An emerging aeroallergen in Europe: Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima [Mill.] Swingle) inventory and pollen concentrations - Taking a metropolitan region in Germany as an example.

Urban areas are often hotspots for the dissemination of non-native (invasive) plant species, some of which release (potentially) allergenic pollen. Given the high population density in cities, a considerable number of people can be regularly and potentially intensively exposed to the pollen from these plants. This study delves into the Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima, [Mill.] Swingle), native to East Asia, which is known for its high invasiveness in temperate regions worldwide, particularly favoring urban colonization. This study explores the botanical and aerobiological dimensions of this species using the central European metropolitan region of Berlin, Germany, as a case study, and provides a comprehensive global overview of allergological insights. The number of Ailanthus trees decreased markedly from the center to the periphery of Berlin City, following a temperature gradient. The same spatial trend was mirrored by airborne Ailanthus pollen concentrations measured with volumetric spore traps (Hirst-type) at five sites using seven traps. Ailanthus pollen was most abundant around midday and in the afternoon, with concentrations tenfold higher at street level than at roof level. The Ailanthus flowering period in June and July coincided well with the pollen season. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study to investigate Ailanthus altissima pollen production. On average, 5539 pollen grains were found per anther. A literature review on the allergy relevance of Ailanthus altissima pollen indicates the high allergenic potential of pollen from this species. Considering the anticipated expansion of suitable habitats for Ailanthus owing to global warming and the allergological significance of its pollen, it is recommended to include Ailanthus pollen in routine pollen monitoring, particularly in areas colonized by this species. This comprehensive study provides new insights into a pollen taxon whose significance as an emerging aeroallergen should be factored into plant selection and greenspace management in all temperate regions.

Year-to-year variation of the elemental and allergenic contents of Ailanthus altissima pollen grains: an allergomic study.

The Ailanthus altissima pollen (AAP) has been reported as an emerging aeroallergen worldwide. This paper aims at examining the allergen pattern and the elemental composition of A. altissima pollen collected during two consecutive seasons (2014 and 2015). A gel-based allergomic study and SEM coupled to energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis have been carried out in order to evaluate the allergenic and elemental composition of AAP in two consecutive years. The IgE reactive patterns of 2014 and 2015 AAP PBS extracts were compared using the serum of a 31-year-old woman suffering from severe pollinosis symptoms to AAP. The EDX analysis revealed an important year-to-year variation in the ratios of some polluting elements such as nickel, sulfur, aluminum, lead, and copper. Gel alignments and comparative immunoproteomic analyses showed differential protein expression and IgE reactive patterns between AAPs collected in 2014 and 2015 pollinating seasons. From 20 distinct IgE-reactive spots detected in AAP extracts, 13 proteins showed higher expression in 2014 sample, while 7 allergen candidates exhibited an increased expression in AAP collected in 2015. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-MS/MS analyses led to the identification of 13 IgE-binding proteins with confidence, all belonging to well-known allergenic protein families, i.e., enolase, calreticulin, and pectate lyase. Overall, the 2014 AAP showed higher concentrations of urban polluting elements as well as an increased expression of allergenic pectate lyase isoforms of about 52 kDa. This study demonstrates that the implementation of allergomic tools for the safety assessment of newly introduced and invasive plant species would help to the comprehensive monitoring of proteomic and transcriptomic alterations involving environmental allergens.

Exposure to cell phone radiofrequency changes corticotrophin hormone levels and histology of the brain and adrenal glands in male Wistar rat.

OBJECTIVES: Nowadays, the electromagnetic field-emitting devices are used routinely in our lives. Controversial reports exist concerning the effects of mobile radiofrequency (RF) on different parts of the body, especially stress hormones. The main goal of the present work was to study the long-term effects of mobile RF900 MHz exposure with special focus on the adrenal gland pathophysiology and function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats were exposed to mobile RF 6 hr daily for 4-8 weeks. Intact and switched-off exposed animals were considered as controls. Plasma ACTH and cortisol levels were measured by the ELISA method. At the end of the experiment, a histological study was done on adrenal gland and brain tissues by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The thickness of the fasciculate layer of the adrenal gland, and its cell count and perimeter were measured using the Fiji software. RESULTS: Enhanced plasma ACTH and cortisol levels were found after prolonged exposure to mobile RF. The fasciculata layer of adrenal cortex eventually thickened following mobile RF radiation. While the number of cells in zona fasciculata remained constant, the cell size and perimeter increased during RF exposure. Finally, we found that vacuolization in brain tissue and the number and size of vacuoles considerably increased during two months of RF exposure. CONCLUSION: Cell phone RF exposure induced significant hormonal and structural changes in adrenal gland and brain tissues. Therefore, the public should be aware and limit their exposure as much as possible.

Immunoproteomics of tree of heaven (Ailanthus atltissima) pollen allergens.

Ailanthus altissima pollen (AAP) is considered as an emerging cause of respiratory allergy in United States, Italy and Iran. However, the allergenic composition of AAP is still unknown and has yet to be characterized. The present study aimed to identify AAP allergens using a proteomics-based approach. For this purpose, optimized AAP protein extracts were analyzed using 1D- and 2D- gel electrophoresis and confronted to twenty sera from individuals with respiratory allergy during the AAP season. Candidate allergens were detected using the serum from an allergic patient with clinical history of AAP pollinosis. IgE-binding spots were identified using MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry and database searching. According to our results, AAP extracts were rich in proteins (up to 16.25mg/ml) with a molecular-weight distribution ranging from 10 to 175kDa. Two-D electrophoresis of AAP extracts revealed 125 protein spots from which 13 were IgE reactive. These IgE-binding proteins were identified as enolase, calreticulin, probable pectate lyase 6, conserved hypothetical protein and ras-related protein RHN1-like. By our knowledge, this study is the first report identifying AAP allergens. These findings will open up further avenues for the diagnosis and immunotherapy of the AAP allergy as well as for the cloning and molecular characterization of relevant allergens. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Ailanthus altissima colonizes new areas every year in Iran and is spreading aggressively worldwide. According to USDA, the tree of heaven is now present as an invasive plant in 30 states in US (www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/treeheaven.shtml) and come to dominate large areas in many regions. Up to now, several cases of allergy to A. altissima pollen have been reported in United States, Italy and Iran [1-4]. However, there is still no information on the sensitizing allergens and the molecular origin of these clinical symptoms, which constitutes a serious threat to patients suffering from respiratory allergies in these regions. To our knowledge, the current study describes, therefore, the first panel of proteins responsible for IgE-mediated A. altissima pollinosis by using a gel-based proteomic approach. This work represents the pioneer proteomic investigation on Simaroubaceae spp. and provides useful insights for further studies on the allergens of this widely distributed plant family.

Investigation Into Shelf Life of Fresh Dates and Pistachios in a Package Modified With Nano-Silver.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to apply polymer films containing silver nanoparticles as a new method for increasing the shelf life and preserving the quality of export/commercial products of Kerman Province and determine the ideal temperature for preserving these products. METHODS: After preparing nano-composite films containing silver nanoparticles (3% and 5% by weight), Mazafati dates were packed in them and stored with their control samples under four temperatures. In the second series, the films were filled with fresh pistachios and stored at four temperatures. In date samples, after 2, 7, 21 and 53 days of storing the samples were examined under the certified test of Iran Institute of Industrial Standard for Dates, which includes pH, TSS, acidity and reducing sugars tests. In pistachio samples the color values and market-friendly quality were evaluated after 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8 days of storage. RESULTS: In date samples, the pH value decreased with increasing acidity in 3 and 5 wt% of nano-silver and their control samples. In addition, in 5 wt% samples the acidity was higher than that in 3% samples, with pH being lower in the controls at almost all the intervals. Furthermore, pH values in 5% samples were higher in comparison with 3 wt% samples and controls. The amount of reducing sugars in the control samples was lower than those in 3 and 5 wt% samples. In relation to pistachio samples, the damage over time was greater in sample stored under higher temperatures. CONCLUSION: The maximum shelf life of the dates packaged in 5 wt% of silver nano-powder was 53 days and the best temperature to store samples was determined at 4°C. Packages containing nano-silver increased shelf life of fresh pistachios, with the best temperatures being 25°C and 0°C.