Progenitor cell-derived basophils: A novel barcoded passive degranulation assay in allergic diseases.

Background: Effector cells assays provide an overall measure of responsiveness to allergen, but the lack of reliable and high-throughput assays limits the clinical utility. We aimed to develop a high-throughput basophil activation test based on human progenitor cell-derived basophils (PCB) and investigate the role of PCB activation test (PCBAT) in allergic diseases.

Methods: Progenitor cell-derived basophils were differentiated from CD34 progenitor cells and sensitized with sera from subjects sensitized to cat, peanut or atopic controls.

The Effect of the Food Matrix on the In Vitro Bio-Accessibility and IgE Reactivity of Peanut Allergens.

Scope: Factors such as food processing, the food matrix, and antacid medication may affect the bio-accessibility of proteins in the gastrointestinal tract and hence their allergenic activity. However, at present they are poorly understood.

Methods And Results: Roasted peanut flour was incorporated into either a chocolate dessert or cookie matrix and bio-accessibility were assessed using an in vitro digestion system comprising a model chew and simulated gastric and duodenal digestion.

Insoluble and soluble roasted walnut proteins retain antibody reactivity.

Thermal processing techniques commonly used during food production have the potential to impact food allergens by inducing physical and/or chemical changes to the proteins. English walnuts (Juglans regia) are among the most commonly allergenic tree nuts, but little information is available regarding how walnut allergens respond to thermal processing. This study evaluated the effects of dry roasting (132 or 180°C for 5, 10, or 20min) on the solubility and immunoreactivity of walnut proteins.

An eHealth Approach to Reporting Allergic Reactions to Food and Closing the Knowledge Gap.

There is an important knowledge gap in food allergy management in understanding the factors that determine allergic reactions to food, in gathering objective reports of reactions in real time, and in accessing patients' reaction-histories during consultations. We investigate how eHealth methods can close this knowledge gap. We report experiences with an online tool for reporting allergic reactions that we have developed as a web application.

Characterization of low molecular weight allergens from English walnut (Juglans regia).

Although English walnut is a commonly allergenic tree nut, walnut allergens have been poorly characterized to date. The objective of this work was to characterize the natural, low molecular weight (LMW) allergens from walnut. A protocol was developed to purify LMW allergens (specifically 2S albumins) from English walnuts.

Genetic variants in endotoxin signalling pathway, domestic endotoxin exposure and asthma exacerbations.

Background: We investigated the interaction between genetic variants in endotoxin signalling pathway and domestic endotoxin exposure in relation to asthma presence, and amongst children with asthma, we explored the association of these genetic variants and endotoxin exposure with hospital admissions due to asthma exacerbations.

Methods: In a case-control study, we analysed data from 824 children (417 asthmatics, 407 controls; age 5-18 yr). Amongst asthmatics, we extracted data on hospitalization for asthma exacerbation from medical records.

Assessing the association of early life antibiotic prescription with asthma exacerbations, impaired antiviral immunity, and genetic variants in 17q21: a population-based birth cohort study.

Background: The relationship between early-life antibiotic use and the development of wheeze and asthma has been reported in several studies but might arise as a consequence of bias rather than causal relationship. We investigated the association between antibiotic prescription and subsequent development of atopy, wheeze, and asthma exacerbations, and the relation of early life antibiotic prescription with anti-infective immunity and genetic variants on asthma susceptibility locus 17q21.

Methods: Children in a population-based birth cohort were followed from birth to age 11 years.

Joint modeling of parentally reported and physician-confirmed wheeze identifies children with persistent troublesome wheezing.

Background: Previous studies have suggested the presence of different childhood wheeze phenotypes through statistical modeling based on parentally reported wheezing.

Objective: We sought to investigate whether joint modeling of observations from both medical records and parental reports helps to more accurately define wheezing disorders during childhood and whether incorporating information from medical records better characterizes severity.

Methods: In a population-based birth cohort (n = 1184), we analyzed data from 2 sources (parentally reported current wheeze at 4 follow-ups and physician-confirmed wheeze from medical records in each year from birth to age 8 years) to determine classes of children who differ in wheeze trajectories.

Association between C677T and A1298C MTHFR gene polymorphism and nonsyndromic orofacial clefts in the Turkish population: a case-parent study.

Two common MTHFR gene polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C) have been implicated in the etiology of nonsyndromic cleft lip/palate (nsCL/P). To investigate the genotype association among nsCL/P in the Turkish population, 56 case-parent trios were recruited into the study. Genotype frequencies were compared to two groups of controls from the same population.

Increased serum-soluble interleukin-5 receptor alpha level precedes the development of eczema in children.

Interleukin-5 receptor α-subunit expression may be implicated in the development of allergic diseases. In a population-based birth cohort, we investigated the relationship between IL-5Rα and the development of allergic phenotypes in childhood, using soluble IL-5Rα (s-IL-5Rα) as a marker. Children (n = 510) were followed from birth and assessed at age 3, 5 and 8.

Efficacy of long-term sublingual immunotherapy as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy in house dust mite-allergic children with asthma.

Although sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is accepted to be a viable alternative of specific-allergen immunotherapy, the efficacy of long-term SLIT in asthmatic children is not well established. The efficacy of 3 yr of SLIT in addition to pharmacotherapy was compared with pharmacotherapy alone in a prospective, open, parallel-group, controlled study. Children with asthma aged 4-16 yr, sensitive to house dust mite (HDM) were followed up for a run-in period of 1 yr and then grouped as those who would receive SLIT + pharmacotherapy (n = 62) or pharmacotherapy alone (n = 28).

Staphylococcus aureus sensitization and allergic disease in early childhood: population-based birth cohort study.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus-secreted enterotoxins (SEs) may be involved in the pathophysiology of atopic diseases.

Objective: We investigated the role of SEs in allergic diseases during early childhood (using the mixture of SE-specific IgEs [SE-mix] as a marker).

Methods: Children (N = 510) were followed from birth to age 5 years (repeated questionnaires, IgE to inhalant and food allergens, lung function [spirometry, plethysmography], airway reactivity [dry air challenge]).

Dust mite allergen avoidance as a preventive and therapeutic strategy.

Asthma is a global health problem with genetic and environmental components. Indoor allergens have a major impact on asthma, and exposure in sensitized subjects can compromise lung function. A reduction in allergen exposure would seem a logical facet to treatment.