High serum levels of tumour necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐8 in severe asthma: markers of systemic inflammation?

BACKGROUND: Severe asthma is characterized by elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and neutrophilic inflammation in the airways. Blood cytokines, markers of 'systemic' inflammation, may be a feature of amplified inflammation in severe asthma. OBJECTIVE: To detect differences in IL-8, TNF-alpha, IL-16 and IL-13 levels in the serum(s) of stable severe and mild-moderate asthmatics related to blood leucocytes proportion, airway calibre and exhaled nitric oxide (NO) levels. METHODS: We assessed cytokine serum levels by ELISA and blood leucocyte counts by an alkaline peroxidase method in 20 healthy controls, 22 mild-moderate [forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)(%pred): 89+/-3] and 14 severe asthmatics [FEV1(%pred): 49+/-2]. RESULTS: IL-8 and TNF-alpha levels were higher in severe asthmatics than in mild-moderate asthmatics or in controls (P<0.05). No differences in IL-16 and IL-13 levels were detected. Severe asthmatics showed higher circulating neutrophil and eosinophil number than controls (P<0.05). In severe asthmatics, exhaled NO levels were superior than in controls (P<0.05), but inferior than in mild-moderate asthmatics (P<0.05). We found positive correlation between TNF-alpha levels and exhaled NO (r=0.67; P=0.01) or circulating neutrophil counts (r=0.57; P=0.03) in severe asthmatics. CONCLUSION: sTNF-alpha and sIL-8 are markers of 'systemic' inflammation in severe asthmatics, in conjunction with augmented circulating neutrophils, suggesting the involvement of neutrophil-derived cytokine pattern in severe asthma.     

Cloning and expression of SLC1OA4,a putative organic anion transport protein

AIM:To determine if novel bile acid transporters may be expressed in human tissues.METHODS:SLC10A1 (NTCP) was used as a probe to search the NCBI database for homology to previously uncharacterized ESTs. The homology search identified an EST (termed SLC10A4) that shares sequence identity with SLC10A1 and SLC10A2 (ASBT). We performed Northern blot analysis and RT-PCR to determine the tissue distribution of SLC10A4. SLC10A4 was cloned in frame with an epitope tag and overexpressed in CHO cells to determine cellular localization and functional analysis of bile acid uptake.RESULTS:Northern analysis revealed that SLC 10A4 mRNA is ubiquitously expressed fn human tissues with the highest levels of mRNA expression in brain,placenta, and liver. In SLC10A4-transfected CHO cells,immunoblotting analysis and immunofluorescence staining demonstrated a 49-kDa protein that is expressed at the plasma membrane and intracellular compartments.Functional analysis of SLC10A4 showed no significant taurocholate uptake in the presence of sodium when compared to untransfected CHO cells.CONCLUSION:To date, we have shown that this protein has no capacity to transport taurocholate relative to SLC1041; however, given its ubiquitous tissue distribution, it may play a more active role in transporting other endogenous organic anions.     

Gln与rhGh对肝硬化病人肠黏膜屏障的影响

目的观察Gln与rhGh各单独应用及联合应用对肝硬化病人小肠黏膜屏障形态学和功能学的影响。方法20个肝硬化病人随机分成四组,给予等氮等热量营养支持7d,Gln+rhGh组口服Gln[0.3g/(Kg·d)]和皮下注射rhGh(10U/d);Gln组口服Gln;rhGh组应用皮下注射rhGh;CONT对照组应用相应安慰剂。观察治疗前后患者小肠黏膜通透性和十二指肠黏膜绒毛高度和隐窝深度的变化,分别比较。结果Gln+rhGh组治疗后小肠黏膜通透性有显著性的降低(P<0.05),且显著低于其他三组(P<0.05);十二指肠黏膜绒毛高度和隐窝深度有显著性的增高(P<0.05),且显著高于其他三组(P<0.05)。结论Gln与rhGh联合应用能减低肠道黏膜的通透性和维持其形态学的完整。     

NF-κB在肝细胞癌组织中的表达及意义

目的：探讨NF-κB基因在肝细胞癌组织中的表达及生物学意义。方法：采用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)、Western-blot免疫组织化学技术检测32例肝癌组织及癌旁肝组织中的NF-κB基因的mRNA和蛋白表达水平及蛋白定位。结果：NF-κB基因在肝癌组织中的表达较癌旁肝组织显著性增高(P<0.05)。免疫组化结果显示，NF-κB蛋白在肝癌细胞胞浆和胞核中均有表达，而在癌旁肝细胞中仅在胞浆中有表达。结论：NF-κB基因在肝癌组织中呈显著高表达，提示其可能参与了肝癌的发生发展。NF-κB表达定位在癌细胞和癌旁肝细胞中的差异，提示NF-κB活化后，进入胞核，通过调节下游基因的转录，促进肝癌的发生。     

乳腺癌组织中Cyclin D1及p16蛋白表达的联合检测及其意义

目的:探讨乳腺癌中Cyclin D1及p16蛋白表达的相关性及其临床意义。方法:LSAB法检测多种乳腺组织中Cyclin D1及p16蛋白的表达情况,结合有关临床资料,分析Cyclin D1和p16蛋白表达异常与乳腺癌中重要的临床病理因素的关系。结果:62例乳腺癌组织中,Cyclin D1蛋白过度表达占48·4%,其表达与乳腺癌组织学分级呈明显正相关,且Cyclin D1蛋白过度表达更常见于ER、PR阳性的乳腺癌中。乳腺癌旁组织中Cyclin D1蛋白过度表达为20·0%,其他几种乳腺组织很少有CyclinD1蛋白的过度表达。p16蛋白仅在58·1%的乳腺癌组织中有表达,且p16的表达与组织学分级程度有负相关关系。正常乳腺组织中未见p16蛋白的异常。结论:乳腺癌组织中存在着Cyclin D1蛋白的过度表达及p16蛋白的异常,二者对乳腺癌组织的增殖分化有一定的影响。     

口服抗原对巨噬细胞共刺激分子CD80/CD86表达的影响

目的探讨口服抗原对巨噬细胞(M)共刺激分子CD80/CD86表达的影响及其在诱导妊娠免疫耐受中的作用。方法自然流产小鼠(CBA/J×DBA/2)分为免疫组和未免疫组,免疫组分别口服滋养细胞膜抗原(TMA2)和卵清蛋白(OVA),以正常妊娠小鼠(CBA/J×BALB/c)作为对照组。采用双标记流式细胞分析技术,分别检测各组小鼠脾脏及肠系膜淋巴结(MLN)CD80 M和CD86 M的表达。结果MLN内,未免疫组CD80 M表达明显高于对照组(P<0.05),而CD86 M含量明显低于对照组(P<0.001);TMA2免疫组CD80 M含量明显低于未免疫组(P<0.05);OVA免疫组CD86 M含量明显高于未免疫组(P<0.001)。脾脏内,CD80 M表达在各组间比较无显著差异;CD86M表达,未免疫组明显低于对照组(P<0.05),TMA2免疫组显著低于未免疫组(P<0.05),OVA免疫组则显著高于未免疫组(P<0.001)。结论流产的发生与M表面共刺激信号CD80/CD86异常有关;口服适当抗原可改变CD80/CD86 M表达模式,诱导妊娠免疫耐受的形成。     

原发性胆囊癌CD44v5、CD44v6表达及其临床病理意义的研究

目的 检测胆囊癌组织中CD44v5、CD44v6的表达,并探讨其在胆囊癌发生发展过程中的临床病理意义.方法 采用SP免疫组织化学方法,检测49例胆囊癌、10例胆囊结石伴慢性胆囊炎组织和10例正常胆囊组织中CD44v5、CD44v6蛋白表达情况.结果 CD44v5、CD44v6阳性表达率在胆囊癌组织明显高于良性组织.在胆囊癌中,CD44v5基因表达阳性率与组织学分级无关,CD4 4v6基因表达阳性率与组织学分级有关.有淋巴结转移的胆囊癌组织中,CD44v5、CD44v6阳性表达率明显高于无淋巴结转移者.结论 CD44v5、CD44v6可能在胆囊癌的淋巴结转移中起着重要的作用,CD44v5、CD4 4v6可能是了解胆囊癌病变发生发展生物学行为,淋巴结转移的重要生物学指标.     

Cognitive profiles of individual patients with Parkinson's disease and dementia: comparison with dementia with lewy bodies and Alzheimer's disease.

We describe the pattern of cognitive profiles within a community-based sample of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia (PDD) using cluster analyses, and compare the results with data from patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Fifty patients with PDD and 39 with AD from Stavanger, Norway, and 62 patients with DLB from San Diego, CA, USA were diagnosed by either standardized clinical procedures or criteria (all PDD and all AD cases) or necropsy (all DLB cases). Four subgroups were identified: two subgroups with a subcortical cognitive profile (one with mild and one with moderate dementia severity), one subgroup with global impairment and severe dementia, and one subgroup with a cortical cognitive profile and moderate dementia. Of the patients with PDD and with DLB, 56% and 55%, respectively, had a subcortical cognitive profile, compared with only 33% of the AD patients. Conversely, 30% of the patients with PDD and 26% of those with DLB had a cortical cognitive profile, compared with 67% of the patients with AD. These findings suggest that in some patients with PDD, frontosubcortical changes are the main contributing factor to dementia, whereas in other patients, cortical and hippocampal changes are more important.     

人参白虎汤对糖尿病大鼠心肌中Glu T4基因表达的影响

目的:观察人参白虎汤不同配伍组别及活性部位对链脲佐菌素(STZ)诱导的糖尿病大鼠肥大心肌中葡萄糖转运蛋白4(Glu T4)基因表达的影响.方法:雄性SD大鼠,除正常对照组外,其余大鼠ip STZ(60 mg/kg)造成糖尿病模型后,随机分为9组,治疗组用人参白虎汤不同配伍组别及活性部位治疗共75 d.动物处死后取心肌组织,提取心肌组织总RNA,逆转录得到cDNA第一链,以此为模板进行PCR扩增,利用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳和DNA银染技术分析心肌组织中Glu T4的基因表达.结果:与正常对照组相比,STZ诱导的糖尿病大鼠肥大心肌中,Glu T4基因表达下调.经人参白虎汤不同配伍组别(除人参知母组外)及其活性部位治疗后,心脏指数和心室指数与模型组相比均明显下降,Glu T4 mRNA表达上调.结论:人参白虎汤及其活性部位能上调STZ诱导的糖尿病大鼠心肌中Glu T4 mRNA表达,防止糖尿病心肌病变的发生.     

CS-3000 plus血细胞分离机在治疗性血液成分单采中的临床应用

【目的】观察应用CS-3000plus血细胞分离机进行治疗性血液成分单采的临床疗效，分析影响血液成分单采效果的相关因素。【方法】对87例患者应用CS-3000plus血细胞分离机进行161次治疗性血液成分单采，分析临床效果和实验室指标的改善情况。【结果】应用CS-3000plus血细胞分离机进行血浆置换后，71．43％患者临床症状、体征或者实验室指标取得明显改善。相关分析提示，进行治疗性血细胞成分单采患者的白细胞、血小板、红细胞、血红蛋白、红细胞比容下降值与采前相应初始值均呈正相关（P〈0．05）。白细胞单采术的患者白细胞计数下降值与处理全血量呈正相关（P〈0．05），在处理血量达到5000～7000ml时，血小板单采术患者血小板计数下降值与处理全血量无明显相关性（P〉0．05）。当处理全血量达到500～800ml时，红细胞单采术患者红细胞、血红蛋白、红细胞比容下降值与处理全血量无明显相关性（P〉0．05）。【结论】应用CS-3000plus血细胞分离机进行治疗性血液成分单采对迅速缓解临床症状，减少并发症的发生和提高临床药物治疗效果均有较大意义。合理设定全血处理量，调整采集相关参数，有助于采集的顺利进行和采集效果的进一步提高。