Underwater sound of rigid-hulled inflatable boats

Underwater sound of rigid-hulled inflatable boats was recorded 142 times in total, over 3 sites: 2 in southern British Columbia, Canada, and 1 off Western Australia. Underwater sound peaked between 70 and 400 Hz, exhibiting strong tones in this frequency range related to engine and propeller rotation. Sound propagation models were applied to compute monopole source levels, with the source assumed 1m below the sea surface. Broadband source levels (10–48 000Hz) increased from 134 to 171 dB re 1μPa @ 1m with speed from 3 to 16m/s (10–56 km/h). Source power spectral density percentile levels and 1/3 octave band levels are given for use in predictive modeling of underwater sound of these boats as part of environmental impact assessments

The culprit insect but not severity of allergic reactions to bee and wasp venom can be determined by molecular diagnosis

Background. Allergy to bee and wasp venom can lead to life-threatening systemic reactions. The identification of the culprit species is important for allergen-specific immunotherapy. Objectives. To determine a panel of recombinant bee and wasp allergens which is suitable for the identification of bee or wasp as culprit allergen sources and to search for molecular surrogates of clinical severity of sting reactions. Methods. Sera from eighty-seven patients with a detailed documentation of their severity of sting reaction (Mueller grade) and who had been subjected to titrated skin testing with bee and wasp venom were analyzed for bee and wasp-specific IgE levels by ImmunoCAPTM. IgE-reactivity testing was performed using a comprehensive panel of recombinant bee and wasp venom allergens (rApi m 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10rVes v 1 and 5) by ISAC chip technology, ImmunoCAP and ELISA. IgG4 antibodies to rApi m 1 and rVes v 5 were determined by ELISA and IgE/ IgG4 ratios were calculated. Results from skin testing, IgE serology and IgE/IgG4 ratios were compared with severity of sting reactions. Results. The panel of rApi m 1, rApi m 10, rVes v 1 and rVes v 5 allowed identification of the culprit venom in all but two of the 87 patients with good agreement to skin testing. Severities of sting reactions were not associated with results obtained by skin testing, venom-specific IgE levels or molecular diagnosis. Severe sting reactions were observed in patients showing < 1 ISU and < 2kUA/L of IgE to Api m 1 and/or Ves v 5. Conclusion. We identified a minimal panel of recombinant bee and wasp allergens for molecular diagnosis which may permit identification of bee and/or wasp as culprit insect in venom-sensitized subjects. The severity of sting reactions was not associated with parameters obtained by molecular diagnosis

Recombinant glycoproteins resembling carbohydrate-specific IgE epitopes from plants, venoms and mitesResearch in context

Background: N-linked glycans present in venoms, pollen and mites are recognized by IgE antibodies from >20% of allergic patients but have low or no allergenic activity. Objectives: To engineer recombinant glycoproteins resembling carbohydrate-specific IgE epitopes from venoms, pollen and mites which can discriminate carbohydrate-specific IgE from allergenic, peptide-specific IgE. Methods: One or two N-glycosylation sites were engineered into the N-terminus of the non-allergenic protein horse heart myoglobin (HHM) using synthetic gene technology. HHM 1 and HHM 2 containing one or two N-glycosylation sites were expressed in baculovirus-infected High-Five™ insect cells and a non-glycosylated version (HHM 0) was obtained by mutating the glycosylation motif. Recombinant HHM proteins were analyzed regarding fold and aggregation by circular dichroism and gel filtration, respectively. IgE reactivity was assessed by ELISA, immunoblotting and quantitative ImmunoCAP measurements. IgE inhibition assays were performed to study cross-reactivity with venom, plant and mite-derived carbohydrate IgE epitopes. Results: HHM-glycovariants were expressed and purified from insect cells as monomeric and folded proteins. The HHM-glycovariants exhibited strictly carbohydrate-specific IgE reactivity, designed to quantify carbohydrate-specific IgE and resembled IgE epitopes of pollen, venom and mite-derived carbohydrates. IgE-reactivity and inhibition experiments established a hierarchy of plant glcyoallergens (nPhl p 4 > nCyn d 1 > nPla a 2 > nJug r 2 > nCup a 1 > nCry j 1) indicating a hitherto unknown heterogeneity of carbohydrate IgE epitopes in plants which were completely represented by HHM 2. Conclusion: Defined recombinant HHM-glycoproteins resembling carbohydrate-specific IgE epitopes from plants, venoms and mites were engineered which made it possible to discriminate carbohydrate- from peptide-specific IgE reactivity. Keywords: Allergy, Allergen, Recombinant glycoprotein, Cross-reactive carbohydrate determinant, Molecular allergology, Component-resolved diagnosi

The culprit insect but not severity of allergic reactions to bee and wasp venom can be determined by molecular diagnosis

<div><p>Background</p><p>Allergy to bee and wasp venom can lead to life-threatening systemic reactions. The identification of the culprit species is important for allergen-specific immunotherapy.</p><p>Objectives</p><p>To determine a panel of recombinant bee and wasp allergens which is suitable for the identification of bee or wasp as culprit allergen sources and to search for molecular surrogates of clinical severity of sting reactions.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Sera from eighty-seven patients with a detailed documentation of their severity of sting reaction (Mueller grade) and who had been subjected to titrated skin testing with bee and wasp venom were analyzed for bee and wasp-specific IgE levels by ImmunoCAP^TM. IgE-reactivity testing was performed using a comprehensive panel of recombinant bee and wasp venom allergens (rApi m 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10; rVes v 1 and 5) by ISAC chip technology, ImmunoCAP and ELISA. IgG₄ antibodies to rApi m 1 and rVes v 5 were determined by ELISA and IgE/IgG₄ ratios were calculated. Results from skin testing, IgE serology and IgE/IgG₄ ratios were compared with severity of sting reactions.</p><p>Results</p><p>The panel of rApi m 1, rApi m 10, rVes v 1 and rVes v 5 allowed identification of the culprit venom in all but two of the 87 patients with good agreement to skin testing. Severities of sting reactions were not associated with results obtained by skin testing, venom-specific IgE levels or molecular diagnosis. Severe sting reactions were observed in patients showing < 1 ISU and < 2kU_A/L of IgE to Api m 1 and/or Ves v 5.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>We identified a minimal panel of recombinant bee and wasp allergens for molecular diagnosis which may permit identification of bee and/or wasp as culprit insect in venom-sensitized subjects. The severity of sting reactions was not associated with parameters obtained by molecular diagnosis.</p></div

Association of venom extract or allergen-specific IgE levels and severity of sting reactions.

<p>Specific IgE levels (medians: horizontal lines) to (A) bee and (B) wasp venom (kU_A/L), (C) rApi m 1 (kU_A/L), (D) rApi m 1 (ISU), (E) rVes v 5 (kU_A/L), (F) rVes v 5 (ISU) were plotted against the severities of sting reactions (x-axes: Mueller grade) for Slovenian and German patients with identified culprit insect.</p

Association of skin sensitivity and severity of sting reaction.

<p>Large local reaction (0) and Mueller grade (1–4) of sting reactions (y-axes, medians: horizontal lines) to (A) bee and (B), (C) wasp are shown for Slovenian and German patients with identified culprit venom, and were plotted against the lowest concentration (x-axes) causing a positive reaction in skin prick (Slovenian patients) or intradermal testing (German patients).</p

Bee and wasp venom sensitization according to allergen-extract-based serology, skin testing and molecular diagnosis.

<p>Pie charts showing the percentages of patients with bee and wasp venom double sensitization (blue), sensitization to bee (yellow) and wasp (red) according to allergen extract-based serology (left), skin testing (middle) and molecular diagnosis (right; one subject negative: grey) in the German population (n = 67).</p

Schematic representation of recombinant marker allergens for diagnosis of genuine IgE sensitization to bee (Api m 1, 3, 4 and 10) and wasp (Ves v 1 and 5) and cross-reactive marker allergens (Api m 2 = Ves v 2; Api m 5 = Ves v 3).

<p>Schematic representation of recombinant marker allergens for diagnosis of genuine IgE sensitization to bee (Api m 1, 3, 4 and 10) and wasp (Ves v 1 and 5) and cross-reactive marker allergens (Api m 2 = Ves v 2; Api m 5 = Ves v 3).</p

Summary of serology, skin testing and Mueller grading for the Slovenian mono-sensitized population.

<p>Summary of serology, skin testing and Mueller grading for the Slovenian mono-sensitized population.</p

Summary of serology, skin testing and Mueller grading for the German population.

<p>Summary of serology, skin testing and Mueller grading for the German population.</p