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Bronchial asthma in Estonia
117
Tubercle and Lung Disease: Supplement
433 THE UPREGULATION OF B3 CHAIN (S-LAMININ) EXPRESSION IN THE BRONCHIAL EPITHELIAL BASEMENT MEMBRANE IN ASTHMA
not survival, diagnosis ratio differs (50% chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 50% fibrosis).
Altruju, A. *, Laitinen, A.#, Sillastu, H. ** and Laitinen, L. A. *; Depts of # Anatomy and * Pulmonary Medicine, University qf Helsinki, Finland and ** Pulmonary Medicine, University of Turtu, Estonia
Jannus-Pruljan, L., Loit, H.-M.; Institute of Experimental Clinical Medicine, 42 Hiiu sty., EEOOI6 Tallinn. Estonirr
The “classical” laminin LAM containing A-chain usually in connection with Bl and B2 chains is the most abundant noncollagenous proteinaceous component of a vast majority of basement membranes (BM). Many newly detected chains can interact to yield several different homologues of LAM. So the common Bl chain may be replaced by B3 chain. By using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised against A-chain and B3-chain we have investigated the distribution of “classical” LAM and s-LAM in the bronchial mucosa of allergic asthmatics. 8 patients with typical history of atopic asthma, 7 males and 1 female, 22-44 years of age, followed our study. For comparison, 8 normal volunteers were included, 4 male and 4 female, 22-29 years of age. All were non-smokers, with no systemic or pulmonary disease. They had normal lung function (FEV1 > 80% of predicated) and appeared not to be reactive to skin prick testing with 12 common allergens. Bronchial biopsy specimens were taken from standardized airway levels through fiberoptic bronchoscope. Frozen sections were indirectly immunofluorescence stained with relevant mAbs. Measurement of thickness of the immunopositive area in the epithelial basement membrane zone (BMZ) was performed by charting of the data from micrographics into computer equipped with a digitizing tablet and a pointing device. The average thickness of B3-chain (s-LAM) expression in the BMZ was 1.25 -+ 0.22 pm in asthmatics and 0.43 + 0.32 pm in control group, revealing significant difference (P <0.0.5). In contrast the main thickness of A-chain immunoreactivity in the BMZ was 1.36+0.17 pm in asthmatics and 1.41 f 0.51 pm in controls showing no significant difference between them (P = 0.75). Our results demonstrate that the layer of “classical” LAM ist comparatively nonaffected by the asthmatic inflammation, while the homologue comprising B3-chain appears to be upregulated in asthma.
434 LONG-TERM OXYGEN THERAPY IN CZECH REPUBLIC tech. V., PeSek M.; Pulm. Dept., Uni Hospital, Tr. E. BeneSe 13, Plxri, CR
The Pulmonary department of Charles University Hospital Plzeii introduced long term oxygen therapy by means of oxygenators 4 years ago. Beside standard entry investigations physicians from this hospital began other special trials including sleep-lab, catheterisation right heart, pulmonary artery and so on. presently in Czech Republic (lO.OOO,OOO inhabitants) there are 591 treated patients. In West Bohemia region (are l,OOO,OOOinhabitants) there are 65 oxygenators. During verifiing the indication and after leaving the hospital the staff of the Intensive care unit is taking care of patients. They ensure global care. This encompasses home medical checks. In their cohort is 78 % patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaese and 21% with fibrosis. Average treatment duration is at present I year. 13 patients (19%) died. Of those who did
435 BRONCHIAL ASTHMA IN ESTONIA and
Bronchial asthma (BA) is a increasing problem of public health in Estonia. The mortality from BA has increased from 2.5 to 6.0 between 1975 and 1990 per 100,000 of population. In 1991-92 the mortality rate showed the tendency of decrease and stabilize. During the last 3 years there was no case of death from BA among the children. The prevalence of BA in all population (children and adults), registered in Estonian health care institutions, was 0.5% in 1992. The number of BA patients was 1307 in 1974 and 8002 in 1992, therefore it was the sixfold increasing during this period. An annual increase in the number of patients, compared to each previous year, has been from 10 to 12% and such a trend has been observed over the last 13 years. Aspirin and other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug-sensitive BA occurred in 10% of 1451 hospitalized BA patients (6.7% among males and 11.8% - females). There was noticed that the frequency of aspirin intolerance in the last five years has been increased among males and females. The decrease in the BA incidence in the near future is hardly to bc prognosed, rather will it be vice versa, considering the possible causes of BA, the today’s ecological situation and social-economical conditions in Estonia.
436 FORMATION PRINCIPLES OF THE AEROBIOLOGICAL INFORMATION REPORTED TO ESTONIAN MASSMEDIA Suar, M. *, Parks, L.**; * Institute of Zoology and Botany, 21 Vanemuise St., EE2400 Tartu, ** Tartu Universirv Lung Clinic, 167 Riia St.. EE2400 Tartu, Estoniu
The principles have proved to be useful in the practice of Tartu aerobiological station in 1989-1993. 1. The information is directed public of the whole country.
to the complete
general
2. The aerobiological stituation is reported about 17 groups of pollen and 5 groups of fungal spores in the country. 175 pollen allergic patients were tested (84 with bronchial asthma, 91 with allergic rhinitis). 66% of them were allergic to pollen of birch, 70% timothy and 47% mugwort. 3. In compiling information three kinds of initial data are used: a) the average daily concentration of pollen grains in air at the level 14 m above ground in Tartu, b) phenological data of blooming of anemophilous plants in the country. c) meteorological data. 4. Special attention in gathering basic data is paid to the following factors: a) The aerobiological monitoring starts long before the onset of pollination of local plants of Alnus and Corylus. b) Abundancy/scantiness of male inflorescences of Alnus, Corylus, Fraxinus, Picea and Quercus ist estimated to prognose the “strengthnesslweakness” of corresponding pollen seasons. c) Estimation of the beginning of pollen seasons is based on the phenological observations. d) The onset of pollination is monitored for as many species of Poaceae as possible. e) Occurrence of airborne pollen of Plantago and Chenopodiaceae is estimated on the basis of phenological data.
Tubercle and Lung Disease: Supplement
433 THE UPREGULATION OF B3 CHAIN (S-LAMININ) EXPRESSION IN THE BRONCHIAL EPITHELIAL BASEMENT MEMBRANE IN ASTHMA
not survival, diagnosis ratio differs (50% chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 50% fibrosis).
Altruju, A. *, Laitinen, A.#, Sillastu, H. ** and Laitinen, L. A. *; Depts of # Anatomy and * Pulmonary Medicine, University qf Helsinki, Finland and ** Pulmonary Medicine, University of Turtu, Estonia
Jannus-Pruljan, L., Loit, H.-M.; Institute of Experimental Clinical Medicine, 42 Hiiu sty., EEOOI6 Tallinn. Estonirr
The “classical” laminin LAM containing A-chain usually in connection with Bl and B2 chains is the most abundant noncollagenous proteinaceous component of a vast majority of basement membranes (BM). Many newly detected chains can interact to yield several different homologues of LAM. So the common Bl chain may be replaced by B3 chain. By using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised against A-chain and B3-chain we have investigated the distribution of “classical” LAM and s-LAM in the bronchial mucosa of allergic asthmatics. 8 patients with typical history of atopic asthma, 7 males and 1 female, 22-44 years of age, followed our study. For comparison, 8 normal volunteers were included, 4 male and 4 female, 22-29 years of age. All were non-smokers, with no systemic or pulmonary disease. They had normal lung function (FEV1 > 80% of predicated) and appeared not to be reactive to skin prick testing with 12 common allergens. Bronchial biopsy specimens were taken from standardized airway levels through fiberoptic bronchoscope. Frozen sections were indirectly immunofluorescence stained with relevant mAbs. Measurement of thickness of the immunopositive area in the epithelial basement membrane zone (BMZ) was performed by charting of the data from micrographics into computer equipped with a digitizing tablet and a pointing device. The average thickness of B3-chain (s-LAM) expression in the BMZ was 1.25 -+ 0.22 pm in asthmatics and 0.43 + 0.32 pm in control group, revealing significant difference (P <0.0.5). In contrast the main thickness of A-chain immunoreactivity in the BMZ was 1.36+0.17 pm in asthmatics and 1.41 f 0.51 pm in controls showing no significant difference between them (P = 0.75). Our results demonstrate that the layer of “classical” LAM ist comparatively nonaffected by the asthmatic inflammation, while the homologue comprising B3-chain appears to be upregulated in asthma.
434 LONG-TERM OXYGEN THERAPY IN CZECH REPUBLIC tech. V., PeSek M.; Pulm. Dept., Uni Hospital, Tr. E. BeneSe 13, Plxri, CR
The Pulmonary department of Charles University Hospital Plzeii introduced long term oxygen therapy by means of oxygenators 4 years ago. Beside standard entry investigations physicians from this hospital began other special trials including sleep-lab, catheterisation right heart, pulmonary artery and so on. presently in Czech Republic (lO.OOO,OOO inhabitants) there are 591 treated patients. In West Bohemia region (are l,OOO,OOOinhabitants) there are 65 oxygenators. During verifiing the indication and after leaving the hospital the staff of the Intensive care unit is taking care of patients. They ensure global care. This encompasses home medical checks. In their cohort is 78 % patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaese and 21% with fibrosis. Average treatment duration is at present I year. 13 patients (19%) died. Of those who did
435 BRONCHIAL ASTHMA IN ESTONIA and
Bronchial asthma (BA) is a increasing problem of public health in Estonia. The mortality from BA has increased from 2.5 to 6.0 between 1975 and 1990 per 100,000 of population. In 1991-92 the mortality rate showed the tendency of decrease and stabilize. During the last 3 years there was no case of death from BA among the children. The prevalence of BA in all population (children and adults), registered in Estonian health care institutions, was 0.5% in 1992. The number of BA patients was 1307 in 1974 and 8002 in 1992, therefore it was the sixfold increasing during this period. An annual increase in the number of patients, compared to each previous year, has been from 10 to 12% and such a trend has been observed over the last 13 years. Aspirin and other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug-sensitive BA occurred in 10% of 1451 hospitalized BA patients (6.7% among males and 11.8% - females). There was noticed that the frequency of aspirin intolerance in the last five years has been increased among males and females. The decrease in the BA incidence in the near future is hardly to bc prognosed, rather will it be vice versa, considering the possible causes of BA, the today’s ecological situation and social-economical conditions in Estonia.
436 FORMATION PRINCIPLES OF THE AEROBIOLOGICAL INFORMATION REPORTED TO ESTONIAN MASSMEDIA Suar, M. *, Parks, L.**; * Institute of Zoology and Botany, 21 Vanemuise St., EE2400 Tartu, ** Tartu Universirv Lung Clinic, 167 Riia St.. EE2400 Tartu, Estoniu
The principles have proved to be useful in the practice of Tartu aerobiological station in 1989-1993. 1. The information is directed public of the whole country.
to the complete
general
2. The aerobiological stituation is reported about 17 groups of pollen and 5 groups of fungal spores in the country. 175 pollen allergic patients were tested (84 with bronchial asthma, 91 with allergic rhinitis). 66% of them were allergic to pollen of birch, 70% timothy and 47% mugwort. 3. In compiling information three kinds of initial data are used: a) the average daily concentration of pollen grains in air at the level 14 m above ground in Tartu, b) phenological data of blooming of anemophilous plants in the country. c) meteorological data. 4. Special attention in gathering basic data is paid to the following factors: a) The aerobiological monitoring starts long before the onset of pollination of local plants of Alnus and Corylus. b) Abundancy/scantiness of male inflorescences of Alnus, Corylus, Fraxinus, Picea and Quercus ist estimated to prognose the “strengthnesslweakness” of corresponding pollen seasons. c) Estimation of the beginning of pollen seasons is based on the phenological observations. d) The onset of pollination is monitored for as many species of Poaceae as possible. e) Occurrence of airborne pollen of Plantago and Chenopodiaceae is estimated on the basis of phenological data.