Analysis of B-cell epitopes of the Ro/SS-A autoantigen.

Autoantibodies to the Ro and La ribonucleoprotein antigens are found in several rheumatoid diseases. The important epitopes have been studied using synthetic peptides and recombinant antigens to understand how they arise and their implication in disease. Here, we analyse the results of epitope mapping studies of Ro60 and Ro52 autoantigens and focus on the major findings to date.     

Inhibition of atherosclerosis by fish oil in cholesterol-fed rabbits

To evaluate the effects of dietary fish oil on cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis, 36 New Zealand rabbits in four groups were fed a 0.3% cholesterol diet for 10 weeks. One group served as control, whereas groups I, II and III received 1, 2 and 3 ml/day, respectively, of fish oil (Protochol, eicosapentaenoic acid, 180 mg, and docosahexaenoic acid [DHA], 120 mg/ml). The percent of aortic and pulmonary atherosclerosis was measured by planimetry of sudanophilic lesions. The percent of aortic lesions in the control group was 59 +/- 22%. The two higher dose fish oil groups showed a significant reduction in aortic lesions: group I (40 +/- 26%, p = NS), group II (18 +/- 11%, p less than 0.01) and group III (36 +/- 22%, p less than 0.05). Area of pulmonary artery lesions was significantly higher in the control group (48 +/- 22%) as compared with group I (15 +/- 13%, p less than 0.01), group II (4 +/- 3%, p less than 0.01) and group III (8 +/- 9%, p less than 0.01). The high cholesterol diet in the control group decreased bleeding time from 82 +/- 17 to 59 +/- 22 s (p less than 0.05). Groups II and III showed an increased bleeding time (62 +/- 15 to 84 +/- 17 s and 66 +/- 22 to 95 +/- 27 s; p less than 0.05, respectively). Fish oil did not significantly alter total serum cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. In group II triglyceride decreased from 128 +/- 22 to 64 +/- 25 mg/dl (p less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Evaluation of three disinfectants after in-use stress

Solutions of 2.0% and 3.4% glutaraldehyde, and of 0.5% phenate with 0.18% glutaraldehyde were stressed with a microbial and organic soil load for the periods advocated by the respective manufacturers. The disinfecting efficacy of the stressed solutions was challenged with Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Mycobacterium bovis (BCG), a water Mycobacterium sp. and Candida albicans. The three disinfectants were active against the fast-growing bacteria in appropriate dilutions; lesser dilutions of the glutaraldehyde solutions killed the mycobacteria and the yeast, while stressed phenate with glutaraldehyde did not. One hour exposure of the stressed disinfectants failed to kill the spore preparations while reducing the number of survivors.     

二甲基三十六烷基铵及卡介苗多糖核酸佐剂在结核亚单位疫苗加强BCG免疫中的效应研究

目的 探讨二甲基三十六烷基铵(dimo-thylidioctyl ammonium bromide,DDA)和卡介苗多糖核酸(BCC-PSN)佐剂在结核融合蛋白疫苗加强卡介苗(BCG)免疫中的不同免疫辅助效应.方法 选择DDA、BCG-PSN作为融合蛋白AMM(Ag85B-MPT64190-198-Mtb8.4)的佐剂,在BCG初免小鼠后,AMM疫苗加强免疫两次,其中一组联合使用两种佐剂(DDA/BCG-PSN),另一组单独以DDA作为佐剂,同时设立BCG或磷酸缓冲液(PBS)免疫组为对照.应用ELISA及ELISPOT检测免疫小鼠的体液与细胞免疫反应,最后一次加强免疫后第12周,以H37Rv尾静脉攻毒并检测小鼠肺脾组织细菌载量和病理改变,评价不同佐剂疫苗的保护效果.结果 在BCG初免基础上,联合佐剂组(AMM/DDA/BCG-PSN)和单独佐剂组(AMM/DDA)加强免疫两次后,脾脏淋巴细胞经抗原Ag85B和PPD(purified protein derivative)刺激后,皆可产生分泌较BCG组高的IFN-γ.毒力株攻击后菌落形成单位(colony-forming unit,CFU)计数显示,联合佐剂组(AMM/DDA/BCG-PSN)脾脏荷菌量少于PBS组和BCG组(P<0.05);而单独佐剂组(AMM/DDA)肺部荷菌量少于PBS组和BCG组(P<0.05).组织病理分析结果 表明AMM/DDA/BCG-PSN组肺组织病理损伤较轻,而AMM/DDA组病理损伤个体差异较大.结论 DDA是较为理想的结核亚单位疫苗佐剂,能诱导较强的细胞免疫和免疫保护作用;BCG-PSN可能具有免疫调节作用,可以减轻免疫病理损伤.     

The reliability of the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology damage index in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Objective. To test the reliability of the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology (SLICC/ACR) Damage Index and the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) in the assessment of patients with SLE. Methods. Ten patients with SLE, representing a spectrum of damage and activity, were included. Each patient was examined by 6 of 10 physicians from 5 countries, representing 10 lupus clinics. The SLICC/ACR Damage Index was used to assess accumulated damage, and the SLEDAI was used to assess disease activity. The order of the patients and physicians was randomized according to a Youden square design. Results. The SLICC/ACR Damage Index detected differences among patients (P < 0.001). There was no detectable observer difference (P = 0.933), and there was no order effect (P = 0.261). Similar results were obtained with the SLEDAI. There was concordance in the SLICC/ACR Damage Index among observers, despite a wide spectrum of disease activity detected by the SLEDAI. Conclusion. Physicians from different centers are able to assess patients with SLE in a reproducible way, using the SLEDAI to assess disease activity and the SLICC/ACR Damage Index to assess accumulated damage.     

Human immunodeficiency virus infection in systemic lupus erythematosus

This report describes a female patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who was infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Using stored serum, the precise timing of HIV seroconversion was determined and the early effects of HIV infection on SLE examined. This infection resulted in clinical improvement and the disappearance of autoantibody production. A literature review of the association between HIV and SLE is provided.     

Pathogenetische und klinische Gesichtspunkte niedriger ?stradiolspiegel beim Mann

Um Hinweise für eine m?gliche pathologische Bedeutung niedriger Serumspiegel des Hormons ?stradiol (E2) beim Mann zu gewinnen, wurde eine Normalbereichsbestimmung bei 91 gesunden M?nnern (Alter 20–75 Jahre) mit hohem und niedrigem Beschwerdeindex (klassifiziert nach testpsychologischem Fragebogen Beschwerdeliste B-L) vorgenommen. Die statistische Aufarbeitung beider Gruppen ergab jedoch bezüglich des E2 keine Signifikanz hinsichtlich des Alters oder des Beschwerdeindex, w?hrend das gleichzeitig mitbestimmte Gesamttestosteron (T) mit dem Beschwerdeindex (p<0,01) und das freie Testosteron (fT) mit dem Beschwerdeindex (p<0,01) und dem Alter (p<0,001) korrelierte. Bei 1370 station?ren Patienten mit verschiedenen urologischen Erkrankungen wurden T und E2, bei 1261 ambulanten Patienten T, fT und E2 bestimmt. Bei 72/1370 (5,2%) und 76/1261 (6%) Patienten lag ein niedriges E2 (<10 pg/ml) vor. Bei 56/76 (74%) Patienten lag jedoch gleichzeitig eine Erniedrigung von T oder fT vor. Isoliert niedrige E2-Werte fanden sich bei 20/1261 (1,6%) Patienten. In der station?ren Patientengruppe korrelierte kein einheitliches urologisches Krankheitsbild mit niedrigen E2-Werten. Aufgrund der vorliegenden Untersuchungen sind niedrige ?stradiolspiegel beim Mann in erster Linie als Folge eines Testosteronmangels zu verstehen. Eine Substitution von E2 beim Mann aufgrund eines E2-Defizits oder eines Aromatasemangels bleibt vorl?ufig auf Einzelf?lle beschr?nkt. M?gliche vaskulo- oder neuroprotektive Effekte von ?stradiol bzw. dessen Bedeutung im Knochenstoffwechsel sind derzeit zu wenig erforscht, als da? hieraus Indikationen zur Substitution von ?stradiol beim Mann abgeleitet werden k?nnten.