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with peptide microarrays containing linear epitopes of allergenic proteins is expected to provide information on the clinical status of the patient, but peptide arrays are still limited to research use. We thus aimed at developing a simple and sensitive peptide array that operates with more cost-effective ECL detection, so that it can be routinely used in clinical practice. For this purpose, instead of directly immobilizing the peptides onto the microarray surface as in the previous reports, we developed a two-step immobilization technique using microbeads. Peptides biotinylated at the N-terminal are first bound to microbeads with streptavidin (sAV) on the surface, followed by immobilization of the peptide-bound beads onto the microarray substrate using the photoreactive crosslinker. In this way, we were able to overcome the limitations of direct immobilization in increasing the amount and accessibility of peptides and greatly enhance the sensitivity so that ECL detection became possible. In the present study, we analyzed sera from cow's milk allergy (CMA) patients with our peptide array containing 20 peptides from αS1-casein. The results showed that IgE epitope patterns of patients could be visualized individually, and confirmed that the pattern is unique to each patient.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate clinical and serological factors influencing systemic disease activity in primary Sjögren's disease (SjD) using the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Sjögren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI) and to identify distinct patient subgroups in a Japanese cohort. METHODS: Data from 7,444 patients with ESSDAI ≥5 registered in Japan's National Database of Designated Intractable Diseases were analysed. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses evaluated the impact of demographic and serological factors on ESSDAI scores. K-means clustering identified subgroups based on significant variables. RESULTS: Male patients exhibited higher ESSDAI scores (coefficient: 0.76, p = 0.0007), whereas Hashimoto's disease was associated with lower scores (coefficient: -0.53, p = 0.009). Anti-SS-B/La (coefficient: 1.08, p=0.0002) and high titre of antinuclear antibody (coefficient: 0.64, p = 0.02) were associated with increased ESSDAI. Clustering identified three subgroups: a "classic" SjD group with balanced systemic involvement, a male-specific group with severe manifestations, and a Hashimoto's disease group with milder activity. CONCLUSIONS: Primary SjD in Japan exhibits significant heterogeneity influenced by demographic and serological factors. Male sex and specific autoantibodies correlate with higher systemic activity, whereas Hashimoto's disease is associated with reduced severity. These findings elucidate the need for personalised management and longitudinal studies.

Introduction: So far, no definitive conclusions have been reached regarding the preventive effect of moisturizers on atopic dermatitis (AD). The variability in results may be due to differences in skin care methods, including bathing and washing, among studies and study design. In hot and humid Japan, bathing and gauze washing have been routinely practiced from the neonatal period, but this may impair the skin barrier function. To address this gap, we determined whether a combination of minimally invasive cleaning methods and moisturizing may prevent AD in infants in Japan. Methods: Mothers of children born between January and September 2019 were instructed in traditional skin care methods (control group; 132 subjects), and mothers of children born between January and September 2020 were instructed in a new skin care method combining less invasive washing and moisturizing (intervention group; 140 subjects). Mothers and babies with and without a history of allergy were recruited, and the incidence of AD at 1 year of age was investigated by questionnaire. Results: Skin care-related behaviors such as face washing, hand washing, and use of moisturizers were more frequent in the intervention group than in the control group. At 6 and 12 months of age, there was no difference in the incidence of AD between the two groups. However, for children born between January and March, the prevalence of AD at 12 months was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (2.9% vs. 21.2%, p = 0.0253). Conclusions: This study suggests that for children born during dry and cold seasons, strengthening the skin barrier function early in life through routine skin care with less invasive washing and moisturizing may prevent AD in Japan. Appropriate skin care practices for newborns and infants may vary in regions and environments.