AZGP1 as a potential biomarker of IgA vasculitis with nephritis in a children­based urinary proteomics study by diaPASEF.

The present study aimed to screen for potential biomarkers in the urine of immunoglobulin A vasculitis with nephritis (IgAVN) using parallel accumulation­serial fragmentation combined with data­independent acquisition (diaPASEF) proteomic approach. Urine proteomes of eight children with IgAVN and eight healthy children were identified by diaPASEF and all differential proteins were analyzed by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome. Then, the specific biomarkers of urine samples from 10 children with IgAVN, 10 children with IgAV and 10 healthy children were verified by ELISA. The present study screened 254 differential proteins from the experiment, including 190 upregulated proteins and 64 downregulated proteins. The results of the ELISA showed that the concentration of urinary zinc­alpha­2­glycoprotein (AZGP1) in children with IgAVN was significantly higher compared with that in children with IgAV and healthy children. The present study provided the potential clinical application of AZGP1 as a helpful biomarker and a potential indicator for early diagnosis of the occurrence of IgAVN.

[Electroacupuncture at "Zusanli"(ST36) protects intestinal mucosal immune barrier by suppre-ssing apoptosis of intestinal lymphocytes and regulating expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in sepsis rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Zusanli" (ST36) on apoptosis of intestinal T lymphocytes, translocation of intestinal bacteria and expression of intestinal Bcl-2 and Bax proteins and intestinal mucosal immune barrier in sepsis rats, so as to explore its underlying mechanism in relieving sepsis. METHODS: SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation (n=6), model (n=15), non-meridian and non-acupoint (non-acupoint, n=15) and acupoint EA(n=15) groups by using random number table method. The sepsis model was established by using cecal ligation and perforation(CLP) method. EA (2 Hz, 2 mA) was applied to bilateral ST36 or non-acupoint for 30 min one hour after modeling, once every day for 3 days. The rats' general conditions and fatality rate in 3 days after modeling were recorded. The liver, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes were taken for bacterial culture to detect the translocation rate of intestinal bacteria. The small intestinal tissue was taken for observing histopathological changes (Chiu's score: 0-5 points) after HE staining, and for determining the expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins using Western blot. The intestinal mucosa was sampled for detecting the apop-tosis (apoptotic index) of lymphocytes by using terminal deoxynucleoitidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, and the counts of CD4+ and CD8+T cells using flow cytometry. The contents of IL-4 in the small intestine and that of secretory IgA (sIgA) in the small intestinal mucus were determined by using ELISA. RESULTS: After modeling, of the 15 rats in each of the 3 groups, 7, 7 and 2 in the model, non-acupoint and EA groups were dead in the first 3 days, with the fatality rate being 46.67% (7/15), 46.67% (7/15) and 13.33% (2/15), respectively (being obviously lower in the EA group than in the former two groups, P<0.05). Compared with the sham operation group, the incidence of intestinal bacterial translocation, apoptotic index, Chiu's score, and Bax expression were significantly increased (P<0.05), and the percentages of CD4+ and CD8+T cells, IL-4 and sIgA contents and Bcl-2 expression considerably decreased (P<0.05) in the model group. In comparison with the model group, modeling-induced increase of incidence of bacterial translocation, apoptotic index and Bax expression, and decrease of percentages of CD4+ and CD8+T cells, IL-4 and sIgA contents and Bcl-2 expression were reversed (P<0.05) in the EA group. CONCLUSION: EA at ST36 can reduce death rate and intestinal bacteria translocation incidence in sepsis rats, which may be related to its functions in regulating the expression of intestinal Bcl-2 and Bax proteins and inhibiting the apoptosis of intestinal mucosal T lymphocytes, thereby protecting the immune barrier function of intestinal mucosa to reduce the intestinal permeability.

[Rescue and treatment for the mass burn casualties of yellow phosphorus explosion].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the characteristics and treatment of burn casualties of yellow phosphorus explosion, so as to share the experiences in emergency treatment. METHODS: By analyzing the data related to this accident, the characteristics of the injury and experiences of treatment for mass burn casualties from yellow phosphorous explosion were summarized. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients, 72 males and 9 females, were injured in a yellow phosphorus explosion. The mean age of the patients was 24 +/- 13 years old (5-42 y). The mean total burn surface area was (9 +/- 11)% [(0.4% - 70.0%))] TBSA, and the mean burn surface area of III degrees/IV degrees was (7 +/- 10)% [(0.4% - 60.0%)] TBSA. Most of the patients showed the symptoms and signs of phosphorus poisoning. Among all the patients, 27 cases (33.3%) showed hepatic dysfunction, 15 cases (18.5%) had renal dysfunction, 42cases (51.9%) showed electrolytes disorders. Among the 8 patients with burn surface area over 10% TBSA and less than 20% TBSA, high levels of cardiac enzymes were found in 6 cases, anaemia in 7 cases (3 with progressive anaemia), asphyxia occurred in 1 case 48 hours after burn, and in 1 case complicated with stress ulcer. Escharectomy and skin grafting were performed within four days after burn in 72 patients. All the patients survived, some of them showed impaired hand function and hypertrophic scar, and partial finger amputation was done in 3 patients. CONCLUSION: Yellow phosphorus explosion produces deep burn injuries in surrounding people especially in exposed parts such as head, hand and so on. Adequate organization of medical resources for emergency treatment, early debridement, and accelerating excretion of phosphorus are the key points for the successful rescue of mass casualties.

[Functional analysis of vernalization-related gene VER17 in flower development using antisense RNA strategy in winter wheat].

To understand the function of vernalization-related gene VER17 in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Jingdong No.1), an antisense RNA strategy was used. The antisense VER17 with a vector pBI121 was constructed and transformed into winter wheat by using the pollen-tube-pathway method. Fourteen independent transgenic plants transformed with antisense VER17 and five control transformants transformed with pBI121 blank vector were obtained and confirmed by GUS histochemical assay and PCR-Southern blot analysis. Phenotypes of T(0) and T(1) transgenic plants showed that the plants of the antisense VER17 transgenic lines degenerated top or basal spikelets and had delayed flowering time, which suggested that the VER17 gene functions in accelerating flowering and the development of the top or basal spikelets and the stamen which were impacted by vernalization treatment.

Vernalization-induced flowering in wheat is mediated by a lectin-like gene VER2.

A vernalization-related gene VER2 was isolated from winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) using a differential screening approach. The deduced VER2 is a lectin-like protein of 300 amino acids, which contains the presence of a jacalin-like GWG domain. RNA in situ hybridization results demonstrated that VER2 gene expression is restricted to the marginal meristems of immature leaves in vernalized wheat seedlings. No hybridization signal was detected in the epidermal tissue and vascular bundles. However, "devernalization" resulted in the silencing of VER2 gene activity. The gene expression pattern of VER2 induced by jasmonate was similar to that induced by vernalization. Antisense inhibition of VER2 in transgenic wheat showed that heading and maturation time were delayed up to 6 weeks compared with non-transformed wheat and the pBI121empty-vector-transformed wheat. Tissue degeneration at the top of the spike was also noticed in the antisense inhibited transgenic wheat. These results suggest that VER2 plays an important role in vernalization signaling and spike development in winter wheat.