急性呼吸窘迫综合征患者血浆TNF-α、IL-6、IL-10和IL-13水平变化

目的：通过检测分析急性呼吸窘迫综合征（ARDS）和全身炎症反应综合征（SIRS）病人血浆促炎症细胞因子肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素6（IL-6）和抗炎细胞因子白细胞介素10（IL-10）、白细胞介素13（IL-13）水平的变化，探讨这些细胞因子在ARDS炎症发展机制中的作用。 方法： 选择临床诊断ARDS病例22例和SIRS 8例，以及正常对照10例，收集血样品，采用酶联免疫法（ELISA）检测TNF-α、IL-6和IL-10、IL-13蛋白含量。 结果： ARDS病人血浆TNF-α、IL-6、IL-10、IL-13含量分别为(629.30±187.00)ng/L、(261.10±71.30)ng/L、(458.10±111.93)ng/L、(5.21±2.02) ng/L，SIRS病人则分别为(206.10±85.90) ng/L、(141.40±41.50)ng/L、(259.60±54.34) ng/L、(1.69±0.39) ng/L，两者血浆细胞因子水平比较有显著差异(P<0.01)；但SIRS和ARDS病人的细胞因子水平均显著高于正常对照组(P<0.01)。 结论： TNFα、IL-6是SIRS和ARDS演变中的重要促炎细胞因子，抗炎细胞因子IL-10和IL-13的过度释放在促进炎症反应失控和ARDS发展中发挥一定作用。     

脂多糖活化的大鼠肺泡巨噬细胞TNF-α产生的新机制

目的：探讨脂多糖（LPS）活化的肺泡巨噬细胞中低氧诱导因子－1α（HIF-1α）的表达及其在肺泡巨噬细胞产生肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）中的作用。 方法： 应用HIF-1α 诱骗法（HIF-1α decoy）抑制其作用，并用Western blotting、半定量RT-PCR、酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）分别检测HIF-1α蛋白、mRNA的表达和TNF-α的产生。 结果： HIF-1α蛋白含量在LPS组（1.95±0.57）和HIF-1α decoy组（1.89±0.59）均明显高于对照组（0.41±0.14，P＜0.05）；HIF-1α mRNA的表达在对照组（0.7838±0.3183）、LPS组（0.7622±0.3387）和HIF-1α decoy组（0.8155±0.3594）之间无显著差异（P>0.05）；LPS刺激24 h后，大鼠肺泡巨噬细胞TNF-α的产生明显高于对照组（61 ng/L vs 156 ng/L, P<0.05），抑制HIF-1α后TNF-α的产生明显低于LPS刺激组（90 ng/L vs 156 ng/L, P<0.05），但 HIF-1α decoy组TNF-α的产生仍然高于对照组（61 ng/L vs 94 ng/L, P<0.05）。 结论： 大鼠肺泡巨噬细胞在LPS的刺激下HIF-1α蛋白的稳定性增强使其表达明显上调，并且促进TNF-α的产生，提示HIF-1α在肺部慢性炎症性疾病如COPD的发病机制中可能有重要作用。     

IL-6和TNF-α模拟炎性微环境促进人BMSCs向肿瘤相关成纤维细胞分化

目的观察在IL-6和TNF-α模拟的炎性微环境中骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSCs)是否向肿瘤相关成纤维细胞(TAFs)分化。方法将实验分为9组:对照组、IL-6 50 ng/m L及100 ng/m L干预组、TNF-α50 ng/m L及100 ng/m L干预组、IL-6 50 ng/m L+TNF-α50 ng/m L干预组、IL-6 50 ng/m L+TNF-α100 ng/m L干预组、IL-6 100 ng/m L+TNF-α100 ng/m L干预组、IL-6 100 ng/m L+TNF-α50 ng/m L干预组;连续诱导42 d后,通过倒置相差显微镜、流式细胞计量术及Western blot分别检测BMSCs细胞形态、细胞周期及(TAFs)标记分子α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、成纤维细胞活化蛋白(FAP)蛋白的表达。结果与对照组相比,IL-6 100 ng/m L+TNF-α50 ng/m L组可明显促进BMSCs细胞增殖;G1期比例降低,S期比例升高,且α-SMA,FAP蛋白表达显著增加(P0.05)。结论 IL-6 100 ng/m L+TNF-α50 ng/m L所模拟的炎性微环境可诱导BMSCs细胞形态和增殖特性发生异常改变,TAFs标记分子α-SMA和FAP表达量升高。     

视黄酸对TNF-α和IL-6诱导的肺癌细胞分泌C3和B因子的影响

目的:从免疫治疗的角度探讨近年用来治疗恶性肿瘤的视黄酸(RA)与TNF-α、IL-6相互作用对人肺癌细胞株A549分泌C3及B因子的影响。方法:用ELISA、W estern b lot的方法检测培养上清中C3及B因子蛋白,用RT-PCR检测细胞内C3及B因子的mRNA。结果:当TNF-α、IL-6和RA分别为10μg/L、50μg/L和1μmol/L时,ELISA、W estern b lot和RT-PCR法均显示TNF-α、IL-6增进A549细胞分泌C3及B因子和其mRNA表达;RA对A549细胞分泌C3及B因子没有影响;TNF-α组和TNF-α+RA组培养上清中C3的量分别为91.40±12.59和133.59±11.25(ng/106cells)(P<0.01),B因子的量分别为100.54±10.39和190.92±15.40(ng/106cells)(P<0.01);IL-6组及IL-6+RA组培养上清中C3的量分别为63.48±9.42和59.89±5.88(ng/106cells)(P>0.05),B因子的量分别为13.07±2.50和32.89±4.22(ng/106cells)(P<0.01);RA(1μmol/L)对B因子的调节作用与TNF-α的浓度有关,随着TNF-α浓度的升高(0~10μg/L),RA的调节作用减低。结论:RA能上调TNF-α诱导的A549细胞分泌C3和B因子及IL-6诱导的A549分泌B因子。     

IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-α在老龄大鼠急性缺血性脑卒中后多器官功能障碍综合征中的变化

目的：探索外周血和脑组织内IL-1β、IL-6和TNF—α在老龄大鼠急性缺血性脑卒中后多器官功能障碍综合征（MODS）的变化规律及其作用。方法：通过夹闭双侧颈总动脉致大鼠前脑急性缺血，建立老龄大鼠急性缺血性脑卒中后MODS模型，在3个时相点放免法测定MODS组、未发生MODS组、对照组大鼠幕上皮质内、外周血巾IL-1β、IL-6和TNF—α含量变化。结果：急性缺血性脑卒中大鼠与并发MODS大鼠1d时相点后，幕上皮质内、外周血中IL-1β、IL-6和TNF—α含量均明显升高，3d～5d后逐渐下降，其中在1d、3d时相点，MODS大鼠的外周血和幕上皮质内IL-1β、IL-6和TNF—α含量显著高于未发生MODS的大鼠和对照组（P〈0．05）。结论：在老龄大鼠急性缺血性腩卒中后MODS，幕上皮质内、外周血中IL-1β、IL-6和TNF—α表达增强，参与MODS的发病过程。     

八肽胆囊收缩素改善内毒素休克大鼠心肌损伤的实验研究

目的观察八肽胆囊收缩素(CCK-8)改善内毒素休克(ES)大鼠心肌损伤的变化,探讨CCK-8逆转ES心功能衰竭及顽固性低血压的作用机制.方法实验分4组(1)对照组,静脉注射生理盐水0.2mL;(2)LPS组,静脉注射8mg*kg-1LPS;(3)CCK组,静脉注射40μg*kg-1CCK-8;(4)CCK+LPS组,静脉注射40μg*kg-1CCK-8,10min后再注入LPS(8mg*kg-1).股动脉插管监测平均动脉压(MAP),尾静脉穿刺注射药物.分别测定2h、6h心肌组织匀浆中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、丙二醛(MDA)和一氧化氮(NO)含量变化,用ELISA法测定肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)和白介素-1β(IL-1β)含量.结果(1)MAP变化对照组MAP为(14.20±1.38)kPa,静脉注射LPS后MAP快速持续下降,75min降至低谷为(7.16±0.59)kPa;CCK+LPS在CCK注入20min时MAP下降幅度与LPS组无差异,20min后即迅速回升,至120min仍持续在较高水平(10.71±0.45)kPa,仍未恢复至正常水平.(2)SOD活性变化2h、6h对照组SOD为(60.51±2.23)×103U/L和(55.97±4.96)×103U/L,LPS组心肌组织匀浆中SOD活性则明显下降为(48.69±2.30)×103U/L和(34.49±4.69)×103U/L,CCK+LPS组较LPS组SOD活性则明显回升为(56.19±1.83)×103U/L和(41.95±7.44)×103U/L.(3)MDA含量变化2h、6h对照组MDA为(3.43±1.76)μmol/L和(3.68±1.58)μmol/L,LPS组心肌组织匀浆中MDA含量明显上升(19.71±3.02)μmol/L和(36.18±5.26)μmol/L,CCK+LPS组较LPS组MDA含量显著下降为(0.39±2.43)μmol/L和(15.10±2.12)μmol/L.(4)NO含量变化2h、6h对照组NO为(37.96±1.85)mmol/L和(41.98±6.59)mmol/L,LPS组心肌组织匀浆中NO含量明显上升(73.45±8.93)mmol/L和(105.4±3.61)mmol/L,CCK+LPS组较LPS组NO含量显著下降为(60.91±3.15)mmol/L和(70.37±7.68)mmol/L.(5)TNF-α含量变化2h对照组心肌组织匀浆中为(320.81±110.63)ng/L,LPS组TNF-α含量明显上升为(1599.08±227.03)ng/L,CCK+LPS组较LPS组TNF-α含量显著下降为(863.54±123.19)ng/L.(6)IL-1β含量变化6h对照组心肌组织匀浆中为(163.10±80.20)ng/L,LPS组IL-1β含量明显上升为(620.66±144.57)ng/L,CCK+LPS组较LPS组IL-1β含量显著下降为(282.07±92.68)ng/L.结论预先注射CCK-8可以减轻ES大鼠心肌氧化损伤,抑制炎性细胞因子TNF-α及IL-1β产生,影响NOS活性,使NO合成下降,发挥心肌细胞保护作用,恢复心肌收缩力,是其逆转ES心功能衰竭及顽固性低血压的主要机制.     

2.141MODS大鼠结肠IL-6、TNF-α和iNOS的表达和对胃肠运动的影响

目的探讨MODS时细胞因子IL-6、TNF-α和iNOS在结肠的表达和对细菌性腹膜炎MODS大鼠胃肠运动的影响. 方法将20只Wistar大鼠分成二组:正常对照组和MODS模型组,分别观测二组大鼠(1)一小时排便的粪点数;(2)结肠平滑肌环行肌条振幅变化(3)结肠平滑肌光镜、电镜的形态变化;(4)利用免疫组化方法研究结肠平滑肌IL-6、TNF-α和iNOS表达的变化;(5)刮除结肠粘膜后,用RT-PCR法了解结肠平滑肌IL-6mRNA、TNF-αmRNA和iNOSmRNA的变化.(6)测定二组血清NO的变化.     

立体定向去垂体性尿崩症大鼠模型的建立

目的： 建立简便、稳定并符合临床病理特征的去垂体中枢性尿崩症大鼠模型。方法: 将80只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为对照组和模型组,模型组大鼠40只,通过立体定向垂体切除仪经耳道吸除垂体,2组大鼠均经代谢笼收集24 h尿,24 h后处死大鼠心脏取血放免法检测血浆ADH浓度,并在显微镜下解剖蝶鞍区观察垂体摘除是否完全。结果: 立体定向去垂体性尿崩症模型成功率92.5%（37/40）,去垂体大鼠存活率97.30%（36/37）,模型组大鼠术后尿崩症状明显,尿量达（2.44±0.30）mL/h,对照组大鼠尿量为（0.46±0.14）mL/h（P<0.01）;模型组大鼠尿比重（1.011±0.002）低于对照组（1.034±0.003）（P<0.01）,血浆ADH浓度（230.73±13.30）ng/L,低于对照组（951.32±23.11）ng/L（P<0.01）。结论: 立体定向去垂体可以建立稳定的尿崩症大鼠模型。     

IL-11在大鼠→小鼠异种骨髓移植中对急性GVHD的预防作用

接受致死剂量全身照射的BALB/c小鼠静脉注射SD大鼠骨髓细胞4×107和脾细胞4×107/只。处理组从移植前2d～后7d给予皮下注射重组人IL-11,监测存活率及GVHD的发病率,检测受鼠血清TNF-α、IFN-γ与IL-4水平,做混合淋巴细胞培养(MLC)检测脾细胞的增殖状况及TNF-α、IFN-γ与IL-4产量。结果发现与对照组相比,IL-11处理组GVHD发病高峰期后移,程度减轻,生存期明显延长。IL-11处理组的脾细胞增殖明显低于对照组,加入外源性IL-11可抑制淋巴细胞的增殖。处理组淋巴细胞的IL-4产量是对照组的3倍,而IFN-γ与TNF-α产量下降,血清浓度测定的结果与体外培养的结果相符。结果证实在大鼠→小鼠异种骨髓移植中短期给予IL-11能有效地减轻致死性GVHD。     

舒利迭联合孟鲁司特治疗咳嗽变异性哮喘患者气道炎症的影响分析

目的 探讨舒利迭联合孟鲁司特治疗咳嗽变异性哮喘患者气道炎症的影响.方法 选择2015年3月至2016年3月我院诊治的咳嗽变异性哮喘患者70例作为研究对象.按随机数表法分为观察组和对照组各35例.对照组采用舒利迭进行治疗,观察组在对照组的基础上联合孟鲁司特进行治疗.比较两组患者的症状改善用时情况、肺通气功能、促炎症细胞因子水平、嗜酸性粒细胞(Eosinophil,Eos)及呼出气一氧化氮(Fractional exhaled nitric oxide,FeNO)水平.结果 治疗后,观察组症状缓解和消失用时均短于对照组[(6.05±1.44)d比(7.21±1.52)d,(7.63±1.75)d比(8.74±1.58)d](P<0.05);观察组患者肺通气功能中第1秒用力呼气容积(FEV 1)、第1秒用力呼气容积占预计值百分比(FEV 1/pred)、第1秒用力呼气容积占用力肺活量比值(FEV 1/FVC)及呼气峰流速占预计值百分比(PEF/pred)均高于对照组(P<0.05);观察组的白细胞介素(interleukin,IL)-12高于对照组[(84.26±10.97)ng/L比(68.13±9.82)ng/L](P<0.05),肿瘤坏死因子 α(tumour necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)及IL-6均低于对照组[(0.65±0.13)ng/L比(0.94±0.16)ng/L,(14.11±3.78)ng/L比(20.43±4.14)ng/L](P<0.05);观察组患者的Eos及FeNO均低于对照组[(2.61±1.75)%比(5.34±2.03)%,(45.68±11.43)ppb比(78.46±18.42)ppb](P<0.05).结论 舒利迭联合孟鲁司特治疗咳嗽变异性哮喘能有效改善患者肺通气功能,缩短治疗时间,缓解患者气道炎症并改善患者的炎症反应状态,效果显著,值得推广.     

The universal muscular chain reaction,muscle spasm,Torsions, ruptures and extravasations. Chameleons of pathology and some manifestations of simple muscular disorders

Most bodily functions require the coordinated actions of complementary and supplementary paired muscle groups. Where this essential muscular cooperation is lacking, hollow organs may burst and others become literally screwed up, giving rise to many similar spastic diseases such as Torticollis, Twisted ovarian cyst, Torsion of the Testis, Volvulus of the intestines, Varicose Veins, Megacolon, Aortamegaly, Scoliosis, Erb's Palsy, Peyronie's Disease, Main-en-Griffe, Undescended Foot (Pes Cavus), Talipes, Strabismus. Spasm is “panenepidemic” and unclassified examples of Torsion Dystonia and Dyskinesia really are as common as debt and taxes.     

Studien zur humoralen Regulation des erythropoetischen Proliferationsspeichers beim Menschen

Zusammenfassung Die Beeinflussung der Erythroblasten-Proliferation durch das Mikromilieu wurde in vitro mittels Auswertung durch Differential- und Mitosezählungen und Signifikanzberechnung vieler Versuchsreihen auch unter verschiedenen pathologischen Bedingungen getestet.Sowohl die Mitosehäufigkeit wie die Ausreifung waren positiv mit dem Erythropoetingehalt des Medium korreliert. Der Effekt wurde durch Folsäure, Ätiocholanolon und cAMP verstärkt. Cobalt stimulierte ebenso wie Testosteron und Methenolon in vitro unabhängig von der Erythropoetinkonzentration im Medium die Erythroblastenproliferation. Ein vermindertes Eisenangebot störte die endgültige Ausreifung der Erythroblasten zu Retikulozyten und bewirkte dadurch eine Ineffektivität der Erythorpoese. Anhaltspunkte für ein Erythrozyten-Chalon oder einen Erythropoetinhemmkörper ließen sich aus unserem Versuchsansatz nicht gewinnen, weil er die Transformation der pluripotenten in die erythropoetin-sensible Stammzelle nicht einschließt. Als Nebenbefund ergab sich eine Stimulation des granulozytopoetischen Proliferationsspeichers durch Serumzusatz zum Medium von Patienten nach akutem Blutverlust und bei Polycythämia vera.Unterstützt durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft     

HLA study in Amerindian Bolivia La Paz Aymaras

Aymara people has been a relatively homogeneous group since Spanish Conquest by 1,532 CE, even if previously represented a group of various cultural defined populations who gave rise to them. They were and are established in Andean Altiplano around Titikaka Lake (Bolivia, Peru), Argentina and Chile neighborhood, speak Aymara language and have been maintained after Europeans arrival at a lower social status than Quechua (Inca) speaking people. However, both Aymara and Quechua populations acknowledge Titikaka Lake as center of their origins; both languages are also related. Specific high frequencies of HLA-A*02, -A*24 and -A*68, HLA-B*35, -B*39 and -B*48, HLA-DRB1*08:02, -DRB1*09:01, and -DRB1*14:02, and HLA-DQB1*04:02, -DQB1*03:02 and -DQB1*03:01 alleles are found in Aymaras and HLA class II haplotypes common to Andean Amerindians (DRB1*08:02-DQB1*04:02 and DRB1*04:03-DQB1*03:02), like Quechua, Aymara, Uros, Lamas and Mapuche are also found in Easter and other Pacific Islands. Giant human head stone statues at Tiwanaku (Titikaka Lake, Bolivia) are also found at Easter Island. Thus, it is possible a gene and cultural flow between Andean Amerindians and Easter and other Pacific Islands, as it was demonstrated by Thor Heyerdahl in his Kon-Tiki expedition which reached Pacific Islands sailing from El Callao Harbour (Lima, Peru).     

Hypo- und Hypermagnesämie aus kardiologischer Sicht

Zusammenfassung Eine Reihe pathologischer Zustände bedingen Magnesiummangel. Zustände mit Hypermagnesämie sind ebenfalls bekannt, doch wesentlich seltener. Für den Kardiologen beachtenswert ist, daß unter Therapie mit bestimmten Diuretica bei Herzinsuffizienz, bei Herzinfarkt, Kardiomyopathie, Digitalisintoxikation und bestimmten Herzrhythmusstörungen Hypomagnesämie beobachtet wurde. Leider kann in der klinischen Routine nur ein extracelluläres Magnesiumdefizit durch Serumbestimmungen gemessen werden; über Magnesiummangel einzelner Organe kann nichts ausgesagt werden. Hinweise für Magnesiummangel geben aber neben der Messung des Serumspiegels Anamnese, klinischer Befund, bestimmte EKG-Veränderungen wie auch evtl. Hypokalämie, ein Zustand, bei dem sich oft — besonders bei Aldosteronismus — parallele Veränderungen zeigten.Tierexperimente deuten darauf hin, daß infarktähnliche Läsionen unter Magnesiummangel entstehen, doch ob Herzinfarkt beim Menschen durch Magnesiummangel ausgelöst werden kann, ist noch ungeklärt. In Leichenherzen zeigte sich im Infarktgebiet neben Calciumakkumulation signifikanter Magnesiumverlust, wobei unklar blieb, ob sich Ursache oder Folge des Infarktes widerspiegelten. Falls ein ursächlicher Zusammenhang besteht, ist er im Myokardstoffwechsel selbst zu suchen, wie bei der Alkoholkardiomyopathie, wo myokardialer Magnesiummangel zumindest als pathogenetischer Teilfaktor anerkannt wird. Andererseits versucht man aber auch Beziehungen zwischen Atherosklerose, Blutgerinnung und Hypomagnesämie herzustellen, in der Meinung, daß Magnesiummangel auch über den coronaren Pathomechanismus des Herzinfarktes wirken könnte. Sicher scheint, daß gewisse EKG-Veränderungen und Herzrhythmusstörungen durch einen irritierten Magnesiumhaushalt bedingt sein können, da sie bei Gabe bzw. Entzug von Magnesium verschwinden. Daß Magnesiummangel die Glykosidtoleranz verringert, wird tierexperimentell bestätigt. Unter Hypomagnesämie bewirkt Acetylstrophanthidin eher und länger Rhythmusstörungen als ohne, außerdem lassen diese sich durch Magnesiumgaben eliminieren. Da in gewissen Fällen spontane und digitalisinduzierte Herzrythmusstörungen durch Magnesiuminjektionen beseitigt wurden, scheint Magnesium als Therapeuticum angebracht. Einsatz verschiedener Magnesiumsalze bei Angina pectoris, degenerativen Herzerkrankungen und Herzinsuffizienz ohne geprüften und offensichtlich gestörten Magnesiumhaushalt ist fragwürdig, weil keine eindeutigen klinischen Erfolgsbeweise vorliegen. Immerhin mag es aber larvierte, durch Serumbestimmungen nicht erfaßbare Mangelzustände geben. Allgemein erscheint es aus kardiologischer Sicht ratsam, den Magnesiumhaushalt zu überwachen und in entsprechenden Fällen auszugleichen, um möglichen Myokardläsionen oder fatalen Herzrhythmusstörungen entgegenzuwirken.     

Lipid composition of metacestodes of Taenia taeniaeformis and lipid changes during growth

A lipid analysis was performed on developing metacestodes of Taenia taeniaeformis removed from the livers of rats at times varying from 3 to 35 weeks post infection. Lipid accounted for 7–21% of the dry weight of the parasites. The highest proportions were found at the earlier stages. The distribution was as follows; neutral lipid 27–45%; glycolipid 5–11%; and phospholipid 50–61%. The major neutral lipid was cholesterol, and minor neutral lipids were sterol esters, triglycerides, diglycerides and monoglycerides. Hydrocarbons were present throughout development, but in the highest amounts at the earlier stages. Five different glycolipids were found, all of which were identified as glycosphingolipids. An increase in the proportion of more complex glycolipids was noted as parasites grew older. Ten different phospholipids were identified, with the major components being phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylserine. Other phospholipids were: lysophosphatides, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidic acid, diphosphatidylglycerol, sphingomyelin, and an unknown phospholipid component. Changes in the relative amounts of the two major phospholipids were found when the early and late stages were compared. Two lipids found throughout development were identified as glycosylated dolichol phosphates, and they comprised between 1 and 3% of the total phospholipid fraction. Nineteen fatty acids were detected, and the fatty acid distribution for each lipid class at each stage was determined. Seven major fatty acids were common to each. These were: hexadecanoic, octadecanoic, oleic, linoleic, arachidonic, docosanoic, and docosahexaenoic.     

Environmental risk factors and their role in the management of atopic dermatitis

Introduction: The etiology of atopic dermatitis (AD) is multifactorial with interaction between genetics, immune and environmental factors.

Areas covered: We review the role of prenatal exposures, irritants and pruritogens, pathogens, climate factors, including temperature, humidity, ultraviolet radiation, outdoor and indoor air pollutants, tobacco smoke exposure, water hardness, urban vs. rural living, diet, breastfeeding, probiotics and prebiotics on AD.

Expert commentary: The increased global prevalence of AD cannot be attributed to genetics alone, suggesting that evolving environmental exposures may trigger and/or flare disease in predisposed individuals. There is a complex interplay between different environmental factors, including individual use of personal care products and exposure to climate, pollution, food and other exogenous factors. Understanding these complex risk factors is crucial to developing targeted interventions to prevent the disease in millions. Moreover, patients require counseling on optimal regimens for minimization of exposure to irritants and pruritogens and other harmful exposures.     

Simple Serological Assays for Detecting Rice Tungro Viruses

An attempt was made to produce sensitive and specific polyclonal antisera against the viruses causing rice tungro disease, and to assess their potential for use in simple diagnostic tests. Using a multiple, sequential injection procedure, seven batches of polyclonal antisera against rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV) and rice tungro spherical virus (RTSV) were produced. These were characterized for their sensitivity and specificity using ring-interface precipitin test and double antibody sandwich (DAS) ELISA. Thirty-one weeks after the first immunization, antiserum batch B6b for RTBV showed the highest ring interface titer (DEP = 1:1920). For RTSV, batches S3, S4b and S5b all had similar titres (DEP = 1:640). In DAS-ELISA, however, significant differences among purified antisera (IgG) batches were observed only at IgG dilution of 10^-3. At that dilution, IgGB4b showed the greatest sensitivity, while IgGS3 showed greatest sensitivity for RTSV. When all IgG batches were tested against 11 tungro field isolates (dual RTBV-RTSV infections) at sample dilution of 1:10, IgGB4b and IgGB6b for RTBV and IgGS3 and IgGS6b for RTSV performed equally well. However, after cross adsorption with healthy plant extracts in a specially prepared healthy plant-Sepharose affinity column, only IgGB6b could be used specifically to detect RTBV in a simple tissue-print assay.     

Is it worthy to take full-course immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis? About efficacy biomarker of allergen immunotherapy

Nowadays, people pay more attention to biomarkers that can predict clinical efficacy of immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis. As the only recognized aetiological treatment, the efficacy of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has been proved by many studies. However, treatment success depends on compliance and persistence greatly, which can be impaired by the lengthy duration of AIT and socioeconomic status of patients. Besides, ineffectiveness is another factor that accounts for non-adherence. If the clinical efficacy can be predicted in the early stage of immunotherapy, it can help patients choose appropriate treatment plans, increase patient compliance and optimize the allocation of medical resources. This paper mainly focuses on five candidate biomarkers, the sIgE/tIgE ratio before treatment, serum inhibitory activity for IgE, decreased basophil activation, upregulation of Tregs and tolerogenic DCs, reviews the time when potential biomarkers can predict or monitor the efficacy of AIT, discusses the reason why these indicators could serve as efficacy biomarkers and interactions among potential biomarkers.     

Neurotransmitter signaling pathways required for normal development in Xenopus laevis embryos: a pharmacological survey screen

Neurotransmitters are not only involved in brain function but are also important signaling molecules for many diverse cell types. Neurotransmitters are widely conserved, from evolutionarily ancient organisms lacking nervous systems through man. Here, results are reported from a loss‐ and gain‐of‐function survey, using pharmacological modulators of several neurotransmitter pathways to examine possible roles for these pathways in normal embryogenesis. Applying reagents targeting the glutamatergic, adrenergic and dopaminergic pathways to embryos of Xenopus laevis from gastrulation to organogenesis stages, we observed and quantified numerous malformations, including craniofacial defects, hyperpigmentation, muscle mispatterning and miscoiling of the gut. These data implicate several key neurotransmitters in new embryonic patterning roles, reveal novel earlier stages for processes involved in eye development, suggest new targets for subsequent molecular‐genetic investigation, and highlight the necessity for in‐depth toxicology studies of psychoactive compounds to which human embryos might be exposed during pregnancy.     

HLA genes in Amerindians from Mexico San Vicente Tancuayalab Teenek/Huastecos

Huastecos or Teenek Amerindians are presently living at North East Mexico (San Luis Potosi State). They have probably one of the most ancient culture of Mexico and Central America together with Mayas and Olmec groups with which also show close relationships. Proximity to Atlantic Ocean/Mexican Gulf originated that Spaniards had very early contact with them at about 1519 CE or before. In the present paper we have aimed to study HLA gene profile which may be useful for HLA and disease epidemiology and transplant programs in Teeneks. HLA-DRB1*04:07, -DRB1*14:06 and -DRB1*04:11 have been found in high frequency like in other Amerindian groups. High frequency typical Amerindians HLA extended haplotypes have been found, such as A*02-B*35-DRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02; A*68-B*39-DRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02 and A*02-B*39-DRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02; also new haplotypes have been described, like A*02-B*52-DRB1*04:11-DQB1*03:02, A*68-B*35-DRB1*14:02-DQB1*03:01 and A*68-B*40-DRB1*16:02-DQB1*03:01. Genetic proximity is observed not only to linguistically close Mayans, but also to Mazatecans, Mixtecans and Zapotecans, who speak an altogether different languages; it shows once more that genes and languages do not correlate. This population was greatly diminished after European contact between 1500 and 1600 years CE; in fact, North and South America First Inhabitants population was brought from 80 down to 8 million people because of diseases (i.e.: measles, smallpox or influenza), slavery and war.