Frequency of and risk factors for allergy in primary school children: results of a population survey

During May 1986, a survey to assess the frequency of allergic disorders was conducted among primary school children of Alghero, Sardinia, using a structured self-administered questionnaire. The following problems were investigated: allergic conjunctivitis, asthma, wheezing, allergic rhinitis, urticaria and eczema. Of the original 1823 questionnaires distributed, 1961 (92.8%) were completed by parents and returned. Overall, 238 children (14.1%) were reported to have shown at least one episode of one or more of the above and were regarded as 'allergic'. Among the potential risk factors investigated, statistically significant differences (P less than 0.05) between allergic and non-allergic children were only found for history of allergy in at least one parent (odds ratio, OR = 2.2) and exposure to passive smoking (OR = 1.4).     

Novel azapeptide inhibitors of cathepsins B and K. Structural background to increased specificity for cathepsin B

Abstract: We have designed and synthesized a new series of azapeptides which act as potential inhibitors of cathepsin B and/or cathepsin K. Their structures are based upon the inhibitory sites of natural cysteine protease inhibitors, cystatins. For the synthesized azapeptides, the equilibrium constants for dissociation of inhibitor–enzyme complex, K_i, were determined. Comparison of these values indicated that all of the azainhibitors act much stronger toward cathepsin B. Z‐Arg‐Leu‐His‐Agly‐Ile‐Val‐OMe ( 7 ) proved to be approximately 500 times more potent for cathepsin B than for cathepsin K. To be able to explain the obtained experimental values we used the molecular dynamics procedures to analyze the interactions between cathepsin B and compound 7 . We also determined the structure of the most potent and selective cathepsin B azainhibitor by means of NMR studies and theoretical calculations. In this report, we describe SAR studies of azapeptide inhibitors indicating the influence of the conformational flexibility of the examined compounds on inhibition of cathepsins B and K.     

Rates of alcohol consumption and risk status among Australian university students vary by assessment questions

Introduction and Aims. Different self‐report methods tend to produce different estimates of alcohol consumption. The present study compares differences in rates and risk levels based on responses to a modified version of the Daily Drinking Questionnaire (m‐DDQ) and quantity‐frequency (QF) questions. Design and Methods. The sample comprised 2082 university students, 61% of whom were female and 39% male with a mean age of 23.5 years. An email containing an online link to a brief six‐question survey was emailed to students enrolled in participating faculties at the University of Wollongong, Australia. Current drinkers completed m‐DDQ and QF questions about alcohol consumption. Results. QF methods identified significantly lower estimates of consumption (Mean = 9.15, SD = 12.51) compared with m‐DDQ (Mean = 13.06, SD = 14.07). Allocation to risk categories based on the Australian Alcohol Guidelines were conducted for both the m‐DDQ and QF methods. Almost twice as many students were found to be drinking at levels considered risky using the m‐DDQ method compared with QF. In addition, the relative rank order of participants varied significantly between the two methods. Discussion and Conclusions. The m‐DDQ method identified higher rates of drinking and categorised almost twice as many individuals into risky categories of drinking compared with QF. Such variations have major implications for identification of risk groups in health promotion or prevention programs.[Utpala‐Kumar R, Deane FP. Rates of alcohol consumption and risk status among Australian university students vary by assessment questions. Drug Alcohol Rev 2009]     

Pharmacology of the internal anal sphincter and its relevance to faecal incontinence

1 The internal anal sphincter (IAS) has a spontaneous tone and is the main contributor to the maintenance of faecal continence. The spontaneous resting tone exhibited by the sphincter can be modified by neurotransmitters from the autonomic and enteric nervous systems. 2 In this review, the influence of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems on IAS tone are discussed and the putative roles of nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, vasoactive intestinal peptide and adenosine triphosphate in non‐adrenergic non‐cholinergic transmission are considered. 3 Faecal incontinence is a common condition that places a heavy financial burden on the health service and severely affects patients’ quality of life. Resting anal pressure is reduced in patients with faecal incontinence and agents that increase sphincter tone tend to relieve symptoms. The results of clinical studies of the use of phenylephrine to treat faecal incontinence are reviewed. 4 It is concluded that the IAS is a potential target for drug development for the treatment of faecal incontinence.     

ES05ROUTINE PARAFIBROMIN IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY OF LARGE PARATHYROID ADENOMAS IS NOT AN EFFECTIVE SCREENING STRATEGY FOR CARCINOMA

Purpose Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is rare and accounts for less than 1% of all cases of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). The definitive histopathologic diagnosis of PC requires unequivocal invasion or metastasis which may be absent at first presentation. As a result, many cases of PC can only be diagnosed retrospectively. Parafibromin is the protein encoded by HRPT2 which is mutated and not expressed in many parathyroid carcinomas. Given that PCs generally weigh more than parathyroid adenomas (PA)s, we hypothesized that amongst large PAs there may be a high incidence of occult PC which could be identified by negative staining for parafibromin. Methodology 57 parathyroid glands weighing greater than 2 grams excised from 1998–2006 were identified from the University of Sydney Endocrine Surgical Database. Two specimens with a histopathologic diagnosis of PC were excluded. Immunohistochemical staining for parafibromin was performed on the remaining 55 PAs. Results Of the 55 specimens stained for parafibromin only one definite negative stain was detected. This case was originally classified as an “atypical adenoma” because it showed nuclear and architectural atypia without unequivocal evidence of invasive growth. In view of the negative staining for parafibromin it therefore probably represents occult carcinoma. There has been no evidence of recurrence or metastasis after 6.5 years. Conclusions Complete loss of staining for parafibromin is very rare in giant parathyroid adenomas suggesting that occult carcinoma is equally rare. As a result routine immunohistochemical staining for parafibromin does not appear to be an effective screening test for carcinoma in large PA without histopathologic features of PC.     

HP26PSEUDO‐ACHALASIA FOLLOWING A SLIPPED LAPAROSCOPICALLY PLACED ADJUSTABLE GASTRIC BAND: A CASE REPORT

Purpose To demonstrate that laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding may promote oesophageal dilatation or interfere with oesophageal motility. Methodology We report a case of a 67 year old female with a complex medical history who developed secondary achalasia from a slipped laparoscopic adjustable gastric band for weight loss. This led to recurring episodes of aspiration pneumonia requiring multiple admissions at North Shore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. Results A decision was made to remove the gastric band, five years after its initial insertion. At one month follow up, she was swallowing normally and oesophageal manometry had returned to normal. Conclusion Oesophageal dysmotility is sometimes seen in patients who have bands that are adjusted too tightly or in whom the band has slipped. This can lead to serious complications if unrecognized and incorrectly treated. Oesophageal symptoms in patients with adjustable bands must be considered secondary to the band until proven otherwise ie removal of the band or complete deflation.