Search

Copyright of Biotropica is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background Mast cells (MCs) are abundant in the inflammatory infiltrate in eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE), but decrease with disease remission. However, their phenotype, role in the pathophysiology of the disease, and modulation after effective dietary therapy are still unclear. Objective To define the phenotype of oesophageal MCs, their modulation through dietary therapy, and their association with clinical manifestations of EoE. Methods Oesophageal mucosal samples from 10 adult patients with EoE obtained before and after effective six-food elimination diet (SFED) therapy, as well as from 10 control subjects were analysed. Eosinophil and MC density were quantified. Gene expression of chemoattractants for eosinophils (CCL11, CCL24, and CCL26), MCs (SCF), and their receptors (CCR3 and SCFR, respectively) were assessed by means of qPCR. Gene and protein expression of specific MC proteases (CPA3, CMA, and TPSB2) were evaluated with qPCR and immunofluorescence. Clinical manifestations and atopic background were recorded. Results MC density was significantly increased in EoE compared with controls, decreasing after dietary treatment (18.6 to 1.44 cells/hpf, respectively; P < 0.001). The MCTC subtype predominated in the oesophageal mucosa (90%) in both patients with EoE and controls. Gene expression of MC-related proteases, eotaxins, and SCF were up-regulated in patients with EoE, but significantly decreased after therapy, regardless of atopic background. Epithelial peaks of MCs and eosinophils were significantly associated (ρ = 0.80) in EoE and correlated with the symptom score (ρ = 0.78). Gene expression of MC proteases and eotaxins also correlated with the symptom score (P < 0.05). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance MC and its proteases seem to play a relevant role in the pathophysiology and symptoms of EoE, which can be reversed after effective dietary treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Some optic nerve diseases are silent and insidious. Recently, reduced thickness of retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) has been associated with increasing body mass index in adults. Objectives: To investigate the association of childhood obesity with RNFL measured by optical coherence tomography imaging. Methods: Ninety-seven children aged 5-14 years classified according to standard deviation score of body mass index (SDS-BMI) were included. Parameters of metabolic risk, adipocytokines (leptin, adiponectin) and interleukin-6 were analyzed. All subjects underwent a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination with direct ophthalmoscopy. Evaluation of RNFL with optical coherence tomography of the head of the nerve was performed. Results: RNFL thickness on the average and inferior, superior and nasal quadrants were decreased in severely obese children (SDS-BMI > 4) with respect to the other groups. However, no statistically significant association was found between the different groups of children and RNFL thickness in the temporal quadrant. There was a significant inverse correlation of RNFL thickness with adiposity indices (P = 0.016), leptin (P = 0.029) and interleukin-6 (P = 0.030) in overweight and obese children. Conclusions: These findings suggest that adiposity and obesity-related inflammatory factors may be associated with the loss of retinal ganglion cells in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The association between seasonality and diagnosis and/or recrudescence of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) remains unclear, with some studies demonstrating a higher diagnostic rate in those months with a higher aeroallergen load while others rule out this association. Methods: We performed a systematic search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and SCOPUS databases for studies on the seasonality of the initial diagnosis or recrudescence (i.e., food bolus impaction) of EoE. Summary estimates, including 95% confidence intervals, were calculated for seasonal variation in diagnosis or incidence of food bolus impaction. A random-effects meta-regression model was made using aggregate-level data to compare seasonality in EoE diagnosis and recrudescence. Publication bias risks were assessed by means of funnel plot analysis. Results: Of 1078 references found, data were finally collected from 18 studies which included a total of 16 846 EoE patients. Of all new cases of EoE diagnosed per year, 27.1% were diagnosed in spring and 21.5% in winter. No overall statistical differences in the annual seasonal distribution of newly diagnosed EoE cases were observed in the random-effects meta-regression model (P = 0.132). Similarly, a homogenous distribution of episodes of EoE recrudescence throughout the year was noted, with no significant differences between seasons (P = 0.699). No significant publication bias was found. Conclusions: This systematic review found no significant variations in the seasonal distribution of either the diagnosis or clinical recrudescence of EoE throughout the year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Sedation might improve tolerability and adherence to endoscopic procedures in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis ( Eo E). Propofol administration is often contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to egg, soy, or peanut. Objective To investigate the safety of propofol administration for procedural sedation in Eo E patients sensitized/allergic to egg, soy, peanut. Methods A retrospective observational study in adult Eo E patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy with propofol sedation was conducted between January 2009 and March 2013. Food-specific serum Ig E and skin prick tests for egg, soy, peanut, and cross-reactant foods were performed in all patients. Results Sixty Eo E adult patients, mostly on food elimination diets (91%), were evaluated (age: 28 years (14-56), male gender (90%)). Atopy was present in 88% of patients, being the most prevalent comorbidities rhinoconjunctivitis (78%) and asthma (67%). Fifty-two patients (86%) were sensitized to either egg, soy, or peanut. Eighteen patients (28%) had a history of allergic reactions to egg, legumes, and nuts and strictly avoided these foods. A total of 404 upper endoscopies were performed under propofol sedation. No allergic adverse events were reported, except a transient bronchospasm after orotracheal intubation in an asthmatic adolescent receiving multiple drugs for anesthesia, in whom no sensitization to either propofol or its lipid vehicle was confirmed. Conclusions Propofol was safely administered for procedural sedation in a large series of adult Eo E patients multisensitized to egg, soy, peanut, showing one-third clinical allergy to these foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cow's milk protein, a major food trigger for Eo E in both children and adults, should be continuously avoided once identified as such. This study evaluates tolerance of a cow's milk-based extensively hydrolyzed formula (e HF) with regard to disease remission maintenance in adult patients with milk-triggered Eo E. Methods Seventeen adult patients in whom cow's milk was consecutively demonstrated to trigger EoE after an empiric six-food elimination diet-based study protocol and who subsequently maintained disease remission were prospectively recruited. They were given 400 ml of a cow's milk-based e HF daily for 8 weeks. Intraepithelial peak eosinophil and blood eosinophil counts, esophageal-related symptoms, serum total and specific IgE to major milk proteins, and eosinophil cationic protein were monitored before and after e HF intake. Results Thirteen male and four female patients aged 17-56 completed the study protocol. 15 patients (88.24%) achieved and maintained EoE remission, while an infiltration of ≥15 eosinophils/hpf reappeared in the remaining two patients. No differences in age, gender, symptoms, and endoscopic appearance at baseline conditions or personal/family allergic background were observed between those patients who tolerated the e HF and those who did not. Symptom scores did not significantly change after e HF intake and were significantly lower than those documented at baseline conditions or after cow's milk challenge. No differences were documented in blood eosinophil counts or serum markers after e HF intake. Conclusion Most adult patients with EoE triggered by cow's milk tolerate a cow's milk-based e HF, thus providing them with a safe, economical alternative to cow's milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

* Premise of the Study: Plant water status during flowering is important for plant reproduction, but the physiology of floral water use is not well understood. We investigated plant water status in relation to leaf and floral physiology in naturally occurring individuals of a semiarid shrub, Salvia mellifera E. Greene. * Methods: We measured stomatal (gs) and corolla (gc) conductance to water vapor, transpiration from leaves (Eleaf) and corollas (E corolla), leaf-specific hydraulic conductance (KH), bulk shoot water potential (Ψshoot), and shoot water content on irrigated and control plants to analyze whether water was limiting to leaf and floral water use. * Key Results: Experimental irrigation caused a 203% increase in soil moisture content, a 20% increase in predawn Ψshoot, a 29% increase in midday Ψshoot, and a 92% increase in KH. Floral and leaf gas exchange did not respond significantly to water addition, indicating that rates were at seasonal maxima and not limited by water availability. Total daily water use by corollas was ~20% of total shoot water use. There were no significant differences in total daily shoot water use with water addition. Mean shoot water content (5.07 g) was close to mean daily shoot water use (6.71 g), indicating that the equivalent of total shoot water content turned over every 0.76 d. * Conclusions: These results demonstrate that although irrigation improved whole-plant hydraulic conductance, gas exchange was not limited by water availability. Additionally, the high water use of flowers in this species might limit future flowering and reproductive success during dry years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biotropica is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper discusses the systematics and phylogeny of the genus Tambja Burn, 1962 throughout tropical and temperate areas in the Atlantic, eastern Pacific and Indo-Pacific. The phylogenetic relationships within Tambja are unknown and a comprehensive taxonomic revision is necessary in order to construct a phylogeny of the genus. To date, Tambja comprises 28 nominal species, 22 of which have been examined morphologically based on newly collected and type material. The reproductive systems of four species (T. limaciformis (Eliot, 1908), T. sagamiana (Baba, 1955), T. amakusana , Baba, 1987 and T. olivaria , Yonow, 1993) were studied for the first time and two species previously considered as valid, Tambja morosa (Bergh, 1877) and Tambja kushimotoensis Baba, 1987, are here synonymized. Of the remaining six nominal species, no additional material has been found since their original description. The holotypes of three (T. diaphana (Bergh, 1877), T. gratiosa (Bergh, 1890) and T. marbellensis Schick & Cervera, 1998) have been re-examined and the original descriptions improved. Tambja diaphana is regarded as nomen dubium. Tambja amitina (Eliot, 1905), T. divae (Marcus, 1958) and T. anayana Ortea, 1989 remain as valid species until further comparison with new specimens can be made. New structures are also described for several taxa. Morphological and anatomical data from 22 nominal Tambja species have been used to construct a phylogeny. The phylogenetic analysis rejects the monophyly of Tambja and shows its preliminary relationships within the subfamily Nembrothinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary • The expression of nodA and dctA genes of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae has been studied in mutant nodules of pea (Pisum sativum L.), blocked at the following developmental stages: i nfection t hread development inside the n odule (Itn); i nfection d roplet d ifferentiation (Idd); ba cteroid d ifferentiation after endocytosis (Bad); and no dule p ersistence (Nop). • With the use of reporter fusions to these symbiotic bacterial genes it was shown that both nodA and dctA were expressed at all developmental stages, with a pattern similar to that of constitutive, symbiosis-unrelated genes. • As well as two constitutively expressed genes, both nodA and dctA genes seemed to be subjected to gradual downregulation in nodule bacteria, correlating with the stage of bacteroid differentiation reached. No such effect was observed for the symbiotic, oxygen-regulated fixN gene. The bacteroid development stage also appeared to be related to the ability of bacteria that have been subjected to endocytosis to resume free-living vegetative growth. • The results support the suggestion that bacteroid differentiation into a nitrogen-fixing, organelle-like form, is a gradual process involving several stages, each controlled by different plant genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An aerobiologic and clinical survey was conducted in Málaga, southern Spain, in order to determine fluctuations of Australian pine (Casuarina) pollen in the atmosphere of the city, and the prevalence of sensitivity in a nonatopic population. The aerobiologic survey, using a Burkard spore trap, was conducted from January 1991 to December 1994, and sensitization was ascertained by the skin prick test. The pollen season is relatively short and the pollen dispersion period occurs during October and November, mainly during the last 3 weeks of October. Diurnal patterns showed that the highest concentrations of pollen occur between 12 a.m. and 2 p.m., the most influential variables in its dispersion being temperature, sunshine, and rainfall. The prevalence of sensitization to Casuarina pollen was determined by skin prick test (SPT) in a nonatopic population ot 210 patients with a previous history of autumn rhinitis, asthma, or rhinitis asthma. Six subjects showed a positive reaction to the pollen extracts, and the presence of specific IgE was demonstrated by the conventional radioallergosorbent test (RAST ≥ 2) in five of these patients with positive SPT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study conducted on the distillation performance of three high-capacity corrugated sheet-structured packings: RMP N 250Y, RMP S 250, and RMP S 350. Measurements of these packings were carried out in a column at the Separation Research Program (SRP) by using cyclohexane/n-heptane at different pressures. It was found that the high-capacity packing RMP S 250 facilitates efficient operation at much higher vapor loads than for RMP N 250.

The authors reflect on the cause of Urticaria which is induced by Dodecyl polyethyleneoxid ether, also known as polidocanol, that is used as a sclerosant drug due to its spasmogenic action on veins. They state that microfoam form is considered to cause less adverse reactions than the liquid form due to its capability to displace blood instead of mixing and diluting itself in it. They suggest that the possibility of polidocanol to act as a hapten itself should also be taken into account.

Patients aged 50 or above diagnosed with myeloid neoplasms (MNs) are typically not candidates for germline testing. However, approximately 8% carry pathogenic germline variants. Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) remains an option for those aged over 50; neglecting germline testing could mask the risk for relative donor cell-derived MN. We propose a germline-augmented somatic panel (GASP), combining MN predisposition genes with a myeloid somatic panel for timely germline variant identification when initial testing is not indicated. Out of our 133 whole-exome-sequenced MN cases aged over 50 years, 9% had pathogenic/likely variants. GASP detected 92%, compared to 50% with somatic-only panel. Our study highlights the relevance of germline screening in MN, particularly for alloHSCT candidates without established germline-testing recommendations., (© 2024 British Society for Haematology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Cow's milk protein is the main food trigger for eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) in children and adults and should be continuously avoided once identified as such., Aims: To evaluate tolerance of sterilised cow's milk (boiled instead of UHT processing) with regard to maintenance of EoE remission, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), nutritional intake and allergic sensitisation in patients of all ages with milk-triggered EoE METHODS: We prospectively recruited patients in whom cow's milk was demonstrated to trigger EoE after an empirical food elimination diet-based study. They were given 200 ml of sterilised cow's milk twice daily for 8 weeks. Endoscopic assessment, peak eosinophil counts, oesophageal-related symptoms, HRQoL, blood eosinophils, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), skin prick test and serum total and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) to major milk proteins were monitored before and after sterilised milk intake., Results: Eighteen patients (13 male) in EoE remission underwent a sterilised milk challenge. Twelve maintained EoE remission (<15 eos/hpf) while EoE recurred in the remainder. Endoscopic appearances deteriorated in non-tolerant patients. HRQoL scored well at baseline and was maintained among patients tolerant to sterilised milk, but deteriorated in reactive ones. No significant changes in blood eosinophil count, ECP, tryptase or total and milk-specific IgE serum levels were observed from baseline. However, cow's milk-specific IgE increased slightly in non-tolerant patients. Clinical and histological remission were maintained in patients who regularly consumed sterilised milk for 1 year., Conclusion: Sterilised milk did not trigger EoE in two-thirds of patients with documented milk-induced EoE, in either the short or long term., (© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Lenalidomide is an effective drug in low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with isolated del(5q), although not all patients respond. Studies have suggested a role for TP53 mutations and karyotype complexity in disease progression and outcome. In order to assess the impact of complex karyotypes on treatment response and disease progression in 52 lenalidomide-treated patients with del(5q) MDS, conventional G-banding cytogenetics (CC), single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP-A), and genomic sequencing methods were used. SNP-A analysis (with control sample, lymphocytes CD3+, in 30 cases) revealed 5q losses in all cases. Other recurrent abnormalities were infrequent and were not associated with lenalidomide responsiveness. Low karyotype complexity (by CC) and a high baseline platelet count (>280 × 10(9) /l) were associated with the achievement of haematological response (P = 0·020, P = 0·013 respectively). Unmutated TP53 status showed a tendency for haematological response (P = 0·061). Complete cytogenetic response was not observed in any of the mutated TP53 cases. By multivariate analysis, the most important predictor for lenalidomide treatment failure was a platelet count <280 × 10(9) /l (Odds Ratio = 6·17, P = 0·040). This study reveals the importance of a low baseline platelet count, karyotypic complexity and TP53 mutational status for response to lenalidomide treatment. It supports the molecular study of TP53 in MDS patients treated with lenalidomide., (© 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Therapy-related acute myeloid leukaemia/myelodysplastic syndrome (t-AML/t-MDS) results from an impaired ability to detoxify chemotherapeutic drugs or repair drug-induced genetic damage caused by genetic polymorphisms in enzymes involved in the metabolism of drugs. We analysed the prevalence of genetic polymorphisms of CYP1A1*2A(T6235C), CYP2E1*5B(C-1019T), CYP3A4*1B(A-290G), del{GSTT1}, del{GSTM1}, NQO1*2(C609T), MTHFR(C677T) and TYMS 2R/3R in 78 t-AML/t-MDS and 458 normal individuals (control group, CG) using real-time and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods. The incidences of polymorphisms among t-AML/t-MDS patients and CG individuals were similar. However, a polymorphism profile consisting of CYP1A1*2A, del{GSTT1} and NQO1*2 strongly modified the risk of t-AML/t-MDS. The absence of all three polymorphisms decreased the risk of t-AML/t-MDS 18-fold (odds ratio (OR) = 0.054, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.005-0.63, P = 0.02), whereas the presence of only NQO1*2 or all three polymorphisms enhanced the risk of t-AML/t-MDS (OR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.08-4.03, P = 0.03 and OR = 18.42, 95% CI = 1.59-212.76, P = 0.02 respectively). Thus, the profiles of genetic polymorphisms of drug-metabolising enzymes might explain the increased risk to t-AML/t-MDS observed in some patients treated with polychemotherapy.

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) progresses into acute leukaemia with a variable time course. We analysed 45 newly diagnosed patients and found that the expression of the Src homology 2 domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase 1 (SHP1) had a significant impact on disease severity, progression and overall prognosis. Global or lineage-specific loss of SHP1 was observed by immunohistochemistry in bone marrow biopsies of MDS patients who progressed rapidly (P = 0.0021) and had shorter survival (P < 0.001). Cox regression analysis demonstrated that SHP1 expression in megakaryocytes had prognostic relevance for time to progression (P = 0.009) and overall survival (P = 0.001).

Glutamate-5-kinase (G5K) catalyzes the first step of proline (and, in mammals, ornithine) biosynthesis. It is a key regulatory point of these routes, since it is the subject of feedback allosteric inhibition by proline or ornithine. The Escherichia coli gene (proB) for G5K was cloned in pET22, overexpressed in E. coli, purified in a few steps in high yield to 95% homogeneity in the highly active proline-inhibitable form and was shown by cross-linking to be a tetramer. It was crystallized by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method at 294 K in the presence of ADP, MgCl(2) and L-glutamate using 1.6 M MgSO(4), 0.1 M KCl in 0.1 M MES pH 6.5 as the crystallization solution. The tetragonal bipyramid-shaped crystals diffracted to 2.5 A resolution using synchrotron radiation. The crystals belong to space group P4(1(3))2(1)2, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 101.1, c = 178.6 A, and contain two monomers in the asymmetric unit, with 58% solvent content.

Clinical evidence of a graft-vs.-tumour effect in solid tumours after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is lacking. We report for the first time a complete and durable regression of a stage IB non-small-cell lung carcinoma in a patient who had received an allogeneic peripheral blood haematopoietic stem cell transplant for acute myeloblastic leukaemia in first complete remission. Disappearance of the tumour coincided with development of graft-vs. -host disease. This suggests that simultaneous generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes against lung carcinoma cells could have been responsible for the regression. This unique clinical observation broadens the possibility of using allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in treating neoplasias lacking significant sensitivity to chemotherapy.

Recently, a consensus International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) for predicting outcome and planning therapy in the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) has been developed. However, the intermediate-risk cytogenetic subgroup defined by the IPSS includes a miscellaneous number of different single abnormalities for which real prognosis at present is uncertain. The main aims of this study were to evaluate in an independent series the prognostic value of the IPSS and to identify chromosomal abnormalities with a previously unrecognized good or poor prognosis in 640 patients. In univariate analyses, cases with single 1q abnormalities experienced poor survival, whereas those with trisomy 8 had a higher risk of acute leukaemic transformation than the remaining patients (P = 0.004 and P = 0.009 respectively). Patients with single del(12p) had a similar survival to patients with a normal karyotype and showed some trend for a better survival than other cases belonging to the IPSS intermediate-risk cytogenetic subgroup (P = 0.045). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that IPSS cytogenetic prognostic subgroup, proportion of bone marrow blasts and haemoglobin level were the main prognostic factors for survival, and the first two characteristics and platelet count were the best predictors of acute leukaemic transformation risk. A large international co-operative study should be carried out to clarify these findings.

An aerobiologic and clinical survey was conducted in Málaga, southern Spain, in order to determine fluctuations of Australian pine (Casuarina) pollen in the atmosphere of the city, and the prevalence of sensitivity in a nonatopic population. The aerobiologic survey, using a Burkard spore trap, was conducted from January 1991 to December 1994, and sensitization was ascertained by the skin prick test. The pollen season is relatively short and the pollen dispersion period occurs during October and November, mainly during the last 3 weeks of October. Diurnal patterns showed that the highest concentrations of pollen occur between 12 a.m. and 2 p.m., the most influential variables in its dispersion being temperature, sunshine, and rainfall. The prevalence of sensitization to Casuarina pollen was determined by skin prick test (SPT) in a nonatopic population of 210 patients with a previous history of autumn rhinitis, asthma, or rhinitis asthma. Six subjects showed a positive reaction to the pollen extracts, and the presence of specific IgE was demonstrated by the conventional radioallergosorbent test (RAST > or = 2) in five of these patients with positive SPT.