慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者甲状腺激素水平变化的临床分析

目的 检测慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)患者血清甲状腺激素水平的变化,并分析其临床意义.方法 应用化学发光微粒子免疫分析方法检测84例住院COPD患者急性发作时和好转出院2周后血清中TT3、TT4、FI3、FT4、高敏促甲状腺激素(sTSH),并与60名健康志愿者的甲状腺激素水平相互比较.结果 COPD患者的TT3、TT4、FT3、FT4水平明显低于对照组,sTSH高于对照组.在COPD组中TT3、FT3低于正常值的比例明显高于TT4和FT4.COPD患者出院2周后的甲状腺激素水平有一定程度的升高,但仍低于对照组.结论 COPD患者的甲状腺激素水平发生变化,多数表现为低T3综合征,可通过检测激素水平指导COPD患者的治疗和预测预后.     

Brain injury-associated biomarkers of TGF-beta1, S100B,GFAP, NF-L,tTG, AbetaPP,and tau were concomitantly enhanced and the UPS was impaired during acute brain injury caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Toxocara canis</Emphasis>in mice

Background  

Because the outcomes and sequelae after different types of brain injury (BI) are variable and difficult to predict, investigations on whether enhanced expressions of BI-associated biomarkers (BIABs), including transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), S100B, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neurofilament light chain (NF-L), tissue transglutaminases (tTGs), β-amyloid precursor proteins (AβPP), and tau are present as well as whether impairment of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is present have been widely used to help delineate pathophysiological mechanisms in various BIs. Larvae of Toxocara canis can invade the brain and cause BI in humans and mice, leading to cerebral toxocariasis (CT). Because the parasitic burden is light in CT, it may be too cryptic to be detected in humans, making it difficult to clearly understand the pathogenesis of subtle BI in CT. Since the pathogenesis of murine toxocariasis is very similar to that in humans, it appears appropriate to use a murine model to investigate the pathogenesis of CT.     

Genetic association of vitamin D receptor polymorphisms with autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis in the Chinese

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) are two autoimmune diseases of unknown etiology. Genetic factors appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of both diseases. Vitamin D has been shown to exert multiple immunomodulatory effects, which acts through its own receptor (VDR). Polymorphisms of VDR had been implicated in several autoimmune diseases. In the present study, the association between Chinese patients with AIH, PBC and the polymorphisms in exon 2, intron 8 and exon 9 of vitamin D receptor genes was studied. METHODS: Four candidate gene loci were investigated in 49 patients with AIH, 58 patients with PBC, and 160 healthy controls. The VDR polymorphisms were assessed by FokI, BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI endonuclease digestion after specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. RESULTS: The result show a significant difference in FokI polymorphism between AIH patients and controls (chi(2) = 5.47, P = 0.019), and a significant association in BsmI polymorphisms between PBC patients and controls (chi(2) = 6.52, P = 0.01). Furthermore the distribution of FokI, BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI gene types differed between Chinese healthy controls and Caucasian healthy controls. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that there is a genetic link of VDR polymorphisms to autoimmune liver diseases such as AIH and PBC in Chinese patients. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which VDR polymorphisms contribute to the lose of immune tolerance in autoimmune diseases.     

Adenosine-mediated bronchoconstriction and lung inflammation in an allergic mouse model

In this study, we studied the role of adenosine on airway responsiveness and airway inflammation using an allergic mouse model. Mice were sensitized by two i.p. injections of ragweed and three consecutive ragweed aerosol challenges. It was found that inhalation of adenosine causes a dose-related bronchoconstriction in this model. Ragweed sensitized and challenged mice showed increased sensitivity to airway challenge to adenosine compared to control animals. Theophylline, a non-selective adenosine receptor antagonist, blocked adenosine-induced bronchoconstriction, but was unable to inhibit bronchoconstrictor response to methacholine. Mice systemically sensitized and airway challenged with allergen showed a marked airway inflammation manifesting increases in eosinophils, lymphocytes and neutrophils, and decrease in macrophages. Twenty-four hours after airway challenge with allergen, aerosolization of adenosine further potentiated the allergen-induced airway inflammation. Cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after adenosine aerosolization increased by 3.07-fold as compared to control mice, and by 1.8-fold compared to ragweed sensitized and challenged mice. The increases in eosinophils, lymphocytes, and neutrophils caused by allergen were potentiated after adenosine challenge. Unexpectedly, macrophages significantly decreased after adenosine challenge. Theophylline attenuated adenosine-enhanced airway inflammation, but could not reverse allergen-induced airway inflammation. These findings suggested that specific adenosine receptors contribute to airway responsiveness and airway inflammation associated with this model of allergic asthma.     

泛昔洛韦和拉米夫定治疗慢性乙肝的短期疗效对比研究

比较和评价泛昔洛韦和拉米夫定短期治疗慢性乙肝的疗效.将101例慢性乙肝患者,随机分为泛昔洛韦组(A组)1500mg/日分三次(4个月)、拉米夫定组(B组)100mg/日和对照组(C组).结果显示,治疗4个月时①A、B和C组ALT的复常率分别为74.0%、82.5%和63.3%.②A和B组HBV DNA的阴转率为64.5%和90.0%均显著高于C组(16.5%),P＜0.001;B组明显高于A组,P=0.017.③A和B组HBeAg血清转化率达27.3%和25.8%,高于C组(13.0%),但P＞0.05.④A组HBV DNA阴转的20例患者,在停药后2、4和6月时其持续应答率分别为65.0%、45.0%和25.0%.表明泛昔洛韦和拉米夫定对慢性乙肝均有治疗效果,拉米夫定的抗病毒作用和疗效明显优于泛昔洛韦.     

Expression of CD44 and its variants on gastric epithelial cells of patients with Helicobacter pylori colonisation.

BACKGROUND--Studies have suggested that expression of the adhesion molecule CD44 may be of prognostic importance in gastric cancer. In addition, there is strong evidence that Helicobacter pylori has a role in gastric cancer. AIMS--To determine the expression of CD44 and its variants (v6, v9) and HLA class II molecules on human gastric epithelial cell and intraepithelial lymphocytes in patients with and without H pylori infection. PATIENTS--Eighteen patients (seven men and 11 women) attending for endoscopic evaluation because of upper gastrointestinal symptoms were included. An additional 10 patients (five men and five women) were analysed for CD44 variant expression). METHODS--Biopsy specimens were taken from the gastric antrum during endoscopy. Gastric epithelial cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes were examined by two colour flow cytometry and compared in patients with and without H pylori infection. RESULTS--Expression of CD44 and its variants (CD44 v9) was increased in epithelial cells but not in intraepithelial lymphocytes. Both epithelial cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes expressed higher levels of HLA class II molecules (DR and DP), possibly as a result of local cytokine production. Furthermore, results showed upregulation of CD44 on a gastric epithelial cell line (AGS) by cytokines and peripheral blood mononuclear cell supernatant. CONCLUSIONS--These data suggest that H pylori, either directly or through a local inflammatory response, is responsible for increased expression of CD44 and its variant CD44 v9. These data are of potential importance in relation to increased expression of CD44 and CD44 v9 on gastric carcinoma.     

1996～1998年中国流行的E亚型艾滋病病毒1型毒株的分子流行病学研究

目的通过对1996～1998年采集的艾滋病病毒1型(HIV-1)毒株样本的env基因的序列分析,阐明在中国流行的E亚型HIV-1毒株的特点、来源和传播方式。为中国E亚型HIV-1疫苗的研制和应用提供基础资料。方法 从HIV感染者淋巴细胞(PBMC)中提取前病毒DNA.使用嵌套式聚合酶链反应(PCR)方法扩增HIV-1的env基因的C2V5区。PCR产物不经克隆直接测序并使用GCG软件包进行序列分析。结果样品采自1996～1998年中国29个省(自治区,直辖市),总共发现37个E亚型HIV-1感染者。他们中大部分是通过性途径感染(23人,占62.2％);部分在静脉吸毒人群中发现(10人,占27.0％);少数是在职业献血员中发现(4人,占10.8％)。经C2-V3区序列分析发现,大部分中国E亚型HIV-1毒株与泰国株很相近,而与非洲株相差很大。而来自广西壮族自治区的毒株与越南吸毒人群中的流行株U48720相一致;系统树分析结果发现,中国的E亚型HIV-1株与泰国(CM240X、H93TH966)、越南(U48720)的代表株聚在一起。结论 中国E亚型HIV-1毒株目前仅在东南沿海地区流行,涉及静脉吸毒、输供血和性乱等各种人群,通过env区的序列分析发现其主要来源于泰国,部分来源于与中国接壤的越南。     

Expression of FK506-binding protein 52 (FKBP52) in chorionic villi with early recurrent spontaneous abortion

Objective: To investigate the mRNA and protein expression of FK506-binding protein 52 (FKBP52) in the chorionic villi of patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) and normal women during early pregnancy.

Methods: Fresh chorionic villus tissues were collected from 60 subjects. A total of 30 patients with a history of RSA were enrolled into the RSA group and 30 normal pregnant women were enrolled into the control group. The FKBP52 mRNA expression levels in chorionic villi of the RSA patients and healthy controls were measured via semiquantitative RT-PCR. The protein distribution and expression levels of FKBP52 in chorionic villi were analyzed through immunohistochemistry (IHC). The correlation between FKBP52 expression and RSA was analyzed.

Results: We demonstrated that FKBP52 mRNA is expressed in chorionic villi samples of normal pregnancy and RSA. RSA patients exhibited significantly lower FKBP52 gene expression levels compared with those in normal pregnancies (p?<?0.05). FKBP52 immunoreactivity in chorionic villi was mainly observed in trophoblast cell cytoplasm. The FKBP52 protein expression levels in the chorionic villi of RSA patients was significantly lower than in normal women during pregnancy (p?<?0.05).

Conclusions: FKBP52 protein levels were decreased in the chorionic villi of RSA patients, which indicate that the decrease in FKBP52 may be associated with RSA. The low FKBP52 mRNA expression level, which is consistent with the IHC result, may affect embryonic development and even lead to abortion. FKBP52 may be involved in the pathogenesis of RSA and new therapies that increase the FKBP52 expression may help treat RSA.     

Improvement of high-glucose and insulin resistance of chromium malate in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity signaling pathways and its mechanism

Previous study has revealed that chromium malate could improve insulin resistance and the regulation of fasting blood glucose in type 2 diabetic rats. This study was designed to investigate the effect of chromium malate on hypoglycemic and improve insulin resistance activities in 3T3-L1 adipocytes with insulin resistance and investigate the acting mechanism. The result indicated that chromium malate exhibited direct hypoglycemic activity in vitro. Compared with the model group, chromium malate could significantly promote the expression levels of GLUT-4, Akt, Irs-1, PPARγ, PI3K and p38-MAPK and their mRNA, increase p-AKT/AKT level, AKT and AMPKβ1 phosphorylation and reduce Irs-1 phosphorylation and p-Irs-1/Irs-1 level in 3T3-L1 adipocytes (p < 0.05). Chromium malate is more effective in regulating the proteins and mRNA expressions than those of chromium trichloride and chromium picolinate. Compared to the model group, pretreatment with the specific p38-MAPK inhibitor completely inhibited the GLUT-4 and Irs-1 proteins and mRNA expressions induced by the chromium malate. In conclusion, chromium malate had a beneficial influence on improvement of controlling glucose levels and insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes with insulin resistance by regulating proteins productions and genes expressions in glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity signaling pathways.

Chromium malate could increase the related protein and mRNA levels in 3T3-L1 adipocytes with insulin resistant. Pretreatment with the inhibitor completely/partially inhibited the GLUT-4 and Irs-1 proteins and mRNA expression compared to model group.     

Low temperature CO oxidation catalysed by flower-like Ni–Co–O: how physicochemical properties influence catalytic performance

In this work, mesoporous Ni–Co composite oxides were synthesized by a facile liquid-precipitation method without the addition of surfactant, and their ability to catalyse a low temperature CO oxidation reaction was investigated. To explore the effect of the synergetic interaction between Ni and Co on the physicochemical properties and catalytic performance of these catalysts, the as-prepared samples were characterized using XRF, XRD, LRS, N₂-physisorption (BET), SEM, TEM, XPS, H₂-TPR, O₂-TPD and in situ DRIFTS characterization techniques. The results are as follows: (1) the doping of cobalt can reduces the size of NiO, thus massive amorphous NiO have formed and highly dispersed on the catalyst surface, resulting in the formation of abundant surface Ni²⁺ ions; (2) Ni²⁺ ions partially substitute Co³⁺ ions to form a Ni–Co spinel solid solution, generating an abundance of surface oxygen vacancies, which are vital for CO oxidation; (3) the Ni_0.8Co_0.2 catalyst exhibits the highest catalytic activity and a satisfactory stability for CO oxidation, whereas a larger cobalt content results in a decrease in activity, suggesting that the amorphous NiO phase is the dominant active phase instead of Co₃O₄ for CO oxidation; (4) the introduction of Co can alter the morphology of catalyst from plate-like to flower-like and then to dense granules. This morphological variation is related to the textural properties and catalytic performance of the catalysts. Lastly, a possible mechanism for CO oxidation reaction is tentatively proposed.

The flower-like catalyst possesses highly dispersed amorphous NiO and a high concentration of surface oxygen vacancies which are the central points for CO oxidation.