Objective To review the methods of overcoming immunological rejection in xenotransplantation.Methods The strategies of overcoming immunological rejection in xenotransplantation were analyzed and summaried on the basis of an extensive review of the latest l iterature concerned. Results The research development of immunological rejection mechanism and molecular biological technique provided new approaches for overcoming immunological rejection in xenotransplantation. Conclusion It is only a matter of time for xenotransplantation to be appl ied cl inically.
Serum anti-retinal autoantibodies (ARA) are a group of autoantibodies that bind to retinal auto-antigens with significant biological importance in pathological processes such as retinal degeneration, inflammatory microenvironment formation, and tissue destruction. In recent years, the expression of serum anti-retinal antibodies has been found to be upregulated in patients with various blinding retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, autoimmune retinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa, closely correlated with the progression of diseases. However, current researches on ARA are incomplete, lacking animal experiments and large randomized controlled clinical trials. As a result, the exact mechanism of ARA is not well understood. Although several studies have demonstrated that serum ARA has an important diagnostic value in hereditary, autoimmune, and degenerative retinal diseases, there still lacks recognized laboratory tests and laboratory indicators with high specificity and sensitivity. Clinical symptoms should be considered when making definitive diagnosis of the diseases. Therefore, clarifying the mechanisms of ARA in retinal dystrophies provides new ideas in early diagnosis and treatments of retinal diseases, which is clinically and scientifically important for the maintenance of visual functions.
Objective To sum up experiences in diagnosis and treatment for Hashimoto′s disease (HD). Methods Clinical records of 78 patients who underwent operations and were diagnosed as Hashimoto′s disease by histologic examination in our hospital from Jan. 1988 to Dec. 1998 were analyzed. Results Seventy females and 8 males, aged 9 to 70 years (average of 41.6 years). HD was coexistent with 10.3% of thyroid gland malignant tumor, 23.1% of adenoma and 30.8% of other thhroid gland diseases. The misdiagnosis rate was 35.9% and missed diagnosis rate was 46.2%. The clinical feature of HD and most common cause of misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis have been discussed. Conclusion It is emphasized that patients with diffuse goiter, palpable nodules, lighty color on scintillation scintigraphy, elevation of antimicosomiaux and antithyroglobuline but no finding on Bus should be highly suspected of having Hashimoto′s disease.
Objective To investigate the expression of presenilin-2(PS2) and glutathione S transferase π(GSTπ) and their role in the prognosis and therapy of infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma. Methods The expression of PS2 and GSTπ in tumor tissues from 210 patients with infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma confirmed by pathologic examination and treated with modified radical mastectomy was examined by using LSAB immunohistochemical method. Results The expression rate of PS2 was 49.5%(104/210) and the expression rate of GSTπ was 48.1%(101/210). The grade of the postoperative 5-year survival rate and 10-year survival rate in four groups of 210 patients, from high to low, was the group 1 (PS2 positive expression/GSTπ negative expression), the group 2 (PS2 positive expression/GSTπ positive expression), the group 3 (PS2 negative expression/GSTπ negative expression) and the group 4 (PS2 negative expression/GSTπ positive expression). Conclusion The prognosis of the group 1 is the best, the group 2 better, the group 3 good and the group 4 the worst. The results suggest that reasonable use of endocrinotherapy and chemotherapy in infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma is necessary.
Objective To investigate the expressions of tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand （TRAIL） and its receptors (DR4, DcR1) in human rectal cancer tissues and normal rectal tissues. MethodsThe expressions of TRAIL and its receptors (DR4, DcR1) in 31 cases of human rectal cancer tissues and 20 cases of normal rectal tissues were detected by immunohistochemical staining. ResultsThe positive expression rates of TRAIL, DR4 and DcR1 （32.26%， 29.03%， 0） were lower than those of normal rectal tissues （55.00%， 70.00%， 65.00%）, the difference was statistically significant(P=0.015， P=0.000， P=0.000). There were no relation between the expressions of TRAIL, DR4 and DcR1 and clinicopathologic characteristics (Pgt;0.05). ConclusionThe expressions of TRAIL and its receptors (DR4, DcR1) in human rectal cancer tissues were lower than those of normal rectal tissues, which may suggest that the apoptotic effect induced by the interaction between TRAIL and its receptors has attenuated in human rectal cancer.
Objective To evaluate the biocompatibility of a new bone matrix material (NBM) composed of both organic and inorganic materials for bone tissue engineering. Methods Osteoblasts combined with NBM in vitro were cultured. The morphological characteristics was observed; cell proliferation, protein content and basic alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity were measured. NBM combined with osteoblasts were implanted into the skeletal muscles of rabbits and the osteogenic potential of NBM was evaluated through contraat microscope, scanning electromicroscope and histological examination. In vitro osteoblasts could attach and proliferate well in the NBM, secreting lots of extracellular matrix; NBM did not cause the inhibition of proliferation and ALP activity of osteoblasts. While in vivo experiment of the NBM with osteoblasts showed that a large number of lymphacytes and phagocytes invading into the inner of the material in the rabbit skeletalmuscle were seen after 4 weeks of implantation and that no new bone formation was observed after 8 weeks. Conclusion This biocompat ibility difference between in vitro and in vivo may be due to the immunogenity of NBM which causes cellular immuno reaction so as to destroy the osteogenic environment. The immunoreaction between the host and the organic-inorganic composite materials in tissue engineering should be paid more attention to.
Objective To discuss peripheral nerve regeneration under immunosuppression. Methods Current research trends about relationship between peripheral nerve injury and immunoreaction, the experimental result of nerve regeneration after using various immunosuppressors, and the clinical findings after human allogenous hand transplantation were extensively reviewed. Results Peripheral nerve regeneration was accelerated under immunosuppression. Conclusion Peripheral nerve injury may induce immunoreaction, which inhibit nerve regeneration and function recovery.