Open Access DOI:10.23937/2469-5807/1510013

Liquid Biopsy: A Future Tool for Post Treatment Surveillance in Head and Neck Cancer?

Joost H Van Ginkel, Manon MH Huibers, Rob Noorlag, Remco de Bree, Robert JJ van Es and Stefan M Willems

Article Type: Research Article | First Published: November 30, 2015

The prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is largely based on disease stage. Despite improvements in treatment, recurrence rates are still considered high. Currently, disease progression or regression after curative treatment is monitored by clinical evaluation combined with flexible endoscopy and/or imaging....

 Open Access DOI:10.23937/2469-5807/1510012

Balancing the Harm and Benefit of Disclosure: A Laboratory Physician's Perspective

Chantale Pambrun

Article Type: Commentary | First Published: November 28, 2015

The four principles of medical ethics that so often appear in the literature encourage physicians to uphold them whenever possible. We are to respect the autonomy of our patients, try to bring them clinical benefit, refrain from harming them, and to be just and fair....

 Open Access DOI:10.23937/2469-5807/1510011

An Uncommon Cause of Skin Discoloration: Purpura Pigmentosa Progressiva

Charles Joseph Haddad, Judella Haddad Lacle and Charles Michael Haddad

Article Type: Case report | First Published: October 04, 2015

Purpura Pigmentosa Progressiva is also known as Progressive Pigmentary Dermatitis or Schamberg's Disease. It is a disorder causing skin discoloration on the trunk and extremities, and is a lymphocytic capillaritis of unknown etiology. The disease can occur at any age. It is important to be aware of this disorder since it can mimic other diseases and problems including child and elder abuse, thrombocytopenia purpura....

 Open Access DOI:10.23937/2572-3308.1510008

Environmental Factors Urging the Development of Atopic Diseases in 75 Children

Arnaldo Cantani

Article Type: Review Article | First Published: September 11, 2015

Atopy can interfere with a child's life at any age level, with varying severity. Intractable diarrhea due to CM allergy (CMA) and AD are the most frequent in infants, where the clinical manifestations are more severe than in older children. Respiratory allergy and bronchial asthma can be serious illnesses in younger as well as in older children....

 Open Access DOI:10.23937/2572-3308.1510007

Delayed Hypersensitivity to Lidocaine Cross-Reactivity with Others Amide-Type Anesthetics

Juan Luis Estrada-Rodriguez, Angel Rodriguez-Paredes, Margarita Latasa and Jose Luis Perez-Laiz

Article Type: Case Report | First Published: September 04, 2015

We notice a patient consulting for several eczema episodes related to topical ointments containing lidocaine. Study was made, and amyde-type local anesthetics cross-reactivity in this patient, is reported. Usefulness of different diagnostic tests is also discussed....

 Open Access DOI:10.23937/2572-3308.1510006

Epinephrine Auto-Injectors

Ozlem Yilmaz Ozbek

Article Type: Short Review | First Published: September 04, 2015

Anaphylaxis is a systemic, life-threatening reaction and immediate treatment is essential. The reaction can be fatal even with epinephrine injection. Epinephrine auto-injectors have been used in the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis since the 1980s. In this review, indications for the prescription, types, administration, and the problems with the use of epinephrine auto-injectors are discussed. The importance of patient and caregiver education is highlighted....

 Open Access DOI:10.23937/2572-3308.1510005

Identify the Inhibitors ... and Activate Them

Michael Huber

Article Type: Editorial | First Published: July 22, 2015

In contrast to positively acting signaling elements/ pathways that are typically targeted by small-molecule inhibitors, attenuating/ inhibiting signaling proteins would have to be pharmacologically activated to accomplish suppression of cellular pro-inflammatory reactions. Indeed, the meroterpenoid pelorol identified in sponge extract was demonstrated to efficiently activate SHIP1 phosphatase function and structural analogs thereof exhibited even greater activity in cell and mouse models of infl...

 Open Access DOI:10.23937/2572-3308.1510004

Soy Sauce and Allergic Skin Reaction

Keiji Sugiura

Article Type: Editorial | First Published: May 16, 2015

In this editorial, I describe the difficulties of diagnosing soy sauce allergies, since soy sauce produces histamine during brewing and storing. Some Japanese people develop irritation, itching and cellulitis after consuming foods with soy sauce. These symptoms could be caused by soy sauce allergy, histamine poisoning and/or other factors....

 Open Access DOI:10.23937/2572-3308.1510003

T helper Regulation and Anti-Cytokine Therapy in Asthma

Zihan Zheng and Xinyi Huang

Article Type: Review Article | First Published: April 15, 2015

Asthma is a complex chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that is of increasing prevalence. Many different cell types are critically involved in its pathogenesis, including several classes of T helper cells. These cells may serve to generally organize the asthmatic response by virtue of the cytokines and other factors they release, which trigger downstream effects on a wide variety of cells....

 Open Access DOI:10.23937/2572-3308.1510002

Allergic Rhinitis Medications

Hideaki Shirasaki

Article Type: Editorial | First Published: February 23, 2015

The nasal allergic response is a complex process involving the interaction of many mediators. The current therapeutic strategy is mainly based on drugs (antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids, etc.) and allergen immunotherapy. The most effective medication in persistent rhinitis is topical corticosteroid, which decreases all symptoms. Antihistamines reduce nasal itch, sneeze and rhinorrhea....