Eosinophil infiltration into the esophagus is observed in diverse diseases including gastroesophageal reflux and allergic gastroenteritis, but the processes involved are largely unknown. We now report an original model of experimental esophagitis induced by exposure of mice to respiratory allergen. Allergen-challenged mice develop marked levels of esophageal eosinophils, free eosinophil granule...

A retrospective study of patients attending the emergency department with acute asthma was performed in Bermuda. Climatic data (barometric pressure, rainfall, humidity, and wind strength and direction) were obtained and compared with frequency of exacerbations of asthma. Three factors--namely, relative humidity, average daily temperature, and northeasterly winds--were found to be related to wor...

Background Many aeroallergens activate PAR-2 receptors on the airway epithelium. We have shown that PAR-2 activation participates in allergic sensitization and allergic airway inflammation in animal models of asthma. Moreover, PAR-2 is upregulated on the airway epithelium of asthmatics, but the mechanisms and factors responsible are unknown. As asthmatic airways are under various types of physi...

Background Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SIT) injections for aeroallergens are often utilized in patients. SIT should be injected into the subcutaneous space in the mid-posterolateral upper arm. If the injections are given intramuscularly (IM), there may be an increased risk of anaphylaxis. In our allergy clinic, SIT is given with BD Safety GlideTM Allergy syringes with needle length 13mm. There ...

background: baculovirus expression system is one of the most attractive and powerful eukaryotic expression systems for the production of recombinant proteins. the presence of a biomarker is required to monitor transfection efficiency or protein expression levels in insect cells. methods: the aim of this study was to construct a baculovirus expression vector encoding a copepod super green fluore...