氢氟酸烧伤中毒对兔外周血单个核细胞凋亡与胞内钙浓度的影响

目的: 研究氢氟酸烧伤中毒对兔外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)早期凋亡百分率和胞内游离钙浓度([Ca²⁺]_i)的影响。方法: 用流式细胞仪检测兔烧伤染毒前后外周血单个核细胞的Annexin V变化, 以观察其早期凋亡百分率。用Fluo-3/Am荧光探针观察烧伤染毒前后外周血单个核细胞内Ca²⁺平均荧光强度值的变化, 以观察细胞内[Ca²⁺]_i的变化。 结果: 12只烧伤中毒兔外周血单个核细胞早期凋亡百分率显著增加, 烧伤染毒前后比较P<0.01。而12只烧伤中毒兔中8只染毒后1 h外周血单个核细胞内[Ca²⁺]_i显著降低, 烧伤染毒前后比较P<0.05。其余4只却表现[Ca²⁺]_i染毒前后比较P>0.05。 结论: 本实验氢氟酸烧伤中毒使兔外周血单个核细胞早期凋亡百分率显著增加, 外周血单个核细胞内[Ca²⁺]_i却显著降低。提示氢氟酸烧伤中毒引导的细胞凋亡并非细胞内[Ca²⁺]_i增加所引发。     

小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞基态游离钙离子浓度的不均一性及其和细胞反应性的关系

目的:在单细胞水平上研究小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞(PM)基态游离钙离子浓度([Ca²⁺]_i)的不均一性及其和细胞反应性的关系。方法:用荧光指示剂Fura-2/AM结合荧光显微镜成像系统检测单个PM基态的及用激动剂刺激细胞后的[Ca²⁺]_i;同时结合NBT染色法定量检测单个PM产超氧阴离子(O₂^-)水平。结果:对7只正常小鼠共392个PM基态[Ca²⁺]_i的研究表明小鼠PM的基态[Ca²⁺]_i呈正态分布[(54±24)nmol/L,n=392],但波动范围较大(从10nmol/L到高于100nmol/L),以[Ca²⁺]_i在40-60nmol/L的细胞数量最多(约占50%)。用PMA、fMLP刺激后PM[Ca²⁺]_i升高,且受刺激后[Ca²⁺]_i升高的峰值和基态[Ca²⁺]_i之间呈正相关(PMA刺激组:r=052,P<0.01,n=58;fMLP刺激组:r=0.59,P<0.01,n=44。此两组实验均以不同的小鼠重复3次,其它两只小鼠的结果与上同。下面的表述方法同此)。另外小鼠PM的基态[Ca²⁺]_i与其受PMA刺激后产生O₂^-的量也呈显著正相关(r=0.42,P<0.01,n=43,重复4次)。结论:小鼠PM的基态[Ca²⁺]_i是不均一的,且基态[Ca²⁺]_i的高低和该细胞对致炎因子的反应性密切相关。     

噻庚啶和山莨菪碱拮抗TNFα诱导的内皮细胞[Ca2+]i增高

目的：研究噻庚啶（Cyp）和山莨菪碱（Ani）对肿瘤坏死因子（TNFα）诱导单个内皮细胞内Ca²⁺浓度（[Ca²⁺]_i）变化的影响，以探TNFα介导休克和Cyp、Ani的抗休克的机制。方法：人脐静脉内皮细胞株（ECV304）接种于35 mm含2 mL DMEM培养基的组织培养盘中培养。Fluo-3/AM负载细胞，激光扫描共聚焦显微技术（LSCM）测定单个内皮细胞[Ca²⁺]_i。结果：TNFα使单个内皮细胞[Ca²⁺]_i呈剂量依赖性升高，在60 s内达到峰值，然后下降并保持在基础水平之上。共聚焦扫描图像显示细胞核区[Ca²⁺]_i升高比胞浆区明显，下降比胞浆区慢。Cyp（3×10^-5 mol/L或6×10^-5 mol/L）、Ani（2×10^-5 mol/L或4×10^-5 mol/L）均能显著抑制由TNFα（1.2×10^-9 mol/L）诱导的单个内皮细胞[Ca²⁺]_i升高。结论：TNFα诱导内皮细胞[Ca²⁺]_i升高可能是TNFα介导休克的重要机制；Cyp和Ani抑制TNFα诱导的[Ca²⁺]_i升高可能是其抗休克作用的机制之一。     

钙离子在半边旗提取物6F的细胞毒及诱导HL-60细胞DNA片段化中的作用

目的:研究蕨类植物半边旗提取物6F对HL-60细胞内游离钙浓度([Ca²⁺]_i)及Bcl-2蛋白表达的影响, Ca²⁺与6F细胞毒作用及诱导细胞DNA片段化的关系。方法:用荧光探针Fura-2/AM标记细胞内游离Ca²⁺, 在荧光分光光度计上测[Ca²⁺]_i;流式细胞仪检测Bcl-2的表达;噻唑蓝(MTT)法测定细胞成活率;二苯胺法测DNA片段化形成率。结果:6F作用后, HL-60细胞内[Ca²⁺]_i显著升高, 呈明显的时间剂量效应关系;6F降低Bcl-2的表达;于培养基中加2mmol/LCa²⁺、或加1mmol/LEDTA络合细胞外钙, 或加4μmol/L钙通道A₂₃₁₈₇升高细胞内钙浓度, 均可增强6F的细胞毒作用, 但均不影响6F诱导细胞DNA片段化程度。加入250μmol/LZn²⁺可显著降低6F所致DNA片段化率, 并可增强6F的细胞毒作用。结论:化合物6F可显著升高HL-60细胞[Ca²⁺]_i, 推测与6F降低Bcl-2的表达有关;6F诱导HL-60细胞DNA片段化可能是通过Ca²⁺-非依赖性DNA酶的作用所致。     

红景天苷促进培养乳鼠心肌细胞肌质网钙离子的释放

目的: 观察红景天苷对乳鼠心肌细胞胞浆Ca²⁺浓度的影响并分析其可能的作用机制。方法: 应用荧光指示剂Fluo-3/AM负载培养大鼠乳鼠的心肌细胞,用激光共聚焦显微镜动态观察胞内游离钙荧光信号强度的变化,检测不同浓度红景天苷对培养心肌细胞胞内游离钙离子浓度([Ca²⁺]_i)的影响。结果: 红景天苷浓度为15 mg/L、30 mg/L和60 mg/L时,细胞内的平均[Ca²⁺]_i升高,峰值分别为574.08±4.65、591.86±3.64和618.66±4.27(均P<0.01);有剂量依赖性而无时间依赖性。用维拉帕米阻断细胞膜外钙内流时,红景天苷同样引起细胞内[Ca²⁺]_i升高,峰值由357.74±3.13、387.17±2.37和391.43±1.34分别上升到480.86±3.98、496.70±3.08和522.18±3.19(均P<0.01)。结论: 红景天苷能升高乳鼠心肌细胞中[Ca²⁺]_i,其机制可能与其促进肌浆网钙离子释放有关。     

丹参对抗缺氧/复氧引起的大鼠心室肌细胞收缩和细胞内钙的改变

目的:观察丹参在常氧和缺氧/复氧过程中对心肌细胞收缩和电刺激诱导的细胞内钙([Ca²⁺]_i)瞬态的影响。方法: 采用酶解分离成年大鼠心室肌细胞化学缺氧模型, 用视频跟踪计算机系统和细胞内双波长钙荧光系统分别观察心肌细胞收缩力学和[Ca²⁺]_i等指标。结果:丹参(1-9 g/L)处理后降低心肌细胞最大收缩和舒张速率、收缩幅度以及电刺激诱导的[Ca²⁺]_i幅度, 且呈剂量依赖性。缺氧后, 与对照相比细胞收缩力和钙瞬态幅度降低、舒张末细胞长度缩短、舒张末钙水平增高;复氧后细胞收缩力、钙瞬态幅度和舒张末钙水平有所回复, 但不能达对照水平。用3 g/L的丹参处理后, 缺氧/复氧引起的心肌细胞最大收缩和舒张速率、收缩幅度和电刺激诱导的[Ca^2＋]_i幅度高于单纯缺氧组, 舒张末[Ca²⁺]_i水平低于单纯缺氧组。结论:丹参可对抗缺氧/复氧引起的大鼠心室肌细胞收缩力降低和细胞内动态和静态钙的变化。     

单个巨噬细胞超氧阴离子水平的定量检测方法

目的：建立单个巨噬细胞超氧阴离子（O₂^-.）水平的定量检测方法,从而达到在单细胞内同时检测O₂^-.和细胞内游离钙离子浓度（[Ca²⁺]_i）的目的。方法：分离小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞，用NBT还原法显示细胞产生O₂^-.的水平，以细胞加入NBT前与染色后的透光强度之比来定量表示该细胞产生O₂^-.的量；以荧光探针Fura-2/AM负载细胞检测单细胞内[Ca²⁺]_i。结果：①分别用PMA、OZ刺激细胞并用NBT还原法染色后细胞内均有黑色沉淀，但前者分布均匀而后者所产生沉淀多偏于一侧，呈明显的局域性分布；②用NBT孵育10 min后，细胞透光强度没有明显变化（n=43, P>0.05），用NBT刺激细胞产生黑色沉淀后细胞透光强度明显降低（P<0.01, n=43）。③在不同的聚焦状态下，无细胞背景区的透光强度没有明显变化，而细胞区透光强度变化明显，但各个细胞透光强度的变化趋势是一致的；④PMA处理3批巨噬细胞并用NBT法染色得到3组R_OI值的分布情况提示用R_OI值定量是合理的但批间差异过大；⑤静息状态下的小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞[Ca²⁺]_i与细胞受PMA刺激后的R_OI呈显著正相关（n=43, r=0.42, P<0.01）。结论：用NBT还原法染色前后细胞透光强度比值可以代表该细胞产生O₂^-.的量，进而我们可以在单细胞内同时检测O₂^-.和[Ca²⁺]_i。     

阿魏酸钠拮抗氧化型脂蛋白(a)对人动脉平滑肌细胞的作用

目的:研究脂蛋白(a)氧化前后致人动脉平滑肌细胞(SMC)增殖及细胞内游离钙浓度([Ca²⁺]_i)的变化,观察阿魏酸钠(SF)对其的影响。方法:Lp(a)经体外Cu²⁺氧化法氧化,硫代巴比妥酸(TBARS)比色法检测氧化程度,培养的人动脉SMC中分别加入不同浓度SF,作用12h后再与天然和氧化型Lp(a)共同孵育,以MTT比色法、流式细胞仪检测细胞增殖状况,采用荧光探针Fura-2/AM检测细胞[Ca²⁺]_i。结果:氧化型Lp(a)促人动脉SMC增殖的同时亦明显增加了[Ca²⁺]_i水平,作用较天然Lp(a)明显,SF(40,80mg/L)可显著抑制氧化型Lp(a)所致的细胞增殖和[Ca²⁺]_i增加,并呈剂量效应关系,而对天然Lp(a)所致的细胞增殖和[Ca²⁺]_i增加无明显影响。结论:氧化型Lp(a)通过升高[Ca²⁺]_i而显著促动脉SMC增殖可能是其致动脉粥样硬化的机制之一,SF拮抗这种作用可能与其抗氧化能力有关。     

缺氧复氧对人心房肌细胞内钙离子浓度的影响

目的和方法:观察缺氧、复氧对人心房肌细胞内钙离子浓度的影响。急性分离人心房肌细胞,以Fluo-3作为Ca²⁺指示剂,用激光共聚焦显微镜观察细胞内Ca²⁺浓度变化。结果:人心房肌细胞在缺氧前[Ca²⁺]ⁱ为(117±48)nmol/L。在缺氧15 min时,[Ca²⁺]ⁱ即增加为(187±64)nmol/L(P<0.05,vs缺氧前)。缺氧30 min时[Ca²⁺]ⁱ为(417±139)nmol/L(P<0.01,vs缺氧前)。缺氧后复氧30 min[Ca²⁺]ⁱ为(786±238)nmol/L(P<0.01,vs缺氧前)。结论:人心房肌细胞在缺氧状态下胞内Ca²⁺浓度升高,而当其短期复氧时,胞Ca²⁺浓度继续增加。     

3种钙激动剂促培养的大鼠血管平滑肌细胞增殖

目的：探讨不同来源的细胞内钙离子（[Ca²⁺]i）对血管平滑肌细胞（vascular smooth muscle cells, VSMCs）丝裂素活化蛋白激酶（MAPK）介导的增殖反应的作用。方法：以培养的大鼠VSMCs为靶细胞,用血管紧张素II（Ang Ⅱ）剌激VSMCs跨膜Ca²⁺内流、三磷酸肌醇（IP₃）和雷尼丁（RY）剌激胞内Ca²⁺释放,[γ-³² P]-ATP掺入法和免疫印迹（Western blot）测MAPK活性及蛋白含量,氚-亮氨酸（[³H]-Leu）、氚-胸腺嘧啶（[³H]-TdR）掺入量作为VSMCs增殖的指标。结果：Ang Ⅱ、IP₃和RY均能显著增加VSMCs的[Ca²⁺]i浓度、MAPK活性及蛋白含量,并提高[³H]-Leu、[³H]-TdR掺入量,与对照组VSMCs相比差异显著（P<0.01）。结论：钙激动剂诱导的MAPK活性及含量的增加参与了VSMCs的增殖,VSMCs的肥大增殖与[Ca²⁺]i浓度增加有关,而与[Ca²⁺]i的来源无关。     

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.