Identification and characterization of novel uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase gene mutations in a large series of porphyria cutanea tarda patients and relatives

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) arises from decreased hepatic activity of uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (UROD). Both genetic and environmental factors interplay in the precipitation of clinically overt PCT, but these factors may vary between different geographic areas. Decreased activity of UROD in erythrocytes was used to identify patients with UROD mutations among a group of 130 Spanish PCT patients. Nineteen patients (14.6%) were found to harbor a mutation in the UROD gene. Eight mutations were novel: M1I, 5del10, A22V, D79N, F84I, Q116X, T141I and Y182C. Five others were previously described: F46L, V134Q, R142Q, P150L and E218G. The new missense mutations and P150L were expressed in Escherichia coli. D79N and P150L resulted in proteins that were localized to inclusion bodies. The other mutations produced recombinant proteins that were purified and showed reduced activity (range: 2.3–73.2% of wild type). These single amino acid changes were predicted to produce complex structural alterations and/or reduced stability of the enzyme. Screening of relatives of the probands showed that 37.5% of mutation carriers demonstrated increased urinary porphyrins. This study emphasizes the role of UROD mutations as a strong risk factor for PCT even in areas where environmental factors (hepatitis C virus) have been shown to be highly associated with the disease.     

Increased production of cysteinyl leukotrienes and prostaglandin D2 during human anaphylaxis

Background Anaphylaxis is a life‐threatening syndrome resulting from the sudden release of mast cell‐ and basophil‐derived mediators into the circulation. However, pathological evidence of the association between inflammatory mediators and human anaphylaxis is insufficient. Objective The aim of this study was to better understand the relationship between in vivo production of inflammatory mediators and the pathogenesis of anaphylaxis. We also sought to evaluate mast cell activation in anaphylaxis. Methods We measured the concentrations of various inflammatory mediators in urine samples, which were collected from 32 anaphylactic patients during the onset of anaphlaxis and during clinical remission, 21 patients with asthma on acute exacerbation and 15 healthy control subjects. Blood and urine specimens were collected from the patients after provocation test. Urinary leukotriene E4 (LTE4), 9α, 11β‐prostaglandin F2 (9α, 11β‐PGF2), eosinophil‐derived neurotoxin (EDN) and leukotriene B4 glucuronide (LTBG) concentrations were determined by enzyme immunoassay, and the activity of plasma platelet‐activating factor acetylhydrolase and serum tryptase concentration were measured using commercially available kits. Results Significantly higher concentrations of urinary LTE4 and 9α, 11β‐PGF2, which immediately decreased during clinical remission, were observed in the anaphylactic patients than in asthmatic patients on acute exacerbation and healthy control subjects. Concentrations of EDN and LTBG were not significantly different among the anaphylactic patients, asthmatic patients on acute exacerbation and healthy subjects. There was a significant correlation between urinary LTE4 and 9α, 11β‐PGF2 concentrations in the anaphylactic patients (r=0.672, P=0.005, n=32). In addition, LTE4 concentration in patients with anaphylactic shock is significantly elevated compared with that in patients without anaphylactic shock. Conclusions This is a report on the significant increase in urinary LTE4 and 9α, 11β‐PGF2 concentrations during anaphylaxis. Urinary LTE4 and 9α, 11β‐PGF2 concentrations may be a reliable marker of endogenous production of inflammatory mediators associated with anaphylaxis.     

Late-onset epilepsy and occult cerebrovascular disease

The interface between cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and epilepsy is complex and multifaceted. Late-onset epilepsy (LOE) is increasingly common and is often attributed to CVD, and is indeed associated with an increased risk of stroke. This relationship is easily recognizable where there is a history of stroke, particularly involving the cerebral cortex. However, the relationship with otherwise occult, subcortical CVD is currently less well established yet causality is often invoked. In this review, we consider the diagnosis of LOE in clinical practice—including its behaviour as a potential mimic of acute ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack; evidence for an association between occult CVD and LOE; and potential mechanisms of epileptogenesis in occult CVD, including potential interrelationships between disordered cerebral metabolism and perfusion, disrupted neurovascular unit integrity, blood–brain barrier dysfunction, and inflammation. We also discuss recently recognized issues concerning antiepileptic drug treatment and vascular risk and consider a variety of less common CVD entities associated with seizures.     

系膜细胞来源的白细胞介素-13对系膜细胞细胞因子基因表达的研究(英文)

目的　白细胞介素 1 3(IL 1 3)是新近发现的一种抗炎性细胞因子 ,其在肾小球肾炎中的作用尚不清楚 ,该研究探讨脂多糖 (LPS)对体外培养的人肾小球系膜细胞 (HMC)表达IL 1 3作用以及IL 1 3对HMC促炎性细胞因子、趋化因子和促纤维化因子基因表达的影响。方法　体外培养HMC ,加入不同浓度的LPS和 (或 )IL 1 3后 ,用逆转录 -聚合酶链反应和ELISA检测HMCIL 1 3mRNA表达和细胞培养上清液中IL 1 3蛋白含量 ;应用核酸酶保护法检测HMC肿瘤坏死因子 α(TNF α)、白介素 - 1α(IL 1α)、白介素 - 1 β(IL 1 β)、单核细胞趋化蛋白 1(MCP 1 )、白介素 8(IL 8)、转化生长因子 - β1 (TGF β1 )mRNA的表达。 结果　未予LPS刺激的HMC不表达IL 1 3mRNA和蛋白 ;LPS呈剂量依赖性和时间依赖性诱导HMC表达IL 1 3mRNA和分泌IL 1 3蛋白。HMC受LPS刺激后 1 2h即可表达IL 1 3mRNA ,4 8h达高峰 ,72h仍维持在较高的水平。HMC受LPS刺激后 2 4h ,其培养上清液中检测到IL 1 3蛋白 ,4 8h和 72h进一步增加。外源性IL 1 3呈剂量依赖性地抑制LPS诱导的系膜细胞TNF α ,IL 1α ,IL 1 β ,MCP 1 ,IL 8,TGF β1mRNA的表达。应用抗IL 1 3抗体中和内源性IL 1 3后 ,上述炎症因子表达增强。结论　IL 1 3是HMC自分泌因子。IL 1 3可抑制LPS诱导     

Reversal of granulocyte adherence to nylon fibers using local anesthetic agents: possible application to filtration leukapheresis

The effects of the cationic anesthetic agents tetracaine and lidocaine on granulocyte function, morphology, and adherence to nylon fibers were studied in an attempt to improve current methods of granulocyte collection by filtration leukapheresis (FL). When dissolved in acid- citrate-dextrose (ACD) plasma, these drugs significantly increased granulocyte elution from the fibers in a dose-related fashion. Granulocytes exposed to tetracaine and lidocaine remained more than 95% viable, retained normal bactericidal capacity after the drugs were washed from the cells, and had preserved membrane integrity, as evidenced by the normal ultrastructural appearance of tetracaine- exposed cells and an absence of leakage of lysozyme or lactic dehydrogenase. Granulocytes eluted with the anesthetic agents were rounded in shape with a reduction in the number of filopodial cytoplasmic projections and a relative absence of cytoplasmic vacuolization when compared to granulocytes eluted with ACD plasma alone. Dose-related inhibition of phagocytosis and adherence, which was largely reversible after washing the granulocytes, was noted. Greater than 95% of the lidocaine could be removed from the eluate with a single centrifugation and resuspension, indicating that granulocytes prepared by FL with anesthetic-enhanced elution could be potentially transfusable.     

Epogam evening primrose oil treatment in atopic dermatitis and asthma

Essential fatty acids are claimed to have positive effects in atopic diseases. In a double blind, placebo controlled, parallel group study 58 out of 60 children, with atopic dermatitis and the need for regular treatment with topical skin steroids, completed a 16 weeks' treatment period with either Epogam evening primrose oil or placebo capsules. Twenty two of these subjects also had asthma. The parents used diaries to record symptom scores and concomitant medication. Peak expiratory flow was measured and disease activity was monitored by the clinician every four weeks. The plasma concentrations of essential fatty acids increased significantly in the group treated with Epogam capsules. The study demonstrated significant improvements of the eczema symptoms but no significant difference was found between the placebo and the Epogam groups. No therapeutic effect was shown on asthma symptoms or fidget.     

Pericardial effusion complicating a percutaneous central venous line in a neonate

A premature infant developed pericardial effusion four days after the insertion of a 25-gauge silastic percutaneous central venous catheter. The effusion contained parenteral nutrition fluid and resolved rapidly after withdrawal of the catheter. Pericardial effusion is a potential complication of percutaneous, as well as surgically placed, central venous catheters.