Dust Research Articles

Hydrogel-Based Treatment of House Dust Mite-Induced Atopic Dermatitis through Triple Cleaning of Mites, Bacteria, and ROS-Related Inflammation.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory disease caused by abnormalities in skin immunoregulation. House dust mite can directly damage the skin barrier and thus sensitize the skin, which is one of the main allergens inducing AD in humans and widely exists in daily life. Meanwhile, the accompanying bacterial infections and exposure to additional allergens exacerbate the condition by generating excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS). Herein, we have developed the CPDP hydrogel with injectable and self-healing ability to combat pathogenic microorganisms and inflammatory environments for AD therapy. In vitro experiments have affirmed the efficacy of the CPDP hydrogel in combating mites, killing bacteria, and scavenging ROS. In a mouse model closely mimicking HDM-induced AD, the CPDP hydrogel has shown superior therapeutic effects, including reducing epidermal thickness and mast cell count, increasing collagen deposition, as well as down-regulating pro-inflammatory factors.

Neutrophil Heterogeneity Is Modified during Acute Lung Inflammation in Apoa1-/- Mice.

Neutrophils play important roles in inflammatory airway diseases. In this study, we assessed whether apolipoprotein A-I modifies neutrophil heterogeneity as part of the mechanism by which it attenuates acute airway inflammation. Neutrophilic airway inflammation was induced by daily intranasal administration of LPS plus house dust mite (LPS+HDM) to Apoa1-/- and Apoa1+/+ mice for 3 d. Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on cells recovered from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid on day 4. Unsupervised profiling identified 10 clusters of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from Apoa1-/- and Apoa1+/+ mice. LPS+HDM-challenged Apoa1-/- mice had an increased proportion of the Neu4 neutrophil cluster that expressed S100a8, S100a9, and Mmp8 and had high maturation, aggregation, and TLR4 binding scores. There was also an increase in the Neu6 cluster of immature neutrophils, whereas neutrophil clusters expressing IFN-stimulated genes were decreased. An unsupervised trajectory analysis showed that Neu4 represented a distinct lineage in Apoa1-/- mice. LPS+HDM-challenged Apoa1-/- mice also had an increased proportion of recruited airspace macrophages, which was associated with a reciprocal reduction in resident airspace macrophages. Increased expression of a common set of proinflammatory genes, S100a8, S100a9, and Lcn2, was present in all neutrophils and airspace macrophages from LPS+HDM-challenged Apoa1-/- mice. These findings show that Apoa1-/- mice have increases in specific neutrophil and macrophage clusters in the lung during acute inflammation mediated by LPS+HDM, as well as enhanced expression of a common set of proinflammatory genes. This suggests that modifications in neutrophil and macrophage heterogeneity contribute to the mechanism by which apolipoprotein A-I attenuates acute airway inflammation.

The seasonal variation of Asian dust, anthropogenic PM, and their sources in Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Central Asia's arid climate and growing population make it susceptible to air pollution from mineral dust and anthropogenic sources. To assess the impact of these pollution sources on local air quality, the chemical composition of PM10 aerosol particles was collected within a year at Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Primary sources of the pollutants, their impact on PM10 composition, and their seasonal trends were assessed. The measurement approach employed analysis of trace metals, ions, organic compounds, laboratory investigations, diagnostic ratio calculations, all complemented by positive matrix factor analysis. The results reveal that for about 70% of the year, PM10 levels (80 ± 55 μg m−3 as the annual average) in Dushanbe were higher than the WHO limits, with varying levels during the seasons. Summer concentrations peaked up to 434 μg m−3 due to a combined mineral and road dust influence. Interestingly, winter concentrations reached 152 μg m−3 due to strong contributions (about 64%) from residential heating and fossil fuel combustion, often triggered during sub-10 °C temperatures. Mineral dust events were associated with elevated concentrations of trace metals, including Zn and Pb, alongside organic carbon and high-chain n - alkanes. During such events, Ca/Fe, Ca/Al ratios exceeded those of Saharan dust, suggesting a high salt content in Asian dust, potentially influenced by dried-off lake emissions. It was striking to observe that winter periods exhibited concerning levels of carcinogenic PAHs, such as benzo(b)fluoranthene (<25 ng m−3) and benzo[a]pyrene (<12 ng m−3, BaP), with average values of 4.1 ± 5.9 ng m−3 (BaP) that significantly exceed WHO recommendations. The high PM10 and PAH exposure could pose severe health risks, necessitating collective attention from the local authorities in developing new mitigation strategies concerning the reduction of emissions from residential heating of coal and wood in winter to curb combustion emissions and reduce exposure.

Oral bioaccessibility of potentially toxic elements in various urban environmental media

An important aspect of geochemical studies is determining health hazard of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Key information on PTEs behaviour in the human body in case of their ingestion is provided with the use of in vitro bioaccessibility tests. We analysed and compared oral bioaccessibility of a wide range of PTEs (As, Cd, Ce, Cr, Cu, Hg, La, Li, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Zn), including some that are not often studied but might pose a human health hazard, in soil, attic dust, street dust, and household dust, using Unified BARGE Method (UBM). Additionally, feasibility of usage of scanning electron microscope techniques in analyses of solid residuals of UBM phases was tested. Results show that bioaccessible fractions (BAFs) of PTEs vary significantly between individual samples of the same medium, between different media and between the gastric and gastro-intestinal phases. In soil, attic dust and street dust, bioaccessibility of individual PTE is mostly higher in gastric than in gastro-intestinal phase. The opposite is true for PTEs in household dust. In all four media, with the exception of Pb in household dust, among the most bioaccessible PTEs in gastric phase are Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. During the transition from the stomach to small intestine, the mean BAFs of most elements in soil, attic dust, and street dust decreases. The most bioaccessible PTEs in gastro-intestinal phase are Cu, Cd, Ni, and As. Micromorphological and chemical characterisation at individual particle level before and after bioaccessibility test contribute significantly to the understanding of oral bioaccessibility.

Mononuclear phagocyte sub-types in vitro display diverse transcriptional responses to dust mite exposure

Mononuclear phagocytes (MNP), including macrophages and dendritic cells form an essential component of primary responses to environmental hazards and toxic exposures. This is particularly important in disease conditions such as asthma and allergic airway disease, where many different cell types are present. In this study, we differentiated CD34+ haematopoietic stem cells towards different populations of MNP in an effort to understand how different cell subtypes present in inflammatory disease microenvironments respond to the common allergen house dust mite (HDM). Using single cell mRNA sequencing, we demonstrate that macrophage subtypes MCSPP1+ and MLCMARCO+ display different patterns of gene expression after HDM challenge, noted especially for the chemokines CXCL5, CXCL8, CCL5 and CCL15. MLCCD206Hi alternatively activated macrophages displayed the greatest changes in expression, while neutrophil and monocyte populations did not respond. Further work investigated how pollutant diesel exhaust particles could modify these transcriptional responses and revealed that CXC but not CC type chemokines were further upregulated. Through the use of diesel particles with adsorbed material removed, we suggest that soluble pollutants on these particles are the active constituents responsible for the modifying effects on HDM. This study highlights that environmental exposures may influence tissue responses dependent on which MNP cell type is present, and that these should be considerations when modelling such events in vitro. Understanding the nuanced responsiveness of different immune cell types to allergen and pollutant exposure also contributes to a better understanding of how these exposures influence the development and exacerbation of human disease.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cockroach Allergy: A 4-Year Retrospective Study

Introduction: Sensitivity to indoor allergens increases the risks of asthma and the emergence of allergic diseases. Indoor allergens include house dust mite (HDM), pet dander, cockroach (CR), and molds. We investigated how CR sensitivity was affected during the pandemic period. Methods: This study included patients aged ≥18 years who visited the allergy unit of our clinic between March 2018 and March 2022 and who underwent skin prick tests (SPTs) for aeroallergens. Patients were divided into two groups: those of the prepandemic and pandemic periods, depending on the visit dates. Results: In all, 7,687 patients were recruited; 5,074 individuals with negative SPT results were excluded. Among the 2,613 atopic patients, CR sensitivity was detected in 278 (10.6%). The prevalence of CR sensitivity was significantly higher in the pandemic group than in the prepandemic group (12% vs. 8.6%; p < 0.05). The frequency of asthma was higher in patients with CR sensitivity than in others (33.1% vs. 26%, p = 0.011). In addition, individuals with CR sensitivity were older than others (p = 0.001). CR sensitivity was more common in males than in females (44.2% vs. 37.7%, p = 0.034). Moreover, dog and HDM sensitivities were more common in individuals with CR sensitivity than in others (p = 0.004, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: This study reveals an increased sensitivity to CR during the pandemic and establishes an association between such sensitivity and the frequency of asthma. Variability in terms of CR sensitivity across different countries is emphasized. In addition, HDM and dog sensitivities were more common in individuals with CR sensitivity.

Metal-containing nanoparticles in road dust from a Chinese megacity over the last decade: Spatiotemporal variation and driving factors

As a crucial sink of metal-containing nanoparticles (MNPs), road dust can record their spatiotemporal variations in urban environments. In this study, taking Shanghai as a representative megacity in China, a total of 272 dust samples were collected in the winter and summer of 2013 and 2021/2022 to understand the spatiotemporal variations and driving factors of MNPs. The number concentrations of Fe-, Ti-, and Zn-containing NPs were 3.8 × 106 − 8.4 × 108, 2.3 × 106–1.4 × 108, and 6.0 × 105–2.3 × 108 particles/mg, respectively, according to single particle (sp)ICP-MS analysis. These MNPs showed significantly higher number concentrations in summer than in winter. Hotspots of Fe-containing NPs were more concentrated in industrial and traffic areas, Zn-containing NPs were mainly distributed in the central urban areas, while Ti-containing NPs were abundant in areas receiving high rainfall. The structural equation model results indicates that substantial rainfall in summer can help remove MNPs from atmospheric PM2.5 into dust, while in winter industrial and traffic activities were the primary contributors for MNPs. Moreover, the contribution of traffic emissions to MNPs has surpassed industrial one over the last decade, highlighting the urgency to control traffic-sourced MNPs, especially those from non-exhaust emissions by electric vehicles.

Predicting Erosion Damage in a Centrifugal Fan

Erosion damage can occur in fans and blowers during industrial processes, cooling, and mine ventilation. This study focuses on investigating erosion caused by particulate air flows in a centrifugal fan with forward-inclined blades. This type of fan is particularly vulnerable to erosion due to its radial flow component and flow recirculation. The flow field was solved separately, and the data transferred to the particle trajectory and erosion code. This in-house code implements the Lagrangian approach and the random walk algorithm, including statistical descriptions of particle sizes, release positions, and restitution factors. The study involved two types of dust particles, with a concentration between 100 and 500 μg/m3: The first type is the Saharan (North Africa) dust, which has a finer size between 0.1 and 100 microns. The second type is the Coarse Arizona Road Dust, also known as AC-coarse dust, which has a larger size ranging from 1 to 200 microns. The complex flow conditions within the impeller and scroll, as well as the concentration and size distribution of particles, are shown to affect the paths, impact conditions, and erosion patterns. The outer wall of the scroll is most heavily eroded due to high-impact velocities by particles exiting the impeller. Erosion is more pronounced on the pressure side of the full blades compared to the splitters and casing plate. The large non-uniformities of erosion patterns indicate a strong dependence with the blade position around the scroll. Therefore, the computed eroded mass is cumulated and averaged for all the surfaces of components. These results provide useful insights for monitoring erosion wear in centrifugal fans and selecting appropriate coatings to extend the lifespan.

The genome-wide response of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus to cystatin A, a peptidase inhibitor from human skin, sheds light on its digestive physiology and allergenicity.

The digestive physiology of house dust mites (HDMs) is particularly relevant for their allergenicity since many of their allergens participate in digestion and are excreted into faecal pellets, a main source of exposure for allergic subjects. To gain insight into the mite dietary digestion, the genome of the HDM Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was screened for genes encoding peptidases (n = 320), glycosylases (n = 77), lipases and esterases (n = 320), peptidase inhibitors (n = 65) and allergen-related proteins (n = 52). Basal gene expression and transcriptional responses of mites to dietary cystatin A, a cysteine endopeptidase inhibitor with previously shown antinutritional effect on mites, were analysed by RNAseq. The ingestion of cystatin A resulted in significant regulation of different cysteine endopeptidase and glycosylase genes. One Der p 1-like and two cathepsin B-like cysteine endopeptidase genes of high basal expression were induced, which suggests their prominent role in proteolytic digestion together with major allergen Der p 1. A number of genes putatively participating in the interaction of mites with their microbiota and acquired by horizontal gene transfer were repressed, including genes encoding the peptidase Der p 38, two 1,3-beta-glucanases, a lysozyme and a GH19 chitinase. Finally, the disruption of mite digestion resulted in the regulation of up to 17 allergen and isoallergen genes. Altogether, our results shed light on the putative role of specific genes in digestion and illustrate the connection between the digestive physiology of HDM and allergy.

Integrated Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Urban Road Dust: Implications for Human Health and Ecosystem Sustainability in Abeokuta, Nigeria

This research aims to comprehensively investigate the heavy metal contamination in road dust within the rapidly expanding urban area of Abeokuta, Nigeria. Focusing on potentially hazardous metals such as Cr, Co, As, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Fe, and Pb, the study employs multivariate statistical techniques to identify sources, assess ecological and health hazards, and determine metal concentrations. Through the analysis of twenty road dust samples, variations in metal concentrations are observed, leading to the application of the geo-accumulation index, contamination factor, contamination degree, and pollution load index for contamination assessment. The results reveal varying degrees of contamination, with notable concentrations of Pb and Ni, indicating a deteriorating urban environment. Ecological risk assessments underscore potential threats to local flora and wildlife, while health risk evaluations emphasize urgent corrective actions needed, particularly for children exposed to heightened carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic hazards. Factor analysis and correlation studies unveil common anthropogenic origins for several metals, shedding light on the need for pollution mitigation techniques in the face of rapid urbanization and industrialization. The research contributes valuable insights to environmental and public health evaluations in the Abeokuta region, emphasizing the importance of informed decision-making for policymakers and the public.

BASOPHILS ACTIVATE PRURICEPTOR-LIKE VAGAL SENSORY NEURONS.

Vagal sensory neurons convey sensations from internal organs along the vagus nerve to the brainstem. Pruriceptors are a subtype of neurons that transmit itch and induce pruritus. Despite extensive research on the molecular mechanisms of itch, studies focusing on pruriceptors in the vagal ganglia still need to be explored. In this study, we characterized vagal pruriceptor neurons by their responsiveness to pruritogens such as lysophosphatidic acid, β -alanine, chloroquine, and the cytokine oncostatin M. We discovered that lung-resident basophils produce oncostatin M and that its release can be induced by engagement of Fc ε RI α . Oncostatin M then sensitizes multiple populations of vagal sensory neurons, including Tac1 + and MrgprA3 + neurons in the jugular ganglia. Finally, we observed an increase in oncostatin M release in mice sensitized to the house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus or to the fungal allergen Alternaria alternata , highlighting a novel mechanism through which basophils and vagal sensory neurons may communicate during type I hypersensitivity diseases such as allergic asthma.

Airway epithelial overexpressed cathepsin K induces airway remodelling through epithelial-mesenchymal trophic unit activation in asthma.

Airway epithelial cells (AECs) regulate the activation of epithelial-mesenchymal trophic units (EMTUs) during airway remodelling through secretion of signalling mediators. However, the major trigger and the intrinsic pathogenesis of airway remodelling is still obscure. The differing expressed genes in airway epithelia related to airway remodelling were screened and verified by RNA-sequencing and signalling pathway analysis. Then, the effects of increased cathepsin K (CTSK) in airway epithelia on airway remodelling and EMTU activation were identified both in vitro and in vivo, and the molecular mechanism was elucidated in the EMTU model. The potential of CTSK as an an effective biomarker of airway remodelling was analysed in an asthma cohort of differing severity. Finally, an inhibitor of CTSK was administered for potential therapeutic intervention for airway remodelling in asthma. The expression of CTSK in airway epithelia increased significantly along with the development of airway remodelling in a house dust mite (HDM)-stressed asthma model. Increased secretion of CTSK from airway epithelia induced the activation of EMTUs by activation of the PAR2-mediated pathway. Blockade of CTSK inhibited EMTU activation and alleviated airway remodelling as an effective intervention target of airway remodelling. Increased expression of CTSK in airway epithelia is involved in the development of airway remodelling in asthma through EMTU activation, mediated partly through the PAR2-mediated signalling pathway. CTSK is a potential biomarker for airway remodelling, and may also be a useful intervention target for airway remodelling in asthma patients.

Elevated level of multibranched complex glycan reveals an allergic tolerance status

BackgroundAllergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only disease-modifying therapy that can achieve immune tolerance in patients through long-term allergen stimulation. Glycans play crucial roles in allergic disease, but no information on changes in glycosylation related to an allergic tolerance status has been reported.MethodsFifty-seven patients with house dust mite (HDM) allergies were enrolled. Twenty-eight patients were not treated with AIT, 19 patients had just entered the AIT maintenance treatment phase, and 10 patients had been in the AIT maintenance phase for more than 1 year. Serum protein N-glycans were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), which included linkage-specific sialylation information.ResultsEighty-four N-glycans were identified in all three groups. Compared with the patients treated without AIT, the patients treated with AIT for a shorter time showed downregulated expression of high-mannose glycans and upregulated expression of α2,6 sialic acid. The patients treated with AIT in the maintenance phase for over 1 year, which was considered the start of immunological tolerance, showed downregulated expression of biantennary N-glycans and upregulated expression of multibranched and complex N-glycans. Nine N-glycans were changed between allergic and allergic-tolerant patients.ConclusionsThe glycan form changed from mannose to a more complex type as treatment time increased, and multibranched complex glycans have the potential to be used as a monitoring indicator of immune tolerance. This serum N-glycome analysis provided important information for a deeper understanding of AIT treatment at the molecular level.

Tracking of microplastics distribution patterns and their characterisation in deposited road dust from Dhaka city, Bangladesh

The widespread presence of microplastics (MPs) in road dust has considerable concern regarding their potential risks to ecosystems and human health. Despite the massive production of plastic, the erudition of MPs distribution patterns in various sizes of deposited road dust is still limited around the globe. Thus, the aim of this research is to provide an unambiguous picture of MPs distributional pattern, identification, classification, quantification, and features from road dust in various zones and types of roadways in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This study examined MPs in road dust samples with particle sizes ranging from 300 to 150 μm (Group-A), 149-75 μm (Group-B), and <75 μm (Group-C). This work extracted MPs from road dust using 30 % H2O2, 1.6 g/cm3 ZnCl2, and 0.45 μm filter paper. A fluorescent microscope (Motic B410E, Germany), Motic Pictures, and 3.0 ML software were utilized to identify MPs visually. Additionally, FTIR and SEM were utilized to determine the chemical composition of MPs. Group-A Road dust samples had a significantly higher concentration of MPs (38945 items/kg) compared to Group-B and <75 μm Group-C dust (16720 and 5945 items/kg, respectively). The distribution hierarchy for total MPs on average by location and type of road is as follows: paved road (355 items/5 g) > unpaved road (325 items/5 g) > soil samples (294 items/5 g), roadside dust samples (284 items/5 g), and mid-road (283 items/5 g). By taking into account all sizes of road dust samples, the MPs were classified as fiber (70.26 %), fragment (26.12 %), beads (0.66 %), films (1.32 %), and foams (1.58 %). It was found that adults inhaled MPs an average of 1612 items/day, while they ingested an average of 880 items/day. Children had an inhalation rate of 1232 items/day and an ingestion rate of 10267 items/day, which was 4–17 times greater than in other countries. This study identified 22 MPs polymer types, and SEM results show that MPs surfaces are being weathered into nanoplastics, creating a more hazardous environment.

Quantification of tire wear particles in road dust based on synthetic/natural rubber ratio using pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry across diverse tire types

Increase in road traffic leads to increased concentrations of tire-wear particles (TWPs), a prominent source of microplastics from vehicles, in road dust. These particles can re-enter the atmosphere or move into aquatic ecosystems via runoff, impacting the environment. Consequently, accurately assessing and managing TWP levels in road dust is crucial. However, the ISO method (ISO/TS 20593 and 21396) uses a constant ratio of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) to natural rubber (NR) for all tires, disregarding the variability in tire composition across different types and brands. Our study found substantial SBR content (15.7 %) in heavyweight truck tires, traditionally believed to be predominantly NR. We evaluated the SBR/NR content in 15 tire types and proposed a method to more accurately evaluate TWP concentrations in road dust from five different locations. Our findings suggest that the conventional ISO method may underestimate the concentrations of TWP due to its reliance on a static ratio of SBR/NR. This study underscores the necessity for a more flexible approach that can adapt to the variability in SBR and NR content across different tire types. By delineating the limitations inherent in current assessment methods, our research contributes to a more adaptable understanding of TWP concentrations in road dust. This advancement prompts the development of a revised methodology that more accurately reflects the diverse compositions of tire rubber in environmental samples.

Analysis of allergen-specific IgE in children with atopic dermatitis from 2021 to 2023 in a hospital of pediatric in Tianjin City

Objective: To explore the distribution of allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) for children with atopic dermatitis in Tianjin City and provide the evidences of clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to analyze the children who were suspected of atopic dermatitis and tested for serum sIgE in the Tianjin Children's Hospital from March 2021 to February 2023. Using first detection results only, a total of 1 841 serum samples were tested for twenty common allergens. The method was the enzyme-linked immune capture assay. The allergen epidemiological characteristics were statistically analyzed by Chi square test based on the children's characteristics and factors such as different sexes, ages and seasons by the mass data. Results: Among the 1 841 cases, the results showed that 1 247 (67.73%) were sensitized to at least 1 allergen-sIgE, comprising to 49.86% (918/1 841) to food allergen-sIgE and 47.96% (883/1 841) to aeroallergen-sIgE. The top three food allergens-sIgE were egg 32.10% (591/1 841), milk 25.91% (477/1 841) and wheat flour 14.61% (269/1 841); the top three positive rates of aeroallergens-sIgE were house dust 24.33% (448/1 841), alternaria 20.59% (379/1 841) and dermatophagoides farinae 14.83% (273/1 841). The positive rates of food allergens-sIgE were the highest in the 1-3 years old group (64.11%, 434/677) (χ2=122.854, P<0.001), while the positive rates of aeroallergens-sIgE were higher in the 11-14 years old group (71.26%, 62/87) (χ2=134.968, P<0.001). No seasonal difference was revealed in the overall positive rate of food allergen-sIgE and aeroallergen-sIgE (χ2=4.047, P=0.256; χ2=7.549, P=0.056). The positive rates of soybean-sIgE and milk-sIgE were the highest in summer (χ2=11.329, P=0.010; χ2=28.720, P<0.001), whereas alternaria-sIgE and mugwort-sIgE were the highest in summer and autumn, respectively (χ2=8.462, P=0.037; χ2=10.641, P=0.014). Among the 1 841 cases, 32.21% were sensitized to three or more allergens-sIgE. The sIgE concentration levels of egg, milk and house dust were mainly level 1 to 2, and the proportions of level 3 and above were all under 15%; although the positive rates of crab, shrimp, and peanut were low, the proportions of grade 3 and above were all beyond 30%. Children sensitized to alternaria, dermatophagoides farinae, mugwort, and cat dander had higher sIgE concentration levels, which were 68.07%, 49.45%, 56.57% and 47.83% respectively. Conclusions: This study can reflect the epidemic characteristics of allergen-sIgE in children with atopic dermatitis in Tianjin region to a certain extent. Allergen-sIgE positivity in patients differed by age, and there were seasonal differences and grade distribution differences in the positive rates of some allergens-sIgE. It is necessary to reasonably avoid the high-risk allergens according to the epidemiological characteristics and clinical symptoms, which provide valuable information for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Descriptive epidemiology of spotty liver disease in Australian cage-free brown egg layer chicken flocks with a scratch area

Spotty Liver Disease (SLD), caused by Campylobacter hepaticus or C. bilis infection in adult female chickens continues to emerge as a major disease problem in cage-free production systems. Free range production has become the predominant system in Australian egg production and SLD is widespread in these farms. Previous studies have identified having a scratch area as a key determinant for SLD occurrence. An Australia-wide survey of egg production flocks with scratch areas was conducted regarding SLD including 48 individual flocks. Descriptive information on the facilities and flock management practices was reported. The incidence of SLD, age of first outbreak, initial mortality rate, duration of elevated mortality, and magnitude and duration of any associated egg production decline are described. Recurrence of SLD in the same flock was also reported and discussed. Therapies applied were recorded and assessed across SLD severity and duration. SLD occurred in 66.7% of layer flocks whose facility included a scratch area. Recurrent SLD outbreaks occurred in 31% of flocks experiencing SLD. Antibiotic medication reduced duration of mortality and egg production decline. Antibiotic therapy was associated with reduced duration of mortality and a less severe and shorter duration of egg production drops compared to untreated flocks. PCR detection of C. hepaticus in cloacal swabs and house dust samples and a serological ELISA test were compared and evaluated as diagnostic aids or as possible predictors of SLD outbreaks. The ELISA showed substantial agreement with detection of C. hepaticus in cloacal swabs by PCR. Examining composite house dust samples by PCR for C. hepaticus DNA appeared to be the most convenient and cost-effective aid to diagnosis and as a putative predictor for SLD outbreaks.

Concentration, Pollution Level, and Sources of Heavy Metals from Household Dust in Ramadi City, Iraq

Researchers and environmental managers have been interested in household dust pollution because exposure to heavy metals has a detrimental effect on health. This study aims to determine heavy metals concentrations (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn), pollution level, and their potential sources in the household dust of Ramadi City, Iraq. The dust was collected from 35 houses. The atomic absorption spectrophotometry method was used to measure concentrations of heavy metals in the dust. The following was the order of the heavy metal mean concentration: Zn &gt; Ni &gt; Cu &gt; Pb &gt; Cr &gt; Cd. These metals’ mean concentrations are below background guidelines. The descending order of the EF values for the measured metals is as follows: Ni (6.35) &gt; Cu (5.40) &gt; Pb (1.53 &gt; Cr (1.24) &gt; Zn (1.14) &gt; Cd (0.84). Results of the calculation of CF for metals measured in house dust in Ramadi City showed values of less than 1 (CF &lt; 1 indicating a minimum contamination level. Based on the results of multivariate statistics (correlation matrix, cluster and principle components analysis), sources of Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn are indoor anthropogenic sources while the sources of Cd and Pb are outdoor anthropogenic.

Exploring the Potentiality of a Plant Platform for Monoclonal Antibody Production in Veterinary Medicine.

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is an allergic, inflammatory, and pruritic skin disease associated with the production of IgE antibodies against environmental allergens and mainly house dust mite allergens. This complex dermatological pathology involves Interleukin 31 (IL-31) as a central itch mediator. One of the most effective CAD treatments is a caninized monoclonal antibody (mAb) called Lokivetmab. It is produced in CHO cells and targets specifically canine IL-31 (cIL-31) and blocks its cellular messaging. This treatment has undoubtedly contributed to a breakthrough in dermatitis-related pruritus. However, its production in mammalian cells requires time-consuming procedures, high production costs, and investment. Plants are considered an emerging protein production platform for recombinant biopharmaceuticals due to their cost-effectiveness and rapidity for production. Here, we use transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana plants to produce recombinant canine Interleukin 31 (cIL-31) and an anti-IL-31 monoclonal antibody (M1). First, we describe the production and characterization of M1 and then its activity on an IL-31-induced pruritic model in dogs compared to its commercial homolog. Dogs treated with the plant-made M1 mAb have shown similar improvements to Lokivetmab-treated ones after different challenges using canine IL-31. Furthermore, M1 injections were not associated with any side effects. These results demonstrate the safety and efficacy of this plant-made Lokivetmab biosimilar to control dogs' pruritus in a well-established model. Finally, this study shows that the plant-production platform can be utilized to produce rapidly functional mAbs and bring hope to the immunotherapy field of veterinary medicine.

Obesity Enhances Non-Th2 Airway Inflammation in a Murine Model of Allergic Asthma.

Obese patients with asthma present with aggravated symptoms that are also harder to treat. Here, we used a mouse model of allergic asthma sensitised and challenged to house dust mite (HDM) extracts to determine whether high-fat-diet consumption would exacerbate the key features of allergic airway inflammation. C57BL/6 mice were intranasally sensitised and challenged with HDM extracts over a duration of 3 weeks. The impact of high-fat-diet (HFD) vs. normal diet (ND) chow was studied on HDM-induced lung inflammation and inflammatory cell infiltration as well as cytokine production. HFD-fed mice had greater inflammatory cell infiltration around airways and blood vessels, and an overall more severe degree of inflammation than in the ND-fed mice (semiquantitative blinded evaluation). Quantitative assessment of HDM-associated Th2 responses (numbers of lung CD4+ T cells, eosinophils, serum levels of allergen-specific IgE as well as the expression of Th2 cytokines (Il5 and Il13)) did not show significant changes between the HFD and ND groups. Interestingly, the HFD group exhibited a more pronounced neutrophilic infiltration within their lung tissues and an increase in non-Th2 cytokines (Il17, Tnfa, Tgf-b, Il-1b). These findings provide additional evidence that obesity triggered by a high-fat-diet regimen may exacerbate asthma by involving non-Th2 and neutrophilic pathways.