Leucocyte Subset Redistribution in a Human Model of Physical Stress

This study has investigated, under controlled conditions, peripheral mononuclear cells (PMNC) subset redistribution in a human experimental stress model consisting of cycloergometer activity in healthy male volunteers exposed to a stressful stimulus. After stressful stimuli, leucocyte subpopulations undergo a stereotyped redistribution peculiar for each PMNC cytotype. PMNC subpopulations involved to a greater extent were natural killer (NK) cells and lymphocytes T “memory” cells. The post-stress period was characterized by a decrease of the NK subpopulation. Our findings confirm the view of a sensible functional reduction of immunocompetence in stress conditions. This brings to the opening, even if for a short time, an “immunological window.”. This window remains open throughout the time of the stimulus, probably representing the basis of the progressive reduction of the competency of immune system. Catecholamines support the acute effects of stress influencing the anatomical redistribution of lymphocyte subpopulation and intermediating acute effects on PMNC. Cortisol, acting for longer time, contributes to create and maintain both the neutrocytosis and lymphopenia in the post-stress period following lymphocytosis.     

茵陈蒿汤拆方对非酒精性脂肪性肝炎的正交实验研究

[目的]观察茵陈蒿汤方中各药物及其组合对非酒精性脂肪性肝炎(non-alcoholic steatohepatitis,NASH)的疗效差异,以认识各药物与NASH的相关性,明确药物间的组合是否具有交互作用.[方法]采用正交设计法,对茵陈蒿汤的组成药物进行3因素、2水平的交互研究,运用正交表L8(27)将大鼠分为8组,分别给予相应药物灌胃治疗,4周后检测相关指标,并对肝组织进行苏木精-伊红、油红O染色观察病理改变.[结果]各药物及组合能够针对不同的效应指标明显改善,以大黄对NASH的作用最为全面,对大鼠肝内脂质蓄积状态改善最佳;茵陈对天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、三酰甘油(TG)、栀子对AST、HDL-C、空腹血糖(FBG)、空腹胰岛素(FINS)无显著作用;茵栀组合对FINS、栀黄组合对谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)、所有组合对HDL－C不存在交互作用(均P＜0.05).[结论]大黄、茵陈、栀子及组合可从不同角度改善NASH,能针对NASH发病的相关机制进行治疗,从而延缓该病进展.     

苦参碱对体外诱导人结肠HT29细胞凋亡作用的实验研究

[目的]研究苦参碱（matrine,MA）对体外诱导人结肠癌HT29细胞的凋亡作用及其机制。[方法]不同浓度MA（0-32mg／m1）作用HT29细胞24h后,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡,线粒体跨膜电位检测试剂盒（3C-1）检测线粒体膜电位（Apm）变化,分光光度法检测caspase-3,9酶活性,Westernblot法检测线粒体凋亡途径相关蛋白Bax、Bcl-2表达。[结果]MA显著诱导HT29细胞凋亡;16mg／mlMA作用HT29细胞24h后,caspase-9,-3酶活性明显升高;Westernblot结果显示：MA处理组促凋亡蛋白Pax表达明显升高,抗凋亡蛋白Bcl2表达明显降低。[结论]MA具有促进结肠癌细胞凋亡的作用,且具有剂量依赖性,其机制与线粒体凋亡途径有关。     

Trophic cascade alters ecosystem carbon exchange

Trophic cascades—the indirect effects of carnivores on plants mediated by herbivores—are common across ecosystems, but their influence on biogeochemical cycles, particularly the terrestrial carbon cycle, are largely unexplored. Here, using a ¹³C pulse-chase experiment, we demonstrate how trophic structure influences ecosystem carbon dynamics in a meadow system. By manipulating the presence of herbivores and predators, we show that even without an initial change in total plant or herbivore biomass, the cascading effects of predators in this system begin to affect carbon cycling through enhanced carbon fixation by plants. Prolonged cascading effects on plant biomass lead to slowing of carbon loss via ecosystem respiration and reallocation of carbon among plant aboveground and belowground tissues. Consequently, up to 1.4-fold more carbon is retained in plant biomass when carnivores are present compared with when they are absent, owing primarily to greater carbon storage in grass and belowground plant biomass driven largely by predator nonconsumptive (fear) effects on herbivores. Our data highlight the influence that the mere presence of predators, as opposed to direct consumption of herbivores, can have on carbon uptake, allocation, and retention in terrestrial ecosystems.     

Central sensitization in patients with non-cardiac chest pain: A clinical experimental study

Objective. Patients with non-cardiac chest pain (NNCP) suffer from unexplained and often intractable pain which can pose a major clinical problem. The aim of this study was to investigate nociceptive processing in NNCP patients and their response to experimentally acid-induced oesophageal hyperalgesia using a multimodal stimulation protocol. Material and methods. Ten highly selected patients with NCCP (mean age 43?years, 1?M) were compared with an age- and gender-matched group of 20 healthy subjects. After preconditioning, the distal oesophagus was painfully distended with a balloon using “impedance planimetry”. This method assesses the luminal cross-sectional area of the oesophagus based on the electrical impedance of the fluid inside the balloon. The baseline distensions were done before and after pharmacological relaxation of the smooth muscle with 20?mg butylscopolamine. After baseline distensions, a series of up to 10 mechanical stimuli was performed (temporal summation). The stimulations were repeated after sensitization of the oesophagus induced by acid perfusion. The sensory intensities were assessed during the stimulations and the referred pain area was mapped. Results. At baseline distensions, no differences were seen between patients and controls before and after relaxation of the smooth muscles. The patients tolerated fewer repeated distensions than controls (4.8±0.5 versus 9.1±0.9; p=0.04) and had an increased size of the referred pain areas to the mechanical stimulations (32.9±6.2 versus 64.9±18.3?cm²; p=0.01). After sensitization with acid, the patients developed hyperalgesia (p<0.001), whereas no significant changes were seen in controls. Conclusions. NCCP patients showed facilitated central pain mechanisms (temporal summation and visceral hyperalgesia after sensitization). This could be used in the diagnosis and understanding of the symptoms in these patients.     

A traditional Japanese medicine mitigates TNBS-induced colitis in rats

Objective. Differences in dietary habits may be one of the reasons that the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease has remained lower in Japan than in Western countries. We investigated whether a traditional Japanese medicine (Strong Wakamto®), based on Aspergillus oryzae koji, would exert any effect on experimental colitis in rats. Material and methods. Colitis was induced using an enema of trinitrobenzene sulfnic acid (TNBS) and ethanol. Strong Wakamto was administered for 28 days before induction of colitis and for 7 days thereafter, and the effect of this medicine was evaluated. Results. Treatment with 5% Strong Wakamto improved loss of body-weight, increased colon weight and significantly decreased the histological damage score for colon mucosa. Decreases in faecal Lactobacillus sp., superoxide dismutase activity and zinc concentrations, and the increased IL-1β expression in colonic tissue after TNBS enema were improved when Strong Wakamto was given. The present in vitro studies indicate that administration of Strong Wakamto prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-α production in human macrophages. Conclusions. Oral administration of Strong Wakamto mitigates experimental inflammatory bowel disease induced by TNBS enema in rats. The beneficial effects seem attributable to a combination of balancing microflora, immunomodulatory effects on gut macrophages, and enhancement of anti-superoxide activity in colonic tissues.     

Clinical significance of specific spinal mobilization for patients with ankylosing spondylitis evaluated by quantitative assessments and patient interviews

Purpose.?To assess individual responses to specific spinal mobilization (SSM) in terms of spinal mobility, perceived stiffness, pain and activities of daily living (ADL) in patients with Ankylosis Spondylitis (AS), and whether and how interviews supported or supplemented the quantitative results.

Methods.?Spinal mobility was recorded by the fingertip-to-floor distance, the Modified Schober Test, myerinometer, and the chest expansion test. The measures corresponding to sites targeted by SSM was used as effect variables, and the other as control variables. Visual analogue scales assessed pain and stiffness. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index assessed ADL. A single subject experimental design was applied. The patients' experiences were investigated by semi-structured qualitative interviews.

Results.?Six patients completed 12 sessions of SSM. In five patients spinal mobility improved by 6-38%, and perceived stiffness reduced by 6 – 82%. Further improvements were found after three months. Improvements were not seen in the control variables. The interviews revealed that to become less stiff had various meanings for the patients, the SSM helped to get control of motion, and the conversations with the therapists enabled them to cope with the situation.

Conclusions.?The findings suggest that SSM can diminish spinal stiffness, but this had different meanings for the patients. What were important were what they experienced and learnt during the therapy process.     

汉防己甲素和氮氧喹哌联合治疗猴实验性矽肺的研究

本文报告了使用汉防已甲素和氮氧喹哌联合治疗猴实验性矽肺的结果,共用猴26只,分三个组,即汉防己甲素 氮氧喹哌组、汉甲组和氮氧喹哌组,各组分别设同期对照组,治疗时间均在12～14个月。根据X线变化,血清铜蓝蛋白及病理变化,肺干重,肺胶原、总脂、类脂、已糖的比较,表明联合用药组明显优于单独用药组。同时对用药后的毒副反应动态观察及毒性病理比较,联合用药组此单独用药组毒副作用更少。     

Ultrastructural Pathology of Nerve Cells in Mouse Brain Infected with Epidemic B Encephalitis Virus

An animal model of epidemic(Japanese)B encephalitis was estabilisged by injecting theJin Wei Yah 1 stain of B encephalitis virus into the peritoneal cavity of mice.The ultrastructuralchanges of the nerve cells in their brains were studied,special attention being paid to some types ofnerve cell in the cerebellar cortex.The infectet Purkinje cells and especially the granular cells showedspecial and inter,sting pathological features.These were compared with the changes found in the in-fected nerve cells in the cerebral cortex,diencephalon and mesencephalon.A radiating structure consisting of a microveside-microtubule aggregation body at the centerand endoplastic reticulum or virus replication multivesicular structures around it was often found in thein fected nerve cells.Its morphological features were described in detail,and its significance and the se-quenoe of events of its development discussed.In the late stage of infection,virus particles were found in the nuclei of part of the necroticcells.It is considered that they entered the nuclei from the cytoplasm during or after the death of theinfected cells.The observation smade in this study have comfimed in the granular cell of the cerebellum theidea of Chert et al.that the encephalitis B virus particle can he formed in the perinudear cistem ofthe infected nerve cell,and have brought forth further information in this respect.The way of releaseof the virus particles from the infected nerve cells observed in this study is fundamentally consistentwith that observed by Chen et al.but most of the virus particles left the nerve cell via the cell pro-