bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of cellular and protein changes in bronchial lavage fluid of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with red cedar asthma on follow‐up examination
Authors: CHAN‐YEUNG M. , LERICHE J. , MACLEAN L. , LAM S. 
Published: April 2006

SummarySeventeen patients with occupational asthma due to western red cedar had bronchial lavage during follow‐up examination after removal from exposure for at least 1 year. Seven patients were asymptomatic while ten continued to have symptoms of asthma requiring treatment. Symptomatic patients had evidence of airway inflammation, as reflected by a significantly higher total cell count, neutrophils and eosinophils, as well as an increase in protein and albumin in their bronchial lavage fluid compared to those without symptoms. Asymptomatic patients had no evidence of airway inflammation in the lavage fluid. There was no correlation between the degree of non‐specific bronchial hyperresponsiveness and the number or percentage of inflammatory cells to suggest that cellular infiltration is the sole cause of persistent bronchial hyperresponsiveness.
Asthma caused by bromelain: an occupational allergy
Authors: GAILHOFER G. , WILDERS‐TRUSCHNIG MARTIE , SMOLLE J. , LUDVAN MARGIT 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBromelains consist of a group of proteolytic enzymes of Bromeliaceae. They are commonly used in pharmaceutical industries, food production and in diagnostic laboratories. Bromelains are known to cause IgE‐mediated reactions of both the immediate type and the‘late phase reaction of immediate type reaction’ with predominantly respiratory symptoms. We report four cases of occupational allergy to bromelain in workers of a blood grouping laboratory. These observations prompted us to investigate the sensitization rate to bromelain in all workers of the particular diagnostic laboratory who had contact with bromelain. These results were compared with those obtained from healthy, randomly selected individuals without evident bromelain exposure. Our findings indicate that (i) bromelain is a strong sensitizer, (ii) sensitization usually occurs due to inhalation and not to ingestion, (iii) bromelain allergy is occupationally acquired, and adequate precautions are necessary. We can further state that (iv) skin testing with relatively pure allergens such as isolated proteases like bromelain may induce systemic reactions, even at very high dilutions.
Spontaneous and non‐specific release of histamine and PGD2 by bronchoalveolar lavage cells from asthmatic and normal subjects: effect of nedocromil sodium
Authors: LEBEL B. , BOUSQUET J. , CHANEZ P. , BARNEON G. , MOREL A. , MICHEL F. B. , GODARD P. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryMast cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma but their role in non‐allergic asthma remains to be elucidated. The spontaneous and non‐specific release of histamine by suboptimal doses of calcium ionophore A23187 was studied in bronchoalveolar lavage cells obtained from nine asthmatic and seven healthy individuals. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed with saline, and total cells were incubated without any secretagogue (spontaneous histamine release) or after addition of 1.25, 2.5 and 5 μm of A23187 for 30 min (net maximal release). Histamine was titrated by using a very sensitive radioimmunoassay using a monoclonal antibody against acylated histamine. The spontaneous release was similar in asthmatic (20.6±8.2%) and healthy individuals (17.4±8.4%). The net maximal release of histamine was significantly greater in asthmatic patients (28.1±17.4%) than in normal subjects (10.3±8.9%). The release of histamine was significantly correlated to the release of PGD2 measured by enzyme immunoassay using a polyclonal antibody against methoxamine‐PGD2 (Spearman rank test: 0.78, P<0.01). In eight subjects, the release of histamine by A23187 was studied in the presence of nedocromil sodium and it was observed that this drug significantly (P<0.05) decreased the net maximal release of histamine. This study shows that mast cells from asthmatic individuals have a greater releasability than those of normal subjects.
Nasal hyperreactivity to newspapers
Authors: THEANDER C. , BENDE M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryNasal hyperreactivity occurs quite frequently while reading newspapers. This study consisted of 15 patients with vasomotor rhinitis with such problems and six asymptomatic volunteers. All subjects were exposed to printing ink and paper dust from newspapers. The effect was registered by nasal symptom score and rhinomanometry. Patients with vasomotor rhinitis reacted upon exposure to paper dust but not to printing ink. This exposure had no effect on the control group. The results indicate that paper dust is the causative agent in hyperreactivity to newspapers.
Ketotifen does not inhibit asthmatic reactions induced by toluene di‐isocyanate in sensitized subjects
Authors: TOSSIN L. , CHIESURA‐CORONA P. , FABBRI L. M. , DE MARZO N. , PICOTTI G. , CRESCIOLI S. , MAPP C. E. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryIn order to determine whether treatment with ketotifen inhibits asthmatic reactions induced by toluene di‐isocyanate (TDI), we studied six sensitized subjects with previously demonstrated dual or late asthmatic reaction after inhalation challenge with TDI. Ketotifen (1 mg b.i.d., orally) or placebo was administered for 7 days to the examined subjects, according to a double‐blind, cross‐over, placebo‐controlled study design. When the subjects were treated with either ketotifen or placebo, FEV1 markedly decreased after exposure to TDI. These results suggest that the anti‐asthmatic agent ketotifen is not effective in TDI‐induced asthma and suggest that it should not be used in the prophylaxis of asthmatic reactions induced by TDI in sensitized subjects.
Reduction of house dust mites and mite allergens: effects of spraying carpets and blankets with Allersearch DMS, an acaricide combined with an allergen reducing agent
Authors: GREEN W. F. , NICHOLAS N. R. , SALOME C. M. , WOOLCOCK A. J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryTwo studies were made to determine the acaricidal and allergen reducing properties of Allersearch DMS solution. In Study 1, samples of dust and carpet containing living mites were treated, in vitro, with DMS solution. No living mites were found in dust after3–4 min or in carpets 50 min after treatment. In Study 2, mite counts and allergen estimation made on bed blankets before and after spraying with DMS solution showed a marked reduction in mite numbers (95%) and allergenicity (100‐fold). Mite numbers and allergenicity stayed at this low level for 6 weeks. At 16 weeks both mites and allergens showed a slight increase, but were still significantly (P < 0.001) below pretreatment levels.
Appearance of allergen‐induced increases in airway responsiveness only after repeated allergen inhalations in two subjects
Authors: COCKCROFT D. W. , RUFFIN R. E. , HARGREAVE F. E. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryObservations in two subjects undergoing three allergen challenges for a drug study suggested ‘priming’ of the late sequelae, namely allergen‐induced increase in airway responsiveness. Both subjects had rhinitis and asthma limited to the ragweed season, near normal out‐of‐season histamine PC20, and extreme IgE sensitivity to ragweed. Both had an isolated early response with no change in histamine PC20 after the first allergen challenge. Significant (3.5‐ to 5.8‐fold) reductions in histamine PC20 occurred after the second and third allergen challenge in Subject 1, and after the third challenge in Subject 2; this was associated with equivocal 5–8% late responses. Such a ‘priming’ effect, the prevalence of which is not known, may be important in the pathogenesis of naturally occurring allergic asthma, and in the design of clinical trials involving repeated allergen inhalations.
Nedocromil sodium is more potent than sodium cromoglycate against AMP‐induced bronchoconstriction in atopic asthmatic subjects
Authors: RICHARDS R. , PHILLIPS G. D. , HOLGATE S. T. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryNedocromil sodium is a new chemical entity which shows similar properties to sodium cromoglycate (SCG) and in addition exhibits a preferential activity in stabilizing mucosal mast cells. We have compared the effect of inhalation of nebulized placebo, SCG and nedocromil sodium on the bronchoconstrictor response to inhaled adenosine monophosphate (AMP) in eight atopic asthmatic subjects aged 25 yr (range 21–32 yr). The geometric mean provocation doses of AMP required to produce a 20% decrease in FEV1 (PD20 FEV1) and a 40% decrease in V˙max30 (PD40 V˙max30) following placebo were 4.9 (0.3–14.2) and 1.8 (0.1–8.4) μmol respectively. Prior inhalation of both SCG and nedocromil sodium significantly inhibited the bronchoconstrictor response to AMP with PD20FEV1s of 36.6 (4.0–132.7) and 134 (12.4–560), and PD40 V˙max30 values of 20.5 (1.4–110) and 101.6 (5–560) μmol respectively (P<0.001). Nedocromil sodium was 3.9 (FEV1) and 8.0 (Vmax30) times more potent than SCG (P<0.001). In conclusion, both drugs inhibit the bronchoconstrictor response to inhaled AMP, and nedocromil is at least 4–8 times more potent than SCG.
Reduction of increased serum neutrophil chemotactic activity following effective hyposensitization in house dust mite allergy
Authors: McHUGH S. M. , EWAN PAMELA W. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryChanges in the level of serum neutrophil chemotactic activity (S‐NCA) were investigated in 20 subjects with allergic rhinitis, with or without asthma, undergoing clinically effective hyposensitization to house dust mite with Pharmalgen®Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Two control groups were studied: 28 subjects with allergic rhinitis, with or without asthma, receiving placebo injections for 1 yr in a double‐blind controlled trial with Pharmalgen®D. pteronyssinus (from whom the actively, treated group in this study were recruited), and eight non‐atopic asymptomatic controls. S‐NCA and serum IgE specific to D. pteronyssinus were measured in the subjects before, during (3–6 months) and 12 months after treatment, and once in the non‐atopic controls. The mean S‐NCA was significantly higher (0.01 > P > 0.001) in subjects before treatment (mean±s.e. = 63.8 ± 3.6 arbitrary units of migration (AUM)) compared with the non‐atopic controls (48.5 ± 3.7 AUM), but had fallen to normal levels after 6 months (46.8 ± 4.0 AUM) and 12 months treatment (45.2 ± 3.8 AUM). The levels of S‐NCA in the placebo treated group were significantly higher than normal at the start of treatment (69.2 ± 4.1) and remained raised throughout the 12 months treatment. In the actively treated group, the level of S‐NCA had fallen in 18 out of 19 subjects after 12 months immunotherapy, and was unaltered in one. Mean levels of D. pteronyssinus IgE rose during the first 6 months and declined to initial levels by the end of the treatment. We suggest that the elevated S‐NCA may play a role in the maintenance of the allergic state through the induction of the late‐phase reaction; that the abnormal S‐NCA production is reduced by effective hyposensitization, and that measurement of S‐NCA may be useful to monitor hyposensitization therapy. Complete characterization of S‐NCA and the mechanisms of its control remain to be investigated.
Histamine release test in the diagnosis of human hydatidosis
Authors: ACETI A. , CELESTINO D. , TEGGI ANTONELLA , CAFERRO MARTA , PENNICA A. , GRILLI A. , SEBASTIANI A. , DE ROSA F. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryAn evaluation of the use of the histamine release test (HRT) in the diagnosis of human hydatidosis is presented. This technique, which makes it possible to evaluate directly IgE dependent immediate hypersensitivity by measuring the histamine released from leucocytes (basophils) after antigenic challenge, was compared with the detection of serum specific IgE by the radio‐allergosorbent test (RAST), and with the determination of serum specific IgE by the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Of the 54 patients with hydatidosis, all were positive according to HRT, 42 according to RAST and 47 according to ELISA. No false positive results were obtained by HRT in 43 patients with parasitosis other than hydatidosis, however, of these 43, 10 resulted in false positives according to RAST and five according to ELISA. It is concluded that HRT is more sensitive and more specific than RAST and ELISA.
Anaphylaxis produced by rubber glove contact. Case reports and immunological identification of the antigens involved
Authors: MORALES C. , BASOMBA A. , CARREIRA J. , SASTRE A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryA study was carried out on six subjects suffering from anaphylactic reactions including asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, contact urticaria and hypotension following contact with rubber gloves. All of them showed skin sensitivity and serum specific IgE to various preparations of natural latex, and not to other chemicals used in glove manufacturing. Immunoblotting techniques demonstrated that at least four soluble polypeptides from natural latex had the ability to bind specific human IgE. The results suggested that natural latex proteins present in rubber gloves can cause severe specific hypersensitivity reactions.
Skin‐prick test preparations of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus for prediction of a positive response to provocation testing
Authors: OLLIER SUSAN , OSMAN J. , HORDLE D. A. , AMTN MANISHA , OVERELL B. , DAVIES R. J. 
Published: April 2006

SummarySkin‐prick testing (SPT) with allergen is widely used in the investigation of respiratory disease, yet its relationship to the results of provocation testing of the nose or bronchus remains obscure. We have studied this relationship by determining the concentration of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract and the associated weal size which resulted in the lowest ‘false positive’ (FP) and highest ‘true positive’ (TP) rates when compared to the results of bronchial and nasal provocation testing. Subjects studied included those with both positive and negative bronchial or nasal provocation tests. For each of a series of concentrations of D. pteronyssinus extract, standardized in relation to content of Der pI antigen, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of TP against FP rates were constructed. Optimal diagnostic concentrations for SPT were 0.112–1.122 ± 106 IU of Der pI ml‐1. However, at the lower end of this range the optimum weal areas for a positive test with the D. pteronyssinus extract were very small (<5 mm2). More appropriate concentrations for use in clinical practice were 0.56–1.122 × 106 IU Der pI ml‐1 since at these concentrations more easily measurable weal areas of 5–10 mm2 (2.6–3.6 mm diameter) were almost equally predictive of a positive provocation test.
Ia‐positive dendritic cells form a tightly meshed network within the human airway epithelium
Authors: HOLT P. G. , SCHON‐HEGRAD M. A. , PHILLIPS M. J. , MCMENAMIN P. G. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryIn this report we have employed an alternative tissue‐sectioning procedure which provides a plan view of intra‐epithelial cell populations within the airway wall. Immunoperoxidase staining of such sections for class II MHC (Ia) antigen revealed the presence of a highly developed intra‐epithelial network of Ia‐positive dendritic cells, which was not evident employing conventional cross‐ or longitudinal tissue sections. This finding has important implications for the study of mechanisms underlying allergic and infectious diseases of the respiratory tract.
Interleukin‐1 potentiates antigen‐mediated arachidonic acid metabolite formation in mast cells
Authors: SALARI H. , CHAN‐YEUNG M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryMast cells were isolated from human lung tissues using density gradient centrifugation and a fluorescence‐activated cell sorter. Purified cells were sensitized passively with serum from allergic patients sensitive to grass pollen and then challenged with antigen (grass pollen). When these cells were challenged with antigen. LTC4, and PGD2 (19 ± 6, and 42 ± 9 pmol/106 cells, respectively) were released during 2 hr of incubation. When mast cells were incubated with interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) no detectable amount of LTC4 or PGD2 was generated. However, when mast cells were challenged with antigen and IL‐1, LTC4 and PGD2 were released (60 ± 15 and 97 ± 21 pmol/106, respectively) after a 2 hr incubation period. The stimulatory action of IL‐1 was both time‐ and dose‐dependent (over a 10–1000 units/ml range). In addition, greater activity was observed if IL‐1 was added 5–30 min prior to the antigen. Inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolic pathways prevented the release of LTC4 and PGD2 from mast cells activated with antigen and IL‐1. This study shows that IL‐1 does not stimulate arachidonic acid metabolite release by mast cells but potentiates the release induced by antigen.
Immunology and treatment of mosquito bites
Authors: REUNALA T. , BRUMMER‐KORVENKONTIO H. , LAPPALAINEN P. , RÃSÃNEN L. , PALOSUO T. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryCutaneous reactions to mosquito bites are usually pruritic weals and delayed papules. Arthus‐type local and systemic symptoms can also occur but anaphylactic reactions are very rare. Both clinical and experimental evidence suggest that the various bite reactions result from sensitization to the mosquito saliva injected into the skin during feeding. Recent immunoblot studies have shown both IgG‐ and IgE‐class anti‐mosquito antibodies, but their species‐specificity and clinical importance is at present unknown. In addition to an Arthus‐type mechanism, both cutaneous late‐phase reactivity and cell‐mediated immunity may be involved in the pathophysiology of delayed mosquito‐bite lesions. Cutaneous sensitization to mosquito bites can be divided into five different stages ranging from the stages of immediate wealing and delayed bite papules, to the stage of non‐reactivity. No desensitization treatment is generally available for mosquito allergy but it has recently been shown that cetirizine, a potent non‐sedating antihistamine, is effective against the wealing and pruritus caused by mosquito bites.
The use of Phadiatop® in mass‐screening programmes of inhalant allergies: advantages and limitations
Authors: MATRICARDI P. M. , NISINI R. , PIZZOLO J. G. , ĎAMELIO R. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe validity of Phadiatop® as a tool in the mass screening for inhalant allergies was investigated. Seventy‐nine out of 600 recruits (13.2%) were classified as allergic to inhalant allergens (68 oculorhinitis; 11 asthma) on the basis of positive history, confirmed by skin testing and/or RAST for the seven most common aero‐allergens in Italy. Another 74 subjects had positive RAST and/or skin tests, yet had never experienced allergic symptoms. Phadiatop was positive in 145/600: in 78 out of 79 allergies and in 67 RAST‐positive non‐allergies. Correlation between Phadiatop and RAST was statistically significant, though higher for grass pollens (r= 0.85, P < 0.001) than for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (r= 0.68, P < 0.01). PRIST (cut‐off 220IU/ml) identified 36/79 allergies (45.6% sensitivity, whereas that of Phadiatop was 98.7%). As the high percentage of cases in the unselected population had specific serum IgE against inhalant allergens and no allergic symptomatology, the Phadialop‐positive predictive value falls to 53.7%, thus creating the need for Phadiatop‐positive subjects to undergo further investigation for an appropriate diagnosis. Given this limitation, Phadiatop appears to be an important step forward in the field of mass‐screening programmes for inhalant allergies.
Birth month variation in atopic and non‐atopic rhinitis
Authors: SIBBALD BONNIE , RINK ELIZABETH 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe association of birth month with the development of atopic and non‐atopic rhinitis was investigated in 327 adults in south‐west London. Birth month was a significant risk factor for both atopic and non‐atopic rhinitis in subjects whose age at onset was under 20 yr. but not in those who were older at onset. The odds of being born in May June were 1·68(95%CI: 1·03–2·76) for atopic rhinitic subjects and 1·90 (95% CI: 1·11–3·25) for non‐atopic rhinitic subjects. The birth month effect was not related to the criteria used to determine subjects “atopic status or to subjects” clinical characteristics, apart from their age at onset. The findings suggest that atopic and non‐atopic rhinitis have a common aetiology which does not depend on infant sensitization to seasonal allergens.
Specific antibodies to methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride in exposed workers
Authors: WELINDER H. , NIELSEN J. , GUSTAVSSON C. , BENSRYD I. , SKERFVING S. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryA group of 145 workers exposed to methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MTHPA) was investigated. They were working in a plant which, since 1983, handled an epoxy resin with MTHPA as a hardener. Specific IgE antibodies (RAST) to a conjugate between MTHPA and human serum albumin (HSA) were statistically significantly increased (P= 0·001; 26 subjects = 18% positive) in the exposed group, compared to a non‐exposed control group (n= 33). One positive worker was only exposed for 2 months. Twenty‐three exposed subjects were also skin‐prick test positive to MTHPA‐HSA. The exposed group was divided into three different exposure categories, according to their contact with the epoxy resin. The average exposure levels at the time of the investigation were, in zone 10·085 mg/m3, in zone II0·014 mg/m3, and in zone III 0·010 mg/m3, though the exposure probably had been higher earlier. There was an association between exposure intensity and RAST‐positive persons (P= 0·0025, chi‐square trend test). Forty‐four persons (30%) were smokers, and 16(11%) atopics. No association between sensitization and either atopy or smoking was found. There was an association between exposure intensity and specific IgG antibodies (P= 0·0003, chi‐square trend test). Specific IgG4 antibodies were closely related to specific total IgG antibodies (P= 0·0001). These findings demonstrate that MTHPA is a sensitizing agent at low levels of exposure.
Development of serum Dermatophagoides farinae‐, ovalbumin‐ and lactalbumin‐specific IgG, IgG1, IgG4, IgA and IgM in children with bronchial asthma/allergic rhinitis or atopic dermatitis
Authors: OKAHATA H. , NISHI Y. , MIZOGUCHI N. , YUMIBA C. , FUJII H. , UEDA K. 
Published: April 2006

Summary Dermatophagoides farinae‐, ovalbumin‐and lactalbumin‐specific IgG, IgG1, IgG4, IgA and IgM were evaluated in 161 healthy children [Group 1], 84 children with bronchial asthma and/or allergic rhinitis but without atopic dermatitis [Group 2], and 54 children with atopic dermatitis but without bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis [Group 3]. We also studied D. farinae‐, egg‐white‐, and milk‐specific IgE of children with allergic diseases. D. farinae‐specific IgG, IgG1, IgG4 and IgA in Groups 2 and 3 increased until 5 years of age and thereafter they remained constant. After 2 years of age, D. farinae‐specific IgG, IgG1, IgG4 and IgA in Group 2 were higher than those in Groups 1 and 3. Ovalbumin‐ and lactalbumin‐specific IgG, FgG1, IgG4 and IgA in Groups 2 and 3 increased until 1 year of age and thereafter decreased. Until 1 year of age, ovalbumin‐ and lactalbumin‐specific IgG, IgG1, and IgG4 in Groups 3 were higher than those in Groups 1 and 2. D. farinae‐, ovalbumin‐ and lactalbumin‐specilic IgM were constant in all ages of all groups. These results suggest that atopic dermatitis in young children is related to food‐specific immunoglobulins and that respiratory allergic diseases in older children is related to D. farinae‐specific immunoglobulins.