A systematic review of outcome reporting in laser treatments for dermatological diseases.

The standardization of outcome reporting is crucial for interpretation and comparison of studies related to laser treatment of skin disorders. In collaboration with the Cochrane Skin-Core Outcome Set Initiative (CS-COUSIN), a procedure has been proposed to find consensus on the most important generic outcome domains (what to measure) for implementation in the international Laser TrEAtment in Dermatology (LEAD) registry. As the first step in the development of a generic outcome set for the LEAD registry, we undertook a systematic review to identify outcomes, outcome measurement instruments, methods and definitions reported in recently published literature of laser treatments for skin disorders. A systematic search was conducted and generated a total of 707 papers. We assessed 150 studies including all types of studies involving laser treatments for the skin. Two researchers independently extracted the type, definition and frequency of all outcomes and used outcome measurement instruments. We identified 105 verbatim outcomes that were categorized into eight domains recommended by the COMET framework: appearance, long-term effects, physician and patient-reported physical signs, satisfaction, health-related quality of life, psychological functioning and adverse events. Heterogeneity in outcome reporting (e.g. categories and outcome measurement instruments) was high, and definitions were insufficiently reported. There was a clear under representation of life impact domains, including satisfaction (23%) quality of life (3%) and psychological functioning (1%). Outcome reporting concerning laser treatments for the skin is heterogeneous. Standardized outcomes are needed for improving evidence synthesis. Results of this review will be used in the next step to reach consensus between stakeholders on the outcome domains to be implemented in the LEAD registry.

Trichinella spiralis-secreted products modulate DC functionality and expand regulatory T cells in vitro.

Helminths and their products can suppress the host immune response which may benefit parasite survival. Trichinella spiralis can establish chronic infections in a wide range of mammalian hosts including humans and mice. Here, we aim at studying the effect of T. spiralis muscle larvae excretory/secretory products (TspES) on the functionality of DC and T cell activation. We found that TspES suppress in vitro DC maturation induced by both S- and R-form lipopolysaccharide(LPS) from enterobacteria. Using different toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, we show that the suppressive effect of TspES on DC maturation is restricted to TLR4. These helminth products also interfere with the expression of several genes related to the TLR-mediated signal transduction pathways. To investigate the effect of TspES on T cell activation, we used splenocytes derived from OVA-TCR transgenic D011.10 that were incubated with OVA and TspES-pulsed DC. Results indicate that the presence of TspES resulted in the expansion of CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3+ T cells. These regulatory T (Treg) cells were shown to have suppressive activity and to produce TGF-ß. Together these results suggest that T. spiralis secretion products can suppress DC maturation and induce the expansion of functional Treg cells in vitro.

Attentional performance of (C57BL/6Jx129Sv)F2 mice in the five-choice serial reaction time task.

Impaired attention is evident in several neurological and psychiatric disorders. In the present study, attentional capabilities were measured in the operant five-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT) in male (C57BL/6Jx129Sv)F2 hybrid (B6129F2) mice. Main aims were to validate and standardize the test in these mice: to setup procedures, measure potential beneficial effects of sub-chronic nicotine in degraded versions of the 5-CSRTT (by decreasing stimulus duration, inducing white noise and making the stimuli unpredictable) and study disruptive effects of additional administration of the muscarinic antagonist scopolamine. During the baseline pre-nicotine sessions, the B6129F2 mice attained a very good performance in the test (95% accuracy). As stimulus duration was reduced from 2 s to 1 s, response accuracy of the mice decreased. Mice treated with nicotine (0.16 mg/kg) attained significantly higher response accuracy and had a lower percentage of incorrect responses in comparison with the solvent-treated animals. No further beneficial effects of nicotine were found. Reduced response accuracy was also obtained when stimulus duration was reduced from 1 s to 0.5 s and when a variable intertrial interval was introduced. Noise interpolation between trials did not impair performance. Finally, scopolamine (0.16 mg/kg) disrupted attentional functioning. Although most studies have been performed in rats, these results add to the existing evidence that the 5-CSRTT can also be used to assess attentional performance in mice. This offers the opportunity to test transgenic and knockout mice with similar background as the B6129F2 as animal models of psychiatric and neurological diseases.

[Infections with endoparasites in dogs in Dutch animal shelters]. / Infecties met endoparasieten bij honden in Nederlandse dierenasielen.

Faecal samples from 224 dogs from 23 animal shelters in the Netherlands were examined for endoparasites. In total 20.5% of the faecal sample were positive for helminth and/or protozoa infections. Eggs of Toxocara canis were found in 8.5% of the faecal samples. Other endoparasites found were Toxascaris leonina (0.5%), Trichuris vulpis (4.9%), Uncinaria stenocephala (2.2%), Dipylidium caninum (1.3%), Taenia spp. (0.5%), Cystoïsospora canis (1.3%), and C. ohioensis (1.3%). Dogs younger than 1 year and stray dogs showed the highest prevalence of infection. T. vulpis was found more often in dogs from shelters with a high cleaning frequency.

[Infections with helminths and/or protozoa in cats in animal shelters in the Netherlands]. / Infecties met helminthen en/of protozoën bij katten in asielen in Nederland.

To determine the prevalence of infections with helminths and protozoa in cats in animal shelters, faecal samples from 305 cats from 22 animal shelters in the Netherlands were examined, using a centrifugation-sedimentation-flotation-technique. The association between potential risk factors and the occurrence of an infection was also tested. Infections with helminths and/or protozoa were found in 160 samples (52.5%). Toxocara cati was found in 86 cats (28.2%), Cystoisospora felis in 59 cats (19.3%), Cystoïsospora rivolta in 43 cats (14.1%), Capillaria spp. in 34 cats (11.2%), Ancylostoma tubaeforma in 9 cats (3.0%), Taenia taeniaeformis in 9 cats (3.0%), Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in 8 cats (2.6%), Giardia intestinalis in 3 cats (1.0%), Dipylidium caninum in 2 cats (0.7%) and Toxoplasma gondii in 1 cat (0.3%). The highest prevalence was seen in kittens and stray cats. The main preventive factor against infection was a short stay in a shelter.