乙型肝炎患者血清sICAM-1、sVCAM-1含量的检测及其意义

目的：通过观察乙型肝炎患者血清中sICAM-1和sVCAM-1的水平及其与ALT、AST相关性，探讨Ⅰ型超敏反应与乙型肝炎发病机制的关系。方法：应用酶联免疫吸附实验，检测45例乙型肝炎患者及15例对照组血清sICAM-1和sVCAM-1水平；应用全自动生化分析仪检测患者血清ALT和AST水平，并观察与sICAM-1和sVCAM-1的相关性。结果：①7例急性肝炎患者血清中sICAM-1和sVCAM-1含量明显高于正常对照组；②38例慢性肝炎患者血清中sICAM-1和sVCAM-1含量也明显高于正常对照组；③13例中度慢性肝炎患者的sICAM-1和sVCAM-1含量显著高于16例轻度慢性肝炎患者；④9例重度慢性肝炎患者的sICAM-1和sVCAM-1含量也明显高于轻度组和中度组：⑤sICAM．1水平与血清内ALT、AST含量呈显著正相关；⑥sVCAM-1水平与血清ALT、AST含量也呈显著正相关。总之，在以上几组中，急性乙型肝炎组的sICAM-1和sVCAM-1的升高最显著，并依次为慢性肝炎重度组、中度组和轻度组。结论：①急、慢性乙型肝炎患者血清中sICAM-1和sVCAM-1水平可反映肝损害程度；②检测急、慢性乙型肝炎患者血清sICAM-1和sVCAM-1水平，对判断患者的病情和预后有一定的参考价值；③作为Ⅰ型超敏反应性炎症的重要指标，sICAM-1和sVCAM-1可能参与了，乙型肝炎的发病和肝细胞的免疫损伤过程。     

慢性重型乙型肝炎患者血清IL-23水平检测及其意义

目的 检测慢性重型乙型肝炎患者血清中IL-23表达,探讨IL-23水平与丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)、总胆红素(TBil)及HBV DNA载量的相关性.方法 用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测50例慢性重型乙型肝炎患者(重肝组)及18名健康人(对照组)血清中IL-23表达,并与患者ALT、AST、TBil、HBV DNA载量进行相关性分析.结果 重肝组患者血清中IL-23表达高于对照组,两组之间的差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);IL-23水平与ALT、AST呈正相关(P＜0.05),与TBil、HBV DNA载量无相关性(P＞0.05).结论 慢性重型乙型肝炎患者血清中IL-23表达增高,与炎症程度相关,可能参与慢性重型乙型肝炎的发病.     

慢性乙型肝炎患者血清IL-21水平检测及意义

目的:检测慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者血清IL-21及HBV-DNA、ALT水平,探讨血清IL-21在CHB发生发展中的意义.方法:采用双抗体夹心ELISA法检测63例CHB患者(其中慢性轻度16例,慢性中度25例,慢性重度22例)和20例健康者血清IL-21水平,并同期检测患者HBV-DNA、肝功能等指标.结果:与正常对照组相比,各型CHB患者血清IL-21水平均升高,其中以慢性重度乙型肝炎患者升高最明显(P<0.01);IL-21在ALT异常组明显高于ALT正常组(P<0.01);慢性乙型肝炎HBV-DNA低栽量组与中高载量组之间IL-21水平差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论:IL-21可能参与了CHB抗病毒应答及发病过程,可以在一定程度上反映CHB肝脏内的炎症反应.     

慢性乙型肝炎患者血清TGF-β1、IL-8和IL-18检测的临床意义

目的：探讨慢性乙型肝炎患者血清TGF-β1、IL-8和IL-18水平的变化。方法：应用放免法和酶免法对42例慢性乙型肝炎患者进行了血清TGF-β1、IL-8和IL-18水平检测,并与35名正常人作比较。结果：慢性乙型肝炎组患者血清TGF-β1、IL-8和IL-18水平均非常显著地高于正常人组（P〈0．01）,且IL-8、IL-18与TGF-β1呈明显的正相关（r=0．6718,0．6321,P〈0．01）。结论：检测慢性乙型肝炎患者血清TGF-β1、IL-8和IL-18水平对疾病的诊断和治疗是一个有用的临床指标。     

慢性重型乙型肝炎患者外周血单核细胞Toll样受体4的变化及其与IL-6的关系

目的： 探讨慢性重型乙型肝炎患者外周血单核细胞Toll样受体4（TLR4）的变化情况及其意义。 方法： 用流式细胞仪检测30例正常对照、31例慢性乙型肝炎患者和30例慢性重型乙型肝炎患者外周血单核细胞表面TLR4的表达，ELISA法检测上述患者血清白细胞介素6（IL-6）的水平。 结果： 正常对照组、慢性乙型肝炎组和慢性重型乙型肝炎组外周血单核细胞TLR4的平均免疫荧光强度分别为2.3±1.1、3.7±2.3 和6.9±4.1，慢性重型乙型肝炎组外周血单核细胞TLR4表达显著高于正常对照组和慢性乙型肝炎组（P<0.05），慢性乙型肝炎组与正常对照组比较无统计学差异；3组外周血清IL-6水平分别为(11.5±7.2) ng/L、(40.8±31.2) ng/L和(77.6±33.3) ng/L，各组间比较均具有显著差异（P<0.05）；慢性重型乙型肝炎组外周血单核细胞TLR4表达水平与血清IL-6表达水平呈显著正相关，相关系数γ=0.618，P<0.05。结论： TLR4可能与慢性乙型肝炎重型化有关。     

慢性肝病患者血清sICAM—1与TGF—β1水平及临床意义

目的：为探讨慢性肝病患者血清可溶性粘附分子（sICAM-1),转化生长因子β1（TGF－β1）水平与病毒复制及临床关系。方法：采用ELISA法对慢性乙型肝炎病毒性肝病患者血清 ICAM-1,TGF-β1与炎症相关性细胞因子白细胞介素－1（IL－1）,白细胞介素－8（IL－8）及肿瘤坏死因子（TNFα）水平进行了平行测定。结果：慢性肝病患者血清sICAM-1,TGF-β1,IL-1,IL-8及TNFα水平明显高于健康对照组,慢性乙型肝炎HBV－DNA和HBeAg阳性患者明显高于HBV－DNA或HBeAg阴性患者,且与血清总胆红素含量呈正相关,结论：sICAM-1,TGF-β1及炎症相关性细胞因子水平与慢性肝病患者病情及携带HBV的活跃程度相关。     

乙型肝炎肝硬化患者外周血骨桥蛋白与IL-18水平变化的临床意义

目的：探讨慢性乙型肝炎、肝硬化患者外周血细胞因子骨桥蛋白与IL-18水平变化的临床意义。方法：应用ELISA法对102例慢性乙型肝炎、34例乙型肝炎肝硬化、95例HBV携带者及20名健康献血者（对照组）外周血细胞因子骨桥蛋白与IL-18表达水平进行了测定。结果：慢性乙型肝炎、肝硬化患者组外周血骨桥蛋白及IL-18表达水平明显高于对照组（P〈0.05）;肝硬化患者组骨桥蛋白、IL-18水平明显高于慢性乙型肝炎组（P〈0.05）;慢性乙型肝炎重型组骨桥蛋白、IL-18水平明显高于慢性乙型肝炎轻型组（P〈0.05）;慢性乙型肝炎患者血清总胆红素水平与骨桥蛋白和IL-18表达水平呈正相关关系（r=0.71,P〈0.05;r=0.78,P〈0.05）。结论：乙肝病毒感染性慢性肝脏疾病发生发展与细胞因子骨桥蛋白及IL-18水平变化相关,慢性乙型肝炎、肝炎后肝硬化患者外周血骨桥蛋白与IL-18表达水平呈正相关关系（r=0.74,P〈0.05）。     

外周血单个核细胞中乙型肝炎病毒核酸与细胞因子含量变化

目的：探讨慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血单个核细胞中乙型肝炎病毒核酸与血清细胞因子变化关系。方法：采用荧光实时PCR技术定量检测76例慢性乙型肝炎患者和15例健康者外周血单个核细胞中HBVDNA含量，用ELISA法定量检测血浆细胞因子(IFN-γ、TNF—α、IL-4、IL-6、TGF-β1、sIL-2R)水平。结果：①慢性乙型病毒性肝炎中细胞因子(IFN-γ、TNF-α、IL-4、IL-6、TGF-β1、sIL-2R)水平明显高于健康对照组；②单个核细胞HBVDNA阳性组IFN-γ、TNF-α含量明显低于阴性组，而sIL-2R含量则高于阴性组但无统计学差异，IL-4、IL-6、TGF-β1含量无差异；③随着PBMCs中HBVDNA含量升高，TNF—α含量逐渐降低，IL-4和sIL-2R含量逐渐升高，而IFN-γ，IL-6、TGF-β1含量无显著性变化。结论：外周血单个核细胞HBVDNA持续存在及含量变化与细胞因子相对异常有关，进而导致肝细胞损伤。     

慢性乙型肝炎患者不同疾病阶段的血清细胞因子水平研究

目的探讨不同疾病阶段的慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者血清细胞因子水平变化情况及其可能的临床意义。方法 CHB患者98例和正常对照组20例入组本研究,依据HBV感染后的自然史将CHB患者分为免疫清除期患者(活动组)和非活动期患者(非活动组),采用Luminex液相芯片技术检测血清IL-2、IL-4、IL-6、IL-8、IL-10、GM-CSF、IFN-γ和TNF-α水平,并分析各组细胞因子的变化情况和与临床指标的相关性。结果除IL-10以外,IL-2、IL-4、IL-6、IL-8、GM-CSF、IFN-γ和TNF-α在3组间差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01),其中,非活动组IL-2、IL-4、IL-8、GM-CSF、IFN-γ和TNF-α水平高于对照组,活动组IL-2、IL-6、IL-8、GM-CSF和TNF-α水平高于对照组,活动组IL-4、IL-8和IFN-γ水平低于非活动组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);另外,IL-6、IL-8与ALT、AST、TBil之间显著相关(P<0.05);而其余细胞因子与生化指标、HBV-DNA载量和HBsAg之间无明显相关性。结论慢性HBV感染者血清中的多种细胞因子表达增加,其中免疫清除期以炎性细胞因子升高为主,非活动期以抗炎和Th1型细胞因子升高为主,因此,检测血清细胞因子对了解患者机体免疫状态和疾病严重程度有重要意义。     

肝性脑病患者血清中IL-6和IL-18的表达及意义

目的 检测肝性脑病患者血清中IL-6和IL-18的表达水平并探讨其与天冬氨酸转移酶（AST）、丙氨酸转氨酶（ALT）、总胆红素（TBil）、白蛋白（ALB）、肌酐（Cr）及血浆氨的相关性.方法 40例肝硬化合并肝性脑病的住院患者,定为A组,其中临床分期为Ⅲ～Ⅳ期的18例患者定为A1组,Ⅰ～Ⅱ期的22例患者定为A2组;20例肝硬化患者定为B组;20名健康人作为正常对照,定为C组.用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）检测所有研究对象血清中IL-6和IL-18的浓度,并分析其与AST、ALT、TBil、ALB、Cr及血氨的相关性.结果 A1组和A2组IL-6和IL-18浓度均明显高于B组和C组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;血清IL-6和IL-18水平均与血氨浓度呈正相关（P＜0.05）,与AST、ALT、TBil、ALB及Cr均无明显相关性（P＞0.05）.结论 肝性脑病患者血清中IL-6和IL-18均明显增高而且与血氨存在相关性,IL-6和IL-18可能与血氨存在协同作用,共同参与了肝性脑病的发病.     

Ro (SSA) and La (SSB) antibodies

Summary This review traces the historical development of information regarding the Ro (SSA) and La (SSB) autoantibody systems over the past twenty years. Clinical and serologic findings are integrated with fundamental observations in this rapidly expanding area of research. Retrospective analysis of the physicochemical properties of the antigens and the cellular staining characteristics of antibodies to these antigens suggest that SjD and Ro and SSA, as well as SjT and La, SSB, and Ha antigens probably are similar macromolecules. The immunologic identity of Ro with SSA and La with SSB and Ha has been established previously. Antibodies to these antigens are directed against macromolecules containing small RNA nucleotides.Antibodies to the Ro (SSA)-La(SSB) antigen system commonly are detected in the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome and appear to be of diagnostic significance. These antibodies occur in up to one quarter of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) without the sicca complex, but also in patients with ANA negative SLE who have a prominent photosensitive dermatitis and may have serious renal disease, subacute cutaneous SLE, and in infants and mothers of infants with neonatal SLE. Thus, these antibody systems form a serologic link between many unusual connective tissue diseases and systemic SLE.Antibodies to Ro (SSA)-La(SSB) are associated not only with Sjögren's syndrome occurring alone, but also with Sjögren's syndrome occurring in the setting of other connective tissue diseases including SLE and rheumatoid arthritis. Anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia, as well as hyperglobulinemia and the presence of rheumatoid factor, cryoglobulins, and antibodies to nuclear antigens are associated significantly with Ro positivity in Sjögren's syndrome patients. There is a striking association of vasculitis in the clinical setting of Sjögren's syndrome with the presence of antibodies to Ro (SSA). In addition to peripheral nerve involvement, unusual central nervous system manifestations as well as myositis occur in these Ro(SSA) positive Sjögren's syndrome patients. Deposition of immunoglobulin and complement within vessel walls of kidney and muscle from Ro positive patients with Sjögren's syndrome suggests a possible role for immune complex deposition in the pathogenesis of the vasculitis.Supported by National Institutes of Health grant 5ROI-AM-25650-03 and Research Career Development Award 5-KO-4-AM-00524-02     

Degradation of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) by electron beam radiation

This paper seeks to examine the effects of electron beam (e-beam) radiation on biodegradable polymers (PLGA and PLLA), and to understand their radiation-induced degradation mechanisms. PLGA (80:20) and PLLA polymer films were e-beam irradiated at doses from 2.5 to 50 Mrad and the degradation of these films were studied by measuring the changes in their molecular weights, FTIR spectra, thermal and morphological properties. The dominant effect of e-beam irradiation on both PLGA and PLLA is chain scission. Chain scission occurs first through scission of the polymer main chain, followed by hydrogen abstraction. Chain scission, though responsible for the reduction in the average molecular weight, Tc, Tg and Tm of both polymers, encourages crystallization in PLGA. PLLA also undergoes chain scission upon irradiation but to a lesser degree compared to PLGA. The higher crystallinity of PLLA is the key factor in its greater stability to e-beam radiation compared to PLGA. A linear relationship is also established between the decrease in molecular weight with respect to radiation dose.     

Pendant-type poly(4-vinylpyridine)-Cr(III) and -Co(III) complexes

Pendant-type poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PVP)-Cr(III) complexes ( 1 ) and -Co(III) complexes ( 2 ) with various degrees of coordination (x) were prepared, and the structures and properties of the polymer complexes are discussed. The magnetic susceptibility of 1 showed that 1 is paramagnetic and that the Cr(III) ions do not interact with each other, although they were coordinated along the PVP chain at high concentration. The far-infrared absorption bands, assigned to the stretching of the coordinative bond between Co and the pyridine-unit of PVP shifted to lower wave numbers in 2 , as compared with the corresponding pyridine complex 4 . It is thus considered that the coordinative bond in 2 is weaker than in the monomeric pyridine complex 4 , owing to the steric hindrance of PVP; the Co(III) chelates coordinated at high concentration. This consideration is supported by the ESR parameters of 1 . The dissociation temperature of the coordinative bond between Co and PVP increased with x. It is presumed that the PVP complex 2 has a rigid structure such that more energy is required to break the coordinative bond.     

Joubert syndrome (and related disorders) (OMIM 213300)

Joubert syndrome (JS) and related disorders are characterized by the 'molar tooth sign' (cerebellar vermis hypoplasia and brainstem anomalies) on MRI, hypotonia, developmental delay, ataxia, irregular breathing pattern and abnormal eye movements. Combinations of additional features such as polydactyly, ocular coloboma, retinal dystrophy, renal disease, hepatic fibrosis, encephalocele, and other brain malformations define clinical sub-types. Recent identification of the NPHP1, AHI1, and CEP290 genes has started to reveal the molecular basis of JS, which may implicate the primary cilium in these disorders. Additional genes remain to be identified.     

Stereocomplex formation in ABA triblock copolymers of poly(lactide) (A) and poly(ethylene glycol) (B)

Two series of triblock copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG, number-average molecular weight M _n = 6000) and poly(L -lactide) (PLLA) or poly(D -lactide) (PDLA) were prepared by ring-opening polymerization of lactide initiated by PEG end groups using stannous octoate as a catalyst, either in refluxing toluene or in the melt at 175°C. The weight percentage of PLA in the polymers varied between 15 and 75 wt.-%. Blends of polymers containing blocks of opposite chirality were prepared by co-precipitation from homogeneous solutions. The melting temperatures of the crystalline PEG and PLA phases strongly depended on the composition of the polymers. The melting temperature of the PLA phase in the blends was approximately 40°C higher than that of the single block copolymers. Stereocomplex formation between blocks of enantiomeric poly(lactides) in PEG/PLA block copolymers was established for the first time. Water uptake of polymeric films prepared by solution casting was solely determined by the PEG content of the film.     

Vitellogenesis and eggshell formation in Caryophyllaeus laticeps (Pallas) and Caryophyllaeides fennica (Schneider) (Cestoidea: Caryophyllaeidea)

Summary Eggshell formation in Caryophyllaeus laticeps and Caryophyllaeides fennica (Cestoidea: Caryophyllaeidea), as shown by histochemical tests for proteins, phenols, and polyphenol oxidase, is similar to that of D. latum, Ligula sp., and Schistocephalus sp.Maturation of vitelline cells is characterized by (1) an increase in size of two or three times, (2) vacuolation of the nucleus with the nucleolus and a small amount of nucleoplasm and dispersed chromatin displaced to one side, and in the cytoplasm, (3) synthesis of shell globules that are later released in the uterus to form the shell.Tests for glycogen (PAS) and nucleic acids show that maturing and mature cells have glycogen in the nuclear vacuole and cytoplasm and that there is a decrease in DNA in the nucleus and an increase in RNA in the cytoplasm as protein synthesis is initiated.Glycogenesis and protein synthesis appear to be largely completed before the cell is released from the follicle.

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Zusammenfassung Die Eischalenbildung bei Caryophyllaeus laticeps und Caryophyllaeides fennica (Cestoidea: Caryophyllaeidea) ist — wie die histochemischen Untersuchungen auf Proteine, Phenol und Polyphenoloxidase zeigen — ähnlich der bei D. latum, Ligula spec. und Schistocephalus spec. Die Reifung der Dotterzellen ist charakterisiert 1. durch eine Vergrößerung auf das Zwei- bis Dreifache, 2. eine Vakuolisation des Zellkerns mit Nukleolus und einer kleinen Menge von Nukleoplasma und fein verteiltem Chromatin, das sich auf eine Seite verlagert, und im Cytoplasma, 3. Synthese der Schalenkügelchen, die später in den Uterus zur Schalenbildung freigesetzt werden.Die Teste auf Glykogen (PAS) und Nukleinsäuren zeigen, daß die reifenden und die reifen Zellen in den Kernvakuolen und Zytoplasma Glykogen enthalten, und daß eine Verminderung der DNS im Nukleus und eine Vermehrung der RNS im Zytoplasma auftritt, wenn die Proteinsynthese beginnt.Die Glykogenese und die Proteinsynthese erscheint im wesentlichen abgeschlossen zu sein, bevor die Zelle aus dem Follikel entlassen wird.

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This investigation was started at Neuchâtel and finished at Albany.

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NIH Postdoctoral fellow.     

Fra(2) (q13) and inv(9) (p11q12) in autism: causal relationship?

Twenty individuals with autism or related disorders underwent chromosome analysis and physical examinations with documentation of minor anomalies. Chromosome anomalies were identified in 3: 2 had the heritable folate sensitive fra(2) (q13) site and 1 had an inv(9) (p11q12). No heritable chromosome variants or anomalies were seen in 20 age and sex-matched control individuals. When patients with the fra(2) were excluded from analyses, there was no difference in the frequency of chromosome breaks and/or gaps between the study group and control group. The results of this study suggest that heritable folate sensitive fragile sites and other chromosome variants may be more commonly seen in individuals with autism or related disorders in childhood than in the general population.