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The hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome is a rare complex primary immunodeficiency characterized by high serum IgE levels, eczema, and recurrent infections. We present a case of 2-years-old girl with eczema and repeated bacterial skin and lung infections since the period of infancy. The patient also had eosinophilia, high serum levels of IgE, and cows-milk hypersensitivity. We describe the case, in order to illustrate the difficulty of establishing the diagnosis hyper-immunoglobulin E syndrome in a toddler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to preserve the quality of apple fruit, it is crucial to choose the most suitable storage technology. Nevertheless, it is also important to maintain the quality of apples during the shelf life period. In this study, changes in various biochemical quality parameters of 'Golden Delicious' and 'Idared' apples during a prolonged shelf life period, after conventional normal atmosphere (NA) and ultra-low oxygen (ULO) storage, were investigated. After the harvest, the fruit of examined cultivars were stored in two atmospheres for six months. Weight loss, changes in content of sugars, organic acids, total phenols, total flavonoids, pectic fractions, and antioxidant capacity were monitored. Samples were evaluated immediately after removal from the cold chambers and after 10 and 20 days of shelf life at 20 °C. 'Golden Delicious' apples stored in ULO exhibited better qualitative characteristics during 20 days of shelf life compared with apples of the same cultivar stored in NA. However, evaluated traits in 'Idared' apples from NA chambers were of higher quality in comparison with 'Idared' apples stored in the ULO atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare the protein and fatty acid fractions of Balkan donkey and human milk in the early lactation stage (40 and 90 day). This study revealed that donkey milk contains αs1-casein (1.38-1.89 g/L) and higher concentration of β-casein (0.1-0.55 g/L) in comparison to human milk. The concentration of α-lactalbumin increased during the lactation phases from 40 to 90 days in both types of milk. Donkey milk contained β-lactoglobulin in low concentrations which decreased to 90th day of lactation. Donkey milk was particularly rich in two whey proteins, lactoferrin and lysozyme, which were found to have molecular weight of approximately 76 kDa and 14.9-15.4 kDa, respectively. The content of lysozyme in donkey milk ranged from 2.39 to 2.97 g/L, while human milk contained 30-50 times lower concentrations of lysozyme in comparison to donkey milk. Thus, donkey milk contained also a higher concentration of lactoferrin (0.012-0.25 g/L) than it was found in the human milk. Lysozyme and lactoferrin content in donkey milk increased during the period from 40th to 90th day of lactation. The percentage of total SFA, MUFA and PUFA was similar in donkey and human milk. The content of essential fatty acids increased during 40-90 days of lactation and was approximately 2.5 times higher in comparison to human milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This article summarizes the contribution of epidemiology to the understanding of childhood asthma. The first task in epidemiology is to determine prevalence and incidence of any disease., Prevalence: Epidemiological investigations are aimed at evaluating hypotheses about causes of disease by defining demographic characteristics of a certain population as well as by determining possible effects of environmental factors. In spite of some limitations, data obtained by epidemiological investigations have been valuable in confirming both the increasing incidence of asthma and the differences in prevalence in certain population groups. The observance of this phenomenon has led to much speculation and a lot of attempts to identify the reasons behind the rising prevalence., Risk Factors: Epidemiological studies have identified risk factors for the development of childhood asthma and provided insight into natural history of disease and prognosis. Factors ranging from increased numbers of immunizations to increased air pollution have been suggested, but subsequent analysis has failed to provide the supporting evidence to implicate most of these possibilities. The concept known as the hygiene hypothesis has gained some support from epidemiological studies., Conclusion: The development of asthma as well as its severity are affected by numerous factors and their interactions can he explained by the heterogeneous nature of this disease.

Introduction: The natural course of asthma is unpredictable and appears to be unaffected by any therapeutic strategy. Under such circumstances, the attention must be focused on the opportunities for prevention of a disease which is chronic, life long and incurable, even thought it can be very effectively controlled. During the past decades, a lot of a studies have been performed and started, in which relatively large numbers of children were included and followed prospectively to determine the incidence of risk factors for asthma in childhood. All these studies have contributed significant new information. The levels of prevention must be considered in all patients. There are two main separate components to the strategy., Primary Prophylaxis: Primary prophylaxis (time course of allergic sensitization, timing of exposure to allergens, influence of tobacco smoke, maternal health and allergen exposure) is introduced before there is any evidence of sensitization to factors which might have caused the disease. There is increasing evidence that allergic sensitization is a very common precursor to the development of asthma., Secondary Prophylaxis: Secondary prophylaxis (allergen avoidance, hygiene hypothesis) is important after primary sensitization to allergen has occurred, but before there is any evidence of asthma., Conclusion: In this article the authors reviewed all results of studies about primary and secondary prophylaxis of asthma and its influence on the course of disease.

Hyperimmunoglobulin-E syndrome (HIES) is a rare immunodeficiency disorder that is characterized by elevated serum concentration of IgE, eosinophilia and severe, recurrent bacterial and fungal infections. Poor regulation of immune system is evident, with decreased production of cytokines, especially interferon. Production of specific antibodies to capsular polysaccharide antigens is decreased Skeletal malformations have been reported in these patients. They can be caused by excessive production of interleukin-4, which may lead to pathologic bony tissue resorption. Due to immune system deficiency and malformations of skeletal and connective tissue, HIES is a multisystem disorder. We present a patient with recurrent bacterial infections since the early age. At the age of two years he presented with severe destructive staphylococcal pneumonia with pleural effusion, pneumatocela formation and pneumothorax. The patient also had a dysmorphic face and skeletal malformations that were most evident at the head. The diagnosis of HIES was made on the basis of elevated serum concentrations of IgE, hypereosinophily, and decreased leukocyte function in vivo and in vitro. Family history of our patient showed an autosomal-dominant inheritance pattern of HIES.

Introduction: Food allergy is a form of adverse food reaction to different nutritive agents caused by immunological mechanisms. This condition is frequent in individuals with genetic predisposition. Frequency of food allergies in childhood varies in general population from 0.3-7.5%. Characteristics of neonatal and infant gastrointestinal tracts are described, as well as the role of gastrointestinal tract's immunological immaturity in development of food sensitivity., Pathogenesis: Features of physical and immunological barriers of gastrointestinal tract are described as well as their role in physiological conditions, in digestion and absorption of foreign proteins and prevention of foreign agents penetration and potentially dangerous proteins into the systemic circulation. Gastrointestinal-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) is the basic part of immunological barrier. Its first role is to induce oral tolerance. In normal conditions cytokins induce T cells towards Th2 response and also promote synthesis of IgA antibodies. Pathogenic mechanisms in evolution of reaginic hypersensibility in cases of chronic inflammation are also described. Pathological status of gama/delta T cells plays an important role in this process, resulting in loss of oral tolerance and development of sensibilitivity., Conclusion: Diagnostic procedures are multiple and complex. They consist of detailed history taking, clinical findings, in vitro and in vivo tests, endoscopy, elimination diets and oral provocation tests. Food allergy in childhood is often transient and resolves spontaneously.