Archetype, adaptation and the mammalian heart

Forty years ago, we started our quest for ‘The Holy Grail’ of understanding ventricular rate control and rhythm in atrial fibrillation (AF). We therefore studied the morphology and function of a wide range of mammalian hearts. From mouse to whale, we found that all hearts show similar structural and functional characteristics. This suggests that the mammalian heart remained well conserved during evolution and in this aspect it differs from other organs and parts of the mammalian body. The archetype of the mammalian heart was apparently so successful that adaptation by natural selection (evolution) caused by varying habitat demands, as occurred in other organs and many other aspects of mammalian anatomy, bypassed the heart. The structure and function of the heart of placental mammals have thus been strikingly conserved throughout evolution. The changes in the mammalian heart that did take place were mostly adjustments (scaling), to compensate for variations in body size and shape. A remarkable scaling effect is, for instance, the difference in atrioventricular (AV) conduction time, which is vital for optimal cardiac function in all mammals, small and large. Scaling of AV conduction takes place in the AV node (AVN), but its substrate is unknown. This sheds new light on the vital role of the AVN in health and disease. The AVN is master and servant of the heart at the same time and is of salient importance for our understanding of supraventricular arrhythmias in humans, especially AF. In Information Technology a software infra-structure called ‘enterprise service bus’ (ESB) may provide understanding of the mammalian heart’s conservation during evolution. The ESB is quite unspecific (and thus general) when compared with the specialised components it has to support. For instance, one of the functions of an ESB is the routing of messages between system nodes. This routing is independent and unaware of the content of the messages. The function of the heart is likewise independent and unaware of the routing of blood (oxygen) and of the specialised components of the mammalian body it has to support. Conclusions Evolution seems to have bypassed the heart, which is in contrast to the sometimes similarly looking, but yet quite differently functioning of the other organs of the mammalian body.     

Species-specific size expansion and molecular evolution of the oleosins in angiosperms

Oleosins are hydrophobic plant proteins thought to be important for the formation of oil bodies, which supply energy for seed germination and subsequent seedling growth. To better understand the evolutionary history and diversity of the oleosin gene family in plants, especially angiosperms, we systematically investigated the molecular evolution of this family using eight representative angiosperm species. A total of 73 oleosin members were identified, with six members in each of four monocot species and a greater but variable number in the four eudicots. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that the angiosperm oleosin genes belonged to three monophyletic lineages. Species-specific gene duplications, caused mainly by segmental duplication, led to the great expansion of oleosin genes and occurred frequently in eudicots after the monocot–eudicot divergence. Functional divergence analyses indicate that significant amino acid site-specific selective constraints acted on the different clades of oleosins. Adaptive evolution analyses demonstrate that oleosin genes were subject to strong purifying selection after their species-specific duplications and that rapid evolution occurred with a high degree of evolutionary dynamics in the pollen-specific oleosin genes. In conclusion, this study serves as a foundation for genome-wide analyses of the oleosins. These findings provide insight into the function and evolution of this gene family in angiosperms and pave the way for studies in other plants.     

抑癌基因PTEN 在甲状腺乳头状癌中的表达及临床意义*

目的:通过免疫组织化学方法检测PTEN基因在正常甲状腺组织、甲状腺良性肿瘤组织、甲状腺乳头状癌癌组织中的表达水平并进行比较,探讨其对甲状腺乳头状癌诊断和治疗的意义。方法:采用SP免疫组化方法,用已知阳性组织做阳性对照,以磷酸盐缓冲液(PBS)代替一抗做阴性对照,分别作HE染色和免疫组织化学染色。结果:PTEN蛋白在三组组织中的表达差异具有显著性(P<0.001);正常甲状腺组织、甲状腺良性肿瘤组织中的阳性率分别为100%和82.5%,均显著高于甲状腺癌组织中的45%(P<0.05),即PTEN在甲状腺癌中表达显著降低;PTEN在甲状腺乳头状癌淋巴结转移组和无淋巴结转移组阳性表达率分别为15%和60%,差异有显著性(x2=10.91,P=0.001);PTEN在甲状腺乳头状癌在包膜侵犯组和无侵犯组的阳性表达率分别为25.93%和60.61%,差异有显著性(x2=7.22,P=0.007);PTEN在甲状腺癌淋巴结转移组和包膜侵犯组的阳性表达强度显著低于无淋巴结转移和包膜侵犯组(P<0.01),有统计学意义。结论:PTEN基因表达的降低在甲状腺癌的发生和转移过程中起重要作用。     

CT 扫描在食管癌淋巴结转移患者预后评估中的应用价值

目的:探讨CT扫描对食管癌淋巴结转移诊断的准确率及CT扫描对预测淋巴结转移患者预后的价值.方法:选择我院收入的行食管癌根治术患者共146例,患者均行CT及腹部彩超,检查者CT及腹部彩超对食管癌淋巴结转移检测的准确率及漏诊率,检测CT淋巴结转移数、CT三分区转移情况及CT最大病变直径等CT检测与食管癌淋巴结转移相关因素.结果:CT淋巴结总检出率显著高于彩超检出率,两组对比差异有统计学意义,P＜0.05.CT检测中胸上段、胸中段总检出率显著高于彩超检出率,结果对比差异有统计学意义,P＜0.05.所有患者自手术日起计算术后1、3年生存率分别为73.3％(107/146)、47.9％( 70/146),CT 转移数≥2枚、CT三分区转移＜2区、CT最大病变直径≤3cm患者术后生存率较高,结果对比差异有统计学意义,P＜0.05.结论:CT对食管癌淋巴结转移诊断率较高,CT转移数、CT三分区转移及CT最大病变直径检测可用于评估患者术后生存率情况.     

直肠癌的淋巴结转移的危险因素

目的:本研究主要目的为确定直肠癌的淋巴结转移的危险因素。方法:通过对1250例于2004年-2008年行直肠癌根治性切除的患者进行单因素和多因素分析,以确定淋巴结转移相关的危险因素,同时对PT分期和肿瘤大小之间的关系进行了相关性分析。结果:直肠癌患者淋巴结转移发生率为41%。在单因素分析中,患者年龄(P=0.008)、肿瘤大小(P=0.003)、PT分期(P<0.0019)以及分化程度(P<0.001)和淋巴结转移相关。在多因素分析中,年龄(P=0.017,OR=0.988,95%可信区间:0.978-0.998)、PT分期(P<0.001,OR=1.952,95%可信区间:1.656-2.302)和分化程度(P<0.001,OR=3.697,95%可信区间:2.112-6.472)是淋巴结转移的独立因素。结论:在直肠癌相关分析中,肿瘤的大小和PT分期呈正相关。年龄、PT分期和肿瘤分化程度是淋巴结转移的独立因素。在直肠癌中,肿瘤的大小和PT分期呈正相关。     

恒河猴艾滋病模型中枢神经系统及淋巴结病变的电镜观察

目的观察恒河猴艾滋病模型不同感染阶段中枢神经系统及淋巴结的超微结构改变,探讨艾滋病的发病机制和病理改变的发展过程。方法 15只恒河猴,1只为正常对照,其余14只静脉注射感染SIVmac239猴艾滋病病毒,分别于感染后1周,2周,1个月,2个月,12个月,18个月取腹股沟淋巴结及下丘脑组织进行透射电镜检查。结果感染后1周即可出现淋巴结内淋巴细胞病变,表现为线粒体肿胀,嵴溶解,出现自噬体等。感染后2周及1个月时淋巴细胞病变主要表现为线粒体肿胀,嵴溶解;感染2个月时淋巴细胞细胞核形态出现明显改变。感染后12个月淋巴结内多数淋巴细胞出现病变,细胞肿胀,细胞器正常形态大部分消失;部分细胞出现溶解性坏死的特征。至感染后期（18个月时）,淋巴结内局部淋巴细胞稀疏,细胞核肿胀或形态不规则。中枢神经系统的病变在感染后1周出现,表现为神经纤维肿胀,感染后2周出现神经元的病变,表现为神经元线粒体肿胀,粗面内质网脱颗粒,尼氏体消失;神经纤维内出现空泡。感染后12个月及18个月时,神经元和神经纤维的病变加重。结论在SIV感染早期,淋巴结内淋巴细胞及中枢神经系统即可出现病变,维持一段相对稳定的时间后,至疾病后期,病变加重。中枢神经系统与淋巴结的超微结构病变发展规律有一定的相似性。     

Mdfic与Rhox5蛋白相互作用的关键结构域鉴定

Mdfic（MyoD family inhibitor domain containing）是一个新发现的含有MyoD抑制素结构域（I-mfa domain）的转录调控因子,可能在肌细胞的分化过程中发挥重要作用. 小鼠Rhox5为同源异型框基因,隶属于Rhox基因簇（reproductive homeobox on the X chromosome genes cluster）β亚簇.在前期证实Mdifc能结合Rhox5蛋白的基础上,进一步鉴定两者相互作用的关键结构域.生物信息学分析Mdfic 的氨基酸序列,PCR方法扩增Mdfic A截短型片段（第72～247位氨基酸残基）,含保守的I-mfa结构域; 双向酵母双杂交和体外GST-Pull down结果表明,该截短型片段可以与Rhox5蛋白结合,且结合力度较完整的Mdfic蛋白强; 将Mdfic A片段划分为两段: Mdfic B（72～191 aa, 不含I-mfa结构域）和Mdfic C（191～247 aa, 含I-mfa结构域）.结果表明,含保守I-mfa结构域的Mdfic C截短型片段丧失了与Rhox5蛋白结合的能力,而不含I-mfa结构域的Mdfic B截短型片段可以结合Rhox5蛋白. 鉴于Mdfic蛋白的非I-mfa结构域在Rhox5/Mdfic结合中发挥关键作用, Rhox5与Mdfic的结合可能进一步调控由Mdfic的I-mfa结构域参与的其他转录因子（如MyoD）的调控,三者形成一个复杂的调控网络,共同参与肌细胞发生及分化的调控.     

大豆离体培养及高频再生基因型的筛选

为建立一个高效的大豆再生体系用于大豆的遗传转化,选用3个东北主栽品种‘黑农35’、‘黑农41’和‘黑农58’的子叶节和胚尖作为外植体,分别建立了3个品种的子叶节和胚尖再生体系,并研究了6-BA对大豆再生的影响。结果表明,‘黑农41’子叶节最适芽诱导培养基为MSB5＋1.0mg·L-16-BA＋0.2mg·L-1IBA,胚尖最适芽诱导培养基为MSB5＋0.2mg·L-16-BA＋0.2mg·L-1IBA。‘黑农41’再生体系在出芽率、出芽数和芽伸长数上均远高于‘黑农35’和‘黑农58’,是一个优秀的大豆转基因受体材料。     

Occupational radiation dose of personnel involved in sentinel node biopsy procedure

IntroductionSentinel node biopsy is a procedure used for axillary nodal staging in breast cancer surgery. The process uses radioactive ^99mTc isotope for mapping the sentinel node(s) and all the staff involved in the procedure is potentially exposed to ionizing radiation. The colloid for radiolabelling (antimone-sulphide) with ^99mTc isotope (half-life 6 h) is injected into the patient breast. The injection has activity of 18.5 MBq. The surgeon removes the primary tumor and detects active lymph nodes with gamma detection unit. The tumor as well as the active nodal tissue is transferred to pathologist for the definitive findings. The aim of the study was to measure dose equivalents to extremities and whole body for all staff and suggest practice improvement in order to minimize exposure risk.Materials and methodsThe measurements of the following operational quantities were performed: Hp(10) personal dose equivalent to whole body and Hp(0.07) to extremities for staff as well as ambiental dose for operating theatre and during injection.Hp(0.07) were measured at surgeon’s finger by ring thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) type MTS-N, and reader RADOS RE2000. Surgeon and nurse were wearing TLD personal dosimeter at the chest level. Anesthesiologist and anesthetist were wearing electronic personal dosimeters, while pathologist was wearing ring TLD while manipulating tissue samples.Electronic dosimeters used were manufactured by Polimaster, type PM1610.All TLD and electronic dosimeters data were reported, including background radiation. Background radiation was also monitored separately. Personal TLDs are standard for this type of personal monitoring, provided by accredited laboratory.Measurements of ambiental dose in workplaces of other staff involved around the patient was performed before the surgery took place, by calibrated survey meters manufactured by Atomtex, type 1667.The study involved two surgeons and one pathologist, two anesthesiologists and three anesthetists during two months period.Results and discussionThe doses received by all staff are evaluated using passive and active personal dosimeters and ambiental dose monitors and practice was improved based on results collected. Average annual whole body dose for all staff involved in the procedure was less than 0.8 mSv. Extremity dose equivalents to surgeon and pathologist were far below the limits set for professionally exposed (surgeon) and for public (pathologist).ConclusionsAlthough has proven to be very safe for all staff, additional measures for radiation protection, in accordance to ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) should be conducted. The recommendations for practice improvement with respect to radiation protection were issued.