三种固定方式修复胫骨平台后外侧骨折的生物力学比较

背景：胫骨平台后外侧骨折修复方案包括后侧钢板螺钉、外侧钢板螺钉和前后拉力螺钉内固定;选择何种内固定方法主要是靠医师的临床经验,研究结果也大多是临床报道,缺乏力学实验的依据。 目的：从生物力学角度比较外侧钢板螺钉组、后侧钢板螺钉组、前后拉力螺钉组3种固定方式修复胫骨平台后外侧骨折的生物力学变化。 方法：采用6具成年男性防腐尸体胫骨标本共12个进行干骺端骨密度测定。电动摆锯建立胫骨平台后外侧1/2骨折模型,模型随机分3组进行前后拉力螺钉固定、外侧钢板螺钉固定、后侧钢板螺钉固定。利用有限元法和生物力学方法在250,500,1 000 N的轴向载荷下测试骨折块的轴向位移值及最大位移值分布区。 结果与结论：3组标本干骺端平均骨密度差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05)。在轴向载荷为250 N时,有限元实验中骨折块的位移值,前后拉力螺钉组最小,为0.013 521 mm;后侧钢板螺钉组居中,为0.016 991 mm;外侧钢板螺钉组最大,为0.138 200 mm,在500,1 000 N时情况类似。实验生物力学结果显示,前后拉力螺钉组的位移值明显小于外侧钢板螺钉组和后侧拉力螺钉组(P < 0.05);后侧钢板螺钉组与外侧钢板螺钉组比较差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05),两种测试方法最大位移值分布区域都在近侧胫腓关节交界区。提示在生物力学稳定性方面,前后拉力螺钉组最具优势,外侧钢板螺钉组较差。临床可以考虑将前后拉力螺钉固定作为修复胫骨平台后外侧骨折的首选方案。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：人工关节;骨植入物;脊柱;骨折;内固定;数字化骨科;组织工程全文链接：     

Design and finite element analysis of a novel anterolateral plate for posterior lateral column fractures of the tibial plateau北大核心

背景:胫骨平台后外侧柱骨折由于解剖位置的特殊性,手术入路及内固定的选择尚未达成共识。目的:通过有限元分析,比较新型钢板与临床3种常见内固定物固定胫骨平台后外侧柱骨折的生物力学稳定性,验证新型钢板的可行性。方法:收集1名志愿者胫腓骨CT数据,设计新型钢板,导入SolidWorks软件,建立胫骨平台后外侧柱骨折模型,同时建立4组内固定模型(新型钢板、L型锁定钢板、斜T型钢板、拉力螺钉),施加轴向载荷500,1000,1500 N,比较不同内固定模型骨折块最大位移及内固定物应力分布与峰值。结果与结论:不同内固定模型骨折块的位移、内固定物的应力峰值均随轴向力的增加近似等比增大,位移云图、应力云图呈现相似的分布特征。①在3种载荷下,斜T型钢板组骨折块位移最小,拉力螺钉组骨折块位移最大,新型钢板组骨折块位移较L型锁定钢板组小;新型钢板组、L型锁定钢板组、拉力螺钉组骨折块位移最大值均位于外侧缘近端,从近端至远端位移逐渐减小,斜T型钢板组骨折块位移最大值位于外侧缘中部,从外侧向内侧位移逐渐减小;②在3种载荷下,斜T型钢板组内固定物应力峰值最大,L型钢板组内固定物应力峰值最小,新型钢板组内固定物应力峰值大于拉力螺钉组;③新型钢板组与斜T型钢板组应力分布较为均匀;拉力螺钉组内侧螺钉中部,可见明显应力集中;L型锁定钢板组应力分布最为均匀;④结果显示,L型锁定钢板组内固定物应力分布最均匀、应力最小,但骨折块位移大,与拉力螺钉组骨折块位移相近,因此,新型钢板的生物力学稳定性优于L型锁定钢板及拉力螺钉,有良好的应用基础。     

三种内固定方式固定胫骨平台后外侧骨折的生物力学研究

目的探讨胫骨平台后外侧骨折合理有效的内固定方式。方法制作成年男性尸体胫骨平台后外侧骨折模型12个,随机平均分为3组,分别使用前侧6.5 mm拉力螺钉、胫骨平台外侧L型4.5 mm解剖锁定钢板、后侧T型3.5 mm锁定钢板固定。对标本模型进行轴向加压250、500、750、1000 N,检测其轴向位移及应力。结果在相同应力下,前侧螺钉组轴向Y轴位移最小,分别与外侧钢板组和后侧钢板组存在显著差异,而外侧钢板组与后侧钢板组之间Y轴位移没有显著差异;前侧螺钉组在标识点的应力分布最为均衡。结论在胫骨平台后外侧骨折的固定中,前侧螺钉能够有效增加轴向稳定,骨折块周围应力分布均衡,是一种有效的力学固定方式,外侧钢板在横向的稳定性控制上具有一定优势,后侧钢板对于后方需要复位的平台骨折具有一定价值。     

胫骨平台后外侧骨折3种内固定方式的有限元分析

背景：如今胫骨平台骨折的研究已由起初的内外侧“双轨道结构”逐步转型为“360°全方位立体结构”,国内外学者们更关注平台后侧结构的稳定性、复位情况以及对复位后功能恢复的影响。后侧平台的内固定材料的选择仍无明确定论,存在较大争议。目的：探讨胫骨平台后外侧骨折3种内固定方式的生物力学特性。方法：通过计算机三维有限元技术,模拟胫骨平台后外侧1/2和后外侧1/4骨折。分别使用前侧2枚6.5 mm拉力螺钉、外侧4.5 mm L型钢板以及后侧3.5 mm T型钢板置入内固定骨折块。在胫骨平台中心处加载500 N纵向应力,比较3种内固定方式的生物力学状态。结果与结论：在1/2骨块模型中,前侧拉力螺钉与后侧钢板在各个方向上的位移较小,外侧钢板的位移较其他两种固定方式大。而在1/4骨块模型中,前侧拉力螺钉在各方向的位移优势更明显,后侧钢板的位移居次,外侧钢板的位移最大。1/2骨块上,前侧拉力螺钉的最大应力为36.523 MPa,外侧钢板为153.372 MPa,后侧钢板为115.922 MPa;而在骨块上的最大应力前侧拉力螺钉模型为4.309 MPa,外侧钢板为4.37 MPa,后侧钢板为3.124 MPa。1/4骨块上前侧拉力螺钉的最大应力为36.803 MPa,外侧钢板为153.336 MPa,后侧钢板为104.234 MPa;而在骨块上的最大应力前侧拉力螺钉模型为1.195 MPa,外侧钢板为0.827 MPa,后侧钢板为1.196 MPa。提示前侧拉力螺钉能够承担更大的应力,并在受到应力后位移变化较小,可提供较稳定的支持。而后侧钢板在骨块较大(1/2骨块)时,能够提供较强的稳定性,与拉力螺钉相仿;而在骨块较小(1/4骨块)时,稳定性不如前侧拉力螺钉。外侧钢板在固定胫骨平台后外侧骨折时,稳定性较差,不如前侧拉力螺钉和后侧钢板。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：人工关节;骨植入物;脊柱;骨折;内固定;数字化骨科;组织工程全文链接：     

过伸内翻型胫骨平台骨折新型钢板的设计及有限元分析

背景:目前尚无适用于前内侧平台的解剖型锁定钢板,因此通常采用胫骨平台内侧锁定钢板偏前放置来固定过伸内翻损伤导致的前内侧压缩骨折。由于锁定螺钉无法实现对骨折线的垂直固定,再加上髌韧带的影响,临床效果仍不尽人意。目的:通过有限元分析比较新型钢板与传统内固定方式治疗胫骨平台前内侧骨折的生物力学性能。方法:收集20例内翻型胫骨平台前内侧骨折的CT数据,并对其形态学特征,如前内侧胫骨平台后倾角、骨折面角度、骨折块表面积、高度和角度等进行测量。选择1位24岁、身高175 cm、体质量65 kg的男性志愿者,将其胫骨CT数据导入Mimics 21.0软件生成三维模型。在SolidWorks 2017软件中导入内固定模型,根据测量的形态学数据建立新型钢板、内侧锁定钢板、后内侧锁定钢板和6.5 mm拉力螺钉固定数据模型。使用Ansys17.0软件对4种固定模型进行应力加载,比较其生物力学性能。结果与结论:①随着轴向载荷的增加,不同内固定模型的应力峰值近似同比增大,500 N时应力峰值:螺钉组(6.9737 MPa)<新型钢板组(14.733 MPa)<内侧钢板组(16.445 MPa)<后内侧钢板组(25.199 MPa);②500 N时骨折块的应力峰值:螺钉组(3.6579 MPa)<新型钢板组(4.5108 MPa)<内侧钢板组(5.2259 MPa)<后内侧钢板组(6.1812 MPa);③随着轴向载荷的增加,骨折块和内固定位移也近似等比增大,位移分布特征无明显变化;500 N时钢板位移:新型钢板组(1.0307 mm)<内侧钢板组(1.503 mm)<螺钉组(2.0965 mm)<后内侧钢板组(2.2582 mm);500 N时骨折块位移:新型钢板组(0.2128 mm)<内侧钢板组(0.31154 mm)<螺钉组(0.42779 mm)<后内侧钢板组(0.45498mm);④提示在治疗过伸内翻型胫骨平台骨折时,新型钢板的稳定性和力学性能优于传统内固定方式。     

不同内固定物治疗胫骨平台后内侧骨折的生物力学分析

背景：胫骨平台后内侧骨折的治疗较困难,容易出现因骨折固定方式选择不当导致骨折再次移位、骨不连、内固定失效及关节功能活动障碍等并发症。 目的：分析3种胫骨平台后内侧骨折不同固定方法的生物力学效果。 方法：27具新鲜骨标本,制成胫骨平台后内侧骨折模型,分别制成正常组,双钢板固定组,T形钢板固定组,拉力螺钉固定组。对以上3组进行压力、载荷-位移、应力强度、刚度和旋转性能测试。 结果与结论：双钢板固定组载荷-位移显著小于T型钢板固定组和拉力螺钉固定组,双钢板固定组轴向刚度、水平剪切刚度及转矩扭角变化,均显著大于T型钢板固定组和拉力螺钉固定组。提示胫骨平台后内侧骨折双钢板固定较其他2种方法更具有生物力学上的稳定性。     

水平带状钢板治疗胫骨平台后外侧象限骨折的生物力学研究

目的　比较胫骨平台后外侧象限骨折不同内固定方式的力学稳定性效果。 方法　采用Synbone人工合成胫骨18个,切割构建孤立的胫骨平台后外侧象限骨折模型,随机分为3组,分别采用外侧水平带状钢板固定、外侧低切迹解剖锁定钢板固定、后侧直形重建钢板固定。将固定好的骨折模型置于万能水压材料测试机进行测试,分别进行静态加载、疲劳测试和极限加载,检测骨块的相对空间位移。 结果　以10 mm/min加载至总载荷1050 N,重复加载10000次后,带状钢板组骨折块的纵向位移(2.77±1.79) mm,外侧锁定钢板组的纵向位移为(2.69±1.14) mm;后方重建钢板组骨折块的纵向位移为(1.62±0.60) mm,组间差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。施加载荷到骨或内固定的结构破坏后,带状钢板组的极限支撑力为(2055±263) N,外侧锁定钢板组的为（1968±209）N,后方重建钢板组的极限支撑力为(2272±130) N,组间差异具有显著的统计学意义（P<0.05）。 结论　治疗孤立的胫骨平台后外侧象限骨折,侧方带状钢板水平固定能取得满意的效果。     

数字散斑法加载100 N与500 N测量胫骨干骨折内固定下的位移

背景：以往研究多以传感器研究钢板置入内固定治疗骨折生物力学特点,存在直接接触、精度低等缺点。 目的：以数字散斑法测试成人胫骨加压钢板内固定中骨折断端第4颗和第5颗螺钉在不同拉力条件下的平均位移。 方法：测试之前在所有成人胫骨标本表面喷涂银漆粉,用于数字散斑测量。横行截断胫骨中点,制造胫骨干中段骨折模型。将加压钢板置入胫骨后外侧骨膜下,骨折端两侧各4枚螺钉穿透4层骨皮质。标本分6个状态：A,8枚螺钉加压胫骨内固定(未锯断,模拟骨愈合状态);B,在A组的基础上胫骨中点锯断;C,在B组的基础上去掉上面第1颗螺钉;D,在C组的基础上去掉下面第1颗螺钉;E,在D组的基础上去掉上面第2颗螺钉;F,在E组的基础上去掉下面第2颗螺钉,按A~F组测量顺序进行测量。在100,500 N拉力下,用CSS-44100型电子万能试验机进行加载拉力测量骨折断端近侧第4颗与第5螺钉的位移。 结果与结论：方差分析显示在100 N拉力下(F=3.107),A组与F组比较方差的P < 0.05;在500 N拉力下(F=4.719),A组与F组比较方差的P值< 0.05。说明靠近骨折线的螺钉承受较大的应力,容易断裂,在加压钢板内固定治疗胫骨骨折时,经过推断假定其螺钉直径建议增加1.0~2.0 mm。     

Magic螺钉固定治疗髋臼后柱骨折的生物力学分析EI北大核心CSCD

通过有限元法分析Magic螺钉治疗髋臼后柱骨折的生物力学稳定性。基于志愿者计算机断层扫描(CT)和磁共振成像(MRI)数据建立骨盆三维有限元模型并验证其有效性,然后生成髋臼后柱骨折模型,模拟采用经坐骨结节逆行拉力螺钉、后柱单钢板、后柱双钢板和Magic螺钉进行固定,比较四种固定模型的生物力学稳定性差异。在骶骨上部施加500 N压力模拟人体重力,站位以及坐位状态下逆行拉力螺钉、后柱单钢板、双钢板以及Magic螺钉固定模型的植入物最大应力分别为:114.10、113.40 MPa;58.93、55.72 MPa;58.76、47.47 MPa;24.36、27.50 MPa;骨折端最大应力分别为:72.71、70.51 MPa;48.18、22.80 MPa;52.38、27.14 MPa;34.05、30.78 MPa。两种状态下逆行拉力螺钉固定模型骨折端位移均为最大,Magic螺钉在站立状态下位移变化量最小,但是坐位状态明显高于两种钢板固定。Magic螺钉可以满足髋臼后柱骨折的稳定性需要,与传统拉力螺钉、钢板固定方式相比具有应力分布更均匀、受力更小等优点,是一种值得推荐的内固定方法。     

不同内固定术式治疗膝关节半脱位合并胫骨内侧平台骨折的疗效对比

目的比较不同内固定术式治疗膝关节半脱位合并胫骨内侧平台骨折的临床疗效。方法选取我院2013年1月至2015年1月收治的膝关节半脱位合并胫骨内侧平台骨折患者90例,根据手术方法不同分为内侧T型钢板+拉力螺钉内固定(内侧钢板固定组)30例,外侧锁定钢板+拉力螺钉内固定(外侧钢板固定组)30例及双侧双钢板固定组30例。回顾性分析患者的临床资料,比较三组术中及术后一般资料、术后胫骨平台解剖学参数、Rasmussen复位解剖学评分及膝关节美国特种外科医院(Hospital for Special Surgery,HSS)评分。结果所有患者手术顺利并获得随访,术后3、6及12个月时双侧双钢板固定组胫骨平台内翻角(Tibial plateau-tibial shaft angle,TPA)及胫骨平台后倾角(Posterior slope,PS)均大于内侧钢板固定组及外侧钢板固定组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。术后3、6及12个月时双侧双钢板固定组Rasmussen复位解剖学评分及膝关节HSS评分均大于内侧钢板固定组及外侧钢板固定组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。至末次随访,双侧双钢板固定组手术优良率[93.3%(28/30)]高于内侧钢板固定组[70.0%(21/30)]及外侧钢板固定组[73.3%(22/30)],差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论对于合并膝关节半脱位的胫骨内侧平台骨折,前正中联合后内侧入路双钢板固定可充分暴露骨折端,解剖复位良好,膝关节功能恢复满意,效果优于单侧钢板联合拉力螺钉内固定术。     

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.