Corticosteroid therapy in Riedel's thyroiditis.

We report a case of Riedel''s thyroiditis presenting with a systemic illness, life-threatening stridor and a stony hard goitre. Diagnosis was confirmed by open thyroid biopsy. Treatment with corticosteroid resulted in a dramatic improvement. A possible autoimmune mechanism in the pathogenesis of Riedel''s thyroiditis is discussed.     

重组跨膜型人CD55分子在小鼠NIH3T3细胞上的表达及其补体溶破保护功能的研究

目的 :在小鼠NIH3T3细胞转染表达人天然GPI锚固型CD5 5和重组跨膜型CD5 5 TM分子 ,观察比较它们对人补体溶破异源细胞的抑制功能。方法 :将带有CD5 5cDNA、CD5 5 TMcDNA的重组逆病毒表达质粒CD5 5 pLXSN、CD5 5TM pLXSN经脂质体法转染PA317细胞 ,用病毒上清感染小鼠成纤维母细胞NIH3T3。经G418加压筛选 ,利用FACS检测获得表达CD5 5和CD5 5 TM分子的阳性细胞克隆 ,通过MTT比色法比较两种分子对人血清补体溶破细胞的抑制功能有无差别。结果 :细胞转染筛选获得多个表达跨膜型人CD5 5分子的NIH3T3细胞克隆 ,补体杀伤试验证实其具有抑制人补体溶破的功能 ,且两种分子的补体抑制功能无明显差异。结论 :成功地建立了稳定表达天然CD5 5、跨膜型CD5 5分子的小鼠NIH3T3细胞 ,证实其表达的GPI型CD5 5分子和CD5 5TM分子均具有抑制人补体溶破细胞的功能 ,为进一步探讨应用跨膜型的CD5 5分子对PNH进行基因治疗奠定了基础。     

子宫内膜异位症及卵巢癌腹腔IL-6、IL-8变化的临床意义

目的:探讨白细胞介素6(IL-6)、白细胞介素8(IL-8)与子宫内膜异位症(endomotriosisEMs)卵巢癌的发生发展关系。方法:采用双抗体夹心ABC-酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)对EMs患者30例、血清及腹腔液中IL-6、IL-8进行检测,并以卵巢癌患者10例、卵巢良性肿瘤患者30例、正常妇女血清30例做对照组。结果:EMs组与卵巢癌组患者血清及腹腔液中IL-6、IL-8水平明显高于对照组(P<0.01),EMs组与卵巢癌组对比无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结论:EMs患者腹腔液中IL-6、IL-8异常增高是腹腔免疫内环境失衡,与EMs的发生发展有关,在药物治疗中血清IL-6、IL-8可作为EMs疗效和预后的指标之一。     

End-to-end oesophageal anastomosis: an experimental study in the rat

To study the effects of suture material, calibre and tension on the end-to-end oesophageal anastomosis, the cervical oesophagus of the rat was resected for 2.5 mm, 7.5 mm and 12.5 mm respectively in three groups of 60 rats each. End-to-end anastomosis was performed with either 6/0 silk, 6/0 polypropylene or 9/0 polypropylene sutures. There was no postoperative leakage. Mortality was mainly due to hair bolus obstruction at the site of anastomosis. There was no difference in mortality and anastomotic stenosis between groups with different resection lengths. Within each group, however, mortality and anastomotic stenosis were significantly higher in the subgroup of rats with 6/0 silk suture than that in the subgroup with 6/0 polypropylene sutures, which also had significantly higher mortality and anastomotic stenosis than the subgroup with 9/0 polypropylene sutures. Histological examination of the stenosed anastomosis showed disruption of muscle layers and submucosal thickening. It is concluded that the use of fine calibre sutures of biologically inert material would be preferred for the end-to-end anastomosis of the oesophagus.     

阿昔洛韦对单纯疱疹病毒脑炎小鼠脑细胞的保护作用

目的 了解单纯疱疹病毒脑炎(HSE)脑细胞结构的改变及药物的影响。方法 采用光学显微镜及透射电子显微镜观察HSE小鼠脑细胞结构的变化，并给予阿昔洛韦(ACV)及地塞米松(DEX)治疗，观察治疗后脑细胞结构的变化。结果 HSE小鼠脑神经细胞明显肿胀，核仁固缩，核内结构破坏，线粒体及高尔基体可见空泡样变性，核仁内可见病毒颗粒。用药物干预的小鼠脑神经细胞改变较轻微，未找到病毒颗粒；与单用ACV干预的小鼠相比，用ACV DEX干预的小鼠脑神经细胞及毛细血管周围水肿明显减轻。结论 HSE早期给予ACV DEX治疗，对HSE脑细胞结构有明显保护作用。     

Fatty acids in blood and intestine following docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in adults with cystic fibrosis.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation on blood and intestinal DHA levels and lung function in mild/moderately affected adult CF patients with the DeltaF508 genotype. BACKGROUND: Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients often present with plasma fatty acid levels indicating low levels of linoleic (18:2n-6) and docosahexaenoic (22:6n-3) acids and an increased level of arachidonic acid (20:4n-6). Improved dietary fat intake or reducing fat malabsorption with pancreatic enzymes has failed to normalize this biochemical deficiency of DHA. METHODS: Five CF patients, aged 18-43, received 70 mg of DHA/kg body weight/d for six weeks. At baseline and at six weeks a physical exam, lung function, 3-day dietary intake, duodenal mucosal biopsy and blood sample were assessed. The blood was analyzed for plasma vitamin A, D and E levels, liver function tests, clinical chemistry (CBC, differential and electrolytes). Plasma and red blood cell fatty acid levels were also analyzed. At three weeks, assessment included a physical exam, lung function test and fasting blood sample (vitamin levels, liver function and clinical chemistry only). RESULTS: Pre- and post-measurements were compared for the four subjects who completed the study. An increase in DHA content (% w/w) was observed in all phospholipid fractions of plasma, red blood cell and mucosal samples. No significant differences in vitamin levels, liver function or lung function were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The study proves the concept that an increase in tissue DHA levels in CF patients can be achieved by supplementing for six weeks with 70 mg/kg/d DHA.     

The path to care in autism: Is it better now?

Parents of children with autism often report problems associated with obtaining a diagnosis of their child's condition, family support, information, and appropriate services. To evaluate any changes in the situation over the last two decades, the families of all members of the West Midlands Autistic Society, age 19 years and below, were asked to fill in a questionnaire that covered aspects of detection, diagnosis, help and information received, and educational provision. Responses were obtained from 127 families, the children of whom formed an older group ages 10 years and above (n=67) and a younger group ages 9 years and below (n=61). Findings show that there have been improvements for the younger group in some areas, such as earlier referral, diagnosis, and statementing. However, the situation with respect to advice given by professionals and the support and provision available after referral is still much the same as that experienced by families of the older group of children. Many difficulties and hurdles remain which hinder parents and children on the path to care in autism.