In vitro and in vivo Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Powder Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose as Nasal Mucosal Barrier.

Introduction: Insufflation of powder hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (pHPMC) in the nose has been proven an effective barrier in subjects with rhinitis in many clinical studies. We conducted additionally in vitro and in vivo experiments to address outstanding efficacy and safety issues.

Methods: We used an experimental setup to demonstrate the inhibition of the diffusion of allergen extracts (house dust mite, Japanese cedar, Ragweed, Timothy grass) and pollutants (particulate matter 2.

Methyl-cellulose powder for prevention and management of nasal symptoms.

HPMC-p, an inert micronized powder form of hydroxy-propyl-methyl-cellulose, when insufflated nasally, provides a natural barrier against pollen allergens and noxious agents. This overview assesses the efficacy and safety of this patented powder product and delivery system without an analogue among the cellulose derivatives. Areas covered: Twenty-six studies with HPMC-p were critically appraised to obtain an updated characteristic of the product.

A nasally applied cellulose powder in seasonal allergic rhinitis in adults with grass pollen allergy: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study.

Background: A nasally applied cellulose powder is increasingly used in many countries as a remedy for allergic rhinitis. In 2009, a 4-week study in birch pollen-allergic children showed a reduction in nasal symptoms. The best effect occurred on days with lower pollen counts.

Not just a spring fever... Information and advice to help families with hay fever sufferers.

Hay fever is an allergy to pollen or spores presenting as an allergic inflammatory response in all mucous membranes of the upper airway. The UK has one of the highest rates (it's estimated one in four of us have hay fever) and symptoms are often trivialised, even though the socio-economic and health costs are huge. If left treated, for example, a hay fever sufferer risks developing asthma.

Role of contact lenses in relieving ocular allergy.

Purpose: To examine the potential barrier and lubricating effects of modern daily disposable contact lenses (DD) against airborne antigens.

Methods: Ten patients with skin prick and ocular conjunctival provocation confirmed allergic sensitivity to grass pollen were recruited (average age 27.4 ± 7.

Prevalence and impact of ocular allergy in the population attending UK optometric practice.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of ocular allergy in patients attending optometric practices in the UK West Midlands and the impact this has on patients' daily lives.

Method: Patients attending 9 optometric practices in the West Midlands, UK, were surveyed about the occurrence of ocular allergy, the severity of the symptoms and their treatment. Patients self-reporting ocular allergy were invited to complete a more detailed questionnaire.

Outdoor environments and human pathogens in air.

Are pathogens in outdoor air a health issue at present or will they become a problem in the future? A working group called AirPath - Outdoor Environments and Human Pathogens in Air was set up in 2007 at University College London, UK with the aim of opening new discussion and creating a research network to investigate the science and impacts of outdoor pathogens. Our objective in this paper is to review and discuss the following areas: What is the source of human pathogens in outdoor air? What current, developing and future techniques do we need? Can we identify at-risk groups in relation to their activities and environments? How do we prepare for the anticipated challenges of environmental change and new and emerging diseases? And how can we control for and prevent pathogens in outdoor environments? We think that this work can benefit the wider research community and policy makers by providing a concise overview of various research aspects and considerations which may be important to their work.

PCR to predict risk of airborne disease.

Plant, animal and human diseases spread by microscopic airborne particles have had major economic and social impacts during history. Special air-sampling devices have been used to collect such particles since the 19th century but it has often been impossible to identify them accurately. Exciting new opportunities to combine air sampling with quantitative PCR to identify and count these particles are reviewed, using crop pathogen examples.

Regional importance of Alnus pollen as an aeroallergen: a comparative study of Alnus pollen counts from Worcester (UK) and Poznań (Poland).

Daily average Alnus pollen counts (1996-2005) from Worcester (UK) and Poznan (Poland) were examined with the aim of assessing the regional importance of Alnus pollen as an aeroallergen. The average number of Alnus pollen grains recorded annually at Poznan was more than 2.5 times that of Worcester.

Changes in the pollen seasons of the early flowering trees Alnus spp. and Corylus spp. in Worcester, United Kingdom, 1996-2005.

Previous work on Betula spp. (birch) in the UK and at five sites in Europe has shown that pollen seasons for this taxon have tended to become earlier by about 5-10 days per decade in most regions investigated over the last 30 years. This pattern has been linked to the trend to warmer winters and springs in recent years.

A 30-day-ahead forecast model for grass pollen in north London, United Kingdom.

A 30-day-ahead forecast method has been developed for grass pollen in north London. The total period of the grass pollen season is covered by eight multiple regression models, each covering a 10-day period running consecutively from 21 May to 8 August. This means that three models were used for each 30-day forecast.