Comparison of Timothy grass pollen extract- and single major allergen-induced gene expression and mediator release in airway epithelial cells: a meta-analysis.

Background: Seasonal allergic rhinitis (AR) is a global health problem and its prevalence has increased considerably in the last decades. As the allergic response with its clinical manifestations is triggered by only a few proteins within natural extracts, there is an increasing tendency for single-component-resolved diagnosis and immunotherapy.

Objective: As natural exposure is not to single proteins, but to complex mixtures of molecules, we were interested in comparing the activation of respiratory epithelial cells induced by the purified major allergen Phl p 1 with the induction caused by a complete extract of Timothy grass pollen (GPE).

Monitoring microcirculatory alterations in oral squamous cell carcinoma following photodynamic therapy.

Background: One of the mechanisms through which photodynamic therapy (PDT) is thought to elicit tumour destruction is by producing microvascular damage and obstruction of nutritive blood flow. The aim of this study was to directly monitor and quantify microcirculatory changes following tissue illumination by PDT for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods: Ten consecutive patients receiving PDT for a carcinoma in situ, a T1 or T2 tumour in the oral cavity without evidence of lymph node metastasis were selected for this study.

Purified Timothy grass pollen major allergen Phl p 1 may contribute to the modulation of allergic responses through a pleiotropic induction of cytokines and chemokines from airway epithelial cells.

By definition, allergens are proteins with the ability to elicit powerful T helper lymphocyte type 2 (Th2) responses, culminating in immunoglobulin (Ig)E antibody production. Why specific proteins cause aberrant immune responses has remained largely unanswered. Recent data suggest that there may be several molecular paths that may affect allergenicity of proteins.

Direct in vivo assessment of microcirculatory dysfunction in severe falciparum malaria.

Background: This study sought to describe and quantify microcirculatory changes in the mucosal surfaces of patients with severe malaria, by direct in vivo observation using orthogonal polarization spectral (OPS) imaging.

Methods: The microcirculation in the rectal mucosa of adult patients with severe malaria was assessed by use of OPS imaging, at admission and then daily. Comparison groups comprised patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria, patients with bacterial sepsis, and healthy individuals.