Exposure to Deoxynivalenol During Pregnancy and Lactation Enhances Food Allergy and Reduces Vaccine Responsiveness in the Offspring in a Mouse Model.

Deoxynivalenol (DON), a highly prevalent contaminant of grain-based products, is known to induce reproductive- and immunotoxicities. Considering the importance of immune development in early life, the present study investigated the effects of perinatal DON exposure on allergy development and vaccine responsiveness in the offspring. Pregnant mice received control or DON-contaminated diets (12.5 mg/kg diet) during pregnancy and lactation. After weaning, female offspring were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) by oral administration of OVA with cholera toxin (CT). Male offspring were injected with Influvac vaccine. OVA-specific acute allergic skin response (ASR) in females and vaccine-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) in males were measured upon intradermal antigen challenge. Immune cell populations in spleen and antigen-specific plasma immunoglobulins were analyzed. In female CT+OVA-sensitized offspring of DON-exposed mothers ASR and OVA-specific plasma immunoglobulins were significantly higher, compared to the female offspring of control mothers. In vaccinated male offspring of DON-exposed mothers DTH and vaccine-specific antibody levels were significantly lower, compared to the male offspring of control mothers. In both models a significant reduction in regulatory T cells, Tbet+ Th1 cells and Th1-related cytokine production of the offspring of DON-exposed mothers was observed. In conclusion, early life dietary exposure to DON can adversely influence immune development in the offspring. Consequently, the immune system of the offspring may be skewed towards an imbalanced state, resulting in an increased allergic immune response to food allergens and a decreased immune response to vaccination against influenza virus in these models.

Fusarium Mycotoxins Disrupt the Barrier and Induce IL-6 Release in a Human Placental Epithelium Cell Line.

Deoxynivalenol, T-2 toxin, and zearalenone, major Fusarium mycotoxins, contaminate human food on a global level. Exposure to these mycotoxins during pregnancy can lead to abnormalities in neonatal development. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Fusarium mycotoxins on human placental epithelial cells. As an in vitro model of placental barrier, BeWo cells were exposed to different concentrations of deoxynivalenol, zearalenone or T-2 toxin. Cytotoxicity, effects on barrier integrity, paracellular permeability along with mRNA and protein expression and localization of junctional proteins after exposure were evaluated. Induction of proinflammatory responses was determined by measuring cytokine production. Increasing mycotoxin concentrations affect BeWo cell viability, and T-2 toxin was more toxic compared to other mycotoxins. Deoxynivalenol and T-2 toxin caused significant barrier disruption, altered protein and mRNA expression of junctional proteins, and induced irregular cellular distribution. Although the effects of zearalenone on barrier integrity were less prominent, all tested mycotoxins were able to induce inflammation as measured by IL-6 release. Overall, Fusarium mycotoxins disrupt the barrier of BeWo cells by altering the expression and structure of junctional proteins and trigger proinflammatory responses. These changes in placental barrier may disturb the maternal-fetal interaction and adversely affect fetal development.

Comparison of Olfactory Function before and After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Olfactory loss in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis has been measured by different methods. However, the results have been variable, and it is not clear whether endoscopic sinus surgery significantly improves olfactory function. This study was performed to evaluate the influence of endoscopic sinus surgery on olfactory function in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective analytic study, 73 patients (mean age, 39.63±12.94 years) with a diagnosis of polyps and sinusitis during 2011 were studied. The olfaction test was performed with three solutions; one with no odor (water) and two with phenylethyl alcohol (50% and 90% dilution, respectively). The patients' olfaction state were graded as no olfaction, or low, moderate or good olfaction before and 1 and 3 months after surgery, and was given scores between 0 and 3 and evaluated quantitatively. RESULTS: Right-side olfaction was improved in 68.5% and left side in 67.1% of patients. Mean olfaction score on the right and left side was significantly improved after surgery in comparison with basic scores (before and after on the right side: 0.95±0.88 and 2.02±1.04; before and after on the left side: 1.02±0.84 and 2.00±1.21; both P<0.001). Improvement after surgery in cases with left- and right-side anosmia was 66.7% and 61.9%, in low olfaction was 82.3% and 72.7% and in moderate olfaction was 66.7% and 80%. CONCLUSION: In patients with rhinosinusitis, endoscopic sinus surgery has considerable effect in improving olfactory function.

Comparing the Effect of Dexamethasone before and after Tracheal Intubation on Sore Throat after Tympanoplasty Surgery: A Randomized Controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Presence of a sore throat after surgery is a common side effect of general anesthesia with intratracheal intubation and can cause discomfort for the patient and prolong the recovery process. In this study we compared the effect of dexamethasone before and after intubation on the incidence of sore throat after tympanoplasty surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a double-blind, randomized clinical trial, 70 patients aged 30-60 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II who were candidates for tympanoplasty under anesthetic conditions were studied in two separate groups. The first group received intravenous (IV) dexamethasone (8 mg) 30 mins prior to intubation while the second group received the same dose of dexamethasone 30 mins after intubation. The incidence and severity of the sore throat in both groups were then evaluated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between two groups in intensity of sore throat (62.9% vs. 57.1%), cough (65.7% vs. 62.9%), or hoarseness (62.9% vs. 65.7%) within 24 h after surgery. Detection of blood in oral secretions or on the tracheal tube was the same in both groups (5.7%). The incidence of coughs during the extubation was 0% in first group and 11.4% in second group. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this research there was no significant difference in incidence and intensity of sore throat in patients receiving dexamethasone before or after intubation. Further, no significant difference in intensity of coughs or hoarseness was observed.