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Histamine is a chemical mediator, released predominantly by tissue mast cells, circulating basophils, and neurons, which are activated in response to various immunological and non-immunological stimuli. Histamine has to bind to specific receptors to exert its physiological and pathophysiological functions. Endogenous histamine is the main mediator of the immediate allergic response, which moreover, performs other multiple functions, including regulation of gastric secretion, neurotransmission in the central nervous system, and immunomodulatory activity. The involvement of histamine in various disorders and the importance of receptors in the clinical features have relevant implications in clinical practice. Anti-H1 antihistamines contrast the histamine-dependent effects, mainly concerning nasal symptoms and cutaneous itching and wheal. Antihistamines are among the most prescribed drugs in pediatric care. This review updates the practical use of antihistamines in children and adolescents.

We consider the following boundary value problem

A long-held dogma in radiation biology has been that the biological effects of exposure to ionizing radiation occur as a result of damage in directly irradiated cells and that no effect would occur in neighboring unirradiated cells. This paradigm has been frequently challenged by reports of radiation effects in unirradiated or ‘bystander’ cells receiving signals from directly irradiated cells, an issue that may have substantial impact on radiation risk assessment and development of radiation-based therapies. Radiation-induced bystander effects have been shown in single-cell systems in vitro for an array of cancer relevant endpoints, and may trigger damage in more complex 3-D tissue systems. They may be mediated by soluble factors released by irradiated cells into the extracellular environment and/or by the passage of mediator molecules through gap-junction intercellular communication. To date, evidence that radiation-associated bystander or abscopal responses are effectual in vivo has been limited, but new data suggest that they may significantly affect tumor development in susceptible mouse models. Further understanding of how the signal/s is transmitted to unirradiated cells and tissues and how it provokes long-range and significant responses is crucial. By summarizing the existing evidence of radiation induced bystander-like effects in various systems with emphasis on in vivo findings, we will discuss the potential mechanisms involved in these observations and how effects in bystander cells contribute to uncertainties in assessing cancer risks associated with radiation exposure.

The objective of the study is to verify effects of nebulized 3% saline hypertonic solution (HS) in comparison to normal saline (NS) in addition to epinephrine in hospitalized children with bronchiolitis. Infants were randomly assigned either to receive every 6 hours nebulized NS (group I) or 3% HS (group II) in addition to epinephrine (1.5 mg) and to conventional treatment. The main endpoints of this study were the length of stay (LOS) in hospital and the clinical response score (CSS). Patients presented a significant decrease in CSS from the first through the third day of treatment, present in the first group but even more evident in the second group (p=0.0001). Comparison between group I and II data shows significant decrease in CSS in the 3% HS-treated patients both at the second (p<0.005) and at the third day of treatment (p<0.005). Infants in the NS control group had a mean LOS of 5.6±1.6 days, whereas children treated with 3% HS were discharged with a LOS of 4.9±1.3 days, reaching a significant decrease in stay (p<0.05). In hospitalized patients bronchiolitis nebulized 3% HS and epinephrine significantly decreased symptoms and LOS as compared to 0.9% NS and epinephrine.

Allergic rhinitis is characterized by local inflammation. Nasal lavage may be a useful treatment, however, there are few studies on this topic. This study aims to evaluate the effects of Ischia thermal water nasal irrigation on allergic rhinitis symptoms and airway inflammation during the period of natural exposure to Parietariapollen in children with allergic rhinitis and intermittent asthma. Forty allergic children were randomly divided into two groups: the first group (Group 1) practiced crenotherapy with thermal water aerosol for 15 days per month, for three consecutive months, the control group (Group 2) was treated with 0.9% NaCl (isotonic) solution. In addition, all children were treated with cetirizine (0.5 gtt./kg/day once daily). Nasal symptom assessment, including Total Symptom Score (TSS), spirometry, and exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were considered before the treatment (T0), at the end of the treatment (T1) and again 2 weeks after the end of the treatment (T2). The study was registered in the Clinical Trials.gov(NCT01326247). Thermal water significantly reduced both TSS and FeNO levels and there was a significant relationship between reduction of nasal symptoms and FeNO values at the end of treatment with thermal water. In conclusion, this study shows that nasal crenotherapy with the hyper-mineral chloride-sodium water of Ischia was effective in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis based on the sensitivity to Parietaria. These results demonstrate that this natural treatment may be effective in a common and debilitating disease such as the allergic rhinitis.

Allergic rhinitis is a respiratory disease caused by an inflammatory process related to IgE mediated reaction versus allergens to which the subject is sensitized. Allergic rhinitis is not an isolated disease because the nasal mucosa inflammation involves paranasal sinuses and lower airways, thus worsening the asthmatic symptoms. Recently, a new classification of allergic rhinitis based on the duration and severity of clinical symptoms has been proposed. This classification takes into consideration both the quality of life and the possible impact of the symptoms on school, work and free-time activities. Children's quality of life is severely compromised by frequent night awakenings, easy fatigue, defects of language and irritability, which can have a negative influence on learning abilities. Allergic rhinitis has a negative impact on the quality of life of the whole family because it can cause interference on social life, and financial costs.

The use of inhaled aerosols allows selective treatment of the lungs directly by achieving high drug concentrations in the airway while reducing systemic adverse effects by minimizing systemic drug levels. Aerosol drug delivery is painless and often convenient, but the proliferation of inhaler devices has resulted in a confusing number of choices for clinicians who are selecting a delivery device for aerosol therapy. There are advantages and disadvantages associated with each device category. Several factors can guide clinicians to choose a device for a specific patient. This choice has to be tailored according to the patient's needs, situation and preference. Whatever the chosen inhaler, inhaler technique is the critical factor in the correct use of delivery devices and patient education has a key-role for improving technique and compliance.

Exaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is considered a good noninvasive marker to assess airway inflammation in asthma and allergic rhinitis. In asthma, exhaled NO is very useful to verify adherence to therapy, and to predict upcoming asthma exacerbations. It has been also proposed that adjusting anti-inflammatory drugs guided by the monitoring of exhaled NO, could improve overall asthma control. Other studies showed increased FeNO levels in subjects with allergic rhinitis.

Several studies have outlined a possible relationship between an increased body mass index and respiratory allergic diseases, such as asthma and rhinitis. The aim of the study was to analyse the relationship between BMI and lung function, including bronchodilation test, in allergic children. The study included 153 children (103 males, mean age 12.8 years) with allergic rhinitis and mild asthma. All subjects were evaluated performing skin prick test, spirometry, and bronchodilalation test. BMI values were in the normal range as well as lung function. BMI significantly related with FEV1, FVC values and FEV1/FVC ratio both before and after bronchodilation. In conclusion, this study provides the first evidence that BMI is negatively related with bronchial reversibility in children with allergic rhinitis and asthma. As reversibility is related with bronchial inflammation, this finding might underline a link between overweight and allergic inflammation.

Specific immunotherapy (SIT) is the only treatment able to not only act on the symptoms of allergy but also act on the causes. At present, SIT may be administered in two forms: subcutaneous (SCIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). SCIT represents the standard modality of treatment while SLIT has recently been introduced into clinical practice and today represents an accepted alternative to SCIT. The main advantages of SIT that are lacking with drug treatment are long-lasting clinical effects and alteration of the natural course of the disease. This prevents the new onset of asthma in patients with allergic rhinitis and the onset of new sensitizations. The mechanism of action of both routes is similar; they modify peripheral and mucosal Th2-responses into a prevalent Th1-polarization with subsequent reduction of the allergic inflammatory reaction. Both have long-term effects for years after they have been discontinued, although for SLIT these evidences are insufficient To date several guidelines have defined indications, contraindications, side-effects, and clinical aspect for SCIT and SLIT. New forms of immunotherapy, allergen products and approaches to food allergy and atopic eczema represents the future of SIT.

Background Genetic factors have an important role in atopic dermatitis (AD) predisposition. Toll like receptor (TLR) are important mediators between environment and immune system. There are incosnsitent studies about TLSR polymorphisms in AD. Objective This study examined whether single nucleotide polimorphisms (SNPs) in the genes for TLR2 and TLR4 could be associated with the AD phenotypes and with its clinical severity in a large group of Italian children. Methods 187 children with Ad and 150 healthy children were recruited. AD severity was assessed by SCORAD. TLR2 (A-16934T and R753Q polymorphisms) and TLR4 (D299G and T399I SNPs) were genotyped by PCR-RFLP. Results The frequency of the R753Q was significantly higher in AD children (16.0%) compared with controls (6.0%, P=0.004; OR2.99,95%CI 1.39–6.41; RR 1.46,95%CI 1.14–1.69). AD patients a significantly different frequency of the D299G SNP (14.9%) in comparison with the controls (6.6%, P = 0.01; OR 2.46, 95%CI 1.17–5.17; RR 2.24; 95%CI 1.15–4.45). Conclusion Children with AD may have a distinct genotype and the TLR-2 R753Q SNP was prevalent in a subset of patients with AD characterized by a more severe clinical picture.

The importance of early life environmental influences on the etiology of asthma is implied by the observed geographic and temporal variation in the prevalence of the disease among children. There is evidence pointing to the role of exposure to allergen, various aspects of diet and hygiene-related factors in the etiology of asthma. There is also evidence that heritable factors influence the impact of hygiene-related exposures on the risk of having asthma. A number of important gene-environment interactions have been identified. These interactions point to the biology of environmental exposures as the involved genetic variation is suggestive of certain underlying mechanisms. Polymorphisms within genes coding for the toll-like receptor-lipopolysaccharide (TLR-LPS) signaling pathway may underlie variations in effects of hygiene-related exposures, including specifically endotoxin, on the risk of developing allergic sensitization and allergic disease. This review presents recent findings illustrating the role of gene-environment interactions in childhood asthma susceptibility.

Airway inflammation is regarded as a central feature of asthma and is mostly sustained by eosinophilic infiltrate. Recent studies have shown that a co-activation of eosinophil- and neutrophil-dependent inflammatory mechanisms might explain why some asthmatics do not respond to conventional asthma therapy. The aim of our study is to determine whether neutrophilic inflammation was involved in 55 allergic children with mild-moderate persistent asthma and the relationship with the response to steroid treatment. Before the sputum analysis, all children underwent spirometry with the reversibility test, and were divided into two groups on the basis of the response (such as >12% of baseline FEV1): group 1 positive and group 2 negative. Eosinophil cationic protein concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay and neutrophyl myeloperoxidase (MPO) concentrations were measured by an MPO-EIA. Ten healthy children of comparable ages served as control group. Total IgE, FEV1 and FEV/FVC values were similar in both groups. The sputum macrophage count was higher in controls than in allergic asthmatics, but there was no difference between groups 1 and 2 (59.6% vs 18.3% and 17%; p= 0.005). Sputum neutrophils were significantly higher in group 2 both vscontrols (62% vs34%; p= 0.005) and vs group 1 (62% vs 37%; p= 0.005). Our data suggest that neutrophils are involved in airway allergic inflammation in mild-moderate persistent childhood asthma and a high neutrophil count in sputum may be related to a lower responsiveness to inhaled corticosteroids.

Composite membranes are of interest for PEMFCs and DMFCs. This paper describes a basic study of the influence of silica on the proton conductivity: (i) added as a filler to poly(vinylidene fluoride‐hexafluoropropylene) and poly(benzimidazole)‐based membranes activated with H3PO4, or (ii) included in the matrix of class II hybrids based on tetraethoxysilane and poly(ethylene glycol) and activated with phosphotungstic acid (PWA).

We prove that if fbelongs to the Morrey space , with λ ∊ [0, n−2], and uis the solution of the problem then Dubelongs to the space , for any

Allozyme variation was studied by electrophoresis at 11 loci in 14 populations of Quercus petraea, Q. robur, Q. cerris and Q. pubescens from Piedmont, northwestern Italy. The aim of the work was to characterize the genetic resources and to suggest effective measures for in situ preservation of biodiversity. As expected, most of the genetic variability was found at the within population level, and genetic differentiation accounted for about 14% of it. The study confirmed the low level of genetic variability among the species studied: only Q. cerris populations could be clearly distinguished. Q. pubescens could be separated from Q. petraea and Q. robur using Principal Coordinate Analysys. The latter was also found to be useful for separating Q. petraea and Q. robur populations. However, in mixed populations, the differentiation between the latter species was similar to that scored among populations belonging to the same species. A significant deviation from random mating was observed, although it was variable among species: Q. pubescens had the highest value for the inbreeding coefficient FIS(0.159).

Abstract A method is proposed for determining the frictional velocity Ut on both walls of a fully developed turbulent channel flow, one smooth and the other rough. This should aid experimentalists in obtaining a reliable estimate of Ut with knowledge of only the pressure drop and location where the Reynolds shear stress is zero. The method is general and does not depend on the roughness geometry that is used. It has been validated against direct estimates of the wall stress using DNS databases for two types of two-dimensional roughness. Results for a surface composed of staggered cubes are also in accord with the method.

Abstract. The current classification of turbulent boundary layers over different wall surfaces is based on the effect the roughness has on the mean velocity, via the roughness function ΔU⁺. Previous hot-wire measurements have shown that turbulent boundary layers over different rough wall surfaces, but with identical ΔU⁺, contain significant differences in the Reynolds stresses throughout the layer. This suggests that a detailed documentation of the effect of the roughness on the anisotropic Reynolds stress tensor may pave the way for a more general classification. This paper examines experimental (boundary layer) and direct numerical simulation (channel flow) data for the invariants of the Reynolds stress tensor. Although only a limited number of rough surfaces have been examined, the results indicate that, relative to a smooth wall, the roughness reduces the level of anisotropy. This is more prominent for k-type roughnesses, the anisotropic invariant map (AIM) signature of the d-type roughness being closer to that for a smooth surface. In the vicinity of the roughness, the AIM signature varies dramatically, within one roughness wavelength, reflecting the significant changes in the characteristics of the turbulence field.

Abstract.: We study the on-line call admission problem in optical networks. We present a general technique that allows us to reduce the problem of call admission and wavelength selection to the call admission problem. We then give randomized algorithms with logarithmic competitive ratios for specific topologies in switchless and reconfigurable optical networks. We conclude by considering full duplex communications.

We investigate the optimal rate of stabilization at large time of a solution to the Neumann problemut=∑i=1N∂∂xi(ai(x, t, ∇u))−b(x, t, u),inΩ×(0, T),T>0∑i=1Nai(x, t, ∇u)ni=0,on∂Ω×(0, T)u(x, 0)=u0(x)x∈Ω,u0(x)⩾0inΩ,where Ω⊂RN, N⩾2, is an unbounded domain with sufficiently smooth noncompact boundary ∂Ωsatisfying certain isoperimetrical inequality and n=(ni) is the outward normal to ∂Ω.

Abstract.: In this paper the problem of efficiently serving a sequence of requests presented in an on-line fashion located at points of a metric space is considered. We call this problem the On-Line Travelling Salesman Problem (OLTSP). It has a variety of relevant applications in logistics and robotics. We consider two versions of the problem. In the first one the server is not required to return to the departure point after all presented requests have been served. For this problem we derive a lower bound on the competitive ratio of 2 on the real line. Besides, a 2.5 -competitive algorithm for a wide class of metric spaces, and a 7/3 -competitive algorithm for the real line are provided. For the other version of the problem, in which returning to the departure point is required, we present an optimal 2 -competitive algorithm for the above-mentioned general class of metric spaces. If in this case the metric space is the real line we present a 1.75 -competitive algorithm that compares with a \approx 1.64 lower bound.

Volcanic tremor and SO2data, measured between 1987 and 1992 on Mt. Etna, have been studied. A cross-correlation analysis between the two time series has revealed large cross-correlation coefficients corresponding to enhanced volcanic activity. Tremor and SO2emissions thus seem to have a common physical origin linked to the magma dynamics of the volcano.

Abstract.: We deal with the problem of making capital investments in machines for manufacturing a product. Opportunities for investment occur over time, every such option consists of a capital cost for a new machine and a resulting productivity gain, i.e., a lower production cost for one unit of product. The goal is that of minimizing the total production costs and capital costs when future demand for the product being produced and investment opportunities are unknown. This can be viewed as a generalization of the ski-rental problem and related to the mortgage problem [3]. If all possible capital investments obey the rule that lower production costs require higher capital investments, then we present an algorithm with constant competitive ratio. If new opportunities may be strictly superior to previous ones (in terms of both capital cost and production cost), then we give an algorithm which is O (min{1+log C , 1+log log P , 1+log M }) competitive, where C is the ratio between the highest and the lowest capital costs, P is the ratio between the highest and the lowest production costs, and M is the number of investment opportunities. We also present a lower bound on the competitive ratio of any on-line algorithm for this case, which is Ω (min{log C , log log P / log log log P , log M / log log M }). This shows that the competitive ratio of our algorithm is tight (up to constant factors) as a function of C , and not far from the best achievable as a function of P and M .

Abstract.: We propose a framework to model on-line resource management problems based on an on-line version of positive linear programming. We consider both min cost problems and max benefit problems and propose logarithmic competitive algorithms that are optimal up to a constant factor. The proposed framework provides a general methodology that applies to a wide class of on-line problems: shop scheduling, packet routing, and in general a class of packing and assignment problems. Previously studied problems as on-line multiprocessor scheduling and on-line virtual circuit routing can also be modeled within this framework.

Zusammenfassung: In einem Modellversuch mit Buchenkeimlingen (Fagus sylvatica L.) sollte der Einflu� saurer Benebelung (pH 4,6, 3,6, 2,6) auf ausgew�hlte, �kophysiologische Gr��en untersucht werden. Mit sinkendem Nebel-pH wurden insbesondere Ca2+ und Mg2+ vermehrt ausgewaschen. Die dadurch induzierte, erh�hte Kationenaufnahme aus der N�hrl�sung hatte einen hohen H+-Efflux aus den Wurzeln zur Folge; die sich einstellende Rhizosph�renversauerung wurde mit Hilfe eines pH-Indikators in einem Agar-Substrat sichtbar gemacht. Die Pufferkapazit�t der Bl�tter nahm durch die saure Benebelung ab, und zwar vor allem im Apoplasten. Durch H+ ausgetauschte und ausgewaschene Kationen nahmen kurzfristig in ihrem Blattgehalt ab, was mit der sinkenden Pufferkapazit�t korrelierte. Die Transpiration der Buchenkeimlinge war w�hrend der Versuchsdauer deutlich erh�ht.

The influence of NaCl on leaf water relations was investigated in 3-4-year-old, potted Fraxinus excelsior L. trees. Until midsummer, the application of NaCl to the soil resulted in increased leaf water potentials (Psi) and stomatal diffusive resistances (r(s)). The improved water status seems to be due to a latent injury rather than to an adaptive response of the plant because, despite the initial increases in Psi and r(s), leaf necrosis developed in midsummer. Altered hydraulic resistances were detected at the time the leaves became necrotic. X-ray analysis of frozen, hydrated leaf tissue from NaCl-treated trees showed substantial increases in Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) content in the epidermal cells. These changes in elemental composition of the leaves from NaCl-treated plants may be associated with malfunction of the stomatal apparatus.

The influence of NaCl on leaf water relations was investigated in 3–4-year-old, potted Fraxinus excelsior L. trees. Until midsummer, the application of NaCl to the soil resulted in increased leaf water potentials (?) and stomatal diffusive resistances (rs). The improved water status seems to be due to a latent injury rather than to an adaptive response of the plant because, despite the initial increases in ? and rs, leaf necrosis developed in midsummer. Altered hydraulic resistances were detected at the time the leaves became necrotic. X-ray analysis of frozen, hydrated leaf tissue from NaCl-treated trees showed substantial increases in Ca2+ and Mg2+ content in the epidermal cells. These changes in elemental composition of the leaves from NaCl-treated plants may be associated with malfunction of the stomatal apparatus.

The variations of rock magnetism reflect the geological inhomogeneities of the earth's crust, i.e. its petrological-mineralogical and structural organization. The present state of the crust bears meaningful information of its past dynamic processes and evolution. We analysed magnetic susceptibility data series from the boreholes of the German Continental Deep Drilling Project (KTB). By means of spectral and rescaled-range (R/S) analyses we could detect a scaling behaviour of magnetic data series and quantify it in fractal terms. In particular, the R/S method yields more precise results than the Fourier analysis and leads to Hurst coefficients H > 0.5, which means that the magnetic variations exhibit some persistence with depth. Because of the relation between rock magnetism and crustal features, we suggest that the magnetic vertical inhomogeneities in the KTB area can be described by a self-affine model with H ? 0.8, corresponding to a fractal dimension D ? 1.2.

Located at 1100 m above sea level, on the western site of the Etna volcano, the ecophysiology of the Mount Minardo holm oak coppice has been investigated for more then twenty years. In this stand, now 31 years old, the above ground biomass amounts to 15000 g m-2 of organic material, including leaves and perennial woody material. During these 31 years, the mean annual production has been around 775 g m-2. The yearly mean litterfall amounts to 310 g m-2, including 200 g m-2 of leaves, mostly two years old. The soil surface is covered by a litter layer amounting to 3150 g m-2. Each year, following Jenny's decomposition rate and field measurements, 290 g m-2 of the litter turns into CO2, or becomes incorporated in the soil organic matter.

The authors studied serum neopterin in 106 patients with ß thalassaemia major. A good correlation was found between neopterin values and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) mean values of the last 6 months, whereas no correlation was found between neopterin values and some siderosis indexes (iron/body weight, total accumulated iron). A statistically significant correlation was found between neopterin values (>10 nM/L vs. < 10 nM/L) and histological liver findings (chronic hepatitis vs. siderosis). Neopterin values were also statistically different between splenectomized and not splenectomized patients. Moreover serum neopterin was higher in HCV-Ab positive than in HCV-Ab negative patients, and 91.6% of the HCV-Ab positive group also showed histological signs of chronic hepatitis. These data suggest that increased serum neopterin might help to identify chronic C hepatitis in thalassaemic patients.

– The authors report on their experience with 46 cases of prostatic cysts diagnosed from 1479 transrectal prostatic ultrasound exams. Twelve patients with urinary and/or seminal obstruction symptoms were treated with echo-guided needle aspiration by trans-perineal approach. Symptoms improved in all cases although there were 33.3% recurrences. The authors therefore consider echo-guided aspiration as first choice treatment for symptomatic cysts, while the more invasive methods should be used in refractory cases.

Mineral nutrient composition of the stemflow of 70-120-year-old beech trees Fagus sylvatica L. in 26 stands in northwestern Switzerland was compared with that of incident precipitation. Four mm of precipitation was sufficient to wash-off the bulk of the dry deposition intercepted by the canopy. Thereafter, differences in composition between precipitation and stemflow provided a measure of net ion absorption by or leaching from the canopy. Depending on the acidity of the rain and on the buffering of protons by the canopy, different interactions were observed. Highest rates of leaching were detected for potassium whereas ammonium was absorbed in some stands and leached in others. Absorption of chloride was associated with the occurrence of H(+) buffering. The latter took place to a greater extent in more acidic precipitations. Interrelations of short-term canopy ion interactions are discussed and some implications examined.