An adjuvant free mouse model of oral allergenic sensitization to rice seeds protein

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Rice is commonly known as a staple crop consumed worldwide, though with several rice proteins being reported for allergic properties in clinical studies. Thus, there is a growing need for the development of an animal model to better understand the allergenicity of rice proteins and the immunological and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the development of food allergy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Groups of BALB/c mice were sensitized daily with freshly homogenized rice flour (30 mg or 80 mg) without adjuvant by intragastric gavage. In addition, the mice were challenged with extracted rice flour proteins at several time points intragastrically. Hypersensitivity symptoms in mice were evaluated according to a scoring system. Vascular leakage, ELISA of rice protein-specific IgE, histopathology of small intestine, and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis were conducted on challenged mice.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>An adjuvant free mouse model of rice allergy was established with sensitized mice showing increased scratching behaviors and increased vascular permeability. Rice protein-specific IgE was detected after eighteen days of sensitization and from the fifth challenge onwards. Inflammatory damage to the epithelium in the small intestine of mice was observed beyond one month of sensitization. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis results confirmed the positive rice allergy in the mouse model.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We introduced a BALB/c mouse model of rice allergy with simple oral sensitization without the use of adjuvant. This model would serve as a useful tool for further analysis on the immunopathogenic mechanisms of the various rice allergens, for the evaluation of the hypersensitivity of rice or other cereal grains, and to serve as a platform for the development of immunotherapies against rice allergens.</p

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10&nbsp;years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37&nbsp;years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Best Practices for the Coordinated Care of Patients With Neuroendocrine Tumors Undergoing Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy.

AbstractNeuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare, diverse malignancies; approximately two thirds originate in the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas and are known as gastroenteropancreatic NET. Most cases are diagnosed in the advanced or metastatic setting and overexpress somatostatin receptors. Recommended first-line treatment is somatostatin analogs; however, disease progression is common. [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE is a radiolabeled peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) indicated for the treatment of adult patients with somatostatin receptor-positive foregut, midgut, and hindgut gastroenteropancreatic NETs and progression on first-line somatostatin analogs. Many primary oncology practices may lack the staff, expertise, and infrastructure to treat patients with PRRT and primary oncologists may therefore refer their patients to a NET specialist at a tertiary center for treatment. Given the amount of organization required, PRRT treatment may seem to be complex; however, this process will be managed by a care coordinator who acts as a consistent point of contact for primary physicians regarding the care of their patients and ensures blood tests and scans are scheduled. In this article, we share our opinions, procedures, workflow, best practice, and roles and responsibilities when caring for patients receiving [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE and focus on the role of the primary oncologist before, during, and after PRRT treatment

Origins of music in credible signaling

How did music evolve? We show that prevailing views on the evolution of music — that music is a byproduct of other evolved faculties, that music evolved for social bonding, and that music evolved to signal mate quality — are incomplete or wrong. We argue instead that music evolved as a credible signal in at least two contexts: coalitional interactions and infant care. We suggest that basic features of music, including melody and rhythm, result from adaptations in the proper domain of human music, providing a foundation that cultural evolution shapes into its actual domain

Novel PPV/Mesoporous Organosilica Composites: Influence of the Host Chirality on a Conjugated Polymer Guest

The conjugated polymer poly(p-phenylenevinylene) (PPV) was polymerized in the pores of chiral nematic mesoporous organosilica to give a composite film showing the strong characteristic fluorescence of PPV as well as the iridescence due to the photonic band gap of the host material. Detailed circular dichroism (CD) studies reveal a chiral structure of the polymer within the pores. These new fluorescent materials undergo fluorescence quenching upon exposure to electron deficient aromatics such as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), indicating that they may be useful for developing chemical sensors