Prevalence of latex allergy and evaluation of some risk factors in a population of atopic children.

The aims of our study were to evaluate (1) the prevalence of natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy in an unselected population of atopic children; (2) the diagnostic efficacy of skin prick tests (SPTs) with latex extracts; (3) the correlation between positive SPTs to latex and risk factors such as atopy, fruit allergy, history of surgery cares or dental cares. We randomly enrolled 151 unselected atopic and 59 nonatopic children who underwent SPTs with common inhalant and food allergens, and SPTs with two different latex extracts. A clinical history concerning allergic history, symptoms after contact with latex objects or after ingestion of fruits or vegetables, dental and surgical treatments was obtained. Six of the 151 atopic children were positive to latex SPTs, but only one out of 59 nonatopic children was positive to latex SPTs. Concerning risk factors, 86% of children with SPT positive to latex were atopic, 71.4% had a clinical history of surgery, and none of them had undergone dental or orthodontic treatments. The prevalence of NRL sensitization in our unselected population of atopic children was 3.9%, but the prevalence of NRL allergy was 2.6%. Concerning NRL allergy, the sensitivity and the specificity of SPTs with latex extracts are high (1.00 and 0.98, respectively), as well as negative predicting value (1.00); the positive predictive value is low (0.70). We conclude that atopy, surgical treatments, and sensitization to foods cross-reacting with NRL are important risk factors for NRL sensitization. We have no data concerning dental or orthodontic cares.     

Performances,feasibility and acceptability of nasopharyngeal swab,saliva and oral-self sampling swab for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases - Molecular diagnosis on nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) is the current standard for COVID-19 diagnosis, but saliva may be an...     

Arsine: an unknown industrial chemical toxic

Arsines family includes many compounds with various toxicities. Arsenic trihydride or arsine is the most toxic form of arsenic. Powerful haemolytic gas, it has never been used as a chemical weapon because its toxicity is not immediate and it is non persistent. However, cases of industrial poisoning with arsine are still identified in spite of a strict regulation at work. It is also identified as a potential toxic of chemical terrorism. This agent, of which the mechanism of action is still not well defined, is badly recognized because of intoxications rarity. However, fast detection means are available. Health professionals and especially those who are involved in piratox plan need to learn to recognize arsine intoxication (hematuria, oliguria, haemolytic anemia) in order to provide early, specific treatment and avoid damages.     

PDGFRβ and FGFR2 mediate endothelial cell differentiation capability of triple negative breast carcinoma cells

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a very aggressive subgroup of breast carcinoma, still lacking specific markers for an effective targeted therapy and with a poorer prognosis compared to other breast cancer subtypes.In this study we investigated the possibility that TNBC cells contribute to the establishment of tumor vascular network by the process known as vasculogenic mimicry, through endothelial cell differentiation.Vascular‐like functional properties of breast cancer cell lines were investigated in vitro by tube formation assay and in vivo by confocal microscopy, immunofluorescence or immunohistochemistry on frozen tumor sections. TNBCs express endothelial markers and acquire the ability to form vascular‐like channels in vitro and in vivo, both in xenograft models and in human specimens, generating blood lacunae surrounded by tumor cells. Notably this feature is significantly associated with reduced disease free survival. The impairment of the main pathways involved in vessel formation, by treatment with inhibitors (i.e. Sunitinib and Bevacizumab) or by siRNA‐mediating silencing, allowed the identification of PDGFRβ and FGFR2 as relevant players in this phenomenon. Inhibition of these tyrosine kinase receptors negatively affects vascular lacunae formation and significantly inhibits TNBC growth in vivo.In summary, we demonstrated that TNBCs have the ability to form vascular‐like channels in vitro and to generate blood lacunae lined by tumor cells in vivo. Moreover, this feature is associated with poor outcome, probably contributing to the aggressiveness of this breast cancer subgroup. Finally, PDGFRβ and FGFR2‐mediated pathways, identified as relevant in mediating this characteristic, potentially represent valid targets for a specific therapy of this breast cancer subgroup.     

Factors influencing hepatic metabolism of antihypertensive drugs: impact on clinical response

Introduction: Although main antihypertensive drugs are able to efficiently reduce blood pressure, only a third of treated hypertensive patients achieve optimal blood pressure control. Extensive interpatient variability on drug metabolism and oral disposition of blood pressure lowering drugs can contribute to this failure in hypertension management.

Areas covered: The aim of the present review is to update the knowledge on the features of hepatic metabolism of the main antihypertensive agents, including β-blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin receptor blockers, and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. The factors that contribute to the large interindividual variability of main antihypertensive drugs are also covered.

Expert opinion: The variability of plasma concentration of antihypertensive drugs due to the involvement of hepatic metabolism can contribute to the inadequate control of blood pressure in the daily clinical practice. Genotype screening of specific hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes may contribute to optimize dose selection and to increase the rate of blood pressure control in patients treated with specific β-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin receptor blockers.     

Glycolysis abnormalities in fibromyalgia.

Primary fibromyalgia (FM) is a painful condition, generally treated by analgesic drugs and antidepressants, which has been associated with hyperpyruvicemia and reduced high energy phosphate in muscle. Biological investigations were performed in patients with FM to determine whether this syndrome was related to carbohydrate metabolism impairment.

Glycolysis was studied in 25 patients with FM, 10 patients with hypothyroidism (HO), 15 patients with osteoarticular chronic pain (OACP), and 36 healthy controls. Laboratory studies were performed on whole blood (pyruvate), erythrocytes (pyruvate kinase, 2-3 diphosphoglycerate, glyceraldehyde phosphodeshydrogenase, adenosine triphosphate), plasma and serum (lactate at rest and after forearm ischemic exercise, lactico deshydrogenase iso-enzymes).

Comparisons between study groups and controls demonstrated increased pyruvate and decreased lactate production in FM and HO; adenosine triphosphate and muscular isoenzymes of lacticodeshydrogenase were decreased in FM only; glycolysis was not significantly impaired in OACP.

These findings provide support that FM is associated with biochemical abnormalities which require appropriate metabolic therapy.