Epidemiology of asthma across the ages.

In the past 3 decades, the overall prevalence of asthma appears to be plateauing, although large geographic and socioeconomic variation is evident. Overall, asthma prevalence slightly decreased in most age groups, except for school-aged children. Of note, asthma mortality steadily decreased, potentially highlighting improved asthma management strategies.

Recommendations for Using Health Service Coverage Cascades to Measure Effective Coverage for Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health Services or Interventions.

Using health service coverage cascades to measure effective coverage for maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health services on a global scale is premature and requires further research and validation to reach consensus.

Claudin-5 and occludin levels in patients with psychiatric disorders - A systematic review.

Background: Recent research has underscored the critical role of blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity in psychiatric disorders, highlighting disruptions in tight junction (TJ) proteins, specifically claudin-5 and occludin. These proteins are pivotal in maintaining the BBB's selective permeability, which is essential forbrain homeostasis. Altered levels of the TJ proteins have been observed in various psychiatric conditions, suggesting potential as biomarkers for the pathophysiology of these disorders.

An International Delphi Consensus on the Management of Pollen-Food Allergy Syndrome: A Work Group Report of the AAAAI Adverse Reactions to Foods Committee.

Background: Pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS) is common among patients with allergic rhinitis. Treatment recommendations for patients with PFAS remain variable.

Objective: To develop consensus recommendation statements for managing patients with PFAS.

EAACI guidelines on the management of IgE-mediated food allergy.

This European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) guideline provides recommendations for the management of IgE-mediated food allergy and was developed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach. Following the confirmation of IgE-mediated food allergy diagnosis, allergen avoidance and dietary advice (with support of a specialised dietitian, if possible) together with the provision of a written treatment plan, education on the recognition of allergic symptoms and prescription of medication including adrenaline using an auto-injector are essential. Patients with significant anxiety and requirement for coping strategies may benefit from support from a clinical psychologist.

Randomised controlled trial comparing different intersession intervals of intermittent theta burst delivered to the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex.

Background: Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) is a form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) that can be administered in a fraction of the time of standard rTMS. Applying multiple daily iTBS sessions (ie, accelerated iTBS) may enable patients to achieve remission more rapidly. However, questions remain regarding the optimal time interval between treatment sessions.

Extended course accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation as a substitute for depressed patients needing electroconvulsive therapy.

In response to restrictions on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) access during COVID-19, we designed a trial to assess the clinical outcomes service impacts, employing an extended course of accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (aiTBS), in patients with moderate to severe depression in need of ECT. This open label clinical trial was comprised of 3 phases: (i) an acute phase, where iTBS treatments were administered 8 times daily, for up to 10 days; (ii) a tapering phase of 2 treatment days per week for 2 weeks, followed by 1 treatment day per week for 2 weeks; and (iii) a symptom-based relapse prevention phase, whereby treatments were scheduled based on symptom re-emergence, for up to 6 months. Of the 155 patients who completed the acute phase of the study, the remission rate was 16.

Paradoxical Worsening of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Following Omalizumab Administration: The Missing Link.

Omalizumab, a humanized anti-IgE monoclonal antibody, is commonly employed in the treatment of antihistamine-refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), where it significantly reduces free IgE levels, minimizing histamine release from basophils and mast cells. Despite its efficacy, there are concerns regarding its effect on parasitic defense due to IgE's role in combating parasitic infestations. We present a case of a 28-year-old female agriculturist with a six-month history of CSU who experienced a paradoxical exacerbation of her symptoms following an increase in the omalizumab treatment dose.

Ciprofloxacin prophylaxis during haematopoietic cell transplantation: a role for use in patients with germ cell tumours?

Fluoroquinolone prophylaxis during haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) can lead to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Identifying the groups of patients that have the highest likelihood of benefiting from prophylactic antimicrobials is important for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS). We aimed to identify groups of HCT recipients that have the highest likelihood of benefiting from prophylactic fluroquinolones.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of nutritional and dietary interventions in randomized controlled trials for skin symptoms in children with atopic dermatitis and without food allergy: An EAACI task force report.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to consolidate evidence on dietary interventions for atopic eczema/dermatitis (AD) skin symptoms in children without food allergies, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Systematic review updates were conducted in May 2022 and June 2023, focusing on randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) involving children with AD but without food allergies. Specific diets or supplements, such as vitamins, minerals, probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotics, or postbiotics, were explored in these trials.

Low-cost, versatile, and highly reproducible microfabrication pipeline to generate 3D-printed customised cell culture devices with complex designs.

Cell culture devices, such as microwells and microfluidic chips, are designed to increase the complexity of cell-based models while retaining control over culture conditions and have become indispensable platforms for biological systems modelling. From microtopography, microwells, plating devices, and microfluidic systems to larger constructs such as live imaging chamber slides, a wide variety of culture devices with different geometries have become indispensable in biology laboratories. However, while their application in biological projects is increasing exponentially, due to a combination of the techniques, equipment and tools required for their manufacture, and the expertise necessary, biological and biomedical labs tend more often to rely on already made devices.

The effect of ciprofloxacin prophylaxis during haematopoietic cell transplantation on infection episodes, exposure to treatment antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance: a single-centre retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: Fluroquinolone prophylaxis during haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) remains contentious. We aimed to determine its effectiveness and association with exposure to treatment antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance.

Methods: All admission episodes for HCT ( = 400 , 372 unique patients) in a tertiary centre between January 2020 and December 2022 were studied.

A systematic review and meta-analysis on nutritional and dietary interventions for the treatment of acute respiratory infection in pediatric patients: An EAACI taskforce.

Acute respiratory infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. Dietary and nutritional interventions, including minerals and vitamin supplementation, have been explored as potential treatments for these infections. However, the evidence on their efficacy is limited and inconclusive.

Efficacy and safety of abrocitinib in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and comorbid allergies.

Background: Abrocitinib efficacy by comorbidity status in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) has not been previously assessed. This post hoc analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of abrocitinib in patients with AD and allergic comorbidities.

Methods: Data were pooled from patients who received abrocitinib 200 mg, 100 mg, or placebo in phase 2b (NCT02780167) and phase 3 (NCT03349060, NCT03575871) monotherapy trials.

Identifying weak signals to prepare for uncertainty in the energy sector.

This study aims to prepare the energy sector for uncertainty using a foresight tool known as Weak signals (subtle signs of emerging issues with significant impact potential) are often overlooked during strategic planning due to their inherent predictive uncertainty. However, the value does not lie in precise forecasting but in broadening the consideration of future possibilities. By proactively monitoring and addressing these otherwise neglected developments, stakeholders can gain early awareness of threats and opportunities and enhance their resilience, adaptability, and innovation.

EAACI guidelines on the diagnosis of IgE-mediated food allergy.

This European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology guideline provides recommendations for diagnosing IgE-mediated food allergy and was developed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach. Food allergy diagnosis starts with an allergy-focused clinical history followed by tests to determine IgE sensitization, such as serum allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) and skin prick test (SPT), and the basophil activation test (BAT), if available. Evidence for IgE sensitization should be sought for any suspected foods.

Eosinophilic esophagitis as a side-effect of allergen immunotherapy: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Sensitization to food and airborne allergens is common in the majority of patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Although there is not a direct cause-effect relationship of IgE-mediated allergy with the pathogenesis of EoE, there is a growing evidence that oral desensitization to food and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) may induce the development of EoE as an adverse effect. As part of the 'EoE and Allergen Immunotherapy (AIT)' Task Force funded by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), a systematic approach will be followed to review the evidence from the published scientific literature on the development of EoE in children and adults under any type of AIT.

Citrin: a novel food allergen in citrus seeds and citrus-derived pectin that shows cross-reactivity with cashew and pistachio.

Background: Patients exquisitely sensitive to cashew/pistachio are at risk for allergic reactions to citrus seeds and pectin.

Objective: In this study, we sought to evaluate whether pectin is contaminated with citrus seeds, to identify a culprit antigen in citrus seeds, and to assess for cross-reactivity among allergens in citrus seeds, citrus pectin, and cashew or pistachio.

Methods: Proteins from orange seed coats, orange seed endosperms, lemon seeds, grapefruit seeds, citrus pectin, apple pectin, and grapefruit pectin were extracted.

Targeting Epithelium Dysfunction and Impaired Nasal Biofilms to Treat Immunological, Functional, and Structural Abnormalities of Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with (CRSwNP) or without (CRSsNP) nasal polyps is a prevalent and heterogeneous disorder existing as a spectrum of clinical conditions with complex underlying pathomechanisms. CRS comprises a broad syndrome characterized by multiple immunological features involving complex interactions between the genes, the microbiome, host- and microbiota-derived exosomes, the epithelial barrier, and environmental and micromilieu exposures. The main pathophysiological feature is an epithelial barrier disruption, accompanied by microbiome alterations and unpredictable and multifactorial immunologic overreactions.