The decay of house dust mite allergens, Der p I and Der p II, under natural conditions

Background: Fluctuations in the level of mite allergens in domestic house dust are the result of changes in the balance between synthesis, removal and decay. Purely physical forces as well as enzymatic degradation, mediated by house dust inhabiting microbes, may contribute to the decay of allergens in domestic dust. Knowledge about the speed of decay is essential for an understanding of the dynamics of allergen levels. Objective: The present study is a quantitative assessment of the speed of decay at nine combinations of temperature (15°C, 20°C and 25°C) and relative humidity (33%, 55% and 75%). Methods: Samples of mite infested material of an old rug were stored at these temperature/relative humidity-combinations for 6, 12 or 18 months, after the mites were killed by cither a freezing treatment or an acaricide (lindane). The microbes living in the rug presumably survive these treatments. Concentrations of Der p I and Der p II + Der f II. in extracts of the rug material, were measured by a radio immunoassay. Results: No significant changes in the levels of Der p I and Der p II +Der f II, could be detected even after 1¹/₂ year at a high temperature and humidity. Conclusion: These findings incidate that mite allergens can be extremely stable under normal domestic circumstances.     

姜黄素对糖尿病大鼠肾脏病变的作用及对肾脏Smad7表达的影响

目的　探讨姜黄素对糖尿病大鼠肾脏病变的作用及对肾脏Smad7蛋白表达的影响。方法　诱导大鼠糖尿病后 ,随机分为对照组及治疗组 ,比较各组的血生化、尿微量白蛋白排泄量、肾脏病理改变及Smad7的免疫组化。结果　糖尿病大鼠内生肌酐清除率 (Ccr)、尿微量白蛋白 (mAlb)排泄量较正常鼠增多 ,系膜基质增生 ,Smad7表达明显下降 ;姜黄素治疗能明显降低Ccr (P <0 0 5 ) ,减少Alb排泄量 (P <0 0 5 ) ,抑制系膜基质增生 ,上调Smad7的表达 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　姜黄素对糖尿病肾病具有明显疗效 ,其机制至少部分是通过上调Smad7的表达 ,拮抗转化生长因子 β的作用 ,从而抑制肾脏纤维化。     

姜黄素对大鼠早期肝缺血再灌注损伤肺的保护作用

目的 探讨姜黄素对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注早期损伤(再灌注1、3 h)肺的保护作用.方法 将大鼠随机分为假手术组(A组)、对照组(B组)和实验组(C组).通过检测再灌注早期肺组织病理学的改变及肺组织中SOD、CAT、MDA、MPO的含量来评价姜黄素对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤肺的保护作用.结果 姜黄素可减少大鼠肝缺血再灌注损伤肺间隔的水肿和肺泡中红细胞和白细胞的渗出.姜黄素提高了早期缺血再灌注后肺组织中SOD、CAT含量,降低了肺组织中MDA、MPO含量.结论 姜黄素通过抑制肺组织中的氧自由基的生成及中性粒细胞的浸润,从而在早期大鼠肝缺血再灌注损伤中起到了对肺的保护.     

The insulin-like growth factor-II/mannose-6-phosphate receptor: structure, distribution and function in the central nervous system

The insulin-like growth factor-II/mannose-6-phosphate (IGF-II/M6P) receptor is a multifunctional single transmembrane glycoprotein which, along with the cation-dependent M6P (CD-M6P) receptor, mediates the trafficking of M6P-containing lysosomal enzymes from the trans-Golgi network (TGN) to lysosomes. Cell surface IGF-II/M6P receptors also function in the degradation of the non-glycosylated IGF-II polypeptide hormone, as well as in the capture and activation/degradation of extracellular M6P-bearing ligands. In recent years, the multifaceted role of the receptor has become apparent, as several lines of evidence have indicated that in addition to its role in lysosomal enzyme trafficking, clearance and/or activation of a variety of growth factors and endocytosis-mediated degradation of IGF-II, the IGF-II/M6P receptor may also mediate transmembrane signal transduction in response to IGF-II binding under certain conditions. However, very little is known about the physiological significance of the receptor in the function of the central nervous system (CNS). This review aims to delineate what is currently known about IGF-II/M6P receptor structure, its ligand binding properties and role in lysosomal enzyme transport. It also summarizes the recent data regarding the role of the receptor in the CNS, including its distribution, possible importance for normal and activity-dependent functioning as well as its implications in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD).     

Nasopharyngeal and nasal malignant lymphoma: a clinicopathological study of 54 cases

Forty-one cases of nasopharyngeal and 13 cases of nasal malignant lymphoma have been examined histologically and immunohistochemically. All of the cases were non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; one case was of follicular type and the remaining 53 were of diffuse type. Large cell lymphoma comprised 48% of cases and most of the immunoblastic lymphomas showing pleomorphism occurred in the nose. Twenty-seven cases were of T-cell and 21 of B-cell phenotype. The predominance of T-cell lymphoma was due to an increased incidence of these in the nose, the T:B ratio of 3.33:1 contrasting with a 1:1.05 ratio in the nasopharynx. Nasopharyngeal lymphomas seem to show an intermediate incidence between the T-cell predominance in the nose and a B-cell predominance in the oropharynx. Since the large cell type of lymphoma was predominant, the differential diagnosis from undifferentiated carcinoma is important and is facilitated by the use of immunostaining methods.     

The battering syndrome: A poor record of detection in the emergency department

A review of recent studies shows that physicians have a poor record in detection of cases of domestic violence, with only one battered woman in twenty-five diagnosed on physical examination. Emergency physicians who are more aware of the distinguishing features of the battering syndrome and provide appropriate crisis intervention may help victims to seek early legal and social aid, thereby preventing development of a chronic situation or a personal tragedy.     

A controlled trial of dapsone versus pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine for primary prophylaxis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and toxoplasmosis in patients with AIDS

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is the most common opportunistic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related infection, occurring in 85 % of HIV infected patients without prophylaxis. Preventive treatment is required when CD₄ cell count falls below 200 cells per cubic millimeter. Cotrimoxazole has been shown to be highly effective but alternative drug regimens are often necessary because of the frequent drug hypersensitivity exhibited by HIV infected patients. The aim of this prospective, open, randomized, one-site study, involving HIV-infected patients with a CD₄ cell count below 200/mm³, or a percentage under 20%, randomly assigned to receive either dapsone 50 mg daily or Fansidar^® one tablet weekly, was to compare the efficacy and safety of these drugs in the primary prophylaxis of PCP. Both dapsone and Fansidar^® appear to be safe and effective alternative agents for the prevention of PCP. Their role in Toxoplasma gondii prophylaxis requires further evaluation.     

Validation of a self-administered diet history questionnaire using multiple diet records

The validity of a self-administered diet history questionnaire has been estimated using as the reference data the mean of three 4-day diet records collected over the year prior to the administration of the questionnaire, in 1985–1986. Subjects were women ages 45–70 years, participants in the Women's Health Trial Feasibility Study, a multi-center clinical trial in which some women were randomized to be taught to adopt and maintain a low-fat diet, while others maintained their usual diet. The questionnaire produced group mean nutrient estimates closely approximating the values obtained by three 4-day records, e.g. in the usual-diet group, 37.7% of calories from fat by both food records and by questionnaire, and in the low-fat, group, 21.3% of calories from fat by food records and 23.7% of calories from fat by questionnaire. Correlations between questionnaire and diet records for per cent of calories from fat were 0.67 and 0.65 respectively in the two groups; most correlations were in the 0.5–0.6 range, and were similar to those achievable by a single 4-day food record.