bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Occupational respiratory disease caused by acrylates
Authors: SAVONIUS B. , KESKINEN H. , TUPPURAINEN M. , KANERVA L. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryAcrylates are compounds used in a variety of industrial fields and their use is increasing. They have many features which make them superior to formerly used chemicals, regarding both their industrial use and their possible health effects. Contact sensitization is, however, one of their well known adverse health effects but they may also cause respiratory symptoms. We report on 18 cases of respiratory disease, mainly asthma, caused by different acrylates, 10 cases caused by cyanoacrylates, four by methacrylates and two cases by other acrylates.
The aerodynamic characteristics of cat allergen
Authors: WOOD R. A. , LAHERI A. N. , EGGLESTON P. A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryTo further characterize airborne cat allergen and a newly established cat challenge facility, airborne Fel d I levels and particle size distributions were studied in both the cat challenge room and home environments under different conditions of ventilation and physical activity. In the cat room, there has been a dramatic and continued rise in the concentration of airborne Fel d I since the room was established. No differences in total airborne Fel d I levels or particle size distribution were detected under widely differing rates of ventilation (40 air changes per hour vs 8 ac/hr vs < 1 ac/hr). Likewise, altering ventilation had little effect on the clearance of airborne antigen after disturbance. Significant increases in allergen levels were detected, however, after simply allowing the cats to leave their holding cage and move about the room, Feld I levels in homes ranged from 2–468.5 ng/m3 similar to the levels seen in the cat room without disturbance. Feld I particle size distribution was very consistent in both homes and the cat room with the majority of airborne Fel d I being detected on particles > 17 μm. Although very little allergen f < 15%) was detected on particles <4 μm, this important fraction was present under all conditions. We conclude that airborne cat allergen resides primarily on relatively large particles, that a small but consistent fraction is found on very small particles, and that neither allergen levels or particles size distribution are significantly influenced by ventilation.
Down modulation of L‐Selectin expression on eosinophils recovered from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after allergen provocation
Authors: MENGELERS H. J. J. , MAIKOE T. , HOOIBRINK B. , KUYPERS T. W. , KREUKNIET J. , LAMMERS J‐W. J. , KOENDERMAN L. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryIn allergic asthma eosinophils infiltrate into the lung after allergen challenge. The mechanism of this cellular infiltration is not fully understood. L‐Selectin is involved in leucocyte‐endothelial cell recognition and participates in homing of leucocytes into sites of inflammation. To find indications for a role of L‐Selectin in the migration of eosinophils to the bronchoalveolar space we measured L‐Selectin expression on eosinophils in peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) 4 hr after the early allergic reaction after allergen challenge. Nine patients with allergic asthma participated in the study. An eosinophil specific high depolarization signal enabled us to measure L‐Selectin expression on eosinophils in a FACS analysis without isolation of these cells. Eosinophils recovered from BAL showed a strong decrease of L‐Selectin expression compared to blood eosinophils. This decrease in L‐Selectin expression can be induced in vitro by activation of eosinophils with PMA or FMLP whereas priming of eosinophils during several hours with GM‐CSF did not influence L‐Selectin expression. Our results are a first indication that L‐Selectin may play a role during homing of eosinophils in the lung in asthma after allergen challenge. Moreover, the low expression of L‐Selectin on eosinophils in the lung is a further indication that these cells exhibit an activated phenotype.
Predominance of the major allergen (Alt a I) in Alternaria sensitized patients
Authors: KLEINE‐TEBBE J. , WORM M. , JEEP S. , MATTHIESEN F. , LØWENSTEIN H. , KUNKEL G. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThirty‐nine patients sensitized to Alternaria were evaluated using titrated skin‐prick test (SPT), histamine release studies (HR), inhibition of RAST and immunoblotting studies. To determine the relevance of the major allergen, Alt a I, specific rabbit antibodies against Alt a I and Alt a B were used. The antibodies were preincubated at different concentrations: (i) with the Alternaria allergen dose required for maximum response in the HR assay (10 BU/ml) and (ii) with the Alternaria antigen coupled to RAST paper discs (1000 BU/disc). Dose dependent inhibition of histamine release (n= 30, x̄= 80%± 4%, IC30 = 0.69 μg/ml) and of RAST (n= 7, IC30 = 4.4 μg/ml) was found in all patients sensitized to Alternaria as indicated by allergen induced HR. The greater the response to Alternaria in HR, the higher the antibody concentrations necessary for inhibition (P<0.05). Immunoblot experiments (n=25) using SDS‐PAGE showed in all cases IgE‐ and IgG binding at approximately 28 kD, which is the size reported for the major allergen. All a I. In two cases, slight IgE binding at 45 and 66 kD was also found, while in two other patients, only IgE binding at 66 kD was seen. Our findings emphasize the major importance of Alt a I in patients sensitized to Alternaria.
Lymphocyte transformation test with house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) in normal children, asthmatic children and asthmatic children receiving hyposensitization
Authors: VAN BEVER H. P. , BRIDTS C. H. , MOENS M. M. , DE RUCK T. E. , MERTENS A. V. , DE CLERCK L. S. , STEVENS W. J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryIn the first part of this study the proliferative response of lymphocytes (lymphocyte transformation test) to house dust mite (HDM) stimulation in cultures was studied in normal children (n= 16), asthmatic children who never received hyposensitization (HS) (n = 50) and asthmatic children receiving HS with HDM for at least 6 months (n = 20). The results are expressed as disintegrations per minute (d.p.m.) and as stimulation index (SI = d.p.m. in the presence of the allergen/d.p.m. in the control culture). A positive SI (> 2) was found in 54% of the asthmatic children who never received HS, in 30% of the asthmatics receiving HS and in none of the normal children. Furthermore, between asthmatics with and without HS, the SI was not statistically different, although asthmatics without HS tended to have a higher SI (median value: 2.13 vs 1.38) (P= 0.10). In a second series of experiments the effect of adding interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) to the lymphocyte cell culture was studied in asthmatic children with and without HS. Interleukin‐2 induced an additional stimulatory effect on the lymphoproliferative response to HDM and to phytohaemagglutinin in patients who never received HS, but had no effect in patients receiving HS. We conclude that HS treatment seems to have an inhibiting effect upon this proliferative response, not only inhibiting the degree of the allergen‐induced lymphocyte proliferation, but also inhibiting the sensitivity of proliferating lymphocytes for IL‐2. These inhibiting effects upon lymphocytic activation could be responsible for the anti‐inflammatory effects (i.e. suppression of the late asthmatic reaction) of HS.
Increased immune reactivity to house dust mites in adults with chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: ARMENAKA M. C. , GRIZZANTI J. N. , ORIEL B. , ROSENSTREICH D. L. 
Published: April 2006

SummarySixty‐three adults with symptomatic chronic rhinosinusitis had computerized tomegraphic (CT) scans of the paranasal sinuses, which were used to quantify disease severity. These patients were divided into three closely age‐ and sex‐matched groups: a CT scan‐negative group (chronic rhinitis only), a mild sinusitis group and a severe sinusitis group. Serum dust mite‐specific IgG levels were found to be significantly elevated in the sinusitis patients compared with a matched group of asymptomatic normal individuals. Levels were highest in the more severe sinusitis group, in which the mean titre was 559 U/ml and the incidence of litres greater than 400 U/ml was 48%, as compared with a mean titre of 139 U/ml and only a 10% incidence of litres greater than 400 U/ml in the normal subjects (P< 0.005 and <0.01). In contrast, although the frequency of immediate hypersensitivity to dust mite, as assessed by intradermal skin tests, tended to be higher in patients with sinusitis, it was not significantly different from normal individuals. The association between mite IgG and disease was most striking in the patient sub‐group with negative mile skin tests. In this group, mite IgG levels were significantly higher than normal, even in those patients with only chronic rhinitis. These findings demonstrate that increased serum levels of IgG against dust mites are strongly associated with chronic rhinosinusitis, especially in the sub‐group of patients who are not allergic to mites.
Allergen extracts. Standardization of preparations for bronchial provocation tests. A position paper
Authors: FRØLUND L. , BONINI S. , COCCO G. , DAVIES R. J. , DE MONCHY J. G. R. , MELILLO G. , PAUWELS R. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryStandardization of allergen provocation tests of the airways requires standardization of each of the steps involved, including standardization of the extracts used. The value of international standards is emphasized and so is the determination of a clinically relevant potency. The allergen extracts used for bronchial provocation tests must be compared with qualitatively and quantitatively clinically relevant standards using complementary immunochemical and biological methods. Ideally the same extracts should be used for diagnosis (skin test, specific IgE determinations, provocations) and treatment (immuno‐therapy). The importance of the biological compared with the non‐biological methods is that the biological methods are established in allergenic patients in order to select a clinically relevant potency of the allergen in question, and this potency ought to be confirmed in clinical trials. Once established the biological potency of an in‐house preparation can be reproduced by supplementary in vitro methods. Very few commercial allergen preparations are available which fulfil the above‐mentioned criteria.
Detection of crossreactive determinants in grass pollen extracts using monoclonal antibodies against group IV and group V allergens
Authors: FAHLBUSCH B. , MÜLLER W.‐D. , DIENER CH. , JÄGER L. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryMonoclonal antibodies (MoAb) to defined allergens of P. pratense were raised. Five of them were selected for detailed studies by means of immunoblotting after SDS–PAGE and IEF of extracts from P. pratense and L. perenne. Three antibodies (1D11, 3B2, 2D1) recognize structures with mol. wt of 29 and 34 kD and pI of 4.4‐7.7, corresponding to group V allergens. Two other MoAbs (2D8, 3C4) are directed against strong basic structures with a mol. wt of 50 kD and pI of 7.7‐9.9 according to group IV allergens. The specificity of antibodies was supported by direct ELISA with purified group V and IV allergens. The isolated allergens were characterized before by SDS‐PAGE and CIE and that allergenicity was detected with sera of patients with allergic rhinitis. Using our selected MoAbs crossreactive epitopes on group V and IV allergens have been excluded. Our antibodies have been used to detect crossreactivity in 14 grass pollen extracts. The evaluation of the pollen extracts has been performed by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) inhibition. One MoAb (3C4) is able to recognize group IV allergens in all grass species analysed whereas the MoAb 2D8 seems to identify group IV structures in selected grasses only. Binding to conserved structures of group V has been proved for MoAb 1D11. Other group V specific MoAbs (2D1, 3B2) identify similar, however incomplete, spectra. These results have been confirmed also by the dot immunobinding assay.
Precise area determination of skin‐prick tests: validation of a scanning device and software for a personal computer
Authors: POULSEN L. K. , LIISBERG C. , BINDSLEV‐JENSEN C. , MALLING H.‐J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryWhen skin‐prick tests (SPTs) are used quantitatively, the circumference of the weal and/ or the flare is outlined using a felt tip pen, and transferred to paper by adhesive tape. The aim of the study was to develop and validate a procedure, objectively and precisely determining these areas after transfer to paper. A system was developed enabling the drawing of the area of weal or flare to be read by a hand‐held scanner and calculated on a personal computer. Areas in the 5‐500 mm2 range could be determined with day‐to‐day and interoperator coefficients of variation (CVs) of 3.3% and 1.1%, respectively. Accuracy was determined in two ways: by correlation to cutting/weighing of four times enlarged SPT areas (r2= 0.0, P< 0.0) and by measuring standardized areas (deviations less than intra‐assay CV, i.e. 1‐2%). For comparison, CVs of alternative methods were also determined: eight different areas (9‐76 mm2) were evaluated in quadruplicate using the SPT‐scanner (CV=1.1%), by cutting/weighing of paper (CV = 2.2%), by digitizing (CV = 4.4%) or by measuring longest and orthogonal diameters (CV= 13.13%). In conclusion, the scanning device and software provides an objective and reproducible procedure for rapid determination of SPT areas. When areas are determined by scanning, digitizing or cutting/weighing the variations in area determination becomes negligible compared to the variations of the entire skin test procedure.
Reversibility of the allergen‐provoked late asthmatic response by an inhaled β2‐adrenoceptor agonist
Authors: TWENTYMAN O. P. , HOLGATE S. T. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThere is uncertainly about the relative contributions of bronchial smooth muscle contract ion. mucosal oedema and mucus plugging lo airflow obstruct ion in the allergen induced late asthmatic response (LAR).We systematically studied the ability of the inhaled β2‐agonist salbutamol to reverse the LAR in eight subjects after allergen bronchoprovocation. Salbutamol reversed the LAR by restoring FEV1, to a level similar to the initial value measured at the same time of day (18.00 h)on the previous evening. For the eight subjects studied, this initial FEV1 value, measured after abstaining from β‐agonists for 8 h, was a mean ±SEM 90.7 ± 5.6% of predicted, which suggests further bronchodilation may have been possible at this time. We then studied six of the eight subjects in an identical protocol with saline challenge substituted for allergen bronchoprovocation to answer the question whether further bronchodilation was possible at that time after salbutamol in the absence of an LAR. After salbutamol on the allergen challenge day the FEV1 for the six subjects was 84.1 ± 7.0% of predicted, compared with 94.0 ± 3.7% of predicted at the same point on the saline challenge day (p < 0.05).We conclude that, although the LAR may be effectively reversed by β2‐agonists, there is evidence for some residual airway narrowing, presumably related lo mucosal oedema, exudate and mucus plugging.
Two‐dimensional immunoblot analysis of allergens of Cladosporium herbarum
Authors: ZHANG L. , CURRAN I. , MURADIA G. , RODE H. , VIJAY H. M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryIn the present study, allergens of Cladosporium herbarum were analysed by SDS‐PAGE. two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis and immunoblot. The SDS‐PAGF under reduced conditions followed by western blotting analysis revealed 10 human IgE‐binding components with molecular masses ranging from 15 to 143 kDa. Within the same molecular mass range, five components were detected under non‐reduced conditions. Examination of the specificities of 10 individual sera revealed that two patients were sensitive to almost all the allergens, whereas the majority reacted with only some components. Two‐dimensional immunoblot was employed to further analyse the allergens in the extract. A silver‐stain of the two‐dimensional gel revealed that there were more than 30 different protein components visible in the extract, Immunoblot of the proteins separated under denatured conditions disclosed that 17 spots were reactive with human atopic sera.
In vitro basophil histamine‐releasing activity of circulating IgG1 and IgG4 autoanti‐IgE antibodies from asthma patients and the demonstration that anti‐IgE modulates allergen‐induced basophil activation
Authors: SHAKIB F. , SMITH S. J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryIn this study we have examined the relationship between the in vitro basophil histamine‐releasing activity of human IgG anti‐IgE, isolated as euglobulin fractions from sera of asthmatic patients, and its IgG1/IgG4 subclass distribution. In particular, we have investigated whether IgG anti‐IgE modulates allergen‐induced basophil activation. The study has revealed that only a small proportion of IgG anti‐IgE samples triggered histamine release from basophils of an asthmatic individual (4/21; 19%), a hay fever sufferer (4/10; 40%) and a healthy person (7/21; 33%). The basophil histamine‐releasing activity of IgG anti‐IgE did not seem to be determined by the IgG1/IgG4 subclass composition of the IgG anti‐IgE preparation used. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that autoanti‐IgE antibodies modulate allergen‐induced basophil histamine release. The three modulatory effects exerted by IgG anti‐IgE antibodies on allergen‐triggered basophil activation (i.e. additive, synergistic and blocking) were not dependent on the subclass nature of IgG anti‐IgE or the use of histamine‐releasing anti‐IgE preparations. Our data suggest that IgG anti‐IgE antibodies in asthma patients may consist of two functionally distinct subpopulations: those which up‐regulate (pro‐allergic) and those which down‐regulate (anti‐allergic) the allergic release of mediators from mast cells and basophils.
Sensitization to storage mites in house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) allergic patients. Comparison of a rural and an urban population
Authors: EBNER C. , FELDNER H. , EBNER H. , KRAFT D. 
Published: April 2006

summaryIn this study, sera collected from 50 patients (24 females, 26 males) with Type I allergy to house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) were investigated for IgE antibodies specific for eight different mite species including storage mites of the families Pyroglyphidae, Glycyphagidae and Acaridae. According to their environment the patients were divided into two groups. Group I consisted of 24 (11 women, 13 men) farmers working and living in rural regions of Austria (Styria. Lower Austria), group II included 26 citizens of Vienna (13 women, 13 men). As expected, RAST investigations revealed a higher rate of sensitization to storage mites in the farmer group. Comparing the two patient groups, sensitization to Lepidoglyphus destructor and Tyrophagus putreus was markedly increased in the farmer group. However, the sensitizalion rate to storage miles was also considerably high in city dwellers. Elevated levels of IgE specific for Euroglyphus maynei were more frequently observed in the urban collective. RAST‐inhibition experiments suggest a partial crossreactivity between house dust mites and storage mites. In their living environment, patients with perennial Type I allergy are exposed to multiple different mite‐derived allergens in addition to the well‐known house dust mite allergens. These allergens lead to sensitization and are therefore of clinical importance.
Allergenic characterization of Acarus siro and Tyrophagus putrescentiae and their crossreactivity with Lepidoglyphus destructor and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
Authors: JOHANSSON E. , JOHANSSON S. G. O. , van HAGE‐HAMSTEN M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryAllergenic components in extracts of Acarus siro and Tyrophagus putrescentiae were identified by sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide (SDS‐PAGE) and immuno‐blotting. Five and four allergenic components, respectively, were visualized with sera from farmers sensitized to storage mites. The highest frequency of IgE‐binding was to a 15kDa component of A. siro (7/9 sera) and a 16kDa component of T. putrescentiae (23/29 sera). The allergenic crossreactivity of A. siro and T. putrescentiae with Lepidoglyphus destructor and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was studied with an immunoblotting inhibition technique. Crossreactivity between D. pteronyssinus on the one hand and A. siro and T. putrescentiae on the other, was shown, as the IgE reactivity to a 25 kDa component of D. ptertonyssinus was inhibited to the same degree by extracts of A. siro, T. putrescentiae and D. pteronyssinus. However, D. pteronyssinus was a poor inhibitor of the allergenic components of A. siro and T. putrescentiae. Strong cross‐reactivity was also shown between L. destructor and the allergenic components of A. siro and T. putrescentiae, while the latter mite species only to a very low degree inhibited the allergenic components of L. destructor.
Non‐invasive assessment of bronchial inflammation in asthma: no correlation between eosinophilia of induced sputum and bronchial responsiveness to inhaled hypertonic saline
Authors: IREDALE M. J. , WANKLYN S. A. R. , PHILLIPS I. P. , KRAUSZ T. , IND P. W. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBronchial inflammation in mild asthma has been investigated using bronchoscopical techniques. The safety of bronchoscopy in patients with more severe asthma has been questioned. We have used the non‐invasive technique of hypertonic saline (HS) inhalation to induce sputum samples for cellular analysis whilst simultaneously yielding a measure of bronchial responsiveness. Ten normal subjects and a heterogenous group of 24 asthmatic patients (range % predicted FEV1 43.3‐111.5) underwent HS challenge. Sputum samples induced were analysed. Total and differential cell counts between the two groups were compared. The association between bronchial responsiveness to HS and sputum cell counts was examined in the asthma group. Mean maximum fall in FEV1 for normal subjects was 4.0 (2.1‐5.9, 95%CI)% after saline. Geometric mean PD20HS for asthma patients was 7.7 (range 0.68‐40.92) ml. Adequate sputum samples were obtained from 9/10 normals and 23/24 asthmatic patients. Sputum from normal subjects contained a median of 3.8 (2.8‐8.1, interquartile range)% eosinophils compared with 17.6 (8.9‐34.1)% in sputum from asthma patients (P < 0.001). Sputum from asthma patients contained fewer of all other cell types compared with normals, with the difference in macrophages reaching significance. There was no correlation between PD20HS and cell count for any cell type in asthma subjects. Analysis of induced sputum represents a simple, safe, non‐invasive and well‐tolerated method of assessment of bronchial inflammation, suitable for use in patients with a range of asthma severity. There was no relationship between inflammation, as assessed by sputum cell counts and a measure of ‘Indirect’ bronchial responsiveness.