Immune abnormalities associated with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis

Twenty six patients with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMCC) have been studied. Four immunological patterns emerged.Five patients failed to produce migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in vitro although their lymphocytes were normally activated to DNA synthesis after challenge with candida antigen. Four of these patients were unable to mount delayed hypersensitivity (DH) reactions to candida antigen (CAg), purified protein derivative (PPD), or dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). The lack of DH in these patients is thought to reflect their inability to produce MIF.Another group of nine patients with absent DH to candida also failed to produce MIF after challenge with candida antigen. Their lymphocytes were, however, not activated in vitro by this antigen probably due to a factor present in their serum, which specifically inhibited candida induced transformation of lymphocytes from healthy individuals.Two patients were able to produce MIF in vitro but they were unable, nevertheless, to mount DH reactions. Furthermore, they did not show delayed inflammatory response to intradermal injections of a MIF preparation. It is postulated that these patients have defective macrophage function.In 10 patients no significant abnormalities in cellular or humoral immunity were revealed.It is concluded that chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis is a syndrome associated with several distinct immunological abnormalities. The pathogenesis of the syndrome is discussed and it is emphasized that chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis is a model which can be used for advancing our knowledge of the immune system.     

Exploring the potential of food forestry to assist in ecological restoration in North America and beyond

Food forests—edible, perennial, polyculture systems—are of increasing interest in North America and the United Kingdom, as reflected in projects ranging from urban food initiatives to integrated conservation and restoration planning. To examine emerging food forestry (FF) against the backdrop of ecological restoration (ER), we conducted semi‐structured interviews with eight experts each from the fields of FF and ER in conjunction with observations of food forests in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Using content analysis, our study builds a FF model that encompasses the underlying goals of emerging FF—forest function; diversity of yields; education and culture sharing; healthy habitats for people and other species; and sustainability. We argue that FF has potential as an urban restoration tool in terms of enhancing the multifunctionality of heterogeneous landscapes undergoing significant changes. This will require meaningful consideration of ethical issues (e.g. commodification of nature), landscape contexts, ecological integrity, integration of historical knowledge, and resilience for interdependent, dynamic social and ecological systems. Moreover, systematic, long‐term monitoring of different types of food forests will be crucial in order to mindfully apply FF in ER. This research provides one of the first in‐depth analyses of how emerging FF might contribute to restoration in the time of the Anthropocene, especially outside traditional tropic regions where most FF has been practiced.     

Creep measurements on gelatin gels

The present work describes creep measurements on a series of concentrations of gelatin gels well above the critical gel concentration C0, using a high precision constant stress rheometer. Results for the concentration dependence of compliance are close to those expected both from theory and from dynamic oscillatory measurements of gel modulus. The concentration dependence of viscosity follows an approximate power law behaviour, with eta proportional C1.1. This exponent is consistent with relaxation in the sol fraction, and in regions of dangling chain attached to the gel. At concentrations closer to C0 we predict that a higher power law regime will prevail.     

Sleep inducing effect of low energy emission therapy

The sleep inducing effect of a 15 min treatment with either an active or an inactive Low Energy Emission Therapy (LEET) device emitting amplitude-modulated electromagnetic (EM) fields was investigated in a double-blind cross-over study performed on 52 healthy subjects. All subjects were exposed to both active and inactive LEET treatment sessions, with an interval of at least I week between the two sessions. LEET consists of 27.12 MHz amplitude-modulated (sine wave) EM fields emitted intrabuccally by means of an electrically conducting mouthpiece in direct contact with the oral mucosa. The estimated local peak SAR is less than 10 W/kg in the oral mucosa and 0.1 to 100 mW/kg in brain tissue. No appreciable sensation is experienced during treatment, and subjects are therefore unable to tell whether they are receiving an active or an inactive treatment. In this study the active treatment consisted of EM fields intermittently amplitude-modulated (sine wave) at 42.7 Hz for 3 s followed by a pause of 1 s during which no EM fields were emitted. During the inactive treatment no EM fields were emitted. Baseline EEGs were obtained and 15 min post-treatment EEGs were recorded and analyzed according to the Loomis classification. A significant decrease (paired t test) in sleep latency to stage B2 (?1.78 ± 5.57 min, P = 0.013), and an increase in the total duration of stage B2 (1.15 ± 2.47 min, P = 0.0008) were observed on active treatment as compared with inactive treatment. The deepest sleep stage achieved (B1 to D) following active treatment was also significantly higher than that following inactive treatment (P = 0.040). We conclude 27.12 MHz electromagnetic fields, intermittenly amplitude-modulated at 42.7 Hz, result in a significant sleep inducing effect in healthy subjects. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.