90 research outputs found
Allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is a common disorder that is strongly linked to asthma and conjunctivitis. It is usually a long-standing condition that often goes undetected in the primary-care setting. The classic symptoms of the disorder are nasal congestion, nasal itch, rhinorrhea and sneezing. A thorough history, physical examination and allergen skin testing are important for establishing the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. Second-generation oral antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment. Allergen immunotherapy is an effective immune-modulating treatment that should be recommended if pharmacologic therapy for allergic rhinitis is not effective or is not tolerated. This article provides an overview of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and appropriate management of this disorder
Dlgap1 knockout mice exhibit alterations of the postsynaptic density and selective reductions in sociability
Abstract The scaffold protein DLGAP1 is localized at the post-synaptic density (PSD) of glutamatergic neurons and is a component of supramolecular protein complexes organized by PSD95. Gain-of-function variants of DLGAP1 have been associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), while haploinsufficient variants have been linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia in human genetic studies. We tested male and female Dlgap1 wild type (WT), heterozygous (HT), and knockout (KO) mice in a battery of behavioral tests: open field, dig, splash, prepulse inhibition, forced swim, nest building, social approach, and sucrose preference. We also used biochemical approaches to examine the role of DLGAP1 in the organization of PSD protein complexes. Dlgap1 KOÂ mice were most notable for disruption of protein interactions in the PSD, and deficits in sociability. Other behavioral measures were largely unaffected. Our data suggest that Dlgap1 knockout leads to PSD disruption and reduced sociability, consistent with reports of DLGAP1 haploinsufficient variants in schizophrenia and ASD
Mechanisms of T cell organotropism
F.M.M.-B. is supported by the British Heart Foundation, the Medical Research Council of the UK and the Gates Foundation
Root-emitted volatile organic compounds: can they mediate belowground plant-plant interactions?
peer reviewedBackground
Aboveground, plants release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that act as chemical
signals between neighbouring plants. It is now well documented that VOCs emitted by
the roots in the plant rhizosphere also play important ecological roles in the soil
ecosystem, notably in plant defence because they are involved in interactions between
plants, phytophagous pests and organisms of the third trophic level. The roles played
by root-emitted VOCs in between- and within-plant signalling, however, are still poorly
documented in the scientific literature.
Scope
Given that (1) plants release volatile cues mediating plant-plant interactions
aboveground, (2) roots can detect the chemical signals originating from their
neighbours, and (3) roots release VOCs involved in biotic interactions belowground,
the aim of this paper is to discuss the roles of VOCs in between- and within-plant
signalling belowground. We also highlight the technical challenges associated with the
analysis of root-emitted VOCs and the design of experiments targeting volatile-mediated
root-root interactions.
Conclusions
We conclude that root-root interactions mediated by volatile cues deserve more
research attention and that both the analytical tools and methods developed to study
the ecological roles played by VOCs in interplant signalling aboveground can be
adapted to focus on the roles played by root-emitted VOCs in between- and within-plant
signalling
International Consensus Statement on Rhinology and Allergy: Rhinosinusitis
Background: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICARâRS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICARâRSâ2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidenceâbased findings of the document. Methods: ICARâRS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidenceâbased reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidenceâbased reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary. Results: ICARâRSâ2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidenceâbased management algorithm is provided. Conclusion: This ICARâRSâ2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidenceâbased recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS
AnĂĄlise das demandas judiciais para o fornecimento de medicamentos pela Secretaria de Estado da SaĂșde de Santa Catarina nos anos de 2003 e 2004 Situation of lawsuits concerning the access to medical products by the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, Brazil, during the years 2003 and 2004
Neste trabalho, Ă© analisada a situação dos processos judiciais contra a Secretaria de Estado de SaĂșde de Santa Catarina determinando fornecimento de medicamentos em 2003 e 2004. As variĂĄveis consideradas foram: patologia declarada, medicamento solicitado, origem da prescrição, possĂveis alternativas terapĂȘuticas na Relação Estadual de Medicamentos (Resme), registro dos medicamentos na AgĂȘncia Nacional de VigilĂąncia SanitĂĄria (Anvisa) e custos totais. Foram analisados 622 processos, com gasto de R 11,333,750,00 (Brazilian Reais). Private health care was the source of 56% of the prescriptions. Hepatitis C and rheumatoid arthritis were the most commonly diseases involved. About 40% of requested drugs were on the Resme. 6.2% of required drugs were approved in Brazil after 2000. PEG-Interferon and Infliximab were responsible for 46% of total expenditure. There were still some cases of drugs or indications not registered at Anvisa. These results indicate the need to reassess the list of medicines regularly provided by the SES/SC, and also to improve accessibility to (and information concerning) Programs of medicines distribution. These measures may potentially reduce the number of lawsuits filed against the State
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