Molecule modification and mass deposition induced by the implantation of low energy Fe+ ion beams into amino acids

Fe⁺ ion beams with the energy of 110 keV were implanted into films of L(+)-cysteine (HSCH₂CH(NH₂)COOH). One of the single crystals grown in hydrochloric acid solution with the implanted samples through slow evaporation was structurally characterized by the X-ray crystallography. The crystal is monoclinic, space group C2, with a = 1.8534(4) nm, b = 0.5234(1) nm, c = 0.7212(1) nm, β= 103.72°, V = 0.67965(3) nm³, Z = 4, F(000) = 144.0, D{clac} = 1.763 g · cm⁻³, μ(MoK _a = 1.06 mm⁻¹, T = 293(2) K. R = 0.0379, wR = 0.0835 for 660 observed reflections (I > 2σ(I)). The structural formula of the crystal compound is (CH₂CH(NH₂)NO₂)ClFe (M _r = 180.38 u). Products of heavy ion beam irradiation were purified and it was directly confirmed that the implanted Fe⁺ ions had been deposited in the novel molecules. The same doses of Fe⁺ ion beams of the same energy were implanted into films of L(+)-cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate. FTIR spectroscopy of the implanted samples proved that some of the original molecules were seriously damaged and significant modifications were induced.     

Efficient transfer and expression of human clotting factor IX cDNA in neonatal hemophilia B mice mediated by VSV-G pseudotyped retrovirus

The feasibility of in vivo gene therapy for hemophilia B by VSV-G pseudotyped retroviral vector was introduced. The novel packaging cell line 293GPG was used to produce VSV-G/G1NaBAIX pseudotyped virus with the highest titers up to 8.5×10⁸ cfu·mL^-1. In contrast to the conventional retrovirus, VSV-G pseudotyped virus was more resistant to inactivation by serum complements (P＜0.001). Our results also demonstrated that VSV-G pseudotyped virus was more stable in neonatal mice serum than in adult mice serum (P＜0.01). After intraperitoneal injection of different doses of virus, hFIX antigen was detected and lasted for more than 120 d, the highest level reached (72.5±6.1) ng·mL^-1. Moreover, the functional activity was improved to some extent in all hFIX-treated mice, the most remarkable improvement was observed in the mice treated with higher dose of virus whose clotting activity increased to (3.4±1.5)% and APTT (activated partial thromboplastin time) reduced to (43.2±7.2) s. The anti-hFIX antibody was not detected by the method of Bethesda, no germ line transmission and any side effects associated with gene transfer were found. Our results indicated that neonatal gene therapy for hemophilia B mice by VSV-G pseudotyped retrovirus is promising.     

Subtyping of type A influenza by sequencing the variable regions of HA gene specifically amplified with RT-PCR

The outbreak of a novel influenza A （H1N1） virus across the globe poses a threat to human health. It is of paramount importance to develop a rapid, reliable and inexpensive diagnostic procedure. Based on the bioinformatic information from public database, primers specific for influenza A virus surface protein haemagglutinin （HA） of several subtypes （including H1, H2, H3, H5, H7 and H9） were designed. Primer-specific PCR products were subiected to sequencing for accurately distinguishing H1 and H3 subtypes from others. This sequencing-based detection method will not only be applied to rapid detection and simultaneous subtype identification of new influenza A virus H1N1, but also provide the strategies to monitor other new types of influenza virus with explosive potential.