Bart-Pumphrey syndrome (BPS) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by sensorineural hearing loss, palmoplantar keratoderma, knuckle pads, and leukonychia, which show considerable phenotypic variability. The ...Bart-Pumphrey syndrome (BPS) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by sensorineural hearing loss, palmoplantar keratoderma, knuckle pads, and leukonychia, which show considerable phenotypic variability. The clinical features partially overlap with Vohwinkel syndrome and Keratitis-chthyosis-Deafness syndrome,both disorders caused by dominant mutations in the GJB2 gene encoding the gap junction protein connexin-26, suggesting an etiological relationship. We report here a novel GJB2 mutation N54K segregating in a family with BPS, which was not detected in 110 control individuals of Northern European ancestry. This non- conservative missense mutation lies within a cluster of pathogenic GJB2 mutations affecting the evolutionary conserved first extracellular loop of Cx26 important for docking of connexin hemichannels and voltage gating. Immunostaining of Cx26 in lesional palmar and knuckle skin was weak or absent, although its adnexal expression appeared normal and the punctate membrane staining of Cx26 and other epidermal connexins was not altered. Nevertheless, the widespread immunostaining of Cx30 throughout the spinous cell layers suggested a compensatory overexpression. Our results emphasize that pleiotropic GJB2 mutations are responsible for at least 5 overlapping dermatological disorders associated with syndromic hearing loss and cover a wide range of severity and organ involvement.展开更多
Objective To investigate the methylation status of LRP15 gene in acute leukemia （AL） patients and its role in the tumorigenesis. Methods The methylation of LRP15 promoter and first exon of bone marrow mononuclear ce...Objective To investigate the methylation status of LRP15 gene in acute leukemia （AL） patients and its role in the tumorigenesis. Methods The methylation of LRP15 promoter and first exon of bone marrow mononuclear cells in 73 patients with AL, 10 with chronic leukemia （CL）, 9 with hematological benign diseases, and 20 healthy transplantation donors was analyzed by using methylation specific polymerase chain reaction. The methylation of LRP15 gene promoter and first exon in COS7, K562, and HL60 cell lines was also assayed. Resuits No LRP15 gene promoter methylation was detected in COS7 cell line. LRP15 gene promoter was methylated in K562 and HL60 cell lines. No deletion of LRP15 gene was detected in all samples. In nearly all French-American-British leukemia subtypes, we found that frequency of LRP15 methylation in adult patients with AL was 71.23% （ 52/73 ）. There was no detectable methylation in any of the 20 healthy donors and 8 chronic myeloid leukemia patients. The difference in frequency of LRP15 methylation between AL patients and healthy donors or CL patients （ 10.00%, 1/10） was significant （P 〈0.01 ）. Hypermethylation of LRP15 gene was found in 57.14% （16/28） of newly diagnosed AL patients, 83.33% of relapsed AL patients respectively, which was significantly different （ P 〈 0.05 ）. We also demonstrated LRP15 methylation in 55.56% （5/9） adults with benign hematological diseases. Conclusions LRP15 methylation changes are common abnormalities in leukemia. LRP15 is postulated to be a tumor suppressor gene.展开更多
AIM： To evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasonographic screening for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. METHODS： The data of 14 968 patients who had ultrasonography （US） for chronic liver disease...AIM： To evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasonographic screening for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. METHODS： The data of 14 968 patients who had ultrasonography （US） for chronic liver diseases were collected into a database program from June 1995 to June 2005. The risk factors for HCC were also studied. A total of 6089 patients who had repeated US were enrolled, 264 patients were diagnosed with HCC during follow-up （mean, 39 mo）. RESULTS： The detection rate of small HCC （≤ 3 cm in diameter） was 67.7%. The tumor size detected by screening at the intervals of 6 mo was significantly smaller than that at longer intervals. Only 29.3% of HCC patients had an elevated serum alpha fetoprotein （AFP） level above 400 ng/mL. The risk of HCC development during follow-up was higher in patients with liver cirrhosis （10.9%） and hepatitis C （9.0%） than in patients with chronic hepatitis （4.2%）, hepatitis B （4.9%） and non-B, non-C hepatitis （NBNC, 3.9%）. CONCLUSION： US screening at a interval of 6 mo is beneficial to high-risk patients over 40 years old and the early detection of HCC prolongs survival.展开更多
White spot syndrome virus (WSSV), a unique member within the virus family Nimaviridae, is the most notorious aquatic virus infecting shrimp and other crustaceans and has caused enormous economic losses in the shrimp f...White spot syndrome virus (WSSV), a unique member within the virus family Nimaviridae, is the most notorious aquatic virus infecting shrimp and other crustaceans and has caused enormous economic losses in the shrimp farming industry worldwide. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of WSSV morphogenesis, structural proteins, and replication is essential for developing prevention measures of this serious parasite. The viral genome is approximately 300kb and contains more than 180 open reading frames (ORF). However, most of proteins encoded by these ORF have not been characterized. Due to the importance of WSSV structural proteins in the composition of the virion structure, infection process and interaction with host cells, knowledge of structural proteins is essential to understanding WSSV entry and infection as well as for exploring effective prevention measures. This review article summarizes mainly current investigations on WSSV structural proteins including the relative quantities, localization, function and protein-protein interactions. Traditional proteomic studies of 1D or 2D gel electrophoresis separations and mass spectrometry (MS) followed by database searches have identified a total of 39 structural proteins. Shotgun proteomics and iTRAQ were initiated to identify more structural proteins. To date, it is estimated that WSSV is assembled by at least 59 structural proteins, among them 35 are defined as the envelope fraction (including tegument proteins) and 9 as nucleocapsid proteins. Furthermore, the interaction within several major structural proteins has also been investigated. This identitification and characterization of WSSV protein components should help in the understanding of the viral assembly process and elucidate the roles of several major structural proteins.展开更多
To determine the frequency of p16 gene inactivation in leukemia cells, and to evaluate their value in the prediction of their clinical outcome. Bone marrow or peripheral blood samples from...To determine the frequency of p16 gene inactivation in leukemia cells, and to evaluate their value in the prediction of their clinical outcome. Bone marrow or peripheral blood samples from 48 patients with leukemia were examined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction(MPCR) to detect p16 gene homozygous deletion, and restriction enzyme PCR to detect p16 gene methylation. p16 gene inactivation were detected in 10 of the 48 patients(20.4%). They were five patients with p16 homozygous deletion, and five patients with p16 methylation, respectively. p16 gene inactivation correlates with adverse prognosis features. The patients with p16 inactivation had poor response to chemotherapy, and had significantly shorter survival times than the patients in whom p16 gene was preserved(P<0.001). The inactivation of p16 gene play a key role in the pathogenesis and the progression of some leukemia. The detection of p16 gene is reliable prognostic factor that predict shortened survival times.展开更多
Objective To present a special case with the karyotype and molecular marker of acute myeloid leukemia (AML)-M 2 who was induced to complete remission by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) alone.Methods A recently hospi...Objective To present a special case with the karyotype and molecular marker of acute myeloid leukemia (AML)-M 2 who was induced to complete remission by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) alone.Methods A recently hospitalized young female patient with acute leukemia was initially diagnosed as M 3 subtype based on morphological French-American-British (FAB) classification. Karyotype analysis using standard G and R banding techniques and RT-PCR were applied to further define the diagnosis. After primarily cultured bone marrow cells from the iliac aspiration were tested for in vitro induced differentiation, the patient was treated with oral all-trans retinoic acid alone, 60?mg per day until complete remission was achieved. Peripheral blood and bone marrow changes were monitored over the whole treatment course.Results The characteristic chromosomal aberration for M 3, the t(15;17) reciprocal translocation, was not found while a t(8;21) translocation was verified. Furthermore, an amplified product of the AML-1/ETO fusion gene instead of the PML/RARα fusion gene was detected by RT-PCR and the diagnosis was corrected from M 3 to M 2. Primary cultured bone marrow cells can be fully induced to terminal differentiation after 4 days exposure to ATRA. A hematological complete remission was achieved after 40 days treatment with ATRA as a single therapeutic agent, suggesting an alternative pathway mediating ATRA-induced myeloid differentiation. Conclusion A leukemia patient with a subtype other than M 3, such as M 2 in this case, may also be induced to complete remission by the mechanism of ATRA-induced terminal differentiation. This implies that there may be a pathway other than PML/RARα fusion gene product which mediates ATRA-induced myeloid maturation in leukemia cells.展开更多
文摘Bart-Pumphrey syndrome (BPS) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by sensorineural hearing loss, palmoplantar keratoderma, knuckle pads, and leukonychia, which show considerable phenotypic variability. The clinical features partially overlap with Vohwinkel syndrome and Keratitis-chthyosis-Deafness syndrome,both disorders caused by dominant mutations in the GJB2 gene encoding the gap junction protein connexin-26, suggesting an etiological relationship. We report here a novel GJB2 mutation N54K segregating in a family with BPS, which was not detected in 110 control individuals of Northern European ancestry. This non- conservative missense mutation lies within a cluster of pathogenic GJB2 mutations affecting the evolutionary conserved first extracellular loop of Cx26 important for docking of connexin hemichannels and voltage gating. Immunostaining of Cx26 in lesional palmar and knuckle skin was weak or absent, although its adnexal expression appeared normal and the punctate membrane staining of Cx26 and other epidermal connexins was not altered. Nevertheless, the widespread immunostaining of Cx30 throughout the spinous cell layers suggested a compensatory overexpression. Our results emphasize that pleiotropic GJB2 mutations are responsible for at least 5 overlapping dermatological disorders associated with syndromic hearing loss and cover a wide range of severity and organ involvement.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation (39970318)Millitary Medical Research Foundation (01J007)National Basic Research Program (2005CB522400).
文摘Objective To investigate the methylation status of LRP15 gene in acute leukemia （AL） patients and its role in the tumorigenesis. Methods The methylation of LRP15 promoter and first exon of bone marrow mononuclear cells in 73 patients with AL, 10 with chronic leukemia （CL）, 9 with hematological benign diseases, and 20 healthy transplantation donors was analyzed by using methylation specific polymerase chain reaction. The methylation of LRP15 gene promoter and first exon in COS7, K562, and HL60 cell lines was also assayed. Resuits No LRP15 gene promoter methylation was detected in COS7 cell line. LRP15 gene promoter was methylated in K562 and HL60 cell lines. No deletion of LRP15 gene was detected in all samples. In nearly all French-American-British leukemia subtypes, we found that frequency of LRP15 methylation in adult patients with AL was 71.23% （ 52/73 ）. There was no detectable methylation in any of the 20 healthy donors and 8 chronic myeloid leukemia patients. The difference in frequency of LRP15 methylation between AL patients and healthy donors or CL patients （ 10.00%, 1/10） was significant （P 〈0.01 ）. Hypermethylation of LRP15 gene was found in 57.14% （16/28） of newly diagnosed AL patients, 83.33% of relapsed AL patients respectively, which was significantly different （ P 〈 0.05 ）. We also demonstrated LRP15 methylation in 55.56% （5/9） adults with benign hematological diseases. Conclusions LRP15 methylation changes are common abnormalities in leukemia. LRP15 is postulated to be a tumor suppressor gene.
文摘AIM： To evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasonographic screening for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. METHODS： The data of 14 968 patients who had ultrasonography （US） for chronic liver diseases were collected into a database program from June 1995 to June 2005. The risk factors for HCC were also studied. A total of 6089 patients who had repeated US were enrolled, 264 patients were diagnosed with HCC during follow-up （mean, 39 mo）. RESULTS： The detection rate of small HCC （≤ 3 cm in diameter） was 67.7%. The tumor size detected by screening at the intervals of 6 mo was significantly smaller than that at longer intervals. Only 29.3% of HCC patients had an elevated serum alpha fetoprotein （AFP） level above 400 ng/mL. The risk of HCC development during follow-up was higher in patients with liver cirrhosis （10.9%） and hepatitis C （9.0%） than in patients with chronic hepatitis （4.2%）, hepatitis B （4.9%） and non-B, non-C hepatitis （NBNC, 3.9%）. CONCLUSION： US screening at a interval of 6 mo is beneficial to high-risk patients over 40 years old and the early detection of HCC prolongs survival.
文摘White spot syndrome virus (WSSV), a unique member within the virus family Nimaviridae, is the most notorious aquatic virus infecting shrimp and other crustaceans and has caused enormous economic losses in the shrimp farming industry worldwide. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of WSSV morphogenesis, structural proteins, and replication is essential for developing prevention measures of this serious parasite. The viral genome is approximately 300kb and contains more than 180 open reading frames (ORF). However, most of proteins encoded by these ORF have not been characterized. Due to the importance of WSSV structural proteins in the composition of the virion structure, infection process and interaction with host cells, knowledge of structural proteins is essential to understanding WSSV entry and infection as well as for exploring effective prevention measures. This review article summarizes mainly current investigations on WSSV structural proteins including the relative quantities, localization, function and protein-protein interactions. Traditional proteomic studies of 1D or 2D gel electrophoresis separations and mass spectrometry (MS) followed by database searches have identified a total of 39 structural proteins. Shotgun proteomics and iTRAQ were initiated to identify more structural proteins. To date, it is estimated that WSSV is assembled by at least 59 structural proteins, among them 35 are defined as the envelope fraction (including tegument proteins) and 9 as nucleocapsid proteins. Furthermore, the interaction within several major structural proteins has also been investigated. This identitification and characterization of WSSV protein components should help in the understanding of the viral assembly process and elucidate the roles of several major structural proteins.
文摘To determine the frequency of p16 gene inactivation in leukemia cells, and to evaluate their value in the prediction of their clinical outcome. Bone marrow or peripheral blood samples from 48 patients with leukemia were examined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction(MPCR) to detect p16 gene homozygous deletion, and restriction enzyme PCR to detect p16 gene methylation. p16 gene inactivation were detected in 10 of the 48 patients(20.4%). They were five patients with p16 homozygous deletion, and five patients with p16 methylation, respectively. p16 gene inactivation correlates with adverse prognosis features. The patients with p16 inactivation had poor response to chemotherapy, and had significantly shorter survival times than the patients in whom p16 gene was preserved(P<0.001). The inactivation of p16 gene play a key role in the pathogenesis and the progression of some leukemia. The detection of p16 gene is reliable prognostic factor that predict shortened survival times.
文摘Objective To present a special case with the karyotype and molecular marker of acute myeloid leukemia (AML)-M 2 who was induced to complete remission by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) alone.Methods A recently hospitalized young female patient with acute leukemia was initially diagnosed as M 3 subtype based on morphological French-American-British (FAB) classification. Karyotype analysis using standard G and R banding techniques and RT-PCR were applied to further define the diagnosis. After primarily cultured bone marrow cells from the iliac aspiration were tested for in vitro induced differentiation, the patient was treated with oral all-trans retinoic acid alone, 60?mg per day until complete remission was achieved. Peripheral blood and bone marrow changes were monitored over the whole treatment course.Results The characteristic chromosomal aberration for M 3, the t(15;17) reciprocal translocation, was not found while a t(8;21) translocation was verified. Furthermore, an amplified product of the AML-1/ETO fusion gene instead of the PML/RARα fusion gene was detected by RT-PCR and the diagnosis was corrected from M 3 to M 2. Primary cultured bone marrow cells can be fully induced to terminal differentiation after 4 days exposure to ATRA. A hematological complete remission was achieved after 40 days treatment with ATRA as a single therapeutic agent, suggesting an alternative pathway mediating ATRA-induced myeloid differentiation. Conclusion A leukemia patient with a subtype other than M 3, such as M 2 in this case, may also be induced to complete remission by the mechanism of ATRA-induced terminal differentiation. This implies that there may be a pathway other than PML/RARα fusion gene product which mediates ATRA-induced myeloid maturation in leukemia cells.
