The role of follicular anti-Mullerian hormone in women undergoing IVF/ICSI with regard to size, oocyte presence, sociodemographic parameters, treatment variables, and other hormones and vitamins.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between follicular anti-Mullerian hormone (fAMH) regarding follicle size, the presence of an oocyte, sociodemographic parameters, and other hormones and vitamins in follicular fluid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective exploratory cohort study included 376 follicles from 61 women undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles. The size of each follicle was measured individually, and they were divided into a large and a small group according to their size. The presence of oocytes was detected on the day of oocyte retrieval. Sociodemographic factors were documented during the course of preliminary testing. Then, other parameters of patients' serum and follicular fluid were measured. RESULTS: Small follicles contained a significantly higher concentration of fAMH than large ones did. We showed that the presence of an oocyte in a follicle is associated with a significantly higher fAMH level than in those without one (p < .001). There exists a significant but weak correlation between fAMH and the sociodemographic parameter of patients' age (r = -0.11, p < .001). We did not find a correlation with the patients' BMI (r = 0.03, p < .006). We also investigated the connections between fAMH and other parameters, such as vitamin D (r = -0.13, p < .001), LH (r = 0.35, p < .001)), and progesterone (r = -0.21, p < .001) in follicular fluid. CONCLUSIONS: This knowledge can be useful for the future development of reproductive medicine. Our results can provide an important building block for this matter.

Early age exposure to moisture damage and systemic inflammation at the age of 6 years.

Cross-sectional studies have shown that exposure to indoor moisture damage and mold may be associated with subclinical inflammation. Our aim was to determine whether early age exposure to moisture damage or mold is prospectively associated with subclinical systemic inflammation or with immune responsiveness in later childhood. Home inspections were performed in children's homes in the first year of life. At age 6 years, subclinical systemic inflammation was measured by serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and blood leukocytes and immune responsiveness by ex vivo production of interleukin 1-beta (IL-1ß), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in whole blood cultures without stimulation or after 24 hours stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin (PI), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or peptidoglycan (PPG) in 251-270 children. Moisture damage in child's main living areas in infancy was not significantly associated with elevated levels of CRP or leukocytes at 6 years. In contrast, there was some suggestion for an effect on immune responsiveness, as moisture damage with visible mold was positively associated with LPS-stimulated production of TNF-α and minor moisture damage was inversely associated with PI-stimulated IL-1ß. While early life exposure to mold damage may have some influence on later immune responsiveness, it does not seem to increase subclinical systemic inflammation in later life.

A switch in regulatory T cells through farm exposure during immune maturation in childhood.

BACKGROUND: Farm exposure protects against development of allergies early in life. At 4.5 years, protection against asthma by farm-milk exposure was partially mediated by regulatory T cells (Tregs). The aim of this study was to investigate the critical time window of the 'asthma-protective' farm effect via Tregs during childhood immune maturation. METHODS: Tregs were assessed longitudinally at 4.5 and 6 years in 111 children (56 farm and 55 reference children) from the PASTURE/EFRAIM birth cohort (flow cytometry). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured unstimulated (U), with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate/ionomycin (PI) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and stained for Tregs (CD4+ CD25high FOXP3upper20% ). mRNA expression of Treg/Th1/Th2/Th17-associated cell markers was measured ex vivo. Suppressive capacity of Tregs on effector cells and cytokines was assessed. Detailed questionnaires assessing farm exposures and clinical phenotypes from birth until age 6 years were answered by the parents. RESULTS: Treg percentage before and after stimulation and FOXP3mRNA expression ex vivo decreased from age 4.5 to 6 years (P(U,LPS) < 0.001; P(PI) = 0.051; P(FOXP3) < 0.001). High vs low farm-milk and animal-stable exposure was associated with decreased LPS-stimulated Treg percentage at age 6 years (P(LPS) = 0.045). Elevated LPS-stimulated-Treg percentage at age 6 was associated with increased risk of asthma (aOR = 11.29, CI: 0.96-132.28, P = 0.053). Tregs from asthmatics vs nonasthmatics suppressed IFN-γ (P = 0.015) and IL-9 (P = 0.023) less efficiently. mRNA expression of Th1/Th2/Th17-associated cell markers decreased between 4.5 and 6 years (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Tregs at the age of 6 years were decreased with farm exposure and increased within asthmatics, opposite to age 4.5 years. This immunological switch defines a critical 'time window' for Treg-mediated asthma protection via environmental exposure before age 6 years.

Circulating Dendritic Cells, Farm Exposure and Asthma at Early Age.

Farm environment has been shown to protect from childhood asthma. Underlying immunological mechanisms are not clear yet, including the role of dendritic cells (DCs). The aim was to explore whether asthma and farm exposures are associated with the proportions and functional properties of DCs from 4.5-year-old children in a subgroup of the Finnish PASTURE birth cohort study. Myeloid DCs (mDCs), plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) and CD86 expression on mDCs ex vivo (n = 100) identified from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were analysed using flow cytometry. MDCs and production of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) by mDCs were analysed after 5 h in vitro stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (n = 88). Prenatal and current farm exposures (farming, stables, hay barn and farm milk) were assessed from questionnaires. Asthma at age 6 years was defined as a doctor's diagnosis and symptoms; atopic sensitization was defined by antigen-specific IgE measurements. Asthma was positively associated with CD86 expression on mDCs ex vivo [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 4.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.51-15.4] and inversely with IL-6 production in mDCs after in vitro stimulation with LPS (aOR 0.19, 95% CI 0.04-0.82). In vitro stimulation with LPS resulted in lower percentage of mDCs in the farm PBMC cultures as compared to non-farm PBMC cultures. Our results suggest an association between childhood asthma and functional properties of DCs. Farm exposure may have immunomodulatory effects by decreasing mDC proportions.

Moisture damage in home associates with systemic inflammation in children.

This study investigated the association between confirmed moisture damage in homes and systemic subclinical inflammation in children. Home inspections were performed in homes of 291 children at the age of 6 years. Subclinical inflammation at the age of 6 years was assessed by measuring the circulating levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocytes in peripheral blood and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). Proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured in unstimulated, and in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin (PI), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or peptidoglycan (PPG)-stimulated whole blood. Major moisture damage in the child's main living areas (living room, kitchen, or child's bedroom) and moisture damage with mold in the bathroom were associated with increased levels of CRP and stimulated production of several proinflammatory cytokines. There were no significant associations between moisture damage/visible mold and leukocyte or FeNO values. The results suggest that moisture damage or mold in home may be associated with increased systemic subclinical inflammation and proinflammatory cytokine responsiveness.

Transcription factor c-Rel plays a crucial role in driving anti-CD40-mediated innate colitis.

Genetic and environmental factors, including the commensal microbiota, have a crucial role in the development of inflammatory bowel disease. Aberrant activation of the transcription factor NF-κB is associated with chronic intestinal inflammation in mice and humans. Recently, an emerging family of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) has been identified at mucosal sites contributing to the maintenance of gut homeostasis and intestinal immunopathology. Here, we show that the NF-κB protein c-Rel regulates the inflammatory potential of colonic IFN-γ(+)Thy1(+) ILCs to induce anti-CD40-mediated colitis in rag1(-/-) mice. Stimulation of dendritic cells (DCs) with anti-CD40 or CD40L led to translocation of c-Rel into the nucleus resulting in induction of expression of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and IL-23, key regulators of innate cell-induced colitis. While c-Rel deficiency completely abrogated anti-CD40-induced colitis, adoptively transferred wild-type DCs were able to induce pronounced colonic inflammation in rag1(-/-)rel(-/-) mice. In summary, these results suggest that the expression of c-Rel in DCs is essential for initiating anti-CD40-mediated intestinal pathogenesis.

Quantity and diversity of environmental microbial exposure and development of asthma: a birth cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Early-life exposure to environmental microbial agents may be associated with the development of allergies. The aim of the study was to identify better ways to characterize microbial exposure as a predictor of respiratory symptoms and allergies. METHODS: A birth cohort of 410 children was followed up until 6 years of age. Bacterial endotoxin, 3-hydroxy fatty acids, N-acetyl-muramic acid, fungal extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) from Penicillium and Aspergillus spp., ß-D-glucan, ergosterol, and bacterial or fungal quantitative polymerase chain reactions (qPCRs) were analyzed from dust samples collected at 2 months of age. Asthma, wheezing, cough, and atopic dermatitis were assessed using repeated questionnaires. Specific IgEs were determined at the age of 1 and 6 years. RESULTS: Only few associations were found between single microbial markers and the studied outcomes. In contrast, a score for the total quantity of microbial exposure, that is, sum of indicators for fungi (ergosterol), Gram-positive (muramic acid) bacteria, and Gram-negative (endotoxin) bacteria, was significantly (inverted-U shape) associated with asthma incidence (P < 0.001): the highest risk was found at medium levels (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.24, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.87-5.75 for 3rd quintile) and the lowest risk at the highest level (aOR 0.34, 95% CI 0.09-1.36 for 5th quintile). The microbial diversity score, that is, sum of detected qPCRs, was inversely associated with risk of wheezing and was significantly (inverted-U shape) associated with sensitization to inhalant allergens. CONCLUSION: Score for quantity of microbial exposure predicted asthma better than single microbial markers independently of microbial diversity and amount of dust. Better indicators of total quantity and diversity of microbial exposure are needed in studies on the development of asthma.

Farm-derived Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus sciuri W620 prevents asthma phenotype in HDM- and OVA-exposed mice.

BACKGROUND: Farm-derived dust samples have been screened for bacteria with potential allergo-protective properties. Among those was Staphylococcus sciuri W620 (S. sciuri W620), which we tested with regard to its protective capacities in murine models of allergic airway inflammation. METHODS: We employed two protocols of acute airway inflammation in mice administering either ovalbumin (OVA) or house dust mite extract (HDM) for sensitization. Mechanistic studies on the activation of innate immune responses to S. sciuri W620 were carried out using human primary monocytic dendritic cells (moDC) and co-culture with autologous T cells. RESULTS: The allergo-protective properties of S. sciuri W620 were proven in a T(H)2-driven OVA model as well as in a mixed T(H)1/T(H)2 phenotype HDM model as demonstrated by abrogation of eosinophils and neutrophils in the airways after intranasal treatment. In the HDM model, lymph node cell T(H)1/T(H)2 signature cytokines were decreased in parallel. Studies on human moDC revealed an activation of TLR2 and NOD2 receptors and initiation of DC maturation following incubation with S. sciuri W620. Cytokine expression analyses after exposure to S. sciuri W620 showed a lack of IL-12 production in moDC due to missing transcription of the IL-12p35 mRNA. However, such DC selectively supported T(H)1 cytokine release by co-cultured T cells. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our proof-of-concept experiments verify the screening system of farm-derived dust samples as suitable to elucidate new candidates for allergo-protection. S. sciuri W620 was shown to possess preventive properties on airway inflammation providing the basis for further mechanistic studies and potential clinical implication.

Exposure to microbial agents in house dust and wheezing, atopic dermatitis and atopic sensitization in early childhood: a birth cohort study in rural areas.

BACKGROUND: Early-life exposure to environmental microbial agents may be associated with development of wheezing and allergic diseases. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association of microbial exposure in rural homes with the risk of asthma, wheezing, atopic dermatitis and sensitization. METHODS: Birth cohorts of rural children (n = 1133), half from farmer families, were followed up from birth to 2 years of age by questionnaires in five European centres. Endotoxin and extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) of Penicillium and Aspergillus spp. were determined from living room floor and mother's mattress dust samples collected at 2 months of age. Specific IgE against 19 allergens was measured at 1 year of age. Discrete-time hazard models, generalized estimations equations (GEE) and logistic regression were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: The incidence of asthma was inversely associated with the amount of dust (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.73, 95% CI 0.58-0.93) and the loads (units/m(2)) of EPS (aOR 0.75, 95% CI 0.55-1.04) and endotoxin (aOR 0.79, 95% CI 0.60-1.05) in the mother's mattress. Similar associations were seen with wheezing and with living room floor dust. The microbial markers were highly correlated and their effects could not be clearly separated. The inverse associations were seen especially among non-farmers. The risk of sensitization to inhalant allergens increased with increasing endotoxin exposure from mattress dust. No associations were observed with concentrations (units/g) or with atopic dermatitis. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The amount and microbial content of house dust were inversely associated with asthma and wheezing, but due to high correlations between microbial agents and amount of dust, it was not possible to disentangle their individual effects. New ways to better measure and represent exposure to environmental microbes, including indexes of biodiversity, are needed especially among farmers.

[Prevalence and socio-economic relevance of allergies in Germany]. / Prävalenz und sozioökonomische Bedeutung von Allergien in Deutschland.

Within the last five decades, the worldwide prevalence of allergic diseases such as asthma, hay fever, or food allergies has increased dramatically. Germany follows a similar trend; several studies have shown increased numbers of allergic diseases in this period. Although allergic diseases do not exhibit high mortality rates, the loss of quality of life as shown by studies conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) is considerable. Additional health-economical analyses documented that allergic patients more frequently occupy services of the health care system in Germany. The treatment of allergies and the increasing consultation rates cause rising costs and an increasing burden for the national economy. Currently it is possible to control allergic diseases such as asthma by a precise diagnosis or identification of the causative allergen. However, a considerable reduction in the prevalence of allergic disease and its therapy costs can only be expected if causative therapies and effective prevention strategies are available.

Allergic diseases, gene-environment interactions.

Allergic asthma develops in part from dysregulation of the innate and adaptive immune functions, particularly an imbalance in the Th2-driven adaptive immune response. This dysregulation is the result of complex interactions between genes and environment. These interactions occur both pre- and postnatally, providing opportunities for early interventions in immunological programming.

Production of interleukin-5, -10 and interferon-γ in cord blood is strongly associated with the season of birth.

BACKGROUND: The effect of labour and different labour-related factors on the cord blood (CB) cell cytokine production is still relatively unknown. OBJECTIVE: To study the relationships between the production of IL-5, IL-10 and IFN-γ in CB samples and maternal, early neonatal and birth-related factors. METHODS: Whole-blood samples were collected after birth (n=423) and they were stimulated for 24 and 48 h with a combination of phorbol ester and ionomycin. Production of IL-5, IL-10 and IFN-γ was determined using ELISA. Maternal, early neonatal and birth-related variables were recorded prospectively during pregnancy, and during and after delivery. RESULTS: After multivariable adjustment for confounders, the strongest predictor of IL-5, IL-10 and IFN-γ production in CB cell samples was the season of birth. Children born in the spring had significantly lower cytokine responses compared with those born in the fall. IL-5 production was inversely associated with female gender of the child and maternal smoking. If corrections for white blood cell (WBC) counts were not performed, IL-5 production was also significantly associated with the mode of delivery. Respectively, the production of IL-10 and IFN-γ was inversely associated with prostaglandin induction before birth. CONCLUSION: Environmental exposure to pollen and ultraviolet irradiation during gestation may have an effect on the cytokine profile of the offspring in CB because children born in the spring or winter showed the lowest IL-5, IL-10 and IFN-γ responses. The production of IL-10 and IFN-γ was also inversely associated with prostaglandin labour induction before birth. Other labour-related factors were not significantly associated with production of IL-5, IL-10 and IFN-γ after WBC count correction.

Birth-related factors and doctor-diagnosed wheezing and allergic sensitization in early childhood.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the associations between clinical obstetric factors during birth and doctor-diagnosed wheezing and allergic sensitization during early childhood. METHODS: We followed 410 Finnish women from late pregnancy until 18 months age of their children. All children were delivered at term. Doctor-diagnosed wheezing among children was established by questionnaires, while specific immunoglobulin E antibodies to inhalant and food allergens were measured in 388 children at 1 year of age. Data on maternal obstetric variables were recorded at the time of delivery. RESULTS: Children of mothers with longer duration of ruptured fetal membranes before birth had significantly higher risk of doctor-diagnosed wheezing during early childhood compared to those children with shorter period of ruptured fetal membranes (III vs I quartile; aOR 6.65, 95% CI 1.99-22.18; P < 0.002 and IV vs I quartile; aOR 3.88, 95% CI 1.05-14.36, P < 0.043). Children who were born by Cesarean delivery had significantly less allergic sensitization at the age of 1 year compared to those who were born by vaginal route (16.0%vs 32.2%; aOR 0.34, 95% CI 0.14-0.80; P < 0.013). Furthermore, allergic sensitization tended to be more common in children with longer duration of labor before birth. No other birth-related obstetric factors, such as induction, the type of fetal membrane rupture during birth or quality of amniotic fluid were associated significantly with the examined outcomes. CONCLUSION: The longer duration of the ruptured fetal membranes possibly reflected the higher risk of intrapartum infection at birth, and further increased the risk of doctor-diagnosed wheezing among offspring.

[Health status and health behaviour of apprentices in the first year of apprenticeship - first results of a survey in vocational training schools in Bielefeld]. / Gesundheitszustand und Gesundheitsverhalten von Auszubildenden im ersten Lehrjahr - Erste Ergebnisse einer Befragung in Bielefelder Berufskollegs.

BACKGROUND: Apprentices form the major subgroup in adolescents aged between 16 and 25 years in Germany. Prospectively today's apprentices will display an important role within the society by being the backbone of the future middle class, a socio-economic group of high significance. However, there is little knowledge about the health of apprentices, a major determinant of economic and social capacity. A number of surveys has focussed on the health of adolescents, but these studies failed to provide specific data regarding the subgroup of apprentices. AIMS OF THE STUDY: The aims of this study were to survey the health status and the health behaviour of apprentices in a large range of qualified jobs and to point out possible differences be-tween the occupantional fields and gender-specific items. These differences could serve as a starting point for the development of specially-tailored prevention and health promoting strategies in the dual vocational education system. METHODS: 528 vocational first-year scholars aged between 16 to 25 years were enrolled in the study. A standardised questionnaire concerning life-style attitudes, (physical activity, smoking, alcolhol consumption, drug-abuse, the amount of sleep and dietary habits) was provided in different vocational school settings. The survey was conducted as a pilot-study in vocational schools of Bielefeld in spring 2005. RESULTS: The response rate was 100%. Health risk behaviours were common in apprentices. The percentage of smokers was higher than 50%, exceeding the average rate found in contemporary students. Physiological activity and sleeping quantity was significantly reduced compared to the period of regular scholarship, while drug-abuse slightly decreased. Gender, graduation and the vocational choice had an influence on the health behaviour of the apprentices. CONCLUSIONS: Depending on gender and the vocational choice, apprentices differed in their health risk behaviour and therefore require specially-tailored prevention activities. Health promotion and physical activity programs as an integrated unit in the daily life in schools and at the working places are necessary to increase the awareness for health-related life-style factors and to counterbalance the effects of occupational exposure. Based on the results both partners of the dual vocational training are challenged to implement effective and coordinated programmes to maintain health in this population.