Translocator protein (TSPO 18 kDa) is expressed by neural stem and neuronal precursor cells

Translocator protein 18 kDa, the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor by its earlier name, is a mitochondrial membrane protein associated with the mitochondrial permeability pore. While the function of the protein is not properly understood, it is known to play roles in necrotic and apoptotic processes of the neural tissue. In the healthy adult brain, TSPO expression is restricted to glial cells. In developing or damaged neural regions, however, TSPO appears in differentiating/regenerating neurons. Using immunocytochemical, molecular biological and cell biological techniques, we demonstrate that TSPO mRNA and protein, while missing from mature neurons, are present in neural stem cells and also in postmitotic neuronal precursors. Investigating some distinct stages of in vitro differentiation of NE-4C neural stem cells, TSPO 18 kDa was found to be repressed in a relatively late phase of neuron formation, when mature neuron-specific features appear. This timing indicates that mitochondria in fully developed neurons display specific characteristics and provides an additional marker for characterising neuronal differentiation.     

18F-FDG PET与MRI联合检测颈动脉易损斑块的应用前景

颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的破裂是导致脑卒中发生的主要原因.利用18F-FDG PET联合MRI的方法可以同时提供斑块代谢、形态及成分方面的信息,大大提高诊断的灵敏度和特异性.     

Intra-genotypic diversity of archival G4P[8] human rotaviruses from Washington, DC

Group A human rotaviruses (RVs) remain the most frequently detected viral agents associated with acute gastroenteritis in infants and young children. Despite their medical importance, relatively few complete genome sequences have been determined for commonly circulating G/P-type strains (i.e., G1P[8], G2P[4], G3P[8], G4P[8], and G9P[8]). In the current study, we sequenced the genomes of 11 G4P[8] isolates from stool specimens that were collected in Washington, DC during the years of 1974–1991. We found that the VP7–VP4–VP6–VP1–VP2–VP3–NSP1–NSP2–NSP3–NSP4–NSP5/6-encoding genes of all 11 G4P[8] RVs have the genotypes of G4-P[8]-I1-R1-C1-M1-A1-N1-T1-E1-H1. By constructing phylogenetic trees for each gene, extensive intra-genotypic diversity was revealed among the G4P[8] RVs, and new sub-genotype gene alleles were identified. Several of these alleles are nearly identical to those of G3P[8] isolates previously sequenced from this same Washington, DC collection, strongly suggesting that the RVs underwent gene reassortment. On the other hand, we observed that some G4P[8] RVs exhibit completely different allele-based genome constellations, despite being collected during the same epidemic season; there was no evidence of gene reassortment between these strains. This observation extends our previous findings and supports the notion that stable, genetically-distinct clades of human RVs with the same G/P-type can co-circulate in a community. Interestingly, the sub-genotype gene alleles found in some of the DC RVs share a close evolutionary relationship with genes of more contemporary human strains. Thus, archival human RVs sequenced in this study might represent evolutionary precursors to modern-day strains.     

IL-18 enhances protective effect in mice immunized with a Schistosoma japonicum FABP DNA vaccine

Two recombinant plasmids, pVAX/SjFABP and pVAX/mIL-18 containing Schistosoma japonicum 14 kDa fatty acid binding protein (SjFABP) and murine IL-18, were constructed and evaluated for their ability to induce immune responses and to protect against S. japonicum challenge in mice. Mice were intramuscularly immunized twice at three-weekly intervals, and challenged with S. japonicum cercariae at 4 weeks after the last vaccination. All animals vaccinated with pVAX/SjFABP alone or plus pVAX/mIL-18 developed specific anti-SWAP ELISA antibody and T lymphocyte proliferation. Co-injection of pVAX/mIL-18 significantly increased the production of IFN-γ and IL-2 compared with pVAX/SjFABP alone, indicating that IL-18 enhances the Th1-dominant immune response. The challenge experiment showed that co-injection of plasmid encoding IL-18 significantly enhances protective effect against S. japonicum infection, as demonstrated by worm reduction rates and the hepatic egg reduction rates 45 days post-challenge. These results indicated that IL-18 may become a novel vaccine adjuvant for development of vaccines against schistosomiasis.     

脑动静脉畸形Onyx-18血管内栓塞治疗分析

目的 探讨18例应用Onyx-18对血管内栓塞脑动静脉畸形（cAVM）的治疗经验。方法回顾性分析应用Onyx-18治疗的cAVM患者18例，就临床表现、影像学、治疗策略及结果进行临床研究。结果18例患者共进行栓塞22次。完全栓塞5例（27．8％），80％栓塞6例（33．3％），出现一过性肢体偏瘫、麻木4例，给予相应处理后完全恢复3例；出现一过性言语不利1例，给予甘露醇处理后症状消失；发生微导管拔管失败2例，滞留体内，术后出现残留右上肢轻瘫1例；1例患者拔管过程中胶粒外带，导致基底动脉顶端急性闭塞，患者重残。所有病例随访3—36个月。术后神经功能下降患者神经功能有所改善，均未出现再次颅内出血，格拉斯哥预后评分（GOS）5分15例；GOS4分2例；GOS3分1例。结论Onyx-18行血管内栓塞脑动静脉畸形能够取得满意的临床疗效，熟练掌握栓塞操作技巧及预防措施，可以使脑动静脉畸形获得更高的治愈率。     

Osteonecrosis Mimicking Bone Metastasis in Femoral Head on 18F-FDG PET/CT: A Case Report

A 77-year-old woman underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and brachytherapy for cervical cancer 9 years ago. On a follow-up ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT image, focal FDG uptake was noted in a focal osteolytic lesion in the right femoral head. During magnetic resonance imaging, this lesion showed subchondral dark-signal-intensity rim on T1-weighted image and double line sign on T2-weighted image, suggestive of osteonecrosis. The lesion was pathologically confirmed as osteonecrosis after surgery. This case demonstrates that osteonecrosis of the femoral head may demonstrate focal FDG uptake mimicking bone metastasis.     

强直性脊柱炎患者血清IL-18水平及临床意义

[目的]了解IL-18在活动期强直性脊柱炎(AS)发病中的作用。[方法]53例AS患者,40例正常对照组。活动期AS患者均以非甾体类抗炎药和改善病情药治疗,分别在治疗前、治疗后l2周、24周测外周血IL-18和TNF-d水平,并动态观察临床病情活动指标(BASDAl指数、BASFl指数、BASMl指数)及ESR、CRP变化。[结果](1)治疗前AS患者与正常对照组比较血清IL-l8水平明显升高(P﹤0.05),治疗12周与治疗前比较、治疗24周与治疗12周比较血清IL-18水平均有明显下降(P﹤0.05);(2)所有AS患者治疗后临床病情活动指标(BASDAl指数、BAS-Fl指数、BASMl指数)明显改善(P﹤0.05),Pearson直线相关法分析显示血清IL-18水平与BASDAl、BASFl、BASMl呈正相关(r=0.632,0.583,0.480,P﹤0.05);(3)活动期AS患者治疗前后比较ESR、CRP、TNF-a水平明显下降(P﹤0.05),直线相关分析显示血清IL-18水平与ESR、CRP、TNF-a呈正相关(r=0.520,0-672,0.522,P﹤0.05)。[结论]活动期AS患者血清IL-18、TNF-a水平明显升高,治疗后明显下降,血清IL-18水平与AS病情活动指标呈正相关,提示IL-18可能参与AS的发病,并可作为临床病情活动的指标之一。     

A rapid flow cytometry assay for the assessment of calcium mobilization in human neutrophils in a small volume of lysed whole-blood

Flow cytometry-based methods have been developed to measure most neutrophil responses. The assessment of the mobilization of calcium, however, is routinely performed on neutrophils isolated from whole blood. This report describes a flow cytometry-based assay to measure the mobilization of calcium in neutrophils directly in whole blood. This method requires minimal sample manipulation, small volumes of blood and is performed in a short period of time. Both clinical and research laboratories will be able to assess neutrophil function and the quality of granulocyte preparations using a more time and cost effective calcium mobilization test.