靶向TRIM29基因的siRNA通过抑制PI3K/AKT信号通路诱导鼻咽癌细胞凋亡

目的:探讨沉默TRIM29基因表达对鼻咽癌细胞凋亡及PI3K/AKT信号通路的影响。方法:将人鼻咽癌5-8F细胞分为空白组、阴性对照(NC)组(转染阴性对照siRNA)和si-TRIM29组(转染TRIM29的特异性siRNA),通过CCK-8法检测si-TRIM29转染5-8F细胞0～96 h的细胞活力。通过流式细胞术及Western blot分别检测si-TRIM29转染5-8F细胞48 h的细胞凋亡率及TRIM29、cleaved caspase-3、cleaved caspase-9、Bcl-2、Bax、t-AKT和p-AKT的蛋白水平。10μmol/L的PI3K/AKT信号通路特异性抑制剂LY294002及si-TRIM29单独或联用处理细胞,细胞分为空白组、LY294002组和LY294002+si-TRIM29组,流式细胞术检测3组细胞凋亡率。结果:转染TRIM29 siRNA的5-8F细胞TRIM29蛋白表达明显低于空白组(P0.05)。和空白组比较,si-TRIM29组细胞活力明显降低,凋亡率明显升高,cleaved caspase-3、cleaved caspase-9和Bax蛋白的水平明显升高,Bcl-2和p-AKT蛋白的水平明显降低(P0.05)。LY294002组的细胞凋亡率高于空白组,而LY294002+si-TRIM29组的细胞凋亡率高于LY294002组(P0.05)。结论:沉默TRIM29基因表达可通过抑制PI3K/AKT信号通路诱导鼻咽癌细胞凋亡。     

香菇多糖在体外对白血病HL-60细胞凋亡及PI3K/AKT信号通路的影响

目的:研究香菇多糖在体外对人白血病HL-60细胞凋亡的调节作用及其对PI3K/AKT信号通路的影响。方法:分别用浓度为0 mg/L、15 mg/L、30 mg/L和45 mg/L的香菇多糖作用于体外培养至对数期的HL-60细胞,24 h、48 h和72 h后用MTT法检测香菇多糖对HL-60细胞活力的抑制作用。用流式细胞术检测香菇多糖对HL-60细胞凋亡的影响,Western blot检测cleaved PARP、cleaved caspase-9、cleaved caspase-3和cleaved caspase-8、cytochrome C、PI3K、AKT和p-AKT的蛋白水平。用浓度为5 mg/L的PI3K抑制剂LY294002处理HL-60细胞72 h后,检测细胞的凋亡情况。结果:香菇多糖(15 mg/L、30 mg/L和45 mg/L)作用24 h、48 h和72 h后,HL-60细胞的活力受到抑制(P0.05),且具有浓度依赖性和时间依赖性。香菇多糖(15 mg/L、30 mg/L和45 mg/L)作用72 h后,以浓度依赖性的方式促进HL-60细胞的凋亡(P0.05)。30 mg/L香菇多糖诱导HL-60细胞凋亡过程中,cleaved PARP、cleaved caspase-9和cleaved caspase-3及胞浆cytochrome C的蛋白水平随着处理时间的延长而明显升高,而caspase-8没有变化(P0.05);PI3K、AKT和p-AKT的蛋白水平随着香菇多糖浓度的增加而明显降低(P0.05)。PI3K通路抑制剂LY294002处理HL-60细胞与香菇多糖处理产生类似的凋亡效果(P0.05)。结论:香菇多糖可通过抑制PI3K/AKT信号通路诱导白血病HL-60细胞凋亡。     

PTTG抑制PI3K/AKT信号通路诱导皮肤鳞状细胞癌细胞凋亡的机制

目的探讨垂体肿瘤转化基因(pituitary tumoRtransforming genes,PTTG)对皮肤鳞状细胞癌细胞活力、凋亡及PI3K/AKT信号通路的影响。方法将设计合成的PTTG特异性siRNA(si-PTTG)转染人皮肤鳞癌细胞系A431(si-PTTG组),无干扰作用siRNA(NC组)及未转染的空白细胞(空白组)作为对照组,LY294002作为PI3K/AKT信号通路的抑制剂。通过MTT法、Annexin V-FITC/PI细胞凋亡检测试剂盒及ROS检测试剂盒分别检测细胞活力、凋亡率和ROS含量。Western blot法检测PTTG、AKT、p-AKT、Cyclin D1和Bax蛋白表达。结果si-PTTG转染A431细胞后,PTTG表达明显降低(P<0.05)。与空白组比较,si-PTTG组和LY294002组细胞活力明显降低,凋亡率明显升高,si-PTTG组ROS含量明显升高,p-AKT和Cyclin D1蛋白表达明显降低,Bax蛋白表达明显升高(P<0.05)。A431细胞转染si-PTTG,并用LY294002处理,细胞活力明显低于LY294002组,凋亡率高于LY294002组(P<0.05)。结论沉默PTTG表达可抑制皮肤鳞状细胞癌细胞活力,诱导细胞凋亡,其机制与细胞ROS水平增高及PI3K/AKT通路抑制有关。     

阿魏酸通过调节PTEN/PI3K/AKT信号通路抑制急性T淋巴细胞白血病进展

目的 探究阿魏酸是否可通过调控PTEN/PI3K/AKT信号通路在体内外抑制急性T淋巴细胞白血病进展。方法将急性T淋巴细胞白血病Jurkat细胞分为对照组、阿魏酸处理组和LY294002处理组进行体外实验,对照组正常培养;阿魏酸处理组分别给予不同浓度（1.25、2.5、5、10、20、40、80、160μmol/L）阿魏酸,采用CCK-8法检测细胞增殖能力,筛选实验浓度;LY294002处理组给予50μmol/L PI3K/AKT抑制剂LY294002,采用克隆形成实验、流式细胞术、Transwell实验检测细胞增殖、凋亡、侵袭情况,采用Western blot检测核蛋白Ki67、增殖细胞核抗原（PCNA）、cleaved caspase-3、cleaved caspase-9、E-cadherin、N-cadherin、Vimentin、PTEN、p-PI3K、PI3K、p-AKT和AKT蛋白相对表达量。使用30只雄性BALB/c裸鼠建立移植瘤裸鼠模型,平均分为正常组和阿魏酸处理组进行体内实验,正常组接种Jurkat细胞后以生理盐水灌胃,阿魏酸处理组接种Jurkat细胞后以75 mg...     

PI3K/Akt通路在滋养细胞增殖中的调控机制研究

旨在探讨PI3K/Akt信号转导通路在滋养细胞增殖中的作用及具体调控机制。体外培养滋养细胞系EVT。应用MTT法检测不同浓度表皮生长因子（EGF）刺激后EVT的增殖情况;应用流式细胞技术检测不同处理组EVT凋亡情况。使用PI3K抑制剂LY294002处理细胞后,检测以上各项结果的变化。结果发现：1.随EGF浓度增高,EVT增殖呈现增强趋势,EGF在10ng/ml及其以上时效应明显;2.EGF能够显著降低EVT的凋亡发生;3.使用PI3K抑制剂LY294002明显逆转EGF的促进EVT增殖的效应。提示表皮生长因子可以活化滋养细胞的PI3K/Akt信号通路,进而促进细胞增殖,并且抑制其凋亡,PI3K抑制剂可以明显抑制EGF的促EVT增殖作用。     

APS通过PI3K/AKT信号通路促进神经干细胞增殖

目的观察APS是否通过PI3K/AKT信号通路促进神经干细胞增殖。方法将神经干细胞,随机分为对照组、APS(5%)组、APS(5%)+LY294002组和LY294002组,用间接免疫荧光法检测Nestin和Brdu;CCK-8检测细胞增殖;Elisa检测VEGF、FLK-1含量;Western blot法检测FLK-1、PI3K、P-Akt蛋白表达。结果 APS可以提高LY294002干预后神经干细胞增殖(P0.05),提高VEGF、FLK-1含量(P0.05),提高FLK-1、PI3K、P-Akt蛋白表达(P0.05)。结论 APS可能通过促进Akt磷酸化,活化PI3K/AKT信号通路,调节PI3K/AKT信号通路下游靶基因,促进神经干细胞增殖。     

姜黄素抑制HGF诱导血管内皮细胞迁移和VEGF表达的体内外研究

目的:探索姜黄素抑制肝细胞生长因子(HGF)诱导血管生成的分子机制。方法:利用管腔形成实验、划痕实验、Western blot实验和动物实验观察姜黄素、c-Met抑制剂SU11274、磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶(PI3K)抑制剂LY294002和m TOR抑制剂rapamycin对HGF诱导的内皮细胞迁移、管腔形成能力、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)表达、相关信号通路和瘤体内血管密度的影响。结果:姜黄素可显著抑制HGF诱导内皮细胞发生迁移、小管形成及VEGF的表达,同时抑制c-Met/AKT/m TOR/S6通路的磷酸化,并可减少瘤体内VEGF的表达和微血管密度。使用c-Met抑制剂SU11274、PI3K抑制剂LY294002或m TOR抑制剂rapamycin能得到和姜黄素相似的效应。结论:姜黄素抑制HGF诱导的血管生成可能是通过抑制c-Met/AKT/m TOR/S6信号通路活化实现的。     

丹参酮ⅡA抑制马兜铃酸诱导HUVECs凋亡及其可能机制

目的观察丹参酮ⅡA(TSN)对马兜铃酸(AA)诱导的人脐静脉血管内皮细胞(HUVECs)凋亡的保护作用及其可能机制。方法体外培养HUVECs,设对照组、AA刺激组(AA终浓度为10 mg/L)、TSN干预组(先加入0.2、0.4和0.8 mg/L TSN,1 h后再加入AA)和LY294002预处理组(20μmol/L的PI3K抑制剂LY294002预处理30 min后,再加入TSN)。24 h后,MTT法检测细胞增殖;Hoechst33258荧光染色观察细胞形态;Annexin V-FITC/PI双荧光染色流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡率;Western blot法检测细胞Bcl-2、Bax和磷酸化Akt(p-Akt)蛋白表达及比色法测定细胞caspase-3活性。结果与对照组相比,AA引起细胞凋亡率显著增加(P0.05),细胞Bcl-2和p-Akt表达降低(P0.05),细胞Bax表达升高(P0.05);TSN能减轻AA对细胞凋亡率及对细胞Bcl-2、Bax和p-Akt表达的作用(P0.05);PI3K抑制剂LY294002可抑制TSN的抗凋亡作用(P0.05)。结论 TSN可抑制AA诱导的HUVECs凋亡。     

上调GDF-15 表达对H2O2 诱导的H9C2 心肌细胞生物学特性及PI3K/ AKT 信号通路的影响

目的：探讨上调生长分化因子-15（GDF-15）的表达对H₂O₂诱导的H9C2心肌细胞增殖、凋亡及PI3K/AKT信号通路的影响。方法：CCK8法检测不同浓度的H₂O₂处理H9C2心肌细胞后的细胞增殖情况;H9C2心肌细胞分为Control组、NC组、H₂O₂组、GDF-15+H₂O₂组,各组细胞处理24 h后收集细胞,RT-PCR及Western blot分别检测各组细胞中GDF-15的mRNA及蛋白表达;CCK8法及流式细胞术分别检测细胞的增殖和凋亡情况;2′,7′-二氯二氢荧光素黄二乙酸酯（DCFH-DA）探针检测细胞活性氧簇（ROS）水平;Western blot检测Ki67、B细胞淋巴瘤/白血病-2（Bcl-2）、Bcl-2相关X蛋白(Bax)、PI3K、p-AKT蛋白表达。10 μmol/L的PI3K/AKT信号通路抑制剂LY294002处理H9C2心肌细胞,通过CCK8法及流式细胞术分别检测GDF-15+H₂O₂组及PI3K/AKT信号通路抑制剂组细胞活力及凋亡率,Western blot检测Ki67、Bcl-2、Bax、PI3K、p-AKT蛋白表达。结果：不同浓度H₂O₂处理H9C2心肌细胞后,细胞活力均受到抑制,且有浓度依赖性（P<0.05）,由于200 μmol/L的H₂O₂处理H9C2心肌细胞后可抑制将近一半的细胞增殖,选择200 μmol/L的H₂O2作为研究对象;与Control组比较,H2O2组GDF-15的mRNA及蛋白表达均显著升高,细胞增殖显著降低,凋亡率增加,ROS水平升高,Ki67、Bcl-2、PI3K、p-AKT蛋白表达降低,Bax蛋白表达升高（P<0.05）;与H₂O₂组比较,GDF-15+H₂O₂组细胞GDF-15的mRNA及蛋白表达均显著升高,细胞增殖显著增加,凋亡率降低,ROS水平降低,Ki67、Bcl-2、PI3K、p-AKT蛋白表达升高,Bax蛋白表达降低（P<0.05）。PI3K/AKT信号抑制剂组细胞活力及Bcl-2、PI3K和p-AKT的蛋白表达均显著低于GDF-15+H₂O₂组,细胞凋亡率及Bax蛋白表达显著高于GDF-15+H₂O₂组（P<0.05）。结论：上调GDF-15表达可促进H₂O₂诱导的H9C2心肌细胞增殖,降低细胞凋亡,其机制可能与调节细胞中ROS水平,Ki67、Bcl-2、Bax表达及PI3K/AKT信号通路有关。     

姜黄素联合LY294002对鼠卵巢癌转基因细胞系T1、T2、T3的抑制作用

目的探讨姜黄素与PI3K抑制剂LY294002及两者联合用药对鼠卵巢癌转基因细胞系T1、T2、T3的增殖抑制作用及其作用机制。方法体外培养鼠卵巢癌转基因细胞系T1、T2、T3,0～80μmol/L姜黄素与相同浓度LY294002单独及联合用药分别作用12、24、48 h,MTT方法检测T1、T2、T3细胞的增殖活性;Western blot法检测细胞内Akt、p-Akt蛋白表达水平。结果姜黄素能显著抑制T1、T2、T3细胞增殖,呈时间与剂量依赖性,其中对T2、T3抑制作用更明显;姜黄素明显降低T2、T3细胞内p-Akt蛋白的表达,对Akt蛋白表达改变不明显;姜黄素与LY294002联合用药明显加强姜黄素对T2、T3细胞增殖抑制作用。结论姜黄素能显著抑制Akt转基因型细胞系T2和T3的生长;小剂量PI3K抑制剂LY294002即能明显增强其对Akt转基因型细胞系T2、T3的增殖抑制作用,其作用机制可能是通过PI3K/Akt通路下调p-Akt表达来实现的。     

Two residues in the hemagglutinin of A/Fujian/411/02-like influenza viruses are responsible for antigenic drift from A/Panama/2007/99

The H3N2 vaccine strain (A/Panama/2007/99) for the 2003-2004 influenza season did not antigenically match the circulating A/Fujian/411/02-like H3N2 viruses and had reduced effectiveness against influenza outbreaks. A/Wyoming/03/2003, an A/Fujian-like virus, was recommended as the vaccine strain for the 2004-2005 season. A/Wyoming differed from A/Panama by 16 amino acids in the HA1 molecule. Reverse genetics was used to determine the minimal amino acid changes that were responsible for the antigenic drift from A/Panama to A/Wyoming. After substitutions of 2 of the 16 amino acids in the HA (H155T, Q156H), the A/Panama HA variant was antigenically equivalent to A/Wyoming as determined by hemagglutination inhibition and microneutralization assays using ferret postinfection antisera. Conversely, A/Wyoming containing the His-155 and Gln-156 residues from A/Panama was antigenically equivalent to A/Panama. These results indicated that only these two HA residues specified the antigenic drift from A/Panama to A/Wyoming; other amino acid differences between these two H3N2 viruses had minimal impact on virus antigenicity but impacted virus replication efficiency in eggs.     

AILIM/ICOS signaling induces T-cell migration/polarization of memory/effector T-cells

AILIM/ICOS has critical roles in the regulation of T-cell differentiation and effector T-cell function in various immune responses. The counter-ligand for AILIM/ICOS, B7h, is widely expressed in not only lymphoid tissue and antigen-presenting cells, but also in fibroblast and endothelial cells in various organs. Here, we demonstrate that activated human T-cells migrate beneath TNF-alpha-treated HUVEC and display morphological polarization via AILIM/ICOS signaling. AILIM/ICOS stimulation, in the absence of antigen stimulation, also induced T-cell polarization. Importantly, AILIM/ICOS-mediated polarization was evident in CD4+CD45RO+ memory T-cells and generated Th1 cells, but not in CD4+CD45RA+ naive T-cells and generated Th2 cells. Furthermore, AILIM/ICOS signaling is involved in transendothelial migration of Th1 cells, but not Th2 cells. Our data suggest that AILIM/ICOS-B7h interactions play an important role in the endothelium in controlling the entry of memory/effector T-cells into inflamed tissues in the periphery.     

Midazolam/ketamine sedative combination compared with fentanyl/propofol/isoflurane anaesthesia for oocyte retrieval.

Assisted reproduction may be associated with repeated occasions of surgical intervention. Propofol, which is frequently used for induction of anaesthesia in such procedures, has been suspected of damaging oocytes. We compared in a randomized prospective design the use of general anaesthesia with fentanyl 0.017 mg/kg, propofol 2.5 mg/kg and isoflurane to that of sedation with midazolam 0.06 mg/kg and ketamine 0.75 mg/kg for transvaginal oocyte retrieval in 50 patients with no premedication. Overall, patient satisfaction was not different between the groups. Sedated patients were more arousable than anaesthetized patients during the procedure and experienced less postoperative abdominal pain at 30 min. Despite some movement in response to pain, oocyte retrieval was conveniently feasible in all sedated patients, of which none required a switch to general anaesthesia. A comparable number of oocytes was retrieved per cycle, 10.8 (+/-7.8) versus 9.6 (+/-10.9) with sedation and anaesthesia respectively. No patient recalled any pain sensation during the procedure. The rate of embryo transfers and pregnancies were not different between the two groups. We conclude that the sedative combination of midazolam and ketamine for oocyte retrieval may serve as an alternative for general anaesthesia.     

The response of adenomyosis to endometrial ablation/resection

Operative hysteroscopy is a relatively new technique that hassignificantly improved the diagnosis and therapy of abnormaluterine bleeding. At first, the success of operative hysteroscopyin controlling this bleeding seemed extremely high but, withlong-term follow-up, a significant failure rate became evidentrequiring a repeat hysteroscopic procedure or a hysterectomy.Deep adenomyosis is a major cause of these failures. This paperdescribes three operative ablation techniques and relates manyof their failures to deep adenomyosis. The definition and pathophysiologyof adenomyosis are also explored. The possibility of delayingthe diagnosis of endometrial cancer under an ablation scan isdiscussed. Ultimately the depth of adenomyosis seems to correlatewith the outcome of endometrial ablation or resection. Patientswithout or with only minimal endometrial penetration of <2.5mm (superficial adenomyosis) have good results from the ablation.Patients with deep endometrial penetration of >2.5 mm (deepadenomyosis) usually have persistent problems and should beoffered hysterectomy over repeat ablation. Magnetic resonanceimaging or ultrasound may be an appropriate pre-operative screeningtool to determine the depth of adenomyosis.     

Prophylactic contraceptives for HIV/AIDS

The current pandemic of sexually transmitted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection--the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), has created an urgent need for a new type of contraceptive: one that is both a spermicide and a microbicide. Because most women at risk for HIV infection are of reproductive age (15-44 years), effective use of dual-function contraceptives is important to prevent HIV transmission and unintended pregnancies. In the absence of an effective prophylactic anti-HIV therapy or vaccine, new emphasis has been placed on the development of intravaginal microbicidal agents capable of reducing the transmission of HIV. Topical microbicidal spermicides would ideally provide a female-controlled method of self-protection against HIV as well as preventing pregnancy. However, several microbicides that are undergoing preclinical and human clinical trials contain detergent-type ingredients. The detergent-type spermicide, nonoxynol-9, the only recommended microbicide for protection against sexual transmission of HIV has been shown to cause lesions in vaginal and cervical epithelia leaving women more vulnerable to HIV infection. Therefore, a major challenge in microbicide research has been to design mechanism-based microbicides that are highly effective against pregnancy and HIV transmission while lacking detergent-type effects on epithelial cells and normal vaginal flora. We present an overview of current microbicide research and report on the identification and preclinical development of novel non-detergent spermicidal nucleoside and non-nucleoside inhibitors aimed at decreasing pregnancy and preventing sexual transmission of HIV.     

川芎嗪对类风湿性关节炎外周血RANK／RANKL／骨保护素途径干预作用的研究

目的观察川芎嗪对类风湿性关节炎（RA）模型大鼠RANK／RANKL／0PG在外周血中CD3^＋T淋巴细胞、中性粒细胞、CD14单核细胞的表达率及平均荧光强度,探讨川芎嗪在RA骨破坏和炎症过程巾的意义。方法大鼠随机分成5组,正常对照组、模型对照组、川芎嗪大剂量组、川芎嗪小剂量组、阳性药物对照组,每组10只。给药7d后,应用间接免疫荧光标记和流式细胞技术对各组大鼠外周血相关指标进行检测分析。结果与正常对照组相比,RA大鼠骨保护素（OPG）表达明显降低,从正常的24．7降至18．7（q=4．2,P〈0．05）,RANK、RANKL变化不明显,经过川芎嗪治疗后,大剂量组OPG有明显的回升,至23．8％（q=3．97,P〈0．05）,小剂量组变化不明显。RANK在CD3^＋细胞、中性粒细胞、CD14单核细胞上的平均荧光强度明显降低,分别为20．6、135．4、84．2,经川芎嗪大剂量治疗后明显升高,分别达到31．0、192．1、95．6（q=10．4、q=8．6、q=6．3,P〈0．05）。结论大剂量川芎嗪可以通过调节OPG／RANK／RANKL途径对RA起一定的作用。     

Analysis of hormonal changes during combined buserelin/HMG treatment

Changes of serum oestradiol, LH and progesterone have been analysed in view of the effect of the GnRH analogue buserelin on the late follicular and early luteal phase of cycles stimulated with combined buserelin/HMG (n = 31) in an IVF-ET/GIFT programme. Patients undergoing cycles with HMG only (n = 57) served as the control group. With the use of the GnRH analogue buserelin, a significantly higher amount of HMG (25 versus 20 ampoules; P less than 0.001) for a significantly longer stimulation period (10 versus 8 days; P less than 0.001) was necessary to achieve the same oestradiol response as seen in HMG cycles. Serum progesterone levels during a three day period before ovulation induction tended to be lower in the combined buserelin/HMG cycles than in cycles with HMG stimulation only. We did not observe any significant difference in the luteal phase progesterone levels of the buserelin/HMG and the HMG group. On the other hand, we found that an inadequate luteal phase in buserelin/HMG cycles could be avoided by HCG administration during the luteal phase. Both the elevation of basal serum LH and a premature LH rise could also be avoided by the use of buserelin.     

Association of -592C/A, -819C/T and -1082A/G interleukin-10 promoter polymorphisms with idiopathic recurrent spontaneous abortion

Increasing evidence supports a role for altered T helper 1 (Th1)-Th2 cytokine balance in idiopathic recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). The aim of this study was to investigate the association of the interleukin 10 (IL-10) promoter polymorphisms -592C/A, -819C/T and -1082A/G with RSA. Women (n = 350) with at least three consecutive spontaneous abortions (RSA cases) and 200 control women with at least two successful pregnancies were included. The frequency of the -819T allele [P = 0.05, odds ratio (OR) = 1.51], but not other single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), was higher among RSA patients. Complete linkage disequilibrium (LD) was seen between -592C and -819C and -1082G alleles, as well as between -592A and -819T and between -819C and -1082G alleles only among patients. Although the genotype frequencies (except for -819C/C) of the three polymorphisms were comparable between patients and controls, higher frequency of -592A/-819T/-1082A haplotype (OR = 4.01, 95% CI = 1.83-7.95) was seen in cases versus controls. Regression analysis indicated that, after adjusting for potential variables, -592C/A (OR = 3.32, 95% CI = 1.76-6.27) and -819C/T (OR = 5.06, 95% CI = 2.59-9.91) were associated with exclusively early but not exclusively late RSA, where negative association for both was noted. This supports the notion of involvement of IL-10-592C/A and -819C/T polymorphisms as inherited risk factors of idiopathic RSA.     

Antigenic/Allergenic Composition of Poodle/Alsatian Dandruff Extract

Poodle and Alsatian dog dandruff extracts were characterized by crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) and crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis (CRIE) using sera from 24 individuals clinically sensitive to dogs. By using a system with intermediate gel in immunoelectrophoresis, the content of dander-specific and serum-specific allergens was established. 29 antigens (18 dander-specific and 11 serum-specific) were identified in the mixed breed Poodle/Alsation dandruff extract. Of these, 24 antigens were radiostained in CRIE. 16 allergens were dander specific and the remaining eight were serum specific. Positive dog dander RAST (e5 and Poodle/Alsatian dandruff extract) results were observed in the tested dog hypersensitive subjects. Our results suggest that the mixture of Poodle/Alsatian dandruff extract may be a suitable preparation for the diagnosis and treatment of dog allergy.     

Morbidity in a Danish national cohort of 472 IVF/ICSI twins, 1132 non-IVF/ICSI twins and 634 IVF/ICSI singletons: health-related and social implications for the children and their families

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of knowledge on child health as well as family well-being in IVF/ICSI twins. METHODS: These data originated from questionnaires completed by mothers taking part in a national cohort study of twin and singleton births occurring in Denmark in 1997. The overall response rate was 83%. The three cohorts consisted of all IVF/ICSI twin children (n = 472), all IVF/ICSI singletons (n = 634) and all non-IVF/ICSI twin children (n = 1132) born in Denmark in 1997. RESULTS: No major differences in physical health were observed between IVF/ICSI twins and non-IVF/ICSI twins. Compared with IVF/ICSI singletons, more IVF/ICSI twins were admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) (P < 0.01) and more had surgical interventions (P = 0.03) and special needs (P = 0.02), moreover they had poorer speech development (P < 0.01). Correspondingly, IVF/ICSI twin mothers rated their infant's general health poorer than IVF/ICSI singleton mothers did. All discrepancies between IVF/ICSI twins and singletons disappeared after stratification for birthweight except for NICU admissions and speech development. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that both IVF/ICSI and non-IVF/ICSI twin parents experienced more marital stress [odds ratio (OR) 2.9, 95% CI 2.2-3.8] and that twins had more impact on the mother's life (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.4) compared with singletons. Nevertheless, the only predictor of low divorce/separation risk was IVF/ICSI treatment. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that physical health of IVF/ICSI twins is comparable with that of non-IVF/ICSI twins. However, physical health of IVF/ICSI twins is poorer and the implications for the families stronger compared with IVF/ICSI singletons.