Allergy to lipid transfer proteins (LTP) in a pediatric population.

Summary: Background. Lipid transfer proteins (LTP) are considered important plant food allergens in the Mediterranean area, but little is known about LTP allergy in pediatric age. Our aim was to characterize LTP allergy in children.Methods. We reviewed the clinical data from all children evaluated in our department with LTP allergy. From the 76 patients with LTP allergy, 26c hildren were included, 50% female, median age 10 years (1-17). Symptoms included urticaria in 58% (n = 15), anaphylaxis in 46% (n = 12) and OAS in 42% (n = 11). Results. Multiple reactions with different foods occurredin 69%. Cofactors were reported in 27% (n = 7). All patients had positive SPT to peach LTP extract and sIgE Pru p 3. No association between the occurrence of severe reactions and sIgE to Pru p 3 (p = 0.462), sIgE to Cor a 8(p = 0.896), SPT to peach LTP extract (p = 0.846) or the number of positive SPT to fruits/tree nuts (p = 0.972; p = 0.676) was found. Ninety-two percent of the patients tolerated fruits from Rosacea family without peel. Twelve percent reported reactions to new LTP containing foods during follow-up. LTP allergy can occur since early childhood. Conclusions. Since anaphylaxisis common and cofactors act as severity enhancers, it is fundamental to recognizeLTP allergy in children. Currently available diagnostic tests (SPT and sIgE) cannot accurately predict food tolerance or anticipate reaction severity.

Master Amino acid Pattern as sole and total substitute for dietary proteins during a weight-loss diet to achieve the body's nitrogen balance equilibrium.

Results of this multicentric study have shown that by giving Master Amino acid Pattern (MAP) as a sole and total substitute of dietary proteins to 500 overweight participants undergoing the American Nutrition Clinics/Overweight Management Program (ANC/OMP), the participants' body nitrogen balance could be maintained in equilibrium with essentially no calories (MAP 1 g=0.04 kcal), thereby preserving the body's structural and functional proteins, eliminating excessive water retention from the interstitial compartment, and preventing the sudden weight increase after study conclusion commonly known as the yo-yo effect. Study results have shown that the use of MAP, in conjunction with the ANC/OMP regimen, has proven to be safe and effective by preventing those adverse effects associated with a negative nitrogen balance, such as oversized or flabby tissue, stretch marks, the sagging of breast tissue, increased hair loss, faded hair color, and fragile or brittle nails. Also prevented were those anomalies commonly associated with weight-loss diets, such as hunger, weakness, headache caused by ketosis, constipation, and decreased libido. The use of MAP in conjunction with the ANC/OMP also allowed for mean weight loss of 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) per week, achieved through reduction of excessive fat tissue and elimination of excessive water retention from the interstitial compartment.

Vaccination of pregnant cows with K99 antigen of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and protection by colostrum in newborn calves.

The immune response to the K99 was tested in 45 pregnant cows, subcutaneously vaccinated, for protecting the newborn calves. Serological tests were performed in the blood sera of all animals and in the milk and colostrum sera; hemogram, inhibition of the adhesion to the brush border and histological tests were performed. The calves from vaccinated cows survived the experimental infection after the suction of colostrum in spite of the fact that the calves from control dams died with diarrhea.

Physicians' beliefs about the importance of 25 health promoting behaviors.

A mail survey of 1,040 primary care physicians in Maryland examined their beliefs about the importance of 25 behaviors for promoting the health of the average person. Physician consensus existed across specialties in rating most health behaviors as very important and few as very unimportant. Eliminating smoking was most important and taking vitamin supplements least important.