Heterogeneity of sensitization profiles and clinical phenotypes among patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis in Southern European countries-The @IT.2020 multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Pollen allergy poses a significant health and economic burden in Europe. Disease patterns are relatively homogeneous within Central and Northern European countries. However, no study broadly assessed the features of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) across different Southern European countries with a standardized approach. OBJECTIVE: To describe sensitization profiles and clinical phenotypes of pollen allergic patients in nine Southern European cities with a uniform methodological approach. METHODS: Within the @IT.2020 multicenter observational study, pediatric and adult patients suffering from SAR were recruited in nine urban study centers located in seven countries. Clinical questionnaires, skin prick tests (SPT) and specific IgE (sIgE) tests with a customized multiplex assay (Euroimmun Labordiagnostika, Lübeck, Germany) were performed. RESULTS: Three hundred forty-eight children (mean age 13.1 years, SD: 2.4 years) and 467 adults (mean age 35.7 years SD: 10.0 years) with a predominantly moderate to severe, persistent phenotype of SAR were recruited. Grass pollen major allergenic molecules (Phl p 1 and/or Phl p 5) ranged among the top three sensitizers in all study centers. Sensitization profiles were very heterogeneous, considering that patients in Rome were highly poly-sensitized (sIgE to 3.8 major allergenic molecules per patient), while mono-sensitization was prominent and heterogeneous in other cities, such as Marseille (sIgE to Cup a 1: n = 55/80, 68.8%) and Messina (sIgE to Par j 2: n = 47/82, 57.3%). Co-sensitization to perennial allergens, as well as allergic comorbidities also broadly varied between study centers. CONCLUSIONS: In Southern European countries, pollen allergy is heterogeneous in terms of sensitization profiles and clinical manifestations. Despite the complexity, a unique molecular, multiplex, and customized in-vitro IgE test detected relevant sensitization in all study centers. Nevertheless, this geographical diversity in pollen allergic patients imposes localized clinical guidelines and study protocols for clinical trials of SAR in this climatically complex region.

[Markers of redox potential of blood leukocytes in acute coronary syndrome, depending on the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus].

Aim      Evaluating the redox potential of white blood cells (WBC) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) depending on the presence or absence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2).Material and methods  The study included 100 men and women aged 35 to 65 years who were managed for ACS at the Primary Vascular Department (PVD) of the Vladivostok Clinical Hospital #1. The control group consisted of 30 healthy volunteers matched with ACS patients in major anthropometric characteristics. Examinations were performed according to clinical recommendations. Blood was withdrawn for measuring cell activity of enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD; succinate dehydrogenase, SDH; and glutathione reductase, GR) and serum concentration of malonic dialdehyde (MDA). Based on the ACS type, all patients were divided into 3 main ACS groups, and then the groups were subdivided into subgroups based on the presence of DM2.Results Development of ACS was associated with changes in WBC redox potential. These changes were characterized by a significant decrease in SDH activity in all ACS patients, irrespective of their ACS type, and a moderate decease in GR in patients with myocardial infarction compared to patients with unstable angina and healthy volunteers. At the same time, the SOD activity and MDA concentration were practically unchanged compared to the control group. There were practically no significant differences in the enzyme activities between the ACS subgroups with or without DM2.Conclusion      The WBC activities of SDH and GR on day 1 of ACS can be considered as the indicators for early diagnosis of mitochondrial dysfunction resulting from the cardiovascular catastrophe as well as the markers for impaired primary cell defense. MDA and SOD values are not informative for determining the intensity of oxidative stress and further damage of the antioxidant system.

Factors predicting the outcome of allergen-specific nasal provocation test in children with grass pollen allergic rhinitis.

Background: Nasal provocation testing (NPT) is a reference methodology to identify the culprit allergen in patients with allergic rhinitis. Selecting the right allergen for NPT is particularly difficult in poly-sensitized patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). Predictors of NPT outcomes may facilitate the proper use of this test or even substitute it. Objective: To identify predictors of grass pollen NPT outcome from an array of clinical data, e-diary outcomes, and allergy test results in poly-sensitized pediatric patients with SAR. Methods: Poly-sensitized, SAR patients with grass pollen allergy, participating in the @IT.2020 pilot project in Rome and Pordenone (Italy), participated in a baseline (T0) visit with questionnaires, skin prick testing (SPT), and blood sampling to measure total (ImmunoCAP, TFS, Sweden) and specific IgE antibodies to grass pollen extracts and their major allergenic molecules (ESEP, Euroimmun Labordiagnostika, Germany). During the pollen season, patients filled the AllergyMonitor® e-diary app measuring their symptoms, medication intake, and allergy-related well-being via the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). After the pollen season (T1), patients answered clinical questionnaires and underwent a nasal provocation test (NPT) with grass pollen extract. Results: We recruited 72 patients (age 14.3 ± 2.8 years, 46 males) sensitized to grass and/or other pollens, including olive (63; 87.5%) and pellitory (49; 68.1%). Patients positive to grass pollen NPT (61; 84.7%), compared to the negative ones, had worse VAS values in the e-diary, larger SPT wheal reactions, and higher IgE levels, as well as specific activity to timothy and Bermuda grass extracts, rPhl p 5 and nCyn d 1. A positive NPT to grass pollen was predicted by an index combining the specific activity of IgE towards Phl p 5 and Cyn d 1 (AUC: 0.82; p < 0.01; best cut-off ≥7.25%, sensitivity 70.5%, specificity: 90.9%). VAS results also predicted NPT positivity, although with less precision (AUC: 0.77, p < 0.01; best cut-off ≥7, sensitivity: 60.7%, specificity: 81.8%). Conclusions: An index combining the specific activity of IgE to rPhl p 5 and nCyn d 1 predicted with moderate sensitivity and high specificity the outcome of a grass pollen NPT in complex, poly-sensitized pediatric patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Further studies are needed to improve the index sensitivity and to assess its usefulness for NPT allergen selection or as an alternative to this demanding test procedure.

Biomedical Photonics Methods in Solving Diagnostic Tasks.

Modern photonics methods are considered in relation to solving a number of diagnostic problems in practical medicine. The basic principles of the application of optical noninvasive diagnostic methods are described and examples are given: laser Doppler flowmetry, digital diaphanoscopy, Raman spectroscopy, spectrophotometry, time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, and video capillaroscopy. The advantages and prospects of using photonics methods in clinical practice, making it possible to detect various pathological conditions of biological tissues, including those at the early stages of diseases, are demonstrated.

[Dyslipidemia in children with cholelithiasis as a marker of metabolic syndrome development].

In the article based on own research shows changes in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in children with gallstone disease (GSD), characteristic of the metabolic syndrome (MS). The data obtained suggest that obesity is not always a marker of the metabolic syndrome. A key element in the development of MS are the changes of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism.

[Ulcerative colitis--difficulties of differential diagnosis in children].

Chronic bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) in childhood are much more common than diagnosed. They can manifest after acute intestinal infections, eating disorders, as well as against other immunocomplex diseases. Most often, such as ulcerative colitis (UC) occurs in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). According to the literature, its is up to 80.0% of all cases of primary sclerosing cholangitis. Children with such combinations make up 10.0-15.0% of patients in specialized gastroenterology departments. The article presents a case against the background of the development of UC primary sclerosing holanogita.

[The role of metabolism disorders in genesis of gallstone disease in children].

Identified changes lipid metabolism in children with biliary disease, characteristic of the metabolic syndrome. The correlation between indices of lipid metabolism with body weight in children with cholelithiasis. However, the degree of impairment of carbohydrate metabolism was independent of body mass index. Obtained data allow us to state that obesity is not always a marker of the metabolic syndrome.

[Gallstone disease in children with obesity].

Based on the authors own research shown a relationship of metabolic disorders in children with GSD with the metabolic syndrome. Studied the parameters of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in children with both abdominal and endocrine obesity. Was shown the Significance a high direct correlation in children with cholelithiasis on the background of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Obtained data enable us to assert that in children with cholelithiasis on the background of obesity forms classical clinical picture of metabolic syndrome.

[Metabolic syndrome in children].

Currently, the metabolic syndrome (MS)--one of the pressing problems of Pediatrics, which is caused by variety of clinical manifestations and the lack of uniform criteria for diagnosis. MS is a complex of metabolic disorders, which is based on dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, compensatory hyperinsulinemia. In the pediatric preclinical and clinical manifestations of MS are often hidden under the guise of various diseases associated with it, which greatly complicates the diagnosis of MS in children. In connection with the foregoing the purpose of this work was to show a clinical example of the difficulties in identifying symptoms of MS in children to optimize its diagnostic tactics.

[Constipation in children].

Chronic constipation (HZ) in children remains one of the most urgent and complex problems of pediatric gastroenterology and form a wide range of health and social and psychological problems. Due to the lack of clear understanding of the pathogenesis, classification, diagnosis and treatment of constipation are complicated. A significant role belongs to the nervous system and in the development of other forms of HZ, which should be considered during diagnostics and treatment.

The effect of polymer adsorption on the wetting properties of partially hydrophobized magnetite.

Upon reverse flotation of iron ore, the surface of the iron ore concentrate may become partially hydrophobized due to adsorption of flotation collector, which is facilitated by the calcium ions present in the process water. Hydrophobic areas on the concentrate surface may introduce problems in subsequent pelletization of the concentrate. A possible way to restore the wettability of the surface could be by modifying the surface with a hydrophilic polymer. The effect of hydrophilic polymers of different types, viz. cationic, anionic, and non-ionic, on the wettability of the magnetite surface after adsorption of a surfactant was investigated. Although all the polymers could adsorb on magnetite at pH 8.5, the contact angle measurements revealed that only anionic ammonium polyacrylate could decrease the contact angle of synthetic magnetite after surfactant adsorption to a level close to that of as-synthesized magnetite. Such effect was probably achieved due to shielding of the hydrophobic surfactant chains from the aqueous phase by hydrophilic polyacrylate molecules. The fact that polyacrylate adsorption on magnetite occurred via calcium ions makes polyacrylate suitable for application in calcium-rich process water. The results presented in this work illustrate that ammonium polyacrylate could be successfully used to improve the wettability of magnetite after adsorption of surfactants.

[Disproportionate eruption of maxillary and mandibular incisors in the long-tailed ground squirrel].

Abstract-The surface of the maxillary and mandibular incisors of Spermophilus undulatus long-tailed ground squirrels, including those born in the current year and those that have hibernated (trapped one month or later after hibernation) is studied. The presence of daily growth on the incisors' surface allows the evaluation of their eruption rate; a specific change in the character of the incisors' eruption corresponds to winter hibernation (hibernation zone), which serves as the time mark. Correlation between the eruption rates of the maxillary and mandibular incisors typical for rodents is found in yearlings and some animals after hibernation. The eruption rate of the mandibular incisors is higher than the eruption rate of the maxillary incisors and can be taken as proportional to their length. In individuals that have hibernated and show proportional eruption of the incisors, the proportion of the total length of the incisor formed before and after hibernation is equal for the maxillary and mandibular incisors. In the individuals that have hibernated and show the correlation of the total length of the maxillary and mandibular incisors typical for rodents, the eruption rate of the mandibular incisor is equal to or less than the eruption rate of the maxillary incisor and the proportion of the incisor formed before hibernation is greater in the mandibular incisor than in the maxillary. This disproportionate pattern of incisor eruption is not typical for rodents and is a result of inequal grinding of the maxillary and mandibular incisors, which ultimately results in the normal ratio of the total length of the maxillary and mandibular incisors.

The effect of calcium ions and sodium silicate on the adsorption of a model anionic flotation collector on magnetite studied by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy.

Previous studies have shown that agglomeration of the magnetite concentrate after reverse flotation of apatite is negatively affected by the collector species adsorbed on the surface of magnetite. In this work, the effect of ionic strength, calcium ions and sodium silicate on the unwanted adsorption of a model anionic flotation collector on synthetic magnetite was studied in situ using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The amount of collector adsorbed was found to increase with increasing ionic strength at pH 8.5 providing evidence to the contribution of electrostatic forces to the adsorption of the collector. Adding sodium silicate to the system resulted in a threefold decrease in the amount of collector adsorbed compared to when no sodium silicate was added, confirming the depressing activity of sodium silicate on magnetite. Calcium ions were shown to increase the adsorption of both the collector and sodium silicate on magnetite. The depressing effect of sodium silicate on collector adsorption was completely suppressed in the presence of calcium ions under the conditions studied. Furthermore, the amount of collector adsorbed on magnetite from the silicate-collector solution increased 14 times upon addition of calcium ions suggesting that calcium ions in the process water may increase undesired adsorption of the collector on the iron oxide.

[A quantitative analysis of the effect of the initial conditions on the results of phylogenetic reconstructions]. / Kolichestvennyi analiz vliianiia nachal'nykh uslovii na rezul'taty filogeneticheskikh rekonstruktsii.

Parameters of character description (homology, coding, weighting, ordering), of the context (outgroup and ingroup membership) belong to initial conditions of phylogenetic reconstructions. A principal possibility for the effects of the parameters on the results of these reconstructions to be evaluated numerically is shown. An algorithm of respective procedure is outlined which is based on combination of cladistic, principal component and dispersion (MANOVA) analyses. A study case is morphological diversity of mastoid bulla in the rodent families Gerbillidae, Dipodidae s. lato, Gliridae. The principal idea of the approach outlined is, first, to produce a set of cladograms under variable conditions determined by arbitrary altering the above parameters. Diversity of topology of these cladograms represented by respective distance matrixes is subsequently analyzed by MANOVA, the above parameters being treated as independent variables. This gives strictly quantitative and mutually commensurable estimates of the parameters influence on the topology of cladograms. It is shown that homology is the most and ordering is the least influential among character description parameters. Important effect of the context parameters is shown, as well.