肺痹方干预肺纤维化模型小鼠细胞外基质转化的机制

背景:肺组织损伤修复过程中,细胞外基质成分首先填补损伤肺组织,当其过度沉积时可形成肺间质纤维化。目的:探讨肺痹方对博莱霉素致肺纤维化小鼠细胞外基质转化的干预作用。方法:将60只C57BL/6雄性小鼠随机分为空白对照组、模型组、吡非尼酮组、肺痹方低剂量组、肺痹方中剂量组、肺痹方高剂量组,每组10只。除空白对照组外,其余5组腹腔注射博莱霉素[7.5 mg/(kg·d)]建立肺纤维化模型,连续注射10 d。造模后第1天各药物组灌胃给药[51.43 mg/(kg·d)]吡非尼酮,[6.43,12.86,25.72 mg/(kg·d)肺痹方],连续给药28 d。用药28 d后取肺组织,采用苏木精-伊红染色和Masson染色观察小鼠肺组织的形态学变化,ELISA法检测血清中转化生长因子β1、肿瘤坏死因子α水平,Western blot法检测肺组织中α-平滑肌肌动蛋白、Ⅰ型胶原、Ⅲ型胶原的表达。结果与结论:①与空白对照组相比,各组小鼠血清转化生长因子β1水平显著升高(P<0.01);与模型组相比,吡非尼酮组、肺痹方中剂量组、肺痹方高剂量组血清转化生长因子β1水平显著降低(P<0.05,P<0.01),肺痹方高剂量组降低最明显;②与模型组相比,用药各组血清肿瘤坏死因子α水平明显降低(P<0.01),用药各组之间两两比较差异无显著性意义(P>0.05);③与空白对照组相比,各组α-平滑肌肌动蛋白表达均不同程度增高(P<0.05,P<0.01);肺痹方高剂量组α-平滑肌肌动蛋白表达低于肺痹方低、中剂量组,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05);④与空白对照组相比,模型组、肺痹方低剂量组Ⅰ型胶原表达增高(P<0.05,P<0.01);与模型组相比,肺痹方中、高剂量组Ⅰ型胶原表达降低(P<0.05);⑤与空白对照组相比,各组Ⅲ型胶原表达均不同程度增高(P<0.05,P<0.01);肺痹方中、高剂量组以及吡非尼酮组Ⅲ型胶原表达明显低于肺痹方低剂量组(P<0.05,P<0.01);⑥结果表明,肺痹方可以减轻肺纤维化,抑制博来霉素诱导的肺纤维化小鼠细胞外基质转化,其机制可能与下调血清中转化生长因子β1、肿瘤坏死因子α水平,抑制肺组织中α-平滑肌肌动蛋白、Ⅰ型胶原、Ⅲ型胶原表达有关。     

三种材料缝合气管吻合口愈合中的生物力学特征与气管重塑

背景：研究表明气管及支气管吻合材料的选用对吻合口愈合质量可产生不同影响。 目的：以3种缝合材料建立兔气管重建模型,分析气管吻合口愈合过程中生物力学特征与气管重塑的关系。 方法：将18只新西兰大白兔随机分为3组,分别以丝线、涤纶线和人工合成可吸收缝线建立气管重建模型。 结果与结论：①吻合口处气管抗拉强度：术后2周,3组气管在一定外力下于接近吻合口处断裂,缝线本身并未断裂;术后4,8周,吻合气管在远离吻合口部位破裂,均未从吻合口处断裂。②吻合口处气管顶破强度：术后2,4,8周,3组均在气管膜部破裂。③吻合口Ⅰ型胶原蛋白水平：术后2周涤纶线组低于较其他两组(P < 0.05),术后4,8周3组间差异无显著性意义。表明不论使用何种缝线均不影响气管吻合口的稳定性,但不同缝线在不同时期引起的气管狭窄有一定差别。     

自噬抑制剂3-甲基腺嘌呤对肝星状细胞增殖活化的影响

目的 观察自噬抑制剂3-甲基腺嘌呤(3-MA)对大鼠肝星状细胞(HSC-T6)增殖活化的影响,并探讨其作用机制.方法 体外培养大鼠肝星状细胞株HSC-T6,设立空白对照组和3-MA低剂量组(2.5 mmol/L)、中剂量组(5 mmol/L)、高剂量组(10 mmol/L).RT-PCR分析不同浓度3-MA对HSC活化标志蛋白α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)以及Ⅰ型胶原蛋白基因表达的影响,Western blot法检测不同浓度3-MA对HSC中自噬水平标志蛋白LC3Ⅱ、α-SMA以及Ⅰ型胶原蛋白表达水平的影响;MTT法检测3-MA对HSC增殖的影响,流式细胞术分析3-MA对HSC细胞周期的影响.结果 低、中、高剂量3-MA作用于HSC后,HSC-T6细胞自噬水平随3-MA浓度升高逐渐下降,α-SMA、Ⅰ型胶原蛋白mRNA相对表达量均明显低于对照组(P＜0.05),LC3Ⅱ、α-SMA以及Ⅰ型胶原蛋白相对表达量均明显低于对照组(P＜0.05).与对照组相比,低、中、高剂量时3-MA对HSC增殖的影响均显著下降(P＜0.05),G2期比例与对照组比较均明显增加(P＜0.05).结论 3-MA可下调大鼠HSC-T6细胞LC3Ⅱ的表达,抑制α-SMA及Ⅰ型胶原蛋白mRNA及蛋白的表达,使HSC-T6细胞周期停滞于G2期,抑制HSC增殖活化.     

不同剂量舒芬太尼诱导麻醉对心脏手术患者心肌酶谱和神经相关肽的影响

目的研究不同剂量舒芬太尼诱导麻醉对心脏手术患者心肌酶谱和神经相关肽的影响。方法选取2019年5月至2020年5月期间于我院接受心脏手术的85例风湿性心脏病患者为研究对象,按简单随机法分为高剂量组(10μg/kg,42例)和低剂量组(3μg/kg,43例),比较两组患者手术后心肌酶谱和神经相关肽的水平变化、血流动力学稳定性以及由麻醉剂导致的不良反应发生情况。结果高剂量组患者术后血清LDH、AST、α-HBD和CK-MB水平明显低于低剂量组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);高剂量组患者术后NSE、S100β、Aβ水平均明显低于低剂量组患者,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);高剂量组患者T1、T2、T3时间节点时MABP、HR、SBP、DBP均高于低剂量组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组患者术后不良反应发生情况比较,差异不具有统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论 10μg/kg的舒芬太尼诱导麻醉可一定程度上降低心肌酶谱各指标水平,减少心肌细胞损伤,改善神经功能,安全性高,可作为心脏手术理想的麻醉剂量。     

人参皂苷Rh1对UUO大鼠肾纤维化的抑制作用

目的:观察并探讨人参皂苷Rh1(G-Rh1)对单侧输尿管梗阻(UUO)大鼠肾纤维化的抑制作用及其机制。方法:雄性SD大鼠40只,分为假手术组(sham组)、UUO组、G-Rh1低剂量组和G-Rh1高剂量组。手术后第2天开始,G-Rh1低剂量组和G-Rh1高剂量组分别每日灌胃50 mg/kg和100 mg/kg G-Rh1,连续2周。给药2周后,收集24 h尿测定尿蛋白,收集血清测定血清肌酐(SCr)和血尿素氮(BUN)。HE染色观察肾组织病理变化并对肾组织损伤程度评分。利用免疫组化和Western blot法观察肾组织中转化生长因子β_1(TGF-β_1)、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、Ⅰ型胶原蛋白和结缔组织生长因子(CTGF)的表达。结果:肾功能检测显示,各组大鼠24 h尿蛋白定量的差异无统计学显著性。UUO组BUN和SCr明显高于sham组(P 0. 05),G-Rh1低剂量组和G-Rh1高剂量组BUN和SCr明显低于UUO组(P 0. 05),同时G-Rh1高剂量组BUN和SCr低于G-Rh1低剂量组(P 0. 05)。光镜下观察,与sham组比较,UUO组病理改变显著,肾组织损伤明显,G-Rh1低剂量组和G-Rh1高剂量组与UUO组比较,肾损伤明显改善,G-Rh1高剂量组改善程度较G-Rh1低剂量组更显著。肾组织免疫组化显示,与sham组比较,UUO组肾小管及肾间质中TGF-β_1表达明显增多,G-Rh1低剂量组和G-Rh1高剂量组与UUO组比较,TGF-β_1表达明显下降,G-Rh1高剂量组较G-Rh1低剂量组降低更明显。Western blot检测显示,与sham组比较,UUO组Ⅰ型胶原蛋白、α-SMA和CTGF蛋白表达明显增多(P 0. 01),G-Rh1低剂量组和G-Rh1高剂量组与UUO组比较,Ⅰ型胶原蛋白、α-SMA表达明显下降(P 0. 05),G-Rh1高剂量组较G-Rh1低剂量组α-SMA和CTGF蛋白表达明显降低(P 0. 05),而Ⅰ型胶原蛋白表达无显著差异。结论:人参皂苷Rh1可缓解UUO大鼠肾组织纤维化,改善肾功能,其主要机制可能是抑制TGF-β_1信号通路中纤维化相关因子的表达。     

不同剂量右美托咪定对妇科恶性肿瘤手术患者肾功能以及血流动力学的影响分析

目的探究不同剂量的右美托咪定对妇科恶性肿瘤手术患者的肾功能和血流动力学影响。方法选取我院2016年5月至2018年5月收治的90例妇科恶性肿瘤手术患者作为研究对象,根据治疗方案将其分为右美托咪定高剂量组、右美托咪定低剂量组和对照组三组,每组各30例。比较三组患者治疗后的肾功能和血流动力学指标。结果手术过程中及术后,高剂量组患者的尿量明显高于低剂量组和对照组(P0.05),且低剂量组患者尿量明显高于对照组(P0.05)。三组患者在T0点的MAP、HR、NE数值比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);三组患者在T3时间点的HR、MAP数值比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);高剂量组患者和低剂量组患者在T1、T2时间点的MAP、HR、NE数值均明显低于对照组(P0.05),且高剂量组患者在T1、T2时间点的MAP、HR、NE数值均明显低于低剂量组(P0.05);高剂量组患者和低剂量组患者在T3时间点的NE数值均明显低于对照组(P0.05),且高剂量组患者在T3时间点的NE数值均明显低于低剂量组(P0.05)。结论高剂量右美托咪定治疗妇科恶性肿瘤手术患者能够有效的保护患者肾脏功能,稳定患者血流动力学的波动,是一种值得推广的治疗方法。     

高氟在孕期和哺乳期对仔鼠脑发育及单胺类神经递质的影响

目的探讨高氟在孕期和哺乳期对仔鼠脑发育及单胺类神经递质的影响。方法 24只Wistar雌性大鼠,交配成功后,随机分为对照组(蒸馏水),低剂量染氟组(5mg/kg),高剂量染氟组(20mg/kg),各8只孕鼠,自妊娠开始染毒至仔鼠生后3周断乳(孕期和哺乳期染氟),断乳后给予染氟喂养至仔鼠生后6周神经系统发育完全,每组保留20只仔鼠。分别测量仔鼠生后1周、3周、6周的体重;仔鼠6周时Morris水迷宫定位航行测试;ELISA法检测海马组织中多巴胺(DA)、5-羟色胺(5-HT)含量。采用硫代巴比妥酸法检测脑组织匀浆中丙二醛(MDA)含量,采用黄嘌呤氧化酶法检测脑组织匀浆中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)含量。结果第1周,第3周,仔鼠体重增加逐渐增加,各组间无明显差异。第6周,高剂量染氟组体重明显低于对照组,差异有统计学意义P0.05。与对照组比较,高剂量染氟组第1天、第2天、第3天、第4天定位航行潜伏期均明显延长,差异无统计学意义P0.05。与对照组比较,高剂量染氟组DA、5-HT均明显降低,差异有统计学意义P0.05。与对照组比较,高剂量染氟组、低剂量染氟组的MDA均明显增高、SOD均明显降低,差异有统计学意义P0.05。与低剂量染氟组比较,高剂量染氟组的MDA均明显增高、SOD均明显降低,差异有统计学意义P0.05。结论高氟影响孕期和哺乳期仔鼠的学习记忆能力,与降低单胺类神经递质含量有关。     

细胞因子抑制剂吡非尼酮对体外培养人瘢痕成纤维细胞增殖的影响

背景：有研究表明细胞因子抑制剂吡非尼酮通过调控多种细胞因子,抑制成纤维细胞的生物学活性,其在内脏器官的抗纤维化作用的研究和应用取得了良好的进展,但对于皮肤增生性瘢痕及成纤维细胞是否有影响及其机制尚不清楚。 目的：观察细胞因子抑制剂吡非尼酮对人增生性瘢痕成纤维细胞增殖的影响。 方法：采用组织块法培养人增生性瘢痕成纤维细胞,实验取第3-6代生长状态良好的对数生长期细胞。根据吡非尼酮不同质量浓度分为对照组(吡非尼酮0 g/L),吡非尼酮0.15,0.3,1 g/L组,共干预12,36,48 h。 结果与结论：MTT,反转录-聚合酶链式反应和酶链免疫吸附实验结果显示,与对照组相比,吡非尼酮0.15,0.3,1 g/L组细胞增殖情况、转化生长因子β1 mRNA的表达、Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原蛋白的分泌量均降低(P < 0.05),其中吡非尼酮1 g/L组降低最明显(P < 0.05)。干预24,48,72 h后,吡非尼酮0.15,0.3,1 g/L组间细胞增殖抑制率、Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原蛋白的分泌量均差异有显著性意义(P < 0.05)。结果证实,细胞因子抑制剂吡非尼酮对体外培养的人增生性瘢痕成纤维细胞胶原蛋白的分泌、转化生长因子β1的表达及细胞增殖活性有明显的抑制作用。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：干细胞;骨髓干细胞;造血干细胞;脂肪干细胞;肿瘤干细胞;胚胎干细胞;脐带脐血干细胞;干细胞诱导;干细胞分化;组织工程     

SiO2纳米颗粒暴露致新生小鼠皮层应激及炎症反应的实验研究

目的研究SiO_2纳米颗粒(SiO_2-NPs)暴露对新生小鼠大脑皮层应激及炎症反应的影响,探讨SiO_2-NPs的神经毒性机制。方法选取新生小鼠随机分3组:低剂量组、高剂量组和对照组。小鼠出生后第1天(P1)至P7各组每天分别接受SiO_2-NPs溶液10 mg/3 ml、50 mg/3 ml或等体积生理盐水雾化暴露30 min。P8时采用免疫组织化学法检测皮层糖皮质激素受体(GR)、星形胶质细胞标志物(GFAP)及小胶质细胞标志物(Iba1)的表达,ELISA检测皮层炎症因子IL-6、TNF-α、IL-1β的水平。结果高剂量组皮层GR阳性细胞数明显高于对照组(P<0.05);高剂量组与低剂量组皮层Iba1阳性细胞数量均明显多于对照组(P<0.01,P<0.05),活化明显;高剂量组皮层GFAP阳性细胞数量多于对照组、低剂量组(P<0.01,P<0.05);随SiO_2-NPs暴露剂量增加,皮层炎症因子TNF-α、IL-6、IL-1β均有上调。结论 SiO_2-NPs暴露可使新生小鼠皮层产生应激和炎症反应,且高剂量SiO_2-NPs暴露的神经毒性效应更显著。     

大鼠坐骨神经移植的形态及电生理研究

目的：探讨异体坐骨神经移植后神经纤维再生。方法：大鼠３８只,在手术显微镜下将右侧坐骨神经切除１ｃｍ,然后将１ｃｍ异体或自体右侧坐骨神经移植于神经缺损处。 ２、４、８、１２周进行形态学观察及神经电生理学检查。结果：术后４周笛生神经纤维通过近铁合口进入移植神经,术后８周通过远侧吻合口进入受体坐骨神经。术后１２划体组与自体组再生神经纤维髓鞘的厚度、轴索的开矿及神经电生理功能无明显差异。结论：免疫排序反应     

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.