Cross-Reactivity in Skin Prick Test Results of Members within Pooideae Subfamily

Objective: Molecular similarities of grass pollen antigens have led to the view that cross-reactivity exists within members of the Pooideae subfamily of grasses. This has resulted in testing for only the most antigenically representative member of Pooideae, Timothy grass (Phleum pratense), despite little literature to support the claim that Phleum is the most representative member or that in vitro cross-reactivity correlates with in vivo cross-reactivity. The aim of the study was to determine if patients with allergic rhinitis symptoms and positive skin prick test results to meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) also have positive results to Timothy grass. Study Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Setting: Tertiary care center in middle Missouri. Methods: A retrospective chart review identified patients ≥12 years old with a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis who underwent skin prick testing between March 2016 and July 2018, by using a search with CPT code 95004 (Current Procedural Terminology). Positive skin prick test results were based on wheal produced ≥3 mm than the negative control. Results: After review of 2182 charts, 1587 patients met criteria to test for Phleum and Festuca. In total, 1239 patients had a positive result for Phleum or Festuca. Of these, 479 (38.6%) tested positive for Festuca alone, while 342 (27.6%) and 418 (33.7%) tested positive for Phleum alone and Phleum+Festuca, respectively. Conclusion: Clinical cross-reactivity among Pooideae members may not be as complete as traditionally thought. P pratense may not be the most antigenically representative subfamily member, and other grasses may need to be included in skin prick testing

A case for the standardized letter of recommendation in otolaryngology residency selection

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/102208/1/lary24431.pd

The role of lifestyle changes in the management of chronic liver disease

The prevalence of obesity worldwide has dramatically increased during the last three decades. With obesity comes a variety of adverse health outcomes which are grouped under the umbrella of metabolic syndrome. The liver in particular seems to be significantly impacted by fat deposition in the presence of obesity. In this article we discuss several liver conditions which are directly affected by overweight and obese status, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic infection with hepatitis C virus and post-liver transplant status. The deleterious effects of obesity on liver disease and overall health can be significantly impacted by a culture that fosters sustained nutritional improvement and regular physical activity. Here we summarize the current evidence supporting non-pharmacological, lifestyle interventions that lead to weight reduction, improved physical activity and better nutrition as part of the management and treatment of these liver conditions

Cross-reactivity in Skin Prick Test Results of Members Within Pooideae Subfamily

Objective Molecular similarities of grass pollen antigens have led to the view that cross-reactivity exists within members of the Pooideae subfamily of grasses. This has resulted in testing for only the most antigenically representative member of Pooideae, Timothy grass ( Phleum pratense ), despite little literature to support the claim that Phleum is the most representative member or that in vitro cross-reactivity correlates with in vivo cross-reactivity. The aim of the study was to determine if patients with allergic rhinitis symptoms and positive skin prick test results to meadow fescue ( Festuca pratensis ) also have positive results to Timothy grass. Study Design Retrospective cross-sectional study. Setting Tertiary care center in middle Missouri. Methods A retrospective chart review identified patients ≥12 years old with a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis who underwent skin prick testing between March 2016 and July 2018, by using a search with CPT code 95004 ( Current Procedural Terminology ). Positive skin prick test results were based on wheal produced ≥3 mm than the negative control. Results After review of 2182 charts, 1587 patients met criteria to test for Phleum and Festuca . In total, 1239 patients had a positive result for Phleum or Festuca . Of these, 479 (38.6%) tested positive for Festuca alone, while 342 (27.6%) and 418 (33.7%) tested positive for Phleum alone and Phleum + Festuca , respectively. Conclusion Clinical cross-reactivity among Pooideae members may not be as complete as traditionally thought. P pratense may not be the most antigenically representative subfamily member, and other grasses may need to be included in skin prick testing

Nestin Overexpression Precedes Caspase-3 Upregulation in Rats Exposed to Controlled Cortical Impact Traumatic Brain Injury

Our understanding of biological mechanisms and treatment options for traumatic brain injury (TBI) is limited. Here, we employed quantitative real-time PCR (QRT-PCR) and immunohistochemical analyses to determine the dynamic expression of cell proliferation and apoptosis in an effort to provide insights into the therapeutic window for developing regenerative strategies for TBI. For this purpose, young adult Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to experimental TBI using a controlled cortical impactor and then euthanized 1–48 h after TBI for QRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. QRT-PCR revealed that brains from TBI-exposed rats initially displayed nestin mRNA expression that modestly increased as early as 1 h post-TBI, then significantly peaked at 8 h, but thereafter reverted to pre-TBI levels. On the other hand, caspase-3 mRNA expression was slightly elevated at 8 h post-TBI, which did not become significantly upregulated until 48 h. Immunofluorescent microscopy revealed a significant surge in nestin-immunoreactive cells in the cortex, corpus callosum, and subventricular zone at 24 h post-TBI, whereas a significant increase in the number of active caspase-3-immunoreactive cells was only found in the cortex and not until 48 h. These results suggest that the injured brain attempts to repair itself via cell proliferation immediately after TBI but this endogenous regenerative mechanism is not sufficient to abrogate the secondary apoptotic cell death. Treatment strategies designed to amplify cell proliferation and to prevent apoptosis are likely to exert maximal benefits when initiated at the acute phase of TBI