Binding of RPR260243 at the intracellular side of the hERG1 channel pore domain slows closure of the helix bundle crossing gate.

The opening and closing of voltage-dependent potassium channels is dependent on a tight coupling between movement of the voltage sensing S4 segments and the activation gate. A specific interaction between intracellular amino- and carboxyl-termini is required for the characteristically slow rate of channel closure (deactivation) of hERG1 channels. Compounds that increase hERG1 channel currents represent a novel approach for prevention of arrhythmia associated with prolonged ventricular repolarization. RPR260243 (RPR), a quinoline oxo-propyl piperidine derivative, inhibits inactivation and dramatically slows the rate of hERG1 channel deactivation. Here we report that similar to its effect on wild-type channels, RPR greatly slows the deactivation rate of hERG1 channels missing their amino-termini, or of split channels lacking a covalent link between the voltage sensor domain and the pore domain. By contrast, RPR did not slow deactivation of C-terminal truncated hERG1 channels or D540K hERG1 mutant channels activated by hyperpolarization. Together, these findings indicate that ability of RPR to slow deactivation requires an intact C-terminus, does not slow deactivation by stabilizing an interaction involving the amino-terminus or require a covalent link between the voltage sensor and pore domains. All-atom molecular dynamics simulations using the cryo-EM structure of the hERG1 channel revealed that RPR binds to a pocket located at the intracellular ends of helices S5 and S6 of a single subunit. The slowing of channel deactivation by RPR may be mediated by disruption of normal S5-S6 interactions.

Early Domestication History of Asian Rice Revealed by Mutations and Genome-Wide Analysis of Gene Genealogies.

BACKGROUND: Asian rice (Oryza sativa L.) has been a model plant but its cultivation history is inadequately understood, and its origin still under debate. Several enigmas remain, including how this annual crop shifted its growth habit from its perennial ancestor, O. rufipogon, why genetic divergence between indica and japonica appears older than the history of human domestication, and why some domestication genes do not show signals of introgression between subgroups. Addressing these issues may benefit both basic research and rice breeding. RESULTS: Gene genealogy-based mutation (GGM) analysis shows that history of Asian rice is divided into two phases (Phase I and II) of about equal lengths. Mutations occurred earlier than the partition of indica and japonica to Os genome mark Phase-I period. We diagnosed 91 such mutations among 101 genes sampled across 12 chromosomes of Asian rice and its wild relatives. Positive selection, detected more at 5' regions than at coding regions of some of the genes, involved 22 loci (e.g., An-1, SH4, Rc, Hd3a, GL3.2, OsMYB3, OsDFR, and OsMYB15), which affected traits from easy harvesting, grain color, flowering time, productivity, to likely taste and tolerance. Phase-I mutations of OsMYB3, OsHd3a and OsDFR were experimentally tested and all caused enhanced functions of the genes in vivo. Phase-II period features separate cultivations, lineage-specific selection, and expanded domestication to more genes. Further genomic analysis, along with phenotypic comparisons, indicates that O. sativa is hybrid progeny of O. rufipogon and O. nivara, inherited slightly more genes of O. rufipogon. Congruently, modern alleles of the sampled genes are approximately 6% ancient, 38% uni-specific, 40% bi-specific (mixed), and 15% new after accumulating significant mutations. Results of sequencing surveys across modern cultivars/landraces indicate locus-specific usages of various alleles while confirming the associated mutations. CONCLUSIONS: Asian rice was initially domesticated as one crop and later separate selection mediated by human resulted in its major subgroups. This history and the hybrid origin well explain previous puzzles. Positive selection, particularly in 5' regions, was the major force underlying trait domestication. Locus-specific domestication can be characterized and the result may facilitate breeders in developing better rice varieties in future.

Efficacy and safety of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir versus elbasvir/grazoprevir in treatment of genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C / 中华临床感染病杂志

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) and elbasvir/grazoprevir (EBR/GZR) in treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).Methods:The clinical data of 143 patients with genotype 1b CHC treated in Huzhou Central Hospital from January 2020 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 74 cases treated with LDV/SOF and 69 cases treated with EBR/GZR. The virological response after 4 and 12 weeks of treatment and 12wk after drug withdrawal was determined; and the serological and liver inflammation indexes before and after treatment in two groups were compared. SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis of the data.Results:The virological response rates of the LDV/SOF group and EBR/GZR group were 97.30% and 98.55%, 98.65% and 100.00%, 97.30% and 98.55% after 4 and 12 weeks of treatment and 12 weeks after the end of treatment, respectively (all P > 0.05). At the end of treatment, the liver inflammation indexes ALT, AST and GGT in the two groups were significantly lower than the baseline levels ( Z=-7.470 and -6.974, -9.757 and -6.832, -3.578 and -4.054, P<0.01). Adverse reactions in both groups were mild, and no serious adverse events occurred. Conclusion:Both LDV/SOF and EBR/GZR have good clinical efficacy in the treatment of genotype 1b CHC patients. And the patients are well tolerated.

Research advances in animal models of diabetic retinopathy / 中国药理学通报

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the microvascular complications of diabetes. At present, the pathogenesis of DR is obscure and drugs can not meet clinical needs, however. Experimental animal model of DR is an effective tool to study its pathogenic mechanism and evaluate drug efficacy. In this paper, the research progress of experimental animal models of DR has been-reviewed in recent years, mainly using mice, zebrafish, and other experimental animals, which can be divided into two categories: induced type and genotype, according to the inducer.

Common polymorphism in the cannabinoid receptor gene type 2 (CB2R) rs3123554 are associated with metabolic changes after two different hypocaloric diets with different dietary fatty profiles.

BACKGROUND: The role of CB2R gene variants on weight loss after a dietary intervention has been investigated in few studies. OBJECTIVE: We evaluate the effect of this genetic variant (rs3123554) of CB2R gene on cardiovascular risk factors and weight loss secondary to high monounsaturated fat vs a high polyunsaturated fat hypocaloric diets. DESIGN: A Caucasian population of 362 obese patients was enrolled. Patients were randomly allocated during 3 months to one of two diets (Diet P high polyunsaturated (PUFAs) fat hypocaloric diet vs, Diet M high monounsaturated (MUFAs) fat hypocaloric diet). RESULTS: In both genotype groups (GG vs GA+AA), body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, waist circumference and systolic blood pressure decreased after diet P and M. Body weight, BMI, fat mass and waist circumference were higher in A allele carriers than non A allele carriers. The improvement of these parameters was higher in non A allele carriers than A allele carriers. In non A allele carriers with both diets, the decrease of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, insulin and HOMA-IR was higher than A allele carriers after both diets. After diet P, triglyceride levels decrease in non A allele carriers. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that carriers of the minor allele of rs3123554 variant of CB2R gene lose less body weight during to different hypocaloric diets with different fatty acid. Moreover, non A-allele carriers showed a better response of LDL-cholesterol, HOMA-IR and insulin levels than A-carriers with both hypocaloric diets.

Effects of polymorphism rs3123554 in the cannabinoid receptor gene type 2 (CB2R) on metabolic and adiposity parameters after weight loss with two hypocaloric diets.

BACKGROUND: The role of CB2R gene variants on weight loss after a dietary intervention remained unclear. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to analyze the effects of rs3123554 of CB2R receptor gene on metabolic and adiposity parameters after two different hypocaloric diets in obese subjects. DESIGN: A Caucasian population of 280 obese patients was enrolled. Patients were randomly allocated during 3 months to one of two diets (Diet I - moderate in carbohydrate. Vs Diet II - normal in carbohydrate). RESULTS: In both genotype groups (GG vs GA + AA), body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, waist circumference and systolic blood pressure decreased after diet I and II. The decrease of these parameters was higher in non A allele carriers than A allele carriers. Pre- and post-dietary intervention, body weight, BMI, fat mass and waist circumference were higher in A allele carriers than non A allele carriers. In non A allele carriers, the decrease of glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR and Interleukin-6 levels was higher than A allele carriers after both diets. CONCLUSION: Carriers of the minor allele of rs3123554 variant of CB2R gene loose less body weight during two different hypocaloric diets. The improvement of metabolic parameters was better in no A allele carriers than A allele carriers.

Polymorphism rs3123554 in the cannabinoid receptor gene type 2 (CNR2) reveals effects on body weight and insulin resistance in obese subjects.

BACKGROUND: Few studies assessing the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms in CNR2 and obesity or its related metabolic parameters are available. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of polymorphism rs3123554 in the CNR2 receptor gene on obesity anthropometric parameters, insulin resistance, and adipokines in subjects with obesity. DESIGN: The study population consisted of 1027 obese subjects, who were performed bioelectrical impedance analyses, blood pressure measurements, serial assessments of dietary intake during three days, and biochemical tests. RESULTS: Genotypes GG, GA, and AA were found in 339 (33.0%), 467 (45.5%), and 221 (21.5%) respectively. Body mass index, weight, fat mass, waist circumference, insulin, HOMA-IR, and triglyceride and leptin levels were higher in A-allele carriers as compared to non A-allele carriers. No differences were seen in these parameters between the GA and AA genotypes. There were no statistical differences in dietary intake. CONCLUSION: The main study finding was the association of the minor allele of the SNP rs3123554 in the CNR2 gene with body weight and triglyceride, HOMA-IR, insulin, and leptin levels.

Molecular characterization of Streptococcus pneumoniae, particularly serotype19A/ST320, which emerged in Krasnoyarsk, Russia.

Streptococcus pneumoniae, a common human pathogen, colonizes the nasopharynx and causes diseases including acute otitis media (AOM). Herein, pneumococcal serotype distributions in children before and after PCV7 vaccination and in patients with pneumococcal disease in Siberian Russia (Krasnoyarsk) are reported. Analyses included antimicrobial susceptibility testing, sequence typing (ST), pulsed field gel electrophoresis, virulence-related surface protein gene (VSG) typing with novel primers and structural analysis by scanning electron microscopy. In healthy children (HC) prior to administration of PCV7, drug-susceptible serotype23F/ST1500 was a major pneumococcal genotype. In the PCV7 trial, multidrug-resistant serotype19A/ST320 emerged in vaccinees after PCV7, exhibiting a PCV7-induced serotype replacement. Multidrug-resistant serotype19A/ST320 was evident in patients with AOM. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) isolates showed genetic similarities to the AOM (ST320) genotype, constituting a common non-invasive AOM-CAP group. In contrast, meningitis isolates were more divergent. Overall, 25 ST types were identified; five (20%) of which were Krasnoyarsk-native. Regarding VSGs, PI-1 (rlrA/rrgB), PI-2 (pitA/B), psrP and cbpA were present at 54.3%, 38.6%, 48.6%, and 95.7%, respectively, with two major VSG content types, PI-1- /PI-2- /psrP+ /cbpA+ and PI-1+ /PI-2+ /psrP- /cbpA+ , being found for HC and non-invasive diseases, respectively. A major clone of serotype19A/ST320 (PI-1+ /PI-2+ ) produced the longest pneumococcal wire (pilus) structures in colonies. ST1016 (PI-1- /PI-2- ) in HC had HEp-2 cell-adherent pili. These results suggest that serotype19A/ST320 and related genotypes, with the VSG content type PI-1+ /PI-2+ /psrP- /cbpA+ , emerged in vaccinees after PCV7 in Siberia, accompanying diseases in non-vaccinated children, and that some genotypes (serotypes19A/ST320 and 18/ST1016) produced novel pneumococcal structures, predicting their roles in colony formation and adherence.

Nutrient compositions and antioxidant capacity of kiwifruit (Actinidia) and their relationship with flesh color and commercial value.

The nutritional quality and antioxidant capacity of China domestic kiwifruit and imported kiwifruit with different prices and the relationships of retail price among cultivars, nutritional qualities and flesh color were investigated. Results showed that cultivar was the main factor influencing nutritional quality, though the product region could also affect the cultivar characteristics to some extent. Additionally, nutritional quality and antioxidant capacity of kiwifruit had no relationship to the product region. What's more, there was no correlation among the nutrient compositions, antioxidant capacity and retail price of kiwifruit. At the same time, the flesh color was associated with greater commercial value but was not higher nutritional quality or antioxidant capacity. Thus indicates to consumers that imported kiwifruit were not all superior to local versions, and the priciest kiwifruit did not equal to the most nutritious kiwifruit, also the color kiwifruit. There still need more research to help consumers to choose kiwifruit.

Pharmaceutical Care on an H Hypertension Case with MTHFR Gene Mutation / 医药导报

Objective To explore the role of clinical pharmacist in individualized treatment of hypertension.Methods A patient withH hypertension receiving pharmaceutical care from clinical pharmacists was retrospectively analyzed.Results Patient's MTHFR (C677T) gene type was TT homozygous.Clinical pharmacist suggested doctor modify treatment,and then patient's plasma homocysteine dropped from 61.5 to 16.0 μmol·L-1,and blood pressure dropped from 173/ 111 mmHg(1 mmHg =0.133 kPa) to 130/80 mmHg.Conclusion Clinical pharmacist provides individualized treatment for patient with hypertension to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the drug by genotyping.

NPM1 Gene Type A Mutation in Bulgarian Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Single-Institution Study.

OBJECTIVE: Mutations of the nucleophosmin (NPM1) gene are considered as the most frequent acute myeloid leukemia (AML)-associated genetic lesion, reported with various incidences in different studies, and type A (NPM1-A) is the most frequent type. However, since most series in the literature report on the features of all patients regardless of the type of mutation, NPM1-A(+) cases have not been well characterized yet. Therefore, we evaluated the prevalence of NPM1-A in Bulgarian AML patients and searched for an association with clinical and laboratory features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and four adults (51 men, 53 women) were included in the study. NPM1-A status was determined using allele-specific reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction with co-amplification of NPM1-A and ß-actin and real-time quantitative TaqMan-based polymerase chain reaction. Patients received conventional induction chemotherapy and were followed for 13.2±16.4 months. RESULTS: NPM1-A was detected in 26 (24.8%) patients. NPM1-A mutation was detected in all AML categories, including in one patient with RUNX1-RUNX1T1. There were no differences associated with the NPM1-A status with respect to age, sex, hemoglobin, platelet counts, percentage of bone marrow blasts, splenomegaly, complete remission rates, and overall survival. NPM1-A(+) patients, compared to NPM1-A(-) patients, were characterized by higher leukocyte counts [(75.4±81.9)x109/L vs. (42.5±65.9)x109/L; p=0.049], higher frequency of normal karyotype [14/18 (77.8%) vs. 26/62 (41.9%); p=0.014], higher frequency of FLT3-ITD [11/26 (42.3%) vs. 8/77 (10.4%); p=0.001], and lower incidence of CD34(+) [6/21 (28.8%) vs. 28/45 (62.2%); p=0.017]. Within the FLT3-ITD(-) group, the median overall survival of NPM1-A(-) patients was 14 months, while NPM1-A(+) patients did not reach the median (p=0.10). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of NPM1-A mutation in adult Bulgarian AML patients was similar to that reported in other studies. NPM1-A(+) patients were characterized by higher leukocyte counts, higher frequency of normal karyotypes and FLT3-ITD, and lower incidence of CD34(+), supporting the idea that the specific features of type A mutations might contribute to the general clinical and laboratory profile of NPM1(+) AML patients.

Expression of regenerating gene type IV in human gastric adenocarcinoma tissues and the clinical significance / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To investigate the role of regenerating gene type IV (Reg IV) in the development and progression of gastric adenocarcinoma. Methods: S-P immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the expression of Reg IV, PI3K, and Akt proteins in 63 gastric adenocarcinoma specimens and the corresponding tumor-adjacent normal tissues. Results: The positive expression rates of Reg IV, PI3K and Akt proteins in 63 gastric adenocarcinoma tissues were 50.7% (32/63), 68.3% (43/63) and 60.3% (38/63), respectively, being significantly higher than those in the tumor-adjacent normal tissues (19.0%[2/63], 20.6%[13/63], and 9.5% [6/63], respectively, P<0.05). Reg IV expression was significantly correlated with the differentiation degree of gastric adenocarcinoma (P<0.05) and PI3K protein expression was significantly correlated with the differentiation degree, infiltrative depth, TNM stage and lymph node metastasis of gastric adenocarcinoma (P<0.05). Akt protein expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). We also found that Reg IV protein expression was positively correlated with PI3K and Akt expression (rs=0.284, 0.305, P<0.05), and PI3K expression was positively correlated with Akt protein expression (rs=0.423, P<0.05). Conclusion: Reg IV overexpression is associated with the progression of gastric adenocarcinoma, which may involve activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Expression and clinical significance of RegⅣ,EGFR and PI3K proteins in human gastric adenocarcinoma / 实用肿瘤学杂志

Objective To investigate the expression and clinical significance of RegⅣand EGFR,PI3K proteins in gastric adenocarcinoma .Methods S-P immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of RegⅣand EGFR,PI3K proteins in pathological tissues of 73 cases with gastric adenocarcinoma and tumor -adja-cent normal gastric tissues .Results The positive expression rates of RegⅣand EGFR,PI3K proteins in 73 cases with gastric adenocarcinoma tissue were 50.7%(37/73),56.2%(41/73) and 69.9%(51/73) respectively, which were significantly different from the positive expression rates of tumor -adjacent normal gastric tissues ,be-ing 20.5%(15/73),19.2%(14/73),and 21.9%(16/73),respectively(P<0.05).The expression of RegⅣprotein was significantly correlated to differentiation degree ( P<0.05 ) and the expression of EGFR protein was significantly correlated to infiltrative depth,TNM stage,and lymph node metastasis(P<0.05).The expression of PI3K protein was significantly correlated to differentiation degree ,infiltrative depth,TNM stage and lymph node metastasis(P<0.05).There was positive correlation between the expressions of RegⅣ/EGFR,RegⅣ/PI3K and EGFR/PI3K proteins in gastric adenocarcinoma and the values of Spearman coefficient correlation were 0.325, 0.403 and 0.384,respectively(P<0.05).Conclusion RegⅣmay play an important role in gastric adenocarci-noma genesis and progression by activating EGFR /PI3K/Akt signaling pathway .

Risk factors and gene type for infections of MRSA in diabetic foot patients in Tianjin, China.

The objective was to study risk factors and gene type of DF patients infected with MRSA. A total of 429 DF patients were recruited. The patients with S aureus infections were divided into MRSA and MSSA groups. MRSA were genotyped by SCCmec. pvl and lukE-lukD were detected. A total of 559 pathogens were isolated from them, with G+ bacteria firstly(59.0%), followed G- bacilli (37.7%) and true fungi (3.3%). The 3 most frequently isolated pathogens were S aureus (35.2%), S epidermidis (12.3%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11.2%). SCCmec III MRSA and SCCmec IVa MRSA had the same antibacterial spectrum. mecA positive rate was 100%. lukE-lukD and pvl positive rates were 100% and 0%, respectively. 28 strains belonged to SCCmec III and the others belonged to SCCmec IVa. The G+ cocci were the main pathogens, S aureus and S epidermidis were predominant among them. Antibiotic usage in 6 months prior to hospitalization, long course of ulcer, osteomyelitis and hypoproteinemia are risk factors for MRSA. SCCmec IVa is high in proportion to MRSA isolates, suggesting that CA-MRSA has become major pathogen of DF infection. All the MRSA were harboring lukE-lukD, which has been reported to present poor leucotoxin compared to pvl, and may be a response to atypical local inflammatory reaction in DF infection.

Relationship between-844T/C polymorphisms of Fas ligand gene promoter and fulminant hepatitis B / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of Fas ligand (FasL) and fulminant hepatitis B in Han Chinese. Methods HBV infected subjects were enrolled in this case-control study, including 233 cases of inactive HBsAg carrier, 68 patients with fulminant hepatitis B,100 cases of spontaneous hepatitis B clearance, 102 patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) related cirrhosis and 112 patients with HBV related primary hepatocellular carcinoma. The blood samples and clinical data were collected. FasL-844T/C polymorphisms of enrolled subjects were examined by TaqMan real time fluorescent genotyping polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A adjusted odds ratios (OR)and 95% confidence intervals (CI)were calculated using the Logistic regression model. Results After adjusting the factors of gender and age, binary Logistic regression analyses indicated that the genotype frequencies of FasL-844 CC,CT,TT in inactive HBsAg carriers were 50. 64% ,39. 91% and 9. 44% respectively, and those in cases of fulminant hepatitis B were 79. 41%, 17. 65% and 2. 94%, respectively. The analysis also revealed that FasL-844CC genotype in inactive HBsAg carriers was high risk factor of developing fulminant hepatitis B (OR =4. 729,95%CI:0. 510 - 21. 282,P = 0. 043), while there were no statistic significances in other cases (P>0. 05). Conclusion The inactive HBsAg carriers harboring FasL-844CC may have greater susceptibility to fulminant hepatitis B, which need arouse high attention.

The pathogen surveillance of rubella virus in Beijing from 2007 to 2010 / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To clarify the pathogen for rubella in Beijing from 2007 to 2010. Methods Beijing Center for Disease Preventipn and Control ( CDC ) collected the specimens (including blood, urine and throat swab specimens) frqm clinically diagnosed rubella cases for serological test and virus isolation. The nucleic acid of rubella virus in clinical specimens and isolations was detected by real-time PCR. Results Fifty-five out of 99 blood specimens were positive for anti- rubella IgM. Fifty-one out of 99 clinically diagnosed rubella cases were confirmed as rubella cases by virus isolation. Seventy-two were confirmed as rubella virus infections with real-time PCR method for detecting the nucleic acid of rubella virus in clinical specimens. Compared with the sequences of reference strains of rubella virus, all of detected rubella virus belonged the IE gene type. Conclusion This study indicates that IE gene type virus was the predominant endemic rubella virus in Beijing.

Gene type study of alpha-thalassaemia in Chongqing / 重庆医科大学学报

Objectives:To study the distribution status,clinical manifestations and laboratory test characteristics of alpha-thalassaemia gene type in the city of ChongQing to approach the importance of genetic diagnosis for alpha-thalassaemia,and the significance of thia diagnosis for antenatal screening and prenatal diagnosis to promote the survival quality of human being.Methods:This study was performed in the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University.One hundred and three alpha -thalassaemia patients were involved in this study.They had taken the tests of serum iron(SI),total iron binding capacity(TIBC),transferrin saturation(TS),hemoglobin(Hb)electrophoresis and genetic examination.Retrospective study and prospective study were performed with the results.Results:(1)A total of 72 patients underwent SI,TIBC and TS,and 55.56 %(40/72) patients had SI decreased,TIBC increased and TS decreased.(2) 92 serum samples from these patients had Hb electrophoresis,in which 31.52%(29/92) presented fast band.(3) In this study,there were 82.52%(85/103) deletional alpha-thalassaemia and 17.48%(18/103) non-deletional alpha-thalassaemia.(4) In 85 deletional alpha-thalassaemia,alpha0-thalassaemia was more than alpha+-thalassaemia.Conclusion:(1) Deletion form is the main form of ? thalassaemia in ChongQing.(2) alpha0-thalassaemia is less than alpha+-thalassaemia.(3) Genetic diagnosis is the gold standard for this disease.(4) It should be emphasized that antenatal screening and prenatal diagnosis are important for better lives of human beings.(5) Alpha-thalassaemia can affiliate nutritional iron deficiency anemia(NIDA).

An analysis of iron-load in 443 cases of thalassemia with different gene types / 第三军医大学学报

005), while iron overload occurred in 8 of 57 cases of ?-thalassemia (14.0%) and 89 out of 386 cases of ?-thalassemia (23.1%). Although the occurrence rate of iron overload in ?-thalassemia appeared higher than that in ?-thalassemia, no significant difference existed. Homozygote ?-thalassemia was prone to iron overload, followed by non-deletion HbH diseases, at the occurrence rate of 79.2% and 27.3% respectively. Iron deficiency was inclined to be associated with silent ?-thalassemia at the occurrence rate of 45.5%, followed by heterozygote ?-thalassemia (30.3%). Conclusion Both iron overload and iron deficiency can be found in thalassemia. Therefore, special treatments should be carried out according to given cases.

Genotype Analysis of Pyrogenic Exotoxin and emm Genes of Streptococcus pyogenes Clinical Isolates

A variety of proteins produced by Streptococcus pyogenes contribute to the virulence of the pathogen. Among the proteins, the M protein and streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins (Spe) are considered the major S. pyogenes virulence factors. To better characterize the correlation of M protein type and pyrogenic exotoxins with clinical diseases, we tested 269 S. pyogenes clinical isolates from patients with scarlet fever, pharyngitis, skin infection, otitis media, or other invasive streptococcal infections that provided appropriate clinical data. The strains were genotyped (M type) and assayed for speA, speB, and speC genes. The speB gene was detected in all isolates. Also, speA and speC genes were detected in 54 strains (18.2%) and 140 strains (47.3%), respectively. The strains isolated from invasive disease patients showed the highest frequency of speA gene (40.5%). The correlation among emm genotype, speA gene, and clinical patterns was analyzed. Genotypes emm1 (55.6%) and emm3 (22.2%) were predominant in stains with speA gene. The distribution of emm genotypes did not significantly associate with clinical patterns. These data suggest that SpeA is significantly associated with specific emm genotypes, and the exotoxin serve a dominant virulence factor.

Genotyping of ?-Lactamases and Preliminary Discovery of Acinetobacter-derived cephalosporinases AmpC Subtype from Acinetobacter baumannii / 中华医院感染学杂志

OBJECTIVE To investigate the genes associated ?-lactamases in Acinetobacter baumannii(ABA)isolated and preliminary discovery of Acinetobacter-derived cephalosporinases(ADC)-subtype in Shaoxing,Zhejiang.METHODS Eighteen ?-lactamases genes were detected by PCR,and a new ADC ?-lactamases gene fragments produced by PCR were sequenced and analyzed.RESULTS The positive rates of ADC-gene,TEM-gene and OXA-23 group-gene were 85.9%,27.1% and 58.8%,respectively.The other genes were not found in all 85 isolates tested.CONCLUSIONS There are very high positive percentages of ADC,TEM and OXA-23 group genes in A.baumannii isolated clinically and that is the important mechanism of multi-resistance.The ADC gene may be a novel subtype in lactamases(GenBank accession number:EF569590).