Assessment of intracellular cytokines and regulatory cells in patients with autoimmune diseases and primary immunodeficiencies — Novel tool for diagnostics and patient follow-up

Serum and intracytoplasmic cytokines are mandatory in host defense against microbes, but also play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases by initiating and perpetuating various cellular and humoral autoimmune processes.     

Association of stress proteins with autoantigens: a possible mechanism for triggering autoimmunity?

Patterns of autoantibody production are diagnostic of many autoimmune disorders; the recent observation of additional autospecificities towards stress-induced proteins may also provide insight into the mechanisms by which such responses arise. Grp78 (also known as BiP) is a target of autoaggressive B and T cell responses in our murine model of anti-Ro (SS-A) autoimmunity and also in rheumatoid arthritis. In this report we demonstrate reciprocal intermolecular spreading occurs between Ro52 and Grp78 in immunized mice, reflecting physiological association of these molecules in vivo. Moreover, we provide direct biochemical evidence that Grp78 associates with the clinically relevant autoantigen, Ro52 (SS-A). Due to the discrete compartmentalization of Ro52 (nucleocytoplasmic) and Grp78 (endoplasmic reticulum; ER) we propose that association of these molecules occurs either in apoptotic cells, where they have been demonstrated indirectly to co-localize in discrete apoptotic bodies, or in B cells themselves where both Ro52 and Grp78 are known to bind to immunoglobulin heavy chains. Tagging of molecules by association with Grp78 may facilitate receptor mediated phagocytotsis of the complex; we show evidence that exogenous Grp78 can associate with cell surface receptors on a subpopulation of murine splenocytes. Given the likelihood that Grp78 will associate with viral glycoproteins in the ER it is possible that it may become a bystander target of the spreading antiviral immune response. Thus, we propose a model whereby immunity elicited towards Grp78 leads to the selection of responses towards the Ro polypeptides and the subsequent cascade of responses observed in human disease.     

A rapid flow cytometry assay for the assessment of calcium mobilization in human neutrophils in a small volume of lysed whole-blood

Flow cytometry-based methods have been developed to measure most neutrophil responses. The assessment of the mobilization of calcium, however, is routinely performed on neutrophils isolated from whole blood. This report describes a flow cytometry-based assay to measure the mobilization of calcium in neutrophils directly in whole blood. This method requires minimal sample manipulation, small volumes of blood and is performed in a short period of time. Both clinical and research laboratories will be able to assess neutrophil function and the quality of granulocyte preparations using a more time and cost effective calcium mobilization test.     

辨证分型为主治疗糖尿病性视网膜病变临床观察

观察以中医辨证论治结合降糖西药对糖尿病性视网膜病变的疗效。共治疗糖尿病性视网膜病变３８例５５只眼，其中单纯型３１只眼，增殖型２４只眼，并对治疗前后的视力、眼底病变的情况进行了比较。结果：显效１７只眼（３０．９％）有效２５只眼（４５．５％，无效１１只眼（２０．０％），恶化２只眼（３．６％），总有效率７６．４％。     

CSG中医辨证分型与血浆MTL、GAS、SS水平关系的临床研究

目的为探讨慢性浅表性胃炎肝胃不和、脾胃虚弱、脾胃湿热三种中医证型与胃泌素、胃动素和生长抑素三种胃肠激素水平的关系。方法将CSG患者肝胃不和、脾胃虚弱、脾胃湿热三种中医证型各25例及健康成年人25例，用放射免疫分析法测定空腹血浆MTL、GAS、SS。结果CSG的三种中医辨证分型脾胃湿热、脾胃虚弱、肝胃不和的血浆MTL、GAS、SS水平，不仅与健康人有显著差异，且CSG的三种中医辨证分型与血浆MTL、GAS、SS存在着较密切的关系，并有一定的规律性。结论检测CSG患者的血浆MTL、GAS、SS水平，对提高CSG的中医辨证分型有积极意义，结果可作为中医临床参考。     

柴胡总皂苷对大鼠酒精性肝病预防作用及其机制研究

目的:研究柴胡总皂苷对大鼠酒精性肝病(ALD)的预防作用及其机制。方法:SD大鼠随机分为3组:酒精组、柴胡皂苷组、正常对照组,利用白酒灌胃辅以高脂饲料方法建立大鼠ALD模型,同时给予柴胡总皂苷保护,12周末处死大鼠,测定有关指标。结果:柴胡总皂苷明显升高肝组织活性、降低丙二醛(MDA)含量,降低血清转氨酶(ALT、AST)活性和甘油三酯(TG)含量,与模型组比较差异显著(P<0.01);并且能明显改善由酒精引起的肝组织脂肪变性和小叶灶性坏死,使肝小叶结构趋于正常。结论:柴胡总皂苷对ALD有明显防护作用,其机制可能与柴胡总皂苷清除自由基抑制脂质过氧化反应有关。     

中药专业实验室建设初探

在对上海中医药大学中药学院实验教学改革试点工作回顾和分析的基础上,认为中药专业的实践教学改革应该从转变教学观念和中药专业课程体系改革为先导,通过实验课单列,推进“渐进板块教育模式”等改革措施,改革实验室管理体制和运行机制,逐步将其建设成为承担实验教学、科学研究和社会服务的开放式实验室。