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PubMed2000

Metabolizable energy of roughage in Taiwan.

The fixed metabolizable energy (ME) values from the NRC do not represent the true ME values of the various feedstuff used in livestock rations. Therefore, a rapid and effective method for evaluating the ME value of forage crops is required for proper ration formulation to improve production efficiency. Dairy goat digestion trials were conducted as the in vivo reference using the method of Menke and Steingass (1988) [Menke, K.H., Steingass, H., 1988. Feed Sci. Technol. 28, 91-97] which derived the amount of gas produced from in vitro fermentation. This method was adapted in this study to evaluate the ME value. In the goat digestion trial, six dairy goats were used for each roughage sample in a total fecal collection trial to determine the digestible nutrients, including energy (DE) and total digestible nutrient (TDN). The in vivo ME value was calculated using the method of Shiemann et al. (1971) [Shiemann, R., Nehring, K., Hoffmann, L., Jentsch, W., Chudy, A., 1971. Energetische Futterbewertung und Energienormen. VEB Deutscher Land-wirtschaftsverlag, Berlin, p. 75. (in German)] (ME(1) (MJ/kg)=5.2DCP+34.2DEE+12.8DCF+15.9DNFE, g/g). The in vitro ME value was then estimated from the chemical composition of the feed and amount of gas produced (G(b)) from in vitro fermentation. The value calculated from both with (ME(3)) and without (ME(2)) the inclusion of nitrogen free extracts (NFE) in the prediction equation. (ME(2) (MJ/kg)=0.145G(b)+4.12CP+6.5CP(2)+20.6EE+1.54, g/g; ME(3) (MJ/kg)=0.118G(b)+8.75CP+19.21EE+3.38NFE+0.691, g/g). The 12 roughage samples consisted different growth stages of Napier grass Taishi No. 2: (day of harvest; 40, 50, 60 and 65), dwarf Napier grass Taishi No. 1: (Day 40 and 65) and Pangola grass (Day 45) hay (Day 70), corn silage, imported alfalfa hay, timothy hay and Bermuda hay. The correlation between the ME values calculated from in vivo and in vitro without NFE was lower than with NFE inclusion in the equation. A higher correlation between the ME values calculated from in vivo and in vitro without NFE inclusion than with NFE inclusion in the prediction equation was obtained when alfalfa and corn silage were not included. This indicated that the ME value of forage could be estimated rapidly using this in vitro gas method adapted from Menke and Steingass (1988) [Menke, K.H., Steingass, H., 1988. Feed Sci. Technol. 28, 91-97] for practical applications in ration formulation.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Effect of topical vapocoolant spray on skin test wheal, flare, and pain responses.

BACKGROUND: Skin puncture and intradermal tests are commonly used to evaluate allergic rhinitis. Ethyl chloride, a topical vapocoolant spray, provides skin analgesia before venipuncture, but it has not been studied with allergy skin testing. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of ethyl chloride vs placebo on skin puncture testing (SPT) and intradermal allergy testing. METHODS: We enrolled 20 healthy adults with a history of positive aeroallergen skin test results in a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study. Ethyl chloride and placebo sprays were randomly placed on the upper back. Paired SPT was performed with saline, histamine, and standardized aeroallergens, including Bermuda grass, Kentucky blue grass, timothy grass, cat, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and Dermatophagoides farinae. Serial dilutional end-point intradermal tests were then performed using 1 standardized aeroallergen. Wheal and flare areas were outlined, scanned, and digitally measured. Participants used a 10-cm visual analog scale to record pain during skin testing. RESULTS: Eighteen individuals completed the study. Compared with placebo, ethyl chloride had no significant effect on histamine wheal (P = .53), histamine flare (P = .39), aeroallergen wheal (P = .10), or aeroallergen flare (P = .71) area for SPT. Serial dilutional end-point intradermal testing was similar after ethyl chloride and placebo application (P = .75). Mean pain scores for SPT were improved with ethyl chloride compared with paired placebo skin tests, although pain scores did not reach significance for SPT (P = .21) or intradermal testing (P = .87). CONCLUSIONS: Ethyl chloride does not significantly reduce histamine and aeroallergen wheal and flare areas during SPT and intradermal allergy skin testing. Ethyl chloride, vs placebo, reduced pain in some individuals during skin testing, although this did not attain statistical significance.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2004

Salsola pollen as a predominant cause of respiratory allergies in Kuwait.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory allergies are common in Kuwait, and the role of certain allergens has been previously documented. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of skin prick tests to a range of allergens that were considered relevant to the vegetation surveys and aerobiological studies performed in Kuwait. METHOD: New patients attending our center during August 2002 to February 2003 with asthma or allergic rhinitis underwent skin prick tests to a battery of allergens. RESULTS: A total of 451 patients aged 5 to 60 years (mean age, 29.5 years) were tested. Of these patients, 403 (89.4%) had a positive test result to at least one allergen and were considered allergic. A total of 76.7% of the allergic patients had a positive reaction to Salsola pollen, with a mean wheal diameter of 8.25 mm (median, 8 mm). Chenopodium album was positive in 57.6% and Bermuda grass was positive in 38.2% of the allergic cases. Indoor allergens seemed to play a lesser role than pollens: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was positive in only 37.5%, and American and German cockroaches were positive in 33.2% and 22.3%, respectively. All the allergens other than Salsola elicited a mean wheal diameter of less than 6.25 mm (median, < or = 6 mm). CONCLUSIONS: Indoor allergens seem to play a lesser role in respiratory allergies in Kuwait. Most allergic patients become sensitized to pollens; the strongest and most frequent reaction is from Salsola pollen. Salsola imbricata is found growing extensively in most areas of the country, flowering mainly in autumn, when the most common pollen is of the Chenopod-Amaranth type and when most patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis become symptomatic.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Sensitization to aeroallergens among patients with allergic rhinitis in a desert environment.

BACKGROUND: The causative allergens of allergic rhinitis in desert environments are uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To determine the sensitizing aeroallergens in patients with allergic rhinitis in Kuwait, a desert country. METHODS: A total of 706 patients aged 6 to 64 years (mean 34.3 years) with allergic rhinitis were studied. Sera from the patients were screened for specific IgE to 14 inhalant allergens by the CAP-RAST method. RESULTS: Specific IgE to any allergen was detected in 86.3% of patients. The prevalence rates for allergen groups were: pollens (77.3%), house dust (62.3%), and molds (14.7%). The individual allergens with the highest positive rates were pollens of the weed Chenopodium (64.3%); Bermuda grass (55.0%), and Prosopis tree (50.3%). These plants were all imported and cultivated for the purpose of "greening" the desert. German cockroach (48.2%) and house dust mites (32.4% to 39.2%) were the most prevalent indoor sensitizers. With the exception of the molds, sensitization rates were higher for males than females. The youngest age group (6 to 17 years) had significantly higher sensitization rates than the older ones, particularly with respect to the molds (P < .01 to .001). Severe sensitization was more common with Alternaria than the other allergens and in general mold sensitization was more frequently associated with severe symptoms. Polysensitization was very common, with 81.8% of all sensitized patients positive to more than one allergen. CONCLUSIONS: Pollens of the local horticultural plants are the main sensitizing allergens among patients with allergic rhinitis in this desert environment. The practices that "green" the desert seem to also encourage allergen sensitization.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

The AFL penetrometer study: work in progress.

Five hundred and seventy one matches in the Australian Football League [AFL] had ground hardness measured using a Penetrometer, over the period 1997-2000. The method used was 3 drops at each of 20 locations over the playing field on the morning before games. Anterior Cruciate Ligament [ACL] injuries were recorded using an ongoing injury surveillance system. There was a non-significant trend towards a higher risk of ACL injury when the 3-drop average of the Penetrometer was less (harder) than 4.5cm, RR 2.36 (95% CI 0.90-6.24). When the first drop average of the Penetrometer was less (harder) than 2.5cm, the relative risk was 2.60 (95% CI 0.94-7.20). There was also a nonsignificant trend towards an increased risk of ACL injury in games where the predominant grass type was couch (Bermuda) grass, as opposed to rye grass, RR 2.37 (95% CI 0.89-6.36). This study confirms previous findings from the AFL that early season matches and matches played at northern (warmer) venues have a higher risk of ACL injury. It is likely that ground-related variables are partially responsible for these observations, but to date, the relative contributions of ground hardness, grass type, shoe-surface traction and other confounding factors are not certain. There was a significant fall in the number of ACL injuries in the AFL (to approximately half the previous level of incidence) during seasons 1999 and 2000. It is possible that reaction to this study and related publicity has led to the preparation of ground conditions in the AFL that are less likely to produce ACL injuries.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries↗
PubMed2006

Polychlorinated biphenyls and hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls in plasma of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the Western Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and hydroxylated metabolic products (OH-PCBs) were measured in plasma collected from live-captured and released bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from five different locations in the Western Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico in 2003 and 2004. In 2004, the sum (sigma) of concentration of PCBs in plasma of dolphins sampled off Charleston, SC [geometric mean: 223 ng/g of wet weight (w.w.)] was significantly higher (p<0.05) than concentrations detected in animals from the Indian River Lagoon, FL (sigmaPCBs: 122 ng/g w.w.) and the Sarasota Bay, FL (sigmaPCBs: 111 ng/g w.w.). The PCB homolog profiles were similar among locations. Concentrations of OH-PCBs were significantly higher (p<0.05) in plasma of dolphins from Charleston, SC (sigmaOH-PCBs for 2003: 126 ng/g w.w.; 2004: 138 ng/g w.w.) than animals from Florida (sigmaOH-PCBs ranged from 6 to 47 ng/g w.w.) and Bermuda (8.3 ng/g w.w.); however, concentrations in the Charleston samples did not differ from animals captured in Delaware Bay, NJ (57 ng/g w.w.). The sigmaOH-PCBs constituted 2-68% of the total PCB concentrations in plasma. Dichloro- to nonachloro-OH-PCBs were quantified using high-resolution gas chromatography mass spectrometry, but only around 20% of OH-PCBs could be identified by comparison to authentic standards. Results from this study show that OH-PCB are important environmental contaminants in dolphins and suggest that PCBs, decades after their ban, may still constitute a threat to wildlife.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Antineoplastic agents, 301. An investigation of the Amaryllidaceae genus Hymenocallis.

Seven species (and one cultivated variety) of Hymenocallis (Amaryllidaceae) and the related Pancratium maritima, representing a broad geographical selection, were investigated as sources of pancratistatin [1] now undergoing preclinical development as an anticancer agent. Pancratistatin [1] was found to be a constituent of H. speciosa (Singapore), H. variegated (Singapore), H. pedalis (Seychelles), H. expansa (Bermuda), H. sonoranensis (Mexico), and P. maritimum (Israel). Only two species of Hymenocallis failed to yield one or more of the related cell-growth inhibitory isocarbostyrils such as narciclasine [3a], 7-deoxynarciclasine [3b], and 7-deoxy-trans-dihydronarciclasine [2].

Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids↗
PubMed1998

Identification of allergens in a selected group of asthmatics in Lebanon.

Anti-allergen antibodies were searched for by an Enzyme Immunoassay in the sera obtained from 60 patients with a clinical diagnosis of asthma. Allergic rhinitis was also present in 28 patients. The diagnosis of asthma was based on clinical criteria that include history and clinical evidence of airflow obstruction. Ten potential allergens (Bermuda grass, Olive tree, Parietaria, Alternaria, Cat hair dander, Dog hair dander, Mite DPT, Mugwort, Birch tree and Timothy grass) common to the Mediterranean area, were utilized. Twenty-five of 60 specimens were seropositive. Mite DPT was the allergen identified in 16 of the 25 seropositive specimens. Six of the 25 seropositive specimens reacted with more than one allergen. This may be due to the existence of similar antigenic determinant groups in the allergens used. There was no correlation between the occurrence of rhinitis in addition to asthma on one hand and the identified allergen on the other. Sixteen of the 25 seropositive patients were female. This observation is believed to be related to their occupation. Dog hair dander was identified as the allergen in 1 of the 25 seropositive patients. The low figure obtained was expected because keeping house pets is not a common practice in Lebanon. The 35 seronegative patients may belong to the intrinsic asthma group or the causative allergen in each case was not one of the 10 allergens used in this study. These results indicate that the house dust mite appears to be the most common allergen in the Lebanese asthmatic group studied.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Tormopsolus orientalis Yamaguti, 1934 (Digenea: Acanthocolpidae) from Seriola dumerili (Risso) (Perciformes: Carangidae) in the western Mediterranean Sea.

Tormopsolus orientalis Yamaguti, 1934, is redescribed from Seriola dumerili from off Corsica, Majorca and Aguilas, SE Spain. The vitellarium is interrupted at the level of the ovary and both testes, and a bipartite seminal vesicle is found in many specimens. Oral sucker papillae are always seen. Type-specimens and voucher specimens from off Japan, Bermuda, Panama, Curaçao and the Great Barrier Reef have been compared with the Mediterranean species. Specimens of T. medius Reimer, 1983, from Mozambique have been studied and this species is synonymised with T. orientalis.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Asthma in the desert: spectrum of the sensitizing aeroallergens.

BACKGROUND: Bronchial asthma is common in Kuwait, a desert country, but the sensitizing allergens are uncertain. This study investigated the sensitizing allergens in Kuwaiti patients with extrinsic asthma. METHODS: A total of 553 asthmatics (male:female ratio: 1.4; mean age: 31.7 years [range 3-76 years]) and 112 matched controls were studied. Sera from all patients/subjects were tested by the CAP-RAST method for specific IgE to 14 locally relevant inhalant allergens. RESULTS: Specific IgE to at least one allergen was detected in 87.2% of the patients compared with 24.1% of controls. Among the confirmed extrinsic asthmatics, the sensitization rates for the allergen groups were as follows: pollens (87.1%), house dust (76.1%), and molds (30.3%). The three most prevalent sensitizing pollens were from Chenopodium (70.7%), Bermuda grass (62.9%), and Prosopis (62.7%), all of which are horticultural plants imported for the purpose of "greening" the desert. For all allergens, except the molds, the prevalence rate was higher in males than females, but age had only a weak effect. Severe asthma occurred significantly more frequently among mold-sensitized patients. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that even in a desert environment, pollens and house-dust allergens may be important sensitizing allergens. They also illustrate how practices that "green" the desert can affect public health.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of full-length cDNAs encoding new group of Cyn d 1 isoallergens.

BACKGROUND: Cyn d 1, the major allergen of Bermuda grass pollen, contains some acidic/basic isoforms. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of some acidic Cyn d 1 isoforms were found to be different from those of Cyn d 1 cDNA clones identified previously. METHODS: A predicted 17-meric oligonucleotide probe was designed to fish the unidentified isoallergen cDNAs out of BGP cDNA library. The reactive clones were isolated and verified by sequencing. Two of them were expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris to obtain recombinant Cyn d 1 proteins. RESULTS: All four cDNA clones encode the full-length Cyn d 1 with mature proteins of 244 amino acid residues. A 97-99% identity was found among the deduced amino acids of these four clones while an 86% identity was elicited between the four clones and the ones previously identified. The predicted isoelectric focusing (pI) values of the newly identified Cyn d 1s are acidic while pIs of the previously identified Cyn d 1s are basic. The two recombinant acidic Cyn d 1 proteins possess the epitopes recognized by mouse and rabbit polyclonal anti-Cyn d 1 antibodies, and have human IgE-binding capacity as revealed by immunodot assay. CONCLUSIONS: The present study identified full-length cDNAs encoding new isoallergens of Cyn d 1, and separated Cyn d 1 gene into an acidic group and a basic group.

Allergens↗
PubMed2002

Cross-reactivities between date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) polypeptides and foods implicated in the oral allergy syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Date fruit and pollen antigens share a number of cross-reactive epitopes. Date pollen has been shown to cross-react with antigens from Artemisia, cultivated rye (Secale cereale), Timothy grass (Phleum pratense), Sydney golden wattle (Acacia longifolia) and Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) pollen. The present study was carried out to examine any cross-reactivities between date palm polypeptides and antigens of some common foods and vegetables that have been implicated in the oral allergy syndrome (OAS). Because most of such cross-reactivities in other allergens are attributable to the presence of carbohydrate chains and profilin, their role was also investigated. METHODS: Fresh extracts of 20 common fruits and vegetables were prepared. Putative date profilins were isolated by affinity chromatography using a poly L-proline column. Date fruit extracts were digested by various endoglycosidases and the immunoglobulin (Ig)E binding of the postdigest products was assessed in immunoblots. Rabbit antisera to whole date fruit extracts, Timothy grass profilin and putative date profilins, as well as human sera from date sensitive individuals were used in immunoblotting, ELISA and in inhibition experiments. RESULTS: IgG, ELISA and immunoblot results with the different rabbit antisera and date-sensitive atopic sera showed several antigenic cross-reactivities and similar cross-reactivities were seen with birch, date and timothy grass profilins. IgE, ELISA and immunoblot experiments with pooled date sensitive human sera showed a range of cross-reactivities with some food extracts. A number of the IgE cross-reactivities could be inhibited after preabsorption of pooled sera with date extracts. Sixty-six percent of individual date hypersensitive human sera bound IgE in putative date fruit profilin and their pooled sera bound IgE in birch pollen profilin. IgE-binding of the endoglycosidase digested date fruit extracts to atopic serum pool was restricted to only a very low molecular weight band of 6.5-8 kDa. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that date palm polypeptides share cross-reactive IgG and IgE epitopes with a number of foods implicated in the oral allergy syndrome, bind to birch and Timothy grass profilins and bind IgE through glycosyl residues. The clinical relevance of these cross-reactivities needs to be further elucidated.

Allergens↗
PubMed2025

Hybridization as driving force for cryptic species diversity in the Caribbean coral genus Madracis.

Species boundaries in scleractinian corals remain highly elusive due to conflicting patterns between morphological and molecular phylogenies, often caused by morphological plasticity, occurrence of cryptic species, incomplete lineage sorting or introgressive hybridization. Here, we use an integrated systematics approach, which combines reduced representation genome sequencing (nextRAD), micro-morphometric characterization, SEM analyses and compilation of life history traits, to infer phylogenetic relationships among closely related species in the Caribbean coral genus Madracis. In total, we analyzed 235 Madracis specimens from Cura&#xe7;ao and Bermuda collected from 10-90 m depth. Sequence- and SNP-based analyses for 115 samples generated unprecedented species resolution in Madracis, greatly supporting the morphology-based taxonomy of the current, accepted Caribbean species M. senaria, M. decactis, M. formosa, M. carmabi and M. mirabilis (M. auretenra). The exception was M. pharensis, in which we found evidence for three separate lineages, and for which we found signatures of admixture and introgression. These three M. pharensis lineages showed distinct depth distributions (thus classified as shallow, deep and very deep) and were partially distinguishable on the basis of fine microstructural elements of the collumella, septa and coenosteum. Further taxonomic comparisons are needed to formalize these putative cryptic species. Overall, our integrated systematics approach further resolves species relationships in the Caribbean genus Madracis, supports the morphological descriptions for most of the recognized species, but also reveals the existence of cryptic diversity in groups marked by high admixture, thus suggesting hybridization as a driving force in coral species diversity.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Bacterial amelioration of bauxite residue waste of industrial alumina plants.

The high alkali content of bauxite residue deposits from alumina production plants in industrial nations poses a challenge to reestablish flora and fauna at the deposit sites. The present study demonstrated that low levels of injured bacterial cells in the bauxite residue actively grew using various added nutrients and/or hay. The organisms grew from less than 10 to more than 10(9) cells g(-1) bauxite residue and formed organic acids that lowered the pH from 13 to about 7.0. A total of 150 cultures was isolated from treated bauxite residue and included species of Bacillus, Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium and Enterobacter. Scanning electron micrographs demonstrated that untreated particles (control) of the bauxite residue were clumped together, and in treated bauxite residue these particles were highly dispersed with microcolonial structures. Furthermore, the treated bauxite residue supported growth of several plants and earthworms that survived for over 300 days. In a test plot bioremediation on a residue deposit at Alcoa Point Comfort, TX, the Bermuda grass hay used was effective mulch material and encouraged water filtration, leading to establishment and growth of salt-tolerant vegetative species.

Aluminum↗
PubMed2000

Substrate preference profiles of proteases released by allergenic pollens.

BACKGROUND: Pollens are important triggers for allergic asthma and seasonal rhinitis. We have recently reported that proteases released by major allergenic pollens can injure airway epithelial cells in vitro. Disruption of epithelial integrity by proteases released following deposition of pollens on mucosal surfaces could promote sensitization and induce inflammation. OBJECTIVE: To compare protease activities released by allergenic pollens of various genera. METHODS: We used a rapid microassay which quantifies cleavage of dipeptide ester substrates to characterize the substrate preference profiles of serine proteases in diffusates of the pollens of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis), Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), Western ragweed (Ambrosia spp.), white birch (Betula spp.) and Sydney golden wattle (Acacia longifolia). RESULTS: Comparison of the profiles revealed notable differences as well as similarities between serine protease activities released by these pollens. Diffusates of Kentucky blue grass pollen exhibited very high substrate preference for arginine and lysine. For other pollens, cleavage of the cysteine substrate was usually the most rapid and was associated with marked preference for leucine and methionine. There was considerable variation between these pollens in the rates of cleavage of the histidine substrate. In addition, we observed high rates of cleavage of arginine and lysine substrates by Acacia pollen diffusate. CONCLUSION: At least two dominant patterns of substrate preference are identifiable in the mixtures of proteases released by hydrated pollens. Purification of the proteases responsible for these patterns of activity will facilitate investigation of their role in airway epithelial injury and allergic disease.

Allergens↗
PubMed2000

Is allergen skin test reactivity a predictor of mortality? Findings from a national cohort.

BACKGROUND: The importance of atopy on subsequent mortality is controversial. A clearer understanding is important as atopy is increasing worldwide. OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of allergen skin test reactivity on observed mortality of a national cohort. METHODS: Baseline health status and atopic status (allergen skin testing) was measured as part of the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II), a representative sample of the US population, during the years 1976-80. Vital status and cause of death were assessed through December 31, 1992 for all examinees 30 years of age or older at baseline (n = 9252) as part of the NHANES II Mortality Study (NH2MS). The analytic sample contained 8179 men and women after excluding missing data. Allergen skin test reactivity was defined as weal >/= 3 mm to one of eight 1 : 20 (w/v), 50% glycerinated ('No US Standard of Potency') allergens licensed by the FDA: house dust, cat, dog, Alternaria, mixed giant/short ragweed, oak, perennial rye grass, and Bermuda grass. Survival analyses were conducted using multivariate adjusted Cox regression models to evaluate the association between atopy and all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. RESULTS: There was no association between allergen skin test reactivity and all cause mortality: 30-44 years RR = 1.07 (95% CI 0.63-1.84); 45-59 years RR = 1.10 (0.78-1.55); 60-75 years RR = 1.07 (0.91-1.25). Results were unchanged when cancer or heart disease mortality were examined separately. The presence or absence of allergic symptoms, using the flare to define skin test reactivity, eliminating deaths in the first 5 years of follow-up, or eliminating individuals with pre-existing conditions did not alter the findings. CONCLUSIONS: Atopy, defined by allergen skin test reactivity, with or without symptoms, is not a predictor of subsequent mortality.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Analysis of the sensitization profile towards allergens in central Africa.

BACKGROUND: Almost no information is available regarding the prevalence of IgE-mediated allergies and the disease-eliciting allergens in tropical Africa. OBJECTIVE: To study IgE-mediated allergies and the allergen profile in allergic patients from Zimbabwe. METHODS: The frequency of sensitization to common environmental allergen sources was determined by skin prick testing in 650 allergic patients from Zimbabwe. Fifty representative sera were analysed for IgE reactivity to 20 respiratory and 20 food allergen extracts by multiallergen extract testing. The IgE reactivity profiles to recombinant pollen and mite allergens were compared between grass pollen- and mite-sensitized patients from Zimbabwe and central Europe. Sera from grass pollen-allergic patients were also analysed for IgE reactivity to nitrocellulose-blotted natural timothy grass and Bermuda grass pollen allergens. RESULTS: IgE-mediated allergies were found to be common in Zimbabwe. Similar to the situation in central Europe, mites and grass pollens represented the most prevalent allergen sources. However, the IgE reactivity profiles determined with single recombinant pollen and mite allergens revealed interesting differences between the European and African patients, which most likely reflect the local allergen exposure. CONCLUSIONS: The striking differences regarding sensitization to grass pollen and mite allergens between African and European patients revealed by recombinant allergen-based testing emphasize the need for component-resolved allergy testing to optimize allergy prevention and therapy in different populations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Transglobal comparisons of nuclear and mitochondrial genetic structure in a marine polyploid clam (Lasaea, Lasaeidae).

Existing genetic studies have proposed that the intertidal clam, Lasaea, is one of a few animal groups with asexual lineages that has persisted for an evolutionarily significant time. This proposal is based on the exceptional mitochondrial genetic divergence between studied sexual and asexual lineages. Nevertheless, a conclusion of long-lived asexuality awaits a more comprehensive sampling of the collective global range of this taxon. We assessed the breeding system and phylogeography of geographically divergent Lasaea populations using nuclear and mtDNA genetic markers. The allozyme genetic structure of five populations (from Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Florida and Bermuda) showed marked deviation from expected random mating patterns (within and among loci), frequent fixed heterozygosity, and reduced genotypic diversity. This pattern and the finding of multiple asymmetric allozymic heterozygotes, indicated a clonal structure consistent with allopolyploid origins for each population. Spatial analysis of mtDNA and allozyme markers revealed strong geographical structure and yielded no cosmopolitan clonal lineages. Australian sexual species formed sister taxa to a minority of the clonal lineages, but pronounced mitochondrial genetic divergence levels and developmental differences precluded their identification as convincing parental species to any of the clones. A majority of asexual lineages may have originated in areas where no sexual congeners are presently known. The observed nuclear and mtDNA genetic structure is consistent with Lasaea clonal diversity being enriched by local mutational derivatives but infrequent recombination cannot be ruled out.

Animals↗