Incidence and predictors of atopic dermatitis in an open birth cohort in Sisimiut, Greenland

The frequency of atopic dermatitis (AD) is unknown among children in Greenland. To determine the incidence of AD and to identify risk factors for onset of AD within the first 2 y of life among Greenlandic children an open cohort of 143 children aged 0-2 y in Sisimiut, West Greenland, was followed for a median of 335 d. The children were visited on a weekly basis, where clinical examinations revealed any cases of AD. In total, 24 of the 143 children developed AD. The incidence rate of AD was 177 cases per 1000 child years at risk, corresponding to a cumulative risk of 16% per year. Maternal history of AD \[hazard ratio (HR) 2.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-6.57], high social class of the family (HR 6.18, CI 2.19-17.41) and living in a detached house compared with living in a terraced house or an apartment (HR 2.81, CI 1.16-6.28) were associated with increased risks of AD. In a multivariate model these risk factors all remained significant.     

EFFECT OF HOMOCYSTEINE ON THE PRODUCTION OF NITRIC OXIDE IN ENDOTHELIAL CELLS

1. Homocysteine decreased the release of nitric oxide in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. 2. Homocysteine did not affect constitutive and inducible nitric oxide synthase activity.     

The investigation of Mitogen-Activated Protein kinase Phosphatase-1 as a potential pharmacological target in non-small cell lung carcinomas, assisted by non-invasive molecular imaging

Background

Breast cancer treatment is based on a combination of adjuvant chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy effecting intracellular signal transduction. With the tyrosine kinase inhibitors new targeted drugs are available. Imatinib mesylate is a selective inhibitor of bcr-abl, PRGFR alpha, beta and c-kit. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Imatinib has an influence on the effectiveness of radiotherapy in breast cancer cell lines and if a combination of imatinib with standard chemotherapy could lead to increased cytoreduction.

Methods

Colony-forming tests of MCF 7 and MDA MB 231 were used to study differences in cell proliferation under incubation with imatinib and radiation. Changes in expression and phosphorylation of target receptors were detected using western blot. Cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis assays were performed combining imatinib with doxorubicin.

Results

The combination of imatinib and radiotherapy showed a significantly stronger inhibition of cell proliferation compared to single radiotherapy. Differences in PDGFR expression could not be detected, but receptor phosphorylation was significantly inhibited when treated with imatinib. Combination of imatinib with standard chemotherapy lead to an additive effect on cell growth inhibition compared to single treatment.

Conclusions

Imatinib treatment combined with radiotherapy leads in breast cancer cell lines to a significant benefit which might be influenced through inhibition of PDGFR phosphorylation. Combining imatinib with chemotherapy enhances cytoreductive effects. Further in vivo studies are needed to evaluate the benefit of Imatinib in combination with radiotherapy and chemotherapy on the treatment of breast cancer.     

Cerebrospinal fluid lactate concentration to distinguish bacterial from aseptic meningitis: a systemic review and meta-analysis

Introduction  

Making a differential diagnosis between bacterial meningitis and aseptic meningitis is a critical clinical problem. The utility of a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate assay for this purpose has been debated and is not yet routinely clinically performed. To adequately evaluate this assay, a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies of the CSF lactate concentration as a marker for both bacterial meningitis and aseptic meningitis was performed.