ABSTRACT
Lectin has attracted attention because of its ability to serve as a carrier for targeted drug delivery. Large lectins isolated from marine invertebrates and crustaceans have strong immunogenicity and adverse effects, which limit their usefulness. This study reports the identification of catesbeianalectin via screening a bullfrog skin cDNA library. The catesbeianalectin polypeptide has a molecular weight of 1.47 kD, making it the smallest known lectin in terms of molecular weight. Circular dichroism analysis showed a PPII helix secondary structure. Catesbeianalectin strongly induces agglutination of rabbit erythrocytes and a variety of pathogens include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus suis type 2, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, and piglet paratyphoid Salmonella. The mean serum titer in catesbeianalectin-immunized Balb/c mice was 1:25, which was significantly lower than that of positive controls immunized with wheat germ agglutinin. Surface plasmon resonance indicated an S-type lectin. 125I-labeled catesbeianalectin did not pass the blood-brain barrier. This study provides a basis for further research on the potential of catesbeianalectin as a carrier in targeted drug delivery
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the early combination of Chinese and Western medicine for anti-inflammation and lateral superior genicular flap for the treatment of soft tissue defects around the knee joint.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From June 2004 to September 2008, 8 patients with soft tissue defects around the knee joint were treated with lateral superior genicular flap. Among the patients, 5 patients were male and 3 patients were female, ranging in age from 32 to 56 years, with an average of 35.2 years. The defected area ranged from 7.6 cm x 4.5 cm to 15.2 cm x 7.5 cm. The disease course ranged from 3 months to 3 years. Three patients had the defects at the posterior of the knee, 2 patients had the defects at the popliteal fossa, and 3 patients had the defects at the lateral side of the knee. At the early stage, all the patients were treated with Tuihuang Xiaozhong decoction and antibiotics for 3 to 5 days.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the flaps survived, and the knee function recovered. One patient had epidermis necrosis at the distal end of the flap of lateral side of the knee.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The early combination of Chinese and Western medicine for anti-inflammation is a simple, easy to promote, and no special microsurgical instruments are needed.</p>