Quantitative distribution of rat brain monoamine oxidase A by [14C]clorgyline autoradiography

The distribution of functionally active monoamine oxidase type A (MAO-A) was investigated by in vivo quantitative autoradiography using [¹⁴C]clorgyline in normal, conscious rat brain. [¹⁴C]clorgyline was synthesized by the methylation reaction of N-desmethylclorgyline using [¹⁴C]methyliodide. Sixty minutes after [¹⁴C]clorgyline administration (1.58 MBq/animal i.v.), the brains were removed and prepared for autoradiography by washing the brain sections with 5% trichloroacetic acid solution to remove the nonbinding free tracer. The amount of MAO-A was calculated from the regional acid-insoluble tissue radioactivity and the specific activity of the tracer. The highest amount of MAO-A (5.84 nmol/g tissue) was found in the locus coeruleus. The interpeduncular nucleus, habenular nucleus, fasciculus retroflexus, and solitary tract nucleus possessed over 1.6 nmol/g tissue of MAO-A. Among 23 regions of interest, the lowest amount of MAO-A (0.37 nmol/g tissue) was found in the globus pallidus. The findings of this study suggest that the pattern of MAO-A parallels both in neuroanatomical distribution and in density that of norepinephrine and serotonin innervation. The MAO-A concentration was, however, relatively low in the dopamine-related areas. This corresponded to the previous results obtained by histochemical analysis. In addition, among the white matter structures, a high amount of MAO-A was found specifically in the fasciculus retroflexus.     

Novel protein microarray for the detection of avian influenza virus antibodies and simultaneous distinction of antibodies against H5 and H7 subtypes

ABSTRACT

Avian influenza virus (AIV) can cause serious zoonotic disease, thereby threatening the poultry industry and human health. An efficient and rapid detection approach is crucial to prevent and control the spread of avian influenza. In this study, a novel protein microarray was developed. Haemagglutinin proteins of H5 and H7 subtypes and nucleoprotein (NP) were purified and spotted onto the initiator-integrated poly-(dimethylsiloxane) as antigens. Monoclonal antibodies with inhibition effect were screened and utilized for the synchronous detection of three avian influenza antibodies in different species. In the protein microarray, the cut-off values were 40%, 50% and 30% inhibition for H5 antibody detection; 50%, 50% and 20% for NP antibody detection; 40%, 50% and 40% for H7 antibody detection in chicken, peacock and duck sera, respectively. The 95 serum samples were detected by microarray, and results were compared with the findings of AIV antibody test enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. NP antibody detection in the microarray showed 100% (55/55) agreement ratio in chicken using ELISA. Compared with HI, H5 antibody detection in the microarray showed 100% (95/95) agreement ratio in chicken, peacock and duck, whilst those of H7 displayed 98.18% (54/55) agreement in chicken, 100% (20/20) in peacock and 90% (18/20) in duck. In conclusion, this novel protein microarray is a high-throughput and specific method for the detection of AIV antibodies and simultaneous distinction of antibodies against H5 and H7 subtypes. It can be applied to the serological diagnosis and epidemiological investigation of AIV.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

• A novel protein microarray method has been developed.

• The microarray can detect AIV antibodies and distinguish between H5 and H7 subtypes.

• The study lays the foundation for simultaneous identification of multiple pathogens.

     

基于EEG信号AR模型的中枢神经系统损伤检测

本文综述一类基于 EEG信号 AR谱和 AR模型参数分析的中枢神经系统损伤检测方法 ,包括主控频率法、AR谱距离法和 Itakura距离测度法等。这类方法根据 EEG信号的 AR模型建立分析 EEG信号状态和变化的测度 ,并利用其检测中枢神经系统在缺氧窒息实验过程中可能存在的损伤并预测最终结果。实验和数据分析的结果表明 ,这类方法在实验各个阶段的检测结果与采用医学方法进行综合评价的 NDS结果一致 ,具有较高的可靠性。     

微囊藻毒素免疫检测技术研究进展

微囊藻毒素主要是由蓝绿藻属产生的的一类毒素,其毒性主要表现在特异性抑制细胞内的蛋白磷酸酶(Ppl和PP2A)。目前有关微囊藻毒素分析和检测的研究开展得十分广泛,免疫检测技术由于其众多的优点更显示出其良好的应用前景。本文详细地综述了目前国内外在微囊藻毒素免疫检测方面的研究方法和成果;并在总结这些研究的基础上,展望了微囊藻毒素免疫检测技术的发展方向。     

基于经验模式分解的心电特征提取算法

本研究应用基于经验模式分解的心电特征提取方法,利用第一本征模函数(intrinsic mode function,IMF)分量对QRS波进行定位,并通过减少分解层数、筛选次数、处理区域等策略实现了快速算法。利用MIT-BIT心律失常数据库的数据进行算法测试,取得较高的检测率,检测速度也有明显提高。实验结果表明,经验模式分解算法在QRS波定位中具有相当的优越性,临床应用中取得了良好的检测效果。     

Rapid molecular cytogenetic analysis of X-chromosomal microdeletions: Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for complex glycerol kinase deficiency

Diagnosis of X-chromosomal microdeletions has relied upon the traditional methods of Southern blotting and DNA amplification, with carrier identification requiring timeconsuming and unreliable dosage calculations. In this report, we describe rapid molecular cytogenetic identification of deleted DNA in affected males with the Xp21 contiguous gene syndrome (complex glycerol kinase deficiency, CGKD) and female carriers for this disorder. CGKD deletions involve the genes for glycerol kinase, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and/or adrenal hypoplasia congenita. We report an improved method for diagnosis of deletions in individuals with CGKD and for identification of female carriers within their families, using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a cosmid marker (cosmid 35) within the glycerol kinase gene. When used in combination with an Xq control probe, affected males demonstrate a single signal from the control probe, while female carriers demonstrate a normal chromosome with two signals, as well as a deleted chromosome with a single signal from the control probe. FISH analysis for CGKD provides the advantages of speed and accuracy for evaluation of submicroscopic X-chromosomal deletions, particularly in identification of female carriers. In addition to improving carrier evaluation, FISH will make prenatal diagnosis of CGKD more readily available. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Variable dystrophin expression in different muscles of a Duchenne muscular dystrophy carrier

The majority of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) female carriers show dystrophin immunostaining abnormalities, although a significant proportion of clinically non-manifesting carriers are normal following this analysis. We had the opportunity to study dystrophin immunostaining in two different muscles, the vastus lateralis and the rectus abdominis of a possible DMD carrier. While the vastus showed normal dystrophin immunostaining, pathological staining was detected in her rectus abdominis. These findings seem to indicate that dystrophin expression can vary in different muscle groups of a DMD carrier. The implications of these findings in DMD carrier detection and possible dystrophin function are discussed.     

Detection and analysis of gastrointestinal sounds in normal and small bowel obstructed rats

This study is aimed at detecting gastrointestinal sounds (GIS) and correlating their characteristics with gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. The central hypotheses are that GIS generation depends on the motility patterns and the mechanical properties of the gut, and that changes in those result in measurable differences in GIS. An animal model which included both healthy rats and those with small bowel obstruction (SBO) was developed. The acoustic bursts, of GIS were detected by amplitude thresholding the signal envelope. Three methods of envelope estimation were proposed and evaluated. Envelope estimation using a Hilbert transform was found to produce the best results in the current application. The duration and dominant frequency of each detected GIS event was estimated and clear differences between healthy and diseased rats were discovered. In the control state, GIS events were found to consistently be of relatively short duration (3–65ms). Although the majority of events in the SBO state had similar short duration, infrequent longer events were also detected and appeared to be pathognomonic. Long duration events (>100 ms) occurred in each of seven obstructed, but in none of 14 non-obstructed, cases (p<0.001). It is concluded that GIS analysis may prove useful in the non-invasive, rapid, and accurate diagnosis of SBO.     

The motivation of at-risk individuals and their partners in deciding for or against predictive testing for Huntington''s disease

Sixty-six percent of the at-risk persons and 74% of the partners in a large survey in Belgium have the intention of making use of predictive testing for Huntington's disease. One third of them, however, have expressed the intention of postponing the final decision for various reasons. The intention to be tested is not at all related to sociodemographic characteristics. A thorough exploration of the reasons for being in favour of or against taking the test reveals that the motivation inspiring this very personal decision is very complex. In the group of at-risk persons, less than half of the variation in the intention to be tested is explained by the role of a series of specific reasons as predictor variables in a regression analysis. The proportion of explained variation is slightly higher in the group of partners. 'To have certainty about my own future' and 'to make arrangements for the future' play a major part in the decision of the total group. 'Making decisions concerning children' and to a larger extent 'informing children about their risk status' are important factors in deciding in favour of the test.