House dust mite sensitization, eczema, and wheeze increase risk of shellfish sensitization

Non peer reviewe

Allergic sensitization trajectories to age 8 years in the Singapore GUSTO cohort

Background: Allergic sensitization is linked to allergy development, with early sensitization often associated with worse outcomes. We aimed to identify if distinct allergic sensitization trajectories existed within a diverse and multi-ethnic Asian cohort.Methods: We administered modified ISAAC questionnaires in the first 8 years and conducted skin prick testing at ages 18 months, 3, 5 and 8 years in the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) cohort. We used latent class analysis to derive allergic sensitization trajectories, and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) to evaluate predictive risk factors and associations with allergic comorbidities.Results: Among 997 children, three trajectories were identified: early food and mite sensitization (16.2%), late mite sensitization (24.2%) and no/low sensitization (59.6%). Early food and mite sensitization was associated with early eczema by 6 months [AOR (95%CI) 4.67 (1.78-12.28)], increased risk of wheeze by 3-8 years (ARR 1.72-1.99) and eczema in the first 8 years of life (ARR 1.87-2.41). Late mite sensitization was associated with female sex [AOR 0.58 (0.35-0.96)], cesar-ean section [AOR 0.54 (0.30-0.98)], early eczema by 6 months [AOR 3.40 (1.38-8.42)], and increased risk of eczema by 18 months [ARR 1.47 (1.03-2.08)] and 8 years [ARR 1.35 (1.05-1.73)].Conclusion: Early onset of eczema and early allergic sensitization were strongly associated. Early sensitization, especially to house dust mites, was associated with increased risks of developing wheeze and eczema, pointing to the importance of developing preventive perinatal interventions and effective therapeutics for sensitized toddlers.Peer reviewe

Associations Between Maternal Distress During Early Life Periods and Offspring Respiratory Infections and Allergic Outcomes

DOI does not function. It has been reported to the journal 28.12.2022BackgroundIncreasing evidence suggests that maternal distress is a risk factor for development of respiratory infections and allergic diseases in the offspring. We aim to evaluate the link between maternal distress during critical periods in early life, namely the preconception, pregnancy and postnatal periods, and development of respiratory infections and allergic diseases in the offspring from the Singapore PREconception Study of long Term maternal and child Outcomes (S-PRESTO) cohort. MethodsMaternal perceived distress was evaluated using validated questionnaires including Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) administered during three time periods: preconception (three months apart at four timepoints), pregnancy (during each trimester) and postnatal (3 and 6 months post-delivery). Child eczema, rhinitis and wheeze outcomes were evaluated using a modified ISAAC questionnaire at ages 3, 6, 12, and 18 months. Child allergic sensitization was determined by skin prick testing at 18 months. ResultsAmong 332 mother-child pairs studied, higher maternal distress during preconception and pregnancy increased the risks of wheeze development in the first 18 months; for example, preconception and pregnancy BDI-II scores >= 20 were associated with increased risks of wheeze by 18 months [adjusted risk ratios 3.2 (95%CI 1.1-9.4) and 2.5 (1.0-5.9), respectively]. Emotional and practical support from family during preconception decreased the risks of offspring wheeze. No associations were observed between maternal distress and offspring eczema, rhinitis and allergic sensitization. ConclusionMaternal distress during critical early life periods was associated with offspring wheeze in the first 18 months of life. Supporting maternal mental health even before pregnancy could reduce the risk of offspring wheeze.Peer reviewe

Unusual finding of endocervical-like mucinous epithelium in continuity with urothelium in endocervicosis of the urinary bladder

Endocervicosis in the urinary bladder is a rare benign condition. We present a case in a 37-year-old woman with classical clinical and pathological features of endocervicosis. The unusual observation of endocervical-like mucinous epithelium in continuity with the urothelium in addition to fully developed endocervicosis prompted immunohistochemical profiling of the case using antibodies to cytokeratins (AE1/AE3, CK19, CK7, CK5/6, CK20), HBME-1, estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) to assess the relationship of the surface mucinous and endocervicosis glandular epithelia. The surface mucinous epithelium, urothelium and endocervicosis glands were immunopositive for AE1/AE3, CK7 and CK19 while CK20 was only expressed by few urothelial umbrella cells. The surface mucinous epithelium was CK5/6 and HBME-1 immunonegative but showed presence of ER and PR. This was in contrast to the urothelium's expression of CK5/6 but not ER and PR. In comparison, endocervicosis glands expressed HBME-1, unlike the surface mucinous epithelium. The endocervicosis epithelium also demonstrated the expected presence of ER and PR and CK5/6 immunonegativity. The slightly differing immunohistochemical phenotypes of the surface mucinous and morphologically similar endocervicosis glandular epithelium is interesting and requires further clarification to its actual nature. The patient has remained well and without evidence of disease 18-months following transurethral resection of the lesion

Associations Between Eczema and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Children

Background: Epidemiological studies suggest a link between eczema and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but underlying mechanisms have not been examined.Objective: We aim to investigate the association between eczema and subsequent ADHD symptoms in the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes cohort and explore the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines and gut microbiome.Methods: The modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire and Computerized Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version IV were administered to assess reported eczema within the first 18 months and presence of ADHD symptoms at 54 months, respectively. Skin prick testing at 18 months, cytokines in maternal blood during pregnancy and cord blood and the mediating role of the gut microbiome at 24 months were assessed.Results: After adjusting for confounders, eczema with or without a positive skin prick test was associated with doubling the risk of ADHD symptoms. No differences in maternal and cord blood cytokines were observed in children with and without eczema, or children with and without ADHD. Gut microbiome dysbiosis was observed in children with eczema and children with ADHD. Children with eczema also had lower gut bacterial Shannon diversity. However, the relationship between eczema and ADHD was not mediated by gut microbiome.Conclusion: Early life eczema diagnosis is associated with a higher risk of subsequent ADHD symptoms in children. We found no evidence for underlying inflammatory mechanism or mediation by gut microbiome dysbiosis. Further research should evaluate other mechanisms underlying the link between eczema and ADHD.Peer reviewe

Design of Malaysian fishing vessel for minimum resistance

Due to the economic and operational reasons, there is a need to reduce resistance of fishing boats. One of the ways to reduce resistance is to modify the boat hull form to reduce its drag in water. However, designers normally have problems in choosing which hull form parameter to change, in which direction, and the degree of changes required. This paper describes a methodology of incorporating resistance optimization in the design of fishing boats. By producing easily understood design charts, the designer is guided in making his choice. An example of application of this method on the design of a Malaysian fishing boat is given. It is shown that by using this method, the hull can be modified without changing the principal dimensions and displacement and this slight modification of the hull form can produce up to 12% saving in fuel consumption

Design of malaysian fishing vessel for minimum resistance

Due to the economic and operational reasons, there is a need to reduce resistance of fishing boats. One of the ways to reduce resistance is to modify the boat hull form to reduce its drag in water. However, designers normally have problems in choosing which hull form parameter to change, in which direction, and the degree of changes required. This paper describes a methodology of incorporating resistance optimization in the design of fishing boats. By producing easily understood design charts, the designer is guided in making his choice. An example of application of this method on the design of a Malaysian fishing boat is given. It is shown that by using this method, the hull can be modified without changing the principal dimensions and displacement and this slight modification of the hull form can produce up to 12% saving in fuel consumption

Evaluation of human amnion denuded derived mesenchymal stem cell on 3D porous hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds for osteogenic differentiation: Prolonged in vitro study

Recent studies using composite porous scaffolds have globally demonstrated the biocompatibility of mesenchymal stem cell sources. It is especially important in hard tissue bioengineering due to its desirable features and stemness effectivity. This study has emphasized primarily the evaluation of the morphological aspects of human amnion-denuded derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMMSC) in combination with the fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) porous hydroxyapatite (Hap) composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering based on the principal component of bone mineralization. We presented a novel combination of hAMMSC and nano-crystalline powder hydroxyapatite/bioactive glass (Hap/BG) composite scaffolds fabricated through the hydrothermal method via a novel formulation method from a previous study of stem cell in vitro prolonged culture. The 3D porous scaffold, 6 mm in size, was fabricated from 70 nm nanocrystalline powder and interacted with hAMMSC cultured in osteo-inductive conditions for 30 days. The characterization of 3D porous scaffolds was analyzed via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to explore the particle structure, morphology, bioactivity, and porosity of the composite powder and scaffolds in contact with hAMMSCs culture. Furthermore, biocompatibility was assessed using the PrestoBlueTM viability assay and scanning electron microscopy observation (SEM), which revealed the attachment, morphology, and spreading of hAMMSCs on the 3D porous scaffolds of Hap/BG by showing spindle-like morphology and forming the spreading filopodia bridge-like structure within the scaffolds. Subsequently, the secondary objective is the characterization of human AMMSC differentiation capacity assessed by early osteoblast differentiation and mineralization behaviour investigated by early detected assay via alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) activity marker and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis simultaneously of the mineralization within bone matrix elements. It was comparatively evaluated via ALP and EDX for calcium quantification elements. Immunomodulatory properties were analyzed via ELISA kits. In conclusion, our findings indicate that 3D porous scaffolds made of Hap/BG composites could be great candidates for future regenerative medicine applications due to their support towards stem cell growth and enhancement of bone cell capacity

Deep eutectic solvent and inorganic salt pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass for improving xylose recovery

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have received considerable attention in recent years due to their low cost, low toxicity, and biodegradable properties. In this study, a sequential pretreatment comprising of a DES (choline chloride:urea in a ratio of 1:2) and divalent inorganic salt (CuCl 2 ) was evaluated, with the aim of recovering xylose from oil palm fronds (OPF). At a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:10 (w/v), DES alone was ineffective in promoting xylose extraction from OPF. However, a combination of DES (120 °C, 4 h) and 0.4 mol/L of CuCl 2 (120 °C, 30 min) resulted in a pretreatment hydrolysate containing 14.76 g/L of xylose, remarkably yielding 25% more xylose than the CuCl 2 -only pretreatment (11.87 g/L). Characterization studies such as FE-SEM, BET, XRD, and FTIR confirmed the delignification of OPF when DES was implemented. Thus, the use of this integrated pretreatment system enabled xylose recoveries which were comparable with other traditional pretreatments