Variantes anatómicas de la silla turca entre la población de las etnias manjacos y fulani / Anatomical variants of the sella turcica among the population of the Manjacos and Fula ethnic groups

Introducción: EEl centro de la región selar es la silla turca, situada en la vertiente endocraneal del hueso esfenoides; se reconocen en ella variantes anatómicas. Objetivo: Determinar las características morfológicas de la silla turca en la población de las etnias manjacos y fulani, en Guinea Bissau. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo de carácter prospectivo, en un universo de 106 habitantes de las etnias manjacos y fulani. Se realizó radiografía digital lateral de cabeza y cuello en posición de descanso, a 40 pulgadas de distancia entre el equipo y el paciente, se midió el diámetro anteroposterior y la profundidad, en el Hospital Nacional "Simão Mendes", de Guinea Bissau.Resultados: La edad media fue de 38,2 años, con predominio del sexo femenino (60,38 %). La forma más frecuente fue la redondeada o en U (47,17 %) independientemente de la etnia. Los individuos de la etnia manjacos tuvieron una media de diámetro anteroposterior, y de profundidad menor que la etnia Fulani. Sin embargo, la variabilidad de ambas mediciones fue mayor en la etnia fulani. Las medias de las áreas fueron mayores en 6,67 mm2 que las obtenidas en la etnia fulani.Conclusiones: Pertenecer a la etnia manjacos o fulani no determinó que la silla turca fuese predominantemente redonda, con dimensiones de profundidad y anteroposterior, así como área similares

Lentil (Lens culinaris) Lipid Transfer Protein Len c 3: A Novel Legume Allergen

Background: Lentils are increasingly consumed in many parts of the world. Two allergens, Len c 1 and 2, have been reported previously. Recently, peanut and green bean lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) have been identified as the first two members of an important group of allergens that might be associated with severe food allergies. Objective:To investigate lentil LIP as a potential new allergen. Methods: Efficacy of LIP extraction was monitored at different acidic pH values, using immunoblotting with cross-reactive anti-peach LIP antiserum. Natural LIP was purified from lentil extract and expressed as recombinant allergen in Escherichia Sera from 10 lentil-allergic and/or-sensitized patients (Spain: 6, Italy: 1 and the Netherlands: 3) were used to further characterize lentil LIP. Results: Natural lentil LIP, purified from the homogenized germinated seeds and optimally extracted at pH 3, was identified and designated as allergen Len c 3. By CAP, 9/10 sera showed specific IgE to Len c 3. Recombinant (r) Len c 3 was successfully purified. The natural (n) Len c 3 CAP was completely inhibited by rLen c 3/rPru p 3. IgE binding to lentil pH 3 extract blot was completely inhibited by rLen c 3. Conclusion: The availability of immunochemically active nLen/rLen c 3 as a novel legume allergen facilitates further development and implementation of a third (next to peanut and green bean) legume LIP in component-resolved diagnosis strategies and contributes to evaluate the clinical importance of legume LTPs. Preferential extraction of Len c 3 (pH 3) will affect the production of sensitive extract-based diagnostic tests. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Base

Prevalence of cutaneous reactions to the pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) in an adult population

International audienceThaumetopoea pityocampa [pine processionary moth (PPM)] is one of the most important lepidopteran agents causing urticant cutaneous reactions in humans in Mediterranean countries. This species is also expanding northwards, because of global warming. Objectives. To investigate the prevalence, distribution by habitat group and possible risk factors of PPM cutaneous reactions in adults. Methods. A randomly designed survey was carried out on 1224 adults. Results. A point prevalence, estimated after corrections, of 8.7% was obtained (12% rural areas, 9.6% for semi-urban areas, and 4.4% for urban areas). The data showed a significantly higher risk of self-reported symptoms according to sex [p < 0.005; males, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.84], habitat (p < 0.0005; rural, aOR 1.8; semi-urban, aOR 1.2), frequency of visits to pinewood areas (p < 0.005; daily exposure, aOR 2.1), and occupational exposure (p < 0.0001; aOR 5.04, 90% were males). Airborne contamination was the most important cause of reactions (83.3% of 48 participants who visited the hospital and fulfilled the criteria for a convincing reaction presented with symptoms after walking on/passing by pine tree areas). Conclusions. These findings show that PPM cutaneous reactions are common in this southern European population, including peripheral urban areas, and that the main risk is related to exposure to this insect

Characterization of Monoclonal Antibodies to turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.)

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) can be used in several applications, v.g in the aquaculture field. In attempt to study the immune system of the turbot fish, we wanted to develop mAbsdirected against turbot’s lymphocytes, mainly T cells. BALB/c mice were immunized with turbot thymic cells and mouse splenocytes were fused with mouse myeloma cells to genera-te hybridomas. The screening of secretory hybridomas was first performed by ELISA. Then, specificity of different monoclonal antibodies was determined by using immunohistoche-mical and immunofluorescence methods and, on the basis on their reactivity with cells from lymphoid tissues of turbot, three antibodies called RoA3, RoA4 and RoD4 were selected.RoA3 positively reacted with the membrane components of cells resembling to thymocytes, RoA4 stained cells with extended cytoplasmic processes, compatible with reticular cells.In the case of RoD4 mAb, it stains large cells mainly in the medullar zone of the thymus, compatible with macrophages and reticular cells. Flow cytometry studies showed its specifici-ty for thymic cells (no reaction with spleen or pronephros cells), further confirmed by western blot, indicating that RoD4 mAb recognizes a specific protein of 130-135 kD only onthymic tissue