The diagnosis of IgE-mediated allergy of the upper airways

A statistical analysis was made of data concerning diagnosis of IgE-mediated allergy in the upper respiratory tract in 292 patients. It appears that screening for an IgE-mediated allergy can be performed with a limited number of skin tests (rye grass, timothy, birch, house dust mite and cat). In this study a larger number of skin tests (15 instead of 5) and investigation of specific IgE (RAST) yielded little additional information (in 2% and 3% of the patients, respectively). When indicated, an extended series of skin tests, immuno-assay (total IgE and specific IgE) and eosinophil counts in the serum and nasal smear should be performed.     

Deposition of graphene nanomaterial aerosols in human upper airways

Graphene nanomaterials have attracted wide attention in recent years on their application to state-of-the-art technology due to their outstanding physical properties. On the other hand, the nanotoxicity of graphene materials also has rapidly become a serious concern especially in occupational health. Graphene naomaterials inevitably could become airborne in the workplace during manufacturing processes. The inhalation and subsequent deposition of graphene nanomaterial aerosols in the human respiratory tract could potentially result in adverse health effects to exposed workers. Therefore, investigating the deposition of graphene nanomaterial aerosols in the human airways is an indispensable component of an integral approach to graphene occupational health. For this reason, this study carried out a series of airway replica deposition experiments to obtain original experimental data for graphene aerosol airway deposition. In this study, graphene aerosols were generated, size classified, and delivered into human airway replicas (nasal and oral-to-lung airways). The deposition fraction and deposition efficiency of graphene aerosol in the airway replicas were obtained by a novel experimental approach. The experimental results acquired showed that the fractional deposition of graphene aerosols in airway sections studied were all less than 4%, and the deposition efficiency in each airway section was generally lower than 0.03. These results indicate that the majority of the graphene nanomaterial aerosols inhaled into the human respiratory tract could easily penetrate through the head airways as well as the upper part of the tracheobronchial airways and then transit down to the lower lung airways, where undesired biological responses might be induced.     

Possible cellular and molecular mechanisms for asbestos carcinogenicity.

Asbestos fibers may exert their carcinogenic effects on mesothelial cells and bronchial epithelial cells by direct and indirect mechanisms. Direct effects can occur following the physical interaction of fibers with target cells or by the generation of free radicals from the fiber surface; indirect effects, following the interaction of fibers with inflammatory cells can result in the production of cellular mediators such as cytokines and various reactive oxygen species. As a result, target cells may be induced to proliferate and/or sustain genetic alterations, which lead to tumor development.     

Endotracheal and upper airways suctioning: changes in newborns' physiological parameters

This study investigated which physiological parameters change when endotracheal and upper airway suctioning is performed immediately before, immediately after and five minutes after this procedure is performed in newborns hospitalized in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This is a quantitative and longitudinal study, before and after type, performed in the NICU of a public institution in the city of Fortaleza, CE, Brazil. The sample was composed of 104 newborns using oxigenotherapy and who needed endotracheal and upper airway suctioning. The results showed significant alterations in respiratory and heart rates (p<0.05) in neonates using Oxyhood and nasal CPAP while the pulse significantly changed (p<0.05) in newborns placed in oxyhood, using nasal CPAP and Mechanical Ventilation; oxygen saturation was the only parameter that did not alter significantly. We propose that nurses develop non-pharmacological interventions to reduce potential alterations caused in newborns' physiological parameters due to this procedure.     

一种用于上呼吸道的光纤压力传感器的设计

主要论述一种用于生物医学领域的光纤变送器的设计方法。这种光纤用于上呼吸道部分或全部闭塞而引起睡眠紊乱患者。     

维生素D影响新生儿黄疸的可能机制

维生素D是一类重要的脂溶性维生素,不仅可以调节机体的钙磷代谢,还具有抗氧化、抗感染、免疫调节、促进细胞增殖分化等作用.近年来的研究发现不同的血清维生素D水平还与新生儿黄疸有关.基于新生儿黄疸影响因素众多,本文就维生素D影响新生儿黄疸的可能机制进行综述.     

Improved somatic growth following adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy in young children. Possible pathogenetic mechanisms

The effect of Adenotonsillectomy on somatic growth was studied prospectively in 57, randomly selected children (31 boys, 26 girls), aged 5.03+/-1.32 (mean+/-1SD) years. The indication for surgery was adenotonsillar hypertrophy with or without recurrent infections. Weight, height, triceps skinfold thickness, and Body Mass Index were measured prior to the operation and 6-13 months afterwards. Weight was significantly improved following T&A in all children. The improvement in height was significantly only for children under 5 years. In an attempt to uncover the pathogenetic mechanisms, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, somatomedin-C (IGF-I), growth hormone(GH), insulin, glucose, pH, hemoglobin (Hbeta). and white cell count (WBC) were also determined in the last 18 children, prior to and 6-8 months post operatively. For the comparison of pre and post operative values the paired t test was applied. Although the values of GH and IGF1 did not significantly increase post-op the IGF-1/GH ratio increased, possibly indicating improved IGF1 generation. There was also a rise in Hbeta values and a lowering of WBC, probably reflecting the lower frequency of infections. All other metabolic indices did not change. In conclusion, linear grow post-Adenotonsillectomy improved in children aged <5 years and was associated with improved with IGF-1/GH ratio, increased Hbeta values and decreased in WBC.     

Possible mechanisms of the development of osteopaties in patients with chronic lead poisoning

Osseous tissue conditions were studied against changing clinical manifestations of chronic intoxications with lead. In more than 50% cases, hypertrophic osteoporosis was revealed. 65% cases were marked with osteoarthrosis deformans of the elbow and knee joints. The contributors review the local and general hormonal mechanisms underlying osteopathy caused by lead intoxications.     

Experimental cerebral malaria: Possible new mechanisms in the TNF-induced microvascular pathology

Summary In order to contribute to the prevention of malaria morbidity and mortality, especially in endemic zones, we have carried out a series of studies on cytokine interactions in an experimental model of cerebral malaria (CM). This rapidly lethal syndrome develops, in some strains of mice, upon infection with Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA). A crucial mediator of neurovascular lesions appears to be TNF, found in high amounts in relation with cerebral complications, in both experimental and human CM¹. In experimental CM, in vivo injections of anti-cytokine antibodies have been used to analyze the cascade of reactions leading to brain vascular damage¹. In this review, we fill focus on the interplay of cytokines responsible for TNF overproduction in experimental malaria, therefore delineating the subset of T cells whose activation can lead to pathology, and effector mechanisms of neurovascular lesions characteristic of mouse cerebral malaria, with recent findings that appear to involve an unexpected cell type, the blood platelet.

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Zusammenfassung Mit dem Ziel zur Prävention von Malaria-Morbidität und-Mortalität beizutragen, wurde eine Serie von Studien über die Interaktionen von Cytokinen in einem experimentellen Modell für cerebrale Malaria (CM) durchgeführt. Dieses in kurzer Zeit tödliche Syndrom entwickelt sich, in einigen Mausstämmen, nach einer Infektion mit Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA). TNF scheint ein entscheidender. Vermittler für neurovasculäre Läsionen zu sein, der im Zusammenhang mit cerebralen Komplikationen sowohl bei experimenteller als auch humaner CM in grosser Menge gefunden wird. Bei experimenteller CM wurden in vivo Injektionen von anti-Cytokine Antikörpern verwendet um die Kaskade von Reaktionen zu analysieren, die zur Schädigung von Hirngefässen führen. In diesem Überblick werden wir uns auf das Zusammenspiel der bei experimenteller Malaria für die Überproduktion von TNF verantwortlichen Cytokine konzentrieren, und dazu die T-Zellpopulation darstellen deren Aktivierung zur Pathologie führen kann, und auf die Effektormechanismen von neurovasculären, für die cerebrale Malaria der Maus typischen Läsionen, mit neuen Befunden, die eine Beteiligung eines unerwarteten Zelltyps, der Blutplättchen, zu ergeben scheinen.

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Résumé Dans le but de contribuer à la prévention de la morbídlté et de la mortalité due au paludisme, en particulier dans les zones endémiques, nous avons mené une série d'études sur les interactions entre cytokines dans un modèle expérimental de paludisme cérébral (CM pour cerebral malaria). Ce syndrôme rapidement mortel survient chez certaines souches de souris à la suite d'une infection par Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA). Un médiateur particulièrement important des lésions neuro-vasculaires semble être le Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) que l'on retrouve en quantité importante dans les cas présentant des complications cérébrales (CM), aussi bien chez l'homme que chez l'animal d'expérience. Dans les CM expérimentales, des injections in vivo d'anticorps anti-cytokines ont été utilisées pour analyser la séquence des événements menant aux lésions vasculaires cérébrales. Dans cette revue, nous nous concentrons sur les interactions entre cytokines responsables de la surproduction de TNF dans le paludisme expérimental qui, de ce fait, définissent le sous-groupe de cellules T dont l'activation peut conduire à des manifestations pathologiques, et les mécanismes effecteurs des lésions neuro-vasculaires caractéristiques du paludisme cérébral chez la sourís, avec la découverte récente du rôle d'une cellule inattendue, la plaquette sanguine.

     

Chrome plating: symptoms, findings in the upper airways, and effects on lung function

Respiratory symptoms, lung function, and changes in the nasal septum were noted for 100 subjects exposed to chrome plating. The findings were compared with those of 119 nonexposed controls, studied with identical techniques, as well as with data in the literature. Complaints of nasal irritation were common among subjects exposed to a daily average that exceeded 1 microgram/m3 of chromic acid, while the frequency of chronic bronchitis was similar to that in different control series. Nasal septal ulceration and perforation were seen in two-thirds of the subjects exposed to peak levels of 20 micrograms/m3 or more. Both forced vital capacity and forced expired volume in 1 sec were reduced by 0.2 L. The forced midexpiratory flow diminished by 0.4 L/sec from Monday morning to Thursday afternoon in subjects exposed to a daily average of 2 micrograms/m3 or more chromic acid, but there was no clear correlation with short-term high exposure. Subjects exposed to lower levels showed no significant changes. Data collected on Monday morning (i.e., after 2 days without exposure) did not differ significantly from reference values. It is concluded that an 8-hr mean exposure exceeding 2 micrograms/m3 may cause a transient decrease in lung function, and that short-term exposure to at least 20 micrograms/m3 may cause septal ulceration and perforation.     

Preclinical evaluation of intrauterine progesterone as a contraceptive agent. II. Possible mechanisms of action

The exact mechanism of action is unknown by which the intrauterine delivery of progesterone exerts its contraceptive effect. This study evaluated the effects of progesterone on ova development, sperm capacitation, and leukocyte infiltration in mature female rabbits. The rate of intrauterine progesterone delivery varied from 10 μg/day to 325 μg/day. Minor changes occurred in ova transport and sperm capacitation, while influx of leukocytes into the uterine lumen was generally below control numbers. The results suggest that direct effects on ova and on the endometrium are the primary mechanism for the contraceptive action of intrauterine progesterone.     

Repeatability and validity of an upper limb and neck discomfort questionnaire: the utility of the standardized Nordic questionnaire

The repeatability and validity of a questionnaire for upper limb and neck complaints were assessed in a population of 105 hospital outpatients with a range of upper limb and neck disorders (including cervical spondylosis, adhesive capsulitis, lateral epicondylitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and Raynaud's phenomenon). Subjects were asked to complete a modified Nordic-style upper limb and neck discomfort questionnaire on two occasions closely spaced in time. The repeatability of their responses was assessed by calculating a kappa coefficient (kappa), and the sensitivity and specificity of component items in the questionnaire were determined for specific diagnostic categories of upper limb and neck disorder. Symptom reports for pain in the upper limb and neck, pain interfering with physical activities, neurological symptoms and blanching were all found to be highly repeatable (kappa = 0.63-0.90). A number of regional pain reports proved to be very sensitive in relation to specific upper limb disorders, but, with the exception of reported finger blanching in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon, none proved to have a good specificity (range = 0.33-0.38). We conclude that a modified Nordic-style questionnaire is repeatable and sensitive, and is likely to have a high utility in screening and surveillance. However a complementary examination schedule of adequate specificity and repeatability is essential to establish a clinical diagnosis.     

Possible biologic mechanisms for a protective role of xanthophylls

This contribution surveys the evidence linking the presence of the two xanthophylls, lutein and zeaxanthin, to a protective role in the macular region of the retina. Although the evidence is still associative in nature, it is biologically plausible, and may be resolved with additional intervention trials.