Addressing risk management difficulties in children with food allergies

Risk is a concept inherent in every medical procedure. It can be defined as the probability of an adverse event in a defined population over a specified period of time. In the frame of food allergy management, it might be related to a diagnostic procedure, a treatment, or the consumption of foods. The risk of an adverse event can also be augmented by individual factors. This rostrum article discusses various aspects faced by children with food allergies in the light of risk, and their practical implications. Identifying personal risks for severe reaction, such as unstable asthma, and correcting them whenever possible also contribute to a reduction of the risk inherent to food allergy. Among the facets discussed, oral food challenges (OFC) are the most common diagnostic procedures implying an inherent risk. The risk of OFCs can be minimized by correct indication and timing of the test, a safe setting, as well as by ensuring that the patient is otherwise well without potential stressor potentially increasing the risk of a more severe reaction. Oral immunotherapy (OIT) has been studied as a potential treatment for increasing the threshold dose for reaction, and thus reducing the risk of accidental reaction. Nevertheless, the procedure is not devoid of risk as the patients may and do often react during the course of the procedure. Ingestion of trace amounts in processed foods, mainly in community settings such as restaurants, schools, or day care, represents a potential risk of reactions, although for a minority of patients. Precautionary allergen labeling (PAL) is a widespread strategy to reduce the potential risk of reactions due to traces. However, PAL is currently inefficient due to inconsistent labeling, also not indicating a clear maximum amount possibly present in the manufactured food. Finally, cost-effectiveness needs to be considered in risk management, as many risk reduction procedures are clearly not cost-effective.     

Prostaglandin E1, E2 and oxytocin in labor induction

The risks of induction must be carefully weighed against the risks of allowing the pregnancy to continue and not inducing labor. The aim of the study was to show labor and neonatal outcome of 335 deliveries inducted in 2004 at Institute of gynecology and obstetrics Clinical Center of Serbia. Inductions were performed with PGE2, PGE1 and Oxytocin. The best ripening effect was noted in PGE2 group. The average duration of labor was 8.6h in PGE1group, 5.9h in PGE2 group and 10.4h in OT group. Sixty eight labors finished with cesarean section (20%). Comparing duration of labor, percentage of emergency cesarean sections, incidence of fetal distress during the labor we suggest Dinoprostone, placed intracervically, as an agent of choice for induction of labor.     

Effect of Induction Therapy Protocols on Transplant Outcomes in Crossmatch Positive Renal Allograft Recipients Desensitized with IVIG

Here we retrospectively examine the efficacy of two antibody induction regimens using Zenapax or Thymoglobulin in patients with positive complement-dependent cytotoxicity crossmatches (CDC-CMXs) desensitized with IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin). Between January 1999 and March 2005, 97 patients with (+) CDC-CMXs received kidney transplants (43 deceased donors/54 living donors). All patients received at least 2 g/kg IVIG (maximum four doses) until an acceptable CMX was obtained. Patients were divided into two groups: 1. IVIG + Zenapax (n = 58), 2. IVIG + Thymoglobulin (n = 39). A total of 94% of patients in Group 1 and 84% in G2 have at least 2 years of follow up. Patient and graft survival was 96%/84% in Group 1 and 100%/90% in Group 2, p = NS. The number and severity of AR episodes were similar (36% Group 1 vs. 31% Group 2, p = NS) as was the incidence of C4d (+) antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) (Banff Grade II/III) (22% Group 1 vs. 21% Group 2). Mean serum creatinines (SCrs) at 24 months were similar (Group 1: 1.4 +/- 0.7 vs. G2: 1.5 +/- 0.7 mg/dL). Induction therapy with Zenapax or Thymoglobulin results in excellent patient, graft survival and graft function at 2 years. There was no increased risk of viral infections or malignancies with either agent. Neither agent was effective in reducing the incidence of AMR.     

Easier node dissection after chemoradiotherapy for lung cancer with collagen insertion at mediastinoscopy

Objective: Induction chemoradiotherapy followed by anatomical resection is a current therapeutic strategy for non-small-cell lung cancer with mediastinal node involvement. Dense peritracheal fibrosis and sclerosis after chemoradiotherapy cause difficult mediastinal node dissection. We evaluated a novel technique to make the mediastinal node dissection easier after induction therapy. Methods: At the end of mediastinoscopic node biopsy for staging of lung cancer, cotton-type collagen was inserted anterior and lateral to the trachea in patients with pathologically confirmed mediastinal node involve-ment (n=45). The induction therapy consisted of concurrent use of platinum-based chemotherapy and hyperfractionated radiotherapy. After the chemoradiotherapy all patients underwent a pulmonary resection with complete mediastinal node dissection 7–12 weeks after the collagen insertion. Surgical findings of the mediastinum and the time for node dissection were compared with those without collagen insertion at mediastinoscopy after chemoradiotherapy (n=5). Results: All five patients without collagen insertion showed sclerotic and fibrotic change of mediastinal nodes with severe adhesion to the trachea. In 42 of 45 patients with collagen insertion (93.3%) the collagen remained unabsorbed and separated the mediastinal nodes from the trachea. Mediastinal node dissection was easily accomplished by removing mediastinal tissues lateral and anterior to the collagen. The rate of mediastinal node separation was significantly higher with collagen insertion than without (p< 0.0001). The times for node dissection in patients with and without collagen insertion showed no significant difference. Conclusion: Cotton-type collagen insertion at staging mediastinoscopy for lung cancer separates the mediastinal nodes from the trachea and makes the node dissection easier after induction chemoradiotherapy.     

转化人关节软骨细胞的Ⅱ型胶原表型诱导

目的 用离心管聚集体培养（Aggregate culture)诱导转化人关节细胞的Ⅱ型胶原。方法 将体外长期培养的第30，40，50代转化软骨细胞消化后进行离心管培养，比较细胞在单层培养，离心管聚集体培养，以及在普通培养基，RAI诱导培养基下[2型骨形态发生蛋白（BMP－2）＋抗坏血酸盐（Ascorbate) 胰岛素（insulin)]，Ⅰ，Ⅱ，Ⅲ型胶原的表达和胞外基质发生情况。结果 在单层培养条件下，转化软骨细胞只表达Ⅰ型胶原，而在BAI诱导培养基及离心管聚集体培养下转化软有细胞表达的Ⅱ型胶原和大量胞外基质。结论 离心管聚集体培养是诱导转化软骨细胞Ⅱ型胶原的有效方式。     

乳剂依托咪酯对心脏手术病人麻醉诱导期循环功能的影响

目的　本文应用乳剂依托咪酯,观察其对心脏手术病人麻醉诱导期的循环影响。方法　选择心脏手术病人80例,心功能Ⅲ～Ⅳ级,随机分为两组,每组2 0例:Ⅰ组(水剂组) :水剂依托咪酯0 2 5mg kg-1;Ⅱ组(乳剂组) :乳剂依托咪酯0 2 5mg kg-1。记录麻醉前、注射依托咪酯前、后,气管插管后1min和3min时段的各监测参数。观察不自主肌肉颤动,注射疼痛感及过敏反应等不良反应。结果　显示两种剂型的依托咪酯各时间点的SBP、DBP、MAP、HR各组间无显著差异(P >0 0 5 )。两组在注射依托咪酯后SBP、DBP、MAP、HR轻度下降,但与注射前均无统计学差异(P >0 0 5 )。不自主肌肉运动Ⅰ组8例、Ⅱ组6例:两组间无显著差异(P >0 0 5 )。静脉注射处疼痛Ⅰ组14例、Ⅱ组1例,两组间显著差异(P >0 0 5 )。结论　乳剂依托咪酯具有麻醉诱导平稳,心血管影响轻微,副作用少在应用上优于水剂依托咪酯,可用于高龄及心脏功能受损害患者的麻醉诱导。