Mycobacterium ulcerans, the causative agent of the skin disease Buruli ulcer (BU), can be transmitted via terrestrial mammals, such as possums, challenging the prevailing belief that BU is contracted from aquatic invertebrates and environments.
J.A. Fyfe, et al., "A major role for mammals in the ecology of Mycobacterium ulcerans," PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 4(8):e791, 2010. Evaluated by Jorge Alave and Carlos Seas, Cayetano Heredia University. Free F1000 Evaluation
2. New class of helper Ts
 |
Y.H. Wang, et al., "A novel subset of CD4(+) T(H)2 memory/effector cells that produce inflammatory IL-17 cytokine and promote the exacerbation of chronic allergic asthma," J Exp Med, 207(11):2479-91, 2010. Evaluated by Paola Di Meglio and Frank Nestle, King's College London School of Medicine; Taylor Doherty and Bruce Zuraw, University of California, San Diego. Free F1000 Evaluation
3. Physical forces fuel healing
Integrin alpha11beta1, a receptor on fibroblast cells, is an important factor regulating the differentiation of a characteristic cell type of healing wounds and fibrotic tissue, and is regulated by physical forces in the cell and extracellular matrix.
S. Carracedo, et al., "The fibroblast integrin alpha11beta1 is induced in a mechanosensitive manner involving activin A and regulates myofibroblast differentiation," J Biol Chem, 285(14):10434-45, 2010. Evaluated by Phyllis Leppert, Duke University. Free F1000 Evaluation
4. How to handle increasing skin infections
When it comes to preventing dangerous infections and the recent wave of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, doctors may be doing both too much and not enough. A review of adult patients hospitalized for complicated skin and soft tissue infections in 2007 reveals that doctors frequently take potentially unnecessary measures, such as diagnostic tests, broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, and prolonged treatment courses, and suggests a need for antimicrobial stewardship programs.
T.C. Jenkins, et al., "Skin and soft-tissue infections requiring hospitalization at an academic medical center: opportunities for antimicrobial stewardship," Clin Infect Dis, 51(8):895-903, 2010. Evaluated by Ralph Corey, Duke University Medical Center; Larry Bush, JFK Medical Center. Free F1000 Evaluation
5. Key factor for natural moisturizers
Bleomycin hydrolase (BH) is a key enzyme for the production of natural moisturizing factors in the skin that are critical for maintaining epidermal hydration. The results may have important implications for the treatment of various skin diseases.
Y. Kamata, et al., "Neutral cysteine protease bleomycin hydrolase is essential for the breakdown of deiminated filaggrin into amino acids," J Biol Chem, 284(19):12829-36, 2009. Evaluated by Jiro Kishimoto, Shiseido Research Center. Free F1000 Evaluation
6. Fatal disease from transplant
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the first known transmission of a rare disease caused by Balamuthia mandrillaris, a free-living amoeba found in soil, via organ transplantation. Two kidney transplant recipients contracted the disease, one of whom died, highlighting the importance of awareness of this potentially fatal infection during organ transplantation.
CDC, "Balamuthia mandrillaris transmitted through organ transplantation --- Mississippi, 2009," MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 59:1165-70, 2010. Evaluated by Salim Mohanna and Francisco Bravo, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. Free F1000 Evaluation
7. Defining a new clinical condition
Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) has been used as a default diagnosis for patients with skin, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory and/or neurologic symptoms that can be associated with the activation of mast cells. Here, the authors attempt to define the syndrome and propose criteria for its diagnosis, presenting a framework for further investigation.
C. Akin, et al., "Mast cell activation syndrome: Proposed diagnostic criteria," J Allergy Clin Immunol, 2010. Evaluated by Riccardo Asero, Clinica San Carlo. Free F1000 Evaluation
The F1000 Top 7 is a snapshot of the highest ranked articles from a 30-day period on Faculty of 1000 Immunology, as calculated on November 29, 2010. Faculty Members evaluate and rate the most important papers in their field. To see the latest rankings, search the database, and read daily evaluations, visit http://f1000.com.
Related stories:
[16th November 2010]
[2nd November 2010]
[28th September 2010]
