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Aim: Various studies have reported that probiotics play a role in immune modulation and in preventing the development of allergic diseases by affecting the intestinal flora. However, there is no clear consensus on this subject yet. This study aimed to evaluate the usage of probiotics in children with and without allergic diseases. Method: Probiotic usage of children (<18 years old) with and without allergic disease, who applied to the tertiary care pediatric immunology and allergic diseases clinic between 26,December 2023 and 26,January 2024, was evaluated cross-sectionally. Demographic characteristics of the patients, presence of allergic diseases, exposure to pets and cigarettes, and probiotic use (at any time and during the neonatal period) were recorded. Results: A total of 381 patients (57.7% male) with a median age of 7,5 years(IQR:5-10,7) were included in the study. Of the children 269 (70.6%) with allergic disease and 112 (29.4%) without allergic disease. A total of 190 (49.8%) patients had used probiotics at any time; of these, 77 (40.5%) used for colic in the neonatal period. When patients with and without allergic diseases were compared, the median age, time of birth, type of birth, frequency of family atopic diseases, smoking exposure, pet exposure and frequency of probiotic usage at any time were similar (p respectively: 0.283, 0.507, 0.909,0.122, 0.308,0.486,0.552). Male gender (62%) was more common in those with allergic diseases,(p:0.008). Probiotic usage during the neonatal period was higher in patients without allergic diseases than in those with allergic diseases (32.1% vs 15.2%; p: <0.001). Conclusion: Our study found that half of the children had used probiotics at some point in their lives. Notably, probiotic use during the neonatal period was higher among children without allergic diseases compared to those with allergic diseases, supporting the hypothesis that early-life probiotic supplementation may have a protective effect against atopic diseases. However, differences between the type, dose, and duration of probiotics administered in the studies cause difficulties in comparing and generalizing the results. So, standard, molecular level and with longer follow-up periods studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ümraniye Pediatri Dergisi is the property of KARE Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Osmangazi Journal of Medicine / Osmangazi Tip Dergisi is the property of Eskisehir Osmangazi University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Ege Journal of Medicine is the property of Ege University, Faculty of Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Allergy is known as a disease that is widespread at the global level and negatively affects the quality of life of individuals. In this context, the main purpose of the study is to reveal the possible effect of allergic disease on the healthy quality of life of individuals. For these purposes, individuals living in the city center of Isparta and exposed to allergic diseases were reached. Data were collected from 407 people by convenience sampling method. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was used to test the construct validity of the quality of life scale, and Independent Sample T test and ANOVA test were used to determine whether there was a significant difference in the means of the variables. It was determined that the average of the participants' quality of life was 3.55. This average of quality of life, measured on a 5-point Likert scale, is between "neither good nor bad" and "good". Within the scope of the research, there are individuals with the highest number of pollen and dust (190) and food (98) allergies. As a result of the research, it is not possible to say that the quality of life of allergic patients is high. In addition, it was found that the younger participants of the men, those with a higher income level and those who exercise had a higher quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The prevalence and the risk factors influencing allergic disorders in amateur athletes are still poorly defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of the common allergic disorders in school aged athletes compared with the general population in southwest of Turkey. Methods: Using the "International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase I" questionnaire, 714 athletes aged 7-18 and 325 age-matched healthy controls were examined. Risk factors that would affect the prevalence were evaluated with the questions given in addition to this questionnaire. Results: In the athlete group, the prevalence of existing asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema was lower than controls [(3.8%) and (16.3%), respectively, p<0.001], [(18.7%) and (42.1%)], respectively, p <0.001] and [(5.5%) and (10.5%), respectively, p<0.001]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that in the athlete population, a previously known allergy increased risk of curent wheezing (odds ratio [OR] =5.3; confidence interval, [CI]=1.8-15.4), current allergic rhinitis ([OR]=2.8; [CI]=1.3-6.2), and current eczema [OR]=4.5; [CI]=1.1-17.1). Familial atopy increased risk of current allergic rhinitis (OR=2.2; CI=0.9-4.9), and current eczema ([OR] = 6.6; [CI]=1.7-25.7). Conclusion: This study is the first prevalence study using the ISAAC method in school-age sports children in southwestern Turkey. Unlike adults, the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema was found to be lower than controls of the same age. It is thought that sports and spending more time outdoors in children reduce allergic inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Patients with persistent eosinophilia may have many conditions ranging from relatively benign diseases such as parasitic serious infections to life-threatening serious diseases. We aimed to determine the etiological causes of hypereosinophilia in children. Material and Methods: Patients under 18 years of age who had complete blood counts in Ankara Child Health and Diseases Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital's pediatric clinics between January 2013-January 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Hypereosinophilia was defined as having at least two peripheral blood absolute eosinophil counts greater than or equal to 1500/mm².The results of the examinations and diagnoses when the patients were detected with hypereosinophilia were recorded from the hospital records. Results: Three hundred and forty patients who underwent complete blood count were found to have hypereosinophilia. Seventy patients whose file records could not be accessed were excluded from the study. Two-hundred seventy patients (56% male) with a median age of 5 (IQR:1-12) years were included in our study. When the diagnoses of patients were examined, 48 (17.8%) had allergic diseases, 21 (7.8%) had immunodeficiency, 14 (5.2%) had parasitic disease. 15 (5.5%) had tumor, 4 (1.5%) had leukemia, 2 (0.7%) had hypereosinophilic syndrome, 2 (0.7%) had adrenal insufficiency and 2 (0.7%) had burn. Ninety-nine (36.7%) patients were found to use medication for any disease (acute or chronic). As a result of the examinations performed in 63 (23.3%) patients, it was found that there was no reason to explain hypereosinophilia. Conclusion: The number of eosinophils may increase in many conditions. The cause of increase in eosinophil may not always be found. Further studies are needed on the long-term prognosis of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Çinko organizma için esansiyel olup vücutta en bol bulunan ikinci eser elementtir. Hücrelerin yapısal ve fonksiyonel bütünlüğü için kritik bir role sahiptir. Ciddi çinko eksikliğinde büyüme geriliği, hipogonadizm, cilt hastalıkları, tat ve koku bozuklukları, bağışıklık sisteminde bozukluk, nöronal ve sensoral bozukluklar gibi birçok patolojiler ortaya çıkabilir. Günümüzde çinko eksikliği tüm dünyada yaygın bir sorun olarak bilinmektedir. Bu derlemede çinko eksikliğinin insan sağlığı üzerindeki ciddi etkileri ve alerjik hastalıklar ile ilişkisi anlatılmaktadır.

Objection: In recent years, it has been observed that clinicians and parents are prone to think that variations in growth, puberty and weight gain in childhood are related with allergic diseases and their treatments. Evaluation of the growth, puberty and weight gain patterns of children with allergic rhinitis and asthma, and the relationship between auxologic findings and severity, duration and treatments of allergic diseases was aimed in this study. Material and Method: Eighty-two patients who were diagnosed with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis (AR) were included and growth status, pubertal development and growth velocity were evaluated. According to the duration, patients were grouped as having "short" (≤24 months); "median"(25-48 months) and "long" (≥49 months) term disease. Patients were also classified in three groups, such as 'mild', 'moderate' and 'severe', according to severity of disease. Results: Among 82 (44 (53.7%) boys and 38 (46.3%) girls with an overall mean age of 7.6±2.9 years, 29 (35.4%) had asthma, 15 (18.3%) AR and 38 (46.3%) asthma and AR. Comparison of weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and growth velocity (GV) SDS values between groups according to duration of disease, revealed no significant intergroup difference (p>0.05). Weight, height, body mass index (BMI) SDS were significantly decreased in severe disease group (p=0.012, p=0.006, p=0.024), while GV SDS was not different (p>0.05). Allergic disease or medications were not related with an increase in body mass index (BMI), conversely weight, height and BMI SDS values were found to be negatively correlated with severity of the disease. Excessive weight gain was not related either with duration and severity of disease, duration of drug treatment or doses of the drugs used. Conclusion: Growth retardation, disorders of puberty or excessive weight gain should not be related to the allergic conditions or drugs used, the actual reasons of the problems should be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The dramatic increase in childhood asthma and allergic diseases over the last 50 years has become a serious public health problem, especially in highincome countries. Exposure to epigenetic mechanisms such as altered DNA methylation in early life is thought to have permanent effects on health in adulthood. In this context, there is a growing interest in specific nutrients such as folate, which are known to have direct effects on epigenetic pathways that control gene expression during early development. In addition, gene polymorphisms of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase enzyme, which has an important role in folate metabolism, and the unmetabolized folic acid in the circulation dependent on high intake of folic acid have thought to be increased risk of development of asthma and allergic diseases in childhood. In this study, cohort studies and potential mechanisms about folate and its effects on childhood asthma and allergic diseases were aimed to be compiled. Method: 'Folate, Folic Acid, Childhood Asthma, Allergic Diseases, Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase' keywords and the articles of the last 10 years have been included in this study by using Science Direct, PubMed and Google Academic databases and international journals published in the field of childhood asthma and allergic diseases and folate. Result/Conclusion: Relevant studies of folic acid and childhood asthma and allergic diseases are generally epidemiological studies and the results are contradictory. There is a need for randomized controlled trial to be done on people to make this relationship clearer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We aimed to assess the relationship between disease activity and frequency of allergic diseases in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were admitted to a rheumatology outpatient clinic. Materials and methods: Socio‐demographic data form and the European Community Respiratory Health Study (ECRHS) questionnaire were applied to the patients and the prevalence of allergic patients by applying ECHRS and the relationship between RA disease activity was assessed. Results: A total of 135 patients were included in the study (108 female and 27 male); average age 53,0 ± 11,1 years. Asthma‐like symptoms were observed in 33,33% of women. Asthma‐like symptoms in 33,33% of men and 33,33% are non‐infectious rhinitis. A statistically significant difference was not found between DAS‐28 scores and frequencies of the survey diagnoses (p = 0,75). Conclusion: We could not find a significant correlation between the diagnosis of RA activity score and ECHRS diagnoses in our study. We could not find a study which focused on the relationship between allergic diseases and DAS‐28 in RA in the literature. Thus, we believe that these results are noteworthy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Recent studies point to a relationship between allergic diseases and vitamin D deficiency. This relationship seems to be associated with immune-modulator effects of the derivatives of vitamin D. However, there are limited number of studies on the relationship between allergic rhinitis and derivatives of vitamin D. We planned our study to investigate this issue. Methods: The study group was composed of 30 patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis according to ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma) Criteria. The control group included 30 patients of the same age and gender without any allergic rhinitis disease. The patients with an underlying disease which may cause deficiency of calcium and vitamin D were excluded. The significance of the difference between study and control groups in terms of serum 25-hydroxy (OH) vitamin D levels was also evaluated. Results: It was determined that the levels of vitamin D were within normal (10-90 ng/mL) limits in both groups. It was found out that the mean serum 25(OH)vitamin D level (15.39 ng/mL) of the study group was significantly lower than the control group (53.80 ng/mL) (p=0.00). No significant difference was found between the genders in terms of vitamin D levels (p=0.398). Conclusion: It is necessary to do more researches on the effects of vitamin D derivatives on allergic rhinitis. This study indicates that a vitamin D deficiency should be taken into consideration during the treatment for resistant allergic rhinitis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immune system protecting the body from pathogens is composed of both the innate and the adopted immune systems. Recently, allergies, a disease associated with an imbalanced immune system, have increased rapidly in developed countries. Prevailing symptoms of allergic diseases are eczema (atopic dermatitis), allergic rhinitis, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, and food allergy. Growing concern over the adverse immunologic effects of progressively more hygienic environments has led to enormous interest in the role of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of allergic disease. Probiotics are the live microbial feed supplements that beneficially affect the host animal by improving its intestinal microbial balance. Probiotics have been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory properties. Although there are studies suggesting favorable effects of prbbiotics on allergic disease, the immune-regulatory impact of probiotic bacteria is controversial because it depends on probiotic strains, a dose and a type of diseases. This article reviews the studies related to the treatment and prevention of atopic dermatitis by probiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allergen immunotherapy is one of the methods in the treatment of allergic diseases. It is aimed in the allergen immunotherapy that tolerance is achieved by giving allergen extracts they are sensitized to the patients with allergic complaints in gradually increased doses in certain time intervals to abolish their clinical symptoms. Specific allergen immunotherapy can be an effective mode of treatment in changing the natural history of diseases with allergic etiology. The basic approach in the treatment of allergic diseases is to avoid allergens and medications simultaneously. It has been proven in a number of studies that significant improvements were achieved in asthma symptom scores, the need to use medications was decreased and bronchial hyperreactivity provoked by allergens or nonspecific stimulants was reduced with allergen specific immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amaç: Hem Th1 hem de Th2 yolakları, vücudun bağışıklık sistemini kontrol ve dengede tutmak ve düzenlemek için uyum içinde çalışır. Th1 ve Th2, birbirlerinin büyümesini ve aktivitesini çapraz düzenleyen sitokinler üretir ve bu durum Th1/Th2 paradigması olarak adlandırılır. Atopik bozukluklar baskın bir Th2 sitokin modeli ile ilişkili olmasına rağmen, ankilozan spondilitde (AS) Th17 dışında bozulmuş bir Th1 sitokin modeli ve dolaşımdaki Th2 hücrelerinin artan sayısı olarak tanımlanabilir. Th1/Th2 paradigmasına göre AS ve atopik bozuklukların bir arada olduğu düşünülebilir. Çalışmanın amacı, AS ile atopik bozukluklar arasındaki ilişkiyi Kocaeli ilinde araştırmak ve bunları kontrol grubu ile karşılaştırmaktır. Yöntem: Toplam 563 AS hastası (grup 1), eşleştirilmiş değişkenler olarak cinsiyet ve yaş kullanılarak intervertebral disk prolapsusu nedeniyle kronik bel ağrısı hastaları (grup 2) ile 1:1 eşleştirildi. Atopik dermatit (AD), alerjik rinit (AR) ve astım gibi alerjik hastalıkların varlığı tüm gruplarda araştırıldı. Bulgular: Her iki çalışma grubunda ortalama yaş 42,86±11,04 yıldı. Tüm gruplarda %47,1 kadın ve %52,9 erkek idi. AS grubunda ortalama hastalık süresi 10,51±8,93 yıldı. AS grubundaki hastaların %30,2'sinde HLA-B27 pozitifti. Kontrollere kıyasla AS'li hastalar için ayarlanmış olasılık oranları, AD için 1,47 (1,20-1,80), AR için 1,76 (1,60-1,95) ve astım için 1,79 (1,57-2,05) idi. Gruplar arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark vardı ve AS'li hastalarda AD, AR ve astım prevalansı kontrol grubuna göre daha yüksekti (p<0,05). Sonuç: Th1/Th2 paradigması dışında, Th17 hücresi, doku enflamatuvar reaksiyonlarının düzenlenmesinde ve otoimmün ve alerjik durumların gelişmesinde kritik bir rol oynar. Daha önceki çalışmalarda, alerjisi olan hastalarda eksojen antijenlere karşı gelişen aynı aşırı tepkinin endojen antijenlere karşı da gelişebileceği öne sürülmüştür. Kronik doku hasarını yansıtan kalıcı ve şiddetli alerjik hastalığı olan hastalarda bir otoimmün profil ve otoreaktivite baskın olabilir. Alerjik hastalıklarda, özellikle AR, astım veya birden fazla alerjik hastalıkta düşük dereceli ve kronik enflamasyon, AS gelişimini kolaylaştırabilir. Ayrıca alerjik hastalıkların kronikleşmesinin önlenmesi, otoimmünitenin gelişmesinin ve ilerlemesinin engellenmesinde rol oynayabilir. Bu nedenle, klinisyenler otoimmün hastalık ve alerjik hastalıklar arasındaki bağlantıdan haberdar olmalıdır. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]