Contrast behavior and relaxation effects of conventional and hyperecho-turbo spin echo sequences at 1.5 and 3 T.

To overcome specific absorption rate (SAR) limitations of spin-echo-based MR imaging techniques, especially at (ultra) high fields, rapid acquisition relaxation enhancement/TSE (turbo spin echo)/fast spin echo sequences in combination with constant or variable low flip angles such as hyperechoes and TRAPS (hyperTSE) have been introduced. Due to the multiple spin echo and stimulated echo pathways involved in the signal formation, the contrast behavior of such sequences depends on both T2 and T1 relaxation times. In this work, constant and various variable flip angle sequences were analyzed in a volunteer study. It is demonstrated that a single effective echo time parameter TE(eff) can be calculated that accurately describes the overall T2 weighted image contrast. TE(eff) can be determined by means of the extended phase graph concept and is practically independent of field strength. Using the described formalism, the contrast of any TSE sequence can be predicted. HyperTSE sequences are demonstrated to show a robust and well-defined T2 contrast allowing clinical routine MRI to be performed with SAR reductions of typically at least 70%.     

Rational design of hypoallergens applied to the major cat allergen Fel d 1

BACKGROUND: Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only treatment for allergic disease providing long-lasting symptom relief. Currently, it is mainly based on the use of crude allergen extracts. The treatment may be improved by the use of genetically engineered allergens, hypoallergens, aiming at a more effective and safer therapy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to provide a rational design of hypoallergen candidates for immunotherapy by using structural information and knowledge of B and T cell epitopes of an allergen. METHODS: The three-dimensional structure of the major cat allergen Fel d 1 was systematically altered by duplication of selected T cell epitopes and disruption of disulphide bonds. Seven Fel d 1 derivatives were generated and screened for allergenic reactivity in comparison with recombinant Fel d 1 in competition-ELISA. The allergenicity was further evaluated in basophil activation experiments and T cell reactivity was assessed in a lymphoproliferation assay. RESULTS: Three out of seven Fel d 1 derivatives, with two duplicated T cell epitopes and one or two disulphide bonds disrupted, were carefully evaluated. The three derivatives displayed a strong reduction in allergenicity with 400-900 times lower IgE-binding capacity than recombinant Fel d 1. In addition, they induced a lower degree of basophil activation and similar or stronger T cell proliferation than recombinant Fel d 1. CONCLUSION: By a rational approach, we have constructed three Fel d 1 hypoallergens with reduced IgE-binding capacities and retained T cell reactivities. This strategy may be applied to any well-characterized allergen to improve immunotherapy for allergic patients.     

Anleitung für eine vollständige Kehlkopfpräparation

Zusammenfassung Anhand von 9 Abbildungen wird eine Methode zur Kehlkopfpräparation beschrieben, bei der sämtliche Knorpel, Gelenke und Muskeln dargestellt werden. Nach Ablösung des Schildknorpels und des Hypopharynx werden die Mm. postici und arytaenoidei isoliert, die Cricoarytaenoidgelenke sowie die Arytaenoidknorpel präpariert und die Mm. laterales eingeschnitten. Ein Horizontalschnitt durch den Ringknorpel und die median-sagittale Spaltung des proximalen Fragmentes liefern schließlich den Zugang zu den inneren Kehlkopfweichteilen.     

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma General and medical management with special attention to exacerbations

The general management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma is discussed. Pathophysiological mechanisms of bronchial obstruction and inflammation are briefly described. The importance of preventive measures is emphasized. Medicine prescribed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, their relative place in treatment schedules and route of administration are reviewed. Finally, the importance of maximal bronchodilatation in exacerbations is stressed and the few indications for antibiotic treatment are discussed.     

Multi-parameter prediction of HLA class Ⅰ restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes for human proliferating cell nuclear antigen

Objective To predict the HLA class Ⅰ restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes for human proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Methods By using 3 epitope prediction databases which including MHC binder ( BIMAS and SYFPEITHI databases) and proteasome cutting site ( PAProC databases), the epitopes of PCNA were predicted by analyzing several parameters and methods. Results After comprehensive analysis,we have obtained two possible HLA-A0201 restricted CTL epitopes SMSAD-VPLV (228-236, score 447 633. 595 ) and LINEACWDI ( 22-28, score 127 966.779);two HLA-A24 re-stricted CTL epitopos DYEMKLMDL ( 113-121, score 563 994.9 ) and EFARICRDL ( 143-151, score 40 540.7);two HLA-A1101 restricted CTL epitopes LTSMSKILK (72-80, score 1334. 2680 ) and DVPLV-VEYK (232-240,score 736.9236). Conclusion The multi-parameter epitope prediction method is feasi-ble for cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitope prediction.     

脂肪来源间充质干细胞对大鼠肝移植的免疫调节作用

目的探讨大鼠脂肪来源间充质干细胞(MSC)对大鼠肝移植术后急性排斥反应的作用。方法分离、培养SD大鼠MSC,体外混合淋巴细胞培养(MLC)体系中,研究MSC对Wistar大鼠T细胞增殖的抑制作用。以SD与Wistar大鼠为供受体建立肝移植模型。随机分为MSC处理组与空白对照组,术后第7天检测肝功能、血清白细胞介素(IL)-2和白细胞介素(IL)-10水平、肝组织病理形态及肝细胞凋亡。结果体外MLC中,Wistar大鼠T细胞增殖明显受抑,抑制率为48.44%。实验组血清丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)、总胆红素(TBIL)、IL-2、IL-10分别为(134.2±45.0)、(162.5±30.5)U/L、(30.6±5.4)μmol/L、(187.35±18.26)、(193.95±37.62)μg/L;对照组上述指标分别为(355.6±54.3)、(296.4±71.2)U/L、(145.7±28.6)μmoL/L、(295.73±57.15)、(75.12±11.23)μg/L,两组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);病检提示实验组排斥反应较对照组明显减轻;脱氧脲核苷酸缺口末端标记(TUNEL)检测提示实验组肝细胞凋亡程度明显低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论供体来源MSC能明显抑制MLC体系中受体源T细胞的增殖,并能显著减轻大鼠肝移植术后急性排斥反应。     

Determination of serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in guinea pig and human prostate using HPLC

The finding of significant numbers of endocrine-paracrine (EP) cells in the prostate glands of guinea pigs and man suggests that these cells may be important in the regulation or modulation of prostatic function. Serotonin is a biogenic amine common to most prostatic EP cells. In order to extend current knowledge relating to these cells, an assay was developed using high-performance liquid chromatography to quantitate serotonin and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in guinea pig and human prostatic tissue extracts. Levels of serotonin and 5-HIAA in the guinea pig whole-gland preparation were 105.4 +/- 70.6 ng/g and 48.4 +/- 95.7 ng/g, respectively. Normal human prostatic tissue contained 1423.9 +/- 750.8 ng/g serotonin and 66.7 +/- 92.8 ng/g 5-HIAA. Recoveries ranged between 60 and 100%. The detection limits were 24 pg/injection for serotonin and 12 pg/injection for 5-HIAA. This assay provides an expeditious, specific and highly sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of monoamines in guinea pig and human prostatic tissue.     

Mesenteric and omental cysts: An ultrasonographic and clinical study of 15 patients

The clinical and ultrasonographic (US) features of 15 cases of mesenteric or omental cyst are herein described. This series included seven male and eight female patients, whose age ranged from 2–89 years. Correct clinical diagnosis was made in two children only, but preoperative US examination accurately demonstrated the lesion in 11 of 13 patients (85%). These cystic lesions usually had a thin wall, internal septations, and fluid content with sedimentation. Enteric duplication cysts had a relatively thick wall merging with the muscle layer of bowel loop, and multiloculation was noted mainly with cystic lymphangiomas or pseudocysts. The diagnostic and surgical management of these lesions are briefly reviewed and their US appearance is illustrated.     

胶原酶诱导不同部位脑出血大鼠模型的神经功能比较

目的 观察胶原酶诱导纹状体和内囊部位脑出血模型的行为学和神经纤维损伤差异.方法 利用立体定向技术,将一定量的Ⅳ型胶原酶用微量进样器分别精确注入大鼠纹状体和内囊诱导脑出血模型,观察两组大鼠的运动功能差异,并进行大体形态学和神经纤维受损程度的比较.结果 内囊组大鼠的运动功能受损程度明显重于纹状体组大鼠,前者的神经纤维破坏程度显著重于后者.结论 不同部位的脑出血模型的神经损害程度存在差异,内囊区脑出血模型更适合于研究神经纤维的损伤机制及神经纤维的再生和修复.     

Bacterial ghosts (BGs)—Advanced antigen and drug delivery system

Bacterial ghosts (BGs) are empty bacterial envelopes of Gram-negative bacteria produced by controlled expression of cloned gene E, forming a lysis tunnel structure within the envelope of the living bacteria. BGs are devoid of cytoplasmic content and possess all bacterial bio-adhesive surface properties in their original state while not posing any infectious threat. BGs are ideally suited as an advanced drug delivery system (ADDS) for toxic substances in tumor therapy. The inner space of BGs can be loaded with either single components or combinations of peptides, drugs or DNA which provides an opportunity to design new types of (polyvalent) drug delivery vehicles. Uptake of BGs loaded with Doxorubicin (Dox) by CaCo2 cells led to effective Dox release from endo-lysosomal compartments and accumulation in the nucleus. Viability and proliferative capacity of the cells were significantly decreased (2–3 orders of magnitude) after internalization of Dox loaded BGs as compared to cells incubated with free Dox. The same effect was observed with leukemia cells. Melanoma cells also revealed a high capability to internalize BGs. These results indicate that BGs are able to target a range of types of cancer. BGs have also been investigated as DNA delivery vectors. Studies show DNA loaded BGs are efficiently phagocytosed and internalized by both professional APCs and tumor cells with up to 82% of cells expressing the plasmid-encoded reporter gene. Our studies with BGs as an ADDS system contribute (i) to optimize drug delivery for the treatment of cancer; (ii) define specific conditions for selection and preparation of BG formulations; (iii) and provide a background for the clinical application of BGs in cancer therapy.