Allergens in Paved Road Dust and Airborne Particles

Paved road dust present on the surface of streets in Southern California consists of a complex mixture of soil dust, deposited motor vehicle exhaust particles, tire dust, brake lining wear dust, plant fragments, and other biological materials. The research presented here shows that allergens from at least 20 different source materials are found in the paved road dust. These include pollens and pollen fragments, animal dander, and molds. When paved road dust is resuspended into the atmosphere by passing vehicle traffic, allergen concentrations in the air are increased above the levels that would prevail without the vehicle traffic. Using immunological assays that measure the proteins extracted from environmental samples that bind to IgE antibodies present in the blood serum of allergenic patients, it is possible to measure the allergen concentrations present in paved road dust and in airborne particle samples. Total protein contributions to monthly average airborne TSP and PM_(10) concentrations are found to be in the range from 1 to 5.8 μg m^(-3), potentially accounting for a significant fraction of the airborne particulate organic material that has not been identified to date by GC/MS techniques. Results show that up to 5−12% of the allergenicity of atmospheric total suspended particulate matter samples at Long Beach and Rubidoux, CA, is attributable to paved road dust emissions. In an industrial area of urban central Los Angeles where there is less proximity to vegetation and domestic activities, the paved road dust contribution to airborne allergen concentrations is lower, accounting for approximately 0.5% of the total allergenic activity of the atmospheric particle samples. In conclusion, paved road dust when entrained into the atmosphere by passing traffic is a source of allergen exposure for the general population and could be more important in areas with more abundant vegetation or with closer proximity of populations to major highways than is the case for the Southern California air monitoring sites studied here

Allergens in Paved Road Dust and Airborne Particles

Paved road dust present on the surface of streets in Southern California consists of a complex mixture of soil dust, deposited motor vehicle exhaust particles, tire dust, brake lining wear dust, plant fragments, and other biological materials. The research presented here shows that allergens from at least 20 different source materials are found in the paved road dust. These include pollens and pollen fragments, animal dander, and molds. When paved road dust is resuspended into the atmosphere by passing vehicle traffic, allergen concentrations in the air are increased above the levels that would prevail without the vehicle traffic. Using immunological assays that measure the proteins extracted from environmental samples that bind to IgE antibodies present in the blood serum of allergenic patients, it is possible to measure the allergen concentrations present in paved road dust and in airborne particle samples. Total protein contributions to monthly average airborne TSP and PM_(10) concentrations are found to be in the range from 1 to 5.8 μg m^(-3), potentially accounting for a significant fraction of the airborne particulate organic material that has not been identified to date by GC/MS techniques. Results show that up to 5−12% of the allergenicity of atmospheric total suspended particulate matter samples at Long Beach and Rubidoux, CA, is attributable to paved road dust emissions. In an industrial area of urban central Los Angeles where there is less proximity to vegetation and domestic activities, the paved road dust contribution to airborne allergen concentrations is lower, accounting for approximately 0.5% of the total allergenic activity of the atmospheric particle samples. In conclusion, paved road dust when entrained into the atmosphere by passing traffic is a source of allergen exposure for the general population and could be more important in areas with more abundant vegetation or with closer proximity of populations to major highways than is the case for the Southern California air monitoring sites studied here

Axial Skeletal Location Predicts Poor Outcome in Ewing's Sarcoma: A Single Institution Experience

Introduction. Ewing's sarcomas (EWSs) of bone and soft tissue are neuroectodermal tumors that affect both axial and appendicular locations. We hypothesized that axial location predicted poor outcome in EWS patients. Materials and Methods. Sixty-seven patients (57 with bone EWS and 10 with soft tissue EWS) were identified from our database. Thirty-four (51%) had axial EWS and 33 (49%) had appendicular EWS. Statistical analyses identified predictors of poor outcome. Results and Discussion. Axial location, large size, metastases at presentation, lack of definitive treatment, and positive surgical margins all correlated with poor outcome in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, axial location still predicted poor outcome when adjusted for pretreatment variables. Axial location was not statistically predictive of poor outcome when adjusted for treatment variables. Conclusions. Anatomic location has a negative effect on outcome in EWS that cannot be completely explained by pretreatment or treatment factors. Additional studies are required to determine if there is a biologic difference between axial and appendicular EWS

Signal Transmission in the Auditory System

Contains table of contents for Section 3, an introduction, and reports on seven research projects.National Institutes of Health Grant 5 R01 DC00194National Institutes of Health Grant P01 DC00119National Institutes of Health Grant F32 DC00073National Institutes of Health Grant 5 R01 DC00473National Institutes of Health Grant 2 R01 DC00238National Institutes of Health Grant 2 R01 DC00235National Institutes of Health Grant 5 P01 DC00361National Institutes of Health Grant T32 DC00006Whitaker Health Sciences Fun

Signal Transmission in the Auditory System

Contains table of contents for Section 3, an introduction and reports on six research projects.National Institutes of Health Grant R01-DC-00194National Institutes of Health Contract P01-DC-00119National Institutes of Health Fellowship F32-DC00073National Institutes of Health Grant R01-DC00238National Institutes of Health Grant R01-DC00473National Institutes of Health Grant T32-DC00006National Institutes of Health Grant T32-DC00038National Institutes of Health Contract P01-DC00361National Institutes of Health Grant R01-DC00235National Institutes of Health Contract N01-DC2240

Signal Transmission in the Auditory System

Contains table of contents for Section 3, an introduction and reports on six research projects.National Institutes of Health Grant R01-DC-00194-11National Institutes of Health Grant P01-DC00119 Sub-Project 1National Institutes of Health Grant F32-DC00073-2National Institutes of Health Contract P01-DC00119National Institutes of Health Grant R01-DC00238National Institutes of Health Gramt R01-DC00473National Institutes of Health Grant P01-DC00119National Institutes of Health Grant T32-DC00038PNational Institutes of Health Grant P01-DC00361National Institutes of Health Grant 2RO1 DC00235National Institutes of Health Contract NO1-DC2-240

The genomes of two key bumblebee species with primitive eusocial organization

Background: The shift from solitary to social behavior is one of the major evolutionary transitions. Primitively eusocial bumblebees are uniquely placed to illuminate the evolution of highly eusocial insect societies. Bumblebees are also invaluable natural and agricultural pollinators, and there is widespread concern over recent population declines in some species. High-quality genomic data will inform key aspects of bumblebee biology, including susceptibility to implicated population viability threats. Results: We report the high quality draft genome sequences of Bombus terrestris and Bombus impatiens, two ecologically dominant bumblebees and widely utilized study species. Comparing these new genomes to those of the highly eusocial honeybee Apis mellifera and other Hymenoptera, we identify deeply conserved similarities, as well as novelties key to the biology of these organisms. Some honeybee genome features thought to underpin advanced eusociality are also present in bumblebees, indicating an earlier evolution in the bee lineage. Xenobiotic detoxification and immune genes are similarly depauperate in bumblebees and honeybees, and multiple categories of genes linked to social organization, including development and behavior, show high conservation. Key differences identified include a bias in bumblebee chemoreception towards gustation from olfaction, and striking differences in microRNAs, potentially responsible for gene regulation underlying social and other traits. Conclusions: These two bumblebee genomes provide a foundation for post-genomic research on these key pollinators and insect societies. Overall, gene repertoires suggest that the route to advanced eusociality in bees was mediated by many small changes in many genes and processes, and not by notable expansion or depauperation