X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome complicated with interstitial pneumonia and liver injury: a new mutation locus in the CD40LG gene

Immunologic Research -     

The life cycles of two species of Myxomycetes in Physarales,Physarum rigidum and Didymium squamulosum

Myxomycetes are eukaryotic microorganisms containing characteristics akin to both fungi and amoebae. They can complete their whole life cycles while being cultured on agar media, and under‐laboratory conditions, which favors taxonomic, phylogenetic, and cytological researches. Here, we describe the life cycles of two such species: Didymium squamulosum collected from the field and Physarum rigidum cultured from moist chamber both belonging to the Order Physarales. Three per cent oat‐agar media (OAM) was used to culture the plasmodia until they aggregated and were almost starved. Natural light was then applied to the plasmodia to induce fructification. Their life cycles share the same common stages, namely: spore, myxamoebae, swarm cell, plasmodia, and sporulation. In this study, we describe the morphogenesis from spore to spore of two species by differential interference contrast (DIC) and stereoscopic microscopies, as well as discuss the differences between the development of both species and interspecies. We found that the spore germination method of both species was the same. However, there were differences noted in time taken and fruiting body formation. Unlike P. rigidum, the species D. squamulosum did not require natural light stimulation. Moreover, the maturation process of both species had similar color transitions but exhibited distinct morphology in each developmental stage except during the swarm cell stage.     

Peripheral blood leukocyte telomere length is associated with age but not renal function: A cross-sectional follow-up study

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate the relationship between baseline renal function and changes in telomere length in Han Chinese.

Methods

The telomere restriction fragment (TRF) length of leukocytes in the peripheral blood was measured in healthy volunteers recruited in 2014. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated based on serum creatinine (Scr) and serum cystatin C (CysC)-eGFRcys and eGFRScr-cys through the Cockcroft-Gault formula (eGFRC-G) or the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI / eGFRCKD-EPI) equation. The correlation between telomere length changes over time and renal function was analyzed.

Results

Leukocyte TRF lengths were negatively correlated to age (r = -0.393, p < 0.001) and serum CysC (r = -0.180, p < 0.01), while positively associated with eGFRCKD-EPI, eGFRC-G, eGFRcys, and eGFRScr-cys (r = 0.182, 0.122, 0.290, and 0.254 respectively, p < 0.01). The 3-year change of telomere length was 46 bp/years. When adjusted for age, the associations between telomere length changes and baseline, subsequent TRF lengths, and serum CysC were no longer present. No association was observed between TRF length changes and renal function.

Conclusion

The rate of telomere length changes was affected by age and baseline telomere length. The telomere length changes might be important markers for aging.

     

Infant ectopic cervical thymus in submandibular region

Sporadic cases have been reported of ectopic thymic tissue formed along the path of embryologic descent from the mandibular region to the mediastinum, usually manifesting as an asymptomatic mass. Here is reported the case of an 8-month-old boy with a tender palpable mass in the right upper lateral neck. Preoperative posteroanterior chest radiograph revealed normal structures in the mediastinum superior including the thymus. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a 4-cm x 4-cm soft-tissue mass in the left submandibular region. Surgical resection was performed and histopathologic examination showed that the mass was composed of thymic lymphoid tissue and epithelial cells. Immunohistochemical features included positive expression of LCA, CKpan, EMA, CD20 and CD43 antibodies. The clinical 14-month follow up was negative and the child was growing normally after operation. Ectopic thymus in the submandibular region is uncommon; surgical treatment is the definitive means of pathological diagnosis. Prior to surgery, the presence of a mediastinal thymus should be confirmed to prevent the risk of a total thymectomy.     

舌大小与开He相关性的研究

目的 研究舌大小与开He之间的关系。方法 采用B型超声成像方法分别测量正常He与开He患者的舌大小，通过牙He与正常He舌大小的比较，研究舌大小与开He的相关性。结果 开He患者的舌大小测量结果均值大于正常He者，而且这种差别有显著的统计学意义。结论 与正常He者比较，开He患者存在舌过大的特性。     

激光焊接间距对牙科铸造纯钛性能影响的实验研究

目的:研究激光焊接铸造纯钛时不同的焊接间距对纯钛性能的影响。方法:将铸造钛试样按照焊接间距的大小分为4组:0.00、0.25、0.50、1.00mm组,肉眼、扫描电镜观察焊缝区外观,测试焊件的抗拉强度,整铸件为对照组。结果:各试验组焊缝区显示全层焊透、无明显气孔等焊接缺陷,断口电镜显示为延展性(韧窝)与脆性(气孔、裂纹)共存的形貌。各实验组与对照组间抗拉强度方差分析结果显示差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论:不同的焊接间距对铸钛的机械性能无明显影响。     

CSF-1对体外培养人牙囊细胞OPG表达的影响

目的研究集落刺激因子(CSF-1)对体外培养的人牙囊细胞骨保护素(OPG)表达的影响。方法原代培养人牙囊细胞,传代至第3代,制备细胞爬片,进行OPG免疫组化染色;3~6代人牙囊细胞长至80%时,用胰酶消化,离心,重悬,制成单细胞悬液,接种到细胞培养皿,细胞长满至80%时,培养基中加入25ng/ml的CSF-1,孵育0.5、1、3、6h,分别收集上清液,ELISA法检测OPG蛋白分泌量的变化,提取总RNA进行RT-PCR,检测OPG mRNA的表达变化。结果正常人牙囊细胞OPG蛋白表达阳性;25ng/ml的CSF-1可降低人牙囊细胞OPG的表达,共同孵育1h,OPG表达降至最低(P<0.05)。结论牙囊细胞表达OPG,同时在牙齿萌出的特定时期,CSF-1通过下调人牙囊细胞OPG,减弱对破骨细胞形成的抑制作用,促进破骨细胞分化成熟,调节牙齿萌出。