Jorge Santiago López Martínez

Pollen allergy in peach-allergic patients : Sensitization and cross-reactivity to taxonomically unrelated pollens

BACKGROUND Fruit allergy has been attributed to cross-reactive IgE to pollens and has been associated with a particular pollen sensitization. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate sensitization to several taxonomically unrelated pollens in peach- and pollen-allergic patients and to study cross-reactivity between them. METHODS One hundred sixty-five patients were evaluated: 70 peach- allergic patients together with 95 pollen-allergic patients (control group). Pollen skin tests in duplicate were performed to 5 grasses, 8 trees, and 7 weeds. Cross-reactivity between peach and taxonomically diverse pollens was determined by radioallergosorbent inhibition and Western blot inhibition tests. Experiments were also carried out after preadsorption of the sera with purified natural profilin. RESULTS The skin test results revealed that peach-allergic patients frequently reacted to most pollens-grasses, weeds, and trees-even when some of these are not found in our geographic area. There was a statistically significant increase in sensitization frequency to most trees and weeds, with a statistically higher occurrence of asthma (odds ratio 2.98, 95% confidence interval 1.46-6.09). Inhibition test results provided evidence that taxonomically unrelated grasses, weeds, and trees produced various and substantial degrees of inhibition in specific IgE to peach and that the peach extract elicited strong inhibitions to those pollens. Profilin was found to be a relevant cross-reactive antigen in these patients. CONCLUSION The results of this study provide evidence that peach allergy is linked to sensitization to several taxonomically unrelated pollens. This is attributable to the ubiquitous nature of the IgE binding determinants-such as profilins-between peach and taxonomically unrelated pollens.

Family perception of the process of organ donation. Qualitative psychosocial analysis of the subjective interpretation of donor and nondonor families

Family perception of organ donation has been explored by numerous authors using statements by the people who decided whether or not to donate the organs of a relative in a situation of brain death. Within this tradition, in this work, we analyze the discourse of six families who granted permission for organ donation and three who refused. We describe the process-based interpretation of this experience and identify psychosocial variables and processes that further our understanding of the decision finally adopted. We have identified two heuristics that guide family decision when organ donation is requested: the explicit or inferred will of the deceased and family attitudes to organ donation and transplant. It is postulated that the interaction of these two factors explains a large amount of the decisions made. We also hypothesize that a marked discrepancy between these two factors increases the importance of other aspects, especially the role of the transplant coordinator and of other healthcare personnel. These results support, at a social level, the implementation of transplant promotion programs; and at a healthcare level, the combined use of techniques of crisis intervention and attitude change.

Investigations on Structure and Biosynthesis of Cyanelle Murein from Cyanophora paradoxa

The endosymbiotic origin of plastids and mitochondria from prokaryotic invaders into originally heterotrophic and anaerobic protoeukaryotic host cells is now generally accepted (Margulis, 1981). However, examples for intermediary or side line forms in this long-lasting and presumably still ongoing process that e. g. combine the function and genetic complexity of an organelle with the distinct prokaryotic structural feature of the peptidoglycan wall could be found to date only for the evolutionary line leading to plastids. The cyanelles from the photoautotrophic protist Cyanophora paradoxa have originally been considered as endosymbiotic cyanobacteria since they resemble them in morphology, thylakoid structure (Giddings et al., 1983), the presence of carboxysomes (Mangeney and Gibbs, 1987) and of a lysozyme-sensitive murein sacculus between their inner and outer envelope membranes (Schenk, 1970).

The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research (Norman K. Denzin y Yvonna S. Lincoln, Ed.)

Desde la primera edicion del Handbook of Qualitative Research, Denzin y Licoln se han convertido indiscutiblemente en una referencia obligatoria y, por mucho tiempo, excepcional para el heterogeneo conjunto de concepciones y practicas que se encuentran reunidas bajo la etiqueta de “investigacion cualitativa”. Cada una de las ediciones de esta monografia, manteniendo un corpus de planteamientos y contenidos comunes, ha intentado responder a las demandas de los contextos intelectuales e historicos por los que ha ido transitando el campo.