Three-year prognosis after low-dose oral food challenge for children with wheat allergy.

BACKGROUND: Low-dose oral food challenge (LD-OFC) is an approach to avoid complete elimination in high-risk patients with wheat allergy (WA). We examined the 3-year prognosis after LD-OFC among patients who passed and failed LD-OFC. METHODS: Children with immediate-type WA aged ≤6 years with a history of reaction to ≤390 mg of wheat protein underwent their first LD-OFC with 52 mg (baseline LD-OFC). After passing the LD-OFC, children stepped up to 390, 1300, and 5200 mg step-by-step every 3-6 months. After failing LD-OFC, children repeated LD-OFC every 6-12 months. We assessed wheat tolerance defined as consuming 5200 mg without symptoms for 3 years after baseline LD-OFC. RESULTS: The median age of 124 children was 2.4 years, and the wheat- and ω-5-gliadin-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels (kUA/L) were 23.6 and 2.1, respectively. Upon baseline LD-OFC, 57% passed (LD-tolerant), whereas 43% failed (LD-reactive). Within 3 years, 38% of the LD-reactive group passed re-administered LD-OFC, and 70% of all participants avoided complete elimination. The percentage of the participants who became capable of consuming 390 mg (87% vs. 18%), 1300 mg (78% vs. 13%), and acquired tolerance (70% vs. 13%) was significantly higher in the LD-tolerant group than in the LD-reactive group (p < 0.001). Predictors of persistent WA in the LD-tolerant group were older age (adjusted odds ratio, 1.63), ω-5-gliadin-specific IgE level (1.62 per 10-fold increase), and other food allergies (1.94). CONCLUSIONS: LD-tolerant patients frequently acquired wheat tolerance within 3 years. Even if once positive, one-third could pass the re-administered LD-OFC within 3 years.

A prospective clinical study evaluating short-term changes in body composition and quality of life after gastrectomy in elderly patients receiving postoperative exercise and nutritional therapies.

BACKGROUND: Muscle mass loss after gastrectomy is associated with a negative impact on quality of life (QOL) and long-term prognosis following gastric cancer treatment, especially in elderly patients. We conducted a prospective study to examine short-term changes in body composition and QOL after gastrectomy in elderly patients with gastric cancer who received exercise and nutritional therapies. METHODS: Patients over aged 65 years of age who underwent gastrectomies for gastric cancer were enrolled in our study. Patients received exercise and nutritional therapies with branched-chain amino acid (BCAA)-rich supplements during 1 month after surgery. Body composition was evaluated using InBody S10 before surgery, and at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively. Other variables including QOL status (EQ-5D-5 L), serum albumin level, hand grip strength, and gait speed were evaluated at the same time. RESULTS: Eighteen patients were analyzed. The mean loss of skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) was 4.6% (1 week) and 2.1% (1 month) compared to the preoperative period. QOL scores showed almost the same degree of recovery at 1 month after gastrectomy as preoperative scores. Serum albumin levels, hand grip strength, and gait speed decreased at 1 week and then increased at 1 month after surgery, similar to the changes seen in SMI. CONCLUSIONS: Multidisciplinary approaches play key role in the surgical treatment of elderly patients. Postoperative exercise and nutritional therapies with BCAA-rich supplements may benefit elderly patients after gastrectomy by reducing loss of SMI and decreases in QOL. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry; UMIN000034374 (registration date: 10/10/2018).

[A YOUNG CHILD WITH ALLERGIC SYMPTOMS DUE TO INGESTION OF EDIBLE CRICKETS].

In recent years, the consumption of edible insects has gained attention, and the potential allergic risks associated with their ingestion have been pointed out, though there are limited case reports. A 3-year-old boy exhibited an immediate allergic reaction, showing symptoms of sneezing, nasal discharge, coughing, and eyelid edema after ingesting two cricket crackers. He had previously consumed shrimp but had never eaten edible insects. Given his lack of a history of allergic diseases, the onset of this allergy was unexpected. Subsequent prick tests and oral food challenge tests confirmed that the Two-spotted cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus) was the allergen responsible for his symptoms. The IgE inhibition test indicated that the cricket significantly suppressed the specific IgE levels for moth, shrimp, and mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus). This incident marked the first time in the patient's life that he exhibited allergic symptoms, and it serves as a significant case highlighting the risks of allergies from edible insects. Known allergens in insects include tropomyosin and arginine kinase, which are common in arthropods, but there are reports of other allergens as well, suggesting potential sensitization from cross-reactions. As the consumption of insects becomes more widespread, the number of allergic cases may increase, and food labeling and preventive measures should be considered.

Elemental diet therapy for eosinophilic gastroenteritis and dietary habits.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGID) are a group of conditions with increased eosinophilic infiltration in any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Although an allergic reaction to certain foods is considered the main cause of EGID, their detailed pathomechanism has not yet been elucidated, nor have proper management strategies been fully established. Moreover, some patients with intractable EGID are resistant to such therapies as an empirical elimination diet and corticosteroids. METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively the medical records of four children with intractable eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) managed with elemental diet therapy (EDT) using an amino acid-based formula. RESULTS: All patients displayed resolution of their symptoms after 2 weeks of EDT. Three patients successfully completed food reintroduction and could return to their normal life. No adverse events related to EDT were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Elemental diet therapy appears effective and safe for treating pediatric intractable EGE symptoms. Afterwards, the patient's dietary habits should be considered during carefully monitored food reintroduction. With the relatively small number of published case reports and no randomized trials, more study is needed on EDT for EGE.

A case of an undifferentiated squamous cell carcinoma arising from an epidermal cyst.

An epidermal cyst is a common benign subcutaneous tumor and rarely develops malignancy. We report a case of an undifferentiated cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) that arose from an epidermal cyst on the left side of the neck. The epidermal cyst had rapidly increased in size and presented cauliflower-like tumor. Histological study revealed undifferentiated squamous cell carcinoma that was arising from the epidermal cyst.

Elevated protoporphyrin in patients with skin cancer receiving taxane chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Docetaxel and paclitaxel are both taxanes used for treatment of various malignant tumors. Only two case reports have described photohypersensitivity induced by docetaxel and paclitaxel in association with porphyrin aberrations. OBJECTIVES: To examine whether aberrations in the biosynthesis of porphyrins and photohypersensitivity occur among patients receiving taxanes. MATERIALS & METHODS: We examined porphyrin aberrations and photohypersensitivity in 8 patients with skin cancers who received docetaxel or paclitaxel chemotherapy in our department. RESULTS: Aberrations in erythrocyte protoporphyrin were detected in 4 patients, while no such aberration was detected in the control group. Photohypersensitivity to Ultraviolet B (UVB) was detected in 2 patients; one was related to an elevated synthesis of protoporphyrin but the other was not. Photohypersensitivity to Ultraviolet A (UVA) or visible light was not detected. CONCLUSION: Docetaxel and paclitaxel chemotherapy seemed to induce aberrations in porphyrin biosynthesis, although an elevated synthesis of porphyrin did not necessarily cause photohypersensitivity.