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PubMed2004

Ecological rehabilitation and phytoremediation with four grasses in oil shale mined land.

Vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides), bahia grass (Paspalum notatum), St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), and bana grass (Pennisetum glaucumxP. purpureum) were selected to rehabilitate the degraded ecosystem of an oil shale mined land of Maoming Petro-Chemical Company located in Southwest of Guangdong Province, China. Among them, vetiver had the highest survival rate, up to 99%, followed by bahia and St. Augustine, 96% and 91%, respectively, whereas bana had the lowest survival rate of 62%. The coverage and biomass of vetiver were also the highest after 6-month planting. Fertilizer application significantly increased biomass and tiller number of the four grasses, of which St. Augustine was promoted most, up to 70% for biomass, while vetiver was promoted least, only 27% for biomass. Two heavy metals, lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) tested in this trial had different concentrations in the oil shale residue, and also had different contents and distributions in the four grass species. Concentrations of Pb and Cd in the four grasses presented a disparity of only 1.6-3.8 times, but their uptake amounts to the two metals were apart up to 27.5-35.5 times, which was chiefly due to the significantly different biomasses among them. Fertilizer application could abate the ability of the four species to accumulate heavy metals, namely concentration of heavy metals in plants decreased as fertilizer was applied. The total amount of metals accumulated by each plant under the condition of fertilization did not decrease due to an increase of biomass. In summary, vetiver may be the best species used for vegetation rehabilitation in oil shale disposal piles.

Biomass↗
PubMed1998

Determination of the uptake of [Pt(NH3)4](NO3)2 by grass cultivated on a sandy loam soil and by cucumber plants, grown hydroponically.

Two cultivation experiments were carried out in order to answer the question to what extent platinum can enter the food chain by accumulation in plants, when the platinum is present in a bio-available form: (i) cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus) were grown hydroponically in nutrient solutions containing [Pt(NH3)4](NO3)2 (from 0.5 to 50 micrograms Pt/l solution); and (ii) a water-soluble platinum compound--[Pt(NH3)4](NO3)2--was added in increasing amounts to a sandy loam soil (from 0.5 to 50 mg Pt/kg soil) and rye grass (Lolium perenne) was grown on it. The roots on the one hand and the green plant fractions in the other hand of the cucumber plants and the rye grass were digested using a high-pressure asher. The platinum concentration was determined by means of a quadrupole-based (VG PQ I) or a double focusing sector field ICP-mass spectrometer (Finnigan MAT, Element), depending on the platinum concentration in the sample solution. The detection limit for platinum obtained with the VG PQ I was observed to be 6 ng/1, while with the 'Element' the detection limit could be improved to 0.5 ng/1 Pt. Accumulation factors were calculated as the ratio of the platinum concentration in the plant to that in the soil or the nutrient solution. The grass grown on spiked soil accumulated platinum only to a slight degree (accumulation factors between 0.008 and 0.032). The hydroponically grown cucumber plants, however, strongly accumulated it (accumulation factors of 11-42 in the shoot and 1700-2100 in the roots). There are three possible causes for the large differences in the accumulation factors: (i) Cucumber plants are dicotyledons; grass, however, is a monocotyledon. Other cultivation experiments already showed that dicotyledons accumulate metals to a higher extent than monocotyledons. (ii) In the grass cultivation experiment, the platinum compound was only added once to the sandy loam soil, namely 2 days before grass was cultivated on it. The nutrient solutions of the cucumber plants were changed twice a week. Consequently, the total amount of platinum that the plants were exposed to during the cultivation of the cucumber plants was higher than during the cultivation of the grass. (iii) Immobilization of the platinum compound in the soil most likely occurred.

Biological Availability↗
PubMed2002

Pigs as recyclers for nutrients contained in Bermuda grass harvested from spray fields.

The ability of pigs to use nitrogen and energy in Bermuda grass was evaluated in order to assess whether Bermuda grass harvested from spray fields could be fed to pigs as a means to recycle nitrogen. Digestibility of Bermuda grass incorporated into corn-soybean meal diets was evaluated in heavy finishing pigs and gestating sows. Results suggest that Bermuda grass digestibility is negative in animals not adapted to a high-fiber diet. Enzymes improve this digestibility, but even with enzymes, nitrogen digestibility was poor. Pigs fed a diet containing 10% Bermuda grass required a one week adaptation period for maximal digestion; following adaptation, pigs can digest approximately 40% of the energy in Bermuda grass but none of the nitrogen. Feeding Bermuda grass to pigs as a means of recycling nitrogen is thus not recommended.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1999

Effect of tree and grass pollens and fungal spores on spring allergic rhinitis: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Current literature indicates tree pollen is less important than grass pollen as the cause of spring allergic rhinitis. The role of fungal spores is secondary and uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To assess the relative allergenicity of tree and grass pollen and fungal spores as the cause of spring allergic rhinitis in central Indiana. METHODS: (1) Chart review of 189 Indiana natives with seasonal allergic rhinitis to ascertain clinical sensitivity to tree or grass pollens. (2) A prospective study conducted in the spring of 1997 in 51 patients, correlating patients' symptom and medication scores with daily pollen and spore counts, obtained with a Burkard spore trap. RESULTS: One hundred thirty of 189 patients (69%) reported symptoms before May with positive prick test to at least one tree pollen. One hundred thirty-four patients (71%) had symptoms in May and June with positive test to grass pollen. The ratio between the two groups is 1:1, in contrast to a ratio of 1:4 derived from the literature. The prospective study revealed a symptom score increase parallel to the rise of tree pollen counts beginning in mid-March and reaching a plateau in early May prior to the onset of grass season. Medication use continued to increase and peaked at the height of grass pollination. Spore counts increased in late May and stayed at high levels throughout June, yet symptom and medication scores steadily declined following the peak of grass pollination in early June. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that in central Indiana, tree pollen is more important as the cause of spring allergic rhinitis than that suggested by the literature. This study confirmed previous observations that fungal spores are substantially less allergenic than pollens.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

A case-control study of grass sickness (equine dysautonomia) in the United Kingdom.

A case-control study was performed to investigate the epidemiology of grass sickness in the United Kingdom from 1992 to 1995. Data were collected by means of postal questionnaire when cases of grass sickness were identified. Sets of three questionnaires were posted to owners of, or veterinary surgeons attending, cases of grass sickness, with a request to provide information on the case, on one healthy animal on the same premises as the case and on another healthy animal on other premises. Controls were matched to cases by date of onset. After univariate analyses, the probability of grass sickness in horses was modelled using conditional logistic regression techniques. Young animals were found to be at increased rick of grass sickness and females were less likely to become affected, as were animals that had a history of contact with previous cases of the disease. The probability of grass sickness was higher in animals that were on premises where grass sickness had previously occurred, particularly if this was recent. Animals were at particular risk of disease if they changed fields within the previous 2 weeks; the risk thereafter reduced with time. The disease had a seasonal pattern, with a peak from April to June. More than 95% of cases had access to grazing, and 66% occurred after 2 week periods of predominantly dry weather.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

The energy cost of running on grass compared to soft dry beach sand.

This study compared the energy cost (EC) (J x kg(-1) x m(-1)) of running on grass and soft dry beach sand. Seven male and 5 female recreational runners performed steady state running trials on grass in shoes at 8, 11 and 14 km x h(-1). Steady state sand runs, both barefoot and in shoes, were also attempted at 8 km x h(-1) and approximately 11 km x h(-1). One additional female attempted the grass and sand runs at 8 km x h(-1) only. Net total EC was determined from net aerobic EC (steady state VO2, VCO2 and RER) and net anaerobic EC (net lactate accumulation). When comparing the surface effects (grass, sand bare foot and sand in shoes) of running at 8 km x h(-1) (133.3 m x min(-1)) in 9 subjects who most accurately maintained that speed (133.3 +/- 2.2 m x min(-1)), no differences (P>0.05) existed between the net aerobic, anaerobic and total EC of sand running barefoot or in shoes, but these measures were all significantly greater (P<0.05) than the corresponding values when running on grass. Similarly, when all running speed trials (n = 87) performed by all subjects (n = 13) for each surface condition were combined for analysis, the sand bare foot and sand in shoes values for net aerobic EC, net anaerobic EC and net total EC were significantly greater (P<0.001) than the grass running measures, but not significantly different (P>0.05) from each other. Expressed as ratios of sand to grass running EC coefficients, the sand running barefoot and sand in shoes running trials at 8 km x h(-1) revealed values of 1.6 and 1.5 for net aerobic EC, 3.7 and 2.7 for net anaerobic EC and 1.6 and 1.5 for net total EC respectively. For all running speeds combined, these coefficients were 1.5 and 1.4 for net aerobic EC, 2.5 and 2.3 for net anaerobic EC and 1.5 and 1.5 for net total EC for sand running barefoot and in shoes respectively. Sand running may provide a low impact, but high EC training stimulus.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Grass-air exchange of polychlorinated biphenyls.

Three field experiments were performed to assess the clearance, uptake, and exchange kinetics of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) between grass and the atmosphere using mixed- and single-species grass (Holcus lanatus). In the clearance experiment, the grass was artificially contaminated by equilibration with diluted Aroclor vapor then exposed to field air, and the rates of depletion were monitored by sampling at regular intervals to determine clearance rate constants. In the uptake experiment, the uptake of PCBs from the ambient atmosphere was followed in growing grass at ambient concentrations for 3 and 6 weeks by analysis of segmented samples along the length of the sward. In the third experiment, diurnal temperature-driven changes in grass concentrations were measured. The results indicate that the grass is behaving as a two-compartment system: (1) a fast-exchanging surface adsorption site with a response time of hours and a capacity essentially independent of K(OA), the octanol-air partition coefficient and (2) a slow responding site with a response time of weeks, the capacity of which is related to K(OA). The kinetic and equilibrium phenomena involved in grass-air exchange are thus complex and are not adequately described by simple first-order rate constants and equilibrium partitioning coefficients.

Air↗
PubMed2000

Allergen-specific immunotherapy in birch- and grass-pollen-allergic rhinitis. I. Efficacy estimated by a model reducing the bias of annual differences in pollen counts.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of the efficacy of allergen-specific immunotherapy (IT) with pollen extracts is complicated by annual variation in pollen intensity. Our study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of birch and grass IT, taking into consideration these variations. METHODS: After 1 year of observation, 52 patients with rhinoconjunctivitis and allergy to birch as well as grass pollen were allocated to double-blinded clustered IT with aluminum-adsorbed extract produced from either birch (Betula verrucosa) pollen or grass (PIleum pratense) pollen. After 1 year of treatment, the patients continued IT with their original extract and also received the other extract. During the three consecutive pollen seasons, the rhinoconjunctivitis symptom score and the use of antihistamines, eye-drops, and oral prednisolone were recorded. Longitudinal data analysis was used to investigate the relation between different pollen counts and the magnitude of clinical efficacy. RESULTS: An effect of IT was found on symptom score, antihistamine intake, and eye-drop use for both birch and grass (P values <0.05). The mean reduction in symptom score/medication by IT ranged from 24% to 95%, depending on mean seasonal pollen counts. A minimum mean seasonal grass-pollen count of 20-30 pollen grains m3 was required for the efficacy of grass IT to emerge. CONCLUSIONS: A model was developed for evaluation of efficacy in longitudinal IT studies, taking the differences in annual pollen counts into consideration. The model showed a significant beneficial role of pollen IT in rhinoconjunctivitis patients allergic to birch and grass pollen.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Detection and quantification of group 4 allergens in grass pollen extracts using monoclonal antibodies.

BACKGROUND: Grass pollen extracts are complex mixtures consisting of different major allergenic and non-allergenic components. Phl p 4 is an important allergen, because more than 75% of grass pollen allergic patients produce specific IgE antibodies against group 4 allergens. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the specificity of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) produced against Phl p 4 and to verify the presence of group 4-like proteins in different grass pollen. Furthermore the usefulness of MoAbs for quantification of group 4 allergens was studied. METHODS: Group 4 analogues were investigated by immunoblotting and ELISA inhibition using three MoAbs. The specificity of antibodies was studied using isolated group 1 and group 5 allergens. Quantification of group 4 allergen was achieved by a two-site solid-phase ELISA. Phl p 4 was purified from whole pollen extract by chromatographic or electrophoretic techniques and used as standard. RESULTS: The MoAbs studied bound strongly to proteins from timothy grass pollen extract at a mw of 55 kDa and a pI of 9.0-9.3. Phl p 4 homologes with similar mw were detected in Dactylis glomerata, Festuca pratensis, Holcus lanatus, Poa pratensis, Lolium perenne. Epitope mapping showed that all three MoAb recognized unrelated regions on Phl p 4. A two-site binding ELISA using MoAbs was developed for determination of Phl p 4 in Phleum pratense extracts. The method was able to evaluate group 4 in mass units with a working range between 150 and 2000 ng/mL. The absolute amounts of group 4 in extracts of several grasses varied considerably but was always-less than 1% of the total protein. CONCLUSION: Group 4 homologes are present in the various grass extracts but to different extents. The group 4 ELISA could be very useful as a additional tool for providing information concerning the composition of grass pollen extracts.

Allergens↗
PubMed1998

Molecular and immunological characterization of group V allergen isoforms from velvet grass pollen (Holcus lanatus).

Group V grass pollen allergens belong to the major grass pollen allergens causing reactions of type I allergy. cDNAs coding for two isoforms of the group V allergen of velvet grass pollen (Holcus lanatus), a widespread grass species, were isolated from a cDNA library by hybridization with a 5'-terminal reverse-transcribed PCR-derived cDNA probe. Amino acid sequences of the two isoforms, designated rHol l 5.01 and rHol l 5.02, revealed high similarity between them (78% identity) and to group V allergens and their isoforms found in other grass species. Recombinant Hol l 5 isoforms were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified as fusion proteins. To compare their immunological reactivities with group-V-specific monoclonal antibodies and patients' IgE, immunoblotting, ELISA and histamine release assay were performed. Interestingly, monoclonal antibody Bo9, specific for group Vb isoforms of timothy grass, bound only to isoform rHol l 5.01, not to rHol l 5.02. On the other side, IgE reactivities of patients' sera revealed no differences between the two isoforms when investigated by immunoblotting and only slight differences when investigated by ELISA. In histamine release assay both isoforms released comparable amounts of histamine from basophils of four individual patients. Thus, the two group V isoforms of velvet grass pollen exhibit differential binding when tested with monoclonal antibodies, i.e. different structure of single epitopes, but negligible differences concerning overall IgE-binding capacity and histamine-releasing capacity.

Allergens↗
PubMed1992

Chloroplast DNA inversions and the origin of the grass family (Poaceae).

The phylogenetic affinities of the grass family (Poaceae) have long been debated. The chloroplast genomes of at least some grasses have been known to possess three inversions relative to the typical gene arrangement found in most flowering plants. We have surveyed for the presence of these inversions in grasses and other monocots by polymerase chain reaction amplification with primers constructed from sequences flanking the inversion end points. Amplification phenotypes diagnostic for the largest inversion (28 kilobase pairs) were found in genera representing all grass subfamilies, and in the nongrass families Restionaceae, Ecdeiocoleaceae, and Joinvilleaceae, but not in any other monocots--notably, Flagellariaceae, Anarthriaceae, Cyperaceae, or Juncaceae. This finding is consistent with one of the two principal views of grass phylogeny in suggesting that Poaceae and Cyperaceae (sedges) are not closest relatives. A second (approximately 6 kilobases) inversion appears to occur in a subset of the families possessing the 28-kilobase inversion and links Joinvilleaceae and Poaceae, while the smallest inversion appears unique to grasses. These inversions thus provide a nested set of phylogenetic characters, indicating a hierarchy of relationships in the grasses and allies, with Joinvilleaceae identified as the likely sister group to the Poaceae.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Substitution rate comparisons between grasses and palms: synonymous rate differences at the nuclear gene Adh parallel rate differences at the plastid gene rbcL.

A number of studies have noted that nucleotide substitution rates at the chloroplast-encoded rbcL locus violate the molecular clock principle. Substitution rate variation at this plastid gene is particularly pronounced between palms and grasses; for example, a previous study estimated that substitution rates in rbcL sequences are approximately 5-fold faster in grasses than in palms. To determine whether a proportionate change in substitution rates also occurs in plant nuclear genes, we characterized nucleotide substitution rates in palm and grass sequences for the nuclear gene Adh. In this article, we report that palm sequences evolve at a rate of 2.61 x 10(-9) substitution per synonymous site per year, a rate which is slower than most plant nuclear genes. Grass Adh sequences evolve approximately 2.5-fold faster than palms at synonymous sites. Thus, synonymous rates in nuclear Adh genes show a marked decrease in palms relative to grasses, paralleling the pattern found at the plastid rbcL locus. This shared pattern indicates that synonymous rates are correlated between a nuclear and a plastid gene. Remarkably, nonsynonymous rates do not show this correlation. Nonsynonymous rates vary between two duplicated grass Adh loci, and nonsynonymous rates at the palm Adh locus are not markedly reduced relative to grasses.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed2004

Associative nitrogen fixation, C4 photosynthesis, and the evolution of spittlebugs (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) as major pests of neotropical sugarcane and forage grasses.

Neotropical grass-feeding spittlebugs of several genera are important pests of pasture grasses from the southeastern USA to northern Argentina, and of sugarcane from southern Mexico to southern Brazil, causing estimated reductions of up to 70% in yield and estimated monetary losses of 840-2100 million US dollars annually. With few exceptions, the species badly damaged by these spittlebugs are introduced C4 grasses that exhibit associative nitrogen fixation. This study synthesizes evidence that the pest status of many tropical and subtropical grass-feeding spittlebugs is linked to associative N-fixation in their C4 hosts. Recognition that associative N-fixation is a major factor in spittlebug host preferences should deepen understanding of spittlebug agricultural ecology and facilitate efforts to combat spittlebug pests. In particular, spittlebugs should be susceptible to manipulation of xylem transport solutes. However, reduction of nitrate fertilizer rates, increase in ammonium fertilizer rates, or enhancement of associative N-fixation as a consequence of genetic engineering could make hosts more susceptible to spittlebug attack. Because of their predilection for C4 grasses, spittlebugs present a clear counterexample to the hypothesis that herbivores prefer C3 plants to C4 plants. Finally, it appears that declines in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels during recent geological history promoted the proliferation of C4 grasses. This, compounded by human agricultural activities, has driven an ecological and evolutionary radiation of grass-feeding spittlebugs that presents continuing opportunities for the evolution of spittlebug pests.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

B cell epitopes of the major timothy grass pollen allergen, phl p 1, revealed by gene fragmentation as candidates for immunotherapy.

Group 1 grass pollen allergens are recognized by IgE antibodies of almost 40% of allergic individuals and therefore belong to the most important elicitors of Type I allergy worldwide. We have previously isolated the cDNA coding for the group 1 allergen from timothy grass, Phl p 1, and demonstrated that recombinant Phl p 1 contains most of the B cell as well as T cell epitopes of group 1 allergens from a variety of grass and corn species. Here we determine continuous B cell epitopes of Phl p 1 by gene fragmentation. IgE antibodies of grass pollen allergic patients identified five continuous epitope-containing areas that on an average bound 40% of Phl p 1-specific IgE antibodies and were stably recognized in the course of disease. In contrast to untreated patients, patients undergoing grass pollen immunotherapy started to mount IgG(4) antibodies to the recombinant IgE-defined fragments in the course of immunotherapy. The protective role of these IgG(4) antibodies is demonstrated by observations that 1) increases in rPhl p 1 fragment-specific IgG(4) were in parallel with decreases in Phl p 1-specific IgE, and 2) preincubation of rPhl p 1 with patients sera containing rPhl p 1 fragment-specific IgG(4) blocked histamine release from basophils of an untreated grass pollen allergic patient. We propose to use recombinant Phl p 1 fragments for active immunotherapy in order to induce protective IgG responses against IgE epitopes in grass pollen allergic patients. This concept may be applied for the development of allergy vaccines whenever the primary sequence or structure of an allergen is available.

Allergens↗
PubMed2001

Nonanaphylactic synthetic peptides derived from B cell epitopes of the major grass pollen allergen, Phl p 1, for allergy vaccination.

Worldwide more than 200 million individuals are allergic to group 1 grass pollen allergens. We have used the major timothy grass pollen allergen Phl p 1, which cross-reacts with most grass-, corn-, and monocot-derived group 1 allergens to develop a generally applicable strategy for the production of hypoallergenic allergy vaccines. On the basis of the experimentally determined B cell epitopes of Phl p 1, we have synthesized five synthetic peptides. These peptides are derived from the major Phl p 1 IgE epitopes and were between 28-32 amino acids long. We demonstrate by nuclear magnetic resonance that the peptides exhibit no secondary and tertiary structure and accordingly failed to bind IgE antibodies from grass pollen allergic patients. The five peptides, as well as an equimolar mixture thereof, lacked allergenic activity as demonstrated by basophil histamine release and skin test experiments in grass pollen allergic patients. When used as immunogens in mice and rabbits, the peptides induced protective IgG antibodies, which recognized the complete Phl p 1 wild-type allergen and group 1 allergens from other grass species. Moreover, peptide-induced antibodies inhibited the binding of grass pollen allergic patients IgE antibodies to the wild-type allergen. We thus demonstrate that synthetic hypoallergenic peptides derived from B cell epitopes of major allergens represent safe vaccine candidates for the treatment of IgE- mediated allergies.

Allergens↗
PubMed1992

Prediction of annual variations in atmospheric concentrations of grass pollen. A method based on meteorological factors and grain crop estimates.

We performed an aerobiologic observation of the grasses present in Madrid for 14 years (1978-1991), using volumetric air samplers. The counts obtained show that the major grass pollen release period (average daily grass pollen counts greater than 50 grains/m3 of air) occurs in the months of May and June, although lower counts can occur some days from the end of January onward. There are wide year-to-year variations in total atmospheric grass pollen counts, expressed as the total sum of the mean daily concentrations from April 1st to July 30th (ranging from 2568 to 6624). A strong, statistically significant correlation, based on Spearman's rank test and/or simple and multiple linear regressions, was found between the total grass seasonal count and preseasonal rainfall from October to March (R2 = 0.64; P = 0.0429). The meteorological variable which gave the correlation with greatest statistical significance (R2 = 0.97; P = 0.0016) was the average monthly preseasonal humidity from October to March. A good correlation was also found between March estimates of wheat, rye and barley crops and the total grass count (R2 = 0.73; P = 0.006). A model was designed from the above mentioned humidity variable through a multilinear regression analysis, and it was possible to predict, at the beginning of April, total seasonal counts for 1989 (predicted = 5468; actual = 4410; average error = 24%), 1990 (5033; 6090; -17%) and 1991 (3930; 2568; 53%). These data may help clinicians to predict and prepare themselves for the intensity of the grass pollen season and to explain yearly variations in the severity of symptoms.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2005

Constructing a 7-day ahead forecast model for grass pollen at north London, United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: A number of media outlets now issue medium-range ( approximately 7 day) weather forecasts on a regular basis. It is therefore logical that aerobiologists should attempt to produce medium-range forecasts for allergenic pollen that cover the same time period as the weather forecasts. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to construct a medium-range (</=7 day) forecast model for grass pollen at north London. METHOD: The forecast models were produced using regression analysis based on grass pollen and meteorological data from 1990 to 1999 and tested on data from 2000 and 2002. The modelling process was improved by dividing the grass pollen season into three periods; the pre-peak, peak and post-peak periods of grass pollen release. The forecast consisted of five regression models: two simple linear regression models predicting the start and end date of the peak period, and three multiple regression models forecasting daily average grass pollen counts in the pre-peak, peak and post-peak periods. RESULTS: Overall, the forecast models achieved 62% accuracy in 2000 and 47% in 2002, reflecting the fact that the 2002 grass pollen season was of a higher magnitude than any of the other seasons included in the analysis. CONCLUSION: This study has the potential to make a notable contribution to the field of aerobiology. Winter averages of the North Atlantic Oscillation were used to predict certain characteristics of the grass pollen season, which presents an important advance in aerobiological work. The ability to predict allergenic pollen counts for a period between five and seven days will benefit allergy sufferers. Furthermore, medium-range forecasts for allergenic pollen will be of assistance to the medical profession, including allergists planning treatment and physicians scheduling clinical trials.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2005

Neurolathyrism risk depends on type of grass pea preparation and on mixing with cereals and antioxidants.

OBJECTIVE: To study an array of household individual and dietary risk factors for neurolathyrism. METHOD: Case-control study using recent cases in a district highly affected by the recent neurolathyrism epidemic in Ethiopia: 108 households with cases and 104 households with no cases; 170 neurolathyrism cases, 370 intra-family controls and 170 community controls frequency matched for age and sex. RESULTS: A history of acute illness was associated with a two- and threefold increased risk of paralysis in community and intra-family controls, respectively. Soaking grass pea in water before cooking roughly halved the risk of neurolathyrism but cooking in clay utensils more than quadrupled it. Consumption of grass pea in the green unripe and boiled forms increased the risk 10 times or more. Mixing the food with gravy that contains condiments with antioxidant activity reduced it by a factor of 4. The consumption of grass pea mixed with cereals rich in sulphur amino acids was also highly protective, but the magnitude of the effect depended on the grass pea preparation consumed. CONCLUSION: Consumption of pure grass pea, especially in the green unripe and boiled forms, should be avoided. Communities at risk of neurolathyrism during famine crises should be encouraged to combine and use grass pea with cereals before the household cereal stock is fully depleted. Breeding programmes, alongside traditional attempts to reduce the toxin content, should enhance the content of sulphur amino acids and antioxidants in grass pea.

Adolescent↗