Avaliamos os mecanismos regulatórios desencadeados pela imunização materna na resposta alérgica da prole OVA. A imunização materna com OVA promoveu alterações como o aumento da expressão dos receptores FcgRIIb nos linfócitos B esplênicos dos neonatos aos 3 dias de idade (d.i.), o que se manteve até os 20 d.i. Com a imunização das proles no período neonatal a imunização materna inibiu a produção de anticorpos IgE anti-OVA. Além disso, foi observado na população de linfócitos B da prole o aumento da expressão dos receptores FcgRIIb e CD44. A transferência passiva de IgG de mães imunes no pós-natal mostrou uma inibição da produção de IgE, e no período pré-natal foi capaz de reduzir a expressão das moléculas CD40 e CD23 nos linfócitos B e a secreção de IL-10 em linfócitos T CD4 na prole no período neonatal. As evidências mostram que a imunização pré-concepcional com OVA induz mecanismos que regulam a resposta IgE da prole imunizada no período neonatal, o que foi parcialmente observado com a transferência passiva de anticorpos IgG durante o período pré e pós-natal. / To evaluate the regulatory mechanisms triggered by maternal immunization in the immune response of the offspring, the effect of preconceptional immunization with OVA was evaluated. Maternal immunization with OVA led to early alteration with increased expression of FcgRIIb in B lymphocytes from 3 days old pups. Offspring from immune mother showed diminished percentage of CD4 T cells IL-4+. The immunization of offspring during neonatal period showed that maternal immunization inhibits the production of anti-OVA IgE antibodies. The evaluation of CD4 T cell population revealed diminished IL-4+ cells. Passive IgG transfer from immune mother during neonatal period showed inhibition in the IgE synthesis, during pregnancy showed capacity to reduce the expression of CD40 molecules in B cells from neonatal pups. These evidences show that maternal OVA immunization down regulates the IgE response of offspring including phenotypic and functional alteration in B and CD4 T cells. These alterations were partially observed with IgG transfer during pregnancy or after birth.

Submitted by Geandra Rodrigues (geandrar@gmail.com) on 2018-07-12T15:38:23Z No. of bitstreams: 0 / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2018-07-16T17:43:46Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-16T17:43:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2016-01-15 / A esquistossomose é uma doença parasitária causada por vermes do gênero Schistosoma e afeta principalmente comunidades sem acesso adequado a água potável e condições de saneamento adequadas. O praziquantel é o fármaco indicado para o tratamento desta parasitose e não há vacina disponível. As NTPDases são uma família de proteínas que catalisam a hidrólise de nucleosídeos di e tri fosfatados, sendo amplamente distribuídas nos organismos. Duas isoformas de NTPDases (SmATPDase1 e SmATPDase2) foram descritas em Schistosoma mansoni. Sugerese que a SmATPDase1 regule a concentração extracelular de nucleosídeos di e tri fosfatados, influenciando diretamente em eventos trombóticos e ativação de células do sistema imune. Dessa maneira, a inibição da ATP-difosfohidrolase por fármacos ou anticorpos torna-se uma estratégia interessante no combate a esquistossomose. Intensa resposta do tipo Th2, elevação dos níveis de IgE e das citocinas IL-4, IL-5 e IL-13 são características marcantes em infecções helmínticas e alergias. Acredita-se que esta semelhança se deve ao fato que a resposta alérgica tenha surgido inicialmente para conter parasitos, hipótese reforçada pela imunoreatividade cruzada descrita entre proteínas presentes em parasitos e alérgenos. Acreditamos que a isoforma SmATPDAse1 seja um dos principais antígenos indutores de anticorpos IgE (imunoglobulinas com função protetora) durante a esquistossomose mansônica. Neste trabalho, por análise in silico identificamos potenciais epitopos de IgE na estrutura linear da SmATPDase1. Destas sequências, três peptídeos foram sintetizados por fase sólida e utilizados em ensaios de ELISA e de imunização. Em ensaios de ELISA, observou-se a capacidade destes peptídeos ligarem anticorpos IgE e IgG4 em soros de pacientes com esquistossomose, assim como IgE e IgG1 nos soros de animais experimentalmente infectados. Por ELISA, não foi possível observar diferença significativa na produção de anticorpos IgE e IgG1 após a imunização de camundongos com os peptídeos. No entanto, os soros imunes foram capazes de identificar a isoforma 1 da NTPDase de S. mansoni em ensaios de western blots. A identidade da proteína reconhecida foi confirmada por espectrometria de massas. Os resultados dão suporte a hipótese de que estes peptídeos sintetizados correspondam a epitopos ligadores e indutores de IgE presentes na SmATPDase1. Dessa maneira, tais peptídeos podem ser explorados como ferramentas de estudos das NTPDases, por meio da produção de anticorpos contra eles, ou até mesmo no desenvolvimento de imunoterapias em doenças alérgicas, auto-imunes e na própria esquistossomose. / Schistosomiasis is a neglected disease caused by blood flukes (trematode worms) of the genus Schistosoma. This disease affects mostly communities without proper access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. Praziquantel is the only drug available for this infection and vaccines are currently unavailable at the market. The NTPDases are a family of proteins that catalyze the hydrolysis of nucleoside di and tri phosphates and are widely distributed in the organisms. In Schistosoma mansoni, two isoforms of NTPDases (SmATPDase1 and SmATPDase2) were described and might play important role in the parasite physiology. The SmATPase1 controls extracellular concentration of nucleoside di and tri phosphates, regulating blood clotting and immune system cells activation. In addition, this isoform might be one of the major IgE (a protective immunoglobulin) inducing antigen in the course of schistosomiasis infection. Thus, the inhibition of ATP-diphosphohydrolase by drugs or antibodies is an interesting strategy to target schistosomiasis. Intense Th2 response and high levels of IgE and cytokines IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 are characteristic of helminth infections and allergies. It is suggested that this similarity is not only by chance, but it is due the fact that the allergic response started as a form of counter parasites - hypothesis supported by cross reactivity between proteins from parasites and allergens. In this work, we identified potential IgE epitopes in the linear structure of SmATPDase1 by in silico analysis. Three peptides were synthesized by solid phase and used in ELISA and immunization assays. The ELISA assays showed the capacity of these peptides to bind IgE and IgG4 antibodies in human serum and IgE and IgG1 in infected animals. However, no significant difference was found in the production of IgE and IgG1 after animal immunization with these molecules. Nevertheless, these immune sera were capable of identifying the SmATPDase1 in western blot assays and the identity of the enzyme was confirmed by mass spectrometry. These findings support the hypothesis that these peptides correspond to IgE epitopes. Furthermore, some results also suggest that these peptides are capable of binding natural antibodies that target self-proteins and are homologues to the investigated peptides. Thus, these peptides might be explored as tools for the study of NTPDases, through the production of antibodies against these epitopes, or as immunotherapeutics for treatment of allergies, auto-immune diseases and schistosomiasis.

Orientador: Flavia Maria Netto / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T21:18:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Pessato_TassiaBatista_M.pdf: 1693373 bytes, checksum: c84093b37be90c1b31ce17c6722db6a1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: O leite bovino é um dos alimentos mais alergênicos na primeira infância, sendo as caseínas e as duas principais proteínas do soro - ?-lactoalbumina (?-La) e ?-lactoglobulina (?-Lg) - os principais alérgenos. A hidrólise enzimática reduz a antigenicidade de proteínas e pode ser realizada com enzima livre ou imobilizada. A enzima imobilizada não requer inativação ao final da hidrólise, sendo retirada por filtração enquanto que a enzima livre precisa ser inativada, geralmente por aquecimento, para interromper a reação. Diferenças na atividade catalítica e de inativação podem acarretar em características diferentes dos hidrolisados formados. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da hidrólise do isolado proteico de soro de leite bovino (IPS) com Alcalase livre (AL) e imobilizada em glioxil-agarose (AIm) nas características dos hidrolisados e na detecção de ?-La e ?-Lg por teste ELISA. As melhores condições de hidrólise do IPS com AL ou AIm foram estabelecidas por delineamento composto central rotacional (DCCR) 22. As variáveis independentes foram pH (7,0 a 9,0) e temperatura (45 a 65°C), a variável dependente foi grau de hidrólise (GH), determinado pelo método de pH-stat. Os hidrolisados foram caracterizados quanto ao perfil de hidrofilicidade por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência de fase reversa (CLAE-FR) e, as análises posteriores, foram realizadas em hidrolisados tanto com AL (HAL) quanto com AIm (HAIm) obtidos em três condições de hidrólise. O perfil de massa molecular (MM) foi avaliado por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência de exclusão molecular (CLAE-EM) e eletroforese (SDS-PAGE e SDS-PAGE/Tricina). A agregação dos hidrolisados foi estimada por turbidez e hidrofobicidade superficial (S0) e a detecção dos alérgenos foi realizada pelo método de Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) utilizando kits comerciais. Sob as mesmas condições de hidrólise, os valores de GH obtidos nos ensaios do DCCR com a AIm (9,5 a 22,2 %) foram, menores do que os obtidos com a AL (18 a 24 %), possivelmente em função de impedimentos estéricos resultantes da imobilização. As melhores condições de hidrólise do IPS com AIm, dentro das faixas de pH e temperatura estudadas, foram obtidas em temperaturas acima de 60°C. O DCCR com a AL não resultou em modelo devido à pequena variação dos resultados entre os ensaios. Os perfis cromatográficos (CLAE-FR) dos HAIm apresentaram mais picos na região de baixa hidrofilicidade do que os HAL. Os HAIm apresentaram peptídeos de MM maiores que os HAL, o que está relacionado aos menores GH produzidos com a AIm. Os HAL apresentaram menores valores de S0 que os HAIm, sugerindo a ocultação de sítios hidrofóbicos no interior dos agregados. As análises de turbidez em diferentes solventes mostraram que interações hidrofóbicas, pontes de hidrogênio e pontes dissulfeto são as principais forças envolvidas na formação dos agregados. A hidrólise com AL e AIm diminuiu significativamente a detecção das proteínas alergênicas. A detecção dessas proteínas foi maior nos HAIm devido, possivelmente, aos menores GH desses hidrolisados. Porém, os resultados sugerem que as características dos hidrolisados resultantes das condições de hidrólise e a formação de agregados estabilizados por diferentes interações também tiveram efeito na detecção dos alérgenos / Abstract: Cow's milk is one of the most allergenic foods in infancy, with the two major caseins and whey proteins - ?-lactalbumin (?-La) and ?-lactoglobulin (?-Lg) - the main allergens. Enzymatic hydrolysis considerably reduces the antigenicity of proteins, and can be performed with free or immobilized enzyme. The immobilized enzyme does not require inactivation at the end of hydrolysis and can be removed by filtration, while the free enzyme must be inactivated, usually by heating, to stop the reaction. Differences in catalytic activity and inactivation may result in hydrolysates with distinct characteristics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of hydrolysis of whey protein isolate (WPI) with free Alcalase (AL) and Alcalase immobilized on glyoxyl agarose (Alm) on the characteristics of hydrolysates and detection of ?-La e ?-Lg by ELISA test. The best conditions for the hydrolysis of WPI using AL or Alm were established by 22 central composite rotational design (CCRD). The independent variables were pH (7.0 and 9.0) and temperature (45 to 65 °C), whereas the dependent variable was the degree of hydrolysis (DH) determined by the pH-stat method. All hydrolysates were characterized for the hydrophilicity profile by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), and the subsequent analyses were performed in both hydrolysates by AL (HAL) and Alm (HAlm) from three conditions of hydrolysis. The molecular weight profile (MW) was assessed by size exclusion high performance liquid chromatography (SE-HPLC) and electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE and SDS-PAGE/Tricine). The aggregation of hydrolysates was estimated by turbidity and surface hydrophobicity (S0) and the allergens ?-La and ?-Lg in the hydrolysates were detected by the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method using commercial kits. Under the same hydrolysis conditions, the DH values obtained with the Alm as defined by CCRD (9.5 to 22.2%) were lower than the values found for AL (18 to 24%), possibly due to the steric hindrance resulting from immobilization. The best conditions for hydrolysis of WPI by Alm within the pH and temperature ranges of this study were found at temperatures above 60 °C. The CCRD with the AL did not provide a model due to the little variation between trials. The chromatographic profiles (RP-HPLC) of HAlm exhibited more peaks in the hydrophilic low-complexity region than HAL. HAlm showed peptides with higher MW than HAL, which is related to the lower DH produced with Alm. The HAL had lower S0 values than HAlm, suggesting the hiding of hydrophobic sites in the interior part of the aggregates. The turbidity analyses showed that hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonds, and disulfide bonds were the main forces involved in the formation of aggregates. The hydrolysis with AL and Alm significantly decreased the detection of the allergenic proteins, which was higher in HAlm probably due to the lower DH of these hydrolysates. However, the results suggested that the characteristics of the hydrolysates resulting from the conditions of hydrolysis, and the formation of aggregates stabilized by different interactions also had an effect on the detection of allergens / Mestrado / Nutrição Experimental e de Alimentos / Mestra em Alimentos e Nutrição

Orientadores: Maria Helena Andrade Santana,Ricardo de Lima Zollner / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-04T03:10:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Albuquerque_ElaineChristinedeMagalhaesCabral_D.pdf: 16369723 bytes, checksum: f3f48ecee87fc1981e22d876f53c0904 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Resumo: Os problemas alérgicos respiratórios afetam grande parte da população mundial e 10-40% da população brasileira. Atualmente, o tratamento dessas desordens respiratórias consiste a imunoterapia convencional e na farmacoterapia. Embora a imunoterapia convencional apresente boa eficiência no tratamento de alergias respiratórias, o longo tempo de tratamento e a presença de reações sistêmicas adversas constituem grandes desvantagens, uma vez que o alérgeno é administrado na sua forma livre. Uma alternativa para reduzir ou eliminar essas desvantagens seria a encapsulação do alérgeno em sistemas de liberação controlada. Dentre esses sistemas, lipossomas e microesferas poliméricas apresentam-se promissores, uma vez que são capazes não somente de proteger e reduzir a toxicidade do composto ativo encupsulado, mas também de aumentar seu tempo de circulação in vivo. Os lipossomas são biocompatíveis, não imunogênicos, potentes adjuvantes imunológicos e apresentam a capacidade única de interagir com as células. As microesferas, no entanto, vem sendo extensivamente usadas em sistemas de liberação devido a sua capacidade de atuar como reservatório, capaz de liberar as macromoléculas por dias, meses ou anos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi a preparação e encapsulação do extratoalérgico obtido da biomassa fúngica de Drechslera (Helminthosporium) monóceras em lipossomas e microesferas. Lipossomas convencionais e furtivos e microesferas de ácido poli-lático-co-glicólico foram usados neste trabalho... Observação: O resumo, na íntegra, poderá ser visualizado no texto completo da tese digital / Abstract: Respiratory allergic disorders affect a great number of individuals throughout the world. Nowadays, conventional therapies for atopic individuals comprise specific immunotherapy and pharmacotherapy. In general, the immunotherapy using free allergens produces adverse systemic reactions of varying intensity and frequency. In order to circumvent these problems, several approaches have been explored. Among them, liposomes and microspheres have been studied as promising vehicles as carriers of allergens for desensitization immunotherapy in allergy. Liposomes are small phospholipid vesicles composed of nontoxic, biodegradable, and naturally occurring immune response and producing a pronounced depot effect after subcutaneous injection. Microspheres have also been widely investigated in drug delivery studies due to their capability of presenting antigens to the immune system over a long time. A large number of natural and synthetic polymers are potentially suitable for production of the wall-forming polymer. Synthetic biodegradable poly (lactide-co-glycolide) copolymers are among the primary candidates due to their excellent tissue biocompatibility, biodegradability and regulatory approval. The aim of this work is to prepare and characterize liposomes and micrspheres entrapping allergenic extract from Dechlera (Helminthosporium) monoceras and ovoalbumin. The in vivo effects of the sequential administration of both asjuvants containing ovoalbumin were also evaluated by analysis of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels...Note: The complete abstract is available with the full electronic digital thesis or dissertations / Doutorado / Desenvolvimento de Processos Biotecnologicos / Doutor em Engenharia Química

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T13:57:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao_Adriana_Muino_Garcia.pdf: 622784 bytes, checksum: d172556f6382623c1c270d2969f20698 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-12-18 / Wheezing patterns during childhood have important prognostic implications. The aim of this study was to measure the prevalence of wheezing patterns in a sub-sample of the 1993 Pelotas, Brazil, birth cohort, interviewed at birth , 6 and 12 month, 4 and 10-12 years of age. The wheezing patterns studied were: transient, persistent, late onset and recurrent. The total of the sub-sample was 897 children (20% systematic sample from the original cohort) with the prevalence and 95% confidence interval of wheezing patterns as follows: transient 44.7% (40.7-47.2); persistent 6.4% (4.8-8.0); late onset 3.3% (2.2-4.5); recurrent 4.1% (2.8-5.4). The independent variables associated with the wheezing patterns were: a) transient wheeze: low family income, shorter duration of breast-feeding, respiratory infections (6 and/or 12 months) and family history of asthma; b) persistent: male sex, asthma during pregnancy, respiratory infections in infancy and family history of asthma (4 and 10-12 years; c) late onset: family history of asthma (10-12 years old), medical diagnoses of rhinitis (10-12 years old) and as protective factors respiratory infections in infancy and a medical diagnosis of eczema (at adolescence); d) recurrent: smoking during pregnancy and having no asthma in the family. Identifying wheezing patterns and associated factors allow us to adopt preventive measures and to avoid lung function deterioration in adult life. / Os padrões de sibilância respiratória têm importantes implicações prognósticas. O objetivo deste estudo foi estudar estes padrões em uma sub-amostra da coorte de 1993 de Pelotas, Brasil, com vários acompanhamentos (nascimento, 6 e 12 meses, 4 e 10-12 anos de idade). Os padrões estudados foram: transitório, persistente, de início tardio e recorrente. A sub-amostra totalizou 897 crianças (sub-amostra sistemática de 20% da coorte original) com prevalências e IC 95% de: padrão transitório 44,7% (40,7-47,2); persistente 6,4% (4,8-8,0); início tardio 3,3% (2,2-4,5); recorrente 4,1% (2,8-5,4). As variáveis independentes associadas a estes padrões foram: a) para sibilância transitória: baixa renda, menor duração da amamentação, infecções respiratórias (6 e/ou 12 meses) e asma na família (quatro anos); b) para persistente: sexo masculino, asma na gravidez, infecções respiratórias na infância e histórico familiar de asma; c) de início tardio: histórico de asma, diagnóstico médico de rinite (10-12 anos) e diagnóstico médico de eczema (10-12 anos) e como fator protetor infecções respiratórias na infância; d) para recorrente: fumo na gestação e ausência de asma na família (quatro anos). A identificação destes padrões e de seus fatores associados permite a adoção de condutas terapêuticas para impedir déficit de função pulmonar posteriormente.

Födoämnesallergi är en dold sjukdom som inte blir synlig förrän individen utvecklar en allergisk reaktion. Därifrån kan det snabbt handla om liv och död. Kroppens fysiska reaktion är väl utforskad och trots det, är hur sjukdomen påverkar patientens livssituation relativt outforskat. Omvårdnadslitteratur inom risker och åtgärder vid allergi nämner ytterst lite om födoämnesallergi. Studiens syfte var att beskriva patienters erfarenheter och uppfattningar av att leva med IgE-medierad födoämnesallergi. Genom en litteraturstudie framstod fyra teman: Rädsla och förlust av säkerhet, Att hantera vardagen, Betydelsen av information vad gäller märkning av livsmedel och Vikten av stöd från omgivningen. Upplevelsen av att inte ha kontroll, en ständig risk för oanade reaktioner, att inte alltid ha förståelse och behöva försvara sina behov, gav en negativ emotionell respons. Påverkan på livssituationen jämfört mellan lätt födoämnesallergi och svår födoämnesallergi var markant. Vägen tillbaka till en fungerande vardag bestod av strategier, förståelse, samt försoning. Ändå fanns hinder i omgivningen kvar. Kunskapen som genererades från studien är viktig för att sjuksköterskan ska kunna vårda en födoämnesallergisk patient utan att hindra läkande och känsla av säkerhet. Samhället behöver möta patientgruppens behov genom anpassning för att livskvalitet ska kunna uppnås. / Food allergy is a hidden disability that does not become visible until the individual develops an allergic reaction. From there on it can quickly become a matter of life or death. The physical response has been well researched and yet how the disease affects the patient’s life situation is relatively unexploded. Nursing literature regarding allergy risks and interventions mention little about food allergy. The aim of the study was therefore to highlight patients’ experiences and perceptions of living with IgE-mediated food allergy. Through a literature study four themes emerged: Fear and loss of security, Managing everyday life, Importance of information regarding labeling of food and The importance of support from others. The experience of not having control, a constant risk of unsuspected reactions, not always having an understanding from others and having to defend their needs gave a negative emotional response. The way back to an ordinary living consisted of strategies, understanding and reconciliation, yet there were still obstacles left in the environment. The knowledge of this study can be used in caring for a food allergic patient without jeopardizing healing process and feeling of security. The society needs to meet the patient group’s needs through adaptation, to achieve quality of life.

SAMMANFATTNING Introduktion Olika typer av allergier utgör de vanligaste folksjukdomarna i Sverige. Allergenspecifik immunterapi (ASIT) är en behandlingsmetod för patienter med måttlig till svår allergisk rinit med eller utan astma, då symtomlindrande behandling varit otillräcklig. Syfte Syftet med denna studie var att få ökad kunskap om hur patienter skattar sina allergiska symtom, skattning av egenvårds medicinering samt skattning av den hälsorelaterade livskvaliteten, före, under och efter avslutad ASIT-behandling mot björkpollen och/eller 5-gräs. Metod Studien var en kvantitativ registerstudie med deskriptiv och komparativ ansats. Patienters skattning av allergiska symtom och skattning av egenvårds medicinering samt den skattade livskvaliteten har studerats. Datainsamlingen är gjord under åren 2005 - 2009 med hjälp av ett självskattningsformulär som tilldelades patienter som fick ASIT-behandling på en Lung- och allergimottagning på ett sjukhus i mellan Sverige. Undersökningsgruppen bestod av 42 patienter, 22 män och 20 kvinnor. Medelåldern i gruppen var 34,7 år. Resultat Resultatet i denna studie visade att det finns ett negativt samband mellan patienters skattning av allergiska symtom och skattning av livskvalitet både före och efter avslutad ASIT behandling. Livskvaliteten skattades signifikant högre mellan första och sista mätningen i hela patientgruppen. Både kvinnor och män skattade lägre egenvårds medicinering under behandlingstiden, men resultatet visar inte på några signifikanta skillnader i skattning av medicinering mellan kvinnor och män. Resultatet visade inga skillnader mellan könen avseende förändringen i den skattade livskvaliteten. Slutsats Patienterna skattar mindre allergiska symtom och lägre behov av egenvårds medicinering men högre livskvalitet efter ASIT-behandling. Resultatet visar inga skillnader mellan könen. Sådan kunskap kan bidra till värdefull information till vårdgivaren och det i sin tur kan bidra till en bättre omvårdnad av patienter som erhåller ASIT-behandling. / ABSTRACT Introduction Different types of allergies constitutes one of the public health diseases in Sweden. Allergenspecific immunotherapy (ASIT) is a treatment for patients with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis with or without asthma, where symptomatic treatment was insufficient. Aim The aim of this study was to obtain knowledge about how patients estimate their allergic symptoms, their estimation for self-care medication and their estimation of quality of life before, during and after ending the ASIT-treatment with birch pollen and or 5-grass allergen. Method A descriptive, comparative, quantitative patient journal study was conducted. Patients estimation of their allergy symptoms, their estimation of self-care medication and estimation of quality of life have been studied. The data was collected during the years of 2005-2009 by using self -assessment questionnaires wish was given to patients that was receiving ASIT treatmentat a Lung and Allergy Department, at a hospital in the middle of Sweden. The study group consisted of 42 patients, 22 men and 20 women with a mean age of 34,7 years. Results The main findings of this study shows that there is a negative connection between patient’s estimation of their allergic symptoms and quality of life both before and after ending ASIT treatment. Patients estimation of the quality of life got significantly higher in the whole study group comparing first and last measurement. Both women and men estimated lowered selfcare medication during the treatment period, but no significantly differences could be found between the genders regarding estimation of their medication. The result showed no differences between the genders regarding estimation of quality of life. Conclusion Patients estimated less allergic symptoms and lower need of self-care medication but a higher quality of life after ASIT-treatment. The result shows no differences between genders. Such knowledge can contribute to valuable information to caregivers and in turn it may result in a better care of patients who receives ASIT-treatment.

The purpose of the present study was to objectively verify psychological and behavioral changes in a group of identifiably susceptible patients who were treated for environmental sensitivities in a highly controlled environment. The subjects were 71 Environmental Control Unit (ECU) patient volunteers and 16 nonpatient volunteers for a total of 87. The patients were divided into a short-treatment (fasting 3-4 days) group (n = 35) and a long-treatment (fasting 5-7 days) group (n = 36). A third group, consisting of the 16 nonpatients, formed a nonpatient/no-treatment control group. All subjects were administered tests for assessment of intellectual/cognitive functioning, neurological/cerebral functioning, perceptual-motor skills, mood states, and general psychopathology.

Denna studie undersöker hur märkning på livsmedelsförpackningar kan göras tydligare för personer med nötallergi. Tidigare studier visar att det finns brister i dagens märkningar och att detta i sin tur skapar problem. Därför har denna studie som avsikt att ta reda på hur allergeninformation för nötallergiker kan förbättras och göras tydligare. Detta tillämpas genom att studiens forskare tar fram ett designförslag som ska komplettera obligatorisk märkning på livsmedelsförpackningar. För att ta reda på hur detta designförslag ska utformas inleds designprocessen med en litteraturstudie och där en cross-case-analys genomförs. Genom denna analys hittas trender och mönster i tidigare studier. Därefter tillämpas en design space-analys där trenderna, olika designprinciper samt forskarnas egna kunskaper kombineras för att utforska olika designalternativ. Alternativ som i slutändan skapar en grund för en design. Studiens forskare skapar symboler, närmare bestämt piktogram. Eftersom jordnötsallergi och nötallergi är olika typer av allergier skapas två stycken piktogram. Piktogrammen, som är cirkelformade, får ett varnande budskap som förmedlas med hjälp av färgerna gul och svart. Piktogrammen utvärderas och testas genom att fem personliga intervjuer genomförs. Intervjuerna görs med personer som är allergiska mot jordnötter och/eller nötter. Forskarna testar piktogrammen genom att placera dem på en livsmedelsförpackning och ställer sedan frågor om bl.a. första intryck, färger och placering. Analysen visar att piktogram mycket väl kan användas som kompletterande märkning på livsmedelsförpackningar. Vidare konstateras det att valet av färg inverkar på den association som sändaren vill förmedla. Intervjuerna visar även att piktogrammen fördelaktigt kan placeras på förpackningens framsida. Studiens syfte har uppnåtts till viss mån, då intervjuerna visar att det ena piktogrammet behöver utvecklas för att tydligare kommunikation för nötallergiker ska kunna skapas.

Abstract Despite the common recommendations of the criteria for the diagnosis of asthma there is still a wide variation within different regions in diagnoses, use of medications and hospitalisation rates especially among young children. This thesis elucidates the role of spesified environmental risk factors associated with the development of atopic diseases in childhood. In two prospective follow-up surveys we found that allergies and asthma associate with the consumption of margarines, butter and fish and that the common infection of childhood, RS-virus infection, does not increase asthma morbidity in adolescence. In a randomised set-up we were able to verify that the common childhood infections do not protect from allergies and asthma. In a retrospective survey we found that hospitalisation rates can reflect medication practices in different regions. Our results indicate that consumption of fat in the diet can be one triggering factor for allergies but common childhood infections are merely markers of susceptibility to allergies and asthma rather than the cause of it.