Coping Process in Children with Food Allergies Developing during Early Childhood

This study aimed to clarify the coping process in children who developed food allergies in early childhood and evaluate the nursing support required to enable the acquisition of independent care behaviors in children with food allergies. Semi structured interviews were conducted on 24 children (aged 11 - 15 years) with food allergies using the modified grounded theory approach. The 11 categories were identified as coping mechanisms that these children used to deal with their early childhood food allergies. The coping process in children with food allergies involved transition from a stage of viewing their allergy with fear to a stage of considering the allergy as manageable and thus tackling allergens in their own way in the Life model. The process required obtaining peace of mind with support from others. In addition to emphasizing the threat of food allergies and risk aversion behaviors to these children, it is important that nurses also communicate viable proposals for alternative behaviors for the prohibited actions. The results also suggest that children in school age or older require support to help them recognize food allergy-related issues as problem-oriented coping tasks from the viewpoint of both Medical and Life models.

Building Trust: Children Experiences with Food Allergies at Summer Camp

Introduction: The objective of this study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of children with food allergies at summer camp. Methods: Qualitative draw-and-tell interviews were conducted with 14 food allergic individuals aged 5 - 12 years to capture their lived experience with food allergies at summer camp. Results: Four key interdependent themes: trust, accommodation, proactive parents and coping strategies were identified in how children perceive their food allergies in unregulated summer camp environments.

Allergies in Children: What’s New?—A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study

Background: The prevalence of respiratory allergies is increasing worldwide, with important consequences especially for little children. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of respiratory allergies, such as rhinitis and asthma, and to point out the risk factors and their relationship with allergic diseases in a specific area of Northern Italy. Methods: 110 children, male and female, from our outpatient service for allergic children, between 3 and 17 years old, were examined. After a skin prick test and a nasal cytology, the written questionnaire of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood was filled by parents together with their children. Results: 110 children were examined. 74% of children had rhinitis and 71% asthma. 88 patients were allergic, grass pollen and house dust mite was the most frequent allergens. A family history of atopy, family background, geographic area, active and passive smoking and home pets were associated to allergies. Older children (6 - 15 years old) had more often rhinitis associated with asthma and conjunctivitis as compared to younger. 21 Children were also affected by non allergic rhinitis. Conclusions: Respiratory allergies are widespread and associated to a low quality of life among little children. Sensitization to Ragweed is increasing with important consequences. Rhinitis precedes the onset of asthmatic symptoms. Moreover non allergic rhinitis is increasing and frequently underdiagnosed.

Purified Wheat Gliadin Proteins as Immunoglobulin E Binding Factors in Wheat Mediated Allergies

Some wheat gliadin proteins are strong allergens that may cause various symptoms of food allergies and baker’s asthma. The most immunoreactive ω-5 gliadin fractions are the main allergens in wheat dependent exercise induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA). While the allergenicity of ω-5 is quite well understood, knowledge about α, β, γ and ω-1.2 gliadins is much more scanty. This study examines allergenic properties of other fractions as compared to ω-5. Gliadins were extracted from flour of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar Ostka strzelecka. Purified samples representing proteins belonging to α, β, γ, ω-1.2 and ω-5 classes were isolated using preparative gel electrophoresis. Immuno-reactivity and allergenic properties of these proteins were analyzed by ELISA using sera from allergic patients with elevated sIgE (> 2KU/L), and by skin prick test (SPT). ELISA showed that ω-5 and ω-1.2 differed considerabely from α-, β- and γ-gliadins in respect of immunoreactivity. Responses of both ω-gliadins were almost twice as high as for other fractions. Significant differences were also observed among individual ω-gliadin fractions as evidenced by ANOVA. SPT showed that patient with symptoms of baker’s asthma and WDEIA had a positive results to all gliadins tested. Another patient with baker’s asthma (but not WDEIA) reacted positively only to ω-5 gliadins. In two patients with skin allergy SPT were negative with all analyzed proteins. Results show ω-1.2 gliadins to be almost as immunorective as ω-5. The α-, β- and γ-gliadins also recognize specific IgE antibodies, but their binding capacity is only about half that of ω-fractions. This kind of immunoreactivity could still be important since a cumulative effect of individual fractions may intensify disease symptoms in allergic patients.

More than a Few LAB Alleviate Common Allergies: Impact of Paraprobiotics in Comparison to Probiotical Live Cells

The evidence in this paper indicates that the alarming increase of common allergies can be reduced by the intake of particular “probiotics” or “paraprobiotics” along with food. This appears to build a consensus in the pharmaceutical and food communities about the role of probiotics in the prevention and treatments of common allergies. Food allergy is one of the common allergies, defined as an adverse health effect arising from a specific immune response that occurs reproducibly on exposure to a given food. Improving the digestion of foods and maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal (GI) tract is certainly critical to controlling food allergens. Therefore, the association between a leaky gut or an impaired intestinal permeability and food-allergenic reactions is explained. Gluten has been found to be somehow a justification for protein allergy, and should, therefore, be avoided by people with celiac disease. In several, in vitro models, surface layer (S- layer) proteins of selective paraprobiotics have shown potential in alleviating food allergies and intestinal disorders. Notably, lactobacilli paraprobiotics have proven to be the immediate immunomodulators against common allergies and other diseases, including viral (flu, hepatitis C), bacterial (bronchitis), asthma, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal distress, and autism disorders in humans.

荧光酶联免疫法和免疫印迹法检测过敏原特异性免疫球蛋白E一致性分析

目的 以荧光酶联免疫法的Immuno CAP系统为标准方法,探讨免疫印迹法的Allergy Screen系统的检验效能及在不同系统疾病诊疗中的临床应用价值。方法 收集2017年至2022年就诊于首都医科大学附属北京儿童医院过敏反应科的过敏原致敏患者血清样本4 525份,根据疾病类型分为呼吸系统疾病组、消化系统疾病组、多系统疾病组和其他系统疾病组。采用Allergy Screen系统检测血清中的户尘螨、粉尘螨、烟曲霉、猫毛、狗毛、豚草、艾蒿、葎草、鸡蛋、牛奶、蟹、虾过敏原sIgE。对Allergy Screen系统的检验效能、可靠性、级别一致性和不同疾病系统组的应用进行评价。结果 在检验效能上,Allergy Screen系统猫毛过敏原灵敏度最高为0.75,特异性为0.95。其次为蟹过敏原,灵敏度为0.57,特异性为0.89。Allergy Screen法检测各过敏原的Kappa值在0.122~0.866之间。豚草一致性好,Kappa值为0.866。Allergy Screen系统的Spearman相关分析结果显示,对粉尘螨、艾蒿、猫毛等级相关性均>0.7,关系非常紧密。其中粉尘螨相关性最佳,为0.757。Allergy Screen系统检测不同过敏原中,总体一致率为65.6%~90.3%,阴性符合率一致率为81.5%~97.9%,阳性一致率为9.1%~70.5%。在不同系统疾病组间检验效能比较,特异性在各系统组间差异无统计学意义。结论 Allergy Screen系统具有较高的诊断效能,适用于临床过敏原筛查检测。

A novel AgNPs/MOF substrate-based SERS sensor for high-sensitive on-site detection of wheat gluten

Gluten,known as the major allergen in wheat,has gained increasing concerns in industrialized countries,resulting in an urgent need for accurate,high-sensitive,and on-site detection of wheat gluten in complex food systems.Herein,we proposed a silver nanoparticles(AgNPs)/metal-organic framework(MOF)substrate-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering(SERS)sensor for the high-sensitive on-site detection of wheat gluten.The detection occurred on the newly in-situ synthesized AgNPs/MOF-modified SERS substrate,providing an enhancement factor(EF)of 1.89×10^(5).Benefitting from the signal amplification function of AgNPs/MOF and the superiority of SERS,this sensor represented high sensitivity performance and a wide detection range from 1×10^(-15)mol/L to 2×10^(-6)mol/L with a detection limit of 1.16×10^(-16)mol/L,which allowed monitoring the trace of wheat gluten in complex food system without matrix interference.This reliable sandwich SERS sensor may provide a promising platform for high-sensitive,accurate,and on-site detection of allergens in the field of food safety.

Milk fat globule membrane supplementation protects againstβ-lactoglobul-ininduced food allergy in mice via upregulation of regulatory T cells and enhancement of intestinal barrier in a microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids manner

Milk fat globule membrane(MFGM),which contains abundant glycoproteins and phospholipids,exerts beneficial effects on intestinal health and immunomodulation.The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects and possible underlying mechanisms of MFGM on cow’s milk allergy(CMA)in aβ-lactoglobulin(BLG)-induced allergic mice model.MFGM was supplemented to allergic mice induced by BLG at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight.Results demonstrated that MFGM alleviated food allergy symptoms,decreased serum levels of lipopolysaccharide,pro-inflammatory cytokines,immunoglobulin(Ig)E,Ig G1,and Th2 cytokines including interleukin(IL)-4,while increased serum levels of Th1 cytokines including interferon-γand regulatory T cells(Tregs)cytokines including IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β.MFGM modulated gut microbiota and enhanced intestinal barrier of BLG-allergic mice,as evidenced by decreased relative abundance of Desulfobacterota,Rikenellaceae,Lachnospiraceae,and Desulfovibrionaceae,while increased relative abundance of Bacteroidetes,Lactobacillaceae and Muribaculaceae,and enhanced expressions of tight junction proteins including Occludin,Claudin-1 and zonula occludens-1.Furthermore,MFGM increased fecal short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)levels,which elevated G protein-coupled receptor(GPR)43 and GPR109A expressions.The increased expressions of GPR43 and GPR109A induced CD103+dendritic cells accumulation and promoted Tregs differentiation in mesenteric lymph node to a certain extent.In summary,MFGM alleviated CMA in a BLG-induced allergic mice model through enhancing intestinal barrier and promoting Tregs differentiation,which may be correlated with SCFAs-mediated activation of GPRs.These findings suggest that MFGM may be useful as a promising functional ingredient against CMA.

Data-driven analysis of chemicals,proteins and pathways associated with peanut allergy:from molecular networking to biological interpretation

Peanut allergy is majorly related to severe food induced allergic reactions.Several food including cow's milk,hen's eggs,soy,wheat,peanuts,tree nuts(walnuts,hazelnuts,almonds,cashews,pecans and pistachios),fish and shellfish are responsible for more than 90%of food allergies.Here,we provide promising insights using a large-scale data-driven analysis,comparing the mechanistic feature and biological relevance of different ingredients presents in peanuts,tree nuts(walnuts,almonds,cashews,pecans and pistachios)and soybean.Additionally,we have analysed the chemical compositions of peanuts in different processed form raw,boiled and dry-roasted.Using the data-driven approach we are able to generate new hypotheses to explain why nuclear receptors like the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors(PPARs)and its isoform and their interaction with dietary lipids may have significant effect on allergic response.The results obtained from this study will direct future experimeantal and clinical studies to understand the role of dietary lipids and PPARisoforms to exert pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory functions on cells of the innate immunity and influence antigen presentation to the cells of the adaptive immunity.

Immunological disturbance effect of exogenous histamine towards key immune cells

Histamine in food has attracted widespread attention due to the potential toxicity and associated health risk.However,its influences on immunological components,especially the function of key immune cells,are still poorly known.In this work,we explored the effects of exogenous histamine on the function of key immune cells such as intestinal epithelial cells,dendritic cells,and T cells.The results showed that histamine could affect the expression of allergy-related genes in CMT93 cells at a high dose of histamine.Moreover,it’s found that histamine could cause an imbalance in the levels of relevant immune factors secreted by dendritic cells and T cells,especially those related to allergy.At the same time,the proportion of MHC class IIpositive dendritic cells and the proportion of T helper 2(Th2)cells in CD4^(+)T cells increased after histamine stimulation.We concluded that the presence of a certain level of histamine in food may affect the expression of allergy-related cytokines,disrupt the balance of the immune homeostasis,and potentially lead to adverse immune reactions.This work demonstrated the importance of including the estimation of histamine’s immune safety in aquatic products rather than merely considering the potential risk of food poisoning.

Comparison of immune responses and intestinal flora in epicutaneously sensitized BALB/c or C57BL/6 mouse models of food allergy

Cutaneous exposure to food allergens through a disrupted skin barrier is recognized as an important cause of food allergy,and the cutaneous sensitized mouse model has been established to investigate relevant allergic disorders.However,the role of different genetic backgrounds of mice on immune responses to food allergens upon epicutaneous sensitization is largely unknown.In this study,two strains of mice,i.e.,the BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice,were epicutaneously sensitized with ovalbumin on atopic dermatitis(AD)-like skin lesions,followed by intragastric challenge to induce IgE-mediated food allergy.Allergic outcomes were measured as clinical signs,specific antibodies and cytokines,and immune cell subpopulations,as well as changes in intestinal barrier function and gut microbiota.Results showed that both strains of mice exhibited typical food-allergic symptoms with a Th2-skewed response.The C57BL/6 mice,rather than the BALB/c mice,were fitter for establishing an epicutaneously sensitized model of food allergy since a stronger Th2-biased response and severer disruptions in the intestinal barrier and gut homeostasis were observed.This study provides knowledge for selecting an appropriate mouse model to study food-allergic responses associated with AD-like skin lesions and highlights the role of genetic variations in the immune mechanism underlying pathogenesis of food allergy.

Oral administration of Bacillus coagulans TQ-35 alleviates allergic responses in OVA-sensitive BALB/c mice

Bacillus coagulans has been extensively studied so far,but there has been a lack of research on its usage in allergy.In this study,we designed to assess the effect of different concentrations of B.coagulans on food allergy in a BALB/c mouse model of ovalbumin(OVA)-induced food allergy and its effect on gut microbes.The assessment of symptoms,specific immunoglobulin E(IgE),T-cell differentiation,and related gene expression levels in sensitized mice by assay indicated that high doses of oral B.coagulans could alleviate allergic symptoms.Treatment with B.coagulans,in the high-dose group,significantly reduced IgE and IgG1 levels and modulated the balance of T helper type 1 cell(Th1)and Th2 and the expression of relevant genes in the spleen.16S rRNA analysis showed that probiotics improved the structure of the microbiota,in particular by boosting the percentage of Clostridia,Bacteroides vulgatus and Enterococcus faecium,and by increasing the abundance of microbial species,thereby modulating the immune system.Therefore,this study can provide insights into the practical application of B.coagulans doses to alleviate OVA allergy.

Preventive effects of Bifidobacterium lactis Probio-M8 on ovalbumin-induced food allergy in mice

Food allergy is a significant public health concern globally.Certain probiotics have been found to enhance food allergy by regulating immune-microbe interactions in animal models and patients.However,the effects of Bifidobacterium lactis Probio-M8 on food allergy have not been thoroughly investigated.The present study examined the anti-allergic properties of Probio-M8,particularly in relation to immune response and gut microbiota composition.Results demonstrate that oral administration of Probio-M8 effectively mitigated the allergy symptoms triggered by ovalbumin(OVA)by ameliorating the morphological damage in the jejunum,reducing OVA-specific IgE and histamine levels in the serum,and suppressing Th2 cytokines(interleukin(IL)4 and IL-13)while increasing Th1 cytokines(interferon(IFN)γ)and regulatory T(Treg)cytokines(IL-10 and transforming growth factor(TGF)β1)in the culture supernatants of splenic cells.Furthermore,Probio-M8 effectively altered the diversity and composition of gut microbiota,particularly the relative abundances of Akkermansia_muciniphila in OVA-induced mice.Compared to the OVA group,the Probio-M8 group showed a decrease in the relative abundance of Akkermansia_muciniphila.In conclusion,Probio-M8 demonstrates the potential to alleviate food allergy by regulating the Th1/Th2 response and modulating gut microbiota,thereby offering a novel therapeutic strategy for patients with food allergy.

Evolving strategies: Enhancements in managing eosinophilic esophagitis in pediatric patients

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a newly recognized disease first described about 50 years ago.The definition,diagnosis,and management have evolved with new published consensus guidelines and newly approved treatment available to pediatricians,enabling a better understanding of this disease and more targeted treatment for patients.We describe the definition,presentation,and diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis including management,challenges,and future directions in children.The definition,diagnosis,and management of eosinophilic esophagitis have evolved over the last 50 years.Consensus guidelines and newly approved biologic treatment have enabled pediatricians to better understand this disease and allow for more targeted treatment for patients.We describe the definition,presentation,diagnosis,management,and treatment in addition to the challenges and future directions of eosinophilic esophagitis management in children.

The role of gut microbiota and its metabolites short-chain fatty acids in food allergy

Emerging evidence indicated that the increase in food allergy(FA)over the past few decades was associated with the abnormal compositional and metabolic changes of gut microbiota.Gut microbiota played a vital role in maintaining the homeostasis of the immune system and the dysbiosis of gut microbiota promoted the occurrence of FA.Recent research suggested that short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs),the main metabolites derived from gut microbiota,contributed to FA protection.Herein,we provided a comprehensive review on the relationship between gut microbiota and FA.The multifaceted mechanisms underlymg beneficial effects of gut microbiota composition/metabolites on the regulation of diverse cellular pathways in intestinal epithelial cells,dendritic cells,innate lymphoid cells,T cells,B cells and mast cells in the immune system were discussed systematically.These findings emphasized the positive function of gut microbiota in FA and provided novel ideas for the treatment or prevention of FA in the future.

The role of probiotics in prevention and treatment of food allergy

With the prevalence of food allergy increasing every year,food allergy has become a common public health problem.More and more studies have shown that probiotics can intervene in food allergy based on the intestinal mucosal immune system.Probiotics and their metabolites can interact with immune cells and gut microbiota to alleviate food allergy.This review outlines the relationship between the intestinal mucosal immune system and food allergy.This review also presents the clinical application and potential immunomodulation mechanisms of probiotics on food allergy.We aim at providing a reference for further studies to explore the key active substances and immunomodulation mechanisms of anti-allergic probiotics.

Cytological evaluation by Caco-2 and KU812 of non-allergenic peptides from simulated digestion of infant formula in vitro

Milk allergy is a common allergic reaction found in infants and young children,most of them appear tolerance after growing up.In this study,infant formula was digested by simulated in vitro digestion method.The potential non-allergenic peptides were further screened from undigested products by exclusion of the known epitopes fromβ-lactoglobulin(BLG)andα-lactalbumin(ALA).These potential non-allergenic peptides were synthesized and their transferability were determined by Caco-2 cell monolayer model.Finally,the potential allergenicity were evaluated by KU812 cell degranulation model.The results showed that 7 peptides were screened as non-allergenic sequences,among which were 3 from ALA and 4 from BLG.The Caco-2 cell model showed that all the synthetic peptides were absorbed and transported well.However,only peptide BLG_(107-118)showed potential allegencity by KU812 model.In conclusion,6 peptides,including ALA_(29-51),ALA_(80-90),ALA_(94-103),BLG_(1-20),BLG_(24-50),and BLG_(123-139)were evaluated as hypoallergenic peptides,which could be used for candidates of peptides inducing immune tolerance for persons with milk allergy.

Disease trends after Helicobacter pylori eradication based on Japanese nationwide claims and the health check-up database

BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)infection is a risk factor for many diseases,including peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer.While H.pylori eradication therapy can prevent these diseases,potentially unfavorable effects of eradication therapy have also been reported in some diseases,such as gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD),Barrett’s esophagus(BE),inflammatory bowel disease(IBD),allergic diseases,and metabolic diseases.Consequently,both positive and negative impacts should be considered when assessing the effects of H.pylori eradication therapy.AIM To compare the incidence of these diseases before and after H.pylori eradication and to comprehensively assess its effects.METHODS This retrospective cohort study used a Japanese nationwide health claims database(April 2009-March 2020),developed by the Japanese Ministry of Health,Labour and Welfare.The database contained almost all health insurance claims data issued in Japan,and specific health check-up data for individuals who took the check-ups.Descriptive statistics were used for the analyses.Patients who received primary eradication therapy were defined as those prescribed medication for H.pylori eradication.New diagnoses,defined as incidence of upper gastrointestinal diseases and IBD,and prevalence of allergic diseases were compared before and after eradication.The incidence and prevalence of each disease were also compared between the 3-year period before eradication(from the 4th to the 2nd year prior to the year of eradication)and the 3-year period after eradication(from the 1st to the 3rd year after the year of eradication)based on the age category and calendar year and month.Changes in body mass index and proportion of patients with metabolic syndrome(MS)were examined before and after eradication.RESULTS We identified 5219731 patients who received primary eradication therapy.The 65-69 years age group had the greatest number of patients in both sexes.There was no significant increase in the incidence of GERD after eradication when considering the effects of aging and reporting period.However,the incidence of BE was higher in the 3-year period after eradication than in the 3-year period before eradication for all age categories(0.02%-0.10%vs<0.01%-0.05%).The incidence of IBD and prevalence of allergic disease were also higher after eradication.In contrast,the incidence of gastric and duodenal ulcers and gastritis was reduced after eradication.In patients with at least one entry of health check-up data(1701111 patients),the percentage of patients with MS showed a slight increase following eradication(11.0%in the year of eradication and 12.2%after 5 years).CONCLUSION The results suggest that H.pylori eradication therapy reduces peptic ulcers and gastritis;however,it is associated with increased incidence of several other chronic diseases.

Roles of fermented plant-,dairy-and meat-based foods in the modulation of allergic responses

This review attempts to delineate the effects and roles of fermented foods on allergic responses(AR),specifically from milk,plant,and meat sources.Evidence for AR alleviation and aggravation were noted for many different fermented food groups.Positive outcomes on AR through fermented foods could be linked to microbial hydrolysis of food allergens,improvement in gut microbiota robustness,and modulation of the immune system that promotes a balance between T helper 1(Th1)and Th2 cells.Studies on plant-based,non-protein rich fermented foods tend to show more favourable results compared to those on meat-based or protein-rich group.The usage of specific and known starter cultures are helpful in alleviating AR,as in the case for many yogurt,Kefir or Dahi products.Sufficient fermentation time was also deemed important,exemplified in studies that showed inefficient AR reduction through consumption of fresh cheese.However,formation of new allergens through fermentation of certain meat-based foods,or by using specific fermenting microbes(e.g.Penicillium sp.),is possible.Thus,combination of starter cultures and food substrates must be considered in preventing or eliminating AR from intake of these foods.This review may aid consumers to make informed decision during the consumption of fermented food.

Maternal obesity exacerbates the responsiveness of offspring BALB/c mice to cow's milk protein-induced food allergy

Food allergy has become a significant public health problem affecting a large number of people worldwide.Maternal obesity causes inflammation and alters the immune system of offspring,which may exacerbate their food allergy.The aim of this study was to determine whether offspring mice born to obese mothers would have more serve reactions to cow's milk protein-induced food allergy,and further investigate the underlying mechanisms.Female offspring BALB/c mice of mothers with normal and high-fat diets were sensitized withβ-lactoglobulin(BLG),respectively.Maternal obesity increased the serum immunoglobulin E and mouse mast cell protease levels,though did not have significant influence on anaphylactic symptom score,core temperature and diarrhea rate of offspring mice after BLG sensitization.Furthermore,maternal obesity led to a lower level of occludin mRNA expression in BLG-sensitized mice.The mice born to obese mothers exhibited increased mRNA expression levels of GATA-3,interleukin(IL)-4 and IL-10 in jejunum after BLG sensitization,indicating maternal obesity intensified Th2-type biased immune responses.In conclusion,maternal obesity exerted exacerbating effects on the responsiveness of their offspring to cow's milk protein sensitization.