Fluorotyping of HLA-C: differential detection of amplicons by sequence-specific priming and fluorogenic probing

Conventional PCR-SSP, which is based on an agarose gel-based read-out, has the disadvantages of time-consuming post-PCR steps and low potential for automation. The aim of our study was to sort out these drawbacks by establishing a fluorescence-based PCR-SSP system for HLA-C. The assay relies on the sequence-specific identification of amplicons with individually labeled probes that are cleaved during successful PCR by the 5'-3' exonuclease activity of the Taq-DNA Polymerase. The oligonucleotides are labeled with a unique and spectrally resolvable fluorescent reporter dye at the 5' terminus (FAM or TET) and a common quencher dye at the 3' terminus (TAMRA). In case of amplification, the reporter escapes from the quenching control caused by the physical separation of the dyes, resulting in a significant increase of the reporter fluorescence. This allows simultaneous and differential detection of the specific HLA (FAM) and internal control (TET) product. The HLA-C fluorotyping information is based on the individual reporter fluorescence released by 18 PCR primer mixes. Using this method, we analyzed 145 samples previously typed with conventional PCR-SSP and found a concordance rate of 100%. Furthermore, fluorotyping revealed quantitative results that may indicate the presence of homozygosity by high signal intensities. This provided extra protection not to miss new alleles which are not amplified by the current primer mixes. These features as well as the capability of high sample throughput and the possibility of automation makes fluorotyping an attractive tool for PCR-based HLA typing.     

An experimental model for canine visceral leishmaniasis

Seven mixed-breed dogs were challenged with either promastigotes or amastigotes of Leishmania donovani infantum strains recently isolated from naturally infected dogs. Different routes and numbers of parasites were utilized and each dog was monitored for at least 1 year post-infection. Anti-parasite specific antibody levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbence, immunofluorescence, crossed-immune electrophoresis and Western blotting on crude antigen. Western blotting on two pure parasite proteins, dp72 and gp70-2, was also done. Mitogenic and antigen-specific stimulation of peripheral blood lymphocytes was monitored; and the haematological, clinical and parasitological parameters measured. Dogs challenged with amastigotes exhibited a more pronounced humoral response to leishmanial antigens. Only in one case was strong antigen-specific proliferation detected. Clinical signs of disease, including hypergammaglobulinaemia, enlarged lymph nodes and the presence of parasites, were also more apparent in the dogs challenged with amastigotes. None of the seven dogs died. Serum antibodies to leishmanial antigens were apparent between 1.5 to 3 months following challenge and correlated with the appearance of enlarged lymph nodes, hypergammaglobulinaemia and the presence of parasites in tissue biopsies. Serum antibodies remained chronically high in these dogs throughout the period of the study. Only one dog (1/3) challenged intravenously with promastigotes and the dog challenged intradermally with amastigotes produced transient antibody responses to leishmanial antigen.     

Altered enzyme activities of xenobiotic biotransformation in kidneys after subchronic administration of 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (MX) to rats

Activities of the xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes were measured in the liver, kidney, duodenum and lung microsomes and cytosol fractions of Wistar rats after subchronic administration of 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (MX), a potent bacterial mutagen in chlorinated drinking water. MX was administered by gavage at the dose level of 30 mg/kg for 18 weeks (low dose), or at the dose level which was raised gradually from 45 mg/kg for 7 weeks via 60 mg/kg for 2 weeks to a clearly toxic dose of 75 mg/kg for 5 weeks (high dose). Microsomal and cytosolic preparations were made and the activities of 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), pentoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase (PROD), NADPH-cytochrome-c-reductase, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were measured. Kidneys were affected most. A dose-dependent decrease was observed in EROD (90% in males, 80% in females at the high dose) and in PROD (58% in females, at the high dose) in kidneys. An increase was, however, detected in kidney NADPH-cytochrome-c-reductase (66% in females at high dose), UDPGT (89% in males and 97% in females at high dose) and GST activities (56% in males and 50% in females at high dose). MX caused only a few changes in the enzyme activities of the liver. The EROD activity was decreased 25% to 37%, both in the livers of males and females, but the total content of P450s was not altered. Hepatic GST activity was elevated in females in a dose-dependent manner (31% and 44%). GST activity was elevated in duodenum in females (59%) at the high dose. There were no marked changes in the enzyme activities in the lungs. MX was a weak inhibitor of EROD activity both in the liver and kidney microsomes in vitro, decreasing the EROD activity by 53% and 43%, respectively at the concentration of 0.9 mM. The results indicate that MX decreases the activity of phase I metabolism enzymes, but induces phase II conjugation enzyme activities, particularly in kidneys in vivo. It is possible that these changes contribute to metabolism of MX in kidneys and renders them susceptible to MX in the course of repeated exposure.     

前列腺癌患者外周血中前列腺特异抗原,前列腺特异膜抗原和人腺体激肽释放酶mRNA的表达及临床意义

目的:采用巢式RT-PCR方法,检测前列腺癌合并骨转移的患者外周血中前列腺特异抗原(PSA)、前列腺特异膜抗原(PSMA)和人腺体激肽释放酶mRNA的表达,探讨其临床意义.方法:应用巢式RT-PCR的方法,检测外周血中PSA、PSMA和hK2mRNA表达.结果:巢式PCR能够检测到经淋巴细胞稀释的LNCaP细胞的PSA、PSM和hK2mRNA的灵敏度,稀释浓度分别为10-6、10-6及10-7.检测初发伴骨转移的前列腺癌患者外周血PSA、PSMA和hK2mRNA的阳性率分别为59.45%、51.35%、59.46%,其中三种检测同时阳性的为32.43%;检测接受内分泌治疗后出现骨转移的前列腺癌患者的阳性率分别为57.14%、85.71%、83.33%,其中三种检测同时阳性的为52.48%.局限性前列腺癌患者、健康男性及健康女性的检测结果均为阴性.以β-actin mRNA做为内参照,所有临床标本检测均为阳性.结论:采用巢式RT-PCR检测前列腺癌患者外周血PSMA、hK2和PSA mRNA有助于发现进入循环系统的前列腺癌细胞,提示隐匿性转移的存在.PSMA和hK2较适合用于内分泌治疗后患者的检测.三种指标联合检测有助于提高敏感性.     

人血浆高敏感性C反应蛋白与代谢综合征相关性分析

目的:了解我国人群血浆高敏感性C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)水平与代谢综合征(MS)关系及其它影响hs-CRP水平的相关因素。方法:1198例血浆标本来自2006年3月~2006年11月在浙江省桐乡市第三人民医院体检人群。采用Beckm an LX20血生化全自动生化仪及其配套试剂,测定上述空腹血浆标本中血糖(FPG)、甘油三脂(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-c)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-c)和hs-CRP水平。MS诊断标准参照中华医学会推荐标准。采用SPSS13.0统计学软件,分析hs-CRP水平与MS关系及其它影响hs-CRP水平的相关因素。结果:男性hs-CRP水平(x±s=1.55±0.53)高于女性(x±s=1.32±0.56)(P<0.001)。15.3%被检者(183/1198)患有MS,其hs-CRP水平明显高于非MS者(P<0.001)。各MS判断指标中,分别有肥胖、高血压病、糖尿病、高TG、低HDL-c时,其hs-CRP水平也明显升高(P<0.001)。排除年龄、性别影响后,hs-CRP水平与MS显著相关(OR值2.18,P<0.001)。结论:hs-CRP水平与MS密切相关,hs-CRP水平增高可作为独立反映MS发生的标志性检测指标。     

The predictive value of specific immunoglobulin E levels for the first diagnosis of cow''s milk allergy. A critical analysis of pediatric literature

Investigators have tried to identify a level of seric specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) that had a sufficient predictive value to diagnose a food allergy without having will resort to the food challenge. To search in literature, all the studies that have estimated the possibility to identify a level of seric specific cow milk IgE with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 95% for the first diagnosis of cow's milk allergy (CMA) in pediatric age. We have identified six studies, nearly all studies suffer from relevant methodological bias. Proposed cut-off are all different. The studied pediatric populations were highly selected. Also neglecting the methodological bias of the studies and the great difference of value between the proposed cut-off, it always remains to consider that the pre-test probability of having a CMA between the children enrolled in the six studies included in this review is particularly high. The likelihood ratio helps to transfer the results of a study on a diagnostic test just to our population, and it is more realistic rather than to entrust itself to the PPV or the negative predictive value, that are much influenced from the prevalence of the disease in the studied population.     

不同起搏模式对病人生存质量影响的调查研究

[目的]探讨不同起搏模式对病人生存质量（QOL）的影响。[方法]以健康调查问卷（SF一36量表）对112例不同起搏模式病人进行问卷调查，比较3种起搏模式下病人的QOL水平。[结果]除机体疼痛、角色情绪2个维度外其余6个维度（生理功能、角色限制、活力、社会功能、精神健康、总体健康）3种起搏模式间比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。[结论]应用AAI型、DDD型起搏器的病人生存质量优于VVI型起搏。     

云南罗平医院员工对医院的认同度分析

通过问卷调查和访谈分析,调查了云南罗平医院194名员工对医院的认同度,调查对象包括行政、临床和后勤人员,从医院管理模式、医院绩效考核、医院薪酬待遇等方面用描述统计方法分析了数据,显示了医院员工的认同度情况及管理中存在的问题,并分析了不同因素对医院员工的认同度影响,为进一步改善医院管理状况,提高管理水平提供了参考。     

四类抗感染药物不良反应相关因素的探讨与分析

目的：使输液疗法中药物不良反应降到最低限度，使患者获得安全、有效的治疗，同时，也是对有限药物资源的维护。方法：对用四类抗感染药物出现不良反应91例患者行减慢输液速度、平卧、松解领扣、按合谷穴、心理护理、保暖、进饮食等处置。结果：91例药物不良反应，有89例顺利完成输液治疗，2例无效，更换药物。结论：有责任感，加强观察护理及时发现患者反应前驱症状，迅速采取有效措施，会取得满意效果。