Real-World Effectiveness for Sublingual Allergen Immunotherapy Among School-Aged Children and Adolescents.

Background: Sublingual allergen immunotherapy (SLIT) is a safe and effective treatment of allergic rhinitis, and its use has been increasing in recent years. Although several randomized and observational studies showed the effectiveness of SLIT among adults and children aged > 12 years, its extent remains unclear in nationwide routine healthcare settings for school-aged children.

Methods: We conducted a propensity score (PS)-matched cohort study using a nationwide administrative database.

[NATIONAL INTERNET SURVEY ON THE STATUS OF CEDAR POLLEN ALLERGY PATIENTS].

Background: Although the prevalence of cedar pollinosis (CP) is increasing in Japan, some patients self-medicate with over-the-counter drugs after medical diagnosis, making it difficult for healthcare providers to grasp the actual situation. The aim of this study was to clarify the actual conditions of CP patients and assess the current status of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT).

Methods: We conducted a nationwide Internet survey of adult patients with CP.

[STATE-OF-THE-ART OF GLOBAL START-UP INVESTMENT FOR ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY 2022].

Background: In 2022, the "New Capitalism Grand Design and Implementation Plan" was adopted in Japan, emphasizing the promotion and environmental development of startups. Given this context, an investigation into the startup and investment landscape in the allergy sector, both domestically and internationally, becomes imperative.

Methods: We analyzed 156 allergy-related startups from Japan, the US, and Europe from 2010 to 2021.

House Dust Mite Subcutaneous Immunotherapy and Lung Function Trajectory in Children and Adolescents with Asthma.

Background: Allergen-specific immunotherapy is currently the only disease-modifying treatment for allergic asthma, and it has been shown to improve control of asthma while reducing both drug use and asthma exacerbations. However, its effects on lung function—especially its long-term effects—remain controversial. We aimed to identify factors associated with a possible beneficial effect of allergen-specific immunotherapy on lung function in asthma by retrospectively evaluating the long-term changes in lung function in children with asthma who received house dust mite subcutaneous immunotherapy (HDM-SCIT).

Squamous cell carcinoma antigens are sensitive biomarkers for atopic dermatitis in children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study.

Background: We recently reported that squamous cell carcinoma antigen 2 (SCCA2) is a reliable biomarker for atopic dermatitis (AD).

Objective: To further clarify its utility, we investigated for effects of comorbid allergies and AD treatment on serum SCCA levels.

Methods: Volunteers <18 years old were recruited through our website.

Is oral food challenge test useful for avoiding complete elimination of cow's milk in Japanese patients with or suspected of having IgE-dependent cow's milk allergy?

Background: Cow's milk, along with hen's egg, are common causes of food allergies in children worldwide. Accidental ingestion of milk is common and often induces severe allergic reactions. Oral food challenge test (OFC) is usually performed in patients with or suspected of having a food allergy.

Season of birth is associated with increased risk of atopic dermatitis in Japanese infants: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Several epidemiological studies have examined the possibility of a relationship between season of birth and atopic dermatitis (AD) and food allergy (FA), yet their results are contradictory. We investigated the association between season of birth and risk of AD and FA in Japanese infants.

Methods: Study subjects were 612 newborn infants born at a single obstetric/pediatric clinic without perinatal diseases.

Immunogenicity of Milk Protein-Containing Hydrophilic Gel Patch for Epicutaneous Immunotherapy for Milk Allergy.

Purpose: Epicutaneous immunotherapy (EPIT) involving the skin's immune system is easy to use, painless and has a low risk of systemic side effects; it can be applied to food allergies that have a high morbidity rate in children. In this study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of hydrophilic gel patch (HG) for EPIT.

Methods: Milk protein concentrate (MPC)-containing HG was applied to the skin that maintained a barrier function or formed puncture holes with microneedle, and MPC-specific antibodies were measured.

Role of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 in Eosinophil-Mediated Airway Remodeling.

Airway remodeling is responsible for the progressive decline of lung function in bronchial asthma. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 and fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition are involved in tissue remodeling. Here we evaluated whether eosinophils play a role in fibroblasts-to-myofibroblasts transition and in the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2.

β adrenergic agonist suppresses eosinophil-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of bronchial epithelial cells.

Background: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition is currently recognized as an important mechanism for the increased number of myofibroblasts in cancer and fibrotic diseases. We have already reported that epithelial-mesenchymal transition is involved in airway remodeling induced by eosinophils. Procaterol is a selective and full β adrenergic agonist that is used as a rescue of asthmatic attack inhaler form and orally as a controller.

Sensitization to secretoglobin and lipocalins in a group of young children with risk of developing respiratory allergy.

Background: Multiple sensitizations in early age have been reported to be a risk for development of asthma. This study evaluates the emergence and evolution of IgE to aeroallergens among a cohort of children with physician-diagnosed atopic dermatitis and/or showing food allergy symptoms and to examine the relation to asthma development.

Methods: Three-hundred and four children (median age 13.

Evaluation and application of the RD50 for determining acceptable exposure levels of airborne sensory irritants for the general public.

Background: The RD(50) (exposure concentration producing a 50% respiratory rate decrease) test evaluates airborne chemicals for sensory irritation and has become an American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard method. Past studies reported good correlations (R(2)) between RD(50)s and the occupational exposure limits, particularly threshold limit values (TLVs).

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between RD(50)s and human sensory irritation responses in a quantitative manner, particularly for chemicals that produce burning sensation of the eyes, nose, or throat, based on lowest observed adverse effect levels (LOAELs) reported for human subjects.

Merging models and biomonitoring data to characterize sources and pathways of human exposure to organophosphorus pesticides in the Salinas Valley of California.

We characterize cumulative intakes of organophosphorus (OP) pesticides in an agricultural region of California by drawing on human biomonitoring data, California pesticide use reporting (PUR) data, and limited environmental samples together with outputs from the CalTOX multimedia, multipathway, source-to-dose model. The study population is the CHAMACOS cohort of almost 600 pregnant Latina women in the Salinas Valley region. We use model estimates of OP intake and urinary dialkylphosphate (DAP) metabolite excretion to develop premises about relative contributions from different exposure sources and pathways.