Influence of aeroallergens on bronchial reactivity in children sensitized to grass pollens

Abstract Nine children, sensitized to grass pollens, with seasonal rhinitis and mild asthma underwent bronchial challenge with carbachol and EIA test repeatedly either during a pre-seasonal or in seasonal period. We failed to find any significant difference between pre-seasonal and seasonal values in both tests. We believe that atmospheric conditions are an important determinant of our results. It is our hypothesis that a threshold concentration in atmospheric pollen may exist which must be reached before an allergic reaction is evident

SCG in carbachol-induced bronchoprovocation in asthmatic children

Abstract Ten children with mild bronchial asthma underwent bronchial challenge with carbachol on three consecutive days; using a double-blind technique, they were given inhaled saline placebo on the first day and placebo or sodium cromoglycate (SCG) on the second and third days 15 min prior to the bronchial provocation test with carbachol. We did not find any significant difference between the baseline and placebo values, but we did obtain a statistically significant difference when comparing baseline with post-SCG and placebo with post-SCG values. These results demonstrate a protective effect of SCG on carbachol-induced bronchospasm in asthmatic children

Green alder decline in the Italian Alps

Decline of green alder (Alnus viridis spp. viridis [Chaix] D.C.) has been reported since the 1990s in the Alps. In recent years, this disease has spread all over the Alps and it is now recorded over all Italian alpine regions, with several secondary green alder stands heavily affected. Old damaged stands show dramatic changes both in tree species composition and coverage. Investigations were carried out in Trentino province (northern Italy) to describe the pathological and ecological aspects of this phenomenon. Various fungi and insects were detected on declining trees, but no single agent appeared to be a primary cause; the most common coloniser of declining stems, Cryptodiaporthe oxystoma (Rehm) Urb., had an endophytic behaviour in green healthy tissues but failed to produce symptoms in artificial inoculations. There was a negative relation between altitude and alder decline. Furthermore, reduction in snow cover and trends of increase in winter temperature are possible influencing factors. The spread of the syndrome may be related to climate change, reducing green alder vigour and allowing opportunistic parasites to cause host decline. The disappearance of green alder stands will likely affect soil protection, biodiversity and stand evolution in treeline forests of the Alps. More research is needed to define future management options