Optical studies of a conformational change in DNA before melting

The circular dichroism of double-stranded DNA is temperature dependent prior to its melting. As the temperature is increased the spectrum becomes more nonconservative. This is certainly due to a conformational change within the framework of the double helix. To ascertain the nature of the conformational change, a series of synthetic and natural DNA's from a variety of sources was investigated. The same qualitative changes were seen for all the DNA samples, independent of base composition. However, there were definite quantitative differences, with poly [d(A-T)] manifesting the largest effect. Oligomers of the form [d(A-T)]_n with n = 10 to 21 behaved in a manner similar to the polymer. There is no observed chain-length dependence. The breadth of the pre-melt transition indicates a low ΔH (less than 5 kcal./mole); the lack of dependence on chain length indicates that the co-operative unit is smaller than eight base pairs.     

The Use of the Ex Vivo Chandler Loop Apparatus to Assess the Biocompatibility of Modified Polymeric Blood Conduits

The foreign body reaction occurs when a synthetic surface is introduced to the body. It is characterized by adsorption of blood proteins and the subsequent attachment and activation of platelets, monocyte/macrophage adhesion, and inflammatory cell signaling events, leading to post-procedural complications. The Chandler Loop Apparatus is an experimental system that allows researchers to study the molecular and cellular interactions that occur when large volumes of blood are perfused over polymeric conduits. To that end, this apparatus has been used as an ex vivo model allowing the assessment of the anti-inflammatory properties of various polymer surface modifications. Our laboratory has shown that blood conduits, covalently modified via photoactivation chemistry with recombinant CD47, can confer biocompatibility to polymeric surfaces. Appending CD47 to polymeric surfaces could be an effective means to promote the efficacy of polymeric blood conduits. Herein is the methodology detailing the photoactivation chemistry used to append recombinant CD47 to clinically relevant polymeric blood conduits and the use of the Chandler Loop as an ex vivo experimental model to examine blood interactions with the CD47 modified and control conduits.     

Dynamics of NK,CD8 and Tfh cell mediated the production of cytokines and antiviral antibodies in Chinese patients with moderate COVID‐19

Recent studies have demonstrated a marked decrease in peripheral lymphocyte levels in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). Few studies have focused on the changes of NK, T‐ and B‐cell subsets, inflammatory cytokines and virus‐specific antibodies in patients with moderate COVID‐19. A total of 11 RT‐PCR‐confirmed convalescent patients with COVID‐19 and 11 patients with non‐SARS‐CoV‐2 pneumonia (control patients) were enrolled in this study. NK, CD8⁺ T, CD4⁺ T, Tfh‐like and B‐cell subsets were analysed using flow cytometry. Cytokines and SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific antibodies were analysed using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. NK cell counts were significantly higher in patients with COVID‐19 than in control patients (P = 0.017). Effector memory CD8⁺ T‐cell counts significantly increased in patients with COVID‐19 during a convalescent period of 1 week (P = 0.041). TIM‐3⁺ Tfh‐like cell and CD226⁺ Tfh‐like cell counts significantly increased (P = 0.027) and decreased (P = 0.022), respectively, during the same period. Moreover, ICOS⁺ Tfh‐like cell counts tended to decrease (P = 0.074). No abnormal increase in cytokine levels was observed. The high expression of NK cells is important in innate immune response against SARS‐CoV‐2. The increase in effector memory CD8⁺ T‐cell counts, the up‐regulation of inhibitory molecules and the down‐regulation of active molecules on CD4⁺ T cells and Tfh‐like cells in patients with COVID‐19 would benefit the maintenance of balanced cellular and humoural immune responses, may prevent the development of severe cases and contribute to the recovery of patients with COVID‐19.     

Emperipolesis mediated by CD8+ T cells correlates with biliary epithelia cell injury in primary biliary cholangitis

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic destruction of the bile ducts. A major unanswered question regarding the pathogenesis of PBC is the precise mechanisms of small bile duct injury. Emperipolesis is one of cell‐in‐cell structures that is a potential histological hallmark associated with chronic hepatitis B. This study aimed to clarify the pathogenesis and characteristics of emperipolesis in PBC liver injury. Sixty‐six PBC patients, diagnosed by liver biopsy combined with laboratory test, were divided into early‐stage PBC (stages I and II, n = 39) and late‐stage PBC (stages III and IV, n = 27). Emperipolesis was measured in liver sections stained with haematoxylin‐eosin. The expressions of CK19, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, Ki67 and apoptosis of BECs were evaluated by immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence double labelling. Emperipolesis was observed in 62.1% of patients with PBC, and BECs were predominantly host cells. The number of infiltrating CD3⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells correlated with the advancement of emperipolesis (R² = 0.318, P < .001; R² = 0.060, P < .05). The cell numbers of TUNEL‐positive BECs and double staining for CK19 and Ki67 showed a significant positive correlation with emperipolesis degree (R² = 0.236, P < .001; R² = 0.267, P < .001). We conclude that emperipolesis mediated by CD8⁺ T cells appears to be relevant to apoptosis of BEC and thus may aggravate the further injury of interlobular bile ducts.     

Use of Tregs as a cell‐based therapy via CD39 for benign prostate hyperplasia with inflammation

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) occurs most commonly among older men, often accompanied by chronic tissue inflammation. Although its aetiology remains unclear, autoimmune dysregulation may contribute to BPH. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) prevent autoimmune responses and maintain immune homeostasis. In this study, we aimed to investigate Tregs frequency, phenotype, and function in BPH patients and to evaluate adoptive transfer Tregs for immunotherapy in mice with BPH via CD39. Prostate specimens and peripheral blood from BPH patients were used to investigate Treg subsets, phenotype and Treg‐associated cytokine production. Sorted CD39^+/? Tregs from healthy mice were adoptively transferred into mice before or after testosterone propionate administration. The Tregs percentage in peripheral blood from BPH patients was attenuated, exhibiting low Foxp3 and CD39 expression with low levels of serum IL‐10, IL‐35 and TGF‐β. Immunohistochemistry revealed Foxp3+ cells were significantly diminished in BPH prostate with severe inflammatory. Although the Tregs subset was comprised of more effector/memory Tregs, CD39 was still down‐regulated on effector/memory Tregs in BPH patients. Before or after testosterone propionate administration, no alterations of BPH symptoms were observed due to CD39‐ Tregs in mice, however, CD39⁺Tregs existed more potency than Tregs to regulate prostatic hyperplasia and inhibit inflammation by decreasing IL‐1β and PSA secretion, and increasing IL‐10 and TGF‐β secretion. Furthermore, adoptive transfer with functional Tregs not only improved prostate hyperplasia but also regulated muscle cell proliferation in bladder. Adoptive transfer with Tregs may provide a novel method for the prevention and treatment of BPH clinically.     

CD80、CD86在鼻咽癌中的表达及其临床病理意义

目的:研究CD80、CD86在鼻咽癌中的表达变化及其临床病理意义。方法:选择2014年10月至2018年10月本院接诊的鼻咽癌确诊患者64例纳入研究,依据鼻咽癌复发情况分复发组(n=30)和未复发组(n=34);同期选取正常鼻粘膜活检组织33例作为正常对照组,采用SP免疫组化法检测鼻咽癌患者癌组织或正常鼻粘膜活检组织CD80、CD86蛋白的表达,并经Spearman相关性分析法分析CD80、CD86蛋白表达与鼻咽癌恶化程度的相关性。结果:鼻咽癌的癌组织CD80、CD86蛋白均呈高表达,阳性表达主要定位于细胞膜、细胞质,与肿瘤临床TNM分期、淋巴结转移均显著相关(P0.05)。复发组、未复发组肿瘤组织中的mRNA(ARD1、Ptch1、Survivin)表达显著高于对照组,且复发组高于未复发组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。Spearman相关性分析显示CD80、CD86蛋白表达与鼻咽癌细胞侵袭能力呈显著正相关(r=0.403、0.547,P0.05)。结论:鼻咽癌的癌组织内CD80、CD86蛋白均呈高表达,与鼻咽癌的临床分期、淋巴结转移及放疗预后关系密切,可能作鼻咽癌临床诊治及预后评估的重要参考指标。     

冠心病患者血浆CD69、DKK-1与血脂、炎性因子的关系及其诊断价值分析

摘要 目的：分析冠心病（CHD）患者血浆CD69、Wnt拮抗剂蛋白-1（DKK-1）与血脂、炎性因子的关系,并分析CD69和DKK1对于CHD患者的诊断价值。方法：选取2016年6月~2018年12月在我院诊治的CHD患者136例,根据Gensini评分分为轻度亚组、中度亚组、重度亚组,同时纳入与之年龄、性别匹配的冠状动脉造影正常者136例作为对照组。检测受试者血清炎性因子、血脂、及血浆CD69、DKK-1水平,分析CHD患者CD69、DKK-1水平与血脂、炎性因子、Gensini评分的相关性,采用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析CD69和DKK1对于CHD患者的诊断价值。结果：CHD患者CD69、DKK-1、白细胞介素-10（IL-10)、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、三酰甘油（TG）、总胆固醇（TC）、低密度脂蛋白（LDL）水平高于对照组,高密度脂蛋白（HDL）水平低于对照组（P<0.05）;随着冠脉狭窄病变程度的加重,CD69、DKK-1、IL-10、IL-6、TC、TG、LDL水平呈升高趋势,HDL水平呈降低趋势（P<0.05）。CHD患者CD69、DKK-1水平与IL-10、IL-6、TC、TG、LDL、Gensini评分均呈正相关,与HDL呈负相关（P<0.05）。ROC曲线分析结果显示,CD69、DKK-1联合检测诊断CHD的灵敏度、特异度分别为0.816、0.846。结论：CHD患者血浆DKK-1、CD69水平升高,与血脂、炎性因子和Gensini评分密切相关,两者联合检测可提高CHD诊断效能。     

狼疮性肾炎患者血清sTM、KIM-1、sCD134水平的表达及临床意义

摘要 目的：研究狼疮性肾炎（LN）患者血清可溶性血栓调节蛋白（sTM）、肾损伤分子-1（KIM-1）及可溶性CD134（sCD134）水平的表达及临床意义。方法：选择2016年12月至2018年12月我院收治的LN患者100例,根据系统性红斑狼疮疾病活动度指数(SLEDAI)将患者分为活动期组(SLEDAI≥10分)56例,非活动期组(SLEDAI<10分)44例。另取同期于我院接受体检的健康志愿者50例记为对照组。比较各组受试者的各项肾功能指标、血清sTM、KIM-1及sCD134水平,分析血清sTM、KIM-1及sCD134水平与肾功能指标的相关性。应用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析血清sTM、KIM-1及sCD134水平在LN诊断中的能效。结果：活动期组血尿素氮（BUN）、血肌酐（Scr）以及红细胞沉降率（ESR）水平均高于非活动期组、对照组,且非活动期组BUN、Scr以及ESR水平均高于对照组（P＜0.05）。活动期组血清sTM、KIM-1及sCD134水平均高于非活动期组、对照组,且非活动期组血清sTM、KIM-1及sCD134水平均高于对照组（P＜0.05）。经Pearson相关性分析显示,LN患者血清sTM、KIM-1、sCD134水平与患者BUN、Scr、ESR水平呈正相关（P＜0.05）。ROC曲线分析显示,sTM最佳临界值为24.46 ng/mL,曲线下面积为0.823;KIM-1最佳临界值为8.27μg/L,曲线下面积为0.823;sCD134最佳临界值为15.25 ng/mL,曲线下面积为0.823。结论：LN患者血清sTM、KIM-1及sCD134水平与患者疾病活动程度密切相关,对LN具有很好的诊断效能,临床可能通过联合检测血清sTM、KIM-1及sCD134水平,为LN的诊断以及疾病活动程度提供评估参考。     

天麻钩藤饮联合醒脑开窍针刺法对急性脑梗死患者血管内皮功能、脑血管储备功能及CD62P、CD63表达的影响

摘要 目的：探讨天麻钩藤饮联合醒脑开窍针刺法辅助治疗对急性脑梗死患者血管内皮功能、脑血管储备功能及血小板表面-颗粒膜糖蛋白（CD62P）、溶酶体膜糖蛋白（CD63）表达的影响。方法：选择2017年1月至2019年12月收治的急性脑梗死患者80例,依照随机数字表法分为对照组（40例,予以常规治疗）和观察组（40例,常规治疗的基础上给予天麻钩藤饮联合醒脑开窍针刺法辅助治疗）,比较两组临床有效率及治疗前后的美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表（NIHSS）评分、长谷川智能量表（HDS）评分、Barthel指数、血管内皮功能指标（包括一氧化氮（NO）、内皮素-1（ET-1））、脑血管储备功能指标[脑血管储备功能（CVR）、脉动指数（PI）]及血小板CD62P、CD63水平。结果：观察组的临床总有效率为92.50%（37/40）,对照组的临床总有效率为70.00%（28/40）,2组比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。观察组NIHSS评分明显低于对照组,HDS评分和Barthel指数均明显高于对照组（P<0.05）。观察组治疗后血清NO、CVR水平水平明显高于对照组,血清ET-1、PI及血小板CD62P、CD63表达水平均明显低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：在常规治疗的基础上,天麻钩藤饮联合醒脑开窍针刺法辅助治疗急性脑梗死的临床疗效显著,能够明显改善血管内皮功能、脑血管储备功能、神经功能,提高生活质量,改善血小板CD62P、CD63表达。