神经调节素对阿尔茨海默病大鼠模型海马细胞凋亡和核转录因子κB表达的影响

目的 研究神经调节素1β( neuregulin 1β,NRG1β)对β-淀粉样蛋白1-40(beta-amyloid protein,Aβ1-40)所致的模拟阿尔茨海默病模型大鼠空间学习记忆能力、神经元凋亡、核转录因子κB( nuclear factor kappa B,NFκB)表达的影响,探讨NRG改善学习记忆能力的作用机制.方法 成年健康雄性Wistar 大鼠30只,随机数字表法分为对照组、模型组和治疗组,每组10只,经侧脑室微量注射Aβ1-40建立实验性阿尔茨海默病模型大鼠,经侧脑室注射NRG1β(0.3μg·kg-1)干预治疗.各组大鼠实验前及造模7d后、治疗14d后均用Y型迷宫检测大鼠学习和记忆功能,利用HE染色观察海马神经细胞的结构变化,原位TUNEL法检测海马神经细胞凋亡,免疫组织化学法检测海马神经细胞NFκB的表达.结果 模型组大鼠学习能力[ (57.50±1.58)次]和记忆能力[(7.20±1.03)次]较对照组学习[(59.50±2.79)次]和记忆能力[(7.50±1.08)次]明显下降(=20.36,5.28,P＜0.05),海马区神经细胞排列稀疏、紊乱,有明显神经元脱失,TUNEL阳性细胞数明显增多、NFκB表达增加(P＜0.05).NRG1β治疗组大鼠学习记忆能力[ (67.70±4.90)次,(5.80±0.63)次]及细胞结构较模型组[(79.10±4.12)次,(4.40±0.69)次]显著改善( t=5.63,4.69,P＜0.05).相对于模型组[(41.10±7.95)次,(29.30±7.24)个],NRG1β治疗组NFκB表达(25.90±6.67)明显减弱、细胞凋亡数量[(23.50±3.89)个]明显减少(t=4.63,2.23,P＜0.05).结论 NRG1β能抑制海马神经细胞NFκB表达,减少细胞凋亡,从而改善阿尔茨海默病大鼠的学习和记忆能力.     

Settable Polymeric Autograft Extenders in a Rabbit Radius Model of Bone Formation

Autograft (AG) is the gold standard for bone grafts, but limited quantities and patient morbidity are associated with its use. AG extenders have been proposed to minimize the volume of AG while maintaining the osteoinductive properties of the implant. In this study, poly(ester urethane) (PEUR) and poly(thioketal urethane) (PTKUR) AG extenders were implanted in a 20-mm rabbit radius defect model to evaluate new bone formation and graft remodeling. Outcomes including µCT and histomorphometry were measured at 12 weeks and compared to an AG (no polymer) control. AG control examples exhibited new bone formation, but inconsistent healing was observed. The implanted AG control was resorbed by 12 weeks, while AG extenders maintained implanted AG throughout the study. Bone growth from the defect interfaces was observed in both AG extenders, but residual polymer inhibited cellular infiltration and subsequent bone formation within the center of the implant. PEUR-AG extenders degraded more rapidly than PTKUR-AG extenders. These observations demonstrated that AG extenders supported new bone formation and that polymer composition did not have an effect on overall bone formation. Furthermore, the results indicated that early cellular infiltration is necessary for harnessing the osteoinductive capabilities of AG.     

糖皮质激素反应性与急性淋巴细胞白血病患儿预后的关系

目的评价糖皮质激素反应性与急性淋巴细胞白血病患儿持续缓解、复发、死亡等预后的关系。方法收集中山大学附属第一医院2008年6月至2011年12月146例住院急性淋巴细胞白血病患儿,通过泼尼松诱导试验初步判断激素的反应性,根据激素反应性不同分组并结合相应的实验室指标:初始外周血白细胞数,初始外周血幼稚淋巴细胞数,外周血幼稚淋巴细胞百分比,融合基因MLL及BCR/ABL,化疗后第8、26天骨髓象,从而评价急性淋巴细胞白血病患儿糖皮质激素反应性与预后的关系。结果 146例患儿中,糖皮质激素反应性敏感(PR+)者为121例(82.88%),其中107例(88.43%)处于持续缓解状态,复发11例,死亡2例,放弃治疗1例。糖皮质激素反应性不敏感(PR-)者为25例(17.12%),其中持续缓解13例,复发6例,死亡5例,放弃治疗1例。PR+组复发死亡率明显低于PR-组,其中两组患儿的初始外周血白细胞数、初始外周血幼稚淋巴细胞数、外周血幼稚淋巴细胞百分比、化疗后第8、26天骨髓象、危险度的分级差异有统计学意义,且复发组的初始幼稚淋巴细胞百分比明显高于未复发组。结论通过泼尼松诱导试验结合一系列实验室指标可判断糖皮质激素的反应性,从而指导疾病的治疗和预测疾病转归。     

Oxidative stress, telomere length and biomarkers of physical aging in a cohort aged 79 years from the 1932 Scottish Mental Survey

Telomere shortening is a biomarker of cellular senescence and is associated with a wide range of age-related disease. Oxidative stress is also associated with physiological aging and several age-related diseases. Non-human studies suggest that variants in oxidative stress genes may contribute to both telomere shortening and biological aging. We sought to test whether oxidative stress-related gene polymorphisms contribute to variance in both telomere length and physical biomarkers of aging in humans. Telomere lengths were calculated for 190 (82 men, 108 women) participants aged 79 years and associations with 384 SNPs, from 141 oxidative stress genes, identified 9 significant SNPS, of which those from 5 genes (GSTZ1, MSRA, NDUFA3, NDUFA8, VIM) had robust associations with physical aging biomarkers, respiratory function or grip strength. Replication of associations in a sample of 318 (120 males, 198 females) participants aged 50 years confirmed significant associations for two of the five SNPs (MSRA rs4841322, p = 0.008; NDUFA8 rs6822, p = 0.048) on telomere length. These data indicate that oxidative stress genes may be involved in pathways that lead to both telomere shortening and physiological aging in humans. Oxidative stress may explain, at least in part, associations between telomere shortening and physiological aging.     

Longitudinal field study on bovine Babesia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum infections during a grazing season in Belgium

Anaplasmosis and babesiosis are major tick-borne diseases with a high economic impact but are also a public health concern. Blood samples collected in the spring, summer, and autumn of 2010 from 65 cows in seven different farms in Belgium were monitored with an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test to assess seroprevalence against these pathogens. Seroprevalences to Babesia spp. were measured as 10.7%, 20%, and 12.3% in spring, summer, and autumn, respectively, whereas seroprevalences to Anaplasma phagocytophilum were 30.8%, 77%, and 56.9%, respectively. A total of 805 Ixodes ricinus ticks were collected at the same time from both cattle (feeding ticks) and grazed pastures (questing ticks). The infection level of ticks, assessed by PCR assay, for Babesia spp. DNA was 14.6% and 7.9% in feeding and questing ticks, respectively, whereas 21.7% and 3% of feeding and questing ticks were found be positive for A. phagocytophilum cDNA. Fifty-five PCR-positive samples were identified by sequencing as Babesia sp. EU1, of which five from feeding ticks were positive for both A. phagocytophilum and Babesia sp. EU1. The high density of wild cervids in the study area could explain these observations, as deer are considered to be the main hosts for adults of I. ricinus. However, the absence of Babesia divergens both in feeding and questing ticks is surprising, as the study area is known to be endemic for cattle babesiosis. Increasing cervid populations and comorbidity could play an import role in the epidemiology of these tick-borne diseases.     

Respiratory symptoms in preterm infants: burden of disease in the first year of life

Objective

While respiratory symptoms in the first year of life are relatively well described for term infants, data for preterm infants are scarce. We aimed to describe the burden of respiratory disease in a group of preterm infants with and without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and to assess the association of respiratory symptoms with perinatal, genetic and environmental risk factors.

Methods

Single centre birth cohort study: prospective recording of perinatal risk factors and retrospective assessment of respiratory symptoms during the first year of life by standardised questionnaires. Main outcome measures: Cough and wheeze (common symptoms), re-hospitalisation and need for inhalation therapy (severe outcomes). Patients: 126 preterms (median gestational age 28.7 weeks; 78 with, 48 without BPD) hospitalised at the University Children''s Hospital of Bern, Switzerland 1999-2006.

Results

Cough occurred in 80%, wheeze in 44%, rehospitalisation in 25% and long term inhalation therapy in wheezers in 13% of the preterm infants. Using logistic regression, the main risk factor for common symptoms was frequent contact with other children. Severe outcomes were associated with maximal peak inspiratory pressure, arterial cord blood pH, APGAR and CRIB-Score.

Conclusions

Cough in preterm infants is as common as in term infants, whereas wheeze, inhalation therapy and re-hospitalisations occur more often. Severe outcomes are associated with perinatal risk factors. Preterm infants who did not qualify for BPD according to latest guidelines also showed a significant burden of respiratory disease in the first year of life.