Monoclonal antibody fluorescence for routine lymphocyte subpopulation analysis with the Abbott CELL-DYN Sapphire haematology analyser

Using previously described procedures, this study quantified T-cell, T-cell subset, B-cell and NK-cell populations with the CD-Sapphire haematology analyser in a series of patients with mild to moderate lymphocytosis. Lymphocyte counts ranged from 6.0 to 14.9 x 10(9)/l, with 86/97 being <10.0 x 10(9)/l. Immunophenotyping (CD3/CD19/HLA-DR, CD4/CD8 and CD16/CD56 combinations) was performed using EDTA-anticoagulated blood, automated CD-Sapphire analysis and subsequent software processing. Of 35 samples from younger (<12 years) patients, 22 (63%) had nonspecific lymphocyte changes, 4 (11%) showed specific increases in nonreactive T-Helper or T-Suppressor cells, and five showed a reactive T-cell lymphocytosis. The remaining four were classified as 'Transient/Persistent NK-associated (NKa) Expansion' (n = 3) and specific B-cell lymphocytosis (n = 1). For older patients (n = 59), 15 (25%) had an increase (>1.5 x 10(9)/l) in B-cells, and seven investigated for surface immunoglobulin expression were all found to be clonal. The remaining samples were categorized as 'Transient/Persistent NK-associated (NKa) Expansion' (13/59), Reactive Lymphocytosis (5/59), 'Reactive Lymphocytosis or Transient/Persistent NKa Expansion' (8/59), specific T-Helper cell (n = 8) or T-Suppressor cell (n = 3) lymphocytosis, and 'Lymphocytosis of Undetermined Significance' (n = 7). This study has demonstrated the feasibility of applying limited immunophenotyping protocols to the investigation of patients with abnormal lymphocyte counts in routine haematology. By using commercially purchased liquid monoclonal reagents to determine lymphocyte subpopulation profiles, haematology laboratories can provide more definitive information of potential clinical importance.     

Evaluation of the In Vivo Activity of Different Concentrations of Clerodendrum Umbellatum Poir Against Schistosoma Mansoni Infection in Mice

Clerodendrum umbellatum Poir (Verbenaceae) is traditionally used in Cameroon for the treatment of many diseases including intestinal helminthiasis. This study was undertaken to assess the in vivo antischistosomal activity of its leaves aqueous extract on a Schistosoma mansoni mice model and to determine the most effective dose of this extract. Mice showing a patent infection of S. mansoni were daily treated with C. umbellatum leaves aqueous extract at the doses of 40, 80 or 160 mg/kg body weight for 14 days. Seven days after administration of the extract, schistosomicidal activity was evaluated on the liver and spleen weights, faecal eggs releasing, liver egg count and worm burden. Treatment using C. umbellatum leaves aqueous extract resulted in an important reduction in faecal egg output by 75.49 % and 85.14 % for 80 mg/kg and 160 mg/kg of the extract respectively. These reduction rates did not differ significantly from the 100 % obtained in the group of infected mice treated with 100 mg/kg of praziquantel. C. umbellatum leaves aqueous extract was lethal to S. mansoni worm. A 100 % reduction rate was recorded in the group of infected mice treated with 160 mg/kg of the extract, as well as in praziquantel-treated mice. An amelioration of the hepatosplenomegaly was noticed in both the extract-treated mice and the praziquantel-treated mice. From these results, we can conclude that C. umbellatum leaves aqueous extract demonstrated schistosomicidal properties in S. mansoni model at doses of at least 80 mg/kg body weight.     

过敏毒素C5a通过Calpain途径致VEC凋亡损伤

目的 探索C5a是否与LPS、毒源性大肠杆菌O157产生的外毒素-V毒素(verotoxin)具有相似的可以导致血管内皮细胞(VEC)凋亡的作用.方法 流式细胞仪榆测细胞凋亡发生率,首先探讨rhC5a刺激的质量浓度,分别为0.2μg/mL、0.5μg/mL、1μg/mL和1.5μg/mL刺激12 h检测VEC凋亡发生率;在rhC5a质量浓度均为1 μg/mL条件下,时间分别为2 h、6 h、12 h、18 h和24 h,检测VEC凋亡发生率.Western blot方法检测凋亡相关蛋白.结果 在rhCSa质量浓度为0.2μg/mL、0.5 μg/mL、1 μmL和1.5μg/mL刺激12 h诱导的凋亡发生率分别为4.58%、7.87%、17.94%和19.03%.在确定rhC5a质量浓度1μg/mL的条件下,VEC发生凋亡呈时间依赖关系,在2 h,6 h、12 h、18 h和24 h的时相,细胞凋亡发生率分别为4.58%、12.78%、18.12%、19.08%和19.96%.rhC5a刺激VEC细胞,calpain-2蛋白表达呈时间依赖性,而calpain-1蛋白的表达为浓度依赖性.结论 C5a可以导致VEC细胞发生凋亡,calpain参与了这类细胞的凋亡进程.     

Histamine H1 receptor knockout mice exhibit impaired spatial memory in the eight-arm radial maze

Background and purpose:

In the mammalian brain, histaminergic neurotransmission is mediated by the postsynaptic histamine H₁ and H₂ receptors and the presynaptic H₃ autoreceptor, which also acts as a heteroreceptor. The H₁ receptor has been implicated in spatial learning and memory formation. However, pharmacological and lesion studies have revealed conflicting results. To examine the involvement of histamine H₁ receptor in spatial reference and working memory formation, H₁ receptor knockout mice (KO) were tested in the eight-arm radial maze. Previously, we found that the H₁ receptor-KO mice showed reduced emotionality when confronted with spatial novelty. As it is known that emotions can have an impact on spatial learning and memory performance, we also evaluated H₁ receptor-KO mice in terms of emotional behaviour in the light–dark box.

Experimental approach:

Mice lacking the H₁ receptor and wild-type mice (WT) were tested for spatial reference and working memory in an eight-arm radial maze with three arms baited and one trial per day. Emotional behaviour was measured using the light–dark test.

Key results:

The H₁ receptor-KO mice showed impaired spatial reference and working memory in the radial maze task. No significant differences between H₁ receptor-KO and WT mice were observed in the light–dark test.

Conclusions and implications:

The spatial memory deficits of the H₁ receptor-KO mice might be due to the reported changes in cholinergic neurochemical parameters in the frontal cortex and the CA1 subregion of the hippocampus, to impaired synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus, and/or to a dysfunctional brain reward/reinforcement system.     

米非司酮对人绒毛和蜕膜内纤维粘连蛋白表达的影响

目的观察米非司酮终止早孕后,绒毛和蜕膜内纤维粘连蛋白（FN）的表达情况。方法宫内早孕要求终止妊娠且孕龄〈49d的妇女,分为药物完全流产组（n=15）、药物不全流产组（n=15）和对照组（手术流产组,n=15）。两药物流产组取服药（米非司酮配伍米索前列醇）第3天排出的绒毛和蜕膜组织,对照组取负压吸引出的绒毛和蜕膜组织。采用免疫组化法测定绒毛和蜕膜组织中FN的表达。结果对照组绒毛和蜕膜FN的阳性表达率明显高于两药物流产组（P〈0．017）;其中,不完全流产组绒毛和蜕膜组织中FN的阳性表达率高于完全流产组（P〈0．017）。结论米非司酮可通过降低早孕妇女绒毛和蜕膜中FN的表达,改变胚胎宫内发育的内环境,在细胞外基质水平发挥抗早孕的作用。     

唐山地区药用植物资源及其可持续开发利用研究

目的:调查唐山地区药用植物资源的种类与分布,为药用植物资源的开发利用提供依据。方法:深入各代表性地域进行药用植物资源调查,采集标本,鉴定标本,考证文献资料,调查在民间的应用等。结果:唐山地区有药用植物113科、301属、382种,其中蕨类植物7科8属11种;裸子植物5科6属8种;单子叶植物9科36属42种。双子叶植物92科251属321种。结论:唐山地区药用植物资源丰富,具有较好的开发利用前景。     

Diversity of expression of the sensory neuron-specific TTX-resistant voltage-gated sodium ion channels SNS and SNS2

The differential distribution of two tetrodotoxin resistant (TTXr) voltage-gated sodium channels SNS (PN3) and SNS2 (NaN) in rat primary sensory neurons has been investigated. Both channels are sensory neuron specific with SNS2 restricted entirely to those small dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells with unmyelinated axons (C-fibers). SNS, in contrast, is expressed both in small C-fiber DRG cells and in 10% of cells with myelinated axons (A-fibers). All SNS expressing A-fiber cells are Trk-A positive and many express the vanilloid-like receptor VRL1. About half of C-fiber DRG neurons express either SNS or SNS2, and in most, the channels are colocalized. SNS and SNS2 are found both in NGF-responsive and GDNF-responsive C-fibers and many of these cells also express the capsaicin receptor VR1. A very small proportion of small DRG cells express either only SNS or only SNS2. At least four different classes of A- and C-fiber DRG neurons exist, therefore, with respect to expression of these sodium channels.     

Partial deletion of CYP2B6 owing to unequal crossover with CYP2B7

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the possibility of copy number variation (CNV) of CYP2B6. METHODS: We investigated CNV in 226 HIV-1-infected individuals by quantitative PCR. Identification of a candidate CNV prompted characterization of the size of deletion by assessment of absence of exons, mapping of the recombination site by sequencing, and by southern blot. The functional consequences of CNV were assessed in silico (predicted protein), and in vivo, by evaluation of plasma drug levels of the CYP2B6 substrate efavirenz. RESULTS: Analyses identified one white individual carrying a heterozygous deletion of exons 1-4 of CYP2B6. We identified a approximately 68 kb deletion between CYP2B7 and CYP2B6, and mapped the crossover to a homologous region in intron 4 of both genes. The new hybrid allele, named CYP2B6*29, carries two amino acid substitutions, Q172H and M198T, previously associated with impaired enzyme function. Consistent with the functional prediction, the average of efavirenz area under the curve values of the patient was mean+/-SD, 81.64+/-23.62, versus 47.75+/-19.73 mug h/ml for individuals with an extensive metabolizer phenotype. CONCLUSION: CYP2B6*29 represents a new mechanism of genetic variation at the CYP2B6 locus, underscoring the highly polymorphic nature of this isoenzyme.     

Visual identification of bacterially contaminated red cells

There have been increasing numbers of reports of transfusion-acquired Yersinia enterocolitica bacteremia (including several fatal cases). Fifteen units of whole blood were inoculated with various concentrations of Y. enterocolitica serotype 0:3 and processed into AS-3 preserved red cells (RBCs). Consistent growth of the organism was found at inoculum concentrations greater than or equal to 10 colony-forming units per mL. In all 13 units of RBCs that supported the growth of Y. enterocolitica, a darkening in color (due to hemolysis and a decrease in pO2) was observed in the bag. The attached sample segments, which were sealed from the main unit, remained sterile and did not darken. This color change was apparent in all the contaminated units by Day 35, which was 1.5 to 2 weeks after the bacteria were first detected in cultures of the blood. Hence, by comparison of the color of the segment tubing with that of the unit itself, units grossly contaminated with Y. enterocolitica can be identified prior to transfusion. Moreover, review of photographs on file at the Centers for Disease Control revealed this dramatic color change in 2 units of blood that caused transfusion-transmitted sepsis (Enterobacter agglomerans and an unidentified gram-negative bacillus, not Yersinia sp.), which demonstrated that the color change was not limited to Y. enterocolitica. This method of visual identification of contaminated units of blood could decrease the incidence of posttransfusion bacterial sepsis.