OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Huaiqihuang granules on the immune function in children with severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.

METHODSPediatric inpatients with severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia were randomly divided into Huaiqihuang granule treatment group (n=51) and conventional treatment group (n=47). The Huaiqihuang granule treatment group was orally administered Huaiqihuang granules in addition to the conventional treatment, while the conventional treatment group received conventional treatment only. Levels of serum IgA, IgG, and IgM, percentages of CD4and CD8 T lymphocyte subsets, and CD4/CD8ratio were examined in the two groups. The incidence rate of respiratory tract re-infection within three months following treatment was compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe levels of serum IgA, IgG, and IgM, the percentage of CD4 T lymphocytes, and the CD4/CD8ratio were significantly higher in the Huaiqihuang granule treatment group than in the conventional treatment group three months after treatment (P<0.05). In contrast, the percentage of CD8T lymphocytes was significantly lower in the Huaiqihuang granule treatment group than in the conventional treatment group (P<0.05). In addition, the incidence rate of respiratory tract re-infection within three months following treatment was significantly lower in the Huaiqihuang granule treatment group than in the conventional treatment group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHuaiqihuang granules can regulate immune functions and reduce the incidence of short-term respiratory tract re-infection in children with severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.

Adolescent ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; analysis ; Male ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; drug therapy ; immunology ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; drug effects ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on the short-term immune function of type 2 diabetic patients and to explore the correlation between the immune regulatory effect and blood glucose control.

METHODSClinical data of 28 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery in our hospital during January 2014 to January 2015 were retrospectively collected. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgM), T lymphocytes CD3(+), killer T cells CD3(+)CD8(+), helper T cells CD3(+)CD4(+), natural killer(NK) cell subsets CD16(+),CD56(+) and B cell subsets CD19(+),CD45(+) levels were detected and compared between before and after surgery. Correlation of immunoglobulin and immune cell subsets with the level of FBG and HbA1c were examined.

RESULTSAfter operation, FBG and HbA1c decreased significantly from (5.78±1.15) mmol/L to (14.21±1.89) mmol/L, and (9.96±0.97)% to (6.87±0.69)%, respectively (all P<0.05), and immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgM) increased significantly [IgG: from(9.41±1.23) g/L to (12.74±1.61) g/L, IgM: from (1.71±0.22) g/L to (2.43±0.39) g/L, IgA: from (1.25±0.26) g/L to (1.97±0.23) g/L, all P<0.05]. Besides, T lymphocytes CD3(+), killer T cells CD3(+)CD8(+) and B cell subsets CD19(+)CD45(+) elevated significantly as well [T lymphocytes CD3(+): from (55.3±3.8)% to (67.6±4.6)%, killer T cells CD3(+)CD8(+): from (15.6±5.3)% to (28.7±4.2)%, B cell subsets CD19(+)CD45(+): from (8.4±3.7)% to (18.1±4.1)%, respectively, all P <0.05]. There was no significant difference in the expression of helper T cells CD3(+)CD4(+) and natural killer cell subsets CD16(+)CD56(+) between pre-operation and post-operation(all P>0.05). Levels of immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgM), CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio and B cell subsets were negatively correlated with HbA1c and FBG levels (IgG with FBG: r=-0.865, IgA with FBG: r=-0.887, IgM with FBG: r=-0.902, CD4(+)/CD8(+) with FBG: r=-0.956, CD19(+)CD45(+) with FBG: r=-0.834; IgG with HbA1C: r=-0.859, IgA with HbA1C: r=-0.957, IgM with HbA1C: r=-0.843, CD4(+)/CD8(+) with HbA1C: r=-0.912, CD19(+)CD45(+) and HbA1C: r=-0.885, all P<0.05), but the proportion of NK cells was not significantly correlated with HbA1c and FBG (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLaparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass has good effect on the immune function of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Improvement of immune function is correlated with the control of FBG and HbA1c.

Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; immunology ; surgery ; Gastric Bypass ; Glycated Hemoglobin A ; analysis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; blood ; Laparoscopy ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors for mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the efficacy of hepatitis B immunoprophylaxis in children at high risk of hepatitis B.

METHODSA questionnaire survey was performed on 539 HBsAg-positive mothers and their 551 children (aged from 6 months to 5 years) at high risk of hepatitis B. Serum markers of hepatitis B in the children at high risk of hepatitis B were measured. Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors for mother-to-child transmission of HBV.

RESULTSThe rate of hepatitis B vaccination in the children at high risk of hepatitis B was 100%, and 96.6% received injections of hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG). The HBsAg positive rate showed no significant differences between different age groups. The HBsAb positive rate gradually decreased with the increasing age (P<0.01). The children born to HBsAg- and HBeAg-positive mothers had a significantly higher hepatitis B infection rate than those born to HBsAg-positive mothers (15.1% vs 0.2%; P<0.01). The high-risk children who received hepatitis B vaccination alone had a significantly higher hepatitis B infection rate than those who received both hepatitis B vaccine and HBIG injections (28.6% vs 2.8%; P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe HBsAb positive rate gradually decreases with the increasing age in children at high risk of hepatitis B. Maternal HBsAg and HBeAg positivity and the absence of HBIG combined with hepatitis B vaccine injections for children at high risk of hepatitis B are the risk factors for mother-to-child transmission of HBV.

Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; analysis ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; immunology ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; analysis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; immunology ; Infant ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; prevention & control ; Male ; Risk Factors

Body fat is an important source of adipokine, which is associated with energy balance and inflammatory and immune responses. However, the role of adipokines in coronary artery complications in Kawasaki disease (KD) has not yet been fully explained. We investigated whether serum adipokine level can be a useful marker for patients with KD who are at higher risk of developing coronary artery lesion (CAL). We measured adipokine levels and other inflammatory parameters in 40 patients with KD, 32 febrile controls, and 15 afebrile controls. Interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and other laboratory parameters were also measured before and after intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, and in the convalescent phase. At admission, the serum resistin levels in KD children were significantly higher than those in controls (177.56 ng/mL in KD children, 76.48 ng/mL in febrile controls, and 17.95 ng/mL in afebrile controls). In patients with KD, resistin levels were significantly associated with decreased hemoglobin levels (P=0.049) and increased IL-6 levels (P=0.014). The serum IL-6 levels were significantly higher and body mass index was significantly lower in the group of KD with CALs than those without CALs (228.26 ng/mL vs. 39.18 ng/mL and 15.09 vs. 16.60, respectively). In conclusion, resistin is significantly elevated in KD patients, although it has no prognostic value of predicting coronary artery lesion in the acute stage.
Biological Markers/*blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Coronary Vessels/pathology ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Hemoglobins/analysis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/therapeutic use ; Inflammation/blood/immunology ; Interleukin-6/*blood ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome/*blood/pathology ; Resistin/*blood ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/*blood

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammation of the skin that often appears in early childhood. The manifestation is related to the tendency towards T helper 2 cytokine immune responses (interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5). Genetic factors are suggested to play important roles in AD, and it can be transmitted to newborns, increasing their risk of developing allergies. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between cord-blood cytokine levels (IL-5, interferon (IFN) γ), cord-blood total immunoglobulin E (IgE) level, perinatal environmental exposure, and the risks of allergy as well as the development of AD in the first 6 months of life. METHODS: A 6-month cohort study with a nested case-control within was conducted on newborns in Jakarta from December 2008 until May 2009. After the umbilical cord blood samples were taken and stored, subjects were followed up monthly until 6 months old. The occurrence of AD and lifestyle or environmental exposures were recorded. The allergic risk was determined using a modified pediatric allergy immunology work groups scoring system based on allergic history (allergic rhinitis, asthma, AD) in the family. The levels of IL-5 and IFN-γ were measured using ELISA and total IgE by CAP system FEIA. Multivariate analysis was used to evaluate risk factors. RESULTS: This study was conducted on 226 subjects. The incidence of AD was 16.4%; of those, 59% had low risk allergy, 38.5% moderate, and 2% high risk. AD mostly occurred at the age of 1 month (57%). Cord blood samples were examined in 37 subjects with AD and 51 without AD; of those, 25% showed high levels of total IgE (>1.2 IU/µL), and 51% showed normally-distributed high absorbance IL-5 values (≥0.0715, absolute value was undetected). The increased level of IL-5 was directly proportional to IgE. High absorbance IFN-γ values (≥0.0795, absolute value = 18.681 pg/µL) were observed in 52% of subjects. CONCLUSION: The associations between the risk of allergy in the family, cord-blood total IgE, IL-5, IFN levels, and some perinatal environmental exposure with AD in the first 6 months of life have not been established.
Allergy and Immunology ; Asthma ; Case-Control Studies ; Cohort Studies ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Environmental Exposure ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fetal Blood ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Inflammation ; Interferons ; Interleukin-5 ; Life Style ; Multivariate Analysis ; Rhinitis ; Risk Factors ; Skin

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Complement System Proteins ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; analysis ; Infant ; Male ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy of Zengse Pill ( ZSP) on patients with vitiligo of qi-stagnancy and blood-stasis syndrome type (V-QB), and to preliminarily explore its mechanism of action.

METHODSSixty-five V-QB patients, with their diagnosis confirmed by clinical examination, were randomized by digital table method into two groups, with 31 patients in the control group and 34 in the treatment group. Cobamamide (2 tablets) was administered orally to all patients, and Psoralea tincture (a self-formulated preparation) was applied externally thrice a day. In addition, for patients in the treatment group, ZSP was given orally, at 5 pills per dose, 3 times every day. The therapeutic course for both groups was 3 months. Patients were re-examined every half-month, and changes in the skin lesions were observed and recorded. The levels of lymphocyte subsets, serum immune globulin, and complement C3 and C4 in patients were determined before and after the therapeutic course and compared with the corresponding indexes determined in 21 healthy subjects.

RESULTSThe total effective rate in the treatment group was 82.4%, which was markedly higher than that in the control group (54.8%), showing a significant difference (P<0.05). After treatment, CD(4) (+) percentage, CD(4) (+)/CD(8) (+) ratio, and blood levels of C3 and C4 increased, while CD(8) (+) percentage decreased in the treatment group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). All these indexes remained unchanged in the control group, and the respective comparisons between groups showed significant differences (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONZSP has a definite clinical effect on the treatment of V-QB but with no evident adverse reactions, and it can increase the CD(4) (+) percentage, CD(4) (+)/CD(8) (+) ratio, and the levels of serum C3 and C4, thus regulating the immunity of the organism, which might be one of its mechanisms of action.

Adolescent ; Adult ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Complement C3 ; analysis ; Complement C4 ; analysis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; blood ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Qi ; Vitiligo ; drug therapy ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo prepare highly specific chicken egg yolk IgY antibody against human papillomavirus 16 type L1 main capsid protein (HPV16L1) for detection of HPV16L1.

METHODSPurified HPV16L1 protein was used to immunize the hens, from which the eggs were collected since one week after the first immunization. The egg yolk was separated and the IgY antibody purified by PEG-6000 method. The bioactivity of the antibody was tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the HPV16L1 in the CHO cells transfected with the recombinant pcDNA-EGFP-HPV16L1 plasmid (containing EGFP-HPV16L1 fusion gene) for assessing the specific affinity of IgY to HPV16L1.

RESULTSAfter 3 immunizations of the hens, the titer of the purified IgY antibody against HPV16L1 from the egg yolk reached 1:10240. The IgY bound specifically to the EGFP-HPV16L1 protein expressed in the transfected CHO cells.

CONCLUSIONHigh titer IgY can be prepared by immunization of the hens with HPV16L1 protein, and the prepared IgY can be used for HPV16L1 detection at the cellular level.

Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; analysis ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Antibody Specificity ; immunology ; CHO Cells ; Capsid Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Chickens ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunization ; methods ; Immunoglobulins ; immunology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Oncogene Proteins, Viral ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo prepare highly specific anti-ouabain polyclonal antibody for detecting endogenous ouabain in tissues.

METHODSOuabain-BSA compound was used to immunize hens, and the eggs were collected one week after the first immunization. The IgY antibodies in the egg yolk were separated and purified by PEG-6000 Method, and analyzed by 12% SDS-PAGE and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for titration. The IgY antibodies obtained were applied subsequently in ELISA and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe IgY titer increased rapidly after the second immunization, with the highest titer of 1:10240 that lasted for at least 4 weeks. Competitive ELISA for IgY detection showed an average intraassay coefficient of variation (CV) of 2.03% and an inter-assay CV of 2.34%. Immunohistochemistry visualized the location of the endogenous ouabain mainly in the cytoplasm of the zona reticularis of rat adrenal cortex.

CONCLUSIONImmunization of hens allows efficient preparation of IgY antibody which can be used in routine immunoassays.

Animals ; Calibration ; Cattle ; Cell Line ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Immunization ; methods ; Immunoglobulins ; immunology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Ouabain ; analysis ; immunology ; Rats

AIMTo improve specificity and accuracy of endogenous ouabain measurement assay.

METHODSAnti-ouabain polyclonal antibody egg yolk (IgY) and anti-ouabain rabbit antibody (IgG) were prepared respectively. In the presence of two kinds of antibody, then the specificity and accuracy of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were compared.

RESULTSThe ELISA, in the presence of IgY, provided a sensitivity of the average intraassay coefficient of variation(CV) was 2.03%, and the inter-assay CV was 2.34% respectively. In contrast, IgG were 2.83% and 3.29%. No significant interferences were observed with hydrocortisone and dexamethasone. There was 3.45% vs. 5.95%, 3.20% vs. 5.20% of crossreaction with cedilanid and digoxin.

CONCLUSIONThe specificity and accuracy of ELISA, in which IgY was used, were more better than IgG.

Animals ; Antibody Specificity ; Chickens ; immunology ; Cross Reactions ; Egg Yolk ; immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Immunoglobulin G ; immunology ; Immunoglobulins ; immunology ; Male ; Ouabain ; analysis ; Rabbits