Human leucocyte antigens (HLA) and trimellitic anhydride (TMA) immunological lung disease

AbstractOccupational immunological lung disease, due to low molecular weight, reactive chemicals such as trimellitic anhydride (TMA), is an emerging health problem. If there were a marker that was highly predictive of the ability of the immune system to recognize TMA as an allergen, better prevention strategies could be employed with at risk individuals. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class specificity is associated with the development of late respiratory systemic syndrome (LRSS) or asthma due to immunological sensitivity to trimellitic anhydride (TMA). This is a case control study of 17 individuals with LRSS, 12 with asthma and 22 TMA similarly exposed individuals who did not develop LRSS or asthma. Comparing the sensitized individuals (LRSS or asthma) with the non-sensitized individuals (controls), we found no difference in frequency of any HLA antigen. In summary, the lack of association of HLA antigens with LRSS or asthma due to TMA suggests that these will not be useful markers to identify at risk individuals

The mid-infrared instrument for the James Webb space telescope, II: design and build

Instrumentatio

Discovery of elements 113 - 118

Review of discovery and investigation of isotopes of elements 113-118 produced in the reactions of 48 Ca with target nuclei 238U-249Cf is presented. The synthesis of the heaviest nuclei, their summary decay properties, and methods of identification are discussed. The radioactive properties of the new nuclei give evidence of the significant increase of the stability of the heavy nuclei with rise of their neutron number and approaching magic number N=184