Heterogeneity of pollen food allergy syndrome in seven Southern European countries: The @IT.2020 multicenter study

Background Pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS) is a frequently underdiagnosed disease due to diverse triggers, clinical presentations, and test results. This is especially relevant in geographic areas with a broad spectrum of pollen sensitization, such as Southern Europe. Objectives To elucidate similarities and differences of PFAS in nine Southern European centers and identify associated characteristics and unique markers of PFAS. Methods As part of the @IT.2020 Multicenter Study, 815 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), aged 10-60 years, were recruited in seven countries. They completed questionnaires regarding SAR, comorbidities, family history, and PFAS, and underwent skin prick testing (SPT) and serum IgE testing. Results Of the 815 patients, 167 (20.5%) reported PFAS reactions. Most commonly, eliciting foods were kiwi (58, 34.7%), peach (43, 25.7%), and melon (26, 15.6%). Reported reactions were mostly local (216/319, 67.7%), occurring within 5 min of contact with elicitors (209/319, 65.5%). Associated characteristics included positive IgE to at least one panallergen (profilin, PR-10, or nsLTP) (p = 0.007), maternal PFAS (OR: 3.716, p = 0.026), and asthma (OR: 1.752, p = 0.073). Between centers, heterogeneity in prevalence (Marseille: 7.5% vs. Rome: 41.4%, p < 0.001) and of clinical characteristics was apparent. Cypress played a limited role, with only 1/22 SPT mono-sensitized patients reporting a food reaction (p < 0.073). Conclusions PFAS is a frequent comorbidity in Southern European SAR patients. Significant heterogeneity of clinical characteristics in PFAS patients among the centers was observed and may be related to the different pollen sensitization patterns in each geographic area. IgE to panallergen(s), maternal PFAS, and asthma could be PFAS-associated characteristics

“Whole” vs. “fragmented” approach to EAACI pollen season definitions: A multicenter study in six Southern European cities

Background: The adequate definition of pollen seasons is essential to facilitate a correct diagnosis, treatment choice, and outcome assessment in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. A position paper by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) proposed season definitions for Northern and Middle Europe. Objective: To test the pollen season definitions proposed by EAACI in six Mediterranean cities for seven pollen taxa. Methods: As part of the @IT.2020 multi-center study, pollen counts for Poaceae, Oleaceae, Fagales, Cupressaceae, Urticaceae (Parietaria spp.), and Compositae (Ambrosia spp., Artemisia spp.) were collected from January 1 to December 31, 2018. Based on these data, pollen seasons were identified according to EAACI criteria. A unified monitoring period for patients in AIT trials was created and assessed for feasibility. Results: The analysis revealed a great heterogeneity between the different locations in terms of pattern and length of the examined pollen seasons. Further, we found a fragmentation of pollen seasons in several segments (max. 8) separated by periods of low pollen counts (intercurrent periods). Potential monitoring periods included often many recording days with low pollen exposure (max. 341 days). Conclusion: The Mediterranean climate leads to challenging pollen exposure times. Monitoring periods for AIT trials based on existing definitions may include many intermittent days with low pollen concentrations. Therefore, it is necessary to find an adapted pollen season definition as individual solution for each pollen and geographical area

Screening of antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic activities, anatomical and morphological properties of Colchicum speciosum Steven (Colchicaceae)

Colchicum speciosum Steven species is a perennial stemless plant. C. speciosum is a flowering herb native to mountainous regions of northern Turkey, the Caucasus, and northern Iran. It has been known as "Vargit, Aci cigdem, Guz cigdemi". The present study reports the antimicrobial, antioxidant, alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities of corm, leaf and flower methanol extracts, anatomical (light and electron microscopes) properties of root, corm, leaf, flowers and morphological characteristics of C. speciosum. Three different part of extracts C. speciosum were evaluated against E. coli ATCC 8739, S. aureus ATCC 6538, B. subtilis ATCC 19,659, C. albicans ATCC 10,231, C. krusei ATCC 14,243, and C. tropicalis ATCC 750. The most effective extract was found to be MeOH extract for corm and leaf against C. tropicalis ATCC 750 strain with MIC value 160 > mu g/mL. It has been investigated first time anatomy of the tepal, ovary, anther, filament of C. speciosum. Leaf extract was the highest phenolic component (78.61842 mu g GAE/mg extract). As a result of DPPH center dot and ABTS(center dot+) tests, it was determined that the leaf extract showed the best activity (IC50 = 6.568 mu g/mL and IC50 = 3.243 mu g/mL, respectively). Corm extract exhibited alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 21039 mu g/mL. This is the first study of the in vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic activities, detailed anatomical and morphological properties of C. speciosum.Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurum

Anatomy, trichome micromorphology and phytochemical profile of Stachys rizeensis R.Bhattacharjee from Turkey

© 2022 SAABIn recent years, the popularity of natural products and natural product formulations has increased due to their beneficial effects on health. As a part of this trend, Lamiaceae family members have attracted attention due to their rich bioactive properties. Although the Stachys rizeensis R.Bhattacharjee plant is an endemic plant species in Turkey, no studies focus on its characterization. Hence, the present study aims to demonstrate the anatomical, morphological and phytochemical characterization of S. rizeensis in Turkey. In the first stage of the study, anatomical and trichome morphological characterization was performed to contribute to the taxonomic definition of S. rizeensis was found to be anatomically different from some other previously studied Stachys sp. by showing lacunar collenchyma type, uncertain cambium at the corners, two or three rows of endodermis in certain areas in the stem and two rows of palisade parenchyma, capitate and peltate glandular trichomes in the leaf. In the second stage, the phenolic profile, total phenolic/flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of the plant extracts prepared using solvents with different polarities (ethanol, methanol, water, ethyl acetate and hexane) were tested to determine the phytochemical content of the plant. The phytochemical analysis supported by chemometric analysis (PCA and HCA) revealed that methanol was the most efficient organic solvent for the extraction of the phytochemical compounds of the plant. Additionally, it was observed that chlorogenic acid (1842.40–217,086.19 mg/kg), verbascoside (2591.43–204,429.81 mg/kg), luteolin (3579.56–88,636.14 mg/kg) and kaempferol (9706.30–50,340.93 mg/kg) compounds were present at maximum levels in this plant, in which 31 different phenolic compounds were scanned using LC-MS/MS. In addition, results obtained from the phytochemical analysis revealed that S. rizeensis is a valuable plant that can be used for medical protection/treatment and that it could also have a variety of culinary applications. The present study served as the first original report regarding the chemical profile and anatomical characteristics of S. rizeensis (Lamiaceae) from Turkey

The anatomical, morphological features, and biological activity of Scilla siberica subsp. armena (Grossh.) Mordak (Asparagaceae)

Scilla siberica subsp. armena is known as Siberian Squill which is naturally distributed in Lebanon-Syria, Transcaucasus, and Turkey. It is a perennial bulbous plant with a short vegetation period from March to May. In this study, the antimicrobial, antioxidant, alpha-amylase, and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities of corm, leaf, and flower methanolic extracts were examined. The anatomy and morphology of the plant organs were investigated by light and electron microscopes. The anatomy of S. siberica subsp. armena was investigated for the first time by electron microscopy in this study. The corm, leaf, and flower methanolic extracts were assessed against E. coli ATCC 8739, S. aureus ATCC 6538, B. subtilis ATCC 19,659, C. albicans ATCC 10,231, C. krusei ATCC 14,243, and C. tropicalis ATCC 750. Among the extracts, that obtained from the blue pollen showed the best antimicrobial activity against C. tropicalis ATCC 750 strain with a MIC value of 312.5 mu g/mL. The highest phenolic content was determined in leaf extract with 53.59211 mu g GAE/mg extract value. The extract showed the best antilipid peroxidation activity with 376.69 mu g/mL value. Using DPPIT and ABTS(+) tests, it was determined that the flower and leaf extracts have the best activity (IC50 = 756.13 mu g/mL and IC50 = 94.07 mu g/mL, respectively). The flower extract exhibited a-glucosidase inhibitory activity with the IC50 value of 5239 mu g/mL. Based on the presented results of the in vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities of the S. siberica subsp. armena, we suggest that natural compounds from S. siberica subsp. armena are of potential use for the improvement of an antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial agent.Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurum

Heterogeneity of pollen food allergy syndrome in seven Southern European countries: The @IT.2020 multicenter study

International audienc

"Whole" vs "fragmented" approach to EAACI pollen season definitions: A multicenter study in six Southern European cities

Background The adequate definition of pollen seasons is essential to facilitate a correct diagnosis, treatment choice, and outcome assessment in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. A position paper by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) proposed season definitions for Northern and Middle Europe.Objective To test the pollen season definitions proposed by EAACI in six Mediterranean cities for seven pollen taxa.Methods As part of the @IT.2020 multi-center study, pollen counts for Poaceae, Oleaceae, Fagales, Cupressaceae, Urticaceae (Parietaria spp.), and Compositae (Ambrosia spp., Artemisia spp.) were collected from January 1 to December 31, 2018. Based on these data, pollen seasons were identified according to EAACI criteria. A unified monitoring period for patients in AIT trials was created and assessed for feasibility.Results The analysis revealed a great heterogeneity between the different locations in terms of pattern and length of the examined pollen seasons. Further, we found a fragmentation of pollen seasons in several segments (max. 8) separated by periods of low pollen counts (intercurrent periods). Potential monitoring periods included often many recording days with low pollen exposure (max. 341 days).Conclusion The Mediterranean climate leads to challenging pollen exposure times. Monitoring periods for AIT trials based on existing definitions may include many intermittent days with low pollen concentrations. Therefore, it is necessary to find an adapted pollen season definition as individual solution for each pollen and geographical area