Search

Asthma prevalence in children varies substantially around the world, but the contribution of known risk factors to this international variation is uncertain. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase Two studied 8-12 year old children in 30 centres worldwide with parent-completed symptom and risk factor questionnaires and aeroallergen skin prick testing. We used multilevel logistic regression modelling to investigate the effect of adjustment for individual and ecological risk factors on the between-centre variation in prevalence of recent wheeze. Adjustment for single individual-level risk factors changed the centre-level variation from a reduction of up to 8.4% (and 8.5% for atopy) to an increase of up to 6.8%. Modelling the 11 most influential environmental factors among all children simultaneously, the centre-level variation changed little overall (2.4% increase). Modelling only factors that decreased the variance, the 6 most influential factors (synthetic and feather quilt, mother's smoking, heating stoves, dampness and foam pillows) in combination resulted in a 21% reduction in variance. Ecological (centre-level) risk factors generally explained higher proportions of the variation than did individual risk factors. Single environmental factors and aeroallergen sensitisation measured at the individual (child) level did not explain much of the between-centre variation in wheeze prevalence.

ver PDF

A new dinuclear copper(II) complex [Cu 2 (HL)(OAc)](ClO 4 ) 2 containing a novel ligand, N,N′,N′ -[tris-(2-pyridylmethyl)]- N -(2-hydroxy-3,5-di- tert -butylbenzyl)-1,3-propanediamine-2-ol (H 2 L) as a catechol oxidase catalyst, was synthesized, characterized and used in the construction of a biomimetic sensor for determining hydroquinone in cosmetics by square wave voltammetry. The hydroquinone is oxidized to quinone and the electrochemical reduction back to hydroquinone was obtained at −0.2 V versus Ag/AgCl. Several parameters were investigated to evaluate the performance of the biomimetic sensor obtained after the incorporation of the copper(II) complex in a carbon paste. The responses under optimized conditions were obtained in a 0.1 mol L −1 phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.5), 10:15:75% (w/w/w) of the copper(II) complex:nujol:graphite powder and the calibration curve was linear for hydroquinone concentrations from 6.0 × 10 −5 to 2.5 × 10 −3 mol L −1 ( r = 0.9995). The detection and quantification limit was 3.0 × 10 −7 mol L −1 and 1.0 × 10 −6 mol L −1 , respectively. The recovery of hydroquinone from two samples ranged from 94.2 to 103.5% and the relative standard deviation was less than 1.0% for a solution containing 1.0 × 10 −3 mol L −1 hydroquinone ( n = 8). The lifetime of this biosensor was 7 months (at least 750 determinations). Results obtained for hydroquinone in cosmetics using the proposed biomimetic sensor and those obtained by the official method are in agreement at the 95% confidence level.

Effector mechanisms in anaphylaxis were reviewed. Current approaches to confirmation of the clinical diagnosis were discussed. Improved methods for distinguishing between allergen sensitization (which is common in the general population) and clinical risk of anaphylaxis (which is uncommon) were deliberated. Innovative techniques that will improve risk assessment in anaphylaxis in the future were described.

The risk of sensitization to furry animals in patients already sensitized to cat/dog : An in vitro evaluation using molecular-based allergy diagnostics Reply

Allergy to dog (Canis familiaris) is a worldwide problem that affects 5–10% of the adult population 1–3 and serves as a triggering factor in children and adults who suffer from asthma and allergic rhinitis 1, 2. It has been estimated that sensitisation to dog, confirmed by skin prick test, occurs in children with a physician-diagnosed asthma, rhinitis or eczema in up to 34%, 33% and 21%, respectively, in Sweden 4. Commercial dander extracts are routinely used for diagnosis of allergy to dog, both in vitro and in vivo. Dander is the preferable source for dog allergen extract preparations 5, 6. However, the outcome of in vitro IgE determinations and skin tests largely depends on the quality of the extracts 6. Clinical experience reveals that tests with commercially available dog allergen extracts occasionally show only slightly positive or even negative results, although the tested patients clearly exhibit dog-related symptoms 7, 8. Furthermore, dog dander extracts might be contaminated with mite allergens that potentially cause false positive skin prick test results 6, 9. Animal saliva is known as a common source of allergens. The major cat allergen, Fel d 1, is a tear, skin and salivary protein. Fel d 1 is produced by lacrimal and sublingual glands and subsequently transferred to fur by licking 10. Rat 11 and rabbit 12 saliva are reported as sources of numerous allergens that differ in SDS-PAGE profiles from analogous dander extract allergens. Five major allergens in rat saliva of molecular weights of 21.5 kDa or less have been identified by immunoblot 11. In rabbit saliva, 12 IgE-binding proteins have been identified. Two of them have by N-terminal sequencing shown to belong to the lipocalin family, while one was identified as the Fel d 1 homologue uteroglobin 12. Can f 1, Can f 2 together with serum albumin (Can f 3) and Can f 4 are known allergens from dog, although other possible candidates have been observed in immunoblot 13, 14. The two allergens Can f 1 and Can f 2 that belong to the lipocalin protein family are recognised as important allergens and are both found in dander and saliva 15, 16. Can f 1 binds more than 50% and Can f 2 one-third of IgE from dog-allergic patients 17. Can f 3 and Can f 4 are less important allergens that cross-react with allergens from other furry animals. In 2009, prostatic kallikrein (Can f 5) derived from dog urine was identified as a major allergen 14. A homologous protein was also detected in dog dander. Recently, the lipocalin Can f 6 was reported as an allergen cross-reactive with cat and horse 18. Despite being a major allergen, Can f 1 alone is not sufficient for diagnosis of dog allergy 16, 17. The aim of this study was to evaluate dog saliva as a potential source of allergens for improved diagnosis of allergy to dog.

Gas turbine combustion systems are characterized by flows that typically involve various interacting phenomena. These include turbulence, mixing, mass and heat transfer, radiation and multiphase flow. The flows exhibit large scale structures and evolve in a highly unsteady manner, which remains inaccessible to today’s RANS methods widely used in many 3D CFD industrial simulation tools. Large eddy simulations are proven to be reliable tool for the description of complex flow phenomenon. This paper presents an LES based combustion model which enables to evaluate the formation of pollutants precisely in a gas turbine combustion chamber. The chemical reaction source is modeled following the flamelet generated manifolds (FGM) method. In order to evaluate the capability of the model for predicting combustion processes induced by complex real fuels, a single sector combustor (SSC) fuelled with pre-vaporized kerosene at 0.4 MPa is numerically analysed. To appraise the quality of LES predictions, comparisons against available experimental measurement data will be provided along with an analysis of the reliability of the results obtained. Predictions of the flow field and some flame characteristics show satisfactory agreement with the experimental findings. This demonstrates the reliable predictability of the advanced LES model proposed.

The aim of the present study was to assess whether asthma onset prior to entering the workforce influences whether a person holds a subsequent job with asthma-related inhalation exposures. The data of 19,784 adults from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey were analysed. For each respondent, a current or previously held job was linked to a job exposure matrix assigning high, low or no exposure to dust, gases or fumes. Jobs were also categorised according to the risk of exposures related to occupational asthma. Associations between asthma and subsequent occupational exposures were assessed using logistic regression models, with a random intercept for study centre and fixed adjustment for age, sex, type of study sample and smoking status. Of the respondents, 8% (n = 1,619) reported asthma with onset before completion of full-time education. This population was at decreased risk of having a job with high (odds ratio 0.79; 95% confidence interval 0.68-0.92) or low (0.91; 0.80-1.03) exposure to dust, gases or fumes. The associations were consistent across exposure types (dusts, gases or fumes) and for jobs with a high risk of occupational asthma. Adults with asthma onset prior to entering the workforce may be less likely to hold jobs involving inhalation exposures.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate the role of measles vaccination and measles infection in the development of allergic disease and atopic sensitization. METHODS: A total of 14 893 children were included from the cross-sectional, multicenter Prevention of Allergy-Risk Factors for Sensitization in Children Related to Farming and Anthroposophic Lifestyle study, conducted in 5 European countries (Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland). The children were between 5 and 13 years of age and represented farm children, Steiner-school children, and 2 reference groups. Children attending Steiner schools often have an anthroposophic (holistic) lifestyle in which some immunizations are avoided or postponed. Parental questionnaires provided information on exposure and lifestyle factors as well as symptoms and diagnoses in the children. A sample of the children was invited for additional tests, and 4049 children provided a blood sample for immunoglobulin E analyses. Only children with complete information on measles vaccination and infection were included in the analyses (84%). RESULTS: In the whole group of children, atopic sensitization was inversely associated with measles infection, and a similar tendency was seen for measles vaccination. To reduce risks of disease-related modification of exposure, children who reported symptoms of wheezing and/or eczema debuting during first year of life were excluded from some analyses. After this exclusion, inverse associations were observed between measles infection and "any allergic symptom" and "any diagnosis of allergy by a physician." However, no associations were found between measles vaccination and allergic disease. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that measles infection may protect against allergic disease in children.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the asthma candidate gene neuropeptide S receptor 1 (NPSR1) in relation to environmental exposures, but recent evidences suggest its role as an effect modifier. OBJECTIVES: To explore the interaction between NPSR1 polymorphisms and environmental exposures related to farming lifestyle and to study the in vitro effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation on NPSR1 expression levels. METHODS: We studied 3113 children from PARSIFAL, a European cross-sectional study on environmental/lifestyle factors and childhood allergy, partly focused on children brought up on a farm. Information on exposures and outcomes was primarily obtained from parental questionnaires. Seven tagging polymorphisms were analysed in a conserved haplotype block of NPSR1. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate a multiplicative model of interaction. NPSR1 protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in monocytes were measured after LPS stimulation by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: A strong interaction was seen between current regular contact to farm animals and several NPSR1 polymorphisms, particularly rs323922 and rs324377 (p

Contains fulltext : 46515.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) 23 p.

Contains fulltext : 46160.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) 23 p.

Contains fulltext : 46516.pdf ( ) (Open Access) 23 p.

Item does not contain fulltext 232 p.

Contains fulltext : 46514.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) 11 p.

Contains fulltext : 46161.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) 23 p.

Contains fulltext : 46159.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) 11 p.

Contains fulltext : 46439.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) Int. Sociology Association RC24 Conference, 06 juni 2005 29 p.

Contains fulltext : 67164.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)

Item does not contain fulltext 06 december 2004

Item does not contain fulltext Presentation and Discussion Chair Workshop at the Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IOEW), 26 februari 2004

Contains fulltext : 59094.pdf (author's version ) (Open Access)

Contains fulltext : 67295.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) 95 p.

Årsliste 2000 Vannkvaliteten i små vannforekomster i Geitaknottane naturreservat ble undersøkt i oktober 1997 og i april 1999. Resultatene viste at området var påvirket av deposisjon av sjøsalter i 1997, og vannkvaliteten var derfor dårligere enn "normalt" ved denne undersøkelsen. Data fra april 1999 viste en mer normal situasjon. Resultatene er i rapporten brukt til å diskutere vannkjemiske kvalitetskriterier for stor salamander, sett i sammenheng med en enkel vurdering av andre habitatkrav. Voksne salamandre er observert i mange lokaliteter som synes å ha vannkvaliteter som er marginale eller uegnet for reproduksjon, og antallet lokaliteter der reproduksjon er påvist var vesentlig lavere. Basert på målinger fra 1997, kan ANC (syrenøytraliserende evne) på 15 µekv/liter antydes som en nedre grense for reproduksjon hos stor salamander i Geitaknottane. Det ble ikke registrert reproduksjon ved pH

Contains fulltext : 59095.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)

Background:Allergy to dog (Canis famili-aris) is recognized worldwide, and it maygive rise to childhood asthma. Can f 1 andCan f 2 together with dog albumin (Can f3) are known allergens in canine. Dog dan-der extract is a poor diagnostic tool ofIgE-mediated allergy to dog. Despite beinga major allergen, Can f 1 is not a verydominant allergen and is therefore insuffi-cient for diagnosis of dog allergy. Theoverall aim of the project is to obtainimproved tools for diagnosis of dog allergyby characterizing and evaluating dog salivaas a new allergen source.Methods:Dog saliva was collected from 14different dog breeds. IgE binding to a dogsaliva pool and to dog dander proteins wascompared in immunoblot using sera from13 dog sensitized patients (SPT and Immu-noCAP positive to dog dander extract)either individually or as a pool. IgE bind-ing proteins present in the dog saliva poolwere identified by MALDI-TOF analysisof trypsin in-gel digested protein spotsafter 2D PAGE). The allergenic potentialof different dog breeds was analyzed inimmunoblot using the pool of dog positivesera.Results:In dog dander extract most of thepatients recognized protein bands that cor-responded to already described dog aller-gens (Can f 1, Can f 2 and albumin),whereas in the dog saliva pool at least 12IgE binding proteins could be detectedwith molecular weights ranging from 14 to67 kDa. MALDI-TOF analysis of IgEbinding dander proteins showed the pres-ence of Can f 1 and Can f 2. One addi-tional IgE binding protein could bedetected in dog saliva (Can f 1, Can f 2and parotid secretory protein). Differentprotein/allergen profiles could be noted insaliva taken from different dog breeds. E.g. in saliva from Golden Retriever, fewer IgEbinding bands were detected than in salivasamples taken from other dog breeds.Conclusion:It seems to be a greater abun-dance and diversity of IgE binding proteinsin dog saliva compared to dog danderextract. Thus, usage of dog saliva could bean important improvement in the diagnosisof dog allergy.