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BACKGROUND: Allergic disease affects up to 40% of the global adult population, a proportion that is increasing with environmental changes related to global warming. METHODS: We undertook a systematic review of the literature to identify and evaluate the current evidence of the impact of climate change-related environmental factors on the allergen production and the epidemiology and severity of allergic pathologies. PECO criteria were established and guided the literature searches of the PubMed and Cochrane databases (Jan 1, 2016 to Dec 31, 2021). Study outcomes were categorized and grouped to facilitate data synthesis. Outcomes were classified as significant (statistical significance <0.05), non-significant (p>0.05) or undetermined (p value not reported). Study quality was assessed using MMAT analysis. RESULTS: Of 195 studies, 40 were considered relevant and 9 of them provided data to be included in the data quantitative synthesis. Environmental factors, including the presence of pollutants, temperature, and drought, influenced the type, volume, and timing of exposure to local aeroallergens. The most relevant environmental factor was the presence of environmental pollutants, of which tropospheric ozone was the most frequently associated to changes in allergen production, prevalence, and severity of allergic disease. Also, several publications demonstrated the impact of environmental factors on the healthcare burden. CONCLUSIONS: Climate-change related environmental factors increased allergic disease in terms of prevalence, severity, and healthcare burden due to alterations in allergen exposure (volume and type) with the presence of pollutants such as ozone being the most commonly reported driver of such increase.
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Most patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy (HVA) to vespid venoms present double sensitization by specific IgE (sIgE)-mediated cross-reactivity. Thus, it is mandatory could discriminate between a true double and primary sensitization to implement an accurate venom-specific immunotherapy (VIT). To date, CAP-inhibition is the reference method in the diagnosis of cross-reactivity in double sensitized patients to vespid venoms, being the results obtained with the component resolved diagnostics (CRD) conflicting. For this, we have studied in a cohort of double sensitized patients to Vespula vulgaris (VV) and Polistes dominulus (PD) venoms (n = 40) the diagnostic accuracy of CRD using the CAP-inhibition as reference method, as well as to investigate whether basophil activation test (BAT) is an alternative method for inconclusive results obtained by CAP-inhibition. CAP-inhibition showed a sensitivity of 59.46 % in view of the indeterminate results; most patients had true double sensitization (54.5 %), followed by single sensitization to PD (27.27 %) and VV (18.18 %) venoms. CRD based on rVes v 5/rPol d 5 (or vice versa) ratio as well as whole extracts I3/I77 (or vice versa) ratio (specific IgE-I3 to VV/specific IgE-I77 to PD) showed a low diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.504, p = 0.974; AUC = 0.35, p = 0.235; respectively). BAT was determined in parallel with CAP-inhibition in 12 patients, presented higher sensitivity than CAP-inhibition (p = 0.021) and a positive agreement of 71.43 %. Likewise it was able to identify 100% of inconclusive results, showing a specificity of 83.3 %. Therefore, CRD is not a suitable method to distinguish monosensitization and BAT appears to be an appropriate method resolving indeterminate results from the gold standard method.
Assuntos
Venenos de Abelha , Hipersensibilidade , Mordeduras e Picadas de Insetos , Alérgenos , Teste de Degranulação de Basófilos , Dessensibilização Imunológica , Humanos , Hipersensibilidade/diagnóstico , Imunoglobulina E , Venenos de VespasRESUMO
BACKGROUND: A technique for intra-arterial injection of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) has been established for front limbs with the use of the median artery. This approach has been proposed for treatment of soft tissue injuries of the equine distal limb. A technique has not been validated yet for hindlimb injection. OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility of injection of the cranial tibial artery in horses, and to evaluate the distribution and persistence of MSC after injection. STUDY DESIGN: In vivo experiment. METHODS: In a first phase, the cranial tibial arteries of both hindlimbs of three research horses were catheterised with ultrasound guidance under general anaesthesia and injected with iodinated contrast. In the second phase, iodinated contrast was injected in three standing sedated horses with ultrasound guidance. In the final phase, 99m Technetium-HMPAO labelled allogenic bone marrow derived equine MSC were injected under standing sedation with the same technique in three other horses. Scintigraphy was used to assess MSC distribution and persistence for 24 h. Ultrasound was performed 24 h after injection to assess vessel impairment. RESULTS: Arterial injection was achieved in all 18 limbs without any significant complications. Mild partial periarterial injection was observed in four limbs. Scintigraphic images demonstrated diffuse MSC distribution from the tarsal area to the foot. Persistence decreased over time but signal was still present at 24 h. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Limited retention of the radiolabel in the MSC. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided injection of the cranial tibial artery can be performed both under general anaesthesia and standing sedation in horses. This technique could be used for MSC treatment of equine proximal suspensory desmopathy or other injuries in the distal hindlimb.
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Cavalos/anatomia & histologia , Artérias da Tíbia , Ultrassonografia/veterinária , Animais , Meios de Contraste/administração & dosagem , Meios de Contraste/farmacologia , Injeções Intra-Arteriais , Transplante de Células-Tronco Mesenquimais/veterinária , Tecnécio Tc 99m Exametazima/administração & dosagem , Tecnécio Tc 99m Exametazima/farmacologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Early and accurate detection of stress remodelling in racehorses is of utmost importance to prevent catastrophic injuries. Current imaging techniques have limitations in assessing early changes predisposing to catastrophic breakdowns. Positron emission tomography (PET) using 18 F-sodium fluoride (18 F-NaF) is a sensitive method for the detection of early bone turnover and may improve early recognition of subtle injuries. OBJECTIVES: To validate the clinical use of 18 F-NaF PET in Thoroughbred racehorses, to assess the value of PET in the detection of bone lesions and to compare PET results with findings of other advanced imaging modalities, clinical examination and pathology. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental exploratory study. METHODS: Twenty fetlocks from nine Thoroughbred racehorses were imaged using 18 F-NaF PET, computed tomography (CT) and scintigraphy. Five fetlocks were also imaged with magnetic resonance imaging and four fetlocks were also examined histologically. Imaging findings were independently reviewed by three board certified radiologists. Imaging, clinical and histopathological findings were correlated. RESULTS: PET imaging was well-tolerated by all horses. PET detected focal areas of 18 F-NaF uptake in instances where other imaging modalities did not identify abnormalities, in particular in the proximal sesamoid bones. Maximal standardised uptake values could be measured to quantify the activity of lesions. Areas of 18 F-NaF uptake corresponded to regions of increased vascularity and increased osteoblastic activity. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Limited number of cases. CONCLUSIONS: 18 F-NaF PET imaging of the Thoroughbred fetlock is feasible and compares favourably with other imaging modalities in detecting stress remodelling in Thoroughbred racehorses. PET appears to be a beneficial imaging modality when used for early detection of stress remodelling in an effort to prevent catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries in this population of horses.
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Cavalos , Articulações/diagnóstico por imagem , Tomografia por Emissão de Pósitrons/veterinária , Compostos Radiofarmacêuticos/farmacologia , Fluoreto de Sódio/farmacologia , Animais , Membro Anterior , Membro Posterior , Coxeadura Animal/diagnóstico , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Cintilografia , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios XRESUMO
CR-39 nuclear track material is frequently used for the detection of protons accelerated in laser-plasma interactions. The measurement of track densities allows for determination of particle angular distributions, and information on the kinetic energy can be obtained by the use of passive absorbers. We present a precise method of measuring spectral distributions of laser-accelerated protons in a single etching and analysis process. We make use of a one-to-one relation between proton energy and track size and present a precise calibration based on monoenergetic particle beams. While this relation is limited to proton energies below 1 MeV, we show that the range of spectral measurements can be significantly extended by simultaneous use of absorbers of suitable thicknesses. Examples from laser-plasma interactions are presented, and quantitative results on proton energies and particle numbers are compared to those obtained from a time-of-flight detector. The spectrum end points of continuous energy distributions have been determined with both detector types and coincide within 50-100 keV.
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Germline deletions at the 3'-end of EPCAM have been involved in the etiology of Lynch syndrome (LS). The aim of this study was to characterize at the molecular level Spanish families harboring EPCAM deletions. Non-commercial multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) probes and long-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification were used to characterize each deletion. Haplotyping was performed by analyzing eight microsatellite markers and five MSH2single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Methylation of MSH2 was analyzed by methylation specific-MLPA. Tumors diagnosed in seven Spanish families harboring EPCAM deletions were almost exclusively colorectal. Mosaicism in MSH2 methylation was observed in EPCAM deletion carrier samples, being average methylation levels higher in normal colon and colorectal tumors (27.6% and 31.1%), than in lymphocytes and oral mucosa (1.1% and 0.7%). Three families shared the deletion c.858 + 2568_*4596del, with a common haplotype comprising 9.9 Mb. In two families the novel EPCAM deletion c.858 + 2488_*7469del was identified. This study provides knowledge on the clinical and molecular characteristics of mosaic MSH2 epimutations. The identification of an EPCAM founder mutation has useful implications for the molecular diagnosis of LS in Spain.
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Antígenos de Neoplasias/genética , Moléculas de Adesão Celular/genética , Neoplasias Colorretais Hereditárias sem Polipose/genética , Efeito Fundador , Deleção de Genes , Adulto , Colestase , Neoplasias Colorretais Hereditárias sem Polipose/diagnóstico , Metilação de DNA , Reparo de Erro de Pareamento de DNA , Molécula de Adesão da Célula Epitelial , Feminino , Loci Gênicos , Mutação em Linhagem Germinativa , Haplótipos , Heterozigoto , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Proteína 2 Homóloga a MutS/genética , Pneumonia , Regiões Promotoras Genéticas , Espanha , Adulto JovemAssuntos
Aerossóis/administração & dosagem , Alveolite Alérgica Extrínseca/diagnóstico , Etanolaminas/administração & dosagem , Metais/metabolismo , Adulto , Aerossóis/efeitos adversos , Alveolite Alérgica Extrínseca/etiologia , Automóveis , Testes de Provocação Brônquica , Etanolaminas/efeitos adversos , Humanos , Masculino , Metalurgia , Metais/imunologia , Exposição Ocupacional/efeitos adversos , EspirometriaRESUMO
In recent years, silicon nanostructures have been investigated extensively for their potential use in photonic and photovoltaic applications. So far, for silicon quantum dots embedded in SiO(2), control over inter-dot distance and size has only been observed in multiple bilayer stacks of silicon-rich oxides and silicon dioxide. In this work, for the first time the fabrication of spatially well-ordered Si quantum dots (QDs) in SiO(2) is demonstrated, without using the multilayer approach. This ordered formation, confirmed with TEM micrographs, depends on the thickness of the initially deposited sub-stoichiometric silicon oxide film. Grazing incidence x-ray diffraction confirms the crystallinity of the 5 nm QDs while photoluminescence shows augmented bandgap values. Low-temperature current-voltage measurements demonstrate film thickness and order-dependent conduction mechanisms, showing the transition from temperature-dependent conduction in randomly placed dots to temperature-independent tunnelling for geometrically ordered nanocrystals. Contrary to expectations from dielectric materials, significant conduction and photocarrier generation have been observed in our Si QDs embedded in SiO(2) demonstrating the possibility of forming initial film-thickness-controlled conductive films. This conduction via the silicon quantum dots in thick single layers is a promising result for integration into photovoltaic devices.
RESUMO
To improve the sensitivity of fluorescence detection in DNA microarrays, the use of silicon nanostructures based on chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes adopted for the growth of rough polycrystalline silicon was investigated. These substrates present advantages of two main properties which could lead to an enhancement of the fluorescence detection, i.e. (i) the increase of the available surface area in order to achieve a high loading capacity of biomolecules and (ii) the optimization of the stack of silicon nanostructures support. Indeed, the structures were elaborated on an initial thermal oxide layer and then covered with a silicon oxide layer, obtained by oxidation and allowing the functionalization for the subsequent grafting of DNA probes. Moreover, these oxide layers play a part in the fluorescence detection. The influence of the silicon oxide layer thickness above and below the silicon grains in close relation with the density of nanostructures on the emitted fluorescence was emphasized. This paper presents an experimental characterization of the fluorescence intensity and the optimization of the different layers that composed the substrate used for DNA microarrays. The performances of the microarrays were investigated by means of hybridization experiments using complementary fluorescent labeled-oligonucleotides targets. Our results indicate that an optimized substrate can be designed and that the use of oxidized silicon nanostructures for support of biochip could be a strategy for improving the sensitivity of fluorescence detection.
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Fluorescência , Nanoestruturas , Análise de Sequência com Séries de Oligonucleotídeos/instrumentação , Silício , Fluorometria/instrumentaçãoRESUMO
We report the case of an 18-year-old female student suffering from seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis with sensitization to pollens from vine and also from grass, olive, and Chenopodiaceae plants who had recently developed episodes of itching, maculopapular rash, and facial angioedema after eating grapes. Testing revealed positive reactions to vine pollen and grapes, and specific IgE were found for both allergens. Immunoblotting and inhibition assays revealed cross-reactivity between the allergenic structures of vine pollen and grape fruit and also among botanically unrelated pollens.
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Alérgenos , Hipersensibilidade Alimentar/complicações , Pólen/imunologia , Rinite Alérgica Sazonal/complicações , Vitis/imunologia , Adolescente , Alérgenos/isolamento & purificação , Reações Cruzadas , Feminino , Hipersensibilidade Alimentar/etiologia , Hipersensibilidade Alimentar/imunologia , Humanos , Immunoblotting , Imunoglobulina E/sangue , Rinite Alérgica Sazonal/etiologia , Rinite Alérgica Sazonal/imunologiaRESUMO
Phase retrieval is a classical inverse problem in many fields dealing with waves that is becoming of increasing interest in transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A non-interferometric approach is here applied to TEM images. Phase retrieval possibilities given by the transport intensity equation are compared to the ones deriving from the weak phase object approximation. In the limit of small angles, both methods lead to a similar equation between the phase and a set of defocus images. This equation can be solved by an image processing equivalent to using a specific filter in Fourier space. This processing leads to phase images with a spatial resolution here essentially limited by the defocus amount between images. A dense assembly of silicon nanodots is used as a model case to illustrate the interest of this approximate phase retrieval method which can be carried out on standard equipment. The dot heights estimated using the phase images are found to be in good agreement with ones measured by atomic force microscopy. Since image noise and large defocus values may strongly affect the solution given by the approximate method, an iterative phase retrieval method is also used as a test for working conditions.
Assuntos
Processamento de Imagem Assistida por Computador/métodos , Imageamento Tridimensional/métodos , Microscopia Eletrônica , Análise de Fourier , Microscopia de Força Atômica , Microscopia de Contraste de Fase/métodos , Silício/químicaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The family Dermestidae belongs to the order Coleoptera. Occupational allergy has been described in museum personnel. A 31-year-old male wool worker presenting rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma episodes probably linked to exposure to Dermestidae-infected wool was investigated. METHODS: Extracts prepared either from insect bodies or from dust from parasitized wool were used for skin prick testing (SPT), conjunctival and bronchial provocation tests and in vitro determinations. RESULTS: SPT and provocation tests were positive to both extracts. PEFR measurement demonstrated the association between the patient's symptoms and occupational exposure to Dermestidae. Specific IgE to both extracts was detected and immunoblotting revealed several protein bands from 5 to 200 kDa that were reactive to IgE from the patient's serum. CONCLUSIONS: Dermestidae exposure in wool workers when handling parasitized wool can be a cause of IgE-mediated rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma.
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Alérgenos/efeitos adversos , Asma/etiologia , Conjuntivite Alérgica/etiologia , Doenças Profissionais/etiologia , Rinite Alérgica Perene/etiologia , Lã/efeitos adversos , Adulto , Albuterol/uso terapêutico , Alérgenos/administração & dosagem , Alérgenos/imunologia , Animais , Especificidade de Anticorpos/imunologia , Asma/fisiopatologia , Testes de Provocação Brônquica , Broncodilatadores/uso terapêutico , Budesonida/uso terapêutico , Besouros/imunologia , Besouros/patogenicidade , Conjuntivite Alérgica/tratamento farmacológico , Conjuntivite Alérgica/fisiopatologia , Relação Dose-Resposta Imunológica , Eletroforese em Gel de Poliacrilamida , Volume Expiratório Forçado/fisiologia , Humanos , Immunoblotting , Imunoglobulina E/sangue , Imunoglobulina E/imunologia , Masculino , Peso Molecular , Doenças Profissionais/tratamento farmacológico , Doenças Profissionais/fisiopatologia , Pico do Fluxo Expiratório/fisiologia , Rinite Alérgica Perene/tratamento farmacológico , Rinite Alérgica Perene/fisiopatologia , Testes Cutâneos , Extratos de Tecidos/efeitos adversos , Extratos de Tecidos/imunologia , Lã/imunologia , Lã/parasitologiaRESUMO
A 19-year-old man exhibited symptoms of immediate urticaria and angioedema related to contact with raw potato. A prick-by-prick test with potato pulp and rub test were positive. Specific IgE to potato was positive (class 2).
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Dermatite Alérgica de Contato/etiologia , Solanum tuberosum/efeitos adversos , Urticária/etiologia , Adulto , Manipulação de Alimentos , Hipersensibilidade Alimentar/etiologia , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMO
Wall rocket (Diplotaxis erucoides) is a common Crucifera plant that grows in European and American vineyards and olive groves. We present the cases of 2 farmers with rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma related to wine-growing tasks during D erucoides pollination (March-April). The aim of this work was to demonstrate that occupational symptoms were caused by D erucoides pollen sensitization. Cutaneous tests, specific IgE measurements, conjunctival and bronchial provocation tests, and peak-flow measurements during working days were performed.
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Asma/diagnóstico , Conjuntivite Alérgica/diagnóstico , Doenças Profissionais/diagnóstico , Plantas/imunologia , Rinite Alérgica Sazonal/diagnóstico , Adulto , Alérgenos/imunologia , Alérgenos/ultraestrutura , Testes de Provocação Brônquica , Volume Expiratório Forçado , Humanos , Imunoglobulina E/biossíntese , Masculino , Plantas/anatomia & histologia , Pólen/imunologia , Pólen/ultraestrutura , Testes CutâneosAssuntos
Conjuntivite Alérgica/etiologia , Hipersensibilidade/etiologia , Pólen/efeitos adversos , Rinite Alérgica Perene/etiologia , Árvores , Adulto , Testes de Provocação Brônquica , Conjuntivite Alérgica/sangue , Conjuntivite Alérgica/diagnóstico , Conjuntivite Alérgica/imunologia , Feminino , Humanos , Hipersensibilidade/sangue , Hipersensibilidade/diagnóstico , Hipersensibilidade/imunologia , Imunoglobulina E/sangue , Testes Intradérmicos , Teste de Radioalergoadsorção , Rinite Alérgica Perene/sangue , Rinite Alérgica Perene/diagnóstico , Rinite Alérgica Perene/imunologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity tests are a globally accepted test to assess cellular immunity in vivo. The quality and quantity of the response to these type of tests, varies in different populations. AIM: To study delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity in a group of healthy Chilean elders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty two elders (32 male), aged 60 to 76 years old were studied. Multitest-CMI was applied in the left forearm. This test allows the subcutaneous administration of seven antigens and a glycerin control. Results were compared with those of a group of young adults studied by the authors. RESULTS: Among males there was a mean of 2.7 +/- 1.4 positive responses compared with women, that had 1.7 +/- 1 positive responses (p = 0.016). The sum of response diameters was 4.2 +/- 1.5 and 3.6 +/- 1.9 mm in men and women respectively (p = NS). Compared to young adults, elderly women had a lower response to tetanus and diphtheria toxoids and men had a lower response to diphtheria and Proteus mirabilis. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly people have a less intense response to delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity tests than young adults. This response must be assessed in each population to account for regional variability.
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Antígenos de Bactérias/imunologia , Antígenos de Fungos/imunologia , Hipersensibilidade Tardia/imunologia , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Chile , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Testes Cutâneos/métodosRESUMO
We present our study of four patients with occupational type I allergy to red midge larvae (group 1) who we compared with seven individuals also sensitized to red midge larvae but who had not apparently been exposed to them (group 2). All patients showed elevated specific IgE against Chironomus thummi, and positive skin prick tests (SPT) and provocation tests with red midge larvae. We carried out SPT with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Acarus siro, shrimp, cockroach and common mosquito (Culex pipiens) and specific serum IgE was also determined. The red midge larvae wheal size was significantly larger in group 1 (x = 149.2 mm2) than in group 2 (x = 18 mm2). Significant differences between levels of IgE anti-C. thummi were also found in group 1 (x = 52.12 kU/l) and in group 2 (x = 1.5 kU/l). The patients in group 2 had high levels of specific IgE against other allergens (D. pteronyssinus, shrimp and/or common mosquito) and had positive SPTs with these allergens, while the patients in group 1 were only sensitized to chironomids. The IgE-immunoblotting profile was quite different in both groups. The patients in group 1 seemed to have IgE against Chi t 1, the main Chironomus allergen, while the patients in group 2 had IgE against several protein bands in Chironomus, mosquito, shrimp and D. pteronyssinus extracts, some of them with equivalent molecular weights. We believe that the patients in group 2 were sensitized to Chironomus as a result of cross-reactivity with other insect or crustacean species.
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Alérgenos/imunologia , Chironomidae/imunologia , Hipersensibilidade/imunologia , Imunoglobulina E/sangue , Doenças Profissionais/imunologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Animais , Especificidade de Anticorpos , Criança , Chironomidae/fisiologia , Feminino , Pesqueiros , Humanos , Imunização , Immunoblotting , Larva/imunologia , Masculino , Testes de Provocação Nasal , Testes CutâneosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The vine (Vitis vinifera) is a cultivated plant that is found in some European and American countries. Its pollen gathers in small quantities during a short pollination period in the months of May and June. Allergy to vine pollen has not been previously documented. OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe a case report of allergy to vine pollen documented on the basis of anamnesis, cutaneous, provocation, and specific IgE determination tests. METHODS: An allergenic extract was obtained from collected V vinifera pollens by aqueous standard procedures. Pollen counts and pollination periods of this and other common pollens in the area where the patient became symptomatic were studied. Cutaneous tests and the presence of specific IgE to the pollen extracts were performed by prick, CAP, and RAST techniques. Bronchial and conjunctival tests with the involved pollen extracts were also carried out to identify the sensitizing allergens. Five healthy subjects and 5 pollinic patients were used as control subjects and underwent the same tests. RESULTS: Skin prick test responses with vine pollen at different concentrations were positive for the studied patient and negative for the control subjects. Patient serum revealed a total IgE titer of 334 IU/mL and a specific IgE value of 1.3 PRU/mL (RAST class 2) to vine pollen. Bronchial and conjunctival provocation test responses were also positive when the patient was challenged with V vinifera extract. CONCLUSION: Exposure to the pollen of the vineyard plants (V vinifera) can induce immunologic sensitization and rhinoconjunctivitis/asthma.