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This article discusses a study conducted in Japan to examine compliance rates and factors associated with high compliance for sublingual allergen immunotherapy (SLIT) in children and parents. SLIT is a treatment for allergic rhinitis (AR) that requires long-term compliance to be effective. The study found that compliance rates decreased over time, with younger children being more compliant than adolescents. Factors associated with high compliance included the type of treatment, age category, sex, treatment history for AR, comorbid allergic diseases, family members undergoing SLIT, medical facility types, and month of initial treatment. The study provides insights that can be used to improve compliance with SLIT among children and parents. [Extracted from the article]

BACKGROUND: The [RD.sub.50] (exposure concentration producing a 50% respiratory rate decrease) test evaluates airborne chemicals for sensory irritation and has become an American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard method. Past studies reported good correlations ([R.sup.2]) between [RD.sub.50]s and the occupational exposure limits, particularly threshold limit values (TLVs). OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between [RD.sub.50]s and human sensory irritation responses in a quantitative manner, particularly for chemicals that produce burning sensation of the eyes, nose, or throat, based on lowest observed adverse effect levels (LOAELs) reported for human subjects. METHODS: We compared [RD.sub.50]s with LOAELs and acute reference exposure levels (RELs). RELs, developed by the California Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, represent a level at which no adverse effects are anticipated after exposure. We collected [RD.sub.50]s from the published literature and evaluated them for consistency with ASTM procedures. We identified LOAELs for human irritation and found 25 chemicals with a corresponding [RD.sub.50] in mice. DISCUSSION: We found the relationship between [RD.sub.50]s and LOAELs as log [RD.sub.50] = 1.16 (log LOAEL) + 0.77 with an [R.sup.2] value of 0.80. This strong correlation supports the use of the [RD.sub.50] in establishing exposure limits for the public. We further identified 16 chemical irritants with both [RD.sub.50]s and corresponding acute RELs, and calculated the relationship as log [RD.sub.50] = 0.71 (log REL) + 2.55 with an [R.sup.2] value of 0.71. This relationship could be used to identify health protective values for the public to prevent respiratory or sensory irritation. CONCLUSION: Consequently, we believe that the [RD.sub.50] has benefits for use in setting protective levels for the health of both workers and the general population. KEY WORDS: Alarie test, exposure levels, LOAEL, [RD.sub.50], REL, sensory irritation, TLV. Environ Health Perspect 115:1609-1616 (2007). doi:10.1289/ehp.9848 available via http://dx.doi.org/ [Online 7 August 2007], Although airborne chemicals can cause a number of harmful effects, the most common effect is sensory irritation (De Ceaurriz et al. 1981). Exposure to a sensory irritant may stimulate the [...]

Background: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition is currently recognized as an important mechanism for the increased number of myofibroblasts in cancer and fibrotic diseases. We have already reported that epithelial-mesenchymal transition is involved in airway remodeling induced by eosinophils. Procaterol is a selective and full β2 adrenergic agonist that is used as a rescue of asthmatic attack inhaler form and orally as a controller. In this study, we evaluated whether procaterol can suppress epithelial-mesenchymal transition of airway epithelial cells induced by eosinophils.Methods: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition was assessed using a co-culture system of human bronchial epithelial cells and primary human eosinophils or an eosinophilic leukemia cell line.Results: Procaterol significantly inhibited co-culture associated morphological changes of bronchial epithelial cells, decreased the expression of vimentin, and increased the expression of E-cadherin compared to control. Butoxamine, a specific β2-adrenergic antagonist, significantly blocked changes induced by procaterol. In addition, procaterol inhibited the expression of adhesion molecules induced during the interaction between eosinophils and bronchial epithelial cells, suggesting the involvement of adhesion molecules in the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Forskolin, a cyclic adenosine monophosphate-promoting agent, exhibits similar inhibitory activity of procaterol.Conclusions: Overall, these observations support the beneficial effect of procaterol on airway remodeling frequently associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The RD50 (exposure concentration producing a 50% respiratory rate decrease) test evaluates airborne chemicals for sensory irritation and has become an American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard method. Past studies reported good correlations (R²) between RD50s and the occupational exposure limits, particularly threshold limit values (TLVs). OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between RD50s and human sensory irritation responses in a quantitative manner, particularly for chemicals that produce burning sensation of the eyes, nose, or throat, based on lowest observed adverse effect levels (LOAELs) reported for human subjects. METHODS: We compared RD50s with LOAELs and acute reference exposure levels (RELs). RELs, developed by the California Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, represent a level at which no adverse effects are anticipated after exposure. We collected RD50s from the published literature and evaluated them for consistency with ASTM procedures. We identified LOAELs for human irritation and found 25 chemicals with a corresponding RD50 in mice. DISCUSSION: We found the relationship between RD50s and LOAELs as log RD50 = 1.16 (log LOAEL) + 0.77 with an R² value of 0.80. This strong correlation supports the use of the RD50 in establishing exposure limits for the public. We further identified 16 chemical irritants with both RD50s and corresponding acute RELs, and calculated the relationship as log RD50 = 0.71 (log REL) + 2.55 with an R² value of 0.71. This relationship could be used to identify health protective values for the public to prevent respiratory or sensory irritation. CONCLUSION: Consequently, we believe that the RD50 has benefits for use in setting protective levels for the health of both workers and the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In 2022, the "New Capitalism Grand Design and Implementation Plan" was adopted in Japan, emphasizing the promotion and environmental development of startups. Given this context, an investigation into the startup and investment landscape in the allergy sector, both domestically and internationally, becomes imperative., Methods: We analyzed 156 allergy-related startups from Japan, the US, and Europe from 2010 to 2021. Data on corporate information and investment trends were extracted from databases and VC websites., Results: The total investment reached approximately 7.2 billion USD, with a ratio of 20:6:1 for the US, Europe, and Japan, respectively. The US showed a decline post its peak from 2016-2018, while Europe and Japan experienced growth. Notably, the US primarily invested in biopharmaceuticals for atopic dermatitis and food allergies, Europe in asthma-related apps, and Japan in healthcare apps and cross-border startups., Discussion and Conclusion: While Japan's investment environment in the allergy sector remains in its nascent stages and has room for development, the US and Europe are evidently ahead. Considering the rise of startups and funding limitations in Japan, external funding from regions like the US becomes a potential avenue. These findings are anticipated to contribute to the strategic activation of startups in allergy research and development.

Background: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition is currently recognized as an important mechanism for the increased number of myofibroblasts in cancer and fibrotic diseases. We have already reported that epithelial-mesenchymal transition is involved in airway remodeling induced by eosinophils. Procaterol is a selective and full β 2 adrenergic agonist that is used as a rescue of asthmatic attack inhaler form and orally as a controller. In this study, we evaluated whether procaterol can suppress epithelial-mesenchymal transition of airway epithelial cells induced by eosinophils., Methods: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition was assessed using a co-culture system of human bronchial epithelial cells and primary human eosinophils or an eosinophilic leukemia cell line., Results: Procaterol significantly inhibited co-culture associated morphological changes of bronchial epithelial cells, decreased the expression of vimentin, and increased the expression of E-cadherin compared to control. Butoxamine, a specific β 2 -adrenergic antagonist, significantly blocked changes induced by procaterol. In addition, procaterol inhibited the expression of adhesion molecules induced during the interaction between eosinophils and bronchial epithelial cells, suggesting the involvement of adhesion molecules in the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Forskolin, a cyclic adenosine monophosphate-promoting agent, exhibits similar inhibitory activity of procaterol., Conclusions: Overall, these observations support the beneficial effect of procaterol on airway remodeling frequently associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.