Synthesis of nanostructured spherical aluminum oxide powders by plasma engineering

Irregularly shaped aluminum oxide particles were plasma atomized resulting in narrow size range distribution of spherical nanostructured powders. Cooling rates, on the order of 106 to 108 K/s, were obtained from the different quenching medias, viz. air, water, and liquid nitrogen. Plasma-engineered powder particles developed nanosize crystallites, while solidification provided insight into the morphological feasibility in refinement of grain size. X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods have been used to quantify the crystallite size obtained with different quenching media. Raman peak shift validated the X-ray analysis in anticipating the grain refinement with increasing cooling rates. Salient structural morphology characteristics and a detailed understanding of spheroidized plasma-sprayed alumina powders were analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. Formation of nanograins, novel metastable phases, and amorphous structure were endorsed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations

A multifunctional mutagenesis system for analysis of gene function in zebrafish

10.1534/g3.114.015842G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics561283-129

Food allergy across the globe

The prevalence of food allergy (FA) is increasing in some areas of the globe, highlighting the need for better strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and therapy. In the last few decades, we have made great strides in understanding the causes and mechanisms underlying FAs, prompting guideline updates. Earlier guidelines recommended avoidance of common food allergens during pregnancy and lactation and delaying the introduction of allergenic foods in children aged between 1 and 3 years. Recent guidelines for allergy prevention recommend consumption of a healthy and diverse diet without eliminating or increasing the consumption of allergenic foods during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Early introduction of allergenic foods is recommended by most guidelines for allergy prevention after a period of exclusive breast-feedng (6 months [World Health Organization] or 4 months [European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology]). New diagnostics for FA have been developed with varied availability of these tests in different countries. Finally, the first oral immunotherapy drug for FA was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency in 2020. In this review, we will address the global prevalence of FA, our current understanding of the causes of FA, and the latest guidelines for preventing, diagnosing, and treating FA. We will also discuss similarities and differences between FA guidelines. © 2021 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunolog