A Preliminary Study of Vocal Health Among Collegiate A Cappella Singers

Collegiate a cappella groups have grown significantly in popularity and prominence; however, there have been few studies that evaluate the vocal health of this subgroup of young singers. The objective of this preliminary study was to conduct a multiparametric evaluation of the vocal health characteristics of a sample of collegiate a cappella singers. We further tested whether differences in vocal health assessments exist between a cappella singers with and without vocal training and trained collegiate singers who do not participate in a cappella groups.

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Germination of pollen grains in the esophagus of individuals with eosinophilic esophagitis

Abstract

Background

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is characterized by esophageal dysfunction and, histologically, by eosinophilic inflammation. There is no a clear etiologic treatment. EoE exacerbations are often seasonal. We hypothesized that the inflammatory response of the esophageal mucosa in patients with high levels of antibodies to pollen allergens and worsened seasonal EoE might be due to swallowing airborne pollen and the intrusion into the esophageal mucosa of pollen allergens and pollen tubes, which encounter a pH and humidity resembling the stigma at pollination.

Objective

The aim of our study was to demonstrate the possible pathogenic role of environmental allergens in EoE through molecular and anatomopathological studies.

Methods

129 patients with EoE were tested for environmental and food allergens. Component resolved diagnosis (CRD), histological and botanical analysis was performed. Microscopic examination of esophageal biopsies of 129 adults patients with EoE, 82 of them with seasonal exacerbation, and 100 controls, with gastroesophageal reflux without eosinophilic infiltrate, were made to verify the presence of callose (polysaccharide abundant in pollen tubes but absent in animal tissues) in the esophagus.

Results

CRD detected pollen allergens in 87.6% of patients with EoE. The predominant allergens were group 1 grass (55%), Art v 3 (11.3%) and lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) (19.4%) of common Mediterranean foods such as peach, hazelnuts, walnuts and wheat. Callose from pollen tubes was found in 65.6% of biopsies.

Conclusion

Alteration of the mucosal barrier in EoE might cause the penetration of pollen grains into the esophageal tissues. In EoE patients, anatomopathological studies searching for intrusion to plant foods and pollen, and specific‐guided diet and immunotherapy after plant structures detection in biopsies, might be effective.

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Massive release of the histamine‐degrading enzyme diamine oxidase during severe anaphylaxis in mastocytosis patients

Abstract

Background

Histaminolytic activity mediated by diamine oxidase (DAO) is present in plasma after induction of severe anaphylaxis in rats, guinea pigs and rabbits. Heparin released during mast cell degranulation in the gastrointestinal tract might liberate DAO from heparin‐sensitive storage sites. DAO release during anaphylaxis has not been demonstrated in humans.

Methods

Plasma DAO, tryptase and histamine concentrations of four severe anaphylaxis events were determined at multiple serial time points in two patients with systemic mastocytosis. The histamine degradation rates were measured in anaphylaxis samples and in pregnancy sera and plasma with comparable DAO concentrations.

Results

Mean DAO (132 ng/ml) and tryptase (304 ng/ml) concentrations increased 187‐ and 4.0‐fold respectively over baseline values (DAO 0.7 ng/ml, tryptase 76 ng/ml) during severe anaphylaxis. Under non‐anaphylaxis conditions DAO concentrations were not elevated in 29 mastocytosis patients compared to healthy volunteers and there was no correlation between DAO and tryptase levels in mastocytosis patients. The histamine degradation rate of DAO in plasma from mastocytosis patients during anaphylaxis is severely compromised compared to DAO from pregnancy samples.

Conclusions

During severe anaphylaxis in mastocytosis patients DAO is likely released from heparin‐sensitive gastrointestinal storage sites. The measured concentrations can degrade histamine, but DAO activity is compromised compared to pregnancy samples. For accurate histamine measurements during anaphylaxis DAO inhibition is essential to inhibit further histamine degradation after blood withdrawal. Determination of DAO antigen levels might be of clinical value to improve the diagnosis of mast cell activation.

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Imaging in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: DAMS Unplugged

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has poor prognosis and high morbidity. It appears poorly marginated hypodense mass which may encase vessels and the common biliary duct. Presenting an integrated approach in DAMS unplugged video.

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Three cases of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome caused by egg yolk

Publication date: Available online 12 November 2018

Source: Allergology International

Author(s): Masaki Shimomura, Hiroki Tanaka, Takaaki Meguro, Mitsuaki Kimura

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CD3+CD4-CD8- mucosal T cells are associated with uncontrolled chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

Publication date: Available online 12 November 2018

Source: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Author(s): Tanja Soklic Kosak, Mira Silar, Matija Rijavec, Ana Koren, Izidor Kern, Irena Hocevar Boltezar, Peter Korosec

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Th9 immunodeficiency in Hyper IgE syndrome patients

Publication date: Available online 12 November 2018

Source: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Author(s): Matthew R. Olson, Mark H. Kaplan

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