Serum amyloid a is a biomarker of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Rationale: Much of the total disease burden and cost of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a novel candidate exacerbation biomarker identified by proteomic screening.

Objectives: To assess SAA as a biomarker of AECOPD.

Phenotyping of cytochrome P450 2E1 in vitro and in vivo.

The aim of the present study was to develop and improve methods for phenotyping of CYP2E1, an important enzyme in the biotransformation of many industrial chemicals, therapeutic drugs and endogenous substances. The possibility to measure CYP2E1 activity in lymphocytes by using p-nitrophenol as a substrate and CYP2E1 protein levels by flow cytometry were studied in vitro. Further, the conventional chlorzoxazone method for in vivo phenotyping was studied by adjusting the dose to body weight in 10 healthy volunteers.

Airborne cat allergen reduction in classrooms that use special school clothing or ban pet ownership.

Background: Allergens from furred animals are brought to school mainly via clothing of pet owners. Asthmatic children allergic to cat have more symptoms when attending a class with many cat owners, and some schools allocate specific resources to allergen avoidance measures.

Objective: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of school clothing or pet owner-free classes compared with control classes on airborne cat allergen levels and to investigate attitudes and allergic symptoms among the children.

Reduction of exposure to laboratory animal allergens in a research laboratory.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine exposure levels in the laboratory during different tasks and evaluate the effectiveness of safety equipment used to reduce personal exposure.

Methods: Personal and stationary air samples were collected during different tasks in a laboratory animal facility in which several allergen reduction strategies had been implemented. Mouse urinary allergen concentrations were measured using a polyclonal sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.