Decreased serum levels of sCD40L and IL-31 correlate in treated patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

The CD40/CD40L system is a binding key for co-stimulation of immune cells. Soluble form of CD40L has been widely studied as marker of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Here we analyze serum concentrations of sCD40L, as well as 14 cytokines, in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) treated with Glatiramer acetate or Interferon beta. In the healthy control group, we found in serum a highly positive correlation between sCD40L and Interleukin (IL)-31, an anti-inflammatory Th2 cytokine. Additionally, an important reduction in IL-31 and sCD40L serum levels, as well as a significant reduction in CD40 mRNA expression and complete depletion of CD40L mRNA, detected from peripheral blood cells, was found in treated patients with MS. Therefore, sCD40L and IL-31 must be taken into account as possible prognostic markers when analyzing the disease progress of MS in order to provide more personalized treatment.     

A New Geranylated 2-Arylbenzofuran from Morus alba

Objective To study the chemical constituents from the root barks of Morus alba. Methods Various chromatographic techniques were used to separate the constituents and their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic interpretation. Results Six compounds were isolated from the root barks of M. alba. The structure of new compound, named as albafuran D(1), was established together with known compounds sanggenon H(2), kuwanon E(3), kuwanon U(4), kuwanon F(5), and benzokuwanon E(6). Conclusion Compound 1 is a new geranylated 2-arylbenzofuran.     

Comparison of serum IgE determination by radioimmunoassay and by single radial immunodiffusion

Two commercially available methods of total serum IgE determination have been evaluated, viz: the radioimmunosorbent test (RIST) and the assay by single radial immunodiffusion (RID). RIST was found a suitable and rapid method for the wide range of IgE concentrations to be expected in the sera of an allergic population. The RID method has a lower limit of detection of about 1000 I.U./ml; over this value, both techniques provided statistically correlated results. However, for technological reasons RID was considered less suitable for routine application.     

3 L袋补液法对肾移植术后患者早期血糖水平的影响

目的 观察3 L袋补液法对肾移植术后早期血糖水平的影响.方法 随机抽取肾移植手术的患者60例,分A、B2组,A组患者采用循环补液法,B组患者采用3 L袋补液法,分别在术前、术后即时、术后8,16,24 h、术后第2、3、4、5、6、7天监测血糖.结果 采用3 L袋补液法患者各时间点血糖均低于循环补液法,尤以术后24 h到术后第4天为甚,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 3 L袋补液法对控制肾移植术后早期血糖明显优于循环补液法.