“Story of Allergens”-collection of rhymes as a tool for dealing with the fear of needles in children

Needle phobia is an extreme psychiatric disorder that includes visual avoidance of the phobic stimulus. The average age of onset is 5.5 years and its incidence decreases with age. This condition often is the main reason for inability to perform skin allergy tests. “Story of Allergens” for home education improves cooperation in doctor-patient- parent interaction.

Anti-Allergic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Neferine on RBL-2H3 Cells

Mast cells play a very important role in skin allergy and inflammation, including atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. In the past, it was found that neferine has anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects on the skin, but its effect on mast cells has not yet been studied in detail. In this study, we used mast cells (RBL-2H3 cells) and mouse models to study the anti-allergic and inflammatory effects of neferine. First, we found that neferine inhibits the degranulation of mast cells and the expression of cytokines. In addition, we observed that when mast cells were stimulated by A23187/phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), the elevation of intracellular calcium was inhibited by neferine. The phosphorylation of the MAPK/NF-κB pathway is also reduced by pretreatment of neferine. The results of in vivo studies show that neferine can improve the appearance of dermatitis and mast cell infiltration caused by dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). Moreover, the expressions of barrier proteins in the skin are also restored. Finally, it was found that neferine can reduce the scratching behavior caused by compound 48/80. Taken together, our results indicate that neferine is a very good anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory natural product. Its effect on mast cells contributes to its pharmacological mechanism.

Dyeing of cotton fabric by Caesalpinia sappan aqueous extract at different temperatures and mordants

The colour is one of the most important features in textile industry and customers requirements. Synthetic colours are available at affordable prices due to their bulk production. On the other hand, they pose undesirable taste (in case of foods) and harmful effects to ecosystem. The natural colours when used in textiles do not threat the environments and do not cause any skin allergy, toxicity and other hazards to living things as compared to the synthetic counterparts. In the present study, dyeing experiments were conducted with the aqueous extract of bark chips of Caesalpinia sappan at 60, 80 and100° C and using different mordant treatments. The fastness to washing for most of cotton fabrics showed fair grey scale rating. Among the mordants Alum, CuSo4 and Myrobalan used, the natural mordant myrobalan showed poor fastness properties compared to other two mordants. The staining tests showed that most of fabrics exhibited only slight/completely no pilling in majority of the treatments.

Factors associated with the development of skin allergies in premature newborns in the first year of life

ABSTRACT Objective To identify the factors associated with the development of skin allergies in the first year of life in moderate and late preterm infants. Method: This is a cross-sectional study with 151 moderate and late preterm infants, born between May 2016 and May 2017. Participants were evaluated in the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th months of life, in telephone interviews. Statistical analyzes were performed in the SPSS software with frequency comparison tests and logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of skin allergy, in the perception of caregivers, among late and moderate preterm infants was 16%. Factors such as being admitted to neonatal intensive care (p = 0.006) and not being breastfed (p = 0.041) showed a significant association with the development of skin allergies in the 3rd and 12th months of life, respectively. Conclusion: Skin allergy, in the perception of caregivers, is more severe in newborn infants who have clinical respiratory and gastrointestinal manifestations, be it conditioning or cause-effect. Breastfeeding proved to be a protective factor in the first year of life.