bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recombinant factor VIIa reduces transfusion requirements in liver transplant patients with high MELD scores
Authors: Niemann C. U. , Behrends M. , Quan D. , Eilers H. , Gropper M. A. , Roberts J. P. , Hirose R. 
Published: March 2006

summary.  Patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) often experience significant coagulopathy and remain at risk for excessive blood loss and massive transfusion. The ability of recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) to reduce transfusion requirements during OLT has not been well established.This retrospective study investigates whether rFVIIa reduces transfusion requirements in liver transplant patients with a significantly prolonged prothrombin time (PT) and a model of end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score of >20. Eleven patients received a single dose of rFVIIa (58 ± 18 μg kg−1) at the time of incision. This group was matched with a selected control group that fulfilled all of the inclusion/exclusion criteria.Patient characteristics, pre‐operative PT, HCT, PLT and MELD were identical between groups. Prophylactic application of rFVIIA reduced packed red blood cells (3·9 ± 2·6 versus 6·9 ± 2·3 U, P = 0·01) and fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP) (12·6 ± 6 versus 19·8 ± 7 U, P = 0·018) transfusion requirements when compared with the control group. FFP administration in the first 24 h after surgery was also significantly less in the rVIIa group when compared with the control group (388 ± 385 versus 1225 ± 701 mL, P = 0·003). Hospital stay following transplantation tended to be shorter in the rFVIIa group, albeit statistical significance was not achieved (11 ± 7·3 versus 7·9 ± 2·7, P = 0·2). All but one patient in the control group survived for 30 days after transplantation.In a selected group of patients with prolonged PT and high MELD score, the prophylactic application of rFVIIa at the start of the OLT may reduce perioperative transfusion requirements.
Asthma during the primary school ages – prevalence, remission and the impact of allergic sensitization
Authors: Bäcklund A. B. , Perzanowski M. S. , Platts‐Mills T. , Sandström T. , Lundbäck B. , Rönmark E. 
Published: March 2006

Background:  Childhood is the most important time for asthma development. The aims of this study were to study changes in prevalence of asthma and wheeze, remission of asthma and changes in risk factor pattern from age 7–8 to age 11–12 in a cohort of school children.Methods:  In 1996, 3525 children aged 7–8 years in northern Sweden were invited to participate in a parental expanded ISAAC questionnaire survey. The cohort has been followed prospectively with yearly follow‐ups to age 11–12, with a 97% yearly response rate. Skin prick tests were conducted at age 7–8 and 11–12.Results:  The prevalence of physician‐diagnosed asthma increased from 5.7% at age 7–8 to 7.7% at age 11–12. Life‐time prevalence of wheeze was 34.7% at age 11–12. The remission of asthma was 10% yearly and inversely related to allergic sensitization. Relapses were common, and remission persisting throughout the observation period was 5% yearly. Allergic sensitization was associated with current asthma at age 7–8 [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 4.9 (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.3–7.3)] and when the children were 4 years older [OR 5.6 (3.9–8.2)]. A family history of asthma was associated with current asthma at age 7–8 [OR 3.0 (2.1–4.5)] and 11–12 (OR 2.8 [2.0–3.9]). Ever having lived with a cat was significantly negatively associated with current asthma.Conclusions:  The prevalence of asthma increased continuously during the primary school ages. Among several significant risk factors, allergic sensitization and a family history of asthma were the most important. With increasing age many known risk factors lost significance. Remission was inversely related to allergic sensitization.
Gas cooking, kitchen ventilation, and asthma, allergic symptoms and sensitization in young children – the PIAMA study
Authors: Willers S. M. , Brunekreef B. , Oldenwening M. , Smit H. A. , Kerkhof M. , De Vries H. , Gerritsen J. , De Jongste J. C. 
Published: March 2006

Background:  Several studies reported inconsistent associations between using gas for cooking and respiratory symptoms or lung function in children. Kitchen ventilation characteristics may modify the relationship between gas cooking and respiratory health. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of kitchen ventilation (while cooking) on the relationship between gas cooking, combustion product dispersal, and respiratory and allergic outcomes in children.Methods:  Data on respiratory and allergic symptoms and diagnoses were collected by yearly questionnaires in a population of over 3000 children participating in a birth cohort study on development of allergy and asthma. At 4 years of age, a sub‐sample of 647 children provided blood samples for antibody testing. Data on gas cooking and kitchen ventilation were collected when the children were 5 years old. Based on these data a model was constructed to determine the chance of accumulation of combustion products (CACP) in the kitchen.Results:  No relationship was found between gas cooking and any of the respiratory or allergy outcomes except nasal symptoms. The overall results did not change when the ‘CACP’ was used as exposure variable instead, while the association for nasal symptoms decreased to borderline significance.Conclusion:  Our results suggest that gas cooking per se is associated with nasal symptoms in young children and not with the other respiratory symptoms that were investigated. Taking kitchen ventilation characteristics into account did not lead to different conclusions in this population where, according to the classification system, the majority of households using gas for cooking have insufficient kitchen ventilation.
Attenuation of human lung mast cell degranulation by bronchial epithelium
Authors: Yang W. , Wardlaw A. J. , Bradding P. 
Published: March 2006

Background:  Human lung mast cells (HLMC) lie in close proximity to the bronchial epithelium in asthma and adhere with high affinity to bronchial epithelial monolayers in vitro. We investigated the consequences of this adhesive interaction on HLMC activation in response to FcɛRI cross‐linking.Methods:  Human lung mast cells were cultured with the bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS‐2B or plastic control for either 30 min or 16 h and then activated with anti‐IgE. Histamine was measured by radioenzymatic assay.Results:  After co‐culture for 30 min, IgE‐dependent histamine release from HLMC was identical on both BEAS‐2B and plastic. After 16 h of co‐culture, there was a marked decrease in constitutive and IgE‐dependent histamine release from HLMC cultured on BEAS‐2B compared with those cultured on plastic or fibronectin. In contrast, the Ca2+/ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin produced concentration‐dependent histamine release that was significantly increased on BEAS‐2B compared with plastic. IgE‐dependent degranulation was not significantly affected by BEAS‐2B‐conditioned medium.Conclusions:  BEAS‐2B bronchial epithelial cells attenuate IgE‐dependent but not thapsigargin‐induced histamine release from HLMC. The differential effect with anti‐IgE compared with thapsigargin suggests that the mechanism includes interference with the proximal FcɛRI signalling pathway.
Confirmation of association ofIL‐15with pediatric asthma and comparison of different controls
Authors: Bierbaum S. , Nickel R. , Zitnik S. , Ahlert I. , Lau S. , Deichmann K. A. , Wahn U. , Heinzmann A. 
Published: March 2006

Background: Interleukin (IL)‐15 is an important mediator in chronic inflammatory diseases. Recently, we have described the association ofIL‐15haplotypes with bronchial asthma. Asthma genetics is highly complex – about every second candidate gene is not confirmed in consecutive studies. We were interested in whether association of asthma withIL‐15holds in a second population. Furthermore, we sought to investigate the effect of different controls.Methods: FiveIL‐15polymorphisms were genotyped on the German Multicenter Allergy Study (MAS) cohort consisting of 886 children who were followed up from birth to 10 years of age. At 10 years of age, 96 were found to be asthmatic. MAS children who never had any wheezing symptoms (n = 576), who were never diagnosed with asthma (n = 790) and 129 super controls who had never had any atopic disorder were used as controls. Finally, 270 randomly chosen adults served as controls.Results: Association was confirmed with single polymorphism and haplotypes. The super controls showed the highest difference to the asthmatics regarding haplotype frequencies. However, the effect escaped statistical significance, most likely because of the small sample size.Conclusion: Association ofIL‐15with asthma was confirmed. Although super controls might be the most suitable, more numbers are needed. This might hamper the value of these controls especially when investigating common diseases.
Anti‐inflammatory effects of once daily low dose inhaled ciclesonide in mild to moderate asthmatic patients
Authors: Wilson A. M. , Duong M. , Pratt B. , Dolovich M. , O'Byrne P. M. 
Published: March 2006

Background:  Ciclesonide exhibits clinical efficacy at 160 μg (ex‐actuator) once daily but the anti‐inflammatory effects at this dose are not known. We wished to know whether 4 weeks therapy with ciclesonide pMDI 160 μg once daily in the morning exhibited significant anti‐inflammatory effects.Methods:  Seventeen patients with mild persistent asthma (FEV1 3.35 l) were recruited into a double‐blind placebo‐controlled randomized crossover study. Measurements were made after ciclesonide and placebo treatment as well as after run‐in and washout periods, for adenosine monophosphate (AMP) bronchial challenge (primary variable), exhaled nitric oxide (NO) and induced sputum (in a subgroup).Results:  The mean (SEM) AMP bronchial challenge PC20 following ciclesonide (140 (63) mg/ml) was significantly (P < 0.001) increased compared with placebo (17 (8) mg/ml), run‐in (13 (5) mg/ml) and washout (9 (3) mg/ml) periods. This amounted to an eightfold (CI: 5.3–12.0) for ciclesonide vs placebo. Likewise, there were significant improvements in exhaled NO levels and a significant reduction in induced sputum eosinophil cell counts.Conclusion:  We have shown that inhaled ciclesonide given at 160 μg once daily in the morning exhibits significant anti‐inflammatory effects that are in keeping with the previously described clinical effects.
Surfactant protein levels in bronchoalveolar lavage after segmental allergen challenge in patients with asthma
Authors: Erpenbeck V. J. , Schmidt R. , Günther A. , Krug N. , Hohlfeld J. M. 
Published: March 2006

Background:  Allergic asthma is associated with airway inflammation and dysfunction of pulmonary surfactant. Because surfactant proteins (SP) account for immunomodulatory functions as well as biophysical functions, we hypothesized that the allergic response in asthma might be accompanied by a dysregulation of SPs.Methods:  We measured levels of SP‐A, SP‐B, SP‐C and SP‐D by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of 23 asthma patients and 10 healthy control subjects under well‐controlled conditions before and 24 h after segmental allergen provocation. These data were related to surfactant function, Th2 cytokine levels in BAL fluid and to the degree of eosinophilic inflammation.Results:  In patients with asthma, allergen challenge increased BAL levels of SP‐B, SP‐C and SP‐D while SP‐A was decreased. For SP‐B and SP‐D, a moderate increase was also observed after saline challenge. In contrast, no alterations were observed in healthy control subjects. Levels of SP‐B and SP‐C in asthmatics correlated with the ratio of small to large surfactant aggregates (SA/LA ratio) and correlated negatively with BAL surface activity. Furthermore, increased SP‐C but not SP‐B levels after allergen challenge correlated with eosinophil numbers, interleukin (IL)‐5, and IL‐13 in BAL while increased SP‐D levels only correlated with eosinophil numbers.Conclusions:  This study demonstrates significant alterations of all SPs in BAL fluid after allergen challenge of which SP‐C was most closely related to surfactant dysfunction and the degree of the allergic inflammation.
Susceptibility loci for atopic dermatitis on chromosome 21 in a Swedish population
Authors: Bu L. M. , Bradley M. , Söderhäll C. , Wahlgren C. F. , Kockum I. , Nordenskjold M. 
Published: March 2006

Background:  Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a hereditary, pruritic, chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin disease resulting from multiplex interactions between genes and environmental factors. We have previously found several loci showing suggestive linkage on chromosomes 3q14, 13q14, 15q14‐15 and 17q21, and weaker linkage to chromosomes 1p32, 4q24‐26 and 21q21 in 109 Swedish families.Methods:  In order to confirm the linkage to chromosome 21, we carried out a replication linkage analysis with additional microsatellite markers on chromosome 21 in another set of 295 families.Results:  In the extended material, the Z‐score was 2.40 (P < 7.4 × 10−4) in the region 21q21 for a semi‐quantitative variable measurement; the severity of AD. When combining the two data sets into 404 families and stratifying according to asthma status, suggestive linkage was found only in the group of AD patients who also had asthma (Z‐score 2.45, P < 7.4 × 10−4 and 2.69, P < 7.4 × 10−4) in two different regions.Conclusions:  Our results suggest that 21q21 could contain a susceptibility gene modulating the severity of AD especially in combination with asthma.
Modulation of the atopy patch test: tacrolimus 0.1% compared with triamcinolone acetonide 0.1%
Authors: Oldhoff J. M. , Knol E. F. , Laaper‐Ertmann M. , Bruijnzeel‐Koomen C. A. F. M. , de Bruin‐Weller M. S. 
Published: March 2006

Background:  The atopy patch test (APT) is an in vivo model to study the induction of eczema by inhalant allergens in atopic dermatitis patients. We studied the effect of pretreatment with topical tacrolimus 0.1% on APT in nonlesional skin of patients with atopic dermatitis.Methods:  Nonlesional skin of the back of patients with atopic dermatitis (n = 8) was treated once daily for 3 weeks with tacrolimus 0.1% ointment. Cetomacrogol ointment (placebo) was used as a negative control and triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% ointment as positive control. Twenty‐four hours after the last APT application, samples were taken from the three treated areas (t = 0 and 24 h) for immunohistochemical analysis.Results:  Pretreatment with tacrolimus ointment did not suppress nonlesional skin infiltrate, in contrast to triamcinolone acetonide. Furthermore, tacrolimus did not inhibit the induction of the APT macroscopically (t = 24 h). An equal influx of T cells, eosinophils, dendritic cells, CD64+ and FcɛRI‐positive cells was present compared with placebo. Only CD36+ and CD68‐positive cells were inhibited compared with placebo. All cell types were significantly inhibited in triamcinolone acetonide‐treated sites compared with placebo.Conclusions:  Pretreatment with tacrolimus 0.1% ointment does not inhibit the APT reaction in patients with atopic dermatitis.
The performance of a component‐based allergen‐microarray in clinical practice
Authors: Wöhrl S. , Vigl K. , Zehetmayer S. , Hiller R. , Jarisch R. , Prinz M. , Stingl G. , Kopp T. 
Published: March 2006

Background:  Currently, the diagnosis of IgE‐mediated allergy is based on allergen‐specific history and diagnostic procedures using natural allergen extracts for in vivo and in vitro tests.Objective:  The aim of the study was to comparatively analyse a new component‐based allergen‐microarray and the ‘quasi‐standard’ ImmunoCAP® for their clinical relevance in patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis to five aeroallergens [house dust mite (HDM), cat dander, birch, grass and mugwort pollen] in a prospective, double‐centre study.Methods:  We enrolled 120 subjects at the two study centres. Allergic patients were defined as having an allergen‐specific history plus a concomitant positive skin‐prick test (SPT) to natural allergen extracts and specific serum IgE was measured by both methods. Each allergen was analysed separately.Results:  The microarray performed equally well in receiver‐operating characteristic curve (ROC) analyses when compared with the CAP in cat (23 allergic vs 97 non‐allergic, ROC area under the curve microarray 0.950 vs CAP 0.894, P = 0.211), birch (31/89, 0.908 vs 0.878, P = 0.483) and grass pollen (47/73, 0.923 vs 0.915, P = 0.770). It was slightly less sensitive in HDM‐allergic subjects (26 allergic vs 94 non‐allergic, ROC area microarray 0.808 vs CAP 0.911, P = 0.053) and displayed a reduced sensitivity in the mugwort pollen‐allergic patients (17/103, 0.723 vs 0.879, P = 0.032).Conclusions:  Component‐based testing and the whole‐allergen CAP are equally relevant in the diagnosis of grass‐, birch‐ and cat‐allergic patients. Although slightly less sensitive, the microarray is sufficient for the diagnosis of HDM‐allergic patients, but needs alternative and/or additional components for detecting mugwort allergy.
Nonlinear relations between house dust mite allergen levels and mite sensitization in farm and nonfarm children
Authors: Schram‐Bijkerk D. , Doekes G. , Boeve M. , Douwes J. , Riedler J. , Üblagger E. , Von Mutius E. , Budde J. , Pershagen G. , Van Hage M. , Wickman M. , Braun‐Fahrländer C. , Waser M. , Brunekreef B. ,   the PARSIFAL study group
Published: March 2006

Background:  Low sensitization rates to common allergens have been observed in farm children, which might be due to high exposure to microbial agents. It is not known how microbial agents modify the association between specific allergen exposure and sensitization.Objective:  To examine the relations between house dust mite allergen exposure and mite sensitization in farm and nonfarm children and to assess the effects of microbial agents levels on this association.Methods:  Major mite allergens of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p 1) and Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f 1), endotoxin, β(1,3)‐glucans and fungal extracellular polysaccharides were measured in mattress dust of 402 children participating in a cross‐sectional study in five European countries. Mite allergen (Der p 1 + Der f 1) levels were divided into tertiles with cut‐offs 1.4 and 10.4 μg/g. Sensitization was assessed by measurement of allergen‐specific immunoglobulin E against house dust mite.Results:  Prevalence ratios of mite sensitization for medium and high when compared with low mite allergen levels were 3.1 [1.7–5.7] and 1.4 [0.7–2.8] respectively. Highest mite sensitization rates at intermediate exposure levels were consistently observed across country (except for Sweden) and in both farm and nonfarm children. The shape of the dose–response curve was similar for above and below median mattress microbial agent levels, but the ‘sensitization peak’ appeared to be lower for above median levels.Conclusions:  Our data suggest a bell‐shaped dose–response relationship between mite allergen exposure and sensitization to mite allergens. In populations with high microbial agent levels and low sensitization rates, the curve is shifted down.
Heart transplantation across antibodies against human leukocyte antigens and blood group A1 antigen. Post‐transplant follow‐up of donor reactive antibodies
Authors: Bućin Dragan , Johansson Sune , Lindberg Lars O. 
Published: March 2006

Abstract: Background:We have successfully performed heart transplantation despite the most unfavourable risk factors for graft and patient survival: the presence of a high level of antibodies (Abs) against the donor's human leukocyte antigens (HLA) class I/II and blood group A1 antigens. The present study concerns post‐transplant follow‐up and characterization of donor reactive antibodies (DRA).Methods:Pre‐transplant treatment consisted of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), prednisolone, tacrolimus, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), rituximab, protein‐A immunoadsorption (PAIA) and per‐operative plasma exchange. A standard triple‐drug immunosuppressive protocol was used post‐operatively. Abs were analyzed by the complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) test against donor and panel B/T cells and by flow cytometry (FlowPRA™ tests detecting isolated HLA class I/II antigens). Abs against the donor's erythrocytes were analyzed using a standard direct agglutination test for immunoglobulin M (IgM) Abs and a Bio‐Rad AHG gel card test detecting IgG Abs and C3d.Results:Pre‐transplant treatment reduced Ab titers against the donor's lymphocytes from 128 to 16 and against the donor's blood group A1 antigen from 256 to 0. The patient was emergently transplanted with a heart from a blood group incompatible donor (A1 secretor to O). No hyperacute rejection was seen. DRA were present against all mismatched HLA class I and class II antigens at the time of transplantation; two of these DRA Abs disappeared within the first year post‐transplant (anti‐B62 and anti‐DR4), one showed weakened reactivity (anti‐A24) and one is still strongly reactive (anti‐DQ3). The donor‐specific CDC cross‐match is still positive (titers 2 to 8). The level of panel reactive antibodies (PRA) remained unchanged from 6 months on post‐transplant. Rising anti‐A1 blood group Abs preceded the second rejection and were adsorbed by two blood group specific immunoadsorptions (Glycosorb®‐ABO) and remained at a low level. IgM anti‐A1 blood group Abs disappeared at 1 yr post‐transplant and IgG Abs are still reactive with blood group A1 erythrocytes but at low titers (1 to 2).Conclusions:The patient is clinically well 2 years after heart transplantation despite the constant persistence of donor reactive IgG Abs against blood group A1 and HLA‐DQ antigens. The reactivity of DRA against other mismatched HLA antigens disappeared or weakened during the follow‐up period.