Sports activities enhance the prevalence of rhinitis symptoms in schoolchildren.

Background: To evaluate the association between sports activities and allergic symptoms, especially rhinitis, among schoolchildren.

Methods: This longitudinal survey of schoolchildren collected data from questionnaires regarding allergic symptoms based on the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) program and sports participation that were distributed to the parents of children at all 12 public primary schools in Ohmi-Hachiman City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Data were collected annually from 2011 until 2014, when the children reached 10 years of age.

[Status of children with food allergy who were prescribed an adrenaline autoinjector (epipen)].

Purpose: Both to evaluate the characteristics of food allergic children who were prescribed an adrenaline autoinjector and to assess whether it was used appropriately.

Methods: The characteristics of food allergic children who were prescribed an adrenaline autoinjector were investigated. Among these children, those who experienced severe anaphylaxis due to inadvertent ingestion were analyzed, as was whether and how the autoinjector was used.

Translation and linguistic validation of the Allergy-CONTROL-ScoreTM for use in Japan.

Background: Symptom and medication scores are recommended to measure the primary outcome on allergies. The Allergy Control Score was proved to be a valid and reliable instrument to assess allergy severity in clinical trials and may be used in observational studies of respiratory allergic diseases in many countries. We translated the Allergy Control Score and adapted it for use in Japan.

Translation and Linguistic Validation of the Allergy-CONTROL-Score for Use in Japan.

Background: Symptom and medication scores are recommended to measure the primary outcome on allergies. The Allergy Control Score was proved to be a valid and reliable instrument to assess allergy severity in clinical trials and may be used in observational studies of respiratory allergic diseases in many countries. We translated the Allergy Control Score and adapted it for use in Japan.

Effect of eczema on the association between season of birth and food allergy in Japanese children.

Background: Food allergy (FA) in childhood has been shown to be more prevalent in those born in autumn and winter. The mechanisms of this season-of-birth effect remain unclear, although shortage of vitamin D during infancy has been considered one possible mechanism. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of eczema on the season-of-birth effect on FA in infancy.

[Diagnosis and consultation rates of allergic diseases in 11-year old schoolchildren, and usefulness of allergy screening test at school].

Background: Even though allergic diseases continue to increase among children, it is unclear as to how many of these children are receiving appropriate medical care.

Purpose: To establish the number of schoolchildren being diagnosed and receiving consultation for their allergic diseases and to determine if their disease status is associated with their total and allergen-specific IgE levels. Additionally, the study examined whether providing information on the total and allergen-specific IgE levels to the parents resulted in improvement of the medical care their children received.

Birth order effect on childhood food allergy.

Higher birth order is associated with a smaller risk of allergy (birth order effect). The purpose of this study was to compare the significance of the birth order effect on the prevalence of specific allergic diseases [bronchial asthma (BA), atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic rhinitis (AR), allergic conjunctivitis (AC), and food allergy (FA)] among schoolchildren. A questionnaire survey dealing with the prevalence of allergic diseases was administered to the parents of 14,669 schoolchildren aged 7-15 yr.

Total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels are associated with atopy in schoolchildren.

Analysis of general childhood population data showed that there was a significant positive association between total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and atopy, independent of obesity or sex, which suggest a relationship between hyperlipidemia and greater allergic sensitization among schoolchildren.

The effect of past food avoidance due to allergic symptoms on the growth of children at school age.

Background: The influence of food avoidance due to allergic symptoms in infancy on the growth of children at school age has not been well evaluated.

Methods: To determine the growth of schoolchildren who avoided eggs, milk, or wheat due to immediate allergic symptoms in infancy (food avoiders in infancy) (FAI), a questionnaire on the presence of allergic diseases, as well as present height and weight, was administered to the parents of 14,669 schoolchildren. 11,473 subjects had available data.

Breastfeeding and the prevalence of allergic diseases in schoolchildren: Does reverse causation matter?

Infants at higher risk of allergic diseases might be breastfed for longer periods compared with infants at lower risk in the hope that breastfeeding might reduce the risk of atopic disorders. Therefore, this intention could manifest as an apparent allergy-promoting effect of breastfeeding or reverse causation. To analyze the effect of breast feeding on the prevalence of allergic diseases at school age, a large questionnaire survey was administered to the parents of schoolchildren aged 7-15 yrs.

Dopamine D2-like receptor in the nucleus accumbens is involved in the antinociceptive effect of nitrous oxide.

Background: The mechanism of the antinociceptive effects of nitrous oxide (N(2)O) has not been completely elucidated. On the other hand, numerous studies have indicated that mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons, which are thought to be involved in rewarding and reinforcement processes, play important roles in the supraspinal pain-suppression system. We hypothesized that the mesolimbic dopaminergic system is involved in the antinociceptive effect of N(2)O.

Nitrous oxide increases serotonin release in the rat spinal cord.

The mechanism of the antinociceptive action of nitrous oxide (N(2)O) is not fully understood. It was reported that N(2)O induces opioid peptide release in the rat midbrain, which can activate the descending inhibitory system in the spinal cord. Although effects of N(2)O on the noradrenergic descending inhibitory system have been established, effects of N(2)O on the serotonergic descending inhibitory system have not been extensively investigated.

Activity of the serotonergic system during isoflurane anesthesia.

Background: Microdialysis studies have demonstrated that the release of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) in the serotonergic projection areas increases during waking and decreases during sleep in rat and cat, suggesting that 5-HT plays an important role in modulation of sleep. Although it might be expected that 5-HT release is also decreased during general anesthesia, the functional contribution of serotonergic neurons in pharmacological effects of volatile anesthetics has not been fully investigated.

Methods: Using an in vivo microdialysis technique, we measured extracellular 5-HT in rat frontal cortex during waking, slow-wave sleep, and isoflurane anesthesia.