Vitamin D Status and Longitudinal Changes in Body Composition in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - A Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Alterations in body weight and composition are common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and are independent predictors for morbidity and mortality. Low vitamin D status is also more prevalent in patients with COPD compared to controls and has been related to lower lung function, muscle atrophy and impaired musculoskeletal function. This study aimed to evaluate the association between vitamin D levels and status with body composition (BC), as well as with its changes over time.

Measurement of diamine oxidase (DAO) during low-histamine or ordinary diet in patients with histamine intolerance.

Background/objectives: Quantification of diamine oxidase (DAO) concentrations in serum has been proposed as an adjunctive diagnostic modality for the evaluation of histamine intolerance (HIT). Limited empirical data exist concerning the influence of dietary patterns on DAO levels.

Subjects/methods: In the context of a prospective study employing a crossover design, 18 individuals diagnosed with HIT were randomized to initiate either a low histamine diet (LHD) or a conventional mixed diet (MXD).

Is DAO in serum affected by food challenge with a histamine-rich meal?

This case study examines the kinetics of the diamine oxidase levels after challenge with a histamine-rich meal in patients with histamine intolerance as an alternative diagnostic tool to conventional tests combined with the dietary intervention.

The Use of DAO as a Marker for Histamine Intolerance: Measurements and Determinants in a Large Random Population-Based Survey.

Histamine intolerance (HIT) is a common adverse reaction to food where elimination and reintroduction of histamine-rich food is part of the investigation. Analysis of the enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO) is sometimes used as an additional tool for diagnosis. This study aimed to describe the distribution of DAO in a large representative cohort of adults and to determine the association between DAO activity and possible associated factors.

Gender Differences in Vitamin D Status and Determinants of Vitamin D Insufficiency in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Low vitamin D levels are common in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and have been associated with various adverse COPD-related outcomes. Recent data on vitamin D status in representative COPD cohorts in Scandinavia is lacking. This study aimed to assess vitamin D status and determinants of vitamin D insufficiency in patients with COPD who were attending a specialist secondary care COPD clinic in Southwestern Sweden.

Atopic heredity modifies the association between maternal vitamin D status in pregnancy and the risk of atopic disease in childhood: an observational study.

Background: The relationship between maternal vitamin D status in pregnancy and the development of atopic diseases in the offspring has been frequently studied, but with contradictory results. Previous studies have found an inverse relation between maternal vitamin D in pregnancy and the risk of atopic diseases in the child. In contrast, others have found a higher maternal 25OHD to be related to a higher risk of atopic diseases.

High frequency of IgE sensitization towards kiwi seed storage proteins among peanut allergic individuals also reporting allergy to kiwi.

Background: IgE sensitization to storage proteins from nuts and seed is often related to severe allergic symptoms. There is a risk of immunological IgE cross-reactivity between storage proteins from different species. The potential clinical implication of such cross-reactivity is that allergens other than the known sensitizer can cause allergic symptoms.

Use of a basophil activation test as a complementary diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of severe peanut allergy in adults.

Background: Diagnosis of severe peanut allergy is difficult and delays in making an accurate diagnosis may place the patient at risk. Adults with a history of anaphylaxis must strictly avoid any contact with peanuts or products that may contain traces of peanuts. For these persons, conventional evaluations with skin prick testing (SPT) and IgE tests may not be sufficient to assess the risk of anaphylaxis.

Economic evaluation of a 100% whey-based partially hydrolyzed infant formula in the prevention of atopic dermatitis among Danish children.

Objective: A pharmacoeconomic analysis was undertaken to determine costs, consequences, and cost-effectiveness of a brand of partially hydrolyzed 100%-whey formula manufactured by Nestlé (PHF-W), in the prevention of atopic dermatitis (AD) in 'at risk' Danish children compared to extensively hydrolyzed formula (EHF-Whey or Casein).

Methods: Given the non-significant differences between PHF-W and EHF, the base case analytic approach amounted to a cost-minimization analysis (CMA) reporting the difference in formula acquisition costs over the period of formula consumption for the population of interest. However, sensitivity analyses (SAs) were undertaken to explore applying the nominal efficacy of PHF-W and EHF, thus leading to a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA).

Evaluation of IgE antibodies to recombinant peanut allergens in patients with reported reactions to peanut.

Background: Peanut may cause severe reactions in allergic individuals. The objective was to evaluate IgE antibodies to various recombinant (r) peanut and birch pollen allergens in relation to IgE levels to whole peanut extract and severe allergic reactions to peanut.

Methods: Seventy-four Swedish peanut-allergic patients (age: 14-61 years) reported previous peanut exposure and associated symptoms using a questionnaire.

Peanut allergy: Clinical and immunologic differences among patients from 3 different geographic regions.

Background: Peanut allergy affects persons from various geographic regions where populations are exposed to different dietary habits and environmental pollens.

Objective: We sought to describe the clinical and immunologic characteristics of patients with peanut allergy from 3 countries (Spain, the United States, and Sweden) using a molecular component diagnostic approach.

Methods: Patients with peanut allergy from Madrid (Spain, n = 50), New York (United States, n = 30), Gothenburg, and Stockholm (both Sweden, n = 35) were enrolled.

Do parents follow breastfeeding and weaning recommendations given by pediatric nurses? A study with emphasis on introduction of cow's milk protein in allergy risk families.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to retrospectively examine weaning practices during the first year of life in a representative sample of Swedish children and how parents with a history of atopy introduced milk protein in their infant's diet.

Methods: Data were derived from 467 infants visiting Child Health Centers in three different counties in Sweden for a health check up at 12 months of age.

Results: The children were breastfed for an average of 7 months (range, 0.

Predictors and dietary consequences of frequent intake of high-sugar, low-nutrient foods in 1-year-old children participating in the ABIS study.

Foods rich in sugar have been suggested to contribute to the increasing prevalence of obesity in children. The aim of this report is to investigate the dietary pattern in 1-year-old children who frequently receive foods rich in sugar but low in nutrients and to study associated demographic and parental factors. During 1977-9, 21,700 infants were invited to participate in this prospective, population-based, longitudinal cohort study.

Measurements of eosinophil activation before and after food challenges in adults with food hypersensitivity.

Background: Objective assessment of inflammatory reactions in the gastrointestinal tract could be useful in the diagnosis of food hypersensitivity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the involvement of eosinophils and mast cells in the inflammatory response of patients with food hypersensitivity before and after food challenges.

Methods: Eleven patients (4 with IgE-mediated allergy and 7 without) with food hypersensitivity and positive double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge were subjected to food challenge in a single-blinded fashion.

Breastfeeding and introduction of solid foods in Swedish infants: the All Babies in Southeast Sweden study.

The aim of this report is to describe breastfeeding duration and introduction of foods in Swedish infants born 1997-9, in relation to current recommendations. A secondary aim is to examine breastfeeding duration and introduction of certain allergenic foods in allergy-risk families (for whom allergy-preventive advice has been issued). Out of 21,700 invited infants, screening questionnaires were completed for 16,070 infants after delivery.

Double-blind placebo-controlled challenges for peanut allergy the efficiency of blinding procedures and the allergenic activity of peanut availability in the recipes.

Background: A firm diagnosis of double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) would facilitate the diagnosis in patients with uncertain history of reaction. Guidelines are lacking for an upper provoking dose and how to hide high concentrations of peanuts.

Aim: To develop and evaluate a double-blind recipe with minimum 10% of peanut.

[Return-to-work strategies in Statoil Forpleining].

Background: Since 1997, the catering department at Statoil, a Norwegian oil company, has worked systematically in order to facilitate employees' ability to avoid sick leaves and return to work after illness, and to improve their ability to cope with the challenges entailed in their work.

Material And Methods: All employees in the catering department were sent a questionnaire about how they felt about their working environment. Sick leave data from Statoil and from Statistic Norway were collected.

Specific immunoglobulin E antibodies to peanut over time in relation to peanut intake, symptoms and age.

The clinical outcome of peanut allergy and some factors associated with development of peanut allergy remain unsolved. It has not been clarified to what extent peanut intake affects immunoglobulin (IgE) antibody formation in peanut sensitized individuals. The aim of the study was to investigate the development of peanut hypersensitivity in children and adolescents with specific IgE antibodies to peanut, using questionnaires and current serum tests and comparing it to information obtained 5-6 yr earlier, to investigate how peanut intake during this period related to subject age, IgE antibody levels and symptoms and to investigate what information this patient group was given at the time of diagnosis regarding avoidance of peanut related food.

Introduction of food during the infant's first year: a study with emphasis on introduction of gluten and of egg, fish and peanut in allergy-risk families.

Aim: The aim of the current study was to retrospectively examine introduction of food during the first year in a representative sample of Swedish children. A secondary aim was to study how parents with history of atopy introduced food to their infants.

Methods: Data derive from 467 infants who visited child health centres in three different counties in Sweden for health check-up at 12 mo of age.

Breastfeeding and allergic disease: a multidisciplinary review of the literature (1966-2001) on the mode of early feeding in infancy and its impact on later atopic manifestations.

Background: Strategies to prevent children from developing allergy have been elaborated on the basis of state-of-the-art reviews of the scientific literature regarding pets and allergies, building dampness and health, and building ventilation and health. A similar multidisciplinary review of infant feeding mode in relation to allergy has not been published previously. Here, the objective is to review the scientific literature regarding the impact of early feeding (breast milk and/or cow's milk and/or formula) on development of atopic disease.

Specific IgE antibodies to peanut in western Sweden--has the occurrence of peanut allergy increased without an increase in consumption?

Background: Sensitization to peanut has seldom been investigated in Sweden. Therefore, all IgE-specific tests for peanut during a 5-year period were reviewed to study the relation between the levels of specific IgE antibody to peanut and age, sex, symptoms, and other atopic manifestations.

Methods: All serum samples were analyzed for IgE antibodies to peanut in relation to sex, age, clinical reactions, and other food allergens.