Identification of a locus (DSP2) for disseminated superficial porokeratosis at chromosome 12q21.2-24.21.

Porokeratosis is a rare disorder of epidermal keratinization that is characterized by the presence of a border called the cornoid lamella. Disseminated superficial porokeratosis (DSP) is a subtype of porokeratosis, which is inherited as an autosomal trait. The first locus for DSP was localized to chromosome 18p11.3, but no causative gene has yet been identified. In this study, we recruited and analysed a large six-generation Chinese family with autosomal dominant DSP. The genome-wide screening identified a maximum two-point LOD score of 3.06 at θ = 0.00 with the microsatellite marker D12S78. Fine mapping and haplotype analysis defined a critical region of 38 Mb between D12S326 and D12S79 on chromosome 12q21.2-24.21, which is a probable second locus identified for DSP (DSP2). We sequenced 50 candidate genes in this region, but no causative mutation was found. This study provides a map location for isolation of a gene causing DSP.

Stabilizing microtubules decreases myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury.

Microtubules are important components of the cytoskeleton that forms the backbone of myocardial architecture, sustaining its form and size. This study investigated whether stabilizing microtubules with paclitaxel (0.1 or 1 µM) could decrease myocardial ischaemia- reperfusion injury, and reduce myocardial infarct size and the incidence of ischaemic ventricular arrhythmia. Isolated rat hearts were used, with arrhythmia induced by regional ischaemia and myocardial infarcts induced by ischaemia-reperfusion. In these ex vivo rat models, paclitaxel decreased myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury, significantly reducing the incidence and severity of ischaemic ventricular arrhythmia and significantly decreasing infarct size.

Effects of rosuvastatin versus atorvastatin on rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase activity and endothelial function in patients with atherosclerosis.

This randomized, double-blind, parallel-design study compared the short-term effects of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin on serum lipids and markers of inflammation and endothelial function in patients with stable atherosclerosis. Patients received either 10 mg/day rosuvastatin (n = 18) or 20 mg/day atorvastatin (n = 18), orally, for 4 weeks. Serum lipids, high-sensitivity Creactive protein (hsCRP), Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK) activity and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery were assessed before and after therapy. Both statins produced significant reductions in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride and hsCRP levels, and significant increases in FMD. Both statins significantly reduced ROCK activity and inhibition was significantly greater with rosuvastatin. There was no correlation between ROCK activity and LDL-C level in either group. There was a significant correlation between ROCK activity and FMD for both statins, but no correlations between FMD and LDL-C or hsCRP levels. Short-term treatment with either rosuvastatin or atorvastatin inhibits ROCK activity independent of cholesterol reduction, and improves endothelium dysfunction in patients with atherosclerosis.

Evaluation of myocardial bridges with optical coherence tomography.

This study investigated the morphological characteristics of myocardial bridges (MBs) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging compared with coronary artery angiography (CAG) and also evaluated atherosclerotic lesions in the proximal segments of MBs. Twelve patients (seven males, five females, age range 36 - 81 years) with MBs in the left anterior descending coronary artery were enrolled and examined. The mean +/- SD length of the MBs measured by OCT appeared significantly longer than when measured by CAG (20.5 +/- 4.2 mm versus 15.6 +/- 3.5 mm, respectively). The mean +/- SD maximal extent of MB stenosis appeared significantly smaller with OCT compared with CAG (48.7 +/- 4.8% versus 55.3 +/- 2.6%, respectively). Intimal thickening was observed only in the proximal 2 cm arterial segment of MBs. The morphological and intimal structure characteristics of MBs can be observed clearly with OCT.

[Investigation of genotyping HLA DRB1 gene using oligoneucleotide arrays].

We have developed a method performed on an oligoneucleotide array for genotyping HLA DRB1. The routine method Phenol-chloroform was used to extract genome DNA of standard samples. A pair of sense and antisense primers were designed according to the sequence of DRB1 exon2, then the primers and the Cy5-dCTP were used in the following PCR, thus the PCR products were labelled with Cy5. Many genotyping probes which were immobilized on the DNA Microarray made by APS-PDC method were designed. The labelled PCR products were hybridized with them, the signals were sanned by sanner and analyzed by Imagene software. We have genotyped 33 standard samples which have 12 DRB1 subtypes. The experimental results showed that the arrays we made and the method we used are accurate and sensitive. This proved that the DNA Microarray technique is good for DRB1 genotyping. Compared with PCR-SSP and PCR-SSO methods, the genotyping chip method is more intuitionistic and has the advantage of integration.

[Study of concurrent reconstruction of posterior wall of vagina with pedicled muscular flap of uterus after resection of rectum carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reconstructional method of posterior wall of vagina after the resection of rectum carcinoma. METHODS: From August 1991 to March 1996, 10 patients with rectum carcinoma were adopted in this study, among them, there were 4 cases belong to B stage of Dukas, and 6 cases belong to C stage of Dukes. In operation, rectum carcinoma and posterior wall of vagina were resected, and concurrent reconstruction was finished by using pedicled muscular flap of uterus. RESULTS: The effect of operation were satisfactory except one case who was failed because of insufficient blood supply of the flap. Followed-up for 3-6 months, the posterior wall of vagina healed in 7 cases, the width of vagina was 2-3 fingers and the depth was 5-6 cm. CONCLUSION: Reconstruction of the posterior wall of vagina with pedicled muscular flap of uterus was available in clinic. For its simplicity and feasibility, it's suitable for the resection of rectum carcinoma in which the posterior wall of vagina was infiltrated.

A HU-like protein binds to specific sites within nod promoters of Rhizobium leguminosarum.

Nodulation genes (nod) of rhizobia are essential for establishment of its symbiosis with specific legume hosts and are usually located on the Sym(biosis) megaplasmid. In this work we identified a new Sym plasmid independent protein in Rhizobium leguminosarum, Px, by its ability to bind to nod promoters and induce DNA bending. Depending upon its concentrations relative to DNA templates, Px could either stimulate or inhibit in vitro transcription of the major regulatory nodulation gene nodD. This may result from its property to bind to specific sites within nod promoters at lower concentration or in the presence of competitor calf thymus DNA but nonspecifically associate with DNA at higher levels or in the absence of competitors. Its binding sites within nodD and nodF promoters were determined by DNase I footprinting but showed no sequence consensus. N-terminal sequencing and Western blot revealed that Px belongs to the HU class of prokaryotic histone-like proteins. Its binding feature and functioning mechanism were discussed in the light of this discovery.

Effect of ketotifen on the ultrastructure of the erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium yoelii.

The effect on the morphology of Plasmodium yoelii of ketotifen treatment was different from that of chloroquine and other antimalarial drugs. Following administration of a low dosage of ketotifen, the parasite first developed a multilamellate pellicular complex which resembled a medullary sheath and then developed vacuoles and cavitations. The development of large multilamellate whorls consisting of a pellicular structure enclosing cytoplasm was the typical change which occurred.

[Rectal examination for extent of perirectal infiltration in rectal carcinoma].

From 1983 to 1985, 214 patients with rectal carcinoma were assessed for the conformation rate of the rectal examination to the gross findings of the extent of perirectal infiltration in the resected specimens. It was found that the conventional classification of the extent of rectal infiltration by rectal examination, 1/4, 1/3, 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4 of the circumference, had only a conformation rate of 32.7% to the gross findings. According to the classification of 1/4 or less and more, the conformation rate could reach 93%. It was also found that the extent of perirectal infiltration, being closely related to the regional lymph node metastasis and the depth of invasion, was only demonstrated by this latter classification, which was not shown in the conventional classification. Hence, it is suggested that the rectal examination implying the extent of perirectal infiltration by simply classified into two groups: equal to or less than 1/4 and more than 1/4 of the circumference of the rectal wall.

A study of ultrastructure of egg shell of Schistosoma japonicum. I. Transmission electron microscopic observation of S. japonicum egg.

Ultrathin sections of egg shell of S. Japonicum were observed. The micropores and network of microcanals were first reported in egg shell of S. japonicum. Both the micropores and microcanals are lined by a membrane being continous with the inner layer of egg shell and filled with materials coming from inside of the egg. As in the egg of S. mansoni, the possibility of micropores and microcanals that may play an important role as natural channels in secreting materials such as soluble antigens and histolytic enzymes... etc., is discussed.