Continuous consumption of whey protein affects motor and cognitive functions in a mouse model of cow’s milk hypersensitivity

Hypersensitization to a food allergen can occur in the absence of immediate allergic reactions, a condition referred to as asymptomatic sensitization. Using mice asymptomatically sensitized to a bovine whey allergen, β-lactoglobulin (BLG, Bos d 5), we have previously shown that chronic exposure to the allergen results in behavior changes with increased neuroinflammation and cortical demyelination. However, whether allergen avoidance can resolve these pathologies is unknown. Thus, we aimed to compare immunological and behavioral changes in sham- or BLG-sensitized mice with or without the removal of dietary whey after the mice had consumed either a control diet (CTL) or a whey-protein-containing diet (WP) for 2 weeks. As previously reported, BLG-sensitized mice did not display overt physical reactions during the 2-week allergen exposure period, while their plasma levels of BLG-specific IgE and IgG1 were elevated compared to the respective sham groups. Following an additional 2 weeks on either the CTL or WP diet, these antibodies remained elevated in some of the sensitized mice in both diet groups. The gripstrength test indicated that sham mice that switched to the CTL diet after the 2-week WP diet increased limb strengths. In contrast, BLG-sensitized mice on either diet, as well as sham mice that stayed on the WP diet, showed a decline in limb strengths, suggesting that WP consumption, whether during sensitization or as part of the daily diet, affected their motor function. Furthermore, removing dietary WP improved spatial memory performance with the cross-maze test in both sham and BLG-sensitized mice. These results suggested that continuous exposure to a dietary allergen may influence motor and cognitive functionshttps://commons.und.edu/bms-pp/1008/thumbnail.jp

Continuous consumption of whey protein maintains neuroinflammation in a mouse model of asymptomatic cow’s milk allergy

Using a mouse model of cow’s milk allergy (CMA), we previously showed that C57BL/6J mice sensitized to a bovine whey allergen, β-lactoglobulin (BLG), exhibited anxiety/depression-like behavior and neuroinflammation in the absence of overt anaphylaxis upon allergen exposurehttps://commons.und.edu/bms-pp/1010/thumbnail.jp

Investigating the potential role of Akkermansia muciniphila supplementation in neuroinflammation: A progress report

Gut bacteria are important for proper development and function of the host immune system (1). Recent studies have provided association of altered microbiome in both food allergy and neuropsychiatric disorders (2, 3) indicating potential role of microbiome in regulating Gut-Brain-Axis. Akkermansia muciniphila belongs to the phylum Verrucomicrobia, is a commensal mucin degrading bacterial species (4). A. muciniphila protects the gut barrier by facilitating host mucus production. Since patients with food allergy have increased gut permeability, protection of intestinal barrier by increased mucus production may be beneficial in preventing allergen and pathogen infiltrations, hence, minimizing inflammation. A. muciniphila is well known in preventing obesity and diabetes but its role in food allergy and neuropsychiat ric disorders has yet be ascertained.https://commons.und.edu/bms-pp/1009/thumbnail.jp

Sums of matrix-valued wave packet frames in (L^2(ℝ^d,ℂ^{stimes r}))

The purpose of this paper is to first show relations between wave packet frame bounds and the scalars associated with finite sum of matrix-valued wave packet frames for the matrix-valued function space (L^2(ℝ^d, ℂ^{stimes r}). A sufficient condition with explicit wave packet frame bounds for finite sum of matrix-valued wave packet frames in terms of scalars and frame bounds associated with the finite sum of frames is given. An optimal estimate of wave packet frame bounds for the finite sum of matrix-valued wave packet frames is presented. In the second part, we show that the rate of convergence of the frame algorithm can be increased by using frame bounds and scalars associated with the finite sum of frames. Finally, a necessary and sufficient condition for finite sum of matrix-valued wave packet frames in terms of series associated with wave packet vectors is given

Evolutionary dynamics in discrete time for the perturbed positive definite replicator equation

International audienceThe population dynamics for the replicator equation are well studied in continuous time but there is less work that explicitly considers the evolution in discrete time. The discrete-time dynamics can often be justified indirectly, by establishing the relevant evolutionary dynamics for the corresponding continuous-time system, and then appealing to an appropriate approximation property. In this paper we study the discrete-time system directly, and establish basic stability results for the evolution of a population defined by a positive definite system matrix, where the population is disrupted by random perturbations to the genotype distribution either through migration or mutation, in each successive generation

Rhinoscleroma causing upper airway obstruction

Rhinoscleroma is a chronic granulomatous condition of the respiratory tract, and is not uncommon in tropical regions; particularly, Mexico, Central America and the Middle East. A few cases have been reported in North America, primarily involving immigrants from endemic countries. The causative organism is Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis, a Gram-negative coccobacillus. Diagnosis is made on the basis of culture of the organism and the characteristic pathology of Mikulicz cells on light microscopy. The condition primarily affects the upper airway, and frequently presents with nasal discharge, nasal obstruction or frontal facial pain. Despite the term 'rhinoscleroma', there may be involvement of the entire respiratory tract. Although the condition is slowly progressive, its natural course portends extensive destruction. Laryngotracheal involvement occurs in approximately 15% to 80% of cases, but patients rarely present with isolated laryngotracheal disease. In the present paper, a case of rhinoscleroma presenting with symptoms of upper airway obstruction is described. A 56-year-old male pharmacist, originally from Egypt, presented with a two-month history of shortness of breath on exertion. He complained of a foreign-body sensation in his throat with associated wheezing but denied chest pain, cough, hemoptysis or hoarseness. He had not experienced fever, weight loss or night sweats. His past medical history was significant for chronic sinusitis since childhood, characterized by long-standing malodourous secretions, crusting and intermittent nasal blockage. He had seen an otolaryngologist and received a tentative diagnosis of immotile cilia syndrome 12 years before his current presentation, although this diagnosis was not proven by biopsy and he was the natural father of two children. He had both hypertension and hyperlipidemia, and no known family history of respiratory illness or malignancy. He quit smoking six weeks before presentation and had a history of one pack/week for 20 years. On physical examination, he appeared well with no evidence of respiratory distress at rest. His blood pressure was 140/90 mmHg. His trachea was midline and he did not have cervical or supraclavicular adenopathy, cyanosis or clubbing. Examination of his chest revealed symmetric chest expansion with normal breath sounds throughout all lung fields, and specifically, an absence of stridor or wheezing. The remainder of his physical examination was normal. A chest x-ray taken at the time of presentation was normal, with no evidence of a mass or parenchymal disease. He had had an x-ray six years previously which appeared the same. He underwent spirometry and produced a flow-volume loop demonstrating classical features of fixed upper airway obstruction A computed tomography scan of the patient's thorax revealed normal lungs with wall thickening of the proximal trachea and an irregular-appearing endoluminal surface at the level of the thyroid. A subsequent computed tomography scan of the head and neck showed moderate circumferential narrowing of the subglottic larynx and superior trachea, as well as nodular thickening at the level of the inferior cricoid resulting in 50% to 60% endoluminal narrowing The patient underwent bronchoscopy, the findings of which were suggestive of a proximal tracheal tumour involving ©2005 Pulsus Group Inc. All rights reserved CASE REPORT the glottis and subglottis. The patient was referred to an otolaryngologist for evaluation of a potential malignancy. Laryngoscopy confirmed that there was a 3 cm tumour of the tracheal lumen, with evidence of cartilaginous destruction. The mid-and distal trachea were clear, as were the supraglottic and glottic larynx. Endoscopic resection was performed to improve the patient's airway and biopsies were sent for pathology. Pathology revealed a packed mucosal infiltrate of histiocytes admixed with inflammatory cells (mainly plasma cells). Silver methenamine and Gram staining revealed numerous Gram-negative bacilli within the histiocytes. The low-power view of the laryngeal biopsy showed an infiltrate of large, vacuolated histiocytes or Mikulicz cells Culture of the tumour specimen confirmed Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis was the causative organism. The patient was started on ciprofloxacin hydrochloride 500 mg twice a day for six weeks. He remained well after resection with no symptoms of upper airway obstruction. Bronchoscopic follow-up at six months demonstrated no recurrence of disease

Critical reflections on evidence, ethics and effectiveness in the management of tuberculosis: public health and global perspectives

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Recent scholarly attention to public health ethics provides an opportunity to analyze several ethical issues raised by the global tuberculosis pandemic. DISCUSSION: Recently articulated frameworks for public health ethics emphasize the importance of effectiveness in the justification of public health action. This paper critically reviews the relationship between these frameworks and the published evidence of effectiveness of tuberculosis interventions, with a specific focus on the controversies engendered by the endorsement of programs of service delivery that emphasize direct observation of therapy. The role of global economic inequities in perpetuating the tuberculosis pandemic is also discussed. SUMMARY: Tuberculosis is a complex but well understood disease that raises important ethical challenges for emerging frameworks in public health ethics. The exact role of effectiveness as a criterion for judging the ethics of interventions needs greater discussion and analysis. Emerging frameworks are silent about the economic conditions contributing to the global burden of illness associated with tuberculosis and this requires remediation

Rhinoscleroma Causing Upper Airway Obstruction

Rhinoscleroma is a chronic granulomatous condition of the respiratory tract, and is not uncommon in tropical regions; particularly, Mexico, Central America and the Middle East. A few cases have been reported in North America, primarily involving immigrants from endemic countries. The causative organism is Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis, a Gram-negative coccobacillus. Diagnosis is made on the basis of culture of the organism and the characteristic pathology of Mikulicz cells on light microscopy. The condition primarily affects the upper airway, and frequently presents with nasal discharge, nasal obstruction or frontal facial pain. Despite the term 'rhinoscleroma', there may be involvement of the entire respiratory tract. Although the condition is slowly progressive, its natural course portends extensive destruction. Laryngotracheal involvement occurs in approximately 15% to 80% of cases, but patients rarely present with isolated laryngotracheal disease. In the present paper, a case of rhinoscleroma presenting with symptoms of upper airway obstruction is described.Peer Reviewe