BACKGROUND: Human neutrophil antigens (HNAs) are involved in autoimmune and alloimmune neutropenia and transfusion-related acute lung injury. The HNA-1 system is important in immunogenetics, and allele frequencies have been described in different populations. This study investigated the frequency of FCGR3B alleles encoding HNA-1a, HNA-1b, and HNA-1c among Thai blood donors and compared these frequencies with those previously reported for other populations. METHODS: Eight hundred DNA samples obtained from unrelated healthy blood donors at the National Blood Centre, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, and the Blood Bank, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand, were included. Samples were simultaneously typed for each FCGR3B allele using an in-house polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP) technique. RESULTS: The frequencies of FCGR3B*1, FCGR3B*2, and FCGR3B*3 alleles in central Thai blood donors were 0.548, 0.452, and 0.004, respectively; only FCGR3B*1 and FCGR3B*2 alleles were found in northern Thai blood donors (0.68 and 0.32, respectively). Compared with other Asian populations, central Thais had higher frequencies of the FCGR3B*2 allele (P<0.001), while the frequencies of the FCGR3B*1 and FCGR3B*2 alleles in northern Thais were similar to those previously reported in Taiwanese and Japanese populations. In contrast, the frequencies of the FCGR3B*1 and FCGR3B*2 alleles in the northern Thai population were statistically different from those observed in central Thai, Korean, German, and Turkish populations. CONCLUSIONS: FCGR3B allele frequencies were significantly different between central and northern Thai blood donors. Our in-house PCR-SSP method is a simple, cost-effective, and convenient method for FCGR3B allele detection.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group/*genetics ; *Blood Donors ; DNA/analysis ; DNA Primers/chemistry/metabolism ; GPI-Linked Proteins/genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, IgG/*genetics ; Thailand

OBJECTIVETo establish a sensitive and specific technique for detecting HBV DNA in serum using HBV DNA probe labeled directly by alkaline phosphatase (AlkPhos Direc probe).

METHODSThe probe that purified HBV DNA sequence was labeled directly by alkaline phosphatase and chemiluminescent substrate CDP-star for AP was used in the hybridization assay. HBV DNA was detected by autoradiography on the film. The test compared the chemiluminescen dot blot hybridization assay for 80 samples with digoxigenin-labeled HBV DNA probe detective method. The correlation of 70 samples test results between fluorescent quantitative HBV DNA PCR method and dot blot hybridization assay by AlkPhos Direc probe was analysed.

RESULTSThe sensitivity of the probe labeled directly by alkaline phosphatase was 10pg at least. The coincidence was 100% compared with digoxigenin-labeled HBV DNA probe detection. A correlation coefficient of HBV DNA quantitative results between fluorescent quantitative HBV DNA PCR (QPCR) method and dot blot hybridization assay by AlkPhos Direc probe was 0.98 (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe method detecting HBV DNA in serum by HBV DNA AlkPhos Direc probe is sensitive and specific. The results between two methods with AlkPhos Direc and digoxigenin-labeled HBV DNA probe are coincident completely. The correlation of HBV DNA quantitative results between fluorescent QPCR method and dot blot hybridization assay by AlkPhos Direc probe is satisfactory.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Animals ; DNA Probes ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; genetics ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; diagnosis ; virology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques ; methods ; standards ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Identifying the origin of body fluids left at a crime scene can give a significant insight into crime scene reconstruction by supporting a link between sample donors and actual criminal acts. However, the conventional body fluid identification methods are prone to various limitations, such as time consumption, intensive labor, nonparallel manner, varying degrees of sensitivity and limited specificity. Recently, the analysis of cell-specific messenger RNA expression (mRNA profiling) has been proposed to supplant conventional methods for body fluid identification. Since 2011, the collaborative exercises have been organized by the European DNA Profiling Group (EDNAP) in order to evaluate the robustness and reproducibility of mRNA profiling for body fluid identification. The major advantages of mRNA profiling, compared to the conventional methods, include higher sensitivity, greater specificity, the ability of detecting several body fluids in one multiplex reaction, and compatibility with current DNA extraction and analysis procedure. In the current review, we provided an overview of the present knowledge and detection methodologies of mRNA profiling for forensic body fluid identification and discussed its possible practical application to forensic casework.
Blood Stains ; Body Fluids/chemistry* ; DNA/analysis* ; DNA Primers ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; RNA/analysis* ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; Saliva/chemistry* ; Semen/chemistry*

OBJECTIVEWe have evaluated the direct effect of ampelopsis (APS) on duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) replication in ducklings in vivo.

METHODOne-day-old ducklings were infected with DHBV. After infection for 7 days, the animals were treated with APS at dosages of 70, 150, 300 mg x kg(-1) of body weight via the oral route. The drug was given twice per day for 10 days continuously, and normal saline was used as control. The blood was drawn from the posterior tibial vein of all ducks before treatment (T0), after the medication for 5 (T5), 10 (T10) days and withdrawal of the drug for 3 days (P3). DHBV DNA in duck serum was detected by dot blot.

RESULTThe duck serum DHBV-DNA levels were reduced in the group of APS (150, 300 mg x kg(-1)) after treated for 5 and 10 days and the levels of DHBV-DNA did not markedly relapse in both groups of APS after withdrawal of the drug for 3 days. We provide the first evidence that APS can efficiently inhibits DHBV replication in ducks in vivo.

CONCLUSIONAPS therefore warrants further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent for HBV infections.

Ampelopsis ; chemistry ; Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; DNA, Viral ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Ducks ; blood ; virology ; Hepatitis B Virus, Duck ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology ; Virus Replication ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of mitochondrial DNA 5178 C/A (Mt5178) polymorphism of NADH-dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) gene in type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among ethnic Han Chinese through a case-control study.

METHODSThe Mt5178C/A polymorphism was determined by sequencing 1103 T2DM patients and 791 healthy controls. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). To confirm the results, a meta-analysis was conducted based on published literature on the association of Mt5178 variant with T2DM.

RESULTSNo significant association was found between the Mt5178C/A variant and T2DM either by our study or the meta-analysis which included eight published studies. Nevertheless, it was found that the T2DM patients with 5178C genotype were at a higher risk for nephropathy complication (OR=1.49, 95%CI: 1.005-2.197, P<0.05) and at significantly lower risk for hypertension complication (OR=0.744, 95%CI: 0.556-0.996, P<0.05) compared with those carrying a 5178A genotype.

CONCLUSIONNo association was found between the Mt5178C/A polymorphism of mitochondrial ND2 gene with the increased risk of T2DM. However, the polymorphism may affect the development of nephropathy and hypertension complications among T2DM patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; chemistry ; genetics ; Diabetes Complications ; blood ; genetics ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; complications ; genetics ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; blood ; genetics ; Fasting ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; blood ; complications ; genetics ; Male ; Meta-Analysis as Topic ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Triglycerides ; blood

Paramyosin is a myofibrillar protein present in helminth parasites and plays multifunctional roles in host-parasite interactions. In this study, we identified the gene encoding paramyosin of Clonorchis sinensis (CsPmy) and characterized biochemical and immunological properties of its recombinant protein. CsPmy showed a high level of sequence identity with paramyosin from other helminth parasites. Recombinant CsPmy (rCsPmy) expressed in bacteria had an approximate molecular weight of 100 kDa and bound both human collagen and complement 9. The protein was constitutively expressed in various developmental stages of the parasite. Imunofluorescence analysis revealed that CsPmy was mainly localized in the tegument, subtegumental muscles, and the muscle layer surrounding the intestine of the parasite. The rCsPmy showed high levels of positive reactions (74.6%, 56/75) against sera from patients with clonorchiasis. Immunization of experimental rats with rCsPmy evoked high levels of IgG production. These results collectively suggest that CsPmy is a multifunctional protein that not only contributes to the muscle layer structure but also to non-muscular functions in host-parasite interactions. Successful induction of host IgG production also suggests that CsPmy can be applied as a diagnostic antigen and/or vaccine candidate for clonorchiasis.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animal Structures/chemistry ; Animals ; Antibodies, Helminth/blood ; Cloning, Molecular ; Clonorchis sinensis/chemistry/*genetics ; Collagen/metabolism ; Complement C9/metabolism ; Helminth Proteins/chemistry/*genetics/immunology/metabolism ; Immunoglobulin G/blood ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Molecular Weight ; Protein Binding ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sequence Alignment ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Tropomyosin/chemistry/*genetics/immunology/metabolism

OBJECTIVETo assess the prevalence of the A to G variant at nucleotide 12026 (mt12026) of the mitochondrial NADH-dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4) gene in familial diabetes mellitus in Chinese population.

METHODSThe authors screened 770 randomly selected, unrelated probands of diabetic pedigrees, and 309 controls with normal glucose tolerance for the variant by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique and PCR-direct-sequencing.

RESULTSThe mt12026 A --> G variant was detected in 28 diabetic patients (3.63%) and 9 controls (2.91%). The frequency of the variant mt12026 A --> G was not statistically different between diabetic patients and controls. Moreover, clinical characteristics such as age, body mass index (BMI), and insulin resistant index were not different between diabetic patients with and without the mt12026 mutation.

CONCLUSIONThe mt12026 A --> G variant is a mitochondrial gene polymorphism in Chinese population, and it is unlikely that the mutation is in itself the cause of diabetes.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Body Mass Index ; China ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; chemistry ; genetics ; Diabetes Mellitus ; blood ; ethnology ; genetics ; Family Health ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; NADH Dehydrogenase ; genetics ; Point Mutation ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

In order to elucidate the expression and molecular genetic background of ABO gene seven samples with ABO discrepancy further identified as bi-specific ABO gene were studied. All these samples were subjected to phenotyping by monoclonal and polyclonal antisera and were then genotyped by direct DNA sequencing and haplotype-sequencing at the exon 6 and 7 of ABO gene. As a result, six ABO dual-specific alleles were identified in Chinese population. An antigen expressed by these B (A) or Cis-AB individuals varied from very low level to the normal level, compared with common A blood group samples. In conclusion, molecular genetic backgrounds of two pairs out of four samples in all samples were the same, however, the ABO expression showed diverse.
ABO Blood-Group System ; genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Erythrocytes ; cytology ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Exons ; genetics ; Glycosyltransferases ; chemistry ; genetics ; Humans

A family with paramyotonia congenita (PC) is presented. At least 10 family members were affected in an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. The proband had cold-sensitive muscle stiffness, paradoxical myotonia, and intermittent muscle weakness since childhood. The serum level of creatine kinase was mildly elevated and short exercise test with cooling revealed a drastic reduction of compound muscle action potentials with repetitive discharges. Muscle biopsy revealed marked variation in the fiber size and increased internal nuclei. The molecular biological study revealed a common missense mutation (Arg1448Cys) at the voltage-gated sodium channel gene (SCN4A). The repetitive CMAP discharges during short exercise test with cooling observed in the proband has not been reported previously. This observation needs to be confirmed among PC patients with different mutations. This is the first report on a PC family confirmed by the molecular biological technique in Korea.
Adult ; Arginine/*chemistry ; Cell Nucleus/metabolism ; Creatine Kinase/blood ; Cysteine/*chemistry ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exercise ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; *Mutation, Missense ; Myotonic Disorders/*genetics ; Pedigree ; Phenotype ; Sodium Channels/*genetics/metabolism

To establish a quantitative assay for telomerase activity and analyze the telomerase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) from patients with acute leukemia, a fluorescent dye, PicoGreen, was added to the products after telomere repeat amplification protocol. The samples were excited at 480 nm and the fluorescence emission intensity was measured at 520 nm using a spectrofluorometer. Telomerase activity was detected in PBMNCs from 20 cases of normal individuals and 25 patients with acute leukemia. The results showed that the fluorescence of PicoGreen binding to double-stranded DNA specifically was enhanced with increase of DNA quantities. In conclusion, the met hod is rapid, simple and quantitative, the telomerase activities of PBMNCs from acute leukemia patients are significantly higher than that of the normal controls.
Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cell Line ; DNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Fluorescent Dyes ; chemistry ; Humans ; Leukemia ; blood ; enzymology ; genetics ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; enzymology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Organic Chemicals ; Telomerase ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism