Expression and significance of HIF-1α and ET-1 in gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Objective To explore the expression and the value of HIF-1α,and ET-1 in judging the prognosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Methods The expression of HIF-1α, and ET-1 protein was examined in 76 GISTs by immunohistochemistry S -P methods. Results There was a positive correlation between the expression of HIF-1 α and ET-1 ( P < 0.05 ). The positive expression rate of HIF-1 α and ET-1 was 73.68% (50/76) ,and 65.79% (50/76) respectively,which was related with histologicial grade, tumor diameter, infiltration and metastasis, nuclear division rating of GISTs ( P < 0.05 ), but had no relationship with patients' age, gender, initial position of the tumor ( P > 0.05 ). There was statistically sig-nificant difference in the expression of HIF-1 α and ET-1 in the following groups:among the three classes of very low-risk and low-risk, middle-risk, high-risk, bewteen the diameter < 2 cm and > 5 cm (P < 0.05). The more malignant degree and larger diameter, the more highly positive expression rate ( P < 0.05 ). The positive expression in the groups with infiltration and metastasis, and nuclear division ≥5/50 HP was sig-nificantly higher than the groups without infiltration and metastasis, and nuclear division < 5/50 HP (P < 0.05). Conclusion The expression of HIF-1α had a significant correlation with ET-1. HIF-1α,and ET-1 expression was closely related with the prognosis of GISTs,and can serve as important predictors for survival.     

重型颅脑损伤后应激性溃疡防治与胃肠道感染的相关性及对策

目的探讨重型颅脑损伤患者应用洛赛克对应激性溃疡进行防治与胃肠道感染几率增加之间的关系及治疗对策。方法回顾近3年来我院收治的重型颅脑损伤并存活30 d以上病人176例,测定不同时间胃液pH值并分析防治应激性溃疡与发生胃肠道感染的相关性以及相应对策。结果在126例持续应用洛赛克的患者中,持续应用＞7 d的患者胃肠道感染发生率明显高于持续应用≤7 d的病人。其余50例间隔应用洛赛克患者与126例持续应用洛赛克患者相比,应激性溃疡发生率无明显差别,但间隔应用洛赛克患者胃肠道感染发生率较持续应用洛赛克＞7 d的患者明显下降。结论重型颅脑损伤患者应激性溃疡防治＞7 d者,由于胃酸分泌严重抑制,增加胃肠道感染发生率。间隔性应用洛赛克治疗在抑制胃酸分泌,减少应激性溃疡发生的同时,可明显减少胃肠道感染的发生。     

Probiotic-induced suppression of allergic sensitization and airway inflammation is associated with an increase of T regulatory-dependent mechanisms in a murine model of asthma

BACKGROUND: Microbial intestinal colonization in early in life is regarded to play a major role for the maturation of the immune system. Application of non-pathogenic probiotic bacteria during early infancy might protect from allergic disorders but underlying mechanisms have not been analysed so far. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to investigate the immune effects of oral application of probiotic bacteria on allergen-induced sensitization and development of airway inflammation and airway hyper-reactivity, cardinal features of bronchial asthma. METHODS: Newborn Balb/c mice received orally 10(9) CFU every second day either Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG or Bifidobacterium lactis (Bb-12) starting from birth for consecutive 8 weeks, during systemic sensitization (six intraperitoneal injections, days 29-40) and airway challenge (days 54-56) with ovalbumin. RESULTS: The administration of either Bb-12 or LGG suppressed all aspects of the asthmatic phenotype: airway reactivity, antigen-specific immunoglobulin E production and pulmonary eosinophilia (mean: 137 vs. 17 and 13 cellsx10(3)/mL, respectively). Antigen-specific recall proliferation by spleen cells and T-helper type 2 cytokine production (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10) by mesenteric lymph node cells also showed significant reduction, while TGF production remained unchanged. Oral LGG administration particularly suppressed allergen-induced proliferative responses and was associated with an increase in numbers of TGF-beta-secreting CD4+/CD3+ T cells in mesenteric lymph nodes (6.5, 16.7%) as well as nearly 2-fold up-regulation of Foxp3-expressing cells in peribronchial lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal application of probiotic bacteria inhibits subsequent allergic sensitization and airway disease in a murine model of asthma by induction of T regulatory cells associated with increased TGF-beta production.     

Allergen-Specific IgE Antibodies against Antigenic Components in Cow Milk and Milk Substitutes

Crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis (CRIE) was used to study the presence of serum IgE against antigenic components of cow milk in 21 selected milk-allergic patients. The amount of each IgE specificity was estimated by a scoring system. The milk-allergic children had mainly IgE against alpha-lactalbumin, beta-lactoglobulin, albumin and immunoglobulin, the four major proteins of bovine whey, as well as IgE against three casein components. A serum pool from 1000 normal adults had IgE against the same whey protein, but in smaller amounts, and no IgE against the casein components. Eight cow milk-based formulae, commonly used for infant feeding, and goat milk were studied by the same method. It was found that six of the milk substitutes did not differ significantly from cow milk in antibody binding, but the two hydrolysed casein products, Nutramigen and Pregestimil, consisted of such small molecules that the rabbit antisera could not precipitate the hydrolysed proteins in the gels on the CRIE plates. It was therefore not possible to study their IgE binding, if any, by this method.     

The predictive value of specific immunoglobulin E levels for the first diagnosis of cow''s milk allergy. A critical analysis of pediatric literature

Investigators have tried to identify a level of seric specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) that had a sufficient predictive value to diagnose a food allergy without having will resort to the food challenge. To search in literature, all the studies that have estimated the possibility to identify a level of seric specific cow milk IgE with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 95% for the first diagnosis of cow's milk allergy (CMA) in pediatric age. We have identified six studies, nearly all studies suffer from relevant methodological bias. Proposed cut-off are all different. The studied pediatric populations were highly selected. Also neglecting the methodological bias of the studies and the great difference of value between the proposed cut-off, it always remains to consider that the pre-test probability of having a CMA between the children enrolled in the six studies included in this review is particularly high. The likelihood ratio helps to transfer the results of a study on a diagnostic test just to our population, and it is more realistic rather than to entrust itself to the PPV or the negative predictive value, that are much influenced from the prevalence of the disease in the studied population.     

Cutaneous allergy to mustard in a salad maker

A case of allergic contact dermatitis to mustard (Brassica nigra) in a salad maker is reported. The sources of skin contact included a commercial salad cream, a vinegrette, and various members of the mustard family, Cruciferae. The Cruciferae family includes many salad vegetables and condiments which contain allergenic isothiocyanates. The extent of skin contact among salad makers and other food handlers may be significant, and sensitization to isothiocyanates from this large family of vegetables may be an important cause of food contact allergy in these individuals.     

The influence of epidural administration of fentanyl infusion on gastric emptying in labour

The effect of epidural infusions containing fentanyl on maternal gastric emptying in labour was examined using the rate of paracetamol absorption. Women were randomly allocated to receive one of two epidural infusions, bupivacaine 0.125% alone or bupivacaine 0.0625% with fentanyl 2.5 μgml⁻¹ at a rate of 10–12 mlh⁻¹. Paracetamol 1.5 g was given orally to women after either 30 ml of the infusion solution had been given (mean time 2.5 h, study A) or 40–50 ml (mean time 4.5 h, study B). Six venous blood samples were taken over the next 90 min for measurement of plasma paracetamol concentration. There were no significant differences in maximum plasma paracetamol concentration, time to maximum paracetamol concentration and area under the concentration–time curve between the two groups for study A. In study B the time to maximum plasma paracetamol concentration was significantly delayed in women receiving > 100 μg fentanyl compared with controls (p < 0.05). We conclude that the dose of fentanyl that may delay gastric emptying when given by epidural infusion is greater than 100 μg.     

胃肠道间质瘤的临床病理研究

目的：探讨胃肠道间质瘤(gastrointestinal stromal tumor，GIST)的临床病理特点。方法：对55例GIST的病例进行分析，并对其进行CD117、CD34、S-100、SMA、vimenfin、desmin、NF共7种免疫组化分析。结果：肿瘤的发生部位：胃38例(69％)，小肠10例(18％)，其他部位7例(13％)。肿瘤直径0．4—40cm(平均6．7cm)。肿瘤最大直径≥5cm、核分裂像数≥5/50 HPF及有溃疡形成3项在良性与恶性之间差异有显著意义。免疫组化的阳性表达结果为：CD117 39例(71％)、CD34 45例(82％)、S-100 19例(35％)、SMA 12例(22％)、vimentin 32例(58％)、desmin 6例(11％)、NF2／4(50％)。13例良性GIST患者全部存活，42例恶性及潜在恶性GIST中有4例发生转移，13例死亡。结论：(1)GIST好发于中老年人，无明显性别差异。(2)其主要恶性指标为：肿瘤最大径≥5cm、核分裂像≥5／50 HPF和有溃疡形成。(3)光镜下很难将平滑肌性肿瘤及神经源性肿瘤与GIST相鉴别。     

How to confirm occupational asthma

A methodological overview is provided on the important question of how to confirm occupational asthma in routine work. Recent knowledge gained in immunology and occupational allergy has been utilized, supplemented by an overview of recent publications on the diagnosis and pathophysiology of occupational asthma. The aim of the paper is to facilitate decision making for an investigator dealing with individual cases of occupational asthma. Moreover, by presenting stepping-stones in the diagnostic cascade, the author hopes to encourage the less experienced to conduct a comprehensive and cause-oriented diagnostic procedure. Methods which are being worked on at present (standardization) are discussed in more detail. Finally, the research goals in the understanding, confirmation, and prevention of occupational asthma are listed.