Sensitisation to Act 2d in patientsallergic to Alternaria alternanta: an epiphenomenom without clinical significance?

In the last few years, the introduction of microarrays in the diagnosis of type I allergy is allowing the clinicians to have a much more accurate picture of their allergenic profile. However, the simultaneous measurement of specific IgE to multiple molecules can show unexpected sensitisations, without knowing their clinical relevance. For instance, we have been observing a high prevalence (74%) of sensitisation to Act d 2 (the thaumatin of kiwifruit) in patients sensitised to Alt a 1 (major allergen of Alternaria alternata) with a confirmed allergy to this mould. The aim of the present study was to clarify if there was any clinical relevance in this finding

Primer reporte de carcinoma de células escamosas cutáneo en un añuje albino (Dasyprocta punctata) en San Martín, Perú

The case of an 8-year-old albino male Central America agouti (Dasyprocta punctata) bred in captivity in San Martín, Peru, with the presentation of a well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma on the skin is reported. The appearance of a scabby skin lesion with macroscopic granulomatous characteristics was evidenced in the right temporal region recurrently after symptomatic treatment based on amoxicillin, dexamethasone, vitamin K and anti-myasis. The lesion rapidly evolved into an exophytic, expansive, haemorrhagic, and ulcerated infiltrative tumour mass. A cytological examination was performed, revealing a picture compatible with a malignant neoplasm of epithelial origin, and as a well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma at the histopathological level when performing the necropsy. This report describes the first case of a cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, both its macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, in an albino Central America Agouti n the San Martín region, Peru.Se reporta el caso de un añuje (Dasyprocta punctata) macho albino de 8 años criado en cautiverio en San Martín, Perú, con la presentación en piel de un carcinoma de células escamosas bien diferenciado. Se evidenció la aparición de una lesión cutánea costrosa de características macroscópicas granulomatosa en la región temporal derecha de manera persistente al tratamiento sintomático a base de amoxicilina, dexametasona, vitamina K y antimiásicos. La lesión evolucionó rápidamente a una masa tumoral infiltrativa, exofitica, expansiva, hemorrágica y ulcerada. Se realizó un examen citológico, revelándose como cuadro compatible con neoplasia maligna de origen epitelial, y como carcinoma de células escamosas bien diferenciado a nivel histopatológico al realizar la necropsia. El presente reporte describe el primer caso de un carcinoma de células escamosas cutáneo, tanto sus características macroscópicas como microscópicas, en un añuje albino en la región San Martín, Perú

Parámetros hematológicos y laboratoriales tempranos asociados con la mortalidad por COVID-19 en una población amazónica del Perú

COVID-19 has a significant impact on the hematopoietic system and hemostasis. Leukocytosis, lymphopenia, and thrombocytopenia are associated with increased severity and even death in COVID-19 cases. Objective: The aim is to examine the laboratory results of COVID-19 patients from a hospital in the Peruvian Amazon and their clinical prognosis. Material and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out whose purpose was to identify the laboratory tests of patients with COVID-19 and mortality in a hospital in Ucayali, Peru during the period from March 13 to May 9, 2020, selecting a total of 127 with Covid-19. Mean and the standard deviation was described for age, leukocytes, neutrophils, platelets, RDW-SD; median and interquartile range for the variables lymphocyte, RN / L, fibrinogen, CRP, D-dimer, DHL, hematocrit, monocytes, eosinophils. Results: No differences were observed in this population regarding death and sex (OR: 1.31; 95% CI 0.92 to 1.87), however, it was observed that, for each one-year increase, the probability of death increased by 4% (PR: 1.04, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.05). The IRR (Incidence Risk Ratio) analysis for the numerical variables showed results strongly associated with hematological values such as Leukocytes (scaled by 2500 units) (IRR: 1.08, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.13), neutrophils (scaled by 2500 units) (IRR: 1.08; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.13), on the contrary, it is observed that the increase of 1000 units in lymphocytes, the probability of dying decreased by 48% (IRR: 0.52; 95% CI 0.38 to 071). Conclusions: Parameters such as leukocytes,neutrophils and D-dimer were statistically much higher in patients who died.COVID-19 tiene un impacto significativo en el sistema hematopoyético y la hemostasia. La leucocitosis, la linfopenia y la trombocitopenia se asocian con una mayor gravedad e incluso la muerte en los casos de COVID-19. Objetivo: examinar los resultados de laboratorio de pacientes con COVID-19 de un hospital de la Amazonía peruana y su pronóstico clínico. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal analítico cuyo propósito fue identificar las pruebas de laboratorio de pacientes con COVID-19 y mortalidad en un hospital de Ucayali, Perú durante el periodo del 13 de marzo al 9 de mayo del 2020, seleccionando un total de 127 con COVID-19. Se describió la media y la desviación estándar para edad, leucocitos, neutrófilos, plaquetas, RDW-SD; mediana y rango intercuartílico para las variables linfocito, RN/L, fibrinógeno, PCR, dímero D, DHL, hematocrito, monocitos, eosinófilos. Resultados: No se observaron diferencias en esta población en cuanto a muerte y sexo (OR: 1,31; IC 95% 0,92 a 1,87), sin embargo, se observó que, por cada aumento de un año, la probabilidad de muerte aumentaba un 4% (RP: 1,04). , IC del 95%: 1,03 a 1,05). El análisis de RIR (Razón de incidencia de riesgos) para las variables numéricas mostró resultados fuertemente asociados con valores hematológicos como Leucocitos (escala de 2500 unidades) (RRI: 1.08, 95% CI 1.03 a 1.13), neutrófilos (escala de 2500 unidades) (RRI: 1.08; IC 95% 1.03 a 1.13), por el contrario, se observa que al aumento de 1000 unidades en linfocitos, la probabilidad de morir disminuyó en un 48% (TIR: 0.52; IC 95% 0.38 a 071). Conclusiones: Parámetros tales como los leucocitos, los neutrófilos y el dímero D fueron estadísticamente mucho más altos en los pacientes que fallecieron

Usefulness of manufactured tomato extracts in the diagnosis of tomato sensitization: Comparison with the prick-prick method

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Commercial available skin prick test with fruits can be negative in sensitized or allergic patients due to a reduction in biological activity during the manufacturing process. Prick-prick tests with fresh foods are often preferred, but they are a non-standardized procedure. The usefulness of freeze-dried extracts of Canary Islands tomatoes, comparing the wheal sizes induced by prick test with the prick-prick method in the diagnosis of tomato sensitization has been analyzed.</p> <p>The objective of the study was to assess the potential diagnostic of freeze-dried extracts of Canary Islands tomatoes, comparing the wheal sizes induced by prick test with the prick-prick method.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two groups of patients were analyzed: Group I: 26 individuals reporting clinical symptoms induced by tomato contact or ingestion. Group II: 71 control individuals with no symptoms induced by tomato: 12 of them were previously skin prick test positive to a tomato extract, 39 were atopic and 20 were non-atopic. All individuals underwent prick-prick with fresh ripe peel Canary tomatoes and skin prick tested with freeze-dried peel and pulp extracts obtained from peel and pulp of Canary tomatoes at 10 mg/ml. Wheal sizes and prick test positivity (≥ 7 mm²) were compared between groups.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In group I, 21 (81%) out of 26 patients were prick-prick positive. Twenty patients (77%) had positive skin prick test to peel extracts and 12 (46%) to pulp extracts. Prick-prick induced a mean wheal size of 43.81 ± 40.19 mm²compared with 44.25 ± 36.68 mm²induced by the peel extract (Not significant), and 17.79 ± 9.39 mm²induced by the pulp extract (p < 0.01).</p> <p>In group II, 13 (18%) out of 71 control patients were prick-prick positive. Twelve patients (all of them previously positive to peel extract) had positive skin prick test to peel and 3 to pulp. Prick-prick induced a mean wheal size of 28.88 ± 13.12 mm²compared with 33.17 ± 17.55 mm²induced by peel extract (Not significant), and 13.33 ± 4.80 mm²induced by pulp extract (p < 0.05 with peel extract and prick-prick).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Canary peel tomato extract seems to be as efficient as prick-prick tests with ripe tomatoes to diagnose patients sensitized to tomato. The wheal sizes induced by prick-prick and peel extracts were very similar and showed a high correlation coefficient.</p

Fast approximation of small p‐values in permutation tests by partitioning the permutations

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/142988/1/biom12731_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/142988/2/biom12731.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/142988/3/biom12731-sup-0001-SuppData.pd

Antibody protection against long-term memory loss induced by monomeric c-reactive protein in a mouse model of dementia

Monomeric C-reactive protein (mCRP), the activated isoform of CRP, induces tissue damage in a range of inflammatory pathologies. Its detection in infarcted human brain tissue and its experimentally proven ability to promote dementia with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) traits at 4 weeks after intrahippocampal injection in mice have suggested that it may contribute to the development of AD after cerebrovascular injury. Here, we showed that a single hippocampal administration of mCRP in mice induced memory loss, lasting at least 6 months, along with neurodegenerative changes detected by increased levels of hyperphosphorylated tau protein and a decrease of the neuroplasticity marker Egr1. Furthermore, co-treatment with the monoclonal antibody 8C10 specific for mCRP showed that long-term memory loss and tau pathology were entirely avoided by early blockade of mCRP. Notably, 8C10 mitigated Egr1 decrease in the mouse hippocampus. 8C10 also protected against mCRP-induced inflammatory pathways in a microglial cell line, as shown by the prevention of increased generation of nitric oxide. Additional in vivo and in vitro neuroprotective testing with the anti-inflammatory agent TPPU, an inhibitor of the soluble epoxide hydrolase enzyme, confirmed the predominant involvement of neuroinflammatory processes in the dementia induced by mCRP. Therefore, locally deposited mCRP in the infarcted brain may be a novel biomarker for AD prognosis, and its antibody blockade opens up therapeutic opportunities for reducing post-stroke AD risk

Airborne Microalgae: Insights, Opportunities and Challenges

Airborne dispersal of microalgae has largely been a blind spot in environmental biological studies because of their low concentration in the atmosphere and the technical limitations in investigating microalgae from air samples. Recent studies show that airborne microalgae can survive air transportation and interact with the environment and possibly influence their deposition rates. This minireview presents a summary of these studies and traces the possible route, step-by-step, from established ecosystems to new habitats through air transportation over a variety of geographic scales. Emission, transportation, deposition and adaptation to atmospheric stress are discussed, as well as the consequences of their dispersal on health and environment, and the state-of-the-art techniques to detect and model airborne microalgae dispersal. More detailed studies on microalgae atmospheric-cycle, including for instance ice nucleation activity and transport simulations, are crucial for improving our understanding of microalgae ecology, identifying their interactions with the environment and preventing unwanted sanitary events or invasions

Graph based study of allergen cross-reactivity of plant lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) using microarray in a multicenter study.

The study of cross-reactivity in allergy is key to both understanding. the allergic response of many patients and providing them with a rational treatment In the present study, protein microarrays and a co-sensitization graph approach were used in conjunction with an allergen microarray immunoassay. This enabled us to include a wide number of proteins and a large number of patients, and to study sensitization profiles among members of the LTP family. Fourteen LTPs from the most frequent plant food-induced allergies in the geographical area studied were printed into a microarray specifically designed for this research. 212 patients with fruit allergy and 117 food-tolerant pollen allergic subjects were recruited from seven regions of Spain with different pollen profiles, and their sera were tested with allergen microarray. This approach has proven itself to be a good tool to study cross-reactivity between members of LTP family, and could become a useful strategy to analyze other families of allergens

Human Complement Regulators C4b-Binding Protein and C1 Esterase Inhibitor Interact with a Novel Outer Surface Protein of Borrelia recurrentis

The spirochete Borrelia recurrentis is the causal agent of louse-borne relapsing fever and is transmitted to humans by the infected body louse Pediculus humanus. We have recently demonstrated that the B. recurrentis surface receptor, HcpA, specifically binds factor H, the regulator of the alternative pathway of complement activation, thereby inhibiting complement mediated bacteriolysis. Here, we show that B. recurrentis spirochetes express another potential outer membrane lipoprotein, termed CihC, and acquire C4b-binding protein (C4bp) and human C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-Inh), the major inhibitors of the classical and lectin pathway of complement activation. A highly homologous receptor for C4bp was also found in the African tick-borne relapsing fever spirochete B. duttonii. Upon its binding to B. recurrentis or recombinant CihC, C4bp retains its functional potential, i.e. facilitating the factor I-mediated degradation of C4b. The additional finding that ectopic expression of CihC in serum sensitive B. burgdorferi significantly increased spirochetal resistance against human complement suggests this receptor to substantially contribute, together with other known strategies, to immune evasion of B. recurrentis

Identification of Chromosomal Genes in Yersinia pestis that Influence Type III Secretion and Delivery of Yops into Target Cells

Pathogenic Yersinia species possess a type III secretion system, which is required for the delivery of effector Yop proteins into target cells during infection. Genes encoding the type III secretion machinery, its substrates, and several regulatory proteins all reside on a 70-Kb virulence plasmid. Genes encoded in the chromosome of yersiniae are thought to play important roles in bacterial perception of host environments and in the coordinated activation of the type III secretion pathway. Here, we investigate the contribution of chromosomal genes to the complex regulatory process controlling type III secretion in Yersinia pestis. Using transposon mutagenesis, we identified five chromosomal genes required for expression or secretion of Yops in laboratory media. Four out of the five chromosomal mutants were defective to various extents at injecting Yops into tissue culture cells. Interestingly, we found one mutant that was not able to secrete in vitro but was fully competent for injecting Yops into host cells, suggesting independent mechanisms for activation of the secretion apparatus. When tested in a mouse model of plague disease, three mutants were avirulent, whereas two strains were severely attenuated. Together these results demonstrate the importance of Y. pestis chromosomal genes in the proper function of type III secretion and in the pathogenesis of plague