ERp57 is up‐regulated in free fatty acids‐induced steatotic L‐02 cells and human nonalcoholic fatty livers

Pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is not clear. In this study we aimed to identify proteins involved in NAFLD development in free fatty acids (FFA)‐induced hepatosteatotic cells and in human liver biopsies. Steatosis was induced by incubating a normal human hepatocyte‐derived cell line L‐02 with FFA. Differentially expressed proteins in the steatotic cells were analyzed by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis‐based proteomics. Involvement of one of the up‐regulated proteins in steatosis was characterized using the RNA interference approach with the steatotic cells. Protein expression levels in liver biopsies of patients with NAFLD were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Proteomic analysis of L‐02 steatotic cells revealed the up‐regulation of ERp57, a condition not previously implicated in NAFLD. Knockdown of ERp57 expression with siRNA significantly reduced fat accumulation in the steatotic cells. ERp57 expression was detected in 16 out of 17 patient biopsies and correlated with inflammation grades or fibrosis stages, while in 5 normal biopsies ERp57 expression was not detectable in hepatocytes. In conclusion, ERp57 was up‐regulated in FFA‐induced steatotic hepatic cells and in NAFLD patient livers and demonstrated steatotic properties in cultured cells. Further investigations are warranted to verify the involvement of ERp57 in NAFLD development. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 1447–1456, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Rapid reprogramming of haemoglobin structure‐function exposes multiple dual‐antimicrobial potencies

The intrinsic cytotoxicity of cell‐free haemoglobin (Hb) has hampered the development of reliable Hb‐based blood substitutes for over seven decades. Notably, recent evidence shows that the Hb deploys this cytotoxic attack against invading microbes, albeit, through an unknown mechanism. Here, we unraveled a rapid molecular reprogramming of the Hb structure‐function triggered by virulent haemolytic pathogens that feed on the haem‐iron. On direct contact with the microbe, the Hb unveils its latent antimicrobial potency, where multiple antimicrobial fragments are released, each harbouring coordinated ‘dual‐action centres’: microbe binding and pseudoperoxidase (POX) cycle activity. The activated Hb fragments anchor onto the microbe while the juxtaposed POX instantly unleashes a localized oxidative shock, killing the pathogen‐in‐proximity. This concurrent action conceivably restricts the diffusion of free radicals. Furthermore, the host astutely protects itself from self‐cytotoxicity by simultaneously releasing endogenous antioxidants. We found that this decryption mechanism of antimicrobial potency is conserved in the ancient invertebrate respiratory protein, indicating its fundamental significance. Our definition of dual‐antimicrobial centres in the Hb provides vital clues for designing a safer Hb‐based oxygen carrier blood substitute.     

Protein Paucimannosylation Is an Enriched N‐Glycosylation Signature of Human Cancers

While aberrant protein glycosylation is a recognized characteristic of human cancers, advances in glycoanalytics continue to discover new associations between glycoproteins and tumorigenesis. This glycomics‐centric study investigates a possible link between protein paucimannosylation, an under‐studied class of human N‐glycosylation [Man_1‐3GlcNAc₂Fuc_0‐1], and cancer. The paucimannosidic glycans (PMGs) of 34 cancer cell lines and 133 tissue samples spanning 11 cancer types and matching non‐cancerous specimens are profiled from 467 published and unpublished PGC‐LC‐MS/MS N‐glycome datasets collected over a decade. PMGs, particularly Man_2‐3GlcNAc₂Fuc₁, are prominent features of 29 cancer cell lines, but the PMG level varies dramatically across and within the cancer types (1.0–50.2%). Analyses of paired (tumor/non‐tumor) and stage‐stratified tissues demonstrate that PMGs are significantly enriched in tumor tissues from several cancer types including liver cancer (p = 0.0033) and colorectal cancer (p = 0.0017) and is elevated as a result of prostate cancer and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia progression (p < 0.05). Surface expression of paucimannosidic epitopes is demonstrated on human glioblastoma cells using immunofluorescence while biosynthetic involvement of N‐acetyl‐β‐hexosaminidase is indicated by quantitative proteomics. This intriguing association between protein paucimannosylation and human cancers warrants further exploration to detail the biosynthesis, cellular location(s), protein carriers, and functions of paucimannosylation in tumorigenesis and metastasis.     

Genetic mapping of folate QTLs using a segregated population in maize

As essential B vitamin for humans, folates accumulation in edible parts of crops, such as maize kernels, is of great importance for human health. But its breeding is always limited by the prohibitive cost of folate profiling. The molecular breeding is a more executable and efficient way for folate fortification, but is limited by the molecular knowledge of folate regulation. Here we report the genetic mapping of folate quantitative trait loci (QTLs) using a segregated population crossed by two maize lines, one high in folate (GEMS31) and the other low in folate (DAN3130). Two folate QTLs on chromosome 5 were obtained by the combination of F₂ whole-exome sequencing and F₃ kernel-folate profiling. These two QTLs had been confirmed by bulk segregant analysis using F₆ pooled DNA and F₇ kernel-folate profiling, and were overlapped with QTLs identified by another segregated population. These two QTLs contributed 41.6% of phenotypic variation of 5-formyltetrahydrofolate, the most abundant storage form among folate derivatives in dry maize grains, in the GEMS31×DAN3130 population. Their fine mapping and functional analysis will reveal details of folate metabolism, and provide a basis for marker-assisted breeding aimed at the enrichment of folates in maize kernels.     

螺内酯治疗老年高血压的临床疗效及对血清炎性因子水平的影响

目的:探讨螺内酯治疗老年高血压的临床疗效及对血清炎性因子水平的影响。方法:选择2017年6月至2018年12月我院收治的144例老年高血压患者,根据治疗方法的不同将其分为观察组80例与对照组64例。对照组给予硝苯地平治疗,观察组给予螺内酯治疗,两组均治疗观察4周,对比两组治疗前后的血清内皮素(Endothelin,ET)-1和血栓素(Thromboxane,TX)-B2含量、白介素(Interleukin,IL)-6与可溶性细胞间粘附分子(Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule,s ICAM-1)水平的变化及临床疗效。结果:所有患者完成治疗,无严重不良反应发生。治疗后,观察组的总有效率为98.8%,显著高于对照组(85.9%,P0.05)。两组治疗后24 h收缩压(Systolic blood pressure,SBP)和舒张压(Diastolic bloodpressure,DBP)、血清ET-1、TX-B2、IL-6与s ICAM-1水平均显著低于治疗前(P0.05),且观察组以上指标均明显低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:螺内酯治疗老年高血压的临床疗效明显优于硝苯地平治疗,可能与其明显抑制血清与ET-1、TX-B2、IL-6与s ICAM-1水平有关。     

冷冻胚胎移植周期中内膜形态及内膜厚度对妊娠结局的预测价值分析

目的:评价内膜厚度及内膜形态对于体外受精-胚胎移植中冷冻胚胎解冻复苏移植的临床妊娠结局的预测价值。方法:回顾性分析1521个冷冻胚胎解冻复苏移植周期,将患者按子宫内膜厚度分为4组,子宫内膜≤6 mm、6.1-8.0 mm、8.0-12 mm、12.0 mm,根据子宫内膜形态分为A型内膜、B型内膜、C型内膜。分别比较不同内膜厚度分组及不同内膜形态分组患者的年龄,移植胚胎数目、内膜准备方案构成比、移植胚胎类型(卵裂期胚胎、囊胚)构成比及各组间的临床妊娠率和活产率。采用ROC曲线分析子宫内膜厚度、形态对临床妊娠结局的预测价值。使用逐步回归分析内膜厚度、形态、年龄及移植胚胎类型与妊娠结局的相关性。结果:纳入1521个解冻复苏周期中按内膜厚度分为4组,各组周期数分别为96周期、454周期、893周期、78周期,各组间平均年龄分别为34.1±5.5岁、33.3±5.4岁、32.5±5.2岁、33.7±6.0岁(P0.05)。内膜厚度≤6 mm组临床妊娠率为31.3%,子宫内膜≤6mm、6.1-8.0 mm、8.0-12 mm、12.0 mm组临床妊娠率分别为48.5%、51.8%、47.4%(P0.05)。子宫内膜≤6 mm、6.1-8.0 mm、8.0-12 mm、12.0 mm组间活产率分别为18.8%、37.7%、44.6%、39.7%(P0.05)。A型、B型及C型内膜组周期数分别为920周期、189周期及412周期,三组间平均年龄分别为32.3±5.1、33.0±5.7、34.2±5.5岁(P0.05)。A型/B型及C型内膜组临床妊娠率分别为51.2%、46.6%及46.4%,三组间活产率分别为42.1%、36.0%及37.1%,三组间差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。子宫内膜厚度ROC曲线下面积为0.534(95%可信区间0.505-0.564),子宫内膜形态ROC曲线下面积为0.526(0.476-0.955)。逐步回归分析纳入内膜厚度、内膜形态、年龄、胚胎类型4个可变量,女方年龄(OR=0.929,P0.001),移植胚胎中囊胚比例(OR=1.595,P0.001)与临床妊娠率明显相关,内膜厚度(OR=1.054,P=0.05)及内膜形态(OR=0.864)与临床妊娠率无相关性。结论:虽然子宫内膜薄临床妊娠率下降,但是子宫内膜厚度与内膜形态不能够预测体外受精-胚胎移植解冻复苏周期临床妊娠率,患者年龄以及移植胚胎的发育潜能才是预测临床妊娠率的参考指标。     

角膜屈光手术后屈光回退的手术治疗进展*

屈光回退是角膜屈光手术后的并发症之一,其治疗方法主要为药物治疗和手术治疗。对于需要再次手术的患者,应根据初次手术方式、距离初次手术时间、回退度数,在充分评价角膜情况后合理选择增效术,确保手术的安全性和有效性。目前,准分子激光原位角膜磨镶术和飞秒激光小切口角膜基质透镜取出术是治疗近视和近视散光的主要手术方式。本文就两者术后屈光回退手术治疗的适应症、不同增效术的优缺点及注意事项作一综述。     

老年冠心病患者血清Lp-PLA2、hs-CRP、IL-27及MMP-9水平与Gensini积分的相关性研究*

目的:探讨老年冠心病患者血清脂蛋白相关磷脂酶A2(Lp-PLA2)、高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、白细胞介素-27(IL-27)及基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)水平与Gensini积分的相关性。方法:选取2015年10月至2018年2月我院收治的冠心病患者142例为研究对象,将所有患者按照不同的冠心病类型分为不稳定型心绞痛(UAP)组54例、稳定型心绞痛(SAP)组40例和急性心肌梗死(AMI)组48例。同时根据患者Gensini积分将其分为轻度47例、中度51例和重度44例。比较不同冠心病类型、不同严重程度的Lp-PLA2、hs-CRP、IL-27、MMP-9水平及Gensini积分,并分析冠心病患者上述指标水平与Gensini积分的相关性。结果:AMI组患者Lp-PLA2、hs-CRP、IL-27、MMP-9水平及Gensini积分均高于UAP组和SAP组,且UAP组高于SAP组(P0.05)。重度患者Lp-PLA2、hs-CRP、IL-27、MMP-9水平及Gensini积分均高于中度和轻度患者,且中度患者高于轻度患者(P0.05)。经Spearman相关性分析结果显示,冠心病患者Lp-PLA2、hs-CRP、IL-27、MMP-9水平与Gensini积分均呈正相关(P0.05)。结论:老年冠心病患者Lp-PLA2、hs-CRP、IL-27及MMP-9水平与患者冠状动脉病变Gensini积分均呈正相关。临床根据Lp-PLA2、hs-CRP、IL-27及MMP-9水平的变化,有助于评估老年冠心病患者的病情严重程度。     

44例不同孕周脐带脱垂患者的临床资料分析

目的:探讨不同孕周脐带脱垂患者相关因素的差异。方法:回顾性比较分析2012年01月至2017年12月我院收治的44例脐带脱垂患者的临床资料。将患者按照脐带脱垂发生的孕周分为足月组、早产组及流产组,使用SPSS18.0统计软件处理数据。结果:我院近六年脐带脱垂总的发病率为1.829/1000。44例患者中,足月组7人,占15.91%;早产组22人,占50%;流产组15人,占34.09%。三组患者的年龄、产次及孕次均无显著统计学差异(P0.05)。足月组新生儿apgar评分最高,与其它两组相比均有统计学差异(P0.05),早产组apgar评分显著高于流产组(P0.05);足月组剖宫产率为100%,早产组为63.64%,流产组则为13.13%,三组患者剖宫产率比较存在统计学差异(P=0.000),足月组剖宫产率与早产组比较无统计学差异(P=0.075),足月组剖宫产率与流产组比较有统计学差异(P=0.000),早产组剖宫产率与流产组比较有统计学差异(P=0.003)。足月组异常胎方位的发生率显著低于早产组(P=0.038)。早产组胎儿数(单胎、双胎)与足月组及流产组相比均有统计学差异(P0.05),而足月组与流产组胎儿数则无统计学差异(P0.05)。早产组双胎妊娠占比例更高。三组患者发生脐带脱垂的地点比较无统计学差异(P=0.256)。结论:不同孕周是否发生脐带脱垂与患者的年龄、产次、孕次及地点无关。脐带脱垂较多发生于早产者,且早产患者中双胎、异常胎方位发生率更高。一旦发生脐带脱垂,尤其是有机会存活的胎儿,应以最快的方式娩出胎儿,提高新生儿存活几率。