Alternaria alternata allergens: Markers of exposure, phylogeny and risk of fungi-induced respiratory allergy.

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Alternaria alternata allergens: Markers of exposure, phylogeny and risk of fungi-induced respiratory allergy.

Environ Int. 2016 Jan 27;89-90:71-80

Authors: Gabriel MF, Postigo I, Tomaz CT, Martínez J

Abstract
Alternaria alternata spores are considered a well-known biological contaminant and a very common potent aeroallergen source that is found in environmental samples. The most intense exposure to A. alternata allergens is likely to occur outdoors; however, Alternaria and other allergenic fungi can colonize in indoor environments and thereby increase the fungal aeroallergen exposure levels. A consequence of human exposure to fungal aeroallergens, sensitization to A. alternata, has been unequivocally associated with increased asthma severity. Among allergenic proteins described in this fungal specie, the major allergen, Alt a 1, has been reported as the main elicitor of airborne allergies in patients affected by a mold allergy and considered a marker of primary sensitization to A. alternata. Moreover, A. alternata sensitization seems to be a triggering factor in the development of poly-sensitization, most likely because of the capability of A. alternata to produce, in addition to Alt a 1, a broad and complex array of cross-reactive allergens that present homologs in several other allergenic sources. The study and understanding of A. alternata allergen information may be the key to explaining why sensitization to A. alternata is a risk factor for asthma and also why the severity of asthma is associated to this mold. Compared to other common environmental allergenic sources, such as pollens and dust mites, fungi are reported to be neglected and underestimated. The rise of the A. alternata allergy has enabled more research into the role of this fungal specie and its allergenic components in the induction of IgE-mediated respiratory diseases. Indeed, recent research on the identification and characterization of A. alternata allergens has allowed for the consideration of new perspectives in the categorization of allergenic molds, assessment of exposure and diagnosis of fungi-induced allergies.

PMID: 26826364 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Yourwellness Magazine Investigates How Gene Markers Affect Asthma Treatment – PR Web (press release)


PR Web (press release)

Yourwellness Magazine Investigates How Gene Markers Affect Asthma Treatment
PR Web (press release)
With this in mind, Yourwellness Magazine reported on how asthma patients' DNA impacts the effectiveness of their treatment. According to Yourwellness Magazine, “What's recently become apparent is that, due to a genetic abnormality in certain peoples

and more »

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Hay Fever and Asthma as Markers of Atopic Immune Response and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Three Large Cohort Studies.

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Hay Fever and Asthma as Markers of Atopic Immune Response and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Three Large Cohort Studies.

Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2013 Mar 19;

Authors: Jacobs EJ, Gapstur SM, Newton CC, Turner MC, Campbell PT

Abstract
BACKGROUND: In a previous analysis of 12 cancers in the Cancer Prevention Study II (CPS-II) cohort including follow-up from 1982-2000, having both hay fever and asthma was associated with lower colorectal cancer mortality. The combination of these allergic conditions may be a marker for allergy-related immune responses that could inhibit colorectal carcinogenesis.METHODS: We examined the association of having both hay fever and asthma with colorectal cancer mortality among 1,023,191 participants in CPS-I, followed from 1959-1972, and 1,102,092 participants in CPS-II, now followed from 1982-2008. We also examined associations with colorectal cancer incidence among 174,917 participants in the CPS-II Nutrition Cohort, a subgroup of CPS-II followed from 1992-2007. During the follow-up, there were 5,644 colorectal cancer deaths in CPS-I, 13,558 colorectal cancer deaths in CPS-II, and 3,365 incident colorectal cancer cases in the CPS-II Nutrition Cohort. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate multivariable-adjusted relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).RESULTS: RRs for colorectal cancer mortality associated with having both asthma and hay fever, compared with neither condition, were 0.90 (95% CI, 0.74-1.09) in CPS-I, 0.79 (95% CI, 0.69-0.91) in CPS-II, and 0.83 (95% CI, 0.74-0.92) when results from both cohorts were combined in a meta-analysis. The corresponding RR for colorectal cancer incidence in the CPS-II Nutrition Cohort was 0.90 (95% CI, 0.71-1.14).CONCLUSION: These results support an association between having both hay fever and asthma and modestly lower colorectal cancer mortality.Impact: Research examining other potential markers of allergy-related immune response in relation to colorectal cancer is warranted. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(4); 1-9. ©2013 AACR.

PMID: 23513040 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Occupational asthma markers: Candidate proteins for exposure to toluene … – spectroscopyNOW.com


spectroscopyNOW.com

Occupational asthma markers: Candidate proteins for exposure to toluene
spectroscopyNOW.com
Occupational asthma is one of those furtive industrial hazards, sneaking up on its victims unawares while they go about their jobs. Induced by exposure to chemicals that irritate the airways, OA can be a debilitating condition that lays workers low for

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Genetic markers could increase risk of asthma – GP online


Zee News

Genetic markers could increase risk of asthma
GP online
Two genetic markers could increase a person's risk of asthma, according to research that also suggests the inherited fault could be treated with existing drugs. This may be treatable using a drug already licensed
Asthma study finds DNA culpritZee News
New Discovery Could Treat AsthmaFrench Tribune
DNA link to asthmaThe Conversation
ScienceAlert
all 10 news articles »

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The Effect of Second Hand Smoke Exposure on Markers of Elastin Degradation.

The Effect of Second Hand Smoke Exposure on Markers of Elastin Degradation.

Chest. 2011 Mar 17;

Authors: Slowik N, Ma S, He J, Lin YY, Soldin OP, Robbins RA, Turino GM

ABSTRACT Tobacco smoke is a major risk factor for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Second-hand smoke exposure is a known risk factor in asthma, bronchitis and coronary artery disease. Elastin is a recognized target for injury in COPD and amino acids desmosine and isodesmosine (D/l), which are specific for elastin degradation are elevated in COPD. This study determined whether exposure to second-hand smoke affects elastin degradation in asymptomatic individuals. Two cohorts of asymptomatic individuals without evidence of respiratory or circulatory disease, exposed to second hand smoke were studied. Both cohorts comprised normal non-smokers, active smokers and second-hand smoke exposed. D/I were measured in plasma. D/I were quantified by HPLC and tandem mass spectrometry by published methods. Plasma cotinine, a metabolite of nicotine, was also measured. In each cohort, the levels of D/l in plasma were statistically significantly higher in second-hand smoke exposed subjects than in the normal non-exposed subjects. Smokers had the highest levels of D/l but their levels were not statistically significantly higher than those of the second-hand smoke exposed. Cotinine levels were elevated in the second-hand smoke exposed subjects and active smokers but not in most non-smoking controls. Results indicate a tissue matrix effect for the first time of degradation of body elastin from second-hand smoke exposure and possible lung structure injury which may result in COPD. Long term studies of individuals exposed to second-hand smoke for the development of COPD are warranted.

PMID: 21415130 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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