The prevalence of food allergy and other allergic diseases in early childhood in a population-based study: HealthNuts age 4-year follow-up

Publication date: Available online 14 May 2017
Source:Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Author(s): Rachel L. Peters, Jennifer J. Koplin, Lyle C. Gurrin, Shyamali C. Dharmage, Melissa Wake, Anne-Louise Ponsonby, Mimi L.K. Tang, Adrian J. Lowe, Melanie Matheson, Terence Dwyer, Katrina J. Allen
BackgroundThe HealthNuts study previously reported interim prevalence data showing the highest prevalence of challenge-confirmed food allergy in infants internationally. However, population-derived prevalence data on challenge-confirmed food allergy and other allergic diseases in preschool-aged children remain sparse.ObjectiveThis study aimed to report the updated prevalence of food allergy at age 1 year from the whole cohort, and to report the prevalence of food allergy, asthma, eczema, and allergic rhinitis at age 4 years.MethodsHealthNuts is a population-based cohort study with baseline recruitment of 5276 one-year-old children who underwent skin prick test (SPT) to 4 food allergens and those with detectable SPT results had formal food challenges. At age 4 years, parents completed a questionnaire (81.3% completed) and those who previously attended the HealthNuts clinic at age 1 year or reported symptoms of a new food allergy were invited for an assessment that included SPT and oral food challenges. Data on asthma, eczema, and allergic rhinitis were captured by validated International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaires.ResultsThe prevalence of challenge-confirmed food allergy at age 1 and 4 years was 11.0% and 3.8%, respectively. At age 4 years, peanut allergy prevalence was 1.9% (95% CI, 1.6% to 2.3%), egg allergy was 1.2% (95% CI, 0.9% to 1.6%), and sesame allergy was 0.4% (95% CI, 0.3% to 0.6%). Late-onset peanut allergy at age 4 years was rare (0.2%). The prevalence of current asthma was 10.8% (95% CI, 9.7% to 12.1%), current eczema was 16.0% (95% CI, 14.7% to 17.4%), and current allergic rhinitis was 8.3% (95% CI, 7.2% to 9.4%). Forty percent to 50% of this population-based cohort experienced symptoms of an allergic disease in the first 4 years of their life.ConclusionsAlthough the prevalence of food allergy decreased between age 1 year and age 4 years in this population-based cohort, the prevalence of any allergic disease among 4-year-old children in Melbourne, Australia, is remarkably high.



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Photodithazine photodynamic effect on viability of 9L/lacZ gliosarcoma cell line

Abstract

Even with the advances of conventional treatment techniques, the nervous system cancer prognosis is still not favorable to the patient which makes alternative therapies needed to be studied. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is presented as a promising therapy, which employs a photosensitive (PS) agent, light wavelength suitable for the PS agent, and molecular oxygen, producing reactive oxygen species in order to induce cell death. The aim of this study is to observe the PDT action in gliosarcoma cell using a chlorin (Photodithazine, PDZ). The experiments were done with 9L/lacZ lineage cells, grown in a DMEM medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and 1% penicillin/streptomycin solution and put in a culture chamber at 37 °C with an atmosphere of 5% CO₂. The PS agent used was the PDZ to an LED light source device (Biopdi/IRRAD-LED 660) in the 660-nm region. The location of the PS agent was analyzed by fluorescence microscopy, and cell viability was analyzed by MTT assay (mitochondrial activity), exclusion by trypan blue (cell viability), and morphological examination through an optical microscope (Leica MD 2500). In the analysis of the experiments with PDZ, there was 100% cell death at different concentrations and clear morphological differences in groups with and without treatment. Furthermore, it was observed that the photodithazine has been focused on all nuclear and cytoplasmic extension; however, it cannot be said for sure whether the location is in the inside core region or on the plasma membrane. In general, the PDZ showed a promising photosensitive agent in PDT for the use of gliosarcoma.

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Rook's Textbook of Dermatology, 9th edn. Christopher Griffiths, Jonathan Barker, Tanya Bleiker, Robert Chalmers, Daniel Creamer, eds. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell, 2016; 4696 pp. ISBN: 978-1118441190. Price £522.50.

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Therapeutic effect of microneedling and autologous platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of atrophic scars: A randomized study

Summary

Background

New treatments and techniques were being added over the last few years to treat atrophic scars with variable results and adverse effects.

Aim of the work

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the therapeutic efficacy and safety of microneedling, autologous platelet-rich plasma, and combination of both procedures in the treatment of atrophic scars.

Patients and methods

This study included 90 patients with atrophic scars and were classified randomly into three groups: I: 28 patients treated with microneedling, one session every 4 weeks; II: 34 patients treated with intradermal injection of platelet-rich plasma, one session every 2 weeks; and III: 28 patients treated with alternative sessions of each microneedling and platelet-rich plasma, 2 weeks between each session, for a maximum of six sessions.

Results

There was a statistically significant improvement in the appearance of atrophic scars, with reduction in the scores associated with the clinical evaluation scale for atrophic scarring in all groups, but the improvement was more obvious in group III.

Conclusions

Although a single treatment may give good results, combination between skin needling and platelet-rich plasma is more effective, safe with less number of sessions in all types of atrophic scars.

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The effect of autologous activated platelet-rich plasma injection on female pattern hair loss: A randomized placebo-controlled study

Summary

Background

Hair is an essential part of a woman's appearance and attractiveness. This is reflected in the predominantly psychological morbidity that can be associated with female pattern hair loss. Platelet-rich plasma(PRP) has been used in numerous fields of medicine. Recently, PRP has received growing attention as a potential therapeutic tool for hair loss.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of autologous platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of female pattern hair loss.

Materials and methods

Thirty female patients with female pattern hair loss were randomly assigned to receive autologous PRP injection into a selected area, and another area was injected with normal saline as a placebo. Sessions were performed weekly for a maximum total of four sessions. Patients were followed up 6 months after the end of last session. The outcome was assessed both subjectively and objectively.

Results

There was a statistical significant difference between PRP and placebo areas (P<.005) regarding both hair density and hair thickness as measured by a folliscope. The hair pull test became negative in PRP-injected areas in 25 patients (83%) with average number of three hairs. Global pictures showed a significant improvement in hair volume and quality together with a high overall patient satisfaction in PRP-injected sites, and these results were maintained during the 6-month follow- up.

Conclusion

Platelet-rich plasma injections can be regarded as an alternative for the treatment of female pattern hair loss with minimal morbidity and a low cost-to-benefit ratio.

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Incubatory environment of the scalp impacts pre-emergent hair to affect post-emergent hair cuticle integrity

Summary

Objectives

To determine whether the oxidative stress transmitted to newly grown hair from an unhealthy scalp has physical consequences to the cuticular condition and function.

Methods

A uniquely designed 24-week clinical study included 8 weeks of pretreatment with a cosmetic shampoo and 16 weeks of treatment with either a potentiated zinc pyrithione (ZPT) antidandruff shampoo or a placebo cosmetic shampoo. This clinical design allowed the growth and acquisition of hair samples under conditions of varying but known scalp health as a result of treating a dandruff/seborrheic dermatitis (D/SD) population. Two complementary methods were used to characterize the integrity of the cuticular surface. Hair surface hydrophobicity was assessed by quantifying water wetting force using a Wilhelmy balance method. Surface structure and porosity were assessed using dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) to gravimetrically quantify water sorption.

Results

Chemical oxidative stress to pre-emergent hair has been shown to have negative consequences to hair surface structure. Compared to a placebo shampoo control, use of a potentiated ZPT shampoo improved scalp health and significantly improved the following attributes associated with healthy hair: hair surface hydrophobicity (surface energy) and cuticular moisture barrier effectiveness (dynamic vapor sorption).

Conclusions

Pre-emergent hair can be negatively impacted by the oxidative stress that occurs with an unhealthy scalp, possibly due to metabolic activity of resident microbes. Manifestations of the oxidative stress include altered cuticle surface properties that are responsible for its protective function; these effects are similar in type to those observed by bleaching post-emergent hair. These alterations have the potential to make the hair, once emerged from the scalp, more susceptible to the cumulative physical and chemical insults responsible for hair feel and look, fiber integrity, and overall retention.

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Management of Massive Hemoptysis with Oren Friedman

http://sfaki.blogspot.com/2017/05/management-of-massive-hemoptysis-with.html

Alexandros Sfakianakis
Anapafseos 5 . Agios Nikolaos
Crete.Greece.72100
2841026182

6948891480

alsfakia@gmail.com