Alteration of dopaminergic markers in gastrointestinal tract of different rodent models of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder that is often associated with various gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. The link between the alteration of dopaminergic system and the symptoms of the GI tract in PD is complicated. To determine the changes in the dopaminergic system in the GI tract in PD, two kinds of rodent PD models were used in the present study. One was 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) -treated rats in which 6-OHDA was microinjected in the bilateral substantia nigra (SN). The other was 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) -treated mice in which MPTP was injected intraperitoneally. Immunofluorescence, reverse transcription (RT)-real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot were used to evaluate and compare the levels of mRNA and protein expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine transporter (DAT) in the GI tract between normal and rodent PD models, as well as between 6-OHDA-treated rats and MPTP-treated mice. The results indicated that TH- and DAT-positive cells were widely distributed in the GI tract. There were significant differences in TH and DAT expression in the GI tract between normal and PD models, as well as between 6-OHDA-treated rats and MPTP-treated mice. The protein levels of TH and DAT in the GI tract were significantly increased in 6-OHDA-treated rats, but the protein level of TH was significantly decreased in MPTP-treated mice. In addition, there was visible atrophy of gastric epithelial parietal cells in MPTP-treated mice, although the protein level of DAT was not significantly changed. The different alterations of dopaminergic system in the GI tract of the two kinds of PD models might underline the differences in GI symptoms in PD patients and might be correlated with the disease severity and disease process affecting the GI tract.

WELYSSA: a simple tool using mouse monoclonal antibodies for the detection of lyssavirus nucleocapsid in rabies suspected specimens

A Monoclonal antibody (MAb)-based capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) named WELYSSA was developed for the diagnosis of rabies suspected specimens using prototype viruses from the different genotypes of lyssavirus and from various geographic origins and phylogenetic lineages. It included a panel of 1,660 specimens received for rabies diagnostic testing, and was found to be highly specific (99.9%) and sensitive (97.0%) when compared to other recommended rabies diagnostic methods.

Two isoforms of GABA(A) receptor beta2 subunit with different electrophysiological properties: Differential expression and genotypical correlations in schizophrenia

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in type A gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA(A)) receptor beta2 subunit gene (GABRB2) were found to be associated with schizophrenia in Chinese, German, Japanese and Portuguese. To explore potential functional consequences of these DNA sequence polymorphisms, this study examined the expression and electrophysiological properties of two alternatively spliced products of GABRB2 along with genotypical disease association analysis. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, performed with a cohort of 31 schizophrenics and 31 controls of US population, showed 21.7% reduction in the expression of the long isoform beta(2L), 13.4% in the short isoform beta(2S) and 15.8% in the sum of the two isoforms beta(2T) in postmortem schizophrenic brain. Furthermore, two independent mRNA quantitation methods showed that the relative expression of the long over the short isoforms was significantly decreased, suggesting the occurrence of altered splicing, in schizophrenia. In male schizophrenics, the heterozygous genotypes of rs1876071 (T/C) and rs1876072 (A/G) were correlated with reduced expression of beta(2L), beta(2S) and beta(2T), and the heterozygous of rs2546620 (A/G) and homozygous-minor of rs1876071 (C/C) and rs1876072 (G/G) were correlated with reduced expression of beta(2T). Significant correlations of expression levels with different alleles and haplotypes were also indicated by quantitative trait analysis. Recombinant GABA(A) receptors expressed in HEK293 human cells containing beta(2L) underwent a steeper current rundown upon repetitive GABA activation than receptors containing beta(2S). The results thus revealed genotype-dependent expression of the alternatively spliced isoforms of GABA(A) receptor beta2 subunit, giving rise to electrophysiological consequences that could play an important role in the pathogenesis mechanism of schizophrenia.

Regression analysis between body and head measurements of Chinese alligators (Alligator sinensis) in the captive population

Four body-size and fourteen head-size measurements were taken from each Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis) according to the measurements adapted from Verdade. Regression equations between body-size and head-size variables were presented to predict body size from head dimension. The coefficients of determination of captive animals concerning body- and head-size variables can be considered extremely high, which means most of the head-size variables studied can be useful for predicting body length. The result of multivariate allometric analysis indicated that the head elongates as in most other species of crocodilians. The allometric coefficients of snout length (SL) and lower ramus (LM) were greater than those of other variables of head, which was considered to be possibly correlated to fights and prey. On the contrary, allometric coefficients for the variables of obita (OW, OL) and postorbital cranial roof (LCR), were lower than those of other variables.

Inhibition of intestinal transit by resuscitation-induced gut edema is reversed by L-NIL

BACKGROUND

Post-resuscitation gut edema and associated gut dysfunction is a common and significant clinical problem that occurs after traumatic injury and shock. We have shown previously that gut edema without ischemia/reperfusion injury delays intestinal transit [1]. We hypothesized that gut edema increases expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein, and that selective iNOS inhibition using L-NIL reverses the delayed intestinal transit associated with gut edema.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hour prior to laparotomy, rats were pretreated with 10 mg/kg body weight of intraperitoneal L-NIL or saline vehicle and underwent 80 ml/kg body weight of 0.9% saline + superior mesenteric venous pressure elevation (Edema) or sham surgery (Sham). A duodenal catheter was placed to allow injection of a fluorescent dye for the measurement of intestinal transit. At 6 h, the small bowel was divided and the mean geometric center (MGC) of fluorescent dye was measured to determine transit. Ileum was harvested for histological assessment of mucosal injury, evaluation of iNOS protein expression by Western blotting, and MPO activity. Tissue water was determined using the wet-to-dry weight ratio to assess gut edema. Data are expressed as mean +/- SEM, n = 3-6 and * = P <0.05 using ANOVA.

RESULTS

Gut edema, expressed as increased wet-to-dry ratio, was associated with decreased intestinal transit and elevated iNOS protein expression. Pretreatment with l-NIL improved intestinal transit and decreased expression of iNOS protein without decreasing intestinal tissue water compared to edema animals. There was no difference in mucosal injury or MPO activity among groups.

CONCLUSION

Gut edema delays intestinal transit via an iNOS-mediated mechanism.

Use of CD34+ autologous stem cell transplantation in the treatment of children with refractory systemic lupus erythematosus

We report on the unique effects and benefits of autologous stem cell transplantation in childhood systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and describe this procedure in two young girls with severe and refractory disease. The patients' stem cells were mobilized with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and collected by CS-3000 Blood Cell Separator (Baxter Healthcare, Round Lake, Ill., USA), and the CliniMACS CD34+ cell selection device (Miltenyi Biotech, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany) was used to obtain CD34+ cells. A total of 1.7x10(6) and 1.0x10(6)/kg CD34+ cells were obtained, with 2.0x10(5) and 1.0x10(4)/kg of CD3+ cells remaining, respectively. The conditioning regimen consisted of cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg per day for 4 days) plus antithymocyte globulin (ATG-Fresenius, 5 mg/kg per day for 3 days). Neutrophil counts recovered within 9 days in both cases. Within 15 days, the platelet counts recovered and were sustained over 100x10(9)/l. Cushingoid features disappeared completely 3 months after transplantation because of the removal of corticosteroid medication. One 13-year-old child increased her height by 5 cm in 6 months after stopping steroids. She had not increased her height in her previous 7 years of disease. As of the time of this report, the first patient remains in clinical and laboratory remission for nearly 4 years, while the second suffered a relapse of thrombocytopenia 9 months post-transplantation. One residual effect of their treatment is that their CD4+ cell counts remained in the lower range after one year of transplant. The effect of this conditioning regimen plus CD34+ autologous stem cell transplantation on these two children with refractory SLE was beneficial, but long-term follow-up data and additional experience with this procedure are required. Autologous stem cell transplantation may limit the long-term toxicity of therapy in childhood SLE.

The mediating role of cPLA2 in IL-1 beta and IL-6 release in LPS-induced HeLa cells

Studies were conducted to characterize a HeLa cell model by which the roles of the 85-kDa phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) in interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) release could be evaluated. At first, untreated HeLa cells were compared with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated HeLa cells. The latter resulted in cPLA2 overexpression and an increased trend of IL-1 beta and IL-6 release. The indicated doses of 85-kDa cPLA2 antisense oligonucleotide directed against the initiation site were then used to block cPLA2 in LPS-induced HeLa cells. The process led to a dose-dependent decrease in cPLA2 protein with no noticeable change of cPLA2 mRNA. Compared with that of LPS added only, a reduction of IL-1 beta and IL-6 levels in the supernatants of transfected cells following the repression of cPLA2 was observed. These results suggested that 85-kDa cPLA2 may mediate the signalling cascades by which IL-1 beta and IL-6 were released in LPS-induced HeLa cells.

Association of SNPs and haplotypes in GABAA receptor beta2 gene with schizophrenia

Disturbances in GABAergic system have been observed in schizophrenics. In the present study, population association analysis was performed on 19 SNPs in the alpha(1), beta(2), gamma(2), epsilon and pi subunit genes of GABA(A) receptor. Five SNPs in GABRB2, namely B2I7G1584T, rs1816071, rs194072, rs252944 and rs187269, were found to be significantly associated, and their haplotypes in linkage disequilibrium, with schizophrenia. This represents the first report on any disease association of SNPs in the human GABA(A) receptor genes, and focuses attention on the GABAergic hypothesis of schizophrenia etiology.

Genetic effect of two polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein A5 gene and apolipoprotein C3 gene on serum lipids and lipoproteins levels in a Chinese population

Two polymorphisms, apolipoprotein A5 (APOA5) -1131T>C and apolipoprotein C3 (APOC3) -482C>T, were examined in a healthy Chinese group. Analysis of covariance (ancova) showed that both -1131T>C and -482C>T minor alleles were associated with triglyceride (TG)-raising effects (p < 0.001 and p = 0.012, respectively) after adjustment of sex, age, and body mass index (BMI). Moreover, -1131T>C minor alleles were also found to be associated with total cholesterol (TC)-raising effects (p = 0.045). However, the relationship between -482C>T minor alleles and TC-raising effects was not observed after adjustment of sex, age, and BMI. By contrast, significant inverse associations were noted between minor alleles (-1131T>C and -482C>T) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations (p = 0.021 and p = 0.021, respectively). Linear regression analysis showed that the effects of -1131T>C and -482C>T polymorphisms on TG and HDL-C (0.001 and 0.008; 0.041 and 0.005, respectively) are independent and additive and that -1131T>C can seriously affect the levels of TG (0.001 vs 0.008). The additive effect of the two polymorphisms was confirmed further by haplotype analysis. Our results strongly support that the two single nucleotide polymorphisms, -1131T>C in APOA5 and -482C>T in APOC3, are related to the levels of serum TG and HDL-C and those of other several lipids and lipoproteins in the Chinese population.

Development of Effective Therapeutics Targeting the GABAA Receptor: Naturally Occurring Alternatives

The enhancement of GABA-mediated synaptic transmission underlies the pharmacotherapy of various neurological diseases. GABAA receptors are thus targets for neuroactive drugs, including classical benzodiazepines, mediating their anxiolytic, hypnotic and anticonvulsant effects via the benzodiazepine site (BZS). Based on findings that low intrinsic efficacy and subtype selectivity can greatly improve the specificity of drugs targeting the BZS, recent research has identified possible drug leads with apparently little side effects. In particular, drug leads of natural sources have been identified as promising candidates. This review describes the advances in the design of effective therapeutics targeting the GABAA receptor, focusing on the more recent research on naturally occurring drug leads. This includes discussion on the isolation of neuroactive alkaloids and flavonoids from herbal medicines and their rational development based on structure-activity relationships studies. Interest in the development of effective therapeutics from natural sources is clear and awaits to be seen whether their medicinal potential can be fulfilled.

[SDS-PAGE and EITB analysis of the protein components of different isolates of Schistosoma japonicum in China and Japan]

AIM

To make a supplementary observation on the protein components prepared from adult S. japonicum of 4 different isolates from Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Taiwan Provinces of China and Japan in origin and to observe antigen reactivity of the above-mentioned isolates together with adult worms from Anhwi, Hubei, Sichuan and Yunnan isolates against heterologous anti-Oncomelania h. hupensis (collected from Guangxi, China and Japan) sera by EITB.

METHODS

SDS-PAGE and EITB.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

SDS-PAGE showed that by Coomassie blue staining, male S. japonicum from Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Taiwan Provinces and Japan isolales revealed 7-17 bands while female worms revealed 1-6 bands. The protein patterns of Taiwan and Zhejiang male worm were similar, but slight difference could be seen above 81 kDa. By silver staining, male worms of the 4 isolates revealed 10-23 bands while female worms revealed 1-19 bands. Male worms from Japan not only showed less bands but also differed in their pattern as compared to those of other Chinese isolates. Results of EITB revealed that each of the 4 isolates had slightly different pattern but all of the tested isolates had common antigens with their heterologous snail hosts i.e., Oncomelania h. hupensis from Guangxi, China and Japan.

[Comparative observation on the efficacy of several test/probe systems for detecting schistosome circulating antigen]

AIM

To compare the efficacy of 5 test/probe systems for the detecting of schistosomal circulation antigen (SCA) in sera from infected rabbits.

METHODS

Nine rabbits were infected with monosexual cercariae (either male or female), 7 rabbits were infected with bisexual cercariae as controls. Blood samples were collected periodically post infection (p.i). 15 rabbits were infected each with 250 bisexual cercaria and divided into 3 groups, 2 groups were treated with allyl thiourea (295-590 mg/kg) from 19 d or 46 d respectively, to inhibit their egg formation. One untreated group was used as control. Blood samples were collected weekly until 8 wk post infection. SCA detecting methods include (1) dot-ELISA/McAb anti-surface membrane antigen of adult worms (8SE4), (2) dot-ELISA/McAb anti-CCA (3D10), (3) Sandwich dot-ELISA/McAb anti-egg antigen (MG2), (4) Sandwich-ELISA/McAb anti-egg antigen (2H10), (5) Sandwich-ELISA/McAb anti-CAA (1B10).

RESULTS

Using method (1) all of the 18 rabbits infected with monosexual cercariae were negative. Using method (2) only 1 rabbit harboured 133 male worms showed positive. Using method (5) no SCA were detected in sera from female cercariae-infected rabbits but 3 out of 9 male cercariae-infected rabbits showed positive reaction. SCA detecting results from rabbits treated with allyl thiourea: both method (1) and (3) showed negative in rabbits treated from 19 d (p.i.) but all gave positive reaction in 6-7 wk in rabbits treated from 46 d (p.i.). There were all negative detected by using method (4) and all positive at 6 wk (p.i.) detected by method (5) in rabbits of 3 groups whether treated or non-treated.

CONCLUSION

Various test/probe systems have different efficacy in detecting SCA but (5) of the methods (1)(2) tests/probe systems could not detect SCA in rabbits with single female cercariae infection. From the egg formation inhibition study, the SCA detected by McAb 8SE4 dot-ELISA might be related to egg maturation. Whether the surface membrane antigen of adult worm has common antigenic component with egg antigen remains to be studied.

[Morphological observation on Blastocystis hominis]

AIM

To observe the morphology of Blastocystis hominis.

METHODS

The morphology of Blastocystis hominis found in the fecal specimens from school children and diarrheal cases was examined by using normal saline smear, iodine stain and iron-hematoxylin staining method in Ali, Xizang Autonomous Region and Xinjiang Autonomous Region.

RESULTS

The morphology of Blastocystis hominis was found to include four types, namely vacuolized, granular, amoeboid and binary fission.

CONCLUSION

The vacuole type was the most often seen and accounted for 84% of all 4 types. Blastocystis hominis infection was often found to be associated with Entamoeba coli and other intestinal protozoa, leading to diarrhea in these patients.