bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum levels of IgE‐binding factor (soluble CD23) in diseases associated with elevated IgE
Authors: YANAGIHARA Y. , SARFATI M. , MARSH D. , NUTMAN T. , DELESPESSE G. 
Published: April 2006

SummarySeveral in‐vitro experiments suggest that the low affinity receptor for IgE (FcɛR II) and its soluble fragment (IgE‐binding factor, IgE‐BF) are multi‐functional molecules and more particularly that they are capable of regulating the synthesis of human IgE. I nan attempt to examine the in‐vivo significance of these in‐vitro observations, the serum level of IgE‐BF was measured in individuals with allergic or parasitic diseases, both associated with an increased production of IgE. IgE‐BF was measured by a radioimmunoassay employing two mAbs against FcɛRII (mAbER). We first compared 257 allergic subjects to 172 non‐allergic controls matched for age and sex. Statistical analysis of the data, after logarithmic transformation of IgE‐BF and IgF. values, revealed that despite a great overlap, the allergic subjects had significantly higher levels of IgE‐BF. The correlation between IgE and IgE‐BF was very weak but significant. Allergic or non‐allergic children had significantly higher IgE‐BF levels than the corresponding groups of adults; moreover, the in verse correlation between age and IgE‐BF levels was significant only in the children and not in the adults. The IgE‐BF levels were not influenced by gender, by hyposensitization therapy or by treatment with local steroids. Subjects receiving systemic steroids had lower IgE‐BF levels than untreated subjects. To assess the effect of seasonal exposure to allergen, IgE‐BF levels were monitored for 1 year in six rye grass‐sensitive hay fever subjects known to display a seasonal increase of both total serum IgE and of specific anti‐Lol p I and Lol p II IgE antibodies. The levels oflgE‐BF remained stable in the hay fever subjects as well as i n the non‐allergic controls. Twenty subjects with filariasis and high serum IgE concentrations also displayed increased levels of serum IgE‐BF when compared to control individuals. The serum IgE‐BF detected by the RIA was not bound to IgE as shown by two independent observations: (1) they were not adsorbed on an anti‐IgE immunoadsorbent column and no serum IgE was retained on an immunoadsorbent column coupled to mAb against IgE‐BF; and (2) the serum molecules binding to mAbER‐coated solid phase did not react with radiolabelled monoclonal or polyclonal anti‐IgE, and reciprocally the serum molecules binding to anti‐IgE‐coated solid phase did not react with labelled mAbER. Taken collectively, the present data are compatible with, but do not add further support to, the hypothesis that IgE‐BF may regulate the synthesis of human IgE.
The prevalence of cutaneous hypersensitivity and its relationship to Pseudomonas colonization and outcome in cystic fibrosis
Authors: HAMILTON A. H. , CARSWELL F. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryForty‐seven patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) studied in 1977 have been followed up and reviewed, with respect to the development of immediate cutaneous hypersensitivty to Aspergillus fumigatus and other allergens, and the date of Pseudomonas aernginosa colonization. The prevalence of cutaneous hypersensitivity to inhaled allergens in CF increases with longer allergen exposure, to the extent that the CF patients develop a prevalence of atopy greater than normal controls. Allergen‐sensitive patients were found to develop Pseudomonas colonization later, but to have a shorter survival subsequently; there was no relationship between skin tests and overall survival.
Eosinophil accumulation in rats injected with Sephadex particles
Authors: COOK R. M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryIntravenous injection of Sephadex G200 particles into rats on days 0, 2 and 5 caused an increase in eosinophil numbers in blood and lung tissues. Peak numbers were obtained on days 3–12 and thereafter declined to approach control values by day 21. The rise in eosinophil numbers was paralleled by an increase in lung cell fragility as measured by a transient reduction in the number of viable cells isolated from parenchymatous tissue following the digestion of lung fragments in vitro. This decrease in lung cell viability was not seen in rats given a single injection of Sephadex. Dexamethasone, dapsone and isoprenaline given before each injection of Sephadex reduced lung and blood eosinophil numbers and prevented lung cell death. Aspirin and indomethaein were without effect. Incubation of normal lung tissues with disrupted peritoneal eosinophils reduced the numbers of viable cells recovered. No such effects were seen using intact eosinophils and disrupted or intact neutrophils and mononuclear cells. This system provides a model of lung cell damage associated with eosinophil infiltration in vivo.
Immediate hypersensitivity to Parthenium hysterophorus. I. Association of HLA antigens and Parthenium rhinitis
Authors: SRIRAMARAO P. , SELVAKUMAR B. , DAMODARAN C. , RAO B. S. SUBBA , PRAKASH O. , RAO P. V. SUBBA 
Published: April 2006

SummaryLymphocytes collected from rhinitis subjects with strong positive skin reactions to the pollen allergens of Parthenium hysterophorus (American feverfew) having moderate to high titres of Parthenium‐specific serum IgE were analysed for association of HLA‐antigens covering 13 specificities of HLA‐A, 17 specificities of HLA‐B and eight specificities of HLA‐DR loci by the NIH two‐stage microlymphocytotoxicity assay. Comparison of the phenotypic frequencies of HLA‐A and B antigens between Parthenium rhinitis subjects (n= 22) and control subjects (n= 137) did not suggest any significant association when tested for these antigen specificities. A significant correlation in the association of HLA‐DR3 antigen with a relative risk of 11·33, however, was observed in Parthenium rhinitis subjects (n= 30) when compared to controls (n= 50).
House dust mite allergen levels and an anti‐mite mattress spray (natamycin) in the treatment of childhood asthma
Authors: REISER J. , INGRAM D. , MITCHELL E. B. , WARNER J. O. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryNatamycin, a fungicide marketed as Tymasil, is claimed to reduce house dust mite numbers and would therefore be expected to improve asthma in children with mite sensitivity. We have tested this assertion by a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. There was no significant effect on levels of Der p I in mattress dust between active and placebo groups at the end of the spraying period. Histamine inhalation challenge PC20, clinic visit symptom scores and lung function tests reflecting either large or small airways obstruction were also unchanged. Therefore this product is not a therapeutic option for mite‐allergic patients using the manufacturer's recommended dose and method of administration. Other factors influencing the Der p I levels were also investigated. Of these, only month of measurement and bedroom wall humidity showed any association.
Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific for human mast cell tryptase
Authors: WALLS A. F. , BENNETT A. R. , McBRIDE H. M. , GLENNIE M. J. , HOLGATE S. T. , CHURCH M. K. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryHuman mast cell tryptase was purified from lung tissue by high salt extraction, ammonium sulphate precipitation, octyl Sepharose and heparin‐agarose chromatography. The tryptase isolated was a tetramer with a molecular weight of 132 kD on gel filtration, and on SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was reduced to a single diffuse band with a mean molecular weight of 32·5 kD. Purified tryptase catalysed the cleavage of the tryptic substrates tosyl L‐arginine methyl ester and benzoyl dl.‐arginine p‐nitroanilide; enzymatic activity was enhanced in the presence of heparin but markedly decreased in the presence of 2 M sodium chloride. Rabbit antisera and three new monoclonal antibodies (AA1, AA3 and AA5) were produced which were specific for tryptase in indirect ELISAs, immunoenzymatic overlay in crossed immunoelectrophoresis and by Western blotting. Additive and competitive ELISA experiments suggested that the three monoclonal antibodies all recognized epitopes within a single highly immunogenic area of the tryptase molecule, and enzyme assays indicated that this site was distant from the active site. Binding of monoclonal antibodies to tryptase was not affected by the presence of heparin, or by periodate treatment of the antigen suggesting that carbohydrate epitopes were not recognized. Western blotting indicated that some heterogeneity in molecular weight for monomeric tryptase was not reflected in antigenic differences. An immunofluorescence procedure with cytocentrifuge preparations of enzymatically dispersed lung, colon and skin revealed highly specific localization of tryptase to the granules of all mast cells, but there was no binding to other cells in these preparations, to cultured keratinocytes, to basophils or to any other blood leucocyte.
Clinical evaluation of a double‐blind dust‐mite avoidance trial with mite‐allergic rhinitic patients
Authors: KNIEST F. M. , YOUNG E. , VAN PRAAG M. C. G. , VOS H. , KORT HELIANTHE S. M. , KOERS W. J. , DE MAAT‐BLEEKER FREDERIKE , VAN BRONSWIJK JOHANNA E. M. H. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryInheritance and allergen exposure are key factors in the development and the course of atopic allergy, expressed as conjunctivitis, rhinitis, asthma or dermatitis. This study concerns the clinical significance of mite and mite‐allergen avoidance measures based on intensive cleaning with acaricide (solidified benzylbenzoate) added (10 dwellings), and without biocidal activity (10 other homes) as a control in a double‐blind trial with matched pairs. Twenty subjects with persisting rhinitic complaints were selected. They lived in 20 different dwellings and were ail sensitized to pyroglyphid mites; 12 of them were also sensitized to stored product miles (Acari). Daily symptoms and medication score, guanine and dust exposure, total and mite‐specific IgE in serum, eosinophilia in the blood and in the nasal smear, intracutaneous tests with house dust mite and storage mite extracts were compared in both pairs and groups. Acarological data, physiochemical aspects and exposure assessment are discussed in detail elsewhere. Symptom scores dropped significantly, as did the total IgE and exposure to dust and mite products in the acaricidal cleaner treatment group. After 1 year, the daily symptoms median was 47% (P= 0.025), total IgE was 38% (P=0.0049), and exposure to dust and mite products (guanine exposure) was 53% (P= 0.0449) better or lower than in the controls. Intensive cleaning, without acaricidal treatment performed twice a year, resulted in clinical improvement in four out of 10 subjects, of whom none became free of complaints. In the Acarosan treatment group (cleaning+ benzylbenzoate) eight out of 10 subjcets improved, in three cases subjective symptoms disappeared. The conclusion is that mite avoidance in homes can be carried out successfully with a special acaricidal cleaning formulation Acarosan.
Asymmetrical effects of increases in hydrostatic pressure on macromolecular movement across the airway mucosa. A study in guinea‐pig tracheal tube preparations
Authors: GUSTAFSSON BIRGITTA G. , PERSSON C. G. A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThis study employed isolated guinea‐pig tracheal tube preparations in order to examine effects of increases in hydrostatic pressure on the movement of macromolecular solutes (fluorescein isothiocyanate‐conjugated dextran; FITC‐D, MW 70 kD; kept either in serosal or mucosal bathing fluids) across the mucosa. An asymmetry of the mucosal barrier was demonstrated by the finding that under baseline zero‐pressure difference conditions luminal entry of serosal FITC‐D was greater than serosal entry of luminal FITC‐D. Furthermore, an increased serosal pressure (5 cm H2O) moved significant amounts of serosal FITC‐D into the lumen, whereas a corresponding pressure applied on the luminal side only marginally increased mucosal crossing of luminal FITC‐D. By raising the luminal pressure to 10 and 20 cm H2O (which may be used as positive end‐expiratory pressures (PEEP) in vivo in patients) mucosal penetration of luminal FITC‐D was as marked as that induced in the opposite direction by the low (5 cm H2O) serosal pressure increase. Another aspect of the asymmetry of the airway mucosal barrier was evident from experiments examining the effect of a serosal pressure increase on mucosal penetration of luminal FITC‐D. Neither during nor after the period of sustained serosal pressure increase was luminal FITC‐D crossing the mucosa to a greater extent than under baseline zero‐pressure conditions. This finding agrees with in‐vivo data demonstrating that plasma exudation into the airway lumen may not be associated with an increased absorption of luminal solutes. The present results support the possibility that a plasma exudate itself creates pathways for its luminal entry by the following mechanism: by increasing the subepithelial hydrostatic pressure slightly a lateral compressive effect on epithelial cells is achieved, whereby apical tight junctions also separate to let through a bulk flow of different‐sized plasma solutes; this is a distinct increase in outward permeability on the epithelium and when the pressure is reduced the tight junctions reassemble; hence, both during and after the exudation process the mucosa maintains its integrity as a barrier to luminal solutes.
Improvement of symptoms of non‐allergic chronic rhinitis by local treatment with capsaicin
Authors: LACROIX J. S. , BUVELOT J. M. , POLLA B. S. , LUNDBERG J. M. 
Published: April 2006

SummarySixteen adult patients suffering from severe chronic non‐allergic rhinitis with nasal vasoconstrictor abuse for more than a year, received, under local anaesthesia, an intra‐nasal spray of capsaicin (3.3 × 10−3 mol), the pungent agent in hot pepper, once weekly for 5 weeks. The subjective intensity of their nasal obstruction, rhinorrhoea and sneezing frequency were evaluated throughout the study and the vascular effects of capsaicin on the nasal mucosa were recorded by anterior rhinomanometry and laser Doppler flowmetry. Calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) is a vasodilator agent present in sensory nerves and may play a major role in the vascular component of neurogenic inflammation. Therefore, the nasal mucosa content of CGRP‐like immunoreaclivity (CGRP‐LI) was determined by radioimmunoassay in biopsies obtained before and after the capsaicin treatment. Intra‐nasal capsaicin application evoked a larger vascular response in patients with rhinitis than in controls (P<0.05). Both nasal vascular responses and subjective discomfort following capsaicin were markedly reduced after the fifth application (P< 0.01). In parallel, a 50% reduction of the CG RP‐ LI content in the nasal biopsies was observed. All symptoms were significantly improved throughout a 6 month follow‐up period. No significant side‐effects occurred and weaning from nasal vasoconstrictor agents was possible. Both the subjective symptom score and objective measurements of vascular reactivity suggest that repeated intra‐nasal capsaicin application could be beneficial for patients with chronic rhinitis, possibly by reducing hyperreactive nasal reflexes.
Olive pollen induces asthmatic response
Authors: TAMIR R. , PICK A. I. , TOPILSKY M. , KIVITY S. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryWe provide evidence that olive pollen extract can induce asthmatic response. The pattern of airway response to olive pollen is investigated. Nineteen patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and asthma, suspected to be due to olive pollen, all of whom had positive skin‐prick test, were investigated. Bronchial challenge with olive pollen extract were performed and the peak flow rate was followed for 20 hr. Eight patients developed dual asthmatic response (DAR), six patients developed early asthmatic response (EAR) and five patients had no asthmatic response. The early maximal fall in FEVI and the PD15 were not different between the group with DAR and the group with EAR only. We conclude that olive pollen can induce dual asthmatic response.
House dust mite allergens on different types of mattresses
Authors: MOSBECH H. , JENSEN A. , HEINIG J. H. , SCHOU C. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBeds and especially mattresses are important breeding grounds for house dust mites. We investigated whether supposed differences in the microclimate on water, spring and foam mattresses were reflected in the occurrence of house dust mite major allergens (Der f I, Der m I, and Der p I) in mattress dust. Fifty‐one mattresses that had been in use for 8–25 months were sampled. Median concentration of total major allergens was 0.5 μg/g dust (range 0–45) with little difference between the three major allergens and between the three types of mattresses. Occurrence of mattresses with concentrations above and below the proposed risk level (2 μg/g) was similar in the mattress groups. However, the allergen concentration was above risk level in 56%, if washable underblankets were not applied, compared with only 21% in the group with such underblankets. In conclusion, mattresses tend to accumulate allergen rather rapidly. Neither heated water mattresses, spring nor foam mattresses seem to be of any advantage for mite allergies, whereas underblankets made of synthetic fibres in a cotton or synthetic cover, commonly used in Denmark, might play a beneficial role in reducing allergen exposure.
Neonatal IgE: a poor screen for atopic disease
Authors: RUIZ R. G. G. , RICHARDS D. , KEMENY D. M. , PRICE J. F. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryScreening for atopic disease using neonatal serum IgE has been advocated on the basis of the predictive value of elevated levels. However, this is only one measure of validity. The test was validated fully in 92 infants with a bi‐parental history of atopic using 0.7 IU/ ml as the cut‐off. All infants were assessed prospectively for evidence of atopic disease (eczema, recurrent wheezing or food reactions) and skin‐prick test positivily in the first year. Total serum IgE was measured by ultrasensitive ELISA on 61 cord blood samples and 92 samples taken at 7 days. All cord samples were re‐analysed by PRIST and the first 33 by ultrasensitive RIA giving, respectively, 82% and 94% concordance (regarding undetectable, detectable and elevated levels) with ELISA. Maternal contamination was indicated in 7% of cord samples by high serum IgA. Ninety‐five per cent of cord/7‐day IgE pairs showed no change or minor rises at 7 days. Forty‐nine per cent of the infants had evidence of atopic disease. Only 5% had elevated 7‐day IgE. The positive and negative predictive values of the 7‐day test were 60% and 52%, respectively, and specificity 96% but the sensitivity was only 7%. High levels did not distinguish the infants with the most unequivocal evidence of disease, i.e. eczema with a positive skin test. In conclusion IgE at 7 days is comparable to and more reliable than cord IgE. However, neonatal IgE screening is too insensitive to have clinical application.
Relative risks of bronchial hyper‐responsiveness associated with skin‐prick test responses to common antigens in young adults
Authors: COOKSON W. O. C. M. , DE KLERK N. H. , RYAN G. R. , JAMES A. L. , MUSK A. W. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryWe studied 143 young subjects by skin‐prick testing to common allergens and by the measurement of non‐specific bronchial responsiveness (NSBR). A logistic regression model showed a prevalence odds ratio (POR) for bronchial hyper‐responsiveness (PD20 < 10 μmol methacholine) in house dust positive subjects of 4.10 (95% CI 1.77–9.51, P < 0.001), and in mould positive subjects 5.72 (95% CI 2.06–15.9, P < 0.001): the PORs for epithelia (2.05, P = 0.12) and grasses (1.78, P = 0.19) were not significant. If bronchial reactivity was assessed as measurable (PD20 < 102 μmol methacholine) or not. the POR for house‐dust‐positive subjects was 4.83 (95% CI 2.23–10.5, P < 0.001), for moulds was 10.5 (95% CI 2.33–47.5, P < 0.001), for epithelia was 4.79 (95% CI 1.91–12.0, P < 0.001), and for grasses was 2.21 (95% CI 1.11–4.4, P = 0.022). The results show the risk of bronchial hyper‐responsiveness is greater in subjects sensitive to house dust and mould than in those reactive to grasses, and suggests that the presence or absence of increased NSBR in atopic individuals may depend on the antigens to which they become sensitized.
Do diagnostic procedures other than inhalation challenge predict immediate bronchial responses to inhaled allergen?
Authors: TAMURA G. , SATOH K. , CHAO C.‐L. , INOUE H. , TAKISHIMA T. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryTo investigate the relationships between allergen inhalation challenge and other diagnostic procedures, inhalation challenge with house dust (HD) allergen, intradermal skin tests with HD allergen, inhalation challenge with methacholine and circulating HD allergen‐specific IgE levels were examined in 104 patients with bronchial asthma. Using the single exposure method, allergen inhalation challenge was performed. Forty‐three patients had positive bronchial responses to allergen and 61 patients had negative bronchial responses. With serially diluted HD allergen (10‐3 to 10‐6, w/v), skin‐test sensitivity was expressed as the highest dilution required to produce a weal of more than 9.9 mm. With the continuous exposure method, bronchial responsiveness to methacholine was evaluated as the number of units of inhaled methacholine (PD35‐Grs) from the start to the point at which Grs had decreased by 35% from its baseline value. The level of circulating HD allergen‐specific IgE was measured with the Phadebas. RAST system and the results were assessed as a RAST score. Using discriminate analysis, in which the independent variables were skin‐test sensitivity. PD35‐Grs and the RAST score, only in 30% of all patients was bronchial responsiveness to inhaled HD allergen predictable. Therefore, we suggest that inhalation challenge with allergen is an essential test for determining the role of a specific allergen in airways at present.
The 40‐kilodalton allergen of Candida albicans is an alcohol dehydrogenase: molecular cloning and immunological analysis using monoclonal antibodies
Authors: SHEN HORNG‐DER , CHOO KONG‐BUNG , LEE HSIEN‐HSIUNG , HSIEH JIA‐CHING , LIN WIN‐LING , LEE WEN‐RONG , HAN SHOU‐HWA 
Published: April 2006

SummaryTo characterize the 40‐kilodalton (kD) major allergen of Candida albicans (C. albicans), six monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against this allergen were generated. In SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblot analysis, these MoAbs showed four different reaction patterns to antigens of six different Candida species. With the exception of one MoAb, other MoAbs were resistant to periodate treatment indicating non‐carbohydrate epitopes were probably being recognized by these MoAbs. These MoAbs were used in the molecular cloning and immunological analysis of the gene coding for the 40‐kD allergen. Nucleotide sequence determination of the two λgtl 1 cDNA clones obtained showed that the 40‐kD allergen is an alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) which shares a 70% amino acid sequence homology with the ADH isozyme I of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This finding was confirmed by positive immunological response of the lysates of the clones obtained and a preparation of ADH of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to various MoAbs and to IgE antibodies in sera of allergic patients.