Prognostic factors in multiple myeloma: role of β2-microglobulin and thymidine kinase

Summary Serum ₂- microglobulin, serum thymidine kinase, and commonly used prognostic parameters were investigated for their prognostic value in a well-defined group of patients with multiple myeloma (n = 207). Multivariate analysis showed hemoglobin to be the parameter of strongest prognostic value. Only albumin, serum ₂-microglobulin and serum thymidine kinase added further prognostic information. When tested for efficiency in recognizing patients with poor (average survival time < 1 year) and good (average survival time > 5 years) prognosis, serum ₂-microglobulin was best (80%), followed by total urinary protein (78%), hemoglobin (76%), and albumin (75%).     

Increased monocyte-dependent suppression of polyclonal activation of B lymphocytes from cystinotic children

In infantile cystinosis the amino acid cystine preferentially accumulates in phagocytic cells, polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) and monocytes, rather than in lymphocytes. We previously described functional abnormalities in the oxidative metabolism and locomotion of cystinotic PMN and monocytes. The present study shows an abnormal lymphocyte polyclonal activation as evidenced by a decreased immunoglobulin (Ig) production and generation of Ig-containing cells (ICC) in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from cystinotic children upon stimultion with pokeweed mitogen andStaphylococcus aureus Cowan I. However, monocyte depletion from cystinotic PBMC fully reconstituted Ig production and ICC generation, indicating: (1) the presence of an increased monocyte-dependent suppression on lymphocyte polyclonal activation, and (2) that the intrinsic ability of cystinotic lymphocytes to respond to polyclonal stimulation was preserved. The increased cystinotic monocytedependent suppressive effect was not mediated by prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) since its production by cystinotic PBMC upon polyclonal activation was not different from that of controls. In addition, the sensitivity of cystinotic lymphocytes to the immunosuppressive effect of varying concentrations of exogenous PGE₂ was similar to that of controls. Finally, indomethacin and 2-mercaptoethanol, two agents able to scavenge hydroxyl (OH) radicals, restored Ig production by cystinotic PBMC, suggesting a role for reactive oxygen species in the increased cystinotic monocyte-dependent suppression.     

母儿血型不合IgG抗体效价≥1：512是否提示胎儿病情严重

目的：探讨母儿血型不合IgG抗体效价≥1：512是否提示胎儿病情严重。方法：对6例血清IgG抗A（B）抗体效价≥1：512的母儿血型不合孕妇，进行羊膜腔穿刺抽样羊水作胆红素、IgG抗体效价和胎儿血型物质测定，抽取其新生儿脐血作胎儿血型、胆红素检测及Coombs试验。结果：孕妇血清IgG抗体效价与新生儿溶血病的严重程度并不密切相关。结论：不能单纯以孕妇血清抗体效价的高低作为判断胎儿溶血的唯一依据。     

Prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in extremely low birth weight infants by IgG feeding?

Oral immunoglobulin has been described as preventing necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC) in preterm infants. To prevent NEC in extremely low birth weight infants (ELBW), we have carried out oral IgG prophylaxis since April 1991. The efficacy of this prophylaxis was examined in a study comparing historical cohorts. ELBW infants delivered in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the University of Ulm and treated until day 28 in the level III intensive care nursery, Division of Neonatology, University of Ulm were included. Cohort 1, born between 1.1.1988 and 31.3.1991, received no oral IgG and served as a control [n=84, gestational age: median 26 weeks, range 24–34; birth weight: 811 g, 490–990], cohort 2, born between 1.4.1991 and 31.12.1995 [n=137, gestational age: 26 weeks, 22–32; birth weight: 760 g, 362–995], received 6 × 100 mg/kg human IgG (Beriglobin) orally on days 1–28. NEC, stage 2a and higher according to the modified classification of Bell, was observed in 9 of 84 (10.7%) infants of cohort 1 and in 11 of 137 (8%) infants of cohort 2 until day 28. The difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.63 Fisher's exact test). Conclusion In this historical cohort study, ELBW infants were not protected against NEC by oral IgG. The present published evidence does not allow recommendation of oral human IgG administration in preterm infants as a prophylactic measure against NEC. Received: 8 June 1997 / Accepted in revised form: 1 January 1998     

免疫球蛋白对川崎病患儿一氧化氮及白细胞介素-6的影响

目的：了解一氧化氮(NO)、白细胞介素-6(IL- 6)在静脉滴注免疫球蛋白(IVIG)治疗川崎病(KD)患儿中的作用及意义。方法：收集38例川崎病患儿,用IVIG治疗前、治疗3 d后血液、尿液标本,以30例正常体检同龄儿童作对照;以酶联免疫吸附法测定血清及尿液中NO、IL-6水平。结果：治疗前KD急性期患儿血清及尿液NO、IL-6较对照组显著增高,经IVIG治疗后,KD患儿血清NO、IL-6及尿液IL-6含量较治疗前显著降低,尿液NO含量无显著变化。结论：KD患儿急性期经IVIG治疗后,通过抑制NO、IL-6等递质的产生,从而减轻炎症损害,使患儿迅速恢复。     

Local synthesis of IgA in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with neurological diseases

To date qualitative studies of IgA in the cerebrospinal fluid in neurological disease, particularly multiple sclerosis, have been few and given mixed results. The aim of this study was to identify local synthesis of IgA by detection of clonal IgA bands, in a large cohort of patients with a variety of neurological disorders, using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, transfer of protein to nitrocellulose membranes and specific staining. Of 2,097 sequentially analysed patients with suspected neurological disease 54 (2.6%) had locally synthesised IgA; most notably, IgA was present in 39 of 291 (13%) patients with suspected multiple sclerosis. The latter group also had a significant excess of light-chain production, particularly free kappa, when compared to multiple sclerosis patients without local synthesis of IgA. Locally synthesised IgA was also demonstrated in inflammatory, infectious and autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system. This qualitative technique is simple and suitable for routine analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, and further qualitative studies of IgA may be useful in investigating the pathophysiology of certain neurological disorders.     

梗死前心绞痛诱发的免疫炎症反应对心肌保护作用的临床研究

目的通过对有无梗死前心绞痛的急性心肌梗死患者免疫标志物的测定,研究梗死前心绞痛诱发的免疫炎症反应对心肌的保护作用。方法观察梗死前心绞痛组(48例)和无梗死前心绞痛组(40例)在住院期间严重心律失常、心功能不全、心源性休克的发生情况及住院期间的病死率;比较两组心肌梗死面积、心室功能、冠状动脉造影结果;测定两组免疫炎症反应标志物水平。结果梗死前心绞痛组严重心律失常发生率、心功能不全发生率、住院期间病死率明显低于无梗死前心绞痛组;梗死前心绞痛组肌酸激酶(CK)、肌酸激酶同工酶MB(CK-MB)、左室收缩末容量(LVESV)、左室舒张末容量(LVEDV)明显低于无梗死前心绞痛组,左室射血分数(LVEF)高于无梗死前心绞痛组;冠状动脉造影显示梗死前心绞痛组冠状动脉多支病变多,梗死区周围侧支循环丰富;梗死前心绞痛组白细胞计数、C-反应蛋白明显低于无梗死前心绞痛组,IgE明显高于无梗死前心绞痛组。结论梗死前心绞痛诱发的免疫炎症反应对心肌有保护作用。     

穴位注射乙型肝炎免疫球蛋白阻断乙型肝炎病毒母婴传播的临床研究

目的探计乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）阳性孕妇孕期足三里穴位注射乙型肝炎免疫球蛋白（HBIG）预防HBV宫内感染的效果。方法2001年11月至2003年10月烟台毓璜顶医院将190例乙型肝炎表面抗原（HBsAg）阳性孕妇随机分为两组：足三里穴位注射组92例，于孕20、24、28、32、36周足三里穴位注射HBIG共5次，每次200IU。肌肉注射组98例，同剂量、同时间应用HBIG。采用酶联免疫法，检测用药前后孕妇血清及新生儿脐血清HBsAg、HBeAg及HBsAb，采用核酸扩增（PCR）荧光定量检测HBV-DNA含量。结果92例足三里穴位注射者，新生儿HBV官内感染8倒，宫内感染率为8．7％，低于肌肉注射组（P〈0．01）。穴位注射组新生儿脐血清HBsAb检出率显著高于肌肉注射组（P〈0.05）。穴位注射组临产前血清中HBV—DNA显著低于肌肉注射组（P〈0.05）．结论通过孕妇足三里穴位注射HBIG，可更有效地减少HBV的宫内感染，未发现任何副反应。     

B细胞激活因子与过敏性紫癜相关性研究

目的:通过分析B细胞激活因子(BAFF)与患者免疫球蛋白在不同类型过敏性紫癜(HSP)中的表达,初步探讨BAFF在过敏性紫癜免疫发病机制中的作用。方法:收集HSP活动期患者,包括皮肤型30例、关节型30例、腹型32例、肾型31例、混合型41例,将健康人40例作为对照组。速率散射比浊法测定免疫球蛋白水平;ELISA方法检测BAFF蛋白含量。结果:IgA仅在混合型HSP中增高,IgG和IgM在各组中并无增高;不同类型HSP活动期患者血清中BAFF表达水平均明显高于对照组;混合型HSP患者血清中BAFF表达水平与同型患者IgA表达水平呈中等程度的相关性。结论:BAFF与HSP发病时的体液免疫增强有关。