Aetiology of tinea capitis in China: a multicentre prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Tinea capitis is still common in developing countries, such as China. Its pathogen spectrum varies across regions and changes over time. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to clarify the current epidemiological characteristics and pathogen spectrum of tinea capitis in China. METHODS: A multicentre, prospective descriptive study involving 29 tertiary hospitals in China was conducted. From August 2019 to July 2020, 611 patients with tinea capitis were enrolled. Data concerning demography, risk factors and fungal tests were collected. When necessary, the pathogens were further identified by morphology or molecular sequencing in the central laboratory. RESULTS: Among all enrolled patients, 74·1% of the cases were in patients aged 2-8 years. The children with tinea capitis were mainly boys (56·2%) and were more likely than adults to have a history of animal contact (57·4% vs. 35·3%, P = 0·012) and zoophilic dermatophyte infection (73·5% vs. 47%). The adults were mainly female (83%) and were more likely than children to have anthropophilic agent infection (53% vs. 23·9%). The most common pathogen was zoophilic Microsporum canis (354, 65·2%), followed by anthropophilic Trichophyton violaceum (74, 13·6%). In contrast to the eastern, western and northeastern regions, where zoophilic M. canis predominated, anthropophilic T. violaceum predominated in central China (69%, P < 0·001), where the patients had the most tinea at other sites (20%) and dermatophytosis contact (26%) but the least animal contact (39%). Microsporum ferrugineum was the most common anthropophilic agent in the western area, especially in Xinjiang province. CONCLUSIONS: Boys aged approximately 5 years were the most commonly affected group. Dermatologists are advised to pay more attention to the different transmission routes and pathogen spectra in different age groups from different regions.

[Efficacy and safety of percutaneous closure of ventricular septal rupture after acute myocardial infarction: a clinical study of 69 cases].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous closure of ventricular septal rupture (VSR) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and the risk factors of all-cause mortality at 30 days after operation. Methods: This is a retrospective case series study. A total of 69 patients with post-AMI VSR, underwent percutaneous closure of VSR from October 2013 to May 2020 in Department of Cardiology of Henan Provincial People's Hospital and Department of Cardiology of Central China Fuwai Hospital, were included. Patients were divided into survival group (53 cases) and non-survival group (16 cases) according to the status at 30 days after operation. Clinical data were collected and analyzed during hospitalization. Telephone follow-up was performed 30 days after operation. The primary safety endpoint was occlusion failure and all-cause mortality at 30 days post operation. The secondary safety endpoint was the operation related or non-operation related complications. Efficacy endpoint included NYHA classification of cardiac function, index measured by right heart catheterization and echocardiography. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to analyze the risk factors of all-cause mortality at 30 days after operation. Results: A total of 69 patients, aged 67 (64, 71) years, including 42 women (60.9%), were enrolled in this study. All-cause death occurred in 16 patients (23.2%), including 13 in-hospital death and 3 death during follow-up. There were 4 cases of closure failure (5.8%). Among the 65 patients with successful closure, 12 (18.5%) experienced operation-related complications, among which 8 (12.3%) experienced valve injury. The mortality was significantly higher in patients with operation-related complications than that in patients without operation-related complications (41.7% (5/12) vs. 13.2% (7/53), P = 0.022). One case received percutaneous closure of VSR and PCI, this patient experienced new-onset AMI immediately post procedure and died thereafter (1.5%). One case (1.5%) developed multiple organ failure and 2 cases (3.1%) developed gastrointestinal bleeding post operation. All of the 65 patients with successful occlusion completed postoperative echocardiography, 56 patients completed cardiac function assessment at discharge, and 53 patients who survived up to 30 days post discharge completed clinical follow up by telephone. The NYHA cardiac function at discharge and 30 days after operation were significantly improved as compared to that before operation (P<0.001), the ratio of NYHA Ⅰ and Ⅱ patients was significantly higher post operation at these two time points as compared to baseline level (76.8% (43/56) vs. 23.1% (15/65), P<0.001, 77.4% (41/53) vs. 23.1% (15/65), P<0.001). The pulmonary circulation/systemic circulation blood flow ratio (Qp/Qs), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDd) were decreased, aortic systolic pressure (ASP) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were increased post operation (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that WBC>9.8×109/L (OR=20.94, 95%CI 1.21-362.93, P=0.037) and NT-ProBNP>6 000 ng/L (OR=869.11, 95%CI 2.93-258 058.34, P=0.020) were the independent risk factors of mortality at 30 days. Conclusions: Percutaneous closure in VSR after AMI is safe and effective. The increase of WBC and NT-ProBNP are the independent risk factors of all-cause mortality at 30 days after operation.

The nuclear hormone receptor E75A regulates vitellogenin gene (Al-Vg) expression in the mirid bug Apolygus lucorum.

Apolygus lucorum is the predominant pest of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton in China. 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) plays a key role in the reproduction of this insect. To better understand the mechanism underlying 20E-regulated reproduction, the nuclear hormone receptor E75 isoform-A of Ap. lucorum (Al-E75A) was cloned and its expression analysed. A 2241-bp sequence of Al-E75A cDNA encoded an open reading frame of a polypeptide with a predicted molecular mass of 69.04 kDa. Al-E75A mRNA was detected in female adult stages of Ap. lucorum with peak expression in 7-day-old animals. Al-E75A was also expressed in several tissues, particularly in the fat body and ovary. A 3.2 kb Al-E75A mRNA was detected in all tissues by Northern blot. The fecundity and longevity were significantly decreased in female adults treated with Al-E75A small interfering RNA. The rates of egg incubation rates were considerably lower in the RNA interference-treated animals compared to the untreated controls. In order to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the effects described above, vitellogenin (Al-Vg) was selected for further investigation. The expression pattern of Al-Vg was similar to that of Al-E75A and was up-regulated by 20E. After knockdown of Al-E75A, the expression profile of Al-Vg and the protein levels were down-regulated. These findings suggest that Al-E75A plays a crucial role in the regulation of Al-Vg expression in Ap. lucorum.

Oral immunization with a Lactobacillus casei-based anti-porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) vaccine expressing microfold cell-targeting peptide Co1 fused with the COE antigen of PEDV.

AIMS: The aims of this study were to develop an effective M cell-targeting oral vaccine, involving Lactobacillus casei to deliver the porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) core neutralizing epitope (COE) antigen conjugated with M cell-targeting peptide Co1 as an adjuvant, against PEDV infection. METHODS AND RESULTS: Genetically engineered L. casei 393 (L393) strains expressing PEDV COE antigen only (pPG-COE/L393) or fused-expressing COE and M cell-targeting peptide Co1 (pPG-COE-Co1/L393) were constructed, and the immunogenicity upon administration as an oral vaccine was evaluated. The results showed that higher anti-PEDV serum IgG and mucosal SIgA antibody responses were induced in mice orally immunized with strain pPG-COE-Co1/L393 as compared to the mice immunized with strain L393 expressing COE alone or carrying the empty plasmid. In addition, the use of the Co1 ligand elicited a splenocyte proliferative response more effectively in comparison with the COE antigen alone and supported a skewed T helper 2 type of immune response against PEDV. CONCLUSIONS: pPG-COE-Co1/L393 can effectively induce mucosal, humoural and Th2-type cellular immune responses against PEDV infection via oral administration. Furthermore, M cell-targeting peptide ligand Co1 is a good mucosal adjuvant. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Lactobacillus casei delivering the COE antigen of PEDV conjugated with a M cell-targeting peptide Co1 as an immune adjuvant is a promising oral vaccine candidate for PEDV.

Analysis of the genome sequence of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus HLJ-09 in China.

Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) is a highly contagious disease of juvenile salmonid fish. Six genome target fragments of the complete genome sequence of IHNV HLJ-09 were amplified by RT-PCR, and the 3'-terminal and 5'-terminal region of the genomic RNA were amplified using the RACE method. The complete genome sequence of HLJ-09 comprises 11,132 nucleotides (nt) (Accession number JX649101) and is different from that of other IHNV strains published in GenBank. Homology comparison and phylogenetic analysis of six ORF sequences were carried out using HLJ-09 and other IHNV strains published in GenBank. From phylogenetic tree analysis, the N gene, M gene, and P gene had the closest genetic relationship to IHNV-PRT from Korea. Phylogenetic analysis for the full length of the G gene showed that the HLJ-09 strain exhibited very close homology to the ChYa07, RtNag96, RtUi02, and RtGu01 strains from Korea and Japan, indicating that the HLJ-09 strain belonged to the genotype JRt. Ultimately, the Chinese IHNV HLJ-09 strain may have originated in Korea and Japan.

Development of a DNA microarray-based multiplex assay of avian influenza virus subtypes H5, H7, H9, N1, and N2.

Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have caused considerable economic losses in the poultry industry and have also resulted in human deaths since 2004. Rapid subtyping of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses(HPAIVs) in clinical specimens is a prerequisite of prompt control of disease and prevention of its spreading. In this study, we describe development of a DNA microarray-based detection and subtyping of HPAIVs in field samples. DNA copies of matrix (M) protein genes for the H5, H7, and H9 subtypes of hemagglutinin (HA) and the N1 and N2 subtypes of neuraminidase (NA) were prepared by RT-PCR and specific primers and then spotted onto aldehyde slides to form DNA microarrays. The HPAIV samples to be tested were subjected to total RNA isolation, RT-PCR with universal primers and Cy3 labeling, and the obtained double-stranded DNAs (targets) were finally hybridized with DNA microarrays (probes). A fluorescent spot on the microarray, detected by scanning indicated positive hybridization, i.e. the involved subtype. The assay was specific as various heterologous viruses or HPAIVs of other subtypes tested were negative. No cross-hybridization among different subtypes could be detected. The assay was more sensitive than RT-PCR and chicken embryo inoculation and could be also used for field samples. Summing up, the assay has proved useful for simultaneous detection and differentiation of main epidemic HPAIV subtypes.

[Risk factors analysis of protein energy wasting in children with chronic kidney disease].

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and risk factors of protein energy wasting (PEW) in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: Clinical data of 231 children with chronic kidney disease hospitalized in Beijing Children's Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 2018 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed to explore the incidence of PEW. According to the diagnostic criteria of CKDPEW, they were divided into a CKDPEW group and a non PEW group. The comparison between the groups was performed by independent-sample t test and Chi-squared test, and the risk factors were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression. Results: Among the 231 children, there were 138 males and 93 females, with a visiting age of 9.9 (7.9, 16.0) years; 6 cases were in stage 1, 14 cases in stage 2, 51 cases in stage 3, 36 cases in stage 4, and 124 cases in stage 5. A total of 30 children (13.0%) with CKD PEW were diagnosed at the age of 7. 1 (3.8, 13.2) years, including 1 case in stage 1, 1 case in stage 2, 5 cases in stage 3, 5 cases in stage 4, and 18 cases in stage 5. There were a total of 201 cases (87.0%) in the non PEW group, diagnosed at the age of 11.8 (8.5, 12.2) years, including 5 cases in stage 1, 13 cases in stage 2, 46 cases in stage 3, 31 cases in stage 4, and 106 cases in stage 5. The Chi-squared test and t test showed that the systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, birth weight and carbon dioxide binding capacity of the CKD PEW group were lower than those of the non PEW group ((109±22) vs. (120±20) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), (72±19) vs. (79±16) mmHg, (2.9±0.5) vs. (3.2±0.6) kg, (17±4) vs. (19±4) mmol/L,t=2.85, 2.14, 0.67, 2.63, all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that carbon dioxide binding capacity and birth weight were independent protective factors of CKDPEW in children (OR=0.81 and 0.36, 95%CI=0.73-0.90 and 0.17-0.77, respectively; both P<0.01); the risk of PEW in CKD children decreased by 0.187 times for every 1 mmol/L increment in carbon dioxide binding capacity, and 0.638 times for every 1 kg increment in birth weight. Conclusions: The incidence of protein energy expenditure in children with chronic kidney disease is lower than that in the previous researches. PEW can appear in CKD 1-2 stage, and attention should be paid to it in the early stage of CKD in clinical practice. Low birth weight CKD children are susceptible to PEW, and actively correcting metabolic acidosis can reduce the risk of CKDPEW.

Lateral retraction could achieve better early postoperative knee function than patellar eversion in total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Comparisons between patellar eversion (PE) and lateral retraction (LR) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are still inconclusive. To determine the most suitable procedure, we aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PE and LR in TKA in this meta-analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This meta-analysis complied with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Web-based literature databases, including WANFANG, VIP, CNKI, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and PubMed, were utilized to conduct a comprehensive literature search for studies published until June 2022 that compared PE with LR in primary TKA. The quality of the selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was evaluated using guidelines of the Cochrane Reviews Handbook 5.0.2. RESULTS: A total of 10 RCTs, including 782 patients and 823 TKAs, were selected in this meta-analysis. Our results showed that using LR improved postoperative knee extensor function and range of motion (ROM). In addition, PE and LR resulted in similar clinical benefits in terms of Knee Society Function score, pain, length of hospital stay, Insall-Salvati ratio, the occurrence of patella baja, and complications related to the operation. CONCLUSIONS: Existing evidence suggested that using LR in TKA improved early postoperative knee function. Similar clinical and radiographic outcomes were obtained 1 year after the procedures were performed. Based on these findings, we recommended the use of LR in TKA. However, studies with large sample sizes are needed to validate these findings.

Long-term Outcomes of Endoscopic Resection for Gastric Subepithelial Tumors.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the current study was to analyze the safety and efficacy of endoscopic resection for gastric subepithelial tumors (SETs) using long-term patient outcome data. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 73 consecutive patients with gastric SETs was performed from June 2014 to December 2016. The treatment methods included submucosal dissection, submucosal excavation or endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR). In addition to epidemiological data (sex and age), tumor size, surgical parameters, length of stay, complications, costs, and endoscopic, clinicopathologic, and follow-up data were analyzed to compare treatments. RESULTS: The complete resection rate was 97.3% (71/73). Three patients experienced complications (4.1%), including 2 with delayed perforation and 1 with perioperative infection. The median postoperative feeding time was 3 days, and the median postoperative hospital stay was 5 days. The median follow-up period was 19 months, with no patient death or tumor recurrence. Among the 38 patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors, the complete resection rate was 97.4% (37/38). The complete resection and complication rates between the endoscopic submucosal excavation (ESE) group and the EFTR group were not statistically significant. There was no recurrence or metastasis detected among either group; however, the ESE group had earlier postoperative feeding, a shorter postoperative hospital stay, and less hospitalization expenses. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic resection for gastric SETs (<3 cm) is safe and feasible concerning medium-term and long-term effects. Compared with the EFTR group, the ESE group had earlier postoperative feeding, a shorter postoperative hospital stay, and less hospitalization expenses. Even so, gastric SETs with malignant potential are at risk of recurrence. Larger prospective multicenter studies are warranted.

Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging of compressed air divers in diving accidents.

To investigate the characteristics of the cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of compressed air divers in diving accidents, we conducted an observational case series study. MRI of brain were examined and analysed on seven cases compressed air divers complicated with cerebral arterial gas embolism CAGE. There were some characteristics of cerebral injury: (1) Multiple lesions; (2) larger size; (3) Susceptible to parietal and frontal lobe; (4) Both cortical grey matter and subcortical white matter can be affected; (5) Cerebellum is also the target of air embolism. The MRI of brain is an sensitive method for detecting cerebral lesions in compressed air divers in diving accidents. The MRI should be finished on divers in diving accidents within 5 days.

Autoreactive T lymphocytes in multiple sclerosis determined by antigen-induced secretion of interferon-gamma.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease with unknown cause characterized by inflammation and demyelination in the central nervous system. Although an autoimmune pathogenesis has been suggested, there are no conclusive data on the number of T cells autoreactive with myelin antigens in MS compared to controls. We showed that T lymphocytes secreting interferon-gamma in response to possible target autoantigens are severalfold more common among PBL mononuclear cells in patients with MS than in patients with aseptic meningitis and tension headache. On average T cells reactive with myelin basic protein (MBP), two different MBP peptides, or with proteolipid protein amounted to 2.7-5.2/10(5) PBL from MS patients. MBP-reactive T cells were still more frequent among mononuclear cells isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF; 185/10(5) CSF cells). We concluded that T cells reactive with myelin autoantigens are strongly increased in MS. This approach to detect them could allow definition of immunodominant T cell epitopes in individual MS patients, and thereby enable further development towards specific immunotherapy.

Receptor tyrosine phosphatase R-PTP-kappa mediates homophilic binding.

Receptor tyrosine phosphatases (R-PTPases) feature PTPase domains in the context of a receptor-like transmembrane topology. The R-PTPase R-PTP-kappa displays an extracellular domain composed of fibronectin type III motifs, a single immunoglobulin domain, as well as a recently defined MAM domain (Y.-P. Jiang, H. Wang, P. D'Eustachio, J.M. Musacchio, J. Schlessinger, and J. Sap, Mol. Cell. Biol. 13:2942-2951, 1993). We report here that R-PTP-kappa can mediate homophilic intercellular interaction. Inducible expression of the R-PTP-kappa protein in heterologous cells results in formation of stable cellular aggregates strictly consisting of R-PTP-kappa-expressing cells. Moreover, the purified extracellular domain of R-PTP-kappa functions as a substrate for adhesion by cells expressing R-PTP-kappa and induces aggregation of coated synthetic beads. R-PTP-kappa-mediated intercellular adhesion does not require PTPase activity or posttranslational proteolytic cleavage of the R-PTP-kappa protein and is calcium independent. The results suggest that R-PTPases may provide a link between cell-cell contact and cellular signaling events involving tyrosine phosphorylation.

Cloning and characterization of R-PTP-kappa, a new member of the receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase family with a proteolytically cleaved cellular adhesion molecule-like extracellular region.

We describe a new member of the receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase family, R-PTP-kappa, cDNA cloning predicts that R-PTP-kappa is synthesized from a precursor protein of 1,457 amino acids. Its intracellular domain displays the classical tandemly repeated protein tyrosine phosphatase homology, separated from the transmembrane segment by an uncharacteristically large juxta-membrane region. The extracellular domain of the R-PTP-kappa precursor protein contains an immunoglobulin-like domain and four fibronectin type III-like repeats, preceded by a signal peptide and a region of about 150 amino acids with similarity to the Xenopus A5 antigen, a putative neuronal recognition molecule (S. Takagi, T. Hsrata, K. Agata, M. Mochii, G. Eguchi, and H. Fujisawa, Neuron 7:295-307, 1991). Antibodies directed against the intra- and extracellular domains reveal that the R-PTP-kappa precursor protein undergoes proteolytic processing, following which both cleavage products remain associated. By site-directed mutagenesis, the likely cleavage site was shown to be a consensus sequence for cleavage by the processing endopeptidase furin, located in the fourth fibronectin type III-like repeat. In situ hybridization analysis indicates that expression of R-PTP-kappa in the central nervous system is developmentally regulated, with highest expression seen in actively developing areas and, in the adult, in areas capable of developmental plasticity such as the hippocampal formation and cerebral cortex. The mouse R-PTP-kappa gene maps to chromosome 10, at approximately 21 centimorgans from the centromere.

Maternal obesity during pregnancy is negatively associated with maternal and neonatal iron status.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity among pregnant women may adversely affect both maternal iron status throughout pregnancy and placental transfer of iron. The objective of this study was to determine the association of maternal body mass index (BMI) with (1) maternal iron status and inflammation in mid and late pregnancy, (2) the change in maternal iron status throughout pregnancy and (3) neonatal iron status. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We examined longitudinal data from 1613 participants in a pregnancy iron supplementation trial in rural China. Women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies were enrolled in the early second trimester of pregnancy and followed through parturition. Maternal blood samples obtained at enrollment and in the third trimester and cord blood samples were analyzed for a range of hematological and iron biomarkers. RESULTS: There was a negative association between maternal BMI and iron status at enrollment (transferrin receptor (sTfR): r=0.20, P<0.001; body iron (BI): r=-0.05; P=0.03). This association was markedly stronger among obese women. Maternal BMI was positively associated with maternal inflammation (C-reactive protein: r=0.33, P<0.001). In multiple linear regression models, maternal BMI was negatively associated with neonatal iron status (cord serum ferritin: -0.01, P=0.008; BI: -0.06, P=0.006) and associated with a lower decrease in iron status throughout pregnancy (sTfR: -4.6, P<0.001; BI: 1.1, P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal obesity during pregnancy may adversely affect both maternal and neonatal iron status, potentially through inflammatory pathways.

Virulence and serological studies of recombinant infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) in rainbow trout.

Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus is a highly contagious disease of juvenile salmonid species. From the IHNV HLJ-09 isolated in China, two recombinant viruses were generated by reverse genetics using the RNA polymerase II transcription system. The recombinant viruses were confirmed by RT-PCR, indirect immunofluorescence assay and electron microscopy. They were referred to as rIHNV HLJ-09 and rIHNV-EGFP. rIHNV HLJ-09 and rIHNV-EGFP could stably replicate in EPC cell lines and had the same cellular tropism as wtIHNV HLJ-09. But the titer of rIHNV-EGFP was significantly lower than rIHNV HLJ-09 and wtIHNV HLJ-09. rIHNV-EGFP strain could express EGFP stably at least in 20 passages, and the fluorescence could be observed clearly. To assess the virulence and pathogenicity of the recombinant viruses in vivo, juvenile rainbow trout were challenged by intraperitoneal injection with 20µl of rIHNV HLJ-09, rIHNV-EGFP or wtIHNV HLJ-09 (1×10(6)pfuml(-1)). Fish challenged with rIHNV HLJ-09 and wtIHNV HLJ-09 exhibited clinical signs typical of IHN disease and both produced 90% cumulative percent mortality, whlie rIHNV-EGFP produced only 5%. Pathological sectioning results showed that the tissues (liver, kidney, heart muscle, back muscle) of the fish infected with rIHNV HLJ-09 exhibited pathological changes, with the exception of cerebral neurons and the cheek. However, no lesions of liver, kidney, heart, muscle, brain in rainbow trout of rIHNV-EGFP or the control group were observed. Indirect ELISA results showed that a high level of serum antibody was detected in the experimental fish challenged with rIHNV HLJ-09, just as the same as wtIHNV HLJ-09, while a lower titer was detecred in the fish infected with rIHNV-EGFP. This indicated that the recombinant viruses could induce humoral immune response in the experimental fish. The recombinant viruses had unique genetic tags and could be used for genetic engineering, laying new ground for further investigation of IHNV pathopoiesis molecular mechanism, host tropism and the development of novel vaccines against IHN.

Antibodies to myelin-associated glycoprotein are found in cerebrospinal fluid in polyneuropathy associated with monoclonal serum IgM.

Antibodies to myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) have been demonstrated in the serum samples from about half the patients with polyneuropathy associated with serum IgM monoclonal component. We examined cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples from 13 patients with this disease by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for anti-MAG IgM antibodies. We detected these antibodies in both CSF and serum samples in 10 of the patients; in three of them the antibodies were at higher levels in the CSF. The remaining three patients had anti-MAG IgM antibodies in the CSF only. Intrathecal production of anti-MAG IgM antibodies is thus common in polyneuropathy associated with IgM monoclonal component. In three patients, examined on two occasions from 1 to 7 years, high anti-MAG IgM antibody levels persisted in CSF and serum samples. Among 165 patients with other neurologic diseases, including 60 with multiple sclerosis and 60 control subjects with tension headache, anti-MAG IgM antibodies were detected in the CSF from three patients (two with multiple sclerosis, one with aseptic meningitis), and in the serum sample of one patient with multiple sclerosis. Whether the frequent occurrence of anti-MAG IgM antibodies in CSF and their intrathecal synthesis has pathogenetic relevance for the development of polyneuropathy associated with IgM monoclonal component is unsure.

Persistent anti-myelin basic protein IgG antibody response in multiple sclerosis cerebrospinal fluid.

Antibodies to myelin components, such as myelin basic protein (MBP), may play a role in pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) but results from determinations of anti-MBP antibodies are inconsistent. Enumeration of cells secreting antibodies represents a new approach to evaluate a specific antibody response regarding extent and localization, and reduces effects of e.g. antibody binding to target. Anti-MBP IgG antibody secreting cells were present in MS patients' cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at a mean value of 1 per 833 cells, and they amounted to a mean value of about 2454 in the whole CSF compartment. Similar numbers were encountered in patients with other inflammatory neurological diseases (OIND). During follow-up, anti-MBP IgG antibody secreting cells persisted regarding frequency and numbers in MS, but decreased in OIND. Such cells were rarely detected in patients with tension headache. No correlations to clinical exacerbation of MS, disability or duration were discernable. In blood from MS and OIND patients, anti-MBP IgG antibody secreting cells were detected infrequently and at low numbers. The anti-MBP antibody response is strongly restricted to the IgG isotype. The anti-MBP IgG antibody response which is persistent and compartmentalized to the diseased organ, may be important for the development of MS.

PPACK-thrombin is a noncompetitive inhibitor of alpha-thrombin binding to human platelets.

Recent studies from our laboratory indicate that purified kininogens are noncompetitive inhibitors of human alpha-thrombin but not PPACK-thrombin, binding to human washed platelets. In order to understand the mechanism by which the kininogens inhibit alpha-thrombin binding, investigations were initiated to determine if alpha-thrombin and PPACK-thrombin bound to the same site on human platelets. Initial investigations reveal that alpha-thrombin is a more potent inhibitor of 125I-PPACK-thrombin binding than PPACK-thrombin. Further studies show that PPACK-thrombin is a noncompetitive inhibitor of 125I-alpha-thrombin binding to platelets. These studies suggest that human alpha-thrombin binds on the platelet surface to a different site or binds differently to the same site from PPACK-thrombin. These data indicate that the ability of the kininogens to block alpha-thrombin binding to platelets but not PPACK-thrombin binding results from these thrombins having either two different binding sites or one binding site on the platelet surface which they interact with differently.

Inhibition of sympathetic neurotransmission via NEM-sensitive H3-receptors in the guinea pig vas deferens.

The influence of N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) on sympathetic neurotransmission induced by field stimulation on the isolated guinea pig vas deferens was studied. Application of (R)-alpha-methylhistamine (0.1 mcmol/l) significantly inhibited the sympathetic response by 26.0%, while thioperamide facilitated the sympathetic contraction of vas deferens evoked by field pulses by 221.1%. Pretreatment of vas deferens with NEM (60 mcmol/l) for 15 min abolished both the inhibitory and facilitatory effects. Attenuation of thioperamide facilitatory effect by NEM was not significantly altered when the H3-receptors were occupied by thioperamide prior to and during NEM treatment. The results suggest that effects mediated by H3-receptors in the guinea pig vas deferens were NEM-sensitive and possibly transmitted by Gi or Go proteins.

Gastrointestinal helminth fauna of Japanese moles, Mogera spp.

One trematode, Echinostoma macrorchis, 2 cestodes, Hymenolepis diminuta and Choanotaenia spasskii and 5 nematodes, Parastrongyloides winchesi, Tricholinstowia talpae, Heterakis spumosa, Trichuris sp. and Capillaria soricis were obtained from 129 Mogera wogura, 233 M. kobeae and 28 M. tokudae, which were collected from almost all over Japan. All present cases were new host and locality records. The discovery of T. talpae in Japan shows the wide distribution of this species from Japan to Europe.