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- Bousquet, J, et al.
(author)
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Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19: time for research to develop adaptation strategies
- 2020
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In: Clinical and translational allergy. - : Wiley. - 2045-7022. ; 10:1, s. 58-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPARγ:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NFκB: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2α:Elongation initiation factor 2α). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT1R axis (AT1R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity.
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- Bousquet, J., et al.
(author)
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Scaling up strategies of the chronic respiratory disease programme of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (Action Plan B3: Area 5)
- 2016
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In: Clinical and Translational Allergy. - : Wiley. - 2045-7022. ; 6:1, s. 1-18
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Action Plan B3 of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA) focuses on the integrated care of chronic diseases. Area 5 (Care Pathways) was initiated using chronic respiratory diseases as a model. The chronic respiratory disease action plan includes (1) AIRWAYS integrated care pathways (ICPs), (2) the joint initiative between the Reference site MACVIA-LR (Contre les MAladies Chroniques pour un VIeillissement Actif) and ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma), (3) Commitments for Action to the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing and the AIRWAYS ICPs network. It is deployed in collaboration with the World Health Organization Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD). The European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing has proposed a 5-step framework for developing an individual scaling up strategy: (1) what to scale up: (1-a) databases of good practices, (1-b) assessment of viability of the scaling up of good practices, (1-c) classification of good practices for local replication and (2) how to scale up: (2-a) facilitating partnerships for scaling up, (2-b) implementation of key success factors and lessons learnt, including emerging technologies for individualised and predictive medicine. This strategy has already been applied to the chronic respiratory disease action plan of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing.
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- Björkstén, Bengt, et al.
(author)
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Allergy development and the intestinal microflora during the first year of life
- 2001
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In: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. - 0091-6749 .- 1097-6825. ; 108:4, s. 516-520
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The intestinal microflora is a likely source for the induction of immune deviation in infancy. Objective: The purpose of this study was to prospectively relate the intestinal microflora to allergy development in 2 countries differing with respect to the prevalence of atopic diseases. Methods: Newborn infants were followed prospectively through the first 2 years of life in Estonia (n = 24) and Sweden (n = 20). By that age, 9 Estonian and 9 Swedish infants had developed atopic dermatitis and/or positive skin prick test results. Stool samples were obtained at 5 to 6 days and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, and 13 groups of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms were cultivated through use of standard methods. Results: In comparison with healthy infants, babies who developed allergy were less often colonized with enterococci during the first month of life (72 % vs 96 %, P < .05) and with bifidobacteria during the first year of life (17 % to 39 % vs 42 % to 69 %, P < .05). Furthermore, allergic infants had higher counts of clostridia at 3 months (median value, 10.3 vs 7.2 log(10), P < .05). The prevalence of colonization with Staphylococcus aureus was also higher at 6 months (61 % vs 23 %, P < .05), whereas the counts of Bacteroides were lower at 12 months (9.9 vs 10.6 log(10), P < .05). Conclusion: Differences in the composition of the gut flora between infants who will and infants who will not develop allergy are demonstrable before the development of any clinical manifestations of atopy. Because the observations were made in 2 countries with different standards of living, we believe that our findings could indicate a role for the intestinal microflora in the development of and protection from allergy.
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- Idavain, J., et al.
(author)
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Respiratory symptoms, asthma and levels of fractional exhaled nitric oxide in schoolchildren in the industrial areas of Estonia
- 2019
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In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 650:Pt 1, s. 65-72
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: Exposure to air pollutants in the ambient environment has been associated with various respiratory symptoms, and with increased asthma diagnosis, in both children and adults. Most research to date has focussed on core pollutants, such as PM10, PM2.5, SO2 and NO2, and less attention has been given to the effects of industry-specific contamination. The current study aimed to examine the associations between respiratory symptoms, asthma, increased levels of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) (as a marker of eosinophilic airway inflammation) and ambient levels of industrial pollutants (such as benzene, phenol, formaldehyde and non-methane hydrocarbons) for schoolchildren living near oil shale industries in Ida-Viru County, Estonia.METHODS: A total of 1326 schoolchildren from Ida-Viru, Lääne-Viru and Tartu Counties participated in a cross-sectional study, consisting of questionnaires on respiratory symptoms and asthma, as well as clinical examinations to measure FeNO. Dispersion modelling was used to characterize individual-level exposure to industrial air pollutants at each subject's home address. Associations between exposure and respiratory health were investigated using logistic regression analysis, and differences in results between regions were analysed using the Chi-squared test.RESULTS: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms (p < 0.05) in children living near (i.e. within 5 km) of an oil shale industry site in Ida-Viru County was 2-4 times higher than in children living in the reference area of Tartu County. Children exposed to 1 μg/m3 higher levels of benzene and formaldehyde had a higher odds ratio (OR) of having rhinitis without a cold (OR 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.06), of ever having had attacks of asthma (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.10) and of having a dry cough a few days per year (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.10). Children exposed to 1 μg/m3 higher levels of benzene, formaldehyde, phenol and non-methane hydrocarbons had a higher odds ratio of having high FeNO levels (≥30 ppb): OR and 95% CI of 1.05, 1.01-1.09; 1.22, 1.06-1.41; 1.01, 1.00-1.01; and 1.75, 1.75-2.62, respectively.
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- Julge, K, et al.
(author)
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Development of allergy and IgE antibodies during the first five years of life in Estonian children
- 2001
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In: Clinical and Experimental Allergy. - : Wiley. - 0954-7894 .- 1365-2222. ; 31:12, s. 1854-1861
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a low prevalence of allergic diseases and atopic sensitization among schoolchildren and young adults in the formerly socialist countries of Central and Eastern Europe as compared to Western Europe. Objective: The aim of our study was to prospectively investigate IgE responses to food and inhalant allergens and the development of allergy during early childhood in a population with a low prevalence of atopic disorders. Methods: In a population-based prospective study, 273 children were followed from birth through the first 5 years of life, recording manifestations of allergy by questionnaires and clinical examinations at 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 years (n = 213). Skin prick tests (SPT) were performed using natural foods (cow's milk, egg white) and commercial extracts of inhaled allergens (cat, dog, D. pteronyssinus, birch, timothy). In addition, serum IgE levels and circulating IgE antibodies against the seven allergens were determined. Results: The prevalence of allergic diseases at 5 years of life was 19%. Atopic dermatitis was the most common allergic disease at all ages. The point prevalence of positive skin prick tests was 7% at 0.5, 1 and 2 years of age, and 3% at 5 years. Circulating IgE antibodies against food allergens were common at all ages, i.e. 13, 23, 36 and 36%, respectively, at 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 years. The prevalence of circulating IgE antibodies to inhalant allergens increased from 1.5% at 0.5 years to 11% at 1, 19% at 2 and 47% at 5 years. The antibody levels were generally low, however. The value of positive SPT and the presence of IgE antibodies in the diagnosis of clinical allergy were low. Conclusion: The results of this prospective study carried out in a previously socialist country with a low allergy prevalence among schoolchildren and young adults indicate that transient sensitization in early childhood is followed by a down-regulation of skin reactivity.
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- Vasar, M, et al.
(author)
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Development of atopic sensitisation adn allergic disease in early childhood.
- 2000
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In: Acta Paediatrica. - 0803-5253 .- 1651-2227. ; 89:5, s. 523-527
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Atopic diseases and atopic sensitization were studied from birth up to 2 y in a population-based prospective study. Physical examinations were done at 6, 12 and 24 mo, including skin-prick tests and blood samples, for the determination of serum IgE level and circulating IgE antibodies to food and inhalant allergens. In addition, questionnaire surveys were done about clinical symptoms of allergy, infections and the home environment. At 2 y the prevalences of definite and probable atopic diseases were 17% and 13%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of allergy was 25%. Atopic dermatitis was the main manifestation of atopy, with a peak prevalence of 15% at 2 y. The prevalence of positive skin-prick tests was constant at all ages, i.e. 7% at 6, 12 and 24 mo. Positive skin-prick tests against inhaled allergens were more than twice as common at 24 than at 12 mo, while sensitivity to food decreased. In contrast, circulating IgE antibodies to egg became more common with age, reaching 20% at 2 y. Conclusions: The present study indicates that manifestations of allergic diseases and incidence of sensitization to foods and inhalants are equally common in Estonian and Scandinavian children during the first 2 y of life, despite a much lower prevalence among older children and adults in Estonia.
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