Generation of antibody- and B cell-deficient pigs by targeted disruption of the J-region gene segment of the heavy chain locus

A poly(A)-trap gene targeting strategy was used to disrupt the single functional heavy chain (HC) joining region (J_H) of swine in primary fibroblasts. Genetically modified piglets were then generated via somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and bred to yield litters comprising J_H wild-type littermate (+/+), J_H heterozygous knockout (±) and J_H homozygous knockout (−/−) piglets in the expected Mendelian ratio of 1:2:1. There are only two other targeted loci previously published in swine, and this is the first successful poly(A)-trap strategy ever published in a livestock species. In either blood or secondary lymphoid tissues, flow cytometry, RT-PCR and ELISA detected no circulating IgM⁺ B cells, and no transcription or secretion of immunoglobulin (Ig) isotypes, respectively in J_H −/− pigs. Histochemical and immunohistochemical (IHC) studies failed to detect lymph node (LN) follicles or CD79α⁺ B cells, respectively in J_H −/− pigs. T cell receptor (TCR)_β transcription and T cells were detected in J_H −/− pigs. When reared conventionally, J_H −/− pigs succumbed to bacterial infections after weaning. These antibody (Ab)- and B cell-deficient pigs have significant value as models for both veterinary and human research to discriminate cellular and humoral protective immunity to infectious agents. Thus, these pigs may aid in vaccine development for infectious agents such as the pandemic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and H1N1 swine flu. These pigs are also a first significant step towards generating a pig that expresses fully human, antigen-specific polyclonal Ab to target numerous incurable infectious diseases with high unmet clinical need.

Targeted disruption of the porcine immunoglobulin kappa light chain locus

Inactivation of the endogenous pig immunoglobulin (Ig) loci, and replacement with their human counterparts, would produce animals that could alleviate both the supply and specificity issues of therapeutic human polyclonal antibodies (PAbs). Platform genetics are being developed in pigs that have all endogenous Ig loci inactivated and replaced by human counterparts, in order to address this unmet clinical need. This report describes the deletion of the porcine kappa (κ) light chain constant (Cκ) region in pig primary fetal fibroblasts (PPFFs) using gene targeting technology, and the generation of live animals from these cells via somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) cloning. There are only two other targeted loci previously published in swine, and this is the first report of a targeted disruption of an Ig light chain locus in a livestock species. Pigs with one targeted Cκ allele (heterozygous knockout or ±) were bred together to generate Cκ homozygous knockout (-/-) animals. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) from Cκ -/- pigs were devoid of κ-containing Igs. Furthermore, there was an increase in lambda (λ) light chain expression when compared to that of wild-type littermates (Cκ +/+). Targeted inactivation of the Ig heavy chain locus has also been achieved and work is underway to inactivate the pig lambda light chain locus.

Therapeutic effect of norisoboldine, an alkaloid isolated from Radix Linderae, on collagen-induced arthritis in mice

The alkaloid fraction of Radix Linderae, the main active component of this herb drug, has been proven to exhibit anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antimicrobial activities. The present study was undertaken to investigate the therapeutic potential of norisoboldine, the major isoquinoline alkaloid present in Radix Linderae, in collagen II -induced arthritis (CIA) of mice as well as the possible mechanisms. CIA was induced in mice by immunization with chicken type II collagen (II). After boosted on day 21, mice were treated with norisoboldine (10, 20, 40 mg/kg) for twenty consecutive days. The clinical scores, body weight changes and joint histopathology were evaluated. Norisoboldine treatment significantly alleviated the severity of the disease, based on the reduced clinical scores and elevated the lowered body weights of model mice. Meanwhile, this alkaloid dose-dependently reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells, synovial hyperplasia and protected joint from destruction. Additionally, the serum level of anti-CII IgG and the CII-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation were remarkably decreased in the groups administered with norisoboldine. An assessment of Th1 function using the delayed-type hypersensitivity model confirmed that norisoboldine also significantly suppressed the enhanced T cell responses in vivo. These findings suggest that norisoboldine might be a potential therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis, and it functions through protecting joint destruction as well as regulating the abnormal immune responses.

Object-image-grating self-tiling to achieve and maintain stable, near-ideal tiled grating conditions

We propose and demonstrate an object-image-grating self-tiling method for doubling the effective aperture of a grating by tiling it with its image to form an object-image-grating pair. With the aid of the object-image relation, the line-density variation, angular tip, and longitudinal piston errors within a tiled grating no longer exist. The method helps achieve and maintain a near-ideal tiled grating by using a simple far-field method. Because one tiled grating requires only one beam line, a single probe laser can be used for first-installation adjustments and long-term maintenance monitoring, with no wavelength or incident angle limitations.

MDM-2 protein expression in nasopharyngeal carcinomas. Comparative study with p53 protein expression

Aims-To investigate the immunohistochemical expression of MDM-2 protein in comparison with that of p53 protein in nasopharyngeal carcinomas.Methods-Formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded tissue from 59 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma was stained by immunohistochemistry for MDM-2 and p53 proteins.Results-The tumours were divided histologically into seven cases of keratinising nasopharyngeal carcinoma (KNPC), 14 cases of non-keratinising nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NKNPC), and 38 cases of undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (UNPC). MDM-2 nuclear expression was observed in 0/7 KNPC, 1/14 NKNPC, and 11/38 UNPC. p53 nuclear expression was observed in 1/7 KNPC, 2/14 NKNPC, and 15/38 UNPC. Parallel MDM-2 and p53 expression was found in 12 cases (11 UNPC and one NKNPC). Discordant MDM-2-/p53 + expression was found in six cases (four UNPC, one NKNPC, and one KNPC), and absence of expression of both proteins in the remaining 41 cases.Conclusions-Expression of MDM-2 and p53 proteins may be associated with the level of tumour cell differentiation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Simultaneous expression of MDM-2/p53 in a proportion of UNPC suggests that MDM-2 protein may be responsible for stabilisation of p53 protein in these cases, in view of the previous demonstration of the p53 gene in germ line configuration. This could be important in the pathogenesis of these cases, since MDM-2 may deregulate the p53 dependent growth suppressive pathway. Discordant MDM-2-/p53 + expression in a few cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma may reflect stabilisation of p53 protein by other proteins, or p53 mutations unable to activate MDM-2.

Serum peptidome patterns of human systemic lupus erythematosus based on magnetic bead separation and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis

OBJECTIVES

Currently few studies have been reported to utilize matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) in rheumatic disease, especially in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Our aim was to find differentially expressed disease-related and condition-specific peptides in sera from patients with SLE, as well as to develop and validate the peptide classification model for the diagnosis of SLE.

METHODS

Based on the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) 2000, 50 SLE patients were divided into two subgroups: 25 were defined as stable SLE (SLEDAI < or = 8) and 25 as active SLE (SLEDAI > 8). Twenty-five patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 24 healthy donors were also included and underwent analysis. We performed magnetic beads-based weak cation exchange chromatography (MB-WCX) for sample processing and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) for peptide profiling. ClinProt software 2.1 was used for data analysis and a genetic algorithm was modelled for class prediction.

RESULTS

A series of significant short peptides was detected. Classification models were developed to classify samples across normal controls, active SLE patients, and stable SLE patients, and achieved high capability of prediction and cross-validation. Blinded verification of the classification model showed 91.7% sensitivity in active SLE, 83.3% sensitivity in stable SLE, and 86.7% specificity in normal controls.

CONCLUSION

We have completed a preliminary study to describe the serum peptide profile of SLE and improve the diagnosis of SLE from an integrated perspective of peptide mass patterns.

Vacuum therapy in erectile dysfunction--science and clinical evidence

Vacuum therapy (VT) utilizes negative pressure to distend the corporal sinusoids and to increase the blood inflow to the penis. Depending on its purpose, VT could be used as vacuum constriction device (VCD), with the aid of an external constricting ring which is placed at the base of penis to prevent blood outflow, maintaining the erection for sexual intercourse. Also, as a vacuum erectile device (VED), without the application of a constriction ring, just increases blood oxygenation to the corpora cavernosa and for other purposes. The emerging of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE(5)I) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) eclipsed VCD as therapeutic choice for ED; however, widespread usage of VED as part of penile rehabilitation after radical prostatectomy and other purposes rekindle the interest for VT. The underlying hypothesis is that the artificial induction of erections shortly after surgery facilitates tissue oxygenation, reducing cavernosal fibrosis in the absence of nocturnal erections, and potentially increases the likelihood of preserving erectile function. Due to its ability to draw blood into the penis regardless of nerve disturbance, VED has become the centerpiece of penile rehabilitation protocols. Herein, we reviewed the history, mechanism, application, side effects and future direction of VT in ED.

Zinc intake and the risk of hyperglycemia among Chinese adults: the prospective Jiangsu Nutrition Study (JIN)

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively examine the associations between zinc intake, the zinc to heme iron ratio and the incidence of hyperglycemia in Chinese.

METHODS

We followed 1056 healthy adults aged 20 and older from 2002 to 2007. Dietary data were collected using 3-day food record and food frequency questionnaire. Hyperglycemia was defined as fasting plasma glucose > 5.6 mmol/l.

RESULTS

During the 5 years of follow-up, we documented 125 incident cases of hyperglycemia. Zinc intake alone was not associated with the risk of hyperglycemia. The zinc to heme iron ratio was inversely associated with the risk of hyperglycemia: odds ratios (OR, 95% CI) across increasing quartiles of the zinc to heme iron ratio were 1.00, 0.78(0.44-1.37), 0.40(0.19-0.83), and 0.21(0.08-0.54)(p for trend= 0.001). Adjustment for lifestyle covariates did not significantly change the associations.

CONCLUSIONS

This cohort study suggests that the zinc to heme iron intake ratio was significantly associated with a decreased risk of hyperglycemia in Chinese adults.

Self-Organized Ni Nanocrystal Embedded in BaTiO3 Epitaxial Film

Ni nanocrystals (NCs) were embedded in BaTiO3 epitaxial films using the laser molecular beam epitaxy. The processes involving the self-organization of Ni NCs and the epitaxial growth of BaTiO3 were discussed. With the in situ monitoring of reflection high-energy electron diffraction, the nanocomposite films were engineered controllably by the fine alternation of the self-organization of Ni NCs and the epitaxial growth of BaTiO3. The transmission electron microscopy and the X-ray diffraction characterization confirmed that the composite film consists of the Ni NCs layers alternating with the (001)/(100)-oriented epitaxial BaTiO3 separation layers.

Upregulated NADPH oxidase contributes to diabetic testicular complication and is relieved by strontium fructose 1,6-diphosphate

Diabetes is frequently associated with declining sexual function resulting from oxidative damage. NADPH oxidase is a major resource of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the testes and is likely related to an activated endothelin-1 (ET-1) system. An activation of NADPH oxidase-ET-1 pathway was hypothesized in diabetic testopathy. We verified the hypothesis and tested if strontium fructose 1,6-diphosphate (FDP-Sr) could relieve these changes in diabetic testis as compared to testosterone propionate (TP) and sildenafil. Diabetes was produced in male Sprague-Dawley rats 8 weeks after a single injection of streptozotocin (STZ), and interventions with testosterone propionate (TP), sildenafil and FDP-Sr were conducted in the last 4 weeks. Blood glucose, testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) , luteinizing hormone (LH) and expressions of NADPH oxidase subunits and the ET system were measured. Decreased insulin, FSH, LH and testosterone in serum were found associating with testicular oxidative stress in STZ-injected rats. Additionally, over-expressions of NADPH oxidase p22, p47, p67 subunits and the ET pathway were significant in the diabetic testis relative to normal and were completely abolished by FDP-Sr. Both TP and sildenafil were not beneficial to diabetic testopathy except serum androgen raised by TP. Activated NADPH oxidase and ET system are significant contributing to testis injury and are responded to FDP-Sr only, against both TP and sildenafil, by restoring the testis function and the hypothalamus-pituitary-testis axis. It is due to its extra-energy supply and an antioxidant activity of FDP-Sr.

Genome-wide analysis of histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation by ChIP-chip in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of systemic lupus erythematosus patients

OBJECTIVES

Histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation(H3K4me3) is an important epigenetic modification and associated with active transcription in multiple organisms. In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), global and gene-specific DNA methylation changes have been demonstrated to occur. However, to date, our knowledge about the alterations in the histone lysine methylation in SLE is known little. This study aimed to investigate the variations in H3K4me3 in CpG island regions in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of SLE patients and the controls, including rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy subjects.

METHODS

PBMCs were isolated by density gradient centrifugation from 10 active SLE patients, 7 inactive SLE patients, 8 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 8 healthy volunteers. H3K4me3 variations were analysed by using chromatin immunoprecipitation linked to the microarray (ChIP-chip) approach. ChIP-real time PCR was used to validate the microrray results. Expression analysis by qRT-PCR revealed correlations between mRNA and H3K4me3 levels. In addition, DNA methylation status was also further analysed by Methyl-DNA immunoprecipitation-quantitative PCR.

RESULTS

Many key relevant candidate genes (such as PTPN22, LRP1B etc.) displaying differential changes in H3K4me3 in SLE versus controls (rheumatoid arthritis patients, healthy subjects) were identified. The results of ChIP-real time PCR were coincided well with those of microarray. Aberrant DNA methylation can also be found on selected randomly positive genes (WDR5, SLC24A3, PTPN22, LRP1B METT10D and CDH13).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results first indicate that there are significant alterations of H3K4me3 in PBMCs of SLE patients, and H3K4me3 alterations are associated with the pathogenesis of the SLE. Such novel findings show the significance of H3K4me3 as a potential biomarker or promising target for epigenetic-based lupus therapies.

'Pure' partial trisomy 4q26-->q35.2 resulting from a familial unbalanced translocation t(4;10)(q26;q26.3)

A 3-year-old girl with an inherited translocation of 4q onto the long arm of chromosome 10 is reported as a case of 'pure' partial trisomy 4q. The main clinical features of the patient included moderate mental retardation (IQ = 40), growth retardation, language handicap, right hand preaxial hexadactyly, and abnormal electroencephalogram. Conventional cytogenetic analysis showed partial trisomy 4q25-->qter was present in the patient, both patient's father and grandmother were apparently balanced translocation t(4;10) (q25;q26) carriers, which suggests that the partial trisomy 4q25-->qter in the patient results from unbalanced segregation of the father's translocation. The extension of the trisomic 4q region was redefined by array comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH), the breakpoint on chromosome 4 was located at 4q26 (between 115,596,658 bp and 118,785,802 bp from the telomere of 4p), and an approximately 0.54-Mb microdeletion del(10)(q26.3) (between 134,750,859 bp and 135,286,223 bp from the telomere of 10p) was identified. FISH and RT-qPCR confirmed that del(10)(q26.3) was also present in both father and grandmother, which suggests that their translocations are actually unbalanced and the patient's abnormal phenotypes may only ascribe to partial trisomy 4q26-->q35.2.

Prediction models for feverishness developed during interferon therapy of chronic hepatitis C patients

Pegylated interferon (peginterferon) and ribavirin combination therapy is used extensively for therapy of chronic hepatitis C. Most patients that receive this therapy are known to develop influenza-like symptoms with fever and headache. Therefore, we attempted to construct a multiple-regression model to predict the intensity of feverishness from the profiles of such patients. A retrospective survey of the medical charts of patients with chronic hepatitis C that have been on peginterferon-alpha-2b and ribavirin combination therapy was performed. Body temperatures of patients at 8.5 h after receiving interferon injection on day one of therapy were the objective variables. Patients' profiles such as sex, age, and blood test results before the injection were defined as explanatory variables. Genetic algorism with leave-one-out cross-validation as selection pressure was applied in the selection of variables. The final model for prediction was determined by bootstrap validation. As a result, a significant multiple-regression model including sex, BUN, and leukocyte count as descriptors was constructed. The prediction of patients with severe fever in the model equation is of some help regarding the proper use of antipyretics in interferon therapy.

Human telomerase RNA gene (TERC) gain and polysomy of chromosome 3 in cervicovaginal liquid-based pap preparations: a fluorescence in situ hybridization study

PURPOSE. This study investigated human telomerase RNA gene (TERC) gain and polysomy of chromosome 3 in cervicovaginal liquid-based pap preparations in Guilin, China, and assessed the relationship between FISH findings and clinical diagnoses. METHODS. Slides prepared from 63 liquid-based preparations with cytologic diagnoses of negative for squamous intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM n = 9), atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS, n = 18), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL, n = 14), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL, n = 9), and cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA, n = 13) were analyzed for TERC gain and polysomy of chromosome 3 using a commercially available two-color FISH probe. The results of the cytologic analysis and those of concurrent or subsequent biopsies, when available, were compared with the FISH findings. The Mann-Whitney test was used to assess associations between FISH findings and diagnoses. RESULTS. TERC gain and polysomy of chromosome 3 were significantly associated with the cytologic diagnosis (p? 0.001). Patients with HSIL or SCCA cytology diagnoses had a significantly higher percentage of cells with TERC gain and polysomy of chromosome 3 than did patients with NILM, ASCUS or LSIL cytologic diagnoses. Those abnormal cases with CIN1 histological diagnosis had a significantly lower percentage of cells with TERC gain and polysomy of chromosome 3 than did patients with a CIN2, CIN3 and SCCA histological diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS. TERC gain and polysomy of chromosome 3 may be important associated genetic events in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and carcinoma. FISH is a potential tool for the diagnoses of uterine cervix disease.

Long-range empirical potential model: extension to hexagonal close-packed metals

An n-body potential is developed and satisfactorily applied to hcp metals, Co, Hf, Mg, Re, Ti, and Zr, in the form of long-range empirical potential. The potential can well reproduce the lattice constants, c/a ratios, cohesive energies, and the bulk modulus for their stable structures (hcp) and metastable structures (bcc or fcc). Meanwhile, the potential can correctly predict the order of structural stability and distinguish the energy differences between their stable hcp structure and other structures. The energies and forces derived by the potential can smoothly go to zero at cutoff radius, thus completely avoiding the unphysical behaviors in the simulations. The developed potential is applied to study the vacancy, surface fault, stacking fault and self-interstitial atom in the hcp metals. The calculated formation energies of vacancy and divacancy and activation energies of self-diffusion by vacancies are in good agreement with the values in experiments and in other works. The calculated surface energies and stacking fault energies are also consistent with the experimental data and those obtained in other theoretical works. The calculated formation energies generally agree with the results in other works, although the stable configurations of self-interstitial atoms predicted in this work somewhat contrast with those predicted by other methods. The proposed potential is shown to be relevant for describing the interaction of bcc, fcc and hcp metal systems, bringing great convenience for researchers in constructing potentials for metal systems constituted by any combination of bcc, fcc and hcp metals.

Proposed long-range empirical potential to study the metallic glasses in the Ni-Nb-Ta system

An n-body potential is constructed for the Ni-Nb-Ta ternary metal system in the newly proposed form of long-range empirical potential. The constructed Ni-Nb-Ta potential can well reproduce the lattice constants, cohesive energies, and elastic modulus of the metals and some compounds as well as the equations of state of the system. Applying the constructed Ni-Nb-Ta potential, molecular dynamics simulations and Voronoi tessellations are carried out to study the issues related to the Ni-Nb-Ta metallic glasses. It is found that increasing the Ni content can obviously improve the glass-forming ability of the binary Nb-Ta system, which features a isomorphous phase diagram unfavoring for forming glass, indicating that the Ni solute plays a decisive role in forming the Nb-based or Ta-based Ni-Nb-Ta metallic glasses. Concerning the atomic structure, the Voronoi cell volume and coordination number (CN) of Ta are generally larger than those of Ni in the binary Ni-Ta metallic glasses. With increasing the Ni concentration, the fraction of icosidihedron (CN=13) increases, while the fractions of icosihexahedron (CN=15) and icosioctahedron (CN=16) decrease. Meanwhile, with increasing the Ni concentration, the dominating coordination numbers of Ta atoms increase. Interestingly, similar feature in the atomic structure with variation of Ni concentration is also observed in the Ni-Nb metallic glasses. For the ternary Ni-Nb-Ta alloys, it is observed from the CN distributions that the structure of the metallic glasses is mostly affected by the Ni concentration.