Published in Inflammation
Neutrophilic airway inflammation associated with multiple allergens has been related to steroid-resistant asthma. However, most animal models use only one allergen, which cannot simulate asthma closely as seen in patients. To determine the mechanism of inflammatory process involved in this severe condition, BALB/c mice were repetitively challenged ...
Published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
BackgroundSublingual immunotherapy with liquid extracts provides an appealing alternative to subcutaneous immunotherapy for the treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC), but a lack of robust evidence has deterred its use in North America. ObjectiveTo determine the efficacy and tolerability of standardized glycerinated short ragweed sublingua...
Published in Food science & nutrition
This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study compared the effects of daily supplementation for 4 week with 250 mg Wellmune WGP® β-1,3/1,6-Glucan (WGP) with placebo 250 mg/day (rice flour) on physical and psychological health attributes of self-described "moderate" ragweed allergy sufferers. Study participants (mean age = 36 ± 9 year; ran...
Various reasons can explain the success of A. artemisiifolia in France and in Europe :* introduction of plants from various sources (in space and time)* strong variability (morphology, size, etc.) * ecological plasticityDifferent situations across areas and countriesThe dominant habitats and the spread vector can differPotentially strong effects of...
Published in Molecular ecology
The impact of natural selection on the adaptive divergence of invasive populations can be assessed by testing the null hypothesis that the extent of quantitative genetic differentiation (Q(ST) ) would be similar to that of neutral molecular differentiation (F(ST) ). Using eight microsatellite loci and a common garden approach, we compared Q(ST) and...
In 2005, the Swiss official feed inspection of Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux Research Station (ALP) was mandated to check bird feed and raw materials for the presence of Ambrosia sp. seeds. Indeed, such seeds were found in varying amounts when analyzed in the feed microscopy laboratory. The producers were informed, and a limit of intervention (50 mg....
In 2005, the Swiss official feed inspection of Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux Research Station (ALP) was mandated to check bird feed and raw materials for the presence of Ambrosia sp. seeds. Indeed, such seeds were found in varying amounts when analyzed in the feed microscopy laboratory. The producers were informed, and a limit of intervention (50 mg....
Published in Journal of Applied Genetics
Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) is the most frequent weed in the Carpathian Basin and is spreading fast in other parts of Europe. In recent years, besides the wild type, a mutant genotype resistant to atrazine herbicides has evolved and is now widespread in many areas. The present study demonstrates that the atrazine resistance of ragwe...
Published in Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology
Multiple factors are contributing to the expansion of ragweed on a worldwide scale. This review seeks to examine factors that may contribute to allergen expansion with reference to ragweed as a well-studied example. It is our hope that increased surveillance for new pollens in areas not previously affected and awareness of the influence the changin...
