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Allergic poly-sensitization affects a large number of allergic patients and poses a great challenge for their treatment. In this study we evaluated the effects of the probiotic Escherichia coliNissle 1917 (EcN) expressing a birch and grass pollen allergen chimera ‘Bet v 1, Phl p 1 and Phl p 5’ (EcN-Chim) on allergy prevention after oral or intranasal application in poly-sensitized mice. In contrast to oral application, intranasal pretreatment with EcN-Chim prior to poly-sensitization led to a significant reduction of lung inflammation (eosinophils, IL-5, and IL-13 in bronchoalveolar lavage) along with suppressed levels of allergen-specific serum IgE. The suppression was associated with increased levels of allergen-specific IgA in lungs and serum IgG2a along with increased Foxp3, TGF-ß, and IL-10 mRNA in bronchial lymph nodes. In vitro EcN induced high levels of IL-10 and IL-6 in both lung and intestinal epithelial cells. Importantly, using in vivo imaging techniques we demonstrated that intranasally applied EcN do not permanently colonize nose, lung, and gut and this strain might therefore be a safe delivery vector against allergy in humans. In conclusion, our data show that intranasal application of recombinant EcN expressing a multiallergen chimera presents a novel and promising treatment strategy for prevention of allergic poly-sensitization.

Allergic poly-sensitization affects a large number of allergic patients and poses a great challenge for their treatment. In this study we evaluated the effects of the probiotic Escherichia coliNissle 1917 (EcN) expressing a birch and grass pollen allergen chimera ‘Bet v 1, Phl p 1 and Phl p 5‘ (EcN-Chim) on allergy prevention after oral or intranasal application in poly-sensitized mice. In contrast to oral application, intranasal pretreatment with EcN-Chim prior to poly-sensitization led to a significant reduction of lung inflammation (eosinophils, IL-5, and IL-13 in bronchoalveolar lavage) along with suppressed levels of allergen-specific serum IgE. The suppression was associated with increased levels of allergen-specific IgA in lungs and serum IgG2a along with increased Foxp3, TGF-β, and IL-10 mRNA in bronchial lymph nodes. In vitro EcN induced high levels of IL-10 and IL-6 in both lung and intestinal epithelial cells. Importantly, using in vivo imaging techniques we demonstrated that intranasally applied EcN do not permanently colonize nose, lung, and gut and this strain might therefore be a safe delivery vector against allergy in humans. In conclusion, our data show that intranasal application of recombinant EcN expressing a multiallergen chimera presents a novel and promising treatment strategy for prevention of allergic poly-sensitization.

Industrial robots in combination with their peripherals represent flexible, versatile and cost efficient automation systems. Especially small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) often need additional support regarding the technical and economical evaluation of such systems. Furthermore, there is a lack of knowledge regarding automatable processes and corresponding peripheral devices. For this purpose, a method is developed that allows SMEs to assess automatable processes, their investments and benefits in the early planning phase. The paper presents a methodology for the planning of robot systems in an early stage and details of one step.

As the baby-boom generation turn age 65, it is important that nurses are informed about the unique problems of the elderly patient, particularly because the elderly represent the highest percentage of clients in hospitals, homecare, and long-term and subacute nursing facilities. Infusion nurses, particularly those in homecare, are in a pivotal position to proactively identify acute illness at an early stage and thereby improve outcomes in this vulnerable population. To do this, infusion nurses must understand the normal changes that come with aging, the profile of the elderly patient at greatest risk for poor outcomes, and the often-atypical presentation of illness. Additionally, infusion nurses must be informed about tools used to assess and monitor the patient’s status. Finally, infusion nurses must understand the increased potential for iatrogenesis in the elderly and provide proactive interventions to avert its occurrence to improve quality of life and outcomes for this population.

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the enhancement of different concentrations of gadolinium (Gd), ytterbium (Yb) and iodine in vitro and in vivo. Comparisons were made of the enhancement (HU) of Gd, Yb and iodine in concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 30 mg/ml. In vivo dynamic CT studies were performed in ten dogs with 0.5 MGd, Yb and iodine. Time-density curves were achieved in aorta and liver. The in vitro studies confirmed a decrease in the enhancement in this order: Gd (120 kV) > Gd (137 kV) > Yb (120 kV) > Yb (137 kV) > iodine (120 kV) > iodine (137 kV). The specific enhancement of Gd was 40.8 (120 kV), of Yb 34.2 and of iodine 29.6 HU. The enhancement of the liver decreases from 21 HU (Gd) to 19 HU (Yb) and 12 HU (iodine). Gd and Yb achieved a higher aortal enhancement than iodine (190 vs 157 HU) All contrast media were well tolerated. Equimolar concentrations of Gd and Yb show a higher in vitro contrast and enhancement than iodine.

Summary An experimental in vitro study was performed, evaluating 13 bypasses and eight patches of different materials. Sonography was unsuccessful due to a total reflection of the ultrasound for the PTFE-Vitagraft, the Impra, and the Microvel Haemashield bypasses. All other studied bypass types were successfully evaluated by ultrasound. All studied patch materials did not interfere with the ultrasound examination of the vascular structures.

Following the publication of this article, the authors have requested that the Acknowledgements section be amended to include the financing source of the study. The correct Acknowledgments should be as follows: We gratefully acknowledge funding from the Austrian Science Fund SFB F46 and DK MCCA W1248-B30, OeAD-GmbH grants (FR13/2016) and from the Amadeus partnership Hubert Curein French and Austrian program. We thank the BioImaging Center of Lille (Frank Lafont) for the use of the IVIS Lumina XR. We gratefully thank Katharina Ambroz, Elke Korb, Karin Baier, Erika Garner-Spitzer, Joshua Tobias, Gwenaëlle Verbrugghe, and Jéremy Desramaut for their technical assistance and helpful discussions.

Following the publication of this article, the authors have requested that the Acknowledgements section be amended to include the financing source of the study. The correct Acknowledgments should be as follows: We gratefully acknowledge funding from the Austrian Science Fund SFB F46 and DK MCCA W1248-B30, OeAD-GmbH grants (FR13/2016) and from the Amadeus partnership Hubert Curein French and Austrian program. We thank the BioImaging Center of Lille (Frank Lafont) for the use of the IVIS Lumina XR. We gratefully thank Katharina Ambroz, Elke Korb, Karin Baier, Erika Garner-Spitzer, Joshua Tobias, Gwenaëlle Verbrugghe, and Jéremy Desramaut for their technical assistance and helpful discussions.