Endostar combined with chemotherapy compared with chemotherapy alone in the treatment of nonsmall lung carcinoma: A meta-analysis based on Chinese patients

INTRODUCTION

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-associated death world-wide. And the lung cancer is generally divided into small cell lung carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer. For advanced NSCLC, the chemotherapy and target therapy were the important treatment modality. This meta-analysis was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and toxicity between endostar combined chemotherapy and chemotherapy alone in Chinese patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, and CNKI databases to find the potential relevant articles reporting the endostar combined with chemotherapy regimen in the treatment of nonsmall cell lung cancer in Chinese patients. The tumor response and toxicity difference between the two groups were demonstrated by odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI). All the data was pooled by Stata 11.0 (http://www.stata.com; Stata Corporation, College Station, TX) software.

RESULTS

We included 14 studies published in Chinese or English studies. The pooled results showed adding endostar in the chemotherapy regimen can significant increase the objective response rate (OR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.87-3.12, P = 0.00) and disease control rate (OR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.68-2.94, P = 0.00). For toxicities, the pooled data showed no statistical difference for grade III-IV granulocytopenia risk (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.74-1.44, P = 0.83). Nausea and vomiting (OR = 0.93 95% CI: 0.51-1.52, P = 0.78) and grade III-IV alopecia (OR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.76-1.29, P = 0.95). The funnel plot showed no statistical publications.

CONCLUSION

Combined treatment with endostar can improve the response rate for NSCLC patients without increasing the risk of developing severe adverse event.

New measurement of antineutrino oscillation with the full detector configuration at Daya Bay

We report a new measurement of electron antineutrino disappearance using the fully constructed Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment. The final two of eight antineutrino detectors were installed in the summer of 2012. Including the 404 days of data collected from October 2012 to November 2013 resulted in a total exposure of 6.9×10^{5} GW_{th}  ton days, a 3.6 times increase over our previous results. Improvements in energy calibration limited variations between detectors to 0.2%. Removal of six ^{241}Am-^{13}C radioactive calibration sources reduced the background by a factor of 2 for the detectors in the experimental hall furthest from the reactors. Direct prediction of the antineutrino signal in the far detectors based on the measurements in the near detectors explicitly minimized the dependence of the measurement on models of reactor antineutrino emission. The uncertainties in our estimates of sin^{2}2θ_{13} and |Δm_{ee}^{2}| were halved as a result of these improvements. An analysis of the relative antineutrino rates and energy spectra between detectors gave sin^{2}2θ_{13}=0.084±0.005 and |Δm_{ee}^{2}|=(2.42±0.11)×10^{-3}  eV^{2} in the three-neutrino framework.

Effect of a pre-microRNA-149 (miR-149) genetic variation on the risk of ischemic stroke in a Chinese Han population

Clinical and experimental data have demonstrated that genetic factors play an important role in determining the susceptibility to ischemic stroke (IS). The present study was performed to clarify the association between the pre-microRNA-149 (miR-149) single nucleotide polymorphism rs71428439 and the risk of IS in the Jiangsu Han population. Polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism were performed to identify the genotypes of the miR-149 single-nucleotide polymorphism rs71428439 in 730 unrelated subjects (IS, 348; healthy controls, 382). Plasma levels of homocysteine were determined using a radioassay kit. Compared to healthy controls, IS patients had a lower frequency of GG genotype distribution of the hsa-mir-149 polymorphism (11.5 vs 16.0%) and a higher frequency of TT (46.6 vs 39.0%). The risk of IS was significantly lower among subjects carrying the GG genotype than subjects carrying the AA genotype (odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 0.603 (0.382- 0.952), P = 0.030) or at least carrying the G allele than patients carrying the A allele (odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 0.769 (0.620-0.954), P = 0.019). Levels of folate were statistically higher in patients with the TT genotype (8.59 ± 7.75 ng/mL) than in those with the CC genotype (6.32 ± 5.97 ng/mL) in IS patients. Our results suggest that the miR- 149 single nucleotide polymorphism rs71428439 influences plasma levels of homocysteine and is associated with IS risk in the Jiangsu Han population.

Search for a light sterile neutrino at Daya Bay

A search for light sterile neutrino mixing was performed with the first 217 days of data from the Daya Bay Reactor Antineutrino Experiment. The experiment's unique configuration of multiple baselines from six 2.9 GW(th) nuclear reactors to six antineutrino detectors deployed in two near (effective baselines 512 m and 561 m) and one far (1579 m) underground experimental halls makes it possible to test for oscillations to a fourth (sterile) neutrino in the 10(-3) eV(2)<|Δm(41)(2) |< 0.3 eV(2) range. The relative spectral distortion due to the disappearance of electron antineutrinos was found to be consistent with that of the three-flavor oscillation model. The derived limits on sin(2) 2θ(14) cover the 10(-3) eV(2) ≲ |Δm(41)(2)| ≲ 0.1 eV(2) region, which was largely unexplored.

Shock induced reaction of Ni/Al nanopowder mixture

Nanopowder Ni/Al mixture (mixed in Al:Ni = 2:1 stoichiometry) was shock compressed by employing single and two-stage light gas gun. The particle size of Al and Ni are 100-200 nm and 50-70 nm respectively, morphologies of Al and Ni are sphere like either. Recovered product was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. According to the XRD spectrum, the mixed powder undergo complete reaction under shock compression, reaction product consist of Ni2Al3, NiAl and corundum structure Al2O3 compound. Grain size of Ni-Al compound is less than 100 nm. With the shock pressure increasing, the ratio of Ni2Al3 decreased obviously. The corundum crystal size is 400-500 nm according to the SEM observation. The results of shock recovery experiments and analysis show that the threshold pressure for reaction of nano size powder Ni/Al mixture is much less than that of micro size powder.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genotypes and haplotypes associated with susceptibility to colorectal cancer in an eastern Chinese Han population

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) plays an important role in folate metabolism and is involved in DNA synthesis, DNA repair and DNA methylation. The two common functional polymorphisms of MTHFR, C677T and A1298C have been associated with several diseases, including cancer. We made a case-control study to analyze a possible association of MTHFR gene polymorphisms C677T and A1298C with risk for colorectal cancer in an eastern Chinese Han population of 137 patients with a confirmed histopathological diagnosis of CRC and 145 age- and gender-matched controls with no history of cancer. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples and the genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP. The concentrations of folate in plasma were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay. The MTHFR 677TT genotype had a protective effect against colorectal cancer, with an odds ratio (OR) = 0.467 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.225-0.966). The 1298CC genotype was significantly correlated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer (OR = 0.192; 95%CI = 0.040-0.916). Compared with the MTHFR 677CC and MTHFR 1298 AA genotypes, for individuals who carried both MTHFR 677CC and 1298CC genotypes, the OR of colorectal cancer was 0.103 (95%CI = 0.012-0.900); among individuals who carried both MTHFR 677TT and 1298AC genotypes, the OR for risk of colorectal cancer was 0.169 (95%CI = 0.044-0.654). MTHFR 677TT+CT genotypes had a significantly lower plasma folate concentration than those with the MTHFR 677CC genotype. MTHFR 1298AC+CC genotypes had a lower plasma folate concentration than those with the MTHFR 1298AA genotype (P < 0.05). In conclusion, subjects with the MTHFR 677TT and MTHFR 1298CC genotypes appeared to have a significantly lower risk for colorectal cancer. MTHFR haplotypes 677CC/1298CC and 677TT/1298AC were less common in cases than in controls. These haplotypes, when compared to the most common haplotype 677CC/1298AA, were associated with a decreased risk for colorectal cancer. We conclude that plasma folate level is influenced by MTHFR genotypes.

Immobilisation of heavy metal in cement-based solidification/stabilisation: a review

Heavy metal-bearing waste usually needs solidification/stabilization (s/s) prior to landfill to lower the leaching rate. Cement is the most adaptable binder currently available for the immobilisation of heavy metals. The selection of cements and operating parameters depends upon an understanding of chemistry of the system. This paper discusses interactions of heavy metals and cement phases in the solidification/stabilisation process. It provides a clarification of heavy metal effects on cement hydration. According to the decomposition rate of minerals, heavy metals accelerate the hydration of tricalcium silicate (C3S) and Portland cement, although they retard the precipitation of portlandite due to the reduction of pH resulted from hydrolyses of heavy metal ions. The chemical mechanism relevant to the accelerating effect of heavy metals is considered to be H+ attacks on cement phases and the precipitation of calcium heavy metal double hydroxides, which consumes calcium ions and then promotes the decomposition of C3S. In this work, molecular models of calcium silicate hydrate gel are presented based on the examination of 29Si solid-state magic angle spinning/nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS/NMR). This paper also reviews immobilisation mechanisms of heavy metals in hydrated cement matrices, focusing on the sorption, precipitation and chemical incorporation of cement hydration products. It is concluded that further research on the phase development during cement hydration in the presence of heavy metals and thermodynamic modelling is needed to improve effectiveness of cement-based s/s and extend this waste management technique.

Characterisation of products of tricalcium silicate hydration in the presence of heavy metals

The hydration of tricalcium silicate (C(3)S) in the presence of heavy metal is very important to cement-based solidification/stabilisation (s/s) of waste. In this work, tricalcium silicate pastes and aqueous suspensions doped with nitrate salts of Zn(2+), Pb(2+), Cu(2+) and Cr(3+) were examined at different ages by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (DTA/TG) and (29)Si solid-state magic angle spinning/nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS/NMR). It was found that heavy metal doping accelerated C(3)S hydration, even though Zn(2+) doping exhibited a severe retardation effect at an early period of time of C(3)S hydration. Heavy metals retarded the precipitation of portlandite due to the reduction of pH resulted from the hydrolysis of heavy metal ions during C(3)S hydration. The contents of portlandite in the control, Cr(3+)-doped, Cu(2+)-doped, Pb(2+)-doped and Zn(2+)-doped C(3)S pastes aged 28 days were 16.7, 5.5, 5.5, 5.5, and <0.7%, respectively. Heavy metals co-precipitated with calcium as double hydroxides such as (Ca(2)Cr(OH)(7).3H(2)O, Ca(2)(OH)(4)4Cu(OH)(2).2H(2)O and CaZn(2)(OH)(6).2H(2)O). These compounds were identified as crystalline phases in heavy metal doping C(3)S suspensions and amorphous phases in heavy metal doping C(3)S pastes. (29)Si NMR data confirmed that heavy metals promoted the polymerisation of C-S-H gel in 1-year-old of C(3)S pastes. The average numbers of Si in C-S-H gel for the Zn(2+)-doped, Cu(2+)-doped, Cr(3+)-doped, control, and Pb(2+)-doped C(3)S pastes were 5.86, 5.11, 3.66, 3.62, and 3.52. And the corresponding Ca/Si ratios were 1.36, 1.41, 1.56, 1.57 and 1.56, respectively. This study also revealed that the presence of heavy metal facilitated the formation of calcium carbonate during C(3)S hydration process in the presence of carbon dioxide.

Angular-dependent I-V characteristics in borocarbide superconductor YNi(2)B(2)C

We present angular-dependent current-voltage (I-V) measurements in borocarbide YNi(2)B(2)C single crystals near the vortex-glass irreversible line. External magnetic fields are applied along the angle θ with respect to the c-axis. The nonlinear I-V curves reveal scaling behaviour near the transition. Using the scaling analysis, the relevant critical exponents and vortex transition temperatures are determined for all orientations. The data agrees well with the vortex-glass (VG) model. No evidence was found that supports the existence of a Bose-glass (BG) type of transition.

Using large eddy simulation to study particle motions in a room

As people spend most of their time in an indoor environment, it is important to predict indoor pollutant level in order to assess health risks. As particles are an important pollutant indoors, it is of great interest to study the airflow pattern and particle dispersion in buildings. This study uses large eddy simulation (LES) to predict three-dimensional and transient turbulent flows and a Lagrangian model to compute particle trajectories in a room. The motion of three different types of solid particles in a decaying homogeneous isotropic turbulent airflow is calculated. By comparing the computed results with the experimental data from the literature, the computational method used in this investigation is found to be successful in predicting the airflow and particle trajectories in terms of the second-order statistics, such as the mean-square displacement and turbulent intensity. This Lagrangian model is then applied to the study of particles' dispersion in a ventilated cavity with a simplified geometry for two ventilation scenarios. It is shown that light particles follow the airflow in the room and many particles are exhausted, while heavier particles deposit to the floor or/and are exhausted.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The results of this paper can be used to study dispersion of infectious diseases in enclosed spaces in which virus or bacteria are often attached to particles and transported to different rooms in a building through ventilation systems. In most of studies, the virus or bacteria have been considered to be gaseous phase so there is no slip between virus/bacteria and air. The results in this paper show that heavier particles are submitted to gravity and are sensitive to the ventilation strategy.

Nickel(0)-catalyzed fluoroalkylation of alkenes, alkynes, and aromatics with perfluoroalkyl chlorides

Treatment of perfluoroalkyl chlorides (R(F)Cl) with alkenes, alkynes, or aromatics in the presence of 0.1 equiv of nickel dichloride, 1.5 equiv of zinc powder, and 0.4 equiv of triphenylphosphine in DMF at 95-100 degrees C for 6-8 h give the corresponding perfluoroalkylated products in good yields. A single electron-transfer mechanism is suggested.

Inhibitory potential of herbal medicines on human cytochrome P450-mediated oxidation: properties of umbelliferous or citrus crude drugs and their relative prescriptions

To investigate the possible drug interaction with herbal medicine, hot water decoctions or 40% ethanol infusions of several Umbelliferous or Citrus crude drugs and their prescriptions were examined in vitro for their abilities to inhibit human cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A). Addition of each decoction or infusion from Baizhi (Angelica dahurica and varieties), Qianghuo (Notopterygium incisum or N. forbesii), Duhuo (Angelica biserrata), Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia divaricata), Danggui (Angelicasinensis), Zhishi or Zhiqiao (Citrus aurantium) resulted in various degrees of human CYP3A inhibition as determined by microsomal testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation. The inhibitory potency was consistent with the abundance of the hydrophobic components for each sample. Experiments on the infusion of a Japanese Baizhi (BZ1) showed the major role of furanocoumarins on human CYP3A inhibition. Some of the crude drugs and a related prescription showed increased inhibition after the preincubation, suggesting the involvement of a mechanism-based inhibition. Some formulated prescriptions, however, showed intense inhibition with their hydrophobic fractions rather than with their hydrophobic fractions, suggesting that components other than furanocoumarins in herbal prescriptions may also cause CYP3A inhibition. These results indicate the necessity of intensive investigations on the possible drug interaction with traditional medicines.

Autoimmune hypogonadism as part of an autoimmune polyglandular syndrome

The most compelling case for autoimmune mediated hypogonadism occurs when ovarian failure is part of an autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS). In patients with the rare, recessively inherited type 1 APS (APS-1), characterized by the triad of chronic mucocutaneous moniliasis, hypoparathyroidism, and Addison's disease, primary amenorrhea (elevated pituitary gonadotropins) or oligomenorrhea and infertility are constant features. Ovarian failure is associated with autoantibodies to steroid hormone secreting cells in the adrenal cortex, Leydig cells of the testes, granulosa/thecal cells of the Graffian follicles, corpus luteum, and the syncytiotrophoblast of the placenta. These autoantibodies react with 3 P450 enzymes involved with steroidogenesis, namely, 21-hydroxylase (adrenal specific), 17 alpha-hydroxylase, and the side chain cleavage enzyme. Recently the 14 exon, APS-1 (autoimmune regulator or AIRE) gene has been cloned (chr. 21p22.3), and multiple mutants discovered. Parents who are obligatory heterozygotes for a single mutant gene lack clinical features of APS-1. They also do not develop APS-1 autoantibodies. Thus, hypogonadal patients without features of APS-1 are unlikely to have AIRE gene mutations. In the more common APS-2/3, characterized by combinations of autoimmune thyroid disease, immune mediated type 1 diabetes, vitiligo, pernicious anemia, and Addison's disease (type 2, not type 3), ovarian disease may be seen. In primary hypogonadism outside of the context of an APS, these autoantibodies are rare.

A novel mimetic enzymatic fluorescence immunoassay for hepatitis B surface antigen by using a thermal phase separating polymer

Iron tetrasulfonatophthalocyanine (FeTSPc), a peroxidase mimic, was used as a labeling reagent and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIP) as the separation support of the immune complex for the mimetic-enzymatic immunoassay of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). PNIP was precipitated from aqueous solution when the ambient temperature was higher than its lower critical solution temperature of 31 degrees C. In a sandwich immunoassay, the antigen (HBsAg) first reacted with mouse anti-human HBsAg antibody immobilized on PNIP (PNIP-antibody) and then further reacted with FeTSPc-labeled mouse anti-HBsAg antibody (antibody-FeTSPc) at room temperature in a homogeneous format. After changing the temperature to separate the PNIP-antibody-HBsAg-antibody-FeTSPc conjugate moiety, it was re-dissolved and determined by coupling with the fluorogenic reaction of hydrogen peroxide and p-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid. The sensitivity of this method (3 ng mL-1) was close to that of the traditional ELISA using the same reactants. However, the assay was much faster (the assay time decreased from 100-120 to 45 min). This method was applied to determine HBsAg in human serum with satisfactory results.

A novel method for the determination of total protein in human serum by near infrared fluorescence recovery

A novel fluorometric method has been developed for the determination of total protein in human serum with a new near-IR reagent as a fluorescence probe, based on the fluorescence recovery of the cyanine-CTAB system in the presence of protein. Maximum fluorescence is produced with maximum excitation and emission wave-lengths at 765 and 812 nm, respectively. Under optimal conditions, the calibration graphs are linear over the range 0.4-12.0 microg/mL for protein. The detection limit is 70 ng/mL, and the relative standard deviation of six replicate measurements is 1.14% for 6.0 microg/mL protein. The results are satisfactory.

The human leukocyte antigen HLA DRB3*020/DQA1*0501 haplotype is associated with Graves' disease in African Americans

Information on genetic susceptibility to Graves' disease in African Americans is limited. We studied DRB1, DQB1, DRB3 subtypes, DQA1*0501, DQA1*0201, and CTLA-4 polymorphisms in 49 African American patients with adult onset Graves' disease and 47 racially-matched controls using PCR-based sequence-specific priming methods. There were no significant differences in DRB1 or DQB1 allelic frequencies or CTLA-4 polymorphisms between patients and controls. However, we found that the frequency of DRB3 was significantly increased in the patients (75.5% vs. 57.4%, P = 0.006, X2 = 3.52), especially for the DRB3*0202 subtype (53.1% vs. 23.4, P = 0.003, X2 = 8.91). In this one respect, the finding was in concordance with our previous observations in Caucasian patients with adult-onset Graves' disease. In addition, whereas the frequency of DQA1*0501 was increased (P = 0.018, X2 = 5.63) in our patients, the haplotype of DRB3/DQA1*0501, or DRB3*0202/DQA1*0501 was found to be more strongly associated (P = 0.008, X2 = 7.0; P = 0.0008, X2 = 11.34, respectively). These data suggest that DRB3*0202, particularly when found with DQA1*0501 in a haplotype is a susceptible gene(s) for Graves' disease in adult African Americans. Considering these data with those in Caucasian patients, our results would suggest that the primary Graves susceptible locus is likely DRB3 and not DRB1.

Determination of proteins at nanogram levels by their quenching effect on large particle scattering of colloidal silver chloride

A novel quantitative method for the determination of proteins in aqueous solutions has been based on the quenching of the resonance scattering light of colloidal silver chloride in the presence of proteins. The detection limits for eight kinds of proteins (BSA, HSA, egg albumin, human gamma-IgG,alpha-chymotrypsin, E. Coli. alpsase, myoglobin, alpha-casein) were at about 8 ng/mL; the linear ranges of the calibration curves were 10-400 ng/mL under optimal conditions,except for human gamma-IgG (20-400 ng/mL), myoglobin (10-300 ng/mL), and alpha-casein (10-300 ng/mL). Three wavelengths (398 nm, 475 nm, 499 nm) were all suitable for the determination and any acidity from pH 3.0 to pH 9.0 could be chosen. A few non-protein substances at high concentration levels interfered with this method, but this problem could simply be overcome by diluting the samples before the assay. Mechanism studies showed that the quenching effect of proteins on the scattering light of colloidal silver chloride was mainly due to the coagulation of AgCl particles retarded by protein. The method was employed for the determination of total protein in human serum with satisfactory results.

Application of magdala red as a fluorescence probe in the determination of nucleic acids

A fluorescence quenching method was developed for the rapid determination of DNA and RNA using magdala red as fluorescence probe. In weakly acidic medium, the fluorescence of magdala red (lambdaex/lambdaem = 540/555 nm) can be largely quenched by DNA or RNA. The calibration graphs are linear over the range 0.01-1.2 microg/mL for both calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) and salmon DNA (SM DNA), and 0.015-1.0 microg/mL for yeast RNA, respectively. The corresponding detection limits are 6.0 ng/mL for CT DNA, 7.0 ng/mL for SM DNA and 15.0 ng/mL for yeast RNA, respectively. CT DNA could be determined in the presence of 20% (w/w) yeast RNA, and the relative standard deviation of six replicate measurements is 3.18% for 400 ng/mL of CT DNA. Interference from coexisting substances in the determination of DNA was also examined. Real samples were determined with satisfactory results.

[Immunization of mice with plasmid DNA against malaria and regulation of antigen expression by tetracycline-controlled promoter]

Sequence of MSP1-31 of Plasmodium falciparum was constructed into eukaryotic expression vector pTRE, which could be repressed by tetracycline (Tc) and resulted in recombinant plasmid pTRE-31. The plasmid was injected into the quadriceps muscle of BALB/c mice with Tc responsive plasmid pTet-off to measure specific antibodies. The MSP1-31 prokaryotic expressed protein was used as antigen in ELISA. Results showed that mice orally administered by Tc had a seroconversion rate of 7.1% (1/14) 4 weeks after injection, whereas the control mice had a seroconversion rate of 100% and the titers of antibody were raised continusly within 12 weeks. The study suggested that the recombinant plasmids pTRE-31/pTet-off could efficiently induce humoral response against MSP1-31 of malaria. Moreover this immune response was controlled by Tc and was reversible after withdrawal of Tc dilivery. The induction of antibody by removing Tc at the fourth week after injection indicated that DNA vaccine could remain in mice and capable of expressing antigen for at least 4 weeks.

HLA-DRB1*08, DRB1*03/DRB3*0101, and DRB3*0202 are susceptibility genes for Graves' disease in North American Caucasians, whereas DRB1*07 is protective

Graves' disease is known to be HLA-D associated; however, the primary loci involved remain unclear. We examined HLA genotypes of DRB1 and DQB1 plus DRB3 subtypes using PCR-based sequence-specific priming in two groups of North American (Gainesville, FL; and Toronto, Canada) Caucasian patients with Graves' disease. We stratified patients into those with either early age at onset (<20 yr; 13.1 +/- 4.8 yr; n = 30) and later age at onset of disease (38.8 +/- 9.7 yr; n = 62) and compared the results to 192 normal controls. As expected, we found that DRB1*03 was associated with Graves' disease, but at a higher odds ratios for early-onset than later-onset patients (3.7 vs. 2.2). The frequency of DRB1*08 was also increased in both groups of patients, but significantly so only in patients with early-onset Graves' (P = 0.001; chi2 = 10.8). DRB3 was highly associated with Graves' in both groups of patients (P = 0.009; chi2 = 6.83 and P = 0.0015; chi2 = 10.1, respectively); however, the subtypes of DRB3 revealed differential susceptibilities. Whereas the frequencies of both DRB3*0101 and DRB3*0202 were increased over the entire cohort, that of DRB3*0301 was not. Significant P values were found for DRB3*0101 in patients with early-onset and for DRB3*0202 in patients with later onset of Graves' disease. When the haplotypes of DRB1*03-DRB3 of all subtypes were removed for analysis (all DRB1*03 positive also had DRB3*0101), the frequency of DRB3*0202 remained significantly higher in the patients with later onset of Graves' disease than in controls (P = 0.0043; chi2 = 8.13), but DRB3 was no longer positively associated with the early-onset group. In addition, we found that DRB1*07 was negatively associated with both groups of patients (P = 0.024; chi2 = 5.10 and P = 0.0085; chi2 = 6.93). These data suggest that DRB3*0202 is more likely to be the primary susceptible locus than DRB1*03 for patients with later onset of Graves' disease.

Interaction of a novel red-region fluorescent probe, Nile blue, with DNA and its application to nucleic acids assay

A novel fluorimetric method was developed for the rapid determination of DNA and RNA based on their quenching effect on the cationic red-region fluorescent dye Nile Blue (NB). In the investigation of the interaction of NB with DNA by steady-state polarization measurements, thermal denaturing study, determination of absorption and fluorescence characteristics, salt effect study and electrophoresis experiments, the results supported the suggestion that NB served as an intercalator to the stack base pairs of nucleic acids. Further evidence showed that the quenching could be ascribed to the static quenching mode. A binding constant of about 10(6) M-1 and a binding site size of about three base pairs were obtained by spectral methods. Under optimum conditions, the calibration curves for the determination of calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) and yeast RNA were linear over the ranges 3.0 ng mL-1-2.0 micrograms mL-1 and 27 ng mL-1-10 micrograms mL-1, respectively. The detection limits were 3.0 ng mL-1 for CT DNA and 27 ng mL-1 for RNA. The relative standard deviation (n = 6) was within 2.1% in the middle of the linear range. Interferences from some interesting co-existing substances in the determination of DNA were also examined.

Anti-idiotypic antibodies to anti-PDC-E2 in primary biliary cirrhosis and normal subjects

Anti-idiotypic antibodies may regulate the immune system and influence pathogenic autoimmunity. We investigated idiotype-anti-idiotype interactions in sera of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), normal subjects and animals immunized with pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) or its derivatives. IgG autoantibody to the E2 subunit of PDC (PDC-E2) was derived by affinity-purification from sera of 12 patients with PBC, and F(ab)2 was prepared (anti-PDC-E2-F[ab]2). This was used as a reactant by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with sera from patients with PBC, normal subjects, or immunized animals. Results were that IgG antibody to anti-PDC-E2-F(ab)2 was detectable at low concentration in 12 PBC sera (mean optical density [OD] +/- SD: 1.02 +/- 0.26), and also in 19 normal sera (mean OD +/- SD: 0.97 +/- 0. 35) using a serum dilution of 1:20; background OD was 0.09 to 0.10, whereas antisera from animals immunized with PDC or PDC-E2 were nonreactive. There was a significant inverse correlation (r = -.59, P =.04) between the levels of anti-PDC-E2 in PBC sera (but not normal sera), and anti-idiotypic antibody reactive with anti-PDC-E2-F(ab)2. Anti-idiotypic antibody existed as a complex with anti-PDC-E2, because the removal of anti-PDC-E2 from serum resulted in decreased reactivity to anti-PDC-E2-F(ab)2. Reactivity between PDC-E2 and anti-PDC-E2 from PBC serum was not inhibited by normal sera, indicating that anti-idiotypic antibody from normal sera with anti-PDC-E2 reacts with the framework of F(ab) rather than the paratope. The conclusions are that PBC and normal sera contain IgG class anti-idiotypic antibodies to anti-PDC-E2, the characteristic autoantibody in PBC. Anti-PDC-E2 in immunized animals does not contain an idiotype cross-reactive with human anti-PDC-E2. Anti-idiotypic antibody in PBC is complexed with anti-PDC-E2 and in part accounts for immune complexes demonstrable in PBC. Anti-idiotypic antibody in PBC may regulate levels of anti-PDC-E2.

The gene responsible for autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1 maps to chromosome 21q22.3 in US patients

Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1 [APS-1] comprises multiple organ-specific autoimmunities such as acquired hypoparathyroidism and autoimmune Addison's disease, and a predisposition to certain infections such as chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. An APS-1 candidate gene was assigned to chromosome 21q22.3 by linkage analyses in patients with APS-1 from Finland. To examine the influence of ethnic and geographic differences on the location of the candidate gene locus, we studied 24 US patients with APS-1 by microsatellite marker typing, using five microsatellite markers, D21S49, PFKL, D21S171, D21S1903 and CD18, selected from chromosome 21q22.3. By allelic association analyses, the frequencies of allele number 5 for D21S171 and allele number 8 for D21S1903 were significantly higher in the 24 patients with APS-1 than in 33 controls (33/48 vs. 31/66, P = 0.0207, X2 = 5.35; 12/48 vs. 7/66, P = 0.0418, X2 = 4.15 respectively). The frequency of homozygosity for allele number 5 of D21S171 was also significantly higher in the patients than in controls, 15/24 vs. 9/33 (P = 0.0078, X2 = 7.07). Maximum lod scores detected for the five markers in nine families (containing 15 of the patients with APS-1) were: 2.384 for D21S49, 3.144 for PFKL, 3.506 for D21S171, 4.329 for D21S1903, and 1.130 for CD18. These results confirm the linkage of the candidate APS-1 gene to 21q22.3 in US APS-1 patients, and suggest that the candidate gene is located near the D21S1903 marker. The demonstration of the location of the APS-1 candidate gene to 21q22.3 in an out-bred heterogeneous patient population should promote the physical mapping of the responsible gene.

Natural and disease associated autoantibodies to the autoantigen, dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase, recognise different epitopes

Naturally occurring autoantibodies are ubiquitous and may serve physiological functions. We examined the relationship of natural and disease-associated autoantibodies in the context of autoantibodies to dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase, the 74 kDa E2 sub-unit of the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC-E2), characteristic of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). We tested for natural autoantibodies to PDC-E2 in normal sera, and compared epitopes recognised by natural and disease-associated autoantibodies. Methods included affinity purification of anti-PDC-E2 from normal and PBC sera, ELISA and immunoblotting, capacity of antibodies to inhibit the enzyme function of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC), use of F(ab)2 fragments of anti-PDC-E2 in inhibition assays, and testing affinity purified anti-PDC-E2 on peptide fragments of PDC-E2. We found that natural auto-antibodies to PDC-E2 of IgG class were demonstrable in all healthy human sera (10/10). However, their reactivity differed from that of disease-associated autoantibodies, in that anti-PDC-E2 from normal serum failed to inhibit the catalytic activity of PDC; and F(ab)2 fragments from PBC sera potently blocked the binding of anti-PDC-E2 from PBC sera to PDC-E2, but not the binding of natural anti-PDC-E2 to PDC-E2. Immunoblotting on fragments of PDC-E2 using affinity-purified preparations from PBC sera and normal sera failed to provide evidence for gross differences in epitope reactivity. We conclude that normal human sera contain natural IgG autoantibodies to the immunodominant inner lipoyl domain of PDC-E2, as seen characteristically in PBC. However, there is evidence for differences in fine epitope recognition.