Research progress on prime virulence factors and pathogenesis of brucellosis / 中华地方病学杂志

Brucellosis is an infectious zoonosis caused by Brucella infection. It is widely prevalent all over the world and brings great losses to the development of public health, animal husbandry and social economy in China. However, the understanding of the specific clinical indications of brucellosis, the virulence factors of Brucella and its pathogenesis is very limited, which leads some limitations in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of brucellosis. Starting from the current epidemic situation of brucellosis, this article focuses on the virulence factors of Brucella and pathogenesis of brucellosis, and comprehensively summarizes the activity track and state of Brucella in the infected organism during the pathogenesis of brucellosis, so as to provide new ideas for the in-depth study of the pathogenesis of brucellosis, and a comprehensive reference for vaccine development and clinical diagnosis and treatment.

The acetone crude extract of Quercus infectoria (Olivier) galls alters pH of the digestive vacuole of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum

@#The reduced efficacy of the mainstay antimalarial drugs due to the widespread of drugresistant Plasmodium falciparum has necessitated efforts to discover new antimalarial drugs with new targets. Quercus infectoria (Olivier) has long been used to treat various ailments including fever. The acetone extract of the plant galls has recently been reported to have a promising antimalarial activity in vitro. This study was aimed to determine the effect of the Q. infectoria gall acetone crude extract on pH of the digestive vacuole of Plasmodium falciparum. A ratiometric fluorescent probe, fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-dextran) was used to facilitate a quantitative measurement of the digestive vacuole pH by flow cytometry. Mid trophozoite stage malaria parasites grown in resealed erythrocytes containing FITC-dextran were treated with different concentrations of the acetone extract based on the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50). Saponin-permeabilized parasites were analyzed to obtain the ratio of green/yellow fluorescence intensity (Rgy) plotted as a function of pH in a pH calibration curve of FITC-dextran. Based on the pH calibration curve, the pH of the digestive vacuole of the acetone extract-treated parasites was significantly altered (pH values ranged from 6.35- 6.71) in a concentration-dependent manner compared to the untreated parasites (pH = 5.32) (p < 0.001). This study provides a valuable insight into the potential of the Q. infectoria galls as a promising antimalarial candidate with a novel mechanism of action.

VacPred: Sequence-based prediction of plant vacuole proteins using machine-learning techniques

Subcellular localization prediction of the proteome is one of major goals of large-scale genome or proteomesequencing projects to define the gene functions that could be possible with the help of computationalmodeling techniques. Previously, different methods have been developed for this purpose using multi-labelclassification system and achieved a high level of accuracy. However, during the validation of our blind datasetof plant vacuole proteins, we observed that they have poor performance with accuracy value range from*1.3% to 48.5%. The results showed that the previously developed methods are not very accurate for the plantvacuole protein prediction and thus emphasize the need to develop a more accurate and reliable algorithm. Inthis study, we have developed various compositions as well as PSSM-based models and achieved a highaccuracy than previously developed methods. We have shown that our best model achieved *63% accuracyon blind dataset, which is far better than currently available tools. Furthermore, we have implemented our bestmodels in the form of GUI-based free software called ‘VacPred’ which is compatible with both Linux andWindow platform. This software is freely available for download at www.deepaklab.com/vacpred.

The inner workings of intracellular heterotypic and homotypic membrane fusion mechanisms

The glycolytic enzyme enolase of Staphylococcus aureus is a highly conserved enzyme which binds to human plasminogenthereby aiding the infection process. The cloning, over expression and purification of S. aureus enolase as well as the effectof various metals upon the catalytic activity and structural stability of the enzyme have been reported. The recombinantenzyme (rSaeno) has been purified to homogeneity in abundant amounts (60 mg/L of culture) and the kinetic parameters(Km = 0.23 ± 0.013 9 10-3 M; Vmax = 90.98 ± 0.00052 U/mg) and the optimum pH were calculated. This communication further reports that increasing concentrations of Na? ions inhibit the enzyme while increasing concentrations of K?ions were stimulatory. In case of divalent cations, it was found that Mg2? stimulates the activity of rSaeno while the rest ofthe divalent cations (Zn2?, Mn2?, Fe2?, Cu2?, Ni2? and Ca2?) lead to a dose-dependent loss in the activity with a total lossof activity in the presence of Hg2? and Cr2?. The circular dichroism data indicate that other than Hg2?, Ni2? and to acertain extent Cu2?, none of the other ions destabilized rSaeno. The inhibitory roles of fluorides, as well as neurotoxiccompounds upon the catalytic activity of rSaeno, have also been studied. Conformational changes in rSaeno (induced byions) were studied using partial trypsin digestion.

Research progress on heme metabolism in intraerythrocytic plasmodium / 中国中药杂志

Heme is a key metabolic factor in all life. Malaria parasite has de novo heme-biosynthetic pathway, however the growth and development of parasite depend on the hemoglobin-derived heme metabolism process during the intraerythrocytic stages, such as the ingestion and degradation of hemoglobin in the food vacuole. The hemoglobin metabolism in the food vesicles mainly includes four aspects: hemoglobin transport and intake, hemoglobin enzymolysis to produce heme, heme polymerization into malarial pigment, and heme transport via the food vacuole. The potential mechanisms of antimalarial drugs,such as chloroquine, artemisinin and atovaquone may be related to this process. The main four aspects of this metabolic process, key metabolic enzymes, effects of antimalarial drugs on the process and their potential mechanism of action would be summarized in this paper, providing ideas for rational use and mechanism exploration of similar drugs.

Estudo da contribuição da autofagia para a susceptibilidade por L. Amazonensis ou resistência por L. Major na infecção de macrófagos murinos da linhagem CBA / Study of the contribution of autophagy to susceptibility by L. Amazonensis or resistance by L. Major in the infection of murine macrophages of the CBA

INTRODUÇÃO: Macrófagos de camundongos CBA controlam a infecção por Leishmania major, no entanto, são permissivos à infecção por Leishmania amazonensis. Os estudos conduzidos, até o momento, sobre o papel desempenhado pela autofagia na infecção por Leishmania levaram a dados controversos. OBJETIVO: No presente trabalho, avaliamos se a resposta autofágica de macrófagos infectados pode ser responsável pela diferença no curso da infecção por essas duas espécies de Leishmania. MATERIAL e MÉTODOS e RESULTADOS: Inicialmente, demonstramos por qPCR e por análise de dados de microarranjos públicos que um número maior de genes relacionados à autofagia é modulado positivamente em células infectadas por L. amazonensis em comparação às infectadas L. major. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) demonstrou modulação oposta dos genes relacionados à autofagia entre os macrófagos infectados com L. amazonensis daqueles infectados com L. major. Após 24 h de infecção, a relação LC3-II/Act é aumentada tanto em macrófagos infectados por L. amazonensis quanto nos infectados por L. major em comparação com controles não infectados, mas menos do que em células tratadas com cloroquina. Embora, os vacúolos parasitóforos induzidos por L. major tenham apresentado maior positividade para o marcador degradativo, DQBSA, o recrutamento de LC3 foi maior nos vacúolos parasitóforos induzidos por L. amazonensis. Interessantemente, tanto a indução farmacológica quanto a fisiológica da autofagia aumentaram a viabilidade intracelular de L. amazonensis e L. major, enquanto a inibição da autofagia não teve efeito sobre a viabilidade intracelular desses parasitas. Também demonstramos que a indução da autofagia reduziu a produção de NO por macrófagos infectados por L. amazonensis ou L. major, mas não alterou a atividade da arginase, A análise de componentes principais e agrupamento hierárquico de clusters discriminaram completamente os macrófagos infectados por L. major de células infectadas por L. amazonensis de acordo com a intensidade da infecção e características autofágicas dos vacúolos induzidos por essas duas cepas. CONCLUSÃO: Em conclusão, a infecção por L. amazonensis ou L. major, apesar de ativar similarmente o fluxo autofágico em macrófagos infectados e os parasitos terem sua viabilidade favorecida pela indução da autofagia, promove expressão diferenciada de genes relacionados à autofagia e interação distinta dos vacúolos parasitóforos com compartimentos autofágicos. Essas diferenças são capazes de separar completamente os macrófagos infectados por L. amazonensis daqueles por L. major

INTRODUCTION: CBA mouse macrophages (MΦ) control Leishmania major infection yet are permissive to Leishmania amazonensis. The role played by autophagy in Leishmania infection needs further investigation. OBJECTIVE: Thus, we assessed whether activation of autophagic pathway may account for differences in the response of infected MΦ to these two parasite strains. MATERIAL and METHODS and RESULTS: First, we demonstrated by qPCR and by analysis of publicly available microarray data that a greater number of autophagy-related genes (Atg) are positively modulated in cells infected by L. amazonensis compared to those infected by L. major. Ingenuity Pathway Analyses (IPA) demonstrated opposite modulation in genes in L. amazonensisand L. major-infected MΦ. After 24 h of infection, the autophagic flux measured by LC3-II/Act ratio was similarly increased in either L. amazonensis- or L. majorinfected MΦ compared to uninfected cells. Although L. major-induced parasitophorous vacuoles exhibited greater positivity for the degradative marker, DQ-BSA, LC3 recruitment was increased in L. amazonensis-induced parasitophorous vacuoles. Interestingly, autophagy induction enhanced intracellular L. amazonensis and L. major viability, although autophagy inhibition caused no effect on infection profile. We also demonstrated that autophagy induction reduced NO production by Leishmania-infected MΦ, yet did not alter arginase activity. Moreover, principal component analysis completely discriminated L. major-infected MΦ from L. amazonensis-infected cells regarding infection intensity and autophagic features of parasite-induced PV. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, infection by L. amazonensis or L. major, although similarly activates the autophagic flux in infected MΦ and the parasites have their viability favored by autophagy induction, these Leishmania species cause differentiated expression of Atg and distinct interaction of their parasitophorous vacuoles with autophagic vacuoles. These differences are capable to discriminate MΦ infected by L. amazonensis from those infected by L. major

Dictyostelium discoideum RabS and Rab2 colocalize with the Golgi and contractile vacuole system and regulate osmoregulation.

Small-molecular-weight GTPase Rab2 has been shown to be a resident of pre-Golgi intermediates and is required for protein transport from the ER to the Golgi complex; however, Rab2 has yet to be characterized in Dictyostelium discoideum. DdRabS is a Dictyostelium Rab that is 80% homologous to DdRab1 which is required for protein transport between the ER and Golgi. Expression of GFP-tagged DdRab2 and DdRabS proteins showed localization to Golgi membranes and to the contractile vacuole system (CV) in Dictyostelium. Microscopic imaging indicates that the DdRab2 and DdRabS proteins localize at, and are essential for, the proper structure of Golgi membranes and the CV system. Dominant negative (DN) forms show fractionation of Golgi membranes, supporting their role in the structure and function of it. DdRab2 and DdRabS proteins, and their dominant negative and constitutively active (CA) forms, affect osmoregulation of the cells, possibly by the influx and discharge of fluids, which suggests a role in the function of the CV system. This is the first evidence of GTPases being localized to both Golgi membranes and the CV system in Dictyostelium.

Prokaryotic expression and identification of rhoptry protein 38 of Toxoplas-ma gondii / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To explore the biological function of rhoptry protein 38(ROP38)of Toxoplasma gondii,and to iden?tify the reactogenicity of the recombinant protein(rROP38). Methods The ROP38 was amplified by RT?PCR from T. gondii RH strain,and was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET?28a(+). The recombinant plasmid was transformed into E. co?li BL21(DE3)competent cells. Then the rROP38 was analyzed by SDS?PAGE and identified by Western blot. Results SDS?PAGE showed that rROP38 was efficient expression with a molecular weight of about 43 kD. Western blot showed that rROP38 reacted with antibody of His tag or human positive antibody,which indicated that ROP38 had good reactogenicity and could be a serological diagnostic antigen. Conclusion The study successfully obtains the rROP38 of T. gondii with good reactogenicity.

Observation of sperm-head vacuoles and sperm morphology under light microscope / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: The presence of sperm-head vacuoles has been suspected to be deleterious to the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART). It is difficult to accurately distinguish morphologically abnormal sperm with vacuoles under a light microscope. This study was performed to analyze the result of the observation of sperm-head vacuoles using Papanicolaou staining under a light microscope and whether the male partner's age affects these vacuoles. METHODS: Sperm morphology with vacuoles was evaluated using Papanicolaou staining and observed under a light microscope (400x) in 980 men. The normal morphology was divided into three categories (group A, 14% of normal morphology). The criteria for the sperm-head vacuoles were those given in the World Health Organization manual. For the analysis of the age factor, the participants were divided into the following groups: 26-30 years, 31-35 years, 36-40 years, 41-45 years, and 46-50 years. RESULTS: The percentage of sperm-head vacuoles increased with normal sperm morphology (group A vs. groups B, C) (p<0.05). In the case of the age factor, a statistically significant difference was not observed across any of the age groups. CONCLUSION: A majority of the sperm-head vacuoles showed a statistically significant difference among normal morphology groups. Therefore, we should consider the probability of the percentage of sperm-head vacuoles not increasing with age but with abnormal sperm morphology. A further study is required to clarify the effect of the sperm-head vacuoles on ART outcomes.

Analysis of the influence factors of blastomere damage of frozen thawed embryos / 重庆医学

Objective To observe the factors that affect cryosurvival of frozen-thawed embryos .Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 98 patients undergoing FET with two embryos of which one was complete cryosurvival and the other not .1∶1 matched samples logistic regression analysis was employed to observe the influence of cytoplasm with granulation ,vacuolar cyto-plasm ,embryo fragments ,blastomere number and equality of size on the cryosurvival of frozen-thawed embryos .Results Presence of vacuolar cytoplasm(OR=13 .413) or embryo fragments(OR= 1 .101) significantly increased blasstomere damage ,but the in-creased blastomere number(OR=0 .569) decreased it(P<0 .05) .Conclusion Embryos with vacuolar cytoplasm ,or embryo frag-ments and blastomere number are very vital factors that affect the blastomere damage after cryopreservation .

The expression of V-ATPase and its significance in colon cancer / 局解手术学杂志

Objective To explore the expression of V-ATPase in colon cancer and its clinical significance. Methods Detecting the expression of V-ATPase mRNA in 20 paired of colon tumor tissues and normal tissues by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction ( RT-PCR) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction( Real-time PCR) , and testing the expression of V-ATPase protein by immu-nohistochemistry of EnVinsion. Results The expression of V-ATPase mRNA in tumor tissues and its paired normal tissues were (5. 37 ± 0. 44) and (2. 03 ± 0. 35)(P<0. 01). The positive immunohistochemistry of V-ATPase in tumor tissues and its paired normal tissues were 69. 1%(47/68) and 5. 8%(4/68) respectively, and the positive expression were primarily in cytoplasm and cytomembrane. Overexpression of V-ATPase was associated with tumor stage (P<0. 05), lymph node metastasis (P=0. 044), distant metastasis (P=0. 049), vessel in-vasion (P=0. 044) and differentiation (P<0. 001). Conclusion Overexpression of V-ATPase plays a significant role in the carcinogene-sis and the progression of colon cancer, which might be an important postoperative therapeutic target.

Vacúolos parasitóforos induzidos por Leishmania amazonensis e Leishmania major interagem de forma distintacom a via autofágica / Parasitophorous vacuoles induced byLeishmania amazonensis and Leishmania major interact differently with the autophagic pathway

A Leishmania é um parasito intracelular obrigatório que vive e se multiplic adentro dos vacúolos parasitóforos em macrófagos no hospedeiro vertebrado. Apesar dos vacúolos induzidos por diferentes espécies de Leishmania apresentarem semelhanças bioquímicas, esses compartimentos apresentam diferenças significativas nos seus tamanhos. Os vacúolos parasitóforos induzidos por Leishmania mexicana e Leishmania amazonensis apresentam grandes dimensões e contêm uma grande quantidade de amastigotas, enquanto que os induzidos por Leishmania major e Leishmania donovani são pequenos e com pouco espaço ao redor das amastigotas. Estudos recentes demonstraram que compartimentos induzidos por microrganismos intracelulares são capazes de interagir com a via autofágica e esta pode controlar ou promover o estabelecimento da infecção a depender da natureza do microrganismo. Até o momento, poucos estudos foram realizados para avaliar o papel da autofagia na biogênese e maturação dos vacúolos parasitóforos induzidos por Leishmania. Recentemente, foi demonstrado que em macrófagos de camundongos BALB/c...

Leishmania is an intracellular parasite that lives and multiplies within parasitophorous vacuoles in macrophages in the vertebrate host. Despite the fact that vacuoles induced by different species of Leishmania present biochemical similarities, these compartments have significant differences in their sizes and composition. The parasitophorous vacuoles induced by Leishmania mexicana and Leishmania amazonensis are large and contain a large number of amastigotes, while vacuoles induced by Leishmania major and Leishmania donovani are small and tight. Recent studies have demonstrated that depending on the type of intracellular microorganism, the induced compartments can interact with the autophagic pathway and control or promote the establishment of infection. To date, few studies have been conducted to evaluate the role autophagic process plays in the biogenesis and maturation of parasitophorous vacuoles induced by Leishmania. Recently, it has been demonstrated that in macrophages of BALB/c...

A functional connection of Dictyostelium paracaspase with the contractile vacuole and a possible partner of the vacuolar proton ATPase.

Dictyostelium discoideum possesses only one caspase family member, paracaspase (pcp). Two separate mutant cell lines were first analysed: one cell line was an over-expressed GFP-tagged Pcp (GFP-Pcp), while the other cell line was a pcp-null (pcp-). Microscopic analysis of cells expressing GFP-Pcp revealed that Pcp was associated with the contractile vacuole membrane consisting of bladder-like vacuoles. This association was disrupted when cells were exposed to osmotic stress conditions. Compared with wild-type cells, the GFP-Pcp-over-expressing cells were susceptible to osmotic stress and were seen to be very rounded in hypo-osmotic conditions and contained more abnormally swollen contractile vacuole. Cells with pcp- were also rounded but had few, if any, contractile vacuoles. These observations suggest that Pcp is essential for Dictyostelium osmotic regulation via its functioning in the contractile vacuole system. Subjecting these cells to selected contractile vacuole inhibitor provided additional support for these findings. Furthermore, yeast two-hybrid system identified vacuolar proton ATPase (VatM) as the protein interacting with Pcp. Taken together, this work gives evidence for an eukaryotic paracaspase to be associated with both localization in and regulation of the contractile vacuolar system, an organelle critical for maintaining the normal morphology of the cell.

Vps1 in the late endosome-to-vacuole traffic.

Vacuolar protein sorting 1 (Vps1), the yeast homolog to human dynamin, is a GTP hydrolyzing protein, which plays an important role in protein sorting and targeting between the Golgi and late endosomal compartments. In this study, we assessed the functional significance of Vps1 in the membrane traffic towards the vacuole. We show here that vps1Δ cells accumulated FM4-64 to a greater extent than wild-type (WT) cells, suggesting slower endocytic degradation traffic toward the vacuole. In addition, we observed that two endosome-to-vacuole traffic markers, DsRed-FYVE and Ste2-GFP, were highly accumulated in Vps1-deficient cells, further supporting Vps1’s implication in efficient trafficking of endocytosed materials to the vacuole. Noteworthy, a simultaneous imaging analysis in conjunction with FM4-64 pulse-chase experiment further revealed that Vps1 plays a role in late endosome to the vacuole transport. Consistently, our subcellular localization analysis showed that Vps1 is present at the late endosome. The hyperaccumulation of endosomal intermediates in the vps1 mutant cells appears to be caused by the disruption of integrity of HOPS tethering complexes, manifested by mislocalization of Vps39 to the cytoplasm. Finally, we postulate that Vps1 functions together with the Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport (ESCRT) complex at the late endosomal compartments, based on the observation that the double mutants, in which VPS1 along with singular ESCRT I, II and III genes have been disrupted, exhibited synthetic lethality. Together, we propose that Vps1 is required for correct and efficient trafficking from the late endosomal compartments to the vacuole.

A century of research: what have we learned about the interaction of Trypanosoma cruzi with host cells?

Since the discovery of Trypanosoma cruzi and the brilliant description of the then-referred to "new tripanosomiasis" by Carlos Chagas 100 years ago, a great deal of scientific effort and curiosity has been devoted to understanding how this parasite invades and colonises mammalian host cells. This is a key step in the survival of the parasite within the vertebrate host, and although much has been learned over this century, differences in strains or isolates used by different laboratories may have led to conclusions that are not as universal as originally interpreted. Molecular genotyping of the CL-Brener clone confirmed a genetic heterogeneity in the parasite that had been detected previously by other techniques, including zymodeme or schizodeme (kDNA) analysis. T. cruzi can be grouped into at least two major phylogenetic lineages: T. cruzi I, mostly associated with the sylvatic cycle and T. cruzi II, linked to human disease; however, a third lineage, T. cruziIII, has also been proposed. Hybrid isolates, such as the CL-Brener clone, which was chosen for sequencing the genome of the parasite (Elias et al. 2005, El Sayed et al. 2005a), have also been identified. The parasite must be able to invade cells in the mammalian host, and many studies have implicated the flagellated trypomastigotes as the main actor in this process. Several surface components of parasites and some of the host cell receptors with which they interact have been described. Herein, we have attempted to identify milestones in the history of understanding T. cruzi- host cell interactions. Different infective forms of T. cruzi have displayed unexpected requirements for the parasite to attach to the host cell, enter it, and translocate between the parasitophorous vacuole to its final cytoplasmic destination. It is noteworthy that some of the mechanisms originally proposed to be broad in function turned out not to be universal, and multiple interactions involving different...

Interactions between secreted GRA proteins and host cell proteins across the paratitophorous vacuolar membrane in the parasitism of Toxoplasma gondii

Interactions between GRA proteins of dense granules in Toxoplasma gondii and host cell proteins were analyzed by yeast two-hybrid technique. The cMyc-GRA fusion proteins expressed from pGBKT7 plasmid in Y187 yeast were bound to host cell proteins from pGADT7-Rec-HeLa cDNA library transformed to AH109 yeast by mating method. By the selection procedures, a total of 939 colonies of the SD/-AHLT culture, 348 colonies of the X-alpha-gal positive and PCR, 157 colonies of the X-beta-gal assay were chosen for sequencing the cDNA and finally 90 colonies containing ORF were selected to analyze the interactions. GRA proteins interacted with a variety of host cell proteins such as enzymes, structural and functional proteins of organellar proteins of broad spectrum. Several specific bindings of each GRA protein to host proteins were discussed presumptively the role of GRA proteins after secreting into the parasitophorous vacuoles (PV) and the PV membrane in the parasitism of this parasite.

Effects of Mahuang Decoction in Different Combinations on Diaphoretic Function in Rats / 中药新药与临床药理

Objective To study the influence of Mahuang Decoction(MD)in different combinations on diaphoretic function in rats.Methods Vacuole incidence of axillary sweat gland was determined by observing the histolomorphological changes of vacuole to evaluate the diaphoretic function.The diaphoretic function was observed in 30 minutes after administration.Results The combination of Mahuang(Herba Ephedrae)and Guizhi(Ramulus Cinnamomi)had the strongest diaphoretic function in all of the different combinations.The diaphoretic function of the combinations including Mahuang(Herba Ephedrae)was stronger than those excluding Mahuang(Herba Ephedrae).The diaphoretic function of Mahuang(Herba Ephedrae)became stronger when used together with Guizhi(Ramulus Cinnamomi),remained the same when used together with Xingren(Semen Armeniacea Amarum),and became weaker when used together with Gancao(Radix Glycyrrhizac).Conclusion Mahuang(Herba Ephedrae),Guizhi(Ramulus Cinnamomi),Xingren(Semen Armeniacea Amarum),and Gancao(Radix Glycyrrhizac)play the roles of principle drug,assistant drug,adjuvant drug and conductantr drug respectively in Mahuang Decoction,which embodying the method of composing a prescription.

Inclusion Body Myositis: A case report

In 1971 inclusion body myositis was reported by Yunis and Samaha. This disease is similar with chronic multiple myositis clinically. Pathologically, inclusion body myositis is characterized by intracytoplasmic vacuole with degenerating fibers and accompanied with inclusion body in internal nucleus and cytoplasm. Since then 240 cases of inclusion body myositis have been reported in the world including 3 cases in Korea. A 27 years-old lady had inclusion body myositis, which show slowly progressive muscular weakness. We confirmed this with clinical symptom, muscle biopsy, and electrophysiologic study. We report the typical manifestation of inclusion body myositis in a 27 years-old lady with the brief review of literature.

Morphological Changes of the Intestine of the Golden Hamster after Treatment with 6-Aminonicotinamide / 대한해부학회지

This study was untertaken to investigate the morphological changes of the intestine of the Golden Hamster after treatment with antimetabolites, 6-aminonicotinamide (6-AN), by light and electron microscopy. 6-AN induced a morphological change of the intestine, especially in the mucosa. Small and large vacuoles were created in the cytoplasm of enterocytes after 6-AN treatment, and these vacuoles were observed somewhat more often around the nucleus. Microvilli, nucleus and rER of the enterocytes were well preserved, but the mitochondria were showed a somewhat swollen appearance. Intercellular spaces between epithelial cells were enlarged, and the interdigitation of adjacent cytoplasmic processes formed by lateral cellular processes projecting from adjacent cells were observed with occasional appearance of blood cells in this space. Goblet cells and enteroendocrine cells were less affected by 6-AN than enterocytes. There were many lymphocytes, macrophages and degenerating cells in the lamina propria. Cytoplasmic inclusions with varying size and characteristics as well as cellular debrises of the degenerating cells were observed in the cytoplasm of macrophages. The myenteric plexus was changed by this antimetabolites. Ganglion cells did not change in their shape after treatment with 6-AN, but some structural changes were observed in the neuroglial cells and nerve fibers, and enlarged spaces between these structures were also observed. But no vacuoles were observed which were formed by degeneration of the intracellular organelles such as the mitochondria and the cisterna of the endoplasmic reticulum.

Comparison of formation and morphologic features of digestive vacuoles and haemozoin between chloro-quine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant strains of Plasmodium berghei / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To understand the morphologic foundation for differences in drug-resistance, virulence and immunity between chloroquine-sensitive (N) and chloroquine-resistant (RC) strains of Plasmodium berghei. Methods: The RC strain and the N strain were compared concerning the formation and morphologic features of digestive vacuoles and haemozoin with transmission electron microscope. Results: There was a single large digestive vacuole and multiple micro-single-mem-braned vacuole-like structures in the trophozoites of the N strain, and haemozoins centralized and fused during their schizo-gony were situated under the plasma membrane. Whereas there were few digestive vacuoles in the trophozoites of the RC strain, but with multiple micro-single-membraned vacuole-like structures instead. The RC strain formed obviously less hemo-zoins than that of the N strain and the hemozoins were not centralized and fused during the schizogony. Conclusion: The RC strain forms multiple single-membraned food vacuole-like structures in the trophozoites, and has different mechanism for detoxifying free heme with N strain and the features may be the foundation for the difference in drug-resistance, virulence, immunity between RC strain and N strain of Plasmodium berghei.