bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
BSACI guidelines for the management of allergic and non‐allergic rhinitis
Authors: Scadding G. K. , Durham S. R. , Mirakian R. , Jones N. S. , Leech S. C. , Farooque S. , Ryan D. , Walker S. M. , Clark A. T. , Dixon T. A. , Jolles S. R. A. , Siddique N. , Cullinan P. , Howarth P. H. , Nasser S. M. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryThis guidance for the management of patients with allergic and non‐allergic rhinitis has been prepared by the Standards of Care Committee (SOCC) of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI). The guideline is based on evidence as well as on expert opinion and is for use by both adult physicians and paediatricians practicing in allergy. The recommendations are evidence graded. During the development of these guidelines, all BSACI members were included in the consultation process using a web‐based system. Their comments and suggestions were carefully considered by the SOCC. Where evidence was lacking, consensus was reached by the experts on the committee. Included in this guideline are clinical classification of rhinitis, aetiology, diagnosis, investigations and management including subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy. There are also special sections for children, co‐morbid associations and pregnancy. Finally, we have made recommendations for potential areas of future research.
The influence of processing factors and non‐atopy‐related maternal and neonate characteristics on yield and cytokine responses of cord blood mononuclear cells
Authors: Sullivan Dillie K. T. , Tisler C. J. , DaSilva D. F. , Pappas T. E. , Roberg K. A. , Carlson‐Dakes K. T. , Evans M. D. , Rosenthal L. A. , Gangnon R. E. , Gern J. E. , Lemanske R. F. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryRationale
Several studies have evaluated the associations between cord blood cellular responses and atopic diseases in children, but the results of these studies are inconsistent. Variations in blood processing factors and maternal and infant characteristics are typically not accounted for and may contribute to these inconsistencies.Methods
Cord blood samples were obtained from 287 subjects participating in the Childhood Origins of ASThma project, a prospective study of children at high risk for the development of asthma/allergies. Mononuclear cells were stimulated with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), phorbal myristate acetate/ionomycin or a suspension of killed staphylococcus, and IFN‐γ, IL‐10 and IL‐13 were quantitated by ELISA. Cell yields and cytokine production were related to processing factors and maternal and infant characteristics.Results
The strongest relationships between independent variables and cell yield or cytokine responses occurred with the season of birth. The highest median cell yields were seen in fall, and the lowest in summer (difference of 47%, P=0.0027). Furthermore, PHA‐induced IL‐5 and IL‐13 responses were approximately 50% higher in spring and summer than in fall or winter (P<0.0001). Clots in the cord blood samples were associated with a reduced median cell yield (42% reduction, P<0.0001), and an increased PHA‐induced IL‐10 secretion (27% increase, P=0.004).Conclusions
These data suggest that season of collection, and to a lesser extent clotting in samples, affect cord blood mononuclear cell yield and cytokine responses. Careful documentation and analysis of processing and environmental variables are important in understanding biological relationships with cytokine responses, and also lead to greater comparability among studies using these techniques.
Oral allergy syndrome and anaphylactic reactions in BALB/c mice caused by soybean glycinin and β‐conglycinin
Authors: Liu X. , Feng J. , Xu Z. R. , Wang Y. Z. , Liu J. X. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryBackgroundSoybean protein is used in a number of food products but is also a common cause of food allergy. Soybean glycinin and β‐conglycinin represent up to one‐third of protein in the soybean. Many reports have indicated that glycinin and β‐conglycinin have been characterized as major soybean allergens involved in food hypersensitivity.ObjectiveTo investigate oral allergy syndrome and anaphylactic reactions in BALB/c mice caused by soybean glycinin and β‐conglycinin with an intragastric feeding protocol without using an adjuvant.MethodsBALB/c mice were sensitized by gavages with glycinin and β‐conglycinin, and allergen‐specific IgE and IgG1 responses were studied by a passive cutaneous anaphylaxis assay. Serum histamine release and blood pressure were measured according to other methods. Epithelium and mast cell dye used the method of light microscopy.ResultsSensitization with soybean allergens induced high levels of antigen‐specific IgE and IgG1 and increased serum histamine in BALB/c mice. Percentiles of intact mast cell of small intestine in mice sensitized with glycinin and β‐conglyinin significantly decreased for 28 days. Degranulation of mast cells and damage of the epithelium in the small intestine of mice sensitized with globulins were observed. The level of blood pressure in sensitized mice reached a minimum at 3 h.ConclusionSoybean‐specific IgE and IgG1 antibodies increased, with high levels of histamine release, severe degranulation of mast cells and damage of the epithelium of small intestine in mice sensitized with glycinin and β‐conglyinin.
Omalizumab is more effective than suplatast tosilate in the treatment of Japanese cedar pollen‐induced seasonal allergic rhinitis
Authors: Nagakura T. , Ogino S. , Okubo K. , Sato N. , Takahashi M. , Ishikawa T. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryBackground
Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) induced by Japanese cedar pollens is a major problem in Japan. Omalizumab, a humanized monoclonal anti‐IgE antibody, improves symptoms associated with SAR, but a comparative study with an anti‐allergy drug has not yet been conducted.Objective
To compare the efficacy and safety of omalizumab with suplatast tosilate, a selective T‐helper type 2 (Th2) cytokine inhibitor, in patients with Japanese cedar pollen‐induced SAR.Methods
A randomized, double‐blind, double‐dummy study was conducted in 308 Japanese patients with a history of moderate‐to‐severe SAR who showed a CAP‐RAST value (2+) specifically to Japanese cedar pollens. Patients were treated for 12 weeks with omalizumab plus placebo of suplatast tosilate or suplatast tosilate plus placebo of omalizumab.Results
The mean daily nasal symptom medication scores (sum of the daily nasal symptom severity score and daily nasal rescue medication score) were significantly lower in the omalizumab group than in the suplatast tosilate group during three evaluation periods (P<0.001). The omalizumab group also had significantly lower mean daily nasal severity scores, each of the mean daily nasal and ocular symptom severity scores (sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, itchy nose, itchy eyes, watery eyes, and red eyes). Omalizumab reduced rescue medication requirements, and the proportion of days with any rescue medication use in the omalizumab group was significantly lower. Serum‐free IgE levels markedly decreased in the omalizumab group and it was associated with clinical efficacy. The adverse reaction profiles were similar between the two groups. The overall incidence of injection site reactions was higher in the omalizumab group than in the suplatast tosilate group, but all these events were of mild degree. No anti‐omalizumab antibodies were detected.Conclusion
Omalizumab showed significantly greater improvements than suplatast tosilate in the treatment of SAR induced by Japanese cedar pollens.
Maternal vitamin D intake during pregnancy increases gene expression of ILT3 and ILT4 in cord blood
Authors: Rochat M. K. , Ege M. J. , Plabst D. , Steinle J. , Bitter S. , Braun‐Fahrländer C. , Dalphin J‐C. , Riedler J. , Roponen M. , Hirvonen M‐R. , Büchele G. , Renz H. , Lauener R. , Krauss‐Etschmann S. , Von Mutius E. ,   the PASTURE Study group
Published: August 2010

SummaryBackground
Recent studies indicate that prenatal vitamin D intake may protect against the development of atopic diseases in young children. Vitamin D has been shown to induce tolerogenic antigen‐presenting cells such as dendritic cells. Whether the allergy‐protective potential of prenatal vitamin D is mediated through such mechanisms is, however, unknown.Objective
To evaluate the association between prenatal vitamin D supplementation and tolerogenic antigen‐presenting cells in cord blood (CB) as determined by mRNA measurement of immunoglobulin‐like transcripts (ILT)3 and ILT4.Methods
A prospective multi‐centre birth cohort was established in rural areas of five European countries. Information on maternal exposures including vitamin D intake was collected by questionnaires during pregnancy. The gene expression of ILT3 and ILT4 was analysed by real‐time PCR in the CB of 927 children. Maternal vitamin D supplementation was assessed in Finland and France (n=349).Results
Maternal vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy was associated with an increase in the gene expression of ILT3 (P=0.012) and ILT4 (P<0.001). This association remained significant for ILT4 (P=0.020) and showed a positive trend for the gene expression of ILT3 (P=0.059) after multivariate analysis controlling for various confounders.Conclusions
Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy may increase the mRNA levels of ILT3 and ILT4 in CB. This finding may point towards an early induction of tolerogenic immune responses by maternal vitamin D intake. Cite this as: M. K. Rochat, M. J. Ege, D. Plabst, J. Steinle, S. Bitter, C. Braun‐Fahrländer, J‐C. Dalphin, J. Riedler, M. Roponen, M‐R. Hirvonen, G. Büchele, H. Renz, R. Lauener, S. Krauss‐Etschmann, E. von Mutius and the PASTURE Study group, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 786–794.
Sialyl Lewis X modification of the epidermal growth factor receptor regulates receptor function during airway epithelial wound repair
Authors: Allahverdian S. , Wang A. , Singhera G. K. , Wong B. W. , Dorscheid D. R. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryBackground
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a major regulator of airway epithelial cell (AEC) functions such as migration, proliferation and differentiation, which play an essential role in epithelial repair. EGFR is a glycoprotein with 12 potential N‐glycosylation sites in its extracellular domain. Glycosylation of EGFR has been shown to modulate its function. Previously, our laboratory demonstrated an important role of the carbohydrate structure sialyl Lewis x (sLex) in airway epithelial repair.Objective
To examine whether an sLex decoration of EGFR can modulate receptor function during AEC repair.Methods
Primary normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells were cultured in vitro. Co‐localization of sLex and EGFR was examined using confocal microscopy. Expressions of RNA and protein were analysed using RT‐PCR and Western blotting. The final step in the synthesis of sLex was catalysed by a specific α‐1,3‐fucosyltransferase (FucT‐IV). To evaluate the role of sLex in EGFR activation, a knockdown of the FucT‐IV gene with small interfering RNA (siRNA) and an inhibitory anti‐sLex antibody (KM‐93) was used.Results
We demonstrated a co‐localization of sLex with EGFR on NHBE cells using confocal microscopy. Using a blocking antibody for sLex after a mechanical injury, we observed a reduction in EGFR phosphorylation and epithelial repair following injury. FucT‐IV demonstrates a temporal expression coordinate with epithelial repair. Down‐regulation of FucT‐IV expression in NHBE by specific siRNA suppressed sLex expression. The use of FucT‐IV siRNA significantly reduced phosphorylation of EGFR and prevented epithelial repair. An immunohistochemical analysis of human normal and asthmatic airways showed a significant reduction in sLex and tyrosine‐phosphorylated EGFR (pY845‐EGFR) in the epithelium of asthmatic subjects compared with that of normal subjects.Conclusion
The present data demonstrate that sLex, in association with EGFR, in NHBE is coordinate with repair. This glycosylation is important in modulating EGFR activity to affect the repair of normal primary AEC. Cite this as: S. Allahverdian, A. Wang, G. K. Singhera, B. W. Wong and D. R. Dorscheid, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 607–618.
Molecular diagnosis in allergy
Authors: Sastre J. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryDevelopment and progress made in the field of recombinant allergens have allowed for the development of a new concept in allergy diagnosis, molecular diagnosis (MD), which makes it possible to identify potential disease‐eliciting molecules. Microarray‐based testing performed with a small amount of serum sample enables clinicians to determine specific‐IgE antibodies against multiple recombinants or purified natural allergen components. Performance characteristics of allergens so far tested are comparable with current diagnostic tests, but have to be confirmed in larger studies. The use of allergen components and the successful interpretation of test results in the clinic require some degree of knowledge about the basis of allergen components and their clinical implications. Allergen components can be classified by protein families based on their function and structure. This review provides a brief overview of basic information on allergen components, recombinants or purified, currently available or soon to become commercially available in ImmunoCAP or ISAC® systems, including names, protein family and function. Special consideration is given to primary or species‐specific sensitization and possible cross‐reactivity, because one of the most important clinical utility of MD is its ability to reveal whether the sensitization is genuine in nature (primary, species‐specific) or if it is due to cross‐reactivity to proteins with similar protein structures, which may help to evaluate the risk of reaction on exposure to different allergen sources. MD can be a support tool for choosing the right treatment for the right patient with the right timing. Such information will eventually give clinicians the possibility to individualize the actions taken, including an advice on targeted allergen exposure reduction, selection of suitable allergens for specific immunotherapy, or the need to perform food challenges. Nevertheless, all in vitro tests should be evaluated together with the clinical history, because allergen sensitization does not necessarily imply clinical responsiveness. Cite this as: J. Sastre, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 1442–1460.
Inhibitor(s) of natural anti-cardiolipin autoantibodies
Authors: KRA-OZ Z , LORBER M , SHOENFELD Y , SCHARFF Y 
Published: August 2010

SUMMARYIgG fractions were purified on Sepharosc anti-human IgG column from eight sera of healthy donors, having no anti-cardiolipin (aCL) activity as measured by anti-cardiolipin ELISA assay (aCL-ELISA). All the IgG fractions, after elution with 4.9 m MgCl2, reacted with CL. The antigen-binding characteristics of the IgG fractions purified from normal human serum (NHS) were similar to those of IgG fractions purified from sera of four patients with the anti-phospholipid syndrome (APLS). Competition assay confirmed the specificity of the binding of the purified IgG fractions to CL. The same results have been achieved with IgG fractions purified on Sepharose Protein-A column. The binding to CL was completely inhibited by either whole NHS and sera from various animal species, or by β2-glycoprotein I (β2-GPI). Our results support the notion of the existence of both natural anti-CL antibodies and serum inhibitor(s) in sera of healthy individuals. It is conceivable that in part the pathogenesis of APLS entails defects in the natural inhibitors of aCL antibodies.
Induction of autoimmune disease by graft-versushost reaction across MHC class II difference: modification of the lesions in IL-6 transgenic mice
Authors: KIMURA T , SUZUKI K , INADA S , HAYASHI A , SAITO H , MIYAI T , OHSUGI Y , MATSUZAKI Y , TANAKA N , OSUGA T , FUJIWARA M 
Published: August 2010

SUMMARYWe examined the effect of IL-6 on the development of autoimmune diseases (primary biliary cirrhosis. Sjögren's syndrome) employing murine grari-versus-host reaction (GVHR) model with MHC class II disparity. For this purpose, we used IL-6 transgenic(B6.6) mice in which a high level of IL-6 was detected. C57B1/6 (B6) spleen T cells were injected into B6.6 mated with B6.C-H-2(bml2) mutant mice ((bmi2x B6.6)FI) and GVHR with MHC class II disparity was induced. The iransgenic hybrid mice with GVHR showed a larger spleen index and contained a higher serum level of IL-6 than those without GVHR. Autoimmune-like lesions in transgenic recipients became weakened compared with those in non-transgenic (bml2 x B6)F1 recipients. In contrast, levels of antimitochondrial antibodies in (bm 12 x B6.6)FI GVHR group were signiiicantly higher than that of (bml2 X B6)FI GVHR group. These results indicate that lL-6 excessively produced in vivo might regulate the progression of autotmmune diseases.
Hypoxia attenuates effector–target cell interaction in the airway and pulmonary vascular compartment
Authors: Meyer S , Z'graggen B R , Blumenthal S , Borgeat A , Ganter M T , Reyes L , Booy C , Neff T A , Spahn D R , Beck-Schimmer B 
Published: August 2010

SummaryLeucocyte infiltration is known to play an important role in hypoxia-induced tissue damage. However, little information is available about hypoxia and interaction of effector (neutrophils) with target cells (alveolar epithelial cells, AEC; rat pulmonary artery endothelial cells, RPAEC). The goal of this study was to elucidate hypoxia-induced changes of effector–target cell interaction. AEC and RPAEC were exposed to 5% oxygen for 2–6 h. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression was determined and cell adherence as well as cytotoxicity assays were performed. Nitric oxide and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) production was assessed in target cells. Under hypoxic conditions enhanced ICAM-1 production was found in both cell types. This resulted in an increase of adherent neutrophils to AEC and RPAEC. The death rate of hypoxia-exposed target cells decreased significantly in comparison to control cells. Nitric oxide (NO) concentration was enhanced, as was production of HSP70 in AEC. Blocking NO production in target cells resulted in increased cytotoxicity in AEC and RPAEC. This study shows for the first time that target cells are more resistant to effector cells under hypoxia, suggesting hypoxia-induced cell protection. An underlying mechanism for this phenomenon might be the protective effect of increased levels of NO in target cells.
T cells in multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Fletcher J M , Lalor S J , Sweeney C M , Tubridy N , Mills K H G 
Published: August 2010

SummaryMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system (CNS), which involves autoimmune responses to myelin antigens. Studies in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for MS, have provided convincing evidence that T cells specific for self-antigens mediate pathology in these diseases. Until recently, T helper type 1 (Th1) cells were thought to be the main effector T cells responsible for the autoimmune inflammation. However more recent studies have highlighted an important pathogenic role for CD4+ T cells that secrete interleukin (IL)-17, termed Th17, but also IL-17-secreting γδ T cells in EAE as well as other autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. This has prompted intensive study of the induction, function and regulation of IL-17-producing T cells in MS and EAE. In this paper, we review the contribution of Th1, Th17, γδ, CD8+ and regulatory T cells as well as the possible development of new therapeutic approaches for MS based on manipulating these T cell subtypes.
IL‐18 gene polymorphism, cardiovascular mortality and coronary artery disease
Authors: Hernesniemi Jussi A. , Anttila Kaisa , Nieminen Tuomo , Kähönen Mika , Mononen Nina , Nikus Kjell , Turjanmaa Väinö , Viik Jari , Lehtinen Rami , Lehtimäki Terho 
Published: August 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (11): 994–1001AbstractBackground  Interleukin 18(IL‐18) is a pro‐atherosclerotic cytokine. Elevated IL‐18 levels and the genetic variation of the IL‐18 have been previously linked with acute coronary events and cardiovascular mortality among patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We studied the possible association between the IL‐18 gene polymorphism and cardiovascular mortality during follow‐up among Finnish patients who had undergone a clinical exercise stress test, in addition to the possible effect on the expression of angiography‐verified CAD.Materials and methods  A total of 2152 patients of the Finnish Cardiovascular Study (cohort study) were followed up for 6·3 years and cardiovascular mortality was recorded. Angiography was performed on 461 patients. Genotyping of five common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the IL‐18 gene was performed using the 5′nuclease assay for allelic discrimination with the ABI Prism 7900HT Sequence Detection System.Results  Among the study population, IL‐18 gene polymorphism did not associate with cardiovascular mortality. According to adjusted binary regression analysis, the male carriers of one major haplotype (the only ones carrying the t allele of the +127 C/t SNP) had a lower occurrence rate for significant CAD defined as > 50% stenosis in at least one of the main branches of the coronary arteries (OR 0·495, 95% CI 0·862–0·284, P = 0·041). No associations were observed among women. The sex‐by‐genotype interaction was significant (P = 0·033).Conclusions  The IL‐18 gene was not found to associate significantly with mortality. Among patients who had coronary angiography, one major haplotype of the IL‐18 gene has a gender‐dependent different impact on the expression of CAD.
The H+/M2+ exchange stoichiometry of calcium and zinc adsorption by ferrihydrite
Authors: KINNIBURGH D. G. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryThe specific adsorption of Ca2+ and Zn2+ by ferrihydrite results in the net release of H+. The rate and H+/M2+ exchange stoichiometry of this reaction were monitored with a pH‐stat. A rapid reaction of less than 6 min was followed by a slower reaction which continued at a diminishing rate for at least 2 days. Adsorption of Ca2+ at pH 7.8 and Zn2+ at pH 5.4 resulted in the net release of 0.92 and 1.70 mol H+/mol M2+ adsorbed, respectively. For Zn2+ adsorption, this stoichiometry was shown to be independent of pH. These estimates agree well with independent estimates based on the pH dependence of adsorption. The difference between the Ca2+ and Zn2+ stoichiometries was related to the differing acidity of the –OH2 ligands attached to the adsorbed ions.
Pedo‐transfer functions for estimating unsaturated hydraulic properties of Portuguese soils
Authors: GONÇALVES M. C. , PEREIRA L. S. , LEIJ F. J. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryThe measurement of unsaturated soil hydraulic properties is expensive and time consuming. These properties are hence frequently predicted with so‐called pedo‐transfer functions (PTFs) using basic soil properties (e.g. particle‐size distribution, organic matter content and bulk density). In this study PTFs are developed by regression between hydraulic data and basic soil properties. Parameters are quantified for: (i) the retention model of van Genuchten using 80 soil profiles with a total of 230 retention curves, and (ii) the conductivity model of Gardner using 20 soil profiles and 129 hydraulic conductivity curves. The profiles represent the main soil families in Portugal, ranging from coarse sands to heavy clays. The PTFs derived from data for all soils provide a fairly poor description of the hydraulic parameters because of the heterogeneity of the profiles. The description of several parameters is improved by using PTFs that are developed for more homogeneous soils grouped according to their particle‐size distribution. A further improvement is achieved by including the water contents at 2·5 cm, 100 cm, and 15 000 cm water suctions in the retention PTFs, or the saturated hydraulic conductivities in the conductivity PTFs.