Passive transfer of virus-specific antibodies confers protection against reproductive failure induced by a virulent strain of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and establishes sterilizing immunity

Immune mechanisms mediating protective immunity against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) are not well understood. The PRRSV-specific humoral immune response has been dismissed as being ineffective and perhaps deleterious for the host. The function of PRRSV antibodies in protective immunity against infection with a highly abortifacient strain of this virus was examined by passive transfer experiments in pregnant swine. All of a group of pregnant gilts (n = 6) that received PRRSV immunoglobulin (Ig) from PRRSV-convalescent, hyperimmune animals were fully protected from reproductive failure as judged by 95% viability of offspring at weaning (15 days of age). On the other hand, the totality of animals in a matched control group (n = 6) receiving anti-pseudorabies virus (PRV) Ig exhibited marked reproductive failure with 4% survival at weaning. Besides protecting the pregnant females from clinical reproductive disease, the passive transfer of PRRSV Ig prevented the challenge virus from infecting the dams and precluded its vertical transmission, as evidenced by the complete absence of infectious PRRSV from the tissues of the dams and lack of infection in their offspring. In summary, these results indicate that PRRSV-Igs are capable of conferring protective immunity against PRRSV and furthermore that these Igs can provide sterilizing immunity in vivo.     

Production of lipoxygenase metabolites of eicosapentaenoic acid by bovine alveolar macrophages in vitro

Lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA), the leukotrienes (LTs), and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs) are potent proinflammatory mediators. Release of LTs and HETEs by bovine alveolar macrophages (BAMs) was measured by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. LTB₄ (1.1±0.2 ng/10⁶ cells) and 5-HETE (2.2±0.2 ng/10⁶ cells) were the major metabolites calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated BAMs produced from endogenous AA. The tritiated forms of these compounds and their precursor fatty acids were produced following incorporation of [³H]AA into the cells and stimulation by calcium ionophore A23187. Incorporation of an alternative substrate, [³H]eicosapentaenoic acid ([³H]EPA) into BAMs incubated in parallel resulted in production of [³H]LTB₅ and [³H]5-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (5-HEPE). Equivalent amounts of [³H]AA and [³H]EPA and of [³H]LTB₄ and homologous [³H]LTB₅ were released. BAM produced significantly greater amounts of [³H]5-HEPE than [³H]5-HETE, however. These findings indicate that the BAM 5-lipoxygenase is capable of metabolizing EPA to LTB₅ and 5-HEPE, with the production of 5-HEPE preferred over 5-HETE.     

人类风湿性关节炎滑膜-软骨-NOD．scid小鼠嵌合体模型的建立

目的:建立能反应自身免疫特点的类风湿性关节炎动物模型,为进一步研究该病发病机制奠定基础。方法:实验于2006-03/12在南方医科大学实验动物中心完成。①实验材料:SPF级2～4个月龄NOD.scid小鼠20只,体质量17～22g,雌雄各半;人类风湿性关节炎滑膜组织(佛山市第一人民医院风湿科提供,患者知情同意);骨关节炎滑膜及正常软骨(南方医院创伤骨科提供,患者及供者知情同意)。②实验分组:将小鼠随机分为2组,类风湿性关节炎滑膜组和骨关节炎滑膜组,雌雄不限,每组10只。③实验过程:每组小鼠背部皮下植入的正常软骨组织,随后将类风湿性关节炎滑膜和骨关节炎滑膜植入软骨之上。④造模10周后麻醉下处死小鼠,用放射免疫法检测血清中肿瘤坏死因子α含量,移植物进行组织病理学观察,并进行组织学积分。结果:①模型鼠一般情况:实验期间NOD.scid小鼠无手摸皮骨感、活动度差、毛稀疏等典型移植物抗宿主疾病表现,模型鼠在SPF环境下10周存活率100%。②肿瘤坏死因子α含量:类风湿性关节炎滑膜组鼠血清中肿瘤坏死因子α放射含量类风湿性关节炎组明显高于骨关节炎组[(0.80±0.06),(0.70±0.03)μg/L,t=4.466,P<0.001]。③组织病理学观察:苏木精-伊红染色,骨关节炎滑膜组只见少量的滑膜细胞增生和炎症细胞,移植的滑膜组织主要被纤维组织形成的条索状物代替,无明显地软骨被侵蚀破坏发生;类风湿性关节炎滑膜组可明显见到大量的滑膜细胞增生和生化中心形成,病变部位的组织结构间质变为疏松,变为境界不清晰的颗粒状或块状无结构强嗜酸性红染物质;软骨边缘被滑膜组织侵蚀破坏明显;类风湿性关节炎滑膜组滑膜增生、软骨侵蚀和软骨降解积分均高于骨关节炎滑膜组(P<0.04)。结论:在NOD.scid体内可成功建立类风湿性关节炎动物模型。     

Undifferentiated (embryonal) sarcoma of the liver: radiologic- pathologic correlation

Undifferentiated (embryonal) sarcoma (UES) is an uncommon malignant mesenchymal hepatic tumor that occurs in older children and young adults. Fourteen cases are correlated with radiologic and pathologic findings. Radiologic findings reflect the spectrum of solid to cystic appearances observed in the gross specimens. Sonography typically demonstrates a large mass that may be predominantly solid with many small anechoic spaces or may be cystic. Computed tomography reveals a hypodense mass with hyperdense septa of variable thickness and a dense peripheral rim corresponding to the fibrous pseudocapsule of the tumor. Angiographically, UES is usually hypovascular with tumoral vessels, although hypervascular and avascular patterns occur. Prognosis of UES is poor, with a median survival of less than 1 year. Radiologists should be familiar with this malignant tumor since it may present as a large cystic hepatic mass, suggestive of a benign lesion.     

The M694V mutation in Armenian‐Americans: a 10‐year retrospective study of MEFV mutation testing for familial Mediterranean fever at UCLA

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, is a systemic auto‐inflammatory disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of fever with peritonitis, pleuritis, synovitis and erysipeloid rash. The marenostrin‐encoding fever (MEFV) gene, located on chromosome 16p13.3, is the only gene in which mutations are currently known to cause FMF. To correlate specific genotypes with adverse phenotypes of affected populations residing in the Western United States, a retrospective case series review was conducted of all MEFV gene mutation testing completed at UCLA Clinical Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory between February 2002 and February 2012, followed by clinical chart review of all subjects who either have a single or double mutation. All 12 common mutations in the MEFV gene were analyzed and the M694V variant was found to be associated with an adverse FMF clinical outcome in the Armenian‐American population, manifested by earlier onset of disease, increased severity of disease, and renal amyloidosis.     

Motivations for Contributing to Health-Related Articles on Wikipedia: An Interview Study

BackgroundWikipedia is one of the most accessed sources of health information online. The current English-language Wikipedia contains more than 28,000 articles pertaining to health.ObjectiveThe aim was to characterize individuals’ motivations for contributing to health content on the English-language Wikipedia.MethodsA set of health-related articles were randomly selected and recent contributors invited to complete an online questionnaire and follow-up interview (by Skype, by email, or face-to-face). Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis and a realist grounded theory approach.ResultsA total of 32 Wikipedians (31 men) completed the questionnaire and 17 were interviewed. Those completing the questionnaire had a mean age of 39 (range 12-59) years; 16 had a postgraduate qualification, 10 had or were currently studying for an undergraduate qualification, 3 had no more than secondary education, and 3 were still in secondary education. In all, 15 were currently working in a health-related field (primarily clinicians). The median period for which they have been an active editing Wikipedia was 3-5 years. Of this group, 12 were in the United States, 6 were in the United Kingdom, 4 were in Canada, and the remainder from another 8 countries. Two-thirds spoke more than 1 language and 90% (29/32) were also active contributors in domains other than health. Wikipedians in this study were identified as health professionals, professionals with specific health interests, students, and individuals with health problems. Based on the interviews, their motivations for editing health-related content were summarized in 5 strongly interrelated categories: education (learning about subjects by editing articles), help (wanting to improve and maintain Wikipedia), responsibility (responsibility, often a professional responsibility, to provide good quality health information to readers), fulfillment (editing Wikipedia as a fun, relaxing, engaging, and rewarding activity), and positive attitude to Wikipedia (belief in the value of Wikipedia). An additional factor, hostility (from other contributors), was identified that negatively affected Wikipedians’ motivations.ConclusionsContributions to Wikipedia’s health-related content in this study were made by both health specialists and laypeople of varying editorial skills. Their motivations for contributing stem from an inherent drive based on values, standards, and beliefs. It became apparent that the community who most actively monitor and edit health-related articles is very small. Although some contributors correspond to a model of “knowledge philanthropists,” others were focused on maintaining articles (improving spelling and grammar, organization, and handling vandalism). There is a need for more people to be involved in Wikipedia’s health-related content.