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PubMed2006

Decrease in the allergenicity of Japanese cedar pollen allergen by treatment with positive and negative cluster ions.

BACKGROUND: Japanese cedar pollinosis is a severe allergic disease in Japan. The most effective means of decreasing allergic inflammation reactions is still avoidance of the aeroallergen. Recently, a novel air purification system using positively and negatively charged cluster ions was developed to create comfortable living environments. We aimed to assess the ability of existing technology to lower allergenicity of Japanese cedar pollen. METHODS: A Japanese cedar pollen extract was nebulized from the top of a cylindrical container with 2 or 4 ion-generating devices. The extract in a mist was passed through the space filled with or without plasma cluster ions for 90 s, and the ion-treated or nontreated extract was then collected in a Petri dish at the bottom of the container. RESULTS: The ion-exposed extract was significantly diminished in its reactivities to anti-Cry j 1 or anti-Cry j 2 antiserum and to human allergic sera IgE on ELISA. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that ion exposure induced protein degradation in the pollen extract. Similarly, the ion treatment impaired about 80% of the binding to pooled sera IgE from patients allergic to Japanese cedar pollen on ELISA inhibition. Furthermore, intracutaneous and conjunctival reaction tests showed a remarkable diminution in the allergenicity of the ion-irradiated extract. CONCLUSION: Ion irradiation resulted in a remarkable decrease in in vitro and in vivo allergenicities of atomized Japanese cedar pollen extracts.

Air Ionization↗
PubMed2006

Effects of probiotics on allergic rhinitis induced by Japanese cedar pollen: randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) has been found to exert antiallergic effects in animal experiments, but there is little information about its clinical effects in human patients with allergy. METHODS: We performed a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study to investigate the effects of LcS in patients with allergic rhinitis triggered by Japanese cedar pollen (JCP). Participants were asked to drink fermented milk containing LcS (LcS group) or placebo (control group) for 8 weeks. Clinical symptoms and immunological parameters were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Symptom-medication scores (SMS) worsened in accordance with the increase in the amount of scattered JCP. In terms of the nasal and ocular SMS, there was no significant difference between the LcS group and the placebo group during the ingestion period. In the subgroup of patients with moderate-to-severe nasal symptom scores before starting the ingestion of test samples, supplementation with LcS tended to reduce nasal SMS. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that fermented milk containing LcS does not prevent allergic symptoms in patients sensitive to JCP, but may delay the occurrence of allergic symptoms in patients with moderate-to-severe nasal symptom scores.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Reduction of antigenicity of Cry j I, major allergen of Japanese cedar pollen, by the attachment of polysaccharides.

An attempt was made to mask the allergenic structure of a major allergen protein, Cry j I (CJI), in Japanese cedar pollen using the Maillard-type polysaccharide conjugation. The SDS-PAGE pattern of the CJI-galactomannan conjugate prepared by the Maillard reaction showed broad bands widely distributed from 50 kDa to more than 100 kDa, suggesting the attachment of galactomannan. The competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that the IgE antibody in the sera of cedar pollen-sensitive patients reacted strongly with CJI, while it did not react with the CJI-galactomannan conjugate. This result suggests that the antigenicity of CJI is greatly reduced by the conjugation with galactomannan.

Allergens↗
PubMed2005

Clinical efficacy of apple polyphenol for treating cedar pollinosis.

A double-blind comparative study was conducted on cedar pollinosis patients in order to evaluate the treatment efficacy of apple polyphenol (Ap). Ap was administered (500 mg) once daily for 12 weeks, starting about 2 weeks prior to cedar pollen dispersion. Pollinosis symptoms during the study were evaluated according to the classification in the guidelines for allergic rhinitis diagnosis and treatment. The results show that the sneezing score was significantly lower for the Ap group than with the placebo group during the early period of pollen dispersion and during the main dispersion period. In addition, no adverse reactions were induced by Ap during the study. These results suggest that Ap may alleviate the symptoms of cedar pollinosis.

Anti-Allergic Agents↗
PubMed2005

Fermentability of water-soluble portion to ethanol obtained by supercritical water treatment of lignocellulosics.

The water-soluble (WS) portion obtained by supercritical water treatment of lignocellulosics was studied for its fermentability to ethanol. A fermentation test of the WS portion showed it was not fermented to ethanol. Therefore, a wood charcoal treatment was applied to the WS portion to remove furan and phenolic compounds, which are thought to be the inhibitors to sugar fermentability. It was found that treatment with wood charcoal can be effective at removing these inhibitors and improving the fermentability of the WS portion without reducing the levels of fermentable sugars.

Cedrus↗
PubMed2006

Trap-mulching Argentine ants.

Argentine ant, Linepithema humile (Mayr), management is constrained, in large part, by polydomy where nestmates are distributed extensively across urban landscapes, particularly within mulch. Management with trap-mulching is a novel approach derived from trap-cropping where ants are repelled from a broad domain of nest sites to smaller defined areas, which are subsequently treated with insecticide. This concept was field-tested with mulch surrounding ornamental trees replaced with a narrow band of pine (Pinus spp.) needle mulch (trap) within a much larger patch of repellent aromatic cedar (Juniperus spp.) mulch. After ants reestablished around the trees, the pine needle mulch band was treated with 0.06% fipronil (Termidor). Poor results were obtained when the trap extended from the tree trunk to the edge of the mulched area. When the trap was applied as a circular band around the tree trunk reductions in the number of foraging ants were recorded through 14 d compared with an untreated mulch control, but not for longer periods. Reductions in the number of ant nests within mulch were no different between the trap mulch and any of the other treatments. We conclude that trap-mulching offers limited benefits, and that successful management of Argentine ants will require implementation of complementary or perhaps alternative strategies.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

[Allergic rhinitis epidemiology in Japan].

We epidemiologically surveyed allergic rhinitis nationwide, mailing questionnaires to 9,471 otorhinolaryngologists and their families nationwide in June 1998 responses by the end of September 1998: 42.8%, providing 17,301 subjects. Few differences were seen in the age composition between the subject population and the general Japanese population. Cedar pollinosis morbidity after adjustment for population distribution was 17.3%, higher overall on the Pacific Ocean side and in central districts of Japan compared to districts on the Sea of Japan and the Inland Sea and lower in high or low latitudes. By age, morbidity increased sharply among subjects in their teens and decreased among subjects in their 60s. Morbidity was high in districts of heavy cedar pollen dissemination. By housing, morbidity was high in the suburbs, followed by residential areas and cities. Pollinosis due to causes other than cedar pollen showed results similar to those for cedar pollinosis in morbidity by age and the relationship between the housing environment and morbidity, with morbidity after population distribution adjustment 11.7%. Morbidity of perennial allergic rhinitis after adjustment for population distribution was 19.8% was slightly higher than that of pollinosis. By age, morbidity increased sharply at 5 to 9 years of age, being highest in the young than in cedar pollinosis; no decrease in morbidity after age 60 was seen. Unlike cedar pollinosis, perennial allergic rhinitis showed no difference in morbidity by area or housing environment. The present survey using otorhinolaryngologists and their families nationwide as subjects enabled us to find areawise differences in morbidity for cedar pollinosis and perennial allergic rhinitis. Ours is useful epidemiologically in allergic rhinitis mainly for cedar pollinosis in Japan because it is superior to other questionnaires in response and because reply reliability is high.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Medical consultation dynamics in Japanese cedar pollinosis patients at an office building clinic in central Tokyo].

To clarify medical consultation dynamics in Japanese cedar pollinosis patients visiting an office building clinic in an office block in central Tokyo, we surveyed number of patient at a private ENT clinic in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, during the Japanese cedar pollen season from 1990 to 1999. Based on questionnaires and CAP RAST tests in 1995, we studied the profiles of Japanese cedar pollinosis patients and determined positive rates of noncedar antigens. The gender ratio in 1995 was 674 men versus 501 women, most frequently men in their 40s and women in their 20s. Of these, 79.2% worked in Chiyoda-ku and Chuo-ku, but only 1.9% lived in these districts. Positive rates of noncedar antigens in 232 who received simultaneous CAP RAST tests were 64.7% for Japanese cypress, 38.3% for house dust, 35.3% for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, 34.4% for Epidermoptidae spp, 19.8% for mixed grasses, and 10.3% for mixed weeds (asteraceous plants). Patients positive for cedar alone were 19.0% and positive for both cedar and cypress but negative for other antigens were 23.3%; about 60% of these were suspected of multiple sensitization to antigens other than cedar and cypress. The number of pollens and patients were summarized weekly and compared. Those paying a first visit were peaked with an increase in pollen in the first week of March almost every year; second visits peaked 1 or 2 weeks later than the first visit. Little increase in first visit was noted even with increasing pollen dissemination from the latter half of March. The relationship between the number of pollen and patients each year from 1990 to 1999 correlated highly with the linear regression equation y = 0.1005x + 547.07 with R2 = 0.7562. The relationship between square roots of the number of pollen and patients each year for 5 year from 1995 to 1999 correlated very highly with the linear regression equation y = 11.167x + 376.72 with R2 = 0.9941. We concluded that the number of patients may be predicted with substantially higher accuracy based on the estimated amount of pollen in a given year.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Prediction of Japanese cedar pollen emission in a snowy area--surveillance in Hirosaki City].

Japanese cedar is the most common pollinosis allergen in Japan. Predictions of total pollen counts and the first 2 or more days of the Japanese cedar pollen season are beneficial to patients. We developed predictive methods for those 2 factors in Hirosaki. We conducted an atmospheric Japanese cedar pollen survey from 1996 to 2002 in Hirosaki and compared yearly data with the male flowering index counted in 50 cedar trees in the preceding autumn. The male flowering index correlated highly positively with total cedar pollen counts in regression analysis, indicating its usefulness in predicting total pollen counts. Although the number of days from January 1 to the first day of continuous pollen emission showed no correlation with the cumulative maximum temperature during these days, the number of days from the day of first detection of pollen emission (minimum of 1 particle per sq. cm) to the first day of continuous pollen emission correlated highly with the cumulative maximum temperature and cumulative amount of snowfall on these days, suggesting that it is possible to predict the first day of continuous pollen emission by the cumulated daily maximum temperature after the day of first detection of pollen emission.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2005

[A comparative study between real time monitor KH-3000 and conventional Durham sampler measuring airborne pollen].

Real time monitoring of airborne pollen has gradually increased because monitoring is laborsaving and provides better real-time information. A problem arose, however, due to differences between the KH3000 (Yamato Co. Ltd) monitor and the conventional Durham sampler pointed out in results of airborne pollen monitoring in Wakayama in 2004. We compared the two monitors for airborne pollen in Wakayama in 2004, which less dispersed than usual. The peak monitored by the KH-3000 monitor was not consistent with the prime period of Japanese cedar and cypress pollen dispersion, especially in February and April, although they correlated highly in March. The inconsistency in February is thought to be caused by snow, and that in April by falsely monitoring beech-tree airborne pollen-which is similar in size-in addition to Japanese cedar and cypress pollen. This report points out the need to take these conditions (snow and other plants pollen) into account when a real time monitor is used for collecting pollen information.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2005

Effect of diesel exhaust on immune responses in C57BL/6 mice intranasally immunized with pollen antigen.

To investigate the effect of diesel exhaust or particle-free diesel gas on immune responses in IgE low responder mice, C57BL/6 mice immunized intranasally with sugi basic protein were exposed to diesel exhaust or diesel gas components. We evaluated the changes in lymphocyte subpopulations, cell proliferation, chemokine production of cervical lymph nodes cells, and antigen-specific-antibody levels in plasma. Exposure to diesel gas decreased the percentage of CD4+ and TCR-beta+ T cells of cervical lymph nodes from immunized mice. Culture supernatants of cervical lymph nodes cells from diesel gas-exposed mice had significantly increased levels of macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine, but exposure to diesel exhaust did not affect it. Antigen-specific IgG2a titers in plasma were significantly enhanced after their exposure to diesel exhaust or gas. In contrast, exposure to diesel exhaust or gas markedly decreased antigen-specific IgG1 titers in immunized mice. These facts indicate that concurrent exposure to allergen and diesel exhaust or diesel gas modulates chemokine production in cervical lymph nodes cells and antibody production in plasma differentially.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed2002

[Japanese cedar pollinosis is a risk factor for bronchial asthma in Japanese adult asthmatics].

It is well known that allergic rhinitis and asthma often coexist in the same patients. Here, we investigated the influence of Japanese cedar pollinosis on the exacerbation of asthma investigated by questionnaire, daily asthma diary, and peak expiratory flow (PEF) monitoring. Furthermore, airway responsiveness to histamine before pollen season was also investigated in some patients. 333 adult patients with asthma were enrolled into the study and 116 patients (34.8%) were suffering from Japanese cedar pollinosis diagnosed by the presence of nasal allergic symptoms during pollen season and high titer of Japanese cedar-specific IgE antibody. Exacerbation of asthma symptoms, including wheezing, dyspnea, cough, and sputum, was detected in 41 of 116 patients (35.3%) during pollen season. Decrease in morning PEF more than 10% compared with the baseline values before pollen season was observed in 13 of 41 patients (11.2% of total asthmatic patients who complicated with Japanese cedar pollinosis). No significant differences in airway responsiveness to histamine and the titer of Japanese cedar-specific IgE antibodies before pollen season were observed between the patients whose asthma exacerbated and the patients whose asthma was not exacerbated. These results suggest that Japanese cedar pollinosis is one of risk factors for asthma in Japanese adult patients with asthma.

Asthma↗
PubMed2002

[Prediction of the total Japanese cedar pollen counts based on male flower-setting conditions of standard trees].

We made a prediction of the Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen counts at Tsu city based on male flower-setting conditions of standard trees. The 69 standard trees from 23 kinds of clones, planted at Mie Prefecture Science and Technology Promotion Center (Hakusan, Mie) in 1964, were selected. Male flower-setting conditions for 276 faces (69 trees x 4 points of the compass) were scored from 0 to 3. The average of scores and total pollen counts from 1988 to 2000 was analyzed. As the results, the average scores from standard trees and total pollen counts except two mass pollen-scattered years in 1995 and 2000 had a positive correlation (r = 0.914) by linear function. On the mass pollen-scattered years, pollen counts were influenced from the previous year. Therefore, the score of the present year minus that of the previous year were used for analysis. The average scores from male flower-setting conditions and pollen counts had a strong positive correlation (r = 0.994) when positive scores by taking account of the previous year were analyzed. We conclude that prediction of pollen counts are possible based on the male flower-setting conditions of standard trees.

Cedrus↗
PubMed2003

[Pollen dispersion of Japanese cedar and Japanese cypress in Kagawa Medical University of Kagawa Prefecture].

We installed the Durham sampler on the roof (27.4 m on the ground) of Kagawa Medical University in 1989 to survey pollen dispersion in Kagawa prefecture and have investigated the pollen survey from 1989 to 2001. We examined the correlation between the annual variations in the pollen counts of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) and Cupressaceae, mainly Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) and annual changes in meteorological conditions. The sum of these pollen counts correlated with the highest temperature from 11 July to 10 August in Kagawa prefecture. However, it is difficult to determine the pollen dispersion only based on meteorological factors. Other factors giving influences on the pollen dispersion need to be further analyzed in the future.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2004

[Treatment of Japanese cedar pollinosis and its impact on patient satisfaction].

Japanese cedar pollinosis is a major public health problem in Japan because of its severe symptom and high prevalence. However, patient satisfaction by treatment is poor according to current reports. As the treatments, pre-seasonal medication and single peroral anti-allergic drug on demand are frequently used in Japan. Against conventional methods, we treated 301 patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis by persistent use of combined drugs (topical steroid, peroral anti-allergic drug and eye drop) without pre-seasonal medication in 2003. Immunotherapy was also used in 90 patients treated. As a result, 97% of patients was satisfied in this treatment and immunotherapy contributed to reduction in the amount of drug and high treatment outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Clinical validity of our new patient satisfaction questionnaire for allergic rhinitis].

Patient satisfaction is recommended as a parameter to evaluate medical care from the aspect of patient. Currently, we developed a new patient satisfaction questionnaire in allergic rhinitis by means of internationally standardized psychometric validation and reliability studies. Using this questionnaire, we evaluated patient satisfaction with Japanese cedar pollinosis in 2004, who visited our own clinic (JAAC) or patients, who were sampled from the list of a health research company (JSR), in addition of literature data. As a result, there were marked differences between ours and others. The purpose of this study is to elucidate whether or not our questionnaire has a good and reliable clinical validity, and, if yes, why there were marked differences in various studies. The satisfaction (very good plus good) was 94.4% in the JAAC group and 41.2% in the JSR group respectively. We compared the mean scores of each item in questionnaire in both groups, and found higher scores in the majority of items in the former group than the latter group in accordance with difference in satisfaction. This suggested a good clinical validity in questionnaire. In nasal treatment modality, the JAAC group was. characterized by continuous use of combined topical steroid with per oral anti-allergic compound and immunotherapy during whole pollen season, when compared with the JSR group. A persistent contact with patients in immunotherapy plays an important role in establishing good doctor-patient relation and treatment outcome, resulting in increased patient satisfaction.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Usefulness and practical use of an automatic counter for scattering pollen in spring].

BACKGROUND: In this decade some automatic pollen counters have been developed and showed them useful in some reports. However, the results of automatic counting have not been established. METHOD: We have compared scattering cedar and cypress pollen counts with Durham pollen samplers and a newly developed automatic pollen counter (KH-3000) in the spring from 2000 to 2004 in Tokyo. RESULTS: The relationship between the data of the automatic counter and that of a Durham sampler method is so good that this automatic counter seems useful. The best relationship between two methods was seen from late February to early April in the season of high amounts of pollens scatters. The ratio of pollen counts measured with automatic counter and Durham sampler was about 3.5 on average in the period of enough cedar and cypress pollen dispersion. The avoidance of pollens seems possible with real-time pollen information because reliability of automatic counting is highly evaluated when enough pollens scatter. CONCLUSION: In future, the standardization of automatic counting should be necessary for the accurate evaluation of scattering pollens.

Air Pollutants↗