Cross-reactive Carbohydrate Determinant Contributes to the False Positive IgE Antibody to Peanut

Background: The importance of peanut allergy has not been well recognized in Japanese society. IgE antibody to peanut can be, however, detected in patients without clinical peanut allergy. Methods: Clinical characteristics of 14 patients (aged 1–8 years) with peanut allergy were evaluated. IgE antibodies to peanut from patients with and without clinical peanut allergy were compared with those to soybean and other nuts. To examine the role of cross-reactive carbohydrate determinant (CCD) on the clinically false positive detection of peanut IgE, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and bromelain specific IgE were measured by Uni CAP IgE kit. Inhibition of peanut IgE by HRP was also examined. Results: The patients repeatedly experienced potentially life-threatening symptoms, including anaphylaxis. Sera from patients with peanut allergy had negative or relatively low IgE antibodies to other nuts. However, clinically false positive peanut IgE showed significant correlation-coefficients with soybean, almond, chestnut, pistachio, macadamia and cashew (r = 0.61–1.00). Anti-HRP and anti-bromelain IgE antibodies were detected in the clinically false positive sera, but not in the sera from patients with peanut allergy. Two out of four clinically false positive peanut IgE antibodies were significantly inhibited by HRP. Conclusions: Social education about the features of peanut allergy is needed in Japan. Anti-CCD IgE antibody was suggested to be one of the mechanisms contributing to the false positive detection of peanut IgE. Detection of anti-HRP or anti-bromelain IgE can be a useful tool to recognize the presence of anti-CCD antibodies

Descattering for transmissive inspection in production line using slanted linear image sensors

We propose a descattering method that can be easily applied to food production lines. The system consists of several sets of linear image sensors and linear light sources slanted at different angles. The images captured by these sensors are partially clear along the direction perpendicular to the sensors. We computationally integrate these images on the frequency domain into a single clear image. The effectiveness of the proposed method is assessed by simulation and real-world experiments. The results show that our method recovers clear images. We demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method to a real production line by a prototype system

High-Power GaN-Based Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers with AlInN/GaN Distributed Bragg Reflectors

High-efficiency and high-power operation have been demonstrated for blue GaN-based vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) with AlInN/GaN distributed Bragg reflectors. The high-efficiency performance was achieved by introducing a novel SiO2-buried lateral index guide and adjusting the front mirror reflectivity. Lateral optical confinement has been shown to greatly lower the otherwise significant loss of transverse radiation exhibited by typical VCSELs based on GaN. Employing a long (10λ) cavity can also enhance the output power, by lowering the thermal resistance of the VCSEL and increasing the operating current associated with thermal rollover. This modification, in conjunction with optimized front mirror reflectivity and a buried SiO2 lateral index guide, results in a blue VCSEL (in the continuous wave mode with an 8 μm aperture at 20 °C) having a superior differential quantum efficiency value of 31% and an enhanced 15.7 mW output power. This unit also exhibits a relatively high output power of 2.7 mW at temperatures as high as 110 °C. Finally, a 5.5 μm aperture VCSEL was found to generate a narrow divergence (5.1°) single-lobe far field pattern when operating at an output power of approximately 5 mW

Effects of Functional Groups and Sugar Composition of Quercetin Derivatives on Their Radical Scavenging Properties

Quercetin derivatives are widespread in the plant kingdom and exhibit various biological actions. The aim of this study was to investigate the structure–activity relationships of quercetin derivatives, with a focus on the influence of functional groups and sugar composition on their antioxidant capacity. A series of quercetin derivatives were therefore prepared and assessed for their DPPH radical scavenging properties. Isoquercetin <i>O</i>-gallates were more potent radical scavengers than quercetin. The systematic analysis highlights the importance of the distribution of hydroxy substituents in isoquercetin <i>O</i>-gallates to their potency

The usefulness of casein-specific IgE and IgG4 antibodies in cow's milk allergic children

Abstract Background Cow's milk allergy is one of the most common food allergies among younger children. We investigated IgE antibodies to milk, and IgE and IgG4 antibodies to casein, α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin in cow's milk allergic (CMA) and non-allergic (non-CMA) children in order to study their clinical usefulness. Methods Eighty-three children with suspected milk allergy (median age: 3.5 years, range: 0.8-15.8 years) were diagnosed as CMA (n = 61) or non-CMA (n = 22) based on an open milk challenge or convincing clinical history. Their serum concentrations of allergen-specific (s) IgE and IgG4 antibodies were measured using ImmunoCAP®. For the sIgG4 analysis, 28 atopic and 31 non-atopic control children were additionally included (all non-milk sensitized). Results The CMA group had significantly higher levels of milk-, casein- and β-lactoglobulin-sIgE antibodies as compared to the non-CMA group. The casein test showed the best discriminating performance with a clinical decision point of 6.6 kUA/L corresponding to 100% specificity. All but one of the CMA children aged > 5 years had casein-sIgE levels > 6.6 kUA/L. The non-CMA group had significantly higher sIgG4 levels against all three milk allergens compared to the CMA group. This was most pronounced for casein-sIgG4 in non-CMA children without history of previous milk allergy. These children had significantly higher casein-sIgG4 levels compared to any other group, including the non-milk sensitized control children. Conclusions High levels of casein-sIgE antibodies are strongly associated with milk allergy in children and might be associated with prolonged allergy. Elevated casein-sIgG4 levels in milk-sensitized individuals on normal diet indicate a modified Th2 response. However, the protective role of IgG4 antibodies in milk allergy is unclear.</p

The usefulness of casein-specific IgE and IgG4 antibodies in cow's milk allergic children

BACKGROUND: Cow's milk allergy is one of the most common food allergies among younger children. We investigated IgE antibodies to milk, and IgE and IgG4 antibodies to casein, α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin in cow's milk allergic (CMA) and non-allergic (non-CMA) children in order to study their clinical usefulness. METHODS: Eighty-three children with suspected milk allergy (median age: 3.5 years, range: 0.8-15.8 years) were diagnosed as CMA (n = 61) or non-CMA (n = 22) based on an open milk challenge or convincing clinical history. Their serum concentrations of allergen-specific (s) IgE and IgG4 antibodies were measured using ImmunoCAP(®). For the sIgG4 analysis, 28 atopic and 31 non-atopic control children were additionally included (all non-milk sensitized). RESULTS: The CMA group had significantly higher levels of milk-, casein- and β-lactoglobulin-sIgE antibodies as compared to the non-CMA group. The casein test showed the best discriminating performance with a clinical decision point of 6.6 kU(A)/L corresponding to 100% specificity. All but one of the CMA children aged > 5 years had casein-sIgE levels > 6.6 kU(A)/L. The non-CMA group had significantly higher sIgG4 levels against all three milk allergens compared to the CMA group. This was most pronounced for casein-sIgG4 in non-CMA children without history of previous milk allergy. These children had significantly higher casein-sIgG4 levels compared to any other group, including the non-milk sensitized control children. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of casein-sIgE antibodies are strongly associated with milk allergy in children and might be associated with prolonged allergy. Elevated casein-sIgG4 levels in milk-sensitized individuals on normal diet indicate a modified Th2 response. However, the protective role of IgG4 antibodies in milk allergy is unclear