The precancer risk of betel quid chewing,tobacco use and alcohol consumption in oral leukoplakia and oral submucous fibrosis in southern Taiwan

In areas where the practise of betel quid chewing is widespread and the chewers also often smoke and drink alcohol, the relation between oral precancerous lesion and condition to the three habits is probably complex. To explore such association and their attributable effect on oral leukoplakia (OL) and oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), a gender-age-matched case-control study was conducted at Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan. This study included 219 patients with newly diagnosed and histologically confirmed OL or OSF, and 876 randomly selected community controls. All information was collected by a structured questionnaire through in-person interviews. A preponderance of younger patients had OSF, while a predominance of older patients had OL. Betel quid chewing was strongly associated with both these oral diseases, the attributable fraction of OL being 73.2% and of OSF 85.4%. While the heterogeneity in risk for areca nut chewing across the two diseases was not apparent, betel quid chewing patients with OSF experienced a higher risk at each exposure level of chewing duration, quantity and cumulative measure than those who had OL. Alcohol intake did not appear to be a risk factor. However, cigarette smoking had a significant contribution to the risk of OL, and modified the effect of chewing based on an additive interaction model. For the two oral premalignant diseases combined, 86.5% was attributable to chewing and smoking. Our results suggested that, although betel quid chewing was a major cause for both OL and OSF, its effect might be difference between the two diseases. Cigarette smoking has a modifying effect in the development of oral leukoplakia.     

Cloning and sequencing of a gene encoding a 2S albumin seed storage protein precursor from English walnut (Juglans regia), a major food allergen

Background: Walnuts rank third in per capita consumption of tree nuts in the United States and can be associated with systemic IgE-mediated reactions in some individuals. Objective: The objectives of the study were to clone a gene encoding one of the major food allergens in the walnut kernel and to characterize the recombinant allergen. Methods: A cDNA expression library in the lambda vector Uni-ZAP, which was prepared from walnut somatic embryos, was screened by using a patient's sera that reacted with multiple protein bands on immunoblotting. Results: A cDNA clone containing an insert of 663 bp was identified and named Jug r 1. DNA sequence analysis of this clone revealed that it encoded a protein 142 amino acids in length. Comparison of the encoded protein sequences with protein databases revealed that this clone exhibits a 46.1% identity with the Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) methionine-rich 2S albumin seed storage protein precursor, Ber e 1. Jug r 1 appears to be an important walnut food allergen; 12 of 16 sera from patients allergic to walnuts demonstrated IgE binding to the 2S albumin seed storage protein precursor fusion protein. An IgE-binding inhibition study suggests that the walnut 2S protein precursor undergoes posttranslational modification into a large and small subunit that is similar to castor seed, cottonseed, mustard seed, and Brazil nut 2S seed storage protein allergens. Interestingly, the gene encoding this allergenic protein in Brazil nuts has recently gained notoriety because of its experimental use as a transgene to enhance the nutritional quality of legumes. Conclusion: This is now the sixth definitive 2S albumin seed storage protein demonstrated to bind IgE, suggesting that this class of proteins is inherently allergenic. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 1998;101:807-814.)     

榧子蛋白高效毛细管电泳法鉴别

对国产榧属植物种子进行蛋白电泳鉴别。采用高效毛细管电泳法对榧属植物种子蛋白进行分析。榧属植物种子蛋白高效毛细管电泳谱图有明显的种间差异。高效毛细管电泳可作为中药榧子的鉴别方法。     

Nut Allergy: Clinical and Allergological Features in Italian Children

Background: Nut allergies are an increasingly frequent health issue in the pediatric population. Tree nuts (TN) and peanuts are the second cause of food anaphylaxis in Italy. Unfortunately, knowledge of the clinical characteristics of a TN allergy in Italian children is limited. Our study aimed to identify the clinical and allergological characteristics of Italian children with a nut allergy (TN and peanut). Methods: A retrospective observational analysis was performed on the clinical charts of children with a history of nut reaction referred to the allergy unit of the hospital from 2015 to 2019. The studied population was represented by children with a confirmed nut allergy based on positive prick by prick and/or serum-specific IgE to nut plus a positive nut oral food challenge. Demographic, clinical, and allergological features were studied and compared among different nuts. Results: In total, 318 clinical charts were reviewed. Nut allergy was confirmed in 113 patients. Most patients (85/113, 75%) had a familial history of allergy and/or a concomitant allergic disorder (77/113, 68%). Hazelnut and walnut were the more common culprit nuts observed in allergic children. Anaphylaxis was the first clinical manifestation of nut allergy in a high percentage of children (54/113, 48%). The mean age of the first nut reaction was statistically higher with pine nuts. Over 75% of children reported a single nut reaction. During the OFCs, the signs and symptoms involved mainly the gastrointestinal system (82/113, 73%) and resolved spontaneously in most cases. Severe reactions were not frequent (22/113, 19%). Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first Italian study that provided a comprehensive characterization of children with a nut allergy. These results are important for clinicians treating children with a nut allergy.     

Fluoride Bio-Sorption Efficiency and Antimicrobial Potency of Macadamia Nut Shells

This paper presents the potential application of macadamia nut shells (MNS) in the bio-sorption of fluoride and its antimicrobial potency against common pathogens encountered in surface water resources. The efficiency of MNS in the sorption of fluoride was determined using batch mode experiments, while the antimicrobial potency was investigated using the well disc diffusion assay method. The maximum fluoride sorption capacity of 1.26 mg/g was recorded at an initial fluoride concentration of 5 mg/L, adsorbent dosage of 0.5 g/100 mL, contact time of 120 min and initial pH of 6. The adsorption kinetics data were better described with a pseudo second order model, indicating the dominance of the chemisorption mechanisms. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm model described the isotherm data suggesting a monolayered adsorption. The thermodynamic parameters, ∆Gº and ∆Hº, confirmed that F⁻ sorption by MNS is a spontaneous and endothermic process. The bio-sorbent was regenerated for seven continuous cycles when HCl was used as regenerating solution. The antimicrobial studies revealed that MNS has minimal activity towards Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The MNS showed potentials for application in bio-sorption of fluoride. However, the doping of MNS with metal ions is recommended to enhance its anti-microbial potency.     

The Protective Effect of Antioxidants in Areca Nut Extract-Induced Oral Carcinogenesis

Objective: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is the premalignant disorder associated with fibrosis and epithelial atrophy. Areca Nut (AN) is the most significant risk factors for OSF. However, the molecular mechanism behind AN induced OSF remains unclear, and there exists no effective treatment for the malignant disorder. We aimed to investigate whether AN-extract causes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in oral keratinocytes, and evaluated the therapeutic potential of antioxidants. Methods: The HPV16 E6/E7-transfected immortalized human oral keratinocytes (IHOK) were employed in the present study. For the preparation of AN-extract, dried AN was dissolved in distilled water overnight. The solution was centrifuged and the supernatant was collected for further use. For the determination of change in cytokine levels, ELISA was performed. To investigate EMT-related protein expression and phenotype, immunoblot and immunofluorescence were performed. Results: Among tumor-promoting cytokines (Gro-α, IL-6 and IL-8), IL-6 was remarkably increased by AN in IHOK. AN-extract induced EMT phenotypes, such as cell elongation, up-regulation of vimentin and snail. After treatment with neutralizing antibody of IL-6, AN-induced snail expression was reduced remarkably. Collectively, AN-extract induced IL-6 expression and mediated EMT. The use of antioxidants (EGCG, glutathione and NAC) significantly reduced IL-6 expression in AN-treated IHOK. Also, AN-decreased E-cadherin and increased vimentin were reversed by antioxidants, indicating that the effectiveness of antioxidants in inhibiting IL-6-induced EMT by AN. Conclusion: AN promotes EMT and antioxidants interrupt AN-induced-EMT in oral keratinocytes. Consequently, it is proposed that antioxidants could prevent AN-induced carcinogenesis and function as a prototype for developing therapeutic interventions of OSF.     

槟榔提取物刺激口腔黏膜角朊细胞培养上清对成纤维细胞增殖活性的影响

目的：探讨槟榔提取物刺激口腔黏膜角朊细胞在黏膜下纤维性变发病中的作用。方法：采用不同浓度槟榔提取液刺激体外培养的角朊细胞,取细胞培养上清,MTT法观察细胞培养上清对成纤维细胞增殖的影响。结果：一定浓度槟榔提取液刺激的角朊细胞培养上清能促进成纤维细胞增殖;细胞培养上清对成纤维细胞增殖的促进作用存在个体差异。结论：槟榔成分可能通过改变口腔黏膜角朊细胞的活性而导致口腔黏膜下纤维性变的发生。     

咀嚼槟榔种类与口腔黏膜疾病的流行病学调查分析

目的 研究海南省海口地区嚼食干鲜槟榔嗜好的不同对口腔黏膜疾病发病和癌变的影响。方法 将1 722例有咀嚼槟榔嗜好的人员按嚼食槟榔嗜好不同,分为嚼食鲜槟榔和嚼食干槟榔两组。采用问卷调查、临床检查和定期复诊的方法,收集临床资料,确定罹患口腔黏膜下纤维性变（OSF）、口腔白斑（OLK）、口腔扁平苔藓（OLP）3种口腔黏膜疾病的年龄、人数、发病时间以及是否癌变等,并对数据进行统计学分析。结果 1）在1 722例咀嚼槟榔人群中,嚼食干槟榔组（704例）与嚼食鲜槟榔组（1 018例）黏膜病的患病率无明显差异（P>0.05）,但患病高峰年龄提前（P<0.01）。2）咀嚼干槟榔组5年内所致OSF、OLK和OLP的发病率及口腔黏膜疾病的总发病率均明显高于咀嚼新鲜槟榔组（P<0.01）。3）嚼食干槟榔组口腔黏膜疾病癌变率高于嚼食鲜槟榔组（P<0.01）。结论 嚼食干槟榔比嚼食鲜槟榔的致病性和致癌性更强,干槟榔中过多的有害成分在口腔黏膜疾病的发生和癌变过程中起着重要的协同促进作用。     

Pistachio vicilin, Pis v 3, is immunoglobulin E-reactive and cross-reacts with the homologous cashew allergen, Ana o 1

Background Patients allergic to cashew nuts often report allergy to pistachio, which could be a result of cross-reactivity between the two as both are members of the Anacardiaceae family.
Objective Because cashew 7S globulin (vicilin, Ana o 1) is a recognized major allergen, we cloned the pistachio homologue and assayed it for IgE reactivity and cross-reactivity with Ana o 1.
Methods Degenerate primers for 7S globulin were used in PCR to amplify DNA from a pistachio cDNA library. An isolate was sequenced, cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli . Reactivity to the allergen was screened by dot blot using 19 pistachio and/or cashew-allergic patients' sera. Cross-reactivity was investigated by inhibition dot- and Western immunoblot assays using pistachio/cashew-allergic patients' sera, and monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) raised against recombinant Ana o 1 (rAna o 1).
Results An isolate was found that coded for a 7S vicilin-like protein, designated Pis v 3. IgE reactivity to Pis v 3 was found in the serum of seven of the 19 (37%) patients with histories of allergy to both pistachio and cashew or who were allergic to cashew but had never eaten pistachio. The seven patients with IgE that recognized rPis v 3 also recognized rAna o 1. Six of nine anti-rAna o 1 MAbs also showed reactivity to rPis v 3 on dot blots.
Conclusion Of the 37% of pistachio/cashew-allergic patients' sera that recognized the pistachio allergen, rPis v 3, all showed complete cross-reactivity with rAna o 1. The data does not identify the primary sensitizing agent but suggests that IgE reactivity to rPis v 3 and rAna o 1 is focused on the most conserved regions of the proteins. Clinical histories suggest that in some cases, cashew was the sensitizing agent. rPis v 3 is a likely contributor to the observed co-sensitivity to pistachio and cashew in some patients.