Inhaled allergen-driven CD1c up-regulation and enhanced antigen uptake by activated human respiratory-tract dendritic cells in atopic asthma

Background Dendritic cells (DC) mediate inflammation in rodent models of allergic airway disease, but the role played by human respiratory‐tract DC (hRTDC) in atopic asthma remains poorly defined. Recent data suggest that CD1 antigen presentation by hRTDC may contribute to asthma pathogenesis. Objective To investigate the influence of hRTDC on the balance between atopy and allergic asthma in human subjects and to determine whether CD1 expression by hRTDC is modulated during asthmatic inflammation. Methods Sputum cells were induced from steroid‐naïve, allergen‐challenged and allergen‐naïve subjects (atopic asthmatics, atopic non‐asthmatics and non‐atopic controls). hRTDC were identified using monoclonal antibody labelling and analysis by flow cytometry. Results hRTDC stained HLA‐DR⁺ (negative for markers of other cell lineages) were predominantly myeloid and comprised ∼0.5% of viable sputum cells. Sputum cells were potent stimulators of allogeneic CD4⁺ naïve T cells and enrichment/depletion experiments correlated stimulatory potency with DC numbers. Sputum contained cells that exhibited typical dendritic morphology when analysed by electron microscopy. Myeloid hRTDC were endocytically active, but uptake of FITC‐dextran was enhanced in cells from asthmatics (P<0.001). Despite their increased endocytic capacity, asthmatic myeloid hRTDC appeared mature and expressed increased levels of maturation markers (P<0.05–P<0.001), CD1c, CD1d and langerin (P<0.05). CD1c expression by asthmatic myeloid hRTDC was enhanced upon in vivo allergen challenge (three to ninefold within 24 h; P<0.05). CD11c⁻CD123^high hRTDC were only detected in asthmatic sputum and were increased in number following allergen challenge. Conclusion Despite limited cell numbers, it proved possible to analyse human RTDC in induced sputum, providing evidence that increased antigen uptake and enhanced CD1 presentation by activated hRTDC may contribute to allergic airway disease. CD1 presentation by hRTDC in atopic asthma may therefore constitute a novel target for future intervention strategies.     

Familial spontaneous pneumothorax in three generations and its HLA

We experienced a case of familial spontaneous pneumothorax in three generations. Six of 13 family members had episodes of spontaneous pneumothorax. It is well established that there are some diseases associated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA). We performed HLA phenotyping for HLA of A, B and C. In our study, we detected the HLA haplotype A2, B61 in three of 4 who had episodes of spontaneous pneumothorax. The HLA haplotype A2, B70 were also detected in three of 4 who had episodes. This suggests that familial spontaneous pneumothorax might have hereditary factors.     

Protein kinase C agonist and antagonist effects in normal human epidermal keratinocytes

Abstract Several lines of evidence implicate protein kinase C (PKC) in the development of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, tumors which originate from epidermal keratinocytes. To examine PKC in a model relevant to human skin, we exposed normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) in serum-free media to a variety of PKC agonists and antagonists. NHEK PKC activity increased up to 10-fold within the 1st hour of exposure to tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA), and gradually returned to control values within 72 h. TPA-induced PKC activity was enhanced by pretreatment of cultures with protein and RNA synthesis inhibitors. TPA-induced growth arrest and differentiation was antagonized by staurosporine. Down-regulation by bryostatin pretreatment blocked TPA-stimulated differentiation. Our overall conclusion is that activation of PKC in cultured human keratinocytes is required for differentiation. These results are crucial to the analysis of compounds suspected of promoting or inhibiting epidermal tumors.     

Lipid Peroxidation and Vitamin E in Red Blood Cells and Plasma in Hemodialysis Patients Under rhEPO Treatment

Abstract: Lipid peroxidation, measured by malonyldial-dehyde (MDA) and vitamin E in red blood cells (RBC) and plasma, was investigated in 25 hemodialysis (HD) patients before and after 6 months rhEPO therapy. RBC-MDA was significantly elevated, but plasma MDA was in the reference range. After recombinant human erythro-poietin (rhEPO) treatment, the MDA level was significantly decreased in both compartments. Marked vitamin E deficiency was established in RBC as well as in plasma. rhEPO therapy restored vitamin E levels in both compartments. Our data suggest a possible positive rhEPO-antioxidant effect in HD patients.     

Analysis of Implantation in Assisted Reproduction Through the Use of Serial Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Measurements

Purpose: Our purpose was to examine implantation of singleton pregnancies achieved following various assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) through the appearance and rising titers of serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels. Methods: A total of 114 singleton pregnancies resulting from in vitro fertilization and intrauterine insemination was analyzed. Patients were divided into five groups according to the type of ovarian stimulation protocol [gonadotropin stimulation with/without the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa), long protocol, or flare-up technique] and to the day of embryo transfer (day 2 or day 3 after oocyte retrieval). Serial serum hCG levels were measured between 10 and 25 days after fertilization and log-transformed. Linear regression analyses were performed and extrapolated to hCG = 10 mIU/ml (hCG ₁₀ ), which was used as an estimate of detectable implantation. The slopes of the regression lines were used to estimate the rising speed of hCG. Results: There were no significant differences in the days of hCG in maternal serum to reach 10 mIU/ml (implantation) or in the slopes of the regression lines for all five studied groups. Conclusions: The appearance of hCG in maternal serum was used to assess the time of clinically detectable implantation. Furthermore, because hCG production is a marker of trophoblastic activity, its serum doubling time was used as an indicator of embryo quality. Results showed that in various ART protocols with and without GnRHa, there were no significant differences in implantation time or embryo quality. Embryo development in early pregnancy follows a preprogrammed-timing schedule and depends mainly on the embryonic age of the health, successfully implanted conceptus.     

甲氟哌酸药代动力学研究

本文报道国产甲氟哌酸片剂的人体药代动力学研究结果。血、尿药物浓度用微生物打孔法测定。健康志愿者口服甲氟哌酸400mg片剂后,体内药物转运过程符合一室开放模型。甲氟哌酸的血药浓度达峰时间、峰浓度为1.27小时和4.76μg/ml。T_(1/2)Ka和T_(1/2)Ke分别为0.22和10.40小时。研究结果表明,甲氟哌酸吸收快,达峰迅速,血清峰浓度有所提高,消除半衰期长,体内分布广泛,值得在临床推广使用。     

Transhemation of bovine and human hemoglobin polymers in a simulated circulatory system

All-Union Hematology Research Center, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR A. I. Vorob'ev.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 112, No. 11, pp. 500–501, November, 1991.     

人精子穿卵改良试验对不同生育状态男子生育力测定的价值

目的　本研究用一种经改良的人精子穿卵试验 (SPA)处理人精子 ,以探讨一种更简便、快速、经济 ,适合一般实验室要求的方法。方法　将精子体外获能液用磷酸氢二钠把pH值调理至 8.2± 0 .2 ;用普通隔水式恒温培养箱进行培养 ;对 75例不同生育状态男子生育力进行测定 (其中 2 5例有生育力男子 ;2 5例“原因不明”不育男子 ;及 2 5例输精管吻合术后 )。结果　 3种不同生育状态男子的SPA值分别是 (4 7.12± 9.92 ) % ;(2 1.73± 9.91) % ,及 (2 8.0 4± 9.91) %。前两者在统计学上有显著差异 ,(P<0 .0 1) ;后两者在统计学上无明显差异 (P >0 .0 5 )。结果表明经用改良的精子获能液并在普通恒温培养箱培养后精子的活率和活力都有较大的提高 ,这有利于精子的长期获能及提高精子的穿透能力。结论　本研究提示改良后的人精子穿卵试验处理精子确实更简便、快速、经济 ,适合一般实验室要求 ,便于推广。     

Cultured human granulosa cells as a model for corpus luteum function: relative roles of gonadotrophin and low density lipoprotein studied under defined culture conditions.

In primates, corpus luteum development involves both gonadotrophin stimulation and exposure to low density lipoprotein (LDL) delivered through vascularization of the granulosa cell-derived layer. These regulatory influences were modelled in vitro using granulosa cells obtained during in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles controlled with gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue, human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). Granulosa cells were cultured in defined medium on extracellular matrix. Without gonadotrophin or LDL in the medium, progesterone production declined progressively. With LDL alone, there was a short-lived elevation of progesterone output which subsequently declined. Culture with HCG alone resulted in a relatively unchanged rate of steroid production over 5 days despite morphological development. This contrasted with a marked and sustained increase in progesterone output over the same time when granulosa cells were cultured with combined HCG/LDL. Cultures were challenged with combined HCG/LDL on day 5. Where initial incubation included HCG, the challenge resulted in a recovery of progesterone output to values comparable to those of granulosa cells exposed to continuous HCG/LDL. Initial incubation without gonadotrophin led to a reduced response. Results suggest that LDL delivery to granulosa cells of the early corpus luteum causes a short-lived period of progesterone production. Sustained luteinization of granulosa cells and maintenance of gonadotrophin responsiveness requires continued exposure to gonadotrophin in the luteal phase.