Background : We aimed to investigate food allergen sensitization as a prognostic factor of new onset wheezing episodes as well as of wheezing severity during follow up in young children with recurrent wheezing. Our secondary aim was to compare serum levels of Club Cell-16 (CC-16) and surfactant protein D (SP-D) among wheezing children with and without food allergen sensitization as potential pathogenetic indicators of the association between food allergen sensitivity and wheezing. Methods : This was a prospective cohort study among children with recurrent wheezing; specific-IgE to five common foods allergens was assessed at baseline and children were followed-up for one year for new onset wheezing episodes. Baseline wheezing severity score, CC-16 and SP-D levels were measured. Results : We enrolled 295 children among which 44 were food specific IgE (Fx5) (+). Poisson regression analysis with food allergen sensitivity, age and wheezing score at presentation revealed that Fx5 positivity changed yearly frequency of wheeze by a factor of 1.66 (p=0.05, 95%CI: (0.99-2.75)). Age changed the yearly frequency of wheeze by a factor of 0.95 (p=0.005, 95%CI: (0.92-0.99)). One-point change in wheezing score at presentation changed the wheezing frequency in the following year by a factor of 1.11 (p=0.005, 95%CI: (0.67-1.99)). Levels of CC-16 and SP-D were not significantly different between the two groups (p=0.679 and p=0.988). Conclusion : Food allergen sensitization defined as serum specific IgE positivity irrespective of food associated clinical allergy findings is associated with worse prognosis of wheezing in children.

Background: Approximately 80% of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) cases begin in childhood. Various genetic, psychological, sociological factors and biological mechanisms are involved in the etiology of OCD. To the best of our knowledge the relationship between inflammation and OCD is unclear. Chronic inflammation was shown to increase neopterin and decrease tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) levels by activating the neopterin–BH4 pathway. In addition, studies have shown that it can be an important biomarker in psychiatric disorders. Objective: This study compared serum TGF-1β, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, neopterin, BH4, and nitric oxide (NO) levels between child and adolescent patients diagnosed with OCD and a healthy control group. Methods: The study included 29 patients diagnosed with OCD (comorbidity free, drug free) and 28 healthy children as an aged and sex matched control group. For the measurement of neurobiological markers, venous blood samples were collected, and analyzed by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: All cytokine levels were found to be low, but this decrease was statistically significant only for TGF-1β. The neopterin and NO levels were significantly higher and BH4 significantly lower in children with OCD compared to the healthy control group. Conclusion: The results of our study show that the levels of TGF-1β and NO and the activation of the neopterin–BH4 pathway may be implicated in the pathophysiology of OCD. Additionally, anti-oxidant and BH4 adjuvant therapies should be investigated as treatment options for OCD.