Characterization of newly established colorectal cancer cell lines: correlation between cytogenetic abnormalities and allelic deletions associated with multistep tumorigenesis

We have established a series of 20 colorectal cancer cell lines and performed cytogenetic and RFLP analyses to show that the recurrent genetic abnormalities of chromosomes 1, 5, 17 and 18 associated with multistep tumorigenesis in colorectal cancer, and frequently detected as recurrent abnormalities in primary tumours, are also retained in long-term established cell lines. Earlier studies by us and other investigators showed that allelic losses of chromosomes 1 and 17 in primary colorectal cancers predicted poorer survival for the patients (P = 0.03). We utilized the cell lines to identify specific chromosomal sites or gene(s) on chromosomes 1 and 17 which confer more aggressive phenotype. Cytogenetic deletions of chromosome 1p were detected in 14 out of the 20 (70%) cell lines, whereas allelic deletions for 1p using polymorphic markers were detected in 13 out of 18 (72%) informative cell lines for at least one polymorphic marker. We have performed Northern blotting, immunohistochemical staining (p53 mRNA, protein) and RFLP analysis using several probes including p53 and nm23. RFLP analysis using a total of seven polymorphic markers located on 17p and 17q arms showed allelic losses aroundthe p53 locus in 16 out of the 20 cell lines (80%), four of which were losses of thep53 locus itself. In addition, seven cell lines (out of nine informative cases) also showed losses of thenm23 gene, four with concurrent losses of thep53 locus, while the remaining three were homozygous. In addition, five out of seven cell lines withnm23 deletions were derived from hepatic metastatic tumours, and one cell line was obtained from recurrent tumour. A comparison between allelic deletions of 1p and functional loss ofnm23 gene revealed a close association between these two events in cell lines derived from hepatic metastasis. Following immunohistochemical staining, nine out of the twenty cell lines showed high levels (25–80%) of mutant p53, four showed intermediate levels (>20%), and seven had undetectable levels of the protein. Of these seven, four showed complete absence of mRNA. Of the remaining three cell lines one showed aberrant mRNA due to germline rearrangement of thep53 gene, whereas in two cell lines normal levels of mRNA were present. Nineteen of the 20 cell lines had normal germline configurations for thep53 gene, while one showed a rearrangement. These data suggest that functional loss ofp53 andnm23 genes accomplished by a variety of mechanisms may be associated with poor prognosis and survival. In addition, concurrent deletions of chromosome regions 17p, 17q and 1p were closely associated with high-stage hepatic metastatic disease. These cell lines with well-characterized genetic alterations and known clinical history provide an invaluable source of material for various biological and clinical studies relating to multistep colorectal tumorigenesis.     

Diversity in the immune system: “Preconceived ideas” or ideas preconceived?

Two concepts of the evolution and regulation of expression of the combining site repertoire of the immune system, are compared. One view is based on the Associative Recognition Theory as formulated by the author and the other is based on the Idiotype Network Idea as conceived by Jerne. The two concepts are analyzed from the point of view of their logic, internal consistency and factual support.     

Analysis of founder representation in pedigrees: Founder equivalents and founder genome equivalents

The concepts of “founder equivalent” and “founder genome equivalent” are introduced to facilitate analysis of the founding stocks of captive or other populations for which pedigrees are available. The founder equivalents of a population are the number of equally contributing founders that would be expected to produce the same genetic diversity as in the population under study. Unequal genetic contributions by founders decrease the founder equivalents, portend greater inbreeding in future generations than would be necessary, and reflect a greater loss of the genetic diversity initially present in the founders. The number of founder genome equivalents of a population is that number of equally contributing founders with no random loss of founder alleles in descendants that would be expected to produce the same genetic diversity as in the population under study. The number of founder genome equivalents is approximately that number of wild-caught animals that would be needed to obtain the same amount of genetic diversity as is in the descendant captive population. Founder equivalents and founder genome equivalents allow comparison of the genetic merits of adding new wild-caught stock vs. further equalizing founder representations in a captive population.     

凝血-纤溶失衡与子痫前期的关系及对产后大出血的预测价值研究

摘要 目的：分析凝血-纤溶失衡与子痫前期的关系及对产后大出血的预测价值。方法：选择我院自2018年1月至2021年12月接诊的160例子痫前期孕妇作为观察组,另选同期的160例健康妊娠孕妇作为对照组;以凝血酶-抗凝血酶复合物（TAT）/纤溶酶-α2纤溶酶抑制物复合物（PIC）比值评价凝血-纤溶失衡程度,使用Pearson相关性分析TAT/PIC比值与分娩孕周、分娩出血量的关系,通过AUC评价TAT/PIC比值对产后大出血的预测效能。结果：观察组血浆TAT水平高于对照组,PIC水平低于对照组,TAT/PIC比值大于对照组（P<0.05）;经Pearson相关性分析,子痫前期孕妇TAT/PIC比值与分娩出血量呈正相关,与出生体重呈负相关（P<0.05）;产后大出血组血浆TAT水平高于非产后大出血组,PIC水平低于非产后大出血组,TAT/PIC比值大于非产后大出血组（P<0.05）;经ROC曲线分析,TAT/PIC比值预测子痫前期孕妇产后大出血的AUC为0.910,大于TAT的0.665和PIC的0.650（P<0.05）。结论：子痫前期的发生可能与凝血-纤溶失衡有关,而TAT/PIC比值与分娩出血量及出生体重的关系密切,预测产后大出血的效能较好,值得临床予以重视应用。     

慢性牙周炎患者血清CGRP、PGE2、CCL20与牙周临床指标和Th17/Treg失衡的相关性分析

摘要 目的：探究慢性牙周炎患者血清降钙素基因相关肽（CGRP）、前列腺素E₂（PGE₂）、CC趋化因子配体20（CCL20）与牙周临床指标和辅助性T淋巴细胞17/调节性T淋巴细胞（Th17/Treg）失衡的相关性。方法：选取2020年5月-2022年5月海南省妇女儿童医学中心收治的91例慢性牙周炎患者,根据其严重程度分为轻度组（39例）、中度组（36例）、重度组（16例）,比较三组血清CGRP、PGE₂、CCL20、牙周临床指标[出血指数（BI）、探诊深度（PD）、附着丧失（AL）、菌斑指数（PLI）]、外周血Th17细胞比例、Treg细胞比例、Th17/Treg比值,采用Pearson相关分析血清CGRP、PGE₂、CCL20与牙周临床指标和Th17/Treg失衡的相关性。结果：与轻度组比较,中度组、重度组血清CGRP、Treg细胞比例显著降低（P＜0.05）,血清PGE₂、CCL20、BI、PD、PLI、AL、Th17细胞比例、Th17/Treg比值显著增高（P＜0.05）;与中度组比较,重度组血清CGRP、Treg细胞比例显著降低（P＜0.05）,血清PGE₂、CCL20、BI、PD、PLI、AL、Th17细胞比例、Th17/Treg比值显著增高（P＜0.05）。相关性结果提示,血清PGE₂、CCL20水平与BI、PD、PLI、AL、Th17细胞比例、Th17/Treg比值呈正相关（P＜0.05）,与Treg细胞比例呈负相关（P＜0.05）;血清CGRP水平与BI、PD、PLI、AL、Th17细胞比例、Th17/Treg比值呈负相关（P＜0.05）,与Treg细胞比例呈正相关（P＜0.05）。结论：慢性牙周炎患者血清CGRP、PGE₂、CCL20水平与疾病严重程度、牙周临床指标及Th17/Treg失衡显著相关,血清CGRP、PGE₂、CCL20可能通过影响Th17/Treg平衡参与慢性牙周炎的发生和发展。     

抗胃酸分泌药物对胃内菌群的影响

收集４０例内镜确诊为胃十二指肠溃疡病人,随机分成两组,分别予泰胃美、奥美拉唑口服;干服药前后分别行胃镜检查,并抽吸胃液行需氧菌、厌氧菌及真菌培养。结果示：胃液细菌量及硝酸盐还原菌量与胃液ｐＨ值呈正相关（ｒ＝０．８０２和０．７,ｐ＜０．０１）,抗胃酸分泌药物尤以奥美拉唑引起胃内菌量增加明显。临床治疗消化性溃疡时,应注意胃内微生态防治。     

Cytotaxonomy and breeding system of the genusBiscutella (Cruciferae)

Chromosome counts were determined for 46 populations ofBiscutella representing 28 taxa. The genus was found to contain diploid taxa with 2n = 12, 16 and 18, tetraploid taxa with 2n = 36 and hexaploid taxa having 2n = 54.B. laevigata L. s. l. consists of diploid and tetraploid populations which are poorly differentiated morphologically. TetraploidB. laevigata s. l. and hexaploidB. variegata Boiss. & Reuter (s. l.) are characterized by chromosomal instability. The variation in chromosome numbers and the occurrence of polyploidy is discussed in relation to the taxonomy of the genus. An investigation of the breeding system showed that most of the annual species were self-compatible and partly inbreeding and most of the perennial species self-incompatible and, therefore, outbreeding, while one annual species,B. cichoriifolia Loisel., showed both systems.     

Synthesis and degradation of proteins during wheat endosperm development

Synthesis of proteins rich in lysine declines progressively with endosperm development and these proteins appear to be degraded preferentially at later stages. The proteolytic enzymes in extracts of endosperms at a late stage of development release considerably more lysine radioactivity from labelled endosperm proteins as compared with the enzymes in endosperms at an early stage.     

结直肠息肉切除术患者肠道微生态失调分析及其与癌变进展的相关性

目的分析结直肠息肉切除术患者肠道微生态失调情况及其与癌变进展的相关性。方法前瞻性选择2015年7月至2016年7月在我院行结直肠息肉切除术的89例患者为研究对象,评价所有研究对象手术前后肠道菌群计数、肠道菌群失调情况,采用单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析结直肠息肉切除术患者癌变的影响因素。结果结直肠息肉患者术后大肠埃希菌计数(10.85±0.50)、粪肠球菌计数(10.12±0.55)显著高于术前(8.34±0.41,7.76±0.37)(均P0.01),结直肠息肉患者术后双歧杆菌计数(2.56±0.68)、乳杆菌计数(2.83±0.71)显著低于术前(5.20±1.06,5.93±0.88)(均P0.01)。结直肠息肉患者术后Ⅰ度菌群失调比例(23.60%)显著低于术前(55.06%)(P0.05),结直肠息肉患者术后Ⅱ、Ⅲ度菌群失调比例(50.56%,25.84%)显著高于术前(34.83%,10.11%)(均P0.05)。随访3年显示89例结直肠息肉切除术患者癌变率为33.71%,性别、病理类型不同的结直肠息肉切除术患者癌变率差异无统计学意义(均P0.05),年龄、遗传史、息肉直径、肠道菌群失调程度不同的结直肠息肉切除术患者癌变率差异具有统计学意义(均P0.05)。年龄、遗传史、肠道菌群失调程度是结直肠息肉切除术患者癌变的影响因素(均P0.05)。结论结直肠息肉切除术患者存在明显肠道微生态失调情况,肠道微生态失调是结直肠息肉切除术患者癌变的危险因素,这对临床防治结直肠息肉切除术患者癌变有重要指导意义。     

Identification and Genetic Analysis of a Novel Allelic Variation of <i>Brittle-1</i> with Endosperm Mutant in Maize

Endosperm mutants are critical to the studies on both starch synthesis and metabolism and genetic improvement of starch quality in maize. In the present study, a novel maize endosperm mutant A0178 of natural variation was used as the experimental material and identified and then characterized. Through phenotypic identification, genetic analysis, main ingredients measurement and embryo rescue, development of genetic mapping population from A0178, the endosperm mutant gene was located. The results showed that the mutant exhibited extremely low germination ability as attributed to the inhibited embryo development, and amounts of sugars were accumulated in the mutant seeds and more sugars content was detected at 23 days after pollination (DAP) in A0178 than B73. Employing genetic linkage analysis, the mutant trait was mapped in the bin 5.04 on chromosome 5. Sequence analysis showed that two sites of base transversion and insertion presented in the protein coding region and non-coding region of the mutant brittle-1 (bt1), the adenylate translocator encoding gene involved in the starch synthesis. The single base insertion in the coding region cause frameshift mutation, early termination and lose of function of Brittle-1 (BT1). All results suggested that bt1 is a novel allelic gene and the causal gene of this endosperm mutant, providing insights on the mechanism of endosperm formation in maize.