bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of damp and mould in the home on respiratory health: a review of the literature
Authors: Peat J. K. , Dickerson J. , Li J.
Published: May 2007

This review examines whether there is a direct or indirect relation between damp or mould in the home and respiratory health. Home dampness is thought to have health consequences because it has the potential to increase the proliferation of house‐dust mites and moulds, both of which are allergenic. The results from the many studies conducted to investigate whether damp and mould are associated with health outcomes are diffecult to compare because the methods of measuring exposures and helth outcomes have not been standardized. However, the studies that have been conducted in children are probably the most reliable because the confounding effects of active smoking or occupational exposures are absent, and because the presence of symptoms of cough and wheeze have been consistently investigated in many studies. The increased risk of children having these symptoms if the home has damp or mould is fairly small with an odds ratio that is generally in the range 1.5–3.5, these estimates being statistically significant when the sample size has been large enough. This range is consistent with the measured effects of other environmental exposures which are considered important to helth, such as environmental tobacco smoke or outdoor air pollutants. The potential benefits or reducing mould in the home have not been investigated, and the few studies that have investigated health improvement as a result of increasing ventilation or reducing damp in order to reduce house‐dust mite levels suggest that this intervention is expensive, requires a large commitment, and is unlikely to be successful in the long term. This implies that houses need to be specifically designed for primary prevention of respiratory problems associated with indoor allergen proliferation rather than using post hoc procedures to improve indoor climate and reduce allergen load as a secondary or tertiary preventive strategy.
Changes in serum haptoglobin level after allergen challenge test in asthmatic children
Authors: Kim C. K. , Chung C. Y. , Koh Y. Y.
Published: May 2007

Bronchial asthma is characterized by airway inflammation, which underlies the phenomenon of bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Previous studies have shown that this correlates with the serum concentration of haptoglobin. The occurrence of the late asthmatic response (LAR) after an allergen challenge test is associated with airway inflammation. The objectives of this study were to examine serum levels of haptoglobin during the 24 h after allergen challenge and to compare changes between the subjects with and without LAR. We studied two groups of children with perennial asthma who developed the early asthmatic response (EAR) only (group 1: n = 14), and EAR but also LAR (group II: n = 14) after an allergen (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) challenge test. Serum concentrations of haptoglobin were measured at baseline, at EAR, and at 2 h (recovery), 8 h (LAR), and 24 h after the challenge. Baseline levels were similar in the two groups (group I: 128±57 mg/dl: group II: 129±50 mg/dl). In group I, there was no significant change in the level at any time point; in contrast, the subjects in group II showed a relative fall (92±40 mg/dl) at 8 h, and an increase (161±79 mg/dl) at 24 h after the challenge. Our results indicate that the serum concentration of haptoglobin decreases at the time of LAR and is subsequently replenished during the ensuing time. Although further studies are needed, we think that haptoglobin may be inflused into the airways during the inflammatory process associated with LAR, and that this may be followed by “overshooting” production.
Generation of clusters of free eosinophil granules (Cfegs) in seasonal allergic rhinitis
Authors: Greiff L. , Erjefält J. S. , Andersson M. , Svensson C. , Persson C. G. A.
Published: May 2007

Generation of clusters of free eosinophil granules (Cfegs), through lysis of eosinophils, has recently been proposed as a major paradigm for ultimate activation of airway mucosal eosinophils. In the present study involving patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis, we have investigated whether generation of Cfegs in the nasal mucosa is a feature of allergic rhinitis. Nasal mucosal biopsies were obtained before and late in a birch‐pollen season, and were subjected to histochemical staining of eosinophil peroxidase. In biopsies obtained before the pollen season, a few, intact eosinophils were observed, and Cfegs were scarce. In biopsies taken during the pollen season, the numbers of eosinophils were increased about 10‐fold (P<0.05) and the Cfegs about 25‐fold (P<0.05). We conclude that generation of Cfegs is a significant feature of seasonal allergic rhinitis and that this process represents the ultimate activation of mucosal eosinophils in this disease.
Occupational allergy caused by flowers
Authors: de Jong N. W. , Vermeulen A. M. , van Wijk R. Gerth , de Groot H.
Published: May 2007

We describe 14 consecutive patients with complaints due to the handling of flowers. The symptoms varied from allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma to urticaria. Most patients had professions in the flower industry. Skin prick tests (SPT) were performed with home‐made pollen extracts from 17 different flowers known to be the most commonly grown and sold in The Netherlands. RAST against mugwort, chrysanthemum, and solidago was performed. The diagnosis of atopy against flowers was based on work‐related symptoms due to the handling of flowers, positive SPT with flower extracts, and positive RAST The concordance between SPT and case history was 74%, and that between SPT and RAST was 77% Extensive crosssensitization was seen to pollen of several members of the Compositae family (e.g., Matricaria. chrysanthemum, solidago) and to pollen of the Amaryllidaceae family (Alstroemeria and Narcissus). Homemade flower extracts can be used to confirm IgE‐mediated flower allergy. Mugwort can be used as a screening test for possible flower allergy. For most patients, the allergy led to a change of profession.
Comparison of olfactory function in patients with seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis
Authors: Moll B. , Klimek L. , Eggers G. , Mann W.
Published: May 2007

Hyposmia is a common symptom in allergic rhinitis. However, little is known about differences in the olfactory function of patients with seasonal or perennial allergy. A prospective controlled study was performed on 28 patients with allergic rhinitis to grass pollen and on 47 patients with allergic rhinitis to mites. Sixty‐six healthy volunteers served as a control. Olfactory function was evaluated by a modified Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center testing procedure for threshold, identification, and discrimination. The grass pollen‐allergic patients were tested prcseasonally and after 3 weeks of intraseasonal grass pollen exposure: the mite‐allergic patients and the volunteers were tested once. In the mite allergies, olfactory threshold, identification, and discrimination tests were significantly worse than in the volunteers (all P<0.0001). In the grass pollen allergies, the results in olfactory identification and discrimination tests were not different from the controls if tested out of the season (both F>0.05). However, in threshold testing (P=0.0139), the results were worse. Intraseasonally, the grass pollen allergies showed a significant decrease in threshold, identification (both P<0.001), and discrimination testing (P=0.0()29). If the intraseasonal pollen allergies were compared to the mite allergies, they showed better results in identification (F=0.(X)87) and threshold (F<0.001) tests, but worse results m discrimination testing (P=0.(XM)2). Therefore, the different kind of allergen exposure seems to result in a different pattern of allergic olfactory dysfunction.
Comparison of the oral health status and salivary flow rate of asthmatic patients with those of nonasthmatic adults – results of a pilot study
Authors: Laurikainen K. , Kuusisto P.
Published: May 2007

The oral health status and stimulated salivary flow rate of 33 adult asthmatic outpatients were compared with those of 33 nonasthmatic controls. The groups were matched by age and sex, and an adjustment for education was made in the statistical analysis. In the oral examination, a small difference in the prevalence of caries was observed when the sums of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMPT) were compared. The mean (SD) crude DMFT score was 20.1 (.5.8) in the asthma group and 18.4 (7.6) in the control group. A statistically significant difference was seen in the amount of periodontal inflammation and in the stimulated salivary flow rate between the groups. The mean (SD) crude periodontal status index (PSI) was 52.7% (23.8%) in the asthmatics and 37.1% (20.4%) in the controls. TTie 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for the difference in adjusted means of PSI ranged from 0.1% to 21.9% (P=0.05). In the stimulated salivary flow rate, crude mean values were 1.0 (0.5) ml/min and 1.3 (0.5) ml/min. respectively, and the 95% CI for the difference was from 0.05 ml/min to 0.57 ml/min (P=0.01). Mucosal lesions in the oral cavity were found in 15 asthmatics (45%) and in eight controls (24%). In conclusion, the results of this study support the hypothesis that adult asthmatics have a higher risk of oral diseases than nonasthmatic subjects.
Respiratory symptoms, bronchial responsiveness, and cellular characteristics of induced sputum in elite swimmers
Authors: Helenius I. J. , Rytilä P. , Metso T. , Haahtela T. , Venge P. , Tikkanen H. O.
Published: May 2007

To investigate respiratory symptoms, increased bronchial responsiveness, and signs of airway inflammation in elite swimmers, we examined 29 swimmers from the Finnish national team and 19 healthy control subjects (nonasthmatic, symptom‐free). They answered a questionnaire and were interviewed for respiratory symptoms. Lung volumes were measured and bronchial responsiveness assessed by a histamine challenge test. Induced sputum samples were also collected. Fourteen (48%) of the swimmers and three (16%) of the control subjects showed increased bronchial responsiveness (P<0.05). The sputum cell differential counts of eosinophils (mean 2.7% vs 0.2%) and neutrophils (54.7% V5 29.9%) from swimmers were significantly higher than those from controls (P<0.01). Eosinophilia (sputum differential eosinophil count of >4%) was observed in six (21%) of the swimmers and in none of the controls (P<0.05). Symptomatic swimmers had significantly more sputum eosinophils than did the symptom‐free. The concentrations of sputum eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) and human neutrophil lipocalin (HNL) were significantly higher in swimmers than control subjects (P<0.001 and P=0.05). We conclude that elite swimmers had significantly more often increased tjronchial responsiveness than control subjects. Sputum from swimmers contained a higher percentage of eosinophils and neutrophils, and higher concentrations of EPO and HNL than sputum from controls. Long‐term and repeated exposure to chlorine compounds in swimming pools during training and competition may contribute to the increased occurrence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation in swimmers.
Nasal inhalation of budesonide from a spacer in children with perennial rhinitis and asthma
Authors: Pedersen W. , Hjuler I. , Bisgaard H. , Mygind N.
Published: May 2007

The standard treatment of allergic rhinitis and asthma consists of topical corticosteroids administered intranasally and inhaled through the mouth. Although this therapy is highly effective, and side‐effects are few and mild, it may be possible further to improve the therapeutic index and patient compliance with the treatment. In the present study, we evaluated a nasal inhalation system used for the simultaneous treatment of rhinitis and asthma. In principle, it results in an airway deposition of the corticosteroid similar to that of inhaled allergens. Twenty‐four children with perennial rhinitis and asthma inhaled budesonide through the nose from a pressurized aerosol, attached to a spacer device, in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover study. Compared with placebo, budesonide treatment resulted in a significant reduction of nasal symptoms (P<0.01) and of asthma symptoms (P<0.05), and in an increase of nasal peak inspiratory flow (P<0.001) and of oral peak expiratory flow (P=0.01). There were no differences between budesonide and placebo in local side‐effects, such as dry nose, nosebleed, and hoarseness. We conclude that nasal inhalation of a corticosteroid from a spacer offers a simple and effective treatment for both rhinitis and asthma in children, but it is an open question whether the nasal inhalation system can improve the ratio of antirhinitis/antiasthma effects to side‐effects.
Analysis of the relationships between environmental factors (aeroallergens, air pollution, and weather) and asthma emergency admissions to a hospital in Mexico City
Authors: Rosas I. , McCartney H. A. , Payne R. W. , Calderón C. , Lacey J. , Chapela R. , Ruiz‐Velazco S.
Published: May 2007

There have been several studies of the relationships between environmental factors, particularly air pollution, and attacks of asthma. Most of these studies have ignored the potential confounding effects of aeroallergens such as pollens and fungal spores. We report a statistical analysis of the relationships between emergency admissions for asthma to a hospital in Mexico City and daily average airborne concentrations of pollen, fungal spores, air pollutants (O3, NO3, SO3. and particulates) and weather factors. Asthma admissions had a seasonal pattern with more during the wet season (May‐October) than the dry season (November‐April). There were few statistical associations between asthma admissions and air pollutants for the three age groups studied (children under 15 years, adults, and seniors [adults over 59 years]) in either season. Grass pollen was associated with child and adult admissions for both the wet and dry seasons, and fungal spores were associated with child admissions during both the wet and dry seasons. The analysis was done with environmental data averaged over the day of admission and the 2 previous days. Our results suggest that aeroallergens may be statistically associated more strongly with asthma hospital admissions than air pollutants and may act as confounding factors in epidemiologic studies.
Serum eosinophil cationic protein in the evaluation of asthma severity in children
Authors: Vanto T. , Koskinen P.
Published: May 2007

To assess the sensitivity and specificity of serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in the diagnosis of asthma and evaluation of asthma severity, we conducted a prospective study to compare parameters of asthma severity, peripheral blood eosinophilia, and serum ECP concentrations in 88 children presenting to a university hospital outpatient clinic with suspected (n=59) or recently diagnosed asthma (n=29). Serum ECP correlated significantly (r2=0.676. P=0.0001) with peripheral eosinophil counts, but only weakly with asthma severity (r,=0.21, P=0.046). Serum ECP was significantly higher in atopic children (25±11 μg/l) than in nonatopic children (16±15 μg/l) iP=0.01). Bronchial hyperresponsiveness had no significant correlation (rs=‐0.21, P=0.30) with serum ECP Lung function test results had no (peak flow) or only a weak (FEV) correlation with serum ECP. In distinguishing between children with and without asthma or in assessing asthma severity, serum ECP is not superior to the peripheral blood eosinophil count. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of ECP in serum for detecting symptomatically active asthma, evaluated against the cutoff level of ECP in serum of 16 mg/1, were 54% and 71%, respectively.
Natural rubber‐latex allergy in patients not intensely exposed
Authors: Ruëff F. , Thomas P. , Reißig G. , Przybilla B.
Published: May 2007

Immediate‐type allergy to natural rubber latex (NRL) is common in highly exposed groups, particularly in health‐care workers and patients with spina bifida. The occurrence of NRL allergy was investigated in subjects not belonging to such risk groups. A total of 493 patients presenting with various diseases for allergologic evaluation was studied. A questionnaire‐based history was taken, skin prick tests with NRL milk and common aeroallergens were done, and NRL‐specific serum IgE antibodies were measured. A total of 317 subjects (64.3%) was atopic. There were skin prick test reactions to NRL in 80 (16.2%) and NRL‐specific IgE in the serum in 79 (16.0%) subjects; both were found in 25 patients (5.1%). Altogether, NRL sensitization was found in 134 patients (27.2%). By history and/or challenge tests. 13 subjects (2.6%) were diagnosed as having clinically relevant NRL allergy. In five of these, anaphylactic reactions had occurred during dental procedures, and in four during general anesthesia; 10 subjects reported immediate‐type reactions to NRL products in daily life. AU patients with clinically relevant NRL allergy had a skin prick test reaction to NRL milk (sensitivity 100%). Nine had specific IgE antibodies in the serum (sensitivity 69.2%); respective specificity was 86.0% or 85.4%. Nine of the 13 patients (69.2%) with NRL allergy were atopic. Despite exclusion of those at risk, many patients had clinically relevant allergy to NRL, and many of these had had severe reactions. NRL allergy is an important health issue also beyond the known risk groups.
Pollen‐related allergy in Europe*
Authors: D'Amato G. , Spieksma F. Th. M. , Liccardi G. , Jäger S. , Russo M. , Kontou‐Fili K. , Nikkels H. , Wüthrich B. , Bonini S.
Published: May 2007

The increasing mobility of Europeans for business and leisure has led to a need for reliable information about exposure to seasonal airborne allergens during travel abroad. Over the last 10 years or so, aeropalynologic and allergologic studies have progressed to meet this need, and extensive international networks now provide regular pollen and hay‐fever forecasts. Europe is a geographically complex continent with a widely diverse climate and a wide spectrum of vegetation. Consequently, pollen calendars differ from one area to another; however, on the whole, pollination starts in spring and ends in autumn. Grass pollen is by far the most frequent cause of pollinosis in Europe. In northern Europe, pollen from species of the family Betulaceae is a major cause of the disorder. In contrast, the mild winters and dry summers of Mediterranean areas favor the production of pollen types that are rarely found in central and northern areas of the continent (e.g., the genera Parietaria, Olea, and Cupressus). Clinical and aerobiologic studies show that the pollen map of Europe is changing also as a result of cultural factors (e.g., importation of plants for urban parklands) and greater international travel (e.g., the expansion of the ragweed genus Ambrosia in France, northern Italy, Austria, and Hungary). Studies on allergen‐carrying paucimicronic or submicronic airborne particles, which penetrate deep into the lung, are having a relevant impact on our understanding of pollinosis and its distribution throughout Europe.
Characteristic features of cockroach hypersensitivity in Turkish asthmatic patients
Authors: Mungan D. , Çelik G. , Sin B. , Bavbek S. , Demirel Y. , Misirligil Z.
Published: May 2007

Exposure to cockroach has been reported to cause asthma in many parts of the world. Although house‐dust‐mite is known to be the most important indoor allergen in Turkey, there are few data on the prevalence of allergy t o cockroaches. Therefore, we evaluated the prevalence of cockroach sensitivity in asthmatic TUrkish patients to see whether it is also an important source of asthma in addition to house‐dust mites. A total of 206 patients demonstrating the characteristic features of asthma were included in the study. Sixty‐three percent of the patients were considered atopic, and 37% were found to be nonatopic by skin prick tests. Mite allergens were the most common cause of indoor allergy (50%), while cockroach sensitivity was detected in 25.7% of all the asthmatics. Among all cockroach‐sensitive patients, 70% were also positive for mites. A female predominance was observed in cockroach‐sensitive patients, as 44% of atopic women and 34% of atopic men had positive skin tests with cockroach allergen. The average duration of asthma was 7.1+5.6 years in cockroach‐sensitive asthmatics, and there was no difference between groups in average duration of asthma (P>0.05). Mild, moderate, and severe asthmatics constituted 73.6%, 20.7%. and 5.7% of the cockroach‐sensitive patients, respectively. These data indicate that cockroach is also an important source of domestic infestation n i Tlirkey. Thus, it seems reasonable to suggest the need for cockroach allergen in the routine battery of inhalant skin tests in this geographic location. However, possible cross‐reactivity with mites has to be taken into consideration during the clinical evaluation of subjects with cockroach sensitivity, especially in our patient population with such high rates of house‐dust‐mite allergy.
Alternative splicing of cyclooxygenase‐1 gene: altered expression in leucocytes from patients with bronchial asthma and association with aspirin‐induced 15‐HETE release
Authors: Kowalski M. L. , Borowiec M. , Kurowski M. , Pawliczak R.
Published: May 2007

Background:  Cyclooxygenase‐1 (COX‐1) is a key enzyme involved in generation of prostanoids, important mediators and modulators of asthmatic inflammation. In a subpopulation of aspirin‐sensitive asthmatics (ASA) inhibition of COX‐1 by nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs results in activation of inflammatory cells and development of symptoms. Alternatively spliced variants of COX‐1 lacking 111 bp from exon 9 were described previously but have never been identified in human leucocytes peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL) or upper airway epithelial cells. We aimed to assess the expression of spliced variants of COX‐1 mRNA in PBLs from patients with asthma and in healthy subjects (HS) referring the expression to patients characteristics (including ASA‐sensitivity) and to aspirin‐triggered 15‐hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15‐HETE) generation.

Methods:  The study included 30 patients with ASA, 30 patients with aspirin‐tolerant asthma (ATA) and 30 HS serving as controls. Nasal polyps for epithelial cell cultures were obtained from 10 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Expression of full length and spliced variants of COX‐1 enzyme was detected by RT‐PCR and presented as the ratio of full‐length COX‐1 to alternatively spliced COX‐1 mRNA [COX‐1 alternative splicing index (COX‐1 AS index)]. Release of eicosanoids (PGE2 and 15‐HETE) by PBLs was measured with enzyme immunoassay.

Results:  In both PBLs and airway epithelial cells the expression of full‐length product prevailed over spliced variants of COX‐1 enzyme. Cyclooxygenase‐1 AS index was significantly lower in asthmatics as compared to HS (1.96 ± 0.71 vs 2.41 ± 0.99, P < 0.05) indicating the relatively higher expression of the alternative transcript in asthmatic patients. Cyclooxygenase‐1 AS index was not different between ASA and ATA groups (mean 1.90 ± 0.66 vs 2.02 ± 0.76, respectively, P = 0.39). There was no significant association between COX‐1 AS index and mean daily dose of inhaled glucocorticosteroids or pulmonary function tests (FEV1, FVC) but in ASA group a weak correlation with daily dose of oral glucocorticosteroids was found (r = 0.39; P = 0.03). In ASA patients there was a significant positive correlation between the COX‐1 AS index and the percentage of aspirin‐triggered increase in 15‐HETE generation (r = 0.51; P < 0.03).

Conclusions:  Alternatively spliced variants of COX‐1 mRNA are differently expressed in patients with bronchial asthma and may be associated with aspirin‐triggered 15‐HETE generation.
Differential anti‐inflammatory effects of large and small particle size inhaled corticosteroids in asthma
Authors: Menzies D. , Nair A. , Hopkinson P. , McFarlane L. , Lipworth B. J.
Published: May 2007

Background:  Extra‐fine particle formulations of hydrofluoroalkane‐134a beclometasone dipropionate (HFA‐BDP) exhibit clinical effects comparable with conventional particle formulations of chlorofluorocarbon beclometasone dipropionate (CFC‐BDP) at half the dose. There is little data comparing their effects on inflammation. We have evaluated the effects of HFA‐BDP and CFC‐BDP on pulmonary and systemic markers of asthmatic inflammation.

Methods:  A double‐blind randomized crossover trial was undertaken comparing the anti‐inflammatory effects of HFA‐BDP (100 and 400 μg/day) and CFC‐BDP (200 and 800 μg/day). Treatment with montelukast was evaluated as add‐on to the higher dose of BDP.

Results:  Compared with baseline after withdrawal of usual asthma therapy, 100 μg of HFA‐BDP significantly attenuated serum eosinophilic cationic protein levels (0.61‐fold change, 95% CI 0.49–0.77; a 39% reduction, P < 0.001), but 200 μg of CFC‐BDP did not (0.87‐fold change, 95% CI 0.63–1.23; P = 1). A dose of 800 μg of CFC‐BDP and 400 μg of HFA‐BDP led to reductions in exhaled nitric oxide (0.57‐fold change, 95% CI 0.44–0.73; a 43% reduction, P < 0.001 and 0.65‐fold change, 95% CI 0.47–0.91; a 35% reduction, P = 0.008, respectively); and peripheral eosinophils (−74 cells/μl, 95% CI −146 to −2; P = 0.020 and −77 cells/μl, 95% CI −140 to −14; P = 0.012, respectively). Montelukast further reduced exhaled nitric oxide (0.81‐fold change, 95% CI 0.66–0.98; P = 0.028) with 400 μg HFA‐BDP and eosinophils (−44 cells/μl, 95% CI −80 to −8; P = 0.012) with 800 μg CFC‐BDP, but not vice versa.

Conclusion:  Chlorofluorocarbon beclometasone dipropionate and HFA‐BDP have differential effects on pulmonary and systemic inflammation, which dictate the additive effects of montelukast.
Novel cytokine peptide‐based vaccines: an interleukin‐4 vaccine suppresses airway allergic responses in mice
Authors: Ma Y. , Hayglass K. T. , Becker A. B. , Halayko A. J. , Basu S. , Simons F. E. R. , Peng Z.
Published: May 2007

Background:  Monoclonal antibodies or soluble receptors have been used to block over‐produced endogenous cytokines. However, they have disadvantages of short half‐lives, high costs, and possible adverse effects. Using interleukin (IL)‐4 as a model target, we sought to develop a novel therapeutic strategy by constructing an IL‐4 peptide‐based vaccine for blocking IL‐4 on a persistent basis, and to evaluate its efficacy in a mouse model of asthma.

Methods:  A peptide was selected by antigenic prediction and structure analysis of IL‐4/receptor complex. The vaccine was constructed by employing truncated hepatitis B core antigen as carrier with the peptide inserted using gene engineering methods. It was then expressed, purified and identified. Prior to intraperitoneal sensitization and intranasal challenge with ovalbumin, mice were subcutaneously immunized three times with the vaccine, or the carrier or saline as controls. Serum antibodies, inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF), lung histology, and responsiveness to inhaled methacholine were analyzed.

Results:  The vaccine presented as virus‐like particles and reacted to polyclonal anti‐IL‐4 in Western blotting. Vaccinated mice produced high titers of IgG to IL‐4. Serum ovalbumin‐specific IgE, eosinophil accumulation in BALF, goblet cell hyperplasia, tissue inflammation and methacoline‐induced respiratory responses were markedly suppressed in vaccinated mice with statistical significance, as compared with those in the control groups.

Conclusions:  Administration of this novel IL‐4 vaccine led to an overall decrease in the development of airway allergic inflammatory responses. The results indicate that cytokine peptide‐based vaccines hold potential for treatment of asthma and, by extension, other diseases where over‐expressed cytokines play a pivotal role in pathogenesis.
The role of innate immunity in asthma: leads and lessons from mouse models
Authors: Schröder N. W. J. , Maurer M.
Published: May 2007

According to the Hygiene Hypothesis, respiratory infections should protect individuals from allergic diseases including asthma, but epidemiologic data on the role of infections or exposure to microbial compounds in asthma are contradictory. Meanwhile, a number of murine models of airway sensitization are available facilitating the elucidation of pathways involved in asthma pathogenesis. Such studies have linked antigen presentation by activated pulmonary dendritic cells (DCs) with airway sensitization. Toll‐like receptors (TLRs), which play a major role in innate immunity by sensing various microbial compounds, are expressed on DCs, as well as on mast cells (MCs). Activation of TLRs by administration of specific bacterial ligands, in particular lipopolysaccharide, can augment airway sensitization in mice, and there is evidence that this process involves TLR‐dependent activation of DCs. Intriguingly, viral infection has been shown to increase airway inflammation in a murine asthma model via activation of DCs as well. TLR‐4‐dependent stimulation of MCs may also play a role in allergic sensitization in mice, and in vitro studies in murine cells show that ligation of TLRs expressed on MCs enhances degranulation. Therefore, evidence obtained from studies on mice indicates that innate immune responses may promote, rather than protect from, the development as well as the exacerbation of asthma.
Assessment of asthma control and its impact on optimal treatment strategy
Authors: Lundback B. , Dahl R.
Published: May 2007

Achieving and maintaining optimal asthma control is a major asthma management goal advocated by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Recent evidence suggests that while asthma control is clearly achievable in most asthmatics, not all asthmatics attain optimal asthma control. The difficulty is compounded further because patients, physicians and regulatory bodies have different perceptions of what is meant by asthma control. The challenge therefore remains as to how best to assess asthma control and define management strategies to ensure that this control is achieved and maintained. Despite the availability of several patient‐based tools for assessing asthma control, these are mostly employed in a research setting or in selected specialist clinics. A symptom‐based treatment approach also may have its limitations because patients can be poor judges of disease symptoms and severity and under‐estimation may lead to inadequate treatment of airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) when treatment is administered as on‐demand reliever therapy, since the effect of treatment on these underlying features occurs over a longer time course. The clinical benefits of sustained maintenance treatment for at least 3 months has been documented in recent studies of salmeterol/fluticasone propionate combination, which have demonstrated correlations between reduction in airway inflammation/AHR and reduction in exacerbation rates.

In view of the putative limitations of a purely symptom‐based asthma management plan, we suggest that treatment should be focussed on management of all aspects of the disease rather than management of symptoms alone, with a practical approach being treatment for a minimum of 3 months with an optimal dose to ensure maximal effects are seen on asthma control, airway inflammation, lung function, and remodelling.
Molecular Characterization of the 3′‐Terminal Region ofTurnip mosaic virusIsolates from Eastern China
Authors: Tian Y.‐P. , Zhu X.‐P. , Liu J.‐L. , Yu X.‐Q. , Du J. , Kreuze J. , Li X.‐D.
Published: May 2007

Turnip mosaic virus(TuMV; genusPotyvirus, family Potyviridae) causes great losses to cruciferous crop production worldwide. The 3′‐terminal genomic sequences of eight TuMV isolates from eastern China were compared with those of 74 other Chinese TuMV isolates of known host origin in the GenBank and isolated during the past 25 years. The reported sequences of the eight TuMV isolates are 1125 or 1126‐nucleotides (nt) long excluding the poly(A) tail. They all contain one partial open reading frame of 912 nt, encoding 304 amino acids, followed by a stop codon and a non‐translated region of 209–210 nt. Results of phylogenetic analyses showed that Chinese TuMV isolates clustered into three groups: basal‐BR, Asian‐BR and world‐B. The ratios of non‐synonymous and synonymous substitutions and results of amino acid alignment provided evidence for purifying or negative selection in TuMV populations of China.
Circulating Metabolic Hormones During the Peripubertal Period and Their Association with Testicular Development in Bulls
Authors: Brito LFC , Barth AD , Rawlings NC , Wilde RE , Crews DH , Mir PS , Kastelic JP
Published: May 2007

Contents

The objective of the present study was to characterize changes in serum metabolic hormones concentrations from 20 weeks before to 20 weeks post‐puberty in bulls and to investigate the associations of metabolic hormones concentrations with testicular development. Leptin concentrations increased from 16 weeks before puberty to 8 weeks post‐puberty and insulin concentrations increased from puberty to 8 weeks post‐puberty. Growth hormone concentrations decreased after 4 weeks post‐puberty, whereas IGF‐I concentrations increased from 8 weeks before puberty to 8 weeks post‐puberty. During this period, testicular growth was accelerated and testosterone secretion increased substantially, without any significant changes in gonadotropin secretion. Monthly circulating concentrations of leptin, IGF‐I and insulin accounted for 63% of the variation in scrotal circumference and 59% of the variation in paired testes volume. In conclusion, the secretion of metabolic hormones was not associated with changes in gonadotropins concentrations. Furthermore, the associations of leptin, IGF‐I and insulin concentrations with testes size indicated that these hormones might be involved in a gonadotropin‐independent mechanism regulating the testicular development in peripubertal bulls.
Immunohistochemical Localization of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and its Two Receptors (Flt‐I and KDR) in the Endometrium and Placenta of the Mare During the Oestrous Cycle and Pregnancy
Authors: Allen WR , Gower S , Wilsher S
Published: May 2007

Contents

Polyclonal antisera for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its two main receptor molecules, VEGF‐I (Flt) and VEGF‐II (KDR), were used in a conventional immunocytochemical staining method to localize these angiogenic ligand molecules in the endometrium and placenta of the mare during the oestrous cycle and pregnancy. The anti‐VEGF and anti‐Flt sera both labelled the lumenal and glandular epithelia of the endometrium throughout the oestrous cycle and both the invasive trophoblast cells of the endometrial cups and the non‐invasive trophoblast of the allantochorion in pregnancy. The anti‐KDR serum likewise stained the maternal and foetal epithelial layers during the oestrous cycle and pregnancy and it also labelled fibroblast‐like cells in the endometrial and allantoic stromas and the endothelium of foetal and maternal capillaries. The results demonstrated that constant supplies of the principal vasculogenic and angiogenic factor, VEGF, and its two major receptors, Flt and KDR, are available on both the maternal and foetal sides of the placental barrier throughout gestation in the mare. They are presumed to facilitate the continuing development of the extensive foetal and maternal capillary networks that are such prominent features within the microplacentomes of the diffuse, epitheliochorial equine placenta.
Sperm Morphology in the Domestic Cat, and its Relation with Fertility: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Axnér E , Linde Forsberg C ,   [Correction added after online publication 10 April 2007: from CL Forsberg to C Linde Forsberg]
Published: May 2007

ContentsKnowledge about normal ranges in semen quality and the association between sperm morphology and fertility in felids is limited. The aims of this retrospective study were to (1) define a normal spermiogram in cats; (2) evaluate possible effects of season, age and breed on sperm morphology; and (3) evaluate the relationship between sperm morphology and fertility. Semen samples collected by electroejaculation from 52 cats were evaluated for sperm morphology. The cats constituted two groups: a general population of cats (n = 48) and cats examined because of poor breeding records (n = 4). The general population was divided into household (n = 20), pedigree (n = 19) and colony cats (n = 9) and into three age classes, <12 months, 12–59 months and ≥60 months. The median percentage of normal spermatozoa in the general population was 44.0% (range 1.0–91.0%). Criteria were tentatively set for what was considered a normal spermiogram. The mean percentage of normal spermatozoa was higher during February to July than during August to January (p < 0.05). Pedigree cats had a lower mean percentage of normal spermatozoa than did household cats (p < 0.05). Age had no effect on the percentage of normal spermatozoa but was positively correlated with the percentage of proximal droplets. Of the cats with <40% normal spermatozoa (n = 19), all those with known breeding records (n = 11) had produced litters. The four cats examined because of poor breeding results had higher percentages of different sperm abnormalities than tentatively stipulated for the normal spermiogram. In two of these cats both sperm morphology and fertility changed over time.
Do young hepatocellular carcinoma patients with relatively good liver function have poorer outcomes than elderly patients?
Authors: Cho Soo‐Jeong , Yoon Jung‐Hwan , Hwang Seung‐Sik , Lee Hyo‐Suk
Published: May 2007

Background and Aim:  The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is known to be age dependent; the influence of age on prognosis is, however, controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the tumor characteristics and survival rates of young and old HCC patients, with respect to tumor stage.

Methods:  We reviewed the clinical data and survival times of 71 young HCC patients from 1987 to 2003 and compared these with those of their older counterparts (n = 239). Patients were categorized into three age groups: group A, age <30 years (n = 71); group B, age ≥30 to <61 years (n = 168); and group C, age ≥61 years (n = 81). Kaplan–Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to analyze survival.

Results:  The overall survival time of group A was shorter than groups B or C (P = 0.0071). Survival was not different in the three groups in subgroup analysis according to several tumor staging systems (e.g. Japan Integrated Staging score, Cancer of the Liver Italian Program scoring system and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging classification). The multivariate hazard ratio of group B was 0.840 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.490–1.440) and that of group C was 0.770 (95% CI 0.410–1.446) in reference to group A.

Conclusions:  Young HCC patients showed a poorer prognosis than older HCC patients because they have a more advanced tumor stage at diagnosis. However, age was not an independent prognostic factor when stages were matched. Therefore, we suggest that periodic surveillance in young chronic hepatitis B virus carriers would improve outcomes.
Decreased intrahepatic response to α1‐adrenergic agonists in lipopolysaccharide‐treated rats is located in the sinusoidal area and depends on Kupffer cell function
Authors: Lee Chang‐Hyeong , Loureiro‐Silva Mauricio R , Abraldes Juan G , Iwakiri Yasuko , Haq Omar , Groszmann Roberto J
Published: May 2007

Background and Aim:  Livers from lipopolysaccharide‐treated rats have a decreased vascular response to α1‐adrenergic agonists due to an increased production of nitric oxide. Kupffer cells play a central role in the development of intrahepatic microvascular abnormalities during endotoxemia. We investigated the role of Kupffer cells in the intrahepatic vascular tone control in normal and endotoxemic rats.

Method:  Twenty‐four hours after pretreatment with gadolinium chloride (to eliminate/inactivate Kupffer cells) or saline, rats were treated with lipopolysaccharide or a second dose of saline. Six hours later, rats (under deep anesthesia) were submitted to liver perfusion with Krebs‐Henseleit solution using a system that allowed the measurement of both perfusion and sinusoidal pressures. Dose–response curves to methoxamine (α1‐adrenergic agonist) were obtained in the absence or the presence of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N‐monomethyl‐L‐arginine.

Results:  Pretreatment with gadolinium did not change the intrahepatic vascular response to methoxamine in normal livers. Livers from lipopolysaccharide‐treated rats showed a decreased sinusoidal vascular response to methoxamine and a 10‐fold increase in nitric oxide production during liver perfusion. Either pretreatment with gadolinium or the presence of N‐monomethyl‐L‐arginine in the perfusate restored the response to methoxamine and decreased the nitric oxide overproduction by more than 50%.

Conclusions:  Kupffer cells neither mediate nor modulate the intrahepatic vascular response to α1‐adrenergic agonists in normal livers. Reduction in intrahepatic vascular response to α1‐adrenergic agonists in livers from lipopolysaccharide‐treated rats is located in the sinusoidal area and depends on Kupffer cell function.
What are the risk factors and settings for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in Asia–Pacific?
Authors: Fan Jian‐Gao , Saibara Toshiji , Chitturi Shivakumar , Kim Byong Ik , Sung Joseph J Y , Chutaputti A ,   the Asia–Pacific Working Party for NAFLD
Published: May 2007

The risk factors and settings for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Asians are reviewed comprehensively. Based particularly on large community‐based studies using ultrasonography, case–control series and prospective longitudinal studies, the prevalence of NAFLD in Asia is between 12% and 24%, depending on age, gender, locality and ethnicity. Further, the prevalence in China and Japan has nearly doubled in the last 10–15 years. A detailed analysis of these data shows that NAFLD risk factors for Asians resemble those in the West for age at presentation, prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hyperlipidemia. The apparent differences in prevalence of central obesity and overall obesity are related to criteria used to define waist circumference and body mass index (BMI), respectively. The strongest associations are with components of the metabolic syndrome, particularly the combined presence of central obesity and obesity. Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease appears to be associated with long‐standing insulin resistance and likely represents the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Not surprisingly therefore, Asians with NAFLD are at high risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Conversely, metabolic syndrome may precede the diagnosis of NAFLD. The increasing prevalence of obesity, coupled with T2DM, dyslipidemia, hypertension and ultimately metabolic syndrome puts more than half the world's population at risk of developing NAFLD/non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis/cirrhosis in the coming decades. Public health initiatives are clearly imperative to halt or reverse the global ‘diabesity’ pandemic, the underlying basis of NAFLD and metabolic syndrome. In addition, a perspective of NAFLD beyond its hepatic consequences is now warranted; this needs to be considered in relation to management guidelines for affected individuals.
Data cloning: easy maximum likelihood estimation for complex ecological models using Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo methods
Authors: Lele Subhash R. , Dennis Brian , Lutscher Frithjof
Published: May 2007

We introduce a new statistical computing method, called data cloning, to calculate maximum likelihood estimates and their standard errors for complex ecological models. Although the method uses the Bayesian framework and exploits the computational simplicity of the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms, it provides valid frequentist inferences such as the maximum likelihood estimates and their standard errors. The inferences are completely invariant to the choice of the prior distributions and therefore avoid the inherent subjectivity of the Bayesian approach. The data cloning method is easily implemented using standard MCMC software. Data cloning is particularly useful for analysing ecological situations in which hierarchical statistical models, such as state‐space models and mixed effects models, are appropriate. We illustrate the method by fitting two nonlinear population dynamics models to data in the presence of process and observation noise.
Differences in the species composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in spore, root and soil communities in a grassland ecosystem
Authors: Hempel Stefan , Renker Carsten , Buscot François
Published: May 2007

Most studies on the species composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have solely analysed mycorrhizal roots or AM spores collected from soil samples. However, the spore production rate and proportions of AMF mycelium in roots and soils have all been shown to vary substantially in a taxon‐specific manner. Therefore, in the study presented here we used a molecular approach to analyse the species composition of AMF in spores, intra‐radical and extra‐radical mycelium in an intensively farmed meadow in central Germany. By polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of the ITS region members of seven different families and species groups within Glomeromycota were identified. The data revealed remarkable differences in the composition of AMF taxa both between the spores and the mycelia, and between the two types of mycelia. Glomus group Ab was dominant in roots and spores, in accordance with previous research. However, members of this group were rarely detected as extra‐radical mycelium, in which Paraglomeraceae were dominant, although we found no evidence for the presence of Paraglomeraceae in roots or spores, even when a specific primer set was used. These results may be interpreted as a further indication that AMF are not necessarily obligate symbionts of plants.
A GENERALIZATION OF THE FOREIGN TRADE MULTIPLIER*
Authors: Brems Hans
Published: May 2007

Fictitious Centralism in large enterprises. In order that each of the threads of an increasingly complicated business enterprise may be kept in hand, they are all actually made to converge at the highest level. But this centralisation is fictitious; for, in reality, it leads to an overburdening of the man at the top, who is thus rendered incapable of performing his proper function—namely, to take decisions. Instead, he becomes the weakest link in the routine.

Imperfect delegation, i. e., the delegation of matters for treatment without simultaneous surrender of competence, condemns those in the middle grade to subaltern standing, in which they too are unable to take any decision or assume the responsibility that goes with the taking of decisions. The typical result is that nobody decides, that—to exaggerate slightly—the life of an industrial concern is controlled not by definite volition but by the law of cause and effect.

Imperfect delegation is one of the causes of the hypertrophy and sluggishness of the internal bureaucracy of business concerns. The fact of clinging to theoretical powers which in reality are not exercised has, for instance, the result that the modern forms of accounting practice not only fail to give the internal life of a big enterprise the elasticity and commerciality which they quite well could have given it, but, instead, lead to a multiplication of bureaucratic processes.

The negative effects of the fictitious centralism which distinguishes the industrial system from the great organisations of the past (e. g. the ancient polis and the feudal state, both of which tended to delegate too many rather than too few functions) are certainly well known, yet it seems impossible to overcome it. This fact is only to be explained in the light of the history of ideas (“Geistesgeschichte”). From his predecessor, the capitalistic entrepreneur, the present‐day manager has taken over the automatic equation of what he does with work, and the consequent justification of his social position in his own eyes and those of society. This attitude, which was alien to most of the leading groups in history, prevents him from extricating himself from the vicious circle which he has got into as the result of fictitious centralism.