Strong Positive Reaction Research Articles

Allergic Contact Dermatitis from Dimethyl Fumarate after Contact with a Chinese Sofa

Dimethyl fumarate has been successfully used in the treatment of psoriasis in the past. Despite its clinical use, cutaneous contact with this molecule may cause contact dermatitis. We report a case in which skin exposure to a synthetic fabric sofa containing dimethyl fumarate made by a Chinese furniture manufacturer resulted in a severe, pruritic, papulovesicular, eczematous dermatitis to the sites of contact with the sofa. The patient was patch-tested with serial dilutions of dimethyl fumarate. Patch testing results revealed strong positive reactions to dimethyl fumarate at different concentrations. Dimethyl fumarate is a potent contact sensitizer and is commonly found in sachets inside furniture and footwear boxes.

What determines the stock market's reaction to monetary policy statements?

We find that information communicated through monetary policy statements has important business cycle dependent implications for stock prices. For example, during periods of economic expansion, stocks tend to respond negatively to announcements of higher rates ahead. In recessions, however, we find a strong positive reaction of stocks to seemingly similar signals of future monetary tightening. We provide evidence that the state dependence in the stock market's response is explained by information about the expected equity premium and future corporate cash flows contained in monetary policy statements. We also show state dependence in the average stock returns on days of scheduled FOMC meetings and in the impact of monetary policy statements on stock and bond return volatility.

What Determines the Stock Market's Reaction to Monetary Policy Statements?

We find that information communicated through monetary policy statements has important business cycle dependent implications for stock prices. For example, during periods of economic expansion, stocks tend to respond negatively to announcements of higher rates ahead. In recessions, however, we find a strong positive reaction of stocks to seemingly similar signals of future monetary tightening. We provide evidence that the state dependence in the stock market’s response is explained by information about the expected equity premium and future corporate cash flows contained in monetary policy statements. We also show state dependence in the average stock returns on days of scheduled FOMC meetings and in the impact of monetary policy statements on stock and bond return volatility.

Thymomas with prominent signet ring cell–like features: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 10 cases

Ten cases of an unusual growth pattern of thymomas are presented. The patients were 8 men and 2 women between the ages of 43 and 62 years. Clinically, 6 patients presented with symptoms of chest pain, cough, and shortness of breath, whereas 4 patients were asymptomatic. Surgical resection of the mediastinal mass was performed in all patients obtaining tumors that varied in size from 4 to 11 cm in greatest dimension. Grossly, the tumors were described as round and well defined, which, at cut surface, showed a firm consistency with a slight lobulated appearance. Areas of necrosis and/or hemorrhage were not present. Histologically, all the tumors showed similar growth pattern characterized by the presence of cells arranged in small cords dissecting fibroconnective tissue and, in some areas, resembling "signet ring" cells. Mitotic activity was not present. Using the Masaoka staging system, 6 cases were in stage I, and 4 cases were in stage II. Histochemical stains for periodic-acid Schiff stain with diastase and mucicarmine were negative for intracytoplasmic mucin. Immunohistochemical studies for CAM5.2 and cytokeratin 5/6 showed a strong positive reaction, whereas thyroid transcription factor 1, epithelial membrane antigen, calretinin, α-fetoprotein, and CD31 were all negative. Follow-up information obtained for 7 patients between 1 and 12 years showed that all these patients are alive and well. The current cases highlight an unusual histologic growth pattern of thymomas that likely can be confused with other tumors of the anterior mediastinum that may require different treatment approaches and carry a different prognosis.

Political Quotas in India

Abstract India has had political quotas for Scheduled Castes (SCs) since 1950. Using the 2004 National Election Study, this paper finds that neither SCs nor non-SCs feel that their vote is more/less efficacious living in SC constituencies. Yet, some evidence is found in this study that SCs are approached for their vote more often in SC constituencies. Overall, this suggests that quotas are neither associated with a strong positive reaction among SC voters nor a strong negative reaction among non-SC voters.

Immunolocalization of estrogen receptor α in Neomysis japonica oocytes and follicle cells during ovarian development

Estrogen induces oocytes development and vitellogenesis in crustacean by interacting with estrogen receptor (ER) subtypes. In the present study, we detect for the first time the ERα in oocytes and follicle cells and hepatopancreas cells of mysis by immunohistochemistry using a specific ERα antibody. ERα was mainly localized in the nuclei of oocytes and follicle cells, while mainly detected in nuclei of oogonia (OG), previtellogenic oocyte (PR) and endogenous vitellogenic oocyte (EN) at previtellogenic and early vitellogenic stage (I–early III). Follicle cells in all stages of ovary (all vitellogenic stages) showed strong ERα positive reaction, and they were able to gradually move to oocytes during the development of oocytes. In addition, ERα was also localized in the nuclei and cytoplasm of four hepatopancreas cells (including E-, R-, F- and B-cell) in all ovary stages. These findings suggest, for the first time to our knowledge, that there could be a close link between oogenesis, follicle cells, hepatopancreas cells and endocrine regulation, and estrogens might be involved in the regulation of oocytes at early ovarian stage in mysis.

Histochemical Studies on The Palatine Tonsils of Sheep(Ovis aries)

Tissue pieces from the oropharynx for the palatine tonsil from different prenatal and postnatal age groups of sheep were collected from Corporation slaughter house, Perambur, Chennai. Mild activity to periodic acid Schiff (PAS) reaction was observed in the tonsillar tissue of all the age groups of sheep. The mucous glands at the palatine tonsil showed strong PAS positive reaction. A strong alkaline phosphatase activity was observed in the parafollicular areas and crypt epithelium. An intense activity of acid phospahatase was observed in the parafollicular or interfollicular regions, whereas the crypt epithelium showed mild activity. Strong reaction of adenosine triphosphatase activity was noticed around the tonsillar follicles and a mild reaction was observed in the interfollicular regions. The activity of 5’ nucleotidase was intense in the tonsillar follicles and a mild activity of the enzyme was noticed in the interfollicular region.

Immunohistochemical Changes of Heat Shock Protein 27 Expression in the Mouse Periodontal Tissues Exposed to Orthodontic Mechanical Stress

Orthodontic mechanical stress was exposed on mouse molars and histopathological changes as well as the expressions of HSP27 and p-HSP27 in the periodontal tissues were examined after removal of mechanical stress. The increased in mechanical stress up to 3 hours led to pathological changes that caused a space in between stretched periodontal ligament fibrous bundles and fibroblasts as well as narrowing of the periodontal ligament space. Degenerative changes were also occurred in the pressure side. Pathological changes did not only occur due to mechanical stress but also at the time of the release of mechanical stress exposure which increased over time. In the control group, both HSP27 and p-HSP27 were negative in the pressure side after mechanical stress was released 3 hours later. On the other hand, the tension side showed a strong positive reaction. The proteins were also expressed after 20 min, 1 hour, 3 hours and 9 hours. The strongest expression was observed 24 hours. A decreased in the intensity of expression was observed 3 days and 1 week later. The results suggest that HSP27 plays an important role in the recovery of injured cells in the periodontal tissues.

A Case Report of Food-Dependent Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis in a Patient who was Sensitive to Pork

Food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA) is a specific variant of exercise-induced anaphylaxis that requires both vigorous physical activity and the ingestion of specific foods. In particular, it is rare occurrence for FDEIA to be associated with meat in Korea. A 15-year-old female had generalized urticaria, dyspnea, severe cough, headache, dizziness, and vomiting after singing and dancing for 1 hour and after ingesting grilled pork. Skin prick tests showed a strong positive reaction to pork, whereas the results of an oral food challenge and exercise provocation tests were negative. However, the exercise provocation test after pork ingestion showed a positive reaction manifested by generalized urticaria, cough, mild dyspnea, and a 23% decreased peak expiratory flow rate. Three allergens to pork (67 kDa, 90 kDa, and 15 kDa) reacted with the patient’s serum on immunoglobulin E immunoblotting. We report a case of pork-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis in a patient who was sensitive to pork. [Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis(Korea) 2012;22: 116-121]

Significance of epidermal growth factor receptor expression in the grading of phyllodes tumors of the breast

Background and aim: Limited studies on the relationships between epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and the grades of phyllodes tumors (PT) of the breast were reported. This study evaluated the significance of EGFR overexpression in the grading of PT. Methods: Immunohistochemical stain for EGFR was done in 46 PT cases. The differences of EGFR expression according to the degrees of cytologic atypia and mitotic count and between benign, borderline and malignant PTs based on Rosen or World Health Organization (WHO) criteria were analyzed. Results: Significant differences of positive (moderate membranous and cytoplasmic, more than 10% of tumor cells) and strong positive (moderate more than 50% of tumor cells) reactions for EGFR were found according to the degree of cytologic atypia (P= 0.0016 and P= 0.0122) and between the PTs showing ≤5 mitoses and >5 mitoses/10 high power field (P= 0.0230 and P= 0.0058). Positive reaction for EGFR was more common in borderline/malignant PTs than benign PTs, and strong positive reaction for EGFR was relatively common in malignant PTs. Conclusions: Epidermal growth factor receptor overexpression, more than 10% of tumor cells, could be used as an ancillary tool for the discrimination of benign from borderline and malignant PTs.

Successful transfusion care for a patient with the Rhesus -D- phenotype and antibodies against Rh17 and two additional alloantibodies

Dear Editor, In transfusion medicine, it can be a challenge to obtain compatible blood for patients who have clinically important alloantibodies to high-prevalence antigens. We describe a case which examples the decision process for autologous blood deposition in the Dutch health care system. In September 2006, a 56-year-old man was admitted to the emergency room after a serious accident. Coagulation and hematology parameters were in normal range except for a low hemoglobin of 7.9 g/dL. His blood group was determined as O, Rhesus D-positive and antibody screening (DiaMed) was negative. Transfusion anamnesis was also negative. Two units of packed erythrocytes were administrated. Eight days later hemoglobin had dropped to 7.1 g/dL. Upon a negative antibody screening, 2 units of erythrocytes were transfused. After 20 days, the patient had to undergo surgery. Now, antibody screening and identification, using standard and papain enzyme-treated panels (DiaMed), demonstrated strong positive reactions with all cells. These results were suggestive for the presence of an alloantibody against a high-prevalence antigen. Further serologic and genetic analysis revealed that C/c and E/e antigens were completely absent on the surface of the patient's erythrocytes, indicating the presence of the rare -D-/-D- phenotype [1]. Adsorption and elution studies revealed the presence of anti-C, -E, -e, -Ce, and -cE alloantibodies and antibodies against the high-prevalence antigens of the RhCcEe polypeptide (anti-Rh17 antibodies) [2]. Furthermore, we identified alloantibodies against Jka and Lea. Hemolytic transfusion reactions due to anti-Lea are rare [3]. Anti-Rh17 [4] and anti-Jka antibodies, however, can lead to massive hemolysis. Therefore, only erythrocytes of donors with the -D- phenotype, negative for Jka, could be selected for transfusion. The -D- haplotype is rare, ranging in frequency from 0.0005 in Sweden [5] to 0.0032 in Japan [6], and homozygosity for RHCE-D-CE hybrid genes appears to account for several examples of -D- [1]. Worldwide, only two suitable donors were registered. Since the risk of substantial blood loss was low, the patient underwent surgery in the absence of compatible donor erythrocytes. The patient was encouraged to donate autologous blood to be stored at the Sanquin Bank of Frozen Blood (SBFB). In November 2009, the patient was scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft surgery. It was estimated that, by optimal use of intraoperative cell salvage, the patient would maximally need 1 unit of blood. Five weeks before surgery, the patient's hemoglobin was 15.1 g/dL, allowing preoperative donation of 2 units of fresh blood. In case of need, frozen units of the SBFB could also be thawed. During surgery in December 2009, 1 unit of fresh autologous blood and 400 mL of cell salvage blood was transfused to the patient. Postoperatively the patient's hemoglobin level was 11.1 g/dL. He was discharged from the hospital 9 days later. To date the clinical relevance of the -D- phenotype has been predominantly described in pregnant women, causing mild to fatal hemolytic disease of the newborn [4, 7–10]. We describe the successful treatment of a patient with recurrent need of transfusions despite the presence of antibodies against the high-prevalence antigens of the RhCcEe polypeptide combined with anti-Jka.

Specific and Sensitive Detection of Enterobacter mori Using Reliable RT-PCR.

Enterobacter mori, the causal agent of bacterial wilt in mulberry, is becoming a serious disease in mulberry orchards in China. Because no effective control strategy has been devised for this disease, the reliable screening of mulberry material for latent infection became necessary. Hence, a fast polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the detection of E. mori was developed in this study. The primers were designed within regions of the RNA polymerase β-subunit (rpoB) gene. The method is fast and simple and showed 100% sensitivity (no false negatives) and 100% specificity (no false positives), which was tested with 4 representative E. mori strains, 9 Enterobacter type strains, 2 strains of the other major mulberry bacterial pathogens (Ralstonia solanacearum and Pseudomonas syringae pv. mori) in China, 7 strains of other plant-associated pathogens, and 50 unidentified epiphytic bacterial isolates from mulberry plants. The real-time PCR assays reliably detected the DNA at at least 10 fg/μl and the bacterial cells at 102 CFU/ml from mulberry shoots and roots suspension. The strong positive reaction in testing of all symptomatic plants (with 100% positive) and parts of asymptomatic latent infected plant samples (with 36.4% positive) provided proof that this method is reliable and sensitive and suitable for screening plant material with latent infections of E. mori.

A case of hepatic carcinoid in a red deer hind (Cervus elaphus)

A carcinoid tumour in the liver of a red deer hind (Cervus elaphus) is described. Macroscopically, the liver was considerably enlarged with multifocal, firm, yellow and red nodular neoplastic masses, which were histopathologically diagnosed as hepatic carcinoids. The diagnosis was confirmed by modified Grimelius staining, which demonstrated numerous small argyrophilic granules in the cytoplasm of neoplastic cells, and by immunohistochemistry. The neoplastic cells gave a strong positive reaction for neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and synaptophysin and a weak positive reaction for chromogranin A. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a hepatic carcinoid in red deer.

Acute administration of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) induces oxidative stress, lipoperoxidation and TNFα-mediated apoptosis in rat liver

Liver toxicity is one of the consequences of ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine MDMA) abuse and hepatocellular damage is reported after MDMA consumption. Various factors probably play a role in ecstasy-induced hepatotoxicity, namely its metabolism, the increased efflux of neurotransmitters, the oxidation of biogenic amines, and hyperthermia. MDMA undergoes extensive hepatic metabolism that involves the production of reactive metabolites which form adducts with intracellular nucleophilic sites. MDMA-induced-TNF-α can promote multiple mechanisms to initiate apoptosis in hepatocytes, activation of pro-apoptotic (BID, SMAC/DIABLO) and inhibition of anti-apoptotic (NF-κB, Bcl-2) proteins. The aim of the present study was to obtain evidence for the oxidative stress mechanism and apoptosis involved in ecstasy-induced hepatotoxicity in rat liver after a single 20mg/kg, i.p. MDMA administration. Reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH and GSSG), ascorbic acid (AA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and malondialdehyde (MDA), an indicator of lipid peroxidation, were determined in rat liver after 3 and 6h after MDMA treatment. The effect of a single MDMA treatment included decrease of GR and GPx activities (29% and 25%, respectively) and GSH/GSSG ratio (32%) with an increase of MDA (119%) after 3h from ecstasy administration compared to control rats. Liver cytosolic level of AA was increased (32%) after 6h MDMA treatment. Our results demonstrate a strong positive reaction for TNFα (p<0.001) in hepatocytes and a diffuse apoptotic process in the liver specimens (p<0.001). There was correlation between immunohistochemical results and Western blotting which were quantitatively measured by densitometry, confirming the strong positivity for TNF-α (p<0.001) and NF-κB (p<0.001); weak and intense positivity reactions was confirmed for Bcl-2, SMAC/DIABLO (p<0.001) and BID reactions (p<0.001).The results obtained in the present study suggest that MDMA induces loss of GSH homeostasis, decreases antioxidant enzyme activities, and lipoperoxidation that causes an oxidative stress that accompaines the MDMA-induced apoptosis in liver cells.

Body cavity fluid can induce epithelial and mesothelial differentiation from CD34 positive peripheral blood stem cells in vitro

Primary culture of CD34 positive stem cells collected from human peripheral blood was performed with and without supplementation with concentrated ascitic fluid; morphological and immunocytochemical pictures of cultured cells were taken chronologically and compared. CD34-positive stem cells collected from peripheral blood were cultured for 1, 24 and 48 hours. Concentrated ascitic fluid was added to the plates for the 24-and 48-hour cultures. For immunocytochemical studies, CD34, AE1/AE3, Ber-Ep4 (EA), EMA, EGFR, CD31, CA125 and D2-40 monoclonal antibodies were used. After culture, small round cells with naked nuclei began to enlarge and to exhibit various changes in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Supplementation with concentrated body cavity fluid enhanced these changes. CD34-positive cells with small round cell features were detected 1 hour after culture and these had no epithelial or mesothelial markers. After 24 hours, CD34-positive cells had disappeared and cells weakly positive for EGFR, EMA, CA125 and D2-40 were detected. Cells with strong and moderate positive reactions for EGFR, AE1/AE3, EA, EMA, D2-40 and CA125 were detected after 48 hours. Supplementation with concentrated body cavity fluid increased the intensity and number of positive cells for these markers compared with the control group. The positive reaction, not only for the epithelial markers such as EGFR and AE1/AE3, but also for mesothelial markers such as CA125 and D2-40, was found to be increased in small numbers of cells in direct proportion to the duration of the primary culture of the peripheral blood cells. CD31, characteristically expressed in endothelial cells, was negative in the cultured cells. Supplementation of peripheral blood CD34-positive stem cells with body cavity fluid in vitro enhanced their differentiation toward cells of an epithelial or mesothelial phenotype, concomitant with loss of immunoreactivity for CD34. It is assumed that the routine cytological observation of cells obtained from body cavity fluid might cause possible cytomorphological and immunophenotypical changes due to the action of the growth factors contained in the body cavity fluid.

Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Vagina

Solitary fibrous tumor, initially described in the pleura, is now known to occur in various extrathoracic sites. However, its occurrence in the female genital tract, especially the vagina, is extremely rare. The authors report here a case of a well-circumscribed vaginal spindle cell nodule in a 48-year-old woman with features consistent with solitary fibrous tumor. The diagnosis was established histologically by the varying pattern with hypocellular fibrous areas alternating with hypercellular areas and hemangiopericytoma-like areas and, immunohistochemically by the strong positive reaction for CD34 and Bcl2 with a negative reaction for all other spindle cell and epithelial markers. The differential diagnosis is discussed and a review of the literature is presented.

Black Rubber Sensitization by Bicycle Handgrips in a Child with Palmar Hyperhidrosis

Black rubber is mainly an occupational source of contact sensitization; however, several unusual causes of non-occupational black rubber allergy are reported in the literature. A 10-year-old nonatopic Turkish boy with palmar hyperhidrosis developed acute vesicular bilateral palmar dermatitis following 2 to 3 weeks of intensive use of a new bicycle. The handgrips of the bicycle were made of black rubber. Patch testing showed a strong positive reaction to N-isopropyl-N-phenyl-4-phenylenediamine (the main sensitizer in black rubber) and questionable papular reactions to pieces of the black rubber handgrip. Additional cross-sensitization was found to p-phenylenediamine. There was no previous contact with black rubber or with any material that would contain p-phenylenediamine (eg, black henna dye). In conclusion, this was an unusual pediatric case of non-occupational allergic contact dermatitis from N-isopropyl-N-phenyl-4-phenylenediamine in black rubber bicycle handgrips. The young age of the patient and the development of contact sensitization within a relatively short period were striking. The release of the sensitizer from black rubber and the skin penetration were possibly enhanced by continuous friction and the accompanying hyperhidrosis, suggesting that the black rubber bicycle handgrip was the primary source of sensitization.

Airborne contact dermatitis to tetrazepam in geriatric nurses – a report of 10 cases

Tetrazepam, a benzodiazepine, is a frequently used muscle relaxant. The most common adverse reactions are neurological and gastrointestinal. Cutaneous reactions to tetrazepam are rare and occur predominantly after systemic administration. To present 10 health care professionals who developed airborne contact dermatitis to tetrazepam due to occupational exposure to tetrazepam dusts. We report a series of 10 cases observed in our department between January 2006 and March 2011 where tetrazepam was identified to cause allergic airborne contact dermatitis. Affected individuals were employed as (geriatric) nursing staff, exposed to tetrazepam on a regular occupational basis when crushing tablets for their patients. Upon investigation, patients were patch tested with commercial and customized allergens. This included tetrazepam and in five cases diazepam. Tetrazepam revealed strong positive reactions in all patients. Additional diazepam sensitization was observed in three subjects. Following local treatment and occupational preventive action, patients recovered from their skin symptoms. Allergic contact sensitization to tetrazepam and cross-sensitization to diazepam seems to be underestimated and not appropriately diagnosed in patch test clinics, as it is so far insufficiently patch tested. They should be considered when allergic contact dermatitis is suspected, particularly in professionally exposed staff, and tested as supplemental allergens.

Leaf volatiles and secretory cells of Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) Burtt et Smith (Zingiberaceae)

Plant leaves are commonly used in folk medicine and food industry. Their volatile composition is an important determinant in such applications. However, to properly assess the quality of volatiles, proper analytic tools must be utilised. Accordingly, the static headspace technique was used to evaluate the main volatiles emitted from in vitro-grown Alpinia zerumbet plants cultured with indole-3-acetic acid, thidiazuron, benzyladenine or kinetin, under standard physical conditions, as compared to those of field-grown donor plants. Although the leaf aroma of the donor plants was found to be a complex mixture, mainly consisting of sabinene, α and γ-terpinene, 1,8-cineole and caryophyllene, volatile analyses from most of the in vitro samples only revealed the presence of sabinene and caryophyllene. Many alkanes were found in the aromas after treating plantlets with cytokinins. Histochemical analysis of leaf sections was also carried out. Secretory cells found in the epidermis and mesophyll showed a strong positive reaction to lipophilic compounds using Oil red and Nile blue reagents. These findings demonstrated how in vitro conditions may alter the quality of volatiles in micropropagation systems, while leaf anatomy analysis revealed a large quantity of oil cells in the mesophyll as a constant feature responsible for the production of volatile compounds in both donor and in vitro-grown plants.

A phytochemical survey of the Hong Kong medicinal plants.

Abstract 332 species of plants from the colony of Hong Kong have been tested for the presence of alkaloids. 38 gave strong positive reactions.