两种结核分枝杆菌相关γ-干扰素定量检测试剂盒检测结核分枝杆菌感染结果比较研究

目的 评价新的国产结核分枝杆菌相关γ-干扰素定量检测试剂盒（TB-IGRA）--体外释放酶联免疫法诊断结核病的敏感性和特异性。 方法 采用TB-IGRA试剂盒对319例肺结核、23例肺外结核、39例排除结核的肺部疾病和104例健康人群的血清标本进行检测,同时与澳大利亚Cellestis公司的QuantiFERON-TB GOLD in tube（QFT-GIT）试剂进行平行比较分析。 结果 采用TB-IGRA试剂,检测肺结核病人的敏感性为90.9%,肺外结核的敏感性为78.3%,特异性为76.9%;采用QFT-GIT试剂,检测肺结核病人的敏感性为88.4%,肺外结核的敏感性为78.3%,特异性为80.4%,2种试剂进行平行比较,敏感性和特异性方面差异无统计学意义。 结论 TB-IGRA试剂盒对诊断结核病有较高的敏感性和特异性,可用于结核病尤其是涂阴肺结核和肺外结核的辅助诊断。     

γ-干扰素释放试验对结核病患者临床诊断性能评价研究

目的评价采用A.TB试剂[酶联免疫吸附试验(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)]进行结核杆菌特异性γ-干扰素释放试验(interferon-gamma release assays,IGRAs)对结核病的临床诊断性能及应用价值。方法 108例研究对象中,临床明确诊断结核病60例(结核组),非结核病对照者48例(非结核对照组)。同时采用A.TB试剂(ELISA法)和T-SPOT.TB试剂[酶联免疫斑点试验(enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot,ELISPOT)]进行IGRAs。结果 A.TB试剂(ELISA法)检测的灵敏度为86.67%,特异度为85.42%,受试者工作特征曲线(receiver-operating characteristic curve,ROC曲线)下面积为0.822,95%可信区间(confidence interval,CI)为0.733~0.912。T-SPOT.TB试剂(ELSPOT法)检测灵敏度为91.67%,特异度为87.50%,ROC曲线下面积为0.884,95%CI为0.806~0.962。ROC曲线下面积差异无统计学意义(χ2=0.081,P=0.776)。2种检测方法一致率为87.04%(94/108),Kappa值为0.738。结论 A.TB试剂和T-SPOT.TB试剂检测的整体诊断性能相似,且A.TB试剂检测在操作和检测结果判读方面明显优于T-SPOT.TB试剂。     

Rv1656重组蛋白在结核病辅助诊断中的应用价值研究

目的研究结核分枝杆菌Rv1656重组蛋白在结核病辅助诊断中的应用价值。方法以痰涂片、痰培养及3个商品化的结核杆菌抗体试剂盒为对照,应用化学发光酶免疫分析法检测42例结核病患者和54例非结核肺部疾病患者尿液中抗Rv1656抗体水平;绘制抗Rv1656抗体检测工作特征曲线(ROC曲线),确定其诊断结核病的临界值,并评价其诊断效能。结果结核病组患者尿液抗Rv1656抗体为(39517.2±11802.7pg/ml),非结核呼吸病组为(11416.3±1145.4pg/ml),差异有统计学意义(t=3.002,P<0.01);痰菌阴性结核病患者尿液中抗Rv1656抗体为(47011.4±1529.9pg/ml),痰菌阳性结核患者为(15535.7±1629.7pg/ml),差异有统计学意义(t=2.035,P<0.05)。尿Rv1656抗体诊断结核的灵敏度为42.8%,上海奥普血清结核抗体试剂盒为71.4%,差异有统计学意义(χ2=63.87,P<0.01)。尿Rv1656抗体诊断结核的特异性为83.3%,上海奥普血清结核抗体试剂盒为38.9%,差异有统计学意义(χ2=76.15,P<0.01)。结论结核分枝杆菌Rv1656重组蛋白具有抗原特异性可作为尿液结核抗体检测的组合抗原之一。     

γ-干扰素体外释放试验在结核诊断中的应用评价

目的探寻γ-干扰素体外释放试验在结核诊断中的应用价值方法 34例菌阳肺结核患者,238例菌阴肺核患者,33例非结核患者,30例健康体检者,分别进行血清结核杆菌抗体检测、结核菌素试验(TST)以及结核分枝杆菌相关γ-干扰素体外释放酶联免疫试验(TB-IGRA),对其检测结果进行统计分析。结果TB-IGRA、血清结核杆菌抗体试验以及TST的诊断敏感性分别为87.13%、76.10%和64.71%;诊断特异性分别为90.48%、66.67%和71.43%;阳性预测值分别为97.53%、90.79%和90.72%;阴性预测值分别为61.96%、39.25%和31.91%;诊断效率分别为87.77%、74.33%和65.97%。TB-IGRA的诊断敏感性和诊断特异性均显著高于血清结核杆菌抗体试验以及TST(P0.01)。结论 TB-IGRA对结核的诊断具有较高敏感性和特异性,对于菌阴肺结核的辅助诊断和疑似结核感染患者的排除优于其它两种方法。     

γ-干扰素释放分析T-SPOT.TB在结核性疾病中的诊断价值

目的评价γ-干扰素释放分析T-SPOT.TB检测在结核性疾病中的诊断价值。方法采用T-SPOT.TB试剂盒对疑诊或待排结核患者外周血中释放γ-干扰素的结核分枝杆菌特异性T淋巴细胞进行检测。结果γ-干扰素释放分析T-SPOT.TB检测在结核性疾病阳性检出率为83.3%(20/24),明显高于结核菌素试验(tuberculin skin test,TST)的41.7%(10/24)、涂片找抗酸杆菌的26.7%(4/15)、分枝杆菌分离培养的22.2%(2/9),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。γ-干扰素释放分析T-SPOT.TB检测诊断结核性疾病敏感性、特异性分别为83.3%、96.4%,显著优于结核菌素试验。结论γ-干扰素释放分析T-SPOT.TB检测是诊断结核的快速敏感方法,在结核性疾病诊断中有重要价值。     

TB-SA抗体检测对结核病临床诊断价值的研究

目的对TB-SA(Tuberculosis-Specific Antigen)抗体检测用于结核病诊断的价值进行评估。方法2004年5—11月在山东省胸科医院住院的活动性结核病患者230例(菌阳肺结核60例,菌阴肺结核131例,肺外结核39例),非结核呼吸系统疾患者96例,无结核疾患的在校大学生健康志愿者41人,入选病例留取的痰、胸腔积液、腹腔积液、脑脊液标本同时进行抗酸杆菌浓缩集菌,结核杆菌培养,血清样本进行TB-SA抗体检测。结果活动性结核病人血清学检测TB-SA抗体总的敏感性为67.8%。活动性肺结核敏感性为67.6%,肺外结核敏感性为59.0%(P&gt;0.05);诊断结核病总的特异性为76.6%,在非结核呼吸系统疾患中为72.9%,在健康人群中为85.4%。结论TB-SA抗体检测是一种快速、简单、有较好敏感性和特异性的结核病辅助诊断手段,对菌阴肺结核及不易取得细菌学检查标本的肺外结核病、儿童结核病有较高的参考价值。     

全血γ干扰素测定试验在承德地区结核病诊断价值研究

目的探讨全血γ干扰素测定试验(TB-IGRA)在承德地区结核分枝杆菌感染的临床价值。方法选取自2014年5月1日至2015年5月1日间,来中国人民解放军第二六六医院就诊和住院治疗的142例结核病患者、85例非活动性结核患者,均行全血特异性γ干扰素(IFN-γ)含量测定,同时与抗酸染色和血结核抗体检测进行平行比较分析。结果结核病患者体内γ干扰素(IFN-γ)水平显著高于非结核病患者,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);全血γ干扰素测定试验对结核分枝杆菌(MTB)感染者的敏感性为88.73%(126/142),特异性为88.24%(75/85);142例结核病患者中,抗酸染色和血结核抗体的阳性率分别为:41.55%(59/142)和65.49%(93/142),全血γ干扰素测定试验与抗酸染色、结核抗体阳性率差异有统计学意义(P0.01、P0.05)。结论全血γ干扰素测定试验可以快速、有效的诊断结核分枝杆菌感染患者,是一种适合本地区结核病诊断的试验方法。     

TB-SA抗体检测对结核病临床诊断价值的研究

目的　对TB-SA(Tuberculosis-Specific Antigen)抗体检测用于结核病诊断的价值进行评估。方法 2004年5—11月在山东省胸科医院住院的活动性结核病患者230例(菌阳肺结核60例,菌阴肺结核131例,肺外结核39例),非结核呼吸系统疾患者96例,无结核疾患的在校大学生健康志愿者41人,入选病例留取的痰、胸腔积液、腹腔积液、脑脊液标本同时进行抗酸杆菌浓缩集菌,结核杆菌培养,血清样本进行TB-SA抗体检测。结果 活动性结核病人血清学检测TB-SA抗体总的敏感性为67.8%。活动性肺结核敏感性为67.6%,肺外结核敏感性为59.0%(P>0.05);诊断结核病总的特异性为76.6%,在非结核呼吸系统疾患中为72.9%,在健康人群中为85.4%。结论 TB-SA抗体检测是一种快速、简单、有较好敏感性和特异性的结核病辅助诊断手段,对菌阴肺结核及不易取得细菌学检查标本的肺外结核病、儿童结核病有较高的参考价值。     

γ-干扰素释放试验在活动性肺结核诊断中的价值

目的在我国西南部结核病高发区,评价结核γ-干扰素释放试验(tuberculosis interferonγ release assay, TB-IGRA)在疑似肺结核中诊断活动性肺结核的价值。 方法纳入2018年12月20日至2019年12月20日在贵州省织金县人民医院诊断的疑似肺结核患者1 627名,用TB-IGRA、结核菌素皮肤实验(TST)、结核分枝杆菌抗体(TBAb)或结核分枝杆菌免疫球蛋白(TB-Ig)检测诊断活动性肺结核,比较其敏感性、特异性、准确性。并分析卡介苗(Bacillus Calmette-Guérin, BCG)接种对结果的影响。 结果TB-IGRA的敏感性、特异性和准确性,依次为：91.26%、80.13%和89.37%,均高于TST、TB-IgG的检测。TB-IGRA诊断疑似肺结核中的活动性肺结核,不受BCG接种的影响(χ²＝0.05,P＝0.83)。BCG接种对TST诊断疑似肺结核中的活动性肺结核影响明显(χ²＝108.17,P<0.001)。 结论TB-IGRA在我国西南部结核病高发区诊断活动性肺结核有很高的敏感性、特异性,较TST、TB-Ig有更高价值,且不受BCG接种的影响。     

干扰素体外释放酶联免疫法在结核病诊断中的价值

目的 分析干扰素体外释放酶联免疫法(quantitative diagnostic kit for Mycobacterium tuberculosis IFN-γ release assay,TB-IGRA)在结核病诊断中的应用价值。 方法 用北京万泰生物药业股份有限公司生产的结核分枝杆菌相关γ-干扰素检测试剂盒（体外释放酶联免疫法）（Wantai quantitative diagnostic kit for Mycobacterium tuberculosis IFN-γ release assay, WT-IGRA）（简称WT试剂）和澳大利亚Cellestis有限公司生产的QuantiFERON^®-TB(QuantiFERON^®-TB GOLD in tube,QFT-GIT)（简称QFT试剂）检测病区与门诊结核患者（249例）及健康者（140例）的全血标本,结果与其结核菌素试验（PPD）、痰结核分枝杆菌培养及痰涂片结果相比较,分析TB-IGRA阳性率、特异度及试剂间的相关性。结果 249例结核病患者,WT试剂和QFT试剂阳性率分别为76.3%（190/249）和67.1%（167/249）,特异度都是83.3%（100/120）;痰菌阳性和痰菌阴性结核病组,WT试剂阳性率分别为74.1%（43/58）和76.1%（83/109）,差异无统计学意义（χ²=0.082,P＞0.05）;QFT试剂阳性率分别为67.2%（39/58）和65.1%（71/109）,差异无统计学意义（χ²=0.075,P＞0.05）;WT试剂与QFT试剂总符合率为84.3%。 结论 TB-IGRA对结核病有一定的诊断价值。     

Three layer functional model and energy exchange concept of aging process

Relying on a certain degree of abstraction, we can propose that no particular distinction exists between animate or living matter and inanimate matter. While focusing attention on some specifics, the dividing line between the two can be drawn. The most apparent distinction is in the level of structural and functional organization with the dissimilar streams of ‘energy flow’ between the observed entity and the surrounding environment. In essence, living matter is created from inanimate matter which is organized to contain internal intense energy processes and maintain lower intensity energy exchange processes with the environment. Taking internal and external energy processes into account, we contend in this paper that living matter can be referred to as matter of dissipative structure, with this structure assumed to be a common quality of all living creatures and living matter in general. Interruption of internal energy conversion processes and terminating the controlled energy exchange with the environment leads to degeneration of dissipative structure and reduction of the same to inanimate matter, (gas, liquid and/or solid inanimate substances), and ultimately what can be called ‘death.’ This concept of what we call dissipative nature can be extended from living organisms to social groups of animals, to mankind. An analogy based on the organization of matter provides a basis for a functional model of living entities. The models relies on the parallels among the three central structures of any cell (nucleus, cytoplasm and outer membrane) and the human body (central organs, body fluids along with the connective tissues, and external skin integument). This three-part structural organization may be observed almost universally in nature. It can be observed from the atomic structure to the planetary and intergalactic organizations. This similarity is corroborated by the membrane theory applied to living organisms. According to the energy nature of living matter and the proposed functional model, the decreased integrity of a human body's external envelope membrane is a first cause of the structural degradation and aging of the entire organism. The aging process than progresses externally to internally, as in single cell organisms, suggesting that much of the efforts towards the restoration and maintenance of the mechanisms responsible for structural development should be focused accordingly, on the membrane, i.e., the skin. Numerous reports indicate that all parts of the human body, like: bones, blood with blood vessels, muscles, skin, and so on, have some ability for restoration. Therefore, actual revival of not only aging tissue of the human body's membrane, but the entire human body enclosed within, with all internal organs, might be expected. We assess several aging theories within the context of our model and provide suggestions on how to activate the body's own anti-aging mechanisms and increase longevity. This paper presents some analogies and some distinctions that exist between the living dissipative structure matter and inanimate matter, discusses the aging process and proposes certain aging reversal solutions.     

Unusual responses of nocturnal pineal melatonin synthesis and secretion to swimming: Attempts to define mechanisms

Abstract: The effect of swimming at night on rat pineal melatonin synthesis was compared with that of light exposure at night. Rats were forced to swim at 0030 hr (lights out at 2000 hr) and sacrificed by decapitation 15 and 30 min later, immediately after swimming. Other groups of animals were exposed to white light (650μW/cm²) for 15 and 30 min at same time. Swimming caused a rapid and highly significant drop in the melatonin content in the pineal gland; however, the activity of N-acetyltransferase (NAT), the supposed rate limiting enzyme in the melatonin production, was not changed. Despite the drop in pineal melatonin levels, serum concentrations of the indole remained elevated in the rats that swam. In contrast, melatonin levels in the pineal and serum of light exposed rats fell precipitously, accompanied by a significant suppression of NAT activity. Since we anticipated that the strenuous exercise associated with swimming may induce release of artrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) from the heart, which in turn could cause the release of pineal melatonin, in a second study we injected physiological saline intravenously to stretch the cardiac muscle and release ANP. Three milliliters of normal saline was injected during the day into the jugular vein of anesthetized rats that were pretreated with isoproterenol to stimulate pineal melatonin production. Animals were killed 15 min after the saline injection, and pineal NAT activity and pineal melatonin levels were measured. The saline injections caused no alteration in the elevated levels of either NAT or melatonin. These data suggest that the disparity in pineal NAT activity (which was high) and pineal melatonin (which was low), in animals swum at night, may not be caused by ANP which is released during strenuous exercise such as swimming.     

Melatonin and photoperiodic time measurement: Seasonal breeding in the sheep

Abstract: Well-established circadian physiology supports the view that photoperiodic time measurement utilizes the coincidence between the presence of light and a photosensitive phase of a 'biological clock' to alter reproductive status—the so-called external coincidence model of seasonal breeding. In this review, we examine the mechanism whereby photoperiod interacts with presumed suprachiasmatic nuclei activity to allow endogenous melatonin to normally synchronize reproductive activity to the optimal time of year. The Romney Marsh sheep is particularly explored as an experimental model. It is suggested that the on/off activity of seasonal reproduction may be a robust mechanism able to be predictably manipulated by the judicious use of the light/dark cycle and exogenous melatonin, but firmly based on circadian principles.     

Serological survey of HIV and syphilis in pregnant women in Madagascar

Objectives Peripartal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, leads to severe consequences for newborns. Preventive measures require awareness of the maternal infection. Although HIV and syphilis testing in Madagascar could be theoretically carried out within the framework of the national pregnancy follow‐up scheme, the required test kits are rarely available at peripheral health centres. In this study, we screened blood samples of pregnant Madagascan women for HIV and syphilis seroprevalence to estimate the demand for systemic screening in pregnancy. Methods Retrospective anonymous serological analysis for HIV and syphilis was performed in plasma samples from 1232 pregnant women that were taken between May and July 2010 in Ambositra, Ifanadiana, Manakara, Mananjary, Moramanga and Tsiroanomandidy (Madagascar) during pregnancy follow‐up. Screening was based on Treponema pallidum haemagglutination tests for syphilis and rapid tests for HIV, with confirmation of positive screening results on line assays. Results Out of 1232 pregnant women, none were seropositive for HIV and 37 (3%) were seropositive for Treponema pallidum. Conclusions Our findings are in line with previous studies that describe considerable syphilis prevalence in the rural Madagascan population. The results suggest a need for screening to prevent peripartal Treponema pallidum transmission, while HIV is still rare. If they are known, Treponema pallidum infections can be easily, safely and inexpensively treated even in pregnancy to reduce the risk of transmission.     

Variabilité des concentrations plasmatiques de l’angiotensinogène et risque d’hypertension artérielle chez le rat transgénique

Aim

Genetic polymorphisms of the human angiotensinogen gene are frequent and may induce up to 30% increase of plasma angiotensinogen concentrations with a blood pressure increase of up to 5 mmHg. Their role for the pathogenesis of human arterial hypertension remains unclear. High plasma angiotensinogen levels could increase the sensitivity to other blood pressure stressors.

Methods

Male transgenic rats with a 9-fold increase of plasma angiotensinogen concentrations and male non-transgenic rats aged 10 weeks were treated or not with NG-Nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester for 3 weeks in their drinking water (n = 3/group). Systolic blood pressure and body weight were measured at baseline and at the end of the study when left ventricular weight and ventricular expression of angiotensin I-converting enzyme and procollagen Iα1 were determined (polymerase chain reaction).

Results

At baseline, transgenic rats had +18 mmHg higher bood pressure and –8% lower body weight compared to non-transgenic rats (P < 0.05) without significant changes for the vehicle groups throughout the study (P > 0.05). NG-Nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester increased blood pressure, left ventricular weight and left ventricular weight indexed for body weight by +41%, +17.6% and +18.6% (P < 0.05) in transgenic and +25%, +5.3% and +6.7% (P > 0.05) in non-transgenic rats compared to untreated animals, respectively. Cardiac gene expression showed no differences between groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Increased plasma angiotensinogen levels may sensitize to additional blood pressure stressors. Our preliminary results point towards an independent role of angiotensinogen in the pathogenesis of human hypertension and associated end-organ damage.     

Morphological and immunocytochemical heterogeneity of cultured pinealocytes from one-week-and two-month-old rats: Planimetric and densitometric investigations

Abstract: In vitro preparations of rat pinealocytes are widely used for biochemical analyses of signal transduction processes. This paper deals with morphological and immunocytochemical features of such preparations. Special attention was paid to the problems of whether pinealocytes represent a heterogeneous cell population and how such heterogeneity may develop during ontogeny. The investigations were performed with cells which were obtained from the pineal organ of one-week-and two-month-old rats, attached to synthetic peptide-coated coverslips or tissue culture chamber slides, and maintained under in vitro conditions overnight. The attached cells were then fixed with paraformaldehyde. These preparations yielded monolayers of spherical cells of different sizes; most cells were isolated, but some of them were aggregated and formed small clusters. On the average, the cells from the one-week-old animals were smaller than the cells from the two-month-old animals. Immunocytochemical demonstration of S-antigen, a pinealocyte-specific marker, showed that the majority of the cells from two-month-old animals were intensely or moderately labelled. Pinealocytes from one-week-old animals were less S-antigen immunoreactive. Only very few cells (less than 1% displayed glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-immunoreactivity. Planimetric investigations of the cell size and semiquantitative densitometric investigations of the intensity of the S-antigen immunoreaction revealed that (i) pinealocytes kept in vitro form a heterogeneous cell population, and that (ii) this heterogeneity increases during postnatal development from one-week-old to two-month-old animals. Two groups of pinealocytes can be distinguished based on their developmental fate: pinealocytes of one group grow dramatically, but show only a moderate increase in S-antigen immunoreactivity, and pinealocytes of the other group retain their size, but display a distinct increment in S-antigen immunoreacti vitv.     

MUTATION FREQUENCY IN NURSES AND PHARMACISTS WORKING WITH CYTOTOXIC DRUGS

Individuals occupationally exposed to cytotoxic drugs may be at risk owing to the effects of these agents on DNA. As an index of DNA damage, in vivo mutations were measured in lymphocytes from 24 oncology nurses or pharmacists and 24 matched controls. Mutation frequency was significantly increased in exposed individuals and appeared to be related to duration of exposure. However, the overall magnitude of the increase was small and its biological significance remains to be determined.