Analysis of an antioxidative defence system of hydrogen peroxide-treated pancreatic islet-derived 1.1B4 cells and siRNA targeting NR4A3-treated cells by microarray.

Pancreatic islet ß-cells weaken under oxidative stress. In this study, human pancreatic islet-derived 1.1B4 cells were exposed to H2O2 and analysed using a human microarray, which revealed that heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), glutamate-cysteine ligase, early growth response 1, nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 3 (NR4A3) and jun B proto-oncogene were upregulated, whereas superoxide dismutase 1 and catalase were not. Expression of NR4A3 rapidly increased after H2O2 addition, and the 1.1B4 cells treated with siRNA targeting NR4A3 became sensitive to H2O2; further, HMOX1 expression was strongly inhibited, suggesting that NR4A3 is an oxidative stress-responsive transcription factor that functions through HMOX1 expression in pancreatic islet ß-cells. Expression of cyclin E1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 1 was also inhibited by siRNAs targeting NR4A3.

Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome due to buckwheat: A case report.

Buckwheat is a rare causative food for food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES). To date, it is unknown what laboratory data patients with FPIES caused by buckwheat show. We report a 4-year-old female with FPIES caused by buckwheat and the laboratory results. Skin prick, specific IgE antibody, and basophil activation tests were negative; however, the lymphocyte stimulation test (LST) revealed a 10.2-fold increase in activation compared with the negative control. In an open-label oral food challenge (OFC) of 80 g boiled buckwheat noodles, 3 hours after ingestion, vomiting occurred four times in a 2-hour duration. Therefore, we diagnosed the patient with FPIES caused by buckwheat. Her neutrophil count, C-reactive protein, and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine were elevated after the OFC. Moreover, the patient had a positive reaction to the LST, which may theoretically be useful in diagnosing non-immunoglobulin E-mediated gastrointestinal food allergies. FPIES caused by buckwheat is rare; however, we found that the same laboratory results were observed in a comparison of FPIES cases caused by other foods.

Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome due to buckwheat: A case report

Buckwheat is a rare causative food for food protein–induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES). To date, it is unknown what laboratory data patients with FPIES caused by buckwheat show. We report a 4-year-old female with FPIES caused by buckwheat and the laboratory results. Skin prick, specific IgE antibody, and basophil activation tests were negative; however, the lymphocyte stimulation test (LST) revealed a 10.2-fold increase in activation compared with the negative control. In an open-label oral food challenge (OFC) of 80 g boiled buckwheat noodles, 3 hours after ingestion, vomiting occurred four times in a 2-hour duration. Therefore, we diagnosed the patient with FPIES caused by buckwheat. Her neutrophil count, C-reactive protein, and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine were elevated after the OFC. Moreover, the patient had a positive reaction to the LST, which may theoretically be useful in diagnosing non-immunoglobulin E-mediated gastrointestinal food allergies. FPIES caused by buckwheat is rare; however, we found that the same laboratory results were observed in a comparison of FPIES cases caused by other foods (AU)

Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome in Japanese Children and Adolescents: Risk Factors and Pollen Sensitisation.

Pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS) is caused by cross-reactivity with pollen; however, not all-pollen-sensitised individuals develop PFAS, and studies on the characteristics of PFAS development are limited in Japan. We investigated the prevalence and risk factors for the development of PFAS in Japanese children and adolescents sensitised to pollen and their association with pollen-specific IgE levels. The characteristics of PFAS were investigated in patients with allergies aged 3-18 years who visited Dokkyo Medical University Hospital between January 2016 and December 2019. Specific IgE levels for alder, Japanese cedar, ragweed, and orchard grass were measured in patients sensitised to any of the pollens. Patients were categorised into preschool (G1), elementary school (G2), and middle-high school (G3) groups. Overall, 600 patients were enrolled. The prevalence of PFAS was 8.5% in G1, 20% in G2, and 36.3% in G3. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated strong associations between the risk of developing PFAS and older age (odds ratio (OR), 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06-1.19; P < 0.001), seasonal allergy rhinitis (OR, 6.93; 95% CI, 1.59-30.34; P = 0.010), and alder sensitisation (OR, 6.20; 95% CI, 2.66-14.49; P < 0.001). Spearman's correlation revealed statistically significant positive correlation between each pollen-specific IgE level; high pollen-specific IgE levels were also a risk factor. The OR for being sensitised to all four species was 36.83 (95% CI, 8.93-151.83, P < 0.001) when compared with Japanese cedar alone. Alder was most relevant, with an alder-specific IgE level cutoff value of 2.54 UA/mL. The sensitivity was 78.9%, and the specificity was 70.9%. In conclusion, preschool children develop PFAS with alder sensitisation, and higher pollen-specific IgE levels and increased number of pollen sensitisations are risk factors for developing PFAS.

Pru p 7 Predicts Severe Reactions after Ingestion of Peach in Japanese Children and Adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: Component-resolved diagnostics is used to diagnose food allergies. However, few reports have evaluated the severity of peach fruit allergy using peach allergen components, including Pru p 7. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to predict peach fruit allergy severity based on the presence of specific IgE (sIgE) antibodies (Abs) to peach allergenic components. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with peach fruit allergy were enrolled and classified into two groups: the local reaction (LR) group, including 12 patients with only oral or throat mucosal symptoms, and the systemic reaction (SR) group, including 15 patients, 10 of whom experienced anaphylaxis. Serum sIgE Abs against crude peach extract - Pru p 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 - and tree pollen were measured. RESULTS: sIgE Ab titers of Pru p 1 and 4 and alder pollen in the LR group were significantly higher than those in the SR group. sIgE against Pru p 7 was significantly higher in the SR group than in the LR group. The frequencies of sIgE Abs against Pru p 1, 4, and 7 in the LR group were 91.7, 66.7, and 16.7%, respectively, while in the SR group these were 80, 20, and 60%. Sensitization to Pru p 2 and 3 was detected but limited in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that sensitization to Pru p 1 and Pru p 4 is associated with local symptoms, and sensitization to Pru p 7 is associated with SR and anaphylaxis. To predict the severity of peach fruit allergy, it is useful to assess sIgE Ab reactions combining Pru p 1, 4, and 7.

Recalls and Premarket Review Systems for High-Risk Medical Devices in Japan.

BACKGROUND: In Japan, different regulatory tracks prior to marketing have been applied to medical devices dependent on whether they have predefined certification or approval standards in addition to the risk category. A regulatory track for some high-risk medical devices (class III or IV in Japan) using certification standards newly became effective in 2014. This study aimed to explore potential candidate devices for the certification track. METHODS: We analyzed approval, recall, and classification information databases for medical devices in Japan. High-risk medical devices approved between 2010 and 2014 were examined (N = 3222). The medical devices were categorized into 3 groups based on availability of certification or approval standards. Recall rates were calculated for each group and for each device category within the groups. Recall reasons were classified into two main categories: design problems and other problems. RESULTS: The overall recall rates were 12.1% in the group with certification standards (recalled n = 17, approved n = 141), 4.1% in the group with approval standards (recalled n = 49, approved n = 1187), and 5.6% in the group without either standard (recalled n = 106, approved n = 1894). The design recall rates were 9.2%, 1.4%, and 1.6%, respectively. The recall rate for bio-phenomena-monitoring devices was high (recalled n = 13, approved n = 31; 41.9%), which contributed to the high recall rate of the group with certification standards. CONCLUSIONS: The overall recall rates and the recall rates due to design problems varied considerably across and within the 3 groups. As possible good candidates for the transition into the new certification track, high-risk medical devices with low recall rates in frequently approved device categories should be given priority.