Indication of linkage of serum IgE levels to the interleukin-4 gene and exclusion of the contribution of the (-590 C to T) interleukin-4 promoter polymorphism to IgE variation

Previous segregation analysis of a sample of 234 randomly selected Australian families showed evidence for a recessive major gene controlling serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels independently of the specific response to allergens (SRA). Since linkage has been recently reported between serum IgE levels and the 5q candidate region spanning the interleukin-4 (IL-4) gene, we investigated whether the recessive major gene detected by segregation analysis was linked to the IL-4 region and whether polymorphisms within the IL-4 gene were associated with IgE levels. Both sib-pair method and combined segregation and linkage analysis using the regressive models were applied to our data. Whereas there was no evidence of linkage of total IgE levels to the IL-4 region, an indication of linkage (P values ranging between 0.01 and 0.03) was found between IgE levels adjusted for SRA and two IL-4 polymorphisms: one dinucleotide repeat in intron 2 of the IL-4 gene and a single nucleotide (-590 C to T) polymorphism in the IL-4 promoter. However, the putative IL-4 linked gene did not appear to be in linkage disequilibrium with either of these two polymorphisms. A contribution of the IL-4 promoter polymorphism, presumed to be a potential functional variant influencing IgE variation, was also excluded.     

Elevated levels of the IGF-binding protein protease MMP-1 in asthmatic airway smooth muscle

We characterized the changes in nitric oxide (NO) levels in the brain during global forebrain ischemia and reperfusion and tested the ability of the natural flavonoid, quercetin, and a synthetic flavonoid, FB277, to increase the amount of available NO by elimination of the superoxide radicals produced during reperfusion. In Sprague-Dawley rats, we used a four-vessel occlusion model of forebrain ischemia (15 min) and reperfusion (30 min). Brain NO was measured on samples of cerebral cortex and cerebellum ex vivo by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The spin trap used was diethyldithiocarbamate sodium salt (DETC) associated with ferrous citrate. The complex Fe(DETC)2NO was detected at 77 K as a triplet signal at g = 2.035. Groups of animals were treated with quercetin or FB277 (3-morpholinomethyl-3',4',5,7tetramethoxyflavone) or polyethylene glycol-conjugated superoxide dismutase (PEG-SOD). In control (intact anesthetized animals), the signal was about 3 times greater in the cortex than in the cerebellum. During ischemia, the signal rose to 110% in cortex (NS) and 283% in cerebellum (P < 0.05). In reperfusion, it fell again to 91% of control in cerebellum (NS) and 35% in cortex (P < 0.05). Treatment by quercetin (5 mg/kg i.v.) of intact and ischemia-reperfusion groups did not significantly change the signal amplitude in the cerebellum, but did double it in the cortex (to 76% of control) for the ischemia-reperfusion group (P < 0.05). In contrast, FB277 (3.75 mg/kg i.v.) did not increase the signal in the cortex during ischemia-reperfusion, but did do so in the cerebellum (to 152% of control, P < 0.05). The results obtained for PEG-SOD (10,000 U/kg i.v.) were similar to those for FB277. In separate in vitro measurements, we found that quercetin but not FB277 efficiently scavenged superoxide. We hypothesize that quercetin but not FB277 scavenged superoxide anions released in the cortex during reperfusion, thus diminishing the amount of NO removed by the formation of peroxynitrite. The lack of effect of PEG-SOD may be related to the need for chronic treatment to obtain protection.     

The clinical relevance of biomechanics

Most neurologists are familiar with biomechanics but may be unsure of the relevance of this field to their practice. Actually those involved in musculoskeletal problems are undoubtedly using biomechanical principles. This article is limited to the spine, but the basic principles of biomechanics are applicable to other parts of the body. In this article, we describe the spine and trunk as a biomechanical organ, the biomechanical principles behind back injuries and their importance, the role of biomechanical issues in pain, the utility of clinical tests based on biomechanical principles, the effects of aging, and the future directions in spine biomechanical research.     

Oral contraceptive use and vaginal candida colonization

Fungal vaginal infections/colonisations can be divided into a symptomatic vaginal candidiasis and an asymptomatic vaginal Candida-carriage. The latter seems to be a predisposing factor for the development of a symptomatic vaginal candidiasis. The fungal organism isolated most frequently is Candida albicans, followed by Candida glabrata, which was previously also known as Torulopsis glabrata. To a lower extend, other Candida species such as Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei can be prevalent in the vulvovaginal region. Predisposing factors for vaginal candidiasis are gravidity, diabetes mellitus or a therapy with immunosuppressive agents. Also gestagenes showed to be a pre-disposing factor for vaginal candidiasis. Divergent results concerning the predisposition to vaginal candidiasis or colonisation due to oral contraception have so far been reported. Therefore we performed a study with two healthy collectives of female volunteers (n = 2 x 60) which were different concerning the taking of oral contraceptives. Overall, in 17% of the subjects (20/120) yeast could be cultured out of the vaginal secretions. There was no evidence for a higher rate of Candida-colonisation in subjects taking oral contraceptives. Further, there was no evidence for a relationship between the length of the taking of oral contraceptives and the rate of vaginal yeast-carriage. Also the type of oral contraceptive (combination or sequential contraceptive) had no influence on the frequency of Candida-carriage. Candida albicans was the most prevalent yeast (16/20), followed by Candida glabrata (4/20).     

Bilateral elastofibroma: a case report and review of the literature

Elastofibroma, or elastofibroma dorsi as it was first described, is an uncommon tumor-like process that characteristically appears as an ill-defined mass in the infrascapular region of elderly patients. This lesion can occur bilaterally and may appear asynchronously. The occurrence of elastofibroma in other anatomic sites has been reported, although with much less frequency. Elastofibromas display typical diagnostic histologic, cytologic, and electron microscopic features. The use of magnetic resonance imaging can lead to a presumptive diagnosis in elderly individuals with suprascapular lesions. It is important to differentiate this lesion from other soft-tissue lesions, such as sarcomas and desmoid tumors. This study presents a case of bilateral elastofibromas in a 72-year-old man and a review of the literature.     

Pregnancy following a single lung transplant

Successful pregnancy in a single lung transplant recipient has not been reported previously. The long term effect of pregnancy on graft function and management of deteriorating pulmonary function is not defined. This case describes the management, outcome, and problems encountered when a single lung transplant recipient developed a progressive deterioration in pulmonary function during pregnancy, attributed to accelerated obliterative bronchiolitis.