[The significance of pedigree genetic screening and rapid immunological parameters in the diagnosis of primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis]

目的

探讨家系基因筛查及快速免疫学指标检测在原发性噬血细胞综合征（HLH）诊断中的意义。

方法

通过对伴有PRF1、UNC13D及SH2D1A基因突变的4例原发性HLH患者展开家系调查，分别完成基因筛查及各项免疫学指标检测（包括NK细胞活性、CD107a检测及HLH相关缺陷蛋白表达测定），评价各项检测指标在原发性HLH诊断中的意义并探讨各项指标间的相关性。

结果

4个家系基因突变分别为PRF1基因错义突变c.T172C（p.S58P）和非框架移码突变c.1083_1094del (p.361_365del）；PRF1基因错义突变c.C1349T（p.T450M）和框架移码突变c.1090_1091delCT (p.T364fsX93）；UNC13D基因错义突变c.G2588A（p.G863D）；SH2D1A基因半合子错义突变c.32T>G (p.I11S）。先证者及家系成员分别存在不同程度的NK细胞活性降低，其中PRF1基因及SH2D1A基因突变家系HLH相关基因编码穿孔素蛋白、信号淋巴细胞活化分子相关蛋白（SAP）表达水平下降，UNC13D基因突变先证者及与其存在完全相同突变位点的家系成员细胞毒脱颗粒功能（CD107a表达）显著减低。

结论

开展家系基因筛查及快速免疫学指标检测对诊断原发性HLH具有重要意义，两者具有较好的一致性，其中快速免疫学指标检测作为一种高效的检测手段，可为原发性HLH的早期诊断提供可靠依据。

Topologically Entangled Rashba-Split Shockley States on the Surface of Grey Arsenic

We discover a pair of spin-polarized surface bands on the (111) face of grey arsenic by using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). In the occupied side, the pair resembles typical nearly-free-electron Shockley states observed on noble-metal surfaces. However, pump-probe ARPES reveals that the spin-polarized pair traverses the bulk band gap and that the crossing of the pair at Γ[over ¯] is topologically unavoidable. First-principles calculations well reproduce the bands and their nontrivial topology; the calculations also support that the surface states are of Shockley type because they arise from a band inversion caused by crystal field. The results provide compelling evidence that topological Shockley states are realized on As(111).

3D-QSAR analysis of a series of S-DABO derivatives as anti-HIV agents by CoMFA and CoMSIA

In this study, we retrieved a series of 59 dihydroalkylthio-benzyloxopyrimidine (S-DABO) derivatives, which is a class of highly potent HIV-1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) reported from published articles, and analysed them with comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA). Statistically significant three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) models by CoMFA and CoMSIA were derived from a training set of 46 compounds on the basis of the rigid body alignment. Further, the predictive ability of the QSAR models was validated by a test set of 13 compounds. Based on the information derived from CoMFA and CoMSIA contour maps, we have identified some steric and electrostatic features for improving the activities of these inhibitors, and we validated the 3D-QSAR results by a molecular docking method. On the basis of the obtained results, we designed a new series of S-DABO derivatives with high activities. Therefore, this study could be utilized to design more potent S-DABO analogues as anti-HIV agents.

Maternal anti-HBVs suppress the immune response of infants to hepatitis B vaccine

It is still controversial whether maternal anti-HBV antibodies (anti-HBVs) affect the infants' immune response to hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination. This multicentre study aims to address this question. First, we determined whether the transplacental transfer of maternal anti-HBVs occurs by measuring the titres of 90 anti-HBVs-positive pregnant women and their newborns. The anti-HBVs-positive rates of newborns ranged from 89.7% to 100.0%, depending on the maternal anti-HBVs titres. Secondly, we investigated the effects of maternal anti-HBVs on the immune response of infants to HBV vaccination. A total of 1063 mother-and-infant pairs were enrolled and divided into three groups with maternal anti-HBVs titres of <10 IU/L (negative - 37.9%), 10-499 and ≥500 IU/L. The infants' anti-HBVs-positive rate and titres were negatively correlated with maternal anti-HBVs titres: the anti-HBVs-positive rate of infants were 88.9% (360/405), 84.5% (381/451) and 77.3% (160/207) in mothers with low, intermediate and high antibody titres, respectively, P<.0001. Median titres of anti-HBVs (IU/L) among infants were 169.1, 141.0 and 79.4, respectively, P=.020. One hundred and sixty-two infants were negative for anti-HBVs after the standard vaccination, and 120 of 131 of these infants (91.6%) reached anti-HBVs positivity after the first "booster" dose. The maternal anti-HBVs titres did not significantly affect infant response to this booster. In summary, transplacental transfer of anti-HBVs occurs and high titres of maternal anti-HBVs may suppress the immune response of infants to the standard HBV vaccination. The current schedule of the 0, 1 and 6 month may not be the optimal choice of infants with anti-HBVs-positive mothers.

Effect of 1-Methylcyclopropene on Fruit Quality and Physiological Disorders in Yali Pear (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd.) During Storage

The effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on the fruit quality and physiological disorders in Yali pear ( Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd.) after harvest were researched. The fruit was exposed to 0, 0.01, 0.1, 0.2 or 0.5 μL/L 1-MCP for 24h, or exposed to 0.2 μL/L 1-MCP for 0, 12, 24 or 48h. Thereafter, the fruit was stored at 20°C and 85–95% RH. Pears treated with 1-MCP maintained higher firmness and soluble solids content than those of the control fruit. The incidence and index of core browning (CB) in Yali pears was reduced by 91% and 97% by 1-MCP treatment 100 days after storage, respectively. The occurrence of black and withered stems in Yali pears was also reduced by 59% by 1-MCP 32 days after storage. The 1-MCP treatment had an inhibitory effect on ethylene production and respiration rate in the pears. The activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase) were all significantly higher in 1-MCP-treated pears than in the control fruit. The beneficial effect of 1-MCP on improving postharvest quality and reducing physiological disorders in Yali pears might be due to its ability to increase the antioxidant potential as well as to delay fruit ripening and senescence. The 1-MCP is recommended to control Yali pear disorders during storage.

Molecular cloning, overexpression, purification, and sequence analysis of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) ferritin light polypeptide

The complementary DNA (cDNA) of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) ferritin light polypeptide (FTL) gene was successfully cloned using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction technology. We constructed a recombinant expression vector containing FTL cDNA and overexpressed it in Escherichia coli using pET28a plasmids. The expressed protein was then purified by nickel chelate affinity chromatography. The cloned cDNA fragment was 580 bp long and contained an open reading frame of 525 bp. The deduced protein sequence was composed of 175 amino acids and had an estimated molecular weight of 19.90 kDa, with an isoelectric point of 5.53. Topology prediction revealed one N-glycosylation site, two casein kinase II phosphorylation sites, one N-myristoylation site, two protein kinase C phosphorylation sites, and one cell attachment sequence. Alignment indicated that the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences are highly conserved across several mammals, including Homo sapiens, Cavia porcellus, Equus caballus, and Felis catus, among others. The FTL gene was readily expressed in E. coli, which gave rise to the accumulation of a polypeptide of the expected size (25.50 kDa, including an N-terminal polyhistidine tag).

Investigation of JAKs/STAT-3 in lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal epithelial cells

Janus-activated kinase (JAKs)-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT-3) signalling play critical roles in immunoregulation and immunopathology, which involve inflammatory responses and enteritis. JAK phosphorylates STAT-3 in response to stimulation by cytokines or growth factors, and then activates or represses the gene expression. STAT-3 is activated persistently in cancer cells and contributes to the malignant progression of various types of cancer and inflammation. To elucidate the different roles of JAKs in the activation of STAT-3, the lipopolysaccharide-induced primary intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) acute inflammatory model was established. Small interference RNAs (siRNAs) were then employed to attenuate the expression levels of JAKs. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (qRT-PCR) revealed that JAK mRNA levels were reduced efficiently by JAK-specific siRNAs. Under the IEC inflammatory model transfected with si-JAK, which equates to effective silencing, qRT-PCR and Western blot assays, suggested that knockdowns of JAK attenuated the JAK-induced down-regulation of STAT-3 at the mRNA or protein levels. In particular, JAK1 played a key role, which was consistent with the RNA-Seq results. Subsequently, the expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α were down-regulated in the IEC inflammatory model transfected with si-JAK1. JAK1 appears as a direct activator for STAT-3, whereas treatments targeting JAK1 repressed STAT-3 sufficiently pathways in the IEC inflammatory model. Therefore, the control of JAK1 using siRNAs has the potential to be an effective strategy against enteritis.

Extrahepatic Expression of Apolipoprotein A-II in Mouse Tissues: Possible Contribution to Mouse Senile Amyloidosis

Apolipoprotein A-II (apoA-II), an apolipoprotein in serum high-density lipoprotein, is a precursor of mouse senile amyloid fibrils. The liver has been considered to be the primary site of synthesis. However, we performed nonradioactive in situ hybridization analysis in tissue sections from young and old amyloidogenic (R1.P1- Apoa2 c ) and amyloid-resistant (SAMR1) mice and revealed that other tissues in addition to the liver synthesize apoA-II. We found a strong hybridization signal in the basal cells of the squamous epithelium and the chief cells of the fundic gland in the stomach, the crypt cells and a small portion of the absorptive epithelial cells in the small intestine, the basal cells of the tongue mucosa, and the basal cells of the epidermis and hair follicles in the skin in both mouse strains. Expression of apoA-II mRNA in those tissues was also examined by RT-PCR analysis. Immunolocalization of apoA-II protein also indicated the cellular localization of apoA-II. ApoA-II transcription was not observed in the heart. Amyloid deposition was observed around the cells expressing apoA-II mRNA in the old R1.P1- Apoa2 c mice. These results demonstrate that the apoA-II mRNA is transcribed and translated in various extrahepatic tissues and suggest a possible contribution of apoA-II synthesized in these tissues to amyloid deposition.

Potent effects of peracetylated (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate against hydrogen peroxide-induced damage in human epidermal melanocytes via attenuation of oxidative stress and apoptosis

BACKGROUND

Damage to melanocytes induced by oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. A polyphenol found in green tea, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), exhibits certain antioxidative effects in the treatment of various diseases. The major problem that limits the clinical application of this polyphenol is its low bioavailability and stability. Peracetylated EGCG (AcEGCG), a fully acetylated derivative of EGCG, is more stable and bioavailable than EGCG, but the effects of its action on human epidermal melanocytes have not been elucidated.

AIM

To compare the protective effects of AcEGCG and EGCG on hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 )-induced damage to human melanocytes.

METHODS

Effects of AcEGCG and EGCG on human melanocytes were examined by measuring cell viability, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm)and protein levels of caspase-9, caspase-3 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase.

RESULTS

Both AcEGCG and EGCG decreased ROS generation, restored lost mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced H2 O2 -induced apoptosis in melanocytes. All of these effects were more pronounced with AcEGCG than with EGCG. Furthermore, AcEGCG effectively suppressed H2 O2 -induced p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation, which has been suggested to contribute to melanocyte damage.

CONCLUSIONS

AcEGCG is a more potent agent than EGCG for protection of melanocytes from oxidative damage.

MicroRNA-1280 modulates cell growth and invasion of thyroid carcinoma through targeting estrogen receptor α

Thyroid cancer (TC) is one of the most common endocrine malignancies, with a steadily increasing incidence and lethality over the last several decades. ERα is a nuclear hormone receptor that has a key role in different cellular process and participates in the development and progression of thyroid cancer. ERα is the predicted target gene of microRNA-1280 (miR-1280). The present study was designed to delineate the role and underlying mechanism of miR-1280 in regulating thyroid cancer through targeting ERα. In our study, we analyzed the expression level of miR-1280 in thyroid cancer and detected significantly lower miR-1280 levels in TC tissue and cell lines compared with adjacent normal tissue or healthy cell line. We then overexpressed miR-1280 by miRNA mimic transfection and inhibited miR-1280 by miRNA inhibitor transfection. The inhibition of miR-1280 significantly elevated proliferation and invasion ability, whereas overexpression of miR-1280 inhibited cell growth and invasion in TC cells. Additionally, the luciferase reporter assay confirmed a targeting reaction between miR-1280 and ERα. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-1280 inhibited ERα and ERK pathway expression in TC cells, indicating that miR-1280 acts as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting the expression of ERα. Taken together, we demonstrated that overexpressed miR-1280 levels in TC cells may promote cell proliferation and invasion by inhibiting ERα, which might provide a new therapeutic target for thyroid cancer.

A new tribological experimental setup to study confined and sheared monolayers

We have developed an original experimental setup, coupling tribology, and velocimetry experiments together with a direct visualization of the contact. The significant interest of the setup is to measure simultaneously the apparent friction coefficient and the velocity of confined layers down to molecular scale. The major challenge of this experimental coupling is to catch information on a nanometer-thick sheared zone confined between a rigid spherical indenter of millimetric radius sliding on a flat surface at constant speed. In order to demonstrate the accuracy of this setup to investigate nanometer-scale sliding layers, we studied a model lipid monolayer deposited on glass slides. It shows that our experimental setup will, therefore, help to highlight the hydrodynamic of such sheared confined layers in lubrication, biolubrication, or friction on solid polymer.

Incidence, Risk Factors, and the Protective Effect of High Body Mass Index against Sarcopenia in Suburb-Dwelling Elderly Chinese Populations

BACKGROUND

Few studies have explored the risk factors of sarcopenia in certain cohorts. The objective of this study was to examine the incidence of sarcopenia and associated factors over a 1-year period in an elderly Chinese suburban population.

METHODS

This study was conducted on 356 Chinese suburb-dwelling participants aged ≥60 years, for whom detailed information regarding sociodemographics, behavioral characteristics, and medical conditions had been documented. Sarcopenia was defined according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) criteria. Sarcopenia incidence was documented after one year of follow-up, and correlated with several possible factors.

RESULTS

At baseline, 64 (9.7%) of the initial 657 participants had sarcopenia. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 10.4% after one year. Between baseline and 1-year follow-up, 13 of the participants without sarcopenia at baseline had developed sarcopenia. After multivariate adjustments, it was found that the incidence of sarcopenia increased with age and high body mass index (BMI) is associated with less incidence of sarcopenia. Incidence was also higher among women.

CONCLUSIONS

We found sarcopenia incidence increased with age, and women were more likely to have sarcopenia. A higher BMI is also associated with a lower incidence of sarcopenia. Maintaining a healthy weight could be beneficial in the prevention of sarcopenia.

Exploring laccase genes from plant pathogen genomes: a bioinformatic approach

To date, research on laccases has mostly been focused on plant and fungal laccases and their current use in biotechnological applications. In contrast, little is known about laccases from plant pathogens, although recent rapid progress in whole genome sequencing of an increasing number of organisms has facilitated their identification and ascertainment of their origins. In this study, a comparative analysis was performed to elucidate the distribution of laccases among bacteria, fungi, and oomycetes, and, through comparison of their amino acids, to determine the relationships between them. We retrieved the laccase genes for the 20 publicly available plant pathogen genomes. From these, 125 laccase genes were identified in total, including seven in bacterial genomes, 101 in fungal genomes, and 17 in oomycete genomes. Most of the predicted protein models of these genes shared typical fungal laccase characteristics, possessing four conserved domains with one cysteine and ten histidine residues at these domains. Phylogenetic analysis illustrated that laccases from bacteria and oomycetes were grouped into two distinct clades, whereas fungal laccases clustered in three main clades. These results provide the theoretical groundwork regarding the role of laccases in plant pathogens and might be used to guide future research into these enzymes.

Prior rates of visual field loss and lifetime risk of blindness in glaucomatous patients undergoing trabeculectomy

PURPOSE

Trend-based analyses examining rates of visual field (VF) loss in glaucoma are useful for predicting risk of vision-related morbidity. Although patients with faster losses are likely to require treatment escalation, little is known about rates that might trigger a decision to intervene surgically. The aims of this study were to investigate prior rates of VF loss in patients attending for trabeculectomy and to estimate, in the absence of surgical intervention, lifetime risk of visual impairment, and blindness.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 117 eyes of 86 consecutive patients with glaucoma attending for trabeculectomy, including 53 patients referred from general ophthalmology clinics and 33 patients from specialist glaucoma clinics. Rates of change in standard automated perimetry mean deviation were examined using linear regression and random coefficient models. Risk of lifetime visual impairment and blindness was calculated using life expectancy data.

RESULTS

Mean age at surgery was 71.0±9.7 years. Patients were followed for 10.7±7.5 years prior to surgery with an average of seven useable fields per eye. On average patients referred from general clinics lost 1.04 dB/year compared with 0.77 dB/year in those referred from glaucoma clinics (P=0.070). Patients referred from general clinics had more medication changes prior to surgery (3.4 and 2.6 changes, respectively; P=0.004). Given Scottish life expectancy data, untreated, 61 eyes (52%) would have passed the threshold for visual impairment, whereas 40 (34%) would have passed the threshold demarcating blindness.

CONCLUSION

Patients attending for trabeculectomy had faster average rates of field loss prior to surgery than published values for the general glaucoma population with over one-third of eyes studied predicted to have become blind without intervention. Those managed by glaucoma specialists had fewer changes in medication and tended to slower rates of VF loss, although the latter did not reach statistical significance.

Ginsenoside Rg3 attenuated omethoate-induced lung injury in rats

Organophosphorus exposure affects different organs such as the lung, gastrointestinal tract, liver, and brain. The present experiment aimed to evaluate the effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on lung injury induced by acute omethoate poisoning. Rats were administered with omethoate subcutaneously at a single dose of 60 mg/kg, followed by ginsenoside Rg3 (5, 10, or 20 mg/kg) treatment. Histopathological examination of the lung was performed at 24 h after the omethoate exposure. The antioxidative parameters in the lung were also assayed. Moreover, the activities of acetylcholinesterase, myeloperoxidase, and the content of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the lung were determined. The results showed that ginsenoside Rg3 attenuated omethoate-induced lung injury. Ginsenoside Rg3 increased the level of glutathione in the lung ( p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). The altered activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the lung were also ameliorated by ginsenoside Rg3 treatment ( p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). Ginsenoside Rg3 caused significant reductions in the contents of malondialdehyde, TNF-α, and the activity of myeloperoxidase ( p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). The present study demonstrated that ginsenoside Rg3 had a protective effect against omethoate-induced lung injury in rats, and the mechanisms were related to its antioxidant potential and anti-inflammatory effect.