[Association between clinical phenotypes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and Ca2+ gene variation gene variation].

Objective: To observe the association between clinical phenotypes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients and a rare calcium channel and regulatory gene variation (Ca2+ gene variation) and to compare clinical phenotypes of HCM patients with Ca2+ gene variation, a single sarcomere gene variation and without gene variation and to explore the influence of rare Ca2+ gene variation on the clinical phenotypes of HCM. Methods: Eight hundred forty-two non-related adult HCM patients diagnosed for the first time in Xijing Hospital from 2013 to 2019 were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent exon analyses of 96 hereditary cardiac disease-related genes. Patients with diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, post alcohol septal ablation or septal myectomy, and patients who carried sarcomere gene variation of uncertain significance or carried>1 sarcomere gene variation or carried>1 Ca2+ gene variation, with HCM pseudophenotype or carrier of ion channel gene variations other than Ca2+ based on the genetic test results were excluded. Patients were divided into gene negative group (no sarcomere or Ca2+ gene variants), sarcomere gene variation group (only 1 sarcomere gene variant) and Ca2+ gene variant group (only 1 Ca2+ gene variant). Baseline data, echocardiography and electrocardiogram data were collected for analysis. Results: A total of 346 patients were enrolled, including 170 patients without gene variation (gene negative group), 154 patients with a single sarcomere gene variation (sarcomere gene variation group) and 22 patients with a single rare Ca2+ gene variation (Ca2+ gene variation group). Compared with gene negative group, patients in Ca2+ gene variation group had higher blood pressure and higher percentage of family history of HCM and sudden cardiac death (P<0.05); echocardiographic results showed that patients in Ca2+ gene variation group had thicker ventricular septum ((23.5±5.8) mm vs. (22.3±5.7) mm, P<0.05); electrocardiographic results showed that patients in Ca2+ gene variation group had prolonged QT interval ((416.6±23.1) ms vs. (400.6±47.2) ms, P<0.05) and higher RV5+SV1 ((4.51±2.26) mv vs. (3.50±1.65) mv, P<0.05). Compared with sarcomere gene variation group, patients in Ca2+ gene variation group had later onset age and higher blood pressure (P<0.05); echocardiographic results showed that there was no significant difference in ventricular septal thickness between two groups; patients in Ca2+ gene variation group had lower percentage of left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient>30 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa, 22.8% vs. 48.1%, P<0.05) and the lower early diastolic peak velocity of the mitral valve inflow/early diastolic peak velocity of the mitral valve annulus (E/e') ratio ((13.0±2.5) vs. (15.9±4.2), P<0.05); patients in Ca2+ gene variation group had prolonged QT interval ((416.6±23.1) ms vs. (399.0±43.0) ms, P<0.05) and lower percentage of ST segment depression (9.1% vs. 40.3%, P<0.05). Conclusion: Compared with gene negative group, the clinical phenotype of HCM is more severe in patients with rare Ca2+ gene variation; compared with patients with sarcomere gene variation, the clinical phenotype of HCM is milder in patients with rare Ca2+ gene variation.

5-Aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy stimulates local immunity in patients with condylomata acuminata via activation of T lymphocytes.

The article "5-Aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy stimulates local immunity in patients with condylomata acuminata via activation of T lymphocytes" by J. Du, Q. Cheng, Z. Zhang, J.-F. Wu, F. Li, S.-Y. Chen, Y.-L. Wang, X.-N. Lu, J.-H. Xu, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2017; 21 (5): 1125-1135 has been withdrawn.

5-Aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy stimulates local immunity in patients with condylomata acuminata via activation of T lymphocytes.

OBJECTIVE: 5-Aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (5-ALA-PDT) for condylomata acuminate (CA) is effective and safe, but how this treatment affects immune reaction is poorly understood. We aimed to explore the effects of PDT on local immunity in CA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemical analysis before and after PDT was performed to analyze local changes in the distribution of T lymphocytes, CD123+ plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and CD1a+ myeloid DCs. Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect changes in mRNA levels of interferon (IFN), ISG-15, Mx-2, TLR9, and IRF7. RESULTS: Compared to the healthy foreskin, tissue from patient showed increased CD3+ and CD8+ cells but no significant changes in CD4+ cells or CD123+ pDCs, and a significantly decreased CD1a+ Langerhans cells (LCs). Twenty-four hours after a PDT session, local CD3+, CD4+, and CD123+ pDCs in lesions significantly increased and migrated to the superficial dermis. CD1a+ LCs in the epidermis gradually decreased, while DCs gradually increased. The number, distribution, and morphology of CD8+ cells did not change after a PDT session. The mRNA expressions of IFN-γ, IFN-α, IFN-ß, ISG-15, Mx-2, TLR9, and IRF7 were all elevated. As compared to the patients without significantly increased IFN-a and IFN-b after a PDT session, patients with significant increases needed fewer sessions of PDT for a cure. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PDT for CA can activate T-lymphocyte-meditated immunity, and pDC-related immunity is also activated. The clinical efficacy of 5-ALA-PDT against CA may be related to the increased IFN-α and IFN-ß after treatment.

Isolation of a rice endophytic bacterium, Pantoea sp. Sd-1, with ligninolytic activity and characterization of its rice straw degradation ability.

UNLABELLED: This study focused on an endophytic bacterial strain, Pantoea sp. Sd-1, which can be used to degrade lignin and rice straw. This strain was isolated from rice seeds by an optimized surface sterilization method. Pantoea sp. Sd-1 showed exceptional ability to degrade rice straw and lignin. In rice straw or kraft lignin-containing medium supplemented with 1% glucose and 0.5% peptone, Pantoea sp. Sd-1 effectively reduced the rice straw mass weight by 54.5% after 6 days of treatment. The strain was also capable of reducing the lignin colour (52.4%) and content (69.1%) after 4 days of incubation. The findings suggested that the rice endophytic bacterium Pantoea sp. Sd-1 could be applied for the degradation of lignocellulose biomass, such as rice straw. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Rice straw, an abundant agricultural by-product in China, is very difficult to degrade because of its high lignin content. Due to the immense environmental adaptability and biochemical versatility of bacteria, endophytic bacteria are useful resources for biodegradation. In this study, we screened for endophytic bacteria capable of biodegrading rice straw and lignin and obtained one strain, Pantoea sp. Sd-1, with suitable characteristics. Sd-1 could be used for degradation of rice straw and lignin, and may play an important role in biodegradation of this agricultural by-product.

Functional role of a highly repetitive DNA sequence in anchorage of the mouse genome.

The major portion of the eukaryotic genome consists of various categories of repetitive DNA sequences which have been studied with respect to their base compositions, organizations, copy numbers, transcription and species specificities; their biological roles, however, are still unclear. A novel quality of a highly repetitive mouse DNA sequence is described which points to a functional role: All copies (approximately 50,000 per haploid genome) of this DNA sequence reside on genomic Alu I DNA fragments each associated with nuclear polypeptides that are not released from DNA by proteinase K, SDS and phenol extraction. By this quality the repetitive DNA sequence is classified as a member of the sub-set of DNA sequences involved in tight DNA-polypeptide complexes which have been previously shown to be components of the subnuclear structure termed 'nuclear matrix'. From these results it has to be concluded that the repetitive DNA sequence characterized in this report represents or comprises a signal for a large number of site specific attachment points of the mouse genome in the nuclear matrix.