Objective.To identify the A3243G mutation of mitochondrial(mt) DNA in patients with latent autoimmune diabetes mellitus in adults (LADA) of Han nationality in the northeast area of China. Methods.Seventy nine diabetics of Han nationality,whose families have resided in the northeast area of China for more than 3 generations,were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 (22 cases of type 2 diabetes with maternal inheritance history),Group 2 (34 cases of LADA),Group 3 (23 cases of type 1 diabetes in adolescents).The A3243G of mt DNA was detected in these 79 subjects with the method of PCR RFLP. Results.None of the 79 diabetics studied was positively identified for the A3243G mutation of mt DNA. Conclusion.The A3243G mutation of mt DNA might not be related to the onset of LADA in diabetic population of Han nationality in northeast area of China and there might not be close relationship between A3243G mutation of mt DNA and autoimmunity.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) has rarely been described as an autoimmune paraneoplastic syndrome of thymoma. This case is the seventh case of AIH revealed by cholestasis few years after the diagnosis of thymoma and the first case treated with chemotherapy alone. We report in this paper a new approach to this rare severe condition. A 29 year-old man presented with chest pain and dyspnea with a history of thymoma surgically removed 4 years ago. CT scan showed the recurrence of an anterior mediastinal mass. Biology showed elevated liver enzymes and profound cholestasis. No sign of viral or toxic hepatitis or bile duct abnormalities were observed. Autoimmune antibodies, except for the anti-nuclear antibody, were negative. Liver biopsy showed active chronic AIH. The patient was diagnosed with recurrent thymoma with AIH and underwent 6 cycles of chemotherapy. A complete response on thymoma and cholestasis was obtained after 10 months of follow-up. Steroids and immunosuppressors are the standard treatment for AIH. The effect of chemotherapy as a specific treatment of this paraneoplastic syndrome needs to be considered.

传染性海绵状脑病(TSE)研究进展

传染性海绵状脑病(Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies TSE)是一类人畜共患的慢性、亚急性中枢神经退行性疾病.包括羊搔痒病(Scrapie)、牛海绵状脑病(疯牛病)、人克雅氏病(CJD)等.共同的病理改变为中枢神经系统神经元退行性变性、脑实质中淀粉样变性形成斑块和空洞、呈海绵状,胶质细胞增生[1].因该病可能跨种属传染,故受到特别重视.