美国国家骨髓库无关供者造血干细胞移植20年回顾

自美国国家骨髓库(NMDP)开展第一例无关供者移植以来,至今已有20年.NMDP目前的库容量已逾700万,已为6大洲提供了30 000多份无关供者造血干细胞.这一辉煌成就是美国国家骨髓库600多名工作人员共同努力的结果,同时也得益于广泛的国际合作,包括171个移植中心,73个供者中心,24个脐血库,97个骨髓采集中心,91个血液净化中心,26个HLA分型实验室和26个合作供者登记处.本文回顾了美国国家骨髓库的历史,阐述了20年来移植病人、移植物来源和预处理方案几方面的主要变化趋势.     

Factor V activity of platelets: evidence for an activated factor V molecule and for a platelet activator

This study was prompted by the observation that fresh platelet suspensions--prepared by gel filtration or albumin density gradient centrifugation--possessed only minimal factor V activity, whereas frozen-and-thawed platelet suspensions possessed striking factor V activity. Results of experiments with fresh suspensions suggested that unaltered platelets did not bind plasma factor V. The factor V activity of frozen-and-thawed platelet suspensions was markedly diminished after exposure to a factor V antibody, was not activated by thrombin, and was not associated with an increase in factor V antigen over that found in fresh platelet suspensions. Consequently, disruption by freezing and thawing must have resulted in the appearance of small amounts of an activated factor V molecule in platelet suspensions. Disrupted platelets were shown to activate native factor V, but an interaction between a platelet activator and traces of native factor V in fresh suspensions could not be demonstrated to account for the full activity of frozen-and-thawed suspensions. Apparently, therefore, platelets also contained an activated factor V molecule. Adding collagen, but not adenosine 5'-diphosphate to fresh platelet suspensions increased their factor V activity. Release of an activated platelet factor V molecule after exposure to collagen could represent a physiologically significant early step in hemostasis.     

Advances in the field of nanooncology

Nanooncology, the application of nanobiotechnology to the management of cancer, is currently the most important chapter of nanomedicine. Nanobiotechnology has refined and extended the limits of molecular diagnosis of cancer, for example, through the use of gold nanoparticles and quantum dots. Nanobiotechnology has also improved the discovery of cancer biomarkers, one such example being the sensitive detection of multiple protein biomarkers by nanobiosensors. Magnetic nanoparticles can capture circulating tumor cells in the bloodstream followed by rapid photoacoustic detection. Nanoparticles enable targeted drug delivery in cancer that increases efficacy and decreases adverse effects through reducing the dosage of anticancer drugs administered. Nanoparticulate anticancer drugs can cross some of the biological barriers and achieve therapeutic concentrations in tumor and spare the surrounding normal tissues from toxic effects. Nanoparticle constructs facilitate the delivery of various forms of energy for noninvasive thermal destruction of surgically inaccessible malignant tumors. Nanoparticle-based optical imaging of tumors as well as contrast agents to enhance detection of tumors by magnetic resonance imaging can be combined with delivery of therapeutic agents for cancer. Monoclonal antibody nanoparticle complexes are under investigation for diagnosis as well as targeted delivery of cancer therapy. Nanoparticle-based chemotherapeutic agents are already on the market, and several are in clinical trials. Personalization of cancer therapies is based on a better understanding of the disease at the molecular level, which is facilitated by nanobiotechnology. Nanobiotechnology will facilitate the combination of diagnostics with therapeutics, which is an important feature of a personalized medicine approach to cancer.     

Antiviral activity and safety of aplaviroc,a CCR5 antagonist,in combination with lopinavir/ritonavir in HIV‐infected,therapy‐naïve patients: results of the EPIC study (CCR100136)*

Background

This phase IIb study explored the antiviral activity and safety of the investigational CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) antagonist aplaviroc (APL) in antiretroviral‐naïve patients harbouring R5‐ or R5X4‐tropic virus.

Methods

A total of 191 patients were randomized 2:2:2:1 to one of three APL dosing regimens or to lamivudine (3TC)/zidovudine (ZDV) twice daily (bid), each in combination with lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) 400 mg/100 mg bid. Efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetic parameters were assessed.

Results

This study was terminated prematurely because of APL‐associated idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity. A total of 141 patients initiated treatment early enough to have been able to complete 12 weeks on treatment [modified intent‐to‐treat (M‐ITT) population]; of these, 133 completed the 12‐week treatment phase. The proportion of subjects in the M‐ITT population with HIV‐1 RNA <400 copies/mL at week 12 was 50, 48, 54 and 75% in the APL 200 mg bid, APL 400 mg bid, APL 800 mg once a day (qd) and 3TC/ZDV arms, respectively. Similar responses were seen in the few subjects harbouring R5X4‐tropic virus (n=17). Common clinical adverse events (AEs) were diarrhoea, nausea, fatigue and headache. APL demonstrated nonlinear pharmacokinetics with high interpatient variability.

Conclusions

While target plasma concentrations of APL were achieved, the antiviral activity of APL+LPV/r did not appear to be comparable to that of 3TC/ZDV+LPV/r.     

A Laboratory Investigation into Oviposition Responses of Aedes aegypti to Some Common Household Substances and Water from Conspecific Larvae

Background

The surveillance of Dengue vector – Aedes aegypti, is routinely done by using ovitraps (a dark container filled with water and a wooden paddle/towel cloth provided as a oviposition substrate), which indicates the extent of Aedes activity in an area.

Method

The study evaluated the oviposition responses of laboratory bred gravid Aedes aegypti to commonly available household substances by use of ovitrap method.

Results

Oviposition avoidance or deterrence was exhibited by gravid Aedes to ovitraps baited with salt, fenugreek, vinegar, lime juice, hibiscus leaves, radish and curry leaves, whereas positive oviposition response was noticed to waters from conspecific (of the same species) larvae and cumin seeds baited ovitraps.

Conclusion

The study findings may be utilized by researchers for further chemical analysis of the active ingredients of the substances found promising with a view to explore the possibility of their use by community and individuals for Aedes surveillance and control.Key Words: Aedes, Dengue, Oviposition deterrence/attraction     

Estimated birth weight and adult cardiovascular risk factors in a developing southern Chinese population: a cross sectional study

Background  

Birth weight is negatively associated with cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, but the associations are less well-established in developing populations where birth weight is often unavailable. We studied the association of birth weight and cardiovascular risk, using birth rank as an instrumental variable, in Southern China.