Disentangling Tfr cells from Treg cells and Tfh cells: How to untie the Gordian knot

T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells are a subpopulation of Treg cells that have adopted the T follicular helper cell program to localize to the B‐cell follicle. Because of the difficulties in generating mouse models in which Tfr cells are selectively affected, determining where and how Tfr cells regulate the germinal center response remains to be resolved. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, Dent and colleagues [Eur. J. Immunol. 2016. 46: 1152–1161] describe a simple, elegant mouse model to conditionally delete Tfr cells without impacting on the Treg‐ and Tfh‐cell populations. Their initial studies suggest that Tfr cells have a more complex role than previously thought, particularly with respect to the regulation of immunoglobulin isotype switching to IgA.     

Nannizzia incurvata in Hue city - Viet Nam: Molecular identification and antifungal susceptibility testing

BackgroundNannizzia incurvata, a species belonging to the Nannizzia gypsea complex, is considered a neglected pathogen.ObjectiveTo detected N. incurvata isolates from dermatophytosis patients in Hue city - Viet Nam, and test the antifungal susceptibility of this species. Moreover, fungal capability to produce hydrolytic enzymes was evaluated.MethodsPatients’ samples were collected and cultured on Sabouraud-chloramphenicol-cycloheximide medium. Dermatophytes isolates were initially macroscopically and microscopically identified. ITS PCR-RFLP and ITS rDNA sequences were performed to determine and confirm species. An ITS Neighbor-Joining phylogenetic tree evaluated the genetic relationship among isolates. Fungal hydrolytic enzymes were examined, including lipase, phospholipase and protease. Antifungal susceptibility testing was carried out by the disk diffusion method. MICs of itraconazole, voriconazole, and terbinafine against these isolates were determined by the broth microdilution method.ResultsTwelve isolates of N. gypsea complex were preliminary morphologically identified. PCR-RFLP and ITS-rDNA sequencing identified and confirmed dermatophytes as N. incurvata strains, respectively. An evident polymorphism among isolates was highlighted in the phylogenetic tree. All isolates showed the activity of lipase, phospholipase, and protease production. Overall, all N. incurvata isolates were susceptible to itraconazole, voriconazole, clotrimazole, miconazole, and terbinafine. Few isolates were susceptible to griseofulvin, and none of them were susceptible to fluconazole.ConclusionsThere was a presence of polyclonal N. incurvata isolates in dermatophytosis patients from Hue city, identified by PCR-RLFP and confirmed by ITS sequencing. We confirmed PCR-RLFP as a reliable technique to identify this species. Azole and terbinafine are the optimal choices for N. incurvata treatment except for fluconazole.     

人体坐姿与坐椅界面间之生物力学分析

坐压一直都是复健和医学工程关心的主要课题之一。许多人因工作或生病需要长时间坐在椅子上,而造成不适,甚至于使得臀部受伤或产生压疮。为了解决上述问题及提供有效数据,本研究及设计一临床评估仪器,用来评估压力分布情形,最后能建议适当的姿势与座垫：此系统包括可调试座椅－－可适合不同身高本型特性的个体,量测界面压力系统及量测臀部轮廓系统。     

Asthma in children: Management practices among paediatricians and family physicians

OBJECTIVE:

To ascertain the variation in asthma management practices among paediatricians and family physicians to determine how to improve care.

DESIGN:

Questionnaire study of paediatricians and family physicians that focused on the use of beta₂-agonists, inhaled corticosteroids, patient asthma education, quantitative measurements of airflow and diagnostic investigations for asthma. Case scenarios were used in the questionnaire.

RESULTS:

The response rate was 66% (415 of 632) among paediatricians and 42% (1156 of 2750) among family physicians. In general, both groups followed consensus guidelines. There were some differences in management practices among paediatricians and family physicians. Paediatricians were more likely to develop an action plan and less likely to use xanthines or inhaled anticholinergic agents. However, family physicians were more likely to use spirometry or home peak expiratory flow rates to make a diagnosis of asthma.

CONCLUSION:

Family physicians and paediatricians require a different focus on educational interventions to improve the care of children with asthma.     

Pulmonary cystic hydatid disease in Ireland

Background Hydatid disease is rare in Ireland and its incidence and prevalence are unknown. Most cases are diagnosed by a combination of clinical findings, morphological features on imaging and by serological testing. Aims We describe an Irish case of pulmonary hydatid disease detected at bronchoscopy by bronchoalveolar lavage, and discuss the diagnosis and treatment of the disorder.     

Tuberculosis notifications in Australia, 1998

Since the inception of the National Mycobacterial Surveillance System (NMSS) in 1991, annual crude notification rates for tuberculosis have remained stable at between 5 and 6 per 100,000 population. In 1998, there was a total of 923 TB notifications in Australia of which 884 were new TB cases, and 39 relapsed cases. The corresponding annual crude notification rate for new and relapsed TB was 4.72 and 0.21 per 100,000 respectively. Seventy-seven percent of notifications that had a country of birth reported were overseas born. In keeping with trends observed over recent reporting years, the populations for which notified TB rates are highest include the overseas born from high prevalence countries and Indigenous Australians. The lowest rates of disease have continued to be reported in the non-Indigenous, Australian born population. Surveillance reports over the last seven years indicate that the rate of disease in this population is gradually declining.