A Label-free Selected Reaction Monitoring Workflow Identifies a Subset of Pregnancy Specific Glycoproteins as Potential Predictive Markers of Early-onset Pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a serious complication of pregnancy with potentially life threatening consequences for both mother and baby. Presently there is no test with the required performance to predict which healthy first-time mothers will go on to develop PE. The high specificity, sensitivity, and multiplexed nature of selected reaction monitoring holds great potential as a tool for the verification and validation of putative candidate biomarkersfor disease states. Realization of this potential involves establishing a high throughput, cost effective, reproducible sample preparation workflow. We have developed a semi-automated HPLC-based sample preparation workflow before a label-free selected reaction monitoring approach. This workflow has been applied to the search for novel predictive biomarkers for PE.To discover novel candidate biomarkers for PE, we used isobaric tagging to identify several potential biomarker proteins in plasma obtained at 15 weeks gestation from nulliparous women who later developed PE compared with pregnant women who remained healthy. Such a study generates a number of “candidate” biomarkers that require further testing in larger patient cohorts. As proof-of-principle, two of these proteins were taken forward for verification in a 100 women (58 PE, 42 controls) using label-free SRM. We obtained reproducible protein quantitation across the 100 samples and demonstrated significant changes in protein levels, even with as little as 20% change in protein concentration. The SRM data correlated with a commercial ELISA, suggesting that this is a robust workflow suitable for rapid, affordable, label-free verification of which candidate biomarkers should be taken forward for thorough investigation. A subset of pregnancy-specific glycoproteins (PSGs) had value as novel predictive markers for PE.The identification of clinically relevant plasma biomarkers with diagnostic and/or predictive value continues to challenge the proteomics field. Whereas once the biomarker pipeline was described as a two part discovery and validation process, there is increasing consensus that an intermediate step is required in which the proteins identified in the discovery phase are technically verified in 50 to 200 samples. This verification step identifies false positives from the discovery phase and allows prioritization of proteins to be taken into large-scale clinical validation studies (1). Although commercial ELISA kits may be used in this phase, these are unavailable for many proteins, are expensive, and may lack specificity. In addition, sample requirements may be too high to perform ELISA on all candidates, especially if many proteins are identified as potential markers by low powered, high penetration discovery workflows.Selected reaction monitoring (SRM)¹ mass spectrometry has great potential as an alternative verification method (2–6) as it can be multiplexed, customized, and is highly specific. This potential has not been exploited to date, largely because of technical issues developing a low-cost, reproducible workflow encompassing plasma and serum preparation and LC/MS analysis with the capability to measure protein levels reproducible in hundreds of samples. With traditional stable isotope dilution SRM (SID-SRM), the high cost of accurately quantified, purified stable isotope encoded peptides or proteins may be prohibitive for the verification of multiple peptides from many proteins. Label-free relatively quantitative methods are increasingly popular in discovery proteomics but to a much lesser extent in targeted SRM studies (7, 8).For any SRM method, sample preparation workflows must balance the extent of enrichment and fractionation to enable quantification of lower abundance proteins, against increased technical variability (which is influenced by the number of sample handling steps) and reduced multiplexed potential as a consequence of fractionating peptides from the protein of interest into several distinct fractions. It is also essential that the true technical variation in the workflow is quantitatively evaluated from freezer to MS analysis, rather than just the variation within the LC-SRM part of the experiment. As a paradigm for a label-free SRM assay, we developed our workflow and applied it to the verification of candidate biomarkers that indicate the risk of pre-eclampsia (PE).PE affects 2–8% of pregnancies, and is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria, which may progress to severe maternal complications or death (9). Because delivery of the infant is the only effective intervention, a third of babies are born premature and fetal or newborn mortality is increased three- to 10-fold (10). Its complex etiology involves abnormal placentation, an altered immune response and a sensitized maternal vascular endothelium (11). Prediction of the condition in early pregnancy would allow prevention strategies, such as low dose aspirin, to be targeted to high risk women. In first-time pregnant women, a group particularly at risk, biomarkers continue to fall short of a test that would be useful or cost effective in clinical practice (12–14). Better-performing novel biomarkers are required.The aim of this study was to identify candidate predictive biomarkers for PE and then develop a verification assay using mass spectrometry to determine whether these should be taken forward into more extensive and expensive validation studies. Initial discovery experiments were employed using a pooled sample iTRAQ approach using two different MS platforms to increase plasma proteome coverage. Among the set of proteins discovered, we then developed a label-free SRM assay for relative quantification of CXCL7 (Platelet basic protein; PBP) and members of the Pregnancy specific glycoprotein (PSG) family in a 100-sample set from the international SCreeningfOr Pregnancy Endpoints (SCOPE) study (www.scopestudy.net). Our workflow allowed the specificity and linearity of response for each peptide to be determined, along with true technical variability. Although absolute concentration and LOD/LOQ cannot be calculated using this approach, we aimed to test the hypothesis that a label-free SRM approach could provide a rapid, robust, and efficient screen of candidate plasma biomarkers.     

双歧杆菌体外对STM拮抗作用的实验研究

研究休外双歧杆菌对鼠伤寒沙门菌的拮抗作用,方法将两歧双歧杆菌ＳＴＭ混合培养。观察ＳＴＭ生长情况。结果ＳＴＭ和Ｂ．ｂｉｆｉｄｕｍ混合培养与ＳＴＭ单独培养对照相比较,菌量明显降低。结论Ｂ．ｂｉｆｉｄｕｍ在体外对ＳＴＭ有拮抗作用。     

Beak from the body chamber of an Early Carboniferous shelled longiconic coleoid cephalopod from Arkansas,USA

Here we report the discovery of an Early Carboniferous (Late Visean) 3D cephalopod beak displaying significant similarity to the lower beak of Recent coleoids. It was uncovered in a fragmentarily preserved, longiconic shell from the Moorefield Formation in Arkansas, USA. This shell comprises a fractured 29‐mm‐long body chamber having a maximum diameter of ~14 mm and showing an indistinct pro‐ostracum‐like structure. The beak‐bearing shell could easily have been mistaken for a bactritid or orthocerid if it were not for a coleoid‐type, weakly mineralized, evidently organic‐rich shell wall which shows a lamello‐columnar ultrastructure of a bulk of shell wall thickness and plate ultrastructure of thin outer layer. The specimen is assigned to an as‐yet unnamed shelled coleoid of a so far unknown high‐level taxonomic group. A partially exposed, 4.0‐mm‐long portion of the beak is the lower beak in oblique view from its left side. It exhibits fractured anthracite‐like black, apparently originally chitin material, helmet‐like general shape, broad hood with narrow shallow median groove and small notch posteriorly, pronounced pointed, non‐biomineralized upside belt rostrum, high shoulder and about a 90–100 degrees jaw angle. A broad hood and massive rostrum emphasize its similarity to the lower mandible of Recent Vampyroteuthis and signify that its unique, among living coleoids, structure has been existed for at least since Late Visean time (~333 my).     

Extrafloral nectar increases seed removal by ants in Turnera ulmifolia

To investigate whether extrafloral nectar (EFN) increases seed dispersal in Turnera ulmifolia, we measured seed removal on plants with and without EFN. Plants producing EFN had more seeds removed than control plants, suggesting that EFN does play a role in seed dispersal. This is a novel function of EFN.     

选择性支气管动脉插管转铁蛋白受体单克隆抗体灌注治疗中晚期肺癌(附68例临床报告)

本文对68例中晚期肺癌进行选择性支气管动脉插管采用转铁蛋白受体单克隆抗体与表阿霉素、顺伯等药物制成偶联物灌注。结果显示,肿瘤明显消退24例(35.2％),部分消退36例(52.5％),无变化8例(12.3％),总有效率为87.7％。通过对支气管动脉插管,导向灌注疗法结果显示,本疗法优于周围静脉供药,且无严重并发症,副作用轻,不失为一种可供选择的治疗方法。     

光学分子影像技术及其在药物研发领域的应用

光学分子影像技术是一种发展迅速的生物医学影像技术,能够利用生物发光技术或荧光蛋白等,对生物体内特定的生物过程进行无创的定性或定量研究。应用该技术可以对药物进行筛选,选取具有潜在治疗效果的药物进行后续研究,而终止对可能无效药物的研究,同时可以评价药物对肿瘤的代谢、增殖、血管形成、凋亡和组织乏氧等方面的影响。本文主要介绍光学分子影像技术及其在药物研发,尤其是抗肿瘤药物研发领域的应用。     

中国人卵巢上皮性肿瘤nm23H1基因遗传不稳定性的研究

采用石蜡包埋组织抽提DNA,PCR-单链构象多态性(PCR-SSCP),常规银染、Envision免疫组织化学染色和Leica-Qwin计算机图像分析等方法,研究人类17号染色体D17S396位点微卫星不稳定(microsatellite instablility,MSI)和杂合性缺失(loss of heterozygosity,LOH),对卵巢上皮性肿瘤nm23H1蛋白表达的影响,阐明nm23H1基因遗传不稳定性与卵巢肿瘤进展的关系,为揭示nm23H1基因作用机制和肿瘤转移机制提供实验依据。本实验中,卵巢上皮性癌D17S396位点遗传不稳定发生率为40%,明显高于交界性肿瘤的9.52%,而在良性肿瘤和正常卵巢组织中,未见该位点遗传不稳定的发生。其中,LOH的发生率,随肿瘤恶性程度的增高而增加(P<0.05)。在卵巢上皮性癌中,淋巴转移组的LOH发生率高于无淋巴转移组(P<0.01)。FIGO Ⅲ Ⅳ期的LOH发生率高于Ⅰ Ⅱ期(P<0.05)。MSI发生率与卵巢上皮癌组织类型、分化程度、淋巴转移及FIGO分期均无关。nm23H1 蛋白阳性率在卵巢上皮性癌和交界性肿瘤组织中分别为56.00%和57.14%,高于良性肿瘤的13.64%和正常卵巢组织的8.33%(P<0.01)。卵巢上皮性癌中,淋巴转移组nm23H1蛋白阳性率低于无淋巴转移组;FIGO Ⅲ Ⅳ期nm23H1蛋白阳性率低于Ⅰ Ⅱ期(P<0.05)。此外,计算机图像定量分析显示,在各临床病理参数影响下,nm23H1蛋白的表达强度没有差异。在卵巢上皮性癌中,LOH阳性组中nm23H1蛋白阳性率为0.00%,显著低于LOH阴性组的73.68%(P<0.01)。实验结果提示, nm23H1基因的遗传不稳定性可能是卵巢上皮性癌发生、发展的一个重要机制。LOH的发生可作为卵巢组织恶变的判断指标。nm23H1基因的MSI和LOH,通过相互独立的途径调控卵巢上皮癌的发生和转移,后者可抑制卵巢上皮癌局部nm23H1蛋白的表达,并赋予卵巢上皮癌高淋巴结转移、低预后的特性。提高卵巢上皮癌局部nm23H1蛋白的表达,可减缓肿瘤的淋巴转移并提高预后率。