scholarly journals Immunological detection in indoor environments of house dust mite allergens using avian antibodies - IgY: An innovative tool

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dary Mendoza ◽  
Eduardo Egea ◽  
Gloria Garavito ◽  
Stephanie Saavedra ◽  
Ana Sofia Moreno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Whole Body ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Accuracy Of Measurements ◽  
Two Cities ◽  
Dust Mite ◽  
Cockroach Extract ◽  
Mite Density ◽  
Innovative Tool ◽  
Tropical Areas

IgY technology has emerged as an alternative for antibody production with immunodiagnostic purposes. Recently, we produced avian antibodies (IgY) against group-1 dust mite allergens of Dermatophagoides sp (Dsp) and Blomia tropicalis (Bt). These allergens are important sensitizing agents that contribute to the pathophysiology of allergy rhinitis and asthma in patients living in tropical areas. The purpose was to explore the utility of IgY for detecting dust mite allergens in indoor environments. We collected 100 samples of dust from mattresses of asthmatic individuals living in two cities on the Colombian Caribbean coast. We used an in-home indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the mite allergens using two IgYs (IgY-PO2 and IgY-PO4). We determined the IgY detection limit using whole body extracts of Dsp and Bt; likewise, IgY specificity was probed against one crude extract of cockroach, as well as the precision and accuracy of measurements. Both antibodies recognized allergens in the mite extracts, even at the lowest tested concentration (0.05 µg/mL); none reacted with the cockroach extract demonstrating their specificity for mite allergens. On the other hand, IgY-PO4 showed the best precision (intra-assay: CV < 6.99%; inter-assay: CV ≤ 8.71%) and an accuracy: 80.62 – 100.39%. Allergen levels detected were consistent with the mite density present in the dust samples. We confirmed the usefulness of IgY-PO2 and IgYPO4 for detecting dust mite pollution in indoor environments.

scholarly journals Tail suspension is useful as a sarcopenia model in rats

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akira Nemoto ◽  
Toru Goyagi
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Experimental Model ◽  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Muscle Atrophy ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Atrophy ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Simple Method

Abstract Background Sarcopenia promotes skeletal muscle atrophy and exhibits a high mortality rate. Its elucidation is of the highest clinical importance, but an animal experimental model remains controversial. In this study, we investigated a simple method for studying sarcopenia in rats. Results Muscle atrophy was investigated in 24-week-old, male, tail-suspended (TS), Sprague Dawley and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Age-matched SD rats were used as a control group. The skeletal muscle mass weight, muscle contraction, whole body tension (WBT), cross-sectional area (CSA), and Muscle RING finger-1 (MuRF-1) were assessed. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate the MuRF-1 levels. Two muscles, the extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscles, were selected for representing fast and slow muscles, respectively. All data, except CSA, were analyzed by a one-way analysis of variance, whereas CSA was analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Muscle mass weight, muscle contraction, WBT, and CSA were significantly lower in the SHR (n = 7) and TS (n = 7) groups than in the control group, whereas MuRF-1 expression was dominant. Conclusions TS and SHR presented sarcopenic phenotypes in terms of muscle mass, muscle contraction and CSA. TS is a useful technique for providing muscle mass atrophy and weakness in an experimental model of sarcopenia in rats.

scholarly journals House dust mite sensitisation and association with atopic dermatitis in Brunei

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haziq Emran ◽  
Christina Siew Eng Chieng ◽  
Surita Taib ◽  
Anne Catherine Cunningham
Keyword(s):  
Atopic Dermatitis ◽  
House Dust ◽  
House Dust Mite ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Specific Ige ◽  
Dermatophagoides Pteronyssinus ◽  
Food Allergens ◽  
Dust Mite ◽  
Storage Mite ◽  
Tropical Areas

AbstractIgE sensitisation in tropical areas is under-reported. A 2 year retrospective cohort study of allergy data specific to aero and food allergens in Brunei demonstrated that specific IgE levels to house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D.farinae, Blomia tropicalis) were highest in this population and correlated with atopic dermatitis (p < 0.001). Shrimp and peanut were the most common food allergens. A dominance of house/storage mite sensitization is seen in Brunei which is consistent with other tropical countries.

scholarly journals Human response to the thermal indoor environment created by a radiant, and a combined radiant and convective cooling system

2019 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
pp. 02060
Author(s):  
Ongun B. Kazanci ◽  
Dolaana Khovalyg ◽  
Takayoshi Iida ◽  
Yoshitaka Uno ◽  
Tomo-oki Ukiana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Subject ◽  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Climate Chamber ◽  
Convective Cooling ◽  
Physical Measurements ◽  
Two Systems

This study reports the main findings from a series of human subject experiments, where the subjects were exposed to the different indoor environments created by different cooling systems. The studied systems were a radiant cooling system (chilled ceiling and mixing ventilation, CCMV), and a combined radiant and convective cooling system (radiant diffuse ceiling ventilation, RDCV). The experiments were conducted in a climate chamber under controlled conditions. The climate chamber was configured as a two-person office room. 24 human subjects (12 female and 12 male) were chosen. The exposure lasted three hours and the participants were allowed to work on their own tasks (normal office work) during the exposure. The cooling load was 54 W/m2 and the room temperature at a reference location was kept constant at 26°C (summer conditions). The results show that under both systems, whole body thermal sensation was between slightly warm and neutral (closer to neutral with the RDCV system), and the overall thermal acceptability was almost the same for both systems (close to clearly acceptable). The satisfaction of the human subjects with the thermal environment was very close under the two systems; between satisfactory and slightly satisfactory (closer to satisfactory). Air movement acceptability (slightly higher and closer to clearly acceptable with the RDCV system) was also very close with the two systems. The results of the human subject experiments agree well with the physical measurements of the thermal indoor environment and confirm that the studied systems created very similar thermal indoor environments.

scholarly journals Muscle mass and plasma myostatin after exercise training: a substudy of Renal Exercise (RENEXC)—a randomized controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunan Zhou ◽  
Matthias Hellberg ◽  
Thomas Hellmark ◽  
Peter Höglund ◽  
Naomi Clyne
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Exercise Training ◽  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Negative Regulator ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Strength Group ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background Sarcopenia increases as renal function declines and is associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Myostatin is a negative regulator of muscle growth. Its expression in response to exercise is unclear. In this prespecified substudy of the Renal Exercise (RENEXC) trial, we investigated the effects of 12 months of exercise training on sarcopenia, muscle mass and plasma myostatin and the relationships between physical performance, muscle mass and plasma myostatin. Methods A total of 151 non-dialysis-dependent patients (average measured glomerular filtration rate 23 ± 8 mL/min/1.73 m2), irrespective of age or comorbidity, were randomly assigned to either strength or balance in combination with endurance training. Body composition was measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Plasma myostatin was analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results After 12 months, the prevalence of sarcopenia was unchanged, leg and whole-body lean mass increased significantly in the balance group and was unchanged in the strength group. Whole fat mass decreased significantly in both groups. There were no significant between-group differences in sarcopenia or body composition. Plasma myostatin levels increased significantly in both groups, with a significant difference in favour of the strength group. Plasma myostatin was significantly positively related to muscle mass and physical performance at baseline, but these relationships were attenuated after 12 months. Conclusions Exercise training seems to be effective in preventing sarcopenia and maintaining muscle mass in non-dialysis-dependent patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the role of plasma myostatin on muscle mass and physical performance in patients with CKD warrants further study.

scholarly journals Detection of Airborne Stachybotrys chartarum Macrocyclic Trichothecene Mycotoxins in the Indoor Environment

2005 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 7376-7388 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. L. Brasel ◽  
J. M. Martin ◽  
C. G. Carriker ◽  
S. C. Wilson ◽  
D. C. Straus
Keyword(s):  
Indoor Air ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Stachybotrys Chartarum ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Fel D 1 ◽  
History Of ◽  
Can F 1 ◽  
Macrocyclic Trichothecene

ABSTRACT The existence of airborne mycotoxins in mold-contaminated buildings has long been hypothesized to be a potential occupant health risk. However, little work has been done to demonstrate the presence of these compounds in such environments. The presence of airborne macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxins in indoor environments with known Stachybotrys chartarum contamination was therefore investigated. In seven buildings, air was collected using a high-volume liquid impaction bioaerosol sampler (SpinCon PAS 450-10) under static or disturbed conditions. An additional building was sampled using an Andersen GPS-1 PUF sampler modified to separate and collect particulates smaller than conidia. Four control buildings (i.e., no detectable S. chartarum growth or history of water damage) and outdoor air were also tested. Samples were analyzed using a macrocyclic trichothecene-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ELISA specificity was tested using phosphate-buffered saline extracts of the fungal genera Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Memnoniella, Penicillium, Rhizopus, and Trichoderma, five Stachybotrys strains, and the indoor air allergens Can f 1, Der p 1, and Fel d 1. For test buildings, the results showed that detectable toxin concentrations increased with the sampling time and short periods of air disturbance. Trichothecene values ranged from <10 to >1,300 pg/m3 of sampled air. The control environments demonstrated statistically significantly (P < 0.001) lower levels of airborne trichothecenes. ELISA specificity experiments demonstrated a high specificity for the trichothecene-producing strain of S. chartarum. Our data indicate that airborne macrocyclic trichothecenes can exist in Stachybotrys-contaminated buildings, and this should be taken into consideration in future indoor air quality investigations.

House dust mite allergen levels in two cities in Canada: effects of season, humidity, city and home characteristics

1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 240-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. CHAN-YEUNG ◽  
A. BECKER ◽  
J. LAM ◽  
H. DIMICH-WARD ◽  
A. FERGUSON ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
House Dust ◽  
House Dust Mite ◽  
Mite Allergen ◽  
House Dust Mite Allergen ◽  
Two Cities ◽  
Dust Mite ◽  
Dust Mite Allergen

MO730THORACIC BIOIMPEDANCE AS AN INNOVATIVE TOOL TO DETECT CHANGES IN BLOOD PRESSURE DURING HEMODIALYSIS

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Schoutteten ◽  
Lucas Lindeboom ◽  
Christophe Smeets ◽  
Bart De Moor ◽  
Jacques Peeters ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Extracellular Volume ◽  
The Body ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
P Value ◽  
Predictive Tool ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Dialysis Vintage ◽  
Innovative Tool

Abstract Background and Aims Blood pressure (BP) variability is an important cardiovascular risk factor that contributes to the high burden of cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Ultrafiltration rate (UFR) and plasma refill rate modify the extracellular volume (ECV), which is a major determinant of the systolic BP. Segmental bioimpedance of the thoracic region addresses the central volume compartment of the body. We hypothesize that changes in bioimpedance reflect changes in BP and that thoracic measurements are more accurately in detecting intradialytic BP changes compared to whole body bioimpedance. Method During two consecutive short-term interval HD sessions, thoracic bioimpedance signal was registered continuously from predialysis until the end of the session. Corresponding BP, whole body bioimpedance and ultrafiltration volume (UFV) after the start and at the end of dialysis was registered. After outlier detection, valid raw bioimpedance data [Ohm] at 8 and 160 kHz for thoracic measurements, and 5 and 200 kHz for whole body measurements, were taken into further analysis. Dialysis sessions were divided into 3 groups according to the development of the systolic BP: a drop ≥ than 20 mmHg was defined as a hypotensive session, an increase ≥ 10 mmHg was considered as a hypertensive session. Pearson correlation analysis was applied (r, p-value) to the relative data, calculated as a percentage from the start value. Results From 2 dialysis centres, a total of 46 HD patients were enrolled in the study (65.2% male, mean age 71 ± 12.6 years, mean dialysis vintage 4 ± 3.9 years), which resulted in 89 dialysis sessions to analyse. Mean systolic BP after start of dialysis was 133.2 ± 20.7 mmHg and mean UF volume was 1817.5 ± 801.5 mL. 23 sessions showed a hypotensive gradient from the start till the end of dialysis, and 13 sessions progressed with an increase of more than 10 mmHg. When the 8 kHz curve was plotted according to the 3 BP groups, a more plane increase in thoracic bioimpedance signal was observed in the group with a normal tension course (Figure 1). There was a significant relationship between UFR and changes in relative bioimpedance data, as well as thoracic (r = .49 at 8 kHz, r = .46 at 160 kHz, all ps &lt; .001), as whole body bioimpedance (r = .58 at 5 kHz, r = .52 at 200 kHz, all ps &lt; .001). UFV correlated with changes in systolic BP (r = -.31, p &lt; .01). Both bioimpedance techniques correlated with each other (r = .38, p = .001 for low frequencies; r = .29, p &lt; .01 for high frequencies). Where the relative thoracic bioimpedance signal correlated with changes in systolic BP (r = -.35 at 8kHz, -.32 at 160 kHz, all ps &lt; .01) (Figure 2), whole body did not. Conclusion Thoracic bioimpedance is associated with intradialytic BP changes, whereas whole body bioimpedance is not. Thoracic bioimpedance has the potential to function as an important diagnostic and predictive tool in BP variability during HD.

House dust mite and cat allergen in different indoor environments

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (12) ◽  
pp. 1164-1168 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. CUSTOVIC ◽  
S. C. O. TAGGART ◽  
A. WOODCOCK
Keyword(s):  
House Dust ◽  
House Dust Mite ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Dust Mite ◽  
Cat Allergen

scholarly journals Impact of Cethromycin (ABT-773) Therapy on Microbiological, Histologic, Immunologic, and Respiratory Indices in a Murine Model of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Lower Respiratory Infection

2004 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 2897-2904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana María Ríos ◽  
Asunción Mejías ◽  
Susana Chávez-Bueno ◽  
Mónica Fonseca-Aten ◽  
Kathy Katz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Mycoplasma Pneumoniae ◽  
Pulmonary Function Tests ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Etiologic Agent ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Ifn Γ

ABSTRACT Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a major etiologic agent of acute lower respiratory infections. We evaluated the antimicrobial and immunologic effects of cethromycin (ABT-773), a ketolide antibiotic, for the treatment of M. pneumoniae pneumonia in a mouse model. Eight-week-old BALB/c mice were inoculated intranasally once with 106 CFU of M. pneumoniae on day 0. Treatment was started 24 h after inoculation. Groups of mice were treated subcutaneously with cethromycin at 25 mg/kg of body weight or with placebo daily until sacrifice. Five to ten mice per group were evaluated at days 1, 4, 7, and 10 after inoculation. Outcome variables included bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for M. pneumoniae quantitative culture and cytokine and chemokine concentration determinations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], gamma interferon [IFN-γ], interleukin-1β [IL-1β], IL-2, IL-4, IL-12, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 [MCP-1], and macrophage inflammatory protein 1α [MIP-1α]), histopathologic score of the lungs (HPS), and pulmonary function tests (PFT) using whole-body, unrestrained plethysmography at the baseline and post-methacholine exposure as indicators of airway obstruction (AO) and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), respectively. The cethromycin-treated mice had a greater reduction in M. pneumoniae culture titers than placebo-treated mice, reaching statistical significance on days 7 and 10 (P < 0.05). HPS was significantly reduced in cethromycin-treated mice compared with placebo-treated mice on days 4, 7, and 10 (P < 0.05). Cytokine concentrations in BAL samples were reduced in mice that received cethromycin, and the differences were statistically significant for 7 of the 10 cytokines measured (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-8, IL-12, MCP-1, and MIP-1α) on day 4 (P < 0.05). PFT values were improved in the cethromycin-treated mice, with AO and AHR significantly reduced on day 4 (P < 0.05). In this mouse model, treatment with cethromycin significantly reduced M. pneumoniae culture titers in BAL samples, cytokine and chemokine concentrations in BAL samples, histologic inflammation in the lungs, and disease severity as defined by AO and AHR.

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