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N E Robinson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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tracheobronchial mucus viscoelasticity during Environmental Challenge in horses with recurrent airway obstruction
Equine Veterinary Journal, 2010Co-Authors: V Gerber, Malcolm King, D A Schneider, N E RobinsonAbstract:: The goal of this study was to compare the rheological properties of mucus from horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) to that from healthy controls during Environmental Challenge by stabling in stalls with straw as bedding and hay as feed. We determined viscoelasticity (log G* dyn/cm2, at 10 radian/s) and calculated mucociliary clearability index (MCI) and cough clearability index (CCI), which are derivative parameters of G* and the ratio of viscosity and elasticity measured at 1 and 100 radian/s, respectively. We also investigated the solids content of mucus, and cytology of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Samples were obtained before (0 h) and 6, 24 and 48 h after Environmental Challenge. The central findings were rheological changes in airway mucus, which occurred over time in RAO-affected animals, but not in controls. Mucus rheology was similar in both groups at 0 and 6 h. In RAO-affected horses, mucus viscoelasticity, as measured by log G*, increased from 2.49 +/- 0.18 dyn/cm2 (mean +/- s.e.) at 0 h to 3.05 +/- 0.13 dyn/cm2 at 24 h after Environmental Challenge, and was accompanied by significant decreases in MCI and CCI. Percent solids of mucus did not differ significantly between the 2 groups, nor over time. Rheological values did not correlate with BALF cytology. We conclude that viscoelastic properties of tracheal mucus samples from RAO horses in remission do not differ from those of normal horses. However, Environmental Challenge causes clinical signs of small airway disease and a concurrent increase in mucus viscoelasticity only in RAO horses. Therefore, we infer that unfavourable changes in mucus rheology may contribute to stasis and accumulation of mucus in RAO horses in exacerbation, but not in clinical remission.
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airway mucus in recurrent airway obstruction short term response to Environmental Challenge
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2004Co-Authors: V Gerber, A Lindberg, C Berney, N E RobinsonAbstract:: Mucus accumulation and neutrophilic inflammation in the airways are hallmarks of heaves. Endoscopically visible mucus accumulations, however, have not been studied during exposure to dusty hay and allergens (ie, Environmental Challenge). We hypothesized that (1) heaves-affected horses have increased mucus accumulation compared with controls, (2) mucus accumulations increase in heaves-affected horses during Environmental Challenge, and (3) Environmental Challenge also induces neutrophilic inflammation and mucus accumulation in control horses. Mucus accumulation was graded endoscopically (mucus grades [MGs] 1-5), and airway inflammation was evaluated by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology before (0 hours) and during (6, 24, 48 hours) Environmental Challenge. Large amounts of mucus (MG 4-5) were specific for heaves-affected horses in this study. Variation among controls was considerable, however, and intermediate grades (MG 2-3) were nonspecific, showing complete overlap between the 2 groups. Median mucus accumulations (25th, 75th percentiles) increased in heaves-affected horses from MG 2.5 (1.5, 3.5) at baseline to MG 3.5 (2.0, 4.0), 4.0 (3.0, 4.0), and 4.0 (4.0, 4.0) at 6, 24, and 48 hours, respectively. MG values did not increase in controls--overall MG 1.0 (1.0, 2.0)--even though controls also showed a moderate increase of BALF neutrophils. Mucus accumulations before and especially after exposure to dust and allergens are increased in heaves-affected horses compared with controls. Healthy controls show considerable variability in mucus accumulation but, despite an influx of neutrophils into the airways, no increase of mucus accumulation after exposure to hay dust.
V Gerber - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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tracheobronchial mucus viscoelasticity during Environmental Challenge in horses with recurrent airway obstruction
Equine Veterinary Journal, 2010Co-Authors: V Gerber, Malcolm King, D A Schneider, N E RobinsonAbstract:: The goal of this study was to compare the rheological properties of mucus from horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) to that from healthy controls during Environmental Challenge by stabling in stalls with straw as bedding and hay as feed. We determined viscoelasticity (log G* dyn/cm2, at 10 radian/s) and calculated mucociliary clearability index (MCI) and cough clearability index (CCI), which are derivative parameters of G* and the ratio of viscosity and elasticity measured at 1 and 100 radian/s, respectively. We also investigated the solids content of mucus, and cytology of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Samples were obtained before (0 h) and 6, 24 and 48 h after Environmental Challenge. The central findings were rheological changes in airway mucus, which occurred over time in RAO-affected animals, but not in controls. Mucus rheology was similar in both groups at 0 and 6 h. In RAO-affected horses, mucus viscoelasticity, as measured by log G*, increased from 2.49 +/- 0.18 dyn/cm2 (mean +/- s.e.) at 0 h to 3.05 +/- 0.13 dyn/cm2 at 24 h after Environmental Challenge, and was accompanied by significant decreases in MCI and CCI. Percent solids of mucus did not differ significantly between the 2 groups, nor over time. Rheological values did not correlate with BALF cytology. We conclude that viscoelastic properties of tracheal mucus samples from RAO horses in remission do not differ from those of normal horses. However, Environmental Challenge causes clinical signs of small airway disease and a concurrent increase in mucus viscoelasticity only in RAO horses. Therefore, we infer that unfavourable changes in mucus rheology may contribute to stasis and accumulation of mucus in RAO horses in exacerbation, but not in clinical remission.
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airway mucus in recurrent airway obstruction short term response to Environmental Challenge
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2004Co-Authors: V Gerber, A Lindberg, C Berney, N E RobinsonAbstract:: Mucus accumulation and neutrophilic inflammation in the airways are hallmarks of heaves. Endoscopically visible mucus accumulations, however, have not been studied during exposure to dusty hay and allergens (ie, Environmental Challenge). We hypothesized that (1) heaves-affected horses have increased mucus accumulation compared with controls, (2) mucus accumulations increase in heaves-affected horses during Environmental Challenge, and (3) Environmental Challenge also induces neutrophilic inflammation and mucus accumulation in control horses. Mucus accumulation was graded endoscopically (mucus grades [MGs] 1-5), and airway inflammation was evaluated by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology before (0 hours) and during (6, 24, 48 hours) Environmental Challenge. Large amounts of mucus (MG 4-5) were specific for heaves-affected horses in this study. Variation among controls was considerable, however, and intermediate grades (MG 2-3) were nonspecific, showing complete overlap between the 2 groups. Median mucus accumulations (25th, 75th percentiles) increased in heaves-affected horses from MG 2.5 (1.5, 3.5) at baseline to MG 3.5 (2.0, 4.0), 4.0 (3.0, 4.0), and 4.0 (4.0, 4.0) at 6, 24, and 48 hours, respectively. MG values did not increase in controls--overall MG 1.0 (1.0, 2.0)--even though controls also showed a moderate increase of BALF neutrophils. Mucus accumulations before and especially after exposure to dust and allergens are increased in heaves-affected horses compared with controls. Healthy controls show considerable variability in mucus accumulation but, despite an influx of neutrophils into the airways, no increase of mucus accumulation after exposure to hay dust.
Elizabeth C Economy - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the river runs black the Environmental Challenge to china s future
Foreign Affairs, 2004Co-Authors: Elizabeth C EconomyAbstract:Accessibly documents the role of Chinese government policy in the country's Environmental degradation.
Jane Hunt - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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meeting the Environmental Challenge a case of win win or lose win a study of the uk baking and refrigeration industries
Business Strategy and The Environment, 2004Co-Authors: Frances Drake, Martin Purvis, Jane HuntAbstract:The idea that what is good for the environment is good for business has come to dominate Environmental thinking and provides one of the cornerstones of ecological modernization. Studies of this win–win philosophy have tended to concentrate on large companies. This study considers how the UK refrigeration and baking industries have responded to the main drivers for change. By eliciting managers' views of Environmental issues through semi-structured interviews, the problems and opportunities facing these two industries are explored. The responses were remarkably similar, given the different characteristics of the two industries. The interviews revealed that legislation maintains its pre-eminence as a motivation for change. Win–win situations arising out of Environmental legislation were found in some SMEs; however, for most the perception was one of lose–win. The demand for Environmental products and processes, necessary for win–win, has yet to materialize. Companies, therefore, remain driven by the commercial, rather than the Environmental, imperative. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Daiju Sakurai - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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persistent nasal symptoms and mediator release after continuous pollen exposure in an Environmental Challenge chamber
Annals of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, 2016Co-Authors: Yusuke Okuma, Sawako Hamasaki, Yoshitaka Okamoto, Syuji Yonekura, Toshioki Sakurai, Tomohisa Iinuma, Heizaburo Yamamoto, Yuji Ohki, Daiju SakuraiAbstract:Abstract Background Immediate- and late-phase reactions are associated with nasal symptoms of patients with allergic rhinitis. Objective To examine the symptoms and mediators released after continuous allergen exposure in an Environmental Challenge chamber (ECC). Methods Fifteen patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis were enrolled in this study and continuously exposed to cedar pollen at a concentration of 8,000 grains/m 3 for 3 hours in an ECC. Nasal function tests were performed, and nasal secretions were collected before pollen exposure (0 hour), immediately after exiting the ECC (3 hours), and 6 hours after exiting the ECC (9 hours). Symptom scores were recorded every 30 minutes in the ECC and every 3 hours after exiting the ECC. The frequency of sneezing and nose blowing also was monitored. Results The severity of symptoms in the ECC peaked approximately 2 hours after the beginning of pollen exposure and continued more than 6 hours after leaving the ECC. Concentrations of histamine, tryptase, interleukins 5, 3, 33, and 31, and substance P increased over time, whereas that of nasal fractional exhaled nitric oxide decreased. Conclusion Various mediators are released during continuous allergen exposure, which subsequently induce persistent nasal symptoms. Effective treatment is required to control the intense inflammation observed after allergen exposure.
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characteristics of laryngeal symptoms induced in patients with allergic rhinitis in an Environmental Challenge chamber
Annals of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, 2016Co-Authors: Takeshi Suzuki, Yoshitaka Okamoto, Syuji Yonekura, Yusuke Okuma, Toshioki Sakurai, Daiju SakuraiAbstract:Abstract Background People with allergic rhinitis often have laryngeal symptoms (LSs) in addition to nasal symptoms during the pollen-scattering season. Objective To clarify the characteristics of the LSs induced by pollen exposure using an Environmental Challenge chamber. Methods Cypress pollen exposure using an Environmental Challenge chamber for 25 participants with cypress pollen–induced allergic rhinitis was performed for 3 hours for 2 consecutive days in 3 study courses: namely, pollen exposure under normal nasal breathing and pollen or sham pollen exposure with nasal blockage, which eliminated any allergic reactions in the nasal mucosa. The nasal and LSs scores and the levels of serum inflammatory mediators, including eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), were monitored. Laryngeal examinations and physiologic lung tests were also conducted. Results Various LSs were reported, and these LSs were significantly elevated during pollen exposure and even under sham exposure with artificial nasal blockage. The pollen exposure with artificial nasal blockage exaggerated the LSs in 32% of the participants and also increased the serum ECP levels. The serum ECP levels did not change after sham exposure. The findings of both laryngeal examinations and lung tests failed to reveal any significant changes. Conclusion Nasal obstruction could induce significant LSs even without pollen exposure. LSs were enhanced by pollen exposure and allergic reactions in the larynx could thus be involved in this enhancement. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: UMIN000015667.
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characteristics of the chiba Environmental Challenge chamber
Allergology International, 2014Co-Authors: Sawako Hamasaki, Yoshitaka Okamoto, Syuji Yonekura, Yusuke Okuma, Toshioki Sakurai, Tomohisa Iinuma, Heizaburo Yamamoto, Daiju Sakurai, Shigetoshi Horiguchi, Masahiko YokotaAbstract:ABSTRACT Background An Environmental Challenge chamber (ECC), which we refer to as the α-chamber, was built at Chiba University in 2008. The aim of this study was to validate the functionality of the ECC. Methods The stability of the pollen distribution and concentration in the ECC and symptoms of patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis induced by cedar pollen exposure were examined. Carryover effects of symptoms induced by different exposure protocols and correlations between symptoms induced in the ECC and those in the natural cedar pollen season were also determined. All the studies using the α-chamber were conducted out of the cedar pollen season. Results The severity of symptoms in the chamber reached a peak about 2 hours after the start of pollen exposure and plateaued thereafter. After subjects left the chamber, the symptoms persisted for several days. There was no significant difference between the severity of symptoms at exposure levels of 8000 and 12000 grains/m3. The symptoms were significantly increased by exposure for 3 consecutive days; however, there were no carryover effects in a study performed with a two-week interval. The total nasal symptom score (TNSS) in the natural pollen season showed a weak correlation with the mean TNSS on the day of exposure and the following 3 days. Symptoms in the ECC also had weak correlations with those in the early natural pollen season. Conclusions The ECC under well-controlled conditions is suitable for clinical studies and might accelerate development of treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis. A complete evaluation requires inclusion of the persistent reaction after subjects leave the ECC.