Early introduction of allergenic foods for the prevention of food allergy from an Asian perspective—An Asia Pacific Association of Pediatric Allergy,Respirology & Immunology (APAPARI) consensus statement

Emerging evidence for the early introduction of allergenic foods for the prevention of food allergies, such as peanut allergy in Western populations, has led to the recent publication of guidelines in the USA and Europe recommending early peanut introduction for high‐risk infants with severe eczema or egg allergy. Peanut allergy is, however, much less prevalent in Asia compared to the West. Varying patterns of food allergy are seen even within Asian countries—such as a predominance of wheat allergy in Japan and Thailand and shellfish allergy in Singapore and the Philippines. Customs and traditions, such as diet and infant feeding practices, also differ between Asian populations. Hence, there are unique challenges in adapting guidelines on early allergenic food introduction to the Asian setting. In this paper, we review the evidence and discuss the possible approaches to guide the timely introduction of allergenic food in high‐risk infants in Asia.     

Lack of C-erbB-2 protein expression in pulmonary carcinoid tumours.

To determine if amplification of the C-erb-B2 proto-oncogene could be correlated with prognosis in carcinoid tumours, 49 pulmonary carcinoid tumours (26 typical, 23 atypical) were examined using a polyclonal antibody to the C-terminal peptide of the C-erb-B2 protein sequence. No C-erb-B2 gene product could be shown: the demonstration of C-erb-B2 does not seem to help, therefore, in determining diagnosis or prognosis in pulmonary carcinoid tumours.     

Prealbumin in the diagnosis of bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumours.

The reliability of prealbumin as a diagnostic marker was studied in 60 cases of bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumours. There were differences in the incidence of positivity between typical and atypical carcinoids (well differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas). Seventy five per cent of the carcinoid tumours were positive for prealbumin; (86.7% typical and 63.3% atypical carcinoids). In 15 cases, which were Grimelius negative, 10 were prealbumin positive. Only 8.3% carcinoids were negative with both prealbumin and Grimelius stains. Ten squamous, 10 adeno- and 10 small cell carcinomas showed only occasional scattered prealbumin positive cells. It is concluded that prealbumin is a useful marker for bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumours. It is cheap, readily available, and should be considered part of routine diagnostic procedures for the diagnosis of carcinoid tumours.     

Retrospective Study on Efficacy of Intermaxillary Fixation Screws

Background

We evaluated the efficacy of intermaxillary fixation (IMF) screws in the treatment of mandibular fractures.

Methods

Two hundred patients with mandibular fractures, treated by IMF using these screws, were evaluated by pre and postoperative panoramic radiographs. Clinical testing was carried out for vitality and abnormal mobility of teeth adjacent to the site of screw insertions. Other factors such as possible iatrogenic dental injuries, loss, breakage or screw cover by oral mucosa and postoperative occlusion were also studied.

Result

The most important complication noticed was iatrogenic damage to dental roots.

Conclusion

Use of intraoral cortical bone screws for IMF is a valid alternative to arch bars in the treatment of mandibular fractures. Iatrogenic injury to dental roots is the commonest problem which can be minimized by an experienced surgeon.Key Words: Intermaxillary fixation, Bone screws, Mandibular fractures, Iatrogenic injury     

Comparative Analysis of Laser Assisted Endoscopie and Conventional Endoscopie Dacryocystorhinostomy

Background

Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is the standard surgical treatment for epiphora caused by obstructions distal to the common canaliculus. Endoscopic DCR (EDCR) and laser assisted DCR (LAEDCR) are becoming increasingly popular alternatives.

Method

69 cases of EDCR were compared with 18 cases of LAEDCR. The success rates were noted at 01 week, 01, 03 and 06 months. The operating time required, incidence of adjuvant procedures, complications and post operative morbidity were recorded.

Results

At the end of 06 months, 100% and 95% success was achieved with LAEDCR and EDCR respectively. Operating time, complication rates and the incidence of adjuvant procedures required were lesser in the LAEDCR group.

Conclusion

In our study both the procedures have comparable success rates, though LAEDCR has an edge over EDCR in terms of decreased duration of surgery, decreased post operative morbidity and lesser complications.Key Words: Epiphora, endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy, laser assisted endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy