Systemic immunogenicity of para-Phenylenediamine and Diphenylcyclopropenone: two potent contact allergy-inducing haptens

p-Phenylenediamine (PPD) and Diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) are two potent haptens. Both haptens are known to cause delayed-type hypersensitivity, involving a cytokine response and local infiltration of T-cell subpopulations, resulting in contact dermatitis. We investigated the systemic immune effects of PPD and DPCP, two relatively unexplored skin allergens. The dorsal sides of the ears of BALB/c mice were exposed to PPD or DPCP (0.1 % w/v or 0.01 % w/v), or vehicle alone. Mice were treated once daily for 3 days (induction period) and subsequently twice per week for 8 weeks. Local and systemic immune responses in the auricular and pancreatic lymph nodes, spleen, liver, serum, and ears were analyzed with cytokine profiling MSD, flow cytometry, and qPCR. Ear swelling increased significantly in mice treated with 1 % PPD, 0.01 % DPCP or 0.1 % DPCP, compared with vehicle treatment, indicating that the mice were sensitized and that there was a local inflammation. Auricular lymph nodes, pancreatic lymph nodes, spleen, and liver showed changes in regulatory T-cell, B-cell, and NKT-cell frequencies, and increased activation of CD8⁺ T cells and B cells. Intracellular cytokine profiling revealed an increase in the IFN-γ- and IL-4-positive NKT cells present in the liver following treatment with both haptens. Moreover, we saw a tendency toward a systemic increase in IL-17A. We observed systemic immunological effects of PPD and DPCP. Furthermore, concentrations too low to increase ear thickness and cause clinical symptoms may still prime the immune system. These systemic immunological effects may potentially predispose individuals to certain diseases.     

The functional architecture of S1 during touch observation described with 7 T fMRI

Recent studies indicate that the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) is active not only when touch is physically perceived but also when it is merely observed to be experienced by another person. This social responsivity of S1 has important implications for our understanding of S1 functioning. However, S1 activity during touch observation has not been characterized in great detail to date. We focused on two features of the S1 functional architecture during touch observation, namely the topographical arrangement of index and middle finger receptive fields (RFs), and their dynamic shrinkage during concurrent activation. Both features have important implications for human behavior. We conducted two fMRI studies at 7 T, one where touch was physically perceived, and one where touch was observed. In the two experiments, participants either had their index finger and/or middle finger stimulated using paintbrushes, or just observed similar touch events on video. Our data show that observing and physically experiencing touch elicits overlapping activity changes in S1. In addition, observing touch to the index finger or the middle finger alone evoked topographically arranged activation foci in S1. Importantly, when co-activated, the index and middle finger RFs not only shrank during physical touch perception, but also during touch observation. Our data, therefore, indicate a similarity between the functional architecture of S1 during touch observation and physical touch perception with respect to single-digit topography and RF shrinkage. These results may allow the tentative conclusion that even primary somatosensory experiences, such as physical touch perception, can be shared amongst individuals.     

Sero-epidemiological analysis of the risk of virus infections for childhood leukaemia

Virus infections have been thought to be involved in the development of childhood leukaemia. In order to address this issue we determined, in a case-control study, the prevalence of antibodies to viruses infecting blood or bone-marrow cells [Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human herpes virus type 6 (HHV-6), parvovirus B19] as well as to the human virus known for its tumour-suppressive properties, the adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV-2), in the sera of 121 children with leukaemia in Germany, and in 197 control individuals, hospitalized for other reasons, and matched for age and gender to the cases. In addition, we developed a questionnaire to be answered by the children's parents, in order to gain information on previous infections of the children as well as to calculate for factors which may influence serological findings. Comparative determination of the prevalence of antibodies against AAV-2, B-19 or HHV-6 revealed no significant differences in cases and controls. However, antibodies to EBV were more frequently found in children with leukaemia younger than 6 years of age (age at the time of diagnosis of leukaemia) than in controls. Apparently, infection with AAV-2 has no protective effect in childhood leukaemia, in contrast to results observed for other malignancies. Similarly, and in accordance with results on leukaemia in adults, we found no indication of a protective effect of infection with the parvovirus B-19. The data suggest that EBV, which is known to be involved in various lymphomas, may play a role in the development of childhood leukaemia in young children. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Chromatographic investigations of macromolecules in the critical range of liquid chromatography, 10. Polymer blend analysis using a viscosity detector

Binary polymer blends were separated by liquid chromatography at the critical point of adsorption. By operating at chromatographic conditions corresponding to the critical point of one blend component, the blends were separated regardless of the molar mass distributions of the components. After the separation step both components were precisely detected by an on-line capillary viscometer. In contrast to refractive index detection, where a strong solvent peak appears in most cases, the viscosity signal is not affected by sight deviations in the mobile phase composition. Under critical conditions of adsorption of one component both blend components exhibit normal Mark-Houwink behaviour. Therefore, the viscosity detector in conjunction with a concentration detector can be used for determining the molar mass distribution of both blend components.     

The Role of Minerals in the Optimal Functioning of the Immune System

Minerals fulfil a wide variety of functions in the optimal functioning of the immune system. This review reports on the minerals that are essential for the immune system’s function and inflammation regulation. We also discuss nutritional aspects of optimized mineral supply. The supply of minerals is important for the optimal function of the innate immune system as well as for components of adaptive immune defense; this involves defense mechanisms against pathogens in addition to the long-term balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory regulation. Generally, a balanced diet is sufficient to supply the required balance of minerals to help support the immune system. Although a mineral deficiency is rare, there are nevertheless at-risk groups who should pay attention to ensure they are receiving a sufficient supply of minerals such as magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, and selenium. A deficiency in any of these minerals could temporarily reduce immune competence, or even disrupt systemic inflammation regulation in the long term. Therefore, knowledge of the mechanisms and supply of these minerals is important. In exceptional cases, a deficiency should be compensated by supplementation; however, supplement over-consumption may be negative to the immune system, and should be avoided. Accordingly, any supplementation should be medically clarified and should only be administered in prescribed concentrations.     

Buchbesprechungen

Psychotherapie Forum -     

HIV and Substance Use Stigma,Intersectional Stigma and Healthcare Among HIV-Positive PWID in Russia

AIDS and Behavior - Little is known about the intersection of HIV stigma and substance use stigma. Using data from 188 HIV-positive people who inject drugs (PWID) in Russia, we examined the...     

Trends and Risk Factors of In-Hospital Mortality of Patients with COVID-19 in Germany: Results of a Large Nationwide Inpatient Sample

Unselected data of nationwide studies of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 are still sparse, but these data are of outstanding interest to avoid exceeding hospital capacities and overloading national healthcare systems. Thus, we sought to analyze seasonal/regional trends, predictors of in-hospital case-fatality, and mechanical ventilation (MV) in patients with COVID-19 in Germany. We used the German nationwide inpatient samples to analyze all hospitalized patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis in Germany between 1 January and 31 December in 2020. We analyzed data of 176,137 hospitalizations of patients with confirmed COVID-19-infection. Among those, 31,607 (17.9%) died, whereby in-hospital case-fatality grew exponentially with age. Overall, age ≥ 70 years (OR 5.91, 95%CI 5.70–6.13, p < 0.001), pneumonia (OR 4.58, 95%CI 4.42–4.74, p < 0.001) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (OR 8.51, 95%CI 8.12–8.92, p < 0.001) were strong predictors of in-hospital death. Most COVID-19 patients were treated in hospitals in urban areas (n = 92,971) associated with the lowest case-fatality (17.5%), as compared to hospitals in suburban (18.3%) or rural areas (18.8%). MV demand was highest in November/December 2020 (32.3%, 20.3%) in patients between the 6th and 8th age decade. In the first age decade, 78 of 1861 children (4.2%) with COVID-19-infection were treated with MV, and five of them died (0.3%). The results of our study indicate seasonal and regional variations concerning the number of COVID-19 patients, necessity of MV, and case fatality in Germany. These findings may help to ensure the flexible allocation of intensive care (human) resources, which is essential for managing enormous societal challenges worldwide to avoid overloaded regional healthcare systems.