A multidisciplinary approach of outdoor aeroallergen selection for Skin Prick Testing in the geographical area of Greater Istanbul.

Aeroallergen selection for skin prick testing and the interpretation of results need to be in line with allergenic sources of a specific geographic area. To identify aeroallergens for a skin test panel for the specific geographical area of Istanbul in a multidisciplinary approach based on aerobiological parameters, cross-reactivity patterns and clinical symptoms. Aerobiological parameters, cross reactivity patterns and the European Standard Skin Prick Test Panel determined allergen selection.

Ragweed pollen observed in Turkey: detection of sources using back trajectory models.

This paper discusses the pollen season and the source apportionment of ragweed (Ambrosia) grains detected in the atmosphere of Istanbul, Turkey. The dynamic migration of this invasive taxon is a serious environmental issue. Ragweed pollen is highly allergenic and causes sensitization in patients at low concentrations.

Bronchial asthma and wheeze in a desert country.

A cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted among school children (3300), aged 7-12 years, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during the period January, 1988-February, 1990. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between asthma, allergic rhinitis, wheeze and eczema among Saudi school children. The relationship between pet-ownership and respiratory allergy was also studied.

Passive smoking effects on wheezy bronchitis.

Previous epidemiological studies have associated parental smoking with an increased incidence of lower respiratory illness and bronchial asthma. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between parental smoking habits and diagnosed wheezy bronchitis in schoolchildren in Saudi Arabia. In a cross-sectional study 3,041 schoolchildren ages seven to 12 years were randomly selected in Dammam, Jeddah, and Riyadh; representing three different geoclimatic regions of Saudi Arabia.

Prevalence of asthma and wheeze in two different climatic areas of Saudi Arabia.

In a cross-sectional study, the prevalence of asthma and wheeze was studied in 2300 school going children in two different environment and climate regions of Saudi Arabia, Dammam (humid-coastal) and Riyadh (dry-inland). The age range of children studied was 7-12 years (56% boys and 44% girls in Dammam; and 47% boys and 53% girls in Riyadh). A self-administered questionnaire was completed by parents of the children which includes information on age, sex, area, occupation and educational level of parents, history of asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, cough, wheeze, animals and pets exposure, family history of allergy and parental smoking habits.

The motility of human milk macrophages in collagen gels.

The hypothesis that the diminished motility of human milk leukocytes is due to a decrease in adherence was tested by using a collagen gel system in which leukocyte movement is less dependent on adherence. Unfractionated human milk leukocytes (HML) or fractionated peripheral blood leukocytes were placed on collagen gels in microwells and the leading edge of migration was determined by inverted phase microscopy. The mean rates of invasion of HML, blood neutrophils, and mononuclear blood leukocytes were 14, 240, and less than 1 mu/h, respectively (p less than 0.