Prick Test Research Articles

An injectable fibronectin3-alginate hydrogel driven by dynamic dissolving equilibrium for irregular wound repair

Managing irregular wounds with varying depths presents a challenge due to the limited effectiveness of traditional dressings in promoting wound healing. Injectable hydrogels represent a promising approach for managing irregular wounds with varying depths. However, many existing hydrogels are limited by poor biocompatibility and a lack of active ingredients, which significantly undermines their effectiveness in promoting wound healing. In this study, an injectable alginate hydrogel incorporating Fibronectin3 (FN3) as the active component was developed through the modulation of Ca2+ balance and a gradual physical crosslinking process, enabling administration with a 30 G needle. This gel demonstrates remarkable self-healing properties, capable of withstanding 1500 % strain, and exhibits high biocompatibility. Moreover, blood clotting tests demonstrate a lower clotting index than gauze. Additionally, the cell scratch test shows the positive biological activity of the gel and its potential to enhance the migration of L-929 calls. Experiments on full-thickness wounds in mice significantly confirm that gels containing FN3 can effectively accelerate wound healing. In conclusion, this study presents a simple method utilizing the solvation equilibrium of Ca2+ for creating injectable hydrogels with exceptional wound repair properties, thereby indicating their promise as wound dressings in clinical applications.

Experimental investigation of abrasive potential and drilling efficiency at elevated temperatures via Cerchar rock scratching

To see if and how abrasive potential as well as drilling efficiency change due to rock heating, Cerchar scratch tests were performed on six types of rock at eight temperature levels. Results indicate that rock abrasivity is temperature-dependent. The change of rock abrasivity expressed by the Cerchar abrasivity index can be divided into two stages on either side of 500 °C. Meanwhile, the drilling efficiency expressed by the Cerchar abrasion ratio can significantly be enhanced, especially when the heating temperature exceeds 500 °C. The observation of damaged surfaces indicates that the material volume removed from the rock surface increase after rock heating. The worn steel surfaces (115CrV3 tool steel) shows the severe plastic deformation and fracturing associated with cracking, delamination, dislocation and chipping of the steel.

Compatibility of Egg White and Chicken Meat as Allergen in Atopic Dermatitis: Skin Prick Test and Specific IGE Evaluation

Compatibility of Egg White and Chicken Meat as Allergen in Atopic Dermatitis: Skin Prick Test and Specific IGE Evaluation

Combined use of niraparib enhanced the inhibitory effect of Anti-GD2 antibody on osteosarcoma cells

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the effect of Niraparib in combination with an Anti-GD2 Antibody on osteosarcoma cells.MethodsScratch test was utilized to assess cell migration capacity, while the Transwell experiment was utilized to evaluate cell invasion potential. Cell proliferation was measured using the CCK8 experiment. The affinity between the anti-GD2 antibody and its antigen was determined via ELISA. Tumor growth was evaluated through animal experiments. Western blotting, QRT-PCR, and histological analysis were conducted to examine the expression of relevant proteins and mRNAs.ResultsMG63 cell line was used for an example. The scratch test showed that the migration rate of osteosarcoma cells in Niraparib + Anti-GD2 group was 1.07 ± 0.04 after 48 h, and 0.34 ± 0.04 in the Control group. Transwell experiment showed that the invasion ability of osteosarcoma cells in Niraparib + Anti-GD2 group was 21.0 ± 1.5, and that in Control group was 87.7 ± 2.9. CCK8 experiment showed that the absorbance value of Niraparib + Anti-GD2 group was 0.16 ± 0.10 on day 5, and that of the Control group was 0.76 ± 0.09. Western blotting showed that the expression levels of BALP and CICP in Niraparib + Anti-GD2 group were 0.751 ± 0.135 and 1.086 ± 0.115, respectively, and those in Control group were 1.025 ± 0.143 and 1.216 ± 0.168, respectively. QRT-PCR results showed that the absorbance values of Niraparib + Anti-GD2 group were 0.173 ± 0.065 and 0.170 ± 0.078 on day 14. The results of animal experiments showed that on day 5, the tumor volume of the Control group was 2433 ± 391, and that of the Niraparib + Anti-GD2 group was 1137 ± 148. Histological analysis showed that the mean density values of Niraparib + Anti-GD2 group were 0.19 ± 0.08 and 0.22 ± 0.07, and those of Control group were 0.26 ± 0.09 and 0.29 ± 0.10.ConclusionThe combination of Niraparib and Anti-GD2 antibody significantly inhibits Osteosarcoma cells.

Huaier inhibits cholangiocarcinoma cells through the twist1/FBP1/Wnt/β-catenin axis.

Although Huaier granules can be used as prospective anti-cholangiocarcinoma drugs, the mechanism of action of Huaier granules in cholangiocarcinoma is not clear. The anti-cholangiocarcinoma effect of Huaier granules was validated in cell line research. In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the signalling pathways affected by Huaier in CCA cells. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT‒qPCR) and Western blot analysis were performed to analyse gene expression in CCA cells. MTT assays, scratch tests, and Transwell assays were used to explore the effects on the proliferation and metastasis of CCA cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were performed to reveal the potential underlying mechanisms involved. Twist1 was upregulated in human CCA tissues. In addition, its expression levels were negatively related to FBP1 expression levels. Mechanistically, Twist1 can bind to the region of the FBP1 promoter to reduce its expression. Huaier plays an indispensable role in suppressing Twist1 expression to inhibit the Twist1/FBP1/Wnt/β-catenin axis. Then, we verified the effect of Huaier in vitro. These findings suggested that Huaier granules were capable of inhibiting CCA development through regulating the Twist1/FBP1/Wnt/β-catenin signalling axis and provided a novel orientation for the development of novel anti-CCA drugs.

The effects of the angle between the indenter edge and the scratch direction on the scratch characteristics of Ti–6Al–4V alloy

Ti–6Al–4V alloy has become a crucial raw material in aerospace and other industries owing to its exceptional mechanical properties. However, it is also a typical difficult-to-machine material, and its removal process and mechanism have been widely investigated by scratch testing. Nevertheless, the inherent non-rotational symmetry of the Vickers indenter introduces a crucial parameter, i.e., the angle λ between the indenter edge and the scratch direction, which affects not only the mechanical response of materials but also its surface formation mechanism during scratch. This study systematically characterized the micro/nano scratch characteristics of Ti–6Al–4V alloy under three typical angles λ (0°, 22.5°, 45°) as well as various normal forces and scratch speeds. The coefficient of friction (COF), scratch depth, scratch width, residual scratch morphology, and specific scratch energy were comparatively analyzed. Finite element simulations confirmed that the direction of material flow changed with the change in angle λ. The corresponding deformation mechanisms during scratch were discussed accordingly. The results revealed a significant influence of the angle λ on the scratch behaviors and surface quality of Ti–6Al–4V alloy.

Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) among school children in Java and Sumatra, Indonesia: associations with respiratory symptoms, house dust mite sensitization and the home environment

Objective To study associations between fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and asthma, airway symptoms, sensitization to common allergens, outdoor pollution and home environment among 380 students in eight junior high schools in two areas in Indonesia. Methods Data on health and home were collected by a face-to face interview before measuring FeNO and performing skin prick test against common allergens. Exploratory linear mixed and logistic regression models were employed. Results Geometric mean of FeNO was 17.8 ppb (GSD 2.09) and 139 students (36.6%) had elevated FeNO (>20 ppb). In total, 107 students (28.2%) were sensitized to house dust mite (HDM) (Der p1 or Der f1), 4 (1.1%) to cat and 3 (0.8%) to mold (Cladosporium or Alternaria). Moreover, 20 students (5.3%) had diagnosed asthma, 38 (10.0%) had current wheeze, and 107 (28.2%) had current rhinitis. HDM sensitization, diagnosed asthma, current wheeze, and current rhinitis were associated with FeNO. In total, 281 students (73.9%) had mold or dampness, 232 (61.1%) had environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and 43 (11.3%) had other odor at home. Indoor mold or dampness and other odor at home were associated with FeNO. ETS was negatively associated with FeNO. Conclusion HDM sensitization and elevated FeNO can be common among children in this part of Indonesia. The high prevalence of elevated FeNO indicate that undiagnosed childhood asthma is common. Dampness, mold and odor at home can be associated with increased FeNO while ETS can be associated with decreased FeNO.

A single dose of VEGF-A circular RNA sustains in situ long-term expression of protein to accelerate diabetic wound healing

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), which is characterised by damage to minute blood vessels or capillaries around wounds, is one of the most serious and dreaded complications of diabetes. It is challenging to repair chronic non-healing DFU wounds. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in angiogenesis and promotes wound healing in DFU. However, it is difficult to sustainably deliver VEGF to the wound site owing to its poor stability and easy degradation. To overcome this challenge, lipid nanoparticles (LNP) encapsulating circular RNA (circRNA) encoding VEGF-A have been developed to continuously generate and release VEGF-A and accelerate diabetic wound healing. First, VEGF-A circRNA was synthesized using group I intron autocatalysis strategy and confirmed by enzyme digestion, polymerase chain reaction, and sequencing assay. VEGF-A circRNA was encapsulated in ionizable lipid U-105-derived LNP (U-LNP) using microfluidic technology to fabricate U-LNP/VEGF-A circRNA. For comparison, a commercially ionizable lipid ALC-0315-derived LNP (A-LNP) encapsulating circRNA (A-LNP/circRNA) was used. Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy characterization indicated that U-LNP/circRNA had spherical structure with an average diameter of 108.5 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.22, and a zeta potential of -3.31 mV. The messenger RNA (mRNA) encapsulation efficiency (EE%) of U-LNP was 87.12%. In vitro transfection data confirmed better stability and long-term VEGF-A expression of circRNA compared with linear mRNA. Assessment of cytotoxicity and innate immunity further revealed that U-LNP/circRNA was biocompatible and induced a weak congenital immune response. Cell scratch and angiogenesis tests demonstrated the bioactivity of U-LNP/VEGF-A circRNA owing to its VEGF-A expression. In situ bioluminescence imaging of firefly luciferase (F-Luc) probe and ELISA demonstrated that circRNA had long-term and strong expression of VEGF-A in the first week, and a gradual decrease in the next week at the wound site and surrounding areas. Finally, a diabetic mouse model was used to validate the healing effect of U-LNP/VEGF-A circRNA formulation. The results showed that a single dose of U-LNP/VEGF-A circRNA administered by dripping resulted in almost complete wound recovery on day 12, which was significantly superior to that of U-LNP/VEGF-A linear mRNA, and it also outperformed recombinant human vascular endothelial growth factor (rhVEGF) injection and A-LNP/circRNA dripping. Histological analysis confirmed the healing efficiency and low toxicity of U-LNP/VEGF-A circRNA formulation. Together, VEGF-A circRNA delivered by U-105-derived LNP showed good performance in wound healing, which was ascribed to the long-term expression and continuous release of VEGF-A, and has potential applications for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer wounds.

Nanomechanical characterization of carbon nanotube-based composite interfaces tailored by electrophoretic deposition

Carbon nanotube (CNT) addition to composite materials can offer both nanoscale reinforcement and a multifunctional element due to their extraordinary mechanical, thermal and electrical properties. Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) offers a scalable processing technique to incorporate CNTs into conventional fiber-reinforced polymer composites (FRPCs), facilitating the production of unique nanoscale structures in the critical interphase region. In this study, CNTs functionalized with polyethyleneimine (CNT-PEI) were deposited onto a planar substrate via EPD followed by the infusion of epoxy matrix in order to replicate the nanocomposite interphase region present in nanomodified FRPCs. The nanocomposite films have thicknesses ranging from several hundred nanometers to a few microns to represent different fiber-matrix interphase regions found in FRPCs. The morphology and mechanical performance of CNT-PEI/epoxy nanocomposites are examined using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in both tapping and nanoindentation modes. The EPD creates a homogeneously distributed porous CNT network bridged by PEI, forming the pathway of epoxy resin infusion through interconnected pores with diameters less than 100 nm. CNT-PEI/epoxy nanocomposites exhibited significant improvements in stiffness, hardness, and creep resistance compared to constituent porous CNT-PEI films and neat epoxy. The improvement was directly related to the ability of the load bearing CNTs chemically bonded with the epoxy matrix through the grafted PEI, providing an efficient load transfer mechanism. The chemical bond between the porous CNT-PEI and epoxy also produced far greater fracture surface in nanoscale scratch tests compared to unmodified epoxy, indicating the CNT-PEI/epoxy nanocomposite is capable of distributing load and absorbing more energy prior to fracture.

LAIR1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell metastasis and induces M2-macrophage infiltration through activating AKT-IKKβ-p65 axis.

LAIR1, a receptor found on immune cells, is capable of binding to collagen and is involved in immune-related diseases. However, the precise contribution of LAIR1 expressed on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)cells to tumor microenvironment is still unclear. In our study, bioinformatics analysis and immunofluorescence were employed to study the correlation between LAIR1 levels and clinical indicators. Transwell and scratch tests were used to evaluate how LAIR1 affected the migration and invasion of HCC cells. The chemotactic capacity and alternative activation of macrophages were investigated using RT-qPCR,transwell, and immunofluorescence. To investigate the molecular mechanisms, transcriptome sequencing analysis, Western blot, nucleus/cytoplasm fractionation, ELISA, and cytokine microarray were employed. We revealed a significant correlation between the presence of LAIR1 and an unfavorable outcome in HCC. We indicated that LAIR1 promoted migration and invasion of HCC cells through the AKT-IKKβ-p65axis. Additionally, the alternative activation and infiltration of tumor-associated macrophages induced by LAIR1 were reliant on the upregulation of IL6 and CCL5 within this axis, respectively. In conclusion, blocking LAIR1 was found to be an effective approach in combating the cancerous advancement of HCC.

Enhanced Preparative-Scale Extraction from Graševina Grape Pomace Using Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction and Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents

This research paper presents an advanced exploration into the utilization of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) combined with natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) to achieve higher concentrations of polyphenols from Graševina grape pomace. Focusing on optimizing extraction parameters to maximize the yield of polyphenols, this study evaluates their potential industrial applications, particularly within the food and cosmetics sectors. The effectiveness of betaine/glucose (BGlc) NADESs in producing stable, ready-to-use extracts with enhanced bioavailability and eco-friendly attributes is underscored. The integration of UAE with BGlc NADESs has shown significant scalability and applicability for industrial use, as evidenced by the extracts’ collagenase-inhibitory effects, determined using a ninhydrin-based colorimetric assay showing the significant inhibition of gelatine degradation and scratch tests on cultured skin cells, demonstrating enhanced cell migration and wound healing, indicating their potential in anti-aging cosmetic products. Additionally, the results from PAMPA tests demonstrated that NADES extraction significantly enhances the intestinal absorption of polyphenols from grape pomace extracts compared to conventional solvents, highlighting the potential of NADESs to improve the bioavailability of these compounds and offering promising implications for their application in the food industry. Furthermore, the research highlights the practicality of directly incorporating these extracts into products, such as anti-aging creams and functional foods, supporting sustainability initiatives within the cosmetic and food industries. This work aims to provide a comprehensive guide to green extraction techniques on a preparative scale, showcasing the versatility and innovative applications of NADES-extracted compounds across various industries, thereby paving the way for the development of eco-conscious and effective products.

Wound Healing Promotion via Release of Therapeutic Metallic Ions from Phosphate Glass Fibers: An In Vitro and Ex Vivo Study.

Biomaterials capable of promoting wound healing and preventing infections remain in great demand to address the global unmet need for the treatment of chronic wounds. Phosphate-based glasses (PG) have shown potential as bioresorbable materials capable of inducing tissue regeneration, while being replaced by regenerated tissue and releasing therapeutic species. In this work, phosphate-glass-based fibers (PGF) in the system P2O5-CaO-Na2O added with 1, 2, 4, 6, and 10 mol % of the therapeutic metallic ions (TMI) Ag+, Zn2+, and Fe3+ were manufactured via electrospinning of coacervate gels. Coacervation is a sustainable, cost-effective, water-based method to produce PG. All TMI are effective in promoting wound closure (re-epithelialization) in living human skin ex vivo, where the best-performing system is PGF containing Ag+. In particular, PGF with ≥4 mol % of Ag+ is capable of promoting 84% wound closure over 48 h. These results are confirmed by scratch test migration assays, with the PGF-Ag systems containing ≥6 mol % of Ag+, demonstrating significant wound closure enhancement (up to 72%) after 24 h. The PGF-Ag systems are also the most effective in terms of antibacterial activity against both the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and the Gram-negative Escherichia coli. PGF doped with Zn2+ shows antibacterial activity only against S. aureus in the systems containing Zn2+ ≥ 10 mol %. In addition, PGF doped with Fe3+ rapidly accelerates ex vivo healing in patient chronic wound skin (>30% in 48 h), demonstrating the utility of doped PGF as a potential therapeutic strategy to treat chronic wounds.

Physician’s perspectives on skin prick testing and allergy diagnostics in Germany

Summary Purpose Novel technologies standardising the testing process of immediate hypersensitivities have been developed and validated in recent years. Meanwhile, challenges with regard to availability of testing agents and shortage of trained personnel have increased. Novel technologies could fight these challenges, but their distribution is at present not known. The current survey, conducted by the German Society for Allergology (AeDA), aimed to assess current practices of allergy diagnostics in Germany. Methods Members of AeDA were invited to complete an online questionnaire to obtain information on their perspectives on allergy testing and diagnostics. Results A total of 150 allergologists from different disciplines treating patients with allergy completed the questionnaire. This survey revealed that twice as many skin prick tests (SPT; 21.2 tests/week) compared to serum specific immunoglobulin E tests (IgE; 10.4 tests/week) are being performed. Nasal allergen provocation tests are being performed in 56.0% of hospitals and physicians’ offices. An individual standard allergen panel for SPT is applied in 78.0% of testing cases. Methods used to perform a read out of SPT are variable with measurement of the longest wheal diameter being used most frequently (68.0%), followed by a qualitative evaluation (46.6%) or the longest wheal diameter including pseudopods (34.4%). In all, 66% of allergologists indicated that a device that automating the SPT process would be valuable for clinical practice. Conclusion Skin prick tests and serum IgE tests are still the cornerstones in the diagnostic work-up of immediate-type allergies. Variability in the execution of skin prick tests exists between different hospitals and physicians’ offices in Germany. Inconsistent availability of testing reagents was considered most problematic for maintaining allergy diagnostics in Germany. A majority of allergologists are open to evaluating tools that may contribute to standardize skin prick tests.

Sensitization against medical hyaluronidase in patients with confirmed hypersensitivity against hymenoptera species and its clinical implications.

Hyaluronidase is an ubiquitious enzyme, present, amongst others, in hymenoptera venom and in medical formulations. The latter include use as an emergency treatment or to correct undesired outcomes of medical and aesthetic procedures using hyaluronic acid fillers. By performing detailed allergy work-ups including prick-testing we investigated here if patients with a history of allergic reaction to hymenoptera venom are also sensitized to medical grade hyaluronidase. Ninety patients with a history of type-1 reaction to hymenoptera venom with and without a history of previous specific venom immunotherapy were included in the study. All underwent skin prick tests for medical hyaluronidase. All patients also underwent serological analysis for Api m2, the only commercially available IgE-test for a hymenoptera hyaluronidase. Of the 90 patients with previous type-1 reactions to hymenoptera venom hyaluronidase included in the study, 60 had undergone previous venom immunotherapy, 30 did not. A majority (73/90) were allergic to wasps, followed by honeybees (14/90) and 3 were allergic to both. Neither patients having undergone previous immunotherapy nor those allergic to bees showed positive skin prick tests to medical hyaluronidase. Of those with a wasp allergy and naïve to immunotherapy, over 20% (5/23) showed positive skin prick tests to medical hyaluronidase. Healthy controls (0/30) without previous allergic reactions to hymenoptera did not show positive skin prick tests to medical hyaluronidase. Sensitization to hyaluronidase is most common in wasp-allergic patients who have not had previous specific immunotherapy. As allergic reactions to medical hyaluronidase are reported to be scarce, this group is probably at the highest risk to develop anaphlaxis to medical hyaluronidase. While all patients with untreated anaphylaxis to hymenoptera venom should consult an allergy specialist, particularly those with untreated wasp allergies need to seek a specialist's advice before treatment with medical hyaluronidase is initiated.

Duplex surface engineering of cold spray Ti coatings and physical vapor-deposited TiN and AlTiN thin films

The feasibility of a duplex coating based on cold spray technology and magnetron sputtering was evaluated for repair applications requiring a ‘thin-on-thick’ layered structure. Commercially pure angular-shaped Ti grade 4 particles are fed to a cold spray gun and accelerated toward a Ti alloy substrate to deposit thick coatings (∼4.5 mm). TiN and AlTiN thin films are deposited on polished cold spray coatings using a four-source closed-field unbalanced magnetron sputtering (CFUBMS) system. Microstructure was characterized using focused ion beam (FIB) lift-out, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron channeling contrast imaging (ECCI). The nanoindentation technique was used to evaluate the mechanical properties of coatings. The H/E ratios and H3/E2 ratios for TiN films were found to be 0.098 and 0.26 GPa, respectively, while those for AlTiN films were measured at 0.066 and 0.052 GPa, respectively, suggesting higher capacity of TiN films to withstand both elastic and plastic deformation. Using scratch testing, the adhesion of TiN and AlTiN thin films to cold spray Ti was investigated, with TiN-Ti duplex coatings exhibiting better performance compared to AlTiN-Ti coatings. Tribological testing was performed on duplex coatings using a reciprocating tribometer equipped with an alumina ball counterface. The wear rate for AlTiN-Ti coatings after 2000 sliding cycles was found to be (1.0 × 10−3 ± 0.1 × 10−3 mm3/Nm), three orders of magnitudes higher than that for TiN-Ti (8 × 10−6 ± 2 × 10−6 mm3/Nm. SEM was used to reveal worn surface morphologies and cross-sectional analysis of the wear track. Subsurface microstructural changes due to wear were examined using focused ion beam cross-sectioning, revealing bending cracks and tribofilm formation.

Durability and Functionality of Conventional Polymeric Packaging Materials in Reusable Packaging Systems

Reusable packaging is increasingly recognised as a sustainable solution to address issues related to increasing packaging waste generation and harmful environmental impacts. The packaging sector consumes a significant portion of Europe’s plastic production, which is mostly single-use packaging. There is a sense of urgency to develop sustainable reusable alternatives. Unlike single-use packaging, the longevity of reusable plastic packaging is paramount, necessitating material durability and functionality. This study examines the durability of conventional polymeric packaging materials (polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, high-density polyethylene) and investigates the effectiveness of scratch resistance additives. A specialised test set-up was created to evaluate the performance of various polymers in reusable takeaway food packaging scenarios. The research included scratch testing, wear analysis and wash cycles to assess the reuse potential of these materials. Qualitative measures were employed to compare material characteristics. Results indicated that polymer type significantly affects hardness and scratch performance, while additives had minimal impact on hardness and modulus. Although current scratch resistance additives do not effectively mitigate wear in reusable packaging in the experimental scenarios, tailored additives could present potential in increasing the durability and longevity of reusable packaging. PET demonstrated notable recovery post-washing, suggesting that washing conditions could influence material resilience. This study emphasises the need for further research to optimise scratch resistance additives and understand the impact of washing conditions on different polymers, aiming to enhance the design and longevity of reusable packaging systems.

Neonatal BCG Vaccination for Prevention of Allergy in Infants: The MIS BAIR Randomised Controlled Trial.

The beneficial off-target effects of Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination potentially include protection against allergy. In the MIS BAIR trial, we aimed to determine whether neonatal BCG vaccination reduces atopic sensitisation and clinical food allergy in infants. In this randomised controlled trial, 1272 neonates were allocated to BCG-Denmark vaccine (0.05 mL intradermal dose) or no BCG at birth. Randomisation was stratified by recruitment site, mode of delivery and plurality of birth. The primary outcome was the incidence of atopic sensitisation determined by skin prick test at 1 year of age. Food allergy was determined by 3-monthly online questionnaires and oral food challenges. Data were analysed by intention-to-treat using binary regression. gov (NCT01906853). Atopic sensitisation during the first year of life was 22.9% among infants in the BCG group and 18.9% in the control group (adjusted risk difference (aRD) 3.8% (95% CI -1.5 to 9.1) after multiple imputation). Clinical food allergy was similar between infants in the BCG and control groups (9.8% vs. 9.6%; aRD 0.2, 95% CI -3.4 to 3.8). An interaction was observed between the primary outcome and maternal history of BCG vaccination. No interaction was observed for the additional prespecified potential effect modifiers tested (sex, delivery mode, family history of any allergy, season of birth, hepatitis B vaccination at randomisation, BCG scar and age at BCG administration). Neonatal BCG-Denmark vaccination does not protect against atopic sensitisation or clinical food allergy in the first year of life.

Routinely Used and Emerging Diagnostic and Immunotherapeutic Approaches for Wheat Allergy.

Wheat, a component of the staple diet globally, is a common food allergen in children. The symptoms of wheat allergy (WA) range from skin rash to shortness of breath, significantly impairing quality of life. Following initial clinical suspicion, individuals may undergo routinely used allergy tests such as a wheat allergen-specific skin prick test (SPT), a blood test for specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) levels, or oral food challenge. Conventional management of WA lies in wheat avoidance, yet accidental consumption may be inevitable owing to the ubiquity of wheat in various food products. This article aims to provide an overview of the immunologic pathway of WA, followed by its emerging diagnostic methods, namely alcohol-soluble SPT extracts, component-resolved diagnosis, and the basophil activation test (BAT). The mechanisms underlying wheat allergen-specific oral immunotherapy (OIT) as well as a summary of the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of related clinical trials will then be discussed.

Once or consecutive administration of inhaled salbutamol in children with acute asthma exacerbation: Is an additional dose beneficial?

Although international guidelines generally recommend the back to back use of short-acting β-agonizts (SABA) within a short time in the management of acute wheezing in children with asthma, there is still uncertainty in the evidence of short term outcome. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the efficacy of back to back and single use of inhaled SABA by lung function testing. This was a prospective, double-blinded, placebo controlled study conducted in children ≥6 years of age with a history of asthma. Children who presented with an acute asthma exacerbation (AAE) with a forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) between 40% to 60% were enrolled in the study if they had a first dose to SABA response of FEV1 ≥ 12%. All children were then randomly assigned either to receive two additional doses of inhaled SABA (300 µg per dose) or placebo. Spirometric analysis included forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF, and FEF25-75 at baseline, 15, 30, and 45 min for each group. Oxygen saturation and heart rate were monitored during the study period. A total of 93 patients (inhaled SABA group; n = 48 vs. placebo group; n = 45) out of 110 enrolled patients completed the study. Baseline demographic characteristics of patients include age, gender, age of diagnosis, parental asthma, history of allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis, current asthma treatment, IgE and skin prick test were similar among groups. (p > .05) When lung function parameters were compared at each time interval during the study period, there were no statistical significance found in FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% (FEF25-75) among groups. (p > .05) There were also no differences between groups for changes in heart rate and oxygen saturation. (p > .05) CONCLUSION: A single dose of inhaled SABA provides similar short term bronchodilator effect as back to back administration of inhaled SABA in children with AAE who showed an initial response to SABA of FEV1 ≥ 12%.

Durability of metal oxide nanostructures synthesized by hot water treatment

Metal oxide nanostructures (MONSTRs) have become popular in various fields. This study investigates the durability of MONSTRs synthesized through hot water treatment (HWT) using copper, aluminum, and zinc as the source metals of choice. The physical durability tests include pressure, scratch, and scotch tape adhesion tests, and chemical durability tests such as corrosion resistance tests, heat resistance, and solar exposure tests. Results showed that MONSTRs synthesized from HWT are highly durable under the tested conditions except for NaOH and HCl immersion tests for copper oxide and zinc oxide. The study concluded that HWT is a sustainable synthesis method for MONSTRs.Graphical