Lack of ceramide synthase 2 suppresses the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by impairing the migratory capacity of neutrophils

Ceramide synthases (CerS) synthesise ceramides of defined acyl chain lengths, which are thought to mediate cellular processes in a chain length-dependent manner. In experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), we observed a significant elevation of CerS2 and its products, C24-ceramides, in CD11b⁺ cells (monocytes and neutrophils) isolated from blood. This result correlates with the clinical finding that CerS2 mRNA expression and C24-ceramide levels were significantly increased by 2.2- and 1.5-fold, respectively, in white blood cells of MS patients. The increased CerS2 mRNA/C24-ceramide expression in neutrophils/monocytes seems to mediate pro-inflammatory effects, since a specific genetic deletion of CerS2 in blood cells or a total genetic deletion of CerS2 significantly delayed the onset of clinical symptoms, due to a reduced infiltration of immune cells, in particular neutrophils, into the central nervous system. CXCR2 chemokine receptors, expressed on neutrophils, promote the migration of neutrophils into the central nervous system, which is a prerequisite for the recruitment of further immune cells and the inflammatory process that leads to the development of MS. Interestingly, neutrophils isolated from CerS2 null EAE mice, as opposed to WT EAE mice, were characterised by significantly lower CXCR2 receptor mRNA expression resulting in their reduced migratory capacity towards CXCL2. Most importantly, G-CSF-induced CXCR2 expression was significantly reduced in CerS2 null neutrophils and their migratory capacity was significantly impaired. In conclusion, our data strongly indicate that G-CSF-induced CXCR2 expression is regulated in a CerS2-dependent manner and that CerS2 thereby promotes the migration of neutrophils, thus, contributing to inflammation and the development of EAE and MS.     

Could non-HDL-cholesterol be a better marker of atherogenic dyslipidemia in obstructive sleep apnea?

Background/objectiveObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is independently associated with dyslipidemia, a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol is accepted as a major independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol is a better marker of atherogenic dyslipidemia and recommended as a target of lipid lowering therapy. We aimed to assess the prevalence of atherogenic dyslipidemia, and relationship between OSA severity and serum LDL-cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol levels in OSA patients.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated treatment naïve 2361 subjects admitted to the sleep laboratory of a university hospital for polysomnography. All subjects’ lipid profile including total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and non-HDL-cholesterol were measured.ResultsOut of 2361 patients (mean age 49.6 ± 11.9 years; 68.9% male, apnea-hypopnea index 36.6 ± 28.4/h), 185 (7.8%) had no OSA and 2176 (92.2%) had OSA. Atherogenic dyslipidemia prevalence was high (57–66%) in OSA patients, and especially increased in severe OSA compared to other groups (p < 0.05). Though total and LDL-cholesterol did not differ between those with and without OSA, non-HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.020), and triglycerides (p = 0.001) were higher and HDL-cholesterol levels (p = 0.018) were lower in OSA patients than non-OSA. Non-HDL-cholesterol was significantly correlated with OSA severity (p < 0.001) and hypoxia parameters (p < 0.01), whereas LDL-cholesterol showed no correlation.ConclusionsAtherogenic dyslipidemia is highly prevalent and non-HDL-cholesterol levels are significantly increased, predominantly in severe OSA patients. Non-HDL-cholesterol but not LDL-cholesterol, is significantly correlated with OSA severity and hypoxia parameters. Therefore, it could be better to use non-HDL-cholesterol, which is a guideline recommended target of lipid therapy, as a marker of atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in OSA patients.     

bFGF对人毛囊黑素细胞增殖、活化和黑素合成作用的研究

目的　研究碱性成纤维细胞生长因子 (bFGF)对人毛囊黑素细胞 (Hairfolloclemelanocyte ,HFM )增殖活化和黑素合成的影响。方法　体外培养正常人HFM ,观察不同浓度bFGF(0 3～ 1 2ng ml)对HFM形态、增殖、酪氨酸酶活性和黑素含量的影响。结果　bFGF处理HFM 7d后 ,HFM树突增多延长 ,酪氨酸酶活性和黑素含量增加显著高于对照组 (P <0 0 1) ,以 0 6ng ml组为著。结论　bFGF能诱导HFM增殖、酪氨酸酶活性和黑素合成增加     

经腹及经阴道B超监测卵泡发育的评估

应用经腹及经阴道B超对68名不孕症妇女,139个月经周期进行卵泡发育及排卵监测。卵泡检出率TAUS为90.6％,TVUS为98.0％,显著高于前者,P<0.05。成熟卵泡特征影象(卵丘等)在TVUS显象率较高。TVUS监测卵泡发育更实用可靠。     

增产菊胺酯对雄性小鼠生殖激素的影响

为了探讨增产菊胺酯引起小鼠精了生成障碍的可能机理，本文研究了增产菊胺酯对雄性小鼠卵泡刺激素（ＦＳＨ）、黄体生成素（ＬＨ）及睾酮（Ｔ）的影响。小鼠经口染毒，隔天一次，连续１０次，第３５天处死。检验因清ＦＳＨ、ＬＨ没有明显变化，而睾丸组织睾酮含量出现剂理依赖性降低，高剂量组与对照组比较有显著性差异（Ｐ〈０．０５），结果表明，增产菊胺酯不影响ＦＳＨ、ＬＨ，而影响Ｔ的合成和分泌。这可能是增产菊胺酯对小鼠精     

Urinary bladder carcinoma producing granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF): A case report with immunohistochemistry

A rare case of urinary bladder carcinoma with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) production was reported. In an 83-year-old female, marked neutrophilia in the peripheral blood decreased from 132,500/mm³ to 3,300/mm³ after tumour resection. The tumour was a transitional cell carcinoma. The serum G-CSF level reduced from 238 pg/ml pre-operatively to normal (60 pg/ml) after the operation. Immunohistochemical investigation of the resected tumour with monoclonal antibody specific for G-CSF revealed positive staining in the carcinoma cells, confirming G-CSF secretion.     

Smoothing the mosaic subclinical melanoderma by calcipotriol

BACKGROUND: The observation of photo-exposed skin under ultraviolet light reveals a mosaic pattern of varying intensity in epidermal melanization. Several patterns of mosaic subclinical melanoderma (MSM) have been described using a specially designed CCD camera and the ultraviolet light-enhanced visualization (ULEV) method. Vitamin D(3) and its analogues influence the biology of keratinocytes and melanocytes. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of calcipotriol on MSM. METHODS: This randomized split-face study was conducted in 27 men to compare the effect of once daily applications of 5% calcipotriol cream or a moisturizing cream on the heterogeneity of facial MSM. Computerized image analysis of video images was used at 1-month intervals before and during a 2-month treatment, as well as during a 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: At both sites, the average melanin content of the epidermis showed no significant change over time. However, the mottled appearance was smoothened at the calcipotriol site, whereas it was increased at the site receiving the moisturizer. CONCLUSION: The decreased heterogeneity in MSM after calcipotriol applications suggests a control of the epidermal melanocyte unit by the vitamin D(3) derivative.     

血清保存方法对促甲状腺激素结果的影响观察

目的 :观察血清保存方法对促甲状腺激素 (TSH)结果的影响。方法 :将甲状腺功能正常、异常患者共 10份血清 ,采用不同血清量、不同条件分组保存后测定 TSH。结果 :保存方法对 TSH结果有一定的影响。结论 :用于 TSH血清的保存量要多、要密封管口、低温保存。     

全身(全淋巴)照射后100例医源性急性放射病的临床分析

在造血干细胞移植治疗肿瘤过程中用全身照射（ＴＢＩ）或全淋巴照射（ＴＬＩ）预处理，研究受照不同剂量患者发生医源性急性放射病严重程度，治疗方法和造血恢复及相关合并症。方法１００例患者（白血病９１例，其他肿瘤９例）接受５００～１０００ｃＧｙＴＢＩ或ＴＬＩ和超大剂量化疗作预处理。结果均发生医源性急性放射病，白细胞降至（０～０．１５）×１０９／Ｌ，骨髓空虚，合并各种感染和出血。经造血干细胞移植，抗感染，应用ＧＭ－ＣＳＦ或Ｇ－ＣＳＦ积极支持治疗及保护隔离措施，９２例造血恢复，８例死于不同感染和出血。结论造血干细胞的移植起主要治疗作用，不同造血因子用于治疗急性放射病，可能是一种有希望的方法