算法差异在Compass调强计划验证中的作用

目的:用IBA Compass系统对Varian Eclipse计划系统各向异性解析算法(AAA)计算的肺癌和直肠癌计划进行验证,研究差异原因并进行分类分析。方法:分别选取肺癌和直肠癌术前放疗患者各10例,用Compass系统在加速器实测验证,将Eclipse AAA计算的TPS Dose、Compass卷积/超分割算法(CCC)再计算的Compute Dose以及Compass通过实测并基于CCC算法重建的Reconstructed Dose进行两两对比(AAA/CR、CC/CR、AAA/CC),比较分析计划最大点剂量的10%生成的区域的Gamma结果和剂量体积直方图(DVH)结果。结果:在3 mm/3%/Global标准下,直肠癌术前计划:AAA/CRγ通过率为(97.37±2.41)%,CC/CRγ通过率为(97.88±2.21)%,AAA/CCγ通过率为(99.69±0.15)%,AAA/CRγ通过率与CC/CRγ通过率的差异无统计学意义(P=0.598)。肺癌计划:AAA/CRγ通过率为(92.09±2.79)%,CC/CRγ通过率为(96.17±2.78)%,AAA/CCγ通过率为(98.96±1.06)%,AAA/CRγ通过率与CC/CRγ通过率的差异具有显著统计学意义(P=0.005)。结论:用Compass验证AAA算法计划,在肺癌病例中AAA与CCC算法的差异是影响计划通过率的主要原因,在直肠癌计划中AAA与CCC算法的差异影响相对较低,通过率更多受到MLC到位精度、机架旋转精度、剂量准确度等执行不确定性影响。     

不同计划系统的剂量学比较

目的:运用雷泰计划系统(Linatech TPS)验证瓦里安Eclipse调强放疗(Eclipse IMRT)计划剂量的准确性。方法:随机选取鼻咽癌患者6例,男、女各3例;乳腺癌术后患者8例,患者全为女性,左侧5例,右侧3例。鼻咽癌动态调强计划采用9野均分照射,原发灶(PGTVnx)处方剂量为7392 c Gy;乳腺癌动态调强计划采用5~7野照射,处方剂量50 Gy。将计划分别以各向异性分析算法(Anisotropy Analysis Algorithm,AAA)和光子剂量算法(Acuros External Beam Algorithm,Acuros XB)进行剂量计算,计算完成后将该计划以DICOM格式导入Linatech TPS中进行剂量计划方法(Dose Planning Methods,DPM)蒙特卡罗算法计算。以处方剂量包绕95%靶区体积为计划接受标准,分别比较3种算法得到的靶区的最大剂量、平均剂量和相对差异。结果:AAA和DPM相对于Acuros XB在乳腺癌的差异较小,危及器官最大差异分别为对侧肺和对侧乳腺,最大差值分别为5.9%和9.3%;计划靶区(PTV)的最大差异分别为4.9%和4.6%。而在鼻咽癌中的差异相对较大,AAA和DPM相对于Acuros XB的危及器官最大差异都为左晶体,最大差值分别为15.4%和35.5%;靶区的最大差异分别为PTV2和PGTVnx,最大差值分别为4.2%和11.1%。差异具有统计学意义。结论:3种算法在鼻咽癌中的剂量差异相对较大,在乳腺癌中的剂量差异相对较小,且体积越小,差异越大。     

AXB与AAA算法在I期非小细胞肺癌立体定向治疗中的剂量学比较

目的：比较AcurosXB（AXB）算法与各向异性分析算法（AAA）在I期非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）立体定向治疗（SBRT）中的剂量学差异。方法：选取10例非小细胞肺癌立体定向治疗计划,分别使用AXB和AAA算法重新进行计算,比较靶区和危险器官的剂量差异。其中PTV分为PTvlung（低密度区域）和PTVsoft（软组织密度区域）进行比较。结果：AXB算法在PTVlung的剂量明显低于AAA（P--0．000）,对于10XFFF能量而言,该差别更大。而两种算法对于PTVsoft的剂量差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。在危险器官受量方面,AXB的胸壁、脊髓剂量低于AAA算法,但是AXB算法的患侧肺V,高于AAA（P〈0．05）。结论：AXB与AAA算法对于I期NSCLCSBRT治疗计划的主要差别在于PTVlung．AXB算法在PTVlung的剂量明显低于AAA。     

Acuros XB与AAA算法在肺癌调强放疗计划设计中的比较

目的:比较Acuros XB(AXB)算法与AAA算法在肺癌调强放疗(IMRT)计划中的剂量学差异。方法:选取10例接受放射治疗的肺癌患者,CT图像扫描后勾画靶区和危及器官,分别用两种优化算法设计IMRT计划,比较两种算法所得计划的靶区剂量分布、危及器官受量及正常组织受量的差异。结果:应用AXB算法的计划中PTV最大剂量和平均剂量分别为(66.37±1.94)和(61.5±3.88)Gy;应用AAA算法的计划中分别为(64.56±1.75)和(62.02±4.77)Gy。前者PTV最大剂量高于后者,但平均剂量低于后者,两者差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。两种计划在靶区的均匀性和适形度差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。两种计划的双肺剂量Dmax、Dmean和V20差异有统计学意义(P0.05),前者双肺Dmax和V20高于后者,但双肺的平均剂量Dmean低于后者。两种计划在正常组织的体积剂量差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:虽然应用两种算法的计划均满足临床要求,但是与AXB算法相比,AAA算法低估了靶区最大剂量,高估了靶区平均剂量,同时也低估了正常肺部的体积剂量。     

各向异性解析算法与先进外照射光子剂量算法在肺癌VMAT计划中的剂量学差异

目的:比较先进外照射光子剂量算法（AXB）和各向异性解析算法（AAA）在肺癌VMAT计划中的剂量学差异。方法:随机选取20例肺癌患者,CT扫描传输图像后勾画靶区及危及器官,采用两弧设计VMAT放疗计划,比较两种算法靶区的剂量分布,肺、心脏和脊髓的受照量。结果:PGTV:最大剂量AXB算法低于AAA算法（P<0.05）,最小剂量无统计学意义（P>0.05）,平均剂量AXB算法低于AAA算法（P<0.05）;PTV:最大剂量和最小剂量无统计学意义（P>0.05）,平均剂量AXB算法低于AAA算法（P<0.05）;CI:AXB算法优于AAA算法（P<0.05）;HI:AXB算法优于AAA算法（P<0.05）;脊髓:最大剂量AXB算法低于AAA算法（P<0.05）;心脏:V30、V40、Dmean AXB算法均低于AAA算法（P<0.05）;肺:V5、V20、Dmean AXB算法均低于AAA算法（P<0.05）。结论:两种算法均满足临床要求,但与AAA算法相比,AXB算法更精确,特别是针对肺组织这种低密度区域。     

不同算法所得IMRT计划的剂量学验证评估

目的:评估分别采用AAA(Analytic Anisotropic Algorithm)算法和PBC(Pencil Beam Convolution)算法所制订的IMRT计划在质量学验证方面的差异。方法:选取20例肺部肿瘤患者,对每个病例分别用AAA和PBC两种算法进行剂量计算得到2个IMRT计划,将病人的IMRT计划移植至模体生成QA(quality assurance)计划,使用Mapcheck工具对QA计划分别进行剂量学验证,并对结果进行比较和分析。结果:采用AAA算法进行肺部肿痛的剂量运算时,其所得到的治疗计划在剂量验证的结果方面要明显优于PBC算法所得到的治疗计划,值得注意的是,在其中进一步选取7例靶区位置和形态较为复杂的病例,出现以上结果的现象会更加明显。结论:从剂量学验证的角度来看,对于类似于肺部肿瘤这种靶区周围存在明显密度差异的肿瘤,在选取IMRT计划中剂量运算法则时,AAA算法剂量学验证的γ通过率更高,运算更加准确,尤其是如果靶区较为复杂时,这种表现更加显著。     

基于ArcCHECK-3DVH系统的鼻咽癌容积旋转调强放疗三维剂量验证研究

目的:探讨ArcCHECK-3DVH系统在鼻咽癌容积旋转调强放疗（VMAT）三维剂量验证中的应用。方法:选取基于Monaco治疗计划系统（TPS）制定的20例鼻咽癌患者VMAT计划，利用ArcCHECK-3DVH系统进行患者计划的验证。比较TPS计算剂量与ArcCHECK-3DVH系统基于测量重建剂量的三维γ通过率（3%/3 mm, TH=10%），以及靶区剂量参数[D98%]、[D2%]和[Dmean]与危及器官剂量参数[Dmax]和[Dmean]等。结果:患者计划验证的三维γ通过率为98.20%（97.75%, 99.20%），TPS计算靶区内剂量和ArcCHECK-3DVH重建的剂量在[D98%]、[D2%]和[Dmean]参数上的差异值大部分小于3%，极个别情况的最大差异值在5%以内，绝大部分患者除PGTVnd外的各个靶区γ通过率为90%以上；各个危及器官对应的[Dmax]和[Dmean]剂量参数差异值均小于6%，γ通过率均在93%以上。结论:ArcCHECK-3DVH系统重建的剂量结果与TPS计算结果符合较好，为鼻咽癌VMAT计划剂量验证提供了丰富的剂量参数信息，有助于患者治疗计划的质量验证。     

Acuros XB、各向异性解析算法与蒙特卡罗算法在非均匀组织中剂量计算准确性对比研究

目的:对比Acuros XB算法(AXB)、各向异性解析算法(AAA)和蒙特卡罗(MC)算法在非均匀组织中剂量计算准确性。方法:在Eclipse计划系统上分别设置两种类型的非均匀模体(水-肺-水模体、水-骨-水模体),并设定3个不同大小的0°照射野,源皮距=100 cm。采用AXB、AAA及MC算法进行剂量计算,提取射野中心轴百分深度剂量,以MC计算结果为基准,计算AXB和AAA两种算法与MC算法的相对偏差,提取非均匀组织及高梯度区(即4.5~15.5 cm)的数据做对比分析。结果:AXB算法3个射野相对偏差绝对值分别为4.186±1.451、0.834±0.300、0.726±0.165(水-肺-水模体)和1.694±0.374、1.325±0.328、0.343±0.244(水-骨-水模体)。AAA算法在两模体的对应值分别为6.679±4.694、4.151±1.789、4.353±2.546(肺)和3.270±0.826、5.971±1.587、2.406±0.574(骨)。采用配对样本t检验,P值均小于0.05。结论:在非均匀组织及其边界,AXB算法计算精度比AAA算法更为准确,基本接近MC算法。     

放疗计划系统DeepPlan光子放疗剂量计算的临床可行性验证

目的:评估DeepPlan放疗计划系统患者计划剂量计算的准确性和临床应用的可行性。方法:剂量算法准确性评估主要是针对YY 0775号和YY/T 0889号报告中的例题内容进行测量验证。临床病例验证是基于Pinnacle计划系统设计的前列腺肿瘤患者9例、胸部肿瘤患者13例和头颈部肿瘤患者5例，试验将各病例原计划优化的子野等信息直接导入DeepPlan进行重新剂量计算，比较不同计划系统得到的靶区和危及器官剂量分布，并用PTW VeriSoft软件对两组计算结果进行全空间剂量γ分析。结果:DeepPlan光子剂量算法通过了剂量计算准确性验证，YY 0775号报告中所有测试例题误差均在2%以内。YY/T 0889号报告中所有患者计划的γ通过率均在96.8%以上，复合野的γ通过率平均值为98.1%。在病例验证中，前列腺肿瘤病例的等中心层面2D γ通过率平均值为97.6%，3D γ通过率平均值为96.9%。胸部肿瘤病例的等中心层面2D γ通过率平均值为98.7%，3D γ通过率平均值为98.3%。头颈部肿瘤病例的中间层面2D γ通过率为98.6%，3D γ通过率平均值为98.8%。结论:通过模体实际测量和临床病例测试，验证了DeepPlan光子放疗剂量计算的准确性和临床应用的可行性。     

AAA和PDIP算法在非均整模式容积调强放射治疗剂量预测方面的差异

【摘要】目的:探究各项异性算法（AAA）和射野剂量图像预测（PDIP）算法在非均整模式（FFF）容积调强放射治疗计划治疗前验证γ分析中的差异以及计划复杂程度对这种差异的影响,为临床上基于电子射野影像系统（EPID）的剂量预测算法的选择提供依据。方法:选取能量为6 MV FFF的两种测试野和16例头颈部肿瘤治疗计划,利用PDIP和AAA两种算法分别生成预测数据并与EPID实测数据进行γ分析,统计两种算法在不同γ评判标准下的通过率并计算通过率差异（Delta γ）。计算上述病例每个射野的复杂系数,分析不同标准下两种算法的Delta γ与复杂系数的相关性;利用γmean、γsd、γ1和γ通过率共同描述γ分布,并分析其与复杂系数间的相关性。结果:当评判标准为3%/3 mm或2%/2 mm时,不同算法下测试射野的Delta γ较小。当评判标准为1%/1 mm,不同开野的Delta γ变化明显:射野较小时,PDIP算法的通过率低于AAA;当射野增大到（10×10） cm2时,通过率基本一致;当射野继续增大时,PDIP算法的通过率逐渐高于AAA。全部射野的通过率与评判标准的关系类似:在3%/3 mm标准下,两种算法的结果基本一致;随着标准的提高,两种算法的通过率逐渐下降,二者之间的差异也逐渐明显。复杂系数与Delta γ、γmean、γsd和γ1为正相关,与γ通过率为负相关。结论:PDIP算法对于有机械臂支撑的EPID的剂量预测更准确;AAA则适用于无机械臂支撑的EPID或机械臂反散射影响较小的射野。当计划复杂程度或评判标准提高时,两种算法的差异也增大。计划复杂程度对FFF计划验证结果的影响是负面的。上述结果提示临床应针对性地选择计划验证工具来确保治疗的安全有效。     

The universal muscular chain reaction,muscle spasm,Torsions, ruptures and extravasations. Chameleons of pathology and some manifestations of simple muscular disorders

Most bodily functions require the coordinated actions of complementary and supplementary paired muscle groups. Where this essential muscular cooperation is lacking, hollow organs may burst and others become literally screwed up, giving rise to many similar spastic diseases such as Torticollis, Twisted ovarian cyst, Torsion of the Testis, Volvulus of the intestines, Varicose Veins, Megacolon, Aortamegaly, Scoliosis, Erb's Palsy, Peyronie's Disease, Main-en-Griffe, Undescended Foot (Pes Cavus), Talipes, Strabismus. Spasm is “panenepidemic” and unclassified examples of Torsion Dystonia and Dyskinesia really are as common as debt and taxes.     

Studien zur humoralen Regulation des erythropoetischen Proliferationsspeichers beim Menschen

Zusammenfassung Die Beeinflussung der Erythroblasten-Proliferation durch das Mikromilieu wurde in vitro mittels Auswertung durch Differential- und Mitosezählungen und Signifikanzberechnung vieler Versuchsreihen auch unter verschiedenen pathologischen Bedingungen getestet.Sowohl die Mitosehäufigkeit wie die Ausreifung waren positiv mit dem Erythropoetingehalt des Medium korreliert. Der Effekt wurde durch Folsäure, Ätiocholanolon und cAMP verstärkt. Cobalt stimulierte ebenso wie Testosteron und Methenolon in vitro unabhängig von der Erythropoetinkonzentration im Medium die Erythroblastenproliferation. Ein vermindertes Eisenangebot störte die endgültige Ausreifung der Erythroblasten zu Retikulozyten und bewirkte dadurch eine Ineffektivität der Erythorpoese. Anhaltspunkte für ein Erythrozyten-Chalon oder einen Erythropoetinhemmkörper ließen sich aus unserem Versuchsansatz nicht gewinnen, weil er die Transformation der pluripotenten in die erythropoetin-sensible Stammzelle nicht einschließt. Als Nebenbefund ergab sich eine Stimulation des granulozytopoetischen Proliferationsspeichers durch Serumzusatz zum Medium von Patienten nach akutem Blutverlust und bei Polycythämia vera.Unterstützt durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft     

HLA study in Amerindian Bolivia La Paz Aymaras

Aymara people has been a relatively homogeneous group since Spanish Conquest by 1,532 CE, even if previously represented a group of various cultural defined populations who gave rise to them. They were and are established in Andean Altiplano around Titikaka Lake (Bolivia, Peru), Argentina and Chile neighborhood, speak Aymara language and have been maintained after Europeans arrival at a lower social status than Quechua (Inca) speaking people. However, both Aymara and Quechua populations acknowledge Titikaka Lake as center of their origins; both languages are also related. Specific high frequencies of HLA-A*02, -A*24 and -A*68, HLA-B*35, -B*39 and -B*48, HLA-DRB1*08:02, -DRB1*09:01, and -DRB1*14:02, and HLA-DQB1*04:02, -DQB1*03:02 and -DQB1*03:01 alleles are found in Aymaras and HLA class II haplotypes common to Andean Amerindians (DRB1*08:02-DQB1*04:02 and DRB1*04:03-DQB1*03:02), like Quechua, Aymara, Uros, Lamas and Mapuche are also found in Easter and other Pacific Islands. Giant human head stone statues at Tiwanaku (Titikaka Lake, Bolivia) are also found at Easter Island. Thus, it is possible a gene and cultural flow between Andean Amerindians and Easter and other Pacific Islands, as it was demonstrated by Thor Heyerdahl in his Kon-Tiki expedition which reached Pacific Islands sailing from El Callao Harbour (Lima, Peru).     

Hypo- und Hypermagnesämie aus kardiologischer Sicht

Zusammenfassung Eine Reihe pathologischer Zustände bedingen Magnesiummangel. Zustände mit Hypermagnesämie sind ebenfalls bekannt, doch wesentlich seltener. Für den Kardiologen beachtenswert ist, daß unter Therapie mit bestimmten Diuretica bei Herzinsuffizienz, bei Herzinfarkt, Kardiomyopathie, Digitalisintoxikation und bestimmten Herzrhythmusstörungen Hypomagnesämie beobachtet wurde. Leider kann in der klinischen Routine nur ein extracelluläres Magnesiumdefizit durch Serumbestimmungen gemessen werden; über Magnesiummangel einzelner Organe kann nichts ausgesagt werden. Hinweise für Magnesiummangel geben aber neben der Messung des Serumspiegels Anamnese, klinischer Befund, bestimmte EKG-Veränderungen wie auch evtl. Hypokalämie, ein Zustand, bei dem sich oft — besonders bei Aldosteronismus — parallele Veränderungen zeigten.Tierexperimente deuten darauf hin, daß infarktähnliche Läsionen unter Magnesiummangel entstehen, doch ob Herzinfarkt beim Menschen durch Magnesiummangel ausgelöst werden kann, ist noch ungeklärt. In Leichenherzen zeigte sich im Infarktgebiet neben Calciumakkumulation signifikanter Magnesiumverlust, wobei unklar blieb, ob sich Ursache oder Folge des Infarktes widerspiegelten. Falls ein ursächlicher Zusammenhang besteht, ist er im Myokardstoffwechsel selbst zu suchen, wie bei der Alkoholkardiomyopathie, wo myokardialer Magnesiummangel zumindest als pathogenetischer Teilfaktor anerkannt wird. Andererseits versucht man aber auch Beziehungen zwischen Atherosklerose, Blutgerinnung und Hypomagnesämie herzustellen, in der Meinung, daß Magnesiummangel auch über den coronaren Pathomechanismus des Herzinfarktes wirken könnte. Sicher scheint, daß gewisse EKG-Veränderungen und Herzrhythmusstörungen durch einen irritierten Magnesiumhaushalt bedingt sein können, da sie bei Gabe bzw. Entzug von Magnesium verschwinden. Daß Magnesiummangel die Glykosidtoleranz verringert, wird tierexperimentell bestätigt. Unter Hypomagnesämie bewirkt Acetylstrophanthidin eher und länger Rhythmusstörungen als ohne, außerdem lassen diese sich durch Magnesiumgaben eliminieren. Da in gewissen Fällen spontane und digitalisinduzierte Herzrythmusstörungen durch Magnesiuminjektionen beseitigt wurden, scheint Magnesium als Therapeuticum angebracht. Einsatz verschiedener Magnesiumsalze bei Angina pectoris, degenerativen Herzerkrankungen und Herzinsuffizienz ohne geprüften und offensichtlich gestörten Magnesiumhaushalt ist fragwürdig, weil keine eindeutigen klinischen Erfolgsbeweise vorliegen. Immerhin mag es aber larvierte, durch Serumbestimmungen nicht erfaßbare Mangelzustände geben. Allgemein erscheint es aus kardiologischer Sicht ratsam, den Magnesiumhaushalt zu überwachen und in entsprechenden Fällen auszugleichen, um möglichen Myokardläsionen oder fatalen Herzrhythmusstörungen entgegenzuwirken.     

Lipid composition of metacestodes of Taenia taeniaeformis and lipid changes during growth

A lipid analysis was performed on developing metacestodes of Taenia taeniaeformis removed from the livers of rats at times varying from 3 to 35 weeks post infection. Lipid accounted for 7–21% of the dry weight of the parasites. The highest proportions were found at the earlier stages. The distribution was as follows; neutral lipid 27–45%; glycolipid 5–11%; and phospholipid 50–61%. The major neutral lipid was cholesterol, and minor neutral lipids were sterol esters, triglycerides, diglycerides and monoglycerides. Hydrocarbons were present throughout development, but in the highest amounts at the earlier stages. Five different glycolipids were found, all of which were identified as glycosphingolipids. An increase in the proportion of more complex glycolipids was noted as parasites grew older. Ten different phospholipids were identified, with the major components being phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylserine. Other phospholipids were: lysophosphatides, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidic acid, diphosphatidylglycerol, sphingomyelin, and an unknown phospholipid component. Changes in the relative amounts of the two major phospholipids were found when the early and late stages were compared. Two lipids found throughout development were identified as glycosylated dolichol phosphates, and they comprised between 1 and 3% of the total phospholipid fraction. Nineteen fatty acids were detected, and the fatty acid distribution for each lipid class at each stage was determined. Seven major fatty acids were common to each. These were: hexadecanoic, octadecanoic, oleic, linoleic, arachidonic, docosanoic, and docosahexaenoic.     

Environmental risk factors and their role in the management of atopic dermatitis

Introduction: The etiology of atopic dermatitis (AD) is multifactorial with interaction between genetics, immune and environmental factors.

Areas covered: We review the role of prenatal exposures, irritants and pruritogens, pathogens, climate factors, including temperature, humidity, ultraviolet radiation, outdoor and indoor air pollutants, tobacco smoke exposure, water hardness, urban vs. rural living, diet, breastfeeding, probiotics and prebiotics on AD.

Expert commentary: The increased global prevalence of AD cannot be attributed to genetics alone, suggesting that evolving environmental exposures may trigger and/or flare disease in predisposed individuals. There is a complex interplay between different environmental factors, including individual use of personal care products and exposure to climate, pollution, food and other exogenous factors. Understanding these complex risk factors is crucial to developing targeted interventions to prevent the disease in millions. Moreover, patients require counseling on optimal regimens for minimization of exposure to irritants and pruritogens and other harmful exposures.     

Simple Serological Assays for Detecting Rice Tungro Viruses

An attempt was made to produce sensitive and specific polyclonal antisera against the viruses causing rice tungro disease, and to assess their potential for use in simple diagnostic tests. Using a multiple, sequential injection procedure, seven batches of polyclonal antisera against rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV) and rice tungro spherical virus (RTSV) were produced. These were characterized for their sensitivity and specificity using ring-interface precipitin test and double antibody sandwich (DAS) ELISA. Thirty-one weeks after the first immunization, antiserum batch B6b for RTBV showed the highest ring interface titer (DEP = 1:1920). For RTSV, batches S3, S4b and S5b all had similar titres (DEP = 1:640). In DAS-ELISA, however, significant differences among purified antisera (IgG) batches were observed only at IgG dilution of 10^-3. At that dilution, IgGB4b showed the greatest sensitivity, while IgGS3 showed greatest sensitivity for RTSV. When all IgG batches were tested against 11 tungro field isolates (dual RTBV-RTSV infections) at sample dilution of 1:10, IgGB4b and IgGB6b for RTBV and IgGS3 and IgGS6b for RTSV performed equally well. However, after cross adsorption with healthy plant extracts in a specially prepared healthy plant-Sepharose affinity column, only IgGB6b could be used specifically to detect RTBV in a simple tissue-print assay.     

Is it worthy to take full-course immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis? About efficacy biomarker of allergen immunotherapy

Nowadays, people pay more attention to biomarkers that can predict clinical efficacy of immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis. As the only recognized aetiological treatment, the efficacy of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has been proved by many studies. However, treatment success depends on compliance and persistence greatly, which can be impaired by the lengthy duration of AIT and socioeconomic status of patients. Besides, ineffectiveness is another factor that accounts for non-adherence. If the clinical efficacy can be predicted in the early stage of immunotherapy, it can help patients choose appropriate treatment plans, increase patient compliance and optimize the allocation of medical resources. This paper mainly focuses on five candidate biomarkers, the sIgE/tIgE ratio before treatment, serum inhibitory activity for IgE, decreased basophil activation, upregulation of Tregs and tolerogenic DCs, reviews the time when potential biomarkers can predict or monitor the efficacy of AIT, discusses the reason why these indicators could serve as efficacy biomarkers and interactions among potential biomarkers.     

Neurotransmitter signaling pathways required for normal development in Xenopus laevis embryos: a pharmacological survey screen

Neurotransmitters are not only involved in brain function but are also important signaling molecules for many diverse cell types. Neurotransmitters are widely conserved, from evolutionarily ancient organisms lacking nervous systems through man. Here, results are reported from a loss‐ and gain‐of‐function survey, using pharmacological modulators of several neurotransmitter pathways to examine possible roles for these pathways in normal embryogenesis. Applying reagents targeting the glutamatergic, adrenergic and dopaminergic pathways to embryos of Xenopus laevis from gastrulation to organogenesis stages, we observed and quantified numerous malformations, including craniofacial defects, hyperpigmentation, muscle mispatterning and miscoiling of the gut. These data implicate several key neurotransmitters in new embryonic patterning roles, reveal novel earlier stages for processes involved in eye development, suggest new targets for subsequent molecular‐genetic investigation, and highlight the necessity for in‐depth toxicology studies of psychoactive compounds to which human embryos might be exposed during pregnancy.     

HLA genes in Amerindians from Mexico San Vicente Tancuayalab Teenek/Huastecos

Huastecos or Teenek Amerindians are presently living at North East Mexico (San Luis Potosi State). They have probably one of the most ancient culture of Mexico and Central America together with Mayas and Olmec groups with which also show close relationships. Proximity to Atlantic Ocean/Mexican Gulf originated that Spaniards had very early contact with them at about 1519 CE or before. In the present paper we have aimed to study HLA gene profile which may be useful for HLA and disease epidemiology and transplant programs in Teeneks. HLA-DRB1*04:07, -DRB1*14:06 and -DRB1*04:11 have been found in high frequency like in other Amerindian groups. High frequency typical Amerindians HLA extended haplotypes have been found, such as A*02-B*35-DRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02; A*68-B*39-DRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02 and A*02-B*39-DRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02; also new haplotypes have been described, like A*02-B*52-DRB1*04:11-DQB1*03:02, A*68-B*35-DRB1*14:02-DQB1*03:01 and A*68-B*40-DRB1*16:02-DQB1*03:01. Genetic proximity is observed not only to linguistically close Mayans, but also to Mazatecans, Mixtecans and Zapotecans, who speak an altogether different languages; it shows once more that genes and languages do not correlate. This population was greatly diminished after European contact between 1500 and 1600 years CE; in fact, North and South America First Inhabitants population was brought from 80 down to 8 million people because of diseases (i.e.: measles, smallpox or influenza), slavery and war.