洲滩草本植物对日本血吸虫毛蚴杀灭作用的观察

分别用10%的青蒿(茎)、猫眼草(茎)、毛茛(叶)、藜蒿(根)和益母草浸出液对日本血吸虫毛蚴进行杀灭试验,作用1min后的毛蚴死亡率分别为88.28%、84.54%、78.42%、62.62%和68.40%。表明以上植物对毛蚴有一定杀灭作用。     

细粒棘球绦虫转基因植物载体重组pBI-Eg95质粒构建及鉴定

目的 构建并鉴定细粒棘球绦虫(Eg)转基因植物载体重组pBI-Eg95质粒.方法 从细粒棘球蚴包囊中分离原头节.经超声粉碎后抽提总RNA,反转录成eDNA,设计合成引物,以eDNA为模板.通过PCR从cDNA中扩增出目的 基因Eg95,经电泳及测序鉴定后,将该基因定向克隆到植物表达载体pBI121中构建pBI-Eg95重组质粒,电穿孔转化根癌农杆菌(At)LBA4404株;从转化的At阳性株中抽提质粒进行双酶切和以抽提的质粒为模板进行PCR鉴定.结果 RT-PCR扩增出1条约471 bp的特异性条带,DNA序列分析与GenBank知的序列同源性为100%.从转化的At中抽提的质粒,双酶切及PCR测定的结果与预期相符.结论 成功构建了细粒棘球绦虫转基因植物载体重组pBI-Eg95质粒,为进一步构建细粒棘球绦虫转基因植物疫苗奠定了基础.     

Demographic,clinical and allergological characteristics of Eosinophilic Esophagitis in a Spanish central region

BackgroundEosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory emerging disease of the oesophagus with immunoallergic aetiology. The allergens involved have not been clearly defined and may depend on the exposure of the population to aeroallergens or food antigens.Materials and methodsPatients diagnosed with EoE between 2006 and 2011 were referred to our Allergy Section. Patch and skin prick tests (SPT) with aeroallergens and foods were performed, and total and specific IgE levels, eosinophil cationic protein levels and eosinophil count were determined.Results43 patients were included. 36 (83.7%) were atopic. 29 patients presented choking, 19 dysphagia, 9 food impaction with urgent endoscopy, 4 chest pain, 1 isolated vomiting and 1 epigastric pain. 22 had two or more symptoms. The mean duration of symptoms was 3.73 years. Concomitant allergic diseases included rhinoconjunctivitis and/or asthma (31 patients), IgE food allergy (21 patients) and atopic dermatitis (3 patients).32 (74%) were sensitized to aeroallergens, of which 90% were sensitized to pollens; 23 (54%) showed positive tests to foods and 12 of them (52%) to lipid transfer proteins (LTP).Of the 29 pollen-allergic patients, 15 (52%) were sensitized to plant foods and 10 (34.4%) to LTP.ConclusionsOur findings support those reported in the literature: the disease is more common in men aged 30–40 years with at least a three-year history of symptoms of esophageal dysfunction, sensitized to pollens, the predominant aeroallergen in our area, but also to plant foods or panallergens. These results increase the evidence for an immunoallergic aetiology and can help us in the early diagnosis of EoE.     

Bactericidal and anti-adhesive properties of culinary and medicinal plants against Helicobacter pylori

AIM: To investigate the bactericidal and anti-adhesive properties of 25 plants against Helicobacter pylori (H pylori). METHODS: Twenty-five plants were boiled in water to produce aqueous extracts that simulate the effect of cooking. The bactericidal activity of the extracts was assessed by a standard kill-curve with seven strains of H pylori. The anti-adhesive property was assessed by the inhibition of binding of four strains of FITC-labeled H pylori to stomach sections. RESULTS: Of all the plants tested, eight plants, including Bengal quince, nightshade, garlic, dill, black pepper, coriander, fenugreek and black tea, were found to have no bactericidal effect on any of the isolates. Columbo weed, long pepper, parsley, tarragon, nutmeg, yellow-berried nightshade, threadstem carpetweed, sage and cinnamon had bactericidal activities against H pylori, but total inhibition of growth was not achieved in this study. Among the plants that killed H pylori, turmeric was the most efficient, followed by cumin, ginger, chilli, borage, black caraway, oregano and liquorice. Moreover, extracts of turmeric, borage and parsley were able to inhibit the adhesion of H pylori strains to the stomach sections. CONCLUSION: Several plants that were tested in our study had bactericidal and/or anti-adhesive effects on H pylori. Ingestion of the plants with anti-adhesive properties could therefore provide a potent alternative therapy for H pylori infection, which overcomes the problem of resistance associated with current antibiotic treatment.     

细粒棘球绦虫转Eg95-EgA31融合基因苜蓿疫苗免疫小鼠后脾细胞因子的动态观察

目的 动态观察细牲棘球绦虫(Eg)转Eg95-EgA31融合基因苜蓿疫苗免疫Balb/c小鼠后脾细胞因子的变化.方法 88只Balb/c小鼠按体质量随机分为两组,用转基因苜蓿叶蛋白提取液(20 s/L)100 μl口服灌胃和10μl鼻腔黏膜接种分别免疫小鼠,每3天1次,连续2个月.在末次免疫后0(对照)、2、4、6、8、10、12、14、16、18、20周各组剖杀4只小鼠,取脾,分离脾细胞,体外经Eg粗抗原(EgAg)或刀豆蛋白A(ConA)刺激培养48 h,诱生白细胞介素(IL)-12、γ干扰素(IFN-γ)和IL-10;经EgAg或脂多糖(LPS)刺激培养72 h,诱生肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α).收集脾细胞培养上清液,常规ELISA法检测IL-12、IFN-γ、TNF-α和IL-10水平.结果 口服灌胃组的IL-12、IFN-γ、TNF-α和IL-10水平分别在免疫后4～6、2～8、2～6、4～12周升高,分别在免疫后4、2、2、8周达最高水平,其值分别为(25.0±5.8)、(575.0±28.9)、(50.0±11.5)、(42.5±2.9)ng/L,与0周[(11.3±2.5)、(125.0±28.9)、(11.3±2.5)、(12.5±2.9)ng/L]比较,差异有统计学意义(P均<0.01);鼻腔黏膜接种组的IL-12、IFN-γ、TNF-α和IL-10水平分别在免疫后4～6、2～10、4～10、6～16周升高,分别在免疫后6、4、6、6周达最高水平,其值分别为(25.0±5.8)、(725.0±28.9)、(27.5±2.9)、(60.0±11.5)ng/L,与0周[(11.3±2.5)、(125.0±28.9)、(11.3±2.5)、(12.5±2.9)ng/L]比较,差异有统计学意义(P均<0.01).EgAg、ConA、LPS刺激组的细胞因子水平高于相应的脾细胞悬液组(P<0.05或<0.01),ConA或LPS刺激组的细胞因子水平高于相应的EgAg刺激组(P<0.05或<0.01).结论 细粒棘球绦虫转Eg95-EgA31融合基因苜蓿疫苗在免疫早期(2～10周)可诱导小鼠产生Th1和Th2混合型免疫应答.     

细粒棘球绦虫转Eg95基因苜蓿疫苗的培育及鉴定

目的 培育并鉴定细粒棘球绦虫转Eg95基因苜蓿疫苗.方法 利用转pBI-Eg95质粒的根癌农杆菌LBA4404株介导的苜蓿子叶浸染法,将Eg95基因导人紫花苜蓿基因组,转Eg95基因苜蓿外植体在含有卡那霉素的选择培养基上经愈伤、出芽和生根阶段生长出小苗,最后移栽到装有营养土的花盆中,生长2～3个月,获得完整的转Eg95基因苜蓿疫苗.提取转Eg95基因苜蓿的DNA、RNA及叶蛋白,采用PCR、RT-PCR、十二烷基磺酸钠-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(SDS-PAGE)及Western blot法进行鉴定.结果 PCR、RT-PCR法在471 bp处均扩增出目的条带;SDS-PAGE及Western blot法可见转Eg95基因苜蓿蛋白在相对分子质量约16.5×103处出现特异条带,与预期结果相符;Bio-Rad Quantity one系统分析表达效率约占提取总苜蓿叶蛋白的0.06%.结论 成功培育出细粒棘球绦虫转Eg95基因苜蓿疫苗.     

细粒棘球绦虫转Eg95-EgA31融合基因苜蓿疫苗诱导小鼠脾细胞亚群的变化

目的 探讨细粒棘球绦虫(Eg)转Eg95-EgA31融合基因苜蓿疫苗免疫和Eg原头节攻击后小鼠脾CD4+和CD8+T淋巴细胞亚群的变化.方法 热絮凝法提取转基因苜蓿叶蛋白,用无菌双蒸水将叶蛋白提取液配成20 g/L,同时提取转空质粒(pBI121)苜蓿叶蛋白及正常苜蓿叶蛋白作对照.32只雌性Balb/c小鼠按体质量随机分为4组,每组8只.口服灌胃组:灌胃接种100 μl转基因苜蓿叶蛋白提取液;鼻腔黏膜接种组:滴鼻接种10 μl转基因苜蓿叶蛋白提取液;空质粒对照组:滴鼻接种10μl转空质粒苜蓿叶蛋白提取液;正常蛋白对照组:灌胃接种100μl正常苜蓿叶蛋白提取液.小鼠每3天免疫1次,连续免疫2个月.末次免疫后第8周,各组小鼠用Eg原头节腹腔注射攻击感染(50个/只),感染后第24周剖杀小鼠,分离脾细胞,用流式细胞仪检测脾CD4+和CD8+T淋巴细胞亚群百分比.结果 口服灌胃组小鼠脾CD4+T细胞亚群百分比(0.286±0.009)、CD8+ T细胞亚群百分比(0.102±0.004)和CD4+/CD8+比值(2.814±0.014)均显著高于正常蛋白对照组(0.166±0.018、0.083±0.006、2.019±0.369,P<0.01或<0.05);鼻腔黏膜接种组小鼠脾CD4+T细胞亚群百分比(0.269±0.016)和CD4+/CD8+比值(2.955±0.986)与正常蛋白对照组比较明显升高(P均<0.01);口服灌胃组小鼠脾CD4+T细胞亚群百分比高于鼻腔黏膜接种组(P<0.05);空质粒对照组小鼠脾CD4+、CD8+T细胞百分比和CD4+/CD8+比值(0.169±0.018、0.093±0.019、1.852±0.188)与正常蛋白对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P均>0.05).结论 CD4+T细胞亚群可能与细粒棘球绦虫转Eg95-Eg31融合基因苜蓿疫苗诱导的小鼠抗Eg原头节攻击感染的保护力有关.疫苗灌胃接种可能是一种较好的免疫途径.     

提高对“土三七”致肝小静脉闭塞病的认识

我国肝小静脉闭塞病（HVOD）的病因多见于长期或过量服用土三七。土三七内舍有吡咯烷生物碱成分,可造成肝窦和肝小静脉的内皮细胞损伤．导致肝小静脉阻塞。HVOD所致的血流阻力部位为肝内,引起窦后性门静脉高压。肝大、右上腹痛、腹水和黄疸是其主要临床表现。诊断依据：有长期服用或过量服用土三七史;有上述临床表现;血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）、1-谷氨酰转肽酶（GGT）、碱性磷酸酶（ALP）、胆红素（BiL）均增高;B超可见腹水、肝肿大、肝区呈“斑片状”低回声区,肝静脉显示不清或不显示;CT检查可见肝肿大、腹水,增强CT动脉期显示全肝密度不均匀,呈现“斑片状”或“地图状”改变。肝活检早期可见肝小静脉管腔狭窄,肝小静脉周围血管阻塞．肝细胞不同程度液化坏死．晚期可见纤维化。早期诊断和及时治疗有较好的预后。临床医师应提高对HVOD的认识．且要提醒人们不要滥用土三七。     

Lack of herbal supplement characterization in published randomized controlled trials

PURPOSE: Herbal supplements in the United States and abroad have poor quality control and high content variability. We assessed the extent to which recently published randomized controlled trials of herbal supplements characterized and verified the content of the supplement under study. METHODS: We identified all MEDLINE-indexed English language randomized controlled trials evaluating single-herb preparations of echinacea, garlic, ginkgo, saw palmetto, or St. John's wort that were published between January 1, 2000, and February 9, 2004. From each article we extracted information characterizing the herbal supplement studied. RESULTS: Of 81 randomized controlled trials meeting inclusion criteria, 12 (15%) reported performing tests to quantify actual contents, and 3 (4%) provided adequate data to compare actual with expected content values of at least one chemical constituent. In those 3 studies, actual content varied between 80% and 113% of expected values. Studies of higher overall quality (Jadad score > or =3) performed testing somewhat less frequently (5/54; 9%) than those with lower Jadad scores (7/27; 26%) (P = .09). CONCLUSION: Documented characterization of herbal supplements in published randomized controlled trials is inadequate. Investigators may be unaware of the extent to which herbal quality-control issues may detract from the value of otherwise well-designed clinical trials. The scientific and clinical utility of future herbal randomized controlled trials would be enhanced if authors provided evidence that the herbal products studied were of high quality.     

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.     

The immunoneuroendocrine role of melatonin

Abstract: A tight, physiological link between the pineal gland and the immune system is emerging from a series of experimental studies. This link might reflect the evolutionary connection between self-recognition and reproduction. Pinealectomy or other experimental methods which inhibit melatonin synthesis and secretion induce a state of immunodepression which is counteracted by melatonin. In general, melatonin seems to have an immunoenhancing effect that is particularly apparent in immunodepressive states. The negative effect of acute stress or immunosuppressive pharmacological treatments on various immune parameters are counteracted by melatonin. It seems important to note that one of the main targets of melatonin is the thymus, i.e., the central organ of the immune system. The clinical use of melatonin as an immunotherapeutic agent seems promising in primary and secondary immunodeficiencies as well as in cancer immunotherapy. The immunoenhancing action of melatonin seems to be mediated by T-helper cell-derived opioid peptides as well as by lymphokines and, perhaps, by pituitary hormones. Melatonin-induced-immuno-opioids (MHO) and lymphokines imply the presence of specific binding sites or melatonin receptors on cells of the immune system. On the other hand, lymphokines such as -γ-interferon and interleukin-2 as well as thymic hormones can modulate the synthesis of melatonin in the pineal gland. The pineal gland might thus be viewed as the crux of a sophisticated immunoneuroendocrine network which functions as an unconscious, diffuse sensory organ.     

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.     

Response of rat pineal melatonin to calcium, magnesium, and lithium is circadian stage dependent

Abstract: Herein we documented the response of pineal melatonin production to electrolytes known to be effective on pineal function in view of a possible circadian stage dependence. We studied the release of melatonin by perifused rat pineal glands at 2 different circadian stages corresponding to the middle of the light and dark periods, i.e., respectively, 7 and 19 HALO (Hours After Light Onset, L:D = 12:12). The initial efflux rates were, as expected, much higher in the perifusates of glands removed from rats sacrificed during the dark phase than of those removed during the light phase. After 3 hr of perifusion, melatonin release reached similar levels which were found constant up to the 8th hr of perifusion, whatever the circadian stage. Perifusion of the glands with physiological concentrations for the rat of calcium (5.2 mmol/1) and magnesium (1.34 mmol/1) resulted in a stimulatory effect on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed in the middle of the dark period (19 HALO), whereas no effects were observed on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed during the light (7 HALO). Lithium (0.28 and 0.55 mmol/1) was ineffective on melatonin release in pineal glands removed 7 and 19 HALO. Our results show differences in the initial efflux rates of melatonin and in the response of perifused pineal glands to calcium and magnesium according to the circadian stage.