偏执型分裂症外周血IL-1β、TNF-α和酪氨酸羟化酶mRNA表达水平与临床症状的关系

目的检测偏执型精神分裂症患者白介素-1β、肿瘤坏死因子-α和酪氨酸羟化酶（TH）的基因表达水平,探讨其与临床症状的关系。方法采用RT-PCR和半定量技术,分别检测39例偏执型精神分裂症患者和30例正常对照外周血单个核细胞IL-1β、TNF-α和TH的基因表达水平,同时应用PANSS量表评定偏执型精神分裂症患者临床症状。结果研究显示病例组的IL-1β、TNF-α、TH基因表达水平均显著高于正常对照组（P〈0.01）。且同时发现IL-1β（r=0.420）、TNF-α（r=0.430）基因表达水平与PANSS量表的一般病理症状分显著相关（P〈0.01）。结论偏执型精神分裂症患者可能存在致炎性细胞因子和儿茶酚胺类神经递质的过度表达;致炎性细胞因子可能参与偏执型精神分裂症一般病理症状的形成。     

精神分裂症患者致炎性细胞因子和酪氨酸羟化酶mRNA表达水平的研究

目的探讨精神分裂症的外周神经免疫机制及其与临床症状的关系。方法检测精神分裂症患者致炎性细胞因子白介素-1β（IL-1β）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF—α）以及酪氨酸羟化酶（TH）的mRNA表达水平，采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应及半定量检测技术，分别检测39例精神分裂症患者（患者组）、25例同胞（同胞组）及30名正常对照（对照组）外周血单个核细胞（PBMC）IL-1β、TNF-α及TH基因表达水平，同时应用阳性和阴性症状量表（PANSS）评定精神分裂症患者临床症状。结果患者组、同胞组及对照组IL-1β的mRNA表达水平分别为1．52±1．01、1．52±1．09和0．74±0．38；TNF—α的mRNA表达水平分别为1．18±0．99、1．01±0．87和0．70±0．29；TH的mRNA表达水平分别为0．55±0．33、0．61±0．32和0．28±0．20。患者组和同胞组的IL-1β、TNF—α、TH的mRNA表达水平均明显高于对照组（P〈0．05或P〈0．01）。患者组IL-1β（r=0．420）、TNF—α（r=0．430）的mRNA表达水平与PANSS的-般病理症状分呈正相关（P〈0．01）。同胞组与对照组合并统计，IL-1β与TNF-α的mRNA表达水平呈正相关（r=0．847，P〈0．01）；IL-1β与TH的mRNA表达水平呈正相关（r=0．666，P〈0．01）。患者组仅IL-1β与TNF—α的mRNA表达水平呈正相关（r=0．942，P〈0．01）。结论精神分裂症患者PBMC细胞TH、IL-1β和TNF—α的mRNA表达水平高于正常，且与精神分裂症的-般病理症状显著相关。     

精神分裂症及其遗传高危人群血浆炎性细胞因子水平与临床症状的相关研究

目的探究精神分裂症和精神分裂症遗传高危人群的血浆炎性细胞因子水平及其在精神分裂症发生发展中的作用。方法纳入289名受试者,精神分裂症患者组94例、精神分裂症遗传高危组60例和健康对照组135例,采用Luminex多因子检测法测定受试者炎性细胞因子IL-6、TNF-α和IL-1β浓度,采用17项汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD-17)、汉密尔顿焦虑量表(HAMA)和简明精神病评定量表(BPRS)评定受试者的抑郁、焦虑症状以及精神症状严重程度。结果患者组IL-6高于高危组和对照组(P0.05);患者组和高危组TNF-α水平高于对照组(P0.05);关联分析显示,患者组IL-6水平与HAMD、HAMA评分均呈正相关,在高危组IL-6水平与HAMD评分呈正相关(P0.05);患者组TNF-α水平与HAMA、BPRS评分均呈正相关(P0.05)。结论精神分裂症及精神分裂症遗传高危人群均存在炎性细胞因子激活,且炎性细胞因子水平的变化可能与精神分裂症临床症状有关。     

78例首发精神分裂症患者细胞因子的研究

目的探讨细胞因子在精神分裂症病理、生理机制中的作用。方法采用放射免疫法对78例首发精神分裂症患者和35名正常人的血浆白细胞介素1β（IL-1β）、白细胞介素2（IL-2）、白细胞介素6（IL-6）、白细胞介素8（IL-8）、α-肿瘤坏死因子（TNFα）进行检测,同时用阳性与阴性症状量表（PANSS）评定精神分裂症患者精神症状。结果精神分裂症患者血浆IL-1β、IL-6、IL-8、TNFα水平均显著高于正常对照组,IL-2显著低于正常对照组。结论提示精神分裂症患者的免疫功能处于亢进状态,细胞因子与精神病理之间有着一定关系。     

首发精神分裂症患者细胞因子的研究

目的：探讨细胞因子在精神分裂症病理生理机制中的作用。方法：44例首发精神分裂症患者和30例正常人,采用放射免疫法对血浆白细胞介素1β（IL-1β）、白细胞介素2（IL－2）、白细胞介素6（IL－6）、白细胞介素8（IL－8）、α－肿瘤坏死因子（TNFα）进行检测,同时用阳性和阴性症状量表（PANSS）评定精神分裂症患者精神症状。结果：精神分裂症患者血浆IL－1β,IL-2,IL-6,IL-8和TNFα水平均显著高于正常对照组;男性患者IL－6水平显著高于女性患者。IL-2 P因子分显著负相关,IL－8和TNFα与N因子分显著正相关。结论：提示精神分裂症患者的免疫功能处于亢进状态,细胞因子与精神病理之间有着一定关系。     

首发精神分裂症NF-κB活性与细胞因子mRNA表达及蛋白水平的关系

目的探讨精神分裂症中核转录因子-κB(NF-κB)活性与白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)mRNA表达及其血清蛋白水平的关系。方法应用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定83例首发精神分裂症患者和65名健康对照外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)中NF-κB的活性,同时采用ELISA和逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)方法检测血清细胞因子IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α的蛋白水平和PBMC中IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α的mRNA表达。结果患者组的NF-κB活性及血清IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α的水平均明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。患者组PBMC中IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α的mRNA表达明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。患者组中NF-κB的活性与血清IL-1β、TNF-α水平及二者的mRNA表达水平均呈正相关(r分别为0.578、0.532、0.536、0.454,P均小于0.05),而对照组中NF-κB的活性与血清IL-1β、TNF-α水平及二者的mRNA表达水平均呈正相关(r分别为0.456、0.549、0.519、0.513,P均小于0.05)。两组中NF-κB的活性与血清IL-6及其mRNA均无明显相关(P均大于0.05)。结论精神分裂症患者存在免疫激活,激活状态的PBMC是细胞因子的主要来源之一;精神分裂症中活化的NF-κB对IL-1β、TNF-α的基因转录起了重要的调控作用。     

糖皮质激素对重度颅脑损伤患者血浆TNF-α、IL-1β水平的影响

目的 研究糖皮质激素对颅脑损伤患者血浆肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）水平的影响。方法 随机将重度颅脑损伤患者分为激素治疗组（20例）与非激素治疗对照组（22例），激素组给予地塞米松10mg／d，共7d。正常组选择健康体检者15例。采用ELSIA法检测两组患者伤后第1、2、7、14天血浆中TNF一仪、IL-1β含量。结果 在颅脑损伤第1、2天激素组血浆TNF-α、IL-1β水平明显高于正常组（P（0．01），在第7、14天明显低于非激素组（P（0．01），但与正常组无明显差异（P〉0．05）。非激素组血浆TNF-α、IL-1β水平在各时间点均明显高于正常组（P〈0．01）。结论 糖皮质激素对降低颅脑损伤患者血浆TNF-α、IL-1β水平具有明显的延迟性，使损伤早期因TNF-α、IL-1β显著升高引起的有害作用未能消除，至恢复期又使TNF-α、IL-1β明显降低，其神经保护作用不能发挥。     

细胞因子在精神分裂症病理生理机制中的作用

目的探讨细胞因子在精神分裂症病理、生理机制中的作用。方法选择2013-03—2014-08在我院接受治疗的精神分裂患者65例和60例健康体检者,用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清IL-1β、IL-2、IL-6和TNF-α水平。同时对65例精神分裂症患者用阳性和阴性症状量表(PANSS)评定精神症状。结果精神分裂症患者的血清IL-1β、IL-2、IL-6和TNF-α水平明显高于健康对照组(P0.05);Ⅰ型患者血清IL-1β、IL-2、IL-6和TNF-α水平明显低于Ⅱ型患者;男性患者IL-6水平明显高于女性患者(P0.05);IL-1β、TNF-α水平比较,男女患者无明显差异(P0.05)。结论精神分裂症患者血清细胞因子水平与精神病理之间有关联,精神分裂症患者有望通过抑制其细胞IL-6水平和TNF-α等细胞因子得以治疗。     

癫痫患者外周血清中β淀粉样蛋白与IL-8、TNF-α水平的改变

目的 观察癫痫患者外周血β淀粉样蛋白（Aβ1-28）、肿瘤坏死因子（TNF-α）和白细胞介素8（IL-8）水平变化，以探讨是否与癫痫的发病存在相关性。方法收集36例癫痫患者和40例正常人血清，应用放射免疫分析法分别检测31例癫痫患者血清Aβ1-28、24例患者血清IL-8和13例患者血清TNF-α的水平变化，应用SPSS及Origin统计软件进行数据分析。结果癫痫患者血清Aβ1-28和IL-8水平明显增高（P=0．05），癫痫组患者血清TNF-α水平较正常对照组水平增高．但差异无显著性（P〉0．05）。癫痫组部分患者血清IL-8水平同TNF-α水平进行相关性分析．结果二者呈正相关。结论血清Aβ1-28、IL-8水平与癫痫发病可能存在相关性．而血清TNF-α水平与癫痫发病的相关性则不明显．在癫痫患者外周血中IL-8和TNF-α可能存在协同作用。     

脑梗死后癫痫患者血清细胞因子水平的改变

目的研究脑梗死后癫痫患者血清细胞因子水平的改变。方法应用放射免疫法检测87例脑梗死后癫痫患者（脑梗死癫痫组）和75名健康体检者（正常对照组）的血清肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α），白细胞介素（IL）-2和IL-6水平。结果脑梗死癫痫组血清TNF-α[（2．5&#177;0．57）ng／L]、．89&#177;0．36）ng／L，IL-2（4．3&#177;1．5）ng／L，IL-6（13．3&#177;11．1）ng／L]（均P〈0.01）。结论脑梗死后癫痫患者的血清细胞因子TNIL-2[2（9、0&#177;0．83）ng／L]及IL-6[（97．5&#177;13．1）ng／L]水平明显高于正常对照组[TNF-α（0F-α、IL-2及IL-6水平显著升高，提示细胞因子可能在脑梗死后癫痫的发病中起重要作用。     

Neuroimaging in epilepsy in tropics

Epilepsy is a major public health problem in many tropical countries. Also, some of the tropical diseases are major contributors to the higher prevalence of epilepsy in these countries. The etiologic factors responsible for epilepsy in these countries are quite different from those in the developed world. This article discusses the etiologic factors and neuroimaging of epilepsy in light of the conditions in these tropical countries.     

癫痫与抑郁关系的研究进展

抑郁是癫痫患者中常见的精神障碍,严重地影响了患者的生活质量。传统的观点认为癫痫患者因为存在着诸多社会学问题易出现抑郁倾向,癫痫和抑郁是单向的联系,但大量的研究已经证明癫痫和抑郁之间存在双向的联系,一种异常状态的存在可能易转化为另一种异常状态的发展。癫痫和抑郁存在着共同的发病机制。本文主要就癫痫和抑郁的双向联系以及抗抑郁药物在癫痫患者中的应用进行阐述。     

Sudanophilic lipid accumulation in astrocytes in periventricular leukomalacia in monkeys

Summary Sudanophilic lipid accumulation is a characteristic feature of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) of infants. At least two types of lipid-containing cells have been identified, one being the macrophage, the other the pre-myelin glial cell. A third type of lipid-containing cell has been seen in two monkeys with spontaneous PVL. Electron microscopically this cell appears to be an astrocyte. This probably represents a reaction of the astrocyte to hypoxia and may be the equivalent of the hypertrophic astrocytes found in human infants.Supported in part by NIH grant HDO 8633 and the Regional Primate Research Center Grant RR-00166     

Increase in cathepsin D activity in rat brain in aging

Cathepsin D-like activity in homogenates of five brain areas of 3-month-old and 24-month-old Fischer 344 rats was measured. With hemoglobin as substrate at pH 3.2, more than 90% of the activity was inhibited by pepstatin. In each area studied, activity was more than twice as high in the old rat brain: 140-160% higher in the cortex, cerebellum, pons-medulla, and striatum and 90-100% higher in the hippocampus and spinal cord. The greatly increased metabolic capacity in the absence of an increase in protein turnover may have a role in age-related pathological degeneration in the brain.     

Characteristics of nociceptors in the periodontium--an in vitro study in rats

Recent studies have indicated that nociceptors can be classified into various types according to their physiological properties. These studies have clarified that the frequency distribution of various nociceptor types is different among body sites and animal species. In the present study, we investigated the physiological properties of rat's periodontal nociceptors in an in vitro jaw-nerve preparation. Responses were recorded from functional single filaments in the inferior alveolar nerve. To determine the nociceptor type, calibrated von Frey filaments, heat, and bradykinin (BK) stimuli were used. We found five subtypes of nociceptors in the periodontal ligaments of the lower incisor: Adelta-high threshold mechanonociceptors (Adelta-HTM, n=28), Adelta-mechanoheat nociceptors (Adelta-MH, n=6), Adelta-polymodal nociceptors (Adelta-POLY, n=26), C-high threshold mechanonociceptors (C-HTM, n=3) and C-polymodal nociceptors (C-POLY, n=4). Most nociceptors were Adelta-innervated, while only a small number of C-innervated nociceptors were found. The present results suggest that periodontal nociceptors transmit mainly fast pain, and may thus play a role in rapid detection of injure-related stimuli during mastication.     

Gender in Voice Perception in Autism

Deficits in the perception of social stimuli may contribute to the characteristic impairments in social interaction in high functioning autism (HFA). Although the cortical processing of voice is abnormal in HFA, it is unclear whether this gives rise to impairments in the perception of voice gender. About 20 children with HFA and 20 matched controls were presented with voice fragments that were parametrically morphed in gender. No differences were found in the perception of gender between the two groups of participants, but response times differed significantly. The results suggest that the perception of voice gender is not impaired in HFA, which is consistent with behavioral findings of an unimpaired voice-based identification of age and identity by individuals with autism. The differences in response times suggest that individuals with HFA use different perceptual approaches from those used by typically developing individuals.     

Defects in Bioenergetic Coupling in Schizophrenia

Synaptic neurotransmission relies on maintenance of the synapse and meeting the energy demands of neurons. Defects in excitatory and inhibitory synapses have been implicated in schizophrenia, likely contributing to positive and negative symptoms as well as impaired cognition. Recently, accumulating evidence has suggested that bioenergetic systems, important in both synaptic function and cognition, are abnormal in psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia. Animal models of synaptic dysfunction demonstrated endophenotypes of schizophrenia as well as bioenergetic abnormalities. We report findings on the bioenergetic interplay of astrocytes and neurons and discuss how dysregulation of these pathways may contribute to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, highlighting metabolic systems as important therapeutic targets.     

Ethnic disparities in problem behaviour in adolescence contribute to ethnic disparities in social class in adulthood

BACKGROUND: It is important for prevention of social class disparities to know how ethnic disparities in social class arise among migrant children. We contribute to this understanding by examining the role of problem behaviour in adolescence. METHODS: Prospective observational study with 753 Dutch native and 217 Turkish migrant adolescents (11-18 year) followed for 10 years. Internalising and externalising problems were assessed in adolescence and employment status and occupational level were assessed in adulthood. The difference in odds ratios (OR) before and after adjustment for internalising and externalising problems was an indication of the predictive value of disparities in internalising and externalising problems for the development of social class disparities. RESULTS: A total of 135 (62%) of the Turkish and 602 (80%) of the Dutch adults were employed. Internalising and externalising problems were not associated with employment status. Of the employed, 65 (48%) Turkish and 179 (30%) Dutch adults worked in low-level occupations (p < 0.0001). Internalising and externalising problems were associated with both ethnicity and occupation. The OR for low-level occupation for Turkish adults was 1.78 (1.19-2.65), indicating ethnic disparities. Adjustment for internalising problems lowered the OR with 36% to 1.50 (0.97-2.31), and adjustment for externalising problems lowered it with 8% to 1.72 (1.15-2.57). Findings were similar for men and women and did not vary by age. CONCLUSIONS: Ethnic disparities in occupational level in adulthood could partly be attributed to disparities in mental health between Turkish migrants and Dutch natives in adolescence. Prevention of ethnic disparities in mental health at young age may therefore also contribute to the prevention of occupational differences in adulthood.     

Progress in neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease

Slowing or aborting the progress of neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD) remains the most important unmet need of this disorder. There are several recent developments in trial design and also in drugs under investigation for possible neuroprotective effect. Emphasis has been placed on clinical as opposed to imaging end-points and these include change in a clinical rating scale, e.g. United Parkinson's disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), or time to additional therapy. The introduction of the delayed-start, or wash-in, trial design adds an additional dimension to drug evaluation for neuroprotection. Compounds that have been recently tested in clinical trial include the monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor rasagiline, the anti-apoptotic agents TCH346 and CEP1347, and the promitochondrial agent creatine. The dopamine agonists have been evaluated for a neuroprotective effect using imaging end-points. Perhaps the most important and simplest concept for neuroprotection has been the theory that early dopaminergic support for the degenerating dopaminergic system per se provides significant long-term clinical benefit for PD patients.     

Changes in parasympathetic system in medulla oblongata in male pigs in the course of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy

Background

Autonomic imbalance constituting a fundamental feature of heart failure (HF) has been assessed mainly at the periphery. Changes in the functioning of autonomic centers in the brain remain unclear. We investigated the molecular elements of parasympathetic system, i.e. α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) and enzymes metabolizing acetylcholine (acetylcholinesterase, AChE, choline acetyltransferase, ChAT) in medulla oblongata (MO) of male pigs with chronic tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy.

Methods

The mRNA levels of AChE, ChAT, α7nAChR and X-box binding protein 1 (spliced form, XBP1s) in MO were analyzed using qPCR, AChE and ChAT activities using spectrophotometry, proteasome activity using fluorometry, and the protein level of α7nAChR using Western blotting.

Results

The development of systolic HF was accompanied by an increase in circulating catecholamines, a decrease in the AChE and α7nAChR mRNA in MO, an increase in AChE activity (all p < 0.05), and no change in either the mRNA or activity of ChAT. Both circulating catecholamine levels and AChE activity were inversely related to systolic function of left myocardial ventricle (p < 0.05). The level of α7nAChR protein in MO and its cytoplasmatic fraction were higher in pigs with moderate and severe HF as compared to the other animals (p < 0.01). There was no difference in proteasome activity in MO between diseased and healthy animals, whereas the XBP1s mRNA decreased during HF progression (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Molecular elements of parasympathetic system are changed within the medulla oblongata during the progression of systolic non-ischemic heart failure in male pigs, indicating a functional link between MO and heart in HF.