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Immediate Reaction (immediate + reaction)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	50%

Selected Abstracts

Differential cytokine and transcription factor expression in patients with allergic reactions to drugs

ALLERGY, Issue 12 2007
J. A. Cornejo-Garcia
Background:, Allergic drug reactions (ADR) can be either immediate reaction (IR) (IgE mediated) or delayed reaction (DR) (T-cell mediated). They follow the Th1/Th2 paradigm, with DR expressing interferon-, (IFN-,) with down-regulation of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IR expressing IL-4 with down-regulation of IFN-,. We studied the extension of this polarization in DR and IR by examining the cytokine and transcription factor profile in T-cell subpopulations during the acute phase of an ADR. Methods:, Expressions of cytokines [IL-4, IFN-, and tumor necrosis factor-, (TNF-,)] and transcription factors (c-maf, GATA-3 and T-bet) were analysed by semi-quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in CD4 and CD8 subpopulations from ADR patients. Results:, In DR, IFN-,, TNF-, and T-bet increased significantly in both CD4 and CD8 subpopulations, depending on the clinical severity. In IR, IL-4, c-Maf and GATA-3 were increased, but only significantly in CD4. A positive correlation existed between IFN-, and T-bet in DR and between IL-4 and c-Maf and GATA-3 in IR. In DR, IFN-,, TNF-, and T-bet were increased during the acute phase in CD4 and CD8. In IR, IL-4, c-Maf and GATA-3 were all increased in the acute phase, but only in CD4. Conclusions:, These results support the Th1/Th2 paradigm in ADR, confirming previous findings that include the expression in both CD4 and CD8 T cells, and extending the observation to the transcription factors involved in the polarization of the immune response. Monitoring the reactions in the cell populations implicated, could be an important tool for assessing the mechanisms involved in ADR. [source]

Concepts of Death Among Professional Alpine Climbers: Continuing Risk Behaviors in the Face of Death

ANTHROPOLOGY OF CONSCIOUSNESS, Issue 1-2 2000
Paul E. James II
Alpine climbing in the US has increased in popularity since the 1970s and despite the high objective risk involved it has continued to find new devotees. For professionals involved in this sport, the risks are encountered through near-death experiences and the real deaths of close friends. This essay uses interviews with climbers in the state of Washington, discussing their experiences with death, and uses written accounts. First, I discuss the many risks involved in climbing and how these risks are perceived and accepted by climbers. Next, 1 look at the immediate reaction to alpine deaths, and finally, to the long term effects on the lives and climbing practices of this group. Despite repeated confrontations with death, all informants continue exposing themselves to these risks. Every year more and more acquaintances die while the ideas and values that these climbers hold allow them to resist the fear of their own death and continue to climb. Keywords: death, risk-taking, sports. [source]

Semi-quantitative tests of cyanide in foods and excreta of Three Hapalemur species in Madagascar

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
Nayuta Yamashita
Abstract Three sympatric Hapalemur species (H. g. griseus, H. aureus, and H. (Prolemur) simus) in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar are known to eat bamboo food parts that contain cyanide. How these lemurs avoid cyanide poisoning remains unknown. In this study, we tested for the presence/absence of cyanide in bamboo lemur foods and excreta to (1) document patterns of cyanide consumption among species with respect to diet, (2) identify routes of elimination of cyanide from the gastrointestinal tract, and (3) determine whether cyanide is absorbed from the diet. We tested 102 food, urine, and fecal samples for hydrogen cyanide (HCN) during two "pre-dry" seasons (April 2006, May 2007) using commercially available Cyantesmo test strips. The test strips changed color in the presence of HCN, and we recorded color change on a scale of 0 (no change) to 5 (cobalt) at preset intervals with a final score taken at 24,hr. We detected cyanide in bamboo food parts and urine of all three Hapalemur species. Time to color change of the test strips ranged from almost instantaneous to >12,hr incubation. Of the foods tested, only bamboo contained cyanide, but results differed among bamboo species and plant parts of the same species. Specifically, branch shoot and culm pith of the giant bamboo produced strong, immediate reactions to the test paper, whereas parts of liana bamboos produced either weak or no color change. Cyanide was present in almost all urine samples but rarely in fecal samples. This suggests that dietary cyanide is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract of the Hapalemur species and excreted, at least in part, by the kidneys. Samples from H. griseus exhibited lower, though still detectable, cyanide levels compared with H. simus and H. aureus. Differences among lemur species appear to be related to the specific bamboo parts consumed. Am. J. Primatol. 72:56,61, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Comprehensive evaluation of an online tobacco control continuing education course in Canada

THE JOURNAL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION IN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS, Issue 4 2008
Kirsten E. Sears MHSc
Abstract Introduction: To respond to the increasing need to build capacity for planning, implementing, and supporting tobacco control strategies, an evidence-based, online continuing education (CE) course aimed at Canadian public health professionals was developed. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the course, Tobacco and Public Health: From Theory to Practice (http://tobaccocourse.otru.org). Methods: Rossett and McDonald's revision of Kirkpatrick's four-level evaluation model for training programs guided the evaluation design. A pre-, post-, and follow-up single group design assessed immediate reactions to course modules, knowledge change and retention, practice change, and overall perceived value of the course. Six external peer reviewers evaluated course module content. Results: Fifty-nine participants completed all three course modules and the final online questionnaire at time 3, representing a response rate of 78%. Significant knowledge gains occurred between times 1 and 2 (p < 0.001). Although time 3 scores remained higher than time 1 scores for each module (p < 0.001), they decreased significantly between times 2 and 3 (p < 0.001). The majority of participants (93%) felt the topics covered were useful to their daily work. All but one participant felt the course was a good investment of their time, and nearly all participants (97%) stated they would recommend the course to others. Peer reviewers found that module content flowed well and was comprehensive. Discussion: This comprehensive evaluation was valuable both for assessing whether course goals were achieved and for identifying areas for course improvement. We expect this design would be a useful model to evaluate other online continuing education courses. [source]