Evaluating the efficacy of breastfeeding guidelines on long-term outcomes for allergic disease.

Background: WHO guidelines advocate breastfeeding for 6 months, and EAACI guideline recommends exclusive breastfeeding for 4-6 months. However, evidence for breastfeeding to prevent asthma and allergic disease is conflicting. We examined whether following recommended breastfeeding guidelines alters the long-term risks of asthma, eczema, rhinitis or atopy.

Cow's Milk Allergy Prescribing Is Influenced by Regional and National Guidance.

Objectives: Cow's milk allergy (CMA) is the most common food allergy in children with many clinical manifestations, leading to misdiagnoses such as gastro-oesophageal reflux, infantile colic, and lactose intolerance with inappropriate prescribing. We aimed to determine the impact of infant feeding guidelines on CMA prescribing in UK primary care using a simple and inexpensive training package.

Methods: Prospectively collected data of infant feeding prescriptions in Northern Ireland from June 2012 to March 2014 were analysed with the intervention period between November 2012 and March 2013.

Cows' milk exclusion diet during infancy: Is there a long-term effect on children's eating behaviour and food preferences?

Background: Dietary restriction during infancy may influence later eating behaviour. The aim of this study was to determine whether consuming a cows' milk exclusion (CME) diet during infancy affects eating habits in later childhood, once cows' milk has been reintroduced into the diet.

Methods: Children were recruited from two large birth cohort studies in the UK.

Association between Micronutrient Levels and Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria.

Previous reports have suggested a possible role for vitamin D in the etiology of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU); however, little information is available regarding the role of other micronutrients. We, therefore, analyzed vitamin D, vitamin B12, and ferritin levels in CSU patients (n = 282) from a preexisting database at Southampton General Hospital. Data were compared against mean micronutrient levels of the general population of the UK, obtained from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey.

Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) running the gauntlet: an evaluation of translocations into free-range environments in Namibia.

Following dramatic range and population declines, the cheetah is Africa's most endangered large felid. In Namibia, private land managers still trap cheetahs but increasingly consider moving animals instead of killing them. Across Africa, managers have translocated perceived conflict carnivores for decades, but rarely evaluated their actions.

Sensitivity to food additives, vaso-active amines and salicylates: a review of the evidence.

Although there is considerable literature pertaining to IgE and non IgE-mediated food allergy, there is a paucity of information on non-immune mediated reactions to foods, other than metabolic disorders such as lactose intolerance. Food additives and naturally occurring 'food chemicals' have long been reported as having the potential to provoke symptoms in those who are more sensitive to their effects. Diets low in 'food chemicals' gained prominence in the 1970s and 1980s, and their popularity remains, although the evidence of their efficacy is very limited.

Consensus Communication on Early Peanut Introduction and Prevention of Peanut Allergy in High-Risk Infants.

The purpose of this brief communication is to highlight emerging evidence regarding potential benefits of supporting early rather than delayed peanut introduction during the period of complementary food introduction in infants. This document should be considered as interim guidance based on consensus among the following organizations: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Israel Association of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Japanese Society for Allergology, Society for Pediatric Dermatology, and World Allergy Organization. More formal guidelines regarding early-life, complementary feeding practices and the risk of allergy development will follow in the next year from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases-sponsored Working Group and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Consensus communication on early peanut introduction and the prevention of peanut allergy in high-risk infants.

The purpose of this brief communication is to highlight emerging evidence to existing guidelines regarding potential benefits of supporting early, rather than delayed, peanut introduction during the period of complementary food introduction in infants. This document should be considered as interim guidance based on consensus among the following organizations: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Israel Association of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Japanese Society for Allergology, Society for Pediatric Dermatology, and World Allergy Organization. More formal guidelines regarding early-life, complementary feeding practices and the risk of allergy development will follow in the next year from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases-sponsored Working Group and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Fussy eating and feeding difficulties in infants and toddlers consuming a cows' milk exclusion diet.

Background: Cows' milk allergy (CMA) is the most common infant food allergy in the United Kingdom, requiring a strict exclusion diet. Feeding difficulties and fussy eating are also very common problems in young children and can negatively influence feeding and dietary intake in an infant with CMA. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of fussy eating and feeding difficulties in two groups of young children: a group consuming an exclusion diet for CMA and a control group of children consuming an unrestricted diet.

The South African Food Sensitisation and Food Allergy population-based study of IgE-mediated food allergy: validity, safety, and acceptability.

Background: Few studies exist on food sensitization and challenge-proven food allergy in low- and middle-income countries.

Objective: To describe the study design and methodology to recruit infants from an African population for skin prick testing and oral food challenges and the use of preliminary data to investigate the extent to which the study sample is representative of the target population.

Methods: Children 12 to 36 months old were recruited from childcare education facilities in Cape Town.

Consensus communication on early peanut introduction and the prevention of peanut allergy in high-risk infants.

The purpose of this brief communication is to highlight emerging evidence to existing guidelines regarding potential benefits of supporting early, rather than delayed, peanut introduction during the period of complementary food introduction in infants. This document should be considered as interim guidance based on consensus among the following organizations: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Israel Association of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Japanese Society for Allergology, Society for Pediatric Dermatology, and World Allergy Organization. More formal guidelines regarding early-life, complementary feeding practices and the risk of allergy development will follow in the next year from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases-sponsored Working Group and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

An Observational Study of the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Urticaria in the UK.

Background: Patients with chronic urticaria (CU) in the UK could be referred to health care professionals (HCPs) with diverse specialties using different guidelines. The aims of the present study were to determine which CU guidelines HCPs in the UK use, which tests they use for the diagnosis of CU, and how they manage CU.

Methods: In this UK-wide survey, we designed a questionnaire covering the diagnosis and management of CU based on current guidelines.

An in ovo investigation into the hepatotoxicity of cadmium and chromium evaluated with light- and transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy.

Excessive agriculture, transport and mining often lead to the contamination of valuable water resources. Communities using this water for drinking, washing, bathing and the irrigation of crops are continuously being exposed to these heavy metals. The most vulnerable is the developing fetus.

An overhang-based DNA block shuffling method for creating a customized random library.

We present an overhang-based DNA block shuffling method to create a customized random DNA library with flexible sequence design and length. Our method enables the efficient and seamless assembly of short DNA blocks with dinucleotide overhangs through a simple ligation process. Next generation sequencing analysis of the assembled DNA library revealed that ligation was accurate, directional and unbiased.

Changing prevalence of wheeze, rhinitis and allergic sensitisation in late childhood: findings from 2 Isle of Wight birth cohorts 12 years apart.

Background: While the prevalence of asthma in children is decreasing or remaining the same, time trends in the prevalence of rhinitis in children are not known. Understanding sensitisation trends may help inform about trends in asthma and rhinitis prevalence.

Objective: To assess time trends of wheeze, rhinitis and aero-allergen sensitisation prevalence at 10 years of age, we compared two birth cohorts established 12 years apart.

Constraints on an annihilation signal from a core of constant dark matter density around the milky way center with H.E.S.S.

An annihilation signal of dark matter is searched for from the central region of the Milky Way. Data acquired in dedicated on-off observations of the Galactic center region with H.E.

The development of a standardised diet history tool to support the diagnosis of food allergy.

The disparity between reported and diagnosed food allergy makes robust diagnosis imperative. The allergy-focussed history is an important starting point, but published literature on its efficacy is sparse. Using a structured approach to connect symptoms, suspected foods and dietary intake, a multi-disciplinary task force of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology developed paediatric and adult diet history tools.

The development and implementation of a training package for dietitians on cow's milk protein allergy in infants and children based on UK RCPCH competencies for food allergies - a pilot study.

Background: Many food allergy guidelines have been published worldwide over recent years. The United Kingdom National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines and The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health food allergy care pathways require dietitians to assist with the diagnosis and management of food allergies, which highlighted the need for further education of dietitians to meet these competencies. The aim of this study was to design a competence based one day education course for dietitians on the diagnosis and management of cow's milk protein allergy in infants and children.

Health-related quality of life in children with perceived and diagnosed food hypersensitivity.

Background: The few studies measuring health-related quality of life (HRQL) in food hypersensitivity (FHS) have found significantly reduced HRQL in patients and their families, particularly in the areas of family and social activities, emotional issues and family economy. One aspect that has not been studied is the effect of suspected FHS (food allergy/intolerance) vs. diagnosed FHS [based on a food challenge or a positive skin prick test (SPT) and good clinical history] on HRQL.

Information and support from dietary consultation for mothers of children with food allergies.

Background: Professional dietetic input is essential to ensure that children with diagnosed food allergies have an individualized avoidance plan and nutritionally adequate diet. However, it is not clear what dietary information and support parents require.

Objective: To explore what information and support parents of children with food allergies require from a dietary consultation.