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.

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.

Establishment of BALB/c Mice Model for Food Allergy to Chinese Lobsters

[Objective] This study aimed to establish Balb/c mice model for food allergy caused by Chinese lobsters through using intraperitoneal injection for sensitization and explore methods for in vitro identification and evaluation of food allergy caused by Chinese lobsters. [Method] The 40 male Bal/c mice were divided into ovalbumin（OVA） positive control group, Coca＇s solution negative control group, blank control group and model group. Balb/c mice model was established by intraperitoneally injection of immunized Balb/c mice with OVA or Chinese lobster crude protein with aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. IgE and histamine levels in serum after the second challenge were determined by ELISA method, and the specific IgE antibody titer was determined by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test（PCA）; additionally, spleen index and histological changes in the small intestine, as well as food allergy symptoms after challenge were also calculated or observed. [Results] After the last challenge, IgE content was（236.75 ±73.39） μg/L in the Chinese lobster crude protein group, revealing no difference with that in the OVA group, but significantly higher than that in either the Coca＇s solution group or the blank control group（P 0.01）;histamine content in serum in the Chinese lobster crude protein group was（406.55±232.79）, significantly higher than that in the blank control group（P0.01）. In the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test, IgE antibody titer reached 1/16 after the last challenge in the Chinese lobster crude protein group. Spleen index in both Chinese lobster crude protein group and OVA group was significantly greater than that in either the Coca＇s solution group or the blank control group（P0.01）. What＇s more, infiltration of inflammatory cells like lymphocytes and eosnophils at the lamina propria of intestinal mucosa was also observed both Chinese lobster crude protein group and OVA group. [Conclusion] This study established Balb/c mice model for food allergy caused by Chinese lobsters; serum IgE and ELISA assay and specific IgE antibody titer in PCA test can be used for the in vitro identification and evaluation of food allergies caused by Chinese lobsters.

Olive oil ameliorate allergic response in ovalbumin-induced food allergy mouse by promoting intestinal mucosal immunity

The numerous health benefits of olive oil are widely known,however,it also provides anti-allergic properties that have not yet been fully defined.In this study,the anti-allergic activity of olive oil was evaluated by analyzing the clinical symptoms and immune-related factors in BALB/c mice that had ingested600 mg/(kg·day)olive oil for two weeks prior to the evaluation.An allergy model was subsequently constructed for analysis,the results of which showed that the olive oil reduced the scores of allergic symptoms in the mice,and up-regulated the hypothermia and the decline in the immune organ index.Moreover,fewer allergy-related cytokines and reduced intestinal inflammation was discovered in the olive oil-treated group.In addition,analysis of intestinal mucosal immune-related factors revealed that the olive oil promoted the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins(Claudin-1,Occludin,and ZO-1)and IL-22,and helped maintain the integrity of the intestinal epithelial physical barrier.Increased levels of mucin 2 andβ-defensin were also found in the intestinal mucus of the olive oil-treated mice.These findings suggest that the oral administration of olive oil effectively attenuated the ovalbumin-induced allergic immune response in the mice,and had a positive effect on intestinal epithelial mucosal immunity.

Polydatin attenuated food allergy via store-operated calcium channels in mast cell

AIM: To investigate the effect of polydatin (PD), a resveratrol glucoside, on mast cell degranulation and antiallergic activity. METHODS: After the rats were orally sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) for 48 d and underwent PD treatment for 4 d, all the rats were stimulated by 100 mg/mL OVA for24 h and then sacrificed for the following experiments. The small intestines from all the groups were prepared for morphology examination by hematoxylin and eosin staining. We also used a smooth muscle organ bath to evaluate the motility of the small intestines. The OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) production and interleu-kin-4 (IL-4) levels in serum or supernatant of intestinal mucosa homogenates were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Using toluidine blue stain, the activation and degranulation of isolated rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs) were analyzed. Release of histamine from RPMCs was measured by ELISA, and regulation of PD on intracellular Ca 2+ mobilization was investigated by probing intracellular Ca 2+ with fluo-4 fluo-rescent dye, with the signal recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: We found that intragastric treatment with PD significantly reduced loss of mucosal barrier integrity in the small intestine. However, OVA-sensitization caused significant hyperactivity in the small intestine of allergic rats, which was attenuated by PD administration by 42% (1.26 ± 0.13 g vs OVA 2.18 ± 0.21 g, P < 0.01). PD therapy also inhibited IgE production (3.95 ± 0.53 ng/mL vs OVA 4.53 ± 0.52 ng/mL, P < 0.05) by suppressing the secretion of Th2-type cytokine, IL-4, by 34% (38.58 ± 4.41 pg/mLvs OVA 58.15 ± 6.24 pg/mL, P < 0.01). The ratio of degranulated mast cells, as indicated by vehicles (at least five) around the cells, dramatically increased in the OVA group by 5.5 fold (63.50% ± 15.51% vs phosphate-buffered saline 11.15% ± 8.26%, P < 0.001) and fell by 65% after PD treatment (21.95% ± 4.37% vs OVA 63.50% ± 15.51%, P < 0.001). PD mediated attenuation of mast cell degranulation was further confirmed by decreased histamine levels in both serum (5.98 ± 0.17 vs OVA 6.67 ± 0.12, P < 0.05) and intestinal mucosa homogenates (5.83 ± 0.91 vs OVA 7.35 ± 0.97, P < 0.05). Furthermore, we demonstrated that administration with PD significantly decreased mast cell degranulation due to reduced Ca 2+ influx through store-operated calcium channels (SOCs) (2.35 ± 0.39vs OVA 3.51 ± 0.38,P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: Taken together, our data indicate that PD stabilizes mast cells by suppressing intracellular Ca 2+ mobilization, mainly through inhibiting Ca 2+ entry via SOCs, thus exerting a protective role against OVA-sensitized food allergy.

Application of in vitro and in vivo models in the study of food allergy

Food allergy is one of the most important food safety problems that has attracted increasing attention.The food allergy experimental models provide not only the accurate allergen detection and evaluation methods but also the powerful approaches for mechanism investigations.In this paper,we reviewed the common food allergy cell models including mast cell,basophil granulocyte and basophil,as well as the animal models of BALB/c mouse,C3H/HeJ mouse,and BN rat.We also introduced zebrafish,a promising model organism for investigating immunity though lacking direct applications in food allergy to date,and focused on traumatic inflammation,bacterial infection and viral infection models.In addition,we also summarized the clinical diagnostic research methods for food allergy.The elucidation of these topics will help researchers to understand the characteristics and mechanisms of various models and thus select the proper models for particular study,so as to support further investigations of food allergy.

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.

Research Progress on Analysis and Detection Techniques of Veterinary Drug Residues in Animal Foods

As an important guarantee for the prevention and control of animal diseases,veterinary drugs have important functions in improving animal production performance and product quality and maintaining ecological balance.They are an important guarantee for the healthy development of animal husbandry,food safety and public health.However,the irrational use and abuse of veterinary drugs and feed pharmaceutical additives are widespread,causing harmful substances in animal foods and damage to human health,and threatening the sustainable development of the environment and animal husbandry as well.In order to ensure human health,it is urgent to develop a simple,rapid,high-sensitivity,high-throughput and low-cost veterinary drug residue detection technology.In this paper,the sample pretreatment methods and detection techniques for the analysis of veterinary drug residues in animal foods were reviewed.

Probiotics' Preventive Effect on Pediatric Food Allergy: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective To investigate the preventive effect of probiotics on pediatric food allergy. Methods From MEDLINE bibliographical database, we searched and reviewed all randomized controlled trials on the preventive effects of probiotics on pediatric food allergies up to September 2013 and excluded the studies that do not meet inclusion criteria and extracted the data. Meta-analysis for the results of homogenous studies was performed using RevMan 5.0 and the co-effect was pooled by using fixed-effects model of relative risk(RR) ratios. Results Ten trials published between 2007 and 2012 including 2701 cases were included. Meta-analysis based on included data showed that the preventive effect of prenatal and postnatal probiotic supplementation on food allergies was not significant with the RR=0.88(95% CI: 0.76-1.03). Conclusion Present evidences cannot show in unequivocal terms that prenatal and postnatal probiotic supplementation will prevent food allergic diseases.

Effect of Buzhong Yiqi Decoction (补中益气汤) on Murine Liver Damage Induced by Food Allergy

Objective: To investigate the effect of Buzhong Yiqi decoction (补中益气汤, BZYQD) on liver damage induced by food allergy in mice. Methods: Nc/Jic strain mice with high levels of serum IgE were sensitized by ovalbumin (OVA), and then divided into two groups and respectively treated with BZYQD (treated group) or normal saline (model group). Samples of serum, liver tissues and small intestine were collected two weeks later, and another group of non-sensitized mice was set as the normal group. The levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured with spectrophotometry. The liver tissue and small intestine were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) for pathologic analysis. The liver samples were also subjected to analysis of CD4-T helper cell and cytokine (interleukin-4, IL-4, interleukin-6, IL-6) expression with immunohistochemical (avidin-biotin complex, ABC) method. Results: Serum ALT levels decreased and obvious pathologic improvements were seen in the mice treated with BZYQD. And compared with the model mice, the number of positive cells of IL-4, IL-6 and CD4 cell decreased significantly in those treated with BZYQD. Conclusion: BZYQD can effectively decrease the production of cytokines associated with allergic reaction in the liver of mice thus effective in treating liver damage caused by food allergy.

Psychological burden of food allergy

One fifth of the population report adverse reactions to food. Reasons for these symptoms are heterogeneous, varying from food allergy, food intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome to somatoform or other mental disorders. Literature reveals a large discrepancy between truly diagnosed food allergy and reports of food allergy symptoms by care seekers. In most studies currently available the characterization of patient groups is incomplete, because they did not distinguish between immunologic reactions and other kinds of food reactions. In analysing these adverse reactions, a thorough physical and psychological diagnostic approach is important. In our qualitative review, we present those diagnostic measures that are evidenced-based as well as clinically useful, and discuss the various psychological dimensions of adverse reactions to food. It is important to acknowledge the complex interplay between body and mind： Adults and children suffering from food allergy show impaired quality of life and a higher level of stress and anxiety. Pavlovian conditioning of adverse reactions plays an important role in maintaining symptoms. The role of personality, mood, or anxiety in food reactions is debatable. Somatoform disorders ought to be identified early to avoid lengthy and fiustrating investigations. A future task will be to improve diagnostic algorithms, to describe psychological aspects in clearly characterised patient subgroups, and to develop strategies for an optimized management of the various types of adverse reactions to food.

A Possible Hypoallergenic Cereal in Wheat Food Allergy and Baker’s Asthma

Background: Wheat is a potent allergen source and is one of the causes of baker’s asthma and food allergy. The best strategy for managing food hypersensitivity involves strict avoidance of the trigger. However, wheat is quite difficult to avoid. Several alternative strategies for the treatment of food allergy are under study. Spelt is a possible hypoallergenic crop that may be tried in patients with wheat allergy. Methods: We have evaluated the allergenic IgE hypersensitivity mediated by spelt in wheat allergic patients. Overall, 66 patients who suffered from baker’s asthma or food allergy (45 males and 21 females, mean age 28.6 ± 12.9 years) were included. We have also compared its reactivity with standard- ized extracts from wheat and with purified non-specific lipid transfer proteins from wheat (Tri a 14) and from peach (Pru p 3). Immunodetection with spelt and common bread wheat extracts (Triticum aestivum, cultivar Astral) was per- formed. Fresh wheat and spelt grain extracts were used both for oral and bronchial challenge and skin tests. Specific IgE detection to different cereals was performed using the Immuno CAP System (Phadia, Uppsala, Sweden). The bronchial challenge was positive with wheat Astral in 44 (67%) patients, all of them suffered from asthma. Thirteen (29.54%) of these 44 patients had negative the challenge with spelt. The oral challenge with wheat Astral was positive in 22 (33%) patients with wheat food allergy, and the same test was positive in only in 6 of them with spelt (27.3%). The diagnostic yield (sensitivity, specificity and predictive values) of routine tests in determining spelt allergy by specific positive challenge responses was determined. Prick tests for spelt versus positive challenge tests had a good sensitivity (94%, 86.5 - 99.4;95%CI) and specificity (86%, 84 - 90;95% CI) for the diagnosis of spelt allergy. Immunodetection detected minor differences among different extracts. Conclusion: In summary, the prick test and bronchial and oral challenges both efficiently detected sensitization to spelt and their levels were related to more severe clinical profiles, but the wheal area was significantly lower with spelt (p 0.001) and the percentage of positive challenge tests decreased. Our results suggest that spelt is an old crop that may be tried in patients with wheat allergy.

Protein Quality Evaluation of Animal Food Proteins by <i>In-Vitro</i>Methodologies

Animal protein foods are undoubtedly among the most concentrated source of essential amino acids (AA) for the human diet. However, their high prices and diseases associated to their excessive consumption have fomented the consumption of other alternative sources of animal proteins such as those from marine or aquatic species. Sonora is a well recognized producer of animal foods in Mexico, both terrestrial and aquatic. In this study, the protein quality evaluation of these animal food sources, highly produced and consumed in Sonora, is proposed, using in-vitro methodologies. Four different species, from each aquatic and terrestrial origin, were selected. Samples of lean muscle were used in all cases. Various in-vitro methodologies for protein quality evaluation were selected, alternatives to the animal bioassays: % digestibility, Total amino acid analyses (HPLC), PDCAAS, computerized PER calculations (C-PER and DC-PER) and total collagen contents. % in-vitro digestibility presented significant differences among samples from terrestrial species, but muscle from aquatic species did not showed significant differences. All sources of proteins, both aquatic and terrestrial proved to be rich sources of essential amino acids. PDCAAS was unable to establish significant differences in protein quality among sources of protein from different origin. Both methods C-PER and DC-PER were more exact in their results and were able to detect significant differences among samples of different origin. An important finding was the great difference in the total collagen content between aquatic and terrestrial sources of proteins, where terrestrial muscle proteins had almost 10-time more collagen than aquatic protein sources. However, these collagen contents did not seem to have a significant influence in the protein quality of these animal proteins. These muscle proteins, from both aquatic and terrestrial species, confirmed to have a high protein quality and some of the in-vitro methodologies used in this study represent a valuable alternative to the animal bioassays.

Concentrations of gastric mucosal cytokines in children with food allergy and Helicobacterpylori infection

AIM： To measure the concentrations of chosen cytokines in the antrum mucosa depending on the kind of harmful pathogenic factors and to compare the concentrations with the values of controls without allergy and coexisting Helicobacter pylori （H pylori） infection. METHODS： The patients （97 children） were divided into three groups according to the data obtained from the case history, to the main cause of the disease and to the dominant clinical symptoms. Group Ⅰ： children with food allergy （Fa）; group Ⅱ： children infected with H pylori; group Ⅲ （control group）： children with functional disorders of the alimentary tract （without Fa and Hp infection）. H pylori infection was determined by the presence of anti-Hp antibodies in serum （ELISA method） and urease test performed during endoscopic examination. Cytokine concentration in homogenates of gastric mucosa was detected by ELISA method. RESULTS： The IL-2 concentration in gastric mucosa bioptates was the highest in children with Hp infection （116.5±179.5 pg/mg of the protein） and Fa and Hp infection （98.1±101.0 pg/mg）, while decreased in children with Fa （44.8±50.3 pg/mg） and controls （45.7±23.5 pg/mg）. The lowest mean concentration of IFN-y was observed in children with Hp infection （18.9±16.4 pg/mg）, with Fa and Hp infection （25.5±27.7 pg/mg）, with Fa （40.6±39.7 pg/mg） and controls （49.9±33.4 pg/mg）. The highest IL-4 concentrations were observed in children with Hp infection （35.3±52.8 pg/mg） and in children with Fa and Hp infection （37.2±51.7 pg/mg）, while lower IL-4 concentration （23.64-35.8 pg/mg） was found in children with Fa compared to the controls （22.7±13.8 pg/mg）. The analysis of IL-4 concentrations in children with Hp infection regarding the intensity of gastritis showed the highest value （62.2±61.2 pg/mg） in mild and moderate gastritis. The concentrations of IL-5 in the gastric mucosa of children with or without Fa did not differ significantly and were comparable to the control group. The highest mean IL-8 value was observed in Hp-infected children with or without Fa. The highest concentration of mucosal IL-10 was detected in children with Hp infection （79.3±41.2 pg/mg） and decreased in children with Fa and Hp infection （50.1±18.8 pg/mg） and in children with Fa （39.9±35.5 pg/mg）. The intensity and activity of the inflammation did not affect IL-10 concentrations in the gastric mucosa. In children with Hp infection, TNF-α concentration was the highest （45.9±49.3 pg/mg） and in children with Fa and Hp infection was low （45.3±32.6 pg/mg）, whereas decreased in children with Fa （21.7±34.2 pg/mg） and in controls （31.6±14.5 pg/mg）. CONCLUSION： The morphological changes of the gastric mucosa in children with Hp infection are comparable to those in children with Fa and coexisting Hp infection. Cytokine concentration in children with Fa and Hp infection is significantly different in IFN-7, IL-2, IL-8, and TNF-α.

Pathophysiological Justification for Allergen Immunotherapy in Food Allergy

Apart from avoiding exposure, allergen immunotherapy (AI) is the only causal method of treating allergic diseases. The results of numerous studies have been published concerning the safety and effectiveness of the AI in treating allergic rhinitis, asthma or allergy to the venom of Hymenoptera insects. It has also been proven that administration of increasing preparation doses of allergen extractions alleviates the symptoms in patients after the exposure to some sensitizing allergens. The effect of the AI remains visible many years after completion of the therapy. Studies have been done in an attempt to employ specific immunotherapy in patients with food allergy symptoms. They have been mostly concerned with populations of patients suffering from allergy to the protein found in cow’s milk and hen eggs. It appears that a need arises to create a new therapeutic method for successful treatment of food allergies and specific allergen immunotherapy seems to be a promising step. Although still in its experimental phase, in many well documented cases the method allows for building patient’s tolerance towards small doses of sensitizing allergen and seems conducive to protecting the patient from anaphylactic reactions after incidental allergen consumption.

Potential risk factors of food allergy in children: EuroPrevall project results in Vilnius, Lithuania

Objectives: In recent decades, the prevalence of allergic diseases, including food allergy, has been increasing. This is becoming an important health problem. Many risk factors of food allergy were identified recently, and many of them still are controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential risk factors of food allergy in child population following the methodology of the EuroPrevall project. Methods: Vilnius University was a partner in the EuroPrevall integrated project “The prevalence cost and basis of food allergy in Europe”, which is an EU-funded multi-disciplinary research study. A case-control study design was used to address the study question. All subjects were assessed by means of questionnaire and blood sample test for specific immunoglobulin E. Possible risk factors like mother’s addictions (smoking, alcohol drinking during pregnancy), infant low birth weight and nursing duration, gender, treatment with antibiotics during first two years of life were analysed. Multiple logistic regression was used for risk factor analysis. Results: No statistically significant associations were found between risk factors and food allergy. Only gender (male) (ORa = 3.36, 95% CI 1.17-9.63) and mother’s food allergy (ORa = 5.44, 95% CI 1.19-24.97) were directly associated with child’s food allergy. Because of the presence of those both two factors (gender (male) + mother’s allergy), the risk for food allergy increased particularly—OR was 18.31 (95% CI 2.01-166.07). Conclusion: Gender (male) and mother’s food allergy are the most important risk factors directly associated with children’s food allergy.

“If we are waiting for the numbers alone,we will miss the point”:a qualitative study of the perceived rise of food allergy and associated risk factors in the Greater Accra Region,Ghana

Background:Globally,food allergy[FA]is considered a growing health epidemic.While much of what is known comes from developed countries,there is growing interest in the epidemiology of FA in developing regions such as sub-Saharan Africa.Indeed,researchers are beginning to document the incidence and prevalence of FA and sensitization.The results outlined in this paper stem from an exploratory qualitative study examining the emergence of the health risk of FA in Ghana,a country undergoing epidemiologic changes.Methods:Between June and August,2015,we conducted thirty-seven(37)semi-structured in-depth interviews.This comprised seventeen(17)healthcare workers across 12 public and private hospitals and twenty(20)individuals with FA and families with allergic children.All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim.Transcripts were analyzed to develop thematic areas that characterize perceptions and experiences around FA.Results:Three key broad themes arise from this study.First,FA is an emerging health risk,whose incidence is perceived to be increasing.Second,participants expressed mixed perceptions about the public health burden of FA.Third,participants identified individual and societal factors that may be influencing FA risks and susceptibility.Conclusion:Our research suggests FA is a growing but unrecognized public health concern.There is the need for health policies and researchers to consider the full extent of ongoing epidemiologic changes for the health of populations in developing regions.

Determination of Ten Kinds of Alpha-2 Agonists Residues in Animal Derived Food by UHPLC-Triple Quadrupole/Composite Linear Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry

[Objectives]The paper was to establish an ultra high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/linear ion trap complex mass spectrometry for the determination of 10 kinds ofα2-receptor agonists in animal derived food.[Methods]The samples were extracted with sodium carbonate buffer solution and ethyl acetate,and analyzed by mass spectrometry after solid phase extraction and high performance liquid chromatography separation.[Results]Ten kinds ofα2-receptor agonists showed a good linear relationship in the range of 1-100μg/mL,with the average recovery of over 69%and the relative standard deviation less than 8.32%.The detection limit of 10 kinds of α_(2)-receptor agonists was up to 1μg/kg.[Conclusions]The method has good selectivity and strong anti-interference ability,and can meet the requirements of 10 kinds ofα2-receptor agonists residues in animal derived food.

Food allergy in irritable bowel syndrome:The case of non-celiac wheat sensitivity

Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders, having a prevalence of 12%-30% in the general population. Most patientswith IBS attribute their symptoms to adverse food reactions. We review the role of diet in the pathogenesis of IBS and the importance of dietary factors in the management of these patients. The MEDLINE electronic database(1966 to Jan 2015) was searched using the following keywords: "food", "diet", "food allergy", "food hypersensitivity", "food intolerance", "IBS", "epidemiology", "pathogenesis", "pathophysiology", "diagnosis", "treatment". We found 153 eligible papers; 80 were excluded because: not written in English, exclusive biochemical and experimental research, case reports, reviews, and research otherwise not relevant to our specific interest. We selected 73 papers: 43 original papers, 26 reviews and 4 letters to the editor. These papers focused on IBS pathogenesis, the association between IBS and atopy, and between IBS and food allergy, the relationship between IBS and non-celiac wheat sensitivity, the role of diet in IBS. Pending further scientific evidence, a cautious approach is advisable but the concept of food allergy should be included as a possible cause of IBS, and a dietary approach may have a place in the routine clinical management of IBS.