Specific Surface Modifications of Silica Nanoparticles Diminish Inflammasome Activation and In Vivo Expression of Selected Inflammatory Genes.

Silica (SiO₂) nanoparticles (NPs) usage includes, but is not limited to, industrial and biomedical applications. Toxic effects of SiO₂ NPs have been explored either or , assessing different surface modifications to reduce their harmful effects. Here, murine bone marrow-derived dendritic (BMDC) and a mouse model of mild allergic inflammation were used to study inflammasome activation and lung inflammation.

Automatic and Online Pollen Monitoring.

Background: Pollen are monitored in Europe by a network of about 400 pollen traps, all operated manually. To date, automated pollen monitoring has only been feasible in areas with limited variability in pollen species. There is a need for rapid reporting of airborne pollen as well as for alleviating the workload of manual operation.

Surface modifications of silica nanoparticles are crucial for their inert versus proinflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.

Background: Silica (SiO₂) nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used in diverse industrial and biomedical applications. Their applicability depends on surface modifications, which can limit potential health problems.

Objective: To assess the potential impact of SiO₂ NP exposure and NPs chemical modifications in allergic airway inflammation.

Airborne indoor particles from schools are more toxic than outdoor particles.

High concentrations of particulate matter (PM(10)) were measured in classrooms. This study addresses the hazard of indoor particles in comparison to the better-studied outdoor particles. Samples were taken from six schools during teaching hours.

Acquired nonscarring diffuse hair loss in a 3-year-old girl.

A 3-year-old girl showed fine, sparse, and brittle scalp hair without signs of cicatricial cutaneous alterations. Dermoscopy as well as scanning electron microscopy revealed elliptical nodes as well as constricted regions along the hair shaft.

Effects of ultrafine particles-induced oxidative stress on Clara cells in allergic lung inflammation.

Background: Clara cell protein (CC16), the main secretory product of bronchiolar Clara cells, plays an important protective role in the respiratory tract against oxidative stress and inflammation. The purpose of the study was to investigate the role of elemental carbon ultrafine particles (EC-UFP)-induced oxidative stress on Clara cells and CC16 in a mouse model of allergic lung inflammation.

Methods: Ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice were exposed to EC-UFP (507 microg/m(3) for 24 h) or filtered air immediately prior to allergen challenge and systemically treated with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or vehicle prior and during EC-UFP inhalation.

Role of oxidative stress in ultrafine particle-induced exacerbation of allergic lung inflammation.

Rationale: The effects of ultrafine particle inhalation on allergic airway inflammation are of growing interest. The mechanisms underlying these effects are currently under investigation.

Objectives: To investigate the role of oxidative stress on the adjuvant activity of inhaled elemental carbon ultrafine particles (EC-UFPs) on allergic airway inflammation.

Environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) enhance allergic inflammation by acting on human basophils.

Diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) have been implicated in the worldwide increased incidence of allergic airway diseases over the past century. There is growing evidence that DEP-associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) participate in the development and maintenance of immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated allergic diseases. To address this issue we investigated the impact of U.

Year-to-year variation in release of Bet v 1 allergen from birch pollen: evidence for geographical differences between West and South Germany.

Background: The release of the aeroallergen Bet v 1 from pollen is a major determinant in the etiology of allergic airway disease due to birch pollen.

Objective: We determined the release of the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 from pollen of birch trees growing in 2 different geographic regions in Germany for 2 consecutive years.

Methods: Catkins were collected during pollination in 2002 and 2003 from 82 healthy trees in South (Munich) and West Germany (North Rhine-Westphalia).

Scanning electron microscopy of Dermatobia hominis reveals cutaneous anchoring features.

We report the case of a 45-year-old Caucasian woman suffering from cutaneous myiasis. With the use of scanning electron microscopy, we placed special focus on the mechanisms by which Dermatobia hominis can fasten securely within the human skin.