bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spice allergy in celery‐sensitive patients
Authors: Stauger J. , Wuuthrich B. , Johansson S.G.O. 
Published: May 2007

Scratch tests (SCT) with powdered commercial spices were performed in 70 patients with positive skin tests to birch and/or mugwort pollens and celery. Positive SCT to aniseed, fennel, coriander and cumin ‐ all from the same botanical family (Apiaceae) as celery ‐were observed in more than 24 patients. Spices from unrelated families (red pepper, white pepper, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon) elicited positive immediate skin test reactions only in three of 11 patients. Specific serum IgE to spices (determined in 41 patients with positive RAST to celery) up to class 3 were seen especially in patients with celery‐mugwort or celery‐birch‐mugwort association, and concerned various botanical families. Celery‐birch association pattern was linked to positive reactions (RAST classes 1–2) to spices from the Apiaceae family only.CLINICAL ASPECTSAllergy to spices is often observed in celery‐allergic patients. In cases with the mugwort‐celery association pattern several high RAST values (up to class 3) were seen to various spices from Apiaceae as well as from unrelated botanical families (celery‐mugwort‐spices association). This sensitization can be of clinical importance, as anaphylactic reactions to spices in food are well documented. The birch‐celery association pattern gave some positive RAST results of classes 1–2 to the spices from the Apiaceae family only ‐ suggesting cross‐reactivity between Apiaceae and Betulaceae, probably due to thermolabile allergens.
Parietaria pollinosis: a review
Authors: D'Amato G. , Ruffilli A. , Sacerdoti G. , Bonini S. 
Published: May 2007

Species of the genus Parietaria (pellitory) are a prevalent cause of allergy in the Mediterranean area and the most important in some European regions such as southern Italy and coastal Spain (14, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 36, 59, 69). Up to now, however, Parietaria has received little attention in northern Europe and the US because of its limited regional distribution. Therefore, less is known about Parietaria allergy than about other inhalant allergens such as those of grasses, ragweed, and mites.During the last 5 years, only 31 reports on Parietaria allergy have appeared in the literature, as compared with 37 papers on birch pollen. This ratio may appear unbalanced, considering that millions of people suffer from pollinosis caused by Parietaria, while a much smaller number have rhinitis and/or asthma caused by birch pollen.The increasing movement of people throughout Europe and to and from the US is reason to broaden our knowledge of patterns of inhalant allergy in each geographic area, especially where tourism and immigration are high.This paper briefly reviews available data and personal studies on the botanical, aerobiological, immunochemical, and clinical features of Parietaria allergy.
A case of fallow deer allergy
Authors: Huwyler T. , Wüthrich B. 
Published: May 2007

We report the case of a 25‐year‐oId housewife, a native of Mexico City, with rhinitis and asthma induced by exposure to fallow deer in an animal park close to her home. In the literature, we could find only one previous case.The patient presented a polyvalent IgE sensitization in prick skin tests and RAST to several animals’ dander and epithelia, but RAST inhibition experiments showed a cross‐reactivity only between fallow deer and horse allergen extracts.
Bronchodilating effect of ipratropium bromide inhalation powder and aerosol in children and adolescents with stable bronchial asthma
Authors: Ulrik C. S. , Backer V. , Bach‐Mortensen N. 
Published: May 2007

Ulrik CS, Backer V, Bach‐Mortensen N. Bronchodilating effect of ipratropium bromide inhalation powder and aerosol in children and adolescents with stable bronchial asthma.The purpose of this study was to compare the bronchodilating effect of ipratropium bromide (IB) administered by a conventional Ingelheim powder device system (IPI) and by a metered dose inhaler (MDI) in children and adolescents with stable bronchial asthma. Seventy patients, aged 7 to 16 years, with stable bronchial asthma from our outpatient clinic were tested for bronchial responsiveness to inhaled IB. Fifteen (21%) of the 70 subjects were found to have a substantial bronchial response to inhalation of 40 γg IB, i.e. at least 15% increase in FEV1 30 min after inhalation; the remaining 55 subjects had <15% increase in FEV1. No relationship between severity of asthma, age or sex and bronchial responsiveness to inhaled IB was found. Among the 15 subjects who had substantial bronchial response to IB, the increase in FEV1 after inhalation of fenoterol tended to be greater than the response to inhaled IB, although this did not reach statistical significance. Responders, i.e. subjects who had at least 15% increase in FEV1 after inhalation of IB, took part in a double‐blind, cross‐over study of the bronchodilating effect of 40 γg IB delivered by IPI and MDI. We found no significant differences in the bronchodilating effect during a 6‐h follow‐up. Maximum bronchodilating effect of IB was reached after 30 min and the maximum response lasted for 90 min. No side or adverse effects were observed following inhalation of IB. We conclude that before starting treatment with ipratropium bromide for bronchial asthma in children and adolescents, the patients should be tested for bronchial responsiveness to inhaled IB to find out whether they are responders or nonresponders; and further that, among responders, inhalation of powder is as effective as inhalation from a dosis‐aerosol.
Enhanced production of platelet activating factor by peripheral granulocytes from children with asthma
Authors: Schauer U. , Koch B. , Michl U. , Jäger R. , Rieger C. H. L. 
Published: May 2007

Schauer U, Koch B, Michl U, Jäger R, Rieger CHL. Enhanced production of platelet activating factor by peripheral granulocytes from children with asthma.Granulocytes from 23 asthmatic children aged 4–15 years and 32 age‐matched healthy children were studied. Cells were purified by Dextran sedimentation and Percoll gradient centrifugation from heparinized blood. After in vitro stimulation by ionophore A23187 the amount of newly synthesized PAF and LTC4 was assessed by radio receptor assay or radioimmunoassay respectively. Eight patients had symptoms of asthma within the last 3 weeks before examination. Granulocytes from the symptomatic patients showed a significantly higher PAF generation (median 125 ng/106 cells, range 7–189 ng/106 cells) when compared to asymptomatic patients (p < 0.001. median 14 ng/106cells, range 6–33 ng/106 cells) or controls (p < 0.001, median 11 ng/106 cells, range 3–26 ng/106 cells). In contrast, LTC4 generation was increased in both patient groups. The results suggest a regulatory role of PAF in the exacerbation of asthma.
Effect of inhaled formoterol versus terbutaline on respiratory function in moderate bronchial asthma
Authors: Hedenström H. , Wegener T. , Boman G. , Wåhlander L. , Melander B. 
Published: May 2007

Hedenström H, Wegener T, Boman G, Wåhlander L, Melander B. Effect of inhaled formoterol versus terbutaline on respiratory function in moderate bronchial asthma.In a double‐blind cross‐over study comparing the duration of action of 12 μg and 24 μg formoterol, 500 μg terbutaline and placebo, lung function tests were performed in 12 never‐smokers with non‐allergic bronchial asthma. All the patients were hyperreactive to methacholine, had normal serum IgE level, and negative skin or RAST results. The lung function tests were carried out over an 11‐h period and included measurements of lung volumes, airway resistance, dynamic spirometry, nitrogen single breath wash‐out test and single breath diffusion capacity for CO. The airway resistance and maximal forced expiratory flow tests indicated a pronounced bronchodilator effect without adverse effects of 12 μg and 24 μg formoterol on both large and peripheral airways. Improved intrapulmonary gas distribution measured by the nitrogen wash‐out test and more even distribution of the lung volumes indicating more homogeneous ventilation was seen for approx. 3h after terbutaline and approx. 11 h after 24 μg formoterol. Measurement of the CO diffusion capacity indicates more effective gas diffusion and a better ventilation‐perfusion ratio for at least 11 h, especially after inhalation of 24 μg formoterol.
High‐dose inhaled steroids in the management of asthma A comparison of the effects of budesonide and beclomethasone dipropionate on pulmonary function, symptoms, bronchial responsiveness and the adrenal function
Authors: Svendsen U.G. , Frølund L. , Heinig J. H. , Madsen F. , Nielsen N. H. , Weeke B. 
Published: May 2007

Svendsen UG, Frølund L, Heinig JH, Madsen F, Nielsen NH, Weeke B. High‐dose inhaled steroids in the management of asthma. A comparison of the effects of budesonide and beclomethasone dipropionate on pulmonary function, symptoms, bronchial responsiveness and the adrenal function.The efficacy of budesonide (800 μg b.d.) and beclomethasone dipropionate (750 μg b.d.) in controlling the symptoms of asthma, pulmonary function, bronchial responsiveness to histamine, and adrenal function, was assessed in a double‐blind, double‐dummy cross‐over study of 36 adult chronic asthmatic patients. The patients, the majority of whom were assessed to be affected to a severe degree, were insufficiently controlled in their current regimen of inhaled steroids and/or inhaled and oral bronchodilators. A 2 weeks baseline period preceded 6 weeks of treatment with each of the study drugs. Both treatment groups showed improvements from baseline in clinical assessment of lung function carried out after the first 6 weeks of treatment. No significant differences were seen throughout the entire 12 weeks study, when comparing the effects of the treatments on FEV1 FVC, PEF or the histamine PC20. Asthma severity, symptom score and inhaled bronchodilator use showed the same results after both treatments. It is concluded that inhalations of budesonide and beclomethasone dipropionate in high doses are equally potent in the treatment of severe asthma. There is no significant influence on the adrenal function and no significant side effects during a period equal to that of the present study.
Involvement of arachidonate cyclooxygenase products in bronchial hyperresponsiveness induced by subthreshold concentration of aerosolized thromboxane A2 analogue (STA2) in guinea pigs
Authors: Saito M. , Fujimura M. , Sakamoto S. , Miyake Y. , Shintani H. , Yasui M. , Matsuda T. 
Published: May 2007

Saito M, Fujimura M, Sakamoto S, Miyake Y, Shintani H, Yasui M, Matsuda T. Involvement of arachidonate cyclooxygenase products in bronchial hyperresponsiveness induced by subthreshold concentration of aerosolized thromboxane A2 analogue (STA2) in guinea pigs.Effects of a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor (OKY‐046) and a cyclooxygenase inhibitor (indomethacin) on bronchial hyperresponsiveness induced by subthreshold concentration of aerosolized thromboxane A2 analogue (STA2) were investigated in anesthetized, artificially ventilated guinea pigs in order to examine the role of the cyclooxygenase pathway in bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Pretreatment with aerosolized OKY‐046 significantly inhibited the bronchial hyperresponsiveness to histamine, but pretreatment with intravenous indomethacin showed a tendency to potentiate bronchial hyperresponsiveness. These results suggest that subthreshold concentration of thromboxane A2 contributes to bronchial hyperresponsiveness through activating the cyclooxygenase pathway including thromboxane A2 synthesis, and that the released cyclooxygenase products have an inhibitory effect on the bronchial hyperresponsiveness in guinea pigs.
The Pathophysiology of Ocular Allergy: Current Thinking
Authors: Foster C Stephen 
Published: May 2007

SummarySeasonal allergic conjunctivitis is the only ocular disease to involve solely Type‐1 hypersensitivity, the other main forms of ocular allergy ‐ perennial allergic conjunctivitis, vernal and atopic keratoconjunctivitis and giant papillary conjunctivitis ‐ each having a more complex immunological basis and a chronic inflammatory component. Involvement of secondary inflammatory cells, particularly eosinophils, in addition to the mast cells resident in the conjunctival substantia propria, can lead to more serious corneal damage with vision‐threatening potential. Thoughtful management of allergic conjunctivitis is needed in order to control the ocular inflammation without incurring steroid‐induced side‐effects, and patient education is also an important factor in maintaining optimal allergen avoidance, especially in the more severe and chronic cases. Laboratory models can be helpful in assessing the potential of new drugs, and SWR mice (topically sensitised and challenged with short ragweed) show clinical signs of allergic conjunctivitis, together with mast cell and eosinophil involvement, remarkably similar to the human pathophysiology. The antiinflammatory activity of both steroids and nedocromil sodium observed in this animal model supports therapeutic evidence of the usefulness of second‐generation mast cell stabilising drugs in the treatment of ocular allergy.
Therapeutic Considerations: Symptoms, Cells and Mediators
Authors: Lightman Susan 
Published: May 2007

SummaryImmuno‐histopathological studies of conjunctival tissue biopsied from patients with non‐sight‐threatening allergic conjunctivitis or with sight‐threatening allergic keratoconjunctivitis should lead to more effective management of these eye conditions, based on the specific cellular involvement. The major difference between these two categories of eye disease was the occurrence of T‐lymphocytes, which were absent in the former but prominent in the sight‐threatening disorders. Seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis both showed a heavy mast cell increase, due to infiltration of mucosal type mast cells, and allergen challenge studies linked mast cell histamine release to the early phase reaction occurring within 20 minutes. A second histamine peak at six hours after challenge might implicate basophils (or refractory mast cells) and was accompanied by a rise in eosinophil cationic protein. In sight‐threatening, chronic allergic keratoconjunctivitis the responses were clearly directed by T‐cells, themselves the primary effector cell in atopic keratoconjunctivitis, whereas vernal keratoconjunctivitis displayed a T‐cell driven eosinophilia, with increased expression of the adhesion molecules involved in tissue invasion by these cells. Appropriate therapies for each different category of conjunctivitis should be based on the specific immunopathology, and directed at the activated cell types that are primarily responsible for the disease process.
Clinical Experience with Tilavist: An Overview of Efficacy and Safety
Authors: Kjellman N‐I Max , Stevens Michael T 
Published: May 2007

SummaryA programme of clinical studies was carried out to determine the basic efficacy and safety of 2% nedocromil sodium eye drops (Tilavist) in treating allergic conjunctivitis, in 2,905 patients from 3–76 years of age. Results of all the double‐masked placebo comparative studies completed to date ‐ five in vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC), five in perennial (PAC) and 16 in seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) ‐ have been assessed in a statistical overview analysis. Nedocromil sodium, administered four times daily to 153 patients with VKC, was significantly more effective than placebo (155 patients) and in the clinicians' opinion gave good control in 76% of cases, compared with 46% for placebo (p < 0.001). Patients with chronic symptoms of PAC also responded better to nedocromil sodium given four times daily (n = 146) rather than twice daily (n = 86), and significantly more patients (p < 0.001) were effectively controlled by four times daily treatment with nedocromil sodium (72%) than with placebo (47%; n= 156). Twice‐daily dosage with nedocromil sodium (n = 677) was adequate for SAC, however, and the treatment was statistically better than placebo (p < 0.01‐p < 0.001) whether dosed twice or four times daily. Speed of action was assessed in seven SAC studies in which 79% of all patients (n = 295) using nedocromil sodium had experienced relief of symptoms when questioned, half of them within 15 minutes and 74% during the first hour after dosing. Test treatments were well‐accepted by both adults and children, and there were no major adverse events. Minor irritations reported more frequently with nedocromil sodium than placebo were stinging or burning of the eyes on application of the drops and a distinctive taste, noted by 5% of the active treatment group (n = 1,552).
Current Practice: Diagnosis and Treatment in Primary Healthcare
Authors: BenEzra David 
Published: May 2007

SummaryIn a primary healthcare facility, there are certain ‘rules of thumb’ that can be recommended for the diagnosis and treatment of conjunctivitis. The type of discharge is a crucial factor in the differential diagnosis and can also be a clue towards the management in primary care. It is important to identify whether the conjunctivitis is an isolated case or part of another disease, and if it is acute or chronic, and I would suggest taking a smear or culture sample whenever possible. When the aetiology is not clear, I would try antibiotics. If the patient is allergic, and an allergic conjunctivitis is suspected, the best management today is to use mast cell stabilisers, and combine these with conservative measures of frequent washings, and compresses. If the aetiology remains doubtful, or if there is no obvious improvement using these treatments, the patient should be re‐evaluated and/or referred to an ophthalmologist or specialist eye centre. The use of corticosteroids for conjunctivitis should certainly be avoided in primary healthcare. Conjunctivitis is often self‐limited and the drug‐induced consequences of improper management can be far more devastating than the disease itself.
Possible correlation of leptin with body fat distribution and adiposity: Evaluation of serum leptin in South Indian population
Authors: RAM MANI RAVISHANKAR , MALATHI RAGHUNATHAN 
Published: May 2007

Background:  Leptin, an adipocyte‐derived hormone, is known to play an important role in body fat. Gender, age, degree of obesity and sex steroids are expressed differentially in men and women.Methods:  We measured serum leptin, testosterone and β‐estradiol concentration by radioimmunoassay in 300 subjects (60 normal weight, 60 underweight, 60 overweight, 60 obese and 60 morbidly obese) by age group (18–40 years and 41–62 years), using full‐length recombinant human leptin as a standard.Results:  The present study found that morbidly obese and obese men and women older than 50 years had 50–70% higher body mass index (BMI)‐adjusted leptin levels than younger subjects. In addition, obese and underweight subjects showed a tendency towards lower BMI‐adjusted leptin levels in younger than older, in both men and women subjects. Multiple regression analysis showed that age was positively correlated with leptin in both genders, even if the slope of rise was twice as high in women than in men. Together, these results indicate that in both genders, most prominently in females, aging is associated with increased leptin production that is independent from the amount of fat and/or the role of sex hormones.Conclusion:  In conclusion, our data show that serum leptin concentrations in men and women gradually increase during aging, being higher in women than in men, but they are independent from BMI and other hormones. The inclusion of several hormones in our regression model showed that only testosterone in men, and estradiol and androstenedione in women were independent contributions to serum leptin levels, possibly accounting for part of the leptin sexual dimorphism in a south Indian population.
Cryopreservation of human sperm in patients with malignancy: First 2 years’ experience
Authors: ISHIKAWA HIROMICHI , KANEKO SATORU , MIYAJI KEISUKE , TAKAMATSU KIYOSHI 
Published: May 2007

Background:  Patients with malignancy (n = 130) participated in the sperm cryopreservation program.Methods:  After washing and concentrating, sperm was cryopreserved using KS‐VIm cryoprotectant medium. Participant background factors such as age, marital status, underlying disease, presence or absence of previous treatment and semen findings (concentration, motility and morphology) were analyzed to determine parameters associated with the program.Results:  Patients in their 20s were most common (64 cases) and 94 cases were unmarried at the first visit. The main underlying diseases were testicular tumor (53 cases), leukemia (43 cases) and malignant lymphoma (13 cases). The program was completed for 118 cases. For leukemia, all semen parameters were closer to normal in patients without previous treatment (untreated group, UG) compared with the treated group (TG). When semen findings in the UG were classified according to underlying disease, sperm concentration was lower in patients with testicular tumor compared with those who had leukemia or malignant lymphoma. Four couples underwent reproductive therapies with the cryopreserved sperm through assisted reproductive technology, and three babies were born to two couples.Conclusion:  Sperm cryopreservation liberates patients with malignancy from iatrogenic infertility as a consequence of intensive therapy, allowing them to retain reproductive ability.
TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT POLICY: A QUANTITATIVE APPRAISAL*
Authors: Diamond J. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractWithin the last decade the promotion of tourism has gained a prominent place in many development plans. Recently, however, doubts have been cast on previous attempts to analyse its contribution to development. This paper describes a quantitative technique which remedies some of their more obvious defects. The method is then applied to the Turkish situation, and the implications of the results are examined in the light of an explicit policy preference function.
THE DEMAND FOR ENERGY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
Authors: Uri Noel D. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTInterfuel substitution,a priori, seems to be of considerable importance in the economy of the United Kingdom. Consequently, an appropriate model is developed and estimated. All energy sources are demonstrated to be substitutable. Coal is the most price responsive with natural gas, oil and electrical following. The results are not inconsistent with other studies of energy substitution. Moreover, when the issue of the stability of the demand for energy types is considered, the suggestion that the demand for coal, oil, natural gas, and electrical energy have remained virtually constant over the past three decades.
PRICE CONSTRAINTS, FORWARD MARKETS AND THE COMPETITIVE FIRM UNDER PRICE UNCERTAINTY*
Authors: Wang Leonard F. S. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThis article proposes a model of the competitive firm simultaneously facing price constraints and forward markets under price uncertainty. The incorporation of a forward market is shown to be very important because a risk‐averse firm will set its production decision to the forward price regardless of its attitude toward risk. In addition, we show that risk aversion is a sufficient condition for a decrease in risk to reduce the amount hedged when risk is reduced through a mean‐preserving price squeeze.
SECTORAL AND MACROECONOMIC EFFECTS IN A TWO GOOD OPEN ECONOMY WITH AN INTERMEDIATE INPUT*
Authors: Fender John 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTA model of an open economy, in which two goods, a tradeable and a non‐tradeable, are distinguished, is constructed. There is also an intermediate input (oil) which is both produced domestically and traded, and which is used as an input in the traded sector. There are two assets, money and internationally traded bonds. In the model the effects of various changes, including an increase in the money supply, and increases in both the world price of, and the domestic output of, oil, are analysed.