Effects of diesel exhaust particle exposure on a murine model of asthma due to soybean.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to soybean allergens has been linked to asthma outbreaks. Exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEP) has been associated with an increase in the risk of asthma and asthma exacerbation; however, in both cases the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood, as does the possible interaction between the two entities. OBJECTIVE: To investigate how the combination of soybean allergens and DEP can affect the induction or exacerbation of asthma in a murine model. METHODS: BALB/c mice received intranasal instillations of saline, 3 or 5 mg protein/ml soybean hull extract (SHE), or a combination of one of these three solutions with DEP. Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), pulmonary inflammation in bronchoalveolar lavage, total serum immunoglobulin E and histological studies were assessed. RESULTS: A 5 mg protein/ml SHE solution was able by itself to enhance AHR (p = 0.0033), increase eosinophilic inflammation (p = 0.0003), increase levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-17F and CCL20, and reduce levels of IFN-γ. The combination of 5 mg protein/ml SHE with DEP also produced an increase in AHR and eosinophilic inflammation, but presented a slightly different cytokine profile with higher levels of Th17-related cytokines. However, while the 3 mg protein/ml SHE solution did not induce asthma, co-exposure with DEP resulted in a markedly enhanced AHR (p = 0.002) and eosinophilic inflammation (p = 0.004), with increased levels of IL-5, IL-17F and CCL20 and decreased levels of IFN-γ. CONCLUSIONS & CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The combination of soybean allergens and DEP is capable of triggering an asthmatic response through a Th17-related mechanism when the soybean allergen concentration is too low to promote a response by itself. DEP monitoring may be a useful addition to allergen monitoring in order to prevent new asthma outbreaks.

A rapid test for soy aeroallergens exposure assessment.

BACKGROUND: Determining soy aeroallergens levels is extremely important in the assessment of health risks due to these airborne substances. Currently, soy aeroallergens exposure in the environment is monitored using enzyme immunoassays (EIA) which must be evaluated in a specialized laboratory by skilled personnel. OBJECTIVE: To describe the development and performance of a rapid immunochromatography assay for the detection of soy aeroallergens in environmental samples. METHODS: A test strip using gold labeled anti-soy hull low molecular weight extract (SHLMWE) antibody for the rapid detection of soy aeroallergens in environmental samples was developed. One hundred nineteen airborne samples were analysed in parallel by the strip assay and the anti-SHLMWE sandwich EIA. The assay results were visually analysed by three independent observers who ranked samples as: -, + or ++. Strips were also scanned and analysed by densitometry. RESULTS: The rapid test detected a range of concentrations from 6.25 to 25 ng/mL. Agreement in strip assay interpretations between evaluators was substantial (Kappa = 0.63; CI 0.544-0.715). Visual interpretation also gave a good concordance with EIA results, with sensitivity ranging from 77.3 to 100 and specificity from 65 to 83.5 depending on the observer. Furthermore, a strong correlation was observed between densitometry results of strip assay and EIA determinations. CONCLUSIONS: The strip assay developed is rapid, simple, and sensitive and does not require expensive equipment or specific skills. It has considerable potential in the environmental monitoring field for screening soy aeroallergens levels in port cities where allergen measurements are not currently performed. Due to its simplicity, the test will improve the management of soy allergic patients by controlling environmental allergen exposure without the need for apparatus or skilled personnel.

Contenido pulmonar de amianto en trabajadores de los astilleros de Ferrol / Asbestos pulmonary content in workers of Ferrol shipyards, Spain

Fundamento y objetivo: Desde hace unos años se está llevando a cabo el estudio de los trabajadores expuestos a amianto en los astilleros de Ferrol con la finalidad de llegar al diagnóstico de las enfermedades derivadas de la exposición. El objetivo del presente estudio fue conocer el contenido pulmonar de amianto en esta población. Material y método Se obtuvieron muestras pulmonares necrópsicas correspondientes a individuos que habían trabajado en los astilleros de Ferrol. En la mayoría de los casos se analizaron muestras de los 2 pulmones. Tras eliminar la materia orgánica pulmonar con hipoclorito sódico, el residuo inorgánico fue analizado mediante microscopia óptica. Los resultados se expresaron como cuerpos de amianto (CA) por gramo de tejido seco. Se consideraron niveles causantes de enfermedad aquellos que superaron los 1.000 CA/g. Resultados Se estudiaron 30 pacientes varones, con una edad media de 67 años (extremos 56-89 años). Veintiséis sujetos eran fumadores o ex fumadores, mientras que 4 no habían fumado. Todos tenían una enfermedad pulmonar, pleural o peritoneal relacionada con la exposición a amianto (16 cáncer de pulmón, 6 mesotelioma, 25 enfermedad pleural benigna). Solo en 6 de los 16 casos de cáncer de pulmón existía asbestosis concomitante. La mediana (intervalo) de CA observados fue de 6.171 (249-4.660.059) CA/g. El 97% de individuos presentaron valores superiores a los 1.000 CA/g. Se encontró correlación entre los CA y la edad del sujeto (r=0,5676; p=0,0011).Conclusiones Los trabajadores de los astilleros de Ferrol analizados tienen valores pulmonares de amianto elevados. Se debe aumentar la sospecha clínica del amianto como factor potencialmente causante de enfermedad pulmonar en este colectivo (AU)

Background and objective: In the last years, a study is being conducted about exposure to asbestos among shipyards workers in order to know the diagnosis of the diseases associated with the exposure. Our goal was to know the asbestos pulmonary contents in this population. Material and methods: We obtained autopsy pulmonary samples from individuals who had worked in Ferrol shipyards. We analyzed samples from both lungs in most cases. After removing the lung organic matter with sodium hypochlorite, the inorganic residue was analyzed with optic microscopy. Results were expressed as asbestos bodies (AB) per gram of dry tissue. We considered as disease causative levels those above 1,000 AB/g. Results: We studied 30 males, with a mean age of 67 years (r: 56-89 years). Twenty-six were smokers or former smokers, and 4 had never smoked. All had a lung, pleural or peritoneal disease related to asbestos exposure (16 lung cancer, 6 mesothelioma, 25 benign pleural disease). Only in 6 out of the 16 lung cancercases there was coexisting asbestosis. The median (interval) of AB was 6,171 (249-4,660,059) AB/g. Ninety-seven per cent of individuals had levels above 1,000 AB/g. There was a correlation between A Band age (r = .5676; P = .0011).Conclusions: Workers from Ferrol shipyards who were analyzed had increased pulmonary levels of asbestos. It is essential to raise clinical suspicion of asbestos as a factor that can potentially cause lungdisease in this group (AU)

[Asbestos pulmonary content in workers of Ferrol shipyards, Spain]. / Contenido pulmonar de amianto en trabajadores de los astilleros de Ferrol.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In the last years, a study is being conducted about exposure to asbestos among shipyards workers in order to know the diagnosis of the diseases associated with the exposure. Our goal was to know the asbestos pulmonary contents in this population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We obtained autopsy pulmonary samples from individuals who had worked in Ferrol shipyards. We analyzed samples from both lungs in most cases. After removing the lung organic matter with sodium hypochlorite, the inorganic residue was analyzed with optic microscopy. Results were expressed as asbestos bodies (AB) per gram of dry tissue. We considered as disease causative levels those above 1,000 AB/g. RESULTS: We studied 30 males, with a mean age of 67 years (r: 56-89 years). Twenty-six were smokers or former smokers, and 4 had never smoked. All had a lung, pleural or peritoneal disease related to asbestos exposure (16 lung cancer, 6 mesothelioma, 25 benign pleural disease). Only in 6 out of the 16 lung cancer cases there was coexisting asbestosis. The median (interval) of AB was 6,171 (249-4,660,059) AB/g. Ninety-seven per cent of individuals had levels above 1,000 AB/g. There was a correlation between AB and age (r=.5676; P=.0011). CONCLUSIONS: Workers from Ferrol shipyards who were analyzed had increased pulmonary levels of asbestos. It is essential to raise clinical suspicion of asbestos as a factor that can potentially cause lung disease in this group.

Continuous positive airway pressure treatment in sleep apnea patients with resistant hypertension: a randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: This controlled trial assessed the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on blood pressure (BP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and resistant hypertension (RH). METHODS: We evaluated 96 patients with resistant hypertension, defined as clinic BP at least 140/90 mmHg despite treatment with at least three drugs at adequate doses, including a diuretic. Patients underwent a polysomnography and a 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). They were classified as consulting room or ABPM-confirmed resistant hypertension, according to 24-h BP lower or higher than 125/80 mmHg. Patients with an apnea-hypopnea index at least 15 events/h (n = 75) were randomized to receive either CPAP added to conventional treatment (n = 38) or conventional medical treatment alone (n = 37). ABPM was repeated at 3 months. The main outcome was the change in systolic and diastolic BP. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients completed the follow-up. Patients with ABPM-confirmed resistant hypertension treated with CPAP (n = 20), unlike those treated with conventional treatment (n = 21), showed a decrease in 24-h diastolic BP (-4.9 ± 6.4 vs. 0.1 ± 7.3 mmHg, P = 0.027). Patients who used CPAP > 5.8 h showed a greater reduction in daytime diastolic BP {-6.12 mmHg [confidence interval (CI) -1.45; -10.82], P = 0.004}, 24-h diastolic BP (-6.98 mmHg [CI -1.86; -12.1], P = 0.009) and 24-h systolic BP (-9.71 mmHg [CI -0.20; -19.22], P = 0.046). The number of patients with a dipping pattern significantly increased in the CPAP group (51.7% vs. 24.1%, P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: In patients with resistant hypertension and OSA, CPAP treatment for 3 months achieves reductions in 24-h BP. This effect is seen in patients with ABPM-confirmed resistant hypertension who use CPAP more than 5.8 h.

[Course of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in patients with occupational asthma caused by exposure to persulfate salts]. / Evolución de la hiperrespuesta bronquial en pacientes con asma ocupacional por exposición a sales de persulfato.

OBJECTIVE: Persulfate salts are among the most frequently implicated causes of occupational asthma. The aim of this study was to describe the course of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and immunologic test results in patients with occupational asthma due to persulfate salts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten patients with occupational asthma due to persulfate salts were studied. Diagnosis was based on specific bronchial challenge tests performed at least 3 years before enrollment. An exhaustive medical and work history was taken during interviews with all patients, and all underwent spirometry and nonspecific bronchial challenge testing. Total immunoglobulin E levels were determined and skin prick tests to several persulfate salts were performed. RESULTS: At the time of evaluation, 7 patients had avoided workplace exposure to persulfate salts. The bronchial hyperresponsiveness of 3 of those 7 patients had improved significantly. No improvement was observed in patients who continued to be exposed. Specific skin prick tests became negative in 3 patients who were no longer exposed at the time of the follow-up evaluation. Most of the patients continued to report symptoms, although improvements were noted. One patient, however, reported worsening of symptoms in spite of avoidance of exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Although asthma symptoms and bronchial hyperresponsiveness may persist for patients with occupational asthma due to persulfate salts, their condition seems to improve if they avoid exposure. This course does not seem to differ from that reported for other cases of occupational asthma.

Evolución de la hiperrespuesta bronquial en pacientes con asma ocupacional por exposición a sales de persulfato / Course of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in patients with occupational asthma caused by exposure to persulfate salts

Objetivo: Las sales de persulfato son uno de los agentes más frecuentemente implicados en el origen del asma ocupacional (AO). El objetivo de este estudio ha sido establecer la evolución de la hiperrespuesta bronquial y de las pruebas inmunológicas en pacientes con AO por persulfatos en función de que persista o no la exposición a dichas sales. Pacientes y métodos: Se estudió a 10 pacientes con AO por exposición a sales de persulfato, diagnosticados con prueba de provocación bronquial específica, en los que como mínimo habían transcurrido 3 años tras el diagnóstico. En todos los casos se realizaron un exhaustivo interrogatorio clínico y laboral, espirometría forzada y prueba de provocación bronquial inespecífica con metacolina, se determinaron los valores de inmunoglobulina E total y se practicaron pruebas cutáneas con las distintas sales de persulfato. Resultados: En el momento del control evolutivo, 7 pacientes habían abandonado la exposición a persulfatos. De los pacientes con hiperrespuesta bronquial positiva que habían abandonado el trabajo, se observó una mejoría significativa de ésta en 3 de ellos. Este hecho no se observó en ninguno de los pacientes que siguieron expuestos. La prueba cutánea específica se negativizó en 3 pacientes que no estaban expuestos en el momento del control evolutivo. Desde el punto de vista clínico, la mayoría de los pacientes continuaron presentando síntomas, aunque éstos habían mejorado, excepto en un caso en que, a pesar de evitar la exposición, empeoraron. Conclusiones: Aunque pueden persistir los síntomas de asma y la hiperrespuesta bronquial positiva, la evolución de los pacientes con AO por persulfato parece ser favorable si se evita la exposición. Esta respuesta no parece diferir de la comunicada en otros casos de AO

Objective: Persulfate salts are among the most frequently implicated causes of occupational asthma. The aim of this study was to describe the course of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and immunologic test results in patients with occupational asthma due to persulfate salts. Patients and methods: Ten patients with occupational asthma due to persulfate salts were studied. Diagnosis was based on specific bronchial challenge tests performed at least 3 years before enrollment. An exhaustive medical and work history was taken during interviews with all patients, and all underwent spirometry and nonspecific bronchial challenge testing. Total immunoglobulin E levels were determined and skin prick tests to several persulfate salts were performed. Results: At the time of evaluation, 7 patients had avoided workplace exposure to persulfate salts. The bronchial hyperresponsiveness of 3 of those 7 patients had improved significantly. No improvement was observed in patients who continued to be exposed. Specific skin prick tests became negative in 3 patients who were no longer exposed at the time of the follow-up evaluation. Most of the patients continued to report symptoms, although improvements were noted. One patient, however, reported worsening of symptoms in spite of avoidance of exposure. Conclusions: Although asthma symptoms and bronchial hyperresponsiveness may persist for patients with occupational asthma due to persulfate salts, their condition seems to improve if they avoid exposure. This course does not seem to differ from that reported for other cases of occupational asthma