Allergy and Immunology Commons^™

Translating Reference Doses Into Allergen Management Practice: Challenges For Stakeholders, René W. R. Crevel, Joseph Baumert, Stefano Luccioli, Athanasia Baka, Sue Hattersley, Jonathan O.B. Hourihane, Stefan Ronsmans, Frans Timmermans, Rachel Ward, Yong-Joo Chung

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Risk assessment describes the impact of a particular hazard as a function of dose and exposure. It forms the foundation of risk management and contributes to the overall decision-making process, but is not its endpoint. This paper outlines a risk analysis framework to underpin decision-making in the area of allergen cross-contact. Specifically, it identifies challenges relevant to each component of the risk analysis: risk assessment (data gaps and output interpretation); risk management (clear and realistic objectives); and risk communication (clear articulation of risk and benefit). Translation of the outputs from risk assessment models into risk management measures must be informed …

Sulfites, Steve L. Taylor, Robert K. Bush, Julie A. Nordlee

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Key Concepts

Sulfites are frequently used food and drug additives.

Ingestion of sulfite residues has been documented to trigger asthmatic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Sulfite-induced asthma occurs in less than 5% of asthmatic individuals, and those with severe, persistent asthma are at greatest risk.

The diagnosis of sulfite-induced asthma is best made by blinded oral challenge with assessment of lung function.

Labeling regulations in the United States alert sulfite-sensitive individuals to the presence of sulfites in foods, which must then be avoided.

Update Of The Who/Iuis Allergen Nomenclature Database Based On Analysis Of Allergen Sequences, C. Radauer, A. Nandy, F. Ferreira, Richard E. Goodman, J. N. Larsen, J. Lidholm, A. Pomés, M. Raulf-Heimsoth, P. Rozynek, W. R. Thomas, Heimo Breiteneder

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

The IUIS Allergen Nomenclature Sub-Committee, under the auspices of the World Health Organization and the International Union of Immunological Societies, maintains the systematic nomenclature of allergenic proteins and publishes a database of approved allergen names on its Web site, www.allergen.org. In this paper, we summarize updates of allergen names approved at the meetings of the committee in 2011 through 2013. These changes reflect recent progress in identification, cloning, and sequencing of allergens. The goals of this update were to increase consistency in the classification of allergens, isoallergens, and variants and in the incorporation of the evolutionary classification of proteins into …

Investigation Of Commercial Milk Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (Elisa) Kits: Specificity And Utility For Residues Of Foods Subjected To Proteolysis During Processing, Katherine O. Ivens

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Analytical methods, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), are used to detect and quantify residues from allergenic sources in food products. However, ELISAs have not been validated for use in foods that have been exposed to proteolysis. This thesis explores the specificities, sensitivities, and capabilities of commercially-available milk ELISA kits for detecting milk residues in cheeses that have undergone varying degrees of proteolysis.

The specificity, accuracy, and consistency of twelve commercially-available milk ELISA kits for individual milk proteins and commonly used milk-derived ingredients, including α-,β-, and κ-casein, β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin, non-fat dry milk, sodium caseinate, and whey protein concentrate were evaluated. …

Vest Chest Physiotherapy Airway Clearance Is Associated With Nitric Oxide Metabolism., Joseph H. Sisson, Todd A. Wyatt, Jacqueline A. Pavlik, Pawanjit S. Sarna, Peter J. Murphy

Journal Articles: Pulmonary & Critical Care Med

Background. Vest chest physiotherapy (VCPT) enhances airway clearance in cystic fibrosis (CF) by an unknown mechanism. Because cilia are sensitive to nitric oxide (NO), we hypothesized that VCPT enhances clearance by changing NO metabolism. Methods. Both normal subjects and stable CF subjects had pre- and post-VCPT airway clearance assessed using nasal saccharin transit time (NSTT) followed by a collection of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) analyzed for NO metabolites (NO x ). Results. VCPT shorted NSTT by 35% in normal and stable CF subjects with no difference observed between the groups. EBC NO x concentrations decreased 68% in control subjects after …

Role Of Endothelial To Mesenchymal Transition In The Pathogenesis Of The Vascular Alterations In Systemic Sclerosis., Sergio A Jimenez

Scleroderma Center Faculty Papers

The pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is extremely complex, and despite extensive studies, the exact mechanisms involved are not well understood. Numerous recent studies of early events in SSc pathogenesis have suggested that unknown etiologic factors in a genetically receptive host trigger structural and functional microvascular endothelial cell abnormalities. These alterations result in the attraction, transmigration, and accumulation of immune and inflammatory cells in the perivascular tissues, which in turn induce the phenotypic conversion of endothelial cells and quiescent fibroblasts into activated myofibroblasts, a process known as endothelial to mesenchymal transition or EndoMT. The activated myofibroblasts are the effector cells …

Asymmetric Dimethylarginine Blocks Nitric Oxide-Mediated Alcohol-Stimulated Cilia Beating., Todd A. Wyatt, S . M. Wells, Z . A. Alsaidi, Jane M. Devasure, E. B. Klein, Kristina L. Bailey, Joseph H. Sisson

Journal Articles: Pulmonary & Critical Care Med

The airway epithelium is exposed to alcohol during drinking through direct exhalation of volatized ethanol from the bronchial circulation. Alcohol exposure leads to a rapid increase in the cilia beat frequency (CBF) of bronchial epithelial cells followed by a chronic desensitization of cilia stimulatory responses. This effect is governed in part by the nitric oxide regulation of cyclic guanosine and adenosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinases (PKG and PKA) and is not fully understood. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, is implicated in the pathogenesis of several pulmonary disorders. We hypothesized that the inhibition of nitric oxide synthase …

First Steps Phase Ii Initiative: Improving Developmental, Autism, And Lead Screening For Children, Kimberley S. Fox Mpa, Carolyn E. Gray Mph, Martha Elbaum Williamson Mpa

Population Health & Health Policy

First STEPS (Strengthening Together Early Preventive Services) is a learning initiative supported by Maine's CHIPRA quality demonstration grant to support measure-driven practice improvement in pediatric and family practices across the state on improving developmental, autism, and lead screening for children. This report, authored by research staff at the USM Muskie School, evaluates the impact of Phase II of Maine's First STEPS initiative, which was implemented from May to December 2012 and included 12 practices serving more than 20,000 children on MaineCare (Maine's Medicaid system). The authors assess changes in developmental, autism, and lead screening rates and evidence-based office processes in …

Effects Of Two Inhaled Corticosteroid/Long-Acting Beta-Agonist Combinations On Small-Airway Dysfunction In Mild Asthmatics Measured By Impulse Oscillometry, Bill Diong, Kshitiz Singh, Rogelio Menendez

Faculty Articles

Background: We previously showed that the long-acting beta agonist (LABA) salmeterol as inhalation powder or metered-dose inhaler improves lung-function parameters assessed by impulse oscillometry (IOS) in 2- to 5-year-old children with reversible-airway disease within 15 minutes. Objective: We studied 12- to 45-year-olds with mild persistent asthma in order to compare the onset and extent of peripheral airway effects following the first dose and after 4 weeks dosing with two inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/LABA combinations: fluticasone propionate/salmeterol 115/21 and budesonide/formoterol 160/4.5. Methods: Thirty subjects with mild persistent asthma using only an as-needed short-acting beta-agonist (albuterol) who had at least a 40% change …

The Efficacy Of Allergen Immunotherapy With Cat Dander In Reducing Symptoms In Clinical Practice., Aerik A Williams, John R Cohn, Shirley M Fung, Patricia Padams

Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine Faculty Papers

Background. Allergy to cat dander is a common form of allergic disease. Allergen immunotherapy has been demonstrated to be effective in decreasing allergic symptoms. Objectives. To examine outcomes in allergic asthmatic patients on cat immunotherapy (CIT) compared to allergic asthmatics on traditional immunotherapy (IT) without cat sensitivity. Methods. A retrospective review identified allergic asthmatics on CIT for at least three years. An equal number of allergic asthmatics on IT were identified for comparison. Outcomes investigated include measurements of risk of asthma exacerbation. Results. Thirty-five patients were identified in each group. There were no differences in the CIT group versus the …

Maresin-1 Reduces The Pro-Inflammatory Response Of Bronchial Epithelial Cells To Organic Dust., Tara M. Nordgren, Art J. Heires, Todd A. Wyatt, Jill A. Poole, Tricia D. Levan, D. Roselyn Cerutis, Debra J. Romberger

Journal Articles: Pulmonary & Critical Care Med

BACKGROUND: Exposure to organic dust causes detrimental airway inflammation. Current preventative and therapeutic measures do not adequately treat resulting disease, necessitating novel therapeutic interventions. Recently identified mediators derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids exhibit anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving actions. We tested the potential of one of these mediators, maresin-1 (MaR1), in reducing organic dust-associated airway inflammation.

METHODS: As bronchial epithelial cells (BECs) are pivotal in initiating organic dust-induced inflammation, we investigated the in vitro effects of MaR1 on a human BEC cell line (BEAS-2B). Cells were pretreated for 1 hour with 0-200 nM MaR1, followed by 1-24 hour treatment with 5% hog …

Improving Health Outcomes For Children (Ihoc) First Steps Phase I Initiative: Improving Immunizations For Children And Adolescents, Kimberley S. Fox Mpa, Carolyn E. Gray Mph

Population Health & Health Policy

This report, co-authored by Kimberley Fox and Carolyn Gray, provides a final evaluation of the initial phase of First STEPS (Strengthening Together Early Preventive Services), a learning collaborative led by Maine Quality Counts to support 24 pediatric and family practices in improving their childhood immunization rates. The evaluation found that all participating practices had higher immunization rates after participating in First STEPS. On average, overall child immunization rates increased by 5.1% at 12 months and 7.1% at 15 months, and average immunization rates across practices increased significantly from 74.2% to 81.3%. Practices also reported significant improvement in the use of …

First Steps Phase I Initiative: Improving Immunizations For Children And Adolescents, Kimberley S. Fox Mpa, Carolyn E. Gray Mph

Population Health & Health Policy

This evalution report, authored by research staff at the USM Muskie School, assesses the change in immunization rates in participating pediatric and family practices that serve a high volume of children insured by MaineCare (Maine's Medicaid system). The authors also summarize lessons learned in implementing changes in practices and challenges in using the immunization measures at the practice-level to inform quality improvement.

Threshold Dose For Shrimp: A Risk Characterization Based On Objective Reactions In Clinical Studies, Julie A. Nordlee, Benjamin C. Remington, Barbara K. Ballmer-Weber, Samuel B. Lehrer, Joe L. Baumert, Steve L. Taylor

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

A DBPCFC [double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge] of shrimp-allergic adults was conducted to obtain individual threshold doses. Results of this study and published research were combined and a population threshold for shrimp was determined from dose-distribution modeling. The shrimp-allergic population seems to have a higher threshold compared to other populations for other food allergens. Additional shrimp challenges should be done to confirm these initial results.

Challenges In Testing Genetically Modified Crops For Potential Increases In Endogenous Allergen Expression For Safety, Rakhi Panda, H. Ariyarathna, Plaimein Amnuaycheewa, Afua O. Tetteh, S. N. Pramod, Steve Taylor, B. K. Ballmer-Weber, Richard E. Goodman

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Premarket, genetically modified (GM) plants are assessed for potential risks of food allergy. The major risk would be transfer of a gene encoding an allergen or protein nearly identical to an allergen into a different food source, which can be assessed by specific serum testing. The potential that a newly expressed protein might become an allergen is evaluated based on resistance to digestion in pepsin and abundance in food fractions. If the modified plant is a common allergenic source (e.g. soybean), regulatory guidelines suggest testing for increases in the expression of endogenous allergens. Some regulators request evaluating endogenous allergens for …

The Biodiversity Hypothesis And Allergic Disease: World Allergy Organization Position Statement., Tari Haahtela, Stephen Holgate, Ruby Pawankar, Cezmi A. Akdis, Suwat Benjaponpitak, Luis Caraballo, Jeffrey Demain, Jay M. Portnoy, Leena Von Hertzen, Wao Special Committee On Climate Change And Biodiversity

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Biodiversity loss and climate change secondary to human activities are now being associated with various adverse health effects. However, less attention is being paid to the effects of biodiversity loss on environmental and commensal (indigenous) microbiotas. Metagenomic and other studies of healthy and diseased individuals reveal that reduced biodiversity and alterations in the composition of the gut and skin microbiota are associated with various inflammatory conditions, including asthma, allergic and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), type1 diabetes, and obesity. Altered indigenous microbiota and the general microbial deprivation characterizing the lifestyle of urban people in affluent countries appear to be risk factors …

Effect Of Budesonide On Fibroblast-Mediated Collagen Gel Contraction And Degradation, Qiuhong Fang, Nancy A. Schulte, Huijung Kim, Tetsu Kobayashi, Xingqi Wang, Anna Miller-Larsson, Elisabet Wieslander, Myron L. Toews, Xiangde Liu, Stephen I. Rennard

Journal Articles: Pulmonary & Critical Care Med

BACKGROUND: The balance between production and degradation of extracellular matrix is crucial in maintaining normal tissue structure. This study was designed to investigate the effect of budesonide on fibroblast-mediated tissue repair and remodeling.

METHODS: Using human fetal lung fibroblasts in a three-dimensional collagen gel culture system, we investigated the effect of budesonide (1-1000 nM) on collagen gel contraction and degradation in the presence or absence of Inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor α; 5 ng/mL each) and, in order to activate latent proteases, serine protease trypsin 0.25 μg/mL. The effects of budesonide on metalloproteinase production and activation were also …

Pge 2 Desensitizes Β -Agonist Effect On Human Lung Fibroblast-Mediated Collagen Gel Contraction Through Opregulating Pde4, Qiuhong Fang, Yingmin Ma, Jing Wang, Joel Michalski, Stephen I. Rennard, Xiangde Liu

Journal Articles: Pulmonary & Critical Care Med

In the current study, we investigated the effect of a long-acting β -agonist (salmeterol) and a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor (cilomilast) on human lung fibroblast-mediated collagen gel contraction. Higher concentrations of salmeterol (10(-7) and 10(-6) M) inhibited fibroblast-mediated collagen gel contraction. No effect was observed with cilomilast alone (up to 10(-5) M). In the presence of 10(-8) M salmeterol, however, cilomilast could significantly inhibit fibroblast-mediated collagen gel contraction in a concentration-dependent manner (10(-7) ~10(-5) M). Blockade of endogenous PGE2 by indomethacin further potentiated the inhibitory effect of salmeterol on fibroblast-mediated collagen gel contraction, but it did not affect cilomilast's effect. …

Anti-Inflammatory Effects Of Budesonide In Human Lung Fibroblast Are Independent Of Histone Deacetylase 2, Xingqi Wang, Amy J. Nelson, Zachary M. Weiler, Amol Patil, Tadashi Sato, Nobuhiro Kanaji, Masanori Nakanishi, Joel Michalski, Maha Farid, Hesham Basma, Tricia D. Levan, Anna Miller-Larsson, Elisabet Wieslander, Kai-Christian Muller, Olaf Holz, Helgo Magnussen, Klaus F. Rabe, Xiangde Liu, Stephen I. Rennard

Journal Articles: Pulmonary & Critical Care Med

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: Reduced expression of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) in alveolar macrophages and epithelial cells may account for reduced response of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients to glucocorticoids. HDAC2 expression and its role in mediating glucocorticoid effects on fibroblast functions, however, has not been fully studied. This study was designed to investigate whether HDAC2 mediates glucocorticoid effects on release of inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) from human lung fibroblasts.

METHODS: Human lung fibroblasts (HFL-1 cells) were stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1 β plus tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the presence or absence of the glucocorticoid budesonide. Cytokines (IL-6 …

Xiaoqinglong Granules As Add-On Therapy For Asthma: Latent Class Analysis Of Symptom Predictors Of Response., Qinglin Zha, Seqi Lin, Chi Zhang, Christopher Chang, Hanrong Xue, Cheng Lu, Miao Jiang, Yan Liu, Zuke Xiao, Weiyou Liu, Yunfei Shang, Jianjian Chen, Minyong Wen, Aiping Lu

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Xiaoqinglong granules (XQLG) has been shown to be an effective therapy in asthma animal models. We reviewed the literature and conducted this study to assess the impact of XQLG as an add-on therapy to treatment with fluticasone/salmeterol (seretide) in adult patients with mild-to-moderate, persistent asthma. A total of 178 patients were randomly assigned to receive XQLG and seretide or seretide plus placebo for 90 days. Asthma control was assessed by asthma control test (ACT), symptoms scores, FEV(1), and PEF. Baseline patient-reported Chinese medicine (CM)-specific symptoms were analyzed to determine whether the symptoms may be possible indicators of treatment response by …