pigeon-infested high school with a median or 7.4% activity relative to pigeon droppings. At an entrance underneath pigeon roosts, one sample had a relative inhibitory activity of 62.3%. Pigeon allergen inhibitory levels were generally low in the home and hospital samples, but nevertheless 46 out of 89 of these samples were still above detection limit. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that large concentrations of pigeon allergens can be found in buildings without domestic pigeons such as the pigeon-infested high school.     

2-O-methylisohemigossylic acid lactone, a sesquiterpene, isolated from roots of mokumen (Gossampinus malabarica) induces cell death and morphological change indicative of apoptotic chromatin condensation in human promyelotic leukemia HL-60 cells

2-O-methylisohemigossylic acid lactone, a sesquiterpene, was purified from roots of mokumen (Gossampinus malabarica) and identified by Mass, and (1)H- and (13)-NMR. This sesquiterpene displayed strong growth inhibitory effect against human promyelotic leukemia HL-60 cells. Apoptotic morphological change of the nucleus, including chromatin condensation was induced in the HL-60 cells treated with the sesquiterpene. The fragmentation of DNA by the sesquiterpene to oligonucleosomal-sized fragments, a characteristic of apoptosis, was observed to be dose- and time-dependent in the HL-60 cells. Inhibitors of caspases suppressed the DNA fragmentation induced by the sesquiterpene. These findings suggest that growth inhibition by the sesquiterpene of HL-60 cells results from the induction of apoptosis by the sesqui-terpene, and that caspase cascade is involved in the induction of apoptosis by the compound in the HL-60 cells.     

TCRVβ7.1基因修饰T细胞对乳腺癌细胞杀伤作用的研究

目的：观察TCPVβ7．1基因转染前后正常人外周血淋巴细胞对乳腺癌细胞株杀伤活性的影响。方法：脂质体包裹PdWA3.1vβ7.1后转染健康人PBMC，流式细胞仪检测PdWA3.1Vβ7.1基因表达，改良MIT法检测TCRVβ7．1基因转染前后正常人外周血淋巴细胞对乳腺癌细胞株杀伤活性。结果：TCRVβ7．1基因转染可显著增加正常人PBMC该基因表达，转染前后正常人外周血淋巴细胞对乳腺癌细胞株杀伤活性有显著性差异。结论：用TCR基因修饰可明显提高正常人PBMC对乳腺癌细胞杀伤作用。     

RPGRIP1s with distinct neuronal localization and biochemical properties associate selectively with RanBP2 in amacrine neurons

RPGR and RPGRIP1 are molecular partners with vital roles in retinal function. Mutations in RPGR are implicated in heterogeneous retinal phenotypes, while those in RPGRIP1 lead to Leber congenital amaurosis. RPGR and RPGRIP1s differentially localize in photoreceptors among species. This may contribute to phenotype disparities among species bearing mutations in RPGR. However, it cannot account for the phenotype heterogeneity associated with RPGR- and RPGRIP1-linked mutations in the human. The existence of RPGRIP1 isoforms with distinct cellular, subcellular localizations and biochemical properties in the retina is shown. High mass RPGRIP1 isoforms, p175/p150, enriched in the outer segment (OS) compartment of photoreceptors are identified. The remaining isoforms are present across subcellular fractions, including nuclei and are soluble. The p175/p150 are predominantly sequestered in the cytoskeleton-insoluble fraction of OS and nuclei. In selective amacrine cells, and in the transformed photoreceptor line, 661W, RPGRIP1s localize at restricted foci to nuclear pore complexes and/or the vicinity of these. Among the nucleoporins, RPGRIP1 isoforms selectively associate in vivo with RanBP2 (Nup358). RPGRIP1s also decorate microtubules in 661W cells and occasionally form coiled-like inclusion bodies in the perikarya. These results support distinct but complementary functions of RPGRIP1 isoforms in cytoskeletal-mediated processes in photoreceptors and amacrine neurons, and may explain the Leber phenotype linked to RPGRIP1 mutations in humans. Moreover, the data implicate a role of RanBP2 in the pathogenesis of neuro(retino)pathies and as a docking station to mediate the nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of RPGRIP1s and their interaction with other partners in amacrine and 661W neurons.     

Dietary Aspects to Incorporate in the Creation of a Mobile Image-Based Dietary Assessment Tool to Manage and Improve Diabetes

Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in United States. Dietary intake and behaviors are essential components of diabetes management. Growing evidence suggests dietary components beyond carbohydrates may critically impact glycemic control. Assessment tools on mobile platforms have the ability to capture multiple aspects of dietary behavior in real-time throughout the day to inform and improve diabetes management and insulin dosing. The objective of this narrative review was to summarize evidence related to dietary behaviors and composition to inform a mobile image-based dietary assessment tool for managing glycemic control of both diabetes types (type 1 and type 2 diabetes). This review investigated the following topics amongst those with diabetes: (1) the role of time of eating occasion on indicators of glycemic control; and (2) the role of macronutrient composition of meals on indicators of glycemic control. A search for articles published after 2000 was completed in PubMed with the following sets of keywords “diabetes/diabetes management/diabetes prevention/diabetes risk”, “dietary behavior/eating patterns/temporal/meal timing/meal frequency”, and “macronutrient composition/glycemic index”. Results showed eating behaviors and meal macronutrient composition may affect glycemic control. Specifically, breakfast skipping, late eating and frequent meal consumption might be associated with poor glycemic control while macronutrient composition and order of the meal could also affect glycemic control. These factors should be considered in designing a dietary assessment tool, which may optimize diabetes management to reduce the burden of this disease.     

多发伤的骨折内固定

目的：认识多发伤中骨折的主要特点,探讨内固定在救治中的意义。方法：回顾1994－08～1999－08间手术救治多发伤66例,对其161处骨折中的98处进行了“仿AO技术”有关方法内固定。结果：骨折均满意愈合;涉及骨折关节51个,功能恢复满意率为96．08％。结论：在多发伤中,骨折、合并伤与并发症远较“一般骨折”复杂、严重;有效固定骨折是一种重要的救命措施;内固定手术应争取在伤后24h进行,但如受条件制约,伤后1－3wk内手术也可获得满意效果;仿AO技术中的某些方法,如拉力螺钉、张力带钢丝及自动加压钢板等,用于内固定可使骨折获得卓有成效的稳定性。     

颈部囊肿与瘘管的诊断和治疗

目的：总结颈部囊肿与瘘管的诊治经验。方法：93例行手术治疗,其中鳃裂囊肿15例,鳃裂瘘管10例,皮样囊肿1例,囊状淋巴管瘤4例,甲状舌骨囊肿37例,甲状舌管瘘管25例,癌性淋巴液囊肿1例,随访1－10年。结果：93例中,囊性淋巴管瘤1例复发后失访,另1例行2次手术,癌性淋巴液囊肿1例半年后死于肺转移,鳃裂瘘管2例3次手术,甲状舌管瘘管1例复发,鳃裂瘘管术后1例迟发性面瘫,一次手术治愈,无术后并发症。结论：颈部囊肿与瘘管的诊断除依据术前检查外,主要是依据术中的发现和术后病理检查。B超、CT等是有效的辅助检查.手段治疗上应彻底切除囊壁与瘘管,避免复发。术中应避免损伤颈部的大血管和神经。甲状舌管瘘管须切除舌骨中段2cm,这是防止术后复发的关键。     

导电聚吡咯膜技术应用于大鼠肺细胞原代培养的实验研究

目的 :探讨导电聚吡咯膜技术对大鼠肺Ⅱ型细胞体外生长的作用。方法 :采用四甲基偶氮唑盐比色法测定比较导电聚吡咯膜组和常规培养组大鼠肺Ⅱ型细胞的生长和增殖情况。结果 :培养 3～ 5d后两组OD值有显著差异 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论 :常规培养条件下的大鼠肺Ⅱ型细胞在体外生长时间约 2～ 3d ,导电聚吡咯膜可以将肺Ⅱ型细胞体外生长时间延长至 5d。