Mutations in the gene encoding gap junction protein beta-3 associated with autosomal dominant hearing impairment

Hearing impairment is the most commonly occurring condition that affects the ability of humans to communicate. More than 50% of the cases of profound early-onset deafness are caused by genetic factors. Over 40 loci for non-syndromic deafness have been genetically mapped, and mutations in several genes have been shown to cause hearing loss. Mutations in the gene encoding connexin 26 (GJB2) cause both autosomal recessive and dominant forms of hearing impairment. To study the possible involvement of other members of the connexin family in hereditary hearing impairment, we cloned the gene (GJB3) encoding human gap junction protein beta-3 using homologous EST searching and nested PCR. GJB3 was mapped to human chromosome 1p33-p35. Mutation analysis revealed that a missense mutation and a nonsense mutation of GJB3 were associated with high-frequency hearing loss in two families. Moreover, expression of Gjb3 was identified in rat inner ear tissue by RT-PCR. These findings suggest that mutations in GJB3 may be responsible for bilateral high-frequency hearing impairment.

Reappraisal of continuous positive airway pressure therapy in acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Short-term results and long-term follow-up

To investigate whether serial incremental continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has any short-term or long-term advantages over face-mask oxygen therapy by way of intrapulmonary shunt reduction, 100 patients admitted to the coronary care unit for the treatment of acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema were studied. All patients received Swan-Ganz catheterization. Hemodynamic and pulmonary function parameters were recorded over the next 6 h, and the patients were followed until hospital discharge. All survivors received regular follow-up at 1-month intervals in the outpatient clinic. During the first-stage investigation period (3 h) PaO2 in the CPAP group showed a significant increase, whereas the intrapulmonary shunt and alveolar-arterial oxygen tension gradient (P[A-a]O2) was significantly reduced (p < 0.005). The CPAP group had significantly lower rate-pressure product and higher stroke volume index compared with the control group. The therapeutic failure rate over 6 h was 24% in the CPAP group and 50% in the control group (p < 0.01). The CPAP group had a significantly lower incidence of tracheal intubation and ventilator therapy than the control group; however, there was no significant difference in short-term mortality and hospital stay between the two groups. In conclusion, although study size was not large enough to demonstrate a difference in mortality, CPAP therapy resulted in physiologic cardiovascular and pulmonary function improvement and significantly reduced the need for intubation; however, it did not decrease mortality in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema, and a much larger study is needed to investigate this possibility.

Oral immunization with hepatitis B surface antigen expressed in transgenic plants

Oral immunogenicity of recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) derived from yeast (purified product) or in transgenic potatoes (uncooked unprocessed sample) was compared. An oral adjuvant, cholera toxin, was used to increase immune responses. Transgenic plant material containing HBsAg was the superior means of both inducing a primary immune response and priming the mice to respond to a subsequent parenteral injection of HBsAg. Electron microscopy of transgenic plant samples revealed evidence that the HBsAg accumulated intracellularly; we conclude that natural bioencapsulation of the antigen may provide protection from degradation in the digestive tract until plant cell degradation occurs near an immune effector site in the gut. The correlate of protection from hepatitis B virus infection is serum antibody titers induced by vaccination; the protective level in humans is 10 milliunits/ml or greater. Mice fed HBsAg-transgenic potatoes produced HBsAg-specific serum antibodies that exceeded the protective level and, on parenteral boosting, generated a strong long-lasting secondary antibody response. We have also shown the effectiveness of oral delivery by using a parenteral prime-oral boost immunization schedule. The demonstrated success of oral immunization for hepatitis B virus with an "edible vaccine" provides a strategy for contributing a means to achieve global immunization for hepatitis B prevention and eradication.

Immunogenicity of transgenic plant-derived hepatitis B surface antigen

The focus of the Children's Vaccine Initiative is to encourage the discovery of technology that will make vaccines more readily available to developing countries. Our strategy has been to genetically engineer plants so that they can be used as inexpensive alternatives to fermentation systems for production of subunit antigens. In this paper we report on the immunological response elicited in vivo by using recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen (rHBsAg) purified from transgenic tobacco leaves. The anti-hepatitis B response to the tobacco-derived rHBsAg was qualitatively similar to that obtained by immunizing mice with yeast-derived rHBsAg (commercial vaccine). Additionally, T cells obtained from mice primed with the tobacco-derived rHBsAg could be stimulated in vitro by the tobacco-derived rHBsAg, yeast-derived rHBsAg, and by a synthetic peptide that represents part of the a determinant located in the S region (139-147) of HBsAg. Further support for the integrity of the T-cell epitope of the tobacco-derived rHBsAg was obtained by testing the ability of the primed T cells to proliferate in vitro after stimulation with a monoclonal anti-idiotype and an anti-idiotype-derived peptide, both of which mimic the group-specific a determinant of HBsAg. In total, we have conclusively demonstrated that both B- and T-cell epitopes of HBsAg are preserved when the antigen is expressed in a transgenic plant.

Selective association of a fragment of the knob protein with spectrin, actin and the red cell membrane

The knob protein of Plasmodium falciparum is essential for the formation of knob-like protrusions on the host erythrocyte membrane. A functional domain of the knob protein was identified. This peptide formed stable complexes with the two major red cell skeletal proteins, spectrin and actin. When introduced into resealed normal erythrocytes, the peptide associated selectively with the cytoplasmic surface of the membrane and formed knob-like electron dense deposits. Knobs are thought to play an important role in the immunopathology of P. falciparum infections. Our findings provide a first step towards understanding the molecular basis for selective membrane changes at knobs.

The primary structure of a Plasmodium falciparum polypeptide related to heat shock proteins

A cDNA library constructed from ring-stage RNA isolated from Plasmodium falciparum FCR-3/Gambia was screened with immune human serum and two related positive clones were isolated. Nucleotide sequence analysis of these recombinant clones revealed an open translational reading frame for 681 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 74.3 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence of the polypeptide shows extensive homology to several heat shock proteins (hsp) which have been described. Northern and Southern hybridization analysis indicates that P. falciparum has a second gene which shares common sequences with the hsp gene described in this study.

Variants in KCNQ1 are associated with susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in the population of mainland China

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Two recent genome-wide association studies have identified several novel type 2 diabetes susceptibility variants in intron 15 of the KCNQ1 gene. We aimed to evaluate the effects of the variants in KCNQ1 on type 2 diabetes and metabolic traits in the population of mainland China.

METHODS

Three candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped in 1,912 individuals with type 2 diabetes and 2,041 normal controls using the ligase detection reaction method.

RESULTS

We confirmed the association of KCNQ1 with type 2 diabetes in the population of mainland China. Allele frequency ORs of the three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were: rs2237892 (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.08-1.31, p = 3.0 x 10(-4)); rs2237895 (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.09-1.32, p = 1.9 x 10(-4)); and rs2237897 (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.13-1.36, p = 3.9 x 10(-5)). We also found a significant difference in the distribution of the global haplotypes between the type 2 diabetes group and the normal control group (p = 2.6 x 10(-5)). In addition, in the control group SNP rs2237892 was marginally associated with increasing fasting plasma glucose and SNPs rs2237892 and rs2237897 were associated with HbA(1c). Furthermore, for all three variants, homozygous carriers of the diabetes-associated allele had significantly decreased BMI and waist circumferences.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Our investigation confirmed the effects of KCNQ1 variants on type 2 diabetes risk in the Chinese population.

Identification of a locus for disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis at chromosome 12q23.2-24.1

Disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis is an autosomal dominant cutaneous disorder characterized by many uniformly small, minimal, annular, anhidrotic, and keratotic lesions. The genetic basis for this disease is unknown. Using a genomewide search in a large Chinese family, we identified a locus at chromosome 12q23.2-24. 1 responsible for disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis. The fine mapping study indicates that the disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis gene is located within a 9.6 cM region between markers D12S1727 and D12S1605, with a maximum two-point LOD score of 20.53 (theta = 0.00) at D12S78. This is the first locus identified for a genetic disease where the major phenotype is porokeratosis. The study provides a map location for isolation of a gene causing disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis.

Organochlorine pesticide residuals in chickens and eggs at a poultry farm in Beijing, China

Chicken organs, animal feed, droppings, and ambient air were sampled at a farm in Beijing to determine the concentrations of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and metabolites (DDTs). Mean fresh weight concentrations of HCHs and DDTs were 0.122+/-0.061 ng/g and 0.051+/-0.038 ng/g in the muscles. These values are 1-2 orders of magnitude lower than those reported in China in 1980. Contaminated feed was the main source of HCHs and DDTs. Only 12.8% of HCH and 3.3% of DDT of the amount consumed were excreted. Accumulated quantities of HCHs and DDTs increased during growth. However, concentrations of HCHs and DDTs did not increase because of dilution from rapid growth. Based on the observed residual levels in mature chicken and the average diet of residents of China, the contributions from chicken and egg consumption to per capita daily intake of HCHs and DDTs were 487% and 88% of those of fish consumption.

Yeast hormone response element assays detect and characterize GRIP1 coactivator-dependent activation of transcription by thyroid and retinoid nuclear receptors

The mouse glucocorticoid receptor-interacting protein (GRIP1) is a member of the ERAP160 family of nuclear receptor (NR) coactivators (including SRC-1 and TIF2) which function as bridging proteins between ligand-activated NRs bound to cognate hormone-response elements (HREs) and the transcription initiation apparatus (TIA). Although these coactivators bind to several NRs, studies overexpressing these coactivators with these NRs in mammalian cells have not uniformly observed a corresponding enhancement of ligand-dependent transactivation. Here, we show that GRIP1 interacts in vitro in a ligand-dependent manner with thyroid receptor, retinoic acid receptor, and retinoid X receptor. Additionally, in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) GRIP1 coactivator protein markedly increased the ability of these full-length class II NRs to transactivate beta-galactosidase reporter genes containing cognate HREs. The magnitude of GRIP1 enhancement of liganded NR homodimer was dependent upon NR subtype and HRE configuration. For most HRE configurations, thyroid receptor and retinoic acid receptor homodimers were essentially unresponsive or very weakly active in the absence of GRIP1, but GRIP1 dramatically restored the ligand-dependent function of these NRs. Although GRIP1 exerted no significant effect on NR homodimers in the absence of their cognate ligands, it increased the transactivation of unliganded NR heterodimers. Whether GRIP1 increased ligand-dependent transactivation of a heterodimer to levels greater than that of the cognate homodimer was determined by HRE configuration and copy number. Compared with the limitations of yeast two-hybrid and mammalian coexpression systems, the yeast HRE-assay systems described in this report facilitated both the detection of putative mammalian NR coactivator function and the elucidation of their mechanisms of transactivational enhancement.

GCN5 and ADA adaptor proteins regulate triiodothyronine/GRIP1 and SRC-1 coactivator-dependent gene activation by the human thyroid hormone receptor

We have used yeast genetics and in vitro protein-protein interaction experiments to explore the possibility that GCN5 (general control nonrepressed protein 5) and several other ADA (alteration/deficiency in activation) adaptor proteins of the multimeric SAGA complex can regulate T3/GRIP1 (glucocorticoid receptor interacting protein 1) and SRC-1 (steroid receptor coactivator-1) coactivator-dependent activation of transcription by the human T3 receptor beta1 (hTRbeta1). Here, we show that in vivo activation of a T3/GRIP1 or SRC-1 coactivator-dependent T3 hormone response element by hTRbeta1 is dependent upon the presence of yeast GCN5, ADA2, ADA1, or ADA3 adaptor proteins and that the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domains and bromodomain (BrD) of yGCN5 must be intact for maximal activation of transcription. We also observed that hTRbeta1 can bind directly to yeast or human GCN5 as well as hADA2, and that the hGCN5(387-837) sequence could bind directly to either GRIP1 or SRC-1 coactivator. Importantly, the T3-dependent binding of hTRbeta1 to hGCN5(387-837) could be markedly increased by the presence of GRIP1 or SRC1. Mutagenesis of GRIP1 nuclear receptor (NR) Box II and III LXXLL motifs also substantially decreased both in vivo activation of transcription and in vitro T3-dependent binding of hTRbeta1 to hGCN5. Taken together, these experiments support a multistep model of transcriptional initiation wherein the binding of T3 to hTRbeta1 initiates the recruitment of p160 coactivators and GCN5 to form a trimeric transcriptional complex that activates target genes through interactions with ADA/SAGA adaptor proteins and nucleosomal histones.

Requirement for IFN-gamma in IL-12 production induced by collaboration between v(alpha)14(+) NKT cells and antigen-presenting cells

Two cytokines IL-4 and IL-12 are known to determine the balance between T(h)1 and T(h)2 development. In addition to IL-4 production of V(alpha)14(+) NKT cells, they have recently been demonstrated to have the capacity to stimulate IL-12 production by antigen-presenting cells (APC). This study demonstrates that IFN-gamma is absolutely required for the NKT cell-stimulated IL-12 production. Culture of B cell-depleted spleen cells from C57BL/6 mice with alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) capable of selectively stimulating V(alpha)14/J(alpha)281(+) NKT cells resulted in the production of IL-12 together with IL-4. Whereas IL-4 production occurred in culture of IFN-gamma(-/-) C57BL/6 splenocytes, the same culture failed to generate IL-12 production. While IL-12 production induced during culture of V(alpha)14(+) NKT cells and APC depended on the interaction between CD40 ligand on NKT cells and CD40 on APC, the expression levels of these key molecules were comparable in cells from wild-type and IFN-gamma(-/-) mice. Addition of rIFN-gamma to alpha-GalCer stimulated IFN-gamma(-/-) splenocyte culture, and administration of rIFN-gamma to alpha-GalCer-injected IFN-gamma(-/-) mice resulted in the restoration of IL-12 production in vitro and in vivo. These results illustrate a mandatory role for IFN-gamma in V(alpha)14(+) NKT cell-stimulated IL-12 production by APC.

A novel locus (DSAP2) for disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis maps to chromosome 15q25.1-26.1

BACKGROUND

Disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) is a chronic cutaneous disorder characterized by multiple superficial keratotic lesions surrounded by a slightly raised keratotic border. It develops in teenagers in sun-exposed areas of skin and usually follows an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. The first locus for DSAP was localized to chromosome 12q23.2-24.1, but no gene responsible for porokeratosis has been identified to date.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether DSAP is a genetically heterogeneous disorder and to identify the disease gene locus in a three-generation Chinese family with DSAP.

METHODS

Genetic linkage analysis was carried out in this family using 15 microsatellite markers between D12S1671 and D12S369 on chromosome 12q, followed by a genome-wide scan with 382 microsatellite markers from the autosomes.

RESULTS

Genetic linkage analysis with chromosome 12q markers suggested that the locus in this family is not linked to chromosome 12q. A genome-wide scan and fine mapping finally localized the locus for DSAP in this family to a 6.4-cM region between markers D15S1023 and D15S1030 at chromosome 15q25.1-26.1. This DSAP locus was named DSAP2.

CONCLUSIONS

The previous results and this study have shown that DSAP is a genetically heterogeneous disorder; a novel locus for DSAP, termed DSAP2, was mapped to a 6.4-cM region between markers D15S1023 and D15S1030.

IL-12 as well as IL-2 upregulates CCR5 expression on T cell receptor-triggered human CD4+ and CD8+ T cells

The expression of chemokine receptors on leukocytes is related to their activation state. However, the exact mechanism underlying the induction of each chemokine receptor is poorly understood. Here, we investigated how CCR5, a chemokine receptor implicated in T cell trafficking and HIV infection, is induced in human T cells. CCR5 was marginally detected on a freshly prepared human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) population. Long-term (8-day) stimulation of PBMC with IL-2 resulted in high levels of CCR5 expression on T cells. IL-12 failed to induce CCR5 on T cells in such a directly stimulated PBMC population. Stimulation of PBMC T cells with anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28 induced detectable albeit very low levels of CCR5 along with the induction of IL-12 receptor. However, these TCR-triggered T cells expressed much higher levels of CCR5 when stimulated with IL-12. Although IL-2 also induced CCR5 expression, CCR5 expression was more potent in IL-12 than IL-2 stimulation. These results indicate that, in addition to IL-2, IL-12 plays an important role in the induction of CCR5 expression on T cells, particularly TCR-triggered T cells.

When to discharge patients with bleeding peptic ulcers: a prospective study of residual risk of rebleeding

BACKGROUND

From January 1993 to December 1994, we conducted a prospective study to investigate the evolutionary change of rebleeding risk in bleeding peptic ulcers. To obviate possible confounding factors that would influence decision making for discharge of patients, subjects with coexistent acute illnesses, systemic bleeding disorders, alcoholism, and use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were excluded.

METHODS

Emergency endoscopies were performed in patients with hematemesis or a melena within 24 hours of admission. Ulcer lesions were divided into six categories according to endoscopic findings. The residual risks of rebleeding of each type of ulcers were calculated for 10 days, and the critical point of acceptable rebleeding risk after discharge was set at 3%.

RESULTS

Three hundred ninety-two patients with bleeding peptic ulcers completed the study. The ulcers, characterized by clean bases, red or black spots, adherent clots, nonbleeding visible vessels without local therapy, nonbleeding visible vessels with local therapy, and bleeding visible vessels with local therapy took 0, 3, 3, 4, 4, and 3 days, respectively, to decrease rebleeding risk to below the critical point. All episodes of fatal rebleeding (n = 4) occurred within 24 hours after admission.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with clean-based ulcers can be discharged in the first day of admission. The optimal duration required for hospitalization of patients with ulcers characterized by nonbleeding visible vessels at initial endoscopy is 4 days. The remaining patients with ulcers marked by other bleeding stigmata may be discharged after a 3-day observation.

Possible association of the MAG locus with schizophrenia in a Chinese Han cohort of family trios

Neurotransmitter-based hypotheses have so far led to only moderate success in predicting new pathogenetic findings in etiology of schizophrenia. On the other hand, the more recent oligodendroglia hypotheses of this disorder have been supported by an increasing body of evidence. For example, the expression level of the myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG) gene has been shown to be significantly lower in schizophrenia patient groups compared to control groups. Such an effect might be a result of genetic variations of the MAG gene. In order to test this hypothesis, we genotyped four markers within the MAG locus in 413 trios sample of the Han Chinese using allele-specific PCR. None of the four markers revealed noticeable allelic significance. However, the four-marker and two-marker haplotypes covering components rs720309 and rs720308 were observed to be significantly associated with schizophrenia (P < 0.0001) in this study. In addition, we identified one common risk haplotype TA (rs720309-rs720308, present in 78.5% of the general population) that showed increased evidence of overtransmission from parents to affected offspring (P = 0.0001). The results demonstrated MAG might play a role in genetic susceptibility to schizophrenia. Furthermore, our finding of a possible association between the MAG locus and schizophrenia is in agreement with the hypotheses of oligodendrltic and myelination dysfunction.

Decreased levels of apolipoprotein A-I in plasma of schizophrenic patients

This study aims to identify the effects of antipsychotics on plasma proteins, and on the proteins associated with schizophrenia. We applied proteomics technology to screen protein aberrations in Sprague-Dawley rats treated with antipsychotics and schizophrenic patients undergoing medication. ApoA-I was found significantly increased in the chlorpromazine-treated rats and decreased in the patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia, which suggest that decreased levels of apoA-I might be associated with the pathology of schizophrenia and that chlorpromazine increases apoA-I levels as part of its therapeutic action.

Cloning and sequencing the cDNA encoding pig liver thioltransferase

We report here, the first successful cloning and sequencing of a full-length cDNA gene (TT) encoding the pig liver thioltransferase (TT). The TT cDNA was obtained by screening a commercial (Clonetech) pig liver cDNA library in lambda gt11, using polyclonal antibodies raised in rabbits against pig liver TT. Two positive clones were identified in 3.5 x 10(5) recombinants. For verification, we successfully hybridized three oligodeoxyribonucleotide nucleotide probes, synthesized according to three different regions of the pig liver TT amino acid (aa) sequence, to both of the positive clones. In addition, the size of the TT beta-galactosidase fusion protein, produced by the positive clone, was consistent with the length of the cDNA. The TT cDNA was subcloned into the EcoRI site of M13mp18 replicative form and sequenced by the dideoxy chain-termination method using 35S-labeled nucleotides. The aa sequence deduced from the cDNA sequence is in exact agreement with the previously reported primary aa sequence, except that the N terminus should be N-acetylalanine followed by glutamine, rather than the reverse, as originally interpreted by conventional mass spectrometry fast atom bombardment analysis of the tryptic peptide corresponding to the first 8 aa residues.

Persistence of acanthamoeba antigen following acanthamoeba keratitis

AIM

To investigate the hypothesis that persistent corneal and scleral inflammation following acanthamoeba keratitis is not always caused by active amoebic infection but can be due to persisting acanthamoebic antigens

METHODS

24 lamellar corneal biopsy and penetrating keratoplasty specimens were obtained from 14 consecutive patients at various stages of their disease and divided for microscopy and culture. Histological sections were immunostained and screened for the presence of Acanthamoeba cysts by light microscopy. Cultures were carried out using partly homogenised tissues on non-nutrient agar seeded with E coli. Clinical data were obtained retrospectively from the case notes of these patients.

RESULTS

Of the 24 specimens, 20 were obtained from eyes that were clinically inflamed at the time of surgery. Acanthamoeba cysts were present in 16 (80%) of these 20 specimens, while only five (25%) were culture positive. Acanthamoeba cysts were found to persist for up to 31 months after antiamoebic treatment.

CONCLUSION

These findings support the hypothesis that Acanthamoeba cysts can remain in corneal tissue for an extended period of time following acanthamoeba keratitis and may cause persistent corneal and scleral inflammation in the absence of active amoebic infection. In view of these findings, prolonged intensive antiamoebic therapy may be inappropriate when the inflammation is due to retained antigen rather than to viable organisms

A mandatory role for STAT4 in IL-12 induction of mouse T cell CCR5

IL-12 was recently shown to induce CCR5 on TCR-triggered mouse T cells. Considering that STAT4 is the most critical of IL-12 signaling molecules, this study investigated the role for STAT4 in the induction of CCR5 expression. IL-12R was induced by stimulation with anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28 mAb similarly on T cells from wild-type (WT) and STAT4-deficient (STAT4(-/-)) mice, but the levels of IL-12R induced on IFN-gamma-deficient (IFN-gamma(-/-)) T cells were lower compared with WT T cells. Exposure of TCR-triggered WT T cells to IL-12 induced CCR5 expression. In contrast, TCR-triggered STAT4(-/-) T cells failed to express CCR5 in response to IL-12. IL-12 stimulation induced detectable albeit reduced levels of CCR5 expression on IFN-gamma(-/-) T cells. Addition of rIFN-gamma to cultures of IFN-gamma(-/-) T cells, particularly to cultures during TCR triggering resulted in restoration of CCR5 expression. However, CCR5 expression was not induced in STAT4(-/-) T cells by supplementation of rIFN-gamma. These results indicate that for the induction of CCR5 on T cells, 1) STAT4 plays an indispensable role; 2) such a role is not substituted by simply supplementing rIFN-gamma; and 3) IFN-gamma amplifies CCR5 induction depending on the presence of STAT4.

Effects of angiotensin II intervention on MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and collagen expression in rats with pulmonary hypertension

This study investigated the effects of angiotensin II (AngII) intervention, using captopril and losartan, on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), and collagen in rats with pulmonary hypertension, in an effort to understand mechanisms underlying pulmonary vascular remodeling. A total of 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, captopril group, and losartan group. After 5 weeks, the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), right ventricular index, and neointima formation in each group were determined. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to determine the degree of pulmonary arterial muscularization as well as MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 protein expression in lung tissue. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect MMP2, MMP9, TIMP1, COL1A1, and COL4A1 mRNA expression. Picro-sirius red staining was performed to detect collagen protein expression. Neointima formation was observed in the model group. Moreover, the mPAP, right ventricular index, degree of arterial muscularization, and collagen deposition, as well as mRNA and protein expression of MMP2, MMP9, and TIMP1 were significantly higher than those in the other groups (P < 0.05). The mPAP, right ventricular index, degree of arterial muscularization, and mRNA and protein expression in the captopril and losartan groups were significantly decreased compared with those of the model group (P < 0.05). AngII regulates MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 expression and affects collagen deposition. Thus, this hormone is involved in pulmonary vascular remodeling, indicating a possible mechanism that can be targeted in pulmonary hypertension intervention.

Serum IgE in primary glomerular diseases and its clinical significance

Total serum IgE was measured in 119 cases of primary glomerular diseases and 33 normal healthy persons. Statistically significant higher levels were noted in minimal change disease (MCD; median: 630 U/ml), IgM nephropathy (IgMN; 618 U/ml), focal glomerulosclerosis (FGS; 373 U/ml) and membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN; 144 U/ml). A higher level of serum IgE was noted in association with more frequent relapse or steroid resistance in MCD and IgMN and in FGS with nephrotic syndrome. A small group of IgA nephropathy with nephrotic range proteinuria was also noted to have extraordinarily high serum IgE. These findings suggest that IgE may play an important role in the pathogenesis of MCD, IgMN, and FGS and may serve as a prognostic indicator in terms of steroid responsiveness in MCD and IgMN.

Two susceptible diabetogenic variants near/in MTNR1B are associated with fasting plasma glucose in a Han Chinese cohort

AIMS

To investigate the two variants (rs1387153 and rs10830963) near/in the melatonin receptor 1B gene (MTNR1B) and to determine their association with Type 2 diabetes, as well as with the regulation of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in Han Chinese subjects.

METHODS

The two variants were genotyped in 1912 unrelated Type 2 diabetic patients and 2041 healthy individuals. Association with Type 2 diabetes was calculated by logistic regression with adjustments for sex, age and body mass index. The possible connection between the risk alleles and FPG was analysed by multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

The two polymorphisms were associated with FPG levels in the healthy individuals (P = 0.003 and P = 0.002, respectively), and the G allele of rs10830963 was also associated with an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes in our patient sample (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.23; P = 0.024). Moreover, the linkage disequilibrium degree of two single nucleotide polymorphisms was high (r(2) = 0.66), which is similar to that of Europeans.

CONCLUSIONS

The common variant in MTNR1B confers the risk of Type 2 diabetes and modulates FPG in both the Han Chinese and European populations.

The long-term stone recurrence rate and renal function change in unilateral nephrectomy urolithiasis patients

We evaluated the stone recurrence rate and long-term renal function in 50 patients with a solitary kidney 60 to 84 months (mean 70.6) after unilateral nephrectomy for urinary tract stone disease. Followup evaluation included a detailed history, physical examination, blood and urine biochemistry studies, urinalysis, urine culture, excretory urography, ultrasonography of the kidney and 131iodine-ortho-iodohippurate renography. The overall stone recurrence rate in unilateral nephrectomy urolithiasis patients was 30% (15 of 50). The mean interval until stone recurrence was 31.1 months (range 6 to 74) and the mean episodes of recurrence were 2.1 times per patient (range 1 to 5). Function of the remnant kidney in most patients was unchanged during followup. However, 2 of the 15 patients with recurrent stones had anuria during the acute attack of renal colic and, thus, required percutaneous nephrostomy urinary diversion, while 1 had proteinuria (3 gm. per day) and progressive renal failure 47 months after nephrectomy. The metabolic stone patients seemed to experience recurrence more easily than metabolic stone patients seemed to experience recurrence more easily than infection stone patients (37% versus 13%) but no statistically significant difference was noted (p = 0.198).