Novel, uncharacterised proteins represent a challenge in biochemistry and molecular biology. In this report we present an
initial functional characterization of human kidney predominant protein, NCU-G1. 相似文献
Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a frequent cause of mortality and morbidity to patients worldwide, with great associated
costs to the healthcare providers including the NHS in England. We examined trends in hospital admissions associated with
adverse drug reaction in English hospitals and the accuracy of national reporting. 相似文献
CTLA-4 encodes cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4, a cell-surface molecule providing a negative signal for T-cell activation. CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms have been widely studied in connection with genetic susceptibility to various autoimmune diseases, but studies have led to contradictory results in different populations. This case-control study sought to investigate whether CTLA-4 CT60 and/or +49A/G polymorphisms were involved in the genetic predisposition to primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS). We analysed CTLA-4 CT60 and +49A/G polymorphisms in a first cohort of 142 patients with pSS (cohort 1) and 241 controls, all of Caucasian origin. A replication study was performed on a second cohort of 139 patients with pSS (cohort 2). In cohort 1, the CTLA-4 +49A/G*A allele was found on 73% of chromosomes in patients with pSS, compared with 66% in controls (p = 0.036; odds ratio (OR) 1.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02 to 1.95). No difference in CTLA-4 CT60 allelic or genotypic distribution was observed between patients (n = 142) and controls (n = 241). In the replication cohort, the CTLA-4 +49A/G*A allele was found on 62% of chromosomes in patients with pSS, compared with 66% in controls (p = 0.30; OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.16). Thus, the CTLA-4 +49A/G*A allele excess among patients from cohort 1 was counterbalanced by its under-representation in cohort 2. When the results from the patients in both cohorts were pooled (n = 281), there was no difference in CTLA-4 +49A/G allelic or genotypic distribution in comparison with controls. Our results demonstrate a lack of association between CTLA-4 CT60 or +49A/G polymorphisms and pSS. Premature conclusions might have been made if a replication study had not been performed. These results illustrate the importance of case-control studies performed on a large number of patients. In fact, sampling bias may account for some contradictory results previously reported for CTLA-4 association studies in autoimmune diseases. 相似文献
Mib1 and Mib2 ubiquitin ligases are very similar in their domain construction. They partake in the Notch signaling pathway by ubiquitinating the Notch receptors Delta and Jagged prior to endocytosis. We have created a targeted mutation of Mib2 and show that its phenotype is a variable penetrance, failure to close the cranial neural tube. The penetrance depends on the genetic background but it appears that Mib2 is not completely essential in mouse development. 相似文献
We investigated, for the first time, the expression of I- and L-FABP in two very rare hereditary lipid malabsorption syndromes
as compared with normal subjects. Abetalipoproteinemia (ABL) and Anderson’s disease (AD) are characterized by an inability
to export alimentary lipids as chylomicrons that result in fat loading of enterocytes. Duodeno-jejunal biopsies were obtained
from 14 fasted normal subjects, and from four patients with ABL and from six with AD. Intestinal FABP expression was investigated
by immuno-histochemistry, western blot, ELISA and Northern blot analysis. In contrast to normal subjects, the cellular immunostaining
for both FABPs was clearly decreased in patients, as the enterocytes became fat-laden. In patients with ABL, the intestinal
contents of I- (60.7 ± 13.38 ng/mg protein) and L-FABP (750.3 ± 121.3 ng/mg protein) are significantly reduced (50 and 35%,
P < 0.05, respectively) as compared to normal subjects (I-135.3 ± 11.1 ng, L-1211 ± 110 ng/mg protein). In AD, the patients
also exhibited decreased expression (50%, P < 0.05; I-59 ± 11.88 ng, L-618.2 ± 104.6 ng/mg protein). Decreased FABP expression was not associated with decreased mRNA
levels. The results suggest that enterocytes might regulate intracellular FABP content in response to intracellular fatty
acids, which we speculate may act as lipid sensors to prevent their intracellular transport. 相似文献
Context: Stomach ulcers are the common gastrointestinal disorders worldwide.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic impact of Pulicaria crispa aerial parts ethanol extract against gastric ulcer in rats.
Materials and methods: Ulcer was induced by one oral dose of ethanol (0.5?ml/100g body weight) on 24?hours empty stomach, then the plant extract (500?mg/kg b.wt.) was orally administered daily for one week. Ranitidine (100?mg/kg b.wt.); as a reference drug was evaluated. Stomach acidity and volume, as well as lesion counts were measured. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were estimated. Assay of different marker enzymes; succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase), acid phosphatase (AP) and 5′-nucleotidase (5′NT) were determined. Interlukin-10 (IL-10), intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were also determined. Stomach histopathological assessment was detected.
Results: Gastric ulcer showed drastic changes in oxidative stress, cell organelles and inflammatory markers. These biomarkers served as good tools to identify the presence of gastric ulcer. Treatment with P. crispa recorded amelioration in most parameters exceeding the auto healing effect.
Conclusion: Healing potency of P. crispa is possibly related to its content of glycosides, coumarins, flavonoids, tannins, sterols and triterpenes. 相似文献
AbstractMining activities have left a legacy of metals containing tailings impoundments. After mine closure, reclamation of mine wastes can be achieved by restoration of a vegetation cover. This study investigated the impact of biochar (BC), biosolids (BS), humic substances (HS), and mycorrhizal fungi (MF) for improving mine tailings fertility and hydraulic properties, supporting plant establishment, tailings revegetation, and enabling growth of energy crops. We conducted a pot trial by growing willow, poplar, and miscanthus in Pb/Zn/Cu mine tailings untreated or amended with two rates of amendments (low or high input). Biosolids resulted in the most significant changes in tailings properties, neutralizing pH and increasing organic carbon, nutrient concentrations, cation exchange capacity, water retention, and saturated hydraulic conductivity. The greatest increase in energy crops production was also observed in BS treatments enabling the financial viability of mine reclamation. Although BC resulted in significant improvements in tailings fertility and hydraulic properties, its impact on biomass was less pronounced, most likely due to lower N and P available concentrations. Increases in willow and miscanthus biomass were observed in HS and MF treatments in spite of their lower nutrient content. A pot experiment is underway to assess synergistic effects of combining BS with BC, HS, or MF. 相似文献
During the past decades, several trials targeted a stable, sustainable and economic production of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) extract. The value of this extract stems from its use to treat depression and skin irritation due to its hyperforin content. Previously, hyperforin‐forming in vitro root cultures were established. Here, detailed growth and production kinetics have been analyzed over 40 days of cultivation. In the first 10 days, sucrose was completely hydrolyzed to glucose and fructose. The ammonium consumption supported the increase in the biomass and hyperforin production. When sucrose was replaced with glucose/fructose, the linear growth phase started 6 days earlier and resulted in a higher space‐time‐yield. The maximum hyperforin production was 0.82 mg L?1 day?1, which was 67 % higher than in the sucrose‐supplemented standard cultivation. Buffering the sucrose‐supplemented medium with phosphate caused a 2.7‐fold increase in the product to biomass yield coefficient. However, the combination of monosaccharides and buffering conditions did not cause an appreciable improvements in the production performance of the shake flask approaches. A potential scalability from flask to lab‐scale stirred bioreactors has been demonstrated. The results obtained offer a basis for a scalable production of hyperforin and a sustainable source for a tissue culture‐based phytomedicine. 相似文献