bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduced mite allergen levels in dwellings with mechanical exhaust and supply ventilation
Authors: WICKMAN M. , EMENIUS G. , EGMAR A‐C. , AXELSSON G. , PERSHAGEN G. 
Published: April 2006

SummarySeventy similar bungalows constructed between 1968 and 1970 in the same suburban area of Stockholm were investigated regarding the content of house dust mite allergen, absolute indoor humidity, type of ventilation and basement construction. Houses with mechanical exhaust and supply ventilation had an indoor humidity above 7 g/kg less often than houses without this type of ventilation (Odds ratio 0.1, 95% confidence interval 0.0‐0.2). Furthermore, only five of the 24 houses with exhaust and supply ventilation contained mattress dust mite allergen concentrations exceeding the median value (98.5 ng/g) compared with 30 of 46 hours which did not have such ventilation (odds ratio =0.1, C.I. 0.0–0.5). Houses with both natural ventilation and crawl space basement harboured significantly less mattress mite allergen than houses having the same type of ventilation, but with a concrete slab basement. In a cold temperate climate, type of building construction and ventilation seem to be important for the occurrence of house dust mite allergens in dwellings. Our results indicate that modern energy‐efficient houses should be equipped with mechanical exhaust and supply ventilation to reduce indoor air humidity during the dry winter months and the risk of mite infestation.
Aerosolized acetaldehyde, but not ethanol, induces histamine–mediated bronchoconstriction in guinea–pigs
Authors: MYOU S. , FUJIMURA M. , BANDO T. , SAITO M. , MATSUDA T. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryIt was reported that ethanol–induced bronchoconstriction was associated with elevated serum levels of aectaldehyde and histamine in Japanese asthmatic patients, but there is no study to investigate the airway response to acetaldehyde. We performed this animal study to test the hypothesis that acctaldehyde has the bronchospastic action via histamine release. First, we investigated the airway response to ascending doses (31.3, 62.5, 125. and 250 MM) of inhaled ethanol or acctaldehyde in guinea–pigs. Secondly, guinea–pigs pretreated with intraperitoneal injection of saline or 20 mg/kg diphenhydramine inhaled acetaldehyde. Finally, guinea–pigs pretreated with intraperitoneal injection of saline or 0–5 mg/kg atropine sulfate inhaled acetaldehyde. Inhalation of acetaldehyde. but not ethanol, caused bronchoconstriction in a dose–dependent manner. The bronchoconstriction induced by inhaled acetaldehyde was completely prevented by pretreatment with diphenhydramine. Atropine had no preventing effect against the acetaldehyde–induced bronchoconstriction. In conclusion, acetaldehyde has the bronchospastic action via histamine release in guinea–pigs. It is suggested that histamine HI–antagonists may be available for preventing alochol–induced asthma.
Asthma in children less than 5 years of age: eosinophils and serum levels of the eosinophil proteins ECP and EPX in relation to atopy and symptoms
Authors: ZIMMERMAN B. , ENANDER I. , ZIMMERMAN R. , AHLSTEDT S. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryChildren less than 5 years of age with asthma were assessed for total eosinophil counts and scrum levels of the eosinophil proteins, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil protein X (EPX). to determine whether these measurements would reflect eosinophilic inflammation in the airways. Initially 27 symptomatic patients, 14 atopic and 13 non‐atopic were investigated. They had a mean age of 1.8 years and had never been treated with inhaled steroid and had not received Intal for 2 weeks prior to the assessment. The 14 atopic patients proved to have higher mean total eosinophil counts and serum levels of ECP and EPX than the 13 non‐atopic patients (eosinophil counts 0.63 109/1 vs 0.26 × 109/1, P < 0.001; ECP 36.9 μg/1 vs 10.8 μg/1, P < 0.001; EPX 69.0 μg/1 v.s 19.6 μg/l, P < 0.01. Thirteen of these patients required treatment with daily doses of inhaled steroid and 11 had a repeal assessment (seven atopic and four non‐atopic). The mean serum EC'P of the seven atopic patients had fallen significantly (40.6 to 22.9. P < 0.05) while the total eosinophil counts did not. These results suggest a difference in numbers and activity of eosinophils in a topic compared with non‐atopic asthma in young children.To determine whether the results were influenced by treatment with inhaled steroids. 31 patients who were being treated with daily inhaled steroid underwent assessment when they were symptomatic (22 samples) or asymptomatic (19 samples). Of the 31 patients. 11 were atopic and 20 non‐atopic, Atopic asthmatics had higher levels of eosinophils and serum ECP than non‐atopic patients when symptomatic patients were compared, despite treatment with inhaled steroid.Finally, in order to determine whether the ECP correlates with atopy rather than asthma, 19 patients who were seen for assessment of a reaction to a food (usually peanut or egg) and who had a positive skin lest to the appropriate food were examined. Twelve of these patients had a history of intermittent asthma and a mean ECP of 31 9μg/I while seven patients had no asthma and a mean ECP of 13.4 μg/l (P < 0.05), The total eosinophil counts showed the same difference. This suggests that atopy in the absence of asthma may not be associated with an elevated eosinophil count or ECP level. The data suggest that atopy contributes lo childhood asthma, even in infancy, by mobilization and activation of eosinophils. Scrum ECP might be a useful measure of eosinophil activation in asthma of early childhood.
Natural variation in mite antigen density in house dust and relationship to residential factors
Authors: KUEHR J. , FRISCHER T. , KARMAUS W. , MEINERT R. , BARTH R. , SCHRAUB S. , DASCHNER A. , URBANEK R. , FORSTER J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryTo investigate the year‐to‐year variation of mite antigen density (Der p I, Der f1) in dust from mattresses and the relevance of residential factors for antigen load, information derived from an epidemiologic study including two surveys carried out in the households of a cohort of elementary school children (n= 1291) was analysed.When considering residences with measurements taken in both years in question (n= 1050), rank‐correlation indicated a predominance of stability for both antigens (Der p I: rs= 0‐82, p=0.0001; Der f I: rs=0.72, P= 0.0001), Using multiple regression analyses, significant associations between antigen concentrations and a variety of residential factors were found. Use of a blanket of animal hair, use of a cover or underblanket, wet spots in the bedroom, higher relative humidity and a low storey level were significantly associated with increased concentrations of Der p I, whereas inverse relationships between this antigen and room temperature, number of persons per m2 as well as use of underfloor heating were seen. Regarding Der f I, older mattresses, use of a cover or underblanket, higher weight of sampled dust, high educational level and higher ratio of inhabitants per m2 were significantly associated with increased concentrations of the antigen. On the other hand, lower Der f I concentrations were found when interior sprung mattresses were used and when the mattress was ‘treated regularly’.In conclusion, two measurements, 1 year apart from each other, show that stability of mite antigen concentrations predominated. Our data suggest that allergic patients should be advised against living in lower storeys and damp homes and to use a newer or encased mattress and to give preference to a residence with underfloor heating.
Nasal mast cells in experimentally induced allergic rhinitis in guinea‐pigs
Authors: KAWAGUCHI S. , MAJIMA Y. , SAKAKURA Y. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe kinetics of mast cell accumulation in the nasal mucosa during allergen exposure were investigated in animal model of experimentally induced allergic rhinitis. Guinea‐pigs were divided into an unsensitized control group and five sensitized groups each containing live animals. Five sensitized groups were immunized intraperitoneally with ovalbumin, followed by intranasal administration of ovalbumin in each of four groups for 1. 2, 3 and 4 weeks, respectively. There were significant increases in the number of mast cells in the epithelium after 2 and 3 weeks in the groups receiving intranasal ovalbumin. No significant changes were detected in the lamina propria and the total number of mast cells. In the lamina propria, the distance between a mast cell and the basement membrane was significantly decreased in the groups after 2, 3 and 4 weeks of intranasal administration. These findings suggest that an infiltration of mast cells from the lamina propria to the epithelium occurred after 2 weeks of intranasal administration of allergen. An electron microscopic study showed no mast cells at the luminal surface of the epithelium and the majority of mast cells lying around the basal cells. This finding suggests that the allergen must penetrate into the epithelium in order to interact with mast cells in guinea‐pig nose.
Thermal and storage stability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) allergens
Authors: KORTEKANGAS‐SAVOLAINEN O. , EINARSSON R. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe effect of storage and high temperatures on the stability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae allergens was studied by immunoblotting. Saccharomyces cerevisiae allergic serum pool and 125I‐ and galactosidase‐labelled anti‐IgE were used in the assays. Freeze‐dried extracts were reconstituted with saline and with 50% glycerol and then stored at room (+ 20°C) and refrigerator temperature (+6°C) for different time periods.The stability was better in 50% glycerol at +6°C than at room temperature without glycerol. However, after 1 month, two of the most important allergens of S. cerevisiae, the 48 and 32 kDa protein allergens. lost their IgE‐binding capacity even in the extracts stored with 50% glycerol al +6 C. The 45 kDa allergen was. on the other hand, quite stable after storage for 9 months at +6°C. Although the beneficial effect of 50% glycerol was clear, storage at +6°C, even with 50% glycerol should not exceed 1 month for S. cerevisiae extracts.Two commercially available S. cerevisiae extracts in solution with valid expiry dates were also analysed. They had only little allergenic potency, while a freeze‐dried extract stored for 8 years showed good allergenic potency. Heating S. cerevisiae extracts resulted in precipitation., the precipitated fraction contained almost all the specific proteins as judged by electrophoresis and IgE detection. The supernatant fraction contained only a few allergens.
Effects of nedocromil sodium on bronchospasm and HS‐NCA release induced by allergen inhalation in asthmatic patients
Authors: MIRONE C. , FONTANA A. , MOSCA S. , BOSETTI M. , SALA A. , SCIBILIA J. , ORTOLANI C. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe aim of this study was to assess the ability of nedocromil sodium (NS) to prevent the immediate asthmatic reaction and the increase in the scrum level of heal stable neutrophil chemotactie activity (HS‐NCA) induced by antigen inhalation. In a double‐blind, cross‐over study. 13 atopic subjects affected with seasonal asthma underwent a bronchial provocation lest with a preselected dose of grass pollen allergen (enough to cause a decrease of ≥ 20% in FEV1:FEV1 PD20) after pre‐treatment with 4 mg NS or placebo. Serum samples were withdrawn from 11 subjects for HS‐NCA determination. After NS administration the decrease in FEV1 was significantly less than after placebo administration at all lime points after challenge (2 min P= 0.0004; 7 min, P= 0.0005; 17 min P= 0.0002 and 27 min P= 0.0005). The percentage increase in HS‐NCA was significantly higher after placebo than after NS inhalation, both 10 (P= 0.0048) and 2d (P= 0.0068) min after challenge. Our study confirms previous investigations, showing that NS inhibits the immediate asthmatic response to allergen inhalation in atopic, asthmatic subjects and moreover it shows that this drug prevents in vivo the increase of the serum HS‐NCA. This last finding has not been previously reported.
Asthma, allergy and atopy in southern Chinese school students
Authors: LEUNG R. , JENKINS M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryIn order to determine the prevalence of asthma, allergy and atopy in southern China and the relative importance of atopy and parental history in predicting asthma and allergic diseases, we carried out a cross‐sectional study on 737 secondary school students aged 12‐20(492 boys, 245 girls; mean age = 16.4 years, so = 1.8 years) in the city of San Bu, Guangdong, China. Standard questionnaires on respiratory and allergic symptoms were distributed for completion by parents with an overall response of 98.6%. Skin‐prick tests to common aeroallergens were performed on 647 subjects (87.8%) to determine atopic status. The prevalence (and 95% CI) of a history of hay fever, eczema, wheeze or asthma ever and wheeze in past 12 months were 1.6% (0.7‐2.5), 10.4% (8.2‐12.6), 1.9% (0.9‐1.9) and 1.1% (0.3‐1.9) respectively. Forty‐nine per cent (45.2‐52.9) of students had one or more positive skin tests to common aeroallergens. Amongst atopic subjects, 87.3% reacted to house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) and 73.3% to cockroach. There was a close association between the degree of atopy and the prevalence of a history of wheeze (P < 0.05) but not with hay fever or eczema. After adjusting for age and sex, parental histories of hay fever, eczema and wheeze were strongly associated with the respective symptoms in the subjects (OR = 17.4 (3.2‐93.9) for hay fever, 27.4 (12.7‐59.0) for eczema, 79.4 (21.9‐288.4) for wheeze). It is concluded that respiratory and allergic symptoms were uncommon in Chinese school students despite a high prevalence of atopy, and that parental history is more important in predicting asthma and allergy than atopy.
Changes in nasal specific IgE to mites after periods of allergen exposure‐avoidance: a comparison with serum levels
Authors: SENSI L. G. , PIACENTINI G. L. , NOBILE E. , GHEBREGZABHER M. , BRUNORI R. , ZANOLLA L. , BONER A. L. , MARCUCCI F. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryVariations of serum and nasal specific IgE to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) during alternate periods of antigen avoidance exposure have been evaluated with an open design in a group of allergic children with asthma and rhinitis at the residential house Istituto Pio XII (Misurina, BL, Italy), at 1756 m. in the Italian Dolomites. A method based on direct incubation of allergen coupled substrate on the nasal mucosa has been employed to evaluate the levels of nasal IgE. Serum specific IgE decreased respectively from (median) 117‐89.3 kU/l (P < 0.001) during an initial period of 3 months of allergen avoidance and from 88.2 to 78.4 kU/l (P < 0.0002) during a subsequent period of allergen avoidance. No significant increase in serum specific IgE was, in contrast, observed during two periods, 22 and 9 days, of antigen exposure, changing respectively from 89.3 to 88.2 and from 78.4 to 89 1 kU/l. In contrast, nasal IgE has been significantly influenced by the alternate periods of antigen exposure‐avoidance, showing a decrease from 19.75 to 4.01 kU/l (P < 0.0001) after the initial period of avoidance, followed by an increase to 9.95 kU/l (P < 0.0001) after 22 days of exposure. A significant decrease to a value of 2.37 kU/l (P < 0.0001) was also observed during the subsequent period of avoidance, followed again by an increase to 7.87 kU/l (P < 0.002) after 9 days of exposure. The evaluation of the kinetics of changes in nasal specific IgE revealed a significant decrease (P < 0.01) as soon as antigen avoidance was implemented for 3 days. Nasal specific TgE, therefore, appears to be a more sensitive index of antigen exposure avoidance than serum IgE levels.
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis induced by Penicillium expansum in a home environment
Authors: PARK H.‐S. , JUNG K.‐S. , KIM S. O. , KIM S. J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryAn episode of fever, cough, shortness of breath and leucocytosis developed in a 31‐year‐old atopic housewife from mould exposure in her home environment is evaluated. A chest radiograph revealed diffuse tiny nodular infiltrations in both whole lung fields. Spirometry revealed a severe restrictive type of ventilation impairment. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) showed an increased lymphocyte count with reversed CD4 +/CD8 + ratio and transbronchial lung biopsy showed markedly increased lymphocytic infiltration in alveolar septa. Fungal cultures in the air of her home were positive for Penicillium expansum and other fungi. Double immunodiffusion test with the patient's serum showed two precipitin bands to P. expansum antigens. Her symptoms, abnormal findings of radiograph, and spirometric abnormalities disappeared after 2 months' avoidance. The serum precipitin disappeared after 1 month's avoidance. This study indicates that the patient had hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) on exposure to P. expansum in her home environment.
Crossreactivity of IgE antibody against Dermatophagoides farinae with Limulus polyphemus agglutinin
Authors: SHIBASAKI M. , ISOYAMA S. , SUMAZAKI R. , TAKITA H. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryCrossreactivity of IgE antibody against Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f) with Limulus polyphemus agglutinin (LPA) was examined using RAST and immunoblot analysis. Of 40 Der f‐sensitive asthmatic patients, 28 revealed a positive RAST reaction to LPA, while none of 20 Der f‐insensitive hay fever patients showed this reaction. LPA‐specific RAST levels of the 40 asthmatic patients correlated with their Der f‐specific levels. The RAST reactivity to LPA was competitively inhibited by the addition of either soluble Der f or LPA, but not by the specific inhibitory sugar of sialic acid. LPA could also induce histamine release from leucocytes of Der f‐sensitive asthmatic patients. IgE immunoblot analyses showed that the positive RAST sera for LPA had a strong IgE binding activity to the 30 kDa and 80 kDa components of DER F body extract, whereas gel filtration studies showed that the high molecular weight fractions above 150 kDa retained antigenic constituents associated with IgE reactivity to LPA. These results suggest that the antigenic materials of Dermatophagoides mites share some determinants with the haemagglutinin of horseshoe crabs.
The pattern of food hypersensitivity in patients with onset after 10 years of age
Authors: KIVITY S. , DUNNER K. , MARIAN Y. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryOne hundred and twelve patients with a history of immediate adverse reaction after food ingestion and positive skin test to food are presented with the result of food challenge. In all patients the symptoms started after 10 years of age; most presented with recurrent short‐lasting urticarial rash, often accompanied by rhinitis. In the majority of the patients, skin tests were positive to multiple food allergens, but 67% of these responded to oral provocation by only one allergen. One‐third of the patients had a history of allergic symptoms following exercise after meals, but in only one‐third of these symptoms were reproducible in the laboratory. Fruit and vegetables were the main allergens responsible for food hypersensitivity. Food allergy can develop after the first 10 years of life. Fruit and vegetables are the main cause of food allergy in these patients, while milk and egg are the least common. These findings differ from those in early childhood where milk and eggs are the main allergens.
Bronchial provocation with cat allergen: correlation between the individual IgE‐CRIE pattern and the occurrence of a late allergic reaction
Authors: MOSIMANN B. , AUBERT V. , FREY J. G. , LEUENBERGER PH. , PÉCOUD A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryTwenty‐one mild asthmatic patients allergic to cat dander underwent a bronchial provocation test (BPT) with a cat extract. An early allergic response (EAR) was observed in all 21 patients and a late allergic response (LAR) in 8/21 patients. In the EAR, the patients with subsequent LAR had a greater full in FEV1, Their baseline FEV1, and total dose of inhaled allergen were not significantly different from patients who did not develop a LAR, but their serum specific IgE level was higher. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) of the same cal extract showed that it contained eight different proteins. An IgE‐CRIE was obtained from all 21 patients, using radiolabelled anti‐lgE and autoradiography. Radiolabelled standards allowed a semiquantitative scoring of the radiosiaining. The CRIE pattern of the eight patients with LAR showed a higher score of radiostaining and a greater number of proteins hound to IgE. The two major allergen cal albumin and Fel d I bound equally to IgE of patients with and without LAR whereas another protein (antigen No. 7) bound to IgE of 100% of patients with LAR but of only 38% of patients without LAR. These data suggest that the pattern of the IgE response to specific proteins of a cat extract may be related to the occurrence of LAR after BPT with this allergen.
A three‐year double‐blind placebo‐controlled study with specific oral immunotherapy to Dermatophagoides: evidence of safety and efficacy in paediatric patients
Authors: GIOVANE A. L. , BARDARE M. , PASSALACQUA G. , RUFFONI S. , SCORDAMAGLIA A. , GHEZZI E. , CANONICA G. W. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryVery few double‐blind trials of oral immunotherapy have been reported. The majority of these have been performed with pollen extracts and the results have often been equivocal. The major weaknesses of these studies have been the short periods of the trials, the low doses of allergen employed and inadequate evaluation of efficacy. The present study has involved a placebo‐controlled double‐blind trial of oral immunotherapy for three years with Dermatophagoides pteronysstnus at relatively high doses in 18 paediatric patients. Throughout the trial clinical parameters (symptom and medication scores) and immunological parameters (specific IgE, IgG1 and IgG4 levels) were monitored in order to assess the safely and efficacy of the treatment. The treatment was well tolerated by all patients and no side‐effects were experienced. Clinical improvement was evident after the second year of therapy and this was confirmed by a significant reduction in conjunctiva! reactivity assessed by a specific conjunctival provocation lest. In addition, there were significant changes in the immunological parameters with a reduction in specific IgE and increased levels of IgG4 and IgGI, results in keeping with previous studies of oral and subcutaneous immunotherapy. Although the results do not provide an explanation of the basis of successful oral immunotherapy, they clearly demonstrate the efficacy and safety of the treatment and suggest that it may be a useful and more acceptable alternative for patients than the traditional subcutaneous immunotherapy.
A two‐site monoclonal antibody ELISA for the quantification of group V allergens in grass extracts
Authors: FAHLBUSCH B. , SCHLENVOIGT G. , MÜLLER W.‐D. , WEBER B. , JÄGER L. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryA two‐site solid‐phase enzymimmunoassay was used for the quantification of group V allergen in grass pollen extracts in mass units. The assay is based on the monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs), 1D11 and 3B2 which recognize different epitopes on the standard Phl p V. The MoAb‐ELISA is very sensitive (15 100ng ml Phl p V)and highly specific for group V allergens. Six pollen extracts of different grasses demonstrated parallel binding curves. The group V content ranged between 73 and 673 μg/ml in the extracts. The International Standard of Phleum pratense (IS 82 520) contains 400 μg/nil Phl p V. A good correlation was observed between the group V content and RAST inhibition, with the exception of Poa pratensis.