Polymorphisms in IL12A and cockroach allergy in children with asthma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>IL12A has been implicated in T-cell development and may thus influence the development of atopy and allergic diseases.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We tested for association between four linkage disequilibrium (LD)-tagging SNPs (rs2243123, rs2243151, rs668998, and rs17826053) in <it>IL12A </it>and asthma and allergy-related (serum total and allergen-specific IgE, and skin test reactivity [STR] to two common allergens) phenotypes in two samples: 417 Costa Rican children with asthma and their parents, and 470 families of 503 white children in the Childhood Asthma Management Program (CAMP). The analysis was conducted using the family-based association test (FBAT) statistic implemented in the PBAT program.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among Costa Rican children with asthma, homozygosity for the minor allele of each of two SNPs in <it>IL12A </it>(rs2243123 and rs2243151) was associated with increased risks of STR to American cockroach (P ≤ 0.03 for both SNPs), STR to German cockroach (P ≤ 0.01 for both SNPs), and having a positive IgE to German cockroach (P < 0.05 for both SNPs). Among children in CAMP, homozygosity for the minor allele of SNP rs2243151 in <it>IL12A </it>was inversely associated with STR to German cockroach (P = 0.03) and homozygosity for the minor allele of SNP rs17826053 in <it>IL12A </it>was associated with increased risks of STR to American cockroach (P = 0.01) and STR to German cockroach (P = 0.007). There was no significant association between any SNP in <it>IL12A </it>and asthma, STR to dust mite, or total IgE in Costa Rica or CAMP.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our findings suggest that variants in <it>IL12A </it>influence cockroach allergy among children with asthma.</p

The Li isotope response to mountain uplift

Silicate weathering is a key process by which CO2 is removed from the atmosphere. It has been proposed that mountain uplift caused an increase in silicate weathering, and led to the long-term Cenozoic cooling trend, although this hypothesis remains controversial. Lithium isotopes are a tracer of silicate weathering processes, which may allow this hypothesis to be tested. Recent studies have demonstrated that the Li isotope ratio in seawater increased during the period of Himalayan uplift (~45 Ma), but the relationship between uplift and the Li isotope ratio of river waters has not been tested. Here we examine Li isotope ratios in rivers draining catchments with variable uplift rates from South Island, New Zealand. A negative trend between δ7Li and uplift shows that areas of rapid uplift have low δ7Li, whereas flatter floodplain areas have high δ7Li. Combined with U activity ratios, the data suggest that primary silicates are transported to floodplains, where δ7Li and (234U/238U) are driven to high values due to preferential uptake of 6Li by secondary minerals, and long fluid-mineral contact times that enrich waters in 234U. In contrast, in mountainous areas, fresh primary mineral surfaces are continuously provided, driving δ7Li and (234U/238U) low. This is the opposite trend to that expected if the increase in Cenozoic δ7Li in the oceans is driven directly by mountain uplift. These data suggests that, rather than weathering of mountain belts, the increase in seawater δ7Li reflects the formation of floodplains and the increased formation of secondary minerals

The Development of Age-Based Food Allergy Educational Handouts for Caregivers and Patients-A Work Group Report of the AAAAI Adverse Reactions to Foods Committee

BACKGROUND: Food allergy education is an ongoing process that must address unique safety concerns and psychosocial challenges at each developmental stage. Families require reliable information that is targeted to specific developmental stages to support the integration of food allergy management into daily life. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this project was to develop age-specific, evidence-based patient education handouts with practical recommendations for managing and coping with food allergies at different developmental stages. METHODS: Handout content was based on: (1) practice guidelines for food allergy management; (2) literature addressing psychosocial and educational needs of patients with food allergy and their caregivers; and (3) clinical experience of the project team. Fifty-seven caregivers of patients (aged 0-21 years) with food allergy and 2 young adults with food allergy reviewed a draft of the handouts and completed an online survey to assess handout acceptability and usability and identify areas for improvement. Handouts were revised based on participant feedback. RESULTS: The majority of participants (79%) rated the amount of information in the age-specific handouts as just right, versus not enough (9%) or too much information (12%). Sixty-three percent reported that they would be very likely to use the handouts as a resource and 35% somewhat likely. Almost all participants (88%-100% by item) agreed that the handouts used elements of plain language writing and clear communication. CONCLUSION: Caregivers rated the age-based food allergy education handouts as understandable and useful. We anticipate that these handouts could be used during health care visits and directly accessed online by families

Systemic lupus erythematosus in Pakistan

Clinical features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been described from different geographical regions in the world, with some clinical differences among different racial groups. Although data on the characteristics of SLE in Pakistan is scarce, it is not uncommon in the South East Asian region. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to delineate the clinical pattern and disease course in Pakistani patients with SLE and to compare it with international data on lupus patients. A total of 196 patients with SLE fulfilling the clinical and laboratory criteria of the American Rheumatism Association admitted to the hospital between 1986 and 2001 were studied by means of a retrospective review of their records. Demographically, it was seen that SLE is a disease predominantly of females in their third decade, which is consistent with worldwide data. The mean age of presentation was 31 years (range 14-76) and the mean duration of follow up was 34 (4-179) months. Generally, there was less cutaneous (46%), arthritic (38%), serositis (22%) and renal involvement (33%) but more neuropsychiatric symptoms (26%) in our population. Eighty-six percent of patients were ANA positive, whereas anti dsDNA was positive in 74% of patients. Infections, renal involvement, seizures and thrombocytopenia were associated with poor prognosis (P \u3c 0.05). This study is the first of its kind in Pakistan. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of SLE patients in our study place our population in the middle of a spectrum between the Caucasians and other Asian populations. It has shown that the clinical characteristics of SLE patients in this country may be different to those of its neighbors