The geographical distribution in Sweden of viruses belonging to the Russian spring-summer-louping Ill group

Conclusions NT antibodies to LI virus were found in the sera of Swedish cows from many parts of the country although only exceptionally in the north. The prevalence of positive specimens increased markedly towards the southeast. This geographic distribution apparently fits well with the occurrence of ticks in the country. An analysis, now in progress, of RSSE-LI antibodies in human cases of meningoencephalomyelitis seems to indicate a closely similar distribution of the human RSSE infections. It is thus obvious that the screening of cow sera for LI antibodies provides reliable information as to endemic regions of RSSE-LI-like viruses. There was nothing to suggest that nonspecific reactions occurred or impaired the results; in fact the very uneven geographic distribution of positive specimens, of high as well as low titers, should argue for specificity of the reaction.Aided by a grant from the Swedish National Association against Poliomyelitis.The skilful technical assistance of MissSiri Austrin, MissIngrid Lövhvist, MissBrita Gustafson and Mr.Nils Lundh is gratefully acknowledged.     

CYP17A1基因新突变致17α-羟化酶/17,20-裂解酶部分性缺陷症

目的研究1例17α-羟化酶/17,20-裂解酶部分性联合缺陷症患者CYP17A1基因突变特点,并结合患者的临床表现与基因突变类型初步探讨P450C17酶蛋白的结构与功能的关系。方法收集1例17α-羟化酶/17,20-裂解酶部分性联合缺陷症患者的临床资料及其亲属血标本,提取基因组DNA,设计7对引物扩增CYP17A1基因的8个外显子及外显子与内含子的连接区域,琼脂糖凝胶电泳鉴定PCR产物,产物胶回收后直接做为DNA双链模板测序。DNA双链模板不一致的PCR产物经克隆后测序。测序结果在核苷酸序列数据库进行比较分析。结果患者CYP17A1基因突变检测结果为5994-5995delAT/7541C>T复合杂合子。这两种突变均未见报道。推测5994-5995delAT导致I259H,274X,突变形成的截短蛋白质缺少血红素结合区域,因此是没有功能的;而通过人类P450C17酶计算机模型分析显示7541C>T导致的A398V远离酶的活性中心,推测突变可能使酶的活性减弱,而不是完全地丧失。患者临床表现为有自发不规则月经及轻度高血压、低血钾,结合激素测定结果提示肾上腺和性腺保留部分功能。因而患者的基因型与其临床表型是一致的。结论应进行突变P450C17酶的功能学研究来进一步明确结构改变对功能的影响。     

当归注射液对脑血栓患者花生四烯酸代谢产物和氧自由基水平的影响

目的 :了解当归注射液改善脑循环治疗脑血栓的临床效果。方法 :对 46例脑血栓形成患者应用当归注射液进行治疗 ,对比分析其治疗前后血浆前列环素 (PGI2 )、血栓烷A2 (TXA2 )及自由基水平。结果 :脑血栓形成患者TXA2 、丙二醛 (MDA)明显升高 ,超氧化物岐化酶 (SOD)明显降低。当归注射液治疗后上述改变明显减轻或恢复至正常组水平。结论 :当归注射液能有效调节花生四烯酸代谢产物和氧自由基水平 ,对治疗脑血栓效果明显。     

Morphological characteristics and immunophenotype of dendritic cells generated from monocytes of human peripheral blood

Morphological features and immunophenotype of mature dendritic cells (DC) generated from the monocytes of healthy donor blood after culture with GM-CSF and IL-4 with the addition of TNF, were studied using light and electron microscopy, as well as flow-cytometry. It was shown that DC were characterized by a number of morphological features such as: large size, eccentrically located nucleus, highly developed system of extensions, large vacuolated cytoplasm, prominent and activated Golgi complex and ribosomal apparatus. Mature DC are characterized by active surface expression of MHC and co-stimulatory molecules (MHC I, MHC II, CD40, CD80, CD86).     

Morphogenetic aspect of the influence of purified birch tar on skin

Changes of the histological structure of rat's skin were studied two weeks following the daily applications of native birch tar and of purified birch tar, devoid of the components that could be potentially dangerous for humans. The morphometric investigations were performed with the use of computer technologies on the apparatus-programme complex (DiaMorph, Russia). It has been established that the main morphological manifestations of specific dermatotropic activity of birch tar in the present experiment included: epidermal hypertrophy, hyperkeratosis, stimulation of the activity of all dermal cellular elements, intensification of blood supply, reduction of sebaceous glands. Analysis of morphological findings indicates the bioequivalence of the native and purified birch tar in terms of its specific dermatotropic activity.     

Structural basis for the regulation of the neuronal sensitivity

Using light and electron microscopy structural bases for intracellular, extracellular and integrative regulation of synaptic efficiency and neuron sensitivity were established in rat sensomotor cortex. Intracellular regulation is realized basically through modulation of postsynaptic components of the synapse, while extracellular one is provided by synaptic endings of "recurrent" axons on GABA-ergic relay and interneurons. Integrative regulation is realized by means of concentration of similar axonal terminals in restricted cortical area and arrangement of "neuromediatory" pool.     

Characterization of an IgA receptor from group B streptococci: specificity for serum IgA

Some strains of group B streptococci express a cell surface protein which binds IgA. This report describes some properties of such an IgA receptor and compares it with a previously described IgA receptor from group A streptococci. The group B receptor was released in an almost pure form from bacteria incubated at elevated pH, and could be isolated by IgA-Sepharose affinity chromatography. The sequence of the N-terminal 19 amino acid residues was unique. The receptor preferentially binds IgA of human origin, as shown in immunoblotting experiments with purified IgA from nine different species. The affinity constant of the purified receptor for serum IgA was determined to be 3.5 x 10(8) M-1, but for secretory IgA it was too low to allow determination. This result indicates that secretory component and/or J chain interferes with the binding of IgA to this type of bacterial receptor, which may be one of the physiological functions of these polypeptides. A reduction in affinity was also observed for another complexed form of IgA, alpha 1-microglobulin-IgA. The group B receptor is antigenically unrelated to the IgA receptor from group A streptococci (protein Arp), but competitive inhibition experiments indicate that they bind to the same region in IgA. The implications of these findings, and the biological role of bacterial IgA receptors, are discussed.     

Affinity fractionation of lymphocytes using a monolithic cryogel

A new type of continuous, supermacroporous, monolithic, cryogel affinity adsorbent was developed, allowing specific fractionation and separation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes in a chromatographic format. The affinity adsorbent was used to design a novel cell separation strategy, which was based on the interaction of protein A from Staphylococcus aureus with cells bearing IgG antibodies on the surface. After treating lymphocytes with goat anti-human IgG(H+L), the IgG-positive B-lymphocytes were efficiently separated from T-lymphocytes. Protein A covalently coupled to epoxy activated dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) cryogel matrix specifically bound IgG-bearing B-lymphocytes through the Fc region, while non-bound T-lymphocytes passed through the column. More than 90% of the B-lymphocytes were retained in the column while the cells in the breakthrough fraction were enriched in T-lymphocytes (81%). The viability of the T-lymphocytes isolated was greater than 90%. The bound lymphocytes released by human or dog IgG recovered 60-70% of the B-cells without significantly impairing the cell viability. The technique can be applied in general to cell separation systems where IgG antibodies against specific cell surface markers are available.     

Currently available blood saving methods in a patient at cardiac surgery under extracorporeal circulation

Different blood saving methods are analyzed in 2000 cardiac surgical patients undergoing coronary and vascular bypass surgery in 1993 to 2000. The basic blood saving methods are as follows: intraoperative autoreinfusion (normovolemic thermodilution), reinfusion of the patient's blood, preoperative autologous plasma donation in combination with aprotinine, aminocapronic acid, etc. An analysis revealed a decrease in homologous blood components intraoperatively. Red blood cell transfusion decreased from 100% in 1993 to 44% in 2000, fresh frozen plasma and platelet transfusions did from 98 to 39% and from 96 to 1%, respectively. Intraoperative homologous blood transfusion could be avoided in 70% of those undergone coronary bypass surgery.     

Blood oxygen transport and pro-oxidant-antioxidant state during liver reperfusion

Indices of blood oxygen transport (hemoglobin-oxygen affinity, pCO2, pH, pO2, etc.) and prooxidant-antioxidant state (Schiff bases, conjugated dienes, catalase, retinal, alpha-tocopherol) were measured in rabbit blood and the liver during postischemic reperfusion. Hepatic ischemia was induced for 30 min by ligation of a hepatica propria, and reperfusion lasted for 120 min. Hepatic ischemia worsened blood oxygen transport. Restoration of arterial blood flow did not result in improvement of oxygen delivery. Moreover, marked metabolic acidosis was observed throughout 2 hr of reperfusion. Ischemia induced a shift of oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve to the right. This shift persisted after restoration of hepatic arterial blood flow facilitating increased oxygen transport to tissues. Changes in blood oxygen transport during hepatic ischemia/reperfusion were accompanied with high activity of free radical processes. During reperfusion, the largest increase in content of lipid peroxidation products and the greatest fall of some antioxidant levels except catalase were observed indicating impairment of liver prooxidant-antioxidant balance. The results showed that activation of lipid peroxidation and a decrease in some antioxidant levels during hepatic reperfusion were associated with lowering of hemoglobin-oxygen affinity and suggest participation of the latter in impairment of prooxidant-antioxidant balance.