Pesticides in doormat and floor dust from homes close to treated fields: Spatio-temporal variance and determinants of occurrence and concentrations.

Indoor dust has been postulated as an important matrix for residential pesticide exposure. However, there is a lack of information on presence, concentrations and determinants of multiple pesticides in dust in residential homes close to treated fields. Our objective was to characterize the spatial and temporal variance of pesticides in house dust, study the use of doormats and floors as proxies for pesticides in indoor dust and identify determinants of occurrence and concentrations.

Intraindividual Long-term Immune Marker Stability in Plasma Samples Collected in Median 9.4 Years Apart in 304 Adult Cancer-free Individuals.

Background: Changes in immune marker levels in the blood could be used to improve the early detection of tumor-associated inflammatory processes. To increase predictiveness and utility in cancer detection, intraindividual long-term stability in cancer-free individuals is critical for biomarker candidates as to facilitate the detection of deviation from the norm.

Methods: We assessed intraindividual long-term stability for 19 immune markers (IL10, IL13, TNFα, CXCL13, MCP-3, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, fractalkine, VEGF, FGF-2, TGFα, sIL2Rα, sIL6R, sVEGF-R2, sTNF-R1, sTNF-R2, sCD23, sCD27, and sCD30) in 304 cancer-free individuals.

Pesticide Exposure of Residents Living Close to Agricultural Fields in the Netherlands: Protocol for an Observational Study.

Background: Application of pesticides in the vicinity of homes has caused concern regarding possible health effects in residents living nearby. However, the high spatiotemporal variation of pesticide levels and lack of knowledge regarding the contribution of exposure routes greatly complicates exposure assessment approaches.

Objective: The objective of this paper was to describe the study protocol of a large exposure survey in the Netherlands assessing pesticide exposure of residents living close (<250 m) to agricultural fields; to better understand possible routes of exposure; to develop an integrative exposure model for residential exposure; and to describe lessons learned.

Residential proximity to livestock farms is associated with a lower prevalence of atopy.

Objectives: Exposure to farm environments during childhood and adult life seems to reduce the risk of atopic sensitisation. Most studies have been conducted among farmers, but people living in rural areas may have similar protective effects for atopy. This study aims to investigate the association between residential proximity to livestock farms and atopy among non-farming adults living in a rural area in the Netherlands.

Occupational endotoxin exposure in association with atopic sensitization and respiratory health in adults: Results of a 5-year follow-up.

The objective of the present longitudinal study was to investigate the effects of occupational endotoxin exposure on respiratory health and atopic sensitization in adults. Health outcomes and personal endotoxin exposure estimates were determined for 234 farmers and agricultural workers both at baseline and 5 years later. A questionnaire was used to assess respiratory symptoms, spirometry tests were performed and total and specific IgE levels were measured in serum.

Contact dermatitis is an unrecognized problem in the construction industry: Comparison of four different assessment methods.

Background: A high contact dermatitis symptoms prevalence has been observed in Dutch construction workers.

Methods: Contact dermatitis was diagnosed by an expert panel using questionnaire data and photographs of 751 subjects' hands. A subset was evaluated by two occupational physicians.

Biomarker Dynamics in B-cell Lymphoma: A Longitudinal Prospective Study of Plasma Samples Up to 25 Years before Diagnosis.

The B-cell activation markers CXCL13, sCD23, sCD27, and sCD30 are associated with future lymphoma risk. However, a lack of information about the individual dynamics of marker-disease association hampers interpretation. In this study, we identified 170 individuals who had donated two prediagnostic blood samples before B-cell lymphoma diagnosis, along with 170 matched cancer-free controls from the Northern Sweden Health and Disease Study.

Allergens and β-glucans in dutch homes and schools: characterizing airborne levels.

Background: Indoor air quality has an effect on respiratory health. Children are more vulnerable to a decreased indoor air quality as their lungs are still developing. We measured levels of allergens and β-(1,3)-glucans in 19 school buildings and determined whether measured levels could be reproduced.

Dampness and mould in schools and respiratory symptoms in children: the HITEA study.

Background: The adverse respiratory health effects of dampness and mould in the home have been extensively reported, but few studies have evaluated the health effects of such exposures in schools.

Objectives: To assess the associations between dampness and mould in school buildings and respiratory symptoms among 6-12-year-old pupils in three European countries with different climates.

Methods: Based on information from self-reports and observations, we selected 29 primary schools with and 27 without moisture damage in Spain, the Netherlands and Finland.

Endotoxin levels in homes and classrooms of Dutch school children and respiratory health.

Several studies describe indoor pollutant exposure in homes and to a lesser extent in schools. Population studies that include both environments are sparse. This study aims to assess endotoxin levels in primary schools and homes of children.

A multi-center ring trial of allergen analysis using fluorescent multiplex array technology.

Background: Consistent performance of allergen assays is essential to ensure reproducibility of exposure assessments for investigations of asthma and occupational allergic disease. This study evaluated intra- and inter-laboratory reproducibility of a fluorescent multiplex array, which simultaneously measures eight indoor allergens in a single reaction well.

Methods: A multi-center study was performed in nine laboratories in the US and Europe to determine the inter-laboratory variability of an 8-plex array for dust mite, cat, dog, rat, mouse and cockroach allergens.

Swimming pool attendance and respiratory symptoms and allergies among Dutch children.

Objectives: To describe associations among swimming, respiratory health, allergen sensitisation and Clara cell protein 16 (CC16) levels in Dutch schoolchildren. Trichloramine levels in swimming pool air were determined to assess potential exposure levels.

Methods: Respiratory health and pool attendance information was collected from 2359 children, aged 6-13 years.

Can f 1 levels in hair and homes of different dog breeds: lack of evidence to describe any dog breed as hypoallergenic.

Background: Certain dog breeds are described and marketed as being "hypoallergenic" on the basis of anecdotal reports that these dogs are better tolerated by patients allergic to dogs.

Objective: These observations were investigated by comparing Can f 1 (major dog [Canis familiaris] allergen) levels in hair and coat samples and in the home environment of various hypoallergenic (Labradoodle, Poodle, Spanish Waterdog, and Airedale terrier) and non-hypoallergenic dogs (Labrador retriever and a control group).

Methods: Hair and coat samples were obtained from dogs, and settled floor and airborne dust samples were taken from the dogs' homes.

Searching for early breast cancer biomarkers by serum protein profiling of pre-diagnostic serum; a nested case-control study.

Background: Serum protein profiles have been investigated frequently to discover early biomarkers for breast cancer. So far, these studies used biological samples collected at or after diagnosis. This may limit these studies' value in the search for cancer biomarkers because of the often advanced tumor stage, and consequently risk of reverse causality.

Allergen and endotoxin exposure in a companion animal hospital.

Background: Exposure to allergens, both in general and occupational environments, is known to result in sensitisation and exacerbation of allergic diseases, while endotoxin exposure might protect against allergic diseases. This may be important for veterinarians and co-workers. However, exposure levels are mostly unknown.

Plasma cytokines and future risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL): a case-control study nested in the Italian European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition.

Background: Recently, biological markers related to the immune system such as cytokines have been studied to further understand the etiology of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL). However, to date, there are no studies that have studied cytokine levels prospectively in relation to NHL risk in the general population.

Methods: Using bead-based immunoassays, plasma levels of 11 cytokines, 4 chemokines, and 1 adhesion molecules were measured in prediagnostic blood samples of 86 NHL cases and 86 matched controls (average time between blood collection and diagnosis, 4.

Stability and reproducibility of simultaneously detected plasma and serum cytokine levels in asymptomatic subjects.

Blood levels of cyto- and chemokines might reflect immune deregulations which might be related to lymphomagenesis. Potential utility of stored blood samples of a prospective cohort was evaluated by the effect of different blood sample types and freeze-thaw cycles on analyte levels. Bead-based immunoassays were performed on two fresh samples (serum, citrate and heparin plasma) of 10 asymptomatic adults collected 14 days apart and on aliquots of the first samples which were put through one to three freeze-thaw cycles to measure 11 cytokines, four chemokines and two adhesion molecules.

Associations between pre-employment immunologic and airway mucosal factors and the development of occupational allergy.

Background: Sensitization to occupational allergens is frequently found in laboratory animal workers (LAWs) and can cause serious health problems. Atopy is a major risk factor for sensitization, but it is considered insufficient to advise against working with animals.

Objective: We investigated whether immunologic measures, including serology and cytokine production profiles of blood cells, and parameters for airway inflammation are associated with the development of occupational sensitization.

Recombinant major urinary proteins of the mouse in specific IgE and IgG testing.

Background: Recombinant allergens are preferred over natural allergen extracts in measuring antibodies. We tested the use of recombinant variants of the major mouse allergen Mus m 1 in detection of mouse-specific antibodies in sera of laboratory animal workers and children.

Methods: Six recombinant major urinary proteins (MUPs) were produced and antibody-binding capacity was compared to natural Mus m 1 and to mouse urine extract.

Spreading of occupational allergens: laboratory animal allergens on hair-covering caps and in mattress dust of laboratory animal workers.

Background: Family members of laboratory animal workers are at risk of developing allergy to laboratory animals. Little is known about the spreading of laboratory animal allergens outside the animal facilities.

Objective: To assess the presence of laboratory animal allergens in dust collected from mattresses of laboratory animal workers and unexposed controls.

Mouse allergen exposure and immunologic responses: IgE-mediated mouse sensitization and mouse specific IgG and IgG4 levels.

Background: Although there is evidence that contact with mice is associated with IgE-mediated mouse sensitization and mouse specific antibody responses, the exposure-response relationships remain unclear.

Objective: To determine whether IgE-mediated mouse sensitization and mouse specific IgG (mIgG) and mIgG4 levels increase with increasing Mus m 1 exposure.

Methods: One hundred fifty-one workers at a mouse research and production facility were studied.