Unique mutations of Bruton's tyrosine kinase in fourteen unrelated X-linked agammaglobulinemia families.
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Agammaglobulinaemia Tyrosine Kinase↗
Biomedical subjects
M Zhang
Publications and source records attributed to M Zhang.
Measurement of allergen-specific IgD and correlation with allergen-specific IgE.
A new method for the measurement of allergen-specific IgD (as-IgD) was developed by modifying the ImmunoCAP assay (Pharmacia), and amplification of the signal with a goat anti-human/rabbit anti-goat detection system. The assay was sensitive enough to measure as-IgD in serum samples. The specificity of the assay was examined using inhibition tests with excess corresponding and non-corresponding allergens. For the different allergens inhibition rates between 56% (house dust mite) and 88% (cat) could be achieved. Non-corresponding allergens did not inhibit the as-IgD binding. Total IgE and allergen-specific IgE (as-IgE) was measured using the ImmunoCAP system. Total IgD was measured using a sandwich ELISA. As-IgD was measured in serum samples from 51 atopic and 23 non-atopic subjects, and the correlation with as-IgE was examined. As-IgD was detected in both atopics and non-atopics but at higher levels in atopics. As-IgD against birch pollen and timothy pollen allergen was found to be increased in atopics with IgE directed against these allergens compared to atopics without IgE against these allergens (P < 0.02 and P < 0.03). As-IgD against birch pollen allergen was higher in atopics with IgE specific to this allergen than in non-atopics (P < 0.02). In contrast to total IgE and total IgD, significant correlations were observed between as-IgD and as-IgE against timothy pollen (r = 0.34, P < 0.04), birch pollen (r = 0.38, P < 0.05) and cat dander allergen (r = 0.52, P < 0.01). The observed correlations between as-IgD and IgE suggest that IgD and IgE may be similarly regulated, and thus the measurement of as-IgD may give further insight into the regulation of IgE.
Adolescent↗
Interleukin 12 at the site of disease in tuberculosis.
Interleukin 12 (IL-12), a heterodimeric cytokine composed of p40 and p35 chains, has potent immunologic effects in vitro. We used tuberculous pleuritis as a model to study the immunoregulatory potential of IL-12 in vivo at the site of human infectious disease. Messenger RNAs for p40 and p35 were detected in pleural fluid from six of six patients by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. By using an ELISA that detected both free p40 and heterodimeric IL-12, we found that mean concentrations were 585 +/- 89 pg/ml in pleural fluid of patients with tuberculous pleuritis, which were significantly higher than those in serum of the same patients (54 +/- 36 pg/ml), or in malignant pleural effusions (123 +/- 35 pg/ml). By using an ELISA specific for heterodimeric IL-12, we found that mean concentrations in pleural fluid of patients with tuberculous pleuritis were 165 +/- 28 pg/ml and undetectable in serum of the same patients, or in malignant pleural effusions. Bioactive IL-12 was detectable in five of five supernatants of pleural fluid cells stimulated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Addition of anti-IL-12 antibodies suppressed proliferative responses of pleural fluid cells to M. tuberculosis by 36 +/- 7%. These data indicate that IL-12 may play a role in the human immune response to infectious agents in vivo. We hypothesize that IL-12 contributes to the antimycobacterial immune response by enhancing production of interferon-gamma, facilitating development of Th1 cells and augmenting cytotoxicity of antigen-specific T cells and natural killer cells.
Base Sequence↗
T cell cytokine responses in persons with tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus infection.
Tuberculosis causes more extensive and life-threatening disease in patients with HIV infection than in immunocompetent persons. To investigate the hypothesis that these severe manifestations of tuberculosis may be due to alterations in cytokine production, we evaluated cytokine patterns in HIV-infected tuberculosis patients. Upon stimulation with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro, PBMC from HIV-infected tuberculosis patients had reduced proliferative and type 1 responses, compared with HIV-seronegative tuberculosis patients. The reduction in proliferative responses was independent of the CD4 cell count, but the reduced type 1 response was a direct result of CD4 cell depletion. There was no enhancement of type 2 cytokine production in HIV-infected patients, although production of IL-10 was prominent in all tuberculosis patients. In HIV-infected tuberculosis patients, M. tuberculosis-induced proliferative responses were significantly enhanced by neutralizing antibodies to IL-10 but not by antibodies to IL-4 or by recombinant IL-12. The M. tuberculosis-induced type 1 response was augmented both by antibodies to IL-10 and by recombinant IL-12. Tuberculosis in the context of HIV infection is characterized by diminished type 1 responses, probably induced by immunosuppressive cytokines produced by macrophages/monocytes, rather than by type 2 cells.
Cytokines↗
Amelioration of cisplatin toxicity in rat renal cortical slices by dithiothreitol in vitro.
1. The protective effects of dithiothreitol (DTT) on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity were investigated with rat renal cortical slices. 2. The nephrotoxic effects of cisplatin (2 mmol l-1) were manifested in several ways: the Na+ and water content were increased while K+ was decreased. The malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in the slices and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released into the medium were increased. The uptake of p-aminohippurate (PAH), the synthesis of glucose and the glutathione (GSH) concentration in the slices were all decreased. 3. Despite a DTT-related increase in platinum (Pt) uptake by the slices, DTT (0.5-2 mmol l-1) ameliorated all these toxic effects of cisplatin in a concentration related manner. 4. The results suggest that the protective mechanism of DTT is its antioxidative action. DTT is also a metal chelator, however, and so a protective effect via chelation of Pt by DTT cannot be excluded.
Animals↗
Ectopic Hoxa-1 induces rhombomere transformation in mouse hindbrain.
Homeobox genes are expressed with a specific spatial and temporal order, which is essential for pattern formation during the early development of both invertebrates and vertebrates. Here we show that widespread ectopic expression of the Hoxa-1 (Hox 1.6) gene directed by a human beta-actin promoter in transgenic mice is embryolethal and produces abnormal phenotypes in a subset of domains primarily located in anterior regions. Interestingly, this abnormal development in the Hoxa-1 transgenic mice is associated with ectopic expression of the Hoxb-1 (Hox 2.9) gene in select hindbrain regions. At gestation day 9.5, two domains of strong Hoxb-1 expression are found in the anterior region of the hindbrains of Hoxa-1 transgenic embryos. One region represents the normal pattern of Hoxb-1 expression in rhombomere 4 and its associated migrating neural crest cells, while another major domain of Hoxb-1 expression consistently appears in rhombomere 2. Similar ectopic domains of beta-galactosidase activity are detected in dual transgenic embryos containing both beta-actin/Hoxa-1 transgene and a Hoxb-1/lacZ reporter construct. Expression of another lacZ reporter gene that directs beta-galactosidase activity predominantly in rhombomere 2 is suppressed in the Hoxa-1 transgenic embryos. We have also detected weaker and variable ectopic Hoxb-1 expression in rhombomeres 1, 3 and 6. No ectopic Hoxb-1 expression is detected in rhombomere 5 and the expression of Hoxa-3 and Krox-20 in this region is unchanged in the Hoxa-1 transgenic embryos. While no obvious change in the morphology of the trigeminal or facial-acoustic ganglia is evident, phenotypic changes do occur in neurons that emanate from rhombomeres 2 and 3 in the Hoxa-1 transgenic embryos. Additionally, alterations in the pattern of Hoxa-2 and Hoxb-1 expression in a subpopulation of neural crest cells migrating from the rhombomere 2 region are detected in these transgenics. Taken together, these data suggest that ectopic Hoxa-1 expression can reorganize select regions of the developing hindbrain by inducing partial transformations of several rhombomeres into a rhombomere-4-like identity.
Actins↗
Multilocular thymic cyst: MR findings.
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Female↗
The present population of the Tibetan nationality in China.
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Age Distribution↗
[The relationship between thymus involution and diseases in childhood].
70 thymuses obtained at autopsy from children who died of various diseases were studied with histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural methods. In the immunohistochemical study, antibodies against 8 lymphocyte differentiation antigens, including CD4, CD8, CD3, CD1, CD2, CD25, CD22 and T9 as well as those against keration and S-100 protein were used. The findings suggest that thymus involution can occur in different diseases. The differentiation process of thymocytes and the distribution of different sub-populations of T cells in the thymus are not changed by thymus involution. Among the major changes of thymus involution, the decrease in number of dendritic cells and the degeneration of epithelial cells are more important than the decrease in the number of thymocytes. Phagocytosis of macrophages seems to be the secondary way to dispose of the degenerated and dead thymocytes.
Adolescent↗
[Transcript expression of the CPL 5x, BMD-3A, BMD-10 Interrogans leptospira].
Total RNA of Leptospira interrogans SV Lai strain 017 was prepared by the method of Licl-Urea, and was used in dot hybridization with biotin-labelled DNA probes. The probes included BMD-3A, BMD-10, which were the leptospirial protective antigen genes, and CPL 5x, which was the genus specific gene of interrogans Leptospira. All of the three probes have shown various degrees of hybridization signs, proving that they all have transcript expression in leptospira. The transcript expression is the main way of regulating the gene expression in procaryotae, and it is significant in molecular genetics of Leptospira. The results indicate that the antigens encoded by the BMD-3A, BMD-10 may play an important role in immune reaction against leptospiral infection and provide a clue to the development of gene-engineering vaccine. The results also suggest that the antibody against the antigen encoded by CPL 5x is a useful tool in the classification of Leptospira interrogans.
Antigens, Bacterial↗
[Anastomosis of small artery using ZT medical adhesive and soluble stent].
The conventional technique of interrupted suture in microvascular anastomosis is difficult to perform and timeconsuming. A new method with ZT medical adhesive and soluble intravascular stent is introduced. Using this method, end-to-end anastomosis of small arteries could be performed easily and quickly. Both the patency rate and histopathologic changes at the anastomosis sites were examined. In comparison with suture technique, similar patency rate was obtained. Inflammatory reaction in mid and outer layers of the vessel was observable and reendothelialization of the intima was identical.
Anastomosis, Surgical↗
[Relationship between effect of tetrandrine on pleurisy and phospholipase A2].
A model of pleurisy was established with an intrapleural injection of carrageenan (Car, 10 mg.kg-1) in rats to explore the anti-inflammatory action of tetrandrine (Tet) and its mechanism. After the injection of Car, the exudate, protein and neutrophils appeared in the pleural cavity of rats at 2 h, then increased progressively, and reached a peak level at 12 h and remained high up to 48 h. The phospholipase A2(PLA2) activity of neutrophils (Neu-PLA2) and of the acellular component (ACC-PLA2) in the pleural exudate intensified at 2 h, rose to maximal intensity at 8 h, and started to decline at 48 h. The changes of the amount of exudate, protein content and neutrophil count, and parameters indicating the inflammatory response, were closely related to that of the PLA2 activity (r = 0.749-0.928, P < 0.05 or 0.01). By ig gavage of Tet (10-80 mg.kg-1) to rats at 30 min before and 4 h after the injection of Car, the inflammatory parameters were reduced and the PLA2 activity was inhibited, dose-dependently. The reductions of the inflammatory parameters were significantly associated with the inhibition of the PLA2 activity (r = 0.928-0.993, P < 0.05 or 0.01). These results indicate that Tet has a fine anti-inflammatory action and its mechanism may involve the inhibition on the activation and release of PLA2 of inflammatory cells.
Alkaloids↗
[An approach for PCR amplification of long DNA fragments].
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, evolved as a standard laboratory technique, has a major limitation: its inability to efficiently amplify fragments higher than 1.5 kb. In this paper, PCR conditions allowing the efficient amplification of long DNA fragments, especially a new proper buffer system, have been developed. The difference between the new PCR reaction buffer system and standard reaction system is that no KCl is included in the former. The results indicated that specificity and reproducibility for amplifying long DNA fragments by using new buffer system are satisfactory.
Animals↗
[The distribution and pharmacokinetics in lung of bovine serum albumin microspheres for pulmonary targeting in mice].
125I-labeled bovine serum albumin microspheres loaded cisplatinum (CDDP-125I-BSA-MS) with the size range of 7-25 microns were prepared and injected into the tail vein of mice. The results showed that the microspheres were accumulated almost entirely in the lung after i.v. injection (about 97.52% injected dose at the highest concentration). While in blood and other organs almost no accumulation was found. Photomicrographs showed that microspheres reached the lung and lodged in precapillary arteriols and capillaries of lung. The microspheres in lung were eliminated gradually. The pharmacokinetics of microspheres in lung of mice was also studied with "practical pharmacokinetic program-version 87", and was fitted by two-compartment model with i.v. injection or one-compartment model with 1st order absorption, but the meaning of some parameters changed. Based on the analysis of the models and parameters, it was concluded that the pharmacokinetics of microspheres in lungs can be described by the model of "one-compartment of first-order intake and first-order elimination".
Animals↗
Epidemiology of back injury in university hospital nurses from review of workers' compensation records and a case-control survey.
Reviewing Workers' Compensation records for back injury from a large university hospital for a 2-year period, we found a yearly incidence of lost work time back injury among nurses of 2.0% per year, exceeded only by physical plant staff, who had a rate of 3.5%. Nurses' aides had an injury rate 3.3-fold higher than registered nurses and licensed practical nurses and higher than any other occupational group. We compared 100 cases of nurses with back injury in the previous 2 years with 197 noninjured control subjects using a mailed 40-item questionnaire. Multivariate logistic modelling showed that prior nonback injury and performing combined lifting activities were statistically significant risk factors for back injury, and being overweight approached significance, after adjusting for the effects of age, gender, and each of the evaluated risk factors.
Accidents, Occupational↗
[Influence of refined amorphophallus konjac on osteoporosis in the aged female rats: a preliminary bone histomorphometric analysis].
The hypolipidaemic and antisteatotic effects of refined amorphophallus konjac (RAK) have been reported. In order to further evaluate the effect of RAK on osteoporosis in the aged female SD rats, forty one month aged female SD rats were divided into three groups: a normal diet group (S), another normal diet group (A) and a test group (B) in which the animals were fed on a diet similar to that of the normal diet group with the addition of RAK at a dosage of 1%. At the end of the sixth month of the diet treatment, all the animals in S group were killed. Animals of the other two groups were sacrificed at the end of experiments for 18 months. Blood and right femora samples were collected for serum Ca, P, and for bone mineral contents (BMC), respectively. Inorganic matter (ash content), and calcium and phosphorus contents of the left femur were measured. Meanwhile, undecalcified sections of left tibia were processed for bone histomorphometry. The results showed that trabecular bone volume (Vv), trabecular perimeters (TRP), bone mineral contents (BMC) as well as the Ca, P contents of bone were lower in A and B than in S, but no significance was found between A and B in all of the above indices. These data exhibited: (1) Similar to the postmenopausal osteoporosis in aged women, the bone mass of the aged female rats was markedly lost in A and B. (2) A diet treatment with 1% RAK would not aggravate osteoporosis.
Animals↗
Community-based psychiatric rehabilitation in Shanghai. Facilities, services, outcome, and culture-specific characteristics.
This paper describes the community mental health services in Shanghai, analyses the effectiveness of these services, and discusses their culture-specific characteristics. It reports on a prospective, matched-control study of the three most important types of service: a community follow-up programme in psychiatric out-patient clinics at primary-level general hospitals, 'guardianship networks' operated by non-professional volunteers, and work therapy stations. In total 308 pairs of subjects completed the study. Using Chinese versions of the Disability Assessment Schedule to assess impairment in psychosocial functioning and the Present State Examination to assess the levels of positive and negative symptoms, ten blind evaluators who had excellent inter-rater reliability assessed the functioning of subjects at enrollment and every six months for the next two years. Over the two years, symptoms and social functioning improved in the treatment groups and deteriorated in the control groups. Thus these community psychiatric services have the dual benefit of promoting rehabilitation and preventing psychosocial deterioration.
Activities of Daily Living↗
Randomised-control trial of family intervention for 78 first-episode male schizophrenic patients. An 18-month study in Suzhou, Jiangsu.
At the time of discharge from their first stay in psychiatric hospital, 78 male schizophrenic patients were randomly assigned to a family intervention (experimental) group or a 'standard care' control group and were followed for the next 18 months. The family intervention consisted of both group and individual counselling sessions every 1-3 months that focused on education about the illness and on methods of dealing with the patient. There was a significantly lower rate of hospital readmission in the family intervention group than in the control group (15.4% versus 53.8%, chi 2 = 12.75, P < 0.01), and the mean hospital-free period for those who were readmitted was significantly longer in the experimental group than in the control group (245 days versus 130 days, t = 2.91, P < 0.01). Moreover, the clinical status and overall level of functioning in patients who were not readmitted were significantly better in experimental subjects than in control subjects. Stratified analysis showed that family intervention and regular use of medication had independent and additive effects on the outcome. During the 18 months after the index discharge patients who did not take medication regularly and who did not receive family intervention were 7.9 times as likely to be readmitted to hospital as patients who took medication regularly and received family intervention.
Adolescent↗