Botulinum toxin blocks mast cells and prevents rosacea like inflammation

Background

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition whose etiology has been linked to mast cells and the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin LL-37. Individuals with refractory disease have demonstrated clinical benefit with periodic injections of onabotulinum toxin, but the mechanism of action is unknown.

A comparison of head injuries in male and female lacrosse participants seen in US emergency departments from 2005 to 2016

Introduction

In the United States there has been a large increase in participation in lacrosse for both males and females. The purpose of this study was to analyze the number of head injuries, injury rates (calculated using the reported number of participants) and types of head injuries that are seen in emergency departments in the United States.

In vivo targets of recombinant human tumour necrosis factor-alpha: blood flow, oxygen consumption and growth of isotransplanted rat tumours

The impact of recombinant human tumour necrosis factor-alpha (1 microgram kg-1 to 1 mg kg-1; 6.6 x 10(6) U mg protein-1) on blood flow, oxygen consumption and growth of a moderately TNF-sensitive rat tumour (DS-carcinosarcoma) was studied. Tumour growth was stimulated at low TNF doses (1 and 10 micrograms kg-1) and significantly retarded at higher TNF dose levels (0.1 and 1 mg kg-1). Growth changes were concomitant with variations in oxygen consumption, lactate release and acidification of the metabolic micromilieu. Both single and repeated application of low TNF doses (1-10 micrograms kg-1 i.v.) increased tumour perfusion whereas single administration of high TNF dose levels (0.1-1 mg kg-1 i.v.) reduced tumour blood flow. After repeated application of high TNF doses tumours shrank to such small sizes that perfusion measurements could not be performed within the observation period of two weeks. It is concluded that TNF effects on solid tumours are at least partially mediated by changes in tumour perfusion. Thus, an altered tumour sensitivity towards other treatment modalities, e.g. irradiation, chemotherapy or hyperthermia, can be expected after TNF therapy. A beneficial TNF effect would critically depend on the dose level employed and on the sequence and timing of various combination regimes.     

Theory-based predictors of condom use among university students in the United States and South Africa.

This study compared the predictive value of the theory of planned behavior in university students in South Africa (N = 251) and the United States (N = 160) who completed an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Multiple regression analyses revealed that condom use and intention were significantly predicted by positive condom attitude, subjective norm, self-efficacy, and attending university in South Africa. Significant interactions between country and predictors indicated that subjective norm predicted condom use and intention more strongly in the American sample than in the South African sample; attitude predicted intention more strongly in the American sample than in the South African sample; but self-efficacy predicted intention more strongly in the South African sample than in the American sample. The theory of planned behavior may provide a useful framework for interventions to reduce South African students' risk of HIV/and sexuality transmitted diseases. Such interventions should especially focus on building self-efficacy to use condoms.     

PET network abnormalities and cognitive decline in patients with mild cognitive impairment.

Temporoparietal and posterior cingulate metabolism deficits characterize patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). A H(2)(15)O resting PET scan covariance pattern, derived by using multivariate techniques, was previously shown to discriminate 17 mild AD patients from 16 healthy controls. This AD covariance pattern revealed hypoperfusion in bilateral inferior parietal lobule and cingulate; and left middle frontal, inferior frontal, precentral, and supramarginal gyri. The AD pattern also revealed hyperperfusion in bilateral insula, lingual gyri, and cuneus; left fusiform and superior occipital gyri; and right parahippocampal gyrus and pulvinar. In an independent sample of 23 outpatients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) followed at 6-month intervals, the AD pattern score was evaluated as a predictor of cognitive decline. In this MCI sample, an H2(15)O resting PET scan was carried out at baseline. Mean duration of follow-up was 48.8 (SD 15.5) months, during which time six of 23 MCI patients converted to AD. In generalized estimating equations (GEE) analyses, controlling for age, sex, education, and baseline neuropsychological scores, increased AD pattern score was associated with greater decline in each neuropsychological test score over time (Mini Mental State Exam, Selective Reminding Test delayed recall, Animal Naming, WAIS-R digit symbol; Ps<0.01-0.001). In summary, a resting PET covariance pattern previously reported to discriminate AD patients from control subjects was applied prospectively to an independent sample of MCI patients and found to predict cognitive decline. Independent replication in larger samples is needed before clinical application can be considered.     

The Gaussian atmospheric transport model and its sensitivity to the joint frequency distribution and parametric variability.

Reconstructed meteorological data are often used in some form of long-term wind trajectory models for estimating the historical impacts of atmospheric emissions. Meteorological data for the straight-line Gaussian plume model are put into a joint frequency distribution, a three-dimensional array describing atmospheric wind direction, speed, and stability. Methods using the Gaussian model and joint frequency distribution inputs provide reasonable estimates of downwind concentration and have been shown to be accurate to within a factor of four. We have used multiple joint frequency distributions and probabilistic techniques to assess the Gaussian plume model and determine concentration-estimate uncertainty and model sensitivity. We examine the straight-line Gaussian model while calculating both sector-averaged and annual-averaged relative concentrations at various downwind distances. The sector-average concentration model was found to be most sensitive to wind speed, followed by horizontal dispersion (sigmaZ), the importance of which increases as stability increases. The Gaussian model is not sensitive to stack height uncertainty. Precision of the frequency data appears to be most important to meteorological inputs when calculations are made for near-field receptors, increasing as stack height increases.     

Comparative study of the effectiveness of cefixime and penicillin V for the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis in children and adolescents.

An open label randomized trial conducted in rural Kentucky compared the efficacy and safety of cefixime (CFX), 8 mg/kg once daily, with those of penicillin V (PEN), 250 mg 3 times daily, in 110 pediatric patients with Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis. Forty-eight CFX and 47 PEN patients were evaluable for efficacy. At the end of therapy bacteriologic eradication was 45 of 48 (94%) and 36 of 47 (77%) in the CFX and PEN V groups, respectively (P < 0.05). Up to 6 weeks posttherapy 10 (21%) CFX patients and 21 (45%) PEN patients had positive Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus cultures (P < 0.05). Concordant serotypes were identified from 4 of 7 CFX and 15 of 17 PEN patients with positive repeat cultures. All discordant serotypes (5 of 31) were identified at greater than 19 days posttherapy. Symptomatic treatment failures (concordant serotypes) occurred in 1 (2%) CFX and 8 (17%) PEN patients (P < 0.05). Drug-related adverse experiences consisted of 2 cases of mild diarrhea and loose stools in the CFX group and none in the PEN group. No clinically significant laboratory test abnormalities occurred in either group. CFX, once daily, was as safe as and significantly more effective than PEN given 3 times daily for the treatment of Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis.