Identification of Neutrophil Activation Markers as Novel Surrogate Markers of CF Lung Disease

Background and aims

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) lung disease is characterized by progressively declining lung function and represents a major factor contributing to the high morbidity and mortality associated with CF. However, apart from spirometry, respiratory disease surrogate markers reliably indicating CF lung disease and the occurrence of pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) are still lacking. Within this study, we aimed to identify new experimental biomarkers for the detection of CF lung disease.

Methods

54 adult and 26 pediatric CF patients were included in the study and serum concentrations of MMP-1, -2, -8, -9, -13, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, YKL-40, hyaluronic acid, procollagen III peptide were quantified by ELISA. CF lung disease was diagnosed by lung function test, PEx was defined based on a clinical scoring established by Rosenfeld in 2001.

Results

Adults and children with moderate to severe CF lung disease exhibited significantly increased serum expression of MMP-8, MMP-9, YKL-40 and TIMP-1. Further, MMP-8, MMP-9 and YKL-40 were significantly increased in adult CF patients suffering from PEx compared to those without clinical signs of respiratory exacerbation. MMP-8, MMP-9, YKL-40, and TIMP-1 serum levels were unaffected by the presence or absence of CF liver disease or pancreatic insufficiency.

Conclusions

MMP-8, MMP-9, and YKL-40 might serve as novel non-invasive biomarkers of CF lung disease and PEx.     

编码区和非编码区SSR标记对水稻类群的比较研究

设计14对水稻编码区SSR引物和选取已公布的非编码区SSR引物12对、编码区SSR引物3对,采用SSR技术,对29个标记在60个水稻材料中的多态性进行分析。结果表明,编码区SSR标记平均检测到3.59个多态性位点,多态信息量PIC(polymorphism information conten)在0.032～P0.853之间,平均值为0.447;非编码区SSR标记平均检测到3.92个多态性位点,PIC在0.063～P0.795之间,平均值为0.521。聚类分析显示,非编码区SSR标记能更加精确地区分来自不同地区的水稻类群,编码区SSR标记也具有良好的多态性,同样可以用于分析水稻的亲缘关系。     

Markers of malignancy in pheochromocytomas

A pheochromocytoma is a neoplasm composed of cells which synthesize and release catecholamines. These tumors produce the hypertension which can be cured with surgical excision of the lesion. The pathological picture of pheochromocytomas is varied and nothing but the presence of metastases can determine aggressiveness of this neoplasm. Current studies try to look for other biological markers which can separate malignant tumors before they metastasize. It allows to target with more effective therapy. Many studies analyze details of microscopic features of these tumors, immunohistochemical markers and molecular disorders. It seems that the most important factor in estimation of aggressiveness of pheochromocytomas is PASS scale. The detection of high expression of telomerase and hTERT and high proliferative activity, measured by immunohistochemistry with the MIB-1 antibody supports most strongly biological malignancy of pheochromocytoma.     

Temporal Markers in Plant Morphogenesis

In plants as well as in animals, time may be registered in permanent structures at all organization levels. In this brief review, some examples of spatial rhythmic patterns related to plant morphogenesis and as far as possible the underlying mechanisms will be described. In conclusion, the practical interest of these structures will be emphazised.     

Reference Markers in Serial Sections

A simple technique for placing reference markers on serial sections is presented. The objective is to permit proper cut orientation, especially when the shape of a structure appearing in the various cuts is to be digitized for computer analysis.     

DNA分子标记和基因定位

总结了现代分子生物学所发展出来的各类分子标记,并对分子标记应用的一个重要方面－－基因定位进行了详细阐述。     

Genetic Defects as Tumor Markers

Carcinogenesis is long-term multistep accumulation of defects of genes responsible for cell division, DNA repair, and apoptosis. The functions of these genes are known both for norm and for pathologies caused by their damage and resulting in asocial cell behavior. Owing to the recent progress in studying the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, some genetic defects may be considered from the applied point of view (as tumor markers rather than as pathogenetic factors) and employed in diagnostics. Thus detection of mutant alleles in biological fluids (e.g., beyond the tumor) suggests higher risk of carcinogenesis. Genetic defects are a new class of tumor markers and have a substantial diagnostic potential. In contrast to known protein markers (-fetoprotein, etc.) used in clinical practice, DNA markers are oncospecific (as these are in direct cause-and-effect relationships with carcinogenesis) and universal (as there is not a single tumor cell without a genetic defect). Analysis of DNA markers may be employed not only in diagnostics or tumor growth monitoring (assessment of treatment efficiency, early detection of recurrence or metastasis), but also (prospectively) in screening (tumor detection at the presymptomatic stage, identification of high-risk groups). Theoretical grounds, prospects, problems, and methods of this new field are considered.     

Temporal Markers in Plant Morphogenesis

In plants as well as in animals, time may be registered in permanent structures at all organization levels. In this brief review, some examples of spatial rhythmic patterns related to plant morphogenesis and as far as possible the underlying mechanisms will be described. In conclusion, the practical interest of these structures will be emphazised.     

微卫星荧光标记基因组扫描

微卫星荧光标记基因组扫描为 2 0世纪 90年代发展起来的一项分子生物学技术 ,在基因定位、个体识别等方面有广泛的应用 .文中对其原理、策略、分析方法及应用作了论述 ,并探讨了它的发展前景 .     

Stem Cell Markers in Gliomas

Gliomas are the most common tumours of the central nervous system (CNS) and a frequent cause of mental impairment and death. Treatment of malignant gliomas is often palliative because of their infiltrating nature and high recurrence. Genetic events that lead to brain tumours are mostly unknown. A growing body of evidence suggests that gliomas may rise from cancer stem cells (CSC) sharing with neural stem cells (NSC) the capacity of cell renewal and multipotency. Accordingly, a population of cells called “side population” (SP), which has been isolated from gliomas on the basis of their ability to extrude fluorescent dyes, behaves as stem cells and is resistant to chemotherapeutic treatments. This review will focus on the expression of the stem cell markers nestin and CD133 in glioma cancer stem cells. In addition, the possible role of Platelet Derived Growth Factor receptor type α (PDGFR-α) and Notch signalling in normal development and tumourigenesis of gliomas are also discussed. Future work elucidating the mechanisms that control normal development will help to identify new cancer stem cell-related genes. The identification of important markers and the elucidation of signalling pathways involved in survival, proliferation and differentiation of CSCs appear to be fundamental for developing an effective therapy of brain tumours. Special issue article in honor of Dr. Anna Maria Giuffrida-Stella.     

水稻苯达松敏感致死基因的RAPD标记和SCAR标记

利用RAPD技术对水稻品种农林 8号 (含苯达松抗性基因Ben)和其突变体农林 8号m (含苯达松敏感致死基因ben)进行标记 ,从 36 0个 10bp寡核苷酸随机引物中筛选出 5个引物产生的 7个RAPD标记。经对多态性标记的克隆和序列分析 ,再设计PCR引物 ,将其中 4个RAPD标记OPG18/ 94 3、OPG18/ 972、OPD10 / 12 4 8和OPF0 3/ 1198转化成SCAR标记SCAR/G18/ 883、SCAR/G18/ 890、SCAR/G18/ 919/ 94 8、SCAR/D10 / 12 37、SCAR/F0 3/ 1186。通过对农林 8号×农林 8号mF2 分离群体 32 0个单株的连锁分析及在 1对含ben基因的近等基因系H12 1和Hben12 1中验证 ,标记SCAR/G18/ 883、SCAR/G18/ 890、SCAR/G18/ 919/ 94 8与Ben或ben基因共分离 ,SCAR/D10 / 12 37与Ben基因的遗传距离为 (14 .8± 2 .1)cM。经Southernblotting分析并结合F2 代分离比例表明 ,标记OPG18/ 94 3、OPG18/ 972及其转化的SCAR标记在基因组中为单拷贝序列 ,且OPG18/ 94 3和OPG18/ 972为一对等位STS位点。这是首次报道与ben或Ben基因相连锁的分子标记。本研究为利用分子标记辅助ben基因的转育及利用图位克隆技术分离ben基因提供了有用的分子标记。     

水稻苯达松敏感致死基因的RAPD标记和SCAR标记

利用RAPD技术对水稻品种农林8号(含苯达松抗性基因Ben)和其突变体农林8号m (含苯达松敏感致死基因ben)进行标记,从360个10 bp寡核苷酸随机引物中筛选出5个引物产生的7个RAPD标记.经对多态性标记的克隆和序列分析,再设计PCR引物,将其中4个RAPD标记OPG18/943、OPG18/972、OPD10/1248和OPF03/1198转化成SCAR标记SCAR/G18/883、SCAR/G18/890、SCAR/G18/919/948、SCAR/D10/1237、SCAR/F03/1186.通过对农林8号×农林8号m F2分离群体320个单株的连锁分析及在1对含ben基因的近等基因系H121和Hben121中验证,标记SCAR/G18/883、SCAR/G18/890、SCAR/G18/919/948与Ben 或ben基因共分离,SCAR/D10/1237与Ben基因的遗传距离为(14.8±2.1) cM.经Southern blotting分析并结合F2代分离比例表明,标记OPG18/943、OPG18/972及其转化的SCAR标记在基因组中为单拷贝序列,且OPG18/943和OPG18/972为一对等位STS位点.这是首次报道与ben或Ben基因相连锁的分子标记.本研究为利用分子标记辅助ben基因的转育及利用图位克隆技术分离ben基因提供了有用的分子标记.