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Peanut allergy is characterized by the development of IgE against peanut antigen. We sought to evaluate the evolution of epitope-specific (es)IgE and esIgG 4 in a prospective cohort of high-risk infants to determine whether antibody profiles can predict peanut allergy after age 4 years. The end point was allergy status at age 4+ years; samples from 293 children were collected at age 3 to 15 months and 2 to 3 and 4+ years. Levels of specific (s)IgE and sIgG 4 to peanut and component proteins, and 50 esIgE and esIgG 4 were quantified. Changes were analyzed with mixed-effects models. Machine learning algorithms were developed to identify a combination of antigen- and epitope-specific antibodies that using 3- to 15-month or 2- to 3-year samples can predict allergy status at age 4+ years. At age 4+ years, 38% of children were Tolerant or 14% had Possible, 8% Convincing, 24% Serologic, and 16% Confirmed allergy. At age 3 to 15 months, esIgE profiles were similar among groups, whereas marked increases were evident at age 2 and 4+ years only in Confirmed and Serologic groups. In contrast, peanut sIgE level was significantly lower in the Tolerant group at age 3 to 15 months, increased in Confirmed and Serologic groups but decreased in Convincing and Possibly Allergic groups over time. An algorithm combining esIgEs with peanut sIgE outperformed different clinically relevant IgE cutoffs, predicting allergy status on an "unseen" set of patients with area under the curves of 0.84 at age 3 to 15 months and 0.87 at age 2 to 3 years. Early epitope-specific plus peanut-specific IgE is predictive of allergy status at age 4+ years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Space syntax is used to examine the spatial morphology of snow houses built by three Central Inuit groups in Canadian Artic, based on ethno historic and ethnographic accounts. It is demonstrated that variation in family structure and the behavioral directives present in Inuit kinship systems are reflected in the spatial configurations of snow house architecture.

Background The contribution of phenotypic variation of peanut-specific T cells to clinical allergy or tolerance to peanut is not well understood. Objectives Our objective was to comprehensively phenotype peanut-specific T cells in the peripheral blood of subjects with and without peanut allergy (PA). Methods We obtained samples from patients with PA, including a cohort undergoing baseline peanut challenges for an immunotherapy trial (Consortium of Food Allergy Research [CoFAR] 6). Subjects were confirmed as having PA, or if they passed a 1-g peanut challenge, they were termed high-threshold subjects. Healthy control (HC) subjects were also recruited. Peanut-responsive T cells were identified based on CD154 expression after 6 to 18 hours of stimulation with peanut extract. Cells were analyzed by using flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing. Results Patients with PA had tissue- and follicle-homing peanut-responsive CD4 + T cells with a heterogeneous pattern of T H 2 differentiation, whereas control subjects had undetectable T-cell responses to peanut. The PA group had a delayed and IL-2–dependent upregulation of CD154 on cells expressing regulatory T (Treg) cell markers, which was absent in HC or high-threshold subjects. Depletion of Treg cells enhanced cytokine production in HC subjects and patients with PA in vitro , but cytokines associated with highly differentiated T H 2 cells were more resistant to Treg cell suppression in patients with PA. Analysis of gene expression by means of single-cell RNA sequencing identified T cells with highly correlated expression of IL4 , IL5 , IL9 , IL13 , and the IL-25 receptor IL17RB . Conclusions These results demonstrate the presence of highly differentiated T H 2 cells producing T H 2-associated cytokines with functions beyond IgE class-switching in patients with PA. A multifunctional T H 2 response was more evident than a Treg cell deficit among peanut-responsive T cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Calamus caesius is known as Rattan. It was found as a component of many formulas from evidence-based Thai medicinal scriptures but no research about their medicinal properties. We investigated the literature review analysis from Thai medicinal textbooks for proposed biological activity relatives including antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities, and chemical profiles using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). In silico studies were inspected on tyrosinase and NAD(P)H oxidase actions. Thirty formulas from Thai medicinal textbooks found C. caesius as a component with a percent ratio in the range of 1.43 to 14.99, the formula's properties are antipyretic, followed by antidiarrhea, and cure abscesses related to inflammation and infection. Both water extracted and ethanol extracted showed high antioxidant activities in all assays and showed no toxicity in macrophage-like cells and cancer cell lines. The ethanol extracted showed slightly bactericidal better than the water extracted, none of them inhibited against C. albicans. From GC–MS analysis, the highest components of water and ethanol extract are 3- tert -Butylamino-acrylonitrile and β-Sitosterol, respectively. Five chemical compounds revealed in both water and ethanol extracted of C. caesius are 1,3-di -tert -butylbenzene; 2,6-dimethoxyphenol; 2-propylphenol; 2,4-di- tert -butylphenol; methyl palmitate. Sterol compounds such as stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol, and campesterol from ethanol extracted showed outstanding interaction with both tyrosinase and NADPH oxidase in silico molecular docking study. All outcomes proven that C. caesius has potentially antioxidant effects to support health problems. Additionally, this is the first report on the scientific data of Calamus caesius wood related to its medicinal properties in the formula from Thai medicinal scriptures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Gut microbiota may play a role in the natural history of cow's milk allergy. Objective We sought to examine the association between early-life gut microbiota and the resolution of cow's milk allergy. Methods We studied 226 children with milk allergy who were enrolled at infancy in the Consortium of Food Allergy observational study of food allergy. Fecal samples were collected at age 3 to 16 months, and the children were followed longitudinally with clinical evaluation, milk-specific IgE levels, and milk skin prick test performed at enrollment, 6 months, 12 months, and yearly thereafter up until age 8 years. Gut microbiome was profiled by 16s rRNA sequencing and microbiome analyses performed using Quantitative Insights into Microbial Ecology (QIIME), Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt), and Statistical Analysis of Metagenomic Profiles (STAMP). Results Milk allergy resolved by age 8 years in 128 (56.6%) of the 226 children. Gut microbiome composition at age 3 to 6 months was associated with milk allergy resolution by age 8 years (PERMANOVA P = .047), with enrichment of Clostridia and Firmicutes in the infant gut microbiome of subjects whose milk allergy resolved. Metagenome functional prediction supported decreased fatty acid metabolism in the gut microbiome of subjects whose milk allergy resolved (η 2 = 0.43; ANOVA P = .034). Conclusions Early infancy is a window during which gut microbiota may shape food allergy outcomes in childhood. Bacterial taxa within Clostridia and Firmicutes could be studied as probiotic candidates for milk allergy therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immobile patients with cerebral palsy can suffer with painful dislocated hips. Decision-making and surgical management can prove challenging in this cohort of patients, with hips that cannot be reconstructed. We conduced a retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent prosthetic femoral interposition arthroplasty (PFIA) by two surgeons from 2013 to 2021, for unreconstructable hips. We compared pain and range of motion in preoperative period to the postoperative period. Caregiver reported outcomes were used to assess satisfaction post operatively. During the follow up, radiographs of the PFIA were obtained to assess for proximal migration, heterotopic ossification and loosening of implants. Eleven index surgeries, which met the inclusion criteria, were included in this study. These were performed in eleven patients with an average follow up of 45 months. Regarding pain and range of motion post-operatively an excellent or good result was seen in nine cases. Two patients were classified as having a fair result with none having a poor result. Most caregivers reported being satisfied or very satisfied with the post-operative outcomes. A prescriptive operative solution to the painful dislocated hip in children with spastic cerebral palsy remains elusive. In this study, we have demonstrated both clinically and radiologically satisfactory results post proximal femoral interposition arthroplasty, for those patients with unreconstructable hips. Patient caregiver reported outcomes, show that the majority of caregivers were satisfied or very satisfied with the outcome of the surgery. • PFIA reduced hip pain and improved hip ROM, in GMFCS IV and V CP patients. • Hip migration was seen in two patients, this was not clinically significant. • No documented radiographic evidence of heterotopic ossification in follow-up period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allergen-specific IL-4+ and IL-13+ CD4+ cells (type 2 cells) are essential for helping B cells to class-switch to IgE and establishing an allergic milieu in the gastrointestinal tract. The role of T cells in established food allergy is less clear. We examined the food allergen–specific T-cell response in participants of 2 food allergen immunotherapy trials to assess the relationship of the T-cell response to clinical phenotypes, including response to immunotherapy. Blood was obtained from 84 participants with peanut allergy and 142 participants with egg allergy who underwent double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges. Peanut- and egg-responsive T cells were identified by CD154 upregulation after stimulation with the respective extract. Intracellular cytokines and chemokine receptors were also detected. The response to peanut epicutaneous immunotherapy (Peanut Epicutaneous Phase II Immunotherapy Clinical Trial [CoFAR6]; 49 participants receiving epicutaneous immunotherapy) and egg oral immunotherapy or a baked egg diet (Baked Egg or Egg Oral Immunotherapy for Children With Egg Allergy [CoFAR7]; 92 participants) was monitored over time. Peanut-specific type 2 and CCR6+ T cells were negatively correlated with each other and differently associated with immune parameters, including specific IgE level and basophil activation test result. At baseline, type 2 cells, but not CCR6+ cells, were predictive of clinical parameters, including a successfully consumed dose of peanut and baked egg tolerance. Exposure to peanut or egg immunotherapy was associated with a decrease in type 2 cell frequency. At baseline, high egg-specific type 2 cell frequency was the immune feature most predictive of oral immunotherapy failure. Food-specific type 2 T cells at baseline are informative of threshold of reactivity and response to immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Radiation is the best defined causative factor in thyroid cancer. The thyroid is especially susceptible to injury from radiation to which it may be exposed in a variety of circumstances in addition to natural background: radiotherapy, including, historically, therapy of such benign conditions as ring worm and haemangiomata, radiation exposure in nuclear accidents and fallout from nuclear bomb tests, and diagnostic exposures, particularly in the relatively high dose CT examination of head and neck. Both use of CT and the incidence of thyroid cancer appear to be increasing worldwide and it has been suggested that there may be a causative relationship between the two. It has been further posited that the iodine content of the thyroid might play a role in increasing the radiation dose absorption. Indeed, on the same basis, iodine administered in the form of an X-ray contrast-enhancing agent might also be expected to play some role in increasing thyroid radiation absorption resulting in a yet higher dose burden in any give circumstances than is generally assumed. In view of the importance of these ideas we have performed some calculations to estimate the magnitude of the iodine effects. We conclude that they are not great enough to cause concern. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Voters are analysed as ‘taxpaying-consumers’ but is choice at the ballot box premised on instrumental pursuit of preferred tax-financed outcomes? If individuals were this instrumental, they would not vote (the probability that one vote might change an electoral outcome is minuscule). ‘Choice’ registered depends on the motivation to participate. The more that participation depends on the intrinsic value of action (to express preference and to perform civic duty) the lower the likelihood that choice will be instrumental. Empirical analysis of the 2001 UK General Election sheds insight. ‘Choice’ differs systematically in different forums and there are implications for policy analysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fast data acquisition imaging technologies such as modern computed tomography (CT) allow contrast agents to be used as tracers and nuclear medicine methodology may be used to derive a variety of functional/physiological information from dynamic CT. This article describes the theoretical basis and some practical applications of this idea including the measurement of perfusion, capillary permeability, vascular volumes, renal function and tumour responses to therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Few subjects in body imaging have generated such intensive debate as that surrounding the optimising of strategies for the detection of liver metastases using contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography (CT). Despite this, research on the subject has been almost entirely focused on experimental studies, little attention having been paid to the value of theoretical analyses. The authors’ aim was to develop a relatively simple and robust mathematical model which could be implemented on a personal computer. Methods: Simple differential equations describing the distribution of contrast agent between intra- and extra-vascular spaces during an infusion are set up. An analytic solution is obtained for the plasma/blood concentrations as a fraction of time and a solution for the interstitial concentrations as a fraction of time is obtained by converting the differential equations to difference equations which are solved in a stepwise manner. Results: Vascular and hepatic parenchymal enhancement–time curves are generated which are in close agreement with expectations. The model may be used to compare different infusion regimes, e.g. lower versus higher dose, faster versus slower infusions, monophasic versus biphasic infusions and scan start delay. The implications of the results of the model for clinical protocol design are discussed and the special value of spiral/helical technology indicated. Conclusion: A simple mathematical model has been developed to model blood and tissue contrast enhancement in CT during contrast infusion. The model clarifies a number of issues related to contrast enhancement regimes for the study of the liver and these have been discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Consortium for Food Allergy Research investigators previously reported 52-week outcomes from a randomized controlled trial of peanut epicutaneous immunotherapy, observing modest and statistically significant induction of desensitization, highest in children ages 4 to 11 years. We sought to evaluate changes in efficacy, safety, and mechanistic parameters following extended open-label peanut epicutaneous immunotherapy. Peanut-allergic participants (4-25 years) received 52 weeks of placebo (PLB), Viaskin Peanut 100 μg (VP100) or 250 μg (VP250), and then crossed over to VP250 for PLB (PLB-VP250) and VP100 (VP100-VP250) participants and continued treatment for VP250 participants (total = 130 weeks of active epicutaneous immunotherapy). Efficacy was assessed by double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge (5044 mg peanut protein), and adherence, safety, and mechanistic parameters were evaluated. At week 130, desensitization success was achieved in 1 of 20 (5%) PLB-VP250, 5 of 24 (20.8%) VP100-VP250, and 9 of 25 (36%) VP250 participants, with median successfully consumed dose change from baseline of 11.5 mg, 141.5 mg, and 400 mg, respectively. Median age (years) for week 130 desensitization success was 6.2 years (interquartile range, 5.2-9.1) versus 9.4 years (interquartile range, 7.6-12.8) for failures (P <.001). Adherence was 96%. Adverse reactions were predominantly local patch-site reactions. Significant increases in peanut- and Ara h2–specific IgG 4 observed at week 52 persisted to week 130. By a post hoc analysis, there were no statistically significant increases from week 52 to week 130 in either desensitization success or successfully consumed dose. Extended treatment with VP250 was well tolerated, and desensitization observed at week 52 persisted between weeks 52 and 130. Treatment success was observed predominantly in younger participants, with younger age at initiation of active therapy an important predictor of success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While desensitization and sustained unresponsiveness (SU) have been shown with egg oral immunotherapy (OIT), the benefits of baked egg (BE) therapy for egg allergy have not been well studied. This study sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BE ingestion compared with egg OIT in participants allergic to unbaked egg but tolerant to BE. Children who are BE-tolerant but unbaked egg reactive ages 3 to 16 years were randomized to 2 years of treatment with either BE or egg OIT. Double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges were conducted after 1 and 2 years of treatment to assess for desensitization, and after 2 years of treatment followed by 8 to 10 weeks off of treatment to assess for SU. Mechanistic studies were conducted to assess for immune modulation. A cohort of participants who are BE-reactive underwent egg OIT and identical double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges as a comparator group. Fifty participants (median age 7.3 years) were randomized and initiated treatment. SU was achieved in 3 of 27 participants assigned to BE (11.1%) versus 10 of 23 participants assigned to egg OIT (43.5%) (P =.009). In the BE-reactive comparator group, 7 of 39 participants (17.9%) achieved SU. More participants who are BE-tolerant withdrew from BE versus from egg OIT (29.6% vs 13%). Dosing symptom frequency in participants who are BE-tolerant was similar with BE and egg OIT, but more frequent in participants who are BE-reactive. Egg white–specific IgE, skin testing, and basophil activation decreased similarly after BE and egg OIT. Among children allergic to unbaked egg but tolerant to BE, those treated with egg OIT were significantly more likely to achieve SU than were children ingesting BE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Peanut allergy is common, life-threatening, and without therapeutic options. We evaluated peanut epicutaneous immunotherapy (EPIT) by using Viaskin Peanut for peanut allergy treatment. Objective We sought to evaluate the clinical, safety, and immunologic effects of EPIT for the treatment of peanut allergy. Methods In this multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 74 participants with peanut allergy (ages 4-25 years) were treated with placebo (n = 25), Viaskin Peanut 100 μg (VP100; n = 24) or Viaskin Peanut 250 μg (VP250; n = 25; DBV Technologies, Montrouge, France). The primary outcome was treatment success after 52 weeks, which was defined as passing a 5044-mg protein oral food challenge or achieving a 10-fold or greater increase in successfully consumed dose from baseline to week 52. Adverse reactions and mechanistic changes were assessed. Results At week 52, treatment success was achieved in 3 (12%) placebo-treated participants, 11 (46%) VP100 participants, and 12 (48%) VP250 participants ( P = .005 and P = .003, respectively, compared with placebo; VP100 vs VP250, P = .48). Median change in successfully consumed doses were 0, 43, and 130 mg of protein in the placebo, VP100, and VP250 groups, respectively (placebo vs VP100, P = .014; placebo vs VP250, P = .003). Treatment success was higher among younger children ( P = .03; age, 4-11 vs >11 years). Overall, 14.4% of placebo doses and 79.8% of VP100 and VP250 doses resulted in reactions, predominantly local patch-site and mild reactions ( P = .003). Increases in peanut-specific IgG 4 levels and IgG 4 /IgE ratios were observed in peanut EPIT-treated participants, along with trends toward reduced basophil activation and peanut-specific T H 2 cytokines. Conclusions Peanut EPIT administration was safe and associated with a modest treatment response after 52 weeks, with the highest responses among younger children. This, when coupled with a high adherence and retention rate and significant changes in immune pathways, supports further investigation of this novel therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We previously reported the results of a randomized placebo-controlled study of egg oral immunotherapy (eOIT) in which 27.5% of subjects achieved sustained unresponsiveness (SU) after 2 years. Here we report the results of treatment through 4 years and long-term follow-up. Objective We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of eOIT in participants treated up to 4 years. Methods Children with egg allergy (5-18 years old) received eOIT (n = 40) for up to 4 years or placebo (n = 15) for 1 year or less. The key outcome was the percentage of subjects achieving SU by year 4. Safety and immunologic assessments were performed, and long-term follow-up questionnaires (LFQs) were administered after study conclusion (LFQ-1) and 1 year later (LFQ-2). Results Of 40 eOIT-treated subjects, 20 (50.0%) of 40 demonstrated SU by year 4. For those subjects still dosing during years 3 and 4, mild symptoms were present in 12 (54.5%) of 22 subjects. At the time of the LFQ, more subjects receiving eOIT (LFQ-1, 23/34 [68%]; LFQ-2, 21/33 [64%]) were consuming unbaked and baked egg versus placebo (LFQ-1, 2/11 [18%], P = .006; LFQ-2, 3/12 [25%], P = .04). Of subjects achieving SU, 18 (90%) of 20 completed the LFQ, with 18 (100%) of 18 reporting consumption of all forms of egg. When compared with subjects not achieving SU, subjects achieving SU had higher IgG 4 values ( P = .001) and lower egg skin prick test scores ( P = .0002) over time and a lower median baseline ratio of egg-specific IgE to total IgE (1.1% vs 2.7%, P = .04). Conclusions SU after eOIT is enhanced with longer duration of therapy and increases the likelihood of tolerating unbaked egg in the diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Although studies of oral immunotherapy (OIT) for food allergy have shown promise, treatment is frequently complicated by adverse reactions and, even when successful, has limited long-term efficacy because benefits usually diminish when treatment is discontinued. Objective We sought to examine whether the addition of omalizumab to milk OIT reduces treatment-related reactions, improves outcomes, or both. Methods This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with subjects randomized to omalizumab or placebo. Open-label milk OIT was initiated after 4 months of omalizumab/placebo with escalation to maintenance over 22 to 40 weeks, followed by daily maintenance dosing through month 28. At month 28, omalizumab was discontinued, and subjects passing an oral food challenge (OFC) continued OIT for 8 weeks, after which OIT was discontinued with rechallenge at month 32 to assess sustained unresponsiveness (SU). Results Fifty-seven subjects (7-32 years) were randomized, with no significant baseline differences in age, milk-specific IgE levels, skin test results, or OFC results. At month 28, 24 (88.9%) omalizumab-treated subjects and 20 (71.4%) placebo-treated subjects passed the 10-g “desensitization” OFC ( P = .18). At month 32, SU was demonstrated in 48.1% in the omalizumab group and 35.7% in the placebo group ( P = .42). Adverse reactions were markedly reduced during OIT escalation in omalizumab-treated subjects for percentages of doses per subject provoking symptoms (2.1% vs 16.1%, P = .0005), dose-related reactions requiring treatment (0.0% vs 3.8%, P = .0008), and doses required to achieve maintenance (198 vs 225, P = .008). Conclusions In this first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of omalizumab in combination with food OIT, we found significant improvements in measurements of safety but not in outcomes of efficacy (desensitization and SU). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We previously reported the initial results of the first multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of peanut sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), observing a favorable safety profile associated with modest clinical and immunologic effects in the first year. Objective We sought to provide long-term (3-year) clinical and immunologic outcomes for our peanut SLIT trial. Key end points were (1) percentage of responders at 2 years (ie, could consume 5 g of peanut powder or a 10-fold increase from baseline), (2) percentage reaching desensitization at 3 years, (3) percentage attaining sustained unresponsiveness after 3 years, (4) immunologic end points, and (5) assessment of safety parameters. Methods Response to treatment was evaluated in 40 subjects aged 12 to 40 years by performing a 10-g peanut powder oral food challenge after 2 and 3 years of daily peanut SLIT therapy. At 3 years, SLIT was discontinued for 8 weeks, followed by another 10-g oral food challenge and an open feeding of peanut butter to assess sustained unresponsiveness. Results Approximately 98% of the 18,165 doses were tolerated without adverse reactions beyond the oropharynx, with no severe symptoms or uses of epinephrine. A high rate (>50%) discontinued therapy. By study's end, 4 (10.8%) of 37 SLIT-treated participants were fully desensitized to 10 g of peanut powder, and all 4 achieved sustained unresponsiveness. Responders at 2 years showed a significant decrease in peanut-specific basophil activation and skin prick test titration compared with nonresponders. Conclusions Peanut SLIT induced a modest level of desensitization, decreased immunologic activity over 3 years in responders, and had an excellent long-term safety profile. However, most patients discontinued therapy by the end of year 3, and only 10.8% of subjects achieved sustained unresponsiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background History and severity of atopic dermatitis (AD) are risk factors for peanut allergy. Recent evidence suggests that children can become sensitized to food allergens through an impaired skin barrier. Household peanut consumption, which correlates strongly with peanut protein levels in household dust, is a risk factor for peanut allergy. Objective We sought to assess whether environmental peanut exposure (EPE) is a risk for peanut sensitization and allergy and whether markers of an impaired skin barrier modify this risk. Methods Peanut protein in household dust (in micrograms per gram) was assessed in highly atopic children (age, 3-15 months) recruited to the Consortium of Food Allergy Research Observational Study. History and severity of AD, peanut sensitization, and likely allergy (peanut-specific IgE, ≥5 kU A /mL) were assessed at recruitment into the Consortium of Food Allergy Research study. Results There was an exposure-response relationship between peanut protein levels in household dust and peanut skin prick test (SPT) sensitization and likely allergy. In the final multivariate model an increase in 4 log 2 EPE units increased the odds of peanut SPT sensitization (1.71-fold; 95% CI, 1.13- to 2.59-fold; P = .01) and likely peanut allergy (PA; 2.10-fold; 95% CI, 1.20- to 3.67-fold; P < .01). The effect of EPE on peanut SPT sensitization was augmented in children with a history of AD (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.26-3.09; P < .01) and augmented even further in children with a history of severe AD (OR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.30-4.47; P < .01); the effect of EPE on PA was also augmented in children with a history of AD (OR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.31-4.18; P < .01). Conclusion Exposure to peanut antigen in dust through an impaired skin barrier in atopically inflamed skin is a plausible route for peanut SPT sensitization and PA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are few studies on the natural history of egg allergy, and most are single-site and nonlongitudinal and have not identified early predictors of outcomes. Objective: We sought to describe the natural course of egg allergy and to identify early prognostic markers. Methods: Children age 3 to 15 months were enrolled in a multicenter observational study with either (1) a convincing history of an immediate allergic reaction to egg, milk, or both with a positive skin prick test (SPT) response to the trigger food and/or (2) moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and a positive SPT response to egg or milk. Children enrolled with a clinical history of egg allergy were followed longitudinally, and resolution was established based on successful ingestion. Results: The cohort with egg allergy consists of 213 children followed to a median age of 74 months. Egg allergy resolved in 105 (49.3%) children at a median age of 72 months. Factors that were most predictive of resolution included the following: initial reaction characteristics (isolated urticaria/angioedema vs other presentations), baseline egg-specific IgE level, egg SPT wheal size, atopic dermatitis severity, IgG4 level, and IL-4 response (all P < .05). Numerous additional baseline clinical and demographic factors and laboratory assessments were not associated with resolution. Multivariate analysis identified baseline egg-specific IgE levels and initial reaction characteristics as strongly associated with resolution; a calculator to estimate resolution probabilities using these variables was established. Conclusions: In this cohort of infants with egg allergy, approximately one half had resolved over 74 months of follow-up. Baseline egg-specific IgE levels and initial reaction characteristics were important predictors of the likelihood of resolution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper we examine fermionic type characters (Universal Chiral Partition Functions) for general 2D conformal field theories with a bilinear form given by a matrix of the form K⊕K−1. We provide various techniques for determining these K-matrices, and apply these to a variety of examples including (higher level) WZW and coset conformal field theories. Applications of our results to fractional quantum Hall systems and (level restricted) Kostka polynomials are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]