BACKGROUND: The supply chains of food raw materials have recently been heavily influenced by geopolitical events. Products that came from, or transited through, areas currently in conflict are now preferentially supplied from alternative areas. These changes may entail risks for food safety. METHODS: We review the potential allergenicity of botanical impurities, specifically vegetable contaminants, with particular attention to the contamination of vegetable oils. We delve into the diverse types of botanical impurities, their sources, and the associated allergenic potential. Our analysis encompasses an evaluation of the regulatory framework governing botanical impurities in food labeling. RESULTS: Unintended plant-derived contaminants may manifest in raw materials during various stages of food production, processing, or storage, posing a risk of allergic reactions for individuals with established food allergies. Issues may arise from natural occurrence, cross-contamination in the supply chain, and contamination at during production. The food and food service industries are responsible for providing and preparing foods that are safe for people with food allergies: we address the challenges inherent in risk assessment of botanical impurities. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of botanical impurities emerges as a significant risk factor for food allergies in the 2020s. We advocate for regulatory authorities to fortify labeling requirements and develop robust risk assessment tools. These measures are necessary to enhance consumer awareness regarding the potential risks posed by these contaminants.
Allergens , Food Hypersensitivity , Humans , Allergens/analysis , Food , Food Safety , Risk Assessment
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a bilateral ocular inflammatory disease with a conjunctival and corneal involvement and typical onset during childhood. Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic disease characterized by eosinophilic inflammation of the mucosa (≥15 eosinophils/HPF) and symptoms of esophageal dysfunction. EoE and VKC are both immune-mediated diseases sharing a similar pathogenetic mechanism and a high association with other allergic diseases. Nevertheless, no data are currently available about their clinical association. We present 4 cases of concomitant diagnosis of vernal keratoconjunctivitis and eosinophil esophagitis suggesting that these conditions may coexist in the same patient more frequently than expected. Health care providers should be aware of the possibility of co-occurrence in their daily practice.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) often cause infections with high mortality rates. Antimicrobial peptides are a source of molecules for developing antimicrobials; one such peptide is melittin, a fraction from the venom of the Apis mellifera bee. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of melittin and its association with oxacillin (mel+oxa) against MRSA isolates, and to investigate the mechanisms of action of the treatments on MRSA. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined, and synergistic effects of melittin with oxacillin and cephalothin were assessed. Antibiofilm and cytotoxic activities, as well as their impact on the cell membrane, were evaluated for melittin, oxacillin, and mel+oxa. Proteomics evaluated the effects of the treatments on MRSA. Melittin mean MICs for MRSA was 4.7 µg/mL and 12 µg/mL for oxacillin. Mel+oxa exhibited synergistic effects, reducing biofilm formation, and causing leakage of proteins, nucleic acids, potassium, and phosphate ions, indicating action on cell membrane. Melittin and mel+oxa, at MIC values, did not induce hemolysis and apoptosis in HaCaT cells. The treatments resulted in differential expression of proteins associated with protein synthesis and energy metabolism. Mel+oxa demonstrated antibacterial activity against MRSA, suggesting a potential as a candidate for the development of new antibacterial agents against MRSA.
BACKGROUND: The frequency and severity of reactions in food-allergic consumers exposed to unintentional food allergen contamination during production is unknown. To warn allergic consumers, it has been suggested for pre-packaged foods to be precautionary labelled when the food allergen contamination may exceed the amount to which 1%-5% of the population could react (ED01-ED05). ED01 for hazelnut and milk have been estimated at 0.1 and 0.2 mg, respectively, by the Voluntary Incidental Trace Allergen Labelling (VITAL) initiative. The respective reference doses recommended by the FAO/WHO Codex consultation are 3 and 2 mg. We evaluated the reactivity to potential traces of milk and hazelnut allergens in allergen-free pre-packaged products by children affected by severe allergies to milk and hazelnuts. METHODS: Oral Food Challenges with commercially available hazelnut-free wafer biscuits and milk-free chocolate pralines were administered to patients with severe food allergies to hazelnut and cow's milk, respectively. Contamination levels of milk or hazelnut allergens were measured using chromatographic separation interfaced with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. RESULTS: No hazelnut allergic patient showed allergic reactions to exposure to biscuits, nor any milk allergic patient displayed allergic reactions to the dark chocolate praline. While no hazelnut trace was detected in biscuits, the praline was found to be contaminated by milk at concentrations ranging between 8 and 35 mg total protein/kg food. In our dose model, these amounts exceeded 1.5-10 times the VITAL ED01 and reached the threshold suggested by the FAO/WHO Codex consultation. CONCLUSIONS: Upon the consumption of food products available on the market, many patients with severe food allergies tolerate significantly higher doses of allergen than reference doses indicated in the VITAL system used for precautionary allergen labelling. These doses support the safety of the FAO/WHO recommended reference doses.
BACKGROUND: Since there is no available data on temporal trends of caesarean section (CS) rates in pregnant women with COVID-19 through the pandemic, we aimed to analyze the trends in caesarean section rate in a large cohort of pregnant women with COVID-19, according to the Robson Ten Group Classification System of deliveries. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled pregnant women with a diagnosis of COVID-19 who delivered in our center between March 2020 and November 2021. Deliveries were classified, according to the Robson group classification, and according to three time periods: (1) deliveries from March 2020 to December 2020; (2) deliveries from January 2021 to April 2021; (3) deliveries from May 2021 to November 2021. We compared pregnancy characteristics and incidence of caesarean section, according to the Robson category in the total population, and according to the three time periods. RESULTS: We included 457 patients matching the inclusion criteria in our analysis. We found that overall CS rate significantly decreased over time from period 1 to period 3 (152/222, 68.5% vs. 81/134, 60.4% vs. 58/101, 57.4%, χ2 = 4.261, p = 0.039). CS rate significantly decreased over time in Robson category 1 (48/80, 60% vs. 27/47,57.4% vs. 8/24, 33.3%, χ2 = 4.097, p = 0.043) and Robson category 3 (13/42, 31% vs. 6/33, 18.2% vs. 2/22, 9.1%, χ2 = 4.335, p = 0.037). We also found that the incidence of induction of labor significantly increased over time (8/222, 3.6% vs. 12/134, 9% vs. 11/101, 10.9%, χ2 = 7.245, p = 0.027). CONCLUSION: Our data provide an overview of the temporal changes in the management and obstetric outcome of COVID-19 pregnant women through the pandemic, confirming that standards of obstetrical assistance for pregnancies complicated by SARS-CoV-2 infection improved over time.
BACKGROUND: The use of eliciting doses (EDs) for food allergens is necessary to inform individual dietary advice and food allergen risk-management. The Eliciting Dose 01 (ED01) for milk and egg, calculated from populations of allergic subjects undergoing oral food challenges (OFCs), are 0.2 mg total protein. The respective Eliciting Dose 05 (ED05) is 2.4 mg for milk and 2.3 mg for egg. As about 70% children allergic to such foods may tolerate them when baked, we sought to verify the EDs of that subpopulation of milk and egg-allergic children. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed consecutive OFC for fresh milk and egg between January 2018 and December 2020 in a population of baked food-tolerant children. RESULTS: Among 288 children (median age 56 - IQR 36-92.5 months, 67.1% male) included, 87 (30.2%) returned positive OFC results, 38 with milk and 49 with egg. The most conservative ED01 was 0.3 mg total protein (IQR 0.03-2.9) for milk and 14.4 mg total protein (IQR 3.6-56.9) for egg. The respective ED05 was 4.2 (IQR 0.9-19.6) mg for milk and 87.7 (IQR 43-179) mg for egg. Such thresholds are, respectively, 1.5 (milk ED01), 1.75 (milk ED05), 72 (egg ED01), and 38.35 (egg ED05) times higher than the currently used thresholds. CONCLUSIONS: The subpopulation of children allergic to milk and egg, but tolerant to baked proteins, displays higher reactivity thresholds than the general population of children allergic to milk and egg. Their risk stratification, in both individual and population terms, should consider this difference. In baked milk-tolerant children, milk causes reactions at lower doses than egg in our group of egg-tolerant children. This could be associated with the relative harmlessness of egg compared with milk in the determinism of fatal anaphylactic reactions in children.
Food Hypersensitivity , Milk Hypersensitivity , Allergens , Animals , Cattle , Egg Proteins , Female , Humans , Male , Milk/adverse effects , Milk Hypersensitivity/diagnosis , Retrospective Studies
Retained products of conception (RPOC) can occur after early or mid-trimester pregnancy termination and also following vaginal or cesarean delivery. It is frequently associated with continuous vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, and infection. Late complications include intrauterine adhesions formation and infertility. Conventionally, the management of RPOC has been with blind dilation and suction curettage (D and C); however, hysteroscopic resection of RPOC is a safe and efficient alternative. In this review, we analyze the current available evidence regarding the use of hysteroscopic surgery for the treatment of RPOC comparing outcomes and complications of both traditional curettage and hysteroscopic technique. Data search has been conducted using the following databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Sciences, Scopus, Clinical Trial. Gov., OVID, and Cochrane Library interrogate all articles related to hysteroscopy and the preserved product of conception, updated through September 2020.
Extremely sensitive food-allergic patients may react to very small amounts of allergenic foods. Precautionary allergen labelling (PAL) warns from possible allergenic contaminations. We evaluated by oral food challenge the reactivity to a brand of PAL-labelled milk- and egg-free biscuits of children with severe milk and egg allergy. We explored the ability of proteomic methods to identify minute amounts of milk/egg allergens in such biscuits. Traces of milk and/or egg allergens in biscuits were measured by two different liquid-chromatography-mass spectrometry methods. The binding of patient's serum with egg/milk proteins was assessed using immunoblotting. None of the patients reacted to biscuits. Egg and milk proteins were undetectable with a limit of detection of 0.6 µg/g for milk and egg (method A), and of 0.1 and 0.3 µg /g for milk and egg, respectively (method B). The immunoblots did not show milk/egg proteins in the studied biscuits. Milk/egg content of the biscuits is far lower than 4 µg of milk or egg protein per gram of product, the minimal doses considered theoretically capable of causing reactions. With high sensitivity, proteomic assessments predict the harmlessness of very small amount of allergens in foods, and can be used to help avoiding unnecessary PAL.
Allergens/analysis , Egg Hypersensitivity/immunology , Egg Hypersensitivity/prevention & control , Food Labeling , Milk Hypersensitivity/immunology , Milk Hypersensitivity/prevention & control , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Egg Hypersensitivity/etiology , Egg Proteins/analysis , Egg Proteins/immunology , Female , Food Analysis/methods , Humans , Infant , Male , Mass Spectrometry , Milk Hypersensitivity/etiology , Milk Proteins/analysis , Milk Proteins/immunology , Patient Acuity , Prospective Studies , Proteomics/methods
The literature has shown that there is no consensus regarding the best resin composite photoactivation protocol. This study evaluated the efficiency of the conventional, soft-start, pulse-delay and exponential protocols for photoactivation of resin composites in reducing the shrinkage stress and temperature variation during the photopolymerisation. The photoactivation processes were performed using a photocuring unit and a smartphone app developed to control the irradiance according each photoactivation protocol. These photoactivation methods were evaluated applying photoactivation energies recommended by the resins manufactures. Three brands of resin composites were analysed: Z-250, Charisma and Ultrafill. The cure effectiveness was evaluated through depth of cure experiments. All results were statistically evaluated using one-way and multi-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA). The use of exponential and pulse-delay methods resulted in a significant reduction of the shrinkage stress for all evaluated resins; however, the pulse-delay method required too long a photoactivation time. The increases on the temperature were lower when the exponential photoactivation was applied; however, the temperature variation for all photoactivation protocols was not enough to cause damage in the restoration area. The evaluation of the depth of cure showed that all photoactivation protocols resulted in cured resins with equivalent hardness, indicating that the choice of an alternative photoactivation protocol did not harm the polymerisation. In this way, the results showed the exponential protocol as the best photoactivation technique for practical applications.
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, food-triggered, immune-mediated disease of the oesophagus, clinically characterized by symptoms referred to oesophagal dysfunction, and histologically defined by an eosinophil productive inflammation of the oesophagal mucosa, among other cell types. The involvement of an adaptive Th2-type response to food antigens in EoE was known since 2000; several cytokines and chemokines promote food-specific responses, during which local production of IgE, but also IgG4 derived from plasma cells in lamina propria of oesophagal mucosa might play an important role. Evidence pointing towards a possible role for the innate immunity in EoE has arisen recently. Together, this evidence gives rise to a potential role that the innate immune system in general, and also the microbial pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) might play in EoE pathogenesis. Among PRRs, Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are type-I transmembrane receptors expressed both on epithelial and lamina propria cells with the capacity to distinguish between pathogen and commensal microbes. As TLRs in the different intestinal epithelia represent the primary mechanism of epithelial recognition of bacteria, this evidence underlines that oesophagal TLR-dependent signaling pathways in EoE support the potential implication of microbiota and the innate immune system in the pathogenesis of this disease. The oesophagal mucosa hosts a resident microbiota, although in a smaller population as compared with other districts of the gastrointestinal tract. Few studies have focused on the composition of the microbiota of the normal oesophagus alone. Still, additional information has come from studies investigating the oesophagal microbiota in disease and including healthy patients as controls. Our review aims to describe all the evidence on the oesophagal and intestinal microbiota in patients with EoE to identify the specific features of dysbiosis in this condition.
Disease Susceptibility , Eosinophilic Esophagitis/etiology , Host-Pathogen Interactions , Microbiota , Animals , Diet , Dysbiosis , Eosinophilic Esophagitis/diagnosis , Eosinophilic Esophagitis/metabolism , Humans , Probiotics , Toll-Like Receptors/metabolism
Food allergy (FA) and, in particular, IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy is associated with compositional and functional changes of gut microbiota. In this study, we compared the gut microbiota of cow's milk allergic (CMA) infants with that of cow's milk sensitized (CMS) infants and Healthy controls. The effect of the intake of a mixture of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BB536, Bifidobacterium breve M-16V and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis M-63 on gut microbiota modulation of CMA infants and probiotic persistence was also investigated. Gut microbiota of CMA infants resulted to be characterized by a dysbiotic status with a prevalence of some bacteria as Haemophilus, Klebsiella, Prevotella, Actinobacillus and Streptococcus. Among the three strains administered, B.longum subsp. infantis colonized the gastrointestinal tract and persisted in the gut microbiota of infants with CMA for 60 days. This colonization was associated with perturbations of the gut microbiota, specifically with the increase of Akkermansia and Ruminococcus. Multi-strain probiotic formulations can be studied for their persistence in the intestine by monitoring specific bacterial probes persistence and exploiting microbiota profiling modulation before the evaluation of their therapeutic effects.
Bifidobacterium breve/metabolism , Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis/metabolism , Bifidobacterium/metabolism , Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology , Milk Hypersensitivity/therapy , Probiotics/therapeutic use , Animals , Breast Feeding , Child, Preschool , Dysbiosis/microbiology , Female , Humans , Immunoglobulin E/immunology , Infant , Male , Milk/immunology , Milk Hypersensitivity/microbiology
INTRODUCTION: To appraise the incidence and value of intrahepatic persistent right umbilical vein (PRUV). METHODS: This was a single-center study. Records of all women with a prenatal diagnosis of intrahepatic PRUV were reviewed. The inclusion criteria were women with gestational age greater than 13 weeks of gestation. Exclusion criteria were fetuses with situs abnormalities, due to the hepatic venous ambiguity, and extrahepatic PRUV. The primary outcome was the incidence of intrahepatic PRUV in our cohort. The secondary outcomes were associated malformations. RESULTS: 219/57,079 cases (0.38%) of intrahepatic PRUV were recorded. The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 21.8 ± 2.9 weeks of gestations. PRUV was isolated in the 76.7%, while in 23.3% was associated with other major or minor abnormalities. The most common associated abnormalities were cardiovascular abnormalities (8.7%), followed by genitourinary abnormalities (6.4%), skeletal abnormalities (4.6%), and central nervous system abnormalities (4.1%). Within the cardiovascular abnormalities, the most common one was ventricular septal defect (six cases). CONCLUSION: In most cases PRUV is an isolated finding. Associated minor or major malformations are presented in the 23.3% of the cases, so this finding should prompt detailed prenatal assessment of the fetus, with particular regard to cardiovascular system.
Fetus , Ultrasonography, Prenatal , Female , Gestational Age , Humans , Infant , Pregnancy , Retrospective Studies , Umbilical Veins/diagnostic imaging
BACKGROUND: Endometrial undifferentiated/dedifferentiated carcinoma (UDC/DDC) is a recently described aggressive variant of endometrial carcinoma, which shows mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency in about half of cases. AIM: To assess whether MMR-deficient UDC/DDC have distinct clinico-pathological features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed by searching 4 electronic databases from their inception to October 2020 for all studies reporting clinicopathological characteristics of UDC/DDC series. Student t-test (for continuous variables), Cox regression analysis (for overall survival) and odds ratio (OR, for dichotomous variables) were used with a significant p-value < 0.05; data were pooled by using a random effect model. RESULTS: Twelve studies were included. MMR-deficiency was significantly associated with older age (p = 0.024), p53-wild-type (p = 0.005), ARID1A loss (p = 0.001) and PD-L1 expression (p = 0.019), but not with overall survival (p = 0.307), extension beyond corpus (p = 0.787) or beyond uterus (p = 0.403), presence of a differentiated component (p = 0.461), loss of expression of cytokeratins (p = 0.698), EMA (p = 0.309), estrogen receptor (p = 0.605), PAX8 (p = 0.959), SMARCA4/BRG1 (p = 0.321), SMARCB1/INI1 (p = 0.225) or claudin-4 (p = 0.094), or POLE exonuclease domain mutation p = (0.773). CONCLUSIONS: In UDC/DDC, MMR-deficiency appears associated with older age, p53-wild type and ARID1A loss, suggesting the possibility of a distinct pathway underlying dedifferentiation; the association with PD-L1 expression is attributable to the high mutational load and may have therapeutic implications. On the other hand, MMR-deficiency appears not to be associated with prognosis, stage, loss of differentiation markers or POLE mutation.
Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics , DNA Mismatch Repair , Endometrial Neoplasms/genetics , Endometrium/pathology , Age Factors , B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism , Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism , DNA-Binding Proteins/deficiency , DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , Endometrial Neoplasms/diagnosis , Endometrial Neoplasms/mortality , Endometrial Neoplasms/pathology , Female , Humans , Neoplasm Staging , Prognosis , Transcription Factors/deficiency , Transcription Factors/genetics , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics
BACKGROUND: A high prevalence (9.5-30%) of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in patients with esophageal atresia (EA) has been reported. The application of the EoE criteria to EA patients might be problematic. To date, only studies using a "routine" biopsy approach, even in asymptomatic patients, have been performed. The aim of the study was to establish the prevalence of EoE among symptomatic EA patients (EA/EoE group) without anastomotic stricture (AS) and to compare their characteristics with those of EoE patients from general population (EoE group). METHODS: From 2005 to 2018, we reviewed charts of children with EA and EoE. "Selective" biopsy approach only in EA children without AS and/or endoscopic feature of EoE was performed. Characteristics of EA/EoE and EoE groups were compared. RESULTS: Among 370 EA and 118 EoE, 15 EA/EoE patients were detected (4.0% of EA patients). Male predominance and a high prevalence of allergy without differences between EA/EoE and EoE groups was observed. EA/EoE children were significantly younger (p < 0.0001). PPI-responder patients were significantly more prevalent in EA/EoE group (p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: Our data confirm that EA patients are at high risk for developing EoE. High incidence, early onset, and high prevalence of PPI-responders might suggest that esophageal motility disorders interact to increase propensity to EoE in EA patients. However, our study also suggests that overdiagnosis of EoE may occur in EA and that adapted criteria for EoE diagnosis should be developed for EA patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable for this retrospective study.
BACKGROUND: In some countries of the world, peanut allergy represents an important source of anaphylactic reactions. Traditionally treated with the avoidance of responsible allergens, this condition can also be targeted by oral peanut immunotherapy. METHODS: In this study, we review the beneficial and side effects of currently available forms of peanut oral immunotherapy (POIT). We report the discussions resulting from the publication of a meta-analysis that brought to light the downsides of oral immunotherapy for peanuts. RESULTS: In some clinical situations, the risk-benefit ratio can favor peanut oral immunotherapy over avoidance. In many other situations, this is not the case. The decision must be based on the values and preferences of clinicians and patients. Those not ready to accept serious adverse effects from POIT are likely to continue the elimination diet; those motivated to achieving desensitization, and prepared to accept serious adverse effects, may choose to undergo POIT. CONCLUSIONS: Without being prejudiced against peanut oral immunotherapy, we indicate the possible evolution of treatment for this condition is in a rapidly evolving broader scenario. Among the future options, sublingual immunotherapy, parenteral immunotherapy with modified allergens, transcutaneous immunotherapy, and the use of biologics will become important options.
BACKGROUND: The effects of omalizumab on food allergy thresholds have been little studied. OBJECTIVE: To assess the real-life effects of omalizumab on food threshold tolerability in children treated for severe asthma. METHODS: In this observational, real-life, efficacy study, we reviewed the food allergen thresholds of patients with severe asthma, as well as their immediate reactions to 2+ foods before and after a 4-month treatment with omalizumab. We also evaluated their control of asthma and their quality of life, as measured by Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). RESULTS: Fifteen children, allergic to 37 foods, were evaluated. Omalizumab induced an increase in the allergen threshold for milk, egg, wheat, and hazelnut from a mean 1012.6 ± 1464.5 mg protein to 8727 ± 6463.3 eliciting dose (P < .001). A total of 70.4% of subjects tolerated the complete challenge dose after 4 months of treatment with omalizumab. These foods were reintroduced in the patients' diet without the need for any oral immunotherapy procedures. The remaining foods were partially tolerated. The number of reactions to the unintended ingestion of allergenic foods over 4 months dropped from 47 to 2. The PedsQL increased from 61 ± 5.32 to 87 ± 7.33 (parental judgment; P < .001) and from 65 ± 7.39 to 90 ± 4.54 (patients' judgment; P < .001). The mean cost of omalizumab was 1311.63 per month. CONCLUSIONS: During treatment with omalizumab for severe uncontrolled asthma, the food allergen threshold increases to 8.6 times its original value. The quality of life of patients also increased, due to a better asthma control and a reduction in dietary restrictions. The cost/benefit ratio of such treatment for selected cases of food allergy remains to be evaluated.
Anti-Asthmatic Agents/therapeutic use , Asthma/drug therapy , Food Hypersensitivity/prevention & control , Omalizumab/therapeutic use , Adolescent , Adult , Allergens/adverse effects , Asthma/immunology , Child , Female , Food/adverse effects , Humans , Immune Tolerance , Male , Quality of Life , Young Adult
With the ever-progressing urbanization of human society comes lingering public issues, primarily those related to human health and the need to provide environments where the population can be routinely frequent. Also, the effects of climatic changes tend to aggravate such public health issues, mainly respiratory and cardiac symptoms. As such, analyzing and studying those environments can be crucial for public administrations in the decision-making processes. One such method of analysis involves using an air enthalpy index to profile and provide a picture of stress situations, helping expedite preventive measures and hospital logistics. With that, this study used the enthalpy index as a tool to create a picture of the effect of seasonality on chronic health issues, such as respiratory and cardiac symptoms, for the city of Botucatu, a city with a characteristic tropical altitude climate. It was possible to determine that the air enthalpy profile is consistent throughout the year near the estimated thermal comfort boundaries, with peaks outside in hotter months. The hospitalizations tend to be more numerous during the transition from hot to cold seasons. Simple correlation analysis, along with a t test, provided further insight into the issue, showing strong correlation for pneumonia with the maximum enthalpy variation, which can relate to the heat amount variation in a given location. Also, an agreement was observed between enthalpy and an established thermal sensation index, the heat index, meaning that air enthalpy can be a reliable and simple index for environmental thermal comfort analysis. That being said, further studies are necessary to confirm these findings, considering a longer time frame, more diverse hospitalization data, and other meteorological parameters, like wind speed and precipitation.
Thermosensing , Wind , Cities , Conservation of Natural Resources , Hot Temperature , Humans
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To familiarize the reader with the concept of precision medicine in food allergy through the most recent insights in the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of the disease. RECENT FINDINGS: With the advent of omics sciences, a new era is commencing. Food protein allergens characterization and quantification together with the immunoglobulin E epitope mapping will contribute to the diagnosis/prognosis of food allergy and will lead to a better safety assessment of foods. The characterization of biomarkers able to identify specific phenotypes and endotypes will improve the diagnostic accuracy. This together with a better understanding of mechanisms of action of the different therapeutic options will allow the accurate selection of the appropriate patient. SUMMARY: In the near future, advances in technologies and data interpretation will allow a better understanding of the pathogenesis of food allergy and the development of a personalized treatment tailored on the specific patient' profile.
Allergens/immunology , Dietary Proteins/immunology , Food Hypersensitivity/immunology , Precision Medicine , Cross Reactions/immunology , Desensitization, Immunologic/methods , Epitope Mapping , Food Hypersensitivity/diagnosis , Food Hypersensitivity/therapy , Humans , Immunoglobulin E/immunology , Phenotype , Prognosis , Proteomics
Ti-15Mo alloy samples were irradiated by pulsed Yb: YAG laser beam under air and atmospheric pressure. Calcium phosphate coatings were deposited on the irradiated surfaces by the sol-gel method. The sol was prepared from the precursors Ca (NO3)2.4H2 O and H3 PO4. The modified surfaces were submitted to heat treatment conditions at 350 and 600 °C. The results showed that the two conditions established have a sufficient energy to promote ablation on the laser beam irradiated surfaces. Likewise, it has been demonstrated the processes of fusion and fast solidification from the laser beam irradiation, under ambient atmosphere, inducing the formation of stoichiometric TiO2 and non-stoichiometric titanium oxides, including Ti3O5, TiO, Ti3O and Ti6O with different oxide percentages depending on the fluency used. Besides that, laser modification has allowed a clean and reproducible process, providing no traces of contamination, an important feature for clinical applications. The physico-chemical and morphological properties indicated the formation of a mixture of phases: calcium pyrophosphate, hydroxyapatite and ß-TCP for the procedure (PA: calcination temperature), whereas HA (hydroxyapatite) and ß-TCP (tricalcium phosphate) were obtained by the procedure (PB: calcination temperature). Therefore, it was possible to obtain a Ti-15Mo alloy surface consisted on calcium phosphate ceramics of biological interest using the procedure (PB). Thus, the laser beam irradiation associated to bioactive coatings of calcium phosphates of biological interest have shown to be promising and economically feasible for use in dental and orthopedic implants.
Alloys/chemistry , Biocompatible Materials/chemistry , Calcium Phosphates/chemistry , Phase Transition , Coated Materials, Biocompatible/chemistry , Dental Prosthesis , Durapatite/chemistry , Lasers , Materials Testing , Orthopedics , Prostheses and Implants , Surface Properties , Temperature , Titanium
