360° approach to the patient with mite allergy: from scientific evidence to clinical practice.

In the recent years, several important advances have been made in the diagnosis of allergy using molecular techniques. The aetiological diagnosis of allergy using molecular components of allergens allows a more precise definition of the patient's IgE repertoire. Precision medicine is a structural model aimed at personalising healthcare and places the patient at the centre of the specialist's decision-making process. To this end, an accurate characterisation of the external exposome at a molecular level and their putative role as clinically relevant allergens is essential to elucidate the phenotypic diversity of atopic disease, with a view to personalising diagnosis and therapy. It has been proposed a decision algorithm, the Top-Down approach, where the clinical history is set first and is followed by the use of skin tests or specific IgE techniques, which facilitates the clinicians to make decisions. The therapeutic intervention driven by the standard diagnostic approach, but supported by these innovative tools, can lead to a better phenotyping of highly complex patients, and a more appropriate prescription of AIT. To this end, the allergen extracts used for diagnosis require to be of proven quality and contain the most relevant allergens. Likewise, allergen vaccines must gather efficacy, safety, duration, and patient compliance, hence the demand for new vaccines to overcome these drawbacks.

Black cohosh efficacy and safety for menopausal symptoms. The Spanish Menopause Society statement.

OBJECTIVE: The increasing interest in Western countries regarding phytotherapy use to treat menopause-related symptoms has led the Spanish Menopause Society (AEEM) to update its position statement performed in 2009 on the role of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A panel of experts from both clinical and research backgrounds were assembled to investigate the best available evidence. Selected studies were obtained by an electronic search, including the Internet search engines MEDLINE-Pubmed (1997-December 2021) and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. RESULTS: Most of the well-designed studies published in recent years have been conducted with the isopropanolic extract of black cohosh/C. racemosa. The most common dose is 40 mg/day capable of achieving a significant reduction in hot flushes (particularly in women with intense hot flushes) and an improvement in mood. Used at the recommended doses, C. racemose produces no significant adverse reactions. CONCLUSION: Black cohosh is an effective and safe treatment option for the relieving of vasomotor symptoms. Finally, further clinical trials with sufficient patient enrollment and longer study follow-up are needed.

Strategy to improve the female fertility in the general gynecologist's office: use of a nutritional supplement based on myo-inositol/D-chiro-inositol and antioxidants.

Subfertility is more than a quality-of-life problem as it has a substantial negative public health impact. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of subfertility, affecting one out of 10 women in reproductive age. Among PCOS women undergoing assisted reproductive technology, treatment based on myo-inositol and high doses of D-chiro-inositol has been shown to increase pregnancy rate and number of live births, reduce ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and improve oocyte quality. A preparation based on myo-inositol and high doses of D-chiro-inositol, together with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, could have beneficial effects and be an optimal strategy to improve female fertility in the general gynecologist's office. The aim of this review is to highlight the role of inositol and its isomers in improving fertility of women with PCOS.

A Nonsteroidal Novel Formulation Targeting Inflammatory and Pruritus-Related Mediators Modulates Experimental Allergic Contact Dermatitis.

INTRODUCTION: A major clinical challenge in treating allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is that the first line of treatment is based on the use of corticosteroids. In this study, we aimed to develop a formulation that is devoid of steroids. METHODS: We used mouse ears treated with dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) to induce ACD. The efficacy of the test formulation to ameliorate and to prevent induced ACD was determined. RESULTS: To treat this experimentally induced ACD, we developed a formulation containing BIPxine (a mixture of Rosa moschata and Croton lechleri (antioxidants) and Aloe vera and D-panthenol (moisturizers), and hydroglycolic solutions of disodium cromoglycate. Our results show that clear inhibition of ACD took place. The target of this formulation was PAR-2, TRPV4, and other mediators of the inflammatory and pain responses. However, this formulation must be evaluated in other models besides the mouse to confirm its effectiveness. CONCLUSION: The formulation presented here may provide new ACD therapies that do not involve the use of corticosteroids.

Recommendations of the Spanish Menopause Society on the consumption of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids by postmenopausal women.

The consumption of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCO3-PUFAs) has shown a great variety of beneficial effects, including cardiovascular, metabolic and inflammatory effects, which make them interesting for the postmenopausal woman. Because LCO3-PUFAs could be effective and safe during this period, a panel of experts from the Spanish Menopause Society met to establish a set of recommendations for their use in postmenopausal women based on the best available evidence. The decrease in triglycerides is the most consistent effect observed with LCO3-PUFAs (at doses greater than 3g/day). In addition, LCO3-PUFAs have antiarrhythmic effects, reduce blood pressure, improve depressive and psychotic symptoms, and do not increase the risk of cancer. However, further studies are needed to confirm the benefit of LCO3-PUFAs in the relief of menopause symptoms and osteoporosis.

Beneficial effects of a Coriolus versicolor-based vaginal gel on cervical epithelization, vaginal microbiota and vaginal health: a pilot study in asymptomatic women.

BACKGROUND: To assess the effect of a 12-day treatment using a vaginal gel based on niosomes containing hyaluronic acid, ß-glucan, alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, Coriolus versicolor, Asian centella, Azadirachta indica and Aloe vera on vaginal microbiota, cervical epithelization and vaginal health. METHODS: Open-label, prospective pilot study conducted in asymptomatic women in daily practice. Cervical epithelization was evaluated by colposcopy using an ectopy epithelization score (from 5: no ectopy to 1: severe ectopy and bleeding), vaginal microbiota using the VaginaStatus-Diagnostic test (Instiüt für Mikroökologie, Herborn, Germany) and further rated by the investigator using a 5-point Liker scale (from 5: normal to 1: very severe deterioration in which all evaluated species were altered), and vaginal health using the Vaginal Health Index. RESULTS: In 21 women, a positive effect to improve epithelization of the cervical mucosa, with a mean score of 4.42 at the final visit as compared to 3.09 at baseline (P < 0.0001) (43% improvement). In 10 women, there was a trend of improving of vaginal microbiota status, with a mean score of 4.0 at the final visit vs. 3.3 at baseline (P = NS) (21.2% improvement). In 11 women, the Vaginal Health Index increased from 19.0 at baseline to 22.3 at the final visit (P = 0.007). The concentration of Lactobacillus spp. increased 54.5% of women and pH decreased from 4.32 to 4.09. CONCLUSIONS: These encouraging preliminary results provide the basis for designing a randomized controlled study, and for potential use in human papilloma virus infection. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN77955077 . Registration date: February 15, 2017. Retrospectively registered.

Immunotherapy (oral and sublingual) for food allergy to fruits.

BACKGROUND: Food allergy is an abnormal immunological response following exposure (usually ingestion) to a food. Elimination of the allergen is the principle treatment for food allergy, including allergy to fruit. Accidental ingestion of allergenic foods can result in severe anaphylactic reactions. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) is a specific treatment, when the avoidance of allergenic foods is problematic. Recently, studies have been conducted on different types of immunotherapy for the treatment of food allergy, including oral (OIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy and safety of oral and sublingual immunotherapy in children and adults with food allergy to fruits, when compared with placebo or an elimination strategy. SEARCH METHODS: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and AMED were searched for published results along with trial registries and the Journal of Negative Results in BioMedicine for grey literature. The date of the most recent search was July 2015. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing OIT or SLIT with placebo or an elimination diet were included. Participants were children or adults diagnosed with food allergy who presented immediate fruit reactions. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard methodological procedures expected by the Cochrane Collaboration. We assessed treatment effect through risk ratios (RRs) for dichotomous outcomes. MAIN RESULTS: We identified two RCTs (N=89) eligible for inclusion. These RCTs addressed oral or sublingual immunotherapy, both in adults, with an allergy to apple or peach respectively. Both studies enrolled a small number of participants and used different methods to provide these differing types of immunotherapy. Both studies were judged to be at high risk of bias in at least one domain. Overall, the quality of evidence was judged to be very low due to the small number of studies and participants and possible bias. The studies were clinically heterogeneous and hence we did not pool the results. A study comparing SLIT with placebo for allergy to peach did not detect a significant difference between the number of patients desensitised at six months following a double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (RR 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.49 to 2.74). The second study, comparing OIT versus no treatment for apple allergy, found an effect on desensitisation in favour of the intervention using an oral provocation test at eight months, but results were imprecise (RR 17.50, 95% CI 1.13 to 270.19). Neither study reported data on evidence of immunologic tolerance. In both studies, the incidence of mild and moderate adverse events was higher in the intervention groups than in the controls. In the study comparing SLIT with placebo, patients in the intervention group experienced significantly more local adverse reactions than participants in the control group (RR 3.21, 95% CI 1.51 to 6.82), though there was not a significant difference in the number of participants experiencing systemic adverse reactions (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.22 to 3.02). In the study of OIT, two of the 25 participants in the intervention group reported relevant side effects, whereas no participants in the control group reported relevant side effects. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient evidence for using OIT or SLIT to treat allergy to fruit, specifically related to peach and apple. Mild or moderate adverse reactions were reported more frequently in people receiving OIT or SLIT. However, these reactions could be treated successfully with medications.

Protophormia terraenovae. A new allergenic species in amateur fishermen of Caceres, Spain.

BACKGROUND: Asticot maggot (Blowfly, Calliphoridae family) is the most important live bait used for angling in our country. Prevalence of allergy to live fish bait in occupationally exposed workers has been described. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of asticot allergy in amateur fishermen and the identification of marketed asticot species in Cáceres, Spain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-two randomised selected patients (Angler's Society of Cáceres) completed a questionnaire about fishing habits and allergic symptoms related with live bait handling. Skin prick test (SPT) with local asticot and common earthworm extracts were performed. Serum IgE levels to imported species (Protophormia terraenovae, Calliphora vomitoria, Lucilia sericata, Lumbricus terrestris) were measured. Local asticot and common earthworm samples were obtained for taxonomic identification. Data were analysed using the SPSS 12.0 software. RESULTS: Five patients (7 %) reported allergic symptoms caused by asticot maggots. All of them were positive for SPT to asticot and specific IgE to P. terraenovae. Sensitisation to P. terraenovae was found in 40 patients (58.8 %). No associated factors for asticot allergy were observed. Larvae and adult flies of local asticot samples were identified as P. terraenovae. CONCLUSIONS: Commercially available asticot, in Cáceres, is composed by P. terraenovae larvae (Diptera. Calliphoridae). A 7 % prevalence of P. terraenovae allergy in amateur fishermen of Cáceres was obtained. The allergenic potential of P. terraenovae seems to be greater than that of other blowflies and L. terrestris. The SPT with P. terraenovae extract is a very sensitive and specific technique in the diagnosis of live bait allergy in fishermen.

Protophormia terraenovae. A new allergenic species in amateur fishermen of Caceres, Spain

Background: Asticot maggot (Blowfly, Calliphoridae family) is the most important live bait used for angling in our country. Prevalence of allergy to live fish bait in occupationally exposed workers has been described. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of asticot allergy in amateur fishermen and the identification of marketed asticot species in Cáceres, Spain. Materials and Methods: Seventy-two randomised selected patients (Angler’s Society of Cáceres) completed a questionnaire about fishing habits and allergic symptoms related with live baithandling. Skin prick test (SPT) with local asticot and common earthworm extracts were performed. Serum IgE levels to imported species (Protophormia terraenovae, Calliphoravomitoria, Lucilia sericata, Lumbricus terrestris) were measured. Local asticot and commone arthworm samples were obtained for taxonomic identification. Data were analysed using the SPSS 12.0 software. Results: Five patients (7 %) reported allergic symptoms caused by asticot maggots. All of them were positive for SPT to asticot and specific IgE to P. terraenovae. Sensitisation to P. terraenovae was found in 40 patients (58.8 %). No associated factors for asticot allergy were observed. Larvae and adult flies of local asticot samples were identified as P. terraenovae. Conclusions: Commercially available asticot, in Cáceres, is composed by P. terraenovae larvae (Diptera. Calliphoridae). A 7 % prevalence of P. terraenovae allergy in amateur fishermen of Cáceres was obtained. The allergenic potential of P. terraenovae seems to be greater than thatof other blow flies and L. terrestris. The SPT with P. terraenovae extract is a very sensitive and specific technique in the diagnosis of live bait allergy in fi shermen (AU)

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