bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interferon‐γ‐dependent inhibition of late allergic airway responses and eosinophilia by CD8+γδ T cells
Authors: Isogai Susumu , Athiviraham Aravind , Fraser Russell S. , Taha Rame , Hamid Qutayba , Martin James G.
Published: May 2007

We have previously shown that CD8+γδ T cells decrease late allergic airway responses, airway eosinophilia, T helper 2 cytokine expression and increase interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) expression. We hypothesized that the effects of CD8+γδ T cells were IFN‐γ mediated. Brown Norway rats were sensitized to ovalbumin on day 1. Cervical lymph node CD8+γδ T cells from sensitized animals were treated with antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (5 µmol/l) to inhibit IFN‐γ synthesis or control oligodeoxynucleotide and 3·5 × 104 CD8+γδ T cells were injected intraperitoneally into sensitized recipients on day 13. Rats were challenged with aerosolized ovalbumin on day 15 and lung resistance was monitored over an 8 hr period, after which bronchoalveolar lavage was performed. Control oligodeoxynucleotide treated γδ T cells decreased late airway responses and eosinophilia in bronchoalveolar lavage. There was a complete recovery of late airway responses and a partial recovery of airway eosinophilia in recipients of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide treated cells. Macrophage ingestion of eosinophils was frequent in rats administered γδT cells but reduced in recipients of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide treated cells. These results indicate that CD8+γδ T cells inhibit late airway responses and airway eosinophilia through the secretion of IFN‐γ. Defective or altered γδ T‐cell function may account for some forms of allergic asthma.
Human dendritic cells transfected with allergen‐DNA stimulate specific immunoglobulin G4 but not specific immunoglobulin E production of autologous B cells from atopic individuals in vitro
Authors: König Bettina , Petersen Arnd , Bellinghausen Iris , Böttcher Ingo , Becker Wolf‐Meinhard , Knop Jürgen , Saloga Joachim
Published: May 2007

Atopic/allergic diseases are characterized by T helper 2 (Th2)‐dominated immune responses resulting in immunoglobulin E (IgE) production. DNA‐based immunotherapies have been shown to shift the immune response towards Th1 in animal models. In further studies we showed that human dendritic cells (DC) transfected with allergen‐DNA are able to stimulate autologous CD4+ T cells from atopic individuals to produce Th1 instead of Th2 cytokines and to activate interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ)‐producing CD8+ T cells. The aim of this study was to analyse whether DC transfected with allergen‐DNA are also able to influence immunoglobulin production of B cells from atopic donors. For this purpose, human monocyte‐derived DC from grass‐pollen allergic donors were transfected with an adenovirus encoding the allergen Phleum pratense 1 and cocultured with B cells, autologous CD4+ T cells, and CD40 ligand‐transfected L‐cells. B cells receiving help from CD4+ T cells stimulated with allergen‐transfected dendritic cells produced more allergen‐specific IgG4 compared to stimulation with allergen protein pulsed DC or medium, while total IgG4 production was not affected. In contrast, specific IgE production was not enhanced by stimulation with allergen‐DNA transfected DC compared to medium and inhibited compared to allergen protein‐pulsed DC with similar effects on total IgE production in vitro. Allergen‐DNA transfected dendritic cells are able to direct the human allergic immune response from Th2‐dominance towards Th1 and Tc1 also resulting in decreased IgE and increased IgG4 production.
In vitro microleakage of a fissure sealant polymerized by either a quartz tungsten halogen curing light or a plasma arc curing light
Authors: SHAH SARAH , ROEBUCK ELIZABETH M. , NUGENT ZOANN , DEERY CHRIS
Published: May 2007

Background.  The benefits of using plasma arc curing lights with their shorter curing times in the management of children are potentially great, provided there are no adverse effects.

Objective.  The aim of this study was to investigate whether the microleakage of a resin‐based sealant is influenced by polymerization with either a conventional quartz tungsten halogen or a plasma arc curing light.

Design.  This study took the form of an in vitro randomized control trial. Seventy extracted human first and second permanent premolars and molars were randomly allocated into two groups. Their occlusal surfaces were sealed with a light‐cured fissure sealant using either a quartz tungsten halogen curing light or a plasma arc curing light. The teeth were then sectioned, resulting in four surfaces per tooth, which were examined for microleakage under × 15 magnification with a light microscope. The principal unit of analysis was the tooth (worst section score) and not the section microleakage score.

Results.  No statistical significant difference in microleakage scoring between the two groups was demonstrated.

Conclusion.  This study found no difference in the degree of microleakage of fissure sealants polymerized by either light source.
Dominant pathogenic species of mesophilic aeromonads isolated from diseased and healthy fish cultured in Poland
Authors: Kozińska A
Published: May 2007

Aeromonasisolates were collected from cultured fish, characterized phenotypically and identified to species using 16S rDNA. The pathogenicity of all isolates was assayed on the basis of haemolytic and proteolytic activity and challenge tests were performed for isolates from healthy fish. A total of 131Aeromonasisolates were obtained and identified as follows:A. hydrophila(13),A. bestiarum(23),A. salmonicida(motile biogroup) (19),A. caviae(2),A. sobria(18),A. veroniibt.sobria(42),A. jandaei(1),A. encheleia(11) andA. allosaccharophila(2). All isolates ofA. hydrophilaandA. bestiarumand most isolates ofA. salmonicidaandA. veroniiwere classified as pathogenic.Aeromonas hydrophilawas isolated only from diseased trout except for one isolate obtained from carp fry. The other potentially pathogenicAeromonasspecies were present in diseased as well as healthy fish. The pathogenicity of isolates from healthy fish was correlated with their enzymatic activity and was also tested by challenge experiments. The dominant pathogenic species wereA. veroniibt.sobria,A. bestiarumandA. salmonicidain common carp andA. hydrophilain rainbow trout.
Experimental infection of turbot, Psetta maxima (L.), with strains of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus isolated from wild and farmed marine fish
Authors: López‐Vázquez C , Dopazo C P , Barja J L , Bandín I
Published: May 2007

The susceptibility of turbot, Psetta maxima, to infection with two strains of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) obtained from wild Greenland halibut, Reinhardtius hippoglossoides, and from farmed turbot was examined. A marine VHSV strain known to be highly pathogenic for turbot was also utilized for comparative purposes. Fish were infected by intra‐peritoneal (i.p.), immersion or cohabitation, and maintained at two different temperatures (8 and 15 °C). Infection trials showed that the three VHSV isolates were pathogenic for turbot fingerlings by i.p. injection at both temperatures, with high levels of mortality. Virus was recovered from most pools of dead fish i.p. challenged, but not from surviving fish. Although clinical signs were not induced following waterborne exposure, viral growth was obtained from some pools of surviving fish challenged by immersion with strain GH40 from Greenland halibut, which indicates that the virus can survive in sea water and infect other fish via horizontal transmission. Furthermore, although low, the clinical signs and mortality observed in fish cohabitating with turbot challenged with strain GH40 confirms horizontal transmission and indicates that the passage through fish increases the virulence of this strain for turbot. These findings indicate that Greenland halibut, as other wild fish, may play an important role in the epizootiology of VHSV and suggest a potential risk for the turbot farming industry.
An individual with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome and Smith–Magenis microdeletion syndrome: is chromosome 17p11.2 a candidate region for Tourette syndrome putative susceptibility genes?
Authors: Shelley B. P. , Robertson M. M. , Turk J.
Published: May 2007

This is the first published case description in the current literature of the association of definite Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) and the Smith–Magenis syndrome (SMS), both confirmed by DSM‐IV‐TR criteria and molecular cytogenetic analysis, respectively. The co‐occurrence of GTS, SMS and their common behavioural/neuropsychiatric abnormalities should warrant further genetic investigation of chromosome 17p11.2 deletion site as it may be a promising region for containing a gene(s) of aetiological importance in the development of the GTS phenotype. Alternatively, the co‐occurrence may be due to the common endophenotypic mechanisms shared by these disorders, rather than being specific for GTS that could be explored using strategies of quantitative trait loci – endophenotype‐based approach. Research into this genomic region may also benefit psychiatric genetic research in enhancing understanding of the biological and molecular underpinnings of common behavioural problems that are seen in both GTS and SMS. This would lead to advancement in neurobehavioural/neuropsychiatric genetics which will help in further explaining the broader perspective of gene–brain–behaviour interrelationships.
Silenced grief: living with the death of a child with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Todd S.
Published: May 2007

Background  This paper examines the bereavement experiences of parents of people with intellectual disabilities (IDs). It is based upon an understanding that there exists little research‐based understanding of those experiences or of the support needs of parents after the death of their child.

Methods  In‐depth interviews were held with 13 parents on the deaths of their children with IDs.

Results  The data highlighted the deep sense of loss that these parents experience after the death of their child. The loss was intensely felt. They also show that their loss was a form of compounded loss. To begin with the scale and depth of loss is misrecognized. They also lose contact with a world that they had previously been heavily involved in. There was a sense that ID services and professionals withdrew from the family with too much haste. The data reveal that there exists no adequate supportive emotional community for these parents to express their grief.

Conclusions  It is argued that the experiences of these parents have much in common with understandings of disenfranchised grief. The implications of these findings for research and practice are briefly discussed.
The quorum sensing regulator HapR downregulates the expression of the virulence gene transcription factor AphA in Vibrio cholerae by antagonizing Lrp‐ and VpsR‐mediated activation
Authors: Lin Wei , Kovacikova Gabriela , Skorupski Karen
Published: May 2007

HapR is a quorum sensing‐regulated transcription factor that represses the virulence cascade in Vibrio cholerae by binding to a specific site centred at −71 in the aphA promoter, ultimately preventing activation of the tcpPH promoter on the Vibrio pathogenicity island. In an effort to elucidate the mechanism by which HapR represses aphA expression, we identified two transcriptional regulators, Lrp and VpsR, both of which activate the aphA promoter. Lrp, the leucine‐responsive regulatory protein, binds to a region between −136 and −123 in the promoter to initiate aphA expression. VpsR, the response regulator that controls biofilm formation, binds to a region between −123 and −73 to activate aphA expression. HapR represses aphA expression by antagonizing the functions of both of these activators. The HapR binding site at −71 lies downstream of the Lrp binding site and overlaps the VpsR binding site. HapR binding thus directly blocks access of VpsR to the promoter. A naturally occurring point mutation in the aphA promoter (G‐77T), which has previously been shown to prevent HapR binding, also prevents VpsR binding. In the absence of HapR, either Lrp or VpsR is capable of achieving nearly full expression of the aphA promoter, but when present together their effects are to some degree additive. The aphA promoter is also negatively autoregulated and an AphA binding site is centred at −20. The results here provide a model for the dual activation of the aphA promoter by Lrp and VpsR as well as its dual repression by HapR and AphA.
The novel ER membrane protein PRO41 is essential for sexual development in the filamentous fungus Sordaria macrospora
Authors: Nowrousian Minou , Frank Sandra , Koers Sandra , Strauch Peter , Weitner Thomas , Ringelberg Carol , Dunlap Jay C. , Loros Jennifer J. , Kück Ulrich
Published: May 2007

The filamentous fungus Sordaria macrospora develops complex fruiting bodies (perithecia) to propagate its sexual spores. Here, we present an analysis of the sterile mutant pro41 that is unable to produce mature fruiting bodies. The mutant carries a deletion of 4 kb and is complemented by the pro41 open reading frame that is contained within the region deleted in the mutant. In silico analyses predict PRO41 to be an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane protein, and a PRO41–EGFP fusion protein colocalizes with ER‐targeted DsRED. Furthermore, Western blot analysis shows that the PRO41–EGFP fusion protein is present in the membrane fraction. A fusion of the predicted N‐terminal signal sequence of PRO41 with EGFP is secreted out of the cell, indicating that the signal sequence is functional. pro41 transcript levels are upregulated during sexual development. This increase in transcript levels was not observed in the sterile mutant pro1 that lacks a transcription factor gene. Moreover, microarray analysis of gene expression in the mutants pro1, pro41 and the pro1/41 double mutant showed that pro41 is partly epistatic to pro1. Taken together, these data show that PRO41 is a novel ER membrane protein essential for fruiting body formation in filamentous fungi.
Multiple mechanisms to ameliorate the fitness burden of mupirocin resistance in Salmonella typhimurium
Authors: Paulander Wilhelm , Maisnier‐Patin Sophie , Andersson Dan I.
Published: May 2007

We examined how the fitness costs of mupirocin resistance caused by mutations in the chromosomal isoleucyl–tRNA synthetase gene (ileS) can be ameliorated. Mupirocin‐resistant mutants were isolated and four different, resistance‐conferring point mutations in the chromosomal ileS gene were identified. Fifty independent lineages of the low‐fitness, resistant mutants were serially passaged to evolve compensated mutants with increased fitness. In 34/50 of the evolved lineages, the increase in fitness resulted from additional point mutations in isoleucine tRNA synthetase (IleRS). Measurements in vitro of the kinetics of aminoacylation of wild‐type and mutant enzymes showed that resistant IleRS had a reduced rate of aminoacylation due to altered interactions with both tRNAIle and ATP. The intragenic compensatory mutations improved IleRS kinetics towards the wild‐type enzyme, thereby restoring bacterial fitness. Seven of the 16 lineages that lacked second‐site compensatory mutations in ileS, showed an increase in ileS gene dosage, suggesting that an increased level of defective IleRS compensate for the decrease in aminoacylation activity. Our findings show that the fitness costs of ileS mutations conferring mupirocin resistance can be reduced by several types of mechanisms that may contribute to the stability of mupirocin resistance in clinical settings.
The tubulin homologue FtsZ contributes to cell elongation by guiding cell wall precursor synthesis in Caulobacter crescentus
Authors: Aaron Michelle , Charbon Godefroid , Lam Hubert , Schwarz Heinz , Vollmer Waldemar , Jacobs‐Wagner Christine
Published: May 2007

The tubulin homologue FtsZ is well known for its essential function in bacterial cell division. Here, we show that in Caulobacter crescentus, FtsZ also plays a major role in cell elongation by spatially regulating the location of MurG, which produces the essential lipid II peptidoglycan cell wall precursor. The early assembly of FtsZ into a highly mobile ring‐like structure during cell elongation is quickly followed by the recruitment of MurG and a major redirection of peptidoglycan precursor synthesis to the midcell region. These FtsZ‐dependent events occur well before cell constriction and contribute to cell elongation. In the absence of FtsZ, MurG fails to accumulate near midcell and cell elongation proceeds unperturbed in appearance by insertion of peptidoglycan material along the entire sidewalls. Evidence suggests that bacteria use both a FtsZ‐independent and a FtsZ‐dependent mode of peptidoglycan synthesis to elongate, the importance of each mode depending on the timing of FtsZ assembly during elongation.
Transcriptional and physiological adaptation to defective protein‐O‐mannosylation in Candida albicans
Authors: Cantero Pilar D. , Lengsfeld Christian , Prill Stephan K.‐H. , Subanović Marina , Román Elvira , Pla Jesús , Ernst Joachim F.
Published: May 2007

Five Pmt isoforms O‐mannosylate secretory proteins in Candida albicans. Comparisons of genome‐wide transcript patterns of each pmt mutant revealed commonly downregulated genes involved in glycolysis and glycerol production. Increased phosphorylation of the Cek1p‐ but not the Mkc1p‐MAP kinase, as well as increased transcript levels for some stress‐related genes were detected in the pmt1 strain but not in the other pmt mutants. The transcriptomal pattern after short‐term inhibition of Pmt1p activity confirmed stress responses, but did not indicate an alteration of glycolytic flow. Short‐ but not long‐term adaptation to Pmt1p inhibition required signalling components Cek1p, Mkc1p, Efg1p and Tpk1p. Cna1p (calcineurin) but not its downstream effectors Crz1p and Crz2p was generally essential to allow growth during Pmt1p inhibition; accordingly, cyclosporin A strongly inhibited growth of the pmt1 mutant. The lack of Pmt isoforms influenced transcript levels for the remaining isoforms both positively and negatively, suggesting complex cross‐regulation among PMT genes. These results confirm individual functions of Pmt isoforms but suggest a common biphasic adaptation response to Pmt deficiency. While known signalling pathways modulate adaptation for a short‐term, long‐term adaptation requires calcineurin, adjustments of remaining Pmt activities and of glycolytic flow.
Cell wall growth during elongation and division: one ring to bind them?
Authors: Scheffers Dirk‐Jan
Published: May 2007

The role of the cell division protein FtsZ in bacterial cell wall (CW) synthesis is believed to be restricted to localizing proteins involved in the synthesis of the septal wall. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, the groups of Christine Jacobs‐Wagner and Waldemar Vollmer provide compelling evidence that in Caulobacter crescentus, FtsZ plays an additional role in CW synthesis in non‐dividing cells. During elongation (cell growth) FtsZ is responsible for the incorporation of CW material in a zone at the midcell by recruiting MurG, a protein involved in peptidoglycan (PG) precursor synthesis. This resembles earlier findings of FtsZ mediated PG synthesis activity in Escherichia coli. A role of FtsZ in PG synthesis during elongation forces a rethink of the current model of CW synthesis in rod‐shaped bacteria.
Selection of ThAr lines for wavelength calibration of echelle spectra and implications for variations in the fine-structure constant
Authors: Murphy M. T. , Tzanavaris P. , Webb J. K. , Lovis C.
Published: May 2007

Echelle spectrographs currently provide some of the most precise and detailed spectra in astronomy, the interpretation of which sometimes depends on the wavelength calibration accuracy. In some applications, such as constraining cosmological variations in the fundamental constants from quasar absorption lines, the wavelength calibration is crucial. Here we detail an algorithm for selecting thorium–argon (ThAr) emission lines for wavelength calibration which incorporates the properties of both a new laboratory wavelength list and the spectrograph of interest. We apply the algorithm to the Very Large Telescope Ultraviolet and Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES) and demonstrate a factor of ≳3 improvement in the wavelength calibration residuals (i.e. random errors) alone. It is also found that UVES spectra calibrated using a previous, widely distributed line-list contain systematic ±30 –75 m s−1 distortions of the wavelength scale over both short and long wavelength ranges. These distortions have important implications for current UVES constraints on cosmological variations in the fine-structure constant. The induced systematic errors are most severe for Mg/Feii quasar absorbers in the redshift range 1.2 ≲zabs≲ 2.3, with individual absorbers studied by recent authors containing systematic errors up to four times larger than quoted statistical errors.
Does growth irradiance affect temperature dependence and thermal acclimation of leaf respiration? Insights from a Mediterranean tree with long‐lived leaves
Authors: ZARAGOZA‐CASTELLS JOANA , SÁNCHEZ‐GÓMEZ DAVID , VALLADARES FERNANDO , HURRY VAUGHAN , ATKIN OWEN K.
Published: May 2007

Understanding the response of leaf respiration (R) to changes in irradiance and temperature is a prerequisite for predicting the impacts of climate change on plant function and future atmospheric CO2concentrations. Little is known, however, about the interactive effects of irradiance and temperature on leafR. We investigated whether growth irradiance affects the temperature response of leafRin darkness (Rdark) and in light (Rlight) in seedlings of a broad‐leaved evergreen species,Quercus ilex. Two hypotheses concerningRdarkwere tested: (1) the Q10(i.e. the proportional increase inRper 10 °C rise in temperature) of leafRdarkis lower in shaded plants than in high‐light‐grown plants, and (2) shade‐grown plants exhibit a lower degree of thermal acclimation ofRdarkthan plants exposed to higher growth irradiance. We also assessed whether light inhibition ofRlightdiffers between leaves exposed to contrasting temperatures and growth irradiances, and whether the degree of thermal acclimation ofRlightis dependent on growth irradiance. We showed that while growth irradiance did impact on photosynthesis, it had no effect on the Q10of leafRdark. Growth irradiance had little impact on thermal acclimation when fully expanded, pre‐existing leaves were exposed to contrasting temperatures for several weeks. WhenRlightwas measured at a common irradiance,Rlight/Rdarkratios were higher in shaded plants due to homeostasis ofRlightbetween growth irradiance treatments and to the lowerRdarkin shaded leaves. We also showed thatRlightdoes not acclimate to the same degree asRdark, and thatRlight/Rdarkdecreases with increasing measuring and growth temperatures, irrespective of the growth irradiance. Collectively, we raised the possibility that predictive carbon cycle models can assume that growth irradiance and photosynthesis do not affect the temperature sensitivity of leafRdarkof long‐lived evergreen leaves, thus simplifying incorporation of leafRinto such models.
Chlororespiration and cyclic electron flow around PSI during photosynthesis and plant stress response
Authors: RUMEAU DOMINIQUE , PELTIER GILLES , COURNAC LAURENT
Published: May 2007

Besides major photosynthetic complexes of oxygenic photosynthesis, new electron carriers have been identified in thylakoid membranes of higher plant chloroplasts. These minor components, located in the stroma lamellae, include a plastidial NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (NDH) complex and a plastid terminal plastoquinone oxidase (PTOX). The NDH complex, by reducing plastoquinones (PQs), participates in one of the two electron transfer pathways operating around photosystem I (PSI), the other likely involving a still uncharacterized ferredoxin‐plastoquinone reductase (FQR) and the newly discovered PGR5. The existence of a complex network of mechanisms regulating expression and activity of the NDH complex, and the presence of higher amounts of NDH complex and PTOX in response to environmental stress conditions the phenotype of mutants, indicate that these components likely play a role in the acclimation of photosynthesis to changing environmental conditions. Based on recently published data, we propose that the NDH‐dependent cyclic pathway around PSI participates to the ATP supply in conditions of high ATP demand (such as high temperature or water limitation) and together with PTOX regulates cyclic electron transfer activity by tuning the redox state of intersystem electron carriers. In response to severe stress conditions, PTOX associated to the NDH and/or the PGR5 pathway may also limit electron pressure on PSI acceptor and prevent PSI photoinhibition.
Allergens of Pityrosporum ovale and Candida albicans
Authors: Doekes G. , van Ieperen‐van Dijk A. G.
Published: May 2007

In atopic dermatitis (AD), a high prevalence has been reported of type I reactions and specific IgE to extracts of the commensal lipophilic skin yeast Pityrosporum ovale. In the present study, a highly significant correlation (r=0.77) was found between levels of anti‐P, ovale IgE and of IgE reacting with extracts of Candida albicans, both measured by a sensitive ELISA method. In a series of 128 AD sera, 34 sera reacted positively with both yeast extracts, 38 reacted with P. ovale but not with C. albicans, and only one of the 56 anti‐F. ovafe‐negative sera showed a very weak reaction with C. albicans. The correlation was due to a marked cross‐reactivity, as shown by inhibition ELISA. Eluid‐phase preincubation of double‐positive sera with either of the two yeast extracts resulted in a dose‐dependent, and at high concentrations complete, inhibition of the IgE reactions with both coated P. ovale and C. albicans allergens. Mutual inhibition of IgE‐binding could also be achieved with pools of glycoproteins and/or polysaccharides isolated from the crude extracts by Con A affinity chromatography. P. ovale allergens were, however, more potent fiuid‐phase inhibitors than the corresponding C. albicans components. The apparently higher avidity for P. ovale allergens suggests that these antiyeast IgE antibodies in AD result from sensitization to P. ovale and cross‐react with C albicans.
Budesonide powder administration for the treatment of grass‐pollen‐induced allergic rhinitis
Authors: Pedersen B. , Larsen B. Bundgaard , Dahl R. , Hedbys L. , Mygind N.
Published: May 2007

The new dry‐powder inhaler system, Turbuhaler®, has proved to be equivalent to metered‐dose inhalers when used in the nose, and the objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy, dose‐response effects, and safety of budesonide powder given in the morning during the grass pollen season to patients with grass‐pollen‐induced allergic rhinitis. Of 190 randomized patients, 186 were treated and 180 completed this double‐blind study, which comprised a 4‐week treatment period, preceded by a 1‐week run‐in period. The patients were randomized to three parallel treatment groups: budesonide 400 μg, budesonide 200 μg, or placebo once in the morning. Assessment of efficacy, by comparing changes in mean scores of nasal symptoms from run‐in to treatment, showed a statistically significant effect for all symptoms with active treatments, as compared with placebo. The mean reduction of symptom severity was more pronounced in the 400‐μg group than in the 200‐μg group, and this difference was statistically significant for runny nose (P<0.02) and combined nasal symptoms (P<0.02). Nasal peak‐inspiratory flow improved significantly in both budesonide‐treated groups, as compared with placebo (P<0.01 and P<0.01). During the treatment period, patients on active treatment showed, on average, a reduction of all nasal symptoms, whereas the placebo‐treated patients, on average, showed an increase of nasal symptoms. Approximately 40% in the high‐dose group felt total control of rhinitis symptoms, as compared with 26% in the low‐dose group. There was no difference between budesonide‐ and placebo‐treated groups in side‐effects. Budesonide delivered from a Turbuhaler once daily in the morning is effective, and better symptom control is achieved by 400 μg than 200 μg in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. However, the low dose may be sufficient in patients with mild symptoms. Budesonide from a Turbuhaler may be preferable to pressurized‐dose aerosols and aqueous pump sprays because it does not contain carrier gas, preservatives, or lubricants.
Asthma and contact urticaria caused by rice in a housewife
Authors: Lezaun A. , Igea J. M. , Quirce S. , Cuevas M. , Parra F. , Alonso M. D. , Martín J. A. , Cano M. S.
Published: May 2007

We report the case of an atopic housewife who presented with rhinoconjunctivitis‐asthma and contact urticaria from handling rice and other cereals. She tolerated cooked cereals. Both skin prick tests with a rice extract (20% w/v) and a rub test with raw rice gave positive results. Bronchial challenge test with methacholine revealed a PC20 of 0.45 mg/ml. The challenge test with raw rice resulted in immediate and late clinical and spirometric responses; pretreatment with DSCG inhibited both responses. The histamine release test (HRT) with rice was positive, and we detected rice‐specific IgE antibodies by REIA in the patient's serum. Skin prick tests, HRT, and RAST with a battery of cereals gave positive results. Finally, the rice REIA was inhibited by rice (75%), rye (63%), corn (64%), and wheat (51%) extracts.
Pharyngeal edema caused by occupational exposure to cellulase enzyme
Authors: Hytönen M. , Vanhanen M. , Keskinen H. , Tuomi T. , Tupasela O. , Nordman H.
Published: May 2007

Enzymes can cause allergic asthma and rhinitis. Although patients sometimes complain of symptoms in their throat, we have not been able to find any published report of pharyngeal edema caused by exposure to enzymes. We present the case of a maintenance foreman who worked in a factory producing enzymes, and who had pharyngeal edema, asthma, and rhinitis at work. Prick tests for cellulase enzyme and cellulase RAST were positive. The causal association between his pharyngeal symptoms and cellulase was demonstrated with inhalation provocation tests in an exposure chamber.
Hospital admissions of asthmatics bv age and sex
Authors: Harju T. , Keistinen T. , Tuuponen T. , Kivelä S.‐L.
Published: May 2007

Asthma‐related hospital admissions and the occurrence of new admissions were studied by age and sex in order to find the groups of asthmatics with high hospital admission rates. Data from the Finnish discharge register for 1972–92 were used to analyze the number of hospital admissions caused by asthma (defined in the International Clussification of Diseases, 8th and 9th revisions, code 493) and occurrence of new asthma admissions between 1983 and 1992. A total of 192195 asthma‐induced treatment periods were identified, 91 223 for males and 100972 for females. Boys were admitted twice as often as girls at the age of 1 year (11.2 in comparison with 5.9 admissions per 1000 per year), whereas the admission rate was consistently higher among women 25–55 years of age. The highest asthma admission rate among the elderly was at age 73 for men (10.3 per 1000) and 75 for women (9.5 per 1000). Occurrences of new asthma admissions were most frequent at the age of 1 year (5.3 per 1000 for boys and 2.9 per 1000 for girls) and remained constant among those aged 50–80 years. Asthma is not only a disease of childhood and adolescence. The number of middle‐aged and elderly asthmatics requiring hospitalization is markedly high.
Comprehensive hospital drug monitoring (CHDM): adverse skin reactions, a 20‐year survey
Authors: Hunziker Th. , Künzi U.‐P. , Braunschweig S. , Zehnder D. , Hoigné R.
Published: May 2007

Studies on the epidemiology of common adverse cutaneous drug reactions have rarely been reported, since they can only be successfully conducted in clinics of internal medicine employing consultant dermatologists and having a comprehensive or intensive system of monitoring. Between 1974 and 1993, the adverse skin reactions occurring in divisions of general internal medicine of three different hospitals were monitored by a computerized comprehensive system. The “drug‐monitoring patient” was defined as the recipient of at least one drug during hospitalization. The relationship of the skin reactions to drug causality in these patients had to be either definite (proven by re‐exposure) or probable (drug relation greater than that of nondrug causality). The skin reactions were classified into four diagnostic groups. Maculopapular exanthema, urticaria, and vasculitis were the three main groups. The fourth group comprised cases of nonhomogeneous but clinically well‐defined special exanthema. For selected drugs and years of observation, special emphasis was placed on the study of time patterns (reaction time, exposure time). A total of 1317 definite or probable drug‐induced skin reactions occurred during the hospitalization of 48 005 consecutively admitted “drug‐monitoring patients”: 1201 cases of maculopapular exanthema, 78 cases of urticaria, 18 cases of cutaneous vasculitis, and 20 cases of special exanthema (five of erythema multiforme minor, six of fixed eruption, one of photosensitivity reaction, and eight of acneiform eruption). The main drugs involved did not differ for the three main types of skin reactions, penicillins ranking in the first place, followed by sulfonamides ‐ most often combined with trimethoprim ‐ and in the third place nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs. The reaction time (time from last drug exposure to first skin manifestation) for urticaria showed a relevant proportion of the acute type (within 1 h) and most of the subacute type (1‐24 h). For maculopapular exanthema, the subacute or, rarely, the latent type (2‐8 days, exceptionally more than 8 days) predominated. For aminopenicillins, the rate of occurrence of skin reactions increased with increasing exposure time up to 12 days, and then markedly diminished. Possibly due to the tendency to withdraw suspected drugs even in the case of minor (e.g., maculopapular) skin reactions, no severe events such as erythema multiforme major/Stevens‐Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis occurred.
Effects of ketotifen on symptoms and on bronchial mucosa in patients with atopic asthma
Authors: Hoshino M. , Nakamura Y. , Shin Z. , Fukushima Y.
Published: May 2007

Ketotifen is marketed throughout the world as an antiallergy drug, but whether it affects infiltration of inflammatory cells into airway mucosa is not known. We studied the effects of ketotifen on symptoms, pulmonary function, and airway inflammation in 25 patients with atopic asthma. Patients took ketotifen (1 mg twice daily) or a matching placebo for 8 weeks in a double‐blind, parallel‐group study. Data recorded on diary cards were used for 2 weeks before treatment began, and they were used for the last 2 weeks of treatment to study asthma symptoms, use of β2–agonists, and peak expiratory flow (PEF). Pulmonary function tests, bronchial responsiveness to methacholine, and fiberoptic bronchoscopy were performed before and after treatment. Biopsy specimens were obtained by bronchoscopy. Specimens were stained immunohistochemically with monoclonal antibodies against stored eosinophil cationic protein (EG1), the secreted form of eosinophil cationic protein (EG2), mast‐cell tryptase (AA1), neutrophil elastase (NP57), CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD25. The numbers of positively stained cells in the lamina propria were counted. Compared with the placebo, the ketotifen‐treated group exhibited significant improvement of asthma symptoms (P<0.05) and bronchial responsiveness (P<0.05). This was accompanied by a reduction of EG2+ eosinophils (P<0.05), CD3+ T cells (P<0.001), CD4+ T cells (P<0.01), and CD25+ activated T cells (P<0.01) in the bronchial mucosa. These results suggested that the beneficial effects of ketotifen in bronchial asthma may result from consequent inhibition of activated eosinophils and T‐cell recruitment into the airway. Moreover, ketotifen may relieve allergic inflammation in bronchial asthma.
Mite fauna of German farms
Authors: Franz J.‐Th. , Masuch G. , Müsken H. , Bergmann K.‐Ch.
Published: May 2007

Storage mites are important sources of airborne allergens, especially on farms. A mite survey was conducted in the working environments of 121 farms in five regions of Germany. Of 859 samples, 743 (86.4%) contained mites, representing 547 857 astigmatic mites in 723 g of dust and 34 501 prostigmatic mites in 469 g of dust. Dust samples from nine sites of each farm were collected and analyzed. Ninety‐three percent of all mites belonged to the order Astigmata (storage‐ and house‐dust‐mite species); 35 Astigmata and 14 Prostigmata mite species were identified. According to the abundance and steadiness of the important astigmatic mite species, the following order was found: Lepidoglyphus destructor > Glycyphagus domesticus > Acarus siro > Tyrophagus longior > Blomia tjibodas > Chortoglyphus arcuatus > Thyreophagus entomophagus > Tyrophagus putrescentiae > Euroglyphus longior > Tyrophagus palmarum > Acarus farris > Acarus immobilis > Gohieria fusca. Blomia tjibodas was described for the first time as an abundant species of farms in Germany.
Contact urticaria from protein hydrolysates in hair conditioners
Authors: Niinimäki A. , Niinimäki M. , Mäkinen‐Kiljunen S. , Hannuksela M.
Published: May 2007

Protein hydrolysates (PHs) are added to hair‐care products (to “repair” broken hair), soaps, bath gels, creams, etc. From one to 22 PHs used in hair‐care products (collagen, keratin, elastin, milk, wheat, almond, and silk) were tested in three patient groups: A) 11 hairdressers with hand dermatitis B) 2160 consecutive adults with suspected allergic respiratory disease subjected to routine skin prick tests C) 28 adults with atopic dermatitis.

In group A, all the 22 PHs were tested with scratch and patch tests. In groups B and C, one to three PHs were tested with prick tests. Positive scratch/prick test reactions were seen in 12 patients from three PHs altogether. All were women with atopic dermatitis, and all reacted to at least hydroxypropyl trimonium hydroly:ed collagen (Crotein Q”). In three patients, prick and open tests with a hair conditioner containing Crotein Q were performed with positive results. One patient reported contact urticaria on her hands, and two reported acute urticaria on their head, face, and upper body from a hair conditioner containing Crotein Q. In seven of the eight studied sera, specific IgE to Crotein Q was detected. In conclusion, PHs of hair cosmetics can cause contact urticaria, especially in patients with atopic dermatitis.
Late skin‐prick‐test reactions to malted wheat. Clinical observations and immunohistochemical characterization
Authors: Meding B. , Ahonen K. , Brisman J. , Hedblad M.‐A. , Ståhl A. , Järvholm B. , Scheynius A.
Published: May 2007

This study reports late skin‐prick‐test (SPT) reactions in seven bakers and seven control subjects to malted wheat appearing after 6–10 h. and not preceded by an immediate‐phase reaction. Two subjects in each group had a history of atopic symptoms and were Phadiatope™ positive. Serologic IgE analysis (RAST) of normal wheat flour and of mahed wheat grain was negative in all subjects. Skin biopsy specimens were obtained 16–18 h after SPT to malted wheat grain and to histamine and from untested skin. The late SPT reactions in all participants had an urticarial appearance, clinically and in routine histology. Immunohistologically mild to moderate perivascular dermal cell infiltrates were observed in both groups, consisting mainly of CD4* and HLA‐DR* cells. The number of CDla* epidermal cells was statistically significantly higher (P<0.01) in the bakers” prick‐tested skin compared to tliat of the controls, a fact which might reflect preparedness to react upon challenge. There were no statistical differences between the two groups in IgE* epidermal cells or epidermal cells expressing the high‐affinity IgE receptor (FcɛRI). However, there was a correlation between serum‐IgE levels and the number of IgE* epidermal cells. The late skin reactions observed in both bakers and controls were probably more of an irritant or toxic than immune‐mediated nature, but they raise the question of whether skin contact with malted flour contributes to an unfavorable prognosis of hand eczema in bakers.
Determination and characterization of cross‐reacting allergens in latex, avocado, banana, and kiwi fruit
Authors: Möller M. , Kayma M. , Vieluf D. , Paschke A. , Steinhart H.
Published: May 2007

Sera of 11 patients were used to characterize allergens in kiwi fruit, latex, avocado, and banana by SDS‐PAGE/immunoblotting and to determine cross‐reactions between these allergen extracts in EAST inhibition and immunoblot inhibition. By SDS‐PAGE/immunoblotting. allergens with apparent molecular weights of 21, 38. 40. and 42 kDa were visualized in latex extract. In avocado extract. IgE‐binding components of 27, 43, 52, 58, 65, 75, and 88 kDa were to be seen, whereas, in banana extract, a 40‐kDa protein showed strong IgE binding. Furthermore, allergens of 52,58,88, and 94 kDa were detected in the extract of banana. Cross‐reactions between these allergen extracts were determined by EAST inhibition. Immunoblot inhibition demonstrated that almost all IgE‐reactive bands in nitrocellulose‐blotted latex, avocado, and banana extracts and two components of 43 and 67 kDa in kiwi fruit shared common IgE epitopes.
Asthma treatment: ‘magic bullets which seek their own targets’
Authors: Tarantini F. , Baiardini I. , Passalacqua G. , Braido F. , Canonica G. W.
Published: May 2007

The most fascinating options of the new asthma treatments are probably represented by monoclonal antibodies. In fact, these molecules are virtually able to interact with whatever specific antigen. Anyway, it is mandatory to understand the limits of this group of molecules, in terms of both efficacy and safety. In this review, we have analyzed different ways of interfering along the course of the cascade of the allergic reaction, targeting different molecules (CD4, TNF‐α, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐10, IL‐12, endothelial adhesion molecules, IgE), showing the efficacy and the risks of each kind of treatment. In the end, we focused our attention on omalizumab, the monoclonal antibody targeting IgE. Although with some restrictions, represented by the high costs and the limitation of its use only to a specific subset of patients affected by allergic asthma, at present anti‐IgE appear to be the only ‘magic bullet’ for the treatment of allergic asthma. In fact, it proved to reduce exacerbations and symptom scores, and to improve quality of life, with a very good safety profile.
Identification of a novel allele HLA‐DRB1*0114 in two Chinese marrow donors by sequence‐based typing†
Authors: Liu M‐L. , Qi J. , Zhang Y. , Ye S‐H.
Published: May 2007

A novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II, DRB1*0114, has been identified in routine typing of bone marrow donors for the Chinese Marrow Donor Registry in Shaanxi, China. The DRB1*0114 allele differs from DRB1*0101 by three nucleotide substitutions, causing two amino acid changes.
Allorecognition and the alloresponse: clinical implications
Authors: Afzali B. , Lechler R. I. , Hernandez‐Fuentes M. P.
Published: May 2007

The artificial transfer of tissues or cells between genetically diverse individuals elicits an immune response that is adaptive and specific. This response is orchestrated by T lymphocytes that are recognizing, amongst others, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules expressed on the surface of the transferred cells. Three pathways of recognition are described: direct, indirect and semi‐direct. The sets of antigens that are recognized in this setting are also discussed, namely, MHC protein products, the MHC class I‐related chain (MIC) system, minor histocompatibility antigens and natural killer cell receptor ligands. The end product of the effector responses are hyperacute, acute and chronic rejection. Special circumstances surround the situation of pregnancy and bone marrow transplantation because in the latter, the transferred cells are the ones originating the immune response, not the host. As the understanding of these processes improves, the ability to generate clinically viable immunotherapies will increase.
HLA‐B*9523 increases the extremely high B*15‐group polymorphism†
Authors: Balas A. , Sánchez‐Gordo F. , García‐Sánchez F. , Prat I. , Vicario J. L.
Published: May 2007

HLA‐B*9523 differs from B*1591 and B*1503 in point nucleotide mutations at codon 167 (TCG → TGG) and 152 (GAG → GTG), respectively.
Identification of a novel HLA‐A*26 allele, HLA‐A*2632, by sequence‐based typing in the Korean population†
Authors: Kwon O.‐J. , Lee J.‐S. , Oh J.‐W. , Nah S.‐Y. , Jeong S. M.
Published: May 2007

HLA‐A*2632 shows three nucleotides difference with HLA‐A*260101 and HLA‐A*2624 in exon 3 at codon 95 (ATC → ATG) and codon 97 (AGG → GTG), resulting in two amino acids change from Ile to Met (I95M) and Arg to Val (R97V).
HLA‐A*2634, a new allele identified by sequence‐based typing in the Korean population
Authors: Kwon O‐J. , Hong S‐A. , Oh J‐W. , Nah S‐Y. , Jeong S. M.
Published: May 2007

A new HLA‐A*2634 allele differs from A*260101 by a change from C to T at the nucleotide 559 of exon 3, with a coding change R163W.
The genetic variation of the human HMGB1 gene
Authors: Kornblit B. , Munthe‐Fog L. , Petersen S. L. , Madsen H. O. , Vindeløv L. , Garred P.
Published: May 2007

High‐mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) is a nuclear DNA‐binding protein, which also functions as a pleiotropic cytokine, implicated in the pathology of several different immune‐mediated diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine the HMGB1 gene for putative polymorphisms in 103 healthy Caucasian Danish blood donors. A total of six polymorphisms and four mutations were identified in the HMGB1 gene. Subsequent MatInspector estimation revealed that several polymorphisms might have a potential regulatory impact on HMGB1 transcription. This study has characterized genetic variations in the HMGB1 gene locus, which may have a regulating role in the expression of HMGB1, providing the basis for molecular investigations of the HMGB1 gene in different disease settings.
HLA‐G alleles and HLA‐G 14 bp polymorphisms in a Brazilian population
Authors: Castelli E. C. , Mendes‐Junior C. T. , Donadi E. A.
Published: May 2007

Brazilians represent one of the most heterogeneous populations in the world as the result of five centuries of interethnic crosses. We investigated the polymorphism of the HLA‐G locus in a Brazilian urban sample. HLA‐G alleles were determined by SBT analysis of exons 2–4 and 8 in 103 unrelated individuals. The genotyping analysis identified 11 different HLA‐G alleles, including the recently described G*010110 allele, and four new variants in this population. These data indicate that this Brazilian population presents high HLA‐G allelic polymorphism, suggesting increased levels of intrapopulational genetic diversity that may be because of the admixed nature of the sample. This is the first study regarding HLA‐G genotyping that was performed at such refined resolution level in this heterogeneous population.
A novel DRB1*04 allele
Authors: Endres R. O. , Wetzsteon P. J. , Stein J. , Norman D. J.
Published: May 2007

Discovery of the novel DRB1*0464 allele is described. This allele contains a nucleotide substitution in codon 13 that changes the amino acid histidine coded for in all other DRB1*04 alleles to tyrosine. This allele was found in a parent and one child of a North American Caucasian family with the haplotype: A*03, B*07, DRB1*0464, DRB4*0103, DQB1*0301.