Racial Differences in Serum Cotinine Levels of Smokers

The purpose of this study was to estimate black/white differences in cotinine levels for current smokers of both sexes, and to explore the potential contribution of mentholated cigarettes to these differences. Sera from 255 current smokers sampled from Southern Community Cohort Study participants (65 black men, 65 black women, 63 white men, 62 white women) were analyzed for cotinine, and linear regression was used to model the effect of race on cotinine level, adjusting for the number of cigarettes smoked within the last 24 hours, use of menthol vs. non-menthol cigarettes, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, and age. Black smokers smoked fewer cigarettes than white smokers, yet had crude mean cotinine levels nearly as high or higher than white smokers. After multivariate adjustment, cotinine levels were an average of 50 ng/ml higher among black than white women (p=0.008) and non-significantly 12 ng/ml higher among black than white men (p=0.52). We observed no increase in cotinine levels associated with menthol cigarette use. We conclude that differences in cotinine levels among smokers suggest racial variation in exposure to and/or metabolism of tobacco smoke constituents, but our findings do not support a role for menthol preference in this disparity.     

抑郁症患者IL-2及sIL-2R的检测及临床意义

目的　探讨白介素 -2 ( IL-2 )及可溶性白介素 -2受体 ( s IL-2 R)在抑郁症发病中的作用及临床意义。方法　用酶联免疫吸附法检测 30例抑郁症患者和 30例正常人血清 IL-2及 s IL-2 R水平 ,并比较二者的差异。结果　抑郁症患者 IL-2及 s IL-2 R分别为 95 1 .2± 1 1 0 .5 ngl/L、( 389.6± 2 1 1 .1 ) U/ml,高于对照组的 384 .1± 72 .5 ng/L、2 83.6± 1 4 6 .7U/ml,二者比较差异有显著性 ( P<0 .0 1 )。结论　抑郁症患者 IL-2及 s IL-2 R水平增高。     

High Serum-Soluble Interleukin-2 Receptor is not Associated with the Immunosuppression in Diffuse Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Diffuse Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (DCL) is a rare complication of Leishmania aethiopica -induced cutaneous leishmaniasis which is associated with non-self healing and in vivo and in vitro antigen-specific non-responsiveness. Such antigen-specific unresponsiveness is also observed in visceral leishmaniasis (VL). The non-responsiveness seen in VL disease is believed to be due, in part, to serum-derived factors, including raised serum soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R). Raised sIL-2R in serum was not a consistent feature of DCL in our study (range: 787–4546 U/ml) but was frequently observed in sera of patients with other dermatological disorders (range: 474–3313 U/ml) and some patients with the simple local cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL; range: 556–4247 U/ml). The level of sIL-2R in the sera of DCL patients was not indicative of the disease state. Sera from DCL patients did not reduce proliferation of the IL-2-dependent CTLL cell line nor reduce PHA-driven mononuclear cell proliferation, although sera from VL patients could. Both DCL and VL sera could reduce the L. aethiopica -driven proliferation. Furthermore addition of serial dilutions of recombinant IL-2 to CTLL cultured in VL or DCL sera containing high sIL-2R levels did not alter the effect of such sera on proliferation. We conclude therefore, that raised sIL-2R in serum is not associated with the immunosuppression in DCL.     

六种免疫相关疾病血清sIL－2Ra水平

本文研究了一组免疫相关疾病，如系统性红斑狼疮、干燥综合症、非何杰金氏淋巴瘤、类风湿性关节炎、Ｇｒａｖｅｓ’病和头颈部肿瘤患者血清ｓＩＬ－２Ｒａ水平，并与正常人对照组作了比较。结果显示上述各病种患者血清ｓＩＬ－２Ｒａ明显增高，与正常人血清ｓＩＬ－２Ｒａ水平比较均存在极显著性差异。本文还就ｓＩＬ－２Ｒａ的临床意义和应用前景等若干问题进行了讨论。     

T-Helper 2 Type Cytokine and Soluble Interleukin-2 Receptor Levels in Seminal Plasma of Infertile Men

PROBLEM: The role of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in unexplained male infertility and impaired sperm function has been explored. METHOD OF STUDY: The presence of cytokines, namely, interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the soluble interleukin-2 receptor (SIL-2R), was investigated in seminal plasma of 18 fertile and 20 infertile subjects, using specific enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assays. RESULTS: IL-4 was not detected. SIL-2R was detected, but the concentration difference between the fertile and infertile group was not significant. IL-6 was detected with significantly higher levels in the infertile group compared to the fertile group. IL-6 levels in seminal plasma correlated positively with leukocyte count and negatively with sperm count, motility, and morphology. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show: a) a lack of IL-4 in seminal plasma; b) similar SIL-2R levels in fertile and infertile seminal plasma; c) increased IL-6 secretion in seminal plasma of infertile subjects; and d) specific correlations of IL-6 with the main semen parameters.     

维持性血液透析患者IL-2和IL-2R的动态观察及临床意义

本文检测了23例维持性血液透析(血透)患者T淋巴细胞产生的白细胞介素2(IL-2)和白细胞介素2受体(IL-2R)活性。结果23例患者IL-2和IL-2R活性显著低于正常对照组(n=40):11例患者血透后IL-2及IL-2R活性比透析前增加,10例患者经3个月规律血透后,IL-2和IL-2R活性无显著变化。结果表明:维持性血透患者细胞免疫受损,包括T细胞产生IL-2能力和IL-2R活性低下,充分透析能提高IL-2和IL-2R活性,但长期血透无助于改善IL-2和IL-2R活性。     

Soluble Interleukin-2 Receptor Levels and Immune Activation in Patients with Schistosomiasis and Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) level in serum is a marker of immune regulation and lymphocyte activation. Highly elevated levels of sIL-2R in serum were observed in patients of schistosomiasis with carcinoma of the bladder (SCB) and carcinoma of the bladder without schistosomiasis (CB) compared with patients with carcinoma of the prostate with or without schistosomiasis and normal healthy controls. Patients with SCB, who had an elevated percentage of cells expressing CD38+ activation antigen and CD71+ transferrin receptors in circulation, also had elevated levels of sIL-2R in serum. There were few interleukin-2 receptor (CD25+) positive cells in circulation in some patients with SCB. Despite this, the sIL-2R levels were extremely elevated. Our data suggest that in SCB, CD38+ and CD71+ cells may be the source of secretion of sIL-2R in serum. This relationship was confirmed by phenotypic characterizations of mononuclear cells and sIL-2R levels in individual patients. Measurements of sIL-2R levels in serum may provide a sensitive method of immune activation in patients with SCB.     

Serum Levels of Interleukins 2, 6 and 8, Soluble Interleukin-2 Receptor and Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 During Treatment with Interleukin-2 Plus Interferon-Alfa

In the present study we evaluated the haematological and immunological changes in 4 patients with advanced melanoma and 6 patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma treated with subcutaneous interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-alfa-2b. Serum samples taken before and during six weeks' courses of IL-2 plus IFN-alfa were assayed for the presence of IL-2, soluble IL-2-receptor (sIL-2R), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), IL-6 and IL-8. In addition, whole blood counts were taken. Eosinophilia occurred in all patients, lymphocytosis in 8 patients. The higher maximum level of IL-2 during treatment seemed to be connected to longer survival: it was a median of 578 pg/ml in the patients with a median survival of 7 months, and 1025 pg/ml in the patients who survived a median of 15 months. Conversely, an increase in slL-2R was an unfavourable sign: it was a median of 8-fold and 3-fold in the patients with a median survival of 7 and 16 months, respectively. During treatment, sICAM-1 levels paralleled with those of slL-2R. There was major intraindividual and interindividual variation in serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels with no distinctive kinetic pattern. Thus, no definite conclusions could be drawn. However, it seems worthwhile to measure IL-2, slL-2R and sICAM-1 during immunotherapy; their prognostic value should be further evaluated in a larger patient population.     

IgA肾病患者IL—2的产生及IL—2受体的表达

本文对IgA肾病(IgAN)外周血淋巴细胞白细胞介素2(IL-2)的产生、受体的表达及免疫球蛋白的产生进行了研究。结果发现:外周血淋巴细胞产生IL-2的活性明显增高,IL-2受体表达亦明显增强并伴有免疫球蛋白产生增多,提示IgAN存在着细胞免疫功能的紊乱。     

Long-Term Aspirin Use and 5-Year Survival in Healthy Adults: A Population-Based Cohort Study in South Korea

PurposeWe investigated whether long-term aspirin use is associated with 5-year all-cause mortality.Materials and MethodsParticipants were individuals aged ≥40 years who were registered in the 2010 sample cohort database of the National Health Insurance Service in South Korea. Aspirin users were divided into three groups: continuous users (2006–2010), previous users (2006–2009), and new users (2010). Individuals with a history of coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease were excluded. Five-year all-cause mortality was defined as mortality due to any cause from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015. Data were analyzed by multivariable Cox regression.ResultsIn total, 424444 individuals were included. Five-year all-cause mortality was 9% lower in continuous aspirin users than in unexposed individuals [hazard ratio (HR): 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.86–0.97; p=0.003]. Five-year all-cause mortality rates in the new aspirin users (HR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.90–1.11; p=0.995) and previous aspirin users (HR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.94–1.09; p=0.776) were not significantly different from that in unexposed individuals. In the 40–60-year age group, 5-year all-cause mortality in the continuous aspirin users was 24% lower (HR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.64–0.90; p=0.002) than that in unexposed individuals. However, in the >60-year age group, there was no significant association between aspirin use and 5-year all-cause mortality (HR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.90–1.02; p=0.199).ConclusionLong-term aspirin use is associated with reduced 5-year all-cause mortality in healthy adults, especially those aged <60 years.     

食管癌患者手术前后血清IL—2与SIL—2R水平的检测

采用ＭＴＴ比色法与双抗体夹心法对３８例食管癌患者进行了手术前后ＩＬ－２与ＳＩＬ－２Ｒ水平检测,并以正常人作对照。结果表明：食用癌患者手术前血清ＩＬ－２活性明显低于正常人,血清ＳＩＬ－２Ｒ水平明显地高于正常人;术后６个月复发者ＩＬ－２与ＳＩＬ－２Ｒ持续异常,未复发者ＩＬ－２与ＳＩＬ－２Ｒ水平恢复正常。观察了患者免疫功能的变化与肿瘤的发生及预后密切相关。     

可溶性白细胞介素2受体在轮状病毒胃肠炎中价值的初探

动态观察轮状病毒胃肠炎患儿血浆中可溶性白细胞介素２受体（ＳＩＬ－２Ｒ）水平的变化，以及轮状病毒（ＲＶ）浓度与ＳＩＬ－２Ｒ，ＩＬ－２与ＳＩＬ－２Ｒ水平之间的关系。结果显示：急性期患儿血浆中ＳＩＬ－２Ｒ明显升高，恢复期患儿血浆中ＳＩＬ－２Ｒ接近正常；在ＲＶ抗原诱导下末梢血中单个核细胞可释放ＳＩＬ－２Ｒ；ＲＶ浓度与ＳＩＬ－２Ｒ水平呈负相关，ＩＬ－２水平与ＳＩＬ－２Ｒ亦呈负相关。提示：ＳＩＬ－２Ｒ分泌增高     

Sleep and Depression in Postpartum Women: A Population-Based Study

Study Objectives:

(1) To describe the prevalence of and risk factors for postpartum maternal sleep problems and depressive symptoms simultaneously, (2) identify factors independently associated with either condition, and (3) explore associations between specific postpartum sleep components and depression.

Design:

Cross-sectional.

Setting:

Population-based.

Participants:

All women (n = 4191) who had delivered at Stavanger University Hospital from October 2005 to September 2006 were mailed a questionnaire seven weeks postpartum. The response rate was 68% (n = 2830).

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and results:

Sleep was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and depressive symptoms using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The prevalence of sleep problems, defined as PSQI > 5, was 57.7%, and the prevalence of depression, defined as EPDS ≥ 10, was 16.5%. The mean self-reported nightly sleep duration was 6.5 hours and sleep efficiency 73%. Depression, previous sleep problems, being primiparous, not exclusively breastfeeding, or having a younger or male infant were factors associated with poor postpartum sleep quality. Poor sleep was also associated with depression when adjusted for other significant risk factors for depression, such as poor partner relationship, previous depression, depression during pregnancy and stressful life events. Sleep disturbances and subjective sleep quality were the aspects of sleep most strongly associated with depression.

Conclusions:

Poor sleep was associated with depression independently of other risk factors. Poor sleep may increase the risk of depression in some women, but as previously known risk factors were also associated, mothers diagnosed with postpartum depression are not merely reporting symptoms of chronic sleep deprivation.

Citation:

Dørheim SK; Bondevik GT; Eberhard-Gran M; Bjorvatn B. Sleep and depression in postpartum women: a population-based study. SLEEP 2009;32(7):847-855.     

Predictors of Variation in Serum IGFI and IGFBP3 Levels in Healthy African American and White Men

BackgroundIndividual variation in circulating insulinlike growth factor-1 (IGF1) and its major binding protein, insulinlike growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP3), have been etiologically linked to several chronic diseases, including some cancers. Factors associated with variation in circulating levels of these peptide hormones remain unclear.MethodsMultiple linear regression models were used to determine the extent to which sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, personal and family history of chronic disease, and common genetic variants, the (CA)_n repeat polymorphism in the IGF1 promoter and the IGFBP3-202 A/C polymorphism (rs2854744) predict variation in IGF1 or IGFBP3 serum levels in 33 otherwise healthy African American and 37 white males recruited from Durham Veterans Administration Medical Center.ResultsPredictors of serum IGF1, IGFBP3, and the IGF1: IGFBP3 molar ratio varied by race. In African Americans, 17% and 28% of the variation in serum IGF1 and the IGF1:IGFBP3 molar ratio, were explained by cigarette smoking and carrying the IGF1 (CA)₁₉ repeat allele, respectively. Not carrying at least 1 IGF1 (CA)₁₉ repeat allele and a high body mass index explained 8% and 14%, respectively, of the variation IGFBP3 levels. These factors did not predict variation of these peptides in whites.ConclusionIf successfully replicated in larger studies, these findings would add to recent evidence, suggesting known genetic and lifestyle chronic disease risk factors influence IGF1 and IGFBP3 circulating levels differently in African Americans and whites.     

肝硬化患者血清sIL-2R和T淋巴细胞亚群水平的探讨

目的：探讨了肝硬化患者血清可溶性白细胞介素-2（sIL-2R）和T淋巴细胞亚群的水平及意义。方法：应用ELISA和单克隆抗体法对54例肝硬化患者进行了血清sIL-2R和T淋巴细胞亚群的测定，并与30名正常健康人作比较。结果：肝硬化患者血清sIL-2R水平非常显著地高于正常人组（P〈0．01），经3个月的治疗后血清sIL-2R水平与正常人比较仍有差异（P〈0．05），且sIL-2R水平和T淋巴细胞亚群中的CD4／CD8细胞比值密切相关。结论：检测肝硬化患者血清sIL-2R和T淋巴细胞亚群水平可作为患者病情、预后判断的重要检测指标。     

肺结核患者血清可溶性白细胞介素－2受体检测的临床意义

应用夹心法ＥＬＩＳＡ测定肺部疾病患者血清可溶性白细胞介素２－受体（ｓＩＬ－２Ｒ），结果表明，进展期肺结核及急性肺炎患者血清ｓＩＬ－２Ｒ较正常对照组的明显升高，进展期肺结核及好转期肺结核患者血清ｓＩＬ－２Ｒ，较稳定期肺结核患者的增高（Ｐ＜０．０１）。进展期肺结核患者血清ｓＩＬ－２Ｒ的高低与肺部病灶大小有关。经抗结核化疗后，进展期肺结核患者血清ｓＩＬ－２Ｒ降低或无改变。与Ｘ线胸片和／或痰菌改变一致，提示测定肺结核患者血清ｓＩＬ－２Ｒ，有助于对进展期肺结核患者疾病活动性的判断。     

Halothane Inhibits T Cell Proliferation and Interleukin-2 Receptor Expression in Rats

In order to determine the effects of halothane on rat cell-mediated immune function, rats were exposed to 1% halothane for up to 5 hours. Immediately, 24 hours or 48 hours following anesthesia, rat lymphocytes from the spleen were analyzed for their ability to respond to the mitogens phytohemagglutinin (PHA), pokeweed mitogen (PWM), concanavalin A (ConA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In addition, percentages of lymphocyte subpopulations in the spleen were assessed as well as ability of the lymphocytes to express specific receptors. Extended periods of halothane anesthesia (5 hours) suppressed the ability of the lymphocytes to respond to the mitogen PHA immediately following anesthesia. Twenty-four hours later, proliferative responses to the mitogens PHA, PWM and ConA were significantly reduced. However, by 48 hours following treatment, proliferative responses were normal. Halothane did not alter proliferative responses to the mitogen LPS. Prolonged anesthesia (5 hours) also increased the percentage of T and CD8+ (cytotoxic) lymphocytes in the spleen, although for less than 24 hours. The ability of T lymphocytes to express both the CD8 and CD25 (IL-2) receptors in response to PHA were suppressed. These results suggest that halothane suppresses rat T cell function, perhaps through suppression of IL-2 receptor expression.