Increased reactivity to chemical but not to heat noxious stimuli in mice producing anti-idiotypic antibodies for substance P

Mice immunized against anti-substance P (anti-SP) monoclonal antibodies produced anti-SP anti-idiotypic antibodies (SPAb2). In a previous report. SPAb2 antibodies were found to have in vitro biological activity i.e. to behave either as agonists or as antagonists for substance P (SP) depending on the biological test. In this study, the involvement of SPAb2 in vivo biological activity has been tested. Because of the possible implication of SP in the generation and transmission of nociceptive information, we have tested the responsiveness of SPAb2 responding mice in behavioral nociceptive tests. SPAb2 mice showed very small behavioral variations in the hot plate test as compared with a control group of mice immunized against an unrelated monoclonal antibody. In the formalin test, however, SPAb2 mice displayed a significant increase in paw licking time, which was significantly correleted with SPAb2 serum concentration. These results are discussed in terms of the use of SPAb2 as pharmacological tools for studying the biological properties of SP receptors and more generally of auto anti-idiotypic antibodies in modulating behavior responses.     

Latex allergy in infants younger than 1 year

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of latex allergy in children is increasing worldwide. Previous multiple operations or atopic predisposition are known risk factors. In contrast, only sporadic cases of latex allergy have been reported in infants younger than 1 year, and the causative latex-containing products or symptoms in young infants have not been studied in detail. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to analyse the symptoms and risk factors of latex allergy in young infants. METHODS: Cases of latex allergy in infants younger than 1 year were studied in detail. Clinical course, causative latex-containing products were spotted and detailed analysis for latex allergy in patients and patients' parents was performed. CONCLUSION: We report nine cases of latex allergy in infants younger than 1 year. None of them have any abnormality or previous operations. Six patients had atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome, one patient had bronchial asthma, whereas two patients had no overt allergic diseases. Symptoms of latex allergy were wheezing, swelling of face or lips, facial rash, or anaphylaxis, and causative latex-containing products were teat, pacifier, nose cleaner, teether, balloon, or enema tube. All of the nine patients had positive skin prick test to latex and extract from causative latex-containing products, whereas eight patients had positive serum latex-specific IgE. Study for family history revealed that latex allergy was noted in either father or mother in six patients, in both father and mother in one patient, whereas no latex allergy was noted in parents in two patients. It should be noted that all of these patients had latex-induced symptoms at home. Latex allergy in young infants may not be unusual. Physicians should be aware of latex allergy, and care should be taken to avoid contact with latex in young infants, especially when there is family history for latex allergy.     

Low-dose endotoxin in allergic asthmatics: effect on bronchial and inflammatory response to cat allergen

BACKGROUND: Endotoxin was proposed to increase the severity of asthma. Endotoxin levels greatly differ according to settings. In domestic environments, airborne concentrations may be dramatically low compared with levels reported in occupational settings. OBJECTIVE: Our first objective was therefore to assess the effect of inhalation of low-level lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the immediate and late-phase asthmatic bronchial response. Our second objective was to evaluate the effect of exposure to LPS on the local and systemic inflammatory response. METHODS: Nineteen asthmatics sensitized to cat underwent on two separate occasions a bronchial challenge test to cat allergen (cat BCT) preceded randomly by a pre-exposure to either saline or LPS (2 microg). Methacholine challenge test was performed 24 h before exposure to LPS or saline. The Borg scale for dyspnoea and lung function were recorded before and after exposure to LPS or saline, and before and after cat BCT. Induced sputum and blood samples were collected before and after cat BCT, and analysed for cell counts and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels. RESULTS: Inhalation of 2 microg LPS did not induce any changes in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), FEF 25-75 and Borg scale of dyspnoea. It neither modified Fel d 1 PD20 (45.03 ng as compared with 87.03; P=0.42). As well, there was no significant difference in late-phase reaction. Pre-exposure to LPS did not influence eosinophil counts or ECP levels in blood and sputum. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that pre-exposure to LPS at low levels, which may be encountered in domestic environment, had no significant effect on the immediate and late-phase bronchial response to cat allergen. It neither modified local and systemic eosinophilic inflammation.     

含钛合金及Ni-Cr合金与瓷粉结合强度的实验研究

目的:研究含钛合金(4%～6%)[熔附HeraCeramJC瓷粉(A1组)和Vita瓷粉(A2组)]、HeraCeram公司的Ni-Cr合金[熔附HeraCeramJC瓷粉(B1组)和Vita瓷粉(B2组)]及西北有色金属厂的Ni-Cr合金[熔附HeraCeramJC瓷粉(C1组)和Vita瓷粉(C2组)]的金-瓷结合强度,为临床工作提供参考。方法:运用三点弯曲法对各组的金-瓷结合强度进行测试,并对金-瓷结合界面进行电镜观察分析。结果:电镜显示各组瓷粉均与金属基体结合紧密,无明显气泡、中间层等缺陷。结合强度:A1组:(41.08±2.98)MPa,B1组:(46.05±3.16)MPa,C1组:(44.04±3.69)Mpa;A2组:(42.29±3.38)MPa,B2组:(42.05±3.26)MPa,C2组:(47.47±2.92)MPa。①HeraCeramJC瓷粉与3种合金结合的结合强度比较:B1>A1(P<0.05);B1>C1、C1>A1(P>0.05)。②Vita瓷粉与3种合金结合的结合强度比较:C2>A2、C2>B2(P<0.05);A2>B2(P>0.05)。结论:本实验表明临床常用的3种非贵合金与瓷粉的金-瓷结合强度均大于ISO所要求的基本值25MPa,但各组间还存在一定差异,为临床工作中根据患者的具体情况选择合适的烤瓷修复基底材料和瓷粉提供实验依据。     

Does the Farnsworth D15 test predict the ability to name colours?

Background: The Farnsworth D15 test is designed to categorise colour vision deficiency as severe or moderate. The level of difficulty of the test was set so that those who passed it should be able to recognise surface colour codes, such as those used for electrical wiring. The test is widely used to provide advice to patients with abnormal colour vision and is often used for occupational selection when reliable recognition of surface colour codes is required. However, there has been only one previous study of the correlation between performance at the D15 test and the naming of surface colour codes and there has been no study of whether a person who passes the D15 can reliably name surface colours. Methods: One hundred and two people aged 11 to 65 years with abnormal colour vision were recruited from consecutively presenting optometric patients and were asked to name the colours of fabric, paint and cotton thread samples. There were 10 colours in each class of material and the samples were presented in a large (five to 10 degree angular subtense) and small size (2.5 deg and a single thread). The errors made were compared to those made by an age‐matched control group of equal size with normal colour vision. Results: The correlations between the Farnsworth D15 colour confusion index and colour naming errors were 0.62 for the large stimuli and 0.73 for the small stimuli. Its sensitivity and specificity identifymg those who made more errors than the worst performing colour normal person were 0.80 and 0.69 (large stimuli) and 0.75 and 0.71 (small stimuli). A Nagel anomaloscope range of less than 35 scale units provides essentially the same sensitivity and specificity. Conclusions: About 40 per cent of those with abnormal colour vision can name the main colours correctly under good visibility conditions. The D15 test is an imperfect predictor of those who can name surface colour codes correctly but it does provide useful information for general counselling. It is not suitable as a single test for occupational selection because it will pass 20 per cent who cannot name surface colours correctly and fail 30 per cent who can. In occupations in which recognition of surface colour codes is of critical importance, it may be best not to select people with abnormal colour vision because of the lack of a colour vision test that is a perfect predictor of the ability to recognise surface colours.     

图片学习测验在识别老年人轻微认知功能损害中的作用

目的　分析图片学习测验在识别老年人轻微认知功能损害 (MCI)中的作用。方法　选择符合MCI诊断标准的老年人 4 8例与正常对照组 5 6名完成图片学习测验、简易智能状态检查、听觉词语学习测验及多种非记忆测验。结果　图片学习测验的 3个记忆指标 (图片短时记忆、延迟记忆和学习记忆 )在MCI与正常对照组之间有非常显著的差异。已经给出这三个图片记忆指标区分MCI与正常老年人的划界分、敏感性和特异性。结论　图片记忆操作简便、信度和效度好 ,可以作为临床医师筛选MCI的有效工具     

艾滋病与系统红斑狼疮各125例头发ICP35种元素检验结果比较

笔者分别对125例Aids与正常人、SLE与正常人进行比较基础上。对125例Aids和SLE配对，用ICP法测35种元素，在本文报告31种元素检验结果，经t一检验：平均值的成对二样分析发现：Aids与SLE发检结果比较：Bi、Li、Mn、Ti、A1等5种元素含量为正相关；而Cu、Co、Ge、Mo、Sb、Ce、La、Ga、Th等9种元素含量呈负相关。从而揭示了免疫缺陷病毒感染者与系统性红斑狼疮患者体内元素代谢的差异，为当今世界攻克免疫性疾病指出方向，证明元素平衡医学食疗是解决Aids、SLE、癌症等免疫性疾病必由之路。     

幽门弯曲菌感染快速诊断试剂盒的研制及临床应用

介绍两种幽门弯曲菌(CP)感染快速诊断试剂盒的制备,用其检测244例胃粘膜标本,同时与细菌培养及组织学检查结果比较。试剂盒1号、3号对诊断CP感染的敏感性分别为97％和91％,均无假阳性。CP数量、试剂盒中尿素浓度与试剂盒的反应时间呈负相关。用试剂盒3号检测在10min之内即可出结果。具有敏感性强,特异性高及简便、快速的优点,尤其适于在内镜室内使用。