8-OH-DPAT and MK-801 affect epileptic activity independently of vigilance

Vigilance and parallel occurrence of epileptic activity after administration of the 5-HT_1A agonist 8-OH-DPAT and the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 were studied in the genetic absence epilepsy model WAG/Rij rats. Spike-wave discharges (SWD) were present predominantly in passive awake and light slow wave sleep (SWS1) either in control animals or after treatments. Injection of 8-OH-DPAT (20.0 μg/rat i.c.v.) caused marked increase and MK-801 (10.0 μg/rat i.c.v.) decrease in SWD densities, thus the ratios of SWD in passive awake and in SWS1. SWD densities of MK-801 plus 8-OH-DPAT in combination were similar to those of CSF+CSF treated control rats. Both 8-OH-DPAT and MK-801 transiently increased the duration of active awake, increased latency and decreased duration of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. 8-OH-DPAT increased the amount of SWD despite the decrease in the duration of SWS1. MK-801 decreased the amount of SWD despite the lack of significant change in duration of passive awake or SWS1. Pre-treatment with MK-801 reversed 8-OH-DPAT- induced increase in duration of SWD without any effect on 8-OH-DPAT-induced changes in sleep parameters. Our studies provide evidence that 8-OH-DPAT-induced epileptic activity is independent of its effect on sleep, and that interaction of serotonergic and glutamatergic systems plays a role in the generation of SWD, but not in the regulation of vigilance and sleep.     

Uncommon and fatal case of cystoisosporiasis in a non HIV-immunosuppressed patient from a non-endemic country

Cystoisospora belli (previously known as Isospora belli) is a tropical coccidian parasite sometimes leading to severe diarrhea in immunocompromised patients. Here we describe a fatal case of cystoisosporiasis in a non HIV-immunocompromised 71-year-old female with no recent travel history. Infection was either latent or potentially caused by the consumption of contaminated imported food from Asia. Diagnosis was made by microscopical detection of numerous C. belli oocysts in stools without specific staining. Treatment with TMP-SMZ slightly improved diarrhea within 3 days, but dehydration subsequently led to acute decompensated heart failure and a fatal evolution. This report illustrates the possibility of severe cystoisosporiasis in non HIV-immunocompromised patients in a non-endemic country and highlights the risk of transmission through imported contaminated food consumption.     

Melatonin and Human Rhythms

Melatonin signals time of day and time of year in mammals by virtue of its pattern of secretion, which defines 'biological night.' It is supremely important for research on the physiology and pathology of the human biological clock. Light suppresses melatonin secretion at night using pathways involved in circadian photoreception. The melatonin rhythm (as evidenced by its profile in plasma, saliva, or its major metabolite, 6-sulphatoxymelatonin [aMT6s] in urine) is the best peripheral index of the timing of the human circadian pacemaker. Light suppression and phase-shifting of the melatonin 24 h profile enables the characterization of human circadian photoreception, and circulating concentrations of the hormone are used to investigate the general properties of the human circadian system in health and disease. Suppression of melatonin by light at night has been invoked as a possible influence on major disease risk as there is increasing evidence for its oncostatic effects. Exogenous melatonin acts as a 'chronobiotic.' Acutely, it increases sleep propensity during 'biological day.' These properties have led to successful treatments for serveal circadian rhythm disorders. Endogenous melatonin acts to reinforce the functioning of the human circadian system, probably in many ways. The future holds much promise for melatonin as a research tool and as a therapy for various conditions.     

A simple approach discriminating cardio-safe drugs from toxic ones

More than 130 FDA-approved drugs have been identified for now to prolong the QT interval and possibly lead to suddencardiac death. Due to their toxic effect, some of these drugs have been withdrawn from the pharmaceutical market. In thisstudy, we have formulated few rules to assess the ability to prolong QT interval and thereby discriminate between cardiotoxicand -safe drugs. These rules have clearly determined that cardio-toxic drugs are more likely to obey Lipinski rule of 5and Oprea lead-like rule. Moreover, the cardio-toxic drugs have been found to have in common values of -0.5 to 6.5 log P,1-5 nitrogen atoms, up to 4 oxygen atoms, 5-27 hydrophobic atoms, and 15-53 single bonds. Matthews CorrelationCoefficient with the value of 0.6 was also attained and nearly 96% of the cardio-toxic drugs were successfully covered.Thus, despite the simplicity of this methodology, we have obtained interesting and informative results. The proposed set ofthese simple rules could be employed to infer cardio-toxicity or -safety for current and potential drugs. The present studywill have important impact on decision making in the fields of drug development, molecule screening in biological assays,and other applications as well.     

实验性X综合征大鼠模型的建立

目的　建立一种典型的X综合症动物模型。方法　雄性SD大鼠施行两肾一夹术后普通饲料喂养 4周 ,诱发肾性高血压 ,继以高果糖饲料喂养 4周 ,诱导建立X综合症模型。结果　术后 4周 ,大鼠仅出现收缩压升高 ,血糖、血脂未见明显改变。高果糖饲料喂养 4周后 ,大鼠出现高血糖、高胰岛素血症、胰岛素抵抗、高血压和高脂血症。结论　肾性高血压形成后高果糖饮食 1个月 ,可诱导SD大鼠出现典型的X综合症 ,为研究胰岛素抵抗及其伴随的心血管疾病提供了一种理想的动物模型。     

Biochemical Characterization of Pathogenic Mutations in Human Mitochondrial Methionyl-tRNA Formyltransferase

N-Formylation of initiator methionyl-tRNA (Met-tRNA^Met) by methionyl-tRNA formyltransferase (MTF) is important for translation initiation in bacteria, mitochondria, and chloroplasts. Unlike all other translation systems, the metazoan mitochondrial system is unique in using a single methionine tRNA (tRNA^Met) for both initiation and elongation. A portion of Met-tRNA^Met is formylated for initiation, whereas the remainder is used for elongation. Recently, we showed that compound heterozygous mutations within the nuclear gene encoding human mitochondrial MTF (mt-MTF) significantly reduced mitochondrial translation efficiency, leading to combined oxidative phosphorylation deficiency and Leigh syndrome in two unrelated patients. Patient P1 has a stop codon mutation in one of the MTF genes and an S209L mutation in the other MTF gene. P2 has a S125L mutation in one of the MTF genes and the same S209L mutation as P1 in the other MTF gene. Here, we have investigated the effect of mutations at Ser-125 and Ser-209 on activities of human mt-MTF and of the corresponding mutations, Ala-89 or Ala-172, respectively, on activities of Escherichia coli MTF. The S125L mutant has 653-fold lower activity, whereas the S209L mutant has 36-fold lower activity. Thus, both patients depend upon residual activity of the S209L mutant to support low levels of mitochondrial protein synthesis. We discuss the implications of these and other results for whether the effect of the S209L mutation on mitochondrial translational efficiency is due to reduced activity of the mutant mt-MTF and/or reduced levels of the mutant mt-MTF.     

Association of the ACE-II genotype with the risk of nephrotic syndrome in Pakistani children

Nephrotic syndrome is a common pediatric glomerular disease associated with heavy proteinuria. Since, the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism is a putative genetic risk factor for NS, in this study, ACE (I/D) polymorphism was analyzed in 268 NS and 223 control samples by a PCR-based method. The genotypic and allelic frequencies were determined and the association between ACE I/D polymorphism and NS was evaluated. The frequency distribution of the II, ID and DD genotypes was 82 (30.6%), 128 (47.8%) and 58 (21.6%) in the NS patients and 9 (4.0%), 171 (76.7%) and 43 (19.3%) in the control samples respectively. In the Pakistani pediatric NS population, the II genotypic and allelic frequencies were found to be significantly associated with the disease (OR = 6.755; C.I = 3-14.9). No significant association was found between this polymorphism and the response to standard steroid therapy. Thus, in contrast to reports from other parts of the world, the II genotype was found to be significantly associated with NS in the Indian and Malay populations and in the Pakistani population described here. To our knowledge, this is the first report from Pakistan describing the association of the ACE I/D polymorphism with pediatric NS. On the basis of these results, it is suggested that analysis of the ACE (I/D) polymorphism should be performed for the early diagnosis in the high risk NS patients in South Asia.     

两种方法检测接种流行性出血热沙鼠肾细胞灭活疫苗后人体的中和抗体

本文应用空斑减少中和试验(PRNT)和细胞病变中和试验(cPENT)两种方法对出血热沙鼠肾细胞灭活疫苗扩大人体免疫后的血清进行中和抗体水平检测。根据两种方法对总计74人份的免疫后血清检测比较结果,两种方法检测的抗体阳转率和抗体水平(GMT)。CPENT法均高于PRNT法,经统计学处理均有显著性差异。不同免疫组的中和抗体水平比较结果,注射三针的阳转率(n=10,100％)高于两针组(n=10,20—30％);接种加氢氧化铝佐剂疫苗(n=13)较接种不加佐剂的两种疫苗(n=26)的抗体水平高,阳转率为92％—100％GMT为22—69;皮下途径(n=15)和肌肉途径(n=13)注射无明显差别,阳转率分别为87—93％和92—100％,GMT分别为29—46和22—61。以上结果进一步肯定沙鼠肾细胞疫苗的人体免疫性     

PRRSV NJ-a株ORF5基因A表位的修饰与糖基化位点的突变对其DNA疫苗免疫效力的影响

为了提高PRRSV ORF5基因的免疫效力,对ORF5基因进行了改造,将CpG序列和通用型辅助性T淋巴细胞表位插入A表位与B表位之间,并对N33与N51位糖基化位点进行了点突变,获得改造的ORF5基因。在此基础上构建了由两个CMV启动子调控的共表达改造的ORF5(MORF5)与ORF6基因的真核表达质粒pcDNA-M5A-6A。经Western-blot与IFA验证真核质粒的体外表达后,免疫6周龄Balb/c小鼠,利用微量中和试验检测免疫后的中和抗体,利用MTT法检测免疫后淋巴细胞的增生情况,并与未改造ORF5基因真核表达质粒pcDNA-5A-6A、弱毒疫苗以及灭活疫苗的免疫效果进行比较。结果表明,pcDNA-M5A-6A不但能够刺激免疫小鼠在较短的时间内产生更高水平的中和抗体,而且可以诱导产生更强烈的T淋巴细胞增殖反应。所构建的共表达PRRSV改造的ORF5基因与ORF6基因的DNA疫苗pcDNA-M5A-6A,能够较好的诱发小鼠产生较高的特异性针对PRRSV的中和抗体和细胞免疫应答,为研究能够更好地防制PRRSV的新型疫苗提供了新的思路。