No association between nickel allergy and reporting cosmetic dermatitis from mascara or eye shadow: a cross‐sectional general population study

Background In theory, all pigmented make‐up products may contain metal allergens including nickel. Eyelid dermatitis has previously been observed among nickel allergic dermatitis patients following exposure to nickel containing mascara and eye shadow. However, an association between nickel eyelid dermatitis and nickel in make‐up products remains controversial. Objective This cross‐sectional patch test study investigated whether the frequency of self‐reported cosmetic dermatitis from mascara or eye shadow use was higher among nickel allergic Danish women than women without nickel allergy. Methods In 2006, a total of 1843 18–69 year old women completed a postal questionnaire including questions on cosmetic dermatitis and were patch tested with nickel sulphate. Data were analysed by logistic regression analyses and associations were expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results The prevalence of nickel allergy was similar among women who reported cosmetic dermatitis from eye shadow or mascara and among women who did not report such symptoms. Cosmetic dermatitis was positively associated with self‐reported atopic dermatitis and age. Conclusion Overall, no association between having nickel allergy and reporting cosmetic dermatitis from mascara or eye shadow use was found in the general population. This does not exclude a causal relationship in selected cases.     

Schistosoma mansoni excretory circulating cathodic antigen shares Lewis- x epitopes with a human granulocyte surface antigen and evokes host antibodies mediating complement-dependent lysis of granulocytes

Parasitic worms of the genus Schistosoma excrete relatively large amounts of immunogenic glycoproteins (circulating cathodic antigen [CCA]) that contain polysaccharide side chains with the trisaccharide Lewis-x (L(ex)) as a repeating unit. These carbohydrates evoke high titers of specific IgM antibodies that cross-react with the repeating L(ex) units on the surface of granulocytes. Consequently this might lead, in the presence of complement, to lysis of the granulocytes. In the present study, this hypothesis was investigated using anti-CCA mouse monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) and polyclonal antibodies purified from sera of infected humans. By flow cytometry, it was demonstrated that the mouse MoAbs directed against CCA strongly recognized the granulocytes. It could also be shown that these MoAbs, as well as anti- CCA IgM antibodies purified from infected human sera, caused lysis of granulocytes in a complement-dependent cytotoxicity assay. Sera from healthy controls or from patients with other helminth infections resulted in negligible granulocytotoxicity. These in vitro observed phenomena may explain the mild to moderate neutropenia that occurs in schistosomiasis patients.     

Current concepts and issues in the management of regurgitation of infants: a reappraisal

Regurgitation in infants is a common problem. Recent issues, such as the increased risk of sudden infant death in the prone sleeping position, the finding of persisting occult gastro-oesophageal reflux with feed thickeners, and the increasing awareness of the cost-benefit ratio of medications may challenge the currently recommended management approach. A round table was organized to elaborate on the impact of (i) the pro supine sleeping campaigns in relation to sudden infant death and (ii) advancement in medical treatment on therapeutic strategies in regurgitating infants. The participants were opinion leaders from Europe and North America (Belgium, Canada, France, UK, Italy, Switzerland and The Netherlands). The importance of parental reassurance is stressed. As a consequence of the supine sleeping campaigns aiming to decrease the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome, the "prone elevated sleeping position" is no longer advised as a first-line therapeutic approach, although it is still recommended in "complicated reflux". It is emphasized that milk thickeners are an adequate therapeutic tool for regurgitation, but not in reflux disease. According to the literature, the efficacy of (alginate-) antacids, although very popular in some countries, is questionable. These recommendations will be of interest to first-line paediatricians, since about 40% of their patients, according to the literature, present because of regurgitation.     

The mental and physical health of miners following the 1992 national pit closure programme: a cross sectional survey using General Health Questionnaire GHQ-12 and Short Form SF-36

Background: In the twelve months following the announcement of the UK pit closure programme in October 1992, 22 500 miners were made redundant. In 1994 we undertook a cross-sectional survey to determine whether the mental and physical health of men who had been employed in the Nottinghamshire mining industry differed from that of the general population.Methods: A postal questionnaire was designed incorporating the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and six domains from SF-36. Questionnaires were sent to 1064 miners and ex-miners and 2097 other men in Nottinghamshire. Non-responders were sent two reminders.Results: The final response rate was 51%. The percentage of responders with GHQ-12 scores of three or more (suggesting psychological disorder) was 46% for those still employed in the mining industry, 52% for unemployed former miners and 22% for working non-miners (odds ratios: 3.0 [95% C.I. 2.2–4.1] for current miners and 3.9 [95% C.I. 2.6–5.7] for unemployed miners compared with working non-miners). The miners and ex-miners also had lower scores (suggesting greater morbidity) for each of the SF-36 domains tested. When stratifying for age in respondents of social classes IIIM-V the scores of current miners were significantly lower than those of working non-miners (P < 0.01).Conclusions: This study suggests that when surveyed in 1994, men who had been employed in three Nottinghamshire collieries in 1992 were psychologically and physically disadvantaged compared with working non-miners. Whether these findings are a result of pit closures is uncertain. However, significant potential health needs have been demonstrated.     

大蒜中两种新的甾体皂甙成分及其对血液凝聚性的影响

用大孔树脂(AB-8)柱层析、硅胶柱层析、Sephadex LH-20柱层析、及制备性HPLC等方法,从大蒜(Alium sativum L.)水溶性部分分到6个化合物,并鉴定其结构,它们分别是proto-iso-eruboside-B(I),eruboside-B(I),iso-eruboside-B(II),sativoside-C(IV),腺苷(V)和色氨酸(VI)。其中I和II为两个新的甾体皂甙类化合物。并测试了它们对血液系统的作用,发现大蒜总甙有抗血小板聚集和提高纤溶活性,iso-eruboside-B有明显的延长血液凝固时间和提高纤溶活性,proto-iso-eruboside-B有显著的提高纤溶活性,腺苷则有抗血小板聚集活性和提高纤溶活性,sativoside-C由于量少未测活性。其余化合物均无活性。     

Nutritional depletion in patients on long-term oxygen therapy and/or home mechanical ventilation.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of malnutrition in outpatients on long-term oxygen therapy or home mechanical ventilation, to determine the relationships between malnutrition and impairment/disability and smoking and also to identify relevant tools for routine nutritional assessment. In 744 patients (M:F 1.68, aged 65+/-15 yrs) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, 40%), restrictive disorders (27%), mixed respiratory failure (15%), neuromuscular diseases (13%) and bronchiectasis (5%), body mass index (BMI), fat-free mass (FFM), serum albumin, transthyretin, 6-min walking test, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and blood gases were recorded. FFM was the most sensitive parameter for detecting malnutrition, being abnormal in 53.6% of patients, while BMI was <20 in 23.2%, serum albumin <35 g x L(-1) in 20.7%, and serum transthyretin <200 mg x L(-1) in 20%. FFM depletion predominated in neuromuscular, bronchiectasis and restrictive disorders. BMI and FFM were correlated with FEV1, FVC and 6-min walking test. In multivariate analysis a BMI<20 was related to FEV1 and smoking habits, and a low FFM to smoking, FEV1 and female sex. Malnutrition is highly prevalent in home-assisted respiratory patients and is related to causal disease, forced expiratory volume in one second, smoking and disability. Fat-free mass appeared to be the most sensitive and relevant nutritional parameter according to impairment and disability.