Bamboo, which has dense culms and root rhizome systems, can alter soil properties when it invades adjacent forests. Therefore, this study investigated whether bamboo invasions can cause changes in soil organic matter (SOM) composition and soil humification. We combined solid-state (13)C NMR spectroscopy and chemical analysis to examine the SOM in a Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) and adja...

Allergic diseases have been increasing in industrialized countries. The environment is thought to have both direct and indirect modulatory effects on disease pathogenesis, including alterating on the allergenicity of pollens. Certain plant proteins known as pathogenesis-related proteins appear to be up-regulated by certain environmental conditions, including pollutants, and some have emerged as...

Author details Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, 105 S. River St. #318, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. Injury Prevention Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA. Cedar Rapids Community School District, Cedar Rapids, IA, USA. School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Department of Biostatistics, University of...

Forested wetlands with high water tables are sensitive to disruption from harvesting yet support commercially desired tree species like northern white-cedar. Winter harvest was conducted in Maine, USA, compare operational costs and productivity of cut-to-length cedar (fragile soil) non-cedar stands (mixedwood, sturdy soil), evaluate uncertainties influential factors, forecast time for post-harv...

Inhalation of airborne pollen causes irritative symptoms in humans, known as pollinosis. The changing global climate and increased pollution contribute to enhance the release of pollen, thereby increasing the number of people suffering from allergies. We examined the effect of spraying weak alkaline solutions onto cedar trees, the main allergenic culprit in Japan, on pollen release. Weak alkali...

BACKGROUND In recent years, many countries have experienced an increase in the prevalence of allergic rhinitis. No effective approach is currently available to prevent the onset of symptoms in allergic individuals. Pranlukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist with a good safety and efficacy record for the management of allergic inflammation, may be appropriate for early intervention in the man...

Japanese cedar pollinosis is the predominant seasonal allergic rhinitis in Japan, and it has increased in prevalence during the past 10 years. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is considered a safe and effective treatment for pollinosis. Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short single-stranded RNA molecules that posttranscriptionally silence gene expression and may mediate allergic immune respons...

BACKGROUND Prior research has shown that removing occupational asthmatics from exposure does not routinely lead to significant improvements in respiratory impairment. These studies were of limited duration and factors determining recovery remain obscure. Our objective was to evaluate residual respiratory impairment and associated sputum and blood biomarkers in subjects with Western red cedar as...