Intranasal exposure to Stachybotrys chartarum enhances airway inflammation in allergic mice

RATIONALE: Exposure to building dampness, often associated with growth of microbes such as Stachybotrys chartarum, has been linked to respiratory symptoms. We have shown previously in a murine model that exposure to S. chartarum can induce lung inflammation characterized by infiltration of neutrophils and lymphocytes; this process is regulated by proinflammatory cytokines and leucocyte-attracting chemokines. OBJECTIVES: Because an atopic predisposition may influence the response to microbes, we examined the effects of S. chartarum on allergic mice in an experimental model. BALB/c mice were sensitized to ovalbumin by intraperitoneal injections and exposed for 3 wk to spores of S. chartarum. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Numbers of eosinophils and neutrophils were drastically increased in bronchoalveolar fluid from these mice as compared with the ovalbumin-sensitized/challenged mice or those exposed to S. chartarum without ovalbumin sensitization. Histologic sections showed severe granulomatous inflammatory cell infiltrates in all compartments of the lung, including peribronchial, perivascular, and alveolar spaces. The mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha and the chemokine CCL3/MIP-1alpha were also markedly increased in the lungs. Despite the enhancement of the pulmonary inflammatory reaction, exposure to S. chartarum spores significantly down-regulated airway hyperresponsiveness and showed a tendency to decrease levels of Th2 cytokines in the lung. CONCLUSION: Exposure to S. chartarum modulates the inflammatory reaction and airway hyperresponsiveness, depending on the allergic status of the exposed mice.     

Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in IL-10 knock out mice: accelerated clearance but severe pulmonary inflammatory response

In interleukin-10 knock out (IL-10 KO) mice, accelerated clearance of pulmonary Chlamydia pneumoniae infection was observed. On the other hand, the histopathological changes in lung tissue were more pronounced in IL-10 KO mice at all time points after infection and repeated infection than in the wild type mice. Both ex vivo induced antigen-specific proliferation as well as production of proinflammatory cytokines by splenocytes were higher in IL-10 KO mice than in WT mice. Also, intrapulmonary proinflammatory cytokine levels were higher in IL-10 KO mice than in the WT mice. The lack of anti-inflammatory action of IL-10 is likely to contribute to the enhanced clearance but severe inflammation in this experimental model.     

Leadership component of type A behavior predicts physical activity in early midlife

Background  

Research on the long-term effects of Type A behavior and its components in the prediction of physical activity in adulthood is scarce and there is a lack of prospective data that are able to show such an association.     

Cardio-Facio-Cutaneous syndrome: Three additional cases and review of the literature

We report on 3 patients with the cardio-faciocutaneous (CFC) syndrome. Each of them was a sporadic case in the family. The severity of the psychomotor retardation varied from mild to severe. Skin manifestations were often minimal, but each patient had abnormally curly and brittle hair. A skin biopsy from one of the patients showed vellus hair cysts filled with keratin, and the hair follicles were surrounded by unusually thick fibrotic sheaths. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Seasonal and weather variation of sleep and physical activity in 12–14-year-old children

Background: Understanding variation in physical activity (PA) and sleep is necessary to develop novel intervention strategies targeting adolescents’ health behaviors. We examined the extent to which PA and sleep vary by aspects of the physical environment. Participants: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 669 adolescents in the Project Viva cohort. Methods: We estimated total PA, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, and sleep midpoint timing from wrist accelerometers. We used multivariable linear regression models and generalized estimated equations to assess associations of PA and sleep with season and daily weather conditions obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration archive. Results: Mean age was 12.9 (SD 0.6) years; 51% were female and 68% were white. Mean sleep duration was 466 (SD 42) min per night and total PA was 1,652 (SD 431) counts per min per day. Sleep midpoint time was 41 (95% CI: 27 to 54) min later in summer, 28 (95% CI: ?41 to ?14) min earlier in spring, and 29 (95% CI: ?43 to ?15) min earlier in autumn compared to winter. Higher temperature and longer day length both were associated with small reductions of nightly sleep duration. Adolescents were less physically active during winter and on rainy and short sunlight days. There was an inverse U-shaped relationship between PA and mean temperature. Conclusions: Season was associated with large changes in sleep timing, and smaller changes in other sleep and PA measurements. Given the importance of sleep and circadian alignment, future health behavioral interventions may benefit by targeting “season-specific” interventions.     

Upper airway dimensions in Class II malocclusion. Effects of headgear treatment

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of cervical headgear treatment of Class II division 1 malocclusion on upper airway structures in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty children aged 9.1 (7.2-11.5) years with Class II division 1 malocclusion were treated using a cervical headgear as the only treatment appliance. The headgear consisted of a long outer bow bent 15 degrees upward and a large inner bow expanded 10 mm larger than the intermolar distance. Lateral cephalograms were taken before and after the treatment. Upper airway structures were estimated from the cephalograms. The results were compared to cross-sectional data of 80 age-matched controls with a Class I molar relationship. RESULTS: A Class I molar relationship was achieved in all treated children. The mean treatment time was 1.6 (0.3-3.1) years. The Class II malocclusion was accompanied by a similar or wider nasopharyngeal space than in the controls but narrower oro- and hypopharyngeal spaces. The retropalatal area was widened by the treatment (P < .05), whereas the rest of the oropharynx and hypopharynx remained narrower than in the controls. Before the treatment, the mandibular plane was in a more horizontal position than in the controls, but during the treatment, it rotated to a position similar to that of the controls. CONCLUSION: Class II division 1 malocclusion is associated with a narrower upper airway structure even without retrognathia. Headgear treatment is associated with an increase in the retropalatal airway space.