Exposure to peanuts in utero and in infancy and the development of sensitization to peanut allergens in young children

This study attempted to determine the underlying factors that may influence the development of peanut sensitization in young children in South Africa. One of our objectives was to ascertain whether the consumption of peanuts or peanut‐containing foods during pregnancy and lactation by mothers from atopic families impacted upon the development of an allergic response to peanuts in the child. Forty‐three children between the ages of 0 and 3 yr participated in this study. There were 25 peanut‐sensitized subjects and 18 control subjects (children sensitized to milk and/or egg, but not to peanuts). A significant association was found between peanut sensitization and sensitivity to soya (p=0.0002), wheat (p=0.03), and cod fish. We found that mothers who consumed peanuts more than once a week during pregnancy were more likely to have a peanut‐allergic child than mothers who consumed peanuts less than once a week (odds ratio=3.97, 98% confidence interval 0.73–24). Peanuts or peanut butter was introduced into the child's diet from a significantly younger age in the peanut‐allergic subjects (p<0.03). There was a positive correlation in the peanut‐allergic subjects between age of introduction of peanuts and age at the onset of symptoms ( r  = 0.63). Exclusive breast feeding did not protect against the development of peanut sensitization. Peanut allergy is associated with an increased risk of sensitization to other foods. It is more likely to occur if mothers eat peanuts more frequently during pregnancy and introduce it early to the infant's diet. These features highlight potentially avoidable factors that might prevent sensitization.     

Sticky Decisions: Peanut Butter in a Time of Salmonella

We present a consumer-focused perspective on creating communications regarding potentially contaminated foods. It is illustrated with decisions that might have faced US consumers during the 2009 recalls of peanut and pistachio products. The example shows how knowledge about test results and regulatory processes might be made more useful to consumers.     

Cone outer segment extracellular matrix as binding domain for interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein

Cones are critically dependent on interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) for retinoid delivery in the visual cycle. Cone-dominant vertebrates offer an opportunity to uncover the molecular basis of IRBP's role in this process. Here, we explore the association of IRBP with the interphotoreceptor matrix (IPM) of cones vs. rods in cone dominant retinas from chicken (Gallus domesticus), turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), and pig (Sus scrofa). Retinas were detached and fixed directly or washed in saline prior to fixation. Disassociated photoreceptors with adherent matrix were also prepared. Under 2 mM CaCl(2) , insoluble matrix was delaminated from saline washed retinas. The distribution of IRBP, as well as glycans binding peanut agglutinin (cone matrix) and wheat germ agglutinin (rod/cone matrix), was defined by confocal microscopy. Retina flat mounts showed IRBP diffusely distributed in an interconnecting, lattice-like pattern throughout the entire matrix. Saline wash replaced this pattern with fluorescent annuli surrounding individual cone outer segments. In isolated cones and matrix sheets, IRBP colocalized with the peanut agglutinin binding matrix glycans. Our results reveal a wash-resistant association of IRBP with a matrix domain immediately surrounding cone outer segments. The cone matrix sheath may be responsible for IRBP-mediated cone targeting of 11-cis retinoids.     

Legacy genetics of Arachis cardenasii in the peanut crop shows the profound benefits of international seed exchange

The narrow genetics of most crops is a fundamental vulnerability to food security. This makes wild crop relatives a strategic resource of genetic diversity that can be used for crop improvement and adaptation to new agricultural challenges. Here, we uncover the contribution of one wild species accession, Arachis cardenasii GKP 10017, to the peanut crop (Arachis hypogaea) that was initiated by complex hybridizations in the 1960s and propagated by international seed exchange. However, until this study, the global scale of the dispersal of genetic contributions from this wild accession had been obscured by the multiple germplasm transfers, breeding cycles, and unrecorded genetic mixing between lineages that had occurred over the years. By genetic analysis and pedigree research, we identified A. cardenasii–enhanced, disease-resistant cultivars in Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. These cultivars provide widespread improved food security and environmental and economic benefits. This study emphasizes the importance of wild species and collaborative networks of international expertise for crop improvement. However, it also highlights the consequences of the implementation of a patchwork of restrictive national laws and sea changes in attitudes regarding germplasm that followed in the wake of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Today, the botanical collections and multiple seed exchanges which enable benefits such as those revealed by this study are drastically reduced. The research reported here underscores the vital importance of ready access to germplasm in ensuring long-term world food security.

Globally, most of humanity’s food is produced by only a few crop species, most of which have low genetic diversity (1–4). This presents a fundamental limitation to genetic improvement of crops and a key vulnerability for food security. Wild crop relatives have been used as a strategic source of diversity for plant breeders (4, 5). However, the agronomically unadapted phenotypes of wild species have hampered their use. For peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), a crop with an exceptionally narrow genetic base (6, 7), the incorporation of wild relatives into breeding programs is further impeded by barriers in sexual compatibility between the tetraploid crop and its almost exclusively diploid wild relatives (8–10). This ploidy difference arose 5,000 to 10,000 y ago with the formation of the tetraploid species, via the hybridization and spontaneous polyploidization of the diploid “A” genome species, Arachis duranensis Krapov. & W.C. Greg. and the “B” genome species, Arachis ipaënsis Krapov. & W.C. Greg. The resultant tetraploid diversified into many peanut (A. hypogaea) landraces and varieties through artificial selection during cultivation. Peanut maintains almost-complete sets of chromosomes from the two ancestral diploid species thus having a genome almost entirely of “AABB” structure, a type of polyploid termed a segmental allotetraploid (2n = 4x = 40 chromosomes; genome size of ∼2.7 Gb; 6, 11, 12).Despite the difficulties presented by the ploidy barrier, considerable effort was invested during the 1960s in complex hybridizations between peanut and a diploid “A” genome wild species accession from Bolivia, Arachis cardenasii Krapov. & W.C. Greg. GKP 10017 [PI (Plant Introduction) 262141]. Interest in this accession had been stimulated by its identification as a source of very strong pest and disease resistance (13). Using two different hybridization schemes, two different research groups obtained fertile progeny which entered into breeding programs (see Results for more details). However, over time, the subsequent dispersal and development of the resultant germplasm, with multiple seed transfers, identification code reassignments, breeding cycles, and unrecorded mixing of lineages, left the actual genetic contribution of the wild species mostly forgotten, unrecorded, or undefined.Here, we reveal the previously unknown scale of the genetic influence of A. cardenasii GKP 10017 as a donor of pest and disease resistances to the world’s peanut crop. This study involved the sequencing and assembly of the genome of this wild species accession and genetic analysis and pedigree research of diverse peanut lines from around the world. Peanuts with genetic contributions from A. cardenasii were identified on every populated continent and in 30 countries. The cultivars provided improved food security for subsistence farmers and environmental and economic benefits.     

Egg allergy: Are all childhood food allergies the same?

Egg allergy is one of the most common food allergies in childhood affecting about 1-2% of preschool children and differs in a number of ways from other common childhood food allergies such as cows milk and peanut. Common egg allergens are altered both by heat and gastric enzymes. Compared with peanuts/tree nuts and milk, egg allergy appears less likely to cause severe life-threatening reactions or fatal anaphylaxis. Children are much more likely to outgrow egg allergy by school age as compared with peanut allergy. While the MMR vaccine is no longer contraindicated in egg allergy, influenza vaccine is contraindicated in children with anaphylaxis to egg. An understanding of the similarities and differences in these common food allergies of childhood is helpful in the management of these common and increasing problems.     

大肠癌及癌旁组织中TAG-72抗原及两种凝集素PNA和DBA受体的表达

应用肿瘤相关糖蛋白７２抗原（ＴＡＧ－７２）的单抗７２－４５及两种凝集素ＰＮＡ和ＤＢＡ对不同组织分型的大肠癌及癌旁组织进行了研究。结果表明：大肠癌中ＴＡＧ－７２抗原及ＰＮＡ受体的表达阳性率分别为８５．３％和８９．３％，ＤＢＡ受体呈阴性；在癌旁组织中三者的表达阳性率分别为５０％、５３．３％和６３．３％；在正常大肠粘膜中ＴＡＧ－７２抗原及ＰＮＡ受体均呈阴性，而ＤＢＡ受体全部呈阳性。由此认为７２－４５单抗和ＰＮＡ可做为大肠癌的有效标记物，有助于大肠癌的诊断和预后。     

运用HACCP原理分析花生黄曲霉毒素的预防和控制

目的:将HACCP原理运用于花生"从种植到生产加工出口"的整个商品流程,以确定预防和控制花生黄曲霉毒素污染的关键点和措施.方法:根据花生黄曲霉毒素污染的高风险的特点,以及影响花生黄曲霉毒素的主要因素,根据炒制花生果商品流程,运用HACCP危害分析原理,分析了在花生的商品流程图的各个环节中黄曲霉毒素危害情况,并有针对性地提出了预防控制措施.结果:在种植、收获、原料储存、加工、成品存放及运输等全过程,花生均可能污染霉菌,导致黄曲霉毒素超标.花生黄曲霉毒素污染的发生往往与霉变粒、受损伤、发育不良粒等有关.因此,以减少黄曲霉毒素污染水平和预防黄曲霉毒素再污染的步骤宜作为关键控制点;控制花生水分含量和去除霉变、受损伤、发育不良和异色花生粒等措施,作为花生中黄曲霉毒素危害的预防和控制措施.结论:运用HACCP原理分析花生黄曲霉毒素危害,可以确定其预防和控制的关键控制点和措施.     

Current challenges in detecting food allergens by shotgun and targeted proteomic approaches: a case study on traces of peanut allergens in baked cookies

There is a need for selective and sensitive methods to detect the presence of food allergens at trace levels in highly processed food products. In this work, a combination of non-targeted and targeted proteomics approaches are used to illustrate the difficulties encountered in the detection of the major peanut allergens Ara h 1, Ara h 2 and Ara h 3 from a representative processed food matrix. Shotgun proteomics was employed for selection of the proteotypic peptides for targeted approaches via selective reaction monitoring. Peanut presence through detection of the proteotypic Ara h 3/4 peptides AHVQVVDSNGNR (m/z 432.5, 3+) and SPDIYNPQAGSLK (m/z 695.4, 2+) was confirmed and the developed method was able to detect peanut presence at trace levels (≥10 μg peanut g(-1) matrix) in baked cookies.     

花生壳醇提物镇咳、祛痰及平喘作用研究

对花生壳醇提物和木犀草素进行镇咳、祛痰及平喘作用的比较研究。方法:浓氨水引咳法、小鼠酚红祛痰法、豚鼠离体气管条法,观察花生壳醇提物和木犀草素的镇咳、祛痰及平喘作用。结果:花生壳醇提物能延长小鼠咳嗽潜伏期和减少咳嗽次数,而木犀草素无明显作用;花生壳醇提物及木犀草素能明显增加小鼠呼吸道酚红的排泌量;花生壳醇提物对乙酰胆碱及磷酸组胺致痉的豚鼠离体气管平滑肌有明显的解痉作用,且作用优于木犀草素。结论:花生壳醇提物有明显的镇咳、祛痰及平喘作用。