The immunomodulatory effects of diesel exhaust particles in asthma.

Ammonium persulfate (AP) causes occupational asthma (OA) and diesel exhaust particles (DEP) exacerbate asthma; however, the role of DEP in asthma due to chemical agents has not been assessed to date. Therefore, the present work aims to study the immunomodulatory effects of DEP in a mouse model of chemical asthma. BALB/c ByJ mice were randomly divided into four experimental groups. On days 1 and 8, mice were dermally sensitized with AP or saline. On days 15, 18 and 21, they received intranasal instillations of AP or saline. Two experimental groups received DEP on every of the three challenges. Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), lung mechanics, pulmonary inflammation in bronchoalveolar lavage, leukocyte numbers in total lung tissue, oxidative stress and optical projection tomography (OPT) studies were assessed. The AP-sensitized and challenged group showed asthma-like responses, such as airway hyperresponsiveness, increased levels of eosinophils and NKs and lower numbers of monocytes and CD11b-Ly6C- dendritic cells (DCs). Mice exposed to DEP alone showed increased levels of neutrophils and NKs, reduced numbers of monocytes and alveolar macrophages, and increased levels of CD11b + Ly6C- DCs. The AP sensitized and AP + DEP challenged group also showed asthma-like symptoms such as AHR, as well as increased numbers of eosinophils, neutrophils, CD11b + Ly6C- DCs and decreased levels of total and alveolar macrophages and tolerogenic DCs. Particle deposition was visualised using OPT. In the DEP group the particles were distributed relatively evenly, while in the AP + DEP group they were seen mainly in the large conducting airways. The results show that DEP exposure activates the innate immune response and, together with AP, exacerbates asthma immune hallmarks. This mouse model provides the first evidence of the capacity of DEPs to increase CD11b + Ly6C- (Th2-related) DCs. This study also demonstrates, for the first time, a differential deposition pattern of DEP in lungs depending on asthma status.

Expansion of a CD26 low effector TH subset and reduction in circulating levels of sCD26 in stable allergic asthma in adults

Background: The pathogenesis of asthma is dependent on the balance between regulatory and effector T cells, which display differential expression of CD25 and CD26. Therefore, alteration of circulating levels of sCD25 and sCD26 during allergic asthma could be conditioned by changes in leukocyte phenotype. Objectives: To analyze expression of CD25 and CD26 on T lymphocytes and their soluble derivatives (sCD25, sCD26) during stable phases of moderate-severe allergic asthma. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 2 adult cohorts of allergic asthmatics. Clinical, anthropometric, pulmonary, hematological, and biochemical parameters were measured. Phenotyping was performed with flow cytometry in both circulating and cultured leukocytes. Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) activity was assayed in culture supernatants. Results: In vitro studies revealed upregulation of CD26 on human T lymphocytes upon activation, especially under TH17-favoring conditions, and a correlation with soluble DPP4 activity (rs=0.641; P<.001). CD26 expression on lymphocytes was higher in asthmatics, while serum sCD26 was lower in women and patients. The latter finding could be associated with an expanded CD25 low/CD26 low /CD127 low subset of effector CD4 + T cells in allergic asthma, with no changes in Treg percentages. However, women showed an increased Teff/Treg ratio, which could explain their greater susceptibility to asthma. Conclusions: Allergic asthma causes an increment in CD25 low CD26Low helper T cells detected in stable stages. These changes are mirrored in serum and should be considered in the light of the downmodulating role of CD26 in major chemokines related to the pathogenesis of asthma such as CCL11 (eotaxin), CCL5 (RANTES), and CXCL12a (SDF-1alfa) (AU)

Introducción: La patogénesis del asma depende del equilibrio entre células T reguladoras y T efectoras, las cuales presentan distintos niveles de CD25 y CD26. Por tanto, la alteración de la concentración de sCD25 y sCD26 durante el asma alérgica podría estar condicionada por cambios en el fenotipo de los leucocitos. Objetivos: Analizar la expresión de CD25 y CD26 en linfocitos T y sus derivados solubles (sCD25 y sCD26) durante asma alérgica moderada-severa y en fases estables. Métodos: Estudio transversal con dos cohortes de adultos con asma alérgica. Se han medido parámetros clínicos, antropométricos, de función pulmonar, hematológicos y bioquímicos. Se ha hecho el fenotipado de leucocitos circulantes y en cultivo mediante citometría de flujo. Se ha analizado la actividad Dipeptidil peptidasa 4 (DPP4) en sobrenadantes de cultivo. Resultados: Los estudios in vitro mostraron un aumento de expresión de CD26 en linfocitos T humanos tras activación, especialmente en condiciones favorables para TH 17, y una correlación con la actividad DPP4 soluble (rs=0,641; p < 0,001). La expresión de CD26 en linfocitos fue mayor en asmáticos, mientras que sCD26 estaba reducido en sueros de mujeres y pacientes. Este último hallazgo podría ser relacionado con la expansión de una subpoblación CD25 low/CD26 low/CD127 low de células T CD4 + efectoras en asma alérgica, sin cambios en los porcentajes de Treg. Sin embargo, las mujeres mostraron un incremento del cociente Tef/Treg, lo cual podría explicar su mayor susceptibilidad al asma. Conclusiones: El asma alérgica causa un incremento de células TH CD25 low CD26 low durante fases no activas. Estos cambios se reflejan en suero y deberían tenerse en cuenta a la luz de la función inhibidora de CD26 sobre quimioquinas importantes relacionadas con la patogénesis del asma, como CCL11 (eotaxina), CCL5 (RANTES) o CXCL12a (SDF-1alfa)

Cross-sectional study about impact of parental smoking on rhinitis symptoms in children.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the prevalence of rhinitis and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) of children in our community and its relationship with symptoms of rhinitis METHODS (DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES): Cross-sectional study using questionnaire on rhinitis of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, in children (6-7 years) and adolescents (13-14 years). Categories: "rhinitis ever", "recent rhinitis", "recent rhinoconjunctivitis", "severe rhinoconjunctivitis". Parental smoking: (i) neither parent smokes; (ii) only the mother smokes; (iii) only the father smokes; and (iv) both parents smoke. Odds ratio of the prevalence of symptoms of rhinitis according to ETS exposure was calculated using logistic regression. RESULTS: 10 690 children and 10 730 adolescents. The prevalence of "rhinitis ever" in children: 29.4%, "recent rhinitis" 24%, "recent rhinoconjunctivitis" 11.5% and "severe rhinoconjunctivitis" 0.1%. In adolescents: 46.2%, 34.5%, 16.2% and 0.2%, respectively. Environmental tobacco smoke exposure in the home occurred in 51% of cases. Parental smoking was associated with a higher prevalence of forms of rhinitis in adolescents when only the mother was a smoker. In children when both parents were smokers. CONCLUSION: Rhinitis is highly prevalent in our community. Environmental tobacco smoke exposure is still very common. The relationship between ETS and rhinitis symptoms in children of this community is not as robust as that found for asthma.

Efectividad de distintas técnicas de activación en la remoción de medicación de hidróxido de calcio de las paredes radiculares / Effectiveness of different activation techniques in the removal of calcium hydroxide medication from root canal walls

Objetivos: Investigar distintos protocolos de irrigación y soluciones para la remoción de hidróxido de calcio de las paredes radiculares mediante Microscopía Electrónica de Barrido (MEB). Metodología: Se seleccionó una muestra de 48 raíces palatinas de molares superiores. Los conductos fueron instrumentados, irrigados, secados y obturados con medicación a base de hidróxido de calcio. Los dientes fueron aleatoriamente asignados en 6 grupos, dependiendo de la técnica utilizada para activar hipoclorito sódico y Smear Clear para la remoción de la medicación intraconducto: Grupo 1, Irrigación positiva con jeringa (P), Grupo 2, Irrigación Ultrasónica (UI), Grupo 3, Irrigación por presión apical negativa (ANP), Grupo 4: Irrigación ultrasónica pasiva e irrigación por presión apical negativa (UI + ANP). Se incluyeron dos grupos control: Grupo 5: Grupo control positivo (C+), que fue obturado con hidróxido de calcio, pero no se eliminó del conducto, y Grupo 6: Grupo control negativo (C-), que no fue obturado con hidróxido de calcio. Todos los conductos fueron observados con microscopio electrónica de barrido (MEB). Se evaluó la presencia de material residual usando un sistema de medición en los tercios apical, medio y coronal. Los resultados fueron analizados estadísticamente mediante los test de Kruskal-Wallis y Bonferroni (p < 0,05). Resultados: Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre todos los grupos en todos los tercios a estudio (p < 0,05). El uso combinado de UI y ANP resultó en una remoción más eficiente de hidróxido de calcio de las paredes radiculares, independientemente del área analizada. Conclusiones: La utilización de irrigación ultrasónica pasiva e irrigación por presión apical negativa como activación final, sugiere una mejor limpieza de los conductos. Ninguna técnica es capaz de remover completamente el hidróxido de calcio de las paredes radiculares

Aim: To investigate different irrigation protocols and solutions to remove Ca(OH)2 from the root canal walls by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Methodology. Forty-eight palatal roots from upper molars were selected. The root canals were instrumented, irrigated, dried and filled with a calcium hydroxide medication. Teeth were then randomly assigned to one of 6 groups depending on which technique was used to activate NaOCl and Smear Clear irrigants to remove medication: Group 1, Positive syringe irrigation (P); Group 2, Ultrasonic Irrigation (UI); Group 3, Apical Negative Pressure irrigation (ANP); Group 4, Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation and Apical Negative Pressure irrigation (UI + ANP). 2 control groups were also included: Group 5, positive control (C+), which were filled with calcium hydroxide that was not removed from the canal and Group 6, negative controls (C-), which were not filled with calcium hydroxide. All root canals were observed through SEM. Presence of residual material was evaluated using a score system for the coronal, middle, and apical portions. Data were statistically analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Bonferroni tests (P < 0.05). Results. There was a statistically significant difference among all groups at all root levels (P < 0.05). The combined use of UI and ANP irrigation resulted more efficient in the removal of calcium hydroxide from the root canal walls, irrespective of the area analyzed. Conclusions. The use of passive ultrasonic irrigation and apical negative pressure as a final activation is suggested to improve cleaning of the root canals. No technique is able to completely remove calcium hydroxide dressing from the root canal walls

Monitorización del tratamiento en el asma bronquial mediante determinación de fracción exhalada de óxido nítrico, eosinófilos y leucotrieno B4 en esputo inducido de población infantil / Determining asthma treatment in children by monitoring fractional exhaled nitric oxide, sputum eosinophils and leukotriene B4

Los eosinófilos en esputo inducido y la fracción exhalada de óxido nítrico (FENO) constituyen marcadores de inflamación en el asma, producida por citocinas, cisteinil-leucotrienos y leucotrieno B4 (LTB4). El objetivo de este trabajo es determinar su utilidad en la monitorización del tratamiento del asma en niños. Se realizó determinación de FENO, eosinófilos y LTB4 en esputo inducido a 10 niños (9-15 años) asmáticos y 4 meses después, tras iniciar o incrementar el tratamiento de base, se volvieron a repetir las mismas determinaciones. Se apreció una tendencia a la disminución de los valores de la FENO (p = 0,15), una mejoría de la función pulmonar (p = 0,10) y una disminución significativa del porcentaje de eosinófilos (p = 0,003) respecto a la determinación basal. No hubo diferencias en la concentración de LTB4 (p = 0,88). El recuento de eosinófilos en esputo parece una determinación más precisa para el seguimiento de la inflamación en los niños asmáticos que la FEno

Sputum eosinophils and exhaled fractional nitric oxide (FENO) are markers of airway inflammation in asthma. Cytokines, cysteinyl-leukotrienes and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) are responsible for this inflammation.The aim of this study is to determine the usefulness of these markers in monitoring asthma treatment in children.FENO, sputum eosinophils, and LTB4 in induced sputum were performed in 10 children (9-15 years old). These determinations were repeated four months later, after the beginning oran increase in the treatment. FENO values tended to decrease (P=.15), pulmonary function tended to improve (P=.10), and sputum eosinophils decreased (P=.003) compared to the first determination. There were no differences in LTB4 concentrations (P=.88). Sputum eosinophils seem to be more precise than FENO in the monitoring of inflammation inasthmatic children

Soy Aeroallergens in Thoracic Fraction Particles (PM10)

Introducción: El diámetro aerodinámico de las partículas biológicas determina su habilidad para penetrar en el aparato respiratorio. Objetivo: Determinar el contenido de alérgenos de diámetro inferior a 10 μm en la materia particulada del aire, con el fin de mejorar el control de la exposición a los aeroalérgenos nocivos de la soja. Métodos: En este estudio, se muestrearon en paralelo 98 pares de filtros, siendo uno de materia particulada de diámetro <10 μm (PM10) y el otro de partículas suspendidas totales (PST). Mediante un método de ELISA de inhibición se analizó la concentración de aeroalérgenos de soja en todos los filtros. Resultados: La mediana de los niveles encontrados fue de 6 y 22,5 U/m3 para los filtros PM10 y PST, respectivamente. Se encontró una buena correlación entre el contenido de aeroalérgenos de soja en los filtros PM10 y PST. La proporción mediana de aeroalérgenos de soja en los filtros PM10 frente a PST fue de 28,6% y varió ampliamente entre los diferentes días. Conclusiones: Debido a la amplia variación de la proporción de aeroalérgenos de soja en los filtros PM10 frente a PST entre días, parece que el contenido de alérgeno de soja en los filtros PST no es un buen indicador del contenido de dichos alérgenos en los filtros PM10. Por ello, deben ser realizados más ensayos clínicos con el fi n de evaluar si el contenido de alérgenos de soja en los filtros PM10 y PST tienen diferente impacto sobre la salud (AU)

Background: The aerodynamic diameter of biological particles determines their ability to penetrate the human respiratory system. Objective: To assess the content of allergens less than 10 μm in diameter in the particle fraction of airborne dust in order to improve control of exposure to harmful soybean aeroallergens. Methods: In this study, 98 pairs of particulate matter measuring less than 10 μm in diameter (PM10) and total suspended particulate (TSP) filters were collected in parallel and analyzed for soy aeroallergens by the inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The median levels found were 6 and 22.5 U/m3 for PM10 and TSP filters, respectively. A good correlation was found between soy aeroallergen content in PM10 and TSP filters. The median proportion of soy aeroallergen content in PM10 filters versus TSP filters was 28.6%, and varied widely across different days. Conclusions: Due to this wide variation between days, it seems that soy aeroallergen content in TSP filters is not a good surrogate of soy allergen content in PM10 filters. Further clinical studies should be conducted to assess differences in the health impact of soy allergen content in PM10 filters and TSP filters (AU)

Observational Study of the Safety of a Cluster Schedule for Subcutaneous Immunotherapy in a Pediatric Population

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