Usefulness of manufactured tomato extracts in the diagnosis of tomato sensitization: Comparison with the prick-prick method

Background

Commercial available skin prick test with fruits can be negative in sensitized or allergic patients due to a reduction in biological activity during the manufacturing process. Prick-prick tests with fresh foods are often preferred, but they are a non-standardized procedure. The usefulness of freeze-dried extracts of Canary Islands tomatoes, comparing the wheal sizes induced by prick test with the prick-prick method in the diagnosis of tomato sensitization has been analyzed. The objective of the study was to assess the potential diagnostic of freeze-dried extracts of Canary Islands tomatoes, comparing the wheal sizes induced by prick test with the prick-prick method.

Methods

Two groups of patients were analyzed: Group I: 26 individuals reporting clinical symptoms induced by tomato contact or ingestion. Group II: 71 control individuals with no symptoms induced by tomato: 12 of them were previously skin prick test positive to a tomato extract, 39 were atopic and 20 were non-atopic. All individuals underwent prick-prick with fresh ripe peel Canary tomatoes and skin prick tested with freeze-dried peel and pulp extracts obtained from peel and pulp of Canary tomatoes at 10 mg/ml. Wheal sizes and prick test positivity (≥ 7 mm²) were compared between groups.

Results

In group I, 21 (81%) out of 26 patients were prick-prick positive. Twenty patients (77%) had positive skin prick test to peel extracts and 12 (46%) to pulp extracts. Prick-prick induced a mean wheal size of 43.81 ± 40.19 mm² compared with 44.25 ± 36.68 mm² induced by the peel extract (Not significant), and 17.79 ± 9.39 mm² induced by the pulp extract (p < 0.01). In group II, 13 (18%) out of 71 control patients were prick-prick positive. Twelve patients (all of them previously positive to peel extract) had positive skin prick test to peel and 3 to pulp. Prick-prick induced a mean wheal size of 28.88 ± 13.12 mm² compared with 33.17 ± 17.55 mm² induced by peel extract (Not significant), and 13.33 ± 4.80 mm² induced by pulp extract (p < 0.05 with peel extract and prick-prick).

Conclusion

Canary peel tomato extract seems to be as efficient as prick-prick tests with ripe tomatoes to diagnose patients sensitized to tomato. The wheal sizes induced by prick-prick and peel extracts were very similar and showed a high correlation coefficient.     

The introduction of fluorine atoms or trifluoromethyl groups in short cationic peptides enhances their antimicrobial activity

The effect of introducing fluorine atoms or trifluoromethyl groups in either the peptidic chain or the C-terminal end of cationic pentapeptides is reported. Three series of amide and ester peptides were synthesised and their antimicrobial properties evaluated. An enhanced activity was found in those derivatives whose structure contained fluorine, suggesting an increase in their hydrophobicity.     

Distribution of epiplanktonic Chaetognatha along a transect in the Indian Ocean

Chaetognaths were identified and counted in 23 samples collectedin the west Indian Ocean along a transect from the Gulf of Adento the Cape of Good Hope, in February–March 1967. Althoughthe hydrographic front located at 5°S does not seem to representa barrier for the distribution of the majority of the species,some of them are in a preferential area south or north of thefront. The principal component analysis indicates the locationswhere the more intense overlapping of species takes place. Itis important to mention the occurrence of S.pseudoserratodentatain the proximity of Madagascar Island.     

Amiloride does not alter NaCl avoidance in Fischer-344 rats

Fischer-344 (F-344) rats differ from other common rat strains in that they fail to show any preference for NaCl at any concentration in two- bottle preference tests. Because 100 microM amiloride partially blocks the NaCl-evoked chorda tympani (CT) response in electrophysiological studies, we tested NaCl preference (0.068-0.273 M) in F-344 rats with and without 100 microM amiloride solution as the solvent. A third group was tested with unadulterated NaCl solutions following CT transection. Amiloride had no significant effect on the NaCl preference-aversion function, whereas CT transection significantly reduced NaCl avoidance. These results suggest that the amiloride-sensitive component of the NaCl response is not necessary for F-344 rats to display avoidance of NaCl, but the entire CT input is.      

Blood leptin homeostasis: sex-associated differences in circulating leptin levels in rats are independent of tissue leptin expression

Circulating leptin levels are higher in women than in men. The aim of the study has been to determine in rats the putative existence of sex-associated differences in leptin expression in different adipose tissue depots (gonadal, retroperitoneal, mesenteric and inguinal white adipose tissue and interscapular brown adipose tissue) and the relationship with circulating leptin levels. Adult male and female Wistar rats acclimated to 22 degrees C or to 28 degrees C were used. Leptin mRNA expression was assessed by northern blot and serum leptin levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Contrary to what happens in humans, we report here that male rats acclimated to standard animal house conditions (22 degrees C) have a higher leptin concentration in blood than female rats. This situation cannot be explained by a greater size of the fat depots in males, because the adiposity index is similar in both genders, but are rather associated to higher leptin specific mRNA expression by the white adipose tissue. Around thermoneutral conditions (28 degrees C), sex related differences in leptin mRNA expression disappear, but the gender difference in circulating leptin levels remains. In addition, leptin mRNA expression is higher in both genders in thermoneutral conditions but this is not reflected in changes in the circulating leptin levels. In conclusion, this study shows that rat circulating leptin levels are finely regulated, and not exclusively dependent on leptin mRNA expression, but other mechanisms are also involved, possibly regarding leptin rate of degradation.     

The essential fatty acid status in phenylketonuria patients under treatment

Phenylketonuric patients are on a special diet that lacks certain essential fatty acids. This study evaluates the essential fatty acid status of a group of phenylketonuric patients in the Netherlands undergoing dietary treatment. To this end, the essential fatty acid status of nine phenylketonuria patients was studied. On the basis of age and gender, two control subjects were selected for each patient. The essential fatty acid composition of duplicate food portions and the essential fatty acid status of plasma and erythrocytes were analyzed. Phenylketonuria subjects had a different essential fatty acid profile from their peers, especially concerning the n-3 fatty acids. N-6 and n-3 fatty long-chain polyenes were hardly consumed by phenylketonuria subjects, in contrast to the control subjects. Linoleic acid, on the other hand, was consumed in significantly higher amounts by phenylketonuria subjects and made up about 40% of their daily fat consumption. The essential fatty acid consumption pattern of the phenylketonuria subjects is mirrored by the essential fatty acid concentrations in blood. The essential fatty acid status of the phenylketonuric diet should be improved in order to prevent deficiency in n-3 fatty acids.     

Moderate caloric restriction during gestation in rats alters adipose tissue sympathetic innervation and later adiposity in offspring

Maternal prenatal undernutrition predisposes offspring to higher adiposity in adulthood. Mechanisms involved in these programming effects, apart from those described in central nervous system development, have not been established. Here we aimed to evaluate whether moderate caloric restriction during early pregnancy in rats affects white adipose tissue (WAT) sympathetic innervation in the offspring, and its relationship with adiposity development. For this purpose, inguinal and retroperitoneal WAT (iWAT and rpWAT, respectively) were analyzed in male and female offspring of control and 20% caloric-restricted (from 1-12 d of pregnancy) (CR) dams. Body weight (BW), the weight, DNA-content, morphological features and the immunoreactive tyrosine hydroxylase and Neuropeptide Y area (TH+ and NPY+ respectively, performed by immunohistochemistry) of both fat depots, were studied at 25 d and 6 m of age, the latter after 2 m exposure to high fat diet. At 6 m of life, CR males but not females, exhibited greater BW, and greater weight and total DNA-content in iWAT, without changes in adipocytes size, suggesting the development of hyperplasia in this depot. However, in rpWAT, CR males but not females, showed larger adipocyte diameter, with no changes in DNA-content, suggesting the development of hypertrophy. These parameters were not different between control and CR animals at the age of 25 d. In iWAT, both at 25 d and 6 m, CR males but not females, showed lower TH(+) and NPY(+), suggesting lower sympathetic innervation in CR males compared to control males. In rpWAT, at 6 m but not at 25 d, CR males but not females, showed lower TH(+) and NPY(+). Thus, the effects of caloric restriction during gestation on later adiposity and on the differences in the adult phenotype between internal and subcutaneous fat depots in the male offspring may be associated in part with specific alterations in sympathetic innervation, which may impact on WAT architecture.     

Marked mitochondrial DNA depletion associated with a novel SUCLG1 gene mutation resulting in lethal neonatal acidosis,multi-organ failure,and interrupted aortic arch

The aim of this study was to identify the causative genetic lesion in two apparently unrelated newborns having lethal lactic acidosis, multi-organ failure and congenital malformations including interrupted aortic arch, who exhibited mild methylmalonic aciduria, combined mitochondrial respiratory chain deficiency, and marked muscle mitochondrial DNA depletion. A novel mutation in the SUCLG1 gene was identified. Phenotype severity in Succinate-CoA ligase dysfunction appears to be more correlated to the muscle mtDNA content than to the tissue distribution of the heterodimer subunits. Prominent impairment of mitochondrial respiratory chain may result in deep ravages in developmental tissues leading to multiple organ failure and malformations.     

Improvement of almond production using Bombus terrestris (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Mediterranean conditions

Almond trees are one of the most important crops in the Balearic Islands. The pollination of almonds is limited to the activity of insects, and cross‐pollination is necessary for fruit development. Currently, honey bees and wild bee populations are declining considerably due to multiple causes, such as the use of pesticides, diseases and habitat loss. An alternative to increase the almond production is the use of commercial pollinators. In this long‐term (3 years) study, the effect of the introduction of Bombus terrestris colonies on almond production was evaluated in two orchards. Two experimental designs were carried out to study the best management of this pollinator. For 2 years, all bumble bee colonies were placed in the middle of the plot and during the last year, the bumble bee colonies were distributed homogenously in the plot. Fruit set and the foraging behaviour of bumble bees during the blossoming period was determined, and the effect of different environmental variables on the visitation rate of bumble bees was assessed by means of a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM). Moreover, for the first time, the spatial distribution of fruit set was evaluated. Our results show that fruit set was significantly higher in the fields where B. terrestris had been introduced than in the control plots. This increased production resulted in a positive economic balance for the farmer. Moreover, bumble bees showed to prefer trees in a southwest orientation that were close to their colony. The activity of bumble bees showed to be significantly influenced by wind speed (the higher the speed the more flowers are visited by B. terrestris) and time after flowering (visitation rate decreased with days after flowering). In order to improve its management and obtain the highest possible almond production, it is important to understand the activity and behaviour of this pollinator.     

Effect of boron on soluble protein and sugar contents of tomato roots

Summary In relation to a biochemical diagnosis of B-affected plants, the influence of boron on soluble protein and sugar contents in roots of tomato plants was investigated. Differences in protein and sugar contents occur throughout the culture period of tomato plant. Boron deficiency results in an accumulation of proteins and both total and reducing sugars.