[The analysis of a pedigree with hereditary coagulation factor Ⅴ deficiency caused by compound heterozygous variation of F5 gene]

Objective: To analyze the gene variation of a genetic coagulation factor Ⅴ (FⅤ) deficiency pedigree and explore the molecular pathogenesis. Methods: The proband was a 32 years old female. The patient was prone to nose bleeding since childhood which was usually self-healed. On March 10, 2021, the proband went to the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University for treatment of knee hematoma caused by a fall. None of the family members reported any history of bleeding. The prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and FⅤ activity (FⅤ: C) were detected by clotting method and the FⅤ antigen (FⅤ: Ag) was tested with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All exons and flanks of F5 gene were determined by Sanger sequencing. Clustalx-2.1-win, PolyPhen-2 and Swiss-PDBViewer software were used to analyze the conservatism of missense variation sites, whether the variations were harmful and their influences on protein structure and function. MutationTaster and NetGene2 software were used to analyze whether the splice site variation was harmful and its effect on the splice site. Results: The PT and APTT of the proband prolonged to 24.0 s and 69.8 s, respectively. The FⅤ: C and FⅤ: Ag decreased to 6% and 9%, respectively. There were compound heterozygous variations in F5 gene, which included c.911G>A heterozygous missense variation in exon 6 leading to p.Gly276Glu variation and c.5208+1G>A heterozygous missense variation in intron 15. The father and daughter had the p.Gly276Glu heterozygous variation. Her mother and son had the c.5208+1G>A heterozygous variation. Software analysis results of p.Gly276Glu heterozygous variation showed that Gly276 was conserved among homologous species, the variation was harmful, and it could affect the local structure and function of the protein. The c.5208+1G>A heterozygous variation was deleterious and resulted in the disappearance of the splice site, thereby affecting the protein function. Conclusion: The p.Gly276Glu and c.5208+1G>A compound heterozygous variants are deleterious variants associated with the patient's disease and may be the molecular pathogenesis of inherited FⅤ deficiency in this family.

Bioconversion of Hg0 into HA-Hg for simultaneous removal of Hg0 and NO in a denitrifying membrane biofilm reactor

Bacterial mercury oxidation coupled to denitrification offers great potential for simultaneous removal of elemental mercury (Hg⁰) and nitric oxide (NO) in a denitrifying membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR). Four potentially contributory mechanisms tested separately, namely, membrane gas separation, medium absorption, biosorption and biotransformation, which contributed 4.9%/7.2%, 8.1%/8.9%, 38.8%/9.5% and 48.2%/84.9% of overall Hg⁰/NO removal in MBfR. Herein, Hg⁰ bio-oxidation, oxidative Hg⁰ biosorption and denitrification played leading roles in simultaneous removal of Hg⁰ and NO. Living microbes performed simultaneous Hg⁰ bio-oxidation and denitrification, in which Hg⁰ as electron donor was biologically oxidized to oxidized mercury (Hg²⁺), while NO as the terminal electron acceptor was denitrified to N₂. The Hg²⁺ further complexed with humic acids in extracellular polymeric substances via functional groups (-SH, -OH, -NH^- and -COO^-) and formed humic acids bound mercury (HA-Hg). Non-living microbial matrix performed oxidative Hg⁰ biosorption, in which Hg⁰ may be physically adsorbed by cellular matrix, then non-metabolically oxidized to Hg²⁺ via oxidative complexation with -SH in humic acids and finally cleavage of S-H bond and surface charge transfer led to formation of HA-Hg. Therefore, bioconversion of Hg⁰ to HA-Hg by Hg⁰ bio-oxidation and oxidative Hg⁰ biosorption coupled with NO denitrification to N₂ dynamically cooperated to accomplish simultaneous removal of Hg⁰ and NO in MBfR.

New Iboga-Type Indole Alkaloids from Tabernaemontana divaricata

Two hitherto unknown iboga-type indole alkaloids, namely (3R)-7,19-di-epi-3-methoxytabernoxidine (1) and (3R,19R)-19-hydroxy-3-(2-oxopropyl)voacangine (2), together with eight known alkaloids (3-10), were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Tabernaemontana divaricata. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic data interpretation, single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and circular dichroism spectrum.

Photocatalytic membrane combined with biodegradation for toluene oxidation

Photocatalytic membrane coupled to biodegradation offers potential for degrading volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in photocatalytic membrane biofilm reactor. An intimately coupled photocatalysis and biodegradation reactor was operated in continuous operation for 500 days to treat simulated waste gas containing toluene. Toluene removal efficiency obtained 99%, with the elimination capacity of 550 g m^-3·h^-1. Membrane photocatalysis coupled to biodegradation was created to improve toluene removal from 11 to 20%. The dominant genera were Lysinibacillus, Hydrogenophaga, Pseudomonas at 30 d, Rudaea, Dongia, Litorilinea at 230 d xyl, Tod, Tcb, Bed, Tmo, Tbu, Tou, Dmp, Cat were functional genes of toluene metabolism, as shown by16S rDNA and metagenomic sequencing. Photocatalysis destroyed part of the toluene into biodegradable intermediates that were immediately mineralized by microorganisms in biofilm, some toluene was directly degraded by toluene degrading bacterial community into carbon dioxide and water. The novel hybrid photocatalytic membrane biofilm reactor is a cost-effective and robust alternative to VOCs treatment.

[Ultrastructure and Raman Spectral Characteristics of Two Kinds of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the Raman spectral characteristics of leukemia cells from 4 patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (M₃) and 3 patients with acute monoblastic leukemia (M₅), establish a novel Raman label-free method to distinguish 2 kinds of acute myeloid leukemia cells so as to provide basis for clinical research.

METHODS

Leukemia cells were collected from bone marrow of above-mentioned patients. Raman spectra were acquired by Horiba Xplora Raman spectrometer and Raman spectra of 30-50 cells from each patient were recorded. The diagnostic model was established according to principle component analysis (PCA), discriminant function analysis (DFA) and cluster analysis, and the spectra of leukemia cells from 7 patients were analyzed and classified. Characteristics of Raman spectra were analyzed combining with ultrastructure of leukemia cells.

RESULTS

There were significant differences between Raman spectra of 2 kinds of leukemia cells. Compared with acute monoblastic leukemia cells, the spectra of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells showed stronger peaks in 622, 643, 757, 852, 1003, 1033, 1117, 1157, 1173, 1208, 1340, 1551, 1581 cm^-1. The diagnostic models established by PCA-DFA and cluster analysis could successfully classify these Raman spectra of different samples with a high accuracy of 100% (233/233). The model was evaluated by "Leave-one-out" cross-validation and reached a high accuracy of 97% (226/233).

CONCLUSION

The level of macromolecules of M₃ cells is higher than that of M₅. The diagnostic models established by PCA-DFA can classify these Raman spectra of different cells with a high accuracy. Raman spectra shows consistent result with ultrastructure by TEM.

[Analysis of the influential factors of late diagnosis among newly identified HIV/AIDS cases in Anhui Province, 2011-2015]

Objective: To analyze the base situation and influential factors of late diagnosis among newly identified HIV/AIDS cases in Anhui Province from 2011 to 2015. Methods: Database information of the newly identified HIV/AIDS cases in Anhui Province from 2011 to 2015 were downloaded from the National HIV/AIDS Comprehensive Information System of China's disease prevention and control information system. To analyze the data including basic information, sample source, route of HIV transmission, population mobility, venereal disease, death and first CD4 count; and the number of 7 073 cases were classified according to late diagnosis and non-late diagnosis criteria. The Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the influential factors of HIV late diagnosis. Results: A total of 7 073 newly identified HIV/AIDS cases were analyzed, and the mean age was (38.5±15.0) years. The proportion of late diagnosis in all counted cases was 41.7% (2 949/7 073); from 2011 to 2015, the proportions of late diagnosis were 59.7% (485/812), 46.5% (531/1 141), 42.7% (587/1 376), 36.1% (609/1 686), and 35.8% (737/2 058), respectively. Compared with the 0 to 19 years group, the 40 to 59 years group and over 60 years old group have higher risk of late diagnosis (OR=2.68, 95%CI: 1.94-3.71; OR=2.18, 95%CI: 1.53-3.10, respectively). Compared with the high education group, the illiterate and primary school education group have higher risk of late diagnosis (OR=1.74, 95%CI: 1.36-2.22; OR=1.64, 95%CI: 1.34-2.01, respectively). Compared with other sample sources, medical institutions have higher risk of late diagnosis (OR=2.64, 95%CI: 2.28-3.05). Compared with migrant population, the resident population have higher risk of late diagnosis (OR=1.80, 95%CI: 1.53-2.11). Conclusion: The proportion of late diagnosis among newly identified HIV/AIDS cases in Anhui province was relatively high from 2011 to 2015. The main risk factors of late diagnosis included cases reported by medical institutions, resident population, over 40 years old age group and low education level.

[A survey of correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and dyslipidemia rlsk among middle-aged individuals in Beijing]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate vitamin D status in middle-aged subjects in Beijing and explore the correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D] levels and dyslipidemia.

METHODS

A total of 448 individuals over 40 years old were enrolled in the cross-sectional survey. The general information, blood biochemical and lipid profiles and serum 25(OH)D levels were collected. The subjects were either divided into two groups (the dyslipidemia group and the non-dyslipidemia group) based on the lipid levels, or four groups according to quartiles of 25(OH)D levels. The association between 25(OH)D levels and dyslipidemia risk was analyzed by a logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 234 cases were in dyslipidemia group, which accounted for 52.23% of the subjects. The serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in the dyslipidemia group than in the non-dyslipidemia group both in men and in women (all P<0.05). The median serum 25(OH)D level in the total subjects was 15.7 (12.2, 20.1)μg/L with 91.1% subjects of serum 25(OH)D level<30 μg/L. The proportion of subjects with dyslipidemia (high TC, high TG, high LDL-C, or low HDL-C) increased with the decrease of 25(OH)D level quartiles (P<0.05). After adjustment of confounding factors, the logistic regression analysis showed that subjects in the lowest 25(OH) D quartile group had 143% higher risks for dyslipidemia than those in the highest quartile group.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that 25(OH)D insufficiency is highly prevalent among middle-aged individuals and it may be associated with the risk of dyslipidemia.

[Femtosecond lenticule extraction for correction of myopia: clinical results and recovery of subbasal nerves]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical efficacy, safety, predictability, corneal sensitivity, tear function and recovery of subbasal nerves after femtosecond lenticule extraction (FLEx) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

METHODS

In this prospective, nonrandomized, comparative clinical study, 49 patients (98 eyes) were divided into two groups. FLEx was performed to treat myopia by Visumax femtosecond laser system, and LASIK was performed by Allegretto Wave laser system. The patients were followed up for 6 months. Visual acuity, manifest refraction, intraocular pressure, slit-lamp examination, corneal topography by Pentacam, tear break-up time, Schirmer test, corneal sensitivity and confocal microscopy were assessed.

RESULTS

Forty-four patients (88 eyes) completed the 6-month follow-up. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.89±0.14 in eyes with FLEx and 0.98±0.08 in eyes with LASIK at 1 day after surgery. After 10 days, BCVA was 0.98±0.09 and 1.02±0.09, respectively. At the final follow-up visit, the efficacy index was 1.09 in the FLEx group and 1.07 in the LASIK group, and the safety index was 1.12 and 1.07, respectively, in the two groups. Mean Schirmer score was (16.92±7.58) mm and (15.03±5.89) mm (t=1.316, P=0.192), mean tear break-up time was (8.94±2.57) s and (8.00±2.39) s (t=1.759, P=0.082), and corneal sensitivity was (56.46±4.49) mm and (51.38±8.16) mm (t=1.316, P=0.001) in the groups of FLEx and LASIK, respectively. At 10 days after surgery, the number of subbasal nerves was significantly decreased in the FLEx group, and in the LASIK group the subbasal nerve fibers were hardly observed. At 6 months, regenerated nerve fibers were evident in the subbasal area, which recovered faster in eyes with FLEx than in those with LASIK.

CONCLUSIONS

Femtosecond lenticule extraction appears to be efficient, safe and predictable for myopia. FLEx surgery is superior over LASIK in less reduction of corneal sensation and lower risk of harm to the subbasal nerve fibers.

Receptor-based QSAR study for a series of 3,3-disubstituted-5-aryl oxindoles and 6-aryl benzimidazol-2-ones derivatives as progesterone receptor inhibitors

Receptor-based comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) were performed on a series of 54 progesterone receptor (PR) inhibitors. The established CoMFA model from the training set gives statistically significant results with the cross-validated q (2) of 0.534 and non-cross-validated [Formula: see text] of 0.947. The best CoMSIA model was derived by the combination of steric field and hydrophobic field with a q (2) of 0.615 and [Formula: see text] of 0.954. A test set of 18 compounds was used to validate the predictive ability of the two models. The predicted correlation coefficients [Formula: see text] are 0.681 and 0.677 for CoMFA and CoMSIA models, respectively. Based on the CoMFA maps, the key structural characters of progesterone receptor inhibitors are identified. Moreover, the binding modes of oxindoles and benzimidazol-2-ones are also given by the quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) calculations. This may provide useful information for drug design.

Upregulation of Fas and FasL expression in nicotine-induced apoptosis of endothelial cells

Although smoking-related coronary vascular disease is well documented, the effects of nicotine have not been fully investigated. There is controversy over reports about the effect of nicotine on apoptosis. The effect of nicotine on apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the expressions of Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) and caspase-3 were evaluated in this study. Annexin V fluorescein isothiocyanate and propidium iodide double staining demonstrated that nicotine (0.2 microM, 0.5 microM and 1 microM) could induce apoptosis of HUVECs; reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and Western blotting analysis demonstrated that levels of Fas and FasL expression were increased in nicotine-treated HUVECs. Moreover, caspase-3 expression was also increased. These data indicate that nicotine induces the apoptosis of HUVECs, and that the Fas/FasL pathway may play an important role. This provides evidence that nicotine may have an important role in cardiovascular pathology and atherogenesis.

ent-Pimarane diterpenoids from Siegesbeckia orientalis and structure revision of a related compound

Six new ent-pimarane diterpenoids, namely, ent-14beta,16-epoxy-8-pimarene-3beta,15alpha-diol (1), 7beta-hydroxydarutigenol (2), 9beta-hydroxydarutigenol (3), 16-O-acetyldarutigenol (4), 15,16-di-O-acetyldarutoside (5), and 16-O-acetyldarutoside (6), were isolated from the ethanol extract of Siegesbeckia orientalis. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic studies, and the absolute configuration of 1 was established by the modified Mosher's method. Furthermore, the structure of ent-12beta,16-epoxy-8-pimarene-2alpha,15beta,19-triol, recently isolated from the same plant, should be revised as ent-14beta,16-epoxy-8-pimarene-2alpha,15alpha,19-triol (10).

Acetylcholinesterase: mechanisms of covalent inhibition of H447I mutant determined by computational analyses

The reaction mechanisms of two inhibitor TFK(+) and TFK(0) binding to H447I mutant mouse acetylcholinesterase (mAChE) have been investigated by using a combined ab initio quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) approach and classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. TFK(+) binding to the H447I mutant may proceed with a different reaction mechanism from the wild-type. A water molecule takes over the role of His447 and participates in the bond breaking and forming as a "charge relayer". Unlike in the wild-type mAChE case, Glu334, a conserved residue from the catalytic triad, acts as a catalytic base in the reaction. The calculated energy barrier for this reaction is about 8kcal/mol. These predictions await experimental verification. In the case of the neutral ligand TFK(0), however, multiple MD simulations on the TFK(0)/H447I complex reveal that none of the water molecules can be retained in the active site as a "catalytic" water. Taken together our computational studies confirm that TFK(0) is almost inactive in the H447I mutant, and also provide detailed mechanistic insights into the experimental observations.

[Analysis of organic additives in copper-plating brightener by high performance liquid chromatography]

This paper describes a high performance liquid chromatographic method for analysis of organic additives in copper-plating brightener. The copper-plating brightener was filtered through 0.45 microgram micropore membrane and determined on a Spherisorb-C6H5 column, with V(methanol):V(water) = 30:70 mobile phase at the flow rate of 1.5 mL/min, and detected at UV 210 nm. 2-benzimidazolethiol, ethylene thiourea, 1-propanesulfonic acid 3,3'-dithio-bis-disodium salt were separated and determined. The recoveries were more than 99% with CV less than 1%. The method is simple and rapid.

[Screening of beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase forming strains and conditions for enzyme production]

About 1200 strains of microorganisms were screened including fungi, actinomyces, and bacteria, in which 237 strains producing the enzyme desired. The results showed that the beta-GlcNAcase and beta-GalNAcase always co-existed in one strain, though may be in different ratio. From strains mentioned above the authors screened out a potent beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase producing strain, Aspergillus tamarii S215, from the soil sample. The optimal conditions for enzyme production were as follows: the microorganisms was inoculated in a 5% wheat bran suspension, cultured at 28-30 degrees C on shaker for 5-6 days. The productivity can be moderately enhanced by the addition of cellobiose or glucosamine or galactosamine or by the extra supplement of (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3 as N sources. In the culture filtrate of Asp. tamarii, the alpha, (beta)-galactosidase, beta-glucosidase, alpha-mannosidase and beta-fucosidase were also found.