Involvement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in MP4-induced autoimmune encephalomyelitis

The role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is still unclear. Here we investigate the clinical course, CNS histopathology and peripheral antigen-specific immunity in MP4-induced EAE of BDNF (−/+) mice. We demonstrate that these mice displayed less severe disease compared to BDNF (+/+) mice, reflected by decreased inflammation and demyelination. In correspondence to diminished frequencies of T and B cells in CNS infiltrates, the peripheral MP4-specific T_H1/T_H17 response was attenuated in BDNF (−/+), but not in wild-type animals. In contrast, immunization with ovalbumin triggered similar frequencies of IFN-γ- and IL-17-secreting T cells in both groups. The cytokine secretion and proliferative activity upon mitogen stimulation did not reveal any global defect of T cell function in BDNF (−/+) mice. By influencing the antigen-specific immune response in autoimmune encephalomyelitis, BDNF may support and maintain the disease in ways that go beyond its alleged neuroprotective role.     

Iron-Folic Acid Supplementation During Pregnancy Reduces the Risk of Stunting in Children Less Than 2 Years of Age: A Retrospective Cohort Study from Nepal

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of antenatal iron-folic acid (IFA) supplementation on child stunting in Nepalese children age <2 years. A retrospective cohort study design was used, in which a pooled cohort of 5235 most recent live births 2 years prior to interview from three Nepal Demographic and Health Surveys (2001, 2006 and 2011) was analysed. The primary outcome was stunting in children age <2 years. The main exposure variable was antenatal IFA supplementation. Multivariate Poisson regression analysis was performed. In our sample, 31% and 10% of Nepalese children age <2 years were stunted and severely stunted, respectively. The adjusted relative risk of being stunted was 14% lower in children whose mothers used IFA supplements compared to those whose mothers did not use (aRR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.77–0.97). Additionally, the adjusted relative risk of being stunted was significantly reduced by 23% when antenatal IFA supplementation was started ≤6 months with ≥90 IFA supplements used during pregnancy (aRR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.64–0.92). Antenatal IFA supplementation significantly reduced the risk of stunting in Nepalese children age <2 years. The greatest impact on the risk reduction of child stunting was when IFA supplements were started ≤6 months with ≥90 supplements were used.     

犊牛隐孢子虫卵囊的分离与鉴定

采集南京地区三个奶牛场2～4周龄犊牛新鲜粪便,应用不连续蔗糖密度梯度离心法分离纯化隐孢子虫卵囊,然后通过用光学显微镜观察,单克隆抗体间接免疫荧光试验和小鼠感染试验进行鉴定。结果显示,该地区犊牛感染的隐孢子虫主要为小型隐孢子虫（Cryptosporidium parvum）,这一结果为该地区隐孢子虫病的防治提供了科学依据,同时为开展隐孢子虫病的研究提供了新的分离株。这是国内首次应用单克隆抗体技术和免疫荧光技术鉴定小隐孢子虫卵囊。     

Macrophages from disease resistant B2 haplotype chickens activate T lymphocytes more effectively than macrophages from disease susceptible B19 birds

Resistance to respiratory pathogens, including coronavirus-induced infection and clinical illness in chickens has been correlated with the B (MHC) complex and differential ex vivo macrophage responses. In the current study, in vitro T lymphocyte activation measured by IFNγ release was significantly higher in B2 versus B19 haplotypes. AIV infection of macrophages was required to activate T lymphocytes and prior in vivo exposure of chickens to NP AIV plasmid enhanced responses to infected macrophages. This study suggests that the demonstrated T lymphocyte activation is in part due to antigen presentation by the macrophages as well as cytokine release by the infected macrophages, with B2 haplotypes showing stronger activation. These responses were present both in CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes. In contrast, T lymphocytes stimulated by ConA showed greater IFNγ release of B19 haplotype cells, further indicating the greater responses in B2 haplotypes to infection is due to macrophages, but not T cells. In summary, resistance of B2 haplotype chickens appears to be directly linked to a more vigorous innate immune response and the role macrophages play in activating adaptive immunity.     

徐州市1977—1993年疟疾IFA结果初析

本文报告了原间日疟流行区徐州市两个监测点居民和１５岁以下儿童用ＩＦＡ试验进行１７年疟疾抗体调查的结果。疟疾年带虫发病率与人群疟疾抗体阳性率呈正相关（ｒ＝０．７０，Ｐ＜０．０１），流动人口疟疾抗体阳性率和当地居民疟疾抗体阳性率有显著的差异（Ｕ＝１１．８７，Ｐ＜０．０１）。自１９８６年基本消灭疟疾后，每年流行季节末期人群抗体阳性率为０．０３％￣４．２６％，儿童抗体阳性率为０￣３．５％。显示疟疾传播已得     

防止白蛉叮吸以降低犬源型黑热病传播风险的效果评价

目的应用干预措施防止白蛉-犬接触,探索控制黑热病传播的有效方法。方法在文县选择近5年发病率和犬数相近的19个村,以乡为单位分为3组在6~9月实施干预措施。对照组(铁楼乡)无干预措施;石坊乡采取的干预措施为犬喷洒高效氟氯氰菊酯,在6月和8月各一次;石鸡坝乡为采取犬喷洒高效氟氯氰菊酯2次,同时居民使用杀虫剂浸泡蚊帐。干血斑法采集干预前后血清,免疫荧光分析(Immunoflurescence,IFA)法检测黑热病血清抗体。应用χ2检验分析干预前后及干预后各组间血清抗体阳性率的差异。结果家犬喷药组干预前检测血清抗体1 028份,阳性率为5.06%,干预后血清754份,阳性率为3.45%,干预前后差异有统计学意义(χ2=13.76,P﹥0.05)。犬杀虫剂喷洒和悬挂药浸蚊帐组干预前检测血清抗体1 342份,阳性率为4.62%;干预后检测549份,阳性率为1.82%,干预前后差异有统计学意义(χ2=2.87,P﹥0.05)。干预后家犬药喷组、联用蚊帐组与对照组血清抗体阳性率χ2分析比较,差异均有统计学意义(前者χ2=15.27,P﹥0.05;后者χ2=5.12,P﹥0.05)。结论夏秋两季家犬杀虫剂喷洒能有效防止白蛉-犬接触,切断黑热病传播环节,降低黑热病高流行区人群发病率。     

应用Vero细胞分离新型布尼亚病毒

目的从不明原因发热伴血小板减少综合征患者血液中分离新型布尼亚病毒。方法应用Vero细胞培养法分离病毒,并用间接免疫荧光检测法(IFA)、实时荧光聚合酶链反应(Real-time PCR)技术进行鉴定。结果从24份不明原因发热患者血液标本中分离出6株发热伴血小板减少综合征布尼亚病毒。结论应用Vero细胞培养法可以直接从不明原因发热患者血液中分离发热伴血小板减少综合征布尼亚病毒。