B para-Bombay phenotype in China caused by homozygous mutation for site 328 G > A of FUT1 gene: a case report

The aim of this paper is to accurately identify a case of B para-Bombay and to analyze the genetic mutation. ABO and Lewis blood groups were identified by standard serological methods, and trace antigens on RBCs were detected by adsorption-elution test, while blood group substances in the saliva were detected by agglutination inhibition test. The ABO gene exons 6-7, FUT1 gene exon 4 and FUT2 gene exon 2 were directly sequenced. Serological results showed that there were B antigens on RBCs without H antigens, anti-A and anti-HI antibodies in serum, and B and H blood group substances in the saliva. The Lewis phenotype was Le (a-b+). According to gene sequencing analysis, ABO, FUT1 and FUT2 genotypes were B101/O02, h^328G/Ah3^28G/A and Se^357C/TSe^357C/T, respectively. This rare phenotype can be mislabeled as "O" if any of the detailed investigations are not performed. Therefore, in order to ensure the safety of blood transfusion, genetic and serological tests are necessary for the correct identification of difficult blood groups.     

Dexamethasone does not ameliorate gliosis in a mouse model of neurodegenerative disease

Prolonged neuroinflammation is a driving force for neurodegenerative disease, and agents against inflammatory responses are regarded as potential treatment strategies. Here we aimed to evaluate the prevention effects on gliosis by dexamethasone (DEX), an anti-inflammation drug. We used DEX to treat the nicastrin conditional knockout (cKO) mouse, a neurodegenerative mouse model. DEX (10 mg/kg) was given to 2.5-month-old nicastrin cKO mice, which have not started to display neurodegeneration and gliosis, for 2 months. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blotting techniques were used to detect changes in neuroinflammatory responses. We found that activation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) positive or ionized calcium binding adapter molecule1 (Iba1) positive cells was not inhibited in nicastrin cKO mice treated with DEX as compared to those treated with saline. These data suggest that DEX does not prevent or ameliorate gliosis in a neurodegenerative mouse model when given prior to neuronal or synaptic loss.     

黄芩苷铝胁迫下产肠毒素大肠杆菌内参基因的筛选

【背景】产肠毒素大肠杆菌(Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli,ETEC)是导致仔猪腹泻的主要致病菌之一,黄芩苷铝对ETEC诱导的仔猪腹泻具有良好的治疗效果,但作用机制尚不明了。【目的】筛选出黄芩苷铝胁迫下ETEC中表达水平最为稳定的内参基因。【方法】采用qPCR技术测定了12个内参基因16S rRNA、mdh、recA、gapA、gyrA、gyrB、rpoA、rpoB、mdoG、dnaG、secA和fusA在不同浓度(250、500和1 000μg/mL)黄芩苷铝胁迫下培养不同时间后(4.5 h和6 h)的表达水平,并采用比较Ct值法、geNorm、BestKeeper和NormFinder软件4种方法对12个候选内参基因的表达稳定性进行评估。【结果】rpoA表达丰度适中,并在多个分析方法中表达最稳定。【结论】确定了rpoA为ETEC qPCR的最佳内参基因,此研究为后续利用qPCR法研究黄芩苷铝胁迫ETEC后目的基因功能的表达奠定了基础。     

The atlas of RNase H antisense oligonucleotide distribution and activity in the CNS of rodents and non-human primates following central administration

Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) have emerged as a new class of drugs to treat a wide range of diseases, including neurological indications. Spinraza, an ASO that modulates splicing of SMN2 RNA, has shown profound disease modifying effects in Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) patients, energizing efforts to develop ASOs for other neurological diseases. While SMA specifically affects spinal motor neurons, other neurological diseases affect different central nervous system (CNS) regions, neuronal and non-neuronal cells. Therefore, it is important to characterize ASO distribution and activity in all major CNS structures and cell types to have a better understanding of which neurological diseases are amenable to ASO therapy. Here we present for the first time the atlas of ASO distribution and activity in the CNS of mice, rats, and non-human primates (NHP), species commonly used in preclinical therapeutic development. Following central administration of an ASO to rodents, we observe widespread distribution and target RNA reduction throughout the CNS in neurons, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes and microglia. This is also the case in NHP, despite a larger CNS volume and more complex neuroarchitecture. Our results demonstrate that ASO drugs are well suited for treating a wide range of neurological diseases for which no effective treatments are available.     

Metabolomic Profiling and Neuroprotective Effects of Purslane Seeds Extract Against Acrylamide Toxicity in Rat’s Brain

Neurochemical Research - Acrylamide (ACR) is an environmental pollutant with well-demonstrated neurotoxic and neurodegenerative effects in both humans and experimental animals. The present study...     

基于网络药理学与分子对接技术的清瘟护肺颗粒防治新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)的潜在药效物质研究

本文通过网络药理学和分子对接技术探讨清瘟护肺颗粒防治新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)的潜在药效物质。首先,通过TCMSP数据库,BATMAN-TCM数据库及TCMIP数据库检索清瘟护肺颗粒中十六味药的化学成分及作用靶点,利用GeneCards和OMIM数据库检索COVID-19的相关疾病靶点。然后,通过venny2.1.0获取清瘟护肺颗粒防治COVID-19的潜在靶点,利用R语言对潜在靶点进行GO功能和KEGG通路富集分析,并结合文献对富集所得通路进行分析。最后,利用Cytoscape3.7.1软件构建网络图,采用AutoDock4.2.1软件评价清瘟护肺颗粒中潜在药效成分和新型冠状病毒SARS-CoV-23CL水解酶、血管紧张素转化酶II(ACE2)和RNA依赖的RNA聚合酶(RdRp)的结合作用。网络药理学得到清瘟护肺颗粒防治COVID-19的473个活性成分和123个靶点,KEGG结果及文献分析预测到清瘟护肺颗粒可通过调控MAPK、小细胞肺癌、肺结核、PI3K-AKT等多条信号通路而发挥作用,分子对接结果显示清瘟护肺颗粒中潜在药效成分和SARS-CoV-23CL水解酶、ACE2及RdRp具有良好的亲和性。本研究较为全面揭示了清瘟护肺颗粒治疗COVID-19“多成分、多靶点、多通路”的特点,为深入探讨清瘟护肺颗粒治疗COVID-19的作用机制提供参考依据。     

定向进化提高来源于Arthrobacter ramosus的MTHase的热稳定性

麦芽寡糖基海藻糖水解酶(maltosyltrehalose hydrolase,MTHase)是以淀粉或麦芽糊精为底物制备海藻糖的关键酶之一。来源于Arthrobacter ramosus的MTHase,表达量好,比活高,但热稳定性差,限制了其工业化应用。采用定向进化技术,筛选得到L137M和A216T两个突变体,在60℃下,野生型和两个突变体的半衰期(t1/2)分别为15.5、20.5和23.3 min,L137M和A216T的t1/2分别比野生型提高1.3和1.5倍。进一步考察了L137M、A216T和野生型酶在60℃分别和同样来源于Arthrobacter ramosus的麦芽寡糖基海藻糖合成酶(maltosyltrehalose synthase,MTSase)复配制备海藻糖,在相同的加酶量下,野生型、L137M和A216T的海藻糖转化率分别为51.3%,52.6%和55.7%,两个突变体的转化率都比野生型提高,说明突变体提高的热稳定性有利于海藻糖的转化率。