丁二磺酸腺苷蛋氨酸联合复方甘草酸苷治疗酒精性肝硬化患者疗效及其对血清BGP水平的影响*

目的 探讨应用丁二磺酸腺苷蛋氨酸肠溶片联合复方甘草酸苷治疗酒精性肝硬化患者的疗效及其对血清骨钙素（BGP）水平的影响。方法 2016年3月~2018年2月我院诊治的酒精性肝硬化患者276例,采用随机数字表法分为观察组（n=138）和对照组（n=138）。给予对照组患者丁二磺酸腺苷蛋氨酸肠溶片口服,观察组患者在对照组治疗的基础上给予复方甘草酸苷注射液静脉滴注,治疗3 w。采用放射免疫法检测血清BGP水平,采用ELISA法检测血清胰岛素样生长因子1（IGF-1）水平,采用化学发光免疫法检测血清透明质酸（HA）、黏连蛋白（LN）、IV型胶原（IV-C）和III型前胶原（PC-III）水平。结果 在治疗结束时,观察组血清ALB为（36.8±10.3） g/L,显著高于对照组[（29.4±9.2） g/L,P<0.05],血清TBIL为（26.4±5.1） μmol/L,显著低于对照组[（47.3±9.4） μmol/L,P<0.05],血清GGT水平为（158.6±72.8） U/L,显著低于对照组[（254.6±100.4） U/L,P<0.05];观察组血清HA为（72.6±18.4） μg/L,显著低于对照组[（158.4±30.5） μg/L,P<0.05],LN为（87.4±8.3） μg/L,显著低于对照组[（165.3±19.8） μg/L,P<0.05],PC-III为（94.5±31.3） μg/L,显著低于对照组[（147.4±42.5） μg/L,P<0.05],IV-C为（64.3±9.5） μg/L,显著低于对照组[（98.4±26.4） μg/L,P<0.05];观察组血清IGF-1水平为（198.2±34.6）ng/ml,显著高于对照组[（162.5±30.5） ng/ml,P<0.05],BGP为（8.8±3.9） ng/ml,显著高于对照组[（6.7±3.0） ng/ml,P<0.05]。结论 应用丁二磺酸腺苷蛋氨酸肠溶片联合复方甘草酸苷治疗酒精性肝硬化患者近期疗效显著,可显著改善患者肝功能指标,可能与升高了血清IGF-1和BGP水平有关。     

恩替卡韦联合复方鳖甲软肝片治疗乙型肝炎肝硬化患者疗效及转归研究*

目的 研究应用恩替卡韦（ETV）联合复方鳖甲软肝片治疗乙型肝炎肝硬化患者的疗效及其对疾病转归的影响。方法 2014年1月~2016年12月我院收治的乙型肝炎肝硬化患者76例,采用随机数字表法将患者分为对照组36例和观察组40例,分别给予ETV或ETV联合复方鳖甲软肝片治疗,观察12 m月。采用 PCR法定量检测血清HBV DNA载量,采用放射免疫法检测血清透明质酸（HA）、Ⅲ型前胶原（PⅢP）、层粘连蛋白（LN）和Ⅳ型胶原（CⅣ）,常规行血生化和Fibroscan检查。结果 在治疗12 m末,观察组血清TBIL为（19.7±13.4） μmol/L,ALT水平为（28.3±9.4） U/L,均显著低于对照组的[（23.2±13.8） μmol/L和（53.6±10.2） U/L,P<0.05],观察组血清ALB水平为（37.2±5.6） g/L,PTA为（91.1±11.2） %,显著高于对照组[（34.7±6.1） g/L和（81.4±10.5） %,P<0.05];观察组CTP评分为（6.3±1.2）,显著低于对照组的[（8.1±1.4）,P<0.05],肝脏硬度检测（LSM）为（16.5±12.2） kPa,也显著低于对照组的[（22.7±14.4） kPa,P<0.05];观察组血清HA水平为（89.2±43.1） μg/L,PⅢP为（119.7±60.8） μg/L,LN为（98.7±30.2） μg/L,CⅣ为（102.6±29.7） μg/L,均低于对照组[分别为（184.3±58.2） μg/L、（254.5±74.7） μg/L、（140.8±39.7） μg/L、（165.7±41.2） μg/L,P<0.05];观察组血清HBV DNA阴转率为97.5%（39/40）,与对照组的94.4%（34/36）比,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,观察组血清HBV DNA载量为（3.2±0.3）log10 copies/ml,与对照组的（3.5±0.4）log10 copies/ml比,无显著性差异（P>0.05）;观察组腹水、肝性脑病、消化道出血和肝细胞癌发生率分别为17.5%、5.0%、10.0%和2.5%,显著低于对照组的52.7%、13.8%、16.7%和11.1% （P<0.05）;在观察的12 m内,观察组无死亡病例,而对照组死亡3例（8.3%）。结论 应用ETV联合复方鳖甲软肝片治疗能够明显改善乙型肝炎肝硬化患者肝功能指标,降低血清肝纤维化指标,改善预后。     

熊去氧胆酸联合脂溶性维生素注射液治疗酒精性肝病伴肝内胆汁淤积患者疗效观察

目的 探讨熊去氧胆酸（UDCA）联合脂溶性维生素注射液治疗酒精性肝病（ALD）伴肝内胆汁淤积患者的疗效。方法 2015年 1月~2016年 1月我院收治的75例ALD伴肝内胆汁淤积患者被随机分为试验组43例,给予UDCA联合脂溶性维生素注射液治疗,对照组32例只接受UDCA治疗,均治疗4 w。结果 在治疗4 w结束时,试验组和对照组AST为[（46.2±17.2）U/L 和（96.4±37.3）U/L,P<0.05],GGT为[（78.9±19.1）U/L 和（123±54.5）U/L,P<0.05],TBIL为[（44.8±20.7） μmol/L 和（85.3±29.6）μmol/L,P<0.05],ALP 为[（79.6±22.3）U/L 和（101±29.7）U/L,P<0.05],APTT 为[（46.4±14.2）s和（58.8±14.9）s,P<0.05],TBA 为[（47.7±19.3）μmol/L和（111.2±36.3）μmol/L,P<0.05]。结论 UDCA联合脂溶性维生素治疗ALD伴肝内胆汁淤积患者近期疗效确切。     

戊型肝炎肝衰竭死亡原因分析*

目的 分析影响戊型肝炎肝衰竭患者预后的影响因素,为其防治提供经验。方法 2009年3月~2016年3月收治的慢加急性戊型肝炎肝衰竭患者140例,经内科综合治疗后生存63例,死亡77例。回顾性分析生存与死亡患者肝功能指标,采用Logistic多元回归分析进行单因素和多因素分析影响预后的危险因素。结果 死亡组血清甲胎蛋白峰值水平仅为（47.6±8.9） ng/ml,显著低于生存组[（175.8±254.1） ng/ml,P<0.05],血清总胆红素峰值水平为（377.3±164.6） μmol/L,显著高于生存组[（251.7±151.4） μmol/L,P<0.05],凝血酶原时间国际标准化比值（INR）为（2.4±0.6）,显著高于生存组【（1.6±0.2）,P<0.001】,血清白蛋白水平为（32.2±9.9） g/L,显著低于生存组【（35.8±8.2） g/L,P<0.05】;单因素分析结果显示,年龄大于60岁（P<0.001）、有肝脏基础疾病（P=0.032）、并发肝性脑病（P=0.024）、存在感染（P=0.03）、并发消化道出血（P=0.014）、有腹水（P=0.02）为影响慢加急性戊型肝炎肝衰竭患者预后的危险因素;多因素回归分析结果显示,肝性脑病（P=0.005）、感染（P<0.001）、消化道出血（P=0.001）和基础肝病 （P=0.004）是影响慢加急性戊型肝炎肝衰竭患者预后的独立危险因素。结论 部分戊型肝炎患者会发展至肝衰竭,以慢加急性肝衰竭为多见,内科综合治疗仅在不到一半的患者有效,而血清胆红素水平和INR太高患者预后不良,并发肝性脑病、感染、消化道出血和有基础肝病是影响慢加急性戊型肝炎肝衰竭患者预后的独立危险因素,可作为判断肝衰竭患者预后的临床指标,对此类患者应进行积极的护理和治疗,预防并发症的发生,以提高患者生存率。     

原发性胆汁性胆管炎患者胆囊病变临床分析

目的 分析总结原发性胆汁性胆管炎（PBC）患者胆囊病变的特点。方法 回顾性分析110例PBC患者超声检查胆囊病变情况。结果 83.6%PBC患者发现胆囊壁毛糙,42.7%有胆囊炎,40.0%有胆囊壁增厚,22.7%有胆囊结石,19.1%有胆囊息肉,18.2%有胆囊壁水肿;44例伴胆囊壁增厚的与66例不伴胆囊壁增厚的PBC患者白细胞计数分别为【（4.3±1.8）×10⁹/L和（5.2±2.3）×10⁹/L,P<0.05】,血红蛋白为【（96.4±25.8） g/L和（122.1±18.2） g/L,P<0.05】,血小板计数为【（122.3±101.7）×10⁹/L和（178.2±81.8）×10⁹/L,P<0.05】,总胆红素为【（71.1±81.1） μmol/L和（26.4±34.3） μmol/L,P<0.05】,白蛋白为【（31.2±6.1） g/L和（41.2±6.1） g/L,P<0.05】,胆碱酯酶为【（3247.8±2058.9） U/L和（6829.3±2698.9） U/L,P<0.05】,总胆固醇为【（3.6±1.4） mmol/L和（4.8±1.5） mmol/L,P<0.05】,门静脉内径为【（11.9±1.8） mm和（11.3±1.6） mm,P<0.05】;不伴胆囊壁增厚组腹水发生率为16.7%,显著低于伴胆囊壁增厚组的68.2%（P<0.05）;前者胆囊炎占4.5%,显著低于后者的100.0%（P<0.05）,前者无胆囊壁水肿,后者为45.5%（P<0.05）,前者胆囊壁毛糙占100%,显著高于后者的59.1% （P<0.05）,前者肝功能B/C级占19.7%,显著低于后者的68.2%（P<0.05）。结论 胆囊病变为PBC患者的常见表现,胆囊壁毛糙、胆囊炎和胆囊壁增厚为最常见的3种胆囊病变类型,应加强临床分析,及时进行针对性干预,从而改善患者预后。     

LLLR与OLLR治疗左外叶肝细胞癌临床效果及远期生存率比较

目的 比较腹腔镜左肝外切除术（LLLR）与开腹左肝外切除术（OLLR）治疗左外叶肝细胞癌（HCC）患者的临床效果及生存期。方法 我院2011年4月~2013年6月收治的左外叶HCC患者94例,采用随机数字表法将其分为对照组47例和观察组47例,分别接受OLLR和LLLR治疗。比较两组患者手术指标及并发症发生情况。采用ELISA法检测血清细胞间黏附分子（ICAM）-1、基质金属蛋白酶（MMP）-13和IL-6,常规检测血清炎症因子和免疫球蛋白水平变化。术后随访3年,比较两组患者术后1 a、2 a和3 a生存率。结果 观察组术中出血量为（134.94±23.51） ml,显著低于对照组[（290.18±30.76） ml,P<0.01],首次进食时间为（2.29±0.51） d,显著短于对照组[（3.80±0.87） d,P<0.01],住院时间为（7.43±2.39） d,显著短于对照组[（11.42±3.08） d,P<0.01];手术后,观察组血清ICAM-1为（8.08±2.13） ng/ml,显著低于对照组[（13.27±2.60） ng/ml,P<0.01],MMP-13为（113.65±21.92） ng/ml,显著低于对照组[（171.02±27.85） ng/ml,P<0.01],降钙素原（PCT）为（7.23±0.74） μg/L,显著低于对照组[（11.24±1.53） μg/L,P<0.01],IL-6为（11.49±2.78） pg/L,显著低于对照组[（19.06±3.27） pg/L,P<0.01],IgA为（2.63±0.46） g/L,显著高于对照组[（1.49±0.41） g/L,P<0.01],IgM为（1.92±0.33） g/L,显著高于对照组[（1.40±0.27） g/L,P<0.01],IgG为（9.72±1.53） g/L,显著高于对照组[（6.40±0.85） g/L,P<0.01];观察组并发症发生率（12.8%）明显低于对照组（42.5%,P<0.05）;两组患者术后1 a、2 a和3 a生存率比较,均无明显差异（P>0.05）。结论 LLLR能明显降低左外叶HCC患者的手术创伤,减少术后并发症,而对患者生存率无明显影响。     

慢性丙型肝炎患者颈动脉内膜和血清内脏脂肪素的变化

目的调查慢性丙型肝炎患者颈动脉内中膜厚度、斑块形成和血清内脏脂肪素 （Visfatin）的关系。方法使用彩色多普勒超声检测46例慢性丙型肝炎患者和40例健康人颈动脉内膜中膜厚度和斑块形成,采用ELISA法检测血清Visfatin、C反应蛋白和GGT水平。结果慢性丙型肝炎患者颈动脉内中膜厚度为（1.21±0.36） mm,显著高于对照组[（0.83±0.31） mm,P<0.05];慢性丙型肝炎患者颈动脉斑块发生率为32.6%,显著高于对照组（10 %,P<0.05）;慢性丙型肝炎患者血清Visfatin水平为（42.89±18.63） μg/L,显著高于对照组[（27.02±13.14） μg/L,P<0.05];20例颈动脉内中膜增厚的慢性丙型肝炎患者血清Visfatin水平为（55.06±15.72） μg/L,显著高于26例内膜不增厚者[（33.54±15.09）μg/L,t=-4.710,P<0.05],差异有统计学意义;15例存在颈动脉斑块的慢性丙型肝炎患者血清HCV RNA水平为（5.78±1.56） logl0拷贝/毫升,较31例无斑块患者[（3.84±0.97） log10拷贝/毫升]明显增高（Z=-3,972,P<0.05）,差异有统计学意义。结论慢性丙型肝炎患者颈动脉内中膜增厚,颈动脉斑块发生率明显增高,与血清高水平的Visfatin和HCV RNA可能存在关系。     

乙型肝炎肝硬化患者血清血小板衍生生长因子和叶酸水平变化

目的 分析乙型肝炎肝硬化患者血清血小板衍生生长因子（PDGF）和叶酸水平变化。方法 2015年1月~2016年12月期间我院收治的110例乙型肝炎肝硬化患者,常规行肝功能Child-Pugh分级,采用ELISA法检测血清PDGF水平,采用化学发光法检测血清叶酸水平,采用放射免疫法检测血清Ⅲ型前胶原（PCⅢ）、Ⅳ型胶原（Ⅳ-C）、层粘连蛋白（LN）和透明质酸酶（HA）水平。结果 32例Child-Pugh C级患者血清PDGF水平为（190.7±11.4）pg/ml,显著高于42例B级或36例A级患者的（128.5±8.1） pg/ml或（79.5±4.9） pg/ml（P<0.05）;Child-Pugh C级患者血清叶酸水平为（2.7±0.5） μg/L,显著低于B级或A级患者的（5.3±0.5） μg/L或（7.1±0.8） μg/L（P<0.05）;Child-Pugh C级患者血清谷丙转氨酶（ALT）、总胆红素（TBIL）水平和INR水平分别为（102.4±6.9） U/L、（60.7±5.8） μmol/L和（1.9±0.2）,均显著高于B级患者【分别为（78.9±4.5） U/L、（36.4±3.2） μmol/L和（1.5±0.2）】或A级患者[分别为（56.8±3.9） U/L、（26.8±2.8） μmol/L和（1.2±0.1）,均P<0.05】;Child-Pugh C级患者血清白蛋白（ALB）为（23.9±2.4） g/L,显著低于B级患者的（30.8±2.7） g/L或A级患者的（41.0±3.3） g/L（均P<0.05）;Child-Pugh C级患者血清PCⅢ、Ⅳ-C、LN和HA水平分别为（279.7±19.2） μg/L、（140.4±8.0） μg/L、（159.7±8.2） μg/L和（237.8±9.1） μg/L,均显著高于B级分别为【（238.5±17.8） μg/L、（94.8±6.2） μg/L、（129.5±7.3） μg/L和（174.1±8.6） μg/L或A级患者（分别为158.6±13.6）μg/L、（75.4±5.1） μg/L、（96.8±6.8） μg/L和（128.3±6.9）μg/L,均P<0.05】;肝硬化患者血清PDGF水平与ALT、TBIL、INR和肝纤维化指标均呈正相关,与ALB呈负相关（均P<0.05）,叶酸水平与ALT、TBIL、INR和肝纤维化指标均呈负相关,与ALB呈正相关（均P<0.05）。结论 随着肝功能损害程度的加重,肝硬化患者血清PDGF水平逐渐升高,而叶酸水平逐渐降低,其临床意义还有待于进一步研究。     

白蛋白输注联合腹腔置管持续引流与支链氨基酸联合利尿剂治疗失代偿期肝硬化张力性腹水的效果对比分析

目的 观察白蛋白输注联合腹腔置管持续引流与支链氨基酸联合利尿剂治疗肝硬化张力性腹水患者的疗效差异。方法 2014年12月~2016年 8月我院收治的78例肝硬化张力性腹水患者被随机分为对照组32例,给予白蛋白联合腹腔置管持续引流治疗,试验组46例接受支链氨基酸联合利尿剂治疗,疗程均为2 w。结果 在治疗2 w末,试验组与对照组肝性脑病（x²=5.472,P<0.05）和自发性细菌性腹膜炎发生率（x²=4.092,P<0.05）有显著性差异;试验组24 h尿量为（1321±278） ml,显著多于对照组的（1102±239） ml（P<0.05）;两组血清TBIL[（36.8±23.1） μmol/L 对（36.3±26.8） μmol/L,P>0.05]、PT-INR [（1.05±0.91）对（1.16±1.03）,P>0.05]、 ALB[（32.9±9.1） g/L 对（30.7±8.5） g/L,P>0.05]、Cr [（65.2±45.7）μmol/L对（72.4±38.8）μmol/L,P>0.05]均无显著性相差。结论 白蛋白联合腹腔置管持续引流是治疗肝硬化张力性腹水公认有效的方法,而应用支链氨基酸联合利尿剂具有相对安全、剂量可控、价格低廉、无创的特点,短期效果也较好。     

自体外周血干细胞移植治疗乙型肝炎肝硬化患者临床疗效及其对外周血T淋巴细胞亚群的影响

目的 研究应用自体外周血干细胞（PBSC）移植治疗乙型肝炎肝硬化患者的临床疗效及其对外周血T淋巴细胞亚群的影响。方法 2014年4月~2017年4月我院收治的乙型肝炎肝硬化患者95例,被随机分为移植组48例和对照组47例。两组均接受护肝、降酶和恩替卡韦抗病毒治疗,另48例患者再接受自体PBSC经肝动脉移植治疗。使用流式细胞仪检测外周血T细胞亚群,使用Fibroscan扫描仪检测肝脏硬度,采用ELISA法检测血清肿瘤坏死因子（TNF-α）和白细胞介素-6 （IL-6）,采用免疫透射比浊法检测血清超敏C反应蛋白（hs-CRP）。结果 在治疗后6 m,移植组患者血清总胆红素（TBIL）水平为（16.4±1.2） μmol/L,显著低于对照组的（22.5±2.6） μmol/L（P<0.05）,血清白蛋白（ALB）水平为（35.2±4.0） g/L,显著高于对照组的（31.6±3.7） g/L（P<0.05）;移植组外周血CD3⁺细胞百分比为（67.9±6.5） %,显著高于对照组的【（60.3±5.5） %,P<0.05】,CD4⁺为（42.7±3.8） %,显著高于对照组的【（38.2±3.5） %,P<0.05】,CD4⁺/ CD8⁺细胞比值为（1.5±0.2）,显著高于对照组的【（1.4±0.1）,P<0.05】;移植组肝硬度值为（7.1±0.1）kPa,显著低于对照组[（7.9±0.1） kPa,P<0.05],Child-Pugh评分为（5.5±1.5）,显著低于对照组[（7.4±2.3）,P<0.05];移植组血清TNF-α水平为（28.0±8.7） pg/mL,显著低于对照组[（36.2±8.6）pg/mL,P<0.05], IL-6水平为（6.0±2.2） mg/L,显著低于对照组[（8.7±3.5） mg/L,P<0.05], hs-CRP水平为（18.9±5.6） pg/mL,显著低于对照组[（25.2±7.9） pg/mL,P<0.05]。结论 自体外周血干细胞移植治疗乙型肝炎肝硬化患者近期疗效较好,能有效降低血清细胞因子水平,改善肝功能。     

The immunoneuroendocrine role of melatonin

Abstract: A tight, physiological link between the pineal gland and the immune system is emerging from a series of experimental studies. This link might reflect the evolutionary connection between self-recognition and reproduction. Pinealectomy or other experimental methods which inhibit melatonin synthesis and secretion induce a state of immunodepression which is counteracted by melatonin. In general, melatonin seems to have an immunoenhancing effect that is particularly apparent in immunodepressive states. The negative effect of acute stress or immunosuppressive pharmacological treatments on various immune parameters are counteracted by melatonin. It seems important to note that one of the main targets of melatonin is the thymus, i.e., the central organ of the immune system. The clinical use of melatonin as an immunotherapeutic agent seems promising in primary and secondary immunodeficiencies as well as in cancer immunotherapy. The immunoenhancing action of melatonin seems to be mediated by T-helper cell-derived opioid peptides as well as by lymphokines and, perhaps, by pituitary hormones. Melatonin-induced-immuno-opioids (MHO) and lymphokines imply the presence of specific binding sites or melatonin receptors on cells of the immune system. On the other hand, lymphokines such as -γ-interferon and interleukin-2 as well as thymic hormones can modulate the synthesis of melatonin in the pineal gland. The pineal gland might thus be viewed as the crux of a sophisticated immunoneuroendocrine network which functions as an unconscious, diffuse sensory organ.     

Response of rat pineal melatonin to calcium, magnesium, and lithium is circadian stage dependent

Abstract: Herein we documented the response of pineal melatonin production to electrolytes known to be effective on pineal function in view of a possible circadian stage dependence. We studied the release of melatonin by perifused rat pineal glands at 2 different circadian stages corresponding to the middle of the light and dark periods, i.e., respectively, 7 and 19 HALO (Hours After Light Onset, L:D = 12:12). The initial efflux rates were, as expected, much higher in the perifusates of glands removed from rats sacrificed during the dark phase than of those removed during the light phase. After 3 hr of perifusion, melatonin release reached similar levels which were found constant up to the 8th hr of perifusion, whatever the circadian stage. Perifusion of the glands with physiological concentrations for the rat of calcium (5.2 mmol/1) and magnesium (1.34 mmol/1) resulted in a stimulatory effect on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed in the middle of the dark period (19 HALO), whereas no effects were observed on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed during the light (7 HALO). Lithium (0.28 and 0.55 mmol/1) was ineffective on melatonin release in pineal glands removed 7 and 19 HALO. Our results show differences in the initial efflux rates of melatonin and in the response of perifused pineal glands to calcium and magnesium according to the circadian stage.     

Changes in connexin43, the gap junction protein of astrocytes, during development of the rat pineal gland

Abstract: The abundance of gap junctions between rat pineal astrocytes formed by connexin43 (Cx43) was studied during development. Levels and distribution of Cx43 were measured by immunoblotting and indirect immunofluorescence, respectively. The amount of Cx43 in cells located within the gland was low until about the 7th postnatal day and increased to adult values between the 14th and 21st days postpartum. Although astrocytes, recognized by their vimentin immunoreactivity, were scarce before birth, they were abundant by the 7th postnatal day suggesting that the low levels of Cx43 found at this age corresponded to a low expression of this protein. Localization of the immunoreactivity to Cx43 and vimentin showed a close correlation, indicating that mature or immature pineal astrocytes form gap junctions made of Cx43. Since Cx43 levels attained their adult values at about the time the innervation and the functional state of the gland reached maturity (2–3 weeks after birth), it is proposed that astrocyte gap junctions are involved in the function of the adult rat pineal gland.     

Conservative management of perforated duodenal diverticulum： A case report and review of the literature

Duodenal diverticula are a relatively common condition. They are asymptomatic, unless they become complicated, with perforation being the rarest but most severe complication. Surgical treatment is the most frequently performed approach. We report the case of a patient with a perforated duodenal diverticulum, which was diagnosed early and treated conservatively with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage of secondary retroperitoneal abscesses. We suggest this method could be an acceptable option for the management of similar cases, provided that the patient is in good general condition and without septic signs.     

Presence of immunoreactive growth hormone and prolactin in the ovine pineal gland

Abstract: The use of antisera raised against bovine growth hormone (GH) and ovine prolactin (PRL) enabled the detection of related immunoreactive (ir) sequences of proteins in ovine pineal tissue. The isolation of PRL-like ir-material was accomplished using a 0.25 M ammonium sulphate (pH 5.5) extraction followed by ethanol precipitation, whereas the resulting 2.0 M ammonium sulphate (pH 7.0) precipitate contained a GH-like immunoreactivity. Gel chromatography of the GH-like immunoreactivity (Sephadex G-100) indicated the presence of several GH-like fragments ranging in the M_r range of 7,000 to 55,000. Analyses of the PRL-like ir-material found in pineal tissue on HPLC using a TSK 545-DEAE column led to the resolution into a single peak of immunoreactivity. A single peak of activity was also observed following chromatofocusing and hydrophobic interaction chromatography of the ir-peak from the TSK 545-DEAE column. The PRL-like ir-material inhibited the binding of [¹²⁵I]ovine PRL-S14 to anti-ovine PRL antibodies without showing an affinity for binding to anti-rat PRL or anti-bovine GH antibodies. Scatchard analysis of the binding of pineal PRL-like ir-material and pituitary ovine PRL-S14 to liver membranes from day-20 pregnant rats revealed similar affinity constants (K_a of 4.7 ± 0.2 × 10⁹ M^-1). In addition, the replication of Nb 2 Node rat lymphoma cells was stimulated by pineal PRL-like ir-material, an effect known to be specific for lactogenic hormones. The pineal PRL-like immunoreactivity appeared on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels as a single major band of M_r 24,000. The functional status of PRL-and GH-like ir-material in the ovine pineal remains to be determined, but evidence is presented that the overall protein synthesis rate of the rat pineal responded to circulating concentrations of PRL.     

Microbiology of human immunodeficiency virus anorectal disease

PURPOSE: Individuals who are seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus are at high risk for opportunistic infection and anorectal disorders. Little prospective information is available regarding anorectal pathogens in these patients. METHODS: One hundred sixty-three HIV-seropositive patients presented to the colorectal clinic between 1989 and 1992. Forty-seven (29 percent) patients were thought to have an infectious process and were prospectively studied using a standardized multiculture protocol. RESULTS: Mean age was 33 (range, 19–59) years. All were male; high-risk behavior accounted for 87 percent of HIV transmissions. Presenting complaints included anorectal pain (79 percent), pus per anum (28 percent), and blood per anum (26 percent). Examination revealed perianal tenderness (60 percent), condyloma (38 percent), perianal ulcers (38 percent), and anal fissures (34 percent). Sixty-six sets of cultures were performed; 28 patients had one set, 15 had two sets, and 4 had three sets. Thirty-two of these 47 patients (68 percent) had positive cultures including herpes (50 percent), cytomegalovirus (25 percent),Neisseria gonorrhoeae (16 percent), chlamydia (16 percent), acidfast bacilli (2 percent), and others (9 percent). Six of 32 patients with positive cultures had more than one organism cultured. Sixteen (50 percent) patients with positive cultures were treated medically, 8 (25 percent) were treated surgically and 8 (25 percent) were treated with both modalities. Sixty-one procedures were performed on 17 patients for condylomata. Eighteen patients had 20 procedures for abscesses, 50 percent of whom had positive cultures for other than common bowel flora; all improved. Fourteen patients underwent 33 procedures for perianal fistulas.Mycobacterium fortuitum was cultured from one patient who required 13 procedures for abscesses and fistulas. Forty-five (96 percent) patients were followed for an average of 12.5 months ±2.9 SEM (range, 1–94 months). Symptoms were improved or resolved in 22 of 32 (69 percent) patients with positive cultures and in 11 of 13 (84 percent) with negative cultures. CONCLUSIONS: Specific pathogens may often be identified in human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive patients with anorectal disorders if aggressively sought. Although patients without specific pathogens identified may be expected to improve with planned empiric treatment, positive identification allows more directed therapy.