补肾通络方抑制NF-κB/RANK/RANKL通路减轻胶原蛋白诱导关节炎(CIA)大鼠骨破坏

目的探讨补肾通络方(BSTL)对胶原蛋白诱导关节炎(CIA)大鼠模型骨破坏的改善作用以及对核因子κB/核因子κB受体激活蛋白/核因子κB受体激活蛋白配体(NF-κB/RANK/RANKL)信号通路的影响。方法将SD大鼠随机分为空白对照组、CIA模型组、1 mg/kg甲氨喋呤(MTX)处理组、(0.5、2) g/kgBSTL处理组,每组10只。除空白对照组外,其余大鼠采用含有卡介苗的完全Freund佐剂和牛Ⅱ型胶原蛋白(Col2)混合乳液免疫刺激,建立CIA模型。建模15 d后(第0天)根据关节炎指数(AI)评价造模是否成功。自第0天起,连续给予MTX或BSTL处理28 d,免疫组织化学染色法检测滑膜组织NF-κB p65的表达,ELISA检测大鼠血清白细胞介素1β(IL-1β)、IL-18、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)、抗总Col2抗体及亚型(Col2-IgG、Col2-IgG1、Col2-IgG2a)水平,Western blot法检测滑膜组织RANKL、RANK、护骨因子(OPG)蛋白表达。结果与CIA模型组相比,2 g/kg BSTL处理28 d的大鼠足容积、AI值降低,血清IL-1β、IL-18、TNF-α、Col2-IgG、Col2-IgG2a以及RANK和RANKL水平均降低,OPG水平升高;大鼠滑膜组织中NF-κB p65、RANK和RANKL蛋白表达均降低,OPG蛋白表达增加。结论 BSTL可通过抑制全身炎症反应,降低滑膜组织中NF-κB p65、RANK、RANKL蛋白的表达,上调OPG蛋白表达,缓解CIA模型大鼠关节炎症和肿胀。     

核因子-κB诱骗剂处理的DC对胶原诱导性关节炎大鼠外周血IFN-γ、IL-1O、抗Ⅱ型胶原抗体水平的影响

目的 探讨核因子-κB诱骗剂(NF-κB ODN Decoy)处理的DC对Ⅱ型胶原诱导性关节炎(CIA)大鼠血清IFN-γ、IL-10、抗Ⅱ型胶原抗体水平的影响及作用机制.方法 建立Ⅱ型胶原诱导性大鼠关节炎模型,NF-κB诱骗剂处理并负载牛Ⅱ型胶原(BⅡC)的大鼠脾脏来源的DC,在初次免疫第5天经尾静脉注射到CIA大鼠体内,并设空白对照组、CIA模型组和BⅡC-decoy-DC实验组.42 d后观察各组关节炎指数和病理变化,采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测各组大鼠血清中IFN-γ、IL-10、抗Ⅱ型胶原抗体的含量.结果 与空白对照组相比,CIA模型组大鼠血清中IFN-γ、抗Ⅱ型胶原抗体含量升高,而IL-10含量降低(P＜0.05),而BⅡC-decoy-DC实验组经NF-κB诱骗剂处理并负载BⅡC获得的DC注射后,与CIA模型组相比,血清中IFN-γ、抗Ⅱ型胶原抗体含量降低,而IL-10含量升高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 NF-κB诱骗剂处理并负载BⅡC的DC具有明显抑制CIA大鼠外周血IFN-γ和抗BⅡC抗体产生,促进IL-10水平的增加,对类风湿关节炎有较好的治疗作用.     

昆明山海棠对CIA大鼠足爪组织MMP-13蛋白表达及血清和足爪组织中IL-12、IL-23和IL-37水平的影响

目的:探讨昆明山海棠(Tripterygium hypoglaucum Hutch,THH)对胶原性关节炎(collagen-induced arthritis,CIA)大鼠的干预作用及可能的机制。方法:SD大鼠50只,随机分为正常组和胶原性关节炎模型制作组,用鸡Ⅱ型胶原诱导制作CIA大鼠模型。将造模成功的36只大鼠随机分为模型组、地塞米松治疗组与THH 200 mg/kg、400 mg/kg干预组。ELISA法检测CIA大鼠血清和足爪组织中促炎因子IL-12、IL-23和抑炎因子IL-37的含量;HE染色观察各组大鼠足爪组织病理学变化;Western blot法检测足爪组织MMP-13蛋白的表达;荧光标记法检测大鼠足爪组织中MMP-13的活性。结果:较模型组比较,THH 400 mg/kg治疗组大鼠体重下降明显减轻(P0.01),血清中IL-12和IL-23的水平分别降低了28.31%和41.57%(P0.01),足爪组织中IL-12和IL-23的含量分别下降了30.78%和39.46%,而血清和足爪组织中IL-37的水平显著升高了79.43%和75.78%(P0.01),足爪皮下组织病理变化明显减轻,足爪组织中MMP-13蛋白表达降低了49.22%(P0.01),且MMP-13活性明显下降。而THH 200 mg/kg治疗组大鼠上述指标无明显改善。结论:THH对CIA大鼠炎症的明显抑制作用可能与其降低促炎因子IL-12和IL-23、增高抑炎因子IL-37含量,抑制炎性细胞浸润及血管增生、下调MMP-13蛋白表达、降低MMP-13活性有关。     

甘草附子汤加减方通过抑制GSDMD介导的焦亡治疗CIA大鼠的作用机制研究

目的：探讨甘草附子汤加减方（GCFZD）抑制gasdermin D (GSDMD)介导细胞焦亡途径对胶原诱导性关节炎（CIA）大鼠的治疗效果。方法：SD大鼠尾跟部注射由牛Ⅱ型胶原与弗氏佐剂混合形成的乳化剂，构建CIA大鼠模型并对其关节炎指数进行评估，将成功诱发关节炎的30只雄性SD大鼠随机分为模型组、甘草附子汤低（4 g/kg）、中（8 g/kg）和高（16 g/kg）剂量组及甲氨蝶呤（1 mg/kg）组，每组6只，连续给药30 d。测定大鼠的体重、关节炎指数和足爪肿胀指数；X线影像学观察骨质破坏和软组织厚度改变；HE染色观察脾脏和关节组织病理学改变；番红O-固绿染色观察关节软骨改变；TUNEL染色观察关节内细胞焦亡发生情况；Western blot测定TLR4、caspase-1、NLRP3和GSDMD蛋白表达；real-time PCR和ELISA测定IL-1β、IL-6和IL-10细胞因子表达。结果：与模型组相比，GCFZD治疗显著改善CIA大鼠软组织肿胀和骨质破坏，降低脾脏和胸腺指数；HE染色结果显示，GCFZD治疗减轻CIA大鼠脾脏和踝关节组织病理学改变；番红O-固绿染色结果...     

基于TLR4 / NF-κB 信号通路探讨通痹胶囊对胶原诱导型关节炎治疗机制的研究

目的:基于TLR4/NF-κB信号通路研究通痹胶囊对胶原诱导型关节炎(CIA)的治疗机制。方法:48只SD大鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、雷公藤组(0. 01 g/kg)和通痹胶囊低(0. 075 g/kg)、中(0. 150 g/kg)、高(0. 300 g/kg)剂量组,每组8只;使用牛Ⅱ型胶原和完全弗氏佐剂(CFA)建立大鼠CIA模型;采用HE染色观察滑膜组织病理情况,ELISA检测大鼠血清中白介素1β(IL-1β)、白介素6(IL-6)和肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)水平,Western blot检测滑膜组织中Toll样受体4(TLR4)、髓样分化因子88(MyD88)和核因子κB(NF-κB)蛋白表达水平。结果:与正常大鼠相比,模型大鼠关节肿胀度均显著升高,通痹胶囊治疗后关节肿胀度显著降低,模型组滑膜组织增生明显,炎症细胞浸润,关节软骨破坏,通痹胶囊治疗明显改善滑膜组织的增生,降低炎症细胞的浸润;模型组大鼠血清中IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α水平和滑膜组织中TLR4、MyD88、NF-κB蛋白水平显著升高,通痹胶囊处理后显著降低血清中IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α水平和滑膜组织中TLR4、MyD88、NF-κB蛋白表达;与通痹胶囊高剂量组相比,TLR4激动剂处理显著提高血清中IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α水平和滑膜组织中TLR4、MyD88、NF-κB蛋白表达。结论:通痹胶囊可以通过抑制TLR4/NF-κB信号通路,降低炎性反应,显著改善CIA症状。     

HLA-DRB1结合性Ⅱ型胶原多肽抑制胶原性关节炎的实验研究

目的:研究替换CⅡ263-272序列中的268~270位氨基酸的变构肽sub268-270对胶原性关节炎(CIA)的抑制作用。方法:使用牛CⅡ在Lewis大鼠诱发CIA。以CⅡ变构肽sub268-27090μg静脉注射,每周1次治疗CIA;设置无关肽对照和空白对照组。从关节炎症积分、放射学积分和病理学积分来评价变构肽疗效。结果:变构肽、无关肽及空白对照组关节炎症积分分别为5.60±1.24、11.20±1.21和11.80±1.22,变构肽可明显抑制CIA关节炎症(P<0.01)。变构肽组的放射学积分(1.32±0.49)明显低于无关肽组(2.63±0.51)和空白对照组(2.69±0.53)(P<0.01)。此外,变构肽组的病理学积分(1.37±0.53)也显著低于无关肽组(2.94±0.63)和空白对照组(3.06±0.65)(P<0.01)。结论:CⅡ变构肽sub268-270可以明显抑制胶原性关节炎的关节炎症、病理损伤及骨破坏程度。     

二妙散对CIA 大鼠关节NF-κBp50 和ERK1 / 2 表达特性的影响

目的:探究不同浓度二妙散(EMS)对CIA大鼠关节中NF-κBp50和ERK1/2表达特性的影响。方法:构建胶原性关节炎(CIA)大鼠模型,灌胃给予不同浓度EMS,ELISA检测血清IL-6、IL-10和TNF-α表达,qRT-PCR和Western blot检测大鼠关节NF-κBp50和ERK1/2 mRNA和蛋白表达,免疫组化技术进行定位。结果:成功构建CIA大鼠模型,NF-κBp50、ERK1/2在不同实验组大鼠关节中均有表达,在CIA大鼠关节中的表达显著高于其他实验组(P0.01),3.0 g/kg EMS组大鼠关节NF-κBp50、ERK1/2 mRNA和蛋白水平最高(P0.01),大鼠关节滑膜成纤维细胞、内皮细胞、基质细胞和巨噬细胞中均检测到阳性信号(P0.05)。结论:NF-κBp50和ERK1/2参与RA发生发展,3.0 g/kg EMS可显著抑制炎症因子、NF-κBp50和ERK1/2表达,对于阐明EMS治疗RA的作用机制具有重要意义。     

耐受性树突状细胞通过降低Th1细胞和Th17细胞比例减轻CIA大鼠的关节炎症和病变

目的初步探讨核因子κB寡脱氧核苷酸诱骗剂(NF-κB ODN decoy)诱导建立的耐受性树突状细胞(tolDC)对胶原蛋白诱导性关节炎(CIA)大鼠1型辅助T(Th1)细胞、 Th2细胞、 Th17细胞、调节性T细胞(Treg)的影响及干预效果。方法取SD雌性大鼠建立CIA大鼠模型,设CIA模型组、牛Ⅱ型胶原蛋白-诱骗剂-树突状细胞(Col2-decoy DC)处理组、空白对照组、 Col2-decoy DC对照组。于初次免疫的第20天尾静脉注射tolDC进行处理,造模第7周处死大鼠。流式细胞术检测大鼠脾脏Th1细胞、 Th2细胞、 Th17细胞、 Treg比例,HE染色检测踝关节病变情况,并对关节炎指数(AI)进行评分。结果与CIA模型组相比,Col2-decoy DC组AI降低且踝关节病变减轻,脾脏CD4~+ T细胞中Th1细胞、 Th17细胞百分率降低而Th2细胞、 Treg百分率升高。结论 tolDC通过降低CD4~+ T细胞中Th1细胞和Th17细胞比率减轻CIA大鼠炎症和关节病变。     

非T 细胞结合肽( FNS007) 对胶原诱导型大鼠关节炎的影响

目的：探讨非T细胞结合肽（FNS007）对大鼠Ⅱ型胶原（Collagen typeⅡ,CⅡ）诱导的关节炎（Collagen-induced arthritis,CIA）的影响及可能机制。方法：以牛CⅡ免疫Lewis大鼠诱发CIA模型后,随机分为模型组、FNS007低（0.25 mg/kg）、中（0.5 mg/kg）、高（1.0 mg/kg）剂量组及阳性药(甲氨蝶呤)组,另设空白对照组,尾静脉注射相应药物,隔天一次,空白对照组及模型组大鼠给予溶媒磷酸盐缓冲液(Phosphate buffered solution,PBS)。实验期间观察踝关节宽度以及爪厚度,关节炎评分。给药后第22天处死大鼠,ELISA法测定血清中TNF-α、IFN-γ和IL-6的水平及抗CⅡ抗体水平;X光分析FNS007对CIA大鼠后爪骨损伤的疗效,并对大鼠踝关节进行组织病理学检查。 结果：FNS007 高剂量明显抑制CIA大鼠足爪肿胀程度,爪厚度和踝关节宽度明显降低;炎症评分明显降低; 血清促炎性细胞因子TNF-α、IFN-γ、IL-6的含量和抗CⅡ抗体的水平明显降低; X光评分和组织病理评分明显降低。FNS007 中剂量和低剂量组的以上指标也有不同程度的改善。 结论：FNS007对大鼠CIA具有治疗作用,其机制与其抑制T细胞活化,抑制CIA大鼠体内抗CⅡ 的产生,并降低促炎性细胞因子TNF-α、IFN-γ、IL-6的含量,从而抑制异常免疫反应有关。     

Ubc13 对胶原诱导性关节炎小鼠体内Treg / Th17 平衡的影响研究

目的:研究重组泛素结合酶2N(Ubc13)蛋白对胶原诱导性关节炎(CIA)模型小鼠体内调节性T细胞(Treg和辅助性T细胞17(Th17)平衡的影响。方法:小鼠随机分为空白对照组(空白组),CIA模型对照组(模型组),CIA+5μg Ubc13组(低剂量组),CIA+25μg Ubc13组(中剂量组),CIA+50μg Ubc13组(高剂量组)。模型组与Ubc13各剂量组小鼠第0天尾根部皮下注射胶原,第21天加强免疫,建立CIA模型。第21天开始Ubc13各剂量组分别每天皮下注射Ubc13重组蛋白,模型组注射等体积生理盐水。二次免疫56 d后,剖解小鼠,取小鼠脾淋巴细胞,流式细胞术检测Treg细胞和Th17细胞数目,实时定量PCR(qRT-PCR)检测小鼠脾脏维甲酸相关受体c(RORc)、白介素23(IL-23)、叉头转录因子p3(Foxp3)和白介素17(IL-17) mRNA水平,HE染色鉴定小鼠关节病理特征。结果:Ubc13能显著提高小鼠Treg细胞在Th细胞中的比率(P0. 05),并改善关节炎症。与模型组相比,Ubc13各剂量组脾脏中IL-23、IL-17和RORγt的表达量显著降低(P0. 05),HE染色显示Ubc13各组小鼠关节损伤均显著减轻。结论:皮下注射Ubc13可通过增加CIA模型小鼠体内Treg的数量,降低Th17细胞相关基因的表达,改善CIA小鼠关节炎。     

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.