Klinische Wertigkeit einer dermatoskopischen Klassifikation von Clark‐Nävi

Background and objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the practical value of the dermatoscopic classification of Clark nevi Patients and methods: Dermatoscopic images of 268 lesions clinically and dermatoscopically diagnosed as Clark nevi were presented to 2 dermatologists without knowledge of the histological diagnosis. The dermatologists evaluated the lesions according to a simplified version of the classification scheme for Clark nevi proposed by Hofmann‐Wellenhof and differentiated between 12 different types of Clark nevi. Results: The most common type of Clark nevus was the reticular‐homogenous type (n = 64, 23,9 %), followed by the globular‐homogeneous type (n = 32, 12 %) and by the homogenous type (n = 30, 11,2 %). The overall inter‐rater agreement between the examiners was moderate to good (kappa = 0,58). The highest level of agreement was found for the peripheral hyperpigmented type (kappa = 0,83). Histologically, 17 lesions (6,3 %) were diagnosed as melanomas. The frequency of melanoma was highest among the peripheral‐hyperpigmented type for one observer and among the homogenous type for the other observer. No melanoma was found among the globular, reticular‐globular, and the central‐hyperpigmented types. Conclusions: A dermatoscopic classification of Clark nevi is practically feasible and allows – to some extent – a risk stratification of Clark nevi, which could be useful for clinical management.     

Protective effects of cyclophosphamide, cyclosporin A and FK506 against antigen-induced lung eosinophilia in guinea-pigs.

A close association has been recognized between activated T cells and eosinophils in asthma, albeit circumstantial. The present study attempted to investigate this relationship in an animal model of lung eosinophilia using the new generation of T cell-selective immunosuppressants, cyclosporin A and FK506, compared with the myelotoxic immunosuppressive agent cyclophosphamide. Antigen challenge of ovalbumin-sensitized guinea-pigs resulted in a lung eosinophilia which was assessed by bronchoalveolar lavage. All three agents caused a marked suppression of lung eosinophilia at 24 h post-challenge when the compounds were administered at the time of sensitization but not when administered for 3 days before lavage. However, the lung eosinophilia at 72 h post-challenge was reduced significantly by FK506 and by cyclophosphamide, but not by cyclosporin A, when the drugs were administered for 3 days, before lavage. These results strongly suggest the involvement of T cells in antigen-induced late phase (72 h) eosinophilia in guinea-pigs but not at 24 h. The effects of cyclophosphamide were always associated with a reduction in circulating white cell counts, whereas cyclosporin A and FK506 showed no myelotoxic properties. These results suggest the potential therapeutic use of selective, non-cytotoxic immunosuppressive agents in asthma.     

Diagnostic accuracy of progressive supranuclear palsy in the Society for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy brain bank.

Diagnostic accuracy has been addressed previously for Parkinson's disease in a brain bank collection, but accuracy of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) has not been addressed in a similar setting. Clinical and genetic features of pathologically confirmed cases of PSP were compared with misdiagnosed cases to determine ways to improve diagnostic accuracy. Medical records were reviewed for 180 cases sent to the Society of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Brain Bank that had standardized neuropathologic evaluations as well as determination of apolipoprotein E and tau genotypes. Of the 180 cases studied, 137 had PSP and 43 had other pathologic diagnoses. Corticobasal degeneration (CBD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), and diffuse Lewy body disease (DLBD) accounted for 70% of the misdiagnosed cases. History of tremor, psychosis, dementia, and asymmetric findings were more frequent in misdiagnosed cases. The frequency of H1 tau haplotype (93 vs. 80%) and H1H1 genotype (86 vs. 66%) were significantly greater and APOE epsilon4 carrier state was significantly less (17 vs. 41 %) in PSP compared with misdiagnosed cases. Pathologic evaluation of clinically diagnosed PSP remains important for definitive diagnosis, and CBD, MSA, and DLBD are the disorders most likely to be misdiagnosed as PSP. Tremor, psychosis, early dementia, asymmetric findings, absence of H1 haplotype, and presence of APOE epsilon4 should raise questions about a diagnosis of PSP.     

小鼠胸腺和脾脏细胞的体外转化培养

建立了小鼠脾脏、胸腺细胞体外转化微量培养系统,确定了最佳实验条件.点蜡法充CO_2,简便易行,效果好.RPMI-1640培养基内补充胎牛血清,其浓度确定为在脾细胞培养为10%,在胸腺细胞培养为20%.脾细胞培养最适细胞密度为2～5×10~6/ml,Con A最适量为2～4μg/培养;胸腺细胞培养细胞最适密度为1×10~7/ml,Con A最适量为2～4μg/培养.两种已知免疫活性的药物在脾细胞培养体系有明确肯定的反应.     

Down-regulation of Na channel expression by A23187 in NlE-115 neuroblastoma cells

Growth of cultured NlE-115 neuroblastoma cells in 1 μM A23187 for 2 days to elevate internal Ca reduced both membrane Na current and the transient, but not steady state, component of outward K current. Na channel mRNA abundance was reduced by an average value of 45% without effect on Kv3.1. Increases in internal Ca may therefore control excitability by independent regulation of Na and K channel mRNA abundance in neurons.     

Overexpression of suppressor of cytokine signalling-5 augments eosinophilic airway inflammation in mice

BACKGROUND: Enhanced expression of the suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS)-5 might be of therapeutic benefit for T-helper type 2 (Th2) dominant diseases, as its expression is reported to result in a reduction of Th2 differentiation in vitro due to the inhibition of IL-4 signalling. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory role of SOCS-5 in vivo, we explored the phenotype of an experimental asthma model developed in SOCS-5 transgenic (Tg) mice. METHODS: The SOCS-5 Tg mice or wild-type (WT) mice were sensitized and repeatedly challenged with ovalbumin (OVA). We examined bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), lung specimens, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to methacholine. RESULTS: The production of IFN-gamma by CD4(+) T cells from unprimed SOCS-5 Tg mice was significantly increased in comparison with unprimed wild-type mice, indicating that SOCS-5 Tg mice have a Th1-polarizing condition under natural conditions. However, in an asthma model, significantly more eosinophils in the airways and higher levels of IL-5 and IL-13 in BALF were observed in the SOCS-5 Tg than the wild-type mice. AHR in the asthma model of SOCS-5 Tg was also more enhanced than that of wild-type mice. OVA-stimulated CD4(+) T cells from the primed SOCS-5 Tg mice produced significantly more IL-5 and IL-13 than CD4(+) T cells from wild-type mice. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that the overexpression of SOCS-5 does not inhibit Th2 response, but rather augments the phenotype of the asthma model in vivo. This finding throws into question the therapeutic utility of using enhancement of SOCS-5 expression for Th2-dominant disease.     

IFN-γ,IL-4水平对血透患者外周血PBLC Fas,Bcl-2表达的影响

目的研究IFN-γ,IL-4水平对血透患者外周血淋巴细胞(PBLC)凋亡调控蛋白Fas,Bcl-2表达的影响.方法采用流式细胞术的间接免疫荧光素标记法和双抗体夹心ELISA法,分别检测30例HD患者PBLC Fas,Bcl-2的表达水平和血清IFN-γ,IL-4水平.结果H-D患者血清IFN-γ水平明显低于健康对照组,IL-4浓度显著高于对照组(P均＜0.01);其外周血PBLC的Fas表达水平明显高于健康对照组,而Bcl-2水平则明显低于健康对照组(P均＜0.01).经相关分析发现:Fas表达水平与血清IFN-γ水平呈负相关,而与血清IL-4水平呈正相关(P均＜0.01);Bcl-2表达水平与血清IFN-γ水平呈正相关,而与血清IL-4水平呈负相关(P均＜0.01).结论HD患者PBLC存在异常凋亡现象;并与Th1型细胞因子分泌低下,以及TTh2型细胞因子分泌增加之间有一定的相关性,上述改变可能在HD患者的免疫功能紊乱中起着重要作用.     

化学中毒与急性缺氧的双因素联合效应的实验研究

目的 研究化学中毒与急性缺氧两因素的联合效应。方法 建立常压常氧、常压缺氧和低压缺氧3种模型，以梭曼(Soman)、氰化钠(NaCN)和4-DMAP(4-dimethylaminophenol)为代表，测定大鼠、小鼠、家猫、PC12细胞、兔血红细胞等在3种模型条件下对毒物药物的行为、生化和生理指标变化。结果梭曼单独作用可导致动物协调运动下降、脑等组织含水率增加、脑组织AChE活性降低、MR下调、NE和cAMP含量增加。急性缺氧单独作用也可引起动物协调运动及自主活动的降低、脑等组织含水率的增加、外周血和脑组织AChE活性升高、MR受体上调、NE和cAMP含量增加、4-DMAP药效升高。化学中毒与急性缺氧同时作用，上述变化更加复杂。结论 化学中毒与急性缺氧两种因素同时作用于机体，对机体产生广泛而复杂的损伤作用。此种作用为两因素的联合效应。缺氧引起的机体功能下降对联合效应的增加部分贡献较大。急性缺氧既可使重要的组织成分发生质或量的变化，也会影响某些抗毒剂的作用强度。     

大鼠脑内儿茶酚胺类递质及其代谢物的同时提取及反向高效液相测定法

目的建立一种操作简便、高效的测定脑组织中去甲肾上腺素(NA)、肾上腺素(AD)、多巴胺(DA)、3,4二羟基苯乙酸(DOPAC)及高香草酸(HVA)的方法,为有关药物作用机理的研究提供实验手段.方法以有机溶剂提取,高效液相色谱--电化学检测器(HPLC-EC)测定大鼠纹状体、皮质、下丘脑NA、AD、DA、DOPAC及HVA的含量.结果测得NA、AD、DA、DOPAC及HVA的绝对回收率依次分别为:80.3%±12.4%,86.5%±14.3%,90.3%±12.1%,89.5%±17.2%、87.6%±[13].2%.线性范围0.2～20ng,批内与批间变异系数分别小于8%及10%.结论该方法具有简便、迅速、回收率较高的特点,便于实验室应用.     

Detecting pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus in children with obsessive-compulsive disorder and tics.

BACKGROUND: A subgroup of children with obsessive-compulsive and tic disorders are proposed to have an infectious trigger. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between group A streptococcal titers and symptom fluctuations in children with a clinical course resembling that described for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus. METHODS: Twenty-five children with obsessive-compulsive disorder and/or tic disorder were evaluated for neuropsychiatric severity and group A streptococcal antibody titers (streptolysin O, deoxyribonuclease B, and carbohydrate A) at 6-week intervals for > or = six consecutive evaluations (total visits=277). RESULTS: Children with large symptom fluctuations (n=15) were compared with children without dramatic fluctuations (n=10). Co-movements of obsessive-compulsive/tic severity and group A streptococcal antibodies were assessed. In subjects with large symptom changes, positive correlations were found between streptococcal titers and obsessive-compulsive severity rating changes (p=.0130). These subjects were also more likely to have elevated group A streptococcal titers during the majority of observations (p=.001). Tic symptom exacerbations occurred more often in the fall/winter months than spring/summer months (p=.03). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with marked obsessive-compulsive/tic symptom changes may be characterized by streptococcal titer elevations and exhibit evidence of seasonal tic exacerbations.