Twisted plywood architecture of collagen fibrils in human compact bone osteons

Summary Ultrathin sections of decalcified human compact bone, observed by transmission electron microscopy, reveal that collagen fibrils can be distributed in the form of a superimposed series of nested arcs. This characteristic pattern has never been interpreted in previous works on compact bone structure. We demonstrate, by goniometric observations at the ultrastructural level, that such series of nested arcs are a consequence of the “twisted plywood” architecture of collagen fibrils in the compact bone matrix. In the same specimens, an “orthogonal plywood” disposition of collagen fibrils is also observed; a transition exists between these two types of orders. We show that the “twisted plywood structure” accounts well for certain optical properties of osteons, observed in polarizing microscopy, described as “intermediate osteons.” The particular geometry of collagen fibrils, leading to nested arcs in oblique sections, is analogous to the distribution of molecules in certain liquid crystals (called cholesteric liquid crystals). The principle of a liquid crystalline self-assembly of the collagen matrix in bone is therefore discussed.     

Photoleukomelanodermatitis (Kobori) Induced by Afloqualone

We reported a case of photoleukomelanodermatitis (Kobori) type drug eruption due to afloqualone (Arofuto®). The patient was given afloqualone and imipramine hydrochloride (Chrytemin®) for cervical spondylosis from November of 1990. Edematous erythema with slight itching appeared on the sun-exposed areas in December of 1990. As drug eruption was suspected, drugs were ceased, and the cutaneous lesions almost disappeared but pigmentations and depigmentations developed in spots in sun-exposed areas in March of 1991. Photopatch and oral challenge tests were positive.     

新疆奎屯地区口腔粘膜疾病调查

本文介绍新疆奎屯地区常见口腔粘膜疾病患病情况,其罹患率与上海地区同类调查相比,除白斑外其他病种罹患率均偏高,可能与生活水平偏低或某些全身疾病有关。     

高压液相色谱纯化肾综合征出血热病毒血凝素及其性状分析

用吐温８０－乙醚（ＴＥ）法、蔗糖－丙酮（ＳＡ）法、丙酮－乙醚（ＡＥ）法分别从肾综合征出血热病毒（ＨＦＲＳＶ）感染的Ｖｅｒｏ－Ｅ６细胞培养和乳小白鼠脑组织中制备病毒血凝素（ＨＡＮ），定量对比证明其制备效果，结果无明显差异。粗制ＨＡＮ经高压液相色谱（ＥＰＬＣ）纯化，有４个洗脱峰，血凝活性物质存在于峰１。纯化ＨＡＮ在ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ中呈单一区带，分子量５６．６ＫＤ，ＨＡＮ相对含量７９．６％。纯化ＨＡＮ在蔗糖密度梯度液中有一条１．１５～１．１６ｇ／ｃｍ３的沉淀，粗制ＨＡＮ有３条沉淀。电镜观察纯化ＨＡＮ中为大小相等的球状颗粒。粗制ＨＡＮ的高密度沉淀中可见到病样颗粒。对几种常用消毒剂、氧化剂、去垢剂对ＨＡＮ的灭活作用做了实验对比观察。     

PHA RMA COKINETICS OF CUPRIC－BIS（SALICYLALDEHYDE－2－FURA NTHIOCA RBOXY－HYDRAZONATE） DICHLORIDE（CSFTCH） IN RABBITS

ＰＨＡＲＭＡＣＯＫＩＮＥＴＩＣＳＯＦＣＵＰＲＩＣ－ＢＩＳ（ＳＡＬＩＣＹＬＡＬＤＥＨＹＤＥ－２－ＦＵＲＡＮＴＨＩＯＣＡＲＢＯＸＹ－ＨＹＤＲＡＺＯＮＡＴＥ）ＤＩＣＨＬＯＲＩＤＥ（ＣＳＦＴＣＨ）ＩＮＲＡＢＢＩＴＳ￥ＧａｏＹｕｎｓｈｅｎｇ；ＺｈｕＹｕｙｕｎ（...     

Oral tuberculosis associated with a treatment with anti-rheumatic drugs

BACKGROUND: The use of immunosuppressive medication is a dominant risk factor for infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methotrexate (MTX) is one of the traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Adalimumab [a human anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNF-alpha) monoclonal antibody] represent an important advance in the treatment of RA and has been recently come in use. TNF-alpha plays a role in the host defense against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and notably in granuloma formation. Infections occur at a high rate among those who use one or the combination of the two medications. METHOD: We examined a female patient that was referred to our department for evaluation and treatment of a granular lesion on the soft palate and uvula, complaining of mild dysphagia. The patient was treated for 4 months with MTX and adalimumab for RA before the oral lesion appeared. RESULTS: The histopathological examination of a specimen of the oral lesion, taken by biopsy, showed a chronic inflammation characterized by tuberculous granulomas. Polymerase chain reaction test and culture of a new specimen was positive for M. tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS: The therapeutic use of MTX or/and adalimumab for the treatment of RA or few others diseases, can cause oral tuberculosis.     

An alkylpolyglucoside surfactant as a prospective pharmaceutical excipient for topical formulations: The influence of oil polarity on the colloidal structure and hydrocortisone in vitro/in vivo permeation

There is a growing need for research into new skin- and environment-friendly surfactants. This paper focuses on a natural surfactant of an alkylpolyglucoside type, which can form both thermotropic and lyotropic liquid-crystalline phases. The aim of this study was to relate some physicochemical properties (characterised by polarisation and transmission electron microscopy, thermal analysis and rheology) of the three formulations based on cetearyl glucoside and cetearyl alcohol, to the results of in vitro and in vivo bioavailability of hydrocortisone (HC). The three formulations contained oils of different polarity (medium chain triglycerides: MG, isopropyl myristate: IPM and light liquid paraffin: LP), respectively. In vitro permeation was followed through the artificial skin constructs (ASC), while the parameters measured in vivo were erythema index: EI (using instrumental human skin blanching assay), transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum hydration (SCH). The vehicles based on cetearyl glucoside and cetearyl alcohol showed a complex colloidal structure of lamellar liquid-crystalline and lamellar gel-crystalline type, depending on oil polarity. Rheological profile of the vehicle was directly related to the in vitro profile of the HC permeation. In vivo results suggested that the vehicle with MG retarded the HC permeation, whereas less polar IPM and non-polar LP enhanced it. It is suggested that the enhancement is achieved either by a direct interaction with lipid lamellae of the SC or indirectly by improving skin hydration.

There were no adverse effects during in vivo study, which indicates a good safety profile of this alkylpolyglucoside surfactant.     

Epstein-Barr virus latent and replicative gene expression in oral hairy leukoplakia

Oral hairy leukoplakia is an epithelial lesion of the tongue associated with productive infection by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). However, no data concerning the pattern of EBV latent gene expression have been reported, and it remains unresolved whether true latent infection occurs in basal cell layers of oral hairy leukoplakia. We have studied six cases of oral hairy leukoplakia using monoclonal antibody immunohistology for EBV latent--EB nuclear antigen (EBNA) 1, EBNA 2 and latent membrane protein 1 (LMP 1); immediate-early (BZLF1); and replicative (EA, VCA, MA) proteins, and for the EBV-receptor (CD21 antigen). EBV DNA was demonstrated by nucleic acid in situ hybridization. Mid- to upper-zone keratinocytes contained EBV DNA and co-expressed EBNA 1, EBNA 2 (5 of 6 cases), LMP 1, BZLF1 protein, EA, VCA and MA. No EBV genome or gene expression could be demonstrated in basal or parabasal cells. Spinous keratinocytes were labelled by anti-CD21 antibodies HB5 and B2, but did not express the EBV-receptor as defined by reactivity with OKB7. The co-expression of latent and replicative infection-associated antigens is striking, indicating possible functional roles for latent proteins during the productive cycle. Our results suggest that oral hairy leukoplakia is caused by repeated direct infection of upper epithelial cells with virus from saliva or adjacent replicatively infected cells, rather than by a latent EBV infection of basal epithelial cells with a differentiation-dependent switch to productive infection as previously proposed.     

Oral function in patients wearing fixed prosthesis on osseointegrated implants in the maxilla: 3-year follow-up study

Seventeen consecutive selected patients rehabilitated by means of a full maxillary bridge on osseointegrated implants ad modem Brånemark were evaluated over a 3-yr period. Besides a subjective evaluation by means of a questionnaire an examination of the occlusal relationship, chewing force, chewing efficiency and interocclusal threshold level was performed before, immediately after, 3–6 months after, and finally 3 yr after bridge installation. All subjects were very pleased with the oral rehabilitation. The chewing force and the chewing efficiency development increased over time, while the threshold level for interocclusal detection remained unchanged. The clinical dysfunction index according to Helkimo indicated that there was no marked change in signs of dysfunction of the patients' masticatory systems during the observation period. From the present longitudinal investigation one can conclude that the replacement of a full maxillary denture with a fixed prosthesis on osseointegrated implants, facing a natural dentition or an osseointegrated implant supported bridge in the opposite jaw, leads to a progressive increase of chewing efficiency and chewing force, and a constant subjective improvement of jaw function, while no masticatory dysfunction seems to occur during the observation period.     

口服抗原对巨噬细胞共刺激分子CD80/CD86表达的影响

目的探讨口服抗原对巨噬细胞(M)共刺激分子CD80/CD86表达的影响及其在诱导妊娠免疫耐受中的作用。方法自然流产小鼠(CBA/J×DBA/2)分为免疫组和未免疫组,免疫组分别口服滋养细胞膜抗原(TMA2)和卵清蛋白(OVA),以正常妊娠小鼠(CBA/J×BALB/c)作为对照组。采用双标记流式细胞分析技术,分别检测各组小鼠脾脏及肠系膜淋巴结(MLN)CD80 M和CD86 M的表达。结果MLN内,未免疫组CD80 M表达明显高于对照组(P<0.05),而CD86 M含量明显低于对照组(P<0.001);TMA2免疫组CD80 M含量明显低于未免疫组(P<0.05);OVA免疫组CD86 M含量明显高于未免疫组(P<0.001)。脾脏内,CD80 M表达在各组间比较无显著差异;CD86M表达,未免疫组明显低于对照组(P<0.05),TMA2免疫组显著低于未免疫组(P<0.05),OVA免疫组则显著高于未免疫组(P<0.001)。结论流产的发生与M表面共刺激信号CD80/CD86异常有关;口服适当抗原可改变CD80/CD86 M表达模式,诱导妊娠免疫耐受的形成。