Immunomodulatory Activity of Achyranthes aspera on the Elicitation of Antigen-Specific Murine Antibody Response

The extract of Achyranthes aspera Linn. (Amaranthaceae) was found to enhance the induction of ovalbumin (OVA)- specific humoral antibody response in mice, on intraperitoneal injection of extract along with OVA. The antibody response was evaluated by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) and ELISA for IgE and other classes or subclasses of antibodies, respectively. Furthermore, the plant extract was found to increase the induction of OVA-specific antibody response in a dose-dependent manner. A significant elevation of IgM, IgG 1 and IgG 3 antibodies was observed (p < 0.01); however, interestingly, the anti-OVA PCA titers were suppressed. The adjuvant property of the extract was further examined in different strains of mice and a significant elevation of the OVA-specific IgG antibody response in all strains tested was found. When the extracts of different parts of the herb were tested, the seed and root extracts appeared to exhibit relatively higher activity. These results confirm the immunostimulatory properties of Achyranthes aspera.     

Acrodermatitis Acidemica: Experience of 5 Years in Andalusia

Letters to the Editor are welcomed for publication (subject to editing). Letters must be signed by all authors, and must not exceed two pages of text including references. Letters should not duplicate material submitted or published in other journals. Prepublication proofs will not be provided.     

长期住院治疗精神分裂症患者的代谢相关障碍

目的了解长期住院精神分裂症患者的代谢相关障碍。方法对长期住院的精神分裂症的患者进行问卷调查和实验室测定,采用世界糖尿病联盟全球统一标准定义代谢综合征及中心性肥胖。结果资料完整的140例长期住院精神分裂症患者,伴发代谢综合征者共58例（34%）,中心性肥胖共80例（57%）,女性中心性肥胖及代谢综合征患病率高于男性（χ2=20.799,P=0.00,χ2=9.951,P=0.002）。Logistic回归分析结果显示：血脂紊乱,代谢综合征均与性别有关,OR性别分别是3.175,5.318,95%可信区间分别是1.120～8.998,1.786～15.836。结论长期住院的精神分裂症患者尤其女性患者更易出现肥胖及代谢障碍。     

Coordination of fingertip forces during precision grip in premanifest Huntington's disease

Precision grip control is important for accurate object manipulation and requires coordination between horizontal (grip) and vertical (load) fingertip forces. Manifest Huntington's disease (HD) subjects demonstrate excessive and highly variable grip force and delayed coordination between grip and load forces. Because the onset of these impairments is unknown, we examined precision grip control in premanifest HD (pre‐HD) subjects. Fifteen pre‐HD and 15 age‐ and sex‐matched controls performed the precision grip task in a seated position. Subjects grasped and lifted an object instrumented with a force transducer that measured horizontal grip and vertical load forces. Outcomes were preload time, loading time, maximum grip force, mean static grip force, and variability for all measures. We compared outcomes across groups and correlated grip measures with the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale and predicted age of onset. Variability of maximum grip force (P < .0001) and variability of static grip force (P < .00001) were higher for pre‐HD subjects. Preload time (P < .007) and variability of preload time (P < .006) were higher in pre‐HD subjects. No differences were seen in loading time across groups. Variability of static grip force (r² = 0.23) and variability of preload time (r² = 0.59) increased with predicted onset and were correlated with tests of cognitive function. Our results indicate that pre‐HD patients have poor regulation of the transition between reach and grasp and higher variability in force application and temporal coordination during the precision grip task. Force and temporal variability may be good markers of disease severity because they were correlated with predicted onset of disease. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society     

Synovial sarcoma of anterior abdominal wall

Sarcomas are connective tissue tumours, and can arise in any part of the body, more commonly in the extremities. Histological types and clinical presentation of truncal sarcomas are similar to those seen in any other anatomic locations. Radiological investigations may be contributory, but biopsy is conclusive. Surgical resection with wide margins is the initial standard treatment, however a multimodal approach including radiotherapy and chemotherapy is often favoured. Because of the high recurrence rate regardless of therapy, close follow-up is imperative. We present a case of synovial sarcoma of the anterior abdominal wall.