The Relationship between the Causative Allergens of Allergic Diseases and Environments in Korea Over a 8-Year-Period: Based on Skin Prick Test from 2006 to 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The present study evaluated the results of skin prick test using 55 allergens at 20 centers in the Republic of Korea in 2006, 2010, and 2014–2015. The aim was to assess changes in the positive rate of allergens according to temporal, regional, and environmental factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 20 hospitals were selected based on the population distribution in the Republic of Korea. A skin prick test panel comprising 55 aeroallergens was distributed to 18 hospitals for this prospective study. The 2006 and 2010 skin prick test results were collected and analyzed retrospectively from 20 hospitals, while the 2014/2015 skin prick test results (from June 2014 to May 2015) were collected prospectively from 18 hospitals. RESULTS: A total of 14,897 SPT test results were analyzed: 4,319 in 2006, 7,431 in 2010, and 1,852 in 2014/2015. The overall rate of skin prick test positivity to more than two allergens was significantly higher in males than females. The positive rates of alder pollens and birch, oak and ragweed pollen positivity were increased in older patients. Several positive rates were increased according to the temperature in spring. The positive rates for beech pollen, birch pollen, hazel pollen, oak pollen, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, mugwort, cat, Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor and Tyrophagus putrescentiae were significantly increased, while those of Cult rye pollen and dandelion were significantly decreased over the three test periods. The overall positive rate for allergens in Jeju province varied significantly from Seoul and other cities. CONCLUSION: Change in the positive rate of multiple aeroallergens was evaluated in the Republic of Korea over time. Our findings can be used to recommend aeroallergens suitable for inclusion in skin prick test panels in the Republic of Korea and will facilitate further investigation of changes in the patterns of allergic diseases.

Diet and Nutritional Management in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder: Irritable Bowel Syndrome / 대한내과학회지

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a multifactorial disorder with the pathogenesis of abnormal gastrointestinal motility, low-grade inflammation, visceral hypersensitivity, communication in the gut-brain axis, and so on. Traditionally, IBS has been treated with dietary and lifestyle modification, fiber supplementation, pharmacological and psychological therapy. Carbohydrates have a range of foods regularly consumed including grains such as rye and wheat, vegetables, fruits, and legumes. Short-chain carbohydrates poorly absorbed exert osmotic effects in the intestinal lumen increasing its water volume, and are rapidly fermented by bacteria with consequent gas production. These effects may be the basis of the beginning of gastrointestinal symptoms. This made the use of lactose-free diets in those with lactose intolerance and of fructose-reduced diets for fructose malabsorption. All dietary poorly absorbed short-chain carbohydrates have similar and additive effects in the intestine, so a concept has been developed to regard them collectively as fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) and to evaluate a dietary approach that restricts them all. Based on observational and comparative studies and on randomized-controlled trials, FODMAPs trigger gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with IBS. Food choice via the low FODMAP and potentially other dietary strategies is now a realistic and efficacious therapeutic approach for symptoms of IBS. In Korea, the strategy of Korean diet for Korean patients with IBS needs apposite to the Korean cases.

Chromosomal localization of selected SCARs converted from new RAPD, ISSR and R-ISSR markers linked to rye (Secale cereale L. ) tolerance to nutrient deprivation stress identified using bulk segregant analysis

Background: An adaptive mechanism in plant roots is initiated in the event of nitrogen and potassium deficiency, and it facilitates the active uptake of these elements in order to ensure plant growth and survival in stress conditions. Signaling and transduction of signals in response to changing nitrogen and potassium concentrations is a complex process, affected by interactions between various gene expression products, and often subjected to modifications. Results: In order to identify genotypic differences between phenotypes of two populations of recombinant inbred rye lines (153/79-1 x Ot1-3 and Ot0-6 x Ot1-3) in response to nutrition stress caused by nitrogen and potassium deficiency at the seedling stage, bulk segregant analysis was utilized. Identification of genotypic differences between and within pooled DNA samples involved 424 RAPD, 120 ISSR primers and 50 combinations of R-ISSR. Identified markers were sequenced and converted to SCAR, attributing to them unique ESTs annotations, and chromosomal ones to selected localizations. Significant relationships with the examined trait were described for nine and eight RAPD markers, four and five ISSR, one and three R-ISSR markers for population 153/79-1 x Ot1-3 and Ot0-6 x Ot1-3, respectively. Sequences identified for the rye genome were characterized by a uniqueness and a similarity to the sequence of aquaporin PIP1, a gene encoding protein related to the function of the transcription factor in plant response to iron deficiency and the putative ethylene-responsive transcription factor, cytosolic acetyl-CoA carboxylase, HvHKT1 transporter, as well as HCBT proteins. Conclusion: Identified molecular markers differentiating rye genotypes of extreme response of root system on nitrogen and potassium deficiency play a significant role in systemic plant response to stress, including stress caused by nitrogen and potassium deficiency. They may constitute a system facilitating selection, and together with the material they are described in, they may be a starting point for research on mechanisms of sensing and transduction of signal across the plant.

Alimentos integrais / Foods Integrals

Introdução: Alimento integral é aquele que não teve sua estrutura modificada no processo de industrialização e manteve as vitaminas, os minerais e as fibras. Objetivo: Verificar evidências do uso dos alimentos integrais na prevenção e tratamento de doenças. Métodos: Busca sistematizada da literatura, por meio de busca eletrônica de artigos que avaliem o uso de alimentos integrais na terapêutica médica. Resultados: Encontramos uma revisão sistemática com 10 estudos com pouca qualidade metodológica e de curta duração. Esse estudo evidenciou uma diminuição significativa do colesterol total e do LDL-colesterol (lipoproteína de baixa densidade), sem influência na glicemia, peso corpóreo, pressão arterial e triglicérides, no grupo suplementado com alimentos integrais. Encontramos um ensaio clínico randomizado com 18 meses de acompanhamento, no qual o grupo que ingeriu alimentos integrais teve perda de peso com diminuição significativa da circunferência abdominal, sem perda significativa de vitaminas, minerais e fibras. Conclusão: Pelos estudos apresentados, os efeitos redutores do colesterol e do LDL-colesterol estão demonstrados em estudos de curta duração. Há necessidade de mais estudos com boa qualidade metodológica para verificarmos em longo prazo todas as alterações metabólicas e consequentes benefícios circulatórios.

Discrimination of population of recombinant inbred lines of rye (Secale cereale L. ) for different responses to nitrogen-potassium stress assessed at the seedling stage under in vitro conditions

Background: Plants differ in the methods used to acquire nutrients from environments with low nutrient availability, and may change the morphology of their ‘root architecture’ to be able to take up nutrients. Results: In the present study rye response to stress caused by high and low nitrogen-potassium treatments in mature embryos cultures was described within a population consisting of one hundred and thirty eight recombinant inbred lines of rye. Characterization of the response of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) to nutrient stress was presented as the results of analyses of morphological traits, and physiological and biochemical parameters of the seedlings grown in both treatments. A wide range of variability of individual RILs to induced stress was observed in the population of recombinant inbred lines, and was presented as the difference between the means of each of the analysed traits described at high- and low-nitrogen-potassium levels. Lines were grouped using Ward's agglomerative method on the basis of differences in coleoptyle length, with the longest root length and root number used as variables. Conclusions: Recombinant inbred lines at low nitrogen-potassium treatment developed: longer, shorter, or roots of similar length in comparison with the high nitrogen-potassium treatment. Discriminant function analysis showed that the discriminant variable able to clearly differentiate recombinant inbred lines in terms of their response to nutrient stress was the trait of the longest root length.

Diagnosis and Management of Grain-Induced Asthma

Grain-induced asthma is a frequent occupational allergic disease mainly caused by inhalation of cereal flour or powder. The main professions affected are bakers, confectioners, pastry factory workers, millers, farmers, and cereal handlers. This disorder is usually due to an IgE-mediated allergic response to inhalation of cereal flour proteins. The major causative allergens of grain-related asthma are proteins derived from wheat, rye and barley flour, although baking additives, such as fungal alpha-amylase are also important. This review deals with the current diagnosis and treatment of grain-induced asthma, emphasizing the role of cereal allergens as molecular tools to enhance diagnosis and management of this disorder. Asthma-like symptoms caused by endotoxin exposure among grain workers are beyond the scope of this review. Progress is being made in the characterization of grain and bakery allergens, particularly cereal-derived allergens, as well as in the standardization of allergy tests. Salt-soluble proteins (albumins plus globulins), particularly members of the alpha-amylase/trypsin inhibitor family, thioredoxins, peroxidase, lipid transfer protein and other soluble enzymes show the strongest IgE reactivities in wheat flour. In addition, prolamins (not extractable by salt solutions) have also been claimed as potential allergens. However, the large variability of IgE-binding patterns of cereal proteins among patients with grain-induced asthma, together with the great differences in the concentrations of potential allergens observed in commercial cereal extracts used for diagnosis, highlight the necessity to standardize and improve the diagnostic tools. Removal from exposure to the offending agents is the cornerstone of the management of grain-induced asthma. The availability of purified allergens should be very helpful for a more refined diagnosis, and new immunomodulatory treatments, including allergen immunotherapy and biological drugs, should aid in the management of patients with this disorder.

Diagnosis and Management of Grain-Induced Asthma

Grain-induced asthma is a frequent occupational allergic disease mainly caused by inhalation of cereal flour or powder. The main professions affected are bakers, confectioners, pastry factory workers, millers, farmers, and cereal handlers. This disorder is usually due to an IgE-mediated allergic response to inhalation of cereal flour proteins. The major causative allergens of grain-related asthma are proteins derived from wheat, rye and barley flour, although baking additives, such as fungal alpha-amylase are also important. This review deals with the current diagnosis and treatment of grain-induced asthma, emphasizing the role of cereal allergens as molecular tools to enhance diagnosis and management of this disorder. Asthma-like symptoms caused by endotoxin exposure among grain workers are beyond the scope of this review. Progress is being made in the characterization of grain and bakery allergens, particularly cereal-derived allergens, as well as in the standardization of allergy tests. Salt-soluble proteins (albumins plus globulins), particularly members of the alpha-amylase/trypsin inhibitor family, thioredoxins, peroxidase, lipid transfer protein and other soluble enzymes show the strongest IgE reactivities in wheat flour. In addition, prolamins (not extractable by salt solutions) have also been claimed as potential allergens. However, the large variability of IgE-binding patterns of cereal proteins among patients with grain-induced asthma, together with the great differences in the concentrations of potential allergens observed in commercial cereal extracts used for diagnosis, highlight the necessity to standardize and improve the diagnostic tools. Removal from exposure to the offending agents is the cornerstone of the management of grain-induced asthma. The availability of purified allergens should be very helpful for a more refined diagnosis, and new immunomodulatory treatments, including allergen immunotherapy and biological drugs, should aid in the management of patients with this disorder.

Heterologous expression of the Secale cereal thaumatin-like protein in transgenic canola plants enhances resistance to stem rot disease

Canola [Brassica napus L.] is an important oilseed crop. A serious problem in cultivation of this crop and yield loss, are due to fungal disease stem rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The pathogenesis-related [PR] proteins have the potential for enhancing resistance against fungal pathogen. Thaumatin-like proteins [TLPs] have been shown to have antifungal activity on various fungal pathogens. In this study, the tip gene isolated from cereal rye [Secale cereal L.] was introduced into canola plants. The amplified DMA fragment [about 500 bp] was analyzed and confirmed by restriction pattern and cloned into pUC19 and designated as pUCNG1. Comparison of the cloned fragment with the DNA sequence indicated that this gene contains no intron. The tip gene was predicted to encode a protein of 173 amino acids with an estimated molecular mass of 17.7 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence of TIP showed a significant sequence identity with TLP from S.cereal and other plants. We used a transgenic over-expression approach in order to investigate anti-fungal activity of expressed TLP on Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. TLP was overexpressed under the CaMV35S constitutive promoter in [Brassica napus, R line Hyola 308]. Transformation of cotyledonary petioles was achieved via Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404. The insertion of transgene was verified by the polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and genomic DMA dot blotting. Antifungal activity was detected in transgenic canola lines using detached leaf assay. The size of lesions induced by S. sclerotiorum in the leaves of transgenic canola was significantly retarded when compared to that detected in non-transgenic plants

A comparative study on different doses of cernilton for preventing the clinical progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the efficacy and safety of different doses of cernilton in preventing the clinical progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 240 BPH patients with the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) >7 were equally allocated to an experimental and a control group and treated with oral cernilton (Prostate), the former at the dose of 750 mg, the latter at 375 mg, both twice a day for 4 years. Changes, of IPSS, prostate volume, postvoid residual urine, maximum flow rate (Qmax), prostate specific antigen (PSA), the incidence of urine retention and the rate of surgery were compared between the two groups after the treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the experimental group, the IPSS, prostate volume, postvoid residual urine and Qmax were 10.5 +/- 5.6, (29.2 +/- 9.5) ml, (15.2 +/- 3.1) ml and (16.2 +/- 4.5) ml/s after the treatment, as compared with 20.1 +/- 4.1, (37.8 +/- 12.5) ml, (42.5 +/- 6.6) ml and (10.0 +/- 3.5) mVs before the treatment, while in the control group, the four indexes were 14.9 +/- 4.3 vs 19.2 +/- 3.8, (34.7 +/- 9.8) ml vs (37.1 +/- 11.9) ml, (25.6 +/- 4.6) ml vs (41.8 +/- 6.1) ml and (13.5 +/- 4.1) ml/s vs (10.2 +/- 3.8) ml/s, with a more obvious improvement in the experimental group than in the control after the 4-year treatment (P < 0.0001). Compared with pre-treatment, the IPSS and Qmax were improved 3 months (16.7 +/- 3.9, P < 0. 000 1) and 6 months ([13.2 +/- 4.1] ml/s, P < 0. 0001) respectively after the treatment in the experimental group, compared with 6 months (17.6 +/- 3.3, P = 0.0010) and 9 months ([12.0 +/- 3.7] ml/s, P = 0.0005) in the control; the prostate volume was improved 1 year after the treatment in the former ( [ 15.6 +/- 3.2 ] ml,P = 0.0487) but not at 4 years in the latter ([25.6 +/- 4.6] ml,P = 0.1040). The postvoid residual urine was improved at 3 months in both the experimental ([38.7 +/- 6.1] ml, P < 0.000 1) and the control group ([40.2 +/- 5.5] ml, P = 0.0422). The incidence of urine retention was lower in the former than in the latter (5 vs 16 person-times, P = 0.0147), and so was the rate of surgery (2 vs 8 person-times, P = 0.046 2). There were no significant differences in PSA between the pre-and post-treatment either in the experimental (P = 0.349 6) or in the control group (P = 0.3805). No toxical and adverse effects were observed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Long-term administration of cernilton at the dose of 750 mg may achieve faster and more obvious efficacy than at 375 mg in improving symptomatic BPH and preventing the clinical progression of BPH, with no adverse events.</p>

Glycemic Index Lowering Effects of Breads Supplemented with Resistant Starch, Whole Rye Grain and Fructooligosaccharide / 대한지역사회영양학회지

Low glycemic index (GI) foods have been reported to be very important in the control of blood glucose levels in diseases such as diabetes mellitus and obesity, which are becoming more prevalent in Korea. Bread consumption at breakfast and as a snack is also on the rise. To provide low GI alternatives, breads supplemented with dietary fibersfructooligosaccharide (FOS), ground whole rye, and 2 types of resistance starch (RS2 and RS4)-were developed. The GIs for these breads were evaluated with 13 healthy college students (M6, F7) and sensory tests were done. Four kinds of breads were made through the modification of a basic recipe for white bread (the control, B) as follows: for Bf, the entire amount of sugar was replaced with FOS. For Ryef, 50% of the white wheat flower was replaced with roughly ground wholerye (20 mesh: 12-20 mesh = 1 : 3) in addition to replacing sugar with FOS. For RS2f and RS4f, 20% of the white wheat flower was replaced with RS2 or RS4, in addition to replacing sugar with FOS. The overall preference score of Bf was similar to that of B, while those of Ryef, RS2f and RS4f were lower than that of B, but showed the acceptable degree of the overall preference. The glycemic indices of Ryef and RS2f were 46.1 and 45.9 respectively, which were significantly lower than the GI of B, 67.8. The GIs of Bf and RS4f were, however, 66.7 and 80.5 respectively, showing no significant difference compared to B. The glycemic loads for a 30 g serving were 9.5, 5.9, 6.2, 11.0 and 9.0 for B, Bf, Ryef, RS2f and RS4f, respectively. In conclusion, addition of RS2 or roughly ground whole rye to the dough formula significantly lowered the GI. Since the preferences shown for those two breads were acceptable, they may be recommended as a substitute for white bread for persons who need blood glucose management. More studies on the bread making process are required to improve preference and acceptance. Although GI lowering effects for F and RS4 were not found in this study, further studies are needed to verify their effects.

Comparison of different drugs on the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the differences of the efficacy and different therapeutic drugs on the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in order to ensure the optimal indication for different BPH patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A randomized, parallel-controlled, multicenter clinical trial was conducted. From September 2002 to December 2003 906 BPH patients were enrolled into 7 therapeutic groups, including selective-adrenoceptor antagonist (terazosin, doxazosin tamsulosin and naftopidil), 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor (finasteride and epristeride) and natural product (cernilton). International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Quality of Life (QOL), uroflowmetry, total prostatic volume (TPV) and transitional zone volume and residual urine were used as efficacy criteria.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>According to the baseline, the IPSS and Qmax were significantly correlated to the prostatic volume and transitional zone volume (P < 0.01). At average follow-up of 6 months, significant improvements in IPSS, QOL, Qmax and residual urine volume were observed in each therapeutic group, and no difference in IPSS improvement was found among the groups. Prostatic volume and transitional zone volume were significant decreased in 5alpha-reductase inhibitor groups (P < 0.05). In patients with baseline TPV greater than 35.5 cm3, the improvement of Qmax was more significant than that in patients with TPV less than 35.5 cm3 in finasteride group (P < 0.01) (5.7 ml/s and 2.2 ml/s respectively), and more significant symptomatic improvements were also found in cernilton, doxazosin and naftopidil group. In each group, the improvement of symptom were more significant in patients with IPSS higher than 20 points (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Each drug observed in this study can improve the subjective and objective symptoms significantly for BPH patients, especially for patients with higher IPSS baseline. When using 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, prostatic volume can be decreased significantly and more obviously subjective and objective improvement can be found in the patients with TPV greater than 35.5 cm3.</p>

Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships in the rye genus Secale L. (rye) based on Secale cereale microsatellite markers

The genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships in the genus Secale L. (rye) was evaluated using 24 Secale cereale microsatellite (SCM) markers. The average polymorphism information content (PIC) value of each microsatellite locus in 30 Secale accessions evaluated was higher than that in 47 cultivated ryes (Secale cereale ssp. cereale). The mean genetic similarity (GS) index in Secale was lower than that in cultivated rye. The highest within-species GS index was observed for S. sylvestre and the lowest for S. strictum, whereas the highest between-species GS index was found between S. cereale and S. vavilovii and the lowest between S. sylvestre and S. cereale. There was no obvious difference in GS levels in the cultivated rye accessions from Asia, Europe, North America or South America. Cluster analysis indicated that all the Secale accessions could be distinguished by the 24 microsatellite loci. We also found that the S. sylvestre accessions were obviously divergent from the accessions of other species and that the S. vavilovii accessions were closely related to the S. cereale accessions. Our results also showed that S. strictum was heterogeneous and showed great within-species differences. The microsatellite-derived dendrogram faithfully reflected the phylogenetic relationships between Secale species but did not indicate a possible domestication process of the cultivated rye based on the geographical sources of the accessions.

Clinical Statistical Study on Offending Allergens of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis: Prevalence of Multiple Sensitization / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The incidence of allergic rhinitis and the kinds of offending allergens in our environment are varying as the way of life changes with urbanization and industrialization. Therefore, knowledge of the relationship between allergic rhinitis and the offending allergen is crucial for therapeutic judgment. The purpose of this study was to find out the incidence and distribution of offending allergens and investigate the prevalence of multiple sensitization on patients with allergic rhinitis. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Allergic skin test and multiple allergosorbent chemiluminescent assay (MAST-CLA) was performed for 1, 705 allergic rhinitis patients from Jan. 1998 to Dec. 2001 at the allergy clinic, Kyung Hee university Hospital. and a retrospective study was done by reviewing the result. RESULTS: Common offending allergens were Dermatopgagoides farinae (D. farinae), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (D. pteronyssinus), various pollens, dog hair, cockroach, and cat hair. Common offending seasonal allergens were ragweed, mugwort, rye, timothy grass, and Bermuda grass. The most common combination of allergens was mites with animal danders. Nineteen point three percent of the patients were sensitized to both perennial and seasonal type of allergens. Thirty point eight percent of patients with PAR (perennial allergic rhinitis) and 66.7% of patients with SAR (seasonal allergic rhinitis) were sensitized to multiple allergen. The prevalence of mixed sensitization to both perennial and seasonal allergen is 19.3% in allergic rhinitis. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of multiple sensitization in allergic rhinitis is 52.7%.

Effects of yanlieping formula on mice with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To study the mechanism of Yanlieping Formula in treating chronic nonbacterial prostatitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two C57BL/6 mice were divided into Chinese Traditional Medicine group(Yanlieping group, 10 mice), treatment control group(Cernilton group, 10 mice), model group(6 mice) and normal group(6 mice). The animal model was created by using immunologic adjuvant, and Yanlieping (0.84 g per mouse), Cernilton (7.5 mg per mouse), distilled water(1.05 ml per mouse) and distilled water (0.5 ml per mouse) were respectively administered to the four groups every day for one month. The prostate weight, pathological changes, TNF-alpha and IL-2 in serum were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prostate weight in Yanlieping group and Cernilton group became significantly lower than in the model group(P < 0.05). Pathologic sign of chronic inflammation became better significantly(Yanlieping group showed more significant improvement). The expression of IL-2 in Yanlieping group and Cernilton group were downregulated significantly. And the expression of TNF-alpha in Yianlieping group was higher than that of the model group and the normal group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The mechanism of Yanlieping Formula in treating chronic prostatitis may lie in the max urethral close pressure reduction, anti-inflammation, local blood circulation improvement.</p>

The prevalence of baker s asthma due to wheat sensitization in baking factory workers / 천식및알레르기

BACKGROUND: Baker's asthma is a common occupational respiratory disease and its prevalence rate varies from 15% to 30% of the workers in foreign countries. It has been reported mainly in bakers and millers due to sensitization to wheat, rye, storage mites, and several enzymes etc. But, the main allergen of baker's asthma is wheat. As there is an increase of consumption of food made of wheat due to westernized life style, it is expected that the prevalence of baker's asthma is increasing or already increased. But, there has been no study to investigate the prevalence of baker's asthma in this country. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of baker's asthma due to wheat sensitization in baking factory workers. METHOD: A total of 147 bakers (age 32.6+/-8.2 years, male 63%) were enrolled in this study. They responded to a modified ISSAC questionnaire and underwent methacholine bronchial challenge test, and skin prick test with common inhalant allergens and work-related allergens including commercial wheat antigen, bread flour, and cake flour antigen prepared in our laboratory. And specific bronchial challenge test with wheat extract was performed to volunteers. RESULTS: The atopic prevalence based on skin prick test was 43% (63/147), and wheat sensitization rate (including commercial wheat, bread flour and cake flour antigen) was 15% (22/147). The risk factors for wheat sensitization were atopy, long duration occupied in baking process, and current or past work history in mixing and/or measuring part where wheat flour exposure was relatively high (p<0.05). Wheat sensitization was highly associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness, work related symptoms such as asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and dermatitis (p<0.05) respectively. The prevalence of current asthma based on questionnaire and methacholine bronchial challenge test was 8% (11/147 bakers). Of these, 8 bakers were sensitized to wheat antigen, and all of them except one baker complained of work-related symptoms. These seven bakers were highly suspected of baker's asthma due to wheat sensitization. Two of these seven bakers showed early asthmatic response on specific broncho-provocation test. CONCLUSION: Wheat sensitization rate was 15%, The prevalence of baker's asthma due to wheat sensitization was 5% in baking factory workers and it's risk factors were atopy, long duration occupied in baking process, and current or past work history in mixing and/or measuring part of baking process.

Evaluation of multi-allergen dipstick (Allergodip(R)) as a screening test in allergy patients / 천식및알레르기

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The Allergodip(R) multi-allergen screening test is a simple method for measuring serum-specific IgE to common inhalant allergens simultaneously. The dipstick contains nine separate allergen pads including D. pteronyssinus, Alternaria, cat epithelium, dog epithelium, English plantain, mugwort, birch, rye and six-grass mixture pollen extracts, as well as positive and negative controls. This study was performed in order to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of this test in comparison to skin prick test. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We compared the results obtained by skin prick test (PT) to those obtained by Allergodip(R) test (AT) in 30 patients with various allergic diseases. The skin reactivity was presented as allergen to histamine ratio (A/H) and results of the AT test were assessed visually and classified into Allergodip(R) class 0-4. RESULTS: Compared with PT, results of AT gave a sensitivity of 55.3% and a specificity of 93.8% when the A/H > OR = 3 was considered a positive response for PT. The agreement rate between positive PT and positive AT to each antigen was 82.6% in D. pteronyssinus, 82.9% in Alternaria, 71.1% in dog epithelium, 57.2% in mugwort pollen, 57.2% in birch pollen, 49.9% in grasses mixture pollen, 23.6% in cat epithelium and 6.7% in rye grass pollen, respectively. Significant correlations were noted between PT and AT classes in D. pteronyssinus, Alternaria, dog epithelium, mugwort pollen, birch pollen, and in grasses mixture pollen (p < 0.05, respectively), but not in cat epithelium or rye grass pollen. CONCLUSION: We concluded that Allergodip(R) test is useful in screening serum-specific IgE antibodies against multiple allergens at one time.

A study on the production of allergen panels / 천식및알레르기

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The selection of allergen panels is a prerequisite to effectively test for innumerable allergens scattered throughout the environment. However, the selection of the pre-existing panel has been vague and contains some allergens that have not been verified as being common in Korea. This study was aimed to produce allergen panels in Korea. METHODS: For 12 months in 1996, sera were tested by the chemiluminescent assay of Multiple allergen simultaneous test (MAST-CLA: Immunosystems, Mountain view, U.S.A.). A total of 2, 467 specimens that either tested positive or were negative but had high total IgE level were pooled together. The pooled ser a were assayed for 60 allergens supplied by Dexall Acti Tip System (Dexall biomedical Labs. Inc., Gaithersburg, U.S.A.), a recently developed enzyme immunoassay. According to the Allerg Ens Unit (Allergen Unit:AU), 12 of the most frequently encountered and 6 of the leaot frequent allergens with reactions between classes 3 and trace were selected. RESULTS: The 12 most frequently encountered allergens were : Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, house dust, timothy grass, perennial rye, mugwort, birch, oak, hazel nut, common ragweed, alder and dog dander. The 6 least frequently encountered were : wheat, egg-white, cat epithelium, milk, cockroach and shrimp. CONCLUSION: The 12 allergens we chose proposed to be the minimally required panel of frequently encountered allergens in allergy testing. We conclude that the 12 most frequent allergens should be tested with the total IgE level as a major panel (panel-M) and that the 6 least frequently encountered allergens may be tested separately when needed, as a minor panel (panel-m).

Microscopia de fluorescencia para detectar fraudes en cafe tostado y molido / Fluorescence microscopy for detection of frauds in ground coffee

Un método nuevo basado en fluorescencia, y que es más eficiente y rápido que el actualmente utilizado por órganos fiscales para evaluación de la pureza del café tostado y molido, se propone en este trabajo. Para estos análisis, se comparó café puro con café adulterado con 2,5, 5,0 y 10,0 por ciento de centeno, cebada, maiz y trigo. En todos los análisis microscópicos de fluorescencia del café adulterado, se detectó inmediatamente la presencia de almidón, lo que no ocurrió con microscopía óptica. Este método propuesto para la detección de adulterantes de café es más eficaz y simple que el método oficial utilizado actualmente.

A Study on Risk Factors of Grain Dust-Induced Occupational Asthma in Grain Feedmill Workers / 대한산업의학회지

This study was carried out to manifest risk factors related grain dust induced asthma, especially allergic and immunologic factors. Six grain workers first diagnosed as grain dust induced asthma by specific antigen bronchial asthma challenge test (cases) and 37 grain workers showed negative finding (controls) in the same firm were selected. Questionnaire survey for respiratory symptoms, interview, physical examination, PFT, methacholine bronchial hyperresponsiveness, specific challenge tests and skin prick test for four grains (grain, corn, rye and seed dust) were conducted. To evaluate the role of specific antibodies to grain dust, we detected serum specific IgE and IgG antibodies by ELISA in 43 employees. The results were summarized as follows : 1. Compared with the group having no respiratory symptoms, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with respiratory symptoms was 3.04 (95% CI 0.32-28.80). 2. Compared with the group having no ventilatory impairment, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with ventilatory impairment was 0.54 (95% CI 0.06-5.21). 3. Compared with the group showed negative skin test for general respirable antigen, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with atopy was 8.02 (95% CI 0.42-153.25). 4. Compared with the group showed negative finding on specific allergic skin test, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with positive finding was 5.88 (95% CI 0.63-55.38). 5. In immunologic test, compared with the group not increased total IgE( or = 160 IU/ml) was 4.78 (95% CI 0.50-44.57). 6. Compared with the group showed negative finding on specific IgE antibody, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with positive finding was 2.63 (95% CI 0.43-16.16). 7. Compared with the group showed normal finding on nonspecific (methacholine) bronchial hyperresponsiveness, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with positive finding was 76.82(95% CI 3.37 - 1566.34). Statistically significant odds ratio were fecund for specific skin test with grain, total IgE and nonspecific (methacholine) bronchial hyperreponsiveness.

A Study on Risk Factors of Grain Dust-Induced Occupational Asthma in Grain Feedmill Workers / 대한산업의학회지

This study was carried out to manifest risk factors related grain dust induced asthma, especially allergic and immunologic factors. Six grain workers first diagnosed as grain dust induced asthma by specific antigen bronchial asthma challenge test (cases) and 37 grain workers showed negative finding (controls) in the same firm were selected. Questionnaire survey for respiratory symptoms, interview, physical examination, PFT, methacholine bronchial hyperresponsiveness, specific challenge tests and skin prick test for four grains (grain, corn, rye and seed dust) were conducted. To evaluate the role of specific antibodies to grain dust, we detected serum specific IgE and IgG antibodies by ELISA in 43 employees. The results were summarized as follows : 1. Compared with the group having no respiratory symptoms, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with respiratory symptoms was 3.04 (95% CI 0.32-28.80). 2. Compared with the group having no ventilatory impairment, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with ventilatory impairment was 0.54 (95% CI 0.06-5.21). 3. Compared with the group showed negative skin test for general respirable antigen, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with atopy was 8.02 (95% CI 0.42-153.25). 4. Compared with the group showed negative finding on specific allergic skin test, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with positive finding was 5.88 (95% CI 0.63-55.38). 5. In immunologic test, compared with the group not increased total IgE( or = 160 IU/ml) was 4.78 (95% CI 0.50-44.57). 6. Compared with the group showed negative finding on specific IgE antibody, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with positive finding was 2.63 (95% CI 0.43-16.16). 7. Compared with the group showed normal finding on nonspecific (methacholine) bronchial hyperresponsiveness, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with positive finding was 76.82(95% CI 3.37 - 1566.34). Statistically significant odds ratio were fecund for specific skin test with grain, total IgE and nonspecific (methacholine) bronchial hyperreponsiveness.