Self-Reported Allergic Rhinitis and/or Allergic Conjunctivitis Associate with IL13 rs20541 Polymorphism in Finnish Adult Asthma Patients.

Background: Our aim was to observe factors associated with IL13 rs20541 polymorphism and other factors with or without allergic comorbidities such as subject-reported allergic rhinitis (AR) and/or allergic conjunctivitis (AC) symptoms in adult asthmatics.

Methods: A population-based sample of Finnish adult asthma patients (n = 1,156) and matched controls (n = 1,792) filled in a questionnaire. Asthma was diagnosed based on a typical history of asthma symptoms and lung function tests.

Pikeperch (Sander lucioperca (L.)) in decline: high mortality of three populations in the northern Baltic Sea.

The development of three pikeperch (Sander lucioperca (L.)) populations in the northern Baltic Sea was monitored using standardized multimesh gillnets in 1995-2009. Declining trends in the abundances of pikeperch over 40 cm total length, low numbers of individuals older than 6 years, and high mortality rates were observed in all three populations.

Epistatic effect of TLR4 and IL4 genes on the risk of asthma in females.

Background: Many studies have demonstrated a connection between asthma and T-cell cytokine genes, such as genes coding for interleukin-4 (IL4) and IL-13, which are involved in the regulation of the TH1/TH2 balance. The toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), the principal receptor for bacterial endotoxin, has attracted attention as a potential risk factor for asthma. We examined whether the polymorphisms of the TLR4 (A/G at +896) and IL4 (C/T at -590) showed an epistatic effect on the risk of asthma or atopy.

Genetic and environmental factors in the immunopathogenesis of atopy: interaction of Helicobacter pylori infection and IL4 genetics.

Background: Both genetic and environmental factors, e.g. early childhood infections, have a role in the pathogenesis of atopic diseases.