The CTLA-4 gene region of chromosome 2q33 is linked to, and associated with, type 1 diabetes. Belgian Diabetes Registry

Susceptibility to autoimmune insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetes mellitus is determined by a combination of environmental and genetic factors, which include variation in MHC genes on chromosome 6p21 (IDDM1) and the insulin gene on chromosome 11p15 (IDDM2). However, linkage to IDDM1 and IDDM2 cannot explain the clustering of type 1 diabetes in families, and a role for other genes is inferred. In the present report we describe linkage and association of type 1 diabetes to the CTLA-4 gene (cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated-4) on chromosome 2q33 (designated IDDM12). CTLA-4 is a strong candidate gene for T cell- mediated autoimmune disease because it encodes a T cell receptor that mediates T cell apoptosis and is a vital negative regulator of T cell activation. In addition, we provide supporting evidence that CTLA-4 is associated with susceptibility to Graves' disease, another organ- specific autoimmune disease.      

A coincidence of renal cell carcinoma and hematological malignancies

Hematological malignancies with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are rarely seen. We reported here two cases of coincidence of RCC with multiple myeloma (MM) and Hodgkin??s disease (HD). A 69-year-old male patient with tumor that was located at the upper pole of left kidney was admitted to our clinic. Partial tumoral resection was perfomed and stage-I RCC was diagnosed after the histopathological examination of tumor. Moreover, he was diagnosed with IgG kappa stage-IIA MM as a result of bone marrow examination and serum immunofixation electrophoresis. Radiotherapy, combination chemotherapy, and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) were performed. The patient is still alive who achieve a complete remission. A 53-year-old male patient suffered from cervival lymphadenopathy. He has a story of right radical nefrectomy that has been performed 4?years ago. Stage II-B lymphocyte-predominant HD was diagnosed. Combination chemotherapy was started, but relapse occurred 25?months later. ASCT was not planned due to cardiovascular problems and the patient died. Clinicans should keep in mind the coincidence of RCC with MM and HD.     

Successful treatment of oesophageal candidiasis by micafungin: a novel systemic antifungal agent

AIM: To determine the minimum effective dose and safety of micafungin in the treatment of HIV-related oesophageal candidiasis. METHOD: A total of 120 patients were enrolled in this open label study of the effects of daily 1 h infusions of micafungin on endoscopically proven fungal oesophagitis. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 12.5, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg of micafungin daily. Response was evaluated clinically and endoscopically. RESULTS: The protocol defined minimum effective dose of micafungin was 12.5 mg. The percentage of patients experiencing clearing of physical signs and symptoms showed a dose-response relationship and reached 94.7% in the 100 mg dose group. All patients in the 50, 75 and 100 mg dose groups achieved an endoscopically verified improvement in oesophagitis. Adverse effects of micafungin were generally mild and not dose-related. No serious renal, hepatic or drug-related infusion reactions were encountered. CONCLUSION: Micafungin was found to be effective, well-tolerated and safe. The minimum effective dose was found to be 12.5 mg and a significant linear trend in the successful treatment of oesophageal candidiasis was observed across the doses used with 75 and 100 mg dose levels achieving high rates of clinical and endoscopic cure.     

Mental health first aid training for the Chinese community in Melbourne,Australia: effects on knowledge about and attitudes toward people with mental illness

Background  

The aim of this study was to investigate in members of the Chinese community in Melbourne the impact of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training on knowledge about mental disorders and on attitudes to people with mental illness. The hypotheses were that at the end of the training participants would have increased knowledge of mental disorders and related treatments, and decreased negative attitudes towards people with mental disorders.     

GABAergic modulation of yawning behavior

The hypothetical modulation by GABAergic neurons of yawning behavior in the rat was explored with GABA-active drugs. Gamma-acetylenic-GABA, a specific inhibitor of GABA-T, increases yawning frequency when injected at a dose of 7 mg/kg. Baclofen, a GABAB agonist (3 mg/kg), inhibits yawning completely; GABA antagonists, bicuculline and picrotoxin, at subconvulsant doses, also decrease yawning. All drugs were injected intraperitoneally with the exception of apomorphine, which was injected subcutaneously. It is suggested that GABAB receptors play a role in yawning behavior by modulating ACh release, and that GABAA receptors may modify yawning frequency by modulating inhibitory influences on ACh neurons.     

Determination of the solute removal index for urea by using a partial spent dialysate collection method

In 22 hemodialysis patients, during a dialysis session, the solute removal index (SRI) for urea obtained from the use of a partial spent dialysate collection method was compared with that derived from the use of a total spent dialysate collection technique. The partial spent dialysate collection method was used to harvest a small representative sample of the total spent dialysate. The volumes of spent dialysate collected by the partial and the total spent dialysate collection methods were 1.7 +/- 0.4 L and 129.6 +/- 15.3 L, respectively. The total amount of urea nitrogen removed by dialysis as estimated by the partial spent dialysate collection method was similar to that determined by the total spent dialysate collection approach. As a result, the SRI value for urea obtained by the partial spent dialysate collection method (namely, 63% +/- 8%) correlated very well (r = 0.95, P < 0.001) with that derived by the total spent dialysate collection technique (namely, 62% +/- 8%). Our data suggest that it is feasible to use a simple partial spent dialysate collection method to obtain SRI results in patients treated with hemodialysis.     

逍遥丸的三维高效液相色谱法鉴定和指标成分的定量

用三维高效液相色谱(three dimensional HPLC)法对中成药逍遥丸进行了分析。结果表明该法用于逍遥丸中单味中药鉴定及其指标成分(marker substances)含量测定均得到满意结果。