慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血CD8+CD28+T淋巴细胞百分比的变化及其临床意义探讨

目的 探讨不同病程阶段的慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血CD8⁺CD28⁺T淋巴细胞百分比的变化,以及CD8⁺CD28⁺T淋巴细胞百分比变化与血清HBsAg水平的关系。方法 2018年4月~2018年8月我院诊治的慢性乙型肝炎患者88例,其中免疫耐受期20例,免疫清除期28例,非活动期20例,再活动期20例,另选择健康人20例。使用流式细胞术检测外周血CD8⁺CD28⁺T淋巴细胞百分比。结果 健康人与免疫耐受期患者外周血CD8⁺CD28⁺T淋巴细胞百分比分别为（26.1±3.5）%和（26.3±3.4）%,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;免疫清除期患者CD8⁺CD28⁺T淋巴细胞百分比为（40.1±4.7）%,显著高于健康人（P<0.05）;非活动期和再活动期患者外周血CD8⁺CD28⁺T淋巴细胞百分比分别为（20.3±2.2）%和（26.1±2.2）%,显著低于健康人（P<0.05）;外周血HBsAg低、中、高三组人群外周血CD8⁺CD28⁺T淋巴细胞百分比分别为（24.0±7.5）%、（28.4±8.9）%和（33.2±8.5）%,各组间差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 不同病程阶段的慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血CD8⁺CD28⁺T淋巴细胞百分比存在明显差异,可能与病毒长期刺激机体免疫系统,导致免疫系统功能失调有关,而这种失调可能参与了慢性乙型肝炎的发病过程。     

慢性丙型肝炎患者外周血滤泡辅助性T淋巴细胞表面PD-1受体表达及意义研究*

目的 探讨不同血清病毒载量的慢性丙型肝炎（CHC）患者外周血滤泡辅助性T淋巴细胞（Tfh）表面程序性死亡受体-1（PD-1）表达情况。方法 根据血清HCV RNA水平不同,将180例CHC患者分为低病毒载量组76例,3 lg copies/ml≤血清HCV RNA<6 lg copies/ml和高病毒载量组104例,血清HCV RNA≥6 lg copies/ml。比较两组外周血Tfh细胞百分比、Tfh细胞表面PD-1阳性率、外周血T、B淋巴细胞亚群、外周血CD4⁺T淋巴细胞和CD8⁺T淋巴细胞表面PD-1表达和血清白细胞介素21（IL-21）水平的差异。结果 低病毒载量组和高病毒载量组血清HCV RNA水平分别为（4.5±1.2）lg copies/ml和（6.4±0.7）lg copies/ml,Tfh细胞表面PD-1阳性百分比分别为（26.2±2.2）%和（37.2±1.1）%,Tfh细胞百分比分别为（7.9±0.7）%和（5.1±0.4）%,血清IL-21水平分别为（46.8±1.3） ng/L和（21.7±1.1） ng/L,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.01）;低病毒载量组和高病毒载量组外周血CD4⁺T细胞百分比分别为（51.1±4.6）%和（37.6±4.4）%,CD8⁺T细胞百分比分别为（24.0±3.1）%和（31.7±3.9）%, CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T细胞比值分别为（3.3±0.2）和（2.3±0.1）,CD19⁺B细胞百分比分别为（16.7±3.9）%和（11.8±3.2）%,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.01）;低病毒载量组和高病毒载量组外周血CD4⁺T细胞表面PD-1阳性率分别为（10.1±2.3）%和（2.4±0.6）%],CD8⁺T细胞表面PD-1阳性率分别为（6.3±2.2）%和（1.0±0.3）%,差异也具有统计学意义（P<0.01）。结论 不同血清病毒载量的CHC患者外周血Tfh和T淋巴细胞亚群以及血清白细胞介素21水平存在显著差异,进一步探讨它们对病情、抗病毒治疗应答和预后的关系,将具有十分重要的临床意义。     

自身免疫性肝炎患者外周血CD8+T细胞PD-1表达水平变化

目的 探讨自身免疫性肝炎（AIH）患者外周血CD8⁺T细胞程序性死亡因子（PD-1）表达水平的变化。方法 随机选取我院收治的AIH患者25例和健康志愿者25例,使用流式细胞仪进行检测外周血CD8⁺T 淋巴细胞PD-1分子和PD-1分子受体（PD-L1）表达水平。结果 与健康人比,AIH血CD8⁺T细胞PD-1/PD-L1表达阳性百分比分别为（2.6±0.1）%和（2.1±0.8）%,明显高于健康人【（0.5±0.2）%和（0.4±0.1）%,P<0.01）;10例男性AIH患者血CD8⁺T细胞PD-1/PD-L1表达阳性百分比分别为（1.4±0.5）%和（2.3±0.6）%,显著低于15例女性患者【（3.8±0.8）%和（2.5±0.5）%）,P<0.05）;经皮质激素治疗4 w,25例AIH患者获得病情缓解。AIH患者在缓解期PD-1/PD-L1表达水平分别为（3.3±0.2）%和（2.8±0.3）%。结论 AHI患者外周血CD8⁺T细胞PD-1表达水平升高,与疾病活动可能存在密切的关系。     

柴胡解毒汤联合阿德福韦酯治疗慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血淋巴细胞亚群和细胞因子的变化

目的 分析柴胡解毒汤联合阿德福韦酯片治疗慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）患者体内病毒水平与外周血淋巴细胞亚群和细胞因子的变化的关系,为临床治疗CHB患者提供新的思路。方法 2013年12月至2015年3月间我院收治的CHB患者60例,被分为A组、B组和C组。给予A组服用柴胡解毒汤治疗,给予B组服用阿德福韦酯片,C组在B组基础上,服用柴胡解毒汤治疗。3组均观察12 m。采用ELISA法检测血清HBV标记物和血清IL-2水平,采用荧光定量PCR法检测血清HBV DNA水平,使用贝克曼库尔特流式细胞仪检测T细胞亚群和自然杀伤细胞百分比。结果 在治疗12 m末,C组患者HBV DNA阴转率、ALT复常率和HBeAg阴转率分别为85.00%、80.00%和80.00%,均显著高于A组（分别为50.00%、65.00%和45.00%）或B组（分别为65.00%、55.00%和50.00%,P<0.05）;C组患者外周血CD3⁺T细胞、CD4⁺T细胞和CD4⁺/CD8⁺细胞比值分别为（65.2±9.6）%、（28.4±7.2）%和（1.1±0.3）,与A组【分别为（57.5±8.7）%、（45.7±5.4）%和（1.8±0.6）】或B组【（55.7±6.3）%、（23.2±9.5）%和（0.9±0.1）】比,差异显著（P<0.05）;C组患者外周血CD8⁺T细胞为（25.3±4.1）%,显著低于B组[（28.7±4.3)%, P<0.05];C组患者外周血NK细胞与A组或B组比,无显著性差异（P>0.05）,但血清IL-2水平【（3.6±0.8） ng/mL】显著高于B组【（2.8±0.5） ng/mL,P<0.05】;A组CD4⁺T细胞增加与HBV DNA载量减少呈显著正相关（P<0.05）;C组CD3⁺T细胞增加、CD8⁺T细胞减少、NK细胞增加与HBV DNA载量减少呈正相关（P<0.05）。结论 柴胡解毒汤联合阿德福韦酯片治疗慢性乙型肝炎患者可调节外周血淋巴细胞比例失调,打破免疫耐受,恢复肝功能,提高抗病毒效果。     

不同病因肝衰竭患者外周血单个核细胞HLA-DR基因水平及血Th17和CD4+CD25+Treg细胞百分比的变化

目的探讨不同病因所致肝衰竭患者外周血单个核细胞（PBMCs）HLA-DR mRNA及Th17和CD4⁺CD25⁺Treg细胞水平的变化及其意义。方法本研究纳入肝衰竭患者50例,其中乙型肝炎肝衰竭15例,药物性肝损伤12例,酒精性肝病13例,自身免疫性肝炎10例;慢性乙型肝炎患者17例和正常人10例。采用PCR法检测PBMCs中HLA-DR mRNA水平,使用流式细胞仪检测CD4⁺CD25⁺Treg和Th17细胞百分比。结果乙型肝炎肝衰竭患者HLA-DR mRNA水平为（134.5±15.2）,显著高于药物性肝损伤组的（17.9±1.2）、酒精性肝病组的（19.6±2.0）和自身免疫性肝炎组的[（11.2±1.2）,P<0.05];不同病因肝衰竭患者Th17和CD4⁺CD25⁺Treg细胞百分比[分别为（4.4±0.6）%和（3.9±0.6）%左右]的差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,但与慢性乙型肝炎[分别为（3.7±0.2）%和（6.1±0.4）%和正常人（2.1±0.7）%和（7.0±0.9）%比,均有显著性差异（P<0.05）;对不同病因肝衰竭患者进行动态观察发现,19例死亡患者CD4⁺CD25⁺Treg细胞百分比呈持续下降,直至死亡,而31例生存患者则逐渐恢复至接近正常水平。结论外周血单个核细胞HLA-DR mRNA水平及Th17和CD4⁺CD25⁺Treg细胞百分比的变化与肝衰竭患者的病情密切相关,可作为判断肝衰竭严重程度及预后的指标。     

腹腔镜下肝部分切除术治疗原发性肝癌患者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群和血清细胞因子水平的变化*

目的 探讨腹腔镜肝部分切除术治疗原发性肝癌（PLC）患者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群和血清细胞因子水平的变化。方法 2014年2月~2015年2月于我院治疗的PLC患者68例,采用随机数字表法分为腔镜组34例和开腹组34例,分别在不同方式下行肝肿瘤切除术。采用免疫浊度法检测血清IgG、IgA、IgM含量,采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）、成纤维细胞生长因子（aFGF）和bFGF水平,使用流式细胞仪检测外周血CD3⁺、CD4⁺和CD8⁺T细胞百分比。结果 术前,两组外周血CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD8⁺T细胞百分比无显著性差异（P>0.05）,术后7 d,腔镜组CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD8⁺T细胞百分比分别为（57.2±5.6） %、（46.9±7.2）%和（28.4±5.3） %,与开腹组比,存在显著性差异【分别为（51.9±3.2） %、（41.2±6.4） %和（33.6±2.3） %,P<0.05】;血清VEGF、aFGF和bFGF水平分别为（18.4±5.1） ng/ml、（5.3±4.2） pg/ml和（6.5±4.3） pg/ml,显著低于开腹组【分别为（31.9±5.7）ng/ml、（8.7±5.2） pg/ml和 （8.4±6.9） pg/ml,P<0.05】;两组肝功能指标和血清免疫球蛋白水平变化无显著性差异（P>0.05）。结论 腹腔镜下肝切除术与开腹肝切除术治疗PLC患者比,可能因为创伤小而对机体的免疫功能影响较小。     

射频消融联合TACE治疗原发性肝癌患者疗效及对外周血T细胞亚群的影响

目的 探讨射频消融联合TACE治疗原发性肝癌患者的疗效及其对外周血T细胞亚群的影响。方法 2014年1月~2016年2月间于我院接受TACE治疗的原发性肝癌患者97例,按照TACE术后是否接受射频消融治疗,将患者分为联合组52例和TACE组45例。采用ELISA法检测血清细胞因子。对两组患者的治疗效果、治疗前后T细胞亚群变化情况以及治疗后生存质量进行比较。结果 联合组总有效率为67.31%,显著高于TACE组的40.00% （P<0.05）;联合组疾病控制率为90.38%,显著高于TACE组的73.33%（P<0.05）;联合组治疗后3个月外周血CD3⁺T细胞、CD4⁺T细胞、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值分别为（68.40±10.20）%、（45.76±6.83）%和（1.96±0.31）,均明显高于TACE组【（56.14±6.75）%、（33.27±5.16）%和（1.21±0.22）,P<0.05】,联合组CD8⁺T细胞百分比为（22.08±2.55）%,显著低于TACE组【（28.42±3.97）%,P<0.05】;联合组患者治疗后3个月外周血IL-6、IL-8和TNF-α水平分别为（129.45±67.14） pg/mL、（0.49±0.13） ng/mL和（134.78±88.20） pg/mL,均明显低于TACE组【（165.30±65.91）pg/mL、（0.72±0.20） ng/mL和（200.43±84.02）pg/mL,P<0.05】;联合组患者生活质量改善率为55.77%,显著高于TACE组的40.00%（P<0.05）,联合组患者并发症发生率为73.08%,与TACE组的71.11%相比无统计学差异（P>0.05）。结论 射频消融联合TACE治疗原发性肝癌患者近期疗效较好,可改善患者免疫功能,提高生存质量。     

UDCA联合维生素D治疗原发性胆汁性肝硬化患者外周血T细胞亚群变化及其对疗效的影响

目的 探讨补充外源性维生素D辅助熊去氧胆酸（UDCA）治疗原发性胆汁性肝硬化（PBC）患者外周血T细胞亚群的变化及其效果。方法 2014年1月~2015年12月我院收治的PBC患者92例,采用随机数字表法均分为两组,每组46例。对照组常规应用UDCA治疗,观察组采用口服维生素D联合UDCA治疗。使用美国Roche E-602全自动免疫分析仪及其配套试剂检测外周血25-羟基维生素D[25（OH）D],使用流式细胞术检测外周血CD4⁺Treg和Th17细胞水平。结果 治疗前两组实验室检测指标水平差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;治疗1年后,观察组外周血25（OH）D为（18.2±6.8） ng/ml,明显高于对照组【（15.1±5.0） ng/ml,P<0.05】,Th17细胞占比为（1.4±0.4）%,明显低于对照组【（2.0±0.5）%,P<0.05】,CD4⁺Treg细胞占比为（3.5±0.8）%,明显高于对照组【（3.1±0.4）%,P<0.05】,外周血丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）为（41.8±31.5） U/L,明显低于对照组【（68.8±33.5） U/L,P<0.05】,天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）为（37.5±30.7） U/L,明显低于对照组【（68.2±35.3）U/L,P<0.05】,碱性磷酸酶（ALP）为（131.7±62.8） U/L,明显低于对照组【（237.7±105.8） U/L,P<0.05】,γ-谷氨酰转肽酶（GGT）为（71.8±35.8）U/L,明显低于对照组【（121.7±41.2）U/L,P<0.05】;治疗前后血清25（OH）D水平与CD4⁺Treg细胞占比呈正相关（P<0.05）,而CD4⁺Treg细胞与GGT和ALP水平呈正相关（P<0.05）。结论 补充外源性维生素D有助于改善PBC患者病情,可能与其对CD4⁺Treg细胞的激活作用有关。     

丙泊酚对肝部分切除术治疗的原发性肝癌患者外周血淋巴细胞亚群和血清肿瘤相关标志物水平的影响

目的 探讨丙泊酚对肝部分切除术治疗的原发性肝癌（PLC）患者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群和血清肿瘤相关标志物水平的影响。方法 2010年2月~2014年4月我院收治的PLC患者92例,采用随机数字表法将患者分为丙泊酚组和异氟醚组,每组46例。在行肝叶切除术时,分别采用相应的麻醉方法。使用流式细胞仪检测外周血CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD8⁺细胞百分比和CD4⁺/CD8⁺细胞比值,采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清E-钙蛋白（EC）、血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）和基质金属蛋白酶（MMP）水平,并观察两组不良反应和生存情况。结果 在麻醉前,两组外周血CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD8⁺细胞百分比和CD4⁺/CD8⁺细胞比值无显著性差异（P>0.05）,在术后1d,丙泊酚麻醉组血CD3⁺和CD4⁺细胞分别为（56.3±4.8） %和（36.8±5.7） %,显著高于异氟醚组的（52.5±4.5）%和（34.2±4.2）%（P<0.05）;在麻醉前,两组血清EC、VEGF和MMP水平无显著性差异（P>0.05）,在术后14d,丙泊酚麻醉组血清EC、VEGF和MMP水平分别为（1763.3±112.7） ng/ml、（201.9±36.9） pg/ml和（32.4±4.2）ng/L,显著低于异氟醚组的（2318.4±153.9） ng/ml、（369.9±56.8） pg/ml和（72.5±7.2） ng/L（P<0.05）;术后丙泊酚组白细胞下降发生率为47.8%,显著低于异氟醚组的69.6%（P<0.05）;随访3年,两组患者生存率无显著性差异（P>0.05）。结论 丙泊酚可有效减轻PLC患者术后免疫抑制状态,减少并发症的发生,可能有助于患者术后的康复。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.