Perinatal influences on the development of asthma and atopy in childhood.

Background: In most children with asthma and atopy, onset of disease occurs early in life, indicating a crucial role of in utero and early childhood environment. However, only a small part of this burden of disease established early in life has been explained.

Objective: To examine the effects of early environmental exposures on the development of asthma and atopy within the setting of an affluent urban population.

Generation of proliferating human hepatocytes using Upcyte® technology: characterisation and applications in induction and cytotoxicity assays.

1. We have developed a novel technique which causes primary human hepatocytes to proliferate by transducing them with genes that upregulate their proliferation. 2.

Early allergic sensitizations and their relevance to atopic diseases in children aged 6 years: results of the GINI study.

Background: Only a few studies have analyzed the value of early sensitization in predicting the development of atopic disease. The relevance of low immunoglobulin (Ig) E antibody levels in this respect also remains unclear.

Objective: To investigate the relevance of sensitization in 12-month-old children in the development of atopic disease by the age of 6 years.

Atopic diseases, allergic sensitization, and exposure to traffic-related air pollution in children.

Rationale: In vitro studies, animal experiments, and human exposure studies have shown how ambient air pollution increases the risk of atopic diseases. However, results derived from observational studies are inconsistent.

Objectives: To assess the relationship between individual-based exposure to traffic-related air pollutants and allergic disease outcomes in a prospective birth cohort study during the first 6 years of life.

Timing of solid food introduction in relation to eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food and inhalant sensitization at the age of 6 years: results from the prospective birth cohort study LISA.

Objective: Current prophylactic feeding guidelines recommend a delayed introduction of solids for the prevention of atopic diseases. This study investigates whether a delayed introduction of solids (past 4 or 6 months) is protective against the development of eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food or inhalant sensitization at the age of 6 years.

Methods: Data from 2073 children in the ongoing LISA birth cohort study were analyzed at 6 years of age.