Investigation of the cell composition and gene expression in the delayed-type hypersensitivity tuberculin skin test

Dear Editor,The tuberculin skin test(TST)reagents have continuously improved,with the ESAT6-CFP10(EC)test having recently been introduced,but are seldom based on the direction of the delayed-type hypersensitivity(DTH)mechanism.Previous studies only partially showed the infiltration and activation of immune cells and the production of cytokines of the skin induration[1,2],and lack the detailed measurements of cell proportions and gene expression in the DTH response.Therefore,in this study,we revealed the comprehensive characteristics of DTH by single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)in the guinea pig tuberculosis(TB)model[Experimental Animal Welfare Ethics Committee,Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute(2021-064)].

Indications, Interpretation and Clinical Consequences of Tuberculin Skin Tests in Resource Limited Settings

Objective: to evaluate the policy of TST testing in Suriname. As there is no gold standard to diagnose latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), the tuberculin skin test (TST) is used to diagnose LTBI. However, internationally, the cut-off values of the TST are not uniform and depend on local tuberculosis (TB) epidemiology and guidelines for test initiation. In Suriname, where currently several indications exist for TSTs, cut-off values are set at 5 mm or 10 mm, depending on the age and/or medical history of the patient. LTBI classification is performed by pulmonologists primarily based on the American Thoracic Society targeted TB testing guidelines. Method: retrospective analysis of outpatient TST data between 2011 and 2019 from Suriname’s sole pulmonary medicine clinic. Result: 1373 patients were evaluated. 590 patients were from the screening group of whom 253 had a positive TST result, 46 of whom were classified as LTBI. In the contact tracing group of 649 patients, 616 had a positive TST, 352 of whom were classified as LTBI. In the medical condition group of 134 patients, 96 had a positive TST, 38 of whom were classified as LTBI. Eventually, positive TST results were found for 965 tested patients: 436 patients were classified as LTBI and 529 non-LTBI patients were not prescribed chemoprophylaxis. None of the non-LTBI TST-positive patients were diagnosed with active TB, including 174 patients with a TST result of 15 mm or greater and in need of IPT, but not prescribed by judgement of the pulmonologist or because of loss to follow-up. Conclusion: the overrepresentation of positive TST results in Suriname is attributable to stringent cut-off values, especially among patients who do not disclose TB risk factors. In our opinion the TST cut-off value for such patients in Suriname and other similar settings could be set at 15 mm. We also promote that for all patients with a TST result of 15 mm or greater, offering IPT should be considered (after excluding active TB).

Food intolerance and skin prick test in treated and untreated irritable bowel syndrome

AIM： To correlate the clinical features of treated and untreated patients with irritable bowel syndrome （IBS） to the results of skin prick test （SPT） for food and inhalant allergens. METHODS： We recruited 105 subjects to form three different target groups： treated group （n=44） undergoing treatment for IBS, untreated group （n =31） meeting the Rome Ⅱ criteria without treatment for IBS, control group （n = 30） with no IBS symptoms. RESULTS： SPT results were different among the three groups in which SPT was positive in 17 （38.6%） treated patients, in 5 （16.1%） untreated patients and in 1 （3.3%） control （P〈0.01）. The number of positive SPTs was greater in the IBS group than in the control group （P〈 0.001）. The number of positive food SPTs was higher in the treated IBS group than in the untreated IBS group （P= 0.03）. CONCLUSION： Positive food SPT is higher in IBS patients than in controls.

Performance and correlation of QuantiFERON-TB Gold, T-SPOT.TB and tuberculin skin test in young children with or exposed to tuberculosis

Objective:To evaluate the performance of interferon gamma release assays and tuberculin skin test in Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccinated young children.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in healthy children younger than 5 years who were recently diagnosed with tuberculosis or had recent exposure to active tuberculosis.QuantiFERON-TB Gold,T-SPOT.TB and tuberculin skin test were performed in each patient.Results:Of the 60 children,median age 3.3 years,17 had tuberculosis and 43 had recent tuberculosis exposure.Overall,15(25.0%)children had tuberculin skin test reaction≥10 mm;8(13.3%)were positive by QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube test,and 12(20.0%)by T-SPOT.TB.Nineteen(31.7%)children had at least one positive test.There was a moderate agreement between interferon gamma release assays and tuberculin skin test.Conclusions:The positive rates of interferon gamma release assays and tuberculin skin test were low in young children who were infected with tuberculosis,supporting the management strategy of not testing children younger than 5 years.

Skin Sensitive Difference of Human Body Sections under Clothing— Smirnov Test of Skin Surface Temperatures' Dynamic Changing

Skin sensitive difference of human body sections under clothing is the theoretic foundation of thermal insulation clothing design. By a new method of researching on clothing comfort perception, the skin temperature live changing procedure of human body sections affected by the same cold stimulation is inspected. Furthermore with the Smirnov test the skin temperatures dynamic changing patterns of main human body sections are obtained.

Relationship between Serum Specific IgE and Allergen Skin Test in Allergic Patients of Wuhan Area

Summary: In order to study the relationship between serum specific IgE (sIgE) and allergen skin test, allergen skin tests and detections of sIgE in 220 allergic patients of Wuhan area were analyzed. The coherent rate of the two methods was beyond 70 % (P<0.01). It was concluded that the in vitro and in vivo detection methods of allergens have a high coherence and can be used as the effective ways to diagnose the allergic diseases in clinical practice.

Performance and correlation of interferon gamma release assays and tuberculin skin test in HIV-infected children and adolescents with immune reconstitution

Objective:To evaluate the performance of interferon gamma release assays and tuberculin skin test in HIV-infected children and adolescents with immune reconstitution.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in HIV-infected patients aged 5-18 years receiving antiretroviral treatment with CD4 T-lymphocytes>25%or>500 cells/mm3 for at least 6 months.QuantiF ERON-TB Gold,T-SPOT.TB,and tuberculin skin test were performed in each patient.Results:A total of 50 patients were enrolled with median age of 13.7 years,CD4 counts of 753(IQR:587-989)cells/mm3.Among 27 patients with tuberculosis(16)or tuberculosis exposure(11),8(29.6%)were positive to at least one test,2(7.4%)were positive QuantiFERON-TB Gold,3(11.1%)positive T-SPOT.TB,and 7(25.9%)had tuberculin skin test≥5 mm.Among 23 patients without history of tuberculosis or exposure,all had negative interferon gamma release assays,while 2(8.7%)had positive tuberculin skin test.Conclusions:All tests had low sensitivity despite immune reconstitution.

Discrepancies between the responses to skin prick test to food and respiratory antigens in two subtypes of patients with irritable bowel syndrome

AIM:To compare the response to skin prick tests (SPTs) to food antigens (FAs) and inhalant allergens (IAs) in patients with two subtypes of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and healthy controls. METHODS:We compared the results of SPTs for IAs and FAs in 87 volunteers divided into three groups:diarrhea predominant IBS (D-IBS) GroupⅠ(n = 19), constipation predominant IBS (C-IBS) Group Ⅱ (n = 17), and normal controls Group Ⅲ (n = 51). RESULTS:Of the 285 tests (171 for FAs and 114 for IAs) performed in GroupⅠwe obtained 45 (26.3%) positive responses for FA and 23 (20.1%) for IA. Of the 153 tests for FA in Group Ⅱ, we obtained 66 (20.1%) positive responses, and of the 102 tests for IA, we obtained 20 (19.6%) positive responses. Of the 459 tests for FA performed in Group Ⅲ, we obtained 39 (84%) positive responses, and of the 306 for IA, we obtained 52 (16.9%) positive responses. The numbers of positive responses were not significantly different between the three groups, but in the D-IBS group, the number of SPTFA responses differed significantly from those for the other two groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION:Despite the small number of cases studied, the higher reactivity to FAs in GroupⅠcompared to Groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ adds new information, and suggests the presence of a possible alteration in intestinal epithelial function.

Comparison and Evaluation of Several Dermatophagoides Pteronyssinus Allergen Extracts for Skin Prick Test

Objective To evaluate the significance of several Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen extracts for skin prick test(SPT) in patients allergic to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.Methods Two hundred and nineteen patients enrolled in Peking Union Medical College Hospital underwent SPT and serum specific IgE assay to detect the Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen.Three kinds of house dust mite allergen extracts were used for SPT,including the Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract prepared by our laboratory(group A),standardized Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract(group B),and mixed extracts of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae(group C).Human serum specific IgE result was regarded as the reference standard for diagnosis of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergy.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of SPT with the extracts of three groups.Results SPT results showed that the median wheal diameter of group A,group B,and group C was 0.43,0.35,and 0.28 cm,respectively,with significant difference among three groups(P<0.05).The difference was significant between group A and B(P<0.01) as well as group A and C(P<0.01),but not between group B and C(P>0.05).There was no local urticaria or systemic allergic reactions following the procedure of SPT.Local reaction was observed in 5 patients and delayed reaction was in 2 patients of group A.As for group B and C,local reaction occurred in 3 cases and delayed reaction in 2 cases in each group.The area under ROC curve of SPT with extract in group A,group B,and group C was 0.765,0.801,and 0.782,respectively.Based on the detection results of serum specific IgE,the sensitivity of SPT in diagnosis of Dermato-phagoides pteronyssinus allergy with extract of group A,group B,and group C was 92.4%,87.0%,and 81.5%,and the specificity was 60.6%,73.2%,and 74.8%,respectively.Conclusion The Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract for SPT prepared by our laboratory offers good sensitivity and specificity comparable to commercially available allergen extracts,and it may be an appropriate candidate for clinical screening and diagnosis of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergy.

Anaphylaxis to Skin Prick Testing in a 29-Year-Old Woman

Introduction: Skin prick testing (SPT) is a common test to diagnose IgE sensitization and the rate of adverse reactions is very low. Case Presentation: 29-year-old woman with anaphylactic reaction to routine SPT with 11 allergens (aero and food). Discussion: Allergy profile included multiple food and inhalant allergies, polysensitization, prior episode of anaphylaxis to mushrooms, active eczema and active hay fever but not active asthma. Conclusion: Anaphylaxis to SPT, although a rare event, is unpredictable necessitating availability of appropriate personnel and adequate resuscitation facilities for all testing.

Comparison between Quanti-FERON-TB Gold In-Tube test and tuberculin skin test for diagnosis of latent tuberculosis in children: A cross-section study

Objective: To compare Quanti-FERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) test and tuberculin skin test (TST) for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in children. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 64 participants who were between 3 months and 14 years old and had close contact with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis were included. Both QFT-GIT test and TST were done and the results were analyzed by SPSS software and Kappa test. Results: The distribution of gender and age according to QFT-GIT and TST results were matched (P>0.05). Overall agreement between QFT-GIT and TST for diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in children was 75%. In addition, the contingency coefficient was 0.257, and the Kappa measure of agreement was 0.246 (P=0.034). Conclusions: Compared to TST, QFT-GIT shows no apparent advantage for diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in children.

Preliminary Observation and Significance of Changes on Rash of Skin Prick Test during SLIT

Objective: To observe the changes on skin wheal and erythema of skin prick test for the patients with allergic rhinitis during SLIT. Methods: Since March 2010 the 103 cases of SLIT attacked by allergic rhinitis patients, divided into four age groups, respectively measured the diameter of skin wheal and erythema before treatment, six months, one year and 2 years after SLIT. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance method;P Results: The results showed that the most changes of skin erythema diameter were statistically significant in N1, N2, N3 age group during test observation compare with the data before SLIT (p Conclusion: Although most of the skin test wheal did not change significantly during the treatment of SLIT, the erythema reaction decreased to a certain extent, indicating that the intensity of histamine release may be reduced during the treatment.

Effectiveness of Virtual Reality for Pediatric Pain and Anxiety Management during Skin Prick Testing

This study investigated the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) distraction, compared to comic book distraction and no distraction, in reducing pain and anxiety during a medical procedure in a pediatric population: the skin prick test. Although this test has many advantages and is considered to be minimally invasive, it causes anxiety and painful discomfort in children. Ninety-two children aged 7 to 17 years consulting for an allergic test received VR distraction, comic book distraction, or no distraction. Outcome measures included pain score, level of anxiety, and VR measures. The results showed that there were no significant differences between the three groups regarding sex, age, and preprocedural anxiety level. In the distraction groups (VR and comic book), children reported significantly lower pain and procedural anxiety scores than children with no distraction;VR distraction had a more significant effect than comic book distraction. A decrease in anxiety before and during the skin prick test is significantly more significant in VR distraction. This study suggested the effectiveness and feasibility of VR to reduce pain and anxiety during the pediatric skin prick test.

CSAMT、MT等电磁法在矿山地质勘探中技术参数研究

目前,在矿山地质勘探中广泛采用CSAMT、MT等电磁法,但该类电磁法均存在电磁干扰影响因素,都存在其所对应地质条件的最佳工作技术参数,为了降低野外数据采集工作过程中电磁干扰并达到最佳工作目标任务要求,本文通过作者十几年来积累的关于CSAMT、MT在各种不同矿山地质条件下的工作经验及试验结论,总结得出该类电磁法在一定地质条件下的最佳工作技术参数,将为今后在不同矿山、不同地质条件下开展该相关方法提供参考示范。

MTS控制系统的二次开发及其在混合试验中的应用

混合试验将物理实验与数值模拟相结合,大大降低了对加载系统的要求,可以完成大比例尺甚至足尺试验,且方便观察试件的地震响应过程,因此广受关注。为了推进混合试验方法的研究与应用,哈尔滨工业大学吴斌教授课题组正在开发一款混合试验平台,即HyTest。本文针对常用的MTS电液伺服系统,采用MTS提供的VB软件接口开发了HyTest试验平台与MTS控制系统的通信模块,具备发送命令、保存数据、坐标变换、网络通信等功能。完成了一例单层单跨6自由度平面钢框架结构混合试验,验证了该通信模块的有效性。重点介绍所使用的开发方法及其在混合试验中的应用,既方便同行使用HyTest,又可作为MTS系统二次开发的借鉴。

MTS法细胞毒试验的非线性关系研究

目的 探讨MTS法细胞毒试验的细胞数 OD关系以及药物剂量 -抑制率关系 ,为更好地应用MTS法提供提示。方法 采用HL 6 0和Raji细胞株。细胞数 OD关系试验 :96孔板接种不同浓度的细胞 ,加入MTS培养 1～ 5h后于 4 90nm波长测定OD ,用SPSS 11 0软件对数据作曲线估计。细胞毒试验 :96孔板每孔接种细胞 ,加不同剂量的药物培养 72h ,加入MTS培养 3h后于 4 90nm波长测定OD ,用SPSS11 0软件对数据作曲线估计。结果 2种细胞 5个时间点的细胞数 OD关系以三次项曲线拟合度最好 ,r2 为 0 997～1 0 0 0 ,均大于线性模型的r2 0 938～ 0 993。 3种药物对 2种细胞的剂量 -抑制率以三次项曲线拟合度最好 ,r2 为0 998～ 1 0 0 0 ,优于对数剂量 -概率单位线性模型的r20 94 8～ 0 987。结论 三次项曲线对MTS法细胞毒试验的细胞数 OD关系有很高拟合度且优于线性曲线模型。通过药物剂量 -抑制率的三次项曲线拟合方程可望得到比常用的概率单位回归法更准确的IC50 。

MTS-810振动三轴材料试验机的升级改造

对20世纪80年代生产的模拟控制MTS810(25t)振动三轴材料试验机进行了升级改造,舍去其原有的模拟控制系统,配备了全套数字控制系统,实现了多通道控制,大幅度提高了试验机的试验能力、精度和自动化程度,延长了试验机的服役寿命.

MTS/PMS法检测细胞药物敏感性

〔目的〕确定用MTS/PMS检测细胞活性的合适条件 ,以此为平台作细胞药物敏感性测定。〔方法〕以Vero为检测细胞 ,用MTS/PMS法测定 ,MTT法作对照实验。〔结果〕2 -4× 10 5 /ml的Vero细胞孵育 2 4h后 ,MTS/PMS作用 3h检测结果较为理想 ,黄藤素、三七总皂甙、昆明山海棠浸膏、无环鸟苷的CC5 0分别为 2 69.8ug/ml、44 9.8ug/ml、182 .4ug/ml、>5 0 0 0ug/ml。〔结论〕MTS/PMS法检测细胞活性具有简便、迅速、敏感、特异等优点 ,适用于细胞药物敏感性的检测。

MTS/PMS法在膀胱癌原代细胞化疗药物敏感性检测中的应用(附29例报告)

目的观察新型甲臜化合物(MTS)/吩嗪硫酸二甲酯(PMS)法检测原代培养的膀胱癌细胞对羟基喜树碱(HCPT)、吡柔比星(THP)、丝裂霉素C(MMC)的敏感性。方法取29例手术切除的膀胱癌新鲜组织标本,采用肿瘤细胞原代培养技术培养膀胱细胞,取原代培养的膀胱癌细胞用MTS/PMS法进行HCPT、THP、MMC药敏性检测。结果 29例膀胱癌原代细胞标本中有27例获得药敏结果,可评价率为93.1%。HCPT抗癌活性最强(P<0.05),MMC耐药性最强(P<0.05)。结论 MTS/PMS法是检测原代培养的膀胱癌细胞化疗药物敏感性的良好方法。

MTS自动事务一致性仿真测试

MTS(Microsoft Transaction Server:微软事务服务器)是Microsoft基于组件的三层C/S(Client/Server:客户机/服务器)结构的核心部件。虽然它提供了自动事务管理机制,但由于应用系统中组件之间相互关系复杂,所以设计开发人员很难在设计阶段恰当地处理组件事务特征的一致性。文中提出了组件事务特征一致性测试的仿真算法,并通过具体实例说明该算法的有效性。