bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variability of surface soil moisture at the watershed scale
Authors: Cosh Michael H. , Stedinger Jery R. , Brutsaert W.
Published: December 2004

Data from the Washita '92 experiment illustrate the spatial and temporal variability of surface soil moisture. Statistical moments revealed that there is no significant skewness or kurtosis in the distribution. Over the drying period the variance decreased with time; however, the coefficient of variation did not significantly change, indicating that scaled variability remains roughly constant. Regression analysis showed that soil texture, vegetation density, and time since precipitation accounted for approximately 55% of the variability of surface soil moisture. There are also strong indications of persistence in the spatial structure representing perhaps topography and solar exposure, which was maintained and explained 31% of the total variability. The methodology proposed herein should be generally applicable in the analysis of any spatially variable land surface data set as it evolves with time.
Cloning of a group 3 allergen from Blomia tropicalis mites
Authors: Cheong N. , Yang L. , Lee B. W. , Chua K. Y.
Published: December 2004

Background:  Blomia tropicalis is an important mite species in the tropics and subtropical regions of the world. It is well established that the allergen from this species of mite is one of the triggering factors for allergic asthma. The isolation and characterization of allergens in this mite species is desired to provide sensitive and specific reagents for diagnostic as well as therapeutic purposes.

Methods:  The SMART (Clontech Laboratories, Palo Alto, CA, USA) rapid amplification of complementary DNA ends (RACE cDNA amplification) method was used to isolate the putative Blo t 3 gene. Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were performed in the presence of specific gene primers to obtain the full‐length gene, and were confirmed by DNA sequencing. The putative gene was cloned into E. coli expression vector GST‐4T‐1 and expressed as a fusion protein with glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST). The allergenicity of the GST‐Blo t 3 recombinant protein was evaluated by human IgE enzyme‐linked immunoassay (ELISA) and skin pricks tests.

Results:  The full length Blo t 3 gene had 1138 base pairs, including a 105‐bp long 5′ nontranslated region, an ATG start codon at positions 106–108, and a stop codon TAA at positions 904–906, with an open reading frame coding for a polypeptide of 266 amino acids. Protein analysis revealed that it was a serine protease that had a prepro‐mature structure that shared high sequence homology with group 3 dust mite allergens. The predicted molecular weight of the matured protein was approximately 23.8 kD with a theoretical pI of 8.87. The frequency of IgE reactivity of the recombinant protein showed up to 50% of IgE reactivity with mite allergic subjects but IgE titer was generally low.

Conclusion: We had isolated and fully characterized the cDNA encoding an important B. tropicalis allergen that was highly homologous to Group 3 dust mite allergens and we proposed that it should be designated as Blo t 3. Its clinical importance was implicated by the high frequency of IgE reactivity with allergic sera.
Atopy in Norwegian and Russian adults: a population‐based study from the common border area
Authors: Smith‐Sivertsen T. , Tchachtchine V. , Lund E.
Published: December 2004

Background: Several studies have concluded that atopy is more common in Western than in Eastern Europe. We aimed to study whether a similar difference exists between Norwegian and Russian adults living in geographically adjacent areas.

Methods: A cross‐sectional population‐based study was performed in Sør‐ Varanger municipality (Norway) and in the cities of Nikel and Zapolyarny (Russia). The Russian cities are heavily polluted by sulfur dioxide from local nickel industry. In addition to questionnaire information, results on IgE sensitization (S‐Phadiatop, Pharmacia & Upjohn, Uppsala, Sweden) were obtained from 3134 Norwegian and 709 Russian participants.

Results: A positive Phadiatop was found in 20.7% of the Norwegians (men 21.9%, women 19.7%) and in 27.5% of the Russians (men 35.7%, women 23.0%); the sex‐ and age‐adjusted relative risk of testing positive in Russia being 1.49 (95% CI 1.23–1.81). The Norwegian participants reported more atopic dermatitis and hay fever, although this difference was statistically significant only for atopic dermatitis in women.

Conclusion: IgE sensitization was more common in Russia than in Norway, unlike findings from other east–west European studies. The Russians did not, however, report more atopic diseases. This discrepancy might reflect different awareness of allergies in the two countries and demonstrates the need for objective markers of atopy when comparing prevalence in different populations.
Altered intracellular expression of the chemokines MIP‐1α, MIP‐1β and IL‐8 by peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in mild allergic asthma
Authors: Grob M. , Schmid‐Grendelmeier P. , Joller‐Jemelka H. I. , Ludwig E. , Dubs R. W. , Grob P. J. , Wüthrich B. , Bisset L. R.
Published: December 2004

Background: The ability of chemokines to regulate Th1 and Th2 responses suggests a role in the pathogenesis of atopic disorders such as allergic asthma where Th2 response dominance has been observed. Although the impact of allergic asthma on local chemokine production in the lung has been the subject of investigation, little is know about the influence of disease progression on peripheral chemokine production. We now report use of whole blood culture and flow cytometry to assess the influence of mild allergic asthma on peripheral T‐cell chemokine expression.

Methods: Study participants included patients with mild allergic asthma (n = 7) and nonasthmatic controls (n = 7). Following in vitro stimulation of peripheral venous blood with phorbol 12‐myristate acetate (PMA) and ionomycin, flow cytometry was used to estimate the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells producing a number of chemokines, including macrophage inflammatory proteins MIP‐1α and MIP‐1β, RANTES (regulated on activation, T‐cell expressed and secreted), monocytic chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP)‐1, and interleukin (IL)‐8, or the cytokines interferon (IFN)‐γ and IL‐4. Serum levels of MIP‐1α, MIP‐1β, RANTES, MCP‐1, IL‐8, IFN‐γ and IL‐4 were also assessed by quantitative ELISA.

Results: Intracellular expression of MIP‐1β by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from allergic asthmatics was significantly reduced in comparison to that observed for nonasthmatics (median = 2.29% (1.75–3.50) vs 4.57% (3.38–6.64), P = 0.05; 14.20% (13.18–17.88) vs 44.10% (30.38–48.70), P = 0.01). Similarly, intracellular expression of MIP‐1α by CD8+ T cells from allergic asthmatics was also significantly lower (3.67% (1.17–5.42) vs 17.10% (4.97–20.43), P = 0.05). Conversely, IL‐8 expression by both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from allergic asthmatics demonstrated significant enhancement (9.93% (7.77–11.28) vs 4.14% (3.61–7.11), P = 0.05; 8.40% (6.97–10.04) vs 4.98% (3.37–6.08), P = 0.05). Examination of intracellular IFN‐γ and IL‐4 revealed no significant difference in the expression of either cytokine by CD4+ T‐cells from allergic asthmatics and nonasthmatics. In contrast, expression of IFN‐γ was significantly reduced in CD8+ T‐cells from allergic asthmatics (24.60% (21.08–32.50) vs 48.40% (41.50–55.28), P = 0.01).

Conclusions: The occurrence in mild allergic asthma of peripheral T‐cell chemokine expression suggestive of a diminished Th1 response, coinciding with marginal change in cytokine profiles indicative of a Th2 response bias, confirms the importance of chemokine involvement in the etiology of allergic asthma. The ability to use whole blood culture to estimate chemokine expression in T cell subsets may ultimately provide a practical means to evaluate disease status and to monitor early intervention therapies which target chemokines.
The prevalence of IgE sensitization to formaldehyde in asthmatic children
Authors: Doi S. , Suzuki S. , Morishita M. , Yamada M. , Kanda Y. , Torii S. , Sakamoto T.
Published: December 2004

Background:  Formaldehyde (FA) is well documented as a cause of occupational asthma. Recently, attention has been paid to FA as an allergen and a pollutant that enhances allergic sensitization. We have investigated the prevalence of FA‐specific IgE in asthmatic children and the correlation between IgE sensitization to FA and the severity of asthma.

Methods:  One hundred and fifty‐five children were investigated, 122 of them asthmatic and 33 nonallergic. Specific IgE against FA was measured by CAP RAST. In addition, the patients answered a questionnaire, containing questions on clinical features of their asthma, their living conditions, and symptoms of mucosal irritation.

Results:  Of all the subjects assessed, FA‐specific IgE was detected in only two asthmatics, and their IgE levels of FA were low (0.42 and 0.46 UA/ml). One of the two patients with FA‐specific IgE had severe asthma and frequent symptoms of mucosal irritation, but the other had mild asthma and only rare symptoms of mucosal irritation.

Conclusions:  The prevalence of IgE sensitization to FA appears very low in Japanese children, whether or not they have asthma. Therefore, it appears likely that FA is not one of the major allergens causing childhood asthma.
National survey on the management of rhinopathies in asthma patients by French pulmonologists in everyday practice
Authors: Demoly P. , Crampette L. , Daures J.‐P.
Published: December 2004

Background:  Epidemiological and pathophysiologic studies have shown that allergic rhinitis and asthma often occur in combination. The internationally developed ARIA position paper (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma) recently offered recommendations on allergic rhinitis. As part of this new report and prior to its diffusion, we investigated the management of rhinopathies in asthma patients by pulmonologists in their everyday practice.

Methods:  From March to June 2000, 477 (48%) French pulmonologists in office‐based practice participated in the survey. They were asked to include their first five asthmatic adult patients. In addition to descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariate analyzes were performed.

Results:  We studied 1623 patients with varying severity of asthma (sex ratio 0.9; median age 35 years). The pulmonologists reported rhinopathy in 76.6% of these, with a chronic course in 91%. Among the patients, 67.1% reported rhinopathy. The diagnosis was allergic rhinitis in 66.2% of participants and nasal polyposis in 10.1%. Examination of the nasal cavities was performed by the pulmonologists themselves in 56.2% of patients. Imaging of the sinuses was performed radiographically in 55.3% of enrolled patients and/or by computed tomography in 17.2%. Referral to an ENT specialist occurred for 21.6% of patients, being more common for patients with rhinitis that failed to respond to medical therapy (although some pulmonologists referred their patients routinely).

Conclusions:  The high prevalence of rhinopathies in asthma patients requires that these conditions are recognized and managed by pulmonologists. Thus, our findings support one of the central messages contained in the new ARIA guidelines—asthma patients should be investigated routinely for rhinitis and other rhinopathies.
Effect of ciclesonide on allergen challenge in subjects with bronchial asthma
Authors: Larsen B. B. , Nielsen L. P. , Engelstätter R. , Steinijans V. , Dahl R.
Published: December 2004

Background:  The aim of this clinical trial was to investigate whether repeated inhalation of the new inhaled steroid ciclesonide reduces the early‐phase (EAR) and late‐phase (LAR) reactions after allergen challenge in patients with mild allergic asthma. Also, this study provides further data on safety and tolerance of ciclesonide.

Methods:  The study was designed as a double‐blind placebo‐controlled randomized crossover trial. Following a baseline period, patients were randomized to either of two treatment sequences (ciclesonide/placebo, placebo/ciclesonide) each of which lasted for one week and were separated by 3–5 weeks from the alternate treatment sequence. Patients received 800 µg ciclesonide twice daily by means of a Cyclohaler. At the end of each treatment patients were subjected to an allergen challenge.

Results:  Thirteen asthmatic patients (mean FEV1 of 91% predicted) who experienced an EAR and LAR after allergen challenge participated in the study. The time‐average FEV1 decreases 0–2 h (2–12 h) after allergen challenge as measure of the EAR (LAR) were significantly reduced (P < 0.05, one‐sided) from 0.426 L to 0.233 L (EAR) and from 0.443 L to 0.213 L (LAR), respectively. Thus, the study results suggest that ciclesonide significantly lowered the extent of EAR and LAR compared to placebo. Ciclesonide was well tolerated and no drug‐related adverse events were reported. Cortisol excretion in 24‐h urine showed no significant difference between ciclesonide and placebo.

Conclusions:  The study supports the efficacy and safety of ciclesonide.
Bronchial hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation in adolescents with asymptomatic childhood asthma
Authors: Obase Y. , Shimoda T. , Kawano T. , Saeki S. , Tomari S. , Izaki K. , Fukushima C. , Matsuse H. , Kohno S.
Published: December 2004

Background:  About 70% of childhood asthmatics become free of asthma‐related symptoms during adolescence. Little is known about bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and airway inflammation in young adults with “outgrown” childhood asthma.

Methods:  We studied 61 nonsmoking medical students (18 intermittent mild asthmatics, 23 students with outgrown childhood asthma but free of asthma‐related symptoms for 10 years (asymptomatic asthmatics) and 20 healthy students). BHR and lung function were measured, and induced sputum samples analyzed for eosinophil count, eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), granulocyte‐macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF), and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α).

Results:  BHR was still present in most asymptomatic asthmatics, but it was milder compared with healthy students. Only three subjects with previous asthma had no BHR and no signs of airway inflammation. Percentages of eosinophil, and ECP, TNF‐α and GM‐CSF concentrations in induced sputum of mild asthmatics and asymptomatic asthma groups were higher than in the healthy group. In asymptomatic asthmatics group, the duration of asthma, sputum eosinophil percentage, and the level of TNF‐α in sputum correlated significantly with BHR.

Conclusions:  Only a few subjects with longstanding asymptomatic asthma could be considered as cured; most asymptomatic asthmatics continued to exhibit BHR and signs of airway inflammation. The outcome of childhood asthma and BHR was associated with the degree of airway inflammation and the duration of childhood asthma.
The effect of specific immunotherapy on T‐cell receptor repertoire in patients with allergy to house‐dust mite
Authors: Sade K. , Kivity S. , Levy A. , Fireman E.
Published: December 2004

Background: The precise mechanism of specific immunotherapy (SIT), long used for treating allergic diseases, remains undefined. SIT was shown to act by modifying the immune response of T lymphocytes to antigens. We examined the effect of SIT on the expression and use V‐alpha, ‐beta, ‐gamma and ‐delta chains of T‐cell receptors (TCR) in patients allergic to house‐dust mite.

Methods: Peripheral venous blood was taken for lymphocyte TCR analysis from 10 house‐dust mite (HDM) allergic adults before initiating SIT and 6 months after initiating the treatment. Twelve similarly allergic patients without SIT served as controls. TCR chains were identified by fluorescence‐activated cell sorter (FACS) using the following monoclonal antibodies: CD3, CD14, CD8, pan alpha‐beta, pan gamma‐delta, V‐alpha2, V‐alpha12.1, V‐beta5a, V‐beta5b, V‐beta5c, V‐beta8a, V‐beta8b, V‐beta3.1, V‐beta13, V‐beta12, V‐beta6.7, V‐delta1, V‐delta2, V‐gamma9, and V‐gamma4.

Results: Analyzed before and 6 months after SIT initiation, lymphocyte TCR showed significantly increased V‐beta5b, V‐beta12 and V‐alpha12.1 values compared to controls (without significant changes in other markers).

Conclusions: SIT caused selective expansion of certain V‐beta‐ and V‐alpha‐expressing T cells in patients allergic to HDM. Our results support the notion that the effect of SIT in patients with allergic rhinitis may be achieved by modifying the T lymphocyte response through the modulation of TCR usage.
Molecular cloning, purification, and IgE‐binding of a recombinant class I chitinase from Hevea brasiliensis leaves (rHev b 11.0102)
Authors: Rihs H.‐P. , Dumont B. , Rozynek P. , Lundberg M. , Cremer R. , Brüning T. , Raulf‐Heimsoth M.
Published: December 2004

Background: Class I chitinase in natural rubber latex (NRL) has been assumed to be an important allergen, especially concerning its cross‐reactivity with fruits like avocado and banana.

Objectives: The present study aimed to produce a recombinant latex class I chitinase from Hevea brasiliensis leaves and to study its immunoglobulin (Ig)E‐binding reactivity.

Methods: A class I chitinase‐specific complementary DNA from H. brasiliensis leaves was synthesized, subcloned, sequenced and overexpressed in fusion with the maltose‐binding protein (MBP) in Escherichia coli. The IgE‐binding reactivity of this protein was studied by the Pharmacia CAP SystemTM and by immunoblot experiments using sera from latex‐allergic patients.

Results: The rHev b 11.0102 was found to have a length of 295 amino acid residues and contains an N‐terminal hevein‐like domain with a 56% homology to hevein. Analysis by the CAP method revealed the presence of rHev b 11.0102‐specific IgE antibodies in 17 of 58 sera (29%) of IgE‐mediated latex‐allergic subjects tested. Immunoblot analysis of the MBP–rHev b 11.0102 fusion protein and the MBP carrier protein as a negative control confirmed the IgE‐reactivity of rHev b 11.0102.

Conclusion: Due to its IgE‐reactivity rHev b 11.0102 represents an allergen of intermediate prevalence in NRL. Its property to cross‐react with certain fruits makes it an important supplement in the diagnostic panel of recombinant NRL allergens.
The control of asthma in Italy. A multicentre descriptive study on young adults with doctor diagnosed current asthma
Authors: De Marco Roberto , Bugiani Massimiliano , Cazzoletti Lucia , Carosso Aurelia , Accordini Simone , Buriani Orazio , Carrozzi Laura , Dallari Rossano , Giammanco Giuseppe , Ginesu Francesco , Marinoni Alessandra , Cascio Vincenzo Lo , Poli Albino , Struzzo Pierluigi , Janson Christer ,   for ISAYA study group
Published: December 2004

Background:  Few data are available on the management of asthma in the general population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of asthma control in Italian patients, a decade after the publication of the international guidelines.

Materials and methods:  Within the framework of a multicentre, population‐based study on people aged 20–44 years, 18 873 subjects replied to a postal screening questionnaire (response rate = 72.7%) on the presence of asthma symptoms and exacerbations, and their impact on daily life. All subjects reporting having ever had a doctor diagnosis of asthma and either taking medicine for asthma when interviewed or having had an asthma attack in the last 12 months, were considered current asthmatics.

Results:  Of the screened subjects, 649 (3.4%) were current asthmatics. Of these, only 14% did not report exacerbations or had been symptom‐free in the last 12 months. More than 20% of current asthmatics had their daily life activities seriously impaired and 54 patients (8%) had at least one hospital/emergency department admission as a result of asthma exacerbation in the last 12 months. The life impairment and the rates of hospitalization significantly increased as the control of the symptoms worsened. The use of asthma drugs was quite common in current asthmatics: 586 (90.2%) reported having been under pharmacological treatment in the last 12 months. Only 63 patients (10%) had the disease under control (neither symptoms nor life impairment): they had a significantly higher percentage of drug use (100%vs 89%) and of daily use prescriptions (50%vs 36%) than non/moderately controlled asthmatics. Poorly controlled asthmatics had a significantly higher percentage of women (63%vs 44%), of patients with the coexistence of chronic cough and phlegm (47%vs 30%) than moderately/well‐controlled asthmatics. The comparison between our data and similar data collected in 1991 in Italy showed that the use of asthma drugs increased by about 12%, while the control of symptoms did not improve in the last decade.

Conclusion:  Despite the high percentage of drug users, the control of symptoms and exacerbations was overall poor in Italy and resulted in a heavy individual and social burden, pointing out that the guideline goals have far from been reached in Italy.
Prospective study of mustard allergy: first study with double‐blind placebo‐controlled food challenge trials (24 cases)
Authors: Morisset M. , Moneret‐Vautrin D.‐A. , Maadi F. , Frémont S. , Guénard L. , Croizier A. , Kanny G.
Published: December 2004

Background: Mustard allergy accounts for 1.1% of food allergies in children. However, double‐blind placebo‐controlled food challenge trials (DB PCFCs) have not yet been proposed.

Objective: To carry out DB PCFCs to determine the real frequency of mustard allergy in patients sensitized to mustard.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted in 30 subjects aged 3–20 years presenting positive prick tests to ground mustard seeds (Brassica nigra), mustard flour (B. juncea), metabisulfite‐free strong mustard seasoning (B. juncea) and a commercialized allergenic extract (B. nigra). Twenty‐seven subjects were screened for mustard‐specific immunoglobulin E (IgE). PCFCs were carried out either DB or single blind (SB) with up to 1340 mg of metabisulfite‐free seasoning.

Results: The mean diameter of the wheal induced by prick tests with the allergenic extract was lower (n.s.) than that induced by the native mustard products: 5.8 mm (1.5–15) vs 6.9 mm (0.5–18) for B. nigra ground seeds, 7.8 mm (1–20) for B. juncea flour and 9.7 mm (3–20) for the strong mustard seasoning. The diameter of the wheal induced by the allergenic extract was significantly different from that induced by the mustard seasoning (P < 0.005). The mean of mustard specific‐IgE values was 8.7 KU/l (0.35–72.4). Seven of 30 food challenges were considered positive. Mean prick test results in the positive and negative PCFC subgroups were 5.5 mm vs 5.9 mm for the commercialized extract, 10.9 mm vs 5.8 mm for B. nigra ground seeds (P < 0.01), 9.9 mm vs 7.1 mm for B. juncea flour (n.s. P > 0.25) and 11.5 mm vs 9.1 mm for the metabisulfite‐free mustard seasoning (n.s. P > 0.1). Mean specific IgE values determined by CAP system radioallergosorbent test (Phadebas Pharmacia) were higher but not significantly so (P > 0.25) in the subgroup with mustard allergy (12.3 K/l vs 7.6 KU/l).

Conclusions: About 23.3% of the sensitized subjects were allergic to a routine dose of mustard. Positive prick tests and the presence of specific IgE were not predictive. SB PCFC or DB PCFC is required before recommending avoidance diets.
Similar levels of nitric oxide in exhaled air in non‐asthmatic rhinitis and asthma after bronchial allergen challenge
Authors: Lopuhaä C. E. , Koopmans J. G. , Jansen H. M. , Van Der Zee J. S.
Published: December 2004

Background: Nitric oxide in exhaled air (eNO) is elevated in allergic asthma compared with healthy subjects and has been proposed as a marker of bronchial inflammation. However, eNO is elevated to a lesser extent in allergic non‐asthmatic rhinitis as well. Considering the distinctive clinical appearances of both allergic diseases, differences in eNO are expected to persist after allergen exposure. The aim of the study was to compare allergen‐induced changes in eNO in house dust mite sensitized patients with asthma and patients with perennial rhinitis without asthma symptoms.

Methods: Bronchial allergen challenge was performed in 52 patients sensitized to house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus), of whom 26 had non‐asthmatic rhinitis and 26 had asthma. Levels of eNO were measured before and 1 h, 1 day and 1 week after challenge.

Results: At baseline eNO was significantly lower in non‐asthmatic rhinitis compared with asthma (geometric mean eNO (SEM): 121 (1.1) in non‐asthmatic rhinitis vs 197 (1.1) nl/min in asthma, P < 0.006). However, the increase in eNO after bronchial allergen challenge in non‐asthmatic rhinitis, in particular in those patients with a dual asthmatic response, significantly exceeded the increase in asthma resulting in similar levels of eNO after challenge (geometric mean eNO (SEM) at 24 h postchallenge 204 (1.1) in non‐asthmatic rhinitis vs 244 (1.1)nl/min in asthma, P = 0.3).

Conclusion: The difference in eNO between non‐asthmatic rhinitis and asthma at baseline is abolished after allergen exposure due to a significantly greater increase in eNO in non‐asthmatic rhinitis.
Maternal oral contraceptive use and atopic diseases in the offspring
Authors: Frye C. , Mueller J. E. , Niedermeier K. , Wjst M. , Heinrich J.
Published: December 2004

Background:  This study examined the association of maternal oral contraceptive (OC) use – before and after birth – and atopic manifestations in the offspring.

Methods:  A total of 2754 East German children aged 5–14 years participated in a cross‐sectional survey in 1998–99. The standardized parental questionnaire in 1998–99 included data on atopic diseases, socio‐economic factors, parental atopy and maternal OC use. Specific immunoglobulin E against common inhalant allergens was measured by radioallergosorbent test (RAST).

Results:  Maternal OC use before birth was associated with a higher risk of atopic diseases in the offspring compared with children of mothers who had never taken OC [asthma: odds ratio (OR) 1.6; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.9–3.0; allergic rhinitis: OR 1.5; CI: 0.96–2.2; atopic eczema: OR 2.6; CI: 1.6–4.3; atopic sensitization: OR 1.5; CI: 0.97–2.2]. However, the effect estimates for maternal OC use after birth compared with the never users showed quite similar effects for these atopic conditions. No relations were observed between the prevalences of atopic diseases and maternal age at beginning of OC use, the duration of OC use, the type of contraceptive or maternal age at birth.

Conclusion:  This study raises doubts in a true biological association between OC use and atopic diseases.
Rhinasthma: a new specific QoL questionnaire for patients with rhinitis and asthma
Authors: Baiardini I. , Pasquali M. , Giardini A. , Specchia C. , Passalacqua G. , Venturi S. , Braido F. , Bonini S. , Majani G. , Canonica G. W.
Published: December 2004

Introduction: To date we have available specific instruments assessing health‐related quality of life (HRQL) in rhinoconjunctivitis or in asthma, but not instruments evaluating rhinitis and asthma together, although they often coexist. The aim of our study was to develop and validate a specific quality of life (QoL) questionnaire for adult patients with rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma or both.

Materials and methods: A pool of 42 items covering the main symptoms and problems related to respiratory allergy, was generated based on literature review and clinical experience. The items were randomly listed and presented to 148 consecutive outpatients 46 suffering from asthma (age 32.9 ± 14.3 years), 53 suffering from rhinoconjunctivitis (age 32.6 ± 11.5 years) and 49 from asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis (age 35.6 ± 12.2 years). The patients were asked to indicate which item they had directly experienced and for each of them, its importance on a four‐point scale (1 = not important; 4 = very important). Twelve items were cancelled from the list, because of low importance or redundance. In the instrument validation phase, 104 patients (42 with rhinoconjunctivitis alone and 62 with asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis) were evaluated with the generic instrument SF‐36 and the new questionnaire (RHINASTHMA).

Results: RHINASTHMA was able to differentiate patients with rhinitis from those with both rhinitis and asthma. In stable condition, RHINASTHMA showed good reliability. The factor analysis extracted three factors with a good reliability (0.93, 0.87, 0.76).

Discussion: RHINASTHMA is the first tool aimed at evaluating HRQL impairment in patients with rhinitis and/or asthma. It provides a short and simple assessment, and has overall psychometric properties. This is of relevance because of the frequent asthma–rhinitis comorbidity.
Inhibitory effects of ketotifen on eotaxin‐dependent activation of eosinophils: consequences for allergic eye diseases
Authors: Woerly G. , Loiseau S. , Loyens M. , Schoch C. , Capron M.
Published: December 2004

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ketotifen on different parameters of human eosinophil functions, namely chemotaxis, oxidative metabolism and mediator release, induced after activation.

Methods: Eosinophils from hypereosinophilic patients or normal donors were purified by Percoll gradient and the magnetic cell separation system. Chemotaxis was studied using the Boyden chamber technique using three potent chemoattractants: formyl‐methionine‐leucine‐phenylalanine (fMLP), interleukin (IL)‐5 and eotaxin. Oxidative metabolism was determined by a luminol‐dependent chemiluminescence assay after activation with eotaxin or secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA). The release of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil derived neurotoxin (EDN) was measured by radioimmunoassay after activation with sIgA.

Results: At pharmacologically active concentrations and in a dose‐dependent manner, ketotifen significantly inhibited the chemotaxis of eosinophils to fMLP, IL‐5 and eotaxin. The production of reactive oxygen species induced by eotaxin and sIgA was decreased by ketotifen, showing a more pronounced effect when cells were activated by eotaxin. Activation by sIgA resulted in ECP and EDN release, which was partially inhibited by ketotifen.

Conclusions: Through inhibition of chemotaxis, ketotifen might limit the number of eosinophils at the inflammation site during allergic reaction. Furthermore, inhibition by ketotifen of main inflammatory mediators release suggests a potential role of the drug in limiting the pathological potential of eosinophils.
IgE‐reactivity to seven Malassezia species
Authors: Zargari A. , Midgley G. , Bäck O. , Johansson S. G. O. , Scheynius A.
Published: December 2004

Background: Malassezia yeasts play a role in the pathogenesis of atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS). The revised genus Malassezia includes several species which all are natural habitants of the human skin. In this study, we evaluated the presence of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to different Malassezia spp. in AEDS patients to allow optimization of the characterization of the IgE antibody profile of IgE‐associated AEDS.

Methods: Ninety‐six adult patients, with a clinical diagnosis of AEDS, were included in the study. Seventeen of the patients had IgE antibodies to M. sympodialis, ATCC 42132 (m70 ImmunoCAP, Pharmacia, Diagnostic AB, Uppsala, Sweden). The IgE antibodies to seven Malassezia spp. were measured and inhibition immunoblotting was performed to investigate whether M. sympodialis contains all the allergen components present in the other Malassezia spp.

Results: Twenty per cent of 79 AEDS patients with a negative m70 ImmunoCAP test had IgE antibodies to at least one of the other six Malassezia spp. tested. Our inhibition studies indicated that Malassezia spp. to a great extent, share allergenic determinants. However, Malassezia species also contained species‐specific allergens.

Conclusion: The use of only one species of Malassezia is not sufficient to detect all patients IgE sensitized to Malassezia. To obtain an optimal allergen preparation both common allergenic components as well as species‐specific allergens have to be considered.
Cc‐chemokine eotaxin as a marker of efficacy of specific immunotherapy in patients with intermittent IgE‐mediated allergic rhinoconjunctivitis
Authors: Jahnz‐Różyk K. , Targowski T. , Głodzinska‐Wyszogrodzka E. , Płusa T.
Published: December 2004

Background: Allergen‐specific immunotherapy (SIT) is believed to be a valuable remedy in several allergic diseases; however, an accurate immunological marker of the efficacy of this treatment method has not been found yet. Cc‐chemokine eotaxin, owing to its selective action on eosinophils, seems to play an important role in the pathophysiology of allergic response. The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of eotaxin in monitoring of SIT efficacy in patients with IgE‐mediated allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

Methods: One hundred and twenty‐two patients with seasonal IgE‐mediated allergic rhinoconjunctivitis due to tree‐ (birch, n = 42; hazel/alder, n = 14) or grass/cereal‐ (n = 66) pollen received allergen‐specific immunotherapy.Serum eotaxin levels were determined four times in every patient, shortly before immunotherapy (Evaluation 0), immediately after the treatment (Evaluation 1), in the height of pollen season (Evaluation 2) and at least 2 weeks after the pollen season (Evaluation 3). Serum eotaxin levels were simultaneously measured in 59 healthy people from the control group. Changes in serum eotaxin levels were assessed in the healthy and allergic groups. Clinical symptoms of IgE‐mediated rhinoconjunctivitis were evaluated and compared with serum eotaxin concentration changes.

Results: Mean values of eotaxin concentrations in serum during Evaluations 0–3 did not significantly differ in the healthy subjects and the patients with IgE‐mediated rhinoconjunctivitis (P > 0.05). Moreover, no statistically significant differences in the serum eotaxin levels between the visits were observed in the patients who received immunotherapy (P > 0.05); however, immediately after immunotherapy (Evaluation 1) the mean serum level of eotaxin was lowest and closest to the serum eotaxin concentration in the control group at the same visit. No significant correlation between the mean value of the serum eotaxin level in the height of pollen season (r = −0.12, P > 0.05) or mean changes of the eotaxin levels between Evaluations 2 and 1 (r = −0.03, P > 0.05), on the one hand, and the cumulative score of symptoms and drug, on the other, were found.

Conclusions: The results allow to conclude that although eotaxin plays a significant role in the mechanism of antigen‐specific immunotherapy, its serum expression remains a poor marker of SIT efficacy.
IgE‐mediated sensitization to predatory mites in Swedish greenhouse workers
Authors: Johansson E. , Kolmodin‐Hedman B. , Källström E. , Kaiser L. , van Hage‐Hamsten M.
Published: December 2004

Background:  Predatory mites are used as biological pesticides worldwide for control of spider mites and other pests in greenhouses. The aim of this study was to investigate if predatory and spider mites give rise to sensitization among greenhouse workers who use biological pesticides.

Methods:  Blood samples were collected from 31 greenhouse workers from Stockholm area who were using the predatory mites Phytoseiulus persimilis and Hypoaspis miles for control of pesticides. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) binding to extracts of P. persimilis and H. miles and of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae was analysed with sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) and immunoblotting.

Results:  A total of 16 workers displayed IgE antibodies to one or more of the three mite species, 32% (n = 10) to P. persimilis, 52% (n = 16) to H. miles and 26% (n = 8) to T. urticae. At least 17 IgE binding components in the molecular weight ranging from 28 to >94 kDa were identified in P. persimilis. In H. miles, at least 11 components were detected, among them at least one major component at about 70 kDa. Twenty‐four IgE binding components were found in T. urticae.

Conclusions:  In this study we have for the first time shown that the predatory mites P. persimilis and H. miles can cause IgE‐mediated sensitization among greenhouse workers. The clinical relevance of sensitization to predatory mites needs to be investigated in further studies.
Immunologic characterization of the recombinant fire ant venom allergen Sol i 3
Authors: Schmidt M. , McConnell T. J. , Hoffman D. R.
Published: December 2004

Individuals sensitized to fire ant stings show immunoglobulin (Ig)E antibodies against the venom protein Sol i 3. We determined the full‐length complementary DNA (cDNA) sequence of this protein and expressed recombinant Sol i 3 in immunogenic form. The complete cDNA of Sol i 3 was obtained by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and PCR + 1 reactions using gene‐specific oligonucleotides, and oligonucleotides designed from the amino acid sequence of this protein. The encoding cDNA is 705 bp in length corresponding to 235 amino acids. The first 22 amino acids are a leader sequence. The protein with an added C‐terminal hexahistidine tag was expressed in insect cells using a baculovirus system. The recombinant protein was secreted into the supernatant and affinity purified with a cobalt chelating resin. The recombinant fire ant venom allergen Sol i 3 showed similar IgE binding activity to the native protein in radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and RAST inhibition assays. It was produced in both a glycosylated and an unglycosylated form. A three‐dimensional reconstruction of Sol i 3 was compared with the experimentally determined structure of the related allergen Ves v 5. This model is supported by results of circular dichroism spectroscopy.
Staphylococcal enterotoxin induced IL‐5 stimulation as a cofactor in the pathogenesis of atopic disease: the hygiene hypothesis in reverse?
Authors: Heaton T. , Mallon D. , Venaille T. , Holt P.
Published: December 2004

Background: The incidence of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) colonization on the skin of patients with atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS) is approximately 90% and a variety of evidence implicates epidermal staphylococcal infection as a pathogenic factor in atopic dermatitis. However, the mechanism(s) underlying the effects of this organism in the disease process are unclear. The cellular responses of AEDS suffers and asymptomatic atopic individuals to bacterial superantigens (SAg) were investigated in an attempt to elucidate the role of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) in atopic disease.

Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from normal nonatopic adults, asymptomatic atopic individuals, patients with active AEDS and patients with active allergic asthma. The cells were cultured for 24 or 96 h with house dust mite (HDM), SEB and phytohaemagluttinin (PHA), and the supernatants were assayed for cytokine levels.

Results: Staphylococcal enterotoxin B selectively stimulates the production of interleukin (IL)‐5 in AEDS sufferers but not in asymptomatic atopics or nonatopics. Additionally, we observed comparable susceptibility to the IL‐5‐stimulatory effects of SEB in allergic asthmatics.

Conclusions: Given the central role of IL‐5‐driven eosinophilia in progression from mild atopy to severe disease, these findings provide a plausible mechanism for the AEDS‐promoting effects of staphylococcal SAg. Staphylococcal enterotoxin B may also have a similar role in atopic respiratory disease.
Occupational asthma caused by soybean hull: a workplace equivalent to epidemic asthma
Authors: Maggio P. , Monsó E. , Baltasar M. , Morera J.
Published: December 2004

A case showing that soya hull exposure at work causes occupational asthma without flour‐related bronchoconstriction.
Quality of life and patients' satisfaction in chronic urticaria and respiratory allergy
Authors: Baiardini I. , Giardini A. , Pasquali M. , Dignetti P. , Guerra L. , Specchia C. , Braido F. , Majani G. , Canonica G. W.
Published: December 2004

Background:  Few articles are available about chronic urticaria (CU) impact on patients’ quality of life (QoL). The aim of our study was to evaluate QoL in CU patients both focusing on health status and subjective satisfaction. We adopted two generic tools: SF‐36 (an health status questionnaire) and SAT‐P (a satisfaction profile).

Methods:  Twenty‐one untreated patients (five males, 16 females; aged 46.3 ± 12.4) affected by CU, were enrolled. SF‐36 and SAT‐P scores of CU patients were compared with scores of a group of 27 patients with respiratory allergy. Published reference values of 608 and 241 Italian healthy subjects were used as controls, respectively, for SF‐36 and SAT‐P.

Results:  Patients with CU compared with allergic patients referred significantly lower scores in physical functioning (P = 0.046), role physical (P = 0.01), bodily pain (P = 0.0001), general health (P = 0.0043) and role emotional (P = 0.04), and compared with reference sample reported lower scores in all SF‐36 domains (P < 0.0001).

SAT‐P scores of CU patients compared with patients with respiratory allergy and with reference sample were significantly lower in many aspects of daily life.

Conclusions:  These results show a significant impact on health status and on subjective satisfaction in patients with CU: the symptoms affect everyday life, limiting and impairing physical and emotional functioning, and acts as an indirect burden on life satisfaction.
Efficacy of the topical nasal steroid budesonide on improving sleep and daytime somnolence in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis
Authors: Hughes K. , Glass C. , Ripchinski M. , Gurevich F. , Weaver T. E. , Lehman E. , Fisher L. H. , Craig T. J.
Published: December 2004

Background:  Improving quality of life is considered to be a major endpoint and motivation for clinical intervention in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR). In addition to classical symptoms of congestion, pruritus, and rhinorrhea, patients will often complain of not being able to sleep well at night and of feeling fatigued during the day. Like sleep apnea, PAR has also been shown to cause sleep disturbance and consequently worsen daytime fatigue and somnolence.

Hypothesis: It is proposed that by decreasing nasal obstruction due to allergic rhinitis by treating with the topical steroid budesonide, symptoms of daytime fatigue and somnolence can be improved.

Methods: Twenty‐two subjects were enrolled in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover study using Baalam's design. Patients were treated with either budesonide 128 μg/day or placebo. Subjective data include the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire, Rhino‐conjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, and a daily diary recording nasal symptoms, sleep problems, and daytime fatigue.

Results: The results illustrated that the topical nasal corticosteroid significantly improved daytime fatigue (P = 0.03), somnolence (P = 0.02), and quality of sleep (P = 0.05) compared to placebo in patients suffering from PAR.

Summary: Budesonide is able to improve congestion, sleep, and daytime somnolence.
Polygalacturonase (pectinase), a new oilseed rape allergen
Authors: Chardin H. , Mayer C. , Sénéchal H. , Poncet P. , Clément G. , Wal J. M. , Desvaux F. X. , Peltre G.
Published: December 2004

Background:  Type I hypersensitivity to rapeseed pollen allergens was described as the result of a cross‐sensitization with various pollens that could constitute an aggravating factor in birch or grass pollen allergies. Recently, a few rapeseed pollen allergens were described. The aim of the present work was to identify new rapeseed pollen allergens by using two‐dimensional gel analysis, microsequencing, and mass spectrometry.

Methods:  Water extractable proteins from oilseed rape pollen or stamen were separated by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis. The proteins were then electroblotted onto a nitrocellulose (NC) sheet. The NC sheets were successively incubated with (1) individual human sera pre‐selected for their immunoglobulin E (IgE) reactivity to rapeseed pollen proteins, (2) alkaline phosphatase (AP)‐conjugated goat anti‐human IgE and (3) AP substrate. The allergens localized by this method were then identified by microsequencing andMALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry analysis.

Results:  Of the 18 sera studied, five recognized a wide multispot zone with a molecular mass around 43 kD and pIs between 6.5 and 8.5. The results obtained with two representative sera are shown. From this zone, two isoforms of the polygalacturonase enzyme were identified by microsequencing. Confirmation was obtained through MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry analysis.

Conclusion:  The present results allow the identification of a new rapeseed allergen that can be the main allergen for some patients.
Use of CD63 expression as a marker of in vitro basophil activation and leukotriene determination in metamizol allergic patients
Authors: Gamboa P. M. , Sanz M. L. , Caballero M. R. , Antépara I. , Urrutia I. , Jáuregui I. , González G. , Diéguez I. , De Weck A. L.
Published: December 2004

Background: We assessed the reliability of basophil activation test (FAST) and sulphidoleukotriene production (CAST) in the in vitro diagnosis of allergy to metamizol, evaluating its sensitivity and specificity.

Methods: Twenty‐six patients allergic to metamizol and 30 control individuals were studied. Skin tests with metamizol, FAST, and CAST were performed.

Results: FAST sensitivity was 42.3% and specificity 100%. The PPV of FAST is 100% and the NPV 99.4%. The likelihood ratio for a positive value cannot be calculated because the specificity is 100% and the likelihood ratio for a negative value is 0.58. CAST sensitivity was 52%, and specificity 90%. The PPV of the test is 5% and the NPV 99.5%. The likelihood ratio for a positive result was 5.2 and that for a negative result 0.53. FAST detects a larger number of cases when patients are studied within the first 6 months after the clinical reaction (χ = 4.2, P = 0.04) than later. Together with skin tests, FAST allowed detection of 69.2% patients allergic to metamizol, the same as CAST 76%. The joint use of the three techniques allowed identification of 76.9% of cases.

Conclusions: FAST and CAST are useful for the diagnosis of allergy to pyrazolones. Its usefulness clearly increases when recent reactions are studied.
Selective insufficiency of IFN‐γ secretion in patients with hyper‐IgE syndrome
Authors: Ito R. , Mori M. , Katakura S. , Kobayashi N. , Naruto T. , Osamura Y. , Aihara Y. , Yokota S.
Published: December 2004

Background: Hyper‐immunoglobulin E (IgE) syndrome is a complex immune deficiency characterized by chronic eczematous dermatitis, recurrent staphylococcal infections, pneumatoceles, reduced neutrophil chemotaxis, and variably impaired T cell function. Although decreased interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) production in patients with hyper‐IgE syndrome is pointed out and known as a cause of reduced neutrophil chemotaxis, precise mechanism of their inadequate production of IFN‐γ remains unknown. To elucidate the pathogenesis of the defective production of IFN‐γ in patients with hyper‐IgE syndrome, we assessed the in vitro production and secretion of IFN‐γ by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with hyper‐IgE syndrome.

Methods: Chemotaxis of neutrophils, mRNA levels of several cytokines, intracellular production and extracellular secretion of IFN‐γ, interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), and IL‐4 by PBMCs from three patients with hyper‐IgE syndrome were determined.

Results: The transcription of IFN‐γ mRNA and the production of its protein molecules progressed normally. However, selective insufficiency in the secretion of IFN‐γ molecules was found in patients with hyper‐IgE syndrome.Confocal laser scanning microscopy clearly demonstrated the accumulation of IFN‐γ in patients with hyper‐IgE syndrome.

Conclusion: We demonstrated that there was a selective insufficiency in the secretion of IFN‐γ in patients with hyper‐IgE syndrome. We hope that this fact would offer a new paradigm for understanding this disease.