Search

• A multi-gene genetic algorithm is proposed to examine LFS behavior in NH 3 /H 2 /O 3 /air. • IDT decreases significantly with increasing H 2 , temperature, and pressure up to 10 atm. • LFS increases with rising H 2 concentration and initial temperature. • LFS decreases with increasing pressure, with less pressure influence beyond 5 atm. • O 3 addition enhances LFS in NH 3 /H 2 /air mixtures under normal conditions. The primary aim of this study is to develop and validate a novel multi-gene genetic programming approach for accurately predicting Laminar Flame Speed (LFS) in ammonia (NH 3)/hydrogen (H 2)/air mixtures, a key aspect in the advancement of carbon-free fuel technologies. Ammonia, particularly when blended with hydrogen, presents significant potential as a carbon-free fuel due to its enhanced reactivity. This research not only investigates the effects of hydrogen concentration, initial temperature, and pressure on LFS and Ignition Delay Time (IDT) but also explores the impact of oxidizing agents like ozone (O 3) in augmenting NH 3 combustion. A modified reaction mechanism was implemented and validated through parametric analysis. Main findings demonstrate that IDT decreases with higher hydrogen concentrations, increased initial temperature, and initial pressure, although the influence of pressure decreases above 10 atm. Conversely, at lower temperatures (below 1200 K) and higher hydrogen concentrations (30 % and 50 %), the dominance of H 2 chemistry can negatively impact initial pressure. LFS increases with higher temperature and hydrogen concentration, but decreases under elevated pressure, with its effect becoming negligible above 5 atm. An optimized equivalence ratio (Φ) range of 1.10 – 1.15 is identified for efficient combustion. Introducing ozone into the oxidizer notably improves LFS in NH 3 /H 2 /air mixtures, with the addition of 0.01 ozone mirroring the effect of a 10 % hydrogen addition under normal conditions. The study's fundamental contribution is the development of a multi-gene genetic algorithm, showcasing the correlation between predicted LFS values and actual values derived from chemkin simulations. The successful validation of this methodology across various case studies underscores its potential as a robust tool in zero-carbon combustion applications, marking a significant stride in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Different strategies are analyzed to enhanced microchannels based heat sinks. • Nanofluids to enhance heat performance of microchannel based heat sinks is analyzed. • Experiments are performed for Al 2 O 3 , Au and Ag nanoparticles at various concentrations. • The flow-boiling regimes are identified and discussed for the working conditions considered. • Two-phase flow conditions may not always be beneficial, low concentrations of nanoparticles (ϕ ≪ 1%) can have a notable impact on heat transfer mechanisms. This paper investigates the advantages and challenges associated with two-phase flows, specifically flow boiling of pure liquids and nanofluids, for cooling applications in microchannel heat sinks. The study explores various two-phase flow patterns, their related issues, and examines the potential of nanoparticles to enhance heat transfer. Alumina (Al 2 O 3), gold (Au), and silver (Ag) nanoparticles at different concentrations were tested. Experimental tests were conducted under different working conditions using various working fluids, including water, Al 2 O 3 1 wt%, Ag 1 wt%, Au 1 wt%, Au 0.75 wt%, Au 0.5 wt%. The heat fluxes used were 1.026 kW/m2, 1.696 W/m2 and 2.403 kW/m2, while the volumetric flows ranged between 0.5 mL/min and 1.5 mL/min. The observed results indicate that even for the lowest particle concentration tested, the water-Au nanofluid exhibits superior cooling performance compared to the other examined fluids. The findings suggest that although two-phase flow conditions may not yield significant benefits, even small concentrations of nanoparticles (ϕ ≪ 1%) can significantly impact heat transfer mechanisms. This approach provides a cost-effective and efficient alternative for cooling microchannel heat sinks without necessitating the use of two-phase flow conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the design of an input signal for minimizing the time and energy required to detect and isolate faults in the outputs of a system. Faults are represented by discrete switches between affine models with bounded disturbances and bounded measurement errors. Within this framework, previous work has demonstrated that a minimally harmful input guaranteeing fault diagnosis can be obtained by solving a Mixed Integer Quadratic Program (MIQP). A closed-loop approach allows to reduce the length and/or norm of this input by solving an MIQP at each time instant with the newly available measurements. However, solving such programs online can be computationally demanding. In this paper, we employ multi-parametric (mp) programming to move most of the computation offline, thus allowing the application of the closed-loop approach to fast processes. Still, the mp-MIQP complexity becomes quickly prohibitive as the number of faulty models increases. In order to overcome this problem, we propose a strategy based on mp-optimization and graph theory that takes into account only two models at a time. While this approach is suboptimal compared to the case in which all the models are considered simultaneously, simulations show that, in practice, the performance is comparable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of different injection strategies on the mixture formation and combustion processes in a gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine are investigated. A synergic experimental and numerical analysis is realized on an optically accessible multi-cylinder engine under single and double injections, these last delivering the same amount of gasoline in two equal parts, the first during intake, the second during compression. In-cylinder pressure cycles and high temporal and spatial resolution combustion images are collected to highlight the possible occurrence of abnormal phenomena. AVL FIRE simulations are realized to characterize into detail the turbulent reacting flow and to evaluate the influence of mixture formation on flame propagation and the possible formation of zones in the end-gas region with conditions leading to self-ignition. Pollutants formation is also analysed. The flame propagation characteristics are indeed found different for the various injection strategies: for single injection, a faster spread occurs in the opposite side with respect to the injector position and towards the exhaust valves, while under split injection the flame front preferentially moves towards the intake valves. Computational fluid dynamics results give the relevant support to understand these peculiarities as related to in-cylinder equivalence ratio distribution and turbulent kinetic energy. In-chamber knock visualization is related to the numerical results of a simple self-ignition chemical model active in the end-gas zone, not yet reached by the main flame front. Split injection is shown to lead to advantages in terms of reduction of cyclic variability and tendency to knock, hence in increasing energy efficiency and in determining an overall reduction of undesired products of incomplete combustion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid and constant increase in urban population has led to a drastic rise in urban solid waste production with worrying consequences for the environment and society. In many cities, an efficient waste management combined with a suitable design of vehicle routes (VR) can lead to benefits in the environmental, economic, and social impacts. The general population is becoming increasingly aware of the need for the separation of the various categories of municipal solid waste. The numerous materials collected include glass, PET or batteries, and electric components, which are sorted at the eco-points. The management of eco-points gives rise to several problems that can be formulated analytically. The location and number of eco-point containers, the determination of the fleet size for picking up the collected waste, and the design of itineraries are all intertwined, and present computationally difficult problems, and therefore must be solved in a sequential way. In this paper, a mathematical model has been formulated, based on the Bin Packing (BP) and VR schemes, for the deployment of routes of mobile containers in the selective collection of urban solid waste. A heuristic algorithm has also been developed, which considers two different configurations of the containers to solve the proposed mathematical programming model. The results obtained from the numerical simulations show the validation of the proposed methodology carried out for the benchmark of the Sioux Falls network and the specific real case study. • A methodology for selective collection of urban solid waste is proposed. • In the optimisation the bin packing and vehicle route issues are considered. • To obtain the optimal strategy a computational experience is developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid and constant increase in urban population has led to a drastic rise in urban solid waste production with worrying consequences for the environment and society. In many cities, an efficient waste management combined with a suitable design of vehicle routes (VR) can lead to benefits in the environmental, economic, and social impacts. The general population is becoming increasingly aware of the need for the separation of the various categories of municipal solid waste. The numerous materials collected include glass, PET or batteries, and electric components, which are sorted at the eco-points. The management of eco-points gives rise to several problems that can be formulated analytically. The location and number of eco-point containers, the determination of the fleet size for picking up the collected waste, and the design of itineraries are all intertwined, and present computationally difficult problems, and therefore must be solved in a sequential way. In this paper, a mathematical model has been formulated, based on the Bin Packing (BP) and VR schemes, for the deployment of routes of mobile containers in the selective collection of urban solid waste. A heuristic algorithm has also been developed, which considers two different configurations of the containers to solve the proposed mathematical programming model. The results obtained from the numerical simulations show the validation of the proposed methodology carried out for the benchmark of the Sioux Falls network and the specific real case study. • A methodology for selective collection of urban solid waste is proposed. • In the optimisation the bin packing and vehicle route issues are considered. • To obtain the optimal strategy a computational experience is developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:  Allergic disorders are characterized by type 2 helper T cell (Th2)-polarization, thus physiological type 1 helper T cell (Th1)-dependent mechanisms involved in fighting respiratory infections (RI) may be defective. It has previously been reported that allergic children have more numerous and severe RI than nonallergic ones. Objective:  The aim of the study was to evaluate the number and duration of RI in adult allergic and nonallergic subjects. Methods:  Six hundred and twenty-four subjects were studied; 202 of them were allergic (i.e. suffering from allergic rhinitis). The number of RI as well as the duration of the disease were recorded for 2 years. Results:  Allergic subjects showed a significantly higher rate of RI episodes [adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 2.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.94–2.41, P < 0.001] than subjects without allergy. The number of mild RI episodes was slightly higher in allergic subjects (IRR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.50–1.89, P < 0.001), while the number of severe episodes was markedly higher (IRR = 15.71, 95% CI 10.35–23.84, P < 0.001) when compared with nonallergic subjects. Moreover, allergic patients showed a longer total duration of RI than nonallergic subjects, with a mean difference of 17.4 days (95% CI 15.5–19.4, P < 0.001). Conclusions:  This study provides evidence that adult allergic patients have more numerous and prolonged RI than nonallergic subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allergic rhinitis is associated with Th2-dependent inflammation. Nasal obstruction is the most typical symptom in children with mite allergy.The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible relationships among nasal symptoms, allergic inflammation, including inflammatory cells and cytokine pattern, and nasal airflow in children with persistent allergic rhinitis because of mite sensitization.Twenty children (13 males and seven females, mean age 13.4 ± 1.6 years) with persistent rhinitis because of mite allergy were evaluated. All of them had moderate–severe grade of nasal obstruction. Total symptom score (TSS), rhinomanometry, nasal lavage, and nasal scraping were obtained in all subjects. Inflammatory cells were counted by conventional staining; interleukin (IL)-5, and IL-8 were measured by immunoassay on fluids recovered from nasal lavage.Eosinophils were significantly associated with TSS (R = 74.4%,P = 0.0002), with IL-5 (R = 90.6%,P < 0.0001) and with nasal flow (R = −69%,P = 0.0007), but not with IL-8 (R = 0.1%,P = 0.995). Eosinophil levels were shown to independently predict nasal flow (P < 0.001), with flow decreasing linearly for increasing eosinophils, together with a significant effect of neutrophils (P = 0.016, linear increase in flow) and a borderline effect of IL-8 (P = 0.063, linear increase in flow).This study demonstrates the close association between IL-5 concentration and eosinophil infiltration. In addition, there is clear evidence concerning the relationship between eosinophil infiltration and nasal airflow. Thus, nasal eosinophils can be regarded as the most important predictor of upper airway function. These findings constitute first evidence of the relationship between nasal airflow impairment and Th2-related eosinophilic inflammation in children with persistent allergic rhinitis because of mite sensitization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adverse effects of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are not limited to the related infectious disease. In children and adolescents, serious risks due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are also related to its indirect effects. These include an unbalanced diet with an increased risk of weight excess or nutritional deficiencies, increased sedentary lifestyle, lack of schooling, social isolation, and impaired mental health. Pediatricians should be aware of the side effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's diet, physical mental health and advise the families according to their nutritional needs and financial resources. Moreover, the lack of a targeted therapy able to offer protection against the deleterious effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection should require a greater effort by scientific societies to find a more effective prevention strategy. In this context, much interest should be given to nutritional support, able to contrast malnutrition and to stimulate the immune system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute rhinosinusitis (ARS) represents a common disorder, associated with consistent morbidity as well as with a large prescription of antibiotics. ARS has a significant impact on clinical practice; it usually presents with respiratory complaints persisting longer than 10 days and showing no signs of improvement. Throughout the evaluation of 256 pediatric patients (152 males and 135 females, aged between 2 and 15 yr), with ARS confirmed by nasal endoscopy, we have been able to provide evidence that age has a significant influence on clinical patterns in children with ARS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study chronic urticaria caused by Hymennolepis nana in a 12-year-old adopted Bolivian girl living in Italy since 1997. Diagnostic routine tests for chronic urticaria showed the presence of tape worms in the child's stomach. The infection was treated with praziquantel at a single dose of 1 gram per ounce during a recovery regimen.

Background: Physicians play a key role in driving vaccine acceptance and their recommendations are crucial to address vaccine hesitancy. The aim of the study was to assess knowledge, awareness and attitude of Italian Pediatric Health Care Professionals (pHCPs) on vaccinations. Methods: An anonymous on-line questionnaire was developed within the Vaccine Committee of Italian Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology (SIAIP) and spontaneously completed by 231 Pediatricians and Pediatric Nurses (PN). Results: An accurate vaccine education was reported by 70% of pediatricians and 13% of PN but 11% of pediatricians versus 26% of PN consult social media instead of scientific sources for their vaccine update. The investigation on the pHCPs attitudes to vaccination in a personal and family setting highlights poor adherence to vaccinations. Only 63% of pediatricians versus 16% of PN (p < 0.0001) annually received the Flu vaccine. In their family setting 93% of pediatricians versus 51% of PN recommended all vaccinations (p < 0.0001). Anti-flu, anti-rotavirus, anti-zoster and anti-pneumococcal vaccines were not regularly recommended by all pHCPs due to doubts of uselessness (55% of pediatricians versus 40% of PN) and preference for "natural immunity" (44% of pediatricians versus 40% of PN). Conclusions: Our results indicate that pHCPs' attitude and confidence in regards to vaccines remain suboptimal. Current COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid development of vaccines could increase vaccine hesitancy. Due to the documented pHCPs' influence in the parental decision, educational interventions are needed to improve their level of knowledge and counselling skills in order to address parental vaccine hesitancy and to maintain continuity of immunization services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundUpper respiratory airway diseases may induce a worsening of asthma. Sinusitis represents one of the most common chronic diseases. The association of asthma and sinusitis varies greatly in different studies, depending on diagnostic procedures. ObjectiveThe aims were: (i) to demonstrate that nasal endoscopy may be easily feasible in asthma at paediatric age; (ii) to evaluate the incidence of rhinosinusitis and adenoiditis in children with asthma by nasal endoscopy; (iii) to correlate inflammatory parameters such as cytology and microbiological cultures with nasal endoscopy findings. Subjects and methodsOne hundred and forty-five asthmatic children were evaluated, 48 males and 97 females, with an average age of 7.27 years. Evaluated parameters were the incidence of rhinosinusal infections in asthmatic children, and the role of: (i) nasal endoscopy, (ii) nasal cytology, and (iii) nasal microbiology in their diagnoses. ResultsNasal endoscopy was successfully performed on 128 patients. Twenty-six children had endoscopic rhinosinusitis alone, 10 had adenoiditis alone, and 35 showed endoscopic rhinosinusitis associated with adenoiditis. There were significant correlations between endoscopic rhinosinusitis and adenoiditis (P < 0.001), between clinical and endoscopic rhinosinusitis (P < 0.001), between endoscopic rhinosinusitis and adenoiditis and microbiology (P < 0.05 and P < 0.0001, respectively), and between microbiology and cytology (P < 0.05). ConclusionThis study shows that rhinosinusal infections are common in asthmatic children. Moreover, nasal endoscopy might represent a fruitful tool in the management of asthmatic children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent COVID-19 pandemic pointed out new burdens for researchers on mental health and that evidence-based (EB) studies on vulnerable populations are timely needed. The present paper aims at analysing the impact of suspicious of SARS-COV-2 infection in a cohort of parents presented at 3 major hospitals (spread between north and center of Italy) during the Italian COVID-19 pandemic phase 1. Participants of the present cross-sectional, multicenter study were parental couples of children suspected to have COVID-19 who underwent testing with nasopharyngeal swabbing. All subjects were assessed by means of the: Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) in order to evaluate Post-traumatic stress (PTSS), anxiety, and depressive symptoms, respectively. Results evidenced that parents whose children tested positive for COVID-19 were more prone to developing PTSS, anxiety and depressive symptoms. The same results emerged for parents who had quarantined as opposed to those who had not. Moreover, patients who suffered economic damage showed a higher prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms, whereas PTSS was more common among unemployed subjects and among mothers. This study identified a mental health strain represented by parenting a child who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Further EB research is needed to develop evidence-driven strategies to reduce adverse psychological impacts and related psychiatric symptoms in caregivers of COVID-19 infected children during the next phases of the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis (TB) is still the world's second most frequent cause of death due to infectious diseases after HIV infection, and this has aroused greater interest in identifying and managing exposed subjects, whether they are simply infected or have developed one of the clinical variants of the disease. Unfortunately, not even the latest laboratory techniques are always successful in identifying affected children because they are more likely to have negative cultures and tuberculin skin test results, equivocal chest X-ray findings, and atypical clinical manifestations than adults. Furthermore, they are at greater risk of progressing from infection to active disease, particularly if they are very young. Consequently, pediatricians have to use different diagnostic strategies that specifically address the needs of children. This document describes the recommendations of a group of scientific societies concerning the signs and symptoms suggesting pediatric TB, and the diagnostic approach towards children with suspected disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Lysozyme, obtained from egg white, is a potential food allergen used in the dairy industry to prevent late blowing of the loaf caused by the outgrowth of clostridial spores ( Cl. butyricum and Cl. tyrobutyricum) during cheese aging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible correlation between egg protein allergy in pediatric age and sensitization to egg lysozyme, used for the preparation of Grana Padano cheese. Methods: The tolerability of Grana Padano cheese has been evaluated in pediatric patients allergic to egg proteins through an oral provocation test with increasing amounts of cheese containing, or not, lysozyme at 12 and 24 months of aging. Results: When lysozyme-sensitized children received 12-months aged and lysozyme-containing cheese, several immediate and late adverse reactions such as itching, abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, dermatitis, rhinitis, bronchial asthma, urticaria, and angioedema were seen in 5 out of 21 subjects; only 1 out of 21 children showed an adverse reaction after challenge with 24-months-ripened lysozyme-containing cheese. Conclusions: There is a possible relationship between the severity of allergic reactions and the lysozyme-specific IgE level in blood. In particular vomiting, hypotension, and abdominal pain were present when IgE level was higher than 7 kU/L. A ripening time of 24 months may reduce allergy problems when lysozyme-containing cheese is given to sensitized subjects, probably due to the hydrolysis of antigenic epitopes during aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by Th2 polarized immune response, such as increased IL-4 and reduced IFN-γ production, and by a functional defect of T regulatory cells. This impaired immune response profile influences the pattern of immunoglobulin (Ig) production in allergic patients. However, no studies have compared the pattern of inhalant allergen-specific Ig classes between allergic patients and normal subjects. The aim of this study is to therefore investigate the allergen-specific IgE, IgG, Ig64, and IgA serum level pattern in a group of patients with pollen allergy and in non-allergic healthy subjects. One hundred and two allergic patients (evaluated both out of and in the pollen season) were enrolled. in addition, 50 healthy non-allergic subjects were recruited during the whole year. Serum allergen-specific IgE, IgG, IgG4, and IgA for Parietaria, grasses, and birch were quantitatively determined by the ImmunoCAP System method. Allergen-specific IgE, IgG, IgG4, and IgA serum levels were significantly different for each tested allergen (p=0.0001 for each class) among groups. Allergic patients, mainly during pollen season, showed the highest IgG, IgG4, and IgA levels. The present study therefore provides the preliminary evidence that Ig production pattern toward inhalant allergens may depend on the specificity of the allergenic response both in non-allergic subjects and allergic patients Allergic patients do not show a defect of IgG and IgA classes, in addition, this study is the first that quantitatively evaluates the Ig classes. However, further studies should include non-allergic subjects evaluated both during and out of the pollen season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by a Th2 polarized immune response, and specific immunotherapy modifies this arrangement, restoring a physiologic Th1 profile. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is widely prescribed. The aim of the study is to evaluate two. different methods for assessing IFN-γ, namely ELISPOT and ELISA, before and after a pre-seasonal SLIT course as marker for Th1 response. Thirty-eight AR patients with pollen allergy assumed pre-seasonal SLIT for 3 months. Patients' blood samples for assessing IFN-γ serum levels were collected before initiating SLIT (baseline - TO), after 3 months pre-seasonal SLIT course (TI), and three months after completion of SLIT (T2). IFN-γ-specific producing cells, after allergen stimulation, were assessed by cytokine ELISPOT at the same time points. IFN-γ-specific producing cells significantly increased after SLIT both at Ti and T2 (p=0.0002). On the contrary, ELISA assessment did not reveal an increase in IFN-γ serum levels at any time point. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that ELISA assessment of serum IFN-γ is not suitable for identifying an early response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: T helper (Th)-17 cells are a subset of T helper lymphocytes that exert regulatory activities. Recently, it has been reported that serum interleukin (IL)-17 levels are high in the most severe cases of birch allergy studied outside the pollen season. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate a possible relationship between serum IL-17 levels and clinical parameters in patients with allergic rhinitis studied during the pollen season. Methods: In all, 56 patients with persistent pollen-induced allergic rhinitis were evaluated during the pollen season. Serum IL-17 levels were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Symptoms were assessed by visual analogue scale, drug use was monitored and peripheral eosinophils were counted. Results: Serum IL-17 levels were significantly related to clinical symptoms, drug use and peripheral eosinophil counts ( P = 0.0001 for all). Conclusion: This study provides evidence that serum IL-17 level assessment might be considered to classify allergy severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to evaluate the infectious agents associated with the first episode of severe acute wheezing in otherwise healthy infants and to define the role of each of them in recurrences, 85 patients in Italy, aged <12 months, hospitalized because of a first acute episode of wheezing, were prospectively enrolled between 1 October 2005 and 31 March 2006. Upon enrolment, nasopharyngeal swabs were collected for the real-time PCR detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) types A and B, influenza virus types A and B, adenovirus, parainfluenza viruses types 1, 2, 3 and 4, rhinovirus, human metapneumovirus, human coronavirus types 229E, OC43, NL63, and HKU1, bocavirus, enterovirus, and paraechovirus; nasopharyngeal aspirates were also obtained to detect atypical bacteria. At least one infectious agent was identified in 76 children (89.4%). RSV was the most frequently detected pathogen and its prevalence was significantly higher than that of the other pathogens in both age groups, and significantly higher in the children aged 3–12 months than in those aged <3 months. Only the children with RSV infection experienced recurrent wheezing. Viral load was significantly higher in children with than in those without recurrent wheezing. This study shows that RSV is the main reason for hospitalization during the first wheezing episode in infants, and that it appears to be the only pathogen associated with a high frequency of recurrences. A high viral load seems to be strictly related to the likelihood of recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The relationship among nasal obstruction, T-helper type 2-dependent inflammation, nasal airflow limitation, and reversibility to the nasal decongestion test has been evidenced in allergic rhinitis (AR). Moreover, quality of life (QoL) has been widely evaluated in AR and its evaluation is considered in numerous trials. Objective The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify the QoL as measured by the Quality of Life Questionnaire in a population of patients with AR and to compare it with clinical, immunological, and functional parameters. Methods One hundred and twenty-three patients with persistent AR were prospectively and consecutively evaluated. Clinical evaluation, skin prick test, nasal scraping for cytology, rhinomanometry, decongestion test, and QoL questionnaire were performed in all subjects. Results There was a significant relationship among QoL and functional and immunological parameters. Particularly, the multivariate analysis showed that having more than two sensitivities was a determinant of the QoL. The eosinophil count was significantly associated with QoL as well as the baseline nasal flow (mL/s) with the eye symptoms scale only. Conclusions This study provides the first evidence that QoL in AR is strictly associated with allergic inflammation and eye symptoms significantly contribute to impairment of QoL. QoL, moreover, represents an important aspect to consider in managing patients with AR as it has a relationship with clinical, immunological, and functional parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most studies on probiotics have described their effects on the human immune system after ingestion of LAB, but little is known about their effect on in vitro stimulation of human immune cells. Aim of the study: Evaluate the "in vitro" activity of Lactobacillus paracasei (I 1688), Lactobacillus salivarius (I 1794), and a commercial mix of the two (PSMIX, Proge Farm), on immune cells from healthy individuals. Materials: Two probiotic strains, Lactobacillus salivarius (I 1794; Proge Farm, Italy) and Lactobacillus paracasei (I 1688; Proge Farm, Italy), which are contained in the functional food ENTEROBACILLI, were evaluated for their ability to stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells and modulate surface phenotype and cytokine production. Results: All subjects responded to the bacteria, with different levels of response. The cell populations that showed a significant percent increase were CD4+/CD25+ cells (T-helper activated regulatory cells), CD8+/CD25+ (T-suppressor/cytotoxic activated cells), and CD16+/CD56+ (NK cells) (p<0.05). IL-12 and IFN-γ in vitro production significantly increased with exposure to probiotics (p<0.05 for both). Conclusions: This study provides the first evidence that Lactobacillus paracasei and Lactobacillus salivarius are capable of inducing a specific immune response that may be useful in the clinical setting for improving innate and adaptive immune responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Children allergic to cow's milk are fed a soy- or a hydrolysed cow's milk-based substitute. Neither can rule out a sensitization risk. Previous studies have shown that hydrolysed rice is tolerated by animals and children with multiple food hypersensitivities. Objective A prospective clinical assessment of tolerance to a rice-based hydrolysed formula was carried out in children allergic to cow's milk. Patients and methods One hundred children (42 girls and 58 boys, mean age 3.17±2.93 years, median 2.20, range 0.18–14.6 years) with a history of immediate reactions to cow's milk and confirmed at double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) when not contraindicated were assessed for clinical tolerance to cow's milk proteins. Their allergy work-up included skin prick tests with whole milk, α-lactalbumin (ALA), β-lactoglobulin (BLG) and total caseins, and specific IgE determinations using CAP technology were performed against whole milk, ALA, BLG and casein. Sensitization to rice and rice-based hydrolysed formula was similarly investigated. Patients' sera were evaluated at immunoblotting for specific IgE to cow's milk proteins, rice and rice-based hydrolysed formula. DBPCFC was carried out with increasing doses of a rice-based hydrolysed formula. Results All patients were sensitized to cow's milk and/or at least one cow's milk protein fraction. Eighty-seven out of 99 were positive to cow's milk and/or a cow's milk protein fraction at skin prick test. Positive (>0.35 kUA/L) specific IgE determinations were found for cow's milk and/or milk fractions (92/95), rice (21/91) and hydrolysed rice infant formula (4/91). At immunoblotting, sera from 96 children were positive to α-casein ( n=54), β-casein ( n=38), ALA ( n=57), BLG ( n=37) and bovine serum albumin ( n=61). Similarly, although patients' sera often contained specific IgE against rice proteins at CAP (21/91) and immunoblotting (70/96), only six very weakly positive responses were observed against rice-based hydrolysed formula. All DBPCFC with rice-based hydrolysed formula were negative. Conclusions Rice-based hydrolysed formula is a possible alternative not only for children with multiple allergies, but also for children with cow's milk allergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common allergic disorder and may be associated with respiratory allergy. In this study serum levels of IgE specific for the major allergen of birch (Bet v 1) were measured in two groups of AD patients with specific IgE to birch: the first with associated respiratory birch allergy and the second with cutaneous symptoms alone. The results show that the patients suffering from AD associated with respiratory allergy had the highest serum levels of IgE specific for Bet v 1. In conclusion, this study shows that the measurement of serum specific IgE for a major allergen may be useful in common practice as high levels are associated with complicated pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serum neopterin may be considered a diagnostic marker of the degree of activation of the immune system. This preliminary study was performed to measure serum neopterin levels in patients with acute spontaneous urticaria (ASU), chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and atopic dermatitis (AD). In total, 180 patients [96 men, 84 women; mean age 23.1 years; 41 with spontaneous urticaria (13 ASU and 28 CSU), 48 with AD] and 96 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Patients with ASU had the highest neopterin levels, and all three groups of patients (ASU, CSU and AD) had higher values than normal subjects. This preliminary study demonstrates that serum neopterin could be a biomarker of immune activation in patients with SU or AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Airway Dysfunction in Nasal Polyposis: A Spectrum of Asthmatic Disease?," by Williamson PA and colleagues in the 2011 issue.

We describe here an immunocompetent boy with fever, regional adenopathy, multifocal hepatosplenic granulomas, and high and increasing serum antibody titers for Bartonella henselae in whom diffuse bilateral reticulonodular pulmonary infiltrates developed in the absence of respiratory symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]