IgE-mediated food allergy--diagnosis and management in New Zealand children

AIM

To summarise the diagnosis and management of IgE-mediated food allergy (FA) in New Zealand children.

METHOD

A review of the scientific literature and subsequent consensus development.

RESULTS

FA is a common problem in New Zealand children with management necessitating accurate diagnosis, appropriate risk management, and reassessment over time.

CONCLUSION

This paper highlights the importance of a structured approach to diagnosis and management of FA in New Zealand children, guided by appropriately skilled health professionals.

A comparison of several barefoot inspired footwear models in relation to barefoot and conventional running footwear

This study examined differences in kinetics and kinematics between barefoot and shod running, as well as between several barefoot inspired footwear models. Fifteen participants ran at 4.0 m/s ±5% in each footwear condition. Lower extremity kinematics in the sagittal, coronal and transverse planes were measured using an eight camera motion analysis system alongside ground reaction force parameters. Impact parameters and joint kinematics were subsequently compared using repeated measures ANOVAs. The kinetic analysis revealed that, compared to the conventional footwear, impact parameters were significantly greater in the barefoot and more minimal in barefoot inspired footwear. Running barefoot and in the minimal barefoot inspired footwear was associated with increases in flexion parameters of the knee and ankle at footstrike in relation to the conventional footwear. Finally, the results indicated that the barefoot and minimal barefoot inspired footwear were associated with greater peak eversion magnitude when compared to the conventional footwear. This study suggests that in barefoot and more minimalist barefoot inspired footwear running is associated with impact kinetics and rearfoot eversion parameters, previously linked to an increased risk of overuse injury, when compared to conventional shod running.

Influence of barefoot, barefoot inspired and conventional shoes on tibial accelerations and loading kinetics during running in natural rearfoot strikers

Running barefoot and in footwear designed to mimic barefoot locomotion, has received considerable attention in footwear research. This study examined the differences in impact force and tibial acceleration parameters. Ten male participants completed 10 trials when running barefoot, in vibram five-fingers and in conventional footwear at three locomotion velocities: walk, jog and run (1.25, 3.5 and 5.0 m/s, respectively). Impact force and tibial acceleration parameters were synchronously obtained and contrasted between footwear and velocities using 3 (footwear) x 3 (velocity) repeated measures ANOVA's. Significant main effects were obtained for both footwear and velocity which suggest that barefoot running at higher velocities is associated with increases in impact loading magnitude. This leads to the conclusion that barefoot locomotion may be associated with increased risk of injury regardless of running velocity and that more specifically running barefoot at higher velocities should be undertaken with caution.

Diagnostic accuracy of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging using a phase-derived vascular input function in the preoperative grading of gliomas

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The accuracy of tumor plasma volume and K(trans) estimates obtained with DCE MR imaging may have inaccuracies introduced by a poor estimation of the VIF. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of a novel technique by using a phase-derived VIF and "bookend" T1 measurements in the preoperative grading of patients with suspected gliomas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective study included 46 patients with a new pathologically confirmed diagnosis of glioma. Both magnitude and phase images were acquired during DCE MR imaging for estimates of K(trans)_φ and V(p_)φ (calculated from a phase-derived VIF and bookend T1 measurements) as well as K(trans)_SI and V(p_)SI (calculated from a magnitude-derived VIF without T1 measurements).

RESULTS

Median K(trans)_φ values were 0.0041 minutes(-1) (95 CI, 0.00062-0.033), 0.031 minutes(-1) (0.011-0.150), and 0.088 minutes(-1) (0.069-0.110) for grade II, III, and IV gliomas, respectively (P ≤ .05 for each). Median V(p_)φ values were 0.64 mL/100 g (0.06-1.40), 0.98 mL/100 g (0.34-2.20), and 2.16 mL/100 g (1.8-3.1) with P = .15 between grade II and III gliomas and P = .015 between grade III and IV gliomas. In differentiating low-grade from high-grade gliomas, AUCs for K(trans)_φ, V(p_φ), K(trans)_SI, and V(p_)SI were 0.87 (0.73-1), 0.84 (0.69-0.98), 0.81 (0.59-1), and 0.84 (0.66-0.91). The differences between the AUCs were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

K(trans)_φ and V(p_)φ are parameters that can help in differentiating low-grade from high-grade gliomas.

Dielectric-barrier discharges in two-dimensional lattice potentials

We use a pin-grid electrode to introduce a corrugated electrical potential into a planar dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) system, so that the amplitude of the applied electric field has the profile of a two-dimensional square lattice. The lattice potential provides a template for the spatial distribution of plasma filaments in the system and has pronounced effects on the patterns that can form. The positions at which filaments become localized within the lattice unit cell vary with the width of the discharge gap. The patterns that appear when filaments either overfill or underfill the lattice are reminiscent of those observed in other physical systems involving 2D lattices. We suggest that the connection between lattice-driven DBDs and other areas of physics may benefit from the further development of models that treat plasma filaments as interacting particles.

Augmenting mark–recapture with beach counts to estimate the abundance of little penguins on Penguin Island, Western Australia

Context Penguin Island supports the largest colony of little penguins in Western Australia. It is subjected to a suite of anthropogenic threats because of its proximity to an increasing urban population. For effective management of the colony, it is necessary to not only have knowledge of the size of the colony, but also the population trend of the colony. Aims To demonstrate a new cost-effective method of estimating the island-wide population of penguins on Penguin Island. Methods We estimated the island-wide population by combining mark–recapture sampling over 2 years on part of the island and beach counts of penguins arriving at night around the entire island. We estimated the abundance using closed population models, allowing for sex and time effects in capture probabilities. We had four capture occasions in 2008 only, and so considered heterogeneity of capture probabilities (Mh), using the Chao heterogeneity moment estimator. The proportion of all penguins counted that arrived at the four mark–recapture sites was then used to inflate the population estimate for the whole island. Key results In all, 62% of all penguins counted used the four mark–recapture sites. In 2007, there were an estimated 2369 ± 198 penguins, and 1543 ± 82 in 2008. When capture heterogeneity was allowed for in 2008, this estimate increased to 2069 ± 172. Conclusions Fewer eggs were laid and all measures of breeding performance were lower in 2008 than in 2007. Hence, the lower population estimate is most likely to represent fewer birds attempting to breed. However, further work on population estimates is required to determine whether capture heterogeneity occurs in both good and poor breeding years. Capture rates were affected by the presence of a full moon and high tides. Implications The estimate of the population can be used as part of the basis of a long-term monitoring program needed for effective management of the penguin colony. However, such studies must be coincident with the monitoring of a suite of reproductive and foraging parameters if short-term impacts of threats are to be recognised and well managed.

Interaction of children's acetaminophen with antigen and antibody from bovine and swine albumin sources (43.8)

We have conducted optical, structural, and charge transport studies of the interaction of children's strength tylenol with both antigen and antibody sources from bovine and swine albumin over the physiological temperature range. Our results show that acetaminophen is chemically and structurally stable over this temperature range and up to 108F, however, is adversely affected by low-to-moderate concentration of NaCl(aq)forming black crystallites of unestablished structure. Our charge-transport and real-time visual and optical microsocopy data indicate a strong interaction between acetaminophen and antibodies from both sources, especially swine albumin. Recovered product from these experiments show formation of various species, including sliver-shaped yellow crystals, and a multi criss-crossed channel structured species appearing near interface/boundry locations of the sample. The pronounced absence of antibody serum in the regions of acetaminophen diffusion support Czech Republic work reporting in the British Medical Journal, Lancet, October 16th 2009, that acetaminophen caused a weakening of a multi-purpose vaccine produced by GlaxoSmithKline. Our work shows that acetaminonphen interacts with bovine antigen in a non-Euclidean geometry, similar to a 3-cusp hypocycloid (deltoid). Because interaction with antigen shows an unusual time-dependent geometry, the interaction with antibodies shows long-term kinetic dependence.

Practical experience of using the IPEM 2003 electron code of practice

From 1 January 2007, the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) 2003 code of practice (COP) for electron dosimetry replaces the old air kerma-based Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine and Biology 1996 COP as the recommended protocol for the UK. The IPEM 2003 COP requires a secondary standard ionisation chamber calibrated directly in terms of absorbed dose to water. This paper examines the differences between the new and old COP and indicates that the dose measured using the 2003 COP appears to be greater than that using the 1996 COP by approximately 2+/-1%, based on a survey of radiotherapy centres in the UK. The paper also compares the characteristics of the NACP (Scanditronix) and Roos (PTW) chambers recommended by the 2003 COP. No practical difference was found between adopting the NACP or Roos chambers as a secondary standard chamber.

Three-dimensional in vitro cell biology models of ovarian and endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to establish three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models of human ovarian and endometrial cancers and to compare biological and morphological characteristics of these models with those of two-dimensional (2D) models of the same cell lines and the primary tumours.

METHODS

3D models of ovarian and endometrial cancer cell cultures were established using a Rotary Cell Culture System. Immunohistochemical profiling and differential proteomics were used to characterize biological characteristics of multicellular spheroids (MCS) formed from these cultures. These were compared to characteristics of the same cells established in 2D and of the primary tumours from which the cell lines were derived.

RESULTS

MCSs from 3D cell cultures appeared histologically similar to the primary tumours. Immunohistochemical profiling of multiple markers, including CA125, BCL2 and p53, showed that patterns of protein expression in MCSs resemble those of the primary tumours. Proteomic profiling identified several differentially expressed protein markers between 2D and 3D cultures. These included prohibitin, which was down-regulated in 3D cultures suggesting cells proliferate less compared to 2D cultures; and VDAC1 and annexin 4, which were up-regulated in 3D cultures suggesting greater levels of apoptosis in 3D compared to 2D models.

CONCLUSION

Establishing 3D models of cancer cell lines is likely to be of value for studying the molecular and biological mechanisms of ovarian/endometrial tumour progression and for testing novel molecular targets for cancer therapy.

Vertebral artery dissection with a normal-appearing lumen at multisection CT angiography: the importance of identifying wall hematoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

CT angiography (CTA) is widely used and may be the only vascular imaging technique ordered for emergent evaluation of neurovascular disease. With thin-section multisection CTA, the resolution of vessel wall imaging has improved. We describe cases of acute vertebral artery dissection (VAD) in which the only abnormality on CTA was a characteristic thickening of the wall of the V3 portion of the vertebral artery (VA). The arterial lumen at the dissection site was normal in caliber. This type of dissection is easily overlooked if only lumen-opacifying studies such as contrast MR angiography (MRA) or conventional angiography are performed. We highlight the importance of recognizing this finding, the "suboccipital rind" sign, in the V3 portion, a segment commonly affected in VAD. The purpose of our study was to review the CTA imaging characteristics of patients with VAD in the V3 portion compared with normal controls.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our imaging data base was reviewed for cases of acute VAD and the presence of a "suboccipital rind" sign. A control group of 50 patients was randomly recruited from a group of patients undergoing CTA. The VA luminal diameter, the wall thickness (total diameter-luminal diameter), and the ratio of luminal diameter/total diameter were measured along 5 adjacent V3 segments and were compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

There was no evidence of luminal tapering or narrowing in the dissected VAs compared with controls (P = .1). The average wall thickness of the dissection group was 2.96 mm greater than that for the control group (P < .001; 95% confidence interval, 2.6-3.3). There was a significant difference in the ratio of lumen diameter/lumen+wall diameter in dissected segments compared with controls (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Cross-sectional vascular imaging is often performed with multisection helical CTA for a variety of concerns, some without neurologic symptoms. Our study confirms that in cases of the "suboccipital rind" sign, the lumen appears normal in caliber, with wall thickening as the only imaging sign of VAD. In our center, this clinically occult VAD would influence management, with patients usually treated with antiplatelet agents. We caution against using only luminal-opacifying techniques such as contrast-enhanced MRA or conventional angiography to exclude VAD because they are limited in the evaluation of mural hematoma.