[Mutational spectrum and its prognostic significance in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia based on next-generation sequencing technology]

Objective: This study analyzed the correlation between genetic mutation and prognostic significance in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) . Methods: Targeted exome by next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology was used to carry out molecular profiling of untreated 141 children with ALL in Fujian Medical University Union Hospital from November 2016 to December 2019. Correlation of genetic features and clinical features and outcomes was analyzed. Results: Among the 141 pediatric patients with ALL, 160 somatic mutations were detected in 83 patients (58.9% ) , including 37 grade Ⅰ mutations and 123 grade Ⅱ mutations. Single nucleotide variation was the most common type of mutation. KRAS was the most common mutant gene (12.5% ) , followed by NOTCH1 (11.9% ) , and NRAS (10.6% ) . RAS pathway (KRAS, FLT3, PTPN11) , PAX5 and TP53 mutations were only detected, and NRAS mutations was mainly found in B-ALL while FBXW7 and PTEN mutations were only found, and NOTCH1 mutation was mainly detected in T-ALL. The average number of mutations detected in each child with T-ALL was significantly higher than in children with B-ALL (4.16±1.33 vs 2.04±0.92, P=0.004) . The children were divided into mutation and non-mutation groups according to the presence or absence of genetic variation. There were no statistically significant differences in sex, age, newly diagnosed white blood cell count, minimal or measurable residual disease monitoring results, expected 3-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) between the two groups (P>0.05) . On the other hand, the proportion of T-ALL and fusion gene negative children in the mutant group was significantly higher than the non-mutation group (P=0.021 and 0.000, respectively) . Among the patients without fusion gene, the EFS of children with grade I mutation was significantly lower than children without grade I mutation (85.5% vs 100.0% , P=0.039) . Among children with B-ALL, the EFS of those with TP53 mutation was significantly lower than those without TP53 mutation (37.5% vs 91.2% , P<0.001) . Conclusion: Genetic variation is more common in childhood ALL and has a certain correlation with clinical phenotype and prognosis. Therefore, targeted exome by NGS can be used as an important supplement to the traditional morphology, immunology, cytogenetics, and molecular biology classification.

[Clinical features and prognosis of ETV6-RUNX1-positive childhood B-precursor acute lymphocyte leukemia]

目的

探讨ETV6-RUNX1融合基因阳性儿童急性前体B淋巴细胞白血病（B-ALL）的临床特征及预后。

方法

回顾性分析2011年4月至2020年5月福建医科大学附属协和医院小儿血液科收治的927例初诊B-ALL患儿的临床资料。根据ETV6-RUNX1检测结果，分为ETV6-RUNX1⁺组及ETV6-RUNX1⁻组，对比两组的临床特征及预后；182例ETV6-RUNX1⁺患儿规范治疗，其中144例接受中国儿童白血病协作组（CCLG）-ALL 2008方案治疗（CCLG-ALL 2008方案组），38例接受中国儿童癌症协作组（CCCG）-ALL 2015方案治疗（CCCG-ALL 2015方案组），对比两种方案的疗效、严重不良反应（SAE）发生率及治疗相关死亡（TRM）率。

结果

927例B-ALL患儿中，189例（20.4%）ETV6-RUNX1阳性。ETV6-RUNX1⁺组初诊时有危险因素（年龄≥10岁或<1岁，WBC≥50×10⁹/L）的患者比例均显著低于ETV6-RUNX1⁻组（P值分别为0.000和0.001），而泼尼松诱导试验反应良好、诱导化疗第15天或第19天微小残留病（MRD）<1%，以及诱导化疗第33天或第46天MRD<0.01%的患者比例显著高于ETV6-RUNX1⁻组（P值分别为0.001、0.028和0.004）。ETV6-RUNX1⁺组的5年无事件生存（EFS）及总生存（OS）率均显著高于ETV6-RUNX1⁻组（EFS：89.8%对83.2%，P＝0.003；OS：90.2%对86.3%，P＝0.030）。CCLG-ALL 2008组感染相关SAE发生率显著高于CCCG-ALL 2015组（27.1%对5.3%，P＝0.004），TRM发生率也高于CCCG-ALL 2015组，但差异无统计学意义（4.9%对0，P＝0.348）。

结论

ETV6-RUNX1⁺儿童B-ALL初诊危险因素较少，早期治疗反应较好，复发率低，总体预后良好；适当减低化疗强度，可降低感染相关SAE及TRM发生率，并进一步提高该亚型ALL患儿的OS率。

[Analysis of 123 Cases of Forensic Psychiatry Testimony of Individuals Suspected of Road Traffic Offences]

Abstract

Objective To explore the characteristics of individuals with mental disorders suspected of road traffic offences and to find their differences from normal offenders, in order to regulate mental disorder patients' driving activities and prevent road traffic offences. Methods One hundred and twenty-three cases of forensic psychiatry testimony of individuals suspected of road traffic offences between 2014 and 2019 from the West China Forensic Center of Sichuan Province were collected. Fisher exact probability test was used to compare the differences between offenders with mental disorders and without mental disorders in terms of demographic characteristics, criminological characteristics, psychiatric characteristics and criminal responsibilities. Results There was no statistical significance in the differences of demographic characteristics, vehicles and kinds of alcohol between the two groups （P>0.05）. The main type of road traffic related crimes committed by offenders with mental disorders was risky driving and were mainly evaluated as partial criminal responsibility, whereas most offenders without mental disorders committed crime of causing traffic casualties and all were evaluated as full criminal responsibility. There was statistical significance in the differences of the types of crime and the criminal responsibility rating between the two groups （P<0.05）. Meanwhile, patients with mental disorders were characterized by long course of disease and irregular treatment, and individuals diagnosed as having mental disorders caused by psychoactive substances accounted for a large proportion. Conclusion There are differences in the characteristics of road traffic-related crimes between mental disorder patients and normal people. It is of great practical significance for reducing road traffic offences to evaluate whether the individuals with mental disorders are fit for driving.

Exosome-Transmitted lncRNA H19 Inhibits the Growth of Pituitary Adenoma

CONTEXT

Our previous study demonstrated that the expression of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) H19 was frequently downregulated in human primary pituitary adenomas and negatively correlated with tumor progression. However, the role of exosomal lncRNA H19 in the inhibition of pituitary tumor growth remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether exosomal H19 could be transported across the cell membrane to exert its inhibitory effect on pituitary tumor growth.

DESIGN

Empty lentivirus GH3 cells with or without H19 overexpression were used to establish a xenograft model. Isolated exosomes were identified by transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking, and Western blotting. The expression levels of serum exosomal H19 from 200 healthy subjects and 206 patients with various subtypes of pituitary tumors were detected by ultracentrifugation and quantitative real-time PCR.

RESULTS

The growth of distal tumor cells was inhibited by transferring exosomal H19, which could be transported through cell membrane and exert its inhibitory effect. Cabergoline increased H19 expression and played a synergic therapeutic effect with exosomal H19. Exosomal H19 inhibited phosphorylation of the mTORC1 substrate 4E-BP1. Of note, the expression level of exosomal H19 in the patients with all subtypes of pituitary tumors was significantly lower than that in the healthy subjects. The change of plasma exosomal H19 level may be correlated with the prognosis or drug response of the patients.

CONCLUSION

Exosomal H19 inhibits the growth of distal pituitary tumors through inhibiting 4E-BP1 phosphorylation. Plasma exosomal H19 may serve as an important biomarker for predicting medical responses of patients with prolactinomas.

[Clonal evolution and clinical significance of trisomy 8 in acquired bone marrow failure]

Objective: To analyze clonal evolution and clinical significance of trisomy 8 in patients with acquired bone marrow failure. Methods: The clinical data of 63 patients with acquired bone marrow failure accompanied with isolated trisomy 8 (+8) from June 2011 to September 2018 were analyzed retrospectively, the clonal evolution patterns and relationship with immmunosuppressive therapy were summarized. Results: Totally 24 male and 39 female patients were enrolled, including 39 patients with aplastic anemia (AA) and 24 patients with relatively low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) . Mean size of+8 clone in MDS patients[65% (15%-100%) ]was higher than that of AA patients[25% (4.8%-100%) , z=3.48, P=0.001]. The patients were was divided into three groups (<30%, 30%-<50%,and ≥50%) according to the proportion of+8 clone. There was significant difference among the three groups between AA[<30%:55.6% (20/36) ; 30-50%: 22.2% (8/36) ; ≥50%22.2% (8/36) ]and MDS patients[<30%:19.0% (4/21) ; 30%-<50%:19.0% (4/21) ; ≥50%61.9% (13/21) ] (P=0.007) . The proportion of AA patients with+8 clone <30% was significantly higher than that of MDS patients (P=0.002) ; and the proportion of AA patients with+8 clone ≥50%was significantly lower than that of MDS patients (P=0.002) . The median age of AA and MDS patients was respectively 28 (7-61) years old and 48.5 (16-72) years old. Moreover, there was no correlation between age and+8 clone size in AA or MDS (r(s)=0.109, P=0.125; r(s)=-0.022, P=0.924, respectively) . There was statistical difference in total iron binding capacity, transferrin and erythropoietin between high and low clone group of AA patients (P=0.016, P=0.046, P=0.012, respectively) , but no significant difference in MDS patients. The immunosuppressive therapy (IST) efficacy of AA and MDS patients was respectively 66.7% and 43.8% (P=0.125) . Comparing with initial clone size (27.3%) , the +8 clone size (45%) of AA patients was increased 1-2 year after IST, but no statistical difference (z=0.83, P=0.272) . Consistently, there was no significant change between initial clone size (72.5%) and 1-2 year clone size (70.5%) after IST in MDS patients. There was no significant difference in IST efficient rate between +8 clone size expansion and decline group of in AA patients at 0.5-<1, 1-2 and>2 years after IST. We found four dynamic evolution patterns of +8 clone, which were clone persistence (45%) , clone disappearance (30%) , clone emergence (10%) and clone recurrence (15%) . Conclusions: AA patients had a low clone burden, while MDS patients had a high burden of +8 clone. The +8 clone of AA patients didn't significantly expanded after IST, and the changes of +8 clone also had no effect on IST response.

DEPTOR inhibits cell proliferation and confers sensitivity to dopamine agonist in pituitary adenoma

DEP domain-containing mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)-interacting protein (DEPTOR) is an important modulator of mTOR, a highly conserved kinase whose hyperactivation is critically involved in a variety of human tumors. The role of DEPTOR playing in pituitary adenoma (PA) is largely unknown. Here, we reported that DEPTOR was downregulated in PA tissues, especially dopamine-resistant prolactinomas. Consistently, overexpression of DEPTOR inhibited pituitary tumor GH3 and MMQ cells proliferation in vitro and in vivo, and sensitized GH3 and MMQ cells to cabergoline (CAB), a dopamine agonist (DA). Conversely, knockdown of DEPTOR promoted GH3 and MMQ cells proliferation, and conferred cells resistance to CAB. Mechanistically, DEPTOR inhibited both mTOR Complex 1 (mTORC1) and 2 (mTORC2) activities in PA cells. In addition, DEPTOR expression level was increased to suppress mTOR kinase activity via decreasing E3 ubiquitin ligase, βTrCP1, in response to CAB. Furthermore, DEPTOR enhanced autophagy-dependent cell death to confer cells sensitivity to CAB. Taken together, our results suggest that DEPTOR may be a potential target for the treatment of PAs.

[Outcomes of splenectomy in relapsed/refractory autoimmune hemolytic anemia]

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of splenectomy in the treatment of relapsed/refractory autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed in 30 cases with relapsed/refractory AIHA who were treated with splenectomy in our hospital. The pre- and post-operative blood routine indexes and responses were followed up. Results: Among the 30 relapsed/refractory AIHA patients, 20 were pure AIHA (including 13 patients with warm antibody AIHA, 2 with warm-cold double antibody AIHA and 5 with Coombs negative AIHA) and 10 were Evans syndrome. The short-term response was evaluated 10-14 days after operation, and the overall response rate (ORR) of short-term response was 90% [12 cases in complete response (CR), 6 cases in partial response (PR)] in 20 therapeutic evaluable cases. Among 13 patients with long-term follow-up data, except 3 patients with Evans syndrome died (2 cases were refractory to splenectomy, 1 case relapsed after surgery), the ORR of 10 patients with relapsed/refractory pure AIHA at 6 months and 12 months were 90% (9/10) and 70% (7/10), respectively, with a median follow-up of 14 (4-156) months. At the end of follow-up, 3 cases had maintained CR for more than 3 years. Conclusion: The short-term response of splenectomy as a second-line treatment for relapsed/refractory AIHA is satisfactory, and long-term outcome of splenectomy is up to 70% at 1 year. Approximately one-third of patients could maintain sustained remission.

[Clinical features and laboratory data analysis of decreased glycosylated hemoglobin related to hemolytic disease]

Objective: To compare the effects of different hemolytic diseases on the level of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) to further explore the relationship between HbA(1c) and laboratory indexes to disclose implications of HbA(1c) in hemolytic diseases. Methods: The distribution of 192 decreased HbA(1c) cases in 4 categories of hemolytic diseases was analyzed. Laboratory indexes related to hemolysis were tested and analyzed in each kind of disease, and relationship between laboratory indexes and HbA(1)c was statistically explored. Results: Diagnoses of decreased HbA(1c) cases mainly included erythrocyte membranopathies (88 cases), immunohemolytic anemia (72 cases), hemoglobinopathy (4 cases) and erythrocyte enzymopathy (5 cases). The distribution of HbA(2) and normal HbF subjects in immunohemolytic anemia and hemoglobinopathy was significantly different from those of HbA(2) and / or abnormal HbF subjects (41.7% vs 22.0%, χ(2)=5.574, P=0.018; 0.7% vs 7.3%, P=0.031). Compared with non-hemolytic disease patients, those who suffered from 4 categories of hemolytic diseases showed lower HbA(1c) level and higher reticulocyte percentage (Ret), indirect bilirubin (IBIL) and free hemoglobin (F-Hb). Different levels of Ret, reticulocyte hemoglobin content (Ret-He), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), IBIL and F-Hb among the 4 kinds of diseases were observed, but the causes of the differences were not the same. HbA(1c) was negatively correlated with other laboratory indexes in erythrocyte membranopathies and immunohemolytic anemia. Conclusions: Hemolytic disease resulted in false lower HbA(1c), but impact of difference on HbA1c between different diseases was not significant. HbA(1c) was closely connected to laboratory indexes related to hemolysis, which might have potential implications for hemolytic diseases such as erythrocyte membranopathies and immunohemolytic anemia.

Kinect-based virtual rehabilitation and evaluation system for upper limb disorders: A case study

OBJECTIVE

To help patients with disabilities of the arm and shoulder recover the accuracy and stability of movements, a novel and simple virtual rehabilitation and evaluation system called the Kine-VRES system was developed using Microsoft Kinect.

METHODS

First, several movements and virtual tasks were designed to increase the coordination, control and speed of the arm movements. The movements of the patients were then captured using the Kinect sensor, and kinematics-based interaction and real-time feedback were integrated into the system to enhance the motivation and self-confidence of the patient. Finally, a quantitative evaluation method of upper limb movements was provided using the recorded kinematics during hand-to-hand movement.

RESULTS

A preliminary study of this rehabilitation system indicates that the shoulder movements of two participants with ataxia became smoother after three weeks of training (one hour per day).

CONCLUSION

This case study demonstrated the effectiveness of the designed system, which could be promising for the rehabilitation of patients with upper limb disorders.

[Comparison of age-based clinical and abnormal immune parameters in patients with Henoch-Schönlein purpura]

Objective: To explore age-based clinical and immune parameters in Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) to determine clinically useful markers reflecting disease characteristic. Methods: A cohort of 502 patients with HSP were enrolled into this retrospective study to evaluate their clinical and immune data. Results: Majority HSP cases occurred at age ≤14 years and showed significant immune imbalances of ESR, CD3(+) cells, CD4(+) cells, CD3(-)CD16(+)CD56(+) cells, CD4(+)/CD8(+) cells, IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, complements C3/C4 and ASO in the acute phase. Compared to patients aged >14 years, symptoms of joint were more frequent at disease onset in patients aged ≤14 years (20.8% vs 7.6%, χ(2)=13.547, P<0.001) , and involvement of digestive tract and joint were also more frequent (57.4% vs 33.8%, χ(2)=24.106, P<0.001; 55.9% vs 32.5%, χ(2)=23.768, P<0.001, respectively) , but not for involvement of kidney (21.4% vs 51.3%, χ(2)=42.440, P<0.001) . The patients aged ≤14 years had distinct immune state, reductions of CD3(+) cells, CD4(+) cells and IgG were more frequent than patients aged >14 years, also increase of ASO (33.1% vs 20.0%, χ(2)=6.656, P=0.010) , but not increase of IgA (2.6% vs 39.4%, χ(2)=15.582, P<0.001) . In addition, reduction of IgG and increase of IgE were positively associated with digestive tract involvement (P<0.001, P=0.001, respectively) , reduction of CD3(+)CD4(+) cells and normal IgM were positively associated with joint involvement (P=0.004, P=0.003, respectively) , increase of CD3(+)CD8(+) cells and normal CD3(+) cells were positively associated with kidney involvement (P=0.032, P=0.014, respectively) . Conclusion: HSP showed significant immune imbalance in the acute phase, patients between aged ≤14 and >14 years had distinct clinical and immune characteristic, and abnormal immune parameters were significantly associated with organ involvements.

Danggui Buxue Tang, a simple Chinese formula containing Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix, stimulates the expressions of neurotrophic factors in cultured SH-SY5Y cells

Background

Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), a phytoestrogen-enriched Chinese herbal formula, serves as dietary supplement in stimulating the “Blood” functions of menopausal women. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, “Blood” has a strong relationship with brain activities. Previous studies supported that some ingredients of DBT possessed neuronal beneficial functions. Therefore, the neurotrophic function and the mechanistic action of DBT were systematically evaluated in cultured human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.

Methods

The DBT-triggered protein expressions were analyzed by western blotting, while the transcriptional activities of promoters coding for related genes were revealed by luciferase assays. For mechanistic analysis of DBT, Erk1/2 and its inhibitor U0126 were analyzed.

Results

The application of DBT in cultured neuroblastoma cells showed the efficacies in: (1) up-regulation of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF); (2) activation of transcriptional activities of promoters coding for NGF, BDNF, GDNF; (3) activation of Erk1/2 and CREB; and (4) attenuation of the neurotrophic factor expression by the treatment of an Erk1/2 inhibitor.

Conclusions

Our study supports that MAPK/Erk pathway acts as fundamental role in monitoring DBT-induced expression of neurotrophic factors in cultured human neuroblastoma cell. These results shed light in developing the working mechanism of this ancient herbal decoction for its neuronal function.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13020-017-0144-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

[The clinical feature and outcomes of severe aplastic anemia patients suffered from bacteremia following antithymocyte globulin]

Objective: To assess the clinical feature and outcomes of severe aplastic anemia (SAA) patients suffered from bacteremia following antithymocyte globulin (ATG). Methods: A total of 264 cases hospitalized in our hospital between Jan 2000 and July 2011 were enrolled into this study. We evaluated the associated pathogens of bacteremia, analyzed the risk factors by Logistic regression and estimated the overall survival (OS) by Kaplan-Meier method for the cohort of patients. Results: Bloodstream infections occurred in 49 patients, with a median age of 20 (4-62) years, including 38 cases with very SAA (VSAA) and 11 SAA patients. The median time of bacteremia was 13 (2-233) days following ATG administration. The most common microbiologically were Enterobacteriaceae (28.4% ), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20.9% ) and Klebsiella pneumonia (14.9% ). Almost half (46.9% ) of these bacteria were resistant to most or all available antibacterial classes. Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that VSAA, infections during previous week before ATG treatment were risk factors for bacteremia. The 3 and 6 months response rates (10.6% and 17.0% ) were poor in the patients with bloodstream infections, which were significantly lower than those patients without infections (35.6% and 55.6%, respectively, both P<0.001). The estimated 5-year OS were 36.4% (95%CI 21.3% to 51.5%) and 74.5% (95%CI 68.4% to 80.7%) in the two groups, respectively (P<0.001). Conclusions: ①VSAA has higher risk of bacteremia than SAA; ②Infections during previous week before ATG administration was a risk factor for bacteremia; ③ The outcomes of SAA or VSAA patients suffered from bacteremia following ATG was poor.

[The prospects of the biotherapy for refractory uveitis]

Noninfectious uveitis is a kind of recurrent autoimmune disease and a major cause of blindness in clinical practice. Corticosteroids are the conventional medication, but have severe side effects for long-term users, and some refractory patients are treated with immunosuppressive agents. Because the pathogenesis of uveitis is related to the autoimmune imbalance mediated by CD4 + T lymphocytes. The macrophages, lymphocytes and some cytokines are involved. The immunomodulatory therapy is targeted to block the lymphocytes, cytokines or their receptors, so as to control the inflammatory damage or minimize the recurrence of the disease. The biological agents include the anti-tumor necrosis factor agents, interferon-α, interleukin receptor antagonists, cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen fusion proteins and CD20 chimeric antibody. They bring a hope for the treatment of the patients with refractory uveitis. Because of the limited number of randomized clinical trials and patients, the indications, long-term effects, safety and side effects of these biologics need to be observed. In this article, the experiments and clinical trials of these new biologics for the treatment of uveitis in recent years are reviewed. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2016, 52: 551-556).

First Report of Actinidia virus A and Actinidia virus B on Kiwifruit in China

At present, two viruses affecting kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.), Actinidia virus A (AcVA) and Actinidia virus B (AcVB), both belonging to the genus Vitivirus in the family Betaflexiviridae, have been reported from New Zealand (2). The infected trees showed leaf vein chlorosis, flecking, and ringspots. China is the largest commercial kiwifruit producer. During field investigations in the growing season of 2013, symptoms of leaf chlorosis or ringspots, similar to those caused by AcVA and AcVB (1), were observed on some kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) plants in Hubei Province in the central China. Leaf samples were collected from three symptomatic and two symptomless plants of two A. chinensis cultivars. Total nucleic acids were extracted from the samples using a CTAB-based protocol described by Li et al. (3) and used as template in RT-PCR for the detection of AcVA and AcVB. Each virus was detected using two sets of primers reported by Blouin et al. (1). Primer sets AcVA 1F/1R and AcVA5F/5R were used for the AcVA detection, and AcVB1F/1R and AcVB5F/Viti3'R were used for the AcVB detection. AcVA was detected in three symptomatic plants (ID: Ac-HN-1, Ac-HN-3, and Ac-HN-5), and AcVB was detected in two symptomatic plants (ID: Ac-HN-1 and Ac-HN-3) and in one symptomless plant (ID: Ac-HN-2). Neither virus was detected in the second symptomless plant (ID: Ac-HN-4). Samples Ac-HN-1 and Ac-HN-3 had mixed infection of AcVA and AcVB, and sample Ac-HN-2 had the latent infection of AcVB. The sequenced 283-bp RT-PCR amplicons of the replicase-encoding gene from AcVA isolates AC-HN-3 and AC-HN-5 using AcVA1F/1R shared 90.8% nucleotide (nt) identity with the corresponding sequence of the New Zealand AcVA isolate (GenBank Accession No. JN427014.1). The 269-bp fragments of the RNA-binding protein-encoding gene obtained by using AcVA5F/5R shared 85.5 to 85.9% nt identities with the corresponding sequence of JN427014.1. The AcVB5F/Viti3'R products of 365 to 369 bp from three AcVB isolates shared 85.5 to 88.6% nt identities with the corresponding sequence of the New Zealand AcVB isolate. The representative sequences were submitted to GenBank with accession numbers KJ696776 and KJ696777 for the 269-bp fragments of AcVA-HN-1 and AcVA-HN-3, and KJ696778 and KJ696779 for the 365-bp and 369-bp fragments of AcVB-HN-1 and AcVB-HN-2, respectively. In addition, 12 and 14 out of 42 kiwi samples (excluding HN-1 to HN-5) collected randomly were positive for AcVA and AcVB as detected by RT-PCR. Meanwhile, the sample affected by AcVA-HN-5 was subjected to deep sequencing of the small RNAs (sRNAs) for complete survey of the infecting viruses. De novo assembly of sRNAs generated four sequence contigs, with lengths ranging from 161 to 285 nt, matching to ORFs 1 to 3 of the genome of the New Zealand AcVA isolate with significant nucleotide (91 to 95%) and amino acid (80 to 94%) similarities, and some other contigs from a new virus (unpublished). The result further confirmed AcVA infection in the kiwi plant. To our knowledge, this is the first report of both AcVA and AcVB outside of New Zealand. The Chinese isolates of the two viruses are distinct from those reported from New Zealand. The results provide valuable information for improving the viral sanitary status of the kiwifruit germplasm in China. References: (1) A. G. Blouin et al. Arch. Virol. 157:713, 2012. (2) A. G. Blouin et al. J. Plant Pathol. 95:221, 2013. (3) R. Li et al. J. Virol. Methods 154:48, 2008.

An experimental study of betadine irrigation for preventing infection during the natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) procedure

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect and feasibility of using betadine irrigation of the gastrointestinal tract for preventing infection during the natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) procedure.

METHODS

Twelve sows were used in this study. Four sows in the control group were lavaged with 500 mL saline. The eight sows in the experimental group were first lavaged with 500 mL saline and then irrigated with 200 mL betadine. A total of 5 mL of gastrointestinal (GI) tract fluid was collected before and after lavage, respectively, and 5 mL of peritoneal fluid was collected at the end of the NOTES procedure. A follow-up endoscopic examination of the GI tract was performed 24 h after NOTES. The animals were killed and necropsied after 3 weeks.

RESULTS

Irrigation with betadine of the GI tract significantly reduced the bacterial load of GI fluid. One sow died of diaphragmatic injury. No inflammation, ulcer or bleeding were observed in the experimental group by endoscopy after 24 h. More adhesions and abscesses were found in the control group than in the experimental group after 3 weeks. Only one case of adhesion was observed in the experimental group using the transcolonic approach.

CONCLUSIONS

Betadine irrigation of the GI tract is effective and feasible for preventing infection during the NOTES procedure. Further studies are needed for assessing the effectiveness and safety of betadine irrigation in the clinical application of NOTES.

CpG oligodeoxynucleotide enhances immunity against blood-stage malaria infection in mice parenterally immunized with a yeast-expressed 19 kDa carboxyl-terminal fragment of Plasmodium yoelii merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP1(19)) formulated in oil-based Montanides

The 19kDa carboxyl-terminal fragment of Plasmodium yoelii merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP1(19)), an analog of the leading falciparum malaria vaccine candidate, induces protective immunity to challenge infection when formulated with complete/incomplete Freund's adjuvant (CFA/IFA), an adjuvant unsuitable for use in humans. In this study, we investigate Montanide ISA51 and Montanide ISA720 as well as CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) as adjuvants for induction of immunity to MSP1(19). Mice immunized with MSP1(19) adjuvanted with Montanide ISA51 were protected even though some mice experienced low-grade parasitemia before resolving the infection. Mice immunized with MSP1(19) adjuvanted with Montanide ISA720 showed delayed patent parasitemia with all mice ultimately succumbing to infection. Interestingly, when the synthetic CpG ODN 1826 was included in either Montanide formulation, mice were completely protected with no parasites detected in the blood. MSP1(19)-specific antibodies in MSP1(19)-immunized mice adjuvanted with Montanide ISA51 or Montanide ISA720 showed predominantly IgG1 antibody and low levels of IgG2a. CpG ODN 1826 significantly enhanced both IgG1 and IgG2a antibody responses in Montanide ISA51-adjuvanted mice but significantly enhanced only the IgG2a antibody response in Montanide ISA720-adjuvanted mice. To investigate the relative roles of antibody and CD4(+) T cells in protection, MSP1(19)-immunized mice adjuvanted with Montanide ISA720 and CpG ODN 1826 were depleted of CD4(+) T cells just prior to challenge. Results showed that three of nine immunized/T cell depleted mice died following infection. These results suggest that antibody and CD4(+) T cells are critical for protection following immunization with MSP1(19) adjuvanted with Montanide and CpG ODN and that the formulation of a human malaria vaccine candidate in Montanide ISA720 or ISA51 together with human compatible CpG ODN would be useful for improving efficacy.

Influence of membrane fluidity modifiers on lysosomal osmotic sensitivity

Since lysosomes are prone to osmotic lysis, we have examined the correlation between their physical state and sensitivity to osmotic challenge, using agents which modify membrane fluidity. The latency loss of beta-hexosaminidase after an incubation in hypotonic sucrose medium was followed under different conditions of membrane fluidity, recorded by steady-state fluorescence anisotropy of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3, 5-hexatriene. Increasing fluidity of the lysosomal membranes with benzyl alcohol (BA) and greater rigidity caused by cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CHS) increased and decreased the enzyme latency loss, respectively. The effects of BA and CHS treatments on osmotic sensitivity were reversible subsequently by reciprocal treatments of the lysosomes with CHS and BA, respectively. The results indicate that the physical state of the membrane does indeed affect lysosomal osmotic stability.

Prevalence of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T and its association with arterial and venous thrombosis in the Chinese population

Moderate hyperhomocysteinaemia (MHH) is associated with arterial and venous thrombosis. A main genetic defect related to MHH is a C to T substitution at nucleotide 677 of the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene. A prothrombin 20210A mutation was recently identified as a risk factor for arterial and venous thrombosis. However, studies on the prevalence of mutant MTHFR C677T and prothrombin G20210A and their association with thrombosis were controversial and seldom reported in the Chinese population. We investigated the prevalence of MTHFR C677T and prothrombin G20210A genotypes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by restriction enzyme digestion in 420 Chinese subjects: 53 with deep venous thrombosis (DVT); 145 with cerebrovascular disease [115 cerebral infarction, 30 cerebral haemorrhage (CH)]; 100 with coronary artery disease (CAD); and 122 control subjects. The prevalence of the mutated MTHFR 677TT genotype and the 677T allele in normal controls was 12.3% and 30.7% respectively, similar to that in Caucasians and Japanese. The mutant 677T homozygotes and alleles were more frequent in patients with DVT than in controls (18.9% vs. 12.3%, 0.01 < P < 0. 025; 48.1% vs. 30.7%, P < 0.005). The relative risk of DVT among the carriers of 677TT and 677T were significantly increased [odds ratios: 3.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-9.5, and 3.6, 95% CI 1. 7-7.7, respectively). The mutant MTHFR heterozygous 677C/T carriers were increased in patients with cerebral infarction compared with controls (53.9% vs. 36.9%, 0.01 < P < 0.025). Relative risk of cerebral infarction was 0.96 (95% CI 0.4-2.3) for 677TT homozygotes and 1.99 (95% CI 1.2-3.4) for 677C/T heterozygotes. However, the distribution of the MTHFR TT genotype was less frequent in patients with CAD with coronary artery stenosis of > 50% than in controls (2. 8% vs. 12.3%, 0.025 < P < 0.05). Relative risk of CAD was not increased among the carriers of 677TT and 677T (odds ratios: 0.2, 95% CI 0-1.1, and 0.97, 95% CI 0.5-1.8, respectively). There were no differences in the distribution of the MTHFR genotypes among CH, CAD with coronary artery stenosis of < 50% and controls. The prothrombin 20210A mutation was not found in any patients or controls. These results demonstrated that MTHFR 677T was associated with DVT and cerebral infarction but was less associated with CAD in the Chinese population.

Effects of photoinduced membrane rigidification on the lysosomal permeability to potassium ions

Mechanism for the photoinduced increase in the lysosomal K+ permeability is still unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of photodamage-induced membrane rigidification on the lysosomal K+ permeability by measuring the membrane potential with bis(3-propyl-5-oxoisoxazol-4-yl)pentamethine oxonol and by monitoring proton leakage with p-nitrophenol. Membrane fluidity was measured by the steady-state fluorescence anisotropy of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene. Methylene blue-mediated photodamage to lysosomes decreased their membrane fluidity and increased their K+ permeability. The photoinduced increase in the K+ permeability can be reversed by fluidizing the rigidified lysosomal membranes with benzyl alcohol. The results suggest that the membrane rigidification induced by photodamage may increase lysosomal K+ permeability. This conclusion is supported by the observation that rigidifying lysosomal membranes by the treatment with membrane rigidifier cholesteryl hemisuccinate also enhanced the lysosomal K+ permeability.

Influence of membrane physical state on the lysosomal proton permeability

Influence of membrane physical state on the proton permeability of isolated lysosomes was assessed by measuring the membrane potential with 3,3'-dipropylthiadicarbocyanine iodide and monitoring their proton leakage with p-nitrophenol. Changes in the membrane order were examined by the steady-state fluorescence anisotropy of 1, 6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene. Both the membrane potential and proton leakage increased with fluidizing the lysosomal membranes by benzyl alcohol and decreased with rigidifying the membranes by cholesteryl hemisuccinate. The proton permeability increased to the maximum of 42% by the benzyl alcohol treatment and decreased to the minimum of 38.1% by the cholesteryl hemisuccinate treatment. Treating the lysosomes with protonophore CCCP increased the proton permeability by 58%. The effects of the membrane fluidization and rigidification can be reversed by rigidifying the fluidized membranes and fluidizing the rigidified membranes, respectively. The results indicate that the proton permeability of lysosomes increased and decreased with increasing and decreasing their membrane fluidity, respectively. Moreover, the lysosomal proton permeability did not alter further if the changes, either an increase or a decrease, in the fluidity exceeded some amount. The results suggest that the proton permeability of lysosomes can be modulated finitely by the alterations in their membrane physical state.

Optimized production of recombinant bluetongue core-like particles produced by the baculovirus expression system

The baculovirus-expression vector system (BEVS) has been widely used for the experimental production of many human and animal single- and multi-unit vaccines, heterologous proteins, and viral insecticides. In this work, the production of recombinant bluetongue virus core-like particles (CLPs), using Sf9 cells in shaker-suspension culture with the SF900 II medium (GIBCO, NY), has been studied. This system involved the simultaneous production of two proteins, VP7 and VP3, and was shown to achieve high volumetric productivities. The key parameters of the time of infection (TOI), and the multiplicity of infection (MOI) were studied. The results show that the peak-volumetric yields and cell-specific yields achieved using low MOIs at low-cell densities were the same as those obtained following infections with a high MOI at high-cell densities. This work establishes the feasibility of using low MOIs in the baculovirus system to produce complex multiprotein particles.

Time course study of the chromosome-type breakage-fusion-bridge cycle in maize

The B chromosome of maize has been used in a study of dicentric chromosomes. TB-9Sb is a translocation between the B and chromosome 9. The B-9 of TB-9Sb carries 60% of the short arm of 9. For construction of dicentrics, a modified B-9 chromosome was used, B-9-Dp9. It consists of the B-9 chromosome plus a duplicated 9S region attached to the distal end. In meiosis, fold-back pairing and crossing over in the duplicated region gives a chromatid-type dicentric B-9 that subsequently initiates a chromatid-type breakage-fusion-bridge cycle. In the male, it forms a single bridge in anaphase II of meiosis and at the first pollen mitosis. However, the cycle is interrupted by nondisjunction of the B centromere at the second pollen mitosis, which sends the B-9 dicentric to one pole and converts it from a chromatid dicentric to a chromosome dicentric. As expected, the new dicentric undergoes the chromosome-type breakage-fusion-bridge cycle and produces double bridges. A large number of plants with chromosome dicentrics were produced in this way. The presence of double bridges in the root cells of plants with a chromosome dicentric was studied during the first 10 wk of development. It was found that the number of plants and cells showing double bridges declined steadily over the 10-wk period. Several lines of evidence indicate that there was no specific developmental time for dicentric loss. "Healing" of broken chromosomes produced by dicentric breakage accounted for much of the dicentric loss. Healing produced a wide range of derived B-9 chromosomes, some large and some small. A group of minichromosomes found in these experiments probably represents the small end of the scale for B-9 derivatives.

Quantification of recombinant core-like particles of bluetongue virus using immunosorbent electron microscopy

Immunosorbent electron microscopy was used to quantify recombinant baculovirus-generated bluetongue virus (BTV) core-like particles (CLP) in either purified preparations or lysates of recombinant baculovirus-infected cells. The capture antibody was an anti-BTV VP7 monoclonal antibody. The CLP concentration in purified preparations was determined to be 6.6 x 10(15) particles/l. CLP concentration in lysates of recombinant baculovirus-infected cells was determined at various times post-infection and shown to reach a value of 3 x 10(15) particles/l of culture medium at 96 h post-infection. The results indicated that immunosorbent electron microscopy, aided by an improved particle counting method, is a simple, rapid and accurate technique for the quantification of virus and virus-like particles produced in large scale in vitro systems.

Molecular characterization of a calponin-like protein from Schistosoma japonicum

The gene for a Schistosoma japonicum (Philippine strain origin) (Sjp) calponin-like protein has been cloned and characterised. The clone, designated P14, was isolated from a Sjp adult worm lambda ZAP cDNA library by immunoscreening, and was shown to contain a full-length cDNA encoding a 38.3 kDa protein that shared significant sequence similarity to a number of previously reported calponins and 22 kDa smooth-muscle proteins. Northern analysis indicated the P14 transcript was approximately 2.2 kb in both Sjp and Chinese strain S. japonicum (Sjc) adult worms. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA suggested that several copies of the P14 gene are present in the Sjc and Sjp genomes but only one copy was evident in the S. mansoni (Sm) genome. Western blot analysis indicated that the product of P14 occurs as a 38 kDa protein in adult Sjp worms and homologues are present in adult worms of Sjc and Sm. At least six isoforms, all with a similar molecular size of approximately 38 kDa and isoelectric points ranging from 8.1 to 9.5, were present in adult Sjc worms. The protein was immunolocalized to the muscle of male and female Sjc adult worms. Recombinant protein was expressed in E. coli and purified under denaturing conditions, and in yeast to produce a soluble protein in purified form. The availability of purified, correctly folded protein will allow investigations into its biological functions and potential involvement in host immunity.

Free luciferase may acquire a more favorable conformation than ribosome-associated luciferase for its activity expression

A variant of firefly luciferase in which the C-terminal end was extended with 44 amino acid residues served as a model protein in this study. After transcription and translation in vitro, the enzyme activity was measured when still attached to the ribosome and when released from the ribosome by incubation with RNase A or puromycin. It was found that the C-terminally extended luciferase already had activity when linked to the ribosome, but its activity was greatly increased when released from the ribosome. These results indicate that the luciferase is folded during synthesis on the ribosome; however, some conformational adjustments occur after its release from the ribosome which are required for the full expression of its enzymatic activity.

Improved method for counting virus and virus like particles

An improved method for counting virus and virus like particles by electron microscopy (EM) was developed. The procedure involves the determination of the absolute concentration of pure or semi-pure particles once deposited evenly on EM grids using either centrifugation or antibody capture techniques. The counting of particles was done with a Microfiche unit which enlarged approximately 50 x the image of particles on a developed negative film which had been taken at a relatively low magnification (2500 x) by EM. Initially, latex particles of a known concentration were counted using this approach, to prove the accuracy of the technique. The latex particles were deposited evenly on an EM grid using centrifugation (Modified Beckmen EM-90 Airfuge technique). Subsequently, recombinant Bluetongue virus (BTV) core-like particles (CLPs) captured by a Monoclonal antibody using a novel sample loading method were counted by the Microfiche unit method and by a direct EM method. Comparison of the simplified counting method developed with a conventional method, showed good agreement. The method is simple, accurate, rapid, and reproducible when used with either pure particles or with particles from crude cell culture extracts.

Genetic characterization of protein C deficiency in Japanese subjects using a rapid and nonradioactive method for single-stand conformational polymorphism analysis and a model building

We studied the molecular basis of protein C deficiency in 28 Japanese families including 4 asymptomatic families. Two showed a decreased level of function with a normal antigen concentration consistent with type II protein C deficiency and the remaining 26 showed type I deficiency with decreases in both function and antigen level. All the exons and intron/exon junctions of the protein C gene were studied using a strategy combining polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and rapid nonradioactive single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. The PCR-amplified fragments with aberrant migration on SSCP analysis were sequenced. We identified 11 missense mutations, 1 nonsense mutation, 2 neutral polymorphisms, 1 frameshift deletion, 1 inframe deletion, and 1 splice site mutation. We also identified two different rare mutations in the 5'-untranslated region in the protein C gene that may be responsible for the phenotype. Of these molecular defects, ten were novel. From the results of genetic analysis of 47 Japanese families with protein C deficiency reported in this and previous studies, Phe139Val and Met364Ile substitutions and a G8857 deletion were only found in Japanese subjects and seem to be a founder effect. In contrast, Arg169Trp and Val297Met substitutions, both occurring at CG dinucleotides, were commonly observed in not only Japanese but also Western populations, indicating that these are hot spots for mutation in the protein C gene. These molecular defects were found in 22 families in total, accounting for 47% of Japanese families with protein C deficiency. The structural models of the second EGF and protease domains of activated wild-type and mutant human protein C suggest a possible substrate binding exosite on two loops; one from amino acid position 349 to 357 and the other from position 385 to 388, both of which are close to each other in the three-dimensional model.

Protein C Osaka 10 with aberrant propeptide processing: loss of anticoagulant activity due to an amino acid substitution in the protein C precursor

We studied the molecular basis of protein C deficiency in a family with a history of thromboembolic disease. An approximately 50% reduction in anticoagulant activity despite normal levels of protein C amidolytic activity and antigen was detected in plasma from the proband. All the exons and intron/exon junctions of the protein C gene were studied using a strategy that combined polymerase chain reaction amplification with DNA sequencing of the amplified fragments. We identified a C-to-A change at nucleotide number 1387 of the protein C gene in the proband and his mother, and this mutant was designated protein C Osaka 10. The C-to-A change resulted in the substitution of Ser for Arg at position -1, which is the processing protease cleavage site. The mutant protein C was partially purified from plasma of the patient's mother using barium adsorption followed by ion-exchange column chromatography. It eluted at the same sodium chloride concentration as normal protein C, and thus gamma-carboxylation of the mutant protein appeared to be normal. The apparent molecular weight of this mutant protein C was the same as that of the normal protein on immunoblotting. Amino-terminal sequence analysis showed that the light chain of the mutant protein C had an additional Ser at position-1. Thus, the loss of anticoagulant activity of protein C Osaka 10 can be explained by alteration of the conformation of the Gla domain by the additional Ser in the mutant molecule.

A point mutation (Arg271-->Cys) of a homozygote for dysfunctional prothrombin, prothrombin Obihiro, which has a region of high sequence variability

The molecular defect of a congenitally dysfunctional form of prothrombin, prothrombin Obihiro, was identified in a patient with a severe bleeding tendency. He showed reduced fibrinogen clotting activity, despite a normal prothrombin antigen level. Nucleotide sequencing of amplified DNA revealed a C-->T change at nucleotide 7311 of exon VIII of the prothrombin gene. This resulted in the substitution of Arg271 by Cys at the factor Xa cleavage site which precludes normal activation of prothrombin Obihiro by factor Xa and the generation of thrombin. The proband was homozygous for this mutation. In addition, seven new nucleotide changes were identified in the prothrombin gene of this patient by comparison with the published gene sequence. Three polymorphisms at nucleotides 4291, 4298 and 7223 were exclusively identified in the prothrombin gene from Japanese. Particularly in the region containing exon VI and introns E and F (nucleotides 4048-4303), the prothrombin gene proved to be of high-sequence variability.

[The case-control study of risk factors in primary angle-closure glaucoma]

A case-control study was conducted to determine the risk factors of primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). In this study, 103 cases of PACG patients and 95 cases of non-glaucoma controls were investigated. It was found that the risk factors of PACG were family history of glaucoma, irritable temper, short distance between eyes and workplace at work and high blood pressure. The results did not support that cigarette smoking, alcoholic consumption, diabetes mellitus, myopia and blood types were related with PACG.

Six missense mutations associated with type I and type II protein C deficiency and implications obtained from molecular modelling

The molecular basis of protein C deficiency was studied in three type I and three type II heterozygotes. Three probands showed thrombotic complications. All the exons and intron/exon junctions of the protein C gene were studied using a strategy combining by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, and DNA sequencing of the PCR-amplified fragments. Six missense mutations were identified, including three novel ones. One was located in exon II, in which the initiating translation codon (ATG) encoding for Met at position -42 was replaced by ACG encoding for Thr. The other five were located in exon IX, and included TAC(Tyr399)-->CAC(His), CCG(Pro327)-->CTG(Leu), GAC(Asp359)-->AAC(Asn) in two cases, and GGG(Gly350)-->AGG(Arg). Four of the six missense mutations occurred in CG dinucleotide. Sequence analysis of the other exons excluded additional mutations. By restriction enzyme analysis, co-segregation of the mutation with protein C deficiency was observed in four families. The other two mutations at amino acid positions -42 and 350 were also considered to be associated with protein C deficiency due to the absence of these mutations in 50 normal individuals. A structural model of the protease domain of mutant activated protein C was constructed by the chimeric modelling method, and the resultant model suggested conformational changes due to each missense mutation identified in protein C deficiency. The present data also provide some evidence regarding the genetic heterogeneity of protein C deficiency.

[External trabeculotomy in the treatment of developmental glaucoma: a clinical report on 140 eyes of 88 cases]

140 eyes of 88 cases with developmental glaucoma including 128 eyes of 80 cases with infantile glaucoma and 12 eyes of 8 cases with juvenile glaucoma were treated by external trabeculotomy. The success rate of the operation is 73.9% and by addition of small amount of topical antiglaucoma agent the rate of glaucomatous control reaches to 86.4%, the average period of follow-up being 15.2 months. The complications of the operation are few and mild in degree. The important steps of the operative procedure and the critical points of the post-operative management were described, the therapeutic effect of the operation was evaluated and the factors which possibly can affect the prognosis of the operation were analyzed. It is recognized that the operation is better than goniotomy. We recommend external trabeculotomy for treatment of developmental glaucoma which is especially suitable for primary infantile glaucoma.

Characterization of two monoclonal antibodies directed against serovar A Haemophilus paragallinarum

Two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) raised against a serovar A Haemophilus paragallinarum were evaluated for their ability to react with 11 reference strains that represented all the recognized serovars and with 27 field isolates of Page serovar A collected from around the world. The MAbs were used in a hemagglutination-inhibition assay. Both MAbs recognized type strains of Page serovar A and Kume serovars A-1 and A-2 but not the type strains of Kume serovars A-3 and A-4. Neither MAb recognized the type strains of Page serovars B and C or Kume serovars B-1, C-1, C-2, C-3, or C-4. When evaluated with the 27 Page serovar A field isolates, both MAbs recognized only 10 isolates. All of the recognized isolates belonged to Kume serovars A-1 (nine isolates) or A-2 (one isolate). All of the field isolates that were not recognized by one or the other of the MAbs either were Kume serovar A-4 (seven isolates) or could not be placed in an existing Kume A serovar (10 isolates). The results indicate that the epitope recognized by these MAbs is present only in strains of H. paragallinarum that belong to Kume serovars A-1 and A-2.

Three missense mutations in the protein C heavy chain causing type I and type II protein C deficiency

We have studied the molecular basis of protein C deficiency in three families with a history of thromboembolic disease. An approximately 50% reduction in both functional and immunologic levels of protein C was detected in the plasma from two unrelated patients, designated protein C Osaka 1 and protein C Osaka 2. An approximately 50% reduction in functional level but normal immunologic level of protein C was detected in plasma from a third patient, designated protein C Osaka 3. DNA sequencing of the amplified DNA revealed one missense mutation in each case. Additional mutations in the coding sequence were excluded by DNA sequencing of all protein C exons. We identified a C-to-T change at nucleotide number 6,218 of the protein C gene in protein C Osaka 1. This results in the amino acid substitution of Arg-169 by Trp at the alpha-thrombin cleavage site. In protein C Osaka 2, a G-to-A change at nucleotide number 8,807 was identified leading to the amino acid substitution of Met-364 by Ile in the protease domain. This substitution may impair the synthesis or stability of protein C Osaka 2. In protein C Osaka 3, a G-to-C change at nucleotide number 8,868 was identified. This results in substitution of Gly-385 by Arg in the protease domain. Based on these, it was concluded that Arg-169-to-Trp mutation and Met-364-to-Ile mutation cause type I protein C deficiency and Gly-385-to-Arg mutation causes type II deficiency.

Molecular mechanism of high energy proton radiation--Raman spectroscopic character of microcosmic damage in the space structure of DNA

High energy proton is an important type of the space radiation. The paper investigates the radiation effect of high energy proton (27.9 MeV) on DNA aqueous solution in the field of the molecular mechanism. The following information about the microcosmic damage to the space structure of DNA was obtained: (i) breakage of a part of interbase hydrogen bonds which maintained double helical structure of DNA; (ii) damage on four bases, in which the damage on adenine ring was the most serious; (iii) obvious change of deoxyribose; (iv) serious damage on backbone phosphate ion (PO2-) and phosphate diester (PO2) and the occurrence of scissions of double-stranded and single-stranded DNAs; (v) obvious decrease in the amount of B-form conformation.

Evaluation of a panel of monoclonal antibodies in the subtyping of Haemophilus paragallinarum

A panel of four monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) was evaluated, using a hemagglutination-inhibition test, for its ability to subtype 76 isolates of Haemophilus paragallinarum. The results of the MAb reactions were compared with the results of both the Page and Kume serotyping schemes (the serovars of the Page scheme correspond to the serogroups of the Kume scheme). One MAb (E5C12D10) was raised against a Page serovar A strain and the remaining MAbs (F2E6, D6D8D5, and B3E6F9) against a Page serovar C strain. Six different reaction patterns were found among the 76 isolates of H. paragallinarum. There was total correlation between the MAb reaction pattern and the Page scheme, and thus the Kume scheme, to the serogroup level. All 19 Page serovar A (= Kume serogroup A) strains reacted only with MAb E5C12D10, whereas all five Page serovar B (= Kume serogroup B) strains failed to react with any of the MAbs. All 52 remaining strains were Page serovar C (= Kume serogroup C), and all failed to react with MAb E5C12D10 but showed varying reaction patterns with the three other MAbs. Although the MAbs recognized four subdivisions within Kume serogroup C, these subdivisions differed from the four Kume C serovars. This panel of MAbs can be used to assign isolates of H. paragallinarum to either Page serovars or Kume serogroups. Although the subdivisions recognized by the MAbs within the Page serovar C strains do not correspond to the Kume serovars, they may be useful in epidemiological applications.

Reattachment of the detached ciliary body with suturing for treatment of contusional ocular hypotension

Ocular hypotension resulting from a detached ciliary body after ocular contusion usually is best treated surgically. We report a simple, safe, and relatively effective procedure used to suture the ciliary body onto the inner surface of the sclera in eight such cases. Intraocular pressure (IOP) rose from unmeasurable levels to 10 to 12 mm Hg in five of these cases. Although in the three other cases IOP did not increase immediately after the operation, in one case it rose to 10 to 12 mm Hg 1 month postoperatively, and in the other two cases it rose to a normal level after additional laser therapy.

Expression of resistance to barley stripe mosaic virus in barley and oat protoplasts

Mesophyll protoplasts from both susceptible and resistant hosts were inoculated with RNA purified from barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV) strains CV52 and CV42 using the polyethylene glycol (PEG) method. Protoplasts derived from the susceptible Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Black Hulless were susceptible to both BSMV strains, as indicated by fluorescein isothiocyanate staining and ELISA. More than 80% of protoplasts derived from an oat cultivar resistant to CV52, but not to CV42, were readily infected by either CV52 or CV42. Protoplasts from 10 barley lines resistant to CV42 remained resistant to CV42, although a limited number of protoplasts were infected. Functional resistance in the cultured barley protoplasts, but not in those from oat plants, suggests that resistance in these barley lines may be the result of restriction of replication, whereas resistance in oat plants is more likely due to restriction of cell-to-cell movement.

Effects of D-timolol on intraocular pressure (IOP), beta blocking activity, and the dynamic changes of drug concentrations in aqueous humor

L-timolol has been used successfully in the treatment of glaucoma. Because of its powerful beta blocking activity, however, more and more side effects have been reported. D-timolol, an optic isomer of L-timolol with much less beta blocking activity, was noted to have similar ocular hypotensive effects through inhibition of aqueous production as L-timolol. Thus, it is expected that D-timolol may reduce the side effects considerably if it is used in the clinics. In this study, we observed the ocular hypotensive effect of 0.5% D-timolol in normotensive and water-loaded rabbits as well as in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. A significant reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) which lasted at least six hours was observed. No side effects, either locally or systemically, were found. The concentration of D-timolol was traced in rabbits' aqueous humor after topical administration. The drug quickly appeared in the aqueous 30 minutes after instillation of 100 microliters 1% D-timolol. The peak concentration was 1916.5 ng/ml. It declined to a minimum in four hours, although the hypotensive effect could last at least six hours. For estimating the beta blocking potency of D-timolol, radioligand binding assay was employed to calculate the Ki value from isolated cell membrane of rabbits' lung. It showed that the beta blocking potency of D-timolol was much less than that obtained from L-timolol. It is concluded that D-timolol may be a valuable antiglaucoma agent comparable to L-timolol in lowering the IOP. The side effects induced by beta blocking agents we are using currently might be considerably reduced with D-timolol.