Genome-Wide Gene Expression Analysis Suggests an Important Role of Hypoxia in the Pathogenesis of Endemic Osteochondropathy Kashin-Beck Disease

Kashin-Beck Disease (KBD) is an endemic osteochondropathy, the pathogenesis of which remains unclear now. In this study, we compared gene expression profiles of articular cartilage derived respectively from KBD patients and normal controls. Total RNA were isolated, amplified, labeled and hybridized to Agilent human 1A 22 k whole genome microarray chip. qRT-PCR was conducted to validate our microarray data. We detected 57 up-regulated genes (ratios ≥2.0) and 24 down-regulated genes (ratios ≤0.5) in KBD cartilage. To further identify the key genes involved in the pathogenesis of KBD, Bayesian analysis of variance for microarrays(BAM) software was applied and identified 12 potential key genes with an average ratio 6.64, involved in apoptosis, metabolism, cytokine & growth factor and cytoskeleton & cell movement. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) software was used to identify differently expressed gene ontology categories and pathways. GSEA found that a set of apoptosis, hypoxia and mitochondrial function related gene ontology categories and pathways were significantly up-regulated in KBD compared to normal controls. Based on the results of this study, we suggest that chronic hypoxia-induced mitochondrial damage and apoptosis might play an important role in the pathogenesis of KBD. Our efforts may help to understand the pathogenesis of KBD as well as other osteoarthrosis with similar articular cartilage lesions

Mold allergy: 25 years of indoor and outdoor studies in Belgium36702

Collecting atmospheric fungal spores in Brussels for 25 years revealed significant quantitative differences at three different levels: the total number of spores collected every year, the annual frequency rate of some species e.g. Cladosporium and Alternaria, the proliferation of some rare species according to weather conditions</p

Index for surveys of indoor pollution in Brussels dwellings

Since September 2000 and on medical request, the Regional Unit for Indoor Pollution Intervention (French acronym: CRIPI) conducts indoor pollution analyses in Brussels dwellings. Currently, more than 2200 interventions were performed. These interventions are based on a multifactorial approach including amongst others a questionnaire on Health and Environment to be completed by the patient, chemical and microbiological analyses. In order to facilitate result interpretation, CRIPI developed and uses several indices. Concerning the chemical pollutants, a global index based on six categories of Volatile Organic Compounds (COVs) is applied. Concerning the microbial pollutants, several indices are also available: 1) fungal spores in air, 2) settled dust on furniture, 3) dust present in/on mattress, carpets or armchairs. Both chemical and microbiological indices allow to identify anomalies in the patients environment, which can help in the communication of effective sanitation procedures to the patient. Concerning the physician, this environmental assessment can also help to refine his diagnosis.</p

Index of indoor air chemical pollution in Brussels habitat

Abstract</p

The role of indoor pollution in the development and maintenance of chronic airway inflammation in children.

&lt;p&gt;Air pollution is one of the great problems of this century and it plays an important role in the increasing prevalence of chronic inflammatory problems in the upper airway in children. Since their lungs and immune system are not fully developed when exposure begins, newborns and children appear to be more sensitive to the effects of both outdoor and indoor air pollution. Furthermore, children spend most of their time indoors and are exposed more often to pollutants in indoor air. The link between health problems, chemical products and allergens (the latter mainly from cats and mites) has been extensively studied. Other important indoor contaminants are fungi, which are often present in damp buildings and can cause severe respiratory disease by producing spores, allergens, volatile irritant compounds and toxins. A proper identification of mould contamination of this kind is vital for correct diagnosis, treatment and the prevention of health problems, and improvements have been observed after the removal or cleaning of the contaminated materials and improvements to the ventilation of buildings. While a possible association between respiratory symptoms, such as rhinitis, and the presence of fungi in the indoor environment has been documented by several authors, other studies have observed no significant relationship. The development of standardised sampling, detection and diagnostic tests will be essential to understand the proper role of fungi in the indoor atmosphere and their impact on public health.&lt;/p&gt;</p

Mycotoxins induced deformities in chicken and mouse embryos: preliminary results

peer reviewe