Copy-Number Mutations on Chromosome 17q24.2-q24.3 in Congenital Generalized Hypertrichosis Terminalis with or without Gingival Hyperplasia

Congenital generalized hypertrichosis terminalis (CGHT) is a rare condition characterized by universal excessive growth of pigmented terminal hairs and often accompanied with gingival hyperplasia. In the present study, we describe three Han Chinese families with autosomal-dominant CGHT and a sporadic case with extreme CGHT and gingival hyperplasia. We first did a genome-wide linkage scan in a large four-generation family. Our parametric multipoint linkage analysis revealed a genetic locus for CGHT on chromosome 17q24.2-q24.3. Further two-point linkage and haplotyping with microsatellite markers from the same chromosome region confirmed the genetic mapping and showed in all the families a microdeletion within the critical region that was present in all affected individuals but not in unaffected family members. We then carried out copy-number analysis with the Affymetrix Genome-Wide Human SNP Array 6.0 and detected genomic microdeletions of different sizes and with different breakpoints in the three families. We validated these microdeletions by real-time quantitative PCR and confirmed their perfect cosegregation with the disease phenotype in the three families. In the sporadic case, however, we found a de novo microduplication. Two-color interphase FISH analysis demonstrated that the duplication was inverted. These copy-number variations (CNVs) shared a common genomic region in which CNV is not reported in the public database and was not detected in our 434 unrelated Han Chinese normal controls. Thus, pathogenic copy-number mutations on 17q24.2-q24.3 are responsible for CGHT with or without gingival hyperplasia. Our work identifies CGHT as a genomic disorder.     

Hypoxia inhibits maturation and trafficking of hERG K channel protein: Role of Hsp90 and ROS

We previously reported that reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during hypoxia decrease hERG current density and protein expression in HEK cells stably expressing hERG protein. In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms involved in hypoxia-induced downregulation of hERG protein. Culturing cells at low temperatures and addition of chemical chaperones during hypoxia restored hERG expression and currents to normoxic levels while antiarrhythmic drugs, which selectively block hERG channels, had no effect on hERG protein levels. Pulse chase studies showed that hypoxia blocks maturation of the core glycosylated form in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the fully glycosylated form on the cell surface. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that hypoxia inhibited interaction of hERG with Hsp90 chaperone required for maturation, which was restored in the presence of ROS scavengers. These results demonstrate that ROS generated during hypoxia prevents maturation of the hERG protein by inhibiting Hsp90 interaction resulting in decreased protein expression and currents.     

Inertial sensor-based knee flexion/extension angle estimation

A new method for estimating knee joint flexion/extension angles from segment acceleration and angular velocity data is described. The approach uses a combination of Kalman filters and biomechanical constraints based on anatomical knowledge. In contrast to many recently published methods, the proposed approach does not make use of the earth's magnetic field and hence is insensitive to the complex field distortions commonly found in modern buildings. The method was validated experimentally by calculating knee angle from measurements taken from two IMUs placed on adjacent body segments. In contrast to many previous studies which have validated their approach during relatively slow activities or over short durations, the performance of the algorithm was evaluated during both walking and running over 5 minute periods. Seven healthy subjects were tested at various speeds from 1 to 5 mile/h. Errors were estimated by comparing the results against data obtained simultaneously from a 10 camera motion tracking system (Qualysis). The average measurement error ranged from 0.7 degrees for slow walking (1 mph) to 3.4 degrees for running (5 mph). The joint constraint used in the IMU analysis was derived from the Qualysis data. Limitations of the method, its clinical application and its possible extension are discussed.     

MicroRNA-21 protects from mesangial cell proliferation induced by diabetic nephropathy in db/db mice

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major diabetic complication. But the initiating molecular events triggering DN are unknown. Recent researches have addressed the role of microRNAs in diabetes and its complications. In this study, we looked for microRNAs expression during early DN, and showed microRNA-21 (miR-21) expression was downregulated in response to early DN in vitro and in vivo. Over-expression of miR-21 inhibited proliferation of mesangial cells and decreased the 24-h urine albumin excretion rate in diabetic db/db mice. Moreover, we identified PTEN as a target of miR-21. We also found PI3 K and p-Akt increased in miR-21 treated mesangial cells and db/db mice. Overall, these studies for the first time provide evidence for the potential role of miR-21 in early DN.     

iTRAQ‐coupled 2‐D LC‐MS/MS analysis of protein profile associated with HBV‐modulated DNA methylation

The development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is believed to be associated with multiple risk factors, including the infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Based on the analysis of individual genes, evidence has indicated the association between HCC and HBV and has also been expanded to epigenetic regulation, with an involvement of HBV in the DNA methylation of the promoter of cellular target genes leading to changes in their expression. Proteomic study has been widely used to map a comprehensive protein profile, which in turn could provide a better understanding of underlying mechanisms of disease onset. In the present study, we performed a proteomic profiling by using iTRAQ‐coupled 2‐D LC/MS‐MS analysis to identify cellular genes down‐regulated in HBV‐producing HepG2.2.15 cells compared with HepG2 cells. A total of 15 proteins including S100A6 and Annexin A2 were identified by our approach. The significance of these cellular proteins as target of HBV‐mediated epigenetic regulation was supported by our validation assays, including their reactivation in cells treated with 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine (a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor) by real‐time RT‐PCR and Western blot analysis, as well as the DNA methylation status analysis by bisulfite genome sequencing. Our approach provides a comprehensive analysis of cellular target proteins to HBV‐mediated epigenetic regulation and further analysis should facilitate a better understanding of its involvement in HCC development.     

Exploring the priming mechanism of liver regeneration: proteins and protein complexes

The liver has the ability to restore its functional capacity following injury or resection and the priming of liver regeneration is a complex process that has not been completely elucidated. In the current research, to further reveal the priming mechanism of liver regeneration, hepatocyte total protein and hepatocyte cytosol of the rats at 4 h after 2/3 partial hepatectomy (PHx) were studied, respectively, by 2‐DE and 2‐D blue native gel electrophoresis. Seventeen unique differential proteins were identified in hepatocyte total protein samples. Nine differential protein complexes containing 41 protein components were identified in hepatocyte cytosol samples. For the first time, at the priming stage of liver regeneration, the variations of serine protease inhibitor 2c, sulfite oxidase and valosin‐containing protein (VCP) were presented and validated by Western blotting, and the VCP complex was further validated by antibody super‐shift experiments. The current results suggested that at 4 h after PHx, VCP complex was down‐regulated in hepatocyte cytosol, apoptosis pathways were inhibited, nuclear factor‐κB and interleukin 6 pathways worked together and triggered the liver regeneration.     

苹果酸对L-谷氨酸发酵代谢流迁移的影响

为更全面深入地理解细胞内谷氨酸代谢的调控机制,以黄色短杆菌GDK-9为供试菌株,应用MATLAB软件和代谢流分析方法定量研究添加苹果酸后L-谷氨酸发酵中、后期胞内的代谢流迁移。在L-谷氨酸发酵中、后期添加2．0g／L苹果酸后,合成副产物L-丙氨酸和乳酸的代谢流量明显减少,分别降低了22．1％和16．5％,EMP途径和乙醛酸循环的代谢流分别减少了2．26％和9．09％,HMP途径的代谢流增加了2．26％,而L-谷氨酸生物合成的代谢流从73．59％增长至79．92％,较未添加前提高了6．33％。添加适量苹果酸能使关键节点发生代谢流迁移,提高了L-谷氨酸合成中心代谢途径的代谢流量。     

肿瘤血清标志物在乳腺癌诊断中的意义

目的:探讨血清标志物CEA、CA15-3、CA12-5、TPS和VEGF不同组合在乳腺癌诊断中的临床应用价值.方法:用ELISA法分别检测53例乳腺癌患者、50例乳腺良性肿瘤及50例正常女性血清CEA、CA15-3、CA12-5、TPS和VEGF水平.结果:乳腺癌患者血清5种标志物的水平均较良性疾病组及正常对照组高,差异有统计学意义.CEA、CA15-3、CA12-5、TPS和VEGF对乳腺癌诊断的阳性率分别为30.2%、26.4%、37.75%、56.6%、35.8%,各种组合检测中,TPS与CA15-3联合检测阳性率可达到71.7%.结论:血清标志物中TPS与CA15-3联合检测是筛查乳腺癌的较好的组合,可以互相弥补单一指标的不足,以互补的方式较为显著地提高乳腺癌的检出率.     

胺碘酮与厄贝沙坦联合治疗阵发性心房颤动的前瞻随机对照研究

目的:评价胺碘酮和厄贝沙坦联合治疗阵发性心房颤动维持窦性心律的长期疗效.方法:将110例阵发性房颤患者随机分为胺碘酮组(Ⅰ组,n=55)、胺碘酮+厄贝沙坦组(Ⅱ组,n=55),治疗随访时间为2年,研究的一级终点为房颤复发.比较两组治疗后的窦性心律维持率以及治疗前、治疗后6、12、18和24个月的左心房内径.结果:治疗12个月后,Ⅰ组左心房内径大于Ⅱ组(P＜0.05).试验终点时,Ⅰ组的窦性心律维持率为58.18%(32/55),Ⅱ组为78.18%(43/55).持续性窦性心动过缓和QT间期≥0.5s的发生率两组间差异无统计学意义.结论:胺碘酮联合厄贝沙坦,治疗阵发性房颤维持窦性心律优于单用胺碘酮,并能抑制左心房的扩大.     

小剂量阿米替林辅助治疗老年不稳定心绞痛的疗效观察

P＜0.05).对不稳定性心绞痛伴抑郁情绪的老年患者进行小剂量抗抑郁药辅助治疗比常规心绞痛治疗无小剂量抗抑郁药辅助的疗效要好.