Prenatal maternal anxiety promotes atopic dermatitis in offspring via placental DNA methylation changes.

BACKGROUND: Maternal anxiety during pregnancy has been previously reported to be associated with atopic dermatitis (AD) in offspring. The potential mechanism is not yet proven but epigenetic change may be suggested. OBJECTIVE: We examined whether maternal anxiety during pregnancy may alter placental DNA methylation, then develop AD in the offspring. METHODS: We evaluated maternal anxiety at 36 weeks of gestation by self-reported questionnaires, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait subscale (STAI-T), in the Cohort for Childhood Origin of Asthma and Allergic Diseases (COCOA) study. AD was diagnosed at 6 months of age by pediatric allergists. We stratified the subjects into four groups according to the STAI score of mothers and diagnosis of AD in children. Placental genome-wide methylation microarray was analyzed using Infinium 450K BeadChip and selected genes were validated by pyrosequencing. RESULTS: From microarray, several differential methylation sites were identified in AD and healthy subjects and in total subjects, regarding to the STAI scores. Among differential methylation sites in microarray, six sites were selected for pyrosequencing. And site of matrix metalloproteinases 27 (MMP27) among 6 sites showed decreased methylation in AD infants with high STAI mothers compared to healthy infants with low STAI mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Epigenetic change in placenta can be a suggesting mechanism for the development of AD in offspring at 6 months of age associated with maternal anxiety during pregnancy and MMP27 may be a candidate gene.

Particulate matter exposure during pregnancy increases risk of childhood asthma: modified by gender and NRF2 genotype.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to particulate matter (PM) has been known to develop asthma in children and the oxidative stress-related mechanisms are suggested. For the development of asthma, not only the exposure dose but also the critical window and the risk modifying factors should be evaluated. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether prenatal exposure to PM10 increases the risk of childhood asthma and evaluated the modifying factors, such as gender and reactive oxidative stress-related gene. METHODS: A general population-based birth cohort, the Panel Study of Korean Children (PSKC), including 1572 mother-baby dyads was analyzed. Children were defined to have asthma at age 7 when a parent reported physician-diagnosed asthma. Exposure to PM10 during pregnancy was estimated by land-use regression models based on national monitoring system. TaqMan method was used for genotyping nuclear factor, erythroid 2-related factor, NRF2 (rs6726395). A logistic Bayesian distributed lag interaction model (BDLIM) was used to evaluate the associations between prenatal PM10 exposure and childhood asthma by gender and NRF2. RESULTS: Exposure to PM10 during pregnancy was associated with the development of asthma (aOR 1.03, 95% CI 1.001.06). Stratifying by gender and NRF2 genotype, exposure to PM10 during 26-28 weeks gestation increased the risk of childhood asthma, especially in boys with NRF2 GG genotype. CONCLUSIONS: A critical window for PM10 exposure on the development of childhood asthma was during 26-28 weeks of gestation, and this was modified by gender and NRF2 genotype.

The association between MTHFR polymorphism, dietary methyl donors, and childhood asthma and atopy.

BACKGROUND: Studies investigating the genetic association of the C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genotype and dietary methyl donors with asthma and atopy are limited, and have variable results. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of dietary methyl donor intake on the risk of childhood asthma and atopy, based on the C677T polymorphism in the MTHFR gene. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 2,333 elementary school children aged 6-8 years across Korea during 2005 and 2006, as part of the first Children's Health and Environmental Research survey. Genotyping for the MTHFR (rs1801133) polymorphism was performed using the TaqMan assay. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analysis was performed to determine a descriptive association between the dietary methyl donor intake, MTHFR polymorphism, and childhood asthma and atopy. RESULTS: Intake of dietary methyl donors like folates was significantly associated with a decreased risk of the wheezing symptom, in the past 12 months, and "ever asthma" diagnosis, respectively. Vitamin B6 intake was also associated with a decreased atopy risk. The T allele of the MTHFR (rs1801133) gene was significantly associated with a decreased risk of atopy. Increased intakes of folate, vitamin B2, and vitamin B6 were protective factors against atopy, especially in children with the T allele on the MTHFR gene, compared to those with lower intakes and the CC genotype. CONCLUSIONS: High intakes of dietary methyl donors were associated with reduced risk of atopy and asthma symptoms. These may have additive effects related to the susceptibility alleles of the MTHFR gene. The clinical implications require evaluation.

Combined effect of hygienic and polygenic risk scores in children with allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Although the development of allergic rhinitis (AR) is associated with multiple genetic and hygienic environmental factors, previous studies have focused mostly on the effect of a single factor on the development of AR. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the combined effect of multiple genetic and hygienic environmental risk factors on AR development in school children. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study, comprising 1,797 children aged 9-12 years. Weighted environmental risk score (ERS) was calculated by using four hygienic environmental factors, including antibiotic use during infancy, cesarean section delivery, breast milk feeding, and having older siblings. Weighted polygenic risk score (PRS) was calculated by using four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including interleukin-13 (rs20541), cluster of differentiation 14 (rs2569190), toll-like receptor 4 (rs1927911), and glutathione S-transferase P1 (rs1695). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used. RESULTS: More than three courses of antibiotic use during infancy increased the risk of current AR (adjusted odd ratio [aOR], 2.058; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.290-3.284). Having older siblings, especially > 2 (aOR, 0.526; 95%Cl: 0.303-0.913) had a protective effect. High ERS ( > median; aOR, 2.079; 95%Cl: 1.466-2.947) and PRS ( > median; aOR, 1.627; 95%Cl: 1.117-2.370) increased the risk of current AR independently. Furthermore, children who had both high ERS and PRS showed a higher risk of current AR (aOR, 3.176; 95%Cl: 1.787-5.645). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to multiple hygienic risk factors during infancy increases the risk of AR in genetically susceptible children.

Host-microbial interactions between PTGR2 and Bifidobacterium in the early life gut of atopic dermatitis children.

BACKGROUND: Gut microbiota dysbiosis is linked to the development and responses of the immune system and can play an important role in the onset of allergic diseases including atopic dermatitis (AD). This study investigated the association between host genetics and the gut microbiota in AD. METHODS: A global gene expression profiling of the gut epithelial colonocytes, genetic variations analysis, and the gut microbial composition analysis were performed. RESULTS: This study identified the upregulation of PTGR2 (p = .028), a gene involved in prostaglandin catalysis and inflammatory responses, as a potential risk factor for AD. In subsequent fine mapping analysis using 17 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of PTGR2 in 864 Korean subjects (420 AD patients and 444 unaffected controls), several SNPs and haplotypes showed significant associations with AD and its SCORing AD (SCORAD) values (p = .002). To investigate host-microbial interactions, further gut microbiota data and genotypes were obtained from an independent cohort of 176 subjects (91 AD patients and 85 controls). From correlation analysis, a significantly negative association between SNP and Bifidobacterium abundance was observed in AD patients (p = .005). In additional observations of PTGR2-associated downstream molecules, NRF2 (p = .004) and several antioxidant genes (GSTT1, GCLC, GPX1; p < .05) showed significantly reduced expression in AD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our current findings suggest that the interaction between PTGR2 dysregulated expression and a Bifidobacterium abundance affects a higher risk of AD and a more severe onset.

Effect of early-life antibiotic exposure and IL-13 polymorphism on atopic dermatitis phenotype.

BACKGROUND: Although atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with certain gene variants, the rapidly increasing incidence of AD suggests that environmental factors contribute to disease development. In this study, we investigated the association of AD incidence and phenotype with antibiotic exposure within 6 months of age, considering the dose administered and genetic risk. METHODS: This study included 1637 children from the COCOA cohort. Pediatric allergists assessed the presence of AD at each visit and obtained information about antibiotic exposure for more than 3 days. IL-13 (rs20541) polymorphism was genotyped by the TaqMan method. We stratified the AD phenotypes into four groups and used multinomial logistic regression models for analysis. RESULTS: Antibiotic exposure within 6 months of age was found to increase the risk of AD within 3 years of life (aOR = 1.40; 95% CI, 1.09-1.81) in dose-dependent manner. Antibiotic exposure more than twice increased the risk of the early-persistent AD phenotype (aOR = 2.50; 95% CI, 1.35-4.63). There was a weak interaction between genetic polymorphisms and environmental factors on the development of AD (p for interaction = 0.06). Children with the IL-13 (rs20541) GA + AA genotype have a higher risk of the early-persistent AD phenotype when exposed to antibiotics more than twice than those with the IL-13 (rs20541) GG genotype and without exposure to antibiotics (aOR = 4.73; 95% CI, 2.01-11.14). CONCLUSION: Antibiotic exposure within 6 months was related to the incidence of early-persistent AD and a dose-dependent increase in the incidence of AD in childhood, whose effect was modified by the IL-13 (rs20541) genotype.

Photosynthetic production of biodiesel in Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 transformed with insect or plant fatty acid methyltransferase.

Biodiesel contains methyl or ethyl esters of long-chain fatty acids and has recently attracted increasing attention. Microalgae have emerged as a sustainable biodiesel production system owing to their photosynthetic potential. However, the conversion of microalgal biomass to biodiesel requires high energy and is costly. This study aimed to overcome the high cost of the pretreatment process by generating cyanobacteria converting fatty acids to fatty acids methyl ester (FAME) in vivo by introducing the fatty acid methyl ester transferase (FAMT) gene. Two FAMT genes from Drosophila melanogaster and Arabidopsis thaliana were selected and their codons were optimized for insertion in the Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 genome through homologous recombination, respectively. FAMT mRNA and protein expression levels were confirmed through reverse-transcription PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. Furthermore, heterologous expression of the FAMT genes yielded FAME, which was analyzed by gas chromatography. We found that FAMT transformants can be further metabolically optimized and applied for commercial production of biodiesel.

Association of IL13 genetic polymorphisms with atopic dermatitis: Fine mapping and haplotype analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although previous studies had reported an important role of interleukin 13 (IL13) and its genetic polymorphisms in atopic dermatitis (AD), many of these previous reports focused on the missense variant rs20541 (Gln144Arg) without fine mapping of the gene region. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the potential associations of other IL13 variants and their haplotypes with AD and assess total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. METHODS: We performed fine mapping of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the IL13 gene in a pilot study of 495 children with AD and 444 healthy controls. Then, we conducted a replication study of 757 children with AD and 1620 healthy controls to evaluate the association between the rs20541 variant of IL13 and AD. RESULTS: In the pilot study, the rs20541 and rs1295685 SNPs in the 3'-untranslated region of IL13 had significant associations with AD (P < .001 and .01, respectively). In addition, 2 haplotypes (BL2_ht1 and BL2_ht2), which harbored the significant rs20541 and rs1295685 SNPs, had an association with AD (minimum P = .006). BL2_ht1 and BL2_ht2 had nominal signals associated with the total serum IgE levels (P < .05) but not with the severity of AD (P > .05). In the replication study, rs20541 was associated with the total serum IgE levels but not with the severity of AD. CONCLUSION: An additional IL13 gene SNP, rs1295685, has a strong linkage disequilibrium with rs20541, and its haplotypes are associated with AD and the total serum IgE levels.

Nondiagnostic Percutaneous Transthoracic Needle Biopsy of Lung Lesions: A Multicenter Study of Malignancy Risk.

Purpose To evaluate the malignancy risk of lung lesions that show nondiagnostic results at transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) of the lung and to identify any malignancy-associated risk factors in each nondiagnostic category. Materials and Methods In this retrospective study, 9384 initial PTNBs (9239 patients [mean age, 65 years; age range, 20-99 years] consisting of 5729 men [mean age, 66 years; age range, 20-99 years] and 3510 women [mean age, 63 years; age range, 20-94 years]) were performed in eight institutions between January 2010 and December 2014. PTNB results were categorized as diagnostic (malignant or specifically benign) or nondiagnostic (nonspecific benign pathologic findings, atypical cells, or insufficient specimen), and the proportion of final malignant diagnoses per nondiagnostic category was obtained. Malignancy-associated factors were determined by using multivariable analyses. Results Nondiagnostic results were present in 27.6% (2590 of 9384) of PTNBs. Proportions of final malignant diagnoses were 21.3% (339 of 1592) for nonspecific benignities, 90.1% (503 of 558) for atypical cells, and 46.6% (205 of 440) for insufficient specimens. In the nonspecific benign category, granulomatous inflammation (odds ratio [OR], 0.04; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.02, 0.12; P < .001), abscess (OR, 0.04; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.28; P = .001), and organizing pneumonia (OR, 0.05; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.23; P < .001) were demonstrated to be important factors negating malignancy. Atypical cells suspicious for malignancy were more associated with malignancy (OR, 6.3; 95% CI: 1.9, 21.0; P = .003) than were atypical cells of indeterminate malignancy. All 130 lesions with atypical cells suggestive of malignancy were finally malignant. Conclusion After nondiagnostic lung biopsies, lesions categorized as atypical cell lesions have a high likelihood of malignancy, with somewhat lower likelihood for lesions with insufficient specimens and nonspecific benign categories. © RSNA, 2018 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Elicker in this issue.

Perturbations of gut microbiome genes in infants with atopic dermatitis according to feeding type.

BACKGROUND: Perturbations of the infant gut microbiota can shape development of the immune system and link to the risk of allergic diseases. OBJECTIVE: We sought to understand the role of the gut microbiome in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). The metagenome of the infant gut microbiome was analyzed according to feeding types. METHODS: Composition of the gut microbiota was analyzed in fecal samples from 129 infants (6 months old) by using pyrosequencing, including 66 healthy infants and 63 infants with AD. The functional profile of the gut microbiome was analyzed by means of whole-metagenome sequencing (20 control subjects and 20 patients with AD). In addition, the total number of bacteria in the feces was determined by using real-time PCR. RESULTS: The gut microbiome of 6-month-old infants was different based on feeding types, and 2 microbiota groups (Bifidobacterium species-dominated and Escherichia/Veillonella species-dominated groups) were found in breast-fed and mixed-fed infants. Bacterial cell amounts in the feces were lower in infants with AD than in control infants. Although no specific taxa directly correlated with AD in 16S rRNA gene results, whole-metagenome analysis revealed differences in functional genes related to immune development. The reduction in genes for oxidative phosphorylation, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt signaling, estrogen signaling, nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor signaling, and antigen processing and presentation induced by reduced colonization of mucin-degrading bacteria (Akkermansia muciniphila, Ruminococcus gnavus, and Lachnospiraceae bacterium 2_1_58FAA) was significantly associated with stunted immune development in the AD group compared with the control group (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in the gut microbiome can be associated with AD because of different bacterial genes that can modulate host immune cell function.

Prenatal maternal distress affects atopic dermatitis in offspring mediated by oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests that prenatal maternal distress increases the risk of allergic diseases in offspring. However, the effect of prenatal maternal depression and anxiety on atopic dermatitis (AD) risk remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether prenatal maternal distress is associated with AD risk in offspring and whether the mechanism is mediated by reactive oxygen species. METHODS: Two general population-based birth cohorts formed the study. One cohort (Cohort for Childhood Origin of Asthma and Allergic Diseases [COCOA]) consisted of 973 mother-baby dyads, and the other (Panel Study on Korean Children [PSKC]) consisted of 1531 mother-baby dyads. The association between prenatal distress and AD was assessed by using Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression models. In COCOA placental 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 and glutathione levels and serum IgE levels in 1-year-old children were measured. RESULTS: In COCOA and PSKC AD occurred in 30.6% (lifetime prevalence) and 11.6% (1 year prevalence) of offspring, respectively. Prenatal maternal distress increased the risk of AD in offspring, both in COCOA (hazard ratio for depression, 1.31 [95% CI, 1.02-1.69]; hazard ratio for anxiety, 1.41 [95% CI, 1.06-1.89]) and PSKC (odds ratio for distress, 1.85 [95% CI, 1.06-3.25]). In COCOA both prenatal maternal depression and anxiety scores were positively related to the predicted probability of AD (P < .001 in both). Prenatal distress decreased placental glutathione to glutathione disulfide ratios (P = .037) and, especially in those who later had AD, decreased placental 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 levels (P = .010) and increased IgE levels at 1 year of age (P = .005). CONCLUSION: Prenatal maternal depression and anxiety promote risk of AD in offspring. Maternal distress increases the predicted probability of AD. The mechanism might involve chronic stress, abnormal steroid levels, and reactive oxygen species.

Unusual meandering right upper lobe pulmonary vein draining into right middle lobe pulmonary vein: a case report.

Meandering right pulmonary vein is a rare vascular anomaly that requires accurate diagnosis to avoid unnecessary procedures and unintended vascular injury during operation. We describe an unusual meandering right upper lobe pulmonary vein draining into the left atrium via the right middle lobe pulmonary vein.

Mold elicits atopic dermatitis by reactive oxygen species: Epidemiology and mechanism studies.

Mold has been implicated in the development of atopic dermatitis (AD); however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of mold exposure in early life through epidemiologic and mechanistic studies in vivo and in vitro. Exposure to visible mold inside the home during the first year of life was associated with an increased risk for current AD by two population-based cross-sectional human studies. Children with the AG+GG genotype of GSTP1 showed increased risk for current AD when exposed to mold. In the mouse model, treatment with patulin induced and aggravated clinically significant AD and Th2-related inflammation of the affected mouse skin. Additionally, reactive oxygen species (ROS) were released in the mouse skin as well by human keratinocytes. In conclusions, mold exposure increases the risk for AD related to ROS generation mediated by Th2-promoting inflammatory cytokines.

Pulmonary lymphomatoid granulomatosis in a 4-year-old girl.

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis is a rare lymphoproliferative disease associated with the Epstein-Barr virus that commonly affects the lung. There is limited literature on cases of pediatric lymphomatoid granulomatosis. Half of all cases of lymphomatoid granulomatosis develop during the treatment of leukemia. Herein, we describe a case of lymphomatoid granulomatosis in a previously healthy child without leukemia.

Effect of antibiotic use and mold exposure in infancy on allergic rhinitis in susceptible adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic use in infancy induces alteration in intestinal microbiota and is associated with the development of allergic diseases. Mold exposure is also associated with allergic diseases. Genetic susceptibility may interact with specific environmental factors in allergic disease development. OBJECTIVE: To investigate independent and combined effects of antibiotic use and mold exposure in infancy on the risk of allergic rhinitis (AR) in adolescents. METHODS: Data on AR and environmental factors were collected using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire from 7,389 adolescents from Seoul, Korea. TaqMan genotyping was performed for interleukin 13 (IL-13) (rs20541) and Toll-like receptor 4 (rs1927911) polymorphisms in 1,395 adolescents. RESULTS: Age, parental history of AR, antibiotic use in infancy, and pet ownership during pregnancy or infancy were associated with an increased risk of current AR (diagnosis of AR and symptoms of AR within the preceding 12 months). Having older siblings was a protective effect. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for current AR for combined antibiotic use and mold exposure in infancy was 1.45 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-2.09). For each factor separately, aORs were 1.25 (95% CI, 1.04-1.50) and 0.99 (95% CI, 0.75-1.31), respectively. Antibiotic and mold exposure in infancy, GA or AA genotypes of IL-13 (rs20541) (aOR 4.53; 95% CI, 1.66-12.38; P for interaction = .05), and CT+TT genotype of Toll-like receptor 4 (rs1927911) (aOR, 3.20; 95% CI, 1.24-8.26; P for interaction = .18) increased the risk of current AR. CONCLUSION: Antibiotic use and mold exposure in infancy have additive effects on the risk of current AR in genetically susceptible adolescents. Gene-environment interactions between IL-13 (rs20541) and antibiotics or mold may play a role in AR.

The effect of perinatal anxiety on bronchiolitis is influenced by polymorphisms in ROS-related genes.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to perinatal anxiety affects disease susceptibility in offspring but studies on the association between perinatal anxiety and gene polymorphisms are lacking. This study aimed to elucidate the interaction between perinatal anxiety and polymorphisms in antioxidant defense and innate immunity genes on the development of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) during early infancy. METHODS: Trait anxiety levels in 440 women were assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory during late gestation. The occurrence of RTIs, including bronchiolitis, during the first year of life was assessed by parent-reported doctor diagnosis. Polymorphisms in glutathione S-transferase P-1 (GSTP1, rs1695) and CD14 (rs2569190) were genotyped using the TaqMan assay. Copy number variations of GSTT1 were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Exposure to high levels of perinatal anxiety increased the risk of bronchiolitis in the first year of life (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.30; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00-1.80), in particular among children with the AG + GG genotype of GSTP1 or the GSTT1 null genotype (aOR 3.36 and 2.79). In infants with the TC + CC genotype of CD14, high levels of perinatal anxiety were associated with an increased risk of upper RTI, lower RTI, and bronchiolitis (aOR 2.51, 4.60, and 4.31, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Perinatal maternal anxiety levels affect the occurrence of bronchiolitis in offspring. The effect of perinatal anxiety on the occurrence of bronchiolitis during infancy was influenced by genetic polymorphisms in antioxidant defense and innate immunity genes.

Genome-wide association study identifies HLA-DP as a susceptibility gene for pediatric asthma in Asian populations.

Asthma is a complex phenotype influenced by genetic and environmental factors. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) with 938 Japanese pediatric asthma patients and 2,376 controls. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) showing strong associations (P<1×10(-8)) in GWAS were further genotyped in an independent Japanese samples (818 cases and 1,032 controls) and in Korean samples (835 cases and 421 controls). SNP rs987870, located between HLA-DPA1 and HLA-DPB1, was consistently associated with pediatric asthma in 3 independent populations (P(combined) = 2.3×10(-10), odds ratio [OR] = 1.40). HLA-DP allele analysis showed that DPA1*0201 and DPB1*0901, which were in strong linkage disequilibrium, were strongly associated with pediatric asthma (DPA1*0201: P = 5.5×10(-10), OR = 1.52, and DPB1*0901: P = 2.0×10(-7), OR = 1.49). Our findings show that genetic variants in the HLA-DP locus are associated with the risk of pediatric asthma in Asian populations.

Association between recent acetaminophen use and asthma: modification by polymorphism at TLR4.

The risk of asthma has been increasing in parallel with use of acetaminophen, which is a potential source of oxidative stress. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays a critical role not only in innate immunity, but also in mediating reactive oxygen species induced inflammation. Therefore, we investigated associations between acetaminophen usage and TLR4 polymorphism on asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR). The number of 2,428 elementary school children in Seoul and Jeongeup cities was recruited. Subjects who used acetaminophen with a family history of asthma had an increased risk of both asthma diagnosis ever and current asthma. Individuals with CT+TT genotypes at the TLR4 polymorphism, in combination with acetaminophen usage, also demonstrated an increased risk of asthma diagnosis ever (aOR, 2.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-3.92). Family history of asthma and acetaminophen usage were risk factors for BHR. Although TLR4 was not an independent risk factor for BHR, individuals with CT+TT genotypes at the TLR4 polymorphism had an increased risk of BHR when combined with acetaminophen usage (aOR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.03-2.94). In conclusion, acetaminophen usage may be associated with asthma and BHR in genetically susceptible subjects. This effect may be modified by polymorphism at TLR4.

Inhibition of Polyphosphate Degradation in Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 through Inactivation of the phoU Gene.

Phosphorus is an essential but non-renewable nutrient resource critical for agriculture. Luxury phosphorus uptake allows microalgae to synthesize polyphosphate and accumulate phosphorus, but, depending on the strain of algae, polyphosphate may be degraded within 4 hours of accumulation. We studied the recovery of phosphorus from wastewater through luxury uptake by an engineered strain of Synechocystis sp. with inhibited polyphosphate degradation and the effect of this engineered Synechocystis biomass on lettuce growth. First, a strain (ΔphoU) lacking the phoU gene, which encodes a negative regulator of environmental phosphate concentrations, was generated to inhibit polyphosphate degradation in cells. Polyphosphate concentrations in the phoU knock-out strain were maintained for 24 h and then decreased slowly. In contrast, polyphosphate concentrations in the wild-type strain increased up to 4 h and then decreased rapidly. In addition, polyphosphate concentration in the phoU knockout strain cultured in semi-permeable membrane bioreactors with artificial wastewater medium was 2.5 times higher than that in the wild type and decreased to only 16% after 48 h. The biomass of lettuce treated with the phoU knockout strain (0.157 mg P/m2) was 38% higher than that of the lettuce treated with the control group. These results indicate that treating lettuce with this microalgal biomass can be beneficial to crop growth. These results suggest that the use of polyphosphate-accumulating microalgae as biofertilizers may alleviate the effects of a diminishing phosphorous supply. These findings can be used as a basis for additional genetic engineering to increase intracellular polyphosphate levels.