小鼠膜性肾小球肾炎复制方法及免疫荧光定量研究

目的：介绍实验性小鼠膜性肾小球肾炎(MGN)的复制方法，并探讨其免疫荧光定量分析在肾小球肾炎研究中的应用价值。方法：制备阳离子化牛血清白蛋白(GBSA)并复制小鼠MGN，对各组小鼠进行电镜及免疫荧光观察，并进行免疫荧光定量研究。结果：电镜、免疫荧光观察均显示病理Ⅰ组(PⅡ组)具有典型的MGN病变，病理Ⅱ组(PⅡ组)病变轻微且不典型。免疫荧光定量研究证实PⅠ、PⅡ组与对照组差异有显著性；PⅠ、PⅡ组间差异无显著性。结论：C—BSA可作为复制小鼠MGN的良好抗原，隔日2mg／只尾静脉注射4w即可复制出稳定的小鼠MGN模型。免疫荧光定量分析不仅能直接而准确地反映MGN病理变化，而且在MGN早期即具有诊断价值。     

FKBP6基因278C/A单核苷酸多态性与原发无精症相关研究

目的对FKBP6基因第3、4外显子进行突变和多态性筛查,研究第3外显子278C/A位点及第2内含子C/T位点(rs7797242)在无精症患者和正常男性中的多态性,初步探讨与原发无精症的相关性。方法采用变性高效液相色谱和聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性方法,对第3、4外显子进行突变和多态性筛查,对177例无精症患者和231名正常男性的278C/A和C/T(rs7797242)多态性进行基因分型。结果278C和278A等位基因频率符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡。无精症患者278A显著低于正常对照,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。C/T多态性在两组中均未检出,第3、4外显子未筛查到新的变异。结论278A等位基因可能与原发无精症相关。C/T(rs7797242)及370G/A,430G/C,467T/C,468G/A在中国人群中非常罕见。     

MicroRNAs及其在泌尿系肿瘤的研究进展

microRNAs（miRNAs）是一类分布十分广泛的内源性非编码RNA,在动物、植物、病毒中广泛存在。miRNAs与肿瘤的发生发展预后有关,并在肿瘤的增殖、分化及调亡等方面有重要的作用。结合最近相关文献,本文就miRNAs与泌尿系肿瘤方面的进展作简要概述。     

Characterization of an immunologic polymorphism (D79H) in the heavy chain of factor V.

BACKGROUND: During the study of a family with hereditary factor (F)V deficiency (FV Amersfoort, 1102 A > T in exon 7) we identified an individual with 5% FV heavy chain antigen (FV(HC)) and 50% FV light chain antigen (FV(LC)). Further testing revealed that apart from the FV Amersfoort allele a second variant FV allele was segregating in this family, which encodes for a FV molecule with a reduced affinity for mAb V-23 used in the FV heavy chain ELISA (ELISA(HC)). OBJECTIVE: Identification and characterization of the molecular basis responsible for the reduced affinity of the variant FV for mAb V-23. METHODS: Family members of the proband were screened for mutations in the exons coding for the heavy chain of FV, after which the recombinant variant FV could be generated and characterized. Next, the cases and controls of the Leiden Thrombophilia Study (LETS) were genotyped for carriership of the variant FV. RESULTS: In the variant FV allele a polymorphism in exon 3 (409G > C) was identified, which predicts the replacement of aspartic acid 79 by histidin (D79H). Introduction of this mutation in recombinant FV confirmed that it reduces the affinity for binding to mAb V-23. The substitution has no effect on FV(a) stability and Xa-cofactor activity. In Caucasians the frequency of the FV-79H allele is approximately 5%. Analysis of the LETS revealed that the FV-79H allele is not associated with FV levels (FV(LC)), activated protein C sensitivity (using an activated partial thromboplastin time-based test) or risk of venous thrombosis (OR 1.07, CI 95: 0.7-1.7). CONCLUSION: The D79H substitution in FV should be considered as a neutral polymorphism. The monoclonal antibody V-23, which has a strongly reduced affinity for FV-79H, is not suitable for application in diagnostic tests.     

Parkinson's disease in Africa: A systematic review of epidemiologic and genetic studies.

Parkinson's disease (PD) occurs worldwide, but little is known about PD in Africa. We systematically reviewed publications on PD in Africa, with emphasis on epidemiologic and genetic studies. Articles published between 1944 and December 2004 were identified using several strategies. The studies emanated from 13 African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Togo, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Zimbabwe, and South Africa). The publications fell into four categories: clinical series (n = 17), prevalence studies (n = 7), incidence studies (n = 1), and genetic studies (n = 3). The clinical series documented the occurrence of PD in Africa and described its clinical characteristics. The prevalence studies suggested some intracontinental geographic variation in PD prevalence. Overall, the prevalence figures and the incidence rates of PD in Africa appeared lower than those reported for European and North American populations. Few genetic studies of PD have been reported from Africa, and none in blacks. There are no case-control or cohort studies of PD reported from Africa. This review provides a summary of PD research in Africa over the past 60 years and highlights the information gaps and potential areas for future research.     

Association analysis of genes in the renin‐angiotensin system with subclinical cardiovascular disease in families with Type 2 diabetes mellitus: The Diabetes Heart Study

Aims Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major complication of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) and nitric oxide production are both important regulators of vascular function and blood pressure. Genes encoding proteins involved in these pathways are candidates for a contribution to CVD in diabetic patients. We have investigated variants of the angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) genes for association with subclinical measures of CVD in families with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods Atherosclerosis was measured by carotid intima‐media thickness and calcification of the carotid and coronary arteries in 620 European Americans and 117 African Americans in the Diabetes Heart Study. Because of the role of these systems in blood pressure regulation, blood pressure was also investigated. Results Compelling evidence of association was not detected with any of the SNPs with any outcome measures after adjustments for covariates despite sufficient power to detect relatively small differences in traits for specific genotype combinations. Conclusions Genetic variation of the RAS and NOS3 genes do not appear to strongly influence subclinical cardiovascular disease or blood pressure in this diabetic population.     

Effect of cystathionine beta-synthase variant 844ins68bp and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase A1298C polymorphisms in xenografts on 5-FU efficacy and doubling time

The association of MTHFR and CBS variants with the doubling time and responsiveness to several chemodrugs was analyzed in 26 human cancer xenografts. The tumors homozygous for the absence of insertion (NN) for the CBS 844ins68bp were more chemosensitive than those with insertion (NI) to TS-1 (P=0.0048), suggesting a potential effect of this variant on fluoropyrimidine efficacy. Furthermore, the doubling time of tumors with a variant C allele (AC or CC) in MTHFR-A1298C was significantly longer than that of tumors with a normal allele (AA) (P=0.0008). Twenty-nine cellular proliferation-related genes were associated with MTHFR-A1298C genotyping and with the doubling time.     

No association of C-1019G promoter polymorphism of 5-HT1A receptor gene with migraine

It is well known that migraine has a strong genetic component, although the type and number of genes involved remains unclear. There is evidence to suggest that serotonin-related genes may be involved in the pathogenesis of migraine. To investigate whether the 5-HT1A receptor gene contributes to the risk of migraine we performed an association study of C-1019G promoter polymorphism of the gene in 102 migraineurs and 93 controls. Subjects were of Han Chinese origin. No significant differences in allele (P=0.82) or genotype frequencies (P=0.71) were seen in migraineurs compared with the controls. When migraine with aura, without aura, with family history, without family history were analyzed separately, the frequencies did not vary significantly. Our results suggest that C-1019G in 5-HT1A is not a major genetic risk factor for migraine.     

Cav1.1基因26内含子67位点A/G多态性与甲状腺功能亢进性周期性瘫痪的相关性研究

目的探讨钙通道α1亚基（Cav1．1）基因26内含子-67A／G多态性与男性甲状腺功能亢进（简称甲亢）性周期性瘫痪（TPP）的相关性。方法采用多聚酶链反应-单链构象多态性（PCR-SSCP）方法检测46例男性TPP患者（TPP组）、68例男性甲亢患者（GD组）和72名男性健康对照者（CON组）Cav1．1基因26内含子-67A／G多态性。分析比较此多态位点基因型和等位基因在不同人群中分布的差异。结果（1）TPP组、GD组及CON组AG＋GG基因型频率分别为47．83％、14．71％、29．17％，G等位基因频率分别为44．57％、13．24％、27．78％。（2）TPP组AG＋GG基因型频率明显高于GD组和CON组（OR=5．32，P〈0．01；OR=2．23，P=0．04），TPP组G等位基因频率明显高于GD组和CON组（OR=5．27，P〈0．01；OR=2．09，P=0．008）。结论Cav1．1基因26内含子-67位点A／G多态性与男性TPP有相关性。