Ambient particulate matter-associated autophagy alleviates pulmonary inflammation induced by Platanus pollen protein 3 (Pla3).

Subpollen particles (SPPs) with diameter less than 1 mm released from allergenic pollen grains contain allergens could trigger asthma and lung inflammation after being inhaled. In the meaning time, ambient fine particles attached on the pollen grains could have further effects on the inflammation. However, the mechanisms underlying these phenomena have not been fully elucidated.

Subpollens delivery of Platanus acerifolia pollen allergen Pla a3 and nucleic acid into lungs and cells.

Pollen allergy is a very serious seasonal respiratory disease. However, there has been a lack of understanding how pollen allergens enter the body and act on cells. This study focused on the release, transport and characteristic of Pla a3 allergen of the Platanus acerifolia pollen.

Atmospheric HULIS and its ability to mediate the reactive oxygen species (ROS): A review.

Atmospheric humic-like substances (HULIS) are not only an unresolved mixture of macro-organic compounds but also powerful chelating agents in atmospheric particulate matters (PMs); impacting on both the properties of aerosol particles and health effects by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Currently, the interests of HULIS are intensively shifting to the investigations of HULIS-metal synergic effects and kinetics modeling studies, as well as the development of HULIS quantification, findings of possible HULIS sources and generation of ROS from HULIS. In light of HULIS studies, we comprehensively review the current knowledge of isolation and physicochemical characterization of HULIS from atmospheric samples as well as HULIS properties (hygroscopic, surface activity, and colloidal) and possible sources of HULIS.

Magnetic, geochemical characterization and health risk assessment of road dust in Xuanwei and Fuyuan, China.

As an accumulation of solid organic and inorganic pollutant particles on outdoor ground surfaces, road dust is an important carrier of heavy metal contaminants and can be a valuable medium for characterizing urban environmental quality. Because the dusts can be an important source of atmospheric particles and take impact on human health, the aim of this study described in detail the mineralogical characteristics, morphology, and heavy metal content of road dust from Xuanwei and Fuyuan, locations with high lung cancer incidence. Our results show that the average concentrations of heavy metals in road dust were higher than their background values.

Allergenicity of recombinant Humulus japonicus pollen allergen 1 after combined exposure to ozone and nitrogen dioxide.

Ozone (O) and nitrogen dioxide (NO) are thought to play primary roles in aggravating air pollution-induced health problems. However, the effects of joint O/NO on the allergenicity of pollen allergens are unclear. Humulus japonicus pollen allergen 1 (Hum j1) is a profilin protein that causes widespread pollinosis in eastern Asia.