Cross-sectional study on allergic sensitization of Austrian adolescents using molecule-based IgE profiling.

BACKGROUND: Allergen-specific IgE antibodies are a hallmark of type I allergy. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to analyze the sensitization profiles of an Austrian adolescent population utilizing molecule-based IgE diagnosis. METHODS: Serum samples of 501 nonselected pupils from Salzburg, Austria, were tested in ImmunoCAP ISAC® for IgE reactivity to 112 single allergens. Sensitization profiles were assessed and statistically coordinated with reported allergies. RESULTS: In the population aged 12-21 years, 53.5% showed IgE reactivity to at least one allergen tested. The highest prevalence was found for Phl p 1 from grass pollen (26.5%), group 2 mite allergens (18.2%), Bet v 1 from birch pollen (16.3%) and Fel d 1 from cat (14.4%). The majority of participants showed a complex sensitization profile and reacted on average to 9 allergens. Pollen sensitization was highly prevalent (41.7%) and mainly driven by group I grass and PR-10 allergens of the Betulaceae family, while Pla l 1 represented the most relevant weed. Diagnosed and self-reported allergies were noted in 21.9% and 45.5% of participants, respectively, and correlated well with in vitro results. Among atopic individuals, 71.4% reported to suffer from at least one allergy; concordance was found for grass and cat sensitization, while venom- and weed pollen-positive individuals were frequently asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the tested adolescent population had already established an atopic status presenting a complex IgE reactivity profile dominated by pollen sensitization. Detailed molecule-based analysis allows determining relevant biomarkers and monitoring of the atopic status in populations.

Assessment of corticospinal excitability after traumatic spinal cord injury using MEP recruitment curves: a preliminary TMS study.

STUDY DESIGN: Transcranial magnetic stimulation study. OBJECTIVES: To further investigate the corticospinal excitability changes after spinal cord injury (SCI), as assessed by means of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). SETTING: Merano (Italy) and Salzburg (Austria). METHODS: We studied resting motor threshold (RMT), motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude and recruitment curve in five subjects with good recovery after traumatic incomplete cervical SCI. RESULTS: RMT did not differ significantly between patients and controls, whereas the slope of MEP recruitment curve was significantly increased in the patients. CONCLUSION: This abnormal finding may represent an adaptive response after SCI. The impaired ability of the motor cortex to generate proper voluntary movement may be compensated by increasing spinal excitability. The easily performed measurement of MEP recruitment curve may provide a useful additional tool to improve the assessment and monitoring of motor cortical function in subjects with SCI. Increasing our knowledge of the corticospinal excitability changes in the functional recovery after SCI may also support the development of effective therapeutic strategies.

Identification of differentially expressed thyroid hormone responsive genes from the brain of the Mexican Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum).

The Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) presents an excellent model to investigate mechanisms of brain development that are conserved among vertebrates. In particular, metamorphic changes of the brain can be induced in free-living aquatic juveniles and adults by simply adding thyroid hormone (T4) to rearing water. Whole brains were sampled from juvenile A. mexicanum that were exposed to 0, 8, and 18 days of 50 nM T4, and these were used to isolate RNA and make normalized cDNA libraries for 454 DNA sequencing. A total of 1,875,732 high quality cDNA reads were assembled with existing ESTs to obtain 5884 new contigs for human RefSeq protein models, and to develop a custom Affymetrix gene expression array (Amby_002) with approximately 20,000 probe sets. The Amby_002 array was used to identify 303 transcripts that differed statistically (p<0.05, fold change >1.5) as a function of days of T4 treatment. Further statistical analyses showed that Amby_002 performed concordantly in comparison to an existing, small format expression array. This study introduces a new A. mexicanum microarray resource for the community and the first lists of T4-responsive genes from the brain of a salamander amphibian.

The effects of semi truck driver age and gender and the presence of passengers on collisions with other vehicles.

OBJECTIVE: A retrospective population-based case control study was conducted to determine whether semi truck driver age and gender and the presence of passengers affect the likelihood that a semi truck driver will be at fault in a semi truck collision (STC) with another vehicle. METHODS: Cases were identified as semi truck drivers in at-fault STCs with other vehicles and controls were semi truck drivers in not-at-fault STCs with other vehicles, using the Kentucky Collision Report Analysis for Safer Highways (CRASH) electronic database from 2000-2006. Multiple logistic regression was performed. RESULTS: The results from the final multiple logistic regression show that solo semi truck drivers, aged 65 and over, were the age group at highest risk for at-fault STCs with other vehicles. However, the presence of passengers in the semi truck had a protective effect for semi truck drivers aged 65 and older. When controlling for all other variables in the model, female semi truck drivers were at higher risk than male drivers, and curvy and graded/hillcrest roads increased the odds that the semi truck driver would be at fault in an STC with another vehicle. Daytime driving and driving on roads with low posted speed limits (35 mph and less) were associated with a higher probability of being at fault in an STC with another vehicle. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study have the potential to inform public policy in regard to the presence of passengers and their positive protective effect on older (aged 65 and older) semi truck drivers, particularly in long-distance driving performed by solo semi truck drivers vs. team semi truck drivers.

Structural features of the Bluetongue virus NS2 protein.

Bluetongue virus (BTV) non-structural protein 2 (NS2) belongs to a class of highly conserved proteins found in members of the orbivirus genus of the reoviridae. NS2 forms large multimeric complexes, localizes to cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in the infected cells and binds non-sequence specifically single-stranded RNA (ssRNA). Due to its ability to bind ssRNA, it has been suggested that the protein is involved in the selection and condensation of the BTV ssRNA segments prior to genome encapsidation. We have previously determined the crystal structure of the 177 amino acid N-terminal domain, sufficient for ssRNA binding ability of NS2, to 2.4A resolution. The C-terminal domain, as determined at low resolution using small-angle X-ray scattering, is an elongated dimer. This domain expressed in insect cells is phosphorylated at S249 and S259. Electron microscopy of the full-length protein shows a variety of species with the largest having a ring-like appearance. Based on the electron micrographs, the crystal structure of the N-terminal domain and the structure of the C-terminal domain reported here, we propose a model for a decamer of the full-length protein. This decamer changes conformation upon binding of a non-hydrolysable ATP analogue.