BACKGROUND: Pollen grains have been reported to be present in the Philippine atmosphere but studies regarding their allergenicity are limited. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to profile the sensitization of allergic individuals to selected grass pollen species and to characterize the pollen proteins that may be responsible for this allergenic response. METHODS: The protein profile of the grass pollen extracts from Cynodon dactylon, Saccharum spontaneum, Sporobulus indicus, Chloris barbata, Oryza sativa, Imperata cylindrica, and Zea mays was analyzed by Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis. The specific-IgE profile of the allergic individuals and the allergenic potential of the pollen extracts were evaluated through Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay and IgE immunoblotting. RESULTS: Sensitization of the allergic individuals to the pollen extracts was detected with I. cylindrica and O. sativa to be the most frequently recognized with more that 92% reactivity, whereas for C. dactylon and Z. mays, were found to have less than 25% reactivity. CONCLUSION: Multiple IgE-binding proteins from S. indicus, S. spontaneum and C. barbata that were detected may be responsible for the allergic reactions among Filipino subjects.
Atmosphere ; Cynodon ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoblotting ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Oryza ; Philippines ; Poaceae ; Pollen ; Saccharum ; Sodium ; Zea mays

PURPOSE: Aeroallergens are important causative factors of allergic diseases. Previous studies on aeroallergen sensitization rates investigated patients groups that had visited pediatric allergy clinics. In contrast, we investigated sensitization rates in a general population group of elementary school to teenage students in Incheon, Jeju, and Ulsan. METHODS: After obtaining parental consent, skin-prick tests were performed on 5,094 students between March and June 2010. Elementary school students were tested for 18 common aeroallergens, whereas middle and high school students were tested for 25 allergens. The 25 allergens included Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, pollen (birch, alder, oak, Japanese cedar, pine, willow, elm, maple, Bermuda grass, timothy grass, rye grass, orchard grass, meadow grass, vernal grass, mugwort, Japanese hop, fat hen, ragweed, and plantain), and mold (Penicillatum, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Alternaria). RESULTS: The sensitization rates in descending order were 25.79% (D. pteronyssinus), 18.66% (D. farinae), 6.20% (mugwort), and 4.07% (willow) in Incheon; 33.35% (D. pteronyssinus), 24.78% (D. farinae), 15.36% (Japanese cedar), and 7.33% (Alternaria) in Jeju; and 32.79% (D. pteronyssinus), 30.27% (D. farinae), 10.13% (alder), and 8.68% (birch) in Ulsan. The dust mite allergen showed the highest sensitization rate among the 3 regions. The sensitization rate of tree pollen was the highest in Ulsan, whereas that of Alternaria was the highest in Jeju. The ragweed sensitization rates were 0.99% in Incheon, 1.07% in Jeju, and 0.81% in Ulsan. CONCLUSION: The differences in sensitization rates were because of different regional environmental conditions and distinct surrounding biological species. Hence, subsequent nationwide studies are required.
Acer ; Allergens ; Alnus ; Alternaria ; Ambrosia ; Artemisia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Aspergillus ; Child ; Cladosporium ; Cryptomeria ; Cynodon ; Dactylis ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Dust ; Fungi ; Humans ; Humulus ; Hypersensitivity ; Lolium ; Mites ; Parental Consent ; Phleum ; Poaceae ; Pollen ; Population Groups ; Salix

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The Allergodip(R) multi-allergen screening test is a simple method for measuring serum-specific IgE to common inhalant allergens simultaneously. The dipstick contains nine separate allergen pads including D. pteronyssinus, Alternaria, cat epithelium, dog epithelium, English plantain, mugwort, birch, rye and six-grass mixture pollen extracts, as well as positive and negative controls. This study was performed in order to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of this test in comparison to skin prick test. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We compared the results obtained by skin prick test (PT) to those obtained by Allergodip(R) test (AT) in 30 patients with various allergic diseases. The skin reactivity was presented as allergen to histamine ratio (A/H) and results of the AT test were assessed visually and classified into Allergodip(R) class 0-4. RESULTS: Compared with PT, results of AT gave a sensitivity of 55.3% and a specificity of 93.8% when the A/H > OR = 3 was considered a positive response for PT. The agreement rate between positive PT and positive AT to each antigen was 82.6% in D. pteronyssinus, 82.9% in Alternaria, 71.1% in dog epithelium, 57.2% in mugwort pollen, 57.2% in birch pollen, 49.9% in grasses mixture pollen, 23.6% in cat epithelium and 6.7% in rye grass pollen, respectively. Significant correlations were noted between PT and AT classes in D. pteronyssinus, Alternaria, dog epithelium, mugwort pollen, birch pollen, and in grasses mixture pollen (p < 0.05, respectively), but not in cat epithelium or rye grass pollen. CONCLUSION: We concluded that Allergodip(R) test is useful in screening serum-specific IgE antibodies against multiple allergens at one time.
Allergens ; Alternaria ; Animals ; Antibodies ; Artemisia ; Betula ; Cats ; Dogs ; Epithelium ; Histamine ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Immunoglobulin E ; Lolium ; Mass Screening* ; Plantago ; Poaceae ; Pollen ; Secale ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Skin

Stromatal fruiting bodies of Cordyceps cardinalis were successfully produced in cereals. Brown rice, German millet and standard millet produced the longest-length of stromata, followed by Chinese pearl barley, Indian millet, black rice and standard barley. Oatmeal produced the shortest-length of fruiting bodies. Supplementation of pupa and larva to the grains resulted in a slightly enhanced production of fruiting bodies; pupa showing better production than larva. 50~60 g of brown rice and 10~20 g of pupa mixed with 50~60 mL of water in 1,000 mL polypropylene (PP) bottle was found to be optimum for fruiting body production. Liquid inoculation of 15~20 mL per PP bottle produced best fruiting bodies. The optimal temperature for the formation of fruiting bodies was 25degrees C, under conditions of continuous light. Few fruiting bodies were produced under the condition of complete darkness, and the fresh weight was considerable low, compared to that of light condition.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Edible Grain ; Cordyceps ; Darkness ; Fruit ; Hordeum ; Humans ; Larva ; Light ; Panicum ; Polypropylenes ; Pupa ; Setaria Plant ; Water

BACKGROUND: Grass pollen grains are important causes of respiratory allergies. The Philippines has a different grass flora compared to that of western countries, so pollen extracts have to be processed for use in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory allergies. The local pollen extracts available in clinical practice have not yet been characterized, which is important in improving extract quality.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to perform physicochemical characterization through protein content determination and gradient sodium-dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of extracts from four grasses: Cynodon dactylon (bermuda grass), Axonopus compressus (carabao grass), Imperata cylindrica (cogon), and Saccharum spontaneum (talahib) and immunologic characterization by identifying its IgE-binding component through immunoblot.
METHODS: This is a descriptive study. The pollen grains were processed into allergen extracts and protein contents were determined. The extracts were separated by gradient SDS-PAGE and subjected to immunoblotting. Bands were visualized using Fluorchem C2 aided with Alpha View Software.
RESULTS: Total protein in the pollen extracts ranged from 281.3-968.61 µg/ml. Protein bands of bermuda were in the 14.4-66.3 kDa range, carabao grass at 3.5-66.3 kDa, cogon at 3.5-200 kDA, and talahib at 21.5-66.3 kDa. A single IgE-binding protein band was seen on immunoblot at 55.4 kDa using a single serum sample.
CONCLUSION: Protein contents of the allergen extracts vary. The molecular weights of the different protein bands seem to correspond to known groups of grass pollen allergens. There was only one IgE-binding protein band seen on preliminary immunoblot.

Allergens ; Bermuda ; Cynodon ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Galectin 3 ; Immunoblotting ; Immunoglobulin E ; Molecular Weight ; Philippines ; Poaceae ; Pollen ; Respiratory Hypersensitivity ; Saccharum ; Sodium ; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate

Corn is a major staple food, along with rice and wheat, in many parts of the world. There are several reports of hypersensitivity to maize pollen. However, cases of occupational allergic rhinitis induced by inhalation of maize pollen are very rare. We herein report the case of a 67-year-old male with occupational rhinitis caused by occupational exposure to maize pollen in a cornfield. He showed positive responses to maize pollen, as well as grass pollens, in skin prick tests. A high level of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) specific to maize pollen extracts was detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Laboratory tests showed a high serum level of total IgE (724 kU/L) and a high level of IgE specific to maize pollen (8.32 kU/L) using the Immuno-CAP system. Occupational rhinitis was confirmed by a nasal provocation test with maize pollen extracts. IgE ELISA inhibition tests showed antibody cross-reactivity between maize pollen and grass pollen extracts. IgE immunoblotting using maize pollen extracts demonstrated a 27 kDa IgE-binding component. These findings suggest that maize pollen can induce IgE-mediated occupational rhinitis in exposed workers.
Aged ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoblotting ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Inhalation ; Male ; Nasal Provocation Tests ; Occupational Exposure ; Poaceae ; Pollen ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; Skin ; Triticum ; Zea mays

ERG was checked by an instrument set up by authors in eyes with vitreous opacity with and without retinal disorders. It is composed of a preamplifier(frequency response of 0.3Hz~240Hz, gain of 80 decibel), Tektronix 5103N oscilloscope(with 5A18N dual trace amplifier and 5B12N dual time base). Retina was stimulated by Grass P22 photostimulator at settings of 1, 4, 8, and 16 light in tensities. Following findings were obtained; 1. Voltage of a-wave was much increased with little change of b-wave, when intensities of photostimulation was increased. 2. Definite ERG waves were recorded with high intensities of light stimulation, when low intensities failed to produce them. 3. Even in high intensities of light stimulation, oscillatory potentials were not recorded. 4. In case of diffuse retinal damage and vitreous opacities, peak time of a and b wave were markedly delayed as well as decrease of voltages.
Electroretinography* ; Poaceae ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde

No abstract availalbe.
Bile* ; Carps* ; Poaceae*

Symptoms of basal rot occurred sporadically on creeping bent grasses growing at a golf course in Hampyeong, Korea in April 2007. Ten isolates of Microdochium sp. were obtained from leaves and crowns of the diseased bent grasses. All isolates were identified as Microdochium bolleyi based on morphological, cultural, and molecular characteristics. This is the first report on M. bolleyi associated with basal rot on creeping bent grass in Korea.
Crowns ; Golf ; Korea ; Poaceae

To develop more active LTR retrotransposons in Phyllostachys edulis, a Ph. edulis LTR retrotransposon (Ph-LTR2) was identified, and the expression pattern of the transposon under stress was systematically analyzed. Ph-LTR2 transposon is 6 030 bp in length and belongs to the Reina subfamily in the Ty3-Gypsy family. With the similarity of 96.41% of both LTR sequences, the Ph-LTR2 transposon inserted the moso bamboo genome about 61.92 thousand years ago. There are 5 copies identified in the genome. The Ph-LTR2 transposon domain includes GAG (gag protein) protein domain, PR (Proteases) protein domain, RT (Reverse transcriptase) protein domain, RH (Ribonuclease H) protein domain, INT (Integrase) protein domain and CHR (Chromatin organization modifier) protein domain. The expression patterns of INT, RT and RH were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The three domains were found to have specific expression patterns at different tissues of the bamboo. Under the conditions of low/high temperature, methylation inhibitors treatments, irradiation and high salt stress, transcription levels of the three domains of the Ph-LTR2 transposon increased with different degrees. Specifically, after treatment with low/high temperature and methylation inhibitors, the transcription level was up-regulated; after low dose radiation treatment and low concentration of salt solution treatment, the transcription level was also increased, but the expression level decreased with increasing dose of radiation and concentration of salt solution. These results indicate that the expression pattern of the Ph-LTR2 transposon responds to the changes of the external environment, but the exact mechanism is not yet known. The results of this study laid a certain theoretical foundation for the development of the genetic tool based on Ph-LTR2 transposons.
Genome ; Phylogeny ; Poaceae ; Retroelements