Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – Evidence for an autoimmune disease

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a frequent and severe chronic disease drastically impairing life quality. The underlying pathomechanism is incompletely understood yet but there is convincing evidence that in at least a subset of patients ME/CFS has an autoimmune etiology. In this review, we will discuss current autoimmune aspects for ME/CFS. Immune dysregulation in ME/CFS has been frequently described including changes in cytokine profiles and immunoglobulin levels, T- and B-cell phenotype and a decrease of natural killer cell cytotoxicity. Moreover, autoantibodies against various antigens including neurotransmitter receptors have been recently identified in ME/CFS individuals by several groups. Consistently, clinical trials from Norway have shown that B-cell depletion with rituximab results in clinical benefits in about half of ME/CFS patients. Furthermore, recent studies have provided evidence for severe metabolic disturbances presumably mediated by serum autoantibodies in ME/CFS. Therefore, further efforts are required to delineate the role of autoantibodies in the onset and pathomechanisms of ME/CFS in order to better understand and properly treat this disease.     

Comparison of biliary atresia with and without intracranial hemorrhage

Background/Purpose

Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a severe complication of biliary atresia (BA). We aimed to compare the clinical data of BA patients with and without ICH.

Computed Tomography Measures of Nutrition in Patients With End-Stage Liver Disease Provide a Novel Approach to Characterize Deficits

Background

Patients with cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease (ESLD) develop severe nutrition deficits that affect morbidity and mortality. Laboratory measures of nutrition fail to fully assess clinical deficits in muscle mass and fat stores. This study employs computed tomography imaging to assess muscle mass and subcutaneous and visceral fat stores in patients with ESLD.

高良姜黄酮提取物特征谱分析及成分确认

目的:建立不同批次高良姜提取物的特征谱并进行成分鉴定。方法:采用HPLC分析高良姜提取物的特征指纹谱。SunfireTMC18色谱柱,流动相乙腈-0.1%的甲酸溶液梯度洗脱,分析时间60 min,检测波长208 nm,柱温30℃,流速1.0 mL.min-1。采用超高效液相色谱串联四级杆飞行时间质谱联用技术(UPLC/Q-TOF MS)进行分析,对主要成分进行鉴定。结果:特征谱共标出10个共有峰。鉴定出提取物中12个化合物。结论:采用HPLC特征指纹谱能有效控制高良姜提取物的质量。