Patterns of Immune Dysregulation in Primary Immunodeficiencies: A Systematic Review.

Background: Immune dysregulation is as important as susceptibility to infection in defining primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs). Because of the variability and nonspecificity of the symptoms of PIDs, diagnosis can be delayed-especially if a patient presents with immune dysregulation. Diagnosis is then based on certain combinations of symptoms and relies on the clinician's ability to recognize a pattern.

Impact of low- and high-oxidation diesel particulate filters on genotoxic exhaust constituents.

Diesel exhaust contains several genotoxic compounds that may or may not penetrate diesel particulate filters (DPFs). Furthermore, the DPF-supported combustion of soot and adsorbed compounds may lead to the formation of additional pollutants. Herein, we compare the impact of 14 different DPFs on emissions of known genotoxic compounds.

Secondary effects of catalytic diesel particulate filters: conversion of PAHs versus formation of nitro-PAHs.

Diesel particulate filters (DPFs) are a promising technology to detoxify diesel exhaust. However, the secondary combustion of diesel soot and associated compounds may also induce the formation of new pollutants. Diesel soot is rated as carcinogenic to humans and also acts as a carrier for a variety of genotoxic compounds such as certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or nitrated PAHs (nitro-PAHs).

Secondary effects of catalytic diesel particulate filters: copper-induced formation of PCDD/Fs.

Potential risks of a secondary formation of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs) were assessed for two cordierite-based, wall-through diesel particulate filters (DPFs) for which soot combustion was either catalyzed with an iron- or a copper-based fuel additive. A heavy duty diesel engine was used as test platform, applying the eight-stage ISO 8178/4 C1 cycle. DPF applications neither affected the engine performance, nor did they increase NO, NO2, CO, and CO2 emissions.

Persistent organic pollutants, brominated flame retardants and synthetic musks in fish from remote alpine lakes in Switzerland.

Remote alpine lakes do not receive any direct aquatic inputs from anthropogenic activities. Therefore, these ecosystems may receive persistent organic compounds (POPs) by direct atmospheric deposition, only. Consequently, fish dwelling in these ecosystems represent an excellent indicator for the long-term atmospheric input of bioaccumulating and persistent contaminants.

The historical record of PCB and PCDD/F deposition at Greifensee, a lake of the Swiss plateau, between 1848 and 1999.

Dated sediment cores provide an excellent way to investigate the historical input of persistent organic pollutants into the environment and to identify possible sources of pollution. The vertical distribution of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) was investigated in a sediment core from Greifensee to elucidate the historical trends of PCDD/F and PCB inputs between 1848 and 1999. Concentrations of PCB and PCDD/F increased by more than one order of magnitude between 1930 and 1960.

Correlation of PCDD/F and PCB concentrations in soil samples from the Swiss soil monitoring network (NABO) to specific parameters of the observation sites.

Concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) were determined in 23 soil samples collected at reference sites of the Swiss national soil monitoring network (NABO). Total PCDD/F and PCB concentrations are well correlated and proportional (R2=0.720).

Temporal and local trends of PCDD/F levels in cow's milk in Switzerland.

Levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) were determined in 30 Swiss cow's milk samples collected at dairy farms in the vicinity to point sources, in rural/alpine areas distant to known sources, and from tanks in large industrial milk processing plants. The contaminant concentrations in samples collected in 2001 were compared to data from analyses conducted in 1984 and 1990/1991 at the same sites. In 2001, the PCDD/F levels in milk from farms near point sources (0.

Levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in food of animal origin. The Swiss dioxin monitoring program.

Between 1997 and 1999, several cases of dioxin contaminations in foodstuffs of animal origin occurred in Europe due to feed contaminated by several independent sources: citrus pulp pellets, fat containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), and kaolinitic clay as anti-caking agent in feedingstuffs. As a consequence of the latter, a survey on polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) in food of animal origin was initiated by the Swiss authorities to assess the extent of PCDD/F contamination and to document the efficiency of the measures taken to ensure the decontamination of the food supply. Investigation of a total of 128 samples of cow's milk, poultry, eggs, and meat revealed several cases of residue levels distinctly above the background exposure limit of approximately 2.

Determination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzo-furans in solid residues from wood combustion by HRGC/HRMS.

PCDD/PCDF were determined in solid samples from wood combustion. The samples included grate ashes, bottom ashes, furnace ashes as well as fly and cyclone ashes. The solid waste samples were classified into bottom and fly ash from native wood and bottom and fly ash from waste wood.