Anxiety Profiles of Mice Selectively Bred for Intermale Aggression

In the present study we compared genetically selected aggressive (TA) and nonaggressive (TNA) male mice, as well as males from an unselected control line (SW), in three tests of anxiety: the elevated plus-maze, the light-dark box, and the staircase test. Males were tested repeatedly for 3 days. In all three tests TA males were found to be more active and less anxious than TNA males, with SW males showing more or less intermediate scores. Furthermore, repeated plus-maze testing induced anxiety-like behavior in both TA and TNA mice, whereas repeated testing in the light-dark and staircase paradigms resulted in different responses. Whereas TNA animals were found to be stable, TA animals showed habituation on the second and third day of testing. The obtained data support the conclusion that a higher-level offensive aggression entails lower level of anxiety.     

中学生考试焦虑问题的综述研究

目的中学生由于必须面对中考、高考等与自身前途命运密切相关的重大考试．考试焦虑问题也就显得尤为突出。本文旨在探讨中学生考试焦虑的成因及其干预策略。方法采用综述研究法。结果本文将相关理论研究更为系统化．将其更加密切地纳入心理学的理论体系之中．并将理论结合中学教育实践进行探索与研究。结论只要学生掌握了这些考试焦虑的调试方法，就能很好地调整自身考试状态，预防考试过度焦虑。     

Cutaneous lymphocyte antigen expression on human effector B cells depends on the site and on the nature of antigen encounter

In contrast to T cells, information on skin-homing B cells expressing the cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA) is sparse. CLA expression on human B cells was investigated among circulating immunoglobulin-secreting cells (ISC) and among antigen-specific antibody-secreting cells (ASC) elicited by parenteral, oral or rectal primary immunization, or by parenteral or oral secondary immunization with Salmonella typhi Ty21a. CLA expression was examined by combining cell sorting with an enzyme-linked immunospot assay. Among all ISC, the proportion of CLA(+) cells was 13-21%. Parenteral immunization induced antigen-specific ASC of which 13% were CLA(+), while oral and rectal immunizations were followed by only 1% of CLA(+) ASC (p<0.001). Oral re-immunization was followed by an up-regulation of CLA (34-48%) regardless of the route of priming. Parenteral re-immunization elicited ASC of which 9-14% were CLA(+). In conclusion, the expression of CLA on human effector B cells depends on the site of antigen encounter: intestinal stimulation elicits cells with no CLA, while parenteral encounter elicits significant numbers of CLA(+) cells. Even though primary antigen encounter in the intestine failed to stimulate CLA expression, up-regulation of CLA was found upon intestinal antigen re-encounter. These findings may be of relevance in the pathogenesis of some cutaneous disorders.     

Allele-specific PCR and Next-generation sequencing based genetic screening for Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in India

Genetic screening of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) is known to be challenging due to the complexities in CYP21A2 genotyping and has not been the first-tier diagnostic tool in routine clinical practice. Also, with the advent of massive parallel sequencing technology, there is a need for investigating its utility in screening extended panel of genes implicated in CAH. In this study, we have established and utilized an Allele-Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (ASPCR) based approach for screening eight common mutations in CYP21A2 gene followed by targeted Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) of CYP21A2, CYP11B1, CYP17A1, POR, and CYP19A1 genes in 72 clinically diagnosed CAH subjects from India. Through these investigations, 88.7% of the subjects with 21 hydroxylase deficiency were positive for eight CYP21A2 mutations with ASPCR. The targeted NGS assay was sensitive to pick up all the mutations identified by ASPCR. Utilizing NGS in subjects negative for ASPCR, five study subjects were homozygous positive for other CYP21A2 variants: one with a novel c.1274G>T, three with c.1451G>C and one with c.143A>G variant. One subject was compound heterozygous for c.955C>T and c.1042G>A variants identified using ASPCR and NGS. One subject suspected for a Simple Virilizing (SV) 21 hydroxylase deficiency was positive for a CYP19A1:c.1142A>T variant. CYP11B1 variants (c.1201-1G>A, c.1200+1del, c.412C>T, c.1024C>T, c.1012dup, c.623G>A) were identified in all six subjects suspected for 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency. The overall mutation positivity was 97.2%. Our results suggest that ASPCR followed by targeted NGS is a cost-effective and comprehensive strategy for screening common CYP21A2 mutations and the CAH panel of genes in a clinical setting.     

Immune response of adults to sequential influenza vaccination

Annual immunization against influenza is recommended for numerous individuals, but the antibody response to sequential vaccination has not been well characterized. Levels of hemagglutination-inhibition antibody were measured in adults given either two or three doses of trivalent influenza vaccine at six-month intervals. A significant rise in the number of individuals with antibody titers of greater than or equal to 40 was seen for all three antigens only after initial vaccination. Repeated vaccination was necessary to maintain adequate antibody levels only to the A/Brazil (H1N1) antigen; it did not significantly affect the proportions of individuals with protective levels of antibody to either the A/Bangkok (H3N2) or the B/Singapore 222/79 antigens. These findings do not support the current recommendation for annual immunization when the vaccine formulation has not changed.     

Homologous and heterologous neutralization antibody responses after immunization with Japanese encephalitis vaccine among Taiwan children

Because 21 immunized children (13%) among the 162 confirmed Japanese encephalitis (JE) cases during 1986–1991 occurred in Taiwan, we collected 320 serum samples from Taiwan children aged 15–31 and 27–44 months immediately before the 1st dose (n = 41) and 1–3 months after the 2nd dose (n = 78, 27 pairs), and immediately before (n = 58) and 1–3 months after the 3rd dose (n = 143,44 pairs) to determine neutralization antibody (Nt Ab) against the Nakayama (N) and Beijing-1 (B) strains and two Taiwan wild type JE viruses (JEV): CC-27 and CH-1392. Our Nt results showed that (1) B vaccine stimulated a better homologous Ab response than N vaccine for Nt Ab seropositivity rate (NASR), produced a higher level of Nt titer after the primary immunization [2 doses = 100% vs. 91%, geometric mean titer (GMT) = 115 vs. 22], had a greater booster effect (3 doses: 100% vs. 95%; GMT = 320 vs. 33), and showed a better capability to neutralize two local Taiwan JEV strains, particularly only after 3 doses (ave. NASR for B vs. N = 90% vs. 10%; and GMT for B vs. N = 154 vs. 1); (2) the two wild type JEV strains had different plaque morphology and antigenic variation and the CC-27 strain was not neutralized as well as the CH-1392 strain after 3 doses of vaccine (BBB or NNN or NNB); and (3) 30% of the children had lost JEV Nt Ab one year after the 2nd dose of N vaccine and natural infection with JE virus did occur among those children after immunization. In conclusion, (1) three doses of mouse-brain vaccine are the minimum requirement to protect children against the local Taiwan JEV; (2) the best strain for a JE vaccine depends on level of Nt Ab it induced, the molecular epidemiology and antigenic variation of the JEV in each local area; and (3) future vaccine must produce better B- and T-cell memory. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Electron microscopic evidence of a viral nature for osteoclast inclusions in Paget's disease of bone

Circumstantial evidence from electron microscopic and immunological studies support the view that Paget's disease of bone represents a slow virus infection. However, there is only limited information available regarding its electron microscopic, enzyme and immunocytochemical characteristics. Two cases were studied using electron microscopy with particular emphasis on the inclusions in osteoclasts. Detailed ultrastructural and cytochemical studies including immuno-electron microscopy were performed. Some osteoclasts demonstrated specific virus-like structures composed of aggregations of microtubules in the nucleus and cytoplasm. The structures were easily digested by trypsin or protease, and were sensitive to RNase, which provided substantial evidence of a proteinaceous nature and inclusion of ribonucleic acid. Immunocytochemical examination identified binding of anti-respiratory syncytial virus and anti-measles virus antibodies in the tissue obtained from one of the two cases examined. The presence of viral antigens in structures in the cytoplasm of Pagetic osteoclasts supports the theory of paramyxovirus involvement in this disease.     

Maternal immunization modulates the primary immune response to 2-phenyl-oxazolone in BALB/c mice

The development of the antibody repertoire in newborn mice is greatly influenced by idiotypic network interactions. It has been demonstrated that anti-idiotypic antibodies either directly injected or transferred from the mother may alter the repertoire for life. For an elucidation of the underlying mechanisms we have analyzed the primary immune response to 2-phenyl-5-oxazolone (phOx) coupled to chicken serum albumin (CSA) in BALB/c mice after complete disappearance of maternal antibodies which originated from different stages of affinity maturation. Depending on the serum titers of the mothers after primary (1° mo), secondary (2° mo) or tertiary (3° mo) immunization, maternal anti-phOx IgG persisted in F1 mice for up to 9 months. In addition, F1 mice born to 2° mo developed – even without immunization – an anti-phOx IgM titer which reached levels similar to an antigen-induced primary response. An enhancement of the early primary anti-phOx as well as anti-CSA response was seen in F1 mice born from 1° mo, whereas the response was delayed when born to 2° mo and 3° mo. The antibody titers in the latter group of mice remained at a lower level for 3 months. In contrast, mice of the F2 generation which received a smaller amount of the same collection of maternal antibodies as F1 mice from 3° mo exhibited a quite different primary response: (i) They showed an earlier onset in their anti-CSA response. (ii) Whereas normally a plateau in antibody titer was reached by the 4th weak after immunization, in 55 % of the F2 mice a prolonged increase of the anti-phOx and anti-CSA antibody titers was observed. At 12 weeks after antigenic challenge, titers reached plateau levels of 6 × 10⁵ which were never before seen in a primary phOx or CSA response. Thus, depending on its own immunological experience, the maternal immune system induces a state of memory in the offspring which results in a faster and/or enhanced immune response in the F1 and F3 generations.     

双价痢疾菌苗滴鼻免疫小鼠后不同部位淋巴细胞表型的变化

目的:观测双价痢疾工程菌苗滴鼻免疫小鼠后,不同时间、不同部位淋巴组织细胞表型的变化,探讨痢疾菌苗滴鼻免疫对黏膜和系统免疫应答的影响。方法:BALB/c小鼠随机分为3组,每组30只,分别以FSM-2117和FS-5416痢疾菌苗经滴鼻途径免疫小鼠4次,菌量依次为5×106、1×107、4×107和4×107CFU/只,对照组给予PBS,间隔2 wk。4次免疫后7、30和90 d活杀,分离NALT、鼻通道、脾、小肠PP结淋巴细胞,采用流式细胞术检测其淋巴细胞表型的变化。结果:4次免疫后7 d,小鼠鼻相关淋巴组织(NALT)、鼻通道(NP)和Peyer’s结(PP)淋巴细胞中,CD3 T细胞数均显著增加,其中以CD4 T细胞增加为主。FSM-2117免疫组的脾细胞中B220 细胞显著增加;而FS 5416免疫组的脾细胞中CD3 T细胞显著增加。4次免疫后30 d,NALT、NP和脾淋巴细胞仍出现上述变化;而90 d,仅NALT和NP淋巴细胞出现上述同样变化。结论:两株双价痢疾菌苗滴鼻免疫小鼠后,能有效地诱导黏膜和系统免疫应答,且持续时间较长,但该免疫应答的减弱是从距免疫部位较远的部位而开始的。     

30例麻疹暴发疫情的调查分析

目的调查本地某乡镇一次麻疹疫情的流行强度,描述其三间分布,分析暴发原因及影响因素。方法现场流行病学调查,酶联免疫捕获法检测麻疹IgM抗体,作免疫空白与麻疹发病关联的病例对照研究。结果2006年5月～7月,该乡镇发生30例麻疹局部暴发,其中29例儿童麻疹,1例成人麻疹,5例麻疹IgM抗体阳性。发病地点主要为小学和和幼儿园,罹患率分别为7.94%、7.87%。免疫空白与发病关系研究表明,初种免疫空白OR=7.2,X2=6.84,复种免疫空白OR=11.0,X2=9.48;影响免疫空白形成的社会因素调查,未接受麻疹疫苗初种或复种儿童的父母双亲常年在外务工占82.4%(28/34),有麻疹疫苗接种史儿童的父母常年在外务工占35.3%(12/34),二者有统计学差异(X2=15.54)。结论免疫空白是麻疹暴发形成的重要因素,农村儿童的父母常年在外务工形成隔代抚养教育对计免工作有负面影响。