Search Results (6)

Peanut allergy is a persistent and potentially life-threatening condition affecting millions worldwide, necessitating effective therapeutic strategies beyond strict avoidance. Oral immunotherapy (OIT) has emerged as a promising approach, with peanut (Arachis hypogaea) allergen powder dnfp (Palforzia Aimmune therapeutics Brisbane Calif]) being the first FDA-approved standardized OIT for peanut allergy. This review synthesizes current clinical evidence on PTAH (peanut-tolerant Arachis hypogea), focusing on its efficacy, safety, and long-term outcomes. A systematic literature search was conducted, analyzing key phase 3 trials, including PALISADE, ARTEMIS, and POSEIDON, as well as long-term extension studies such as ARC004 and ARC008. Findings indicate that PTAH significantly increases the peanut protein threshold tolerated by allergic individuals, reducing the risk of severe reactions upon accidental exposure. While adverse events such as gastrointestinal symptoms and anaphylaxis occur, they are generally manageable and decline over time with continued therapy. Notably, younger children in the POSEIDON trial exhibited higher desensitization rates, suggesting the potential benefits of early intervention. Long-term studies demonstrate sustained immune modulation, with reductions in peanut-specific IgE and an increase in IgG4, indicative of developing tolerance. Despite limitations such as adherence challenges and the need for ongoing maintenance dosing, PTAH represents a paradigm shift in peanut allergy management, offering improved safety and quality of life for patients and caregivers. Full article

The relationship between premature ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI) and premutation in the FMR1 gene is well established. In recent years, though, a potential relationship between the latter and a low ovarian reserve has been suggested. To explore it, we conducted a retrospective study in an IVF program at a university tertiary referral center in Barcelona (Spain). Data were obtained retrospectively from a total of 385 women referred for FMR1 gene testing at our institution from January 2018 to December 2021. We compared the prevalence of FMR1 gene premutation between 93 of them, younger than 35 years, with a diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), characterized by levels of anti-Mullerian hormone < 1.1 ng/mL and antral follicle count < 5; and 132 egg donors screened by protocol that served as the controls. We found a higher prevalence of FMR1 premutation in the DOR group (seven patients (7.69%)) than in the control group (one patient (1.32%)), Fisher-exact test p-value = 0.012). We concluded that compared with the general population represented by young egg donors, the prevalence of FMR1 gene premutation is higher in young patients with a diminished ovarian reserve. Although these findings warrant further prospective validation in a larger cohort of patients within DOR, they suggest that, in clinical practice, FMR1 premutation should be determined in infertile young patients with DOR in order to give them adequate genetic counselling. Full article

Background and Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of adjuvant letrozole administration during ovarian stimulation using the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol on treatment outcomes in women categorized into POSEIDON groups 3 and 4. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from patients classified into POSEIDON groups 3 and 4 who underwent fresh embryo transfer subsequent to intracytoplasmic sperm injection following a GnRH antagonist stimulation protocol between January 2017 and December 2021. Patients were divided into two groups: the GnRH-LZ group, who received letrozole at a dosage of 5 mg/day for five consecutive days, and the GnRH-ant group, who did not receive adjuvant letrozole. The primary outcome measure of the study was a comparative analysis of live birth rates between the two groups. Results: A total of 449 patients were deemed suitable for final analysis and were allocated into two groups: 281 patients in the GnRH-ant group and 168 patients in the GnRH-LZ group. Live birth rates were found to be comparable in both groups (11% vs. 9%, p = 0.497). Letrozole administration significantly reduced the total amount of gonadotropins required (2606.2 ± 1284.5 vs. 3097.8 ± 1073.3, p < 0.001), the duration of ovarian stimulation (11.2 ± 3.9 vs. 10.2 ± 3, p = 0.005), and the serum peak estradiol concentration (901.4 ± 599.6 vs. 463.8 ± 312.3, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Adjuvant letrozole administration did not demonstrate a significant impact on live birth rates among women categorized into POSEIDON groups 3 and 4. However, this approach may offer potential cost reductions by diminishing the necessity for exogenous gonadotropins and shortening the duration of ovarian stimulation. Full article

Strengthened International Maritime Organization environmental regulations, the Poseidon principles, and other environmental changes require shipping companies to expand their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investments. ESG management is evolving as an essential requirement to enhance the competitiveness of global liner shipping companies. Under these circumstances, this study aims to provide policy guidelines and future directions for the development of ESG management in Korean shipping companies. Accordingly, we selected four companies under THE Alliance, which is an ESG standard leader in shipping. Based on each shipping company’s sustainability reports from 2019 to 2021, we analyzed the major ESG performance factors required for a company to achieve its sustainability goals, developing four research questions. Based on multiple case study theory, we compared each company’s ESG management status and main characteristics using the quadruple helix model, proposing three measures to improve the ESG management of Korean shipping companies: 1. Cultivate ESG experts specialized in the maritime field; 2. Strengthen support for small- and medium-sized companies; 3. Construct a maritime-specialized ESG evaluation system and introduce voluntary management culture. Our findings contribute to the maritime industry’s development by identifying necessary factors and proposing improvement directions that will help Korean shipping companies to secure global competitiveness. Full article

Most studies have concentrated on the distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in air, water, and soil; however, little is known about their behavior during urban wet deposition. During frequent urban rainstorms, surface runoff carries large amounts of organic pollutants into water, which has a significant impact on the quality of the water environment. “Poseidon” made landfall in Jilin Province on 27 August, 3 September, and 7 September 2020, respectively, causing some impact on the surface water. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used to measure the concentrations of 16 major PAHs in stormwater and water samples from the Yitong River. The PAH concentrations in rainwater runoff gradually decreased with increasing rainfall duration. The PAHs in the Yitong River water samples were mainly composed of two to three rings, with total concentrations ranging 279.19–756.37 ng/L. Ratio characterization and principal component analysis of the sources of PAHs in the water samples revealed that some water bodies had also been contaminated by oil spills in addition to combustion emissions from coal and motor vehicle oil. Health and environmental risks were assessed for PAHs in water bodies from the Yitong River, and health risk assessment showed that exposure to PAHs in the water is not a health risk for human beings; however, the risk for children is higher than that for adults and requires attention. Although the environmental risk is moderate, the risk from Benzo(a)anthracene(BaA) alone is high and requires ongoing attention. In terms of the sustainability of drinking water sources, consideration should be given to taking necessary regulatory and protective measures to prevent further contamination. These results serve as a guide for managing PAHs in urban water bodies and managing water pollution. Full article

This study shows the feasibility of the combined use of multi-satellite data and an energy–water balance model for improving the estimates of water fluxes over time and distributed in space in the Yangtze River basin. In particular, a new methodology is used to constrain an internal model variable of the distributed hydrological model based on the satellite land surface temperature. The hydrological FEST-EWB model (flash flood event-based spatially distributed rainfall–runoff transformation–energy water balance model) with its energy–water balance scheme allows to continuously compute in time and distributed in space soil moisture and evapotranspiration (ET) fluxes thanks to a double link with satellite-derived data as input parameters (e.g., LAI) and as variables for model states’ updates as the land surface temperature (LST). This LST was used to calibrate the model soil parameters instead of using only dedicated ground measurements. The effects of the calibration procedure were evaluated at four available river cross-sections along the Yangtze River, considering also the presence of the Three Gorges Dam. Flow duration curves were also considered to understand the volume storages’ changes. The Poyang and Dongting Lakes dynamics were simulated from FEST-EWB and compared against satellite water extended from MERIS and ASAR data and water levels from LEGOS altimetry data (Topex/Poseidon). The FEST-EWB model was run at 0.009° spatial resolution and three hours of temporal resolutions for the period between 2003 and 2006. Absolute errors on LST estimates of 3 °C were obtained while discharge data were simulated with errors of 10%. Errors on the water area extent of 7% and on the water level of 3% were obtained for the two lakes. Full article