bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regional differences in passive elastic wall properties of the oesophagus: an impedance planimetric study in pigs
Authors: VINTER‐JENSEN L. , JUHL C. O. , GREGERSEN H. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract Regional differences in biomechanical properties of the oesophagus were studied in seven healthy Goettingen minipigs by means of impedance planimetry. The investigation was done during anaesthesia by stepwise pressure‐induced balloon distensions with concomitant measurement of pressure and luminal cross‐sectional area (CSA) in the oesophagus 5, 10 and 15 em above the gastro‐oesophageal junction (GEJ). The compliance and wall tension were computed from measurements of the pressure and steady‐state CSA. Probably due to the anaesthesia, only scant peristalsis was recorded and the CSA always reached steady state during balloon distension. The CSAs were highest in the distal oesophagus (P < 0.01). At the highest induced pressure, the figures were 665 ± 57, 529 ± 50 and 452 ± 47 mm2 for the locations 5, 10 and 15 cm from the GEJ, respectively. Hysteresis did not differ between the measuring points. The oesophagus was significantly more compliant at low pressures (1–3 kPa) 5 cm above the GEJ compared to the more proximally located measuring points (P < 0.05).In conclusion, regional variations occurred in passive biomechanical properties of the oesophagus with the highest distensibility occurring 5 cm above the GEJ.
Viewpoint: High susceptibility to Chikungunya virus of Aedes aegypti from the French West Indies and French Guiana
Authors: Girod Romain , Gaborit Pascal , Marrama Laurence , Etienne Manuel , Ramdini Cédric , Rakotoarivony Ignace , Dollin Christelle , Carinci Romuald , Issaly Jean , Dusfour Isabelle , Gustave Joël , Yp‐Tcha Marie‐Michelle , Yébakima Andre , Failloux Anna‐Bella , Vazeille Marie 
Published: August 2010

SummaryObjectives  To estimate the vector competence of Aedes aegypti populations sampled from distinct anthropogenic environments in French Guiana, Guadeloupe and Martinique for the strain CHIKV 06.21.Methods  F1/F2 females were orally infected at titres of 106 and 107.5 pfu/ml in blood‐meals. Disseminated infection rates (DIR) of mosquitoes were estimated using indirect fluorescent antibody assay on heads’ squashes, 7 or 14 days post‐infection (pi).Results  At a titre of 107.5 pfu/ml, DIR ranged from 88.9% to 100.0% and were not significantly different whether assessed at day 7 or 14 pi. At a titre of 106 pfu/ml, DIR observed 7 days pi ranged from 37.6 to 62.0%.Conclusions  Ae. aegypti from French Guiana and French West Indies are highly competent to transmit CHIKV. An evaluation of DIR 7 days rather than 14 days pi is adequate to estimate vector competence. The titre of 106 pfu/ml allows us to distinguish Ae. aegypti populations originating from distinct environments (dense or diffuse housing) by their vector competence. This assessment is a prerequisite to better evaluate the potential risk of Chikungunya outbreaks once the virus is introduced from endemic regions.
The Effect of Disodium Cromoglycate on In Vitro Mast Cell Degranulation in Human Jejunal Mucosa
Authors: Selbekk B. H. 
Published: August 2010

The in vitro effect of disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) on IgE antigen‐induced mast cell degranulation is described. Serum from an egg white allergic patient was used to sensitize jejunal mucosa from nine individuals. Egg white was used to challenge the IgE sensitized mast cells. DSCG in concentrations 3 × 10−7 M to 3 × 10−4 M was added to the mucosal specimens before antigen challenge. Mast cell degranulation in the sensitized specimens challenged with egg white was 38%. Mast cell degranulation in sensitized specimens treated with DSCG before and during antigen challenge was reduced to 2% at a concentration of 3 × 10−5 M of DSCG (P= 0.006) and to 28% at a concentration of 3 × 10−6 M (p=0.027). No significant reduction of mast cell degranulation was seen at concentrations of 3 × 10−7 M and 3 × 10−4 M.The results support a role for DSCG in the treatment of gastrointestinal allergy.
Inhibition Experiments with Solid Phase Mite or Epithelia in House Dust Hypersensitivity
Authors: Pauli G. , Bessot J. C. , Thierry R. 
Published: August 2010

The present study was undertaken to verify that mites are not the only allergens in house dust extracts and that other allergens such as cat epithelia can also be responsible for house dust hypersensitivities detected both by house dust skin tests and house dust RAST studies. In order to determine whether mite or epithelia fixed on a solid phase could remove not only the IgE antibodies reactive with the homologous allergens, but also the IgE antibodies reactive with house dust allergens, the authors have absorbed 10 sera of house dust allergic patients with solid phase mite or epithelia. The absorption procedure removed a large part of the IgE antibodies reactive with specific immunosorbent (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus or cat epithelia) and in the same way the IgE antibodies reactive with house dust immunosorbent.The percentage of RAST inhibition varied from 65% to 92% for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and from 65% to 94% for house dust in patients allergic to house dust and mite; the percentage of RAST inhibition varied from 67% to 92% for cat epithelia and from 73% to 90% for house dust in patients allergic to house dust and cat epithelia. This is in accordance with the hypothesis that house dust is not an allergen per se, but rather a complex mosaic of several allergens including mite, animal epithelia, etc.
The Mouth and Pharynx
Authors: Pastorello Elide A. , Incorvaia Cristoforo , Ortolani Claudio 
Published: August 2010

•Symptoms appear immediately at the site of contact with the food when a susceptible allergic patients eats the offending food.•Allergy to fresh fruits and vegetables, associated with all kinds of pollinosis, is the more frequent cause of Oral Allergy Syndrome.
The Eye
Authors: Bonini Sergio , Bonini Stefano 
Published: August 2010

•Direct action of triggers on the target organ may cause vasodilation, exudation, hypersecretion and nerve endings stimulation without participation of mast cells and basophils.•Non IgE‐mediated release of mediators from mast cells and basophils may explain how triggers other than allergens can induce pseudo‐allergic reactions.•IgE‐mediated triggering of mast cells and basophils is not confined ‐ in the eye too ‐ to an immediate reaction, but represents the starting point for a progression to a late‐phase reaction with the participation of a network of several cells and mediators.•Inflammatory changes associated with late‐phase reaction in the eye represent the pathophysiological basis for a non‐specific hyperreactivity to various triggers.
The association between serum levels of Th cytokines and rhinoconjunctivitis caused by methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride
Authors: Yokot K. , Yamaguchi K. , Takeshita T. , Morimoto K. 
Published: August 2010

Background There are few epidemiologic studies on the association between serum levels of T helper (Th) cytokines and allergic symptoms caused by sensitizing agents. Methods A population of 147 workers from two condenser plants using epoxy resin with methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MTHPA) underwent a questionnaire survey and serologic investigations. Total and MTHPA‐specific IgE levels were measured by the Pharmacia CAP System, and serum levels of interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐13, and interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) by enzyme immunoassay. Results A significant association was found between work‐related eye and nasal symptoms and a range of atopic characteristics, including the frequency of positive specific IgE, specific and total IgE levels, and IL‐4 levels. A positive correlation was observed between levels of IL‐4 and IL‐13 (r=0.42). Furthermore, multiple logistic analysis revealed significant contributions of specific IgE and I H3 to the work‐related symptoms. A similar but nonsignificant association was also found for IL‐4 (P=0.07). On the other hand, a multiple regression model with specific IgE levels as a dependent variable showed a significant association with total IgE, but not with IL‐4, IL‐13, and IFN‐γ. Conclusions These results suggest that work‐related eye and nasal symptoms are closely related to specific IgE antibodies, and that allergic responses, mediated by IgE, to MTHPA may lead to a shift in the balance between Thl and Th2 cells.
Reactivity to recombinant house‐dust‐mite allergens in asthma and rhinitis in a tropical environment
Authors: Lynch N. R. , Puccio F. A. , Di Prisco M. C. , Lopez R. I. , Hazell L. A. , Smith W. A. , Thomas W. R. 
Published: August 2010

Background House‐dust mites contain components that are allergenic in mite‐sensitive patients, and a number of these have been produced in recombinant form. Methods In the present study, we evaluated by skin prick testing the positivity to native Der p 2 and recombinant Der p 2, Der p 5, and Der p 7 allergens of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in patients with rhinitis, asthma, or a combination of these diseases, who were positive to whole‐mite extract. Results In all patients, the positivity to both native and recombinant Der 2 was high. In patients with either rhinitis or asthma, the reactivity to Der p 5 and 7 was significantly lower than to Der p 2. However, in patients with combined disease, the positivity to the minor allergens was almost as high as that to Der p 2. Conclusions These results raise the question of whether patients with combined allergic rhinitis and asthma, when compared to those with either of these diseases alone, are predisposed to react to a wider range of mite allergens, or, inversely, whether patients who respond to the minor allergens are more susceptible to suffering the combined disease.
Screening the allergenic repertoires of wheat and maize with sera from double‐blind, placebo‐controlled food challenge positive patients
Authors: Weichel M. , Vergoossen N. J. , Bonomi S. , Scibilia J. , Ortolani C. , Ballmer‐Weber B. K. , Pastorello E. A. , Crameri R. 
Published: August 2010

Background:  Food allergy to wheat and maize is an increasing factor of deterioration of life quality, especially childhood and can, in rare cases, even induce anaphylaxis. Although omega‐5 gliadin from wheat and maize lipid transfer protein have been characterized as major cereal allergens on the molecular level, the list of food allergens is far to be complete.Methods:  To identify the IgE‐binding repertoires of wheat and maize we screened respective cDNA libraries displayed on phage surface with sera from patients with a confirmed food allergy. The study included six patients with a positive double‐blind, placebo‐controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) to wheat, nine patients with a positive DBPCFC to maize, and six patients with anaphylactic reactions after ingestion of wheat.Results:  The enriched sequences encoding IgE‐binding proteins showed heterogeneous repertoires for both, wheat and maize. The selected wheat repertoire yielded 12, the maize repertoire 11 open reading frames. Among these we identified allergens belonging to already characterized allergens families, such as gliadin, profilin and beta‐expansin. Besides, we found novel proteins with high cross‐reactive potential, such as thioredoxins, as well as sequences that had so far not been related to cereal allergy at all. The IgE‐binding capacity of some selected proteins was evaluated in vitro and cross‐reactivity was demonstrated by competition ELISA.Conclusion:  With regard to the heterogeneity of the characterized sequences as well as to the biochemical nature of the new allergens detected we conclude that wheat and maize‐related food allergy is more complex than so far anticipated.
Role of cysteinyl leukotrienes in human allergen‐specific Th2 responses induced by granulocyte macrophage‐colony stimulating factor
Authors: Faith A. , Fernandez M. H. , Caulfield J. , Loke T.‐K. , Corrigan C. , O’Connor B. , Lee T. H. , Hawrylowicz C. M. 
Published: August 2010

Background:  The pro‐inflammatory cytokine, granulocyte macrophage‐colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF), which is elevated in the lungs of atopic asthmatic patients, has been shown to enhance major histocompatibility class II expression of alveolar macrophages (AM). We hypothesized that exposure of AM and monocytes from atopic asthmatic patients to GM‐CSF would enhance their antigen presenting function, and investigated putative mechanisms for this effect.Methods:  Alveolar macrophages were purified from bronchoalveolar lavage by plastic adherence. Monocytes and CD4+ T cells were purified from peripheral blood by magnetic bead separation. Antigen‐presenting cell (APC) were pretreated with GM‐CSF, pulsed with allergen and cocultured with autologous T cells. T‐cell proliferation was determined by tritiated thymidine incorporation and cytokine production by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Results:  Exposure of allergen‐pulsed AM and peripheral blood monocytes to GM‐CSF significantly increased allergen‐specific T‐cell proliferation and T helper 2 (Th2) cytokine production. The enhanced response was dependent on costimulation by CD86, but not CD80. Inhibition of the 5‐lipoxygenase pathway abrogated GM‐CSF‐mediated upregulation by monocytes of allergen‐specific interleukin‐5 (IL‐5) and IL‐13 cytokine production. Blocking of the cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (cysLT1) receptor by a specific receptor antagonist inhibited allergen‐specific IL‐5 production in response to GM‐CSF pretreatment.Conclusion:  Exposure to GM‐CSF enhanced the capacity of human APC from atopic asthmatic patients to induce allergen‐specific Th2 responses by a mechanism involving cysLT. Novel immunotherapies, targeting production of GM‐CSF or its actions on APC have the potential, therefore, to prove beneficial in treatment of patients with inflammatory airway disease.
Tolerability of meropenem in children with IgE‐mediated hypersensitivity to penicillins
Authors: Atanasković‐Marković M. , Gaeta F. , Medjo B. , Viola M. , Nestorović B. , Romano A. 
Published: August 2010

Background: Administration of meropenem to penicillin‐allergic patients who might benefit from this treatment is usually avoided because of a 47.4% rate of cross‐reactivity to imipenem, the prototype of the carbapenem class of β‐lactam antibiotics, demonstrated in a single study on the basis of positive responses to skin tests with imipenem reagents. However, recent studies of ours have demonstrated a very low rate of cross‐reactivity between penicillins and both meropenem and imipenem in adults.Objective: To assess cross‐reactivity and tolerability of meropenem in children with documented penicillin allergy.Methods: One hundred and eight consecutive children who had suffered a total of 129 immediate reactions (120 urticarial and/or angioedematous manifestations and 9 anaphylactic shocks) to penicillins and had positive results to skin tests for at least one of the penicillin reagents tested underwent skin tests with meropenem and negative subjects were challenged with it.Results: One subject (0.9%) displayed a positive intradermal test to meropenem. The remaining 107 subjects with negative skin tests to meropenem tolerated challenges. Challenges were not followed by full therapeutic courses.Conclusions: Our results demonstrate a low rate of cross‐reactivity between penicillins and meropenem. Therefore, the practice of avoiding meropenem in children with immunoglobulin E‐mediated hypersensitivity could be abandoned; in those who especially require meropenem treatment, prophylactic skin tests are advisable, because negative results indicate tolerability.
Methodology for development of the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma Guideline 2008 update
Authors: Brozek J. L. , Baena‐Cagnani C. E. , Bonini S. , Canonica G. W. , Rasi G. , Van Wijk R. G. , Zuberbier T. , Guyatt G. , Bousquet J. , Schünemann H. J. 
Published: August 2010

Background:  We describe the methodology for the 2008 update of the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines. The methodology differs from the 2001 edition in several respects. The most prominent change is the application of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach to compiling evidence, assessing the quality of evidence and grading of recommendations.Methods and results:  Representatives of the GRADE working group joined the ARIA guideline panel to achieve these tasks. While most recommendations result from existing systematic reviews, systematic reviews were not always available and the panel compiled the best available evidence in evidence profiles without conducting actual reviews. The panel conducted two meetings and used the GRADE criteria to assess the quality of evidence (four categories of high, moderate, low and very low) and the strength of recommendation (strong and weak) based on weighing up the desirable and undesirable effects of management strategies, considering values and preferences influencing recommendations, and resource implications. The guideline panel has chosen the words ‘we recommend’– for strong recommendations and ‘we suggest’– for weak recommendations. Both categories indicate the best course of action for a given patient population, but their implementation, requires different considerations as we describe subsequently in this article.Conclusions:  The 2008 update of the ARIA guidelines has become more evidence‐based. Future iterations of the guidelines will further be improved by following the described processes even closer, such as ensuring availability of updated high quality systematic reviews for each question.
Novel sequences and epitopes of diagnostic value derived from the Anisakis simplex Ani s 7 major allergen*
Authors: Rodríguez E. , Anadón A. M. , García‐Bodas E. , Romarís F. , Iglesias R. , Gárate T. , Ubeira F. M. 
Published: August 2010

Background:  Anisakis simplex allergens may cause severe allergic reactions in infected patients. Human anisakiasis can be specifically diagnosed by detection of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies against O‐deglycosylated nAni s 7 allergen captured by monoclonal antibody (mAb) UA3 (UA3‐ELISA), although the nature of this important allergen is unknown. The aim of this study was to clone and characterize the Ani s 7 major allergen, and to obtain a recombinant fragment suitable for serodiagnosis.Methods:  An Anisakis cDNA library was screened with mAb UA3 and a cDNA clone (rAni s 7) encoding a 1096‐amino acid fragment of Ani s 7 (GenBank: EF158010) was identified. Bioinformatic tools and immunological and biochemical techniques were used to characterize the allergen obtained.Results:  The rAni s 7 fragment comprised 19 repeats of a novel CX17−25CX9−22CX8CX6 tandem repeat motif not seen in any previously reported protein sequence. An internal 435Met–713Arg fragment of the rAni s 7 (t‐Ani s 7) was expressed in Escherichia coli and evaluated for serodiagnostic utility. Indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with t‐Ani s 7 identified as positive the same 60 sera as UA3‐ELISA. The sequence MCQCVQKYGTEFCKKRLA from rAni s 7 was identified as the epitope recognized by mAb UA3, and is the target for over 60% of human IgE antibodies that react with O‐deglycosylated nAni s 7.Conclusions:  In addition to their clear value for serodiagnosis of human anisakiasis, the nature of the novel sequences and epitopes identified in the Ani s 7 allergen are of interest for a better understanding of the mechanisms operating in Anisakis‐induced allergy.
Anaphylaxis in patients with mastocytosis: a study on history, clinical features and risk factors in 120 patients
Authors: Brockow K. , Jofer C. , Behrendt H. , Ring J. 
Published: August 2010

Background:  Excessive mast cell mediator release may lead to anaphylaxis in patients with mastocytosis. However, the incidence, clinical features and trigger factors have not yet been analyzed.Methods:  To identify risk factors for anaphylaxis in mastocytosis, we determined cumulative incidence, severity, clinical characteristics, and trigger factors for anaphylaxis in 120 consecutive patients (53 male; 67 female, median age and range 24 years, 1 month to 73 years), and correlated these with disease severity of mastocytosis, skin involvement, basal total serum tryptase, and diaminooxidase concentrations.Results:  The cumulative incidence of anaphylaxis in patients with mastocytosis was higher in adults (49%; P < 0.01) compared with that in children (9%). Only children with extensive skin involvement had experienced anaphylaxis. In adults, anaphylaxis was correlated to the absence of urticaria pigmentosa lesions (P < 0.03). Reactions occurred more frequently in adults with systemic (56%) when compared with cutaneous mastocytosis (13%; P < 0.02). In adults, 48% of reactions were severe, and 38% resulted in unconsciousness. Major perceived trigger factors for adults were hymenoptera stings (19%), foods (16%), and medication (9%); however, in 26% of reactions, only a combination of different triggers preceded anaphylaxis. Trigger factors remained unidentified in 67% of reactions in children compared with 13% in adults. Patients with anaphylaxis had higher basal tryptase values (60.2 ± 55 ng/ml, P < 0.0001) in comparison with those without (21.2 ± 33 ng/ml), but not diaminooxidase levels.Conclusion:  Adult patients and children with extensive skin disease with mastocytosis have an increased risk to develop severe anaphylaxis; thus, an emergency set of medication including epinephrine is recommended.
Male‐induced costs of mating for females compensated by offspring viability benefits in an insect
Authors: GARCIA‐GONZALEZ F. , SIMMONS L. W. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractSexual conflict facilitates the evolution of traits that increase the reproductive success of males at the expense of components of female fitness. Theory suggests that indirect benefits are unlikely to offset the direct costs to females from antagonistic male adaptations, but empirical studies examining the net fitness pay‐offs of the interaction between the sexes are scarce. Here, we investigate whether matings with males that invest intrinsically more into accessory gland tissue undermine female lifetime reproductive success (LRS) in the cricketTeleogryllus oceanicus. We found that females incur a longevity cost of mating that is proportional to the partner’s absolute investment into the production of accessory gland products. However, male accessory gland weight positively influences embryo survival, and harmful ejaculate‐induced effects are cancelled out when these are put in the context of female LRS. The direct costs of mating with males that sire offspring with higher viability are thus compensated by direct and possibly indirect genetic benefits in this species.
Sex‐related variation in migration phenology in relation to sexual dimorphism: a test of competing hypotheses for the evolution of protandry
Authors: SAINO N. , RUBOLINI D. , SERRA L. , CAPRIOLI M. , MORGANTI M. , AMBROSINI R. , SPINA F. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractTiming of arrival/emergence to the breeding grounds is under contrasting natural and sexual selection pressures. Because of differences in sex roles and physiology, the balance between these pressures on either sex may differ, leading to earlier male (protandry) or female (protogyny) arrival. We test several competing hypotheses for the evolution of protandry using migration data for 22 bird species, including for the first time several monochromatic ones where sexual selection is supposedly less intense. Across species, protandry positively covaried with sexual size dimorphism but not with dichromatism. Within species, there was weak evidence that males migrate earlier because, being larger, they are less susceptible to adverse conditions. Our results do not support the ‘rank advantage’ and the ‘differential susceptibility’ hypotheses, nor the ‘mate opportunity’ hypothesis, which predicts covariation of protandry with dichromatism. Conversely, they are compatible with ‘mate choice’ arguments, whereby females use condition‐dependent arrival date to assess mate quality.