Molecular study of hypersensitivity to spores in adults and children from Castile & Leon

Introduction and objectivesBiological aerosols play a vital role in the interactions between the atmosphere, biosphere, climate and public health and fungal spores are a component with allergic importance.We constructed a database in Castile & Leon (Spain) and carry out molecular-level component-resolved diagnosis to complete the air quality study carried out since 2006 by our aerobiological network (RACYL) to aid clinical diagnosis and treatment.MethodsWe reviewed a database of 19,774 patients (adults and children) with allergic respiratory disease treated in our unit during the last 12 years. We also made a component-resolved diagnosis of the molecules involved in the pathology in a randomly selected population of 150 patients.ResultsThe dimeric glycoprotein Alt a1 from Alternaria is the most prevalent and most useful allergen in the diagnosis of patients with allergy to fungi in our area (94.4%), followed by enolase Alt a 6 (Alternaria), ribonuclease Asp f 1 of Aspergillus and mannitol dehydrogenase from Cla h 8 (Cladosporium).ConclusionsOur results have helped determine which spore molecules are most-closely associated with allergies. Molecular analysis will be useful to determine more accurate and useful immunotherapy in these patients.     

An indoor bio-contaminants air quality

Both the quantity and quality of microorganisms (mold, actinomycetes and bacteria) were investigated in the air of five clean rooms indoors, outdoor air sampling was a routine work of the present study. Total viable bacterial counts were recorded in a mean value of 103 cfu/m3, whereas mold counts ranged between 102-103 cfu/m3. The highest mold counts were recorded at some places investigated such as research laboratories and a library. Moreover, the types, percentages and frequencies of occurance of viable mold were studied. Penicillium, Cladosporium and Aspergillus were the predominant mold genera. These organisms are aeroallergens. Actinomycetes were detected in low numbers compared with other organisms (range between 0-102 cfu/m3). Yellow, grey and white colour series were dominant streptomycetes. The mold and streptomycetes spore sizes were measured microscopically. The sizes of major mold spores ranged between 2.5-10 mum, whereas that of streptomycetes spores ranged between 1.2-2.5 mum. The particles < 5 mum in sizes are likely to reach the alveoli which may elicit potential risk for exposed residents. However, a low number of air microorganisms does not mean a clean and healthy environment.     

中和剂对化妆品中霉菌和酵母菌检测结果的影响

目的探讨卵磷脂和吐温80作为中和剂对化妆品中霉菌和酵母菌检测结果的影响。方法使用虎红培养基和添加中和剂卵磷脂和吐温80的虎红培养基检测市售化妆品和经黑曲霉、白色念珠菌加标的化妆品的霉菌和酵母菌。结果用虎红培养基和卵磷脂、吐温80-虎红培养基分别检测市售化妆品,均未检出黑曲霉、白色念珠菌;检测黑曲霉加标化妆品,添加中和剂后,菌落数增加,差异有统计学意义(t=5.24,P0.05);检测白色念珠菌加标化妆品,添加中和剂后,菌落数增加,差异有统计学意义(t=3.185,P0.05)。结论卵磷脂和吐温80作为中和剂对化妆品中霉菌和酵母菌的检测结果有影响,可提高其检出结果。建议在化妆品检测标准方法中采用添加中和剂的培养基检测霉菌和酵母菌。     

纸片法和国标法对食品霉菌检验效果比较

目的：比较纸片法和国标法对食品霉菌的检验效果。方法采样标本来自安徽省望江县疾病预防控制中心质管科送检的糕点、饮料等共416份,其中糕点317份,饮料99份。所有样本均同时采用纸片法和国标法进行霉菌检验,比较2种方法的检验效果。结果国标法检测糕点、饮料的合格率[75.7%（240/317）、63.6%（63/99）]与纸片法检测糕点、饮料的合格率[78.9%（250/317）、65.7%（65/99）]比较,差异均无统计学意义（χ^2=0.899、0.088,P＞0.05）。结论2种方法均可准确检验食品中的霉菌,但相对国标法而言,纸片法更快速、简便、有效、实用,可替代国标法。     

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis in a cluster of sawmill workers: a 10-year follow-up of exposure,symptoms, and lung function

Background:

The long-term prognosis of repeated acute episodes of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is not well described. We report on a 10-year follow-up of a 10-person cluster from a Norwegian sawmill who had all experienced relapsing episodes of HP.

Objectives:

To evaluate the health symptoms, work-related sick-leave, and lung function of 10 workers exposed to mold in a Norwegian sawmill.

Methods:

Participants were evaluated at baseline and 10 years later at follow-up. A structured interview, measurement of serum IgG antibodies to Rhizopus microsporus (R. microsporus) antigens, lung function tests, high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest, and personal measurements of exposure to mold spores and dust were completed for each participant.

Results:

At baseline, nearly all workers reported acute episodes of HP more than twice a month. At follow-up, both the frequency and intensity of symptoms had declined. Sick-leave was reduced and gas diffusing capacity improved – paralleling the gradually reduced air levels of mold spores.

Conclusions:

In spite of an initially high occurrence of symptoms, long-term clinical and physiological outcome was good. With reduced exposure to mold spores, symptoms declined and lung function was restored.     

铸模温度对牙科用钛铌锆锡合金铸流率影响的研究

目的:通过对钛铌锆锡(Ti-Nb-Zr-Sn)合金铸流率的研究,为钛铌锆锡合金临床应用提供合理的铸造参数。方法:采用网状试样法,评价钛铌锆锡合金、纯钛、钛铝钒(Ti-6A l-4V)合金分别在3种铸模温度(室温、300℃、600℃)下的铸流率,做统计学分析。结果:在室温及300℃铸造时钛铌锆锡合金铸流率明显低于纯钛及钛铝钒合金;在600℃铸造时3种合金铸流率没有明显差别。该合金室温及300℃组铸流率明显低于600℃组。结论:为保证临床义齿铸造的完整性,钛铌锆锡合金铸造时铸模温度应在600℃以上。     

Evaluation of Aspergillus and Mucorales specific T-cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cell cytokine signatures as biomarkers of environmental mold exposure

Mold specific T-cells have been described as a supportive biomarker to monitor invasive mycoses and mold exposure. This study comparatively evaluated frequencies and cytokine profiles of Aspergillus fumigatus and Mucorales reactive T-cells depending on environmental mold exposure. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from 35 healthy donors were stimulated with mycelial lysates of A. fumigatus and three human pathogenic Mucorales species. CD154⁺ specific T-cells were quantified by flow cytometry. In a second cohort of 20 additional donors, flow cytometry was complemented by 13-plex cytokine assays. Mold exposure of the subjects was determined using a previously established questionnaire. Highly exposed subjects exhibited significantly greater CD154⁺ A. fumigatus and Mucorales specific naïve and memory T-helper cell frequencies. Significant correlation (r = 0.48 – 0.79) was found between A. fumigatus and Mucorales specific T-cell numbers. Logistic regression analyses revealed that combined analysis of mold specific T-cell frequencies and selected cytokine markers (A. fumigatus: IL-5 and TNF-α, R. arrhizus: IL-17A and IL-13) significantly improves classification performance, resulting in 75–90 % predictive power using 10-fold cross-validation. In conclusion, mold specific T-cell frequencies and their cytokine signatures offer promising potential in the assessment of environmental mold exposure. The cytokines identified in this pilot study should be validated in the clinical setting, e. g. in patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis.     

α-干扰素栓联合制霉菌素治疗外阴阴道念珠菌病疗效观察

目的：探讨α-干扰素栓联合制霉菌素治疗外阴阴道念珠菌病疗效。方法：随机抽取240例外阴阴道念珠菌病患者。随机分为3组：α-干扰素栓组（A组）、霉菌素组（B组）、α-干扰素栓联合霉菌素组（C组）,每组各80例。所有患者于治疗后第2,4、8周随访,治疗后4周判定疗效,并比较3组治疗结束后疗效和复发率。结果：停药后4周,A、B、C三组的总有效率分别为82．5％、85．0％和95．0％。A、B组与C组比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。停药后8周复发率：对照A组为40．0％,对照B组为37．5％,C组为12．5％,A、B组与C组比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论：α-干扰素栓联合制霉菌素治疗外阴阴道念珠菌病具有高效、复发率低、起效快、安全等特点,值得临床推广。     

Quantitative volatile metabolite profiling of common indoor fungi: relevancy for indoor air analysis

Microorganisms such as bacteria and molds produce an enormous variety of volatile metabolites. To determine whether typical microbial volatile metabolites can be used as indicator compounds for the detection of hidden mold in indoor environments, we examined 14 typical indoor fungal strains for their growth rates and their capability to produce volatile organic compounds (VOC) on standard clinical media and on agar medium made from building materials. Air samples from Headspace Chambers (HSC) were adsorbed daily on Tenax TA tubes and analyzed by thermal desorption gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. In parallel, metabolic activity was measured by determining oxygen demand, the microbial biomass was assessed by dry weighing. Profiling of the volatile metabolites showed that VOC production depended greatly on fungal strain, culture medium, biological activity, and time. The laboratory‐derived maximum emission rates were extrapolated to approximate indoor air concentrations in a hypothetical mold‐infested room. The extrapolated indoor air data suggest that most of the microbial‐produced VOC concentrations were below the analytical detection limit for conventional indoor air analysis. Additionally, conducted indoor air analysis in mold homes confirmed these findings for the most part. The present findings raise doubts about the utility of indicator VOC for the detection of hidden mold growth in indoor environments. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Relationship between sick building syndrome and indoor environmental factors in newly built Japanese dwellings

Objectives  Indoor air contaminants and dampness in dwellings have become important environmental health issues. The aim of this study is to clarify which factors are related to sick building syndrome (SBS) in newly built dwellings at Hokkaido, Japan, through a comprehensive evaluation of the indoor environment and validated sick building symptom questionnaires. Methods  The symptoms of 343 residents in 104 detached houses were surveyed by standardized questionnaires, and the concentrations of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), airborne fungi, and dust mite allergen in their living rooms were measured. By summing the presence or absence of the five dampness indicators (condensations, mold growth, moldy odor, high air humidity of the bathroom, water leakage), a dampness index was calculated. Results  SBS symptoms were found in 21.6% of surveyed individuals. In a fully adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis, the dampness index [odds ratio (OR) = 1.50; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06–1.11], log formaldehyde (OR = 23.79, 95% CI: 2.49–277.65), and log alpha-pinene (OR = 2.87, 95% CI: 1.36–6.03) had significantly higher ORs for SBS symptoms. However, other VOCs, airborne fungi, and dust mite allergen did not have significantly higher ORs. Conclusion  Dampness, formaldehyde, and alpha-pinene were significantly related to SBS symptoms in newly built dwellings. We should, therefore, take measures to reduce the chemicals and dampness in dwellings.