Allergic Reactivity and Memory Occur Independently of Sequential Switching Through IgG1.

Allergic reactions to foods are primarily driven by allergen-binding immunoglobulin (Ig)E antibodies. IgE-expressing cells can be generated through direct switching from IgM to IgE or a sequential class switching pathway where activated B cells first switch to an intermediary isotype, most frequently IgG1, and then to IgE. It has been proposed that sequential class switch recombination is involved in augmenting the severity of allergic reactions, generating high affinity IgE, differentiation of IgE plasma cells, and in holding the memory of IgE responses.

Patient specific variables impact sensitivity to association between joint balance and 2 Year outcomes.

Background: This study investigates the association between intra-operative balance and 2-year outcomes within subgroups defined by demographics and pre-operative joint balance. Our hypothesis is that patient demographics and the pre-operative state of the joint will impact patient sensitivity to post-operative balance and laxity and subsequent impact on outcome.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospectively captured data across 5 sites with 5 surgeons was performed.

Long-term Outcomes of Definitive Chemoradiation with Proton Therapy for Treatment of Carcinoma of the Anal Canal: Combined Analysis of Two Prospective Trials.

Purpose/objective(s): While definitive chemoradiation (CRT) with 5-FU/MMC remains the standard of care for localized anal cancer, treatment is associated with significant acute and late toxicity. Proton radiation therapy (RT) may potentially reduce such toxicity. Here, we assess the long-term outcomes of anal cancer patients treated with CRT using proton RT in two prospective pilot studies.

Evaluating student understanding of core pharmacokinetic concepts.

Both educators and graduates have expressed concern about a perceived pharmacology knowledge gap that includes difficulty applying fundamental principles to clinical and research problems. Consequently, we sought to determine the extent to which current students can explain the meaning of, and appropriately apply, a subset of core concepts, and to identify any misconceptions arising from the responses. Of the twenty-four pharmacology core concepts arising from the recent international collaboration, four pharmacokinetic concepts were chosen, namely drug bioavailability, drug clearance, volume of distribution, and steady-state concentration.

Evaluating student understanding of pharmacodynamics core concepts.

Pharmacodynamics is an essential subdiscipline of pharmacology that underpins safe and effective prescribing and therapeutic decision-making, as well as drug discovery and development. The exponential increase in the number of therapeutic drugs has prompted members of the pharmacology educator community to question existing pharmacology curricula focused on individual drugs and move toward a curriculum focused on conceptual understanding. A first step towards conceptual understanding is to establish what students currently know about pharmacodynamic core concepts.