0
selected
-
1.
[Air pollution and atopic eczema : Systematic review of findings from environmental epidemiological studies].
Krämer, U, Behrendt, H
Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift fur Dermatologie, Venerologie, und verwandte Gebiete. 2019;(3):169-184
Abstract
BACKGROUND Among the many risk factors for the development of atopic eczema (AE), the influence of air pollution has recently been discussed more often. A systematic review about this topic however is lacking. AIMS Which effects of outdoor air pollution (particles, nitric oxides, sulfur dioxide, ozone or general traffic exhaust emissions) on AE can be demonstrated in a systematic analysis of available environmental epidemiologic studies? METHODS All environmental epidemiologic studies on AE and air pollution found in the literature database PubMed were identified. The most important key figures of these studies were tabulated, the quality of evidence was graded and the studies described. RESULTS A total of 57 studies were identified. Only one of the 15 cross-sectional studies with a large-scale exposure assessment found a significant association between AE and air pollution. In contrast 23 of 30 studies with small-scale exposure assessment found a significant association between AE and traffic related emissions-especially from trucks. Of the 30 studies, 14 were cohort studies (1 adult, 13 birth cohorts). The sole adult cohort found an association with intrinsic AE. In the East Asian cohorts (all published since 2015), an association between maternal exposure to traffic-related pollution and incidence of AE in the offspring was found. This was less clear in cohorts from Europe/US or simply not investigated. In 5/5 panel studies (all from South Korea), symptom severity of AE was found to be significantly and positively related to outdoor air pollution. CONCLUSIONS In a systematic analysis of environmental epidemiologic studies about air pollution and AE rather good evidence was found that, based on small-scale exposure measurements, especially truck traffic emissions increased AE prevalence, while large-scale exposure to larger particles (PM10) or SO2 was without effect. Considering pathophysiologic aspects traffic exhaust emissions seem to affect both skin barrier function and activation of immune responses.
-
2.
The influence of exposome on acne.
Dréno, B, Bettoli, V, Araviiskaia, E, Sanchez Viera, M, Bouloc, A
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV. 2018;(5):812-819
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acne vulgaris is one of the main reasons for dermatological consultations. Severity and response to treatment may be impacted by various external factors or exposome. AIM: To assess the impact of environmental factors on acne and to provide a comprehensive overview of the acne exposome. METHODS Two consensus meetings of five European dermatologists and a comprehensive literature search on exposome factors triggering acne served as a basis for this review. RESULTS Acne exposome was defined as the sum of all environmental factors influencing the occurrence, duration and severity of acne. Exposome factors impact on the response and the frequency of relapse to treatments by interacting with the skin barrier, sebaceous gland, innate immunity and cutaneous microbiota. They may be classified into the following six main categories: nutrition, psychological and lifestyle factors, occupational factors including cosmetics, as well as pollutants, medication and climatic factors. Moreover, practical considerations for the dermatologist's clinical practice are proposed. CONCLUSION Exposome factors including nutrition, medication, occupational factors, pollutants, climatic factors, and psychosocial and lifestyle factors may impact on the course and severity of acne and on treatment efficacy. Identifying and reducing the impact of exposome is important for an adequate acne disease management.
-
3.
Particulate matter granulomas masquerading as sarcoidosis: a diagnostic dilemma.
Nair, N, Patrick, H, Narula, J
Biomolecular concepts. 2015;(3):229-33
Abstract
Sarcoidosis is a multiorgan disease with no single etiology. Evidence over the years points to complex interactions between environmental and genetic factors and a hypersensitive immune response to these insults. This brief overview discusses the uncertainty in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis versus other granulomatous diseases masquerading as sarcoidosis. The diagnostic dilemma is highlighted by a brief case review. The development of newer techniques in molecular biology and the identification of a panel of biomarkers in the future with appreciable specificity and sensitivity would help in the process. Future studies to determine receiver operating curves (ROC) using multiple biomarker combinations would help develop robust testing. More in-depth studies are also needed for defining the immunological basis of sarcoidosis because recent studies implicate Th17 cells in addition to the Th1 cell pathway. It is very likely that direct exposure to environmental agents and systemic distribution of these agents can elicit an exaggerated immune response leading to multiorgan granuloma formation mimicking sarcoidosis. A genetically susceptible host may be necessary to complete the granulomatous response to the particulate matter.
-
4.
Molecular events in human T cells treated with diesel exhaust particles or formaldehyde that underlie their diminished interferon-gamma and interleukin-10 production.
Sasaki, Y, Ohtani, T, Ito, Y, Mizuashi, M, Nakagawa, S, Furukawa, T, Horii, A, Aiba, S
International archives of allergy and immunology. 2009;(3):239-50
Abstract
BACKGROUND A series of epidemiological and experimental studies have suggested that diesel exhaust particles (DEP) and formaldehyde (FA) may help trigger T helper type 2 (Th2)-mediated allergic responses. METHODS To identify the molecular events by which DEP and FA induce a Th2-skewed immune response, we stimulated T cells from healthy subjects with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies and examined the effect of pretreatment with DEP or FA on mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB by Western blotting and colorimetric NF-kappaB assays. We also examined the mRNA expression profiles of the T cells by microarray and real-time PCR analyses. RESULTS FA selectively suppressed interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin-10 mRNA expression and protein production in stimulated T cells, as we previously reported with DEP. In the present study, we found that both DEP and FA suppressed NF-kappaB signaling and activated MAPKs. Both also significantly suppressed the mRNA expression of T-bet, Txk and c-Maf. Microarrays revealed significant augmentation of the expression of 2 FoxO3a-dependent genes, namely glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper and growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible gene 45 alpha (Gadd45a), which are known to modulate T cell immune responses. Treatment with N-acetylcysteine reversed the augmented Gadd45a mRNA response and caused the suppressed IFN-gamma mRNA response to recover. CONCLUSIONS DEP and FA have similar transcriptional and nontranscriptional effects on T cell signaling that together promote a Th2-skewed immune response.
-
5.
Outdoor air pollution: nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide health effects.
Chen, TM, Gokhale, J, Shofer, S, Kuschner, WG
The American journal of the medical sciences. 2007;(4):249-56
Abstract
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide are important ambient air pollutants. High-intensity, confined space exposure to NO2 has caused catastrophic injury to humans, including death. Ambient NO2 exposure may increase the risk of respiratory tract infections through the pollutant's interaction with the immune system. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) contributes to respiratory symptoms in both healthy patients and those with underlying pulmonary disease. Controlled human exposure studies have demonstrated that experimental SO2 exposure causes changes in airway physiology, including increased airways resistance. Both acute and chronic exposure to carbon monoxide are associated with increased risk for adverse cardiopulmonary events, including death. However, studies have not demonstrated a clear dose-dependent health risk response to increasing amounts of these pollutants except at high concentrations. In addition, a number of studies examining the effects of ambient level exposure to NO2, SO2, and CO have failed to find associations with adverse health outcomes.
-
6.
Characterisation of pollen allergens.
Puc, M
Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine : AAEM. 2003;(2):143-9
Abstract
Allergy is hypersensitive reaction by the body to foreign substances (antigens) which in similar amounts and circumstances are harmless within the bodies of other people. The allergic response develops when the natural immune defence mechanism, responsible for the correct reaction to environmental agents, is disturbed. The allergens are divided into those originating from the natural environment and those from a chemically contaminated environment. The most frequent allergens from the natural environment are inhalant ones present in pollen grains, mould fungi spores and in fragments of mycelial hyphae. The airborne allergens also include: bacteria, house dust mites, epidermis of house pets, allergens of some food products and insect venom. The allergens originating from the natural environment are usually proteins, being high-molecular compounds of molecular weight higher than 10 kDa. Pollen allergens are water-soluble proteins or glycoproteins of molecular masses from 10-70 kDa. Many of them are resistant to pH changes and high temperature, even up to 100 degrees C. Apart from pollen grains, allergens can occur in other parts of plants: roots, stems, leaves, seeds or fruit, in substances excreted by plants, such as juice and volatile oils, or in other bioaerosols of plant origin, e.g. fluids released during treatment of some crops. Proteins of some antigens show some analogies in the amino acids sequence, which determine immunological similarity and cross reactivity. From among factors conducing pollen allergy the most important are genetic and environmental ones (air pollution, exposure to allergens, infections of respiratory tract, diet) and microflora of pollen grains.
-
7.
Community-acquired pneumonia in older people: the need for a broader perspective.
Loeb, MB
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2003;(4):539-43
Abstract
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) poses a substantial threat to the health of older adults. The incidence of this infection and mortality associated with it increase with age. Despite the considerable effect of CAP on older adults, little is known about the effect of socioeconomic and environmental factors on CAP in older people. This paper argues that broader determinants, including socioeconomic status (SES), nutrition, and factors in the physical environment such as exposure to tobacco smoke and air pollution need to be evaluated as potential risk factors for CAP in older adults. Data suggesting a relationship between low SES and risk of acquiring CAP exist; possible causal pathways include increased exposure through crowding or increased susceptibility to infection. Inadequate nutrition, exposure to tobacco smoke, air pollution, and not receiving immunization may predispose older people to lower respiratory tract infection. This study reviews current evidence for these potential risk factors and suggests priorities for research. A thorough understanding of these factors and their underlying biological mechanisms is needed to develop successful health-promotion strategies such as better immunization strategies and educational programs about nutrition. Determining the effect of air pollution on CAP in older adults is important in terms of reducing personal risk to older individuals and for healthcare agencies charged with formulating policy to protect the health of older adults.