Universal rubella vaccination programme and maternal rubella immune status: A tale of two systems

Maternal rubella status was compared between local residents with non-residents who delivered in our hospital during 1998–2008. Among the 60,822 women, non-immunity was more common in the non-residents (19.9% versus 8.1%, P < 0.001). Significant difference and positive correlation with age and parity were found for both groups, but a significant inverse correlation with year-of-birth was found only in the residents. Regression analysis confirmed that birth after 1970 was associated with reduced odds of non-immunity, which indicated that the rubella vaccination programme, introduced since 1978, has succeeded in reducing the incidence of non-immunity to <5% in the youngest generation.     

复发性口腔溃疡患者血清中微量元素含量及细胞免疫功能的研究

目的 :探讨复发性口腔溃疡 (RAU)患者血清中微量元素含量及细胞免疫功能状态。方法 :采用原子吸收分光光度计检测血清中微量元素的含量 ,流式细胞仪检测外周血 T细胞亚群和 NK细胞百分比 ,ELISA法检测血清中细胞因子。结果 :RAU组血清中锌和硒的含量均明显低于对照组 (均 P<0 .0 1 ) ,而镁、铁、铜的含量与对照组之间的差别无显著性的意义 (均P>0 .0 5 ) ;RAU组外周血中 CD3 + 、CD4 + 、CD4 + /CD8+ 和 CD5 6 + 细胞 (NK细胞 )的比例均明显低于对照组 (均 P<0 .0 1 ) ,RAU组血清中 IL- 1 2产生水平明显低于对照组 (P<0 .0 1 ) ,而 IL- 1 0产生水平明显高于对照组 (P<0 .0 1 )。结论 :RAU患者存在细胞免疫功能缺陷 ,临床治疗须提高 RAU患者的细胞免疫功能 ,合理补锌和补硒对于防治 RAU有重要意义     

Vitamin D and tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is highly prevalent worldwide, accounting for nearly two million deaths annually. Vitamin D influences the immune response to tuberculosis, and vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased tuberculosis risk in different populations. Genetic variability may influence host susceptibility to developing active tuberculosis and treatment response. Studies examining the association between genetic polymorphisms, particularly the gene coding for the vitamin D receptor (VDR), and TB susceptibility and treatment response are inconclusive. However, sufficient evidence is available to warrant larger epidemiologic studies that should aim to identify possible interactions between VDR polymorphisms and vitamin D status.     

Polarized immune responses differentially regulate cancer development

Summary: Tumor-associated immune responses assert varied responses toward developing neoplasms that can either act to eradicate malignant cells via engagement of potent cytotoxic programs or alternatively enhance tumor growth through release of multifunctional pro-tumor mediators. Seemingly paradoxical, these disparate activities reflect a continuum of polarization (or activation) states possible for distinct leukocyte subsets that demonstrate tissue, organ, and tumor selectivity. Herein, we review clinical and experimental studies investigating cellular and molecular mechanisms utilized by neoplastic tissues to alternatively polarize immune responses that favor either pro- or anti-tumor immunity.     

The induction of systemic and mucosal immune responses following the subcutaneous immunization of mature adult mice: characterization of the antibodies in mucosal secretions of animals immunized with antigen formulations containing a vitamin D3 adjuvant

Systemic and mucosal immune responses were effectively induced following the subcutaneous administration of Haemophilus influenzae type b oligosaccharide conjugated to diphtheria toxoid vaccine in a formulation containing the active form of vitamin D3. IgA and IgG antibodies with specificity for both the protein and oligosaccharide components of the vaccine were detectable in mucosal secretions following immunization. The IgA and IgG mucosal antibodies were produced locally, and were functional as demonstrated by their diphtheria toxin neutralizing activity. Our data suggests that subcutaneous tissues can effectively serve as effective antigen presenting sites for both mucosal and systemic immune responses to antigens administered in combination with vitamin D3.     

Antitumor Effector Mechanism of Interleukin-lβ at a Distant Site in the Double Grafted Tumor System

Recombinant human interleukin-lβ (IL-lβ) Inhibited the growth of not only the right, but also the left non-treated tumor in a double grafted tumor system. Since the antitumor activity of IL-lβ against the right and left tumors was not seen in nude mice, lymphocytes have a key role in the antitumor effect of intratumoral administration of IL-lβ. TIL (tumor-infiltrating leukocytes) obtained from left and right side tumors treated with IL-1β were examined by Winn assay for their antitumor activity against Meth-A sarcoma in BALB/c mice. TIL from the right side clearly inhibited the growth of admixed Meth-A cells, but control TIL did not. Spleen cells and right and left regional lymph node cells prepared from IL-1-treated mice were examined for Lyt-1, Lyt-2 and L3T4 phenotypes. The number of Lyt-1-positive lymphocytes increased in the spleen and in the right regional lymph nodes after intratumoral administration of IL-1. Isolated tumor cells obtained from the right tumor treated with IL-lβ and the left side tumor on day 6 were cultured in RPMI1640 with 10% fetal calf serum for 24 h. The culture supernatants were harvested and tested for the presence of chemotactic activity for neutrophils or macrophages. Significant neutrophil chemotactic factor and macrophage chemotactic factor activities were detected in the culture media from IL-1-treated tumor tissues cultured for 24 h. Neither significant neutrophil nor macrophage chemotactic activity was detected in the media from untreated tumor tissues. These results suggest that intratumoral administration of IL-1 first induces neutrophils and macrophages in the right tumor, then Lyt-1-positive cells in the right regional lymph nodes and in the spleen, and subsequently induces macrophages in the left, non-treated tumor.     

早期梅毒皮损组织CD3、CD20和CD68的表达

为探讨一，二期梅毒皮损组织细胞免疫应答过程及机制，采用免疫组织化学及计算机图像分析的探讨，对一，二期梅毒病损组织中的CD3，CD20，CD68表达进行定性定量分析研究。结果显示，43例一，二期梅毒标本中CD3，CD20，CD68表达均阳性，表达水平病期发展，皮肤损害加重而逐渐升高。CD68表达水平高于CD3，CD20，尤其在血管周围表达明显增高，CD20表达较低。研究表明，T细胞，B细胞，特别是巨噬细胞在清除早期梅毒组织内感染的梅毒螺旋体过程中起着重要的细胞免疫调节作用，但作用不完全。     

雏凤精对小鼠免疫功能的影响

正常小鼠肌肉注射环磷酰胺(CTX)或醋酸氢化泼尼松(HPA)造成免疫低下模型,通过巨噬细胞(Mφ)吞噬功能试验,淋巴器官重量测定,外周血淋巴细胞α-醋酸萘酯酶染色,溶血素测定及PFC试验,观察雏凤精对小鼠免疫系统的影响。结果表明:雏凤精能完全或部分对抗免疫抑制剂的免疫抑制作用,对细胞及体液免疫功能均有一定保护和促进作用。     

Serum and CSF immunological findings in ALS

Serum and CSF immunological findings were analysed in 37 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS patients had significantly higher mean values of serum IgG and complement component C4 and significantly lower mean value of total haemolytic titre of complement (THC) compared with normal controls. Incidence of immune complexes (ICs) was significantly higher in sera of ALS patients than in normal controls. There was no significant difference regarding mean serum levels of IgM, IgA, and complement components C3 and Factor B between patients and controls. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage was found in 46% of patients. Intrathecal IgG synthesis was detected in six patients (16%). These results support the hypothesis of immune system involvement in ALS.     

Clinical Study on General lmmunotherapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

In the present study,67 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)were treated withimmunotherapy or immunochernotherapy.The results indicated that natural killer cell(NK)andantibody-dependent cytotoxicity cell(ADCC)activities and lymphocyte transformation rate(LTR)were significantly improved in vivo after treatment.The NK activity in tumor tissue,which showed aheavy immunosuppression,could also be enhanced and recovered to normal level after treatment withlymphokine mixture and 5-fluorouracil(5-FU).Immunity of host with postoperativeimmunochemotherapy was rapidly improved and recovery vate was high.The survival time in thesecases of unresectable tumors was obviously prolonged when a general immunotherapy was used.Immunochemotherapy can impr(?)ve immunity and inhibit selectively Ts cells as well as kill directly thetremor cells;therefore,it can play an important role in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinomaand in the prevention of its recurrence after operation.