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Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a compound that is derived from the peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. It has been used as a biomarker to measure oxidative stress in various biological samples in patients who are affected by a wide range of diseases. The aim of our work is to provide an updated overview of the role of MDA as a marker of oxidative stress in allergy-related diseases. We considered studies involving both paediatric and adult patients affected by rhinitis, asthma, urticaria and atopic dermatitis. The measurement of MDA was performed on different types of samples. The reported data highlight the role of serum MDA in inflammatory airway diseases. According to the literature review, the oxidative stress status in asthmatic patients, assessed via MDA determination, appears to worsen in the presence of other allergic airway diseases and in relation to the disease severity. This suggests that MDA can be a suitable marker for monitoring the disease status. However, there are several limitations in the considered studies due to the different samples used and the lack of phenotyping and description of the clinical period of patients examined. In cutaneous allergic diseases, the role of MDA is controversial because of the smallness of the studies and the heterogeneity of the samples and patients.

Pomegranate is a notable source of nutrients, containing a considerable proportion of organic acids, polysaccharides, vitamins, fatty acids, and polyphenols such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and tannins. It is also rich in nutritionally important minerals and chemical elements such as K, P, Na, Ca, Mg, and N. The presence of several bioactive compounds and metabolites in pomegranate has led to its incorporation into the functional food category, where it is used for its numerous therapeutic properties. Pomegranate’s bioactive compounds have shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. Aging is a process characterized by the chronic accumulation of damages, progressively compromising cells, tissues, and organs over time. Inflammaging is a chronic, subclinical, low-grade inflammation that occurs during the aging process and is linked to many age-related diseases. This review aims to summarize and discuss the evidence of the benefits of pomegranate extract and its compounds to slow the aging processes by intervening in the mechanisms underlying inflammaging. These studies mainly concern neurodegenerative and skin diseases, while studies in other fields of application need to be more practical. Furthermore, no human studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammaging effects of pomegranate. In the future, supplementation with pomegranate extracts, polyphenols, or urolithins could represent a valuable low-risk complementary therapy for patients with difficult-to-manage diseases, as well as a valid therapeutic alternative for the topical or systemic treatment of skin pathologies.

Inflammaging is a chronic, low-grade inflammatory state that contributes to age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disorders, osteoporosis, neurodegeneration, and cancer. This process involves immunosenescence, oxidative stress, and immune aging, all of which contribute to the breakdown of immune tolerance and the onset of autoimmune disorders. Aloe vera (AV) has recently gained attention for its immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. This review explores the effects of AV extracts and anthraquinones (e.g., aloe–emodin, emodin, aloin) on key inflammaging-driven mechanisms in autoimmunity. Our analysis highlights AV’s ability to regulate hormone balance, autoantibody production, and cytokine/chemokine signaling (such as interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ). It modulates inflammatory pathways, including mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT), thereby inhibiting nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B-cell (NF-κB) activation. Additionally, AV enhances antioxidant defenses and restores immune balance by reducing Th1/Th17 subsets while promoting Th2-mediated regulation. Notably, AV also modulates inflammasome-mediated mechanisms and counteracts immunosenescence, which is driven by autophagy-related processes. These effects position AV as a potential integrative approach to mitigating inflammaging-driven autoimmunity. Furthermore, as inflammaging is increasingly recognized in onco-hematological diseases, AV-based strategies may offer novel therapeutic avenues. Future studies should focus on clinical validation, optimizing formulations, and expanding applications to broader age-related and immune-mediated disorders.

Hemophilia, an X-linked bleeding disorder, is characterized by a deficiency in coagulation factors. It manifests as spontaneous bleeding, leading to severe complications if not properly managed. In contrast, acquired hemophilia is an autoimmune condition marked by the development of inhibitory antibodies against coagulation factors. Both forms present significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, highlighting the need for advanced genetic, molecular, laboratory, and clinical assessments. Recent advances in artificial intelligence have opened new avenues for the management of hemophilia. Machine learning and deep learning technologies enhance the ability to predict bleeding risks, optimize treatment regimens, and monitor disease progression with greater precision. Artificial intelligence-driven applications in medical imaging have also improved the detection of joint damage and hemarthrosis, ensuring timely interventions and better clinical outcomes. Moreover, the integration of artificial intelligence into clinical practice holds the potential to transform hemophilia care through predictive analytics and personalized medicine, promising not only faster and more accurate diagnoses but also a reduction in long-term complications. However, ethical considerations and the need for data standardization remain critical for its widespread adoption. The application of artificial intelligence in hemophilia represents a paradigm shift towards precision medicine, with the promise of significantly improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

Background: Fenugreek, or Trigonella foenum greacum, is an ancient medicinal plant native to the eastern Mediterranean that later spread to Asia; it is used as a medicinal herb, spice, or food. It is a component of spice mixes, such as curry, and it is also used as a supplement in wheat and corn flour for bread making. Fenugreek appears to have many health benefits and potential medicinal properties; for this reason, it is increasingly being used in nutraceutical formulations. This study aimed to describe patients who visited our operative unit for a suspected adverse reaction after ingestion of fenugreek and to highlight possible cross-reactivity between fenugreek and other legumes or other foods. Methods: A total of 13 patients (5 males and 8 females; mean age: 30.6; range: 20–42 years) visited our outpatient clinic with a clinical history suggestive of an allergic reaction to spices or legumes. They underwent a skin prick test for fenugreek, fresh foods, and food extracts. Results: A total of 6 out of 13 patients positive for fenugreek had experienced allergic symptoms after ingesting foods containing spices, and 10 patients presented polysensitization with other legumes, of which 8 also presented sensitization to pistachios. Conclusions: Given the increasing use of novel spices in Mediterranean cuisine and the possible spread of fenugreek-based nutraceuticals, it is relevant to draw attention to possible allergic reactions. Further studies are also needed to be able to establish its cross-reactivity pattern.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has significantly impacted global health and has led the population and the scientific community to live in fear of a future pandemic. Based on viral infectious diseases, innate immunity cells such as mast cells and basophils play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of viral diseases. Understanding these mechanisms could be essential to better study practical therapeutic approaches not only to COVID-19 but also to other viral infections widely spread worldwide, such as influenza A, HIV, and dengue. In this literature review, we want to study these concepts. Mast cells and basophils intervene as a bridge between innate and acquired immunity and seem to have a role in the damage mechanisms during infection and in the stimulation of humoral and cellular immunity. In some cases, these cells can act as reservoirs and favor the replication and spread of the virus in the body. Understanding these mechanisms can be useful not only in therapeutic but also in diagnostic and prognostic perspectives. The prospects of applying artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms for the creation of very accurate diagnostic/prognostic tools are interesting.

Background Biologics are currently one of the main treatment options for a number of diseases. The IgG4 monoclonal antibody dupilumab targets the Interleukin-4 receptor alpha chain, thus preventing the biological effects of the cytokines IL-4 and IL-13, that are essential for the Th2 response. Several controlled trials showed that dupilumab is effective and safe in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), severe asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), thus resulting in approval by regulatory agencies. Aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dupilumab in adult patients with CRSwNP stratified by common overlapping comorbid conditions. Methods We performed a multicenter, observational, prospective study enrolling adult patients with severe CRSwNP who had started dupilumab treatment in the context of standard care from January 2021 to October 2021. Data were collected from twentynine Italian secondary care centers for allergy and clinical immunology, all of which were part of the Italian Society of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology (SIAAIC). A number of efficacy parameters were used. Patient data were compared using the Wilcoxon test for paired data. All statistical analyses were performed with SPSS version 20 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). Results In total, 82 patients with nasal polyposis were identified. A significant improvement was detected for all the applied efficacy parameters, i.e. 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) and bilateral endoscopic nasal polyp score (NPS) scores for CRSwNP, Rhinitis Control Scoring System (RCSS) and Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) scores for allergic perennial rhinitis, Forced Expiratory Volume in the 1st second (FEV1) and Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) scores for asthma, Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores for AD. A non-significant improvement was also obtained in the Urticaria Activity Score over 7 days (UAS7) for chronic spontaneous urticaria. Treatment with dupilumab was well tolerated. Conclusions These data suggest that dupilumab treatment in patients suffering from CRSwNP and associated comorbidities may be suitable. Such outcome, although confirmation by trials is warranted, suggests the possibility to treat different disorders with a single therapy, with favorable effects especially under the cost-effectiveness aspect.

Anaphylactic events triggered by mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are neither serious nor frequent. Kounis syndrome is described as the concomitant occurrence of acute coronary events and hypersensitivity reactions induced by vasospastic mediators after an allergic event. Kounis syndrome caused by vaccines is very rare. Up to now, only a few cases of allergic myocardial infarction after mRNA COVID-19 vaccine administration have been reported. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a syndrome characterized by transient wall movement abnormalities of the left ventricular apex, mid-ventricle, or other myocardial distribution, usually triggered by intense emotional or physical stress. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy after COVID-19 vaccine administration has been reported, usually with a delayed onset. A new entity characterized by the association of adrenaline administration, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, anaphylaxis, and Kounis hypersensitivity was recently described: the ATAK complex. Here, we report a case of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy that occurred together with an anaphylactic reaction to an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine that required the use of adrenaline. The timing of the allergic reaction and the referenced clinical symptoms could not exclude the idea that Kounis syndrome occurred. Therefore, we can assume the patient presented the ATAK complex. We believe that highlighting on this ATAK complex will aid the application of proper diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic measures.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are drugs capable of blocking the gastric pump H,K-ATPase in order to inhibit gastric acid secretion. Omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole and esomeprazole belong to PPIs category. Although PPIs have a good safety profile, allergic reactions to these molecules can occur. The real rate of hypersensitive reactions to PPIs is unknown. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the rate of hypersensitive reactions to PPIs in patients admitted to our Unit between 2008 and 2013 with a history of drug hypersensitivity. From a database of 1229 patients (921 women, 308 men) with adverse drug reaction we extrapolated the data about PPI reactions. Twelve patients (10 female, 2 men) had a positive history for hypersensitive reaction to PPI. Pantoprazole was the most frequently PPI involved. Based on patient personal history in some cases we performed an oral challenge test for an alternative anti-acid drug and none of them had adverse reactions. According to our experience and according to the literature and pharmacovigilance reports, ADR caused by PPIs are ever increasing. Adverse reactions to these drugs are still under-reported; however, considering the frequency of their prescription worldwide, the risk of severe allergic events is low. Further studies are needed to provide clearer data on the real incidence and prevalence about this matter. This should be useful to help physician in choosing the molecule to prescribe and, in case of hypersensitivity, the alternative molecule to test, also considering the possible cross-reactivity.