Delineation of an immunodominant and human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV)-specific epitope within the HTLV-I transmembrane glycoprotein

Antibody reactivity to the transmembrane region of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) envelope, gp21, is observed in virtually all individuals infected with HTLV-I or HTLV-II. Recombinant proteins encoding selected portions of gp21 are described and used to define two immunogenic regions. The first epitope (designated GD21-I) contains amino acids 361 to 404 of the HTLV-I envelope and reacted with all of 54 sera from HTLV-I- and HTLV-II-infected individuals. The second epitope (designated BA21) expresses amino acids 397 to 430 of the HTLV-I envelope and was recognized by 33 of 54 HTLV antisera. To determine the specificity of GD21-I and BA21, sera from 17 HTLV- negative individuals with nonspecific reactivity to p21E were tested. None of these sera reacted with GD21-I, but 16 of 17 sera reacted with BA21. With virtually complete reactivity to sera from HTLV-infected individuals and no reactivity to sera from p21E-reactive uninfected individuals, GD21-I will be useful in immunoassays for the detection of HTLV infection.     

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing as a predictor of complications in oesophagogastric cancer surgery

Introduction

An anaerobic threshold (AT) of <11ml/min/kg can identify patients at high risk of cardiopulmonary complications after major surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the value of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in predicting cardiopulmonary complications in high risk patients undergoing oesophagogastric cancer resection.

Methods

Between March 2008 and October 2010, 108 patients (83 men, 25 women) with a median age of 66 years (range: 38–84 years) underwent CPET before potentially curative resections for oesophagogastric cancers. Measured CPET variables included AT and maximum oxygen uptake at peak exercise (VO₂ peak). Outcome measures were length of high dependency unit stay, length of hospital stay, unplanned intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Results

The mean AT and VO₂ peak were 10.8ml/min/kg (standard deviation [SD]: 2.8ml/min/kg, range: 4.6–19.3ml/min/kg) and 15.2ml/min/kg (SD: 5.3ml/min/kg, range: 5.4–33.3ml/min/kg) respectively; 57 patients (55%) had an AT of <11ml/min/ kg and 26 (12%) had an AT of <9ml/min/kg. Postoperative complications occurred in 57 patients (29 cardiopulmonary [28%] and 28 non-cardiopulmonary [27%]). Four patients (4%) died in hospital and 21 (20%) required an unplanned ICU admission. Cardiopulmonary complications occurred in 42% of patients with an AT of <9ml/min/kg compared with 29% of patients with an AT of ≥9ml/min/kg but <11ml/min/kg and 20% of patients with an AT of ≥11ml/min/kg (p=0.04). There was a trend that those with an AT of <11ml/min/kg and a low VO₂ peak had a higher rate of unplanned ICU admission.

Conclusions

This study has shown a correlation between AT and the development of cardiopulmonary complications although the discriminatory ability was low.     

Current UK practice in emergency laparotomy

Introduction

Emergency laparotomy is a common procedure, with 30,000–50,000 performed annually in the UK. This large scale study reports the current spectrum of emergency laparotomies, and the influence of the surgical procedure, underlying pathology and subspecialty of the operating surgeon on mortality.

Methods

Anonymised data on consecutive patients undergoing an emergency laparotomy were submitted for a three-month period. The primary outcome measure was unadjusted 30-day mortality. Appendicectomy and cholecystectomy were among the procedures excluded.

Results

Data from 1,708 patients from 35 National Health Service hospitals were analysed. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 14.8%. ‘True’ emergency laparotomies (ie those classified by the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death as immediate or urgent) comprised 86.5% of cases. The mortality rate rose from 8.0% among expedited cases to 14.3% among urgent cases and to 25.7% among laparotomies termed immediate. Among the most common index procedures, small bowel resection exhibited the highest 30-day mortality rate of 21.1%. The presence of abdominal sepsis was associated with raised 30-day mortality (17.5% in the presence of sepsis vs 12.6%, p=0.027). Colorectal procedures comprised 44.3% and within this group, data suggest that mortality from laparotomy may be influenced by surgical subspecialisation.

Conclusions

This report of a large number of patients undergoing emergency laparotomy in the UK confirms a remarkably high mortality by modern standards across the range. Very few pathologies or procedures can be considered anything other than high risk. The need for routine consultant involvement and critical care is evident, and the case distribution helps define the surgical skill set needed for a modern emergency laparotomy service. Preliminary data relating outcomes from emergency colonic surgery to surgical subspecialty require urgent further study.     

The case for the development of novel analgesic agents targeting both fatty acid amide hydrolase and either cyclooxygenase or TRPV1

Although the dominant approach to drug development is the design of compounds selective for a given target, compounds targeting more than one biological process may have superior efficacy, or alternatively a better safety profile than standard selective compounds. Here, this possibility has been explored with respect to the endocannabinoid system and pain. Compounds inhibiting the enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), by increasing local endocannabinoid tone, produce potentially useful effects in models of inflammatory and possibly neuropathic pain. Local increases in levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide potentiate the actions of cyclooxygenase inhibitors, raising the possibility that compounds inhibiting both FAAH and cyclooxygenase can be as effective as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs but with a reduced cyclooxygenase inhibitory ‘load’. An ibuprofen analogue active in models of visceral pain and with FAAH and cyclooxygenase inhibitory properties has been identified. Another approach, built in to the experimental analgesic compound N-arachidonoylserotonin, is the combination of FAAH inhibitory and transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 antagonist properties. Although finding the right balance of actions upon the two targets is a key to success, it is hoped that dual-action compounds of the types illustrated in this review will prove to be useful analgesic drugs.     

Correlation between surgical timing and postoperative ocular motility in orbital blowout fractures

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology - The study reports the correlation between surgical timing and postoperative ocular motility in orbital blowout fractures. This was...     

肺纤维化鼠Ⅰ型前胶原和Ⅲ型前胶原mRNA表达及芪丹颗粒剂的干预效应

目的:观察芪丹颗粒对博莱霉素致肺纤维化鼠的Ⅰ型前胶原和Ⅲ型前胶原mRNA表达的影响,探讨其作用机制。方法:实验于2004-10/2006-10在山东省医学科学院基础所病理实验室完成。实验材料:清洁级雄性SD大鼠160只,体质量180～210g。氢化可的松琥珀酸钠50mg/支;芪丹(颗粒剂)是由黄芪、丹参、川芎等中草药加工提纯后的粗提取物制成的颗粒剂,10g/包(1g干粉相当于原生药8g)。实验分组:160只SD大鼠按随机区组设计分为正常组20只、模型组40只、芪丹颗粒剂50只、氢化可的松50只。实验干预:正常组20只气管内灌注和灌胃均用生理盐水。其余大鼠经气管内一次性灌注博莱霉素A5按0.25mL左右(5mg/kg体质量)诱导大鼠肺间质纤维化。随机取40只为模型组。取芪丹颗粒剂组和氢化可地松组大鼠各30只,分别从造模后第2天灌注芪丹颗粒剂(3125mg/kg)和腹腔注射氢化可的松(25mg/kg),药物干预后第7,14,28天麻醉下处死动物。两组各余20只分别从造模14d后灌注芪丹颗粒剂和腹腔注射氢化可的松(用量同前),于第28、42天分别处死动物。实验评估:用苏木精-伊红评价肺组织病理学变化和原位杂交方法检测各组大鼠肺Ⅰ型和Ⅲ型前胶原mRNA表达。结果:160只大鼠全部进入结果分析。①大鼠肺脏大体标本观察:对照组肺组织各观察时间点无明显改变,模型组肺组织表面凸凹不平,部分肺叶体积缩小,表面见灰白色结节。氢化可的松组与模型组相似。芪丹颗粒剂组见部分肺叶表面不光滑及大小不等结节。②肺组织病理学观察:模型组7d肺泡腔内大量巨噬细胞淋巴细胞中性粒细胞浸润,肺间质成纤维细胞增殖,28d肺泡结构破坏肺泡内见大量胶原纤维和成纤维细胞。芪丹颗粒剂组肺泡炎及肺纤维化程度均明显轻于模型组和氢化可的松组(P<0.05)。③肺间质纤维化形成中Ⅰ型、Ⅲ型前胶原mRNA表达:原位杂交显示两种前胶原mRNA表达呈动态变化,早期肺泡炎以Ⅲ型前胶原mRNA大量增生为主,晚期纤维化期以Ⅰ型前胶原mRNA增生为主。芪丹颗粒剂组Ⅲ型前胶原mRNA的表达在第14天处于最高,至28d仍维持较高的水平,芪丹颗粒剂组Ⅲ型前胶原mRNA的表达高于模型组和氢化可的松组(P<0.05)。28d,Ⅰ型前胶原mRNA的表达在第二天给药芪丹颗粒剂组和氢化可地松组及第14天给药芪丹颗粒剂组和氢化可的松组组间差异均有显著性(P<0.05)。结论:大鼠肺纤维化的早期以Ⅲ型前胶原mRNA的表达为主,晚期纤维化期以Ⅰ型前胶原mRNA的大量表达为主。芪丹颗粒可减轻博莱霉素诱导的大鼠肺泡炎及肺纤维化的程度,其机制可能通过影响了Ⅰ型和Ⅲ型前胶原mRNA的代谢和表达,从而减慢肺间质纤维化的进程。芪丹颗粒对肺间质纤维化有治疗作用,且优于氢化可的松。     

干细胞因子基因cDNA克隆及其在造血干细胞中的表达

目的:克隆人干细胞因子基因cDNA,构建真核表达载体并转导脐带血造血干细胞,观察干细胞因子在造血干细胞中的表达,从而为脐血造血干细胞扩增及移植奠定实验基础。方法:实验于2005-09/12在承德医学院基础医学研究所和湖南师范大学医学院寄生虫病研究室完成。①实验材料:健康胎儿脐带由承德医学院附属医院提供,产妇均签署知情同意书;pcDNA3.1.大肠杆菌E.coliDH5α由本室保存;pUCm-T vector (promega公司);BamHⅠ,XbaⅠ(New England BioLabs公司):②实验方法:无菌收集胎儿脐带,胶原酶 胰蛋白酶 乙二胺四乙酸联合消化,分离培养人脐带内皮细胞。从上述含脐带内皮细胞的培养液中分离提取干细胞因子mRNA,用反转录-聚合酶链反应扩增干细胞因子cDNA.纯化的PCR产物与载体pUCm-T加入连接反应体系,构建及克隆pUCm-T/SCF质粒,其与pcDNA3.1分别进行BamHⅠ、XbaⅠ双酶切反应,产物经琼脂糖凝胶电泳后回收干细胞因子cDNA和pcDNA3.1片段,构建真核表达型载体pcDNA3.1/SCF。以密度梯度法 免疫磁珠法分离收集人脐血CD34~ 造血干细胞.导入pcDNA3.1/SCF,设立未转导对照组。③实验评估:转导后1～7 d检测两组细胞上清液中干细胞因子水平的表达。结果:①人于细胞因子基因cDNA克隆:扩增的人干细胞因子基因cDNA理论上应为690 bp,实际PCR产物经琼脂糖凝胶电泳后,紫外线下可见-预期大小的条带,证明干细胞因子mRNA提取成功,反转录合成的cDNA完整。②分泌型真核表达质粒pcDNA3.1/SCF的构建:BamHⅠ和XbaⅠ双酶切后电泳可见690 bp的插入片段,与干细胞因子基因序列相同,表明分泌型真核表达质粒pcDNA3.1/SCF构建成功。③脐血造血干细胞培养上清中的干细胞因子水平:培养第1～7天.转导pcDNA3.1/SCF的脐血造血干细胞上清中的干细胞因子表达水平均明显高于未转导对照组(P<0.01)。结论:成功克隆人干细胞因子基因cDNA,并构建了重组质粒pcDNA3.1/SCF,该质粒转导脐血造血干细胞后.能在短期内有效表达。     

精神分裂症患者的社交技能训练小组活动方案

目的:通过社交技能训练让精神分裂症患者明确正确的沟通方式,锻炼自己的交谈能力,学会社会交往技巧,体会人与人之间的关系,学会分析解决社交过程中出现的问题,从而掌握社会交往的技能,防止或延缓发生严重的社会功能衰退。方法:选择早期精神分裂症患者(5年内),在住院治疗达到临床治愈出院后立即开始训练。活动以小组为单位(10人1组)进行,小组成员相对固定。前3个月每个月1次,以后每3个月1次,持续1年。活动过程中以游戏为主导,让组员在游戏中领会人际交往过程中的要领。具体训练方案包括6个方面:①训练一:语言表达能力,正确的沟通方式。②训练二:如何寻找帮助。③训练三:指导患者学习人际交往的基本技巧。④训练四:如何与人打交道。⑤训练五:合作。⑥训练六:社交问题的解决。结果:通过增加对社交时恐惧的暴露及社交技巧训练,对精神分裂症伴发社交恐惧症有效;但对精神分裂症意志活动减退所致社交时主动性不足效果较差。结论:对精神分裂症患者的社交训练应尽早进行,同时在设计精神分裂症社交训练时应加强对患者主动性不足的针对性。     

Surviving meningococcal septic shock in childhood: long-term overall outcome and the effect on health-related quality of life

Introduction  

The purpose of this study was to evaluate associations between long-term physical and psychological outcome variables in patients who survived meningococcal septic shock (MSS) in childhood.     

Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of cystoid macular edema post Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty

Purpose

To investigate the effectiveness of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the treatment of cystoid macular edema (CME) post Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK).

Study design

Retrospective observational study

Methods

In this study of 334 patients who underwent DSAEK at the Baptist Eye Institute, Kyoto, Japan between July 2011 and December 2015, 18 patients with postoperative CME (determined by optical coherence tomography) treated with topical NSAIDs after the onset of CME were included.

Results

At CME onset, 17 of the 18 patients were treated with bromfenac eye drops and 1 was treated with nepafenac eye drops. Post initiation of treatment with topical NSAIDs, CME in 17 (94.4%) of the 18 patients improved at 1 month and all cases completely recovered within 3 months. At 12-months post initiation of treatment, 61.1% (n?=?11) of patients achieved a visual acuity (VA) of 20/40 or better, and there was no significant difference of VA between the patients with or without an episode of postoperative CME (P?=?0.55).

Conclusion

The administration of topical NSAID eye drops was found to be effective in treating patients with CME post DSAEK.