Urinary leukotriene E(4), eosinophil protein X, and nasal eosinophil cationic protein are not associated with respiratory symptoms in 1-year-old children

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic airways inflammation forms the pathophysiologic basis for a proportion of children at risk of developing recurrent wheezing. Early preventive measures and/or anti-inflammatory treatment may be guided by the identification of such children. We aimed to study the relationship between respiratory symptoms and indirect markers of airway inflammation. METHODS: We measured eosinophil protein X (EPX) and leukotriene E(4) (LTE(4)) in urine, as well as eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in nasal lavages, in a random sample of 1-year-old children with a family history of atopy who participated in an international multicenter study on the prevention of allergy in Europe. For urine analyses, 10 children with upper respiratory illness and 19 healthy children without a family history of atopy were also enrolled. Endogenous urinary LTE(4) was separated by HPLC and determined by enzyme immunoassay with a specific antibody. The concentrations of nasal ECP and urinary EPX were determined by RIA analysis. RESULTS: One hundred and ten children (mean age: 1.05+/-0.1 years) were enrolled. Prolonged coughing during the first year of life was reported in 29 children, wheezy breathing in 17 children, and dry skin in 33 children. A doctor's diagnosis of wheezy bronchitis was given to 17 children. Sensitization to dust mites (specific IgE > or =1.43 ML/units) was detected in two children. Children with a doctor's diagnosis of atopic dermatitis within the first 12 months of life (n=6) had significantly higher urinary EPX than children without this (66.7 vs 30.1 microg/mmol creatinine, P=0.01). Urinary excretion of EPX and LTE4 showed a weak correlation (r=0.22, P=0.02). There were no significant differences in urinary excretion of EPX and LTE(4) or nasal ECP between children with and without respiratory symptoms (P>0.1). CONCLUSIONS: At the age of 1 year, urinary EPX is increased in children with atopic dermatitis. With regard to respiratory symptoms, urinary and nasal inflammatory parameters are not helpful in characterizing the phenotype of a single patient.     

一种新型增殖型腺病毒治疗肝癌的体外研究

目的评价增殖腺病毒 CNHK500对肝癌细胞的治疗效果。方法利用病毒增殖实验、细胞活力实验(MTT)、蛋白印迹分析来检测增殖病毒 CNHK500在端粒酶阳性的肝癌细胞株 HepGⅡ、Hep3B、SMMC7721及正常细胞中选择性增殖和溶解细胞的特性。结果 CNHK500感染人肝癌细胞株 HepGⅡ、Hep3B、SMMC7721细胞后大量增殖,在感染后96小时增殖倍数分别为52000、396984.9和632911.3倍,同野生型5型腺病毒(wtAd5)类似。然而在正常细胞中,CNHK500的增殖能力较 wtAd5大大减弱,感染96小时后仅增殖3.1～100倍,而 wtAd5却高达3160～17357倍。MTT 实验观察到在肝癌细胞 HepGⅡ和 Hep3B 中,感染后第7天达到半数杀伤的 MOI 值(IC50)分别为2和0.01,而在正常成纤维细胞 BJ 细胞中却高达1000。在常氧情况下,用蛋白印迹可在肿瘤细胞中检测到腺病毒 E1A 蛋白的表达,但在正常细胞却检测不到。E1B 蛋白仅在缺氧条件下(0.1%O_2)的肿瘤细胞中表达。结论实验结果表明 CNHK500能有效地选择性在肝癌细胞中增殖、复制、杀伤,而在正常细胞中增殖和溶解细胞能力却大大减弱。联合治疗基因,CNHK500可能为肝癌的治疗提供一种新的策略。     

奥斯医院分院

奥斯医院分院坐落在玛斯努娜河畔,是AZ医疗集团下属的妇儿医疗中心。2002年至2003年,威尔马科建筑工程设计研究所对其实施了全面的建筑改扩建工程,使其成为现代化的保健诊治双功能的医疗中心。     

Inhibiting effect of antisense hTRT on telomerase activity of human liver cancer cell line SMMC-7721

Objective: To induce changes in biological character of human liver cancer cell line SMMC-7721 by blocking the expression of telomerase genes hTRT and to explore its value in cancer gene therapy. Methods: The vehicle for eukaryotic expression of antisense hTRT was constructed and then transfected into SMMC-7721 cells. The effects of antisense hTRT gene on telomerase activity, cancer cell growth and malignant phenotypes were analyzed. Results: The obtained transfectants that could express antisense hTRT gene stably showed marked decrease in telomerase activity;the shortening of telomere was obvious; cells presented contact growth inhibition; in nude mice transplantation, the rate of tumor induction dramatically decreased. Conclusion : Antisense hTRT gene expression can significantly inhibit telomerase activity of cancer cells and decrease malignant phenotypes in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, as a telomerase inhibitor, antisense hTRT gene may be a new pathway for cancer therapy.     

原发性肝癌切除术后肝外脏器复发转移的临床研究

目的:了解影响原发性肝癌(PLC)患者术后肝外脏器转移性复发的因素,并提出相应治疗措施.方法:通过临床回顾性调查获取明确诊断的PLC术后发生远处转移的46例病人,对初次手术时的临床病理因素、出现转移复发灶时的临床因素及复发后的治疗因素进行统计处理,分析其与复发后生存率的关系.结果:①PLC术后,肝外转移复发最常见的脏器为肺、骨骼,且大多伴有残肝复发.②有肝外转移复发时,生存率明显低于单纯肝内复发者.③与复发后生存率有关的因素包括:临床病期、肿瘤分化程度、及时有效地控制残肝复发灶及切除肝外转移复发灶.结论:对肝外脏器转移复发灶的治疗原则是:在积极有效地控制残肝复发灶的前提下,尽可能切除转移灶,可望延长复发后生存时间.     

Effects of immediate versus delayed antihypertensive therapy on outcome in the Systolic Hypertension in Europe Trial

BACKGROUND: To assess the impact of immediate versus delayed antihypertensive treatment on the outcome of older patients with isolated systolic hypertension, we extended the double-blind placebo-controlled Systolic Hypertension in Europe (Syst-Eur) trial by an open-label follow-up study lasting 4 years. METHODS: The Syst-Eur trial included 4695 randomized patients with minimum age of 60 years and an untreated blood pressure of 160-219 mmHg systolic and below 95 mmHg diastolic. The double-blind trial ended after a median follow-up of 2.0 years (range 1-97 months). Of 4409 patients still alive, 3517 received open-label treatment consisting of nitrendipine (10-40 mg daily) with the possible addition of enalapril (5-20 mg daily), hydrochlorothiazide (12.5-25 mg daily), or both add-on drugs. Non-participants (n = 892) were also followed up. RESULTS: Median follow-up increased to 6.1 years. Systolic pressure decreased to below 150 mmHg (target level) in 2628 participants (75.0%). During the 4-year open-label follow-up, stroke and cardiovascular complications occurred at similar frequencies in patients formerly randomized to placebo and those continuing active treatment. These rates were similar to those previously observed in the active-treatment group during the double-blind trial. Considering the total follow-up of 4695 randomized patients, immediate compared with delayed antihypertensive treatment reduced the occurrence of stroke and cardiovascular complications by 28% (P = 0.01) and 15% (P = 0.03), respectively, with a similar tendency for total mortality (13%, P = 0.09). In 492 diabetic patients, the corresponding estimates of long-term benefit (P < 0.02) were 60, 51 and 38%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Antihypertensive treatment can achieve blood pressure control in most older patients with isolated systolic hypertension. Immediate compared with delayed treatment prevented 17 strokes or 25 major cardiovascular events per 1000 patients followed up for 6 years. These findings underscore the necessity of early treatment of isolated systolic hypertension.     

Post-exposure prophylaxis after occupational and non-occupational exposures to HIV: an overview of the policies implemented in 27 European countries

The aim of this survey, which was part of an English-French project supported by the Commission of the European Communities, was to compare access to HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in the occupational and non-occupational contexts in 27 European countries. A protocol was designed in May 1998 in collaboration with all country consultants. Data were collected at country level by each consultant through interviews, review of local and national recommendations and results of national or local surveys. The final comparative analysis was carried out from the individual country reports and a review of the literature. The large majority of European countries have detailed procedures regarding occupational PEP: 20/27 have produced national guidelines, three have adopted the US CDC recommendations and only four have no official recommendations. Although no standard protocol exists, the more common one is a four-week implementation of a triple combination therapy. In the context of non-occupational exposure to HIV, only five countries have guidelines with specific recommendations and one country has adopted the CDC recommendations. In the majority of cases (13 countries), PEP is never recommended but is only available in a few circumstances, sometimes with major limitations. In the last eight countries, such PEP is not currently available. Although the estimations of HIV transmission risks in occupational and non-occupational contexts are really comparables, easy access to PEP after accidental sexual or blood exposures is not guaranteed for the general population in the majority of European countries.     

脾虚证胃粘膜形态DNA cAMP微量元素改变的临床与实验研究

目的研究脾虚证实质、脾虚证与胃癌发生的关系。方法采用 IBAS2000型图象分析系统、501B 型扫描电镜附有9100/60型能量色散 X 分析仪,以及组织化学与放射免疫方法,检测脾虚证患者胃粘膜超微结构、肠化生亚型、DNA、cAMP、微量元素及其氧化物。结果脾虚色滞证患者中胃癌发生率、不完全性结肠型肠化生发生率和"背景病变"发生率均显著高于脾气虚证患者;胃粘膜 cAMP、Zn、Cu、ZnO 和 Cuo 含量,随着肠化生完全性至不完全性、小肠型至结肠型的顺序递减;而 DNA 含量则随以上顺序递增,P<0.05～0.001。胃粘膜不完全性结肠型肠化生组织内 DNA、cAMP、Zn、Cu、ZnO 和 CuO 含量则与胃癌组织同元显著性差异。结论脾虚气滞证胃病有癌变倾向;不完全性结肠型肠化生与胃癌的发生有密切关系。@何雪芬$目的!研究脾虚证实质、脾虚证与胃癌发生的关系。方法采用 IBAS2000型图象分析系统、501B 型扫描电镜附有9100/60型能量色散 X 分析仪,以及组织化学与放射免疫方法,检测脾虚证患者胃粘膜超微结构、肠化生亚型、DNA、cAMP、微量元素及其氧化物。结果脾虚色滞证患者中胃癌发生率、不完全性结肠型肠化生发生率和"背景病变"发生率均显著高于脾气虚证患者;胃粘膜 cAMP、Zn、Cu、ZnO 和 Cuo 含量,随着肠化生完全性至不完全性、小肠型至结肠型的顺序递减;而 DNA 含量则随以上顺序递增,P<0.05～0.001。胃粘膜不完全性结肠型肠化生组织内 DNA、cAMP、Zn、Cu、ZnO 和 CuO 含量则与胃癌组织同元显著性差异。结论脾虚气滞证胃病有癌变倾向;不完全性结肠型肠化生与胃癌的发生有密切关系。@尹玉芬$目的!研究脾虚证实质、脾虚证与胃癌发生的关系。方法采用 IBAS2000型图象分析系统、501B 型扫描电镜附有9100/60型能量色散 X 分析仪,以及组织化学与放射免疫方法,检测脾虚证患者胃粘膜超微结构、肠化生亚型、DNA、cAMP、微量元素及其氧化物。结果脾虚色滞证患者中胃癌发生率、不完全性结肠型肠化生发生率和"背景病变"发生率均显著高于脾气虚证患者;胃粘膜 cAMP、Zn、Cu、ZnO 和 Cuo 含量,随着肠化生完全性至不完全性、小肠型至结肠型的顺序递减;而 DNA 含量则随以上顺序递增,P<0.05～0.001。胃粘膜不完全性结肠型肠化生组织内 DNA、cAMP、Zn、Cu、ZnO 和 CuO 含量则与胃癌组织同元显著性差异。结论脾虚气滞证胃病有癌变倾向;不完全性结肠型肠化生与胃癌的发生有密切关系。     

The diagnosis and management of allergic reactions in patients sensitized to non-specific lipid transfer proteins

Sensitization to one or more non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs), initially thought to exist mainly in southern Europe, is becoming accepted as a cause of allergic reactions to plant foods across Europe and beyond. The peach nsLTP allergen Pru p 3 is a dominant sensitizing allergen and peaches a common food trigger, although multiple foods can be involved. A frequent feature of reactions is the requirement for a cofactor (exercise, alcohol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Cannabis sativa) to be present for a food to elicit a reaction. The variability in the food and cofactor triggers makes it essential to include an allergy-focused diet and clinical history in the diagnostic workup. Testing on suspected food triggers should also establish whether sensitization to nsLTP is present, using purified or recombinant nsLTP allergens such as Pru p 3. The avoidance of known trigger foods and advice on cofactors is currently the main management for this condition. Studies on immunotherapy are promising, but it is unknown whether such treatments will be useful in populations where Pru p 3 is not the primary sensitizing allergen. Future research should focus on the mechanisms of cofactors, improving diagnostic accuracy and establishing the efficacy of immunotherapy.