Patch testing with rubber series in Europe: a critical review and recommendation.

Background: Rubber additives constitute an important group of contact allergens, particularly in certain occupations.

Objectives: To collect information regarding the current practice of using a 'rubber series' in Europe, and discuss this against the background of evidence concerning the prevalence of allergy in order to derive a recommendation for a 'European rubber series'.

Methods: The following were performed: (i) a survey targeting all members of the COST action 'StanDerm' consortium, (ii) analysis of rubber contact allergy data in the database of the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies, and (iii) a literature review.

Storage stability of exhaled breath on Tenax TA.

Exhaled breath is coming to the forefront of non-invasive biomarker discovery efforts. Concentration of exhaled breath volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on thermal desorption (TD) tubes with subsequent analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has dominated this field. As discovery experimentation increases in frequency, the need to evaluate the long-term storage stability of exhaled breath VOCs on thermal desorption adsorbent material is critical.

Barrier Patch Implantation during Redo Surgery for Varicose Vein Recurrences in the Groin: 1-Year Results.

Background: Rerecurrences after redo surgery for recurrent varicose veins in the groin are a common problem. The present report looks at the efficacy of an additional barrier patch implantation in reducing these rerecurrences.

Methods: A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was conducted.

The identification of hypoxia biomarkers from exhaled breath under normobaric conditions.

Pilots have reported experiencing in-flight hypoxic-like symptoms since the inception of high-altitude aviation. As a result, the need to monitor pilots, in-flight, for the onset of hypoxic conditions is of great interest to the aviation community. We propose that exhaled breath is an appropriate non-invasive medium for monitoring pilot hypoxic risk through volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis.

Optimizing Collection of Anopheles gambiae s.s. (Diptera: Culicidae) in Biogents Sentinel Traps.

Surveillance of malaria vectors in Africa is most often accomplished using CDC-type light traps or human landing catches (HLCs). Over the past 30 yr, a variety of commercial and experimental mosquito traps have been developed for residential mosquito control or for improved surveillance of disease vector species, including the BG Sentinel (BGS) trap. To optimize collection of Anopheles gambiae Giles using this trap, BGS traps were modified with an opening (vent) added to the trap base to decrease exhaust airflow.

Leaky RAG Deficiency in Adult Patients with Impaired Antibody Production against Bacterial Polysaccharide Antigens.

Loss of function mutations in the recombination activating genes RAG1 and RAG2 have been reported to cause a T-B-NK+ type of severe combined immunodeficiency. In addition identification of hypomorphic mutations in RAG1 and RAG2 has led to an expansion of the spectrum of disease to include Omenn syndrome, early onset autoimmunity, granuloma, chronic cytomegalovirus- or EBV-infection with expansion of gamma/delta T-cells, idiophatic CD4 lymphopenia and a phenotype resembling common variable immunodeficiency. Herein we describe a novel presentation of leaky RAG1 and RAG2 deficiency in two unrelated adult patients with impaired antibody production against bacterial polysaccharide antigens.

Evaluation of a Push-Pull Approach for Aedes aegypti (L.) Using a Novel Dispensing System for Spatial Repellents in the Laboratory and in a Semi-Field Environment.

The increase in insecticide resistant mosquito populations necessitates the exploration of novel vector control intervention measures. Push-pull strategies for insect control have been successful when used in integrated crop pest management. Through the combinatory use of deterring and attracting stimuli, the abundance of insect pests can be changed in a given area.

Detection of volatile organic compounds indicative of human presence in the air.

Volatile organic compounds were collected and analyzed from a variety of indoor and outdoor air samples to test whether human-derived compounds can be readily detected in the air and if they can be associated with human occupancy or presence. Compounds were captured with thermal desorption tubes and then analyzed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. Isoprene, a major volatile organic compound in exhaled breath, was shown to be the best indicator of human presence.

Comparison of fecal and cecal microbiotas reveals qualitative similarities but quantitative differences.

Background: The majority of chicken microbiota studies have used the ceca as a sampling site due to the specific role of ceca in chicken productivity, health and wellbeing. However, sampling from ceca and other gastrointestinal tract sections requires the bird to be sacrificed. In contrast, fecal sampling does not require sacrifice and thus allows the same bird to be sampled repeatedly over time.

Evaluation of BG-Sentinel Trap as a Management Tool to Reduce Aedes albopictus Nuisance in an Urban Environment in Italy.

Since its introduction and establishment in Italy during the early 1990s, the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, has spread over large parts of Italy and other Mediterranean countries. Aedes albopictus is both a nuisance and a competent vector for various arthropod-borne pathogens. Although efficient traps for Ae.

Phase I Study of Vorinostat as a Radiation Sensitizer with 131I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine (131I-MIBG) for Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Neuroblastoma.

Purpose: (131)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) is a radiopharmaceutical with activity in neuroblastoma. Vorinostat is a histone deacetylase inhibitor that has radiosensitizing properties. The goal of this phase I study was to determine the MTDs of vorinostat and MIBG in combination.

Membrane/mediator-free rechargeable enzymatic biofuel cell utilizing graphene/single-wall carbon nanotube cogel electrodes.

Enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs) utilize enzymes to convert chemical energy present in renewable biofuels into electrical energy and have shown much promise in the continuous powering of implantable devices. Currently, however, EBFCs are greatly limited in terms of power and operational stability with a majority of reported improvements requiring the inclusion of potentially toxic and unstable electron transfer mediators or multicompartment systems separated by a semipermeable membrane resulting in complicated setups. We report on the development of a simple, membrane/mediator-free EBFC utilizing novel electrodes of graphene and single-wall carbon nanotube cogel.

Temporal abundance of Aedes aegypti in Manaus, Brazil, measured by two trap types for adult mosquitoes.

A longitudinal study was conducted in Manaus, Brazil, to monitor changes of adult Aedes aegypti (L.) abundance. The objectives were to compare mosquito collections of two trap types, to characterise temporal changes of the mosquito population, to investigate the influence of meteorological variables on mosquito collections and to analyse the association between mosquito collections and dengue incidence.

Personality disorders and the persistence of anxiety disorders in a nationally representative sample.

Background: Among individuals with anxiety disorders, comorbid personality disorders (PDs) increase cross-sectional symptom severity and decrease functioning. Little is known, however, about how PDs influence the course of anxiety disorders over time. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of PDs on the persistence of four anxiety disorders in a nationally representative sample in the United States.

The prevalence and prognostic significance of near syncope and syncope: a prospective study of 395 cases in an emergency department (the SPEED study).

Background: The prognostic significance of near-syncope has not yet been adequately characterized.

Method: We collected prospective data on a consecutive series of patients seen in an emergency department with syncope (brief loss of consciousness, usually with loss of muscle tone) or near-syncope (a feeling that syncope is about to occur, but without actual loss of consciousness or muscle tone). We report on the prevalence, etiology, and prognosis of such events (the SPEED study).

Discovery of the elusive leptin in birds: identification of several 'missing links' in the evolution of leptin and its receptor.

Leptin is a pleiotropic protein best known for regulation of appetite and fat storage in mammals. While many leptin orthologs have been identified among vertebrates, an authentic leptin in birds has remained elusive and controversial. Here we identify leptin sequence from the Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus (pfleptin), and identify sequences from two other birds (mallard and zebra finch), and 'missing' vertebrates (elephant shark, alligator, Indian python, Chinese soft-shelled turtle, and coelacanth).

Contact allergy to ingredients of hair cosmetics - a comparison of female hairdressers and clients based on IVDK 2007-2012 data.

Background: Cosmetics for bleaching, waving/relaxing and dyeing hair contain well-known allergens, leading to a substantial number of cases of allergic contact dermatitis.

Objective: To compare the frequency of important contact allergens (i) between two distinct groups of exposed patients, and (ii) with previous surveillance data.

Methods: On the basis of data collected by the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK; www.

Incorporating color into integrative taxonomy: analysis of the varied tit (Sittiparus varius) complex in East Asia.

Species designations are critically important scientific hypotheses that serve as the foundational units in a wide range of biological subdisciplines. A growing realization that some classes of data fail to delimit species under certain conditions has led to increasingly more integrative taxonomies, whereby species discovery and hypothesis testing are based on multiple kinds of data (e.g.

Highly variable microbiota development in the chicken gastrointestinal tract.

Studies investigating the role that complex microbiotas associated with animals and humans play in health and wellbeing have been greatly facilitated by advances in DNA sequencing technology. Due to the still relatively high sequencing costs and the expense of establishing and running animal trials and collecting clinical samples, most of the studies reported in the literature are limited to a single trial and relatively small numbers of samples. Results from different laboratories, investigating similar trials and samples, have often produced quite different pictures of microbiota composition.

Periorbital dermatitis in 4779 patients - patch test results during a 10-year period.

Background: The thinness of the periorbital skin may facilitate allergen penetration, making this area particularly susceptible to sensitization.

Material And Methods: For the cross-sectional study, data were collected by the 57 participating centres of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology. A total of 101 403 patients patch tested between January 2001 and December 2010 were included.

Topical ophthalmic agents as allergens in periorbital dermatitis.

Background: Allergic contact dermatitis is a leading cause of periorbital dermatitis. The extremely thin nature of the periorbital skin may facilitate allergen penetration, making this area particularly susceptible to allergic contact sensitisation. In this study, we assessed sensitisation rates to ingredients of common topical ophthalmic agents.

Development of the BG-Malaria trap as an alternative to human-landing catches for the capture of Anopheles darlingi.

Although the human-landing catch (HLC) method is the most effective for collecting anthropophilic anophelines, it has been increasingly abandoned, primarily for ethical considerations. The objective of the present study was to develop a new trap for the collection of Anopheles darlingi . The initial trials were conducted using the BG-Sentinel trap as a standard for further trap development based on colour, airflow direction and illumination.

Risk factors associated with methylisothiazolinone contact sensitization.

Background: The preservative methylisothiazolinone (MI) has become an important allergen, with a dramatic increase in sensitization prevalence being seen over the last few years.

Objective: To examine risk factors associated with MI sensitization, in order to identify targets of prevention aimed at curtailing the present epidemic.

Methods: On the basis of contact allergy surveillance data collected by the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (www.

Risk factors associated with sensitization to hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde.

Background: Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde (HICC) is a synthetic fragrance chemical and an important contact allergen, at least in Europe. Despite this importance, little is known about risk factors associated with this allergen.

Objective: To examine factors from the history and clinical presentation of patch tested patients associated with HICC sensitization.

Identification of dengue viruses in naturally infected Aedes aegypti females captured with BioGents (BG)-Sentinel traps in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.

Introduction: In Manaus, the first autochthonous cases of dengue fever were registered in 1998. Since then, dengue cases were diagnosed by the isolation of viruses 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Methods: One hundred eighty-seven mosquitoes were collected with BioGents (BG)-Sentinel traps in 15 urban residential areas in the Northern Zone of Manaus and processed by molecular tests.