Sensitisation to Act 2d in patientsallergic to Alternaria alternanta: an epiphenomenom without clinical significance?

In the last few years, the introduction of microarrays in the diagnosis of type I allergy is allowing the clinicians to have a much more accurate picture of their allergenic profile. However, the simultaneous measurement of specific IgE to multiple molecules can show unexpected sensitisations, without knowing their clinical relevance. For instance, we have been observing a high prevalence (74%) of sensitisation to Act d 2 (the thaumatin of kiwifruit) in patients sensitised to Alt a 1 (major allergen of Alternaria alternata) with a confirmed allergy to this mould. The aim of the present study was to clarify if there was any clinical relevance in this finding

Effect of antihistamine up-dosing in chronic urticaria

Chronic urticaria has an important impact upon patient quality of life, and no treatment has yet been developed capable of effectively controlling the disease. The most recent guidelines recommend the use of non-sedating antihistamines at high doses as second-step therapy before resorting to other treatments. The present review examines the studies published to date on the use of H1 antihistamines at doses higher than those indicated as therapeutic doses in chronic urticaria. Most of the studies report no significant differences among the studied doses – only a tendency towards increased response on elevating the dose.There are no clinically well designed, randomized double-blind trials comparing efficacy between therapeutic doses and doses higher than those indicated in the corresponding Summary of Product Characteristics. Likewise, there are insufficient data to conduct a meta-analysis and thus classify the degree of evidence of the few available studies, which moreover present contradictory results. At present, the prescription of high-dose H1 antihistamines is based only on experts opinion. However, considering the high safety profile of these drugs, it would be a good option to evaluate their efficacy at high doses, before moving on to other therapeutic steps

Basophil Activation Test Utility as a Diagnostic Tool in LTP Allergy

Plant-food allergy is an increasing problem, with nonspecific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs) triggering mild/severe reactions. Pru p 3 is the major sensitizer in LTP food allergy (FA). However, in vivo and in vitro diagnosis is hampered by the need for differentiating between asymptomatic sensitization and allergy with clinical relevance. The basophil activation test (BAT) is an ex vivo method able to identify specific IgE related to the allergic response. Thus, we aimed to establish the value of BAT in a precise diagnosis of LTP-allergic patients. Ninety-two individuals with peach allergy sensitized to LTP, Pru p 3, were finally included, and 40.2% of them had symptoms to peanut (n = 37). In addition, 16 healthy subjects were recruited. BAT was performed with Pru p 3 and Ara h 9 (peanut LTP) at seven ten-fold concentrations, and was evaluated by flow cytometry, measuring the percentage of CD63 (%CD63+) and CD203c (%CD203chigh) cells, basophil allergen threshold sensitivity (CD-Sens), and area under the dose–response curve (AUC). Significant changes in BAT parameters (%CD63+ and %CD203chigh) were found between the controls and patients. However, comparisons for %CD63+, %CD203chigh, AUC, and CD-Sens showed similar levels among patients with different symptoms. An optimal cut-off was established from ROC curves, showing a significant positive percentage of BAT in patients compared to controls and great values of sensitivity (>87.5%) and specificity (>85%). In addition, BAT showed differences in LTP-allergic patients tolerant to peanut using its corresponding LTP, Ara h 9. BAT can be used as a potential diagnostic tool for identifying LTP allergy and for differentiating peanut tolerance, although neither reactivity nor sensitivity can distinguish the severity of the clinical symptoms.Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga. This research was funded by grants from the “Instituto de Salud Carlos III” (ISCIII) of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness: PI17/01318, PI18/00288, PI21/00346, AC18/00031; RETICS ARADyAL (RD16/0006/0001, RD16/0006/0007); Sara Borrell (CD20/00085) Program; RICORS (RD21/0002/0008, RD21/0002/0058); and Next Generation EU funds. Andalusian Regional Ministry of Health (PE-0039-2018, RH-0085-2020, and PI-0099-2020), Senior Clinical Researcher Program (B-0005-2019), and Nicolas Monardes Program (RC-0004-2021). Roche Pharma S.A. “Stop Fuga de Cerebros” Program (SFC-0002-2020). Grants were co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). “Una manera de hacer Europa” “Andalucía se mueve con Europa”

Acumulación de materia seca, N, P, K y Ca en Manihot esculenta

Se determinó el acumulo de materia seca, N, P, y Ca en diversas partes de plantas de mandioca, que crecieron en un suelo abonado mensualmente y en un suelo sin abonar, a lo largo de su período vegetativo. Los análisis se realizaron sobre cinco plantas de cada variante, muestran que el ritmo de acumulación de materia seca y de los elementos analizados, es lenta durante los dos primeros meses, intenso en los dos meses siguientes para luego bajar en los dos últimos. Las curvas determinadas son muy similares para cada variante, es decir que ritmo de acumulación es independiente de la riqueza mineral del medio edáfico, si bien la cantidad absoluta acumulada fue mayor en las plantas que crecieron en suelos abonados

Usefulness of manufactured tomato extracts in the diagnosis of tomato sensitization: Comparison with the prick-prick method

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Commercial available skin prick test with fruits can be negative in sensitized or allergic patients due to a reduction in biological activity during the manufacturing process. Prick-prick tests with fresh foods are often preferred, but they are a non-standardized procedure. The usefulness of freeze-dried extracts of Canary Islands tomatoes, comparing the wheal sizes induced by prick test with the prick-prick method in the diagnosis of tomato sensitization has been analyzed.</p> <p>The objective of the study was to assess the potential diagnostic of freeze-dried extracts of Canary Islands tomatoes, comparing the wheal sizes induced by prick test with the prick-prick method.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two groups of patients were analyzed: Group I: 26 individuals reporting clinical symptoms induced by tomato contact or ingestion. Group II: 71 control individuals with no symptoms induced by tomato: 12 of them were previously skin prick test positive to a tomato extract, 39 were atopic and 20 were non-atopic. All individuals underwent prick-prick with fresh ripe peel Canary tomatoes and skin prick tested with freeze-dried peel and pulp extracts obtained from peel and pulp of Canary tomatoes at 10 mg/ml. Wheal sizes and prick test positivity (≥ 7 mm²) were compared between groups.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In group I, 21 (81%) out of 26 patients were prick-prick positive. Twenty patients (77%) had positive skin prick test to peel extracts and 12 (46%) to pulp extracts. Prick-prick induced a mean wheal size of 43.81 ± 40.19 mm²compared with 44.25 ± 36.68 mm²induced by the peel extract (Not significant), and 17.79 ± 9.39 mm²induced by the pulp extract (p < 0.01).</p> <p>In group II, 13 (18%) out of 71 control patients were prick-prick positive. Twelve patients (all of them previously positive to peel extract) had positive skin prick test to peel and 3 to pulp. Prick-prick induced a mean wheal size of 28.88 ± 13.12 mm²compared with 33.17 ± 17.55 mm²induced by peel extract (Not significant), and 13.33 ± 4.80 mm²induced by pulp extract (p < 0.05 with peel extract and prick-prick).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Canary peel tomato extract seems to be as efficient as prick-prick tests with ripe tomatoes to diagnose patients sensitized to tomato. The wheal sizes induced by prick-prick and peel extracts were very similar and showed a high correlation coefficient.</p

Parámetros hematológicos y laboratoriales tempranos asociados con la mortalidad por COVID-19 en una población amazónica del Perú

COVID-19 has a significant impact on the hematopoietic system and hemostasis. Leukocytosis, lymphopenia, and thrombocytopenia are associated with increased severity and even death in COVID-19 cases. Objective: The aim is to examine the laboratory results of COVID-19 patients from a hospital in the Peruvian Amazon and their clinical prognosis. Material and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out whose purpose was to identify the laboratory tests of patients with COVID-19 and mortality in a hospital in Ucayali, Peru during the period from March 13 to May 9, 2020, selecting a total of 127 with Covid-19. Mean and the standard deviation was described for age, leukocytes, neutrophils, platelets, RDW-SD; median and interquartile range for the variables lymphocyte, RN / L, fibrinogen, CRP, D-dimer, DHL, hematocrit, monocytes, eosinophils. Results: No differences were observed in this population regarding death and sex (OR: 1.31; 95% CI 0.92 to 1.87), however, it was observed that, for each one-year increase, the probability of death increased by 4% (PR: 1.04, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.05). The IRR (Incidence Risk Ratio) analysis for the numerical variables showed results strongly associated with hematological values such as Leukocytes (scaled by 2500 units) (IRR: 1.08, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.13), neutrophils (scaled by 2500 units) (IRR: 1.08; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.13), on the contrary, it is observed that the increase of 1000 units in lymphocytes, the probability of dying decreased by 48% (IRR: 0.52; 95% CI 0.38 to 071). Conclusions: Parameters such as leukocytes,neutrophils and D-dimer were statistically much higher in patients who died.COVID-19 tiene un impacto significativo en el sistema hematopoyético y la hemostasia. La leucocitosis, la linfopenia y la trombocitopenia se asocian con una mayor gravedad e incluso la muerte en los casos de COVID-19. Objetivo: examinar los resultados de laboratorio de pacientes con COVID-19 de un hospital de la Amazonía peruana y su pronóstico clínico. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal analítico cuyo propósito fue identificar las pruebas de laboratorio de pacientes con COVID-19 y mortalidad en un hospital de Ucayali, Perú durante el periodo del 13 de marzo al 9 de mayo del 2020, seleccionando un total de 127 con COVID-19. Se describió la media y la desviación estándar para edad, leucocitos, neutrófilos, plaquetas, RDW-SD; mediana y rango intercuartílico para las variables linfocito, RN/L, fibrinógeno, PCR, dímero D, DHL, hematocrito, monocitos, eosinófilos. Resultados: No se observaron diferencias en esta población en cuanto a muerte y sexo (OR: 1,31; IC 95% 0,92 a 1,87), sin embargo, se observó que, por cada aumento de un año, la probabilidad de muerte aumentaba un 4% (RP: 1,04). , IC del 95%: 1,03 a 1,05). El análisis de RIR (Razón de incidencia de riesgos) para las variables numéricas mostró resultados fuertemente asociados con valores hematológicos como Leucocitos (escala de 2500 unidades) (RRI: 1.08, 95% CI 1.03 a 1.13), neutrófilos (escala de 2500 unidades) (RRI: 1.08; IC 95% 1.03 a 1.13), por el contrario, se observa que al aumento de 1000 unidades en linfocitos, la probabilidad de morir disminuyó en un 48% (TIR: 0.52; IC 95% 0.38 a 071). Conclusiones: Parámetros tales como los leucocitos, los neutrófilos y el dímero D fueron estadísticamente mucho más altos en los pacientes que fallecieron

Liittymätyypin muuttaminen kiertoliittymäksi ja sen vaikutuksia

Opinnäytetyön tarkoituksena oli tutkia ja selvittää liittymätyypin muutoksen vaikutuksia, kun se muutetaan kiertoliittymäksi. Työssä käytiin läpi kolme kiertoliittymää, jotka ovat olleet ennen muutosta valo-ohjaamattomia tai -ohjattuja tasoliittymiä. Liittymät sijaitsevat Lappeenrannassa, työn tilaajana toimi Lappeenrannan kaupunki ja työn ohjaavana opettajana Hämeen ammattikorkeakoulusta Janne Rautio. Liittymiä on muutettu ja tullaan muuttamaan yhä enemmän kiertoliittymiksi. Sille haettiin perusteluita tutkimuksen kautta mm. liikennemääriä, onnettomuustilastoja ja kustannuksia selvittämällä. Kaupungin tietokannoista löytyi asiasta paljon dataa. Niistä sain työtäni koskevien liittymien tilastot, joista keräsin tiedot työhöni. Lisäksi tutkin ja suoritin maastokäyntejä itse saadakseni ajantasaista tietoa liittymistä. Liittymien muuttamisella kiertoliittymiksi on paljon positiivisia ja melko vähän negatiivisia vaikutuksia. Se ei sovi jokaiseen paikkaan tilantarpeen vuoksi, mutta hyötyinä ovat liikenneturvallisuuden ja sujuvuuden parantuminen, rakennus- ja huoltokustannukset ovat pienemmät ja lisäksi onnettomuuksien vähenemisen myötä niistä aiheutuvat kustannukset pienenevät huomattavasti.Purpose of this thesis was to investigate and clarify effects of changing the intersection to a roundabout. Thesis contains three roundabouts, that have been before change either intersections with traffic lights, or without them. Intersections are located in Lappeenranta, thesis was ordered by city of Lappeenranta and Janne Rautio was director from Häme University of applied sciences. Intersections have been changed and will be changed much more in the future to roundabouts. For that I tried to get arguments with investigation about traffic quantity, statistics of accidents and costs. Lots of useful data was found from database of the city of Lappeenranta. From there I got statistics and information about intersections that are included in this thesis. Also I investigated and visited intersections to collect up-to-date information and data. Changing intersection’s type to roundabouts has much positive and just few negative effects. Roundabout needs a lot of space, so it doesn’t fit to every place, but as benefits there are improved traffic safety and fluency, build- and maintenance costs are smaller and also because number of accidents are smaller, costs from them are much smaller also

Proceso agrario en Bolivia y América Latina

El material esta distribuido en cinco partes. La primera está referida a los resultados y perspectivas de la Reforma Agraria en Bolivia. Está dividida en tres temáticas: la Reforma Agraria en las Tierras Altas, la Reforma Agraria en las Tierras Bajas y la Reforma Agraria en el Chaco. La segunda parte contiene las intervenciones realizadas por los invitados extranjeros sobre los resultados y perspectivas de la Reforma Agraria en América Latina y en México, Perú y Ecuador. La tercera parte corresponde a las intervenciones de los representantes de las organizaciones indígenas y campesinas bolivianas, que fueron invitados para debatir el tema Tierra, Democracia y Poder. Esta parte esta precedida por un recuento general de la situación de los Movimientos Indígenas-Campesinos en América Latina y sus perspectivas. La cuarta da cuenta de las intervenciones hechas por los representantes de las organizaciones de productores agrarios, campesinos y empresarios, quienes fueron invitados para debatir el tema Tierra, Economía e Integración. La última parte es una síntesis de las ideas y aspectos relevantes producto de las exposiciones y de las preguntas de los asistentes al seminario, que dejaron una estela de inquietudes e iniciativas que son el eslabón para futuros debates en otros espacios de reflexión en diferentes lugares del país, con la participación de actores y pensadores, operadores y promotores del desarrollo rural.Presentación 7; Introducción 8; La Reforma Agraria abandonada: valles y altiplano, Miguel Urioste F. de C. 19; Medio siglo de Reforma Agraria boliviana, Danilo Paz Ballivián 53; La tierra es de quien la trabaja, René Salomón Vargas 65; La Reforma Agraria en las tierras bajas de Bolivia, Carlos Romero Bonifaz 83; Lógicas de ocupación territorial en la agricultura y la forestería empresarial en las tierras bajas, Alan Bojanic 127; Antecedentes, situación actual y recomendaciones en la tenencia de la tierra en el oriente boliviano, Cámara Agropecuaria del Oriente 137; 50 años de la Reforma Agraria en el Chaco boliviano, Oscar Bazoberry Chali 145; Resultados de los cambios introducidos por la Reforma Agraria, Erwin Galoppo von Borries 177; La Reforma Agraria en Bolivia y el MST, Ermelinda Fernández Bamba 191; La Reforma Agraria en América Latina, Jacques Chonchol 205; De rústicas revueltas: Añoranza y utopía en el México rural, Armando Bartra 223; Reforma y contrarreforma agraria en el Perú, Laureano del Castillo Pinto 255; Reforma Agraria en el Ecuador, Fausto Jordán B. 285; 50 años después, emergencia étnica, Xavier Albó 321; Tierra, mujer y desarrollo, María Machaca 329; Tierra y territorio comunitario, Bienvenido Zacu 333; Tierra, migración y colonización, José Luis Méndez Chaurara 341; Tierra, coca y desarrollo, Dionisio Núñez 355; Tierra para todos, Ángel Durán 359; Tierra y producción orgánica, Mario R. Cordero Camacho 367; Tierra y producción campesina, María Julia Jiménez 377; Tierra y Territorio y Políticas para la Tierra, Elizabeth Jiménez Zamora 385; Ideas y aspectos relevantes del Seminario, John D.Vargas Vega 429

The involvement of thaumatin-like proteins in plant food cross-reactivity: a multicenter study using a specific protein microarray.

Cross-reactivity of plant foods is an important phenomenon in allergy, with geographical variations with respect to the number and prevalence of the allergens involved in this process, whose complexity requires detailed studies. We have addressed the role of thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) in cross-reactivity between fruit and pollen allergies. A representative panel of 16 purified TLPs was printed onto an allergen microarray. The proteins selected belonged to the sources most frequently associated with peach allergy in representative regions of Spain. Sera from two groups of well characterized patients, one with allergy to Rosaceae fruit (FAG) and another against pollens but tolerant to food-plant allergens (PAG), were obtained from seven geographical areas with different environmental pollen profiles. Cross-reactivity between members of this family was demonstrated by inhibition assays. Only 6 out of 16 purified TLPs showed noticeable allergenic activity in the studied populations. Pru p 2.0201, the peach TLP (41%), chestnut TLP (24%) and plane pollen TLP (22%) proved to be allergens of probable relevance to fruit allergy, being mainly associated with pollen sensitization, and strongly linked to specific geographical areas such as Barcelona, Bilbao, the Canary Islands and Madrid. The patients exhibited mayor que50% positive response to Pru p 2.0201 and to chestnut TLP in these specific areas. Therefore, their recognition patterns were associated with the geographical area, suggesting a role for pollen in the sensitization of these allergens. Finally, the co-sensitizations of patients considering pairs of TLP allergens were analyzed by using the co-sensitization graph associated with an allergen microarray immunoassay. Our data indicate that TLPs are significant allergens in plant food allergy and should be considered when diagnosing and treating pollen-food allergy

Graph based study of allergen cross-reactivity of plant lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) using microarray in a multicenter study.

The study of cross-reactivity in allergy is key to both understanding. the allergic response of many patients and providing them with a rational treatment In the present study, protein microarrays and a co-sensitization graph approach were used in conjunction with an allergen microarray immunoassay. This enabled us to include a wide number of proteins and a large number of patients, and to study sensitization profiles among members of the LTP family. Fourteen LTPs from the most frequent plant food-induced allergies in the geographical area studied were printed into a microarray specifically designed for this research. 212 patients with fruit allergy and 117 food-tolerant pollen allergic subjects were recruited from seven regions of Spain with different pollen profiles, and their sera were tested with allergen microarray. This approach has proven itself to be a good tool to study cross-reactivity between members of LTP family, and could become a useful strategy to analyze other families of allergens