A novel test for type-I allergy based on crosslink formation of immunoglobulin-E receptors by allergen-specific immunoglobulin-E antibodies and an allergen.

Detection of allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies (Abs) in serum would allow for screening of the causative allergen in patients with type-I allergy. In this study, we developed a new assay method to detect allergen-specific IgE Abs, which involved crosslinking the plural FcεRIα molecules with an allergen and detection using an amplified luminescence proximity homogeneous assay (AlphaCL). First, the allergen concentration, bead concentrations, and incubation time were optimized for the detection of anti-2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE Abs in buffer. Under optimal conditions, AlphaCL was able to detect DNP-specific IgE Abs in simulated human serum at levels comparable to those in serum from type-I allergic patients. When AlphaCL was used to detect anti-DNP IgE Abs, no signal counts were obtained with the monovalent allergen 2,4-dinitrophenylated poly-γ-glutamic acid, whereas high signal counts were obtained with the multivalent allergen DNP-BSA. This confirmed that AlphaCL could specifically detect allergen-specific IgE Abs with the ability to crosslink a multivalent allergen. In summary, we have established a new assay model using AlphaCL to detect allergen-specific IgE Abs with FcεRIα crosslinking ability in human serum. This simple and practical assay model may be applied as a new diagnostic tool for patients with type-I allergy.

Large dentigerous cyst associated with the maxillary impacted supernumerary teeth: A rare occurrence and literature review.

Dentigerous cysts are common odontogenic cysts of the jaw but are rarely associated with supernumerary teeth. Few cases of large dentigerous cysts associated with anterior maxillary supernumerary teeth have been reported. The English literature has documented only four cases of dentigerous cysts>40 mm in diameter associated with supernumerary teeth. A 47-year-old man was referred to our hospital, complaining of minor pain in the maxillary gingiva. Computed tomography revealed a well-defined oval unilocular radiolucent lesion (50×45×35 mm) in the right maxilla, including two impacted supernumerary teeth. A dentigerous cyst associated with impacted anterior maxillary supernumerary teeth was diagnosed. The two impacted teeth were surgically removed, and the cyst was enucleated using the Caldwell-Luc approach. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of a large dentigerous cyst associated with impacted anterior maxillary supernumerary teeth. The postoperative course has been uneventful for two years. We also reviewed the relevant English literature.

Impact of systemic steroid treatment on talc pleurodesis: a report of six cases.

BACKGROUND: Instillation of sterile graded talc in the pleural space is performed to prevent reaccumulation of malignant pleural effusion after drainage. Talc is thought to encourage pleural adhesions as part of the repair process by provoking inflammation, suggesting that adhesions are less likely to form in patients taking corticosteroids or other drugs with anti-inflammatory effects. However, the relationship between steroid therapy and pleurodesis efficacy remains unclear. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the outcomes of six patients who underwent pleurodesis at Hiroshima University Hospital while being treated with systemic steroid therapy for non-cancer-related illnesses. Talc pleurodesis was successful at the first attempt in five of the six patients. The five successful cases were receiving low-dose oral prednisolone or methyl prednisolone (range, 1-20 mg/day) at the time of pleurodesis and had serum albumin levels ranging from 2.2 to 3.0 g/dL. In contrast, the patient in whom pleurodesis was unsuccessful was receiving a higher dose of prednisolone (40 mg/day) intravenously and had a relatively low serum album level (1.7 g/dL). CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of pleurodesis may be affected by the dose and/or route of systemic steroid therapy. Further analysis with more patients will be necessary to clarify the relationship between steroid dosage and talc pleurodesis success rate.

A DNA microarray-based analysis of immune-stimulatory and transcriptional responses of dendritic cells to KALA-modified nanoparticles.

Technologies for the transfection of antigen-encoding genes into the dendritic cells, and subsequent immune-activation are both prerequisites for a successful DNA vaccine. We herein report on the density-dependent enhancement of transgene expression by the simple modification by stearyl-conjugated KALA, an α-helical peptide (STR-KALA), onto a lipid envelope-type nanoparticle (the R8-MEND, an octaarginine-modified multifunctional envelope-type nano device). The enhanced transgene expression in the KALA-modified R8-MEND (R8/KALA-MEND) cannot be explained by cellular uptake and nuclear delivery efficacy. Thus, the post-nuclear delivery process (i.e. transcription), but not intracellular trafficking processes attributed the enhanced transfection efficacy. Microarray analyses revealed that transfection with the R8/KALA-MEND resulted in a greater perturbation in host genes expression in comparison with the R8-MEND and that this effect was time-dependent. Further pathway analyses in the category of transcription-related genes and a gene ontology analysis indicated that the R8/KALA-MEND stimulated the expression of transcription factors that are closely related to immune-activation (i.e. NF-kB and STAT). Inhibition of the transfection efficacy by blockage of the STAT pathways revealed that the enhanced transcription activity is the result of immune-stimulation. Collectively, the R8/KALA-MEND mounts a "switch-on" function that triggers signal transduction forward to the immune-stimulation analogous to an adjuvant, and consequently elicits active transcription.