Systematic review protocol to define classical IgE-associated diseases from birth to adolescence: the MeDALL study

BACKGROUND: Classical disease phenotypes are mainly based on descriptions of symptoms and the hypothesis that a given pattern of symptoms provides a diagnosis. With refined technologies there is growing evidence that disease expression in patients is much more diverse and subtypes need to be defined to allow a better targeted treatment. One of the aims of the Mechanisms of the Development of Allergy Project (MeDALL,FP7) is to re-define the classical phenotypes of IgE-associated allergic diseases from birth to adolescence, by consensus among experts using a systematic review of the literature and identify possible gaps in research for new disease markers. This paper describes the methods to be used for the systematic review of the classical IgE-associated phenotypes applicable in general to other systematic reviews also addressing phenotype definitions based on evidence. METHODS/DESIGN: Eligible papers were identified by PubMed search (complete database through April 2011). This search yielded 12,043 citations. The review includes intervention studies (randomized and clinical controlled trials) and observational studies (cohort studies including birth cohorts, case-control studies) as well as case series. Systematic and non-systematic reviews, guidelines, position papers and editorials are not excluded but dealt with separately. Two independent reviewers in parallel conducted consecutive title and abstract filtering scans. For publications where title and abstract fulfilled the inclusion criteria the full text was assessed. In the final step, two independent reviewers abstracted data using a pre-designed data extraction form with disagreements resolved by discussion among investigators. DISCUSSION: The systematic review protocol described here allows to generate broad,multi-phenotype reviews and consensus phenotype definitions. The in-depth analysis of the existing literature on the classification of IgE-associated allergic diseases through such a systematic review will 1) provide relevant information on the current epidemiologic definitions of allergic diseases, 2) address heterogeneity and interrelationships and 3) identify gaps in knowledge.

Eficacia del kinesiotape como terapia complementaria en niños que presentan espasticidad.

¿Se obtiene una mejora de resultados añadiendo Kinesiotape a sujetos que presentan PCI espástica comparado con un tratamiento convencional de fisioterapia? Objetivos: Evaluar la efectividad del Kinesiotape en cuanto a disminución de espasticidad y tono muscular, mejora de calidad de vida y aumento del rango articular. Material y métodos: se buscará una muestra de 238 sujetos con PCI espástica entre 5 y 20 años y que presenten una sinergia flexora en extremidad superior. Como criterios de exclusión se consideran: cualquier contraindicación del Kinesiotape, intervención quirúrgica de extremidad superior, consumo de neurotoxinas, bloqueantes nerviosos con agentes neurolíticos, relajantes musculares y pacientes que hayan sido tratados mediante Toxina Botulínica en extremidad superior. Los sujetos serán aleatoriamente distribuidos en dos grupos; un grupo control (n = 119) el cual realiza tratamiento específico de Bobath y un grupo experimental (n = 119) el cual realiza el tratamiento específico de Bobath añadiendo el Kinesiotape en la musculatura del bíceps braquial. Esta intervención durará ocho semanas y se reevaluarán los resultados en un periodo de seis meses y a los doce meses. Para ello se utilizaran las siguientes escalas: para la espasticidad se utilizarán las escalas de Tardieu - Held y la de Aswhorth modificada. Para medir la independencia del niño se emplearán la escala Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI), para conocer el rango articular se utilizarán un goniómetro de brazos y para determinar la actividad eléctrica del tono muscular la electromiografía (EMG).

The effect of lignin as a natural adhesive on the physico-mechanical properties of Vitis vinifera fiberboards

Lignin was used as a natural adhesive to manufacture Vitis vinifera fiberboards. The fiberboards were produced at laboratory scale by adding powdered lignin to material that had previously been steam-exploded under optimized pretreatment and pressing conditions. The kraft lignin used was washed several times with an acidic solution to eliminate any contaminants and low molecular weight compounds. This research studied the effects of amounts of lignin ranging from 5% to 20% on the properties of Vitis vinifera fiberboards. The fiberboard properties evaluated were density, water resistance in terms of thickness swelling, water absorption, and the mechanical properties in terms of modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, and internal bond. Results showed that fiberboards made from Vitis vinifera without lignin addition had weaker mechanical properties. However, the fiberboards obtained using acid-washed kraft lignin as a natural adhesive had good mechanical and water resistance properties that fully satisfied the relevant standard specifications

Actas del IX Coloquio sobre lenguas y culturas paleohispánicas, Acta Palaeohispanica IX, Barcelona 20-24 de octubre de 2004, Palaeohispanica 5, Zaragoza, 1.150 p.

La revista Palaeohispánica, en su número cinco, ha realizado un meritorio y encomiable esfuerzo al acoger en su interior las Actas del IX Coloquio sobre lenguas y culturas paleohispánicas, celebrado en Barcelona los días 20 a 24 de octubre de 2004. Las 1.150 páginas del volumen pueden dar una idea de la complejidad de la tarea, de la que han sido editores J. Velaza Frías, F. Beltrán Lloris, C. Jordán Cólera y B. Díaz Ariño. En la nota editorial que precede al volumen los responsables dejan claras dos satisfacciones, que sin duda alguna compartirán todos aquéllos que se dedican a temas relacionados con la antigua Hispania: la coincidencia del primer lustro de vida de una revista multidisciplinar y las dos décadas alcanzadas por los ya veteranos coloquios, que, con el mismo fin, han venido reuniendo un número creciente de investigadores.