Efecto de Trichinella spiralis y de Trichinella patagoniensis n.sp. sobre la desialización / Effect of Trichinella spiralis and Trichinella patagoniensis n.sp. on desialization

El ácido siálico tiene importantes funciones biológicas, muchas de las cuales determinan su participación en la respuesta inmune. El objetivo del trabajo fue comparar el efecto de Trichinella spiralis y Trichinella patagoniensis n.sp. sobre la desialización eritrocitaria. Se trabajó con 10 concentrados de larvas musculares de T. spiralis y 10 de T. patagoniensis de la misma concentración larval. Se realizó el tratamiento incubando el sedimento de eritrocitos frescos con igual volumen de concentrado larval (37 ºC), tomando muestra a los 30, 60 y 90 minutos. Los controles fueron incubados de la misma forma con solución salina. Se aplicó el método de Titulación de la Agregación por Polibrene y se determinó el CexpST. Los resultados mostraron que el valor medio del CexpST en los eritrocitos tratados con T. spiralis fue significativamente menor que en los glóbulos tratados con T. patagoniensis, para todos los tiempos estudiados. El aumento del tiempo de tratamiento también disminuyó significativamente el valor medio del CexpST para las dos especies. Éste fue significativamente menor a los 90 minutos de incubación que a los 60 minutos y éstos a su vez menores que a los 30 minutos. Se concluye que T. spiralis provocó mayor desialización eritrocitaria que T. patagoniensis en las condiciones experimentales estudiadas.

Sialic acid has important biological functions, many of which determine its participation in the immune response. The objective of this paper was to compare the effect of Trichinella spiralis and Trichinella patagoniensis n.sp. on erythrocyte desialization. Work was performed on 10 larval concentrates of muscle larvae of T. spiralis and 10 of T. patagoniensis of the same larval concentration. The treatment was carried out incubating the sediment of fresh erythrocytes with an equal volume of larval concentrate (37 °C), taking samples at 30, 60 and 90 minutes. The controls were incubated in the same way treated with saline solution. Titration of aggregation by Polybrene Method was applied and the CexpST was determined. The results showed that the mean value of CexpST in erythrocytes with T. spiralis was significantly lower than in the globules treated with T. patagoniensis, for all the studied times. The increase in treatment time also significantly decreased the mean value of CexpST for the two species, being significantly lower at 90 minutes of incubation than at 60 minutes and these in turn lower than at 30 minutes. It is concluded that T. spiralis caused greater erythrocyte desialization than T. patagoniensis in the experimental conditions studied.

O ácido siálico tem importantes funções biológicas, muitas das quais determinam sua participação na resposta imune. O objetivo foi comparar o efeito de Trichinella spiralis e Trichinella patagoniensis n.sp. sobre a dessialização eritrocitária. Trabalhou-se com 10 concentrados de larvas musculares de T. spiralis e 10 de T. patagoniensis da mesma concentração larval. Realizou-se o tratamento incubando o sedimento de eritrócitos frescos com igual volume de concentrado larval (37 ºC), tomando amostra aos 30, 60 e 90 minutos. Os controles foram incubados da mesma forma com solução salina. Foi aplicado o método de Titulação da Agregação por Polibrene e se determinouo CexpST. Os resultados mostraram que o valor médio do CexpST nos eritrócitos Tratados com T. spiralis foi significativamente menor que nos glóbulos tratados com T. patagoniensis, para todos os tempos estudados. O aumento do tempo de tratamento também diminuiu significativamente o valor médio do CexpST para as duas espécies, sendo significativamente menor aos 90 minutos de incubação que aos 60 minutos e eles por sua vez menores que aos 30 minutos. Conclui-se que T. spiralis provocou maior dessialização eritrocitária que T. patagoniensis nas condições experimentais estudadas.

Neuraminidase Inhibitors from the Fruiting Body of Glaziella splendens

Neuraminidase (NA) cleaves the glycosidic bond linkages of sialic acids to release the mature virions from infected cells and has been an attractive therapeutic target for anti-influenza agents. In our ongoing investigation of NA inhibitors in mushroom extracts, we found that the extract the fruiting body of Glaziella splendens potently inhibited neuraminidase. The fruiting bodies of G. splendens were extracted and partitioned successively with hexane, ethyl acetate, and butanol. The ethyl acetate soluble-layer was subjected to silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies, and MPLC to obtain five compounds (1–5). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. NA inhibitory activity of these compounds was evaluated using NAs from recombinant rvH1N1, H3N2, and H5N1 influenza A viruses. One compound (1) was elucidated as a new azaphilone derivative, and four compounds (2–5) were identified as entonaemin A, comazaphilone D, rubiginosin A, and entonaemin B, respectively. Compounds 3 and 4 showed considerable inhibitory activity against three types of neuraminidases with the IC₅₀ values of 30.9, 41.8, and 35.7 µM for 3 and 46.5, 50.4, and 29.9 µM for 4, respectively. This study reveals that the fruiting bodies of G. splendens possess azaphilone derivatives with the NA inhibitory activity. This is the first report on the isolation of neuraminidase inhibitors from the fruiting bodies of G. splendens.

Alteración del ácido siálico eritrocitario por efecto de Trichinella spiralis aplicando el método de Azul Alcian / Alteration of erythrocyte sialic acid by the effect of Trichinella spiralis applying the Alcian Blue method / Alteração do ácido siálico eritrocitário por efeito da Trichinella spiralis aplicando o método de Alcian Blue

Actualmente se reconoce que los ácidos siálicos están involucrados en múltiples funciones biológicas y que tienen un papel importante en la interacción parásito-hospedador. El objetivo del trabajo fue estudiar la alteración del ácido siálico eritrocitario por efecto de T. spiralis aplicando el método de Azul Alcian. Se trabajó con 11 concentrados de larvas musculares de T. spiralis (LM) y 9 de larvas recién nacidas de T. Spiralis (LRN) (total: 20) y con suspensiones de eritrocitos frescos. Se realizó el tratamiento incubando el sedimento globular con igual volumen de concentrado larval (37 ºC durante 1 hora). Los controles fueron incubados de la misma forma con solución salina. Se aplicó el método de Azul Alcian y se determinó CAE% en el control y en los glóbulos tratados. Se calculó CexpCAE. Los resultados mostraron que 5/9 de los concentrados de LRN y 9/11 de LM modificaron la carga globular. La media y la desviación estándar de los CexpCAE de las suspensiones en que la carga disminuyó por contacto con LRN y LM, fueron 0,614±0,1946 y 0,656±0,1865 respectivamente, mientras que en las que no se modificó resultó 0,955±0,0289 en el tratamiento con LRN y 0,93±0,0141 con LM. Se concluye que el Método de Azul Alcian es útil para estudiar las variaciones en la carga eritrocitaria por efecto de LRN y LM de T. spiralis.

It is now recognized that sialic acids are involved in multiple biological functions and that they have an important role in the parasite-host interaction. The objective of this work was to study the alteration of erythrocyte sialic acid by the effect of T. spiralis applying the Alcian Blue method. Work was carried out with 11 larval concentrates of ML and 9 of NL (total 20) and with fresh erythrocyte suspensions. The treatment was performed incubating the globular sediment with equal volume of larval concentrate (37 °C for 1 hour). The controls were incubated in the same way with saline solution. The Alcian Blue method was applied and CAE% was determined in the control and in the treated globules. CexpCAE was calculated. The results showed that 5/9 of the NL concentrates and 9/11 of ML modified the globular charge. The mean and standard deviation of the CexpCAE of the suspensions in which the charge decreased by contact with NL and ML were 0.614±0.1946 and 0.656±0.1865 respectively, whereas in those that did not change, it was 0.955±0.0289 in the NL treatment and 0.93±0.0141 in the ML. It is concluded that the Alcian Blue Method is useful to study the variations in erythrocyte charge due to NL and ML of T. spiralis.

Atualmente se reconhece que os ácidos siálicos estão envolvidos em múltiplas funções biológicas e que têm um papel importante na interação parasita-hospedeiro. O objetivo do trabalho foi estudar a alteração do ácido siálico eritrocitário por efeito de T. spiralis aplicando o método do Alcian Blue. Trabalhou-se com 11 concentrados de larvas musculares de T. spiralis (LM) e 9 de larvas recém-nascidas de T. Spiralis (LRN) (total: 20) e com suspensões de eritrócitos frescos. Realizou-se o tratamento incubando o sedimento globular com igual volume de concentrado larval (37 ºC durante 1 hora). Os controles foram incubados da mesma forma com solução salina. Aplicou-se o método de Azul Alcian e determinou-se CAE% no controle e nos glóbulos tratados. Calculou-se CexpCAE. Os resultados mostraram que 5/9 dos concentrados de LRN e 9/11 de LM modificaram o carga globular. A média e o desvio padrão dos CexpCAE das suspensões em que a carga diminuiu por contato com LRN e LM, foram 0,614±0,1946 e 0,656±0,1865 respectivamente, enquanto que naquelas onde não se modificou, resultou 0,955±0,0289 no tratamento com LRN e 0,93±0,0141 com LM. Conclui-se que o método de Alcian Blue é útil para estudar as variações na carga eritrocitária por LRN e LM de T. spiralis.

Alcohol consumption and burden of disease in the Americas in 2012: implications for alcohol policy / El consumo de alcohol y la carga de morbilidad en la región de las Américas en el 2012: implicaciones para las políticas relacionadas con el consumo de alcohol

OBJECTIVE:To describe the volume and patterns of alcohol consumption up to and including 2012, and to estimate the burden of disease attributable to alcohol consumption as measured in deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost in the Americas in 2012. METHODS: Measures of alcohol consumption were obtained from the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Information System on Alcohol and Health (GISAH). The burden of alcohol consumption was estimated in both deaths and DALYs lost based on mortality data obtained from WHO, using alcohol-attributable fractions. Regional groupings for the Americas were based on the WHO classifications for 2004 (according to child and adult mortality). RESULTS: Regional variations were observed in the overall volume of alcohol consumed, the proportion of the alcohol market attributable to unrecorded alcohol consumption, drinking patterns, prevalence of drinking, and prevalence of heavy episodic drinking, with inhabitants of the Americas consuming more alcohol (8.4 L of pure alcohol per adult in 2012) compared to the world average. The Americas also experienced a high burden of disease attributable to alcohol consumption (4.7% of all deaths and 6.7% of all DALYs lost), especially in terms of injuries attributable to alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol is consumed in a harmful manner in the Americas, leading to a high burden of disease, especially in terms of injuries. New cost-effective alcohol policies, such as increasing alcohol taxation, increasing the minimum legal age to purchase alcohol, and decreasing the maximum legal blood alcohol content while driving, should be implemented to decrease the harmful consumption of alcohol and the resulting burden of disease.

OBJETIVO:Describir el volumen y los modelos de consumo de alcohol hasta el año 2012 incluido, y calcular la carga de morbilidad atribuible al consumo de alcohol medida según el número de defunciones y los años de vida ajustados en función de la discapacidad (AVAD) perdidos en la Región de las Américas en el 2012. MÉTODOS: Los datos sobre el consumo de alcohol se obtuvieron a partir del Sistema Mundial de Información sobre el Alcohol y la Salud (GISAH, por sus siglas en inglés) de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). La carga del consumo de alcohol se calculó según la mortalidad y según los AVAD perdidos con base en los datos de mortalidad obtenidos de la OMS, tomando en consideración las fracciones atribuibles al alcohol. La división en subregiones se basó en las clasificaciones de la OMS del año 2004 (según la mortalidad en niños y adultos). RESULTADOS: Se observaron variaciones regionales en el volumen total de alcohol consumido, la proporción del mercado del alcohol atribuible al consumo de alcohol no registrado, los hábitos de consumo, la prevalencia del consumo y la prevalencia de los episodios de consumo excesivo de alcohol. Los habitantes de la Región de las Américas consumieron más alcohol (8,4 litros de alcohol puro por adulto en el 2012) en comparación con el promedio mundial. La Región también experimentó una alta carga de morbilidad atribuible al consumo de alcohol (4,7% de las defunciones y 6,7% de los AVAD perdidos), especialmente en forma de lesiones atribuibles al consumo de alcohol. CONCLUSIONES: El alcohol se consume de una manera perjudicial en la Región de las Américas y ello comporta una alta carga de morbilidad, especialmente en forma de lesiones. Con objeto de disminuir el consumo perjudicial de bebidas alcohólicas y la carga de morbilidad resultante, es preciso introducir nuevas políticas en materia de consumo de alcohol que sean eficaces en función de los costos, tales como el incremento de los impuestos sobre el alcohol, el aumento de la edad mínima legal para adquirir alcohol, y la disminución de la concentración máxima legal de alcohol en sangre mientras se conduce.

Development of a novel method to evaluate sialylation of glycoproteins and analysis of gp96 sialylation in Hela, SW1990 and A549 cell lines

BACKGROUND: Glycoproteins play a critical role in the cellular activities of eukaryotes. Sialic acid is typically the outermost monosaccharide of glycolipids and glycoproteins, and is necessary for normal development. RESULTS: A strategy based on avidin-biotin affinity was established to enrich sialylated glycoproteins from HeLa cervical carcinoma, SW1990 pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells. Using HPLC-MS/MS, western blot, real-time PCR, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, gp96 was identified in all three cell lines. No significant difference in the protein expression of gp96 was detected at the whole cell level, but the amount of bioti-nylated gp96 in SW1990 cells was 30-40 % lower than that in A549 and HeLa cells, and the amount of sialylated gp96 in SW1990 cells was 30 % lower than that in A549 and HeLa cells. Immunoblotting results showed that the expression of sialyltransferase proteins in the total cell lysates from HeLa and A549 cells were higher than that in SW1990 cells. CONCLUSIONS: We established a new method for investigating the expression and sialylation of glycoproteins using metabolic labeling, click chemistry, and avidin-biotin affinity. We successfully used this method to purify sialylated glycoproteins from cancer cell lines. Our results showed that the levels of gp96 sialylation varied across different cancer cell lines, and this may be because of differences in sialyltransferase expression.

sialic acid binding adhesin [SabA] of Helicobacter pylori isolated from Egypt is associated with gastric cancer

Background: Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] expressed outer membrane proteins [OMP[s]] that assist in bacterial adherence to the gastric epithelium promoting successful colonization. One of these OMPs is the blood group antigen binding adhesin A [BabA] which bind to the fucosylated Lewis[b] blood group antigen [Le[b]] on the surface of gastric epithelial cells. Another OMP[s] is the sialic acid binding adhesin [SabA] that mediates H. pylori binding the specific sialyl dimeric Lewis[x] glycosphingolipid [Le[x]] on the gastric epithelium. A lot of discrepancies about the correlation between the presence of both babA and sabA genes and the apparent clinical outcome of H. pylori infection were reported

Objectives: The present study was to disclose the relationship between the presence of these genes and the clinical outcomes in Egyptian H. pylori patients

Methodology: Forty three H. pylori strains were isolated from patients with different clinical findings. Polymerase chain reaction [PCR] for detecting the presence of babA and sabA genes was performed using different sets of primers for detecting different regions of the gene. Further bioinformatics analysis for the sabA product was done using KEGG and Pfam websites

Results: evincing striking correlation between sabA presence and the gastric cancer disease. However, we could not find any correlation between presence of babA and the associated diseases

Conclusions: SabA is one of the H. pylori OMPs adhesins involving in increasing the risk of H. pylori associated gastric cancer in H. pylori Egyptian patients

Expression of neural cell adhesion molecule and modification of its N-glycan in ldlD-14 cells / 生物工程学报

Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) is a glycoprotein expressing on the surface of neurons, glial cells, bone cells and natural killer cells. NCAM plays an important role in the process of cell - cell adhesion and cell migration, and is also a model protein to study polysialic acid. In this paper, NCAM gene from mouse mammary gland cells (NMuMG) was cloned into eukaryotic expression vectors pcDNA3.1(+) and transfected into mutant Chinese hamster ovary cells ldlD-14. The stable transfection over-expressing NCAM was obtained through the G418 selection and confirmed by Western blotting. Due to unique characters of ldlD-14 cells, carbohydrate chain of NCAM molecule can be easily manipulated with or without adding galactose in the serum free medium, and this modification can provide the basis for further studies on the effect of glycosylation on NCAM molecular function.

Binding of the Streptococcus gordonii Surface Glycoprotein Hsa to alpha(2-3) Linked Sialic Acid Residues on Fibronectin

The binding of microorganisms to platelets is a critical step in the development of infective endocarditis. In Streptococcus gordonii, this binding is mediated in part by serine-rich repeat proteins, which interact directly with sialic acid residues located on GPIIb receptors in the platelet membrane. In this study, we found that S. gordonii DL1 strain binds to platelets through bridging between sialic acid residue of fibronectin and serine-rich repeat protein (Hsa). Pretreatment of fibronectin with sialidases specific for alpha(2-3)-linked sialic acids was shown to significantly inhibit binding of the DL1 strain and the binding region(BR) of Hsa protein. Similarly, pre-incubation of bacteria or BR of Hsa with alpha(2-3)-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine blocked fibronectin binding in the DL1 strain, but not the M99 strain. Together, these data show that the alpha(2-3)-sialic acid residues of fibronectin play an important role in the binding of S. gordonii DL1 to fibronectin through interactions with the Hsa receptor. This interaction is thought to play an important role in the development of pathogenic endocarditis, and may represent an important therapeutic target for the treatment of infective endocarditis.

Promotion of compound fujian tablet on the motor function rehabilitation and neurotization in rats with cerebral infarction / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of Compound Fujian Tablet (FJT)on the neurotization in the cerebral infarction rats and to explore its mechanisms for promoting the motor skills.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 90 Wistar rats were randomly divided into the drug group, the model group, and the sham-operation group, 30 in each group. The rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was successfully established by electrocoagulation. Six hours after successful modeling, the rats of the drug group were orally administered with 9 g/kg FJT water solution, and the other groups were orally administered with equal volume of normal saline, once a day for two weeks. The motor skills of rats were examined by beam walking test. The expressions of nestin, polysialic acid neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM), microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2), growth-associated protein (GAP-43), and synaptophysin (Syn) in the brain tissue around the infarction were observed by in immunohistochemical assay. The mean staining gray or the optical density value were detected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 86 rats were recruited in the result analysis. After two weeks of administration, the neural function scoring was obviously higher in the drug group than in the model group with statistical difference (P < 0.01). The expressions of nestin, PSA-NCAM, MAP-2, GAP-43, and Syn in the brain tissue around the infarction were more obviously enhanced in the drug group than in the model group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>FJT can promote neurotization and improve the motor skill recovery after cerebral infarction.</p>

Increasing the alpha 2, 6 Sialylation of Glycoproteins May Contribute to Metastatic Spread and Therapeutic Resistance in Colorectal Cancer

Abnormal glycosylation due to dysregulated glycosyltransferases and glycosidases is a key phenomenon of many malignancies, including colorectal cancer (CRC). In particular, increased ST6 Gal I (beta-galactoside alpha 2, 6 sialyltransferase) and subsequently elevated levels of cell-surface alpha 2, 6-linked sialic acids have been associated with metastasis and therapeutic failure in CRC. As many CRC patients experience metastasis to the liver or lung and fail to respond to curative therapies, intensive research efforts have sought to identify the molecular changes underlying CRC metastasis. ST6 Gal I has been shown to facilitate CRC metastasis, and we believe that additional investigations into the involvement of ST6 Gal I in CRC could facilitate the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic targets. This review summarizes how ST6 Gal I has been implicated in the altered expression of sialylated glycoproteins, which have been linked to CRC metastasis, radioresistance, and chemoresistance.

The Genetically Modified Polysialylated Form of Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule-Positive Cells for Potential Treatment of X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy

PURPOSE: Cell transplantation of myelin-producing exogenous cells is being extensively explored as a means of remyelinating axons in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy. We determined whether 3,3',5-Triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) overexpresses the ABCD2 gene in the polysialylated (PSA) form of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM)-positive cells and promotes cell proliferation and favors oligodendrocyte lineage differentiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PSA-NCAM+ cells from newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were grown for five days on uncoated dishes in defined medium with or without supplementation of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and/or T3. Then, PSA-NCAM+ spheres were prepared in single cells and transferred to polyornithine/fibronectin-coated glass coverslips for five days to determine the fate of the cells according to the supplementation of these molecules. T3 responsiveness of ABCD2 was analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, the growth and fate of cells were determined using 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine incorporation and immunocytochemistry, respectively. RESULTS: Results demonstrated that T3 induces overexpression of the ABCD2 gene in PSA-NCAM+ cells, and can enhance PSA-NCAM+ cell growth in the presence of bFGF, favoring an oligodendrocyte fate. CONCLUSION: These results may provide new insights into investigation of PSA-NCAM+ cells for therapeutic application to X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy.

Identification of dual receptor-binding specific strains of human H5N1 viruses in China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Both the 2, 6 linkage and its topology on target cells are critical for the recognition by human influenza virus. The binding preference of avian flu virus H5N1 HA to the 2, 3-linked sialylated glycans is considered the major factor limiting its efficient infection and transmission in humans. To monitor potential adaptation of H5N1 virus in human population, the surveillance of receptor-binding specificity was undertaken in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The binding specificity of 32 human H5N1 virus strains isolated from 2003 to 2009 was tested by 2, 3-specific sialidase-treated chicken red blood cell (CRBC) agglutination assay and a solid-phase direct binding assay with synthetic sialylglycopolymers.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Dual binding preference to 2, 3 and 2, 6-glycans were found in two strains: A/Guangdong/1/06 (A/GD/1/06) and A/Guangxi/1/08 (A/GX/1/08). Though minor effect of short-2, 6-binding was detected in A/GX/1/08 at a low virus titer, both showed high affinity to the oligosaccharide at a high load. Notably both are of the long-2, 6-recognition, with the same topology as that of human H1N1 and H3N2 viruses.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The findings suggest that human H5N1 virus in China likely acquired the potential human-adaptation ability. Further research and surveillance on receptor-binding specificity of H5N1 viruses are required.</p>

Expression patterns of influenza virus receptors in the respiratory tracts of four species of poultry

The primary determinant of influenza virus infectivity is the type of linkage between sialic acid and oligosaccharides on the host cells. Hemagglutinin of avian influenza viruses preferentially binds to sialic acids linked to galactose by an alpha-2,3 linkage whereas hemagglutinin of human influenza viruses binds to sialic acids with an alpha-2,6 linkage. The distribution patterns of influenza receptors in the avian respiratory tracts are of particular interest because these are important for initial viral attachment, replication, and transmission to other species. In this study, we examined the distribution patterns of influenza receptors in the respiratory tract of chickens, ducks, pheasants, and quails because these species have been known to act as intermediate hosts in interspecies transmission. Lectin histochemistry was performed to detect receptor-bearing cells. Cell-specific distribution of the receptors was determined and expression densities were compared. We observed species-, site-, and cell-specific variations in receptor expression. In general, receptor expression was the highest in quails and lowest in ducks. Pheasants and quails had abundant expression of both types of receptors throughout the respiratory tract. These results indicate that pheasants and quails may play important roles as intermediate hosts for the generation of influenza viruses with pandemic potential.

Biochemical evaluation in human saliva with special reference to ovulation detection.

Aim : The aim of the present study was to investigate the level of salivary sialic acids and glycosaminoglycans with reference to salivary hormones during the normal menstrual cycle. Settings and Design: Fifty women volunteers were selected for the present study. Materials and Methods : Saliva was collected from 50 women and ovulation was detected in women with normal menstrual cycles through basal body temperature (BBT), ultrasound and salivary ferning. Samples were divided into five categories, as prepubertal (6-9 years), pre-ovulatory phase (6-12 days), ovulatory phase (13-14 days), postovulatory phase (15-26 days) and menopause (above 45 years). Each sample was subjected to evaluation of the sialic acids and glycosaminoglycans along with salivary hormones. Results : The result revealed that the ovulatory phase has increased sialic acid and glycosaminoglycans during the menstrual cycle when compared with that of the other phases. Consequently, an increased level of hormones such as luteinizing hormone and estrogen during the ovulatory period when compared to that of the pre-ovulatory and postovulatory periods appeared to be noteworthy. Statistically, analysis was performed using one way-ANOVA (LSD; post hoc method) to determine the significance as P < 0.001, 0.01, 0.05 in between the reproductive phases of the menstrual cycle. Conclusion : This study concluded that saliva-specific carbohydrates in the ovulatory saliva make the possibility to develop a biomarker for detection of ovulation by non-invasive methods.

Variations of the amount of sialic acids on hepatocellular carcinoma cell membrane / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the change in the amount of sialic acids on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell membrane.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Surgical specimens of HCC and liver cirrhosis tissues were obtained from 28 patients to prepare carcinoma cell and hepatocyte suspensions by collagenase digestion. For assay of α2, 3 and α2, 6-sialic acids, the cells were suspended in the staining buffer containing either fluorescein isothiocyanate-Maackia amurensis lectin (FITC-MAL) or fluorescein isothiocyanate-Sambucus nigra bark lectin (FITC-SNA) and incubated for 1 h, respectively. Flow cytometric analysis was carried out to measure the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) on the cell surface.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In both FITC-MAL- and FITC-SNA-incubated HCC cells, the MFI on the cell surface was greater than that of the hepatocytes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both of α2, 3 and α2, 6- sialic acids increases significantly on the hepatocyte membrane after the carcinomatous change.</p>

Neurogenesis by activation of inherent neural stem cells in the rat hippocampus after cerebral infarction / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes of neural stem cells (NSCs) in the rat hippocampus after cerebral infarction (CI) and to evaluate the neurogenesis caused by the activation of NSCs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CI models of rats were made and rats were assigned to 6 groups: sham-operated, 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days after CI. The dynamic expression of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN) were determined by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. BrdU was used to mark the proliferated NSCs. PSA-NCAM was used to mark the plasticity of activated NSCs. GFAP and NeuN were used to mark the differentiated NSCs.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the controls, the number of BrdU+ cells in the hippocampus increased significantly at 1 day after CI (P < 0.05), reached peak at 7 days after CI (P < 0.05), decreased but still elevated compared with the controls at 14 days after CI (P < 0.05), and nearly unchanged at 28 days after CI. The number of BrdU+/PSA-NCAM+ cells increased significantly at 7 days after CI (P < 0.05), reached peak at 14 days after CI (P < 0.05), and decreased but still elevated compared with the controls at 28 days after CI (P < 0.05). The number of BrdU+/PSA-NCAM+ cells was equal to 60% of the number of BrdU+ cells in all the same period. The number of BrdU+/NeuN+ cells in the hippocampus increased significantly at 14 days after CI (P < 0.05) and reached peak at 28 day after CI (P < 0.05). The number of BrdU+/GFAP+ cells in the hippocampus nearly unchanged after CI.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CI can stimulate the proliferation of inherent NSCs, and most proliferated NSCs may differentiate into neurons and represent neural plasticity.</p>

Comparative analysis of differential expression of sialic acids and adhesion molecules on mononuclear cells of bone marrow and peripheral blood in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at diagnosis and clinical remission.

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is characterized by the neoplasm of immature haematopoietic precursor cells (HPCs). We report significant differences between the expression of sialoglycoproteins and adhesion molecules on mononuclear cells (MNCs) of bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) from individual children at diagnosis of the disease. Lymphoblasts in PB predominantly expressed 9-O-acetylated sialoglycoproteins (Neu5,9Ac2-GPs), sialic acid, alpha2-3 linked sialic acid, L- and P-selectins and vascular cell adhesion molecule -1 (VCAM-1) on their surface compared to BM, as determined with selective lectins and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) by flow cytometric analysis. CD34+CD38+ cells present either in diagnostic PB or BM always showed enhanced expression of both alpha2-3 and alpha2-6 linked sialic acids, Neu5,9Ac2-GPs, L- and P-selectins and VCAM-1, compared to CD34+CD38- population, as confirmed by higher mean fluorescence intensity (MFI). Expression of ICAM-1 was reverse. However, MFI of Neu5,9Ac2-GPs was always higher both in CD34+CD38+ and CD34+CD38- population in PB compared to BM. Diverse trend of these cell surface macromolecules was observed during clinical remission. This is the first comparative study between PB and BM, where significant differential distribution of sialylated macromolecules and adhesion molecules was observed. Hence, supervising these cell surface macromolecules at various stages of treatment might help in minimal residual disease detection, identifying mobilization factor(s) and in isolation of normal HPCs for autologous BM transplantation.

Role of cell surface oligosaccharides of mouse mammary tumor cell lines in cancer metastasis.

Malignant transformation is associated with changes in the glycosylation of cell surface proteins and lipids. In tumor cells, alterations in cellular glycosylation may play a key role in their metastatic behaviour. In the present study, we have assessed the relationship between cell surface oligosaccharides and the metastasis ability of mouse mammary tumor cell lines 67NR and 4TO7. The cell surface oligosaccharides have been analyzed using specific binding assays with some plant lectins and the metastasis ability has been studied using transwell migration and invasion assays. In addition, we investigated the role of terminal sialic acids in the metastatic potential (cell adhesion on fibronectin, cell migration and invasion) in the 4TO7 cells on treatment with neuraminidase. The cell lines used in study have different metastasis abilities in vivo - the 67NR form primary tumors, but no tumor cells are detectable in any distant tissues, while cells of the 4TO7 line are able to spread to lung. In vitro metastasis experiments have revealed higher ability of adhesion, cell migration and invasion in the 4TO7 cells than the 67NR cells. Specific lectins binding assays show that the 4TO7 cells expressed more high-mannose type, multi-antennary complex-type N-glycans, beta-1,6-GlcNAc-branching, alpha-2,6-linked sialic acids, N-acetylgalactosamine and galactosyl(beta-1,3)-N-acetylgalactosamine. Removal of sialic acids on treatment with neuraminidase decreases adhesion, but increases the migration and has shown no significant change in the invasion ability of the 4TO7 cells. The study suggests that the sialic acids are not crucial for the cell migration and invasion in the 4TO7 cells. The findings provide the new insights in understanding the role of cell surface oligosaccharides in cancer metastasis.

Antibodies against 9-O-acetylated sialic acids in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a two-year study with 186 samples following protocol MCP 943.

Initial studies have revealed an enhanced surface expression of 9-O-acetylated sialoglycoconjugates (9-OAcSGs) on lymphoblasts concomitant with high titers of antibodies (anti-9-OAcSGs) in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This study was undertaken in 186 coded samples from 69 ALL patients to evaluate if antibodies against these sialoglycans could monitor response to the treatment. An ELISA was developed using bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM) containing high % of 9-O-acetylated sialic acids (9-OAcSA) as the capture antigen, to investigate serum levels of anti 9-OAcSGs in a single-center series of pediatric, clinically-diagnosed and immunophenotypically confirmed ALL patients, as compared to 130 healthy controls. At presentation, a 3.8-fold increase in anti-9-OAcSGs levels was detected in 63/69 ALL patients (mean +/- SEM was 102.8 +/- 6.3 microg/ml) as compared to normal controls (27.17 +/- 0.76 microg/ml), assay sensitivity being 91.3%. On an individual basis (n = 25) in patients who were longitudinally monitored for two years, a significant decline in their mean +/- SEM of OD405 was observed from 0.85 +/- 0.06 to 0.28 +/- 0.03. Additionally, a dot-blot was developed to evaluate the proportion of immune-complexed 9-OAcSGs in these patients employing achatinin-H, a 9-OAcSA-binding lectin. Our data indicate that these economically viable ELISA-based approaches allow for reliable, sensitive and rapid diagnosis of ALL. We contend that these disease-specific antibodies could be considered as potential markers both for the initial diagnosis of ALL and possibly for longitudinal monitoring of the disease.

Experimental study on plasticity of proliferated neural stem cells in adult rats after cerebral infarction / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether there is endogenous neural stem cell proliferation and whether these proliferated neural stem cells represent neural plasticity in the adult rats after cerebral infarction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cerebral infarction models of rats were established and the dynamic expression of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), BrdU/polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM) were determined by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. BrdU was used to mark dividing neural stem cells. PSA-NCAM was used to mark the plasticity of neural stem cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with controls, the number of BrdU-positive cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and hippocampus increased significantly at 1st day after cerebral infarction (P < 0.05), reached maximum at 7th day, decreased markedly at 14th day, but it was still elevated compared with that of the controls (P < 0.05). The number of BrdU-labeled with PSA-NCAM-positive cells increased significantly at 7th day (P < 0.05), reached maximum at 14th day, markedly decreased at 28th day, but it was still elevated compared with that of the controls (P < 0.05). It was equal to 60% of the number of BrdU-positive cells in the same period.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cerebral infarction may stimulate the proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells in situ and most proliferated neural stem cells represent neural plasticity.</p>