The IL-17F sequence variant is associated with susceptibility to tuberculosis

The interleukin (IL)-17 gene plays a key role in host defence against infections from microbes, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Genetic factors contribute to host defence. However, whether genetic variation in IL-17 is associated with altered susceptibility to tuberculosis is unknown. A total of 596 pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients, 176 extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) patients, and 622 control patients from a Chinese Han population were recruited. Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IL-17F (rs1889570 and rs763780) and one SNP in IL-17A (rs2275913) were genotyped using the SNaPshot technique. Of the three SNPs in the IL-17 gene tested, there was an increased frequency of the rs1889570 G allele and the rs763780 C allele in the PTB patients and an increased frequency of the rs763780 C allele in the EPTB patients compared with the control patients. There were also significant differences in the distribution of the rs763780 genotype between the PTB and EPTB patients and the controls. The patients who had the CT/TT genotype of the rs763780 SNP were more susceptible to tuberculosis, compared to the CC genotype. There was no significant difference observed between the IL-17 SNPs when the PTB and EPTB patients were compared. Genetic variation in IL-17F is associated with altered susceptibility to tuberculosis and may provide valuable information in the development of tuberculosis.     

Applications of chemically defined diets to the solution of nutrition problems

Summary Chemically defined amino acid diets have been developed for most laboratory and meat-producing animal species as well as for humans. In many cases, growth performance of animals fed these diets equals that obtained with standard intact-protein diets. The pattern of both essential and nonessential amino acids is critical to obtaining excellent voluntary food intake. Other factors such as carbohydrate and fat type and level, acid-base balance (i.e., cation-anion ratio), and texture are important to the success of purified diets. Chemically defined diets provide amino acids, mineral elements and vitamins in forms that are maximally bioavailable. Also, virtually any nutrient can be manipulated at will for studies of a) requirements, b) bioavailability, c) factors affecting requirements and bioavailability, d) nutrient-nutrient interrelationships, e) nutrientdrug or nutrient-toxin interrelationships, f) absorption phenomena and g) efficiency and priority aspects of nutrient utilization. Requirements for essential nutrients are generally lower with purified diets than for practical diets because the nutrients in the former are more bioavailable, but also because purified diets generally lack antagonizing factors such as phytate and soluble fiber. That chemically defined diets for pigs, rats and dogs yield such excellent rates of growth suggests that a specific peptide requirement many not exist for these species. Also, this suggests that all known nutrients necessary for maximal growth must be present in the diet. Whether additional nutrients, or different levels, may be necessary for optimal health and immunocompetency, or for maximal life span, needs further study.Text of an invited paper presented at the 2nd International Congress on Amino Acids and Analogues, Vienna, Austria. August 8, 1991.     

Inactivation of the Purified Bovine μ Opioid Receptor by Sulfhydryl Reagents

We have investigated the role of cysteine residues in a highly purified opioid receptor protein (ORP) by examining the effect of -SH reagents on the binding of opioid ligands. Treatment of ORP, which is devoid of additional proteins, eliminates complications that arise from reaction of -SH reagents with other components, such as G proteins. Reagents tested include N-ethylmaleimide, 5,5-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic) acid, and two derivatives of methanethiosulfonate. Specific opioid binding was inactivated by micromolar concentrations of all -SH reagents tested. Agonist binding ([³H]DAMGO) was much more sensitive to inactivation than antagonist binding ([³H]bremazocine). Prebinding ORP with 100 nM naloxone protected antagonist and agonist binding from inactivation by -SH reagents. The results of these experiments strongly suggest that at least one, and possibly more, reactive cysteine residue(s) is present on the opioid receptor protein molecule, positioned near the ligand binding site and accessible to -SH reagents.     

Effect of pH on the association behavior in aqueous solutions of pig gastric mucin

In this study, dynamic light scattering (DLS), turbidity, and rheo-small angle light scattering (rheo-SALS) methods have been utilized to examine the impact of pH (1 < or = pH < or = 7) on aqueous solutions of noncommercial purified pig gastric mucin. The asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AFFFF) measurements established that the mucin sample has a high molecular weight and is polydisperse. DLS measurements on dilute solutions of mucin disclosed large interchain aggregates at pH 2, where the polymer has a low charge density or is uncharged. At lower or higher values of pH, mucin is charged and the tendency of forming interpolymer complexes is affected. In the semidilute concentration regime, pronounced junction zones ('lumps' of polymer) are evolved and a heterogeneous connected network is formed at pH 2, whereas the association structures are disintegrated (smaller 'lumps') at lower or higher pH values due to electrostatic repulsive interactions, and a more homogeneous network is evolved. The DLS and viscosity results at pH 1 indicate the development of a fragmented network, composed of contracted chains that are decorated by some positive charges. The effect of shear flow on the structure of semidilute solutions of mucin was investigated with the aid of rheo-SALS methods. The scattered intensity revealed a strong upturn at low values of the wave vector (q) for mucin solutions at pH 2 and pH 4, which suggests the evolution of large association domains. At these pH values, a flow-induced anisotropy in the 2D SALS patterns in the form of elliptical shapes was observed at high shear rates.     

精制木醋液的安全性评价

目的:通过观察实验动物使用木醋液后的急、慢性毒性反应,评估精制木醋液的安全性.方法:①昆明种小鼠,雌雄各10只,木醋液经口灌胃1次,观察1周,并记录动物急性中毒症状及死亡情况.②Wistar大鼠80只,分为受试物高、中、低剂量组和空白对照组,经口灌胃30 d后,观察大鼠血液学、血液生化学及心、肝、脾、肺、肾、胃等主要脏器病理变化.结果:①1周内小鼠未见明显中毒症状及死亡发生,最大耐受剂量为20 g/kg.②30 d后大剂量组血清ALT明显升高,包括对照组偶见肝细胞脂肪变性或糖源变性,但各组间没有显著性差异,其他血液学、生化学、脏器重量和病理检查等无明显变化.结论:本品除了大剂量组出现轻微的生化毒性外,没有发现与受试物有关的其他毒性变化.     

Purification and characterization of a novel halostable cellulase from Salinivibrio sp. strain NTU-05

A halostable cellulase with a molecular mass of 29 kDa was purified from culture supernatants of the halophilic bacterium Salinivibrio sp. NTU-05 by way of the Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography method and the biochemical properties of the halostable cellulase was studied. The enzyme was active over a range of 0–25% sodium chloride examined in culture broth. The optimum cellulase activity was observed at 5% sodium chloride. Results from the salinity stability test indicated 24% of enzyme activity was retained at 25% sodium chloride for 4 h. The enzyme was also shown to be slightly thermostable with 40% residual activity under 60 °C for 4 h. The enzyme has a K_m of 3.03 mg/ml and a V_max of 142.86 mol/min/mg when tested using carboxymethyl-cellulose (CMC). The enzyme activity increased in the presence of K⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺ ions and decreased when Hg²⁺ ions were present. The deduced internal amino acid sequence of the Salinivibrio sp. NTU-05 cellulase showed similarity to the sequence of the glycoside hydrolase family protein. These are some of the novel characteristics that make this enzyme have potential applications in cellulose biodegradation.     

新型精制抗蛇毒血清的制备

目的对传统抗蛇毒血清精制方法进行改进,研制出一种高收率、高纯度、低成本、易于保存与使用的新型抗蛇毒血清的制备方法。方法先提取抗蛇毒血清的IgG后酶解分段盐析得F(ab′)2片段,通过疏水层析进一步纯化F(ab′)2,然后脱盐冻干。结果新方法制备的蛇毒F(ab′)2纯度达90%以上,收率60%以上。结论采用新方法制备的F(ab′)2纯度和收率有很大提高,在其它试剂不增加的情况下,降低了一半的硫酸铵用量,生产周期由原来72h缩短到48h。     

大规模区带离心纯化Vero细胞乙脑疫苗

本文报道一种适合疫苗生产的大规模纯化Ｖｅｒｏ细胞乙脑疫苗的方法。原疫苗经适当浓缩和去除ＤＮＡ处理后,用不连续蔗糖梯度（３６％和６０％）。３２６００ｇ,速率区带离心４ｈ。纯化后疫苗的效力比中国参考疫苗高出６倍以上,补体结合抗原比中国参考疫苗高４～８倍。总蛋白含量低于３０μｇ／ｍＬ,牛血清含量降至０．５μｇ／ｍＬ以下,细胞残余ＤＮＡ低于１００ｐｇ／０．５ｍＬ。用此法连续制备三批纯化疫苗,其纯度和效力均高于日本鼠脑纯化疫苗。此法对于制备其它纯化Ｖｅｒｏ细胞疫苗也具有一定的参考意义。