Flightless I alters the inflammatory response and autoantibody profile in an OVA-induced atopic dermatitis skin-like disease

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic pruritic inflammatory skin disease characterized by excessive inflammation and disrupted skin barrier function. Although the etiology of AD is not completely understood, clinical and basic studies suggest increasing involvement of autoantibodies against intracellular proteins. An actin remodeling protein, Flightless I (Flii), has been shown to promote development of inflammatory mediated skin conditions and impairment of skin barrier development and function. Here, we sought to determine the effect of altering Flii expression on the development of AD and its contribution to autoimmune aspects of inflammatory skin conditions. Ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AD skin-like disease was induced in Flii heterozygous (Flii+/- ), wild-type (Flii+/+ ), and Flii transgenic (FliiTg/Tg ) mice by epicutaneous exposure to OVA for 3 weeks; each week was separated by 2-week resting period. Reduced Flii expression resulted in decreased disease severity and tissue inflammation as determined by histology, lymphocytic, and mast cell infiltrate and increased anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokine levels and a marked IFN-γ Th1 response. In contrast, Flii over-expression lead to a Th2 skewed response characterized by increased pro-inflammatory TNF-α cytokine production, Th2 chemokine levels, and Th2 cell numbers. Sera from OVA-induced AD skin-like disease Flii+/- mice showed a decreased level of autoreactivity while sera from FliiTg/Tg mice counterparts showed an altered autoantibody profile with strong nuclear localization favoring development of a more severe disease. These findings demonstrate autoimmune responses in this model of OVA-induced AD-like skin disease and suggest that Flii is a novel target, whose manipulation could be a potential approach for the treatment of patients with AD.Zlatko Kopecki, Natalie E. Stevens, Heng T. Chong, Gink N. Yang and Allison J. Cowi

A review of multiple sclerosis with Asian perspective

Multiple sclerosis, although a rare disease in Asia, often presents significant diagnostic challenges to clinicians. There has been rapid advancement in the understanding of the underlying genetic influence, pathophysiology, investigation and treatment recently. This paper reviewed the latest development of various aspects of the disease and examined the differences between the manifestations of Asian and Western patients. The implications of these differences to investigation and treatment were also touched upon

Glomus tumour of the musculoskeletal system

Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery52105-113JOTS

Computer-generated flat-pattern development of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning ductings

Journal of Materials Processing Tech.291-3173-189JMPT

The past, present and future of imaging in multiple sclerosis.

Despite technological advances in imaging, multiple sclerosis (MS) remains a clinical diagnosis that is supported, but not replaced, by laboratory or imaging findings. However, imaging is essential in the current diagnostic criteria of MS, for prediction of the likelihood of MS for patients with clinically isolated syndromes, correlation with lesion pathology and assessment of treatment outcome. This article gives an overview of imaging in MS with particular emphasis on the role of MRI in various diagnostic imaging criteria. Novel imaging for MS using 3 Tesla field strengths, magnetization transfer imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy and cell-specific contrast will be reviewed

Protective effects of growth hormone on physeal distraction: An experimental study on rabbits

Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics Part B125332-337JPOB

Temporal changes in IMRT contouring of organs at risk for nasopharyngeal carcinoma - The learning curve blues and a tool that could help

Technology in Cancer Research and Treatment82131-140TCRT

Long-term socioeconomic impact of the Nipah Virus encephalitis outbreak in Bukit Pelanduk, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia: a mixed methods approach

Background and Objective: In 1998/99, an outbreak of Nipah virus encephalitis occurred in several pig-farming communities in Malaysia. It was associated with a high mortality rate and persistent neurological deficits among many survivors. This mixed method study aimed to examine the long-term socio-economic consequences of the illness on affected pig farmers and their families in Bukit Pelanduk, Negeri Sembilan. Methods: A quantitative cross sectional survey was conducted in 2008 on 78 former patients or their kin from 61 households (46.2 males, mean age = 48.7 years) in Bukit Pelanduk via face-to-face interviews. This was followed by qualitative in-depth interviews with 20 respondents. Results: The immediate treatment costs were not a major burden to most households. Majority of the patients (92) required inpatient care and most obtained free care from public hospitals. Households relied mainly on savings and support provided by the public and family members during the outbreak. However, many former patients found their low educational qualifications prevented them from obtaining good alternative employment after their recovery. This had negatively affected their households' living standards. As a result, there had been a renewed appreciation of the value of education for their young, and one of their main concerns was the financial burden of educating their children. Conclusion: Free public health care protected most households from high medical costs. However, household living standards had dropped due to limited alternative employment opportunities. Education has been identified as a key to improving the long term welfare of affected households

Encephalitis-Associated Human Metapneumovirus Pneumonia in Adult, Australia

Human metapneumovirus pneumonia, most commonly found in children, was diagnosed in an adult with encephalitis. This case suggests that testing for human metapneumovirus RNA in nasopharyngeal aspirate and cerebrospinal fluid samples should be considered in adults with encephalitis who have a preceding respiratory infection