Beyond flat weals: validation of a three-dimensional imaging technology that will improve skin allergy research

Skin-prick tests (SPTs) are a standard way to test for sensitizations to allergens, but to date, techniques that allow for high-quality measurements of the resulting weals for research purposes are lacking. In this study, we assessed a new three-dimensional (3D) imaging technology for its accuracy and consistency. We found that this new technology showed very little intraoperator and interoperator variation for repeated measurements of a model of known area by each of two operators. We also found that repeated measurements of the same object over 4 months showed virtually no variation. Finally, 3D imaging was superior to traditional ruler measurements for assessing SPT reactions to histamine and allergen. For high-quality measurements of SPT reactions, 3D imaging is accurate, consistent and reliable.     

Non-pathogenic commensal Escherichia coli bacteria can inhibit degranulation of mast cells

Background:  The mast cell's (MC) ability to rapidly release presynthesized mediators allows it to play a critical role in the immune system's first-line response to pathogens. Although recent research has illuminated the role of MCs in bacterial infection, little is known about how non-pathogenic bacteria influence MC responses.
Objective:  To characterize the influence of non-pathogenic Escherichia coli bacteria on MCs.
Results:  High concentrations of live E. coli strongly down-modulated the degranulation of murine peritoneal MCs under all activator conditions. Bacteria did not induce MC degranulation by themselves, and staining of MCs showed they were still entirely viable. Dead bacteria and bacterial supernatant had no effect on MC degranulation. Ex vivo experiments confirmed that E. coli exposure down-modulates subsequently induced MC degranulation and that this effect lasts for up to a few days after exposure.
Conclusion:  Our results show that high doses of non-pathogenic E. coli bacteria can function as a strong, direct inhibitor of MC degranulation. This suggests a possible basis for future antiallergic treatment or prophylaxis with commensal bacteria, i.e. probiotics.     

微创髓芯减压植骨支撑治疗非塌陷性股骨头无菌性坏死的疗效观察

目的　探讨一种简便的髓芯减压和植骨治疗非塌陷性股骨头无菌性坏死的效果。 方法　对46例（58髋）Ficat Ⅱ和Ⅲ 〈A〉型股骨头无菌性坏死的治疗应用了髓芯减压、病灶刮除、松质骨植骨和自体或异体腓骨的支撑术。 结果　随访2~5年,按Harris标准其优良率为83.3%。 Harris评分由术前平均61 分增加到术后5年时的平均 85 分。 结论　髓芯减压、病灶刮除、松质骨植骨及自体或异体腓骨支撑、治疗非塌陷性股骨头无菌性坏死具有良好的疗效,可使中青年患者推迟人工关节置换年龄。     

N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide augments laser-induced choroidal neovascularization in mice

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of N-4-hydroxyphenyl retinamide (4-HPR) on experimental laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and on the expression and secretion of relevant growth factors by cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. METHODS: CNV was induced by laser photocoagulation in C57BL/6 mice. 4-HPR (0.2 or 1 mg) or vehicle, was injected intraperitoneally twice daily for 14 days. Plasma and tissue levels of 4-HPR were measured by HPLC. CNV was evaluated by fluorescein angiography, histology, and quantitative confocal analysis of isolectin B4 histochemistry on days 7 and 14. Induction of apoptosis and expression and secretion of growth factors was studied in 4-HPR-treated RPE cultures. RESULTS: Mice treated with 4-HPR exhibited time- and dose-dependent increases in plasma and tissue 4-HPR levels. CNV lesions showed increased volume with increased vascular leakage and contained fewer lesion-associated RPE in treated versus untreated mice. Treatment of nonpolarized RPE cultures with 4-HPR in the presence of serum resulted in RPE apoptosis; however, apoptosis was minimal in similarly treated highly polarized RPE. Treatment of RPE cells with 4-HPR resulted in the upregulation of VEGF-A and -C (P < 0.05) and Ang-1 (P < 0.01) mRNA and increased secretion of VEGF-A and -C (P < 0.05), whereas pigment epithelium-derived growth factor (PEDF) and thrombospondin (TSP)-1 mRNA expression and secretion were downregulated (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: 4-HPR increases lesion size and leakage in laser-induced CNV and is associated with the upregulation of key proangiogenic factors and the downregulation of antiangiogenic factors. Consistent with the preferential loss of RPE in CNV lesions in vivo, 4-HPR induces apoptosis of nonpolarized RPE in the presence of serum.     

Assessing horizontal equity in medication treatment among elderly Mexicans: which socioeconomic determinants matter most?

Many low- and middle-income countries are currently undergoing a dramatic epidemiological transition, with an increasing disease burden due to degenerative noncommunicable diseases. Inexpensive medication treatment often represents a cost-effective means to prevent, control or cure many of these health conditions. Using micro-data from the 2001 Mexican Health and Aging Study, we assess horizontal inequity in medication treatment among older Mexicans before the introduction of Popular Health Insurance in Mexico. In doing so, we investigate the role of various dimensions of socioeconomic status for obtaining indicated medication treatment within a comparatively fragmented health-care system that features relatively high out-of-pocket expenditures. Our empirical analysis suggests health insurance coverage as a key socioeconomic determinant of indicated medication use with large and statistically significant positive effects on take-up. The effects of insurance status thereby clearly dominate any other possible effects of socioeconomic status on medication treatment. Our results thus highlight the importance of access to reliable health care and comprehensive coverage for rational medication use in the management of degenerative diseases. In light of this evidence, we expect that recent Mexican health-care reforms, which expand health insurance coverage to the previously uninsured population, will alleviate socioeconomic gradients in medication treatment among older people in need.     

Effect of adaptor duration on 8-year-olds' facial identity aftereffects suggests adult-like plasticity of the face norm

Adapting to a face shifts the perceived identity of a subsequent face in the direction opposite to the adapting face, a phenomenon known as a face identity aftereffect. In the present study, we examined the temporal dynamics of such aftereffects in children at an age when face processing abilities are not yet adult-like. We hypothesized that children’s difficulties in face processing may stem from an unstable mental representation of facial identity, which may be especially prone to adaptation aftereffects. Using a novel procedure designed especially for children, we show that both 8-year-olds and adults demonstrate identity aftereffects of similarly small size after just one second of viewing the adapting face, and that the strength of the aftereffect increases logarithmically and similarly with longer adapting durations for both age groups. The findings suggest that the mental representation of facial identity in 8-year-olds is no more malleable than that of adults, at least in response to short-term adaptation.     

Segmental bowel-wall thickening on abdominal ultrasonography: an additional diagnostic sign in Kawasaki disease

Abdominal complaints are a frequent early feature of Kawasaki disease, an acute systemic febrile vasculitis of childhood. The only well known correlating morphological finding on abdominal US is gallbladder hydrops. We report two boys with Kawasaki disease who showed segmental thickening of the small-bowel wall on abdominal US. These changes are thought to result from bowel-wall oedema due to vasculitis of the supplying vessels. We conclude that in an acutely ill febrile child with the finding of segmental bowel-wall thickening on abdominal US, Kawasaki disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis. The search for gallbladder hydrops and segmental bowel-wall thickening on abdominal US may serve as an important diagnostic tool in Kawasaki disease, supporting early recognition and prompt treatment.