bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A comparative study of the characteristics of intraepithelial and lamina propria lymphocytes of the human nasal mucosa
Authors: Pawankar R. , Okuda M. 
Published: May 2007

The phenotypes and receptors of the intraepithelial lymphocytes which are a major component of the mucosal immune system are of considerable interest. Intraepithelial lymphocytes, especially those of the intestines, are well documented. The nasal intraepithelial lymphocytes probably play a key role in the immune defense of the entire respiratory tract. However, documentation of these lymphocytes is limited to only a few nondescriptive studies by immunohistological methods. In our previous paper, we examined the subsets of the nasal intraepithelial lymphocytes by two‐color flow cytometry after culture with monoclonal antibody against CD3 and PMA. The mucosal immune system, which comprises the lymphoid tissue associated with the mucosal surface, consists of lymphocyte populations from both the epithelium and the lamina propria. In this paper (a sequel to our previous study), we have carried out a comparative study of the intraepithelial lymphocytes and lamina propria lymphocytes of the human nasal mucosa.In the 42 patients (with allergic rhinitis/infectious hypertrophic rhinitis) whom we examined, T lymphocytes were predominant in the epithelium as well as the lamina propria. B lymphocytes were detected only in the lamina propria. CD8 + T cells (suppressor/cytotoxic) and CD4‐8 ‐(double‐negative) (DN) comprised the major population of the intraepithelial lymphocytes. The CD4+/CD8+ ratio was 0.5 ± 0.1. In contrast, the lamina propria showed a predominance of CD4 + T cells (helper/inducer), with a CD4 +/CD8 + ratio of 1.3 ± 0.2. CD3 + 4–8‐(double‐negative T cells) were comparable in number in the epithelium and the lamina propria. CD8 + T cells of the epithelium were predominantly cytotoxic T cells, and CD4 + T cells were predominantly helper T cells. In the lamina propria, CD8 + T cells were predominantly of the suppressor type.In the analysis of the T‐cell receptors of the epithelium and the lamina propria, there was a predominance of the αβ receptor‐bearing T cells in both. However, in the double‐negative T‐cell population of the epithelium, γδ heterodimer predominated over αβ.In order to verify the influence of culture conditions on the percentages of the individual subsets of lymphocytes, we examined the peripheral blood lymphocytes by flow cytometry before and after culture under the same conditions. We found no significant change in the different subsets caused by culture except a slight reduction in the percentage of suppressor T cells as well as a significant increase in activated T cells. We therefore wish to emphasize that the nasal intraepithelial lymphocytes are heterogenous in phenotype, and are dominated by double‐negative cells and CD8 + T cells. Moreover, the nasal lamina propria lymphocytes are also heterogenous in phenotype, and differ in proportion from the intraepithelial lymphocytes. What is of utmost interest is the preferential location of the γδ receptor‐bearing T cells in the epithelium and their relative absence in the lamina propria.
Epitope mapping of the cat (Felis domesticus) major allergen Fel d I by overlapping synthetic peptides and monoclonal antibodies against native and denatured Fel d I
Authors: van't Hof W. , van Milligen F. J. , van den Berg M. , Lombardero M. , Chapman M. D. , Aalberse R. C. 
Published: May 2007

The major cat allergen Fel d I is a homodimer of which each monomer consists of two disulfide‐linked polypeptide chains: chain 1 (70 amino acid residues) and chain 2 (92 amino acid residues). Twenty‐one synthetic peptides of 14 amino acid residues length, overlapping by seven residues and spanning the entire sequence of both chains, were synthesized. These peptides were coupled to CNBr‐activated Sepharose‐4B and used as solid‐phase antigens in epitope‐mapping studies with monoclonal antibodies against native and reduced/alkylated Fel d I.Two monoclonal antibodies directed against reduced/alkylated chain I bound to the overlapping peptides 53–66 and 60–70 of chain 1. The monoclonal antibody directed against reduced/alkylated chain 2 bound to the overlapping peptides 36–49 and 43–56 of chain 2. Binding specificity was demonstrated by inhibition by reduced/alkylated Fel d I for all three monoclonal antibodies.Another monoclonal antibody against reduced/alkylated Fel d I had been found to bind predominantly to reduced/alkylated chain 2 on immunoblot in previous studies (27). It bound to peptides 1–16 and 60–70 of chain 1 and peptides 1–14 and 50–63 of chain 2; it is therefore probably directed against a conformational epitope formed by these four regions. Possibly because of low affinity of this monoclonal antibody, specificity of its binding could not be verified by inhibition studies.A panel of monoclonal antibodies directed against native Fel d I bound to peptides 1‐16 and 60–70 of chain 1 and peptides 1–14 and 43–56 of chain 2. For two monoclonal antibodies, binding to each peptide was investigated and shown to be inhibitable by native Fel d I. These antibodies are therefore probably directed against a conformational epitope formed by these four regions.These studies give us substantial information about the quaternary structure of Fel d I.
Basophil histamine release induced by anti‐IgE and concanavalin A Relation to the total plasma IgE content
Authors: Nielsen B. Windelborg , Hansen B. , Damsgaard T. M. E. , Herlin T. , Søderberg U. , Bjerke T. , Thestrup‐Pedersen K. , SchiØtz P. O. 
Published: May 2007

The plant lectin concanavalin A (Con A) has been shown to induce basophil histamine release by an IgE‐receptor‐dependent process resembling that of anti‐IgE‐antibodies.In this study, the concentration‐response for basophil histamine release from washed blood cells was analyzed in a population of blood samples from adults with a total plasma IgE content ranging from < 5 kU/l to > 18000 kU/l (n= 108), as well as 148 cord blood samples.The concentration‐response‐curves for anti‐IgE in all adult blood samples were similar, despite the large variation in total plasma IgE ‐ only the cord blood samples showed a decreased sensitivity. In contrast, the optimal concentration of Con A was inversely related to plasma IgE, and this relation was most pronounced in the adult blood samples.It is proposed that IgE‐receptor‐mediated histamine release may be dependent not only on the number of stimulatory, dimeric cross‐links formed between IgE‐receptors, but also on the molecular structure of the cross‐linking agent.
Leukotriene EM4 plasma levels in adult asthmatic patients with variable disease severity
Authors: Chavis C. , van Vyve T. , Chanez P. , Farce M. , Bousquet J. , Michel F. B. , Godard P. 
Published: May 2007

Chavis C, van Vyve T, Chanez P, Farce M, Bousquet J, Michel FB, Godard P. Leukotriene E4 plasma levels in adult asthmatic patients with variable disease severity.Cysteinyl leukotrienes ‘C‐LTs’ are local inflammatory mediators involved in bronchial asthma. Seventeen asthmatic patients ‘FEV1 ranging from 41 to 99.8% of predicted values’ and 11 healthy subjects were studied. The clinical severity of asthma was assessed by the Aas score. Plasma C‐LTs were measured by enzyme immunoassay ‘EIA’ after sample purification by solid‐phase extraction ‘SPE’, to investigate whether differences may exist between asthmatic and control subjects and whether leukotriene E4‘LTE4’ levels were related to the severity of disease. LT measurements showed that 87.6±1.2% was recovered as LTE4 and 9.4±1.3% as LTC4. In asthmatic subjects, LTE4 plasma levels were found to be significantly higher than those in the control group ‘1.073±0.133 and 0.53±0.19 ng/ml of plasma, respectively; P < 0.002’. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between LTE4 plasma levels and the Aas clinical score ‘P < 0.005’. These data suggest that plasma LTE4 levels might be used to assess the severity of asthma.
Deposition of cat (Fel d 1), dog (Can f 1), and horse allergen over time in public environments – a model of dispersion
Authors: Egmar A.‐C. , Almqvist C. , Emenius G. , Lilja G. , Wickman M. 
Published: May 2007

Background The occurrence and accumulation over time in public environments of cat, dog, and horse allergens was evaluated. Methods Concentrations of animal danders were analyzed by ELISA and countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis (CCIE). Results Among factory‐new mattresses, 15/17 contained detectable levels of cat and/or dog allergen, whereas no horse allergen was found although six of the mattresses were stuffed with horsehair. Dust from 15 used mattresses contained significantly higher concentrations of Fel d 1 and Can f 1 than the factory‐new ones (P<0.001). Allergen concentrations and titers correlated to the period of time that the mattresses had been tried by customers; rs=0.52‐0.77, P=0.04‐0.001 (cat), rs=0.38‐0.48, P=0.15‐0.08 (dog), and rs=0.64‐0.74, P=0.008‐0.003 (horse). The increase over time occurred rapidly in highly frequented stores and after 3 weeks reached concentrations that have been found in homes where furred pets had formerly been kept or even the lower allergen scale of homes where pets were currently kept. Conclusions The dispersion of allergens from furred animals to pet‐free public places is likely to occur by deposition from people who have been in direct or indirect contact with pets, and high levels of such allergens seem to accumulate in a short period of time.
Indoor environmental factors associated with house‐dust‐mite allergen (Der p i) levels in south‐eastern Australian houses
Authors: Garrett M. H. , Hooper B. M. , Hooper M. A. 
Published: May 2007

Background Eighty households in the Latrobe Valley, Victoria, Australia, were sampled for house‐dust‐mite allergen (Der p 1). Allergen levels vary greatly between houses within climate regions. The reasons for this are not well understood. Methods House‐dust‐mite allergen samples were collected on six occasions between March 1994 and February 1995, All participating households contained at least one child between 7 and 14 years with a total of 148 subjects, 53 of whom were asthmatic. A detailed house survey was performed during every sampling visit, and a dwelling questionnaire was completed. Relative humidity was measured at the time of sample collection. Results The median bed allergen level was 30 ng/g during the first sampling period. Significantly higher allergen levels were associated with wool bedding and inner‐spring mattresses (p < 0.001). As estimated from a multiple linear regression model, up to 70% reduction in bed allergen levels may be achieved by avoiding wool bedding and inner‐spring mattresses. Other risk factors for high allergen levels included high indoor relative humidity, presence of substantial visible mould growth, brick cladding, and concrete slab foundation of the house. Conclusions Avoiding wool bedding and replacing inner‐spring mattresses with foam could substantially reduce bed allergen levels.
Eosinophilic gastroenteritis and Anisakis
Authors: Gómez1 B. , Tabar A. I. , Tuñón T. , Larrinaga B. , Alvarez M. J. , Garcia B. E. , Olaguibel J. M. 
Published: May 2007

Background The differential diagnosis of eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EG) includes, among other diseases, parasitic infections such as anisakiasis, which has acquired worldwide importance. Methods We reviewed all patients referred to our allergy service who had been diagnosed as having primary EG to determine the possible role of Anisakis simplex in the etiopathology of the disease. All patients (n= 10) were studied and diagnosed as having primary EG between 1989 and 1996, inclusive. Two different groups of subjects were used as controls: group A (149 subjects without digestive disorder) and group B (10 subjects with digestive disorder different from EG). Cutaneous prick tests were performed with the main foods, aeroallergens, and commercial extract of A. simplex. Total and specific serum IgE was measured in all patients. Gastric or gut histologic specimens were re‐examined in five cases. Results Peripheral eosinophilia was detected in 40% of the patients with EG, and sensitization to A. simplex was detected in 80% of these. In both control groups, the rate of sensitization to A. simplex was 10%. Sensitization to A. simplex in EG patients with respect to control groups A and B showed odds ratios (OR) of 36 and 40, respectively. In one case, serialization of the histologic section allowed us to observe a whole Anisakis larva. Conclusions Immunologic methods to detect specific antibodies against Anisakis should be used routinely before diagnosing EG as primary disorder. Preventive measures are of capital importance.
Priming effect of RANTES on eosinophil oxidative metabolism
Authors: Chihara J. , Yamada H. , Yamamoto T. , Kurachi D. , Hayashi‐Kameda N. , Honda K. , Kayaba H. , Urayama O. 
Published: May 2007

Background RANTES has been shown to possess chemotactic activity for eosinophils, which have also been considered to play a role in allergic inflammation through reactive oxygen species. Thus, in this study, we examined the effect of RANTES on radical oxygen products from eosinophils. Methods Purified eosinophils by CD16‐negative selection or an eosinophilic cell line (EoL‐1) were incubated with or without RANTES (2.5 x 10−6). To the mixture of eosinophils and luminol, calcium ionophore (A23187) or opsonized zymosan (OZ) was added, and radical oxygen products were determined by luminol‐dependent chemiluminescence for 600 s. Results Eosinophil‐mediated radical oxygen products of untreated eosinophils produced with A23187 gave a peak value of 14.09 + 2.40 (mean±SE, n = 12) relative light units (RLU) and an integrated value of 3232.20 + 513.09 RLU. However, with treatment with RANTES, a peak value of 18.66 + 2.40 RLU and an integrated value of 5301.05 ±561.02 RLU were obtained. Eosinophil oxidative metabolism‐induced A23187 or OZ was apparently augmented by the preincubation with RANTES. In addition, the radical oxygen products of EoL‐1 showed similar results. Conclusions Thus, we concluded that RANTES may play an important role the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation through its involvement in eosinophil activation, as evidenced by oxygen products, as well as in selective eosinophil infiltration as selective eosinophil chemoattractant.
Efficacy and safety relative to placebo of an oral formulation of cetirizine and sustained‐release pseudoephedrine in the management of nasal congestion
Authors: Horak F. , Toth J. , Marks B. , Stübner U. P. , Berger U. E. , Jäger S. , Burtin B. , Duby C. 
Published: May 2007

Background The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy of an oral formulation of cetirizine 5 mg with sustained‐release pseudoephedrine (PSE) 120 mg relative to placebo in patients with nasal congestion. Methods Twenty‐four patients with perennial rhinitis due to house‐dust‐mite (HDM) allergy were recruited in this crossover study. A treatment period of 1 week, in which cetirizine/PSE was administered twice daily, was followed by a washout period of at least 2 weeks and a further period of 1 week in which the alternative treatment was given to each patient. Immediately after the first dose of each medication (day 1), nasal congestion and related symptoms were assessed during a 7‐h challenge with HDM feces, with the Vienna Challenge Chamber (VCC), to investigate onset of action of the preparation. A second challenge of 3‐h duration, carried out at least 12 h after the final dose, was undertaken after 1 week (mean) of twice‐daily treatment to assess residual effects of the formulation after achievement of steady state. Results The oral formulation of cetirizine/PSE was significantly (p <0.001) superior to placebo in improving nasal obstruction during both challenges. The improvement in nasal airflow and nasal patency was significantly greater with cetirizine/PSE than with placebo (P<0.02). In addition, subjective assessment of nasal symptoms showed that cetirizine/PSE was significantly superior to placebo in both challenges for the sum of nasal obstruction scores (P<0.01). Both medications were well tolerated, and no serious adverse events occurred during the study. Conclusions In this study, cetirizine/PSE relieved nasal congestion and other objective and subjective symptoms to a significantly greater extent than placebo. No serious adverse events occurred, and both regimens were equally well tolerated.
Age at symptom onset and distribution by sex and symptoms in patients sensitized to different allergens
Authors: Guerra S. , Allegra L. , Blasi F , Cottini M. 
Published: May 2007

The aim of our study was to analyze the clinical features, particularly the age at symptom onset, of allergic subjects (asthma and/or rhinitis) on the basis of the etiologic elements (sensitization to various allergens). We identified a group of monosensitized patients and a group of polysensitized patients. Within these groups, we identified subgroups of subjects monosensitized to one of the five main allergenic mixes (mites, Gramineae, trees, Parietaria, and Artemisia) and five subgroups of patients sensitized nonexclusively, that is, polysensitized, to the same allergens. The comparison between the two groups and among the various subgroups enabled us to conclude that:

mono‐ and polysensitized patients present some clinical features so different as to constitute two clearly distinct clinical groups
analysis of the clinical features associated with the sensitization to a specific allergen brings us to significantly different conclusions when we consider subgroups of monosensitized or polysensitized patients
the parameter “age at symptom onset” shows great heterogeneity among both the mono‐ and the polysensitized subgroups ‐ in particular, the great differences in mean age among the monosensitized subgroups (trees>y4rtemi.s(fl>Pflrie/flria>Gramineae>mites) appear very interesting and are open to various interpretative hypotheses
unlike the polysensitized group, in the monosensitized group and subgroups, mean age is similar between men and women and, only for tree‐ and parietaria‐monosensitive patients, also between asthmatic and rhinitic subjects.
Optimizing a Diode Array VIS/NIR Spectrometer System to Detect Plant Stress in the Field
Authors: Behrens T. , Müller J. , Diepenbrock W. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractSeveral spectrometer types for the detection of plant stress symptoms by measuring reflectance of crop canopies have been described in the literature. Only a few of them were field‐portable and combine both the visual (VIS) and near‐infrared (NIR) spectral ranges. In particular, NIR spectra enable considerable improvements in assessing crop properties. In the current study, a diode array two‐channel VIS/NIR spectrometer combination was adapted from laboratory to field application and optimized with regard to measuring configuration and procedure. Two plant canopies representing two extremes of morphological differentiation were studied. They consisted of a winter oilseed rape and a grass turf canopy of high vs. low morphological complexity. Derived from grass turf and winter oilseed rape canopy reflectance in the VIS and NIR spectral range vegetation indices (REIP, R850 and SRWI) were calculated. It was shown that the choice of sensor head configuration mainly affected sensitivity and accuracy of measurements, whereas the vegetation indices were mainly influenced by sensor‐target angle, sensor‐target distance, daytime of measurement and cloud coverage. However, most impairments were substantially reduced by using a continuous referencation. Best results were obtained using an open fibre optic cable, sensor‐target distance of 1 m in nadir direction and a measurement interval between 12.00 and 16.00 h at clear sky conditions. To show the applicability of the proposed configuration and measurement protocol, growth traits of a winter oilseed rape canopy were investigated at an early stage of development. Based upon vegetation indices, reductions in shoot dry matter, shoot‐N concentration and shoot water concentration were reliably detected. Conclusively, this paper studies the effect of sensor head configuration, sensor‐target angle, sensor‐target distance and daytime of measurement on observed canopy reflectance in the VIS and NIR spectral range. Additionally, it presents, for the first time, a comprehensive and integrated analysis of the way in which these factors affect vegetation indices (REIP, R850 and SRWI) derived from VIS and NIR spectra. The optimized procedure reduced interferences, expanded operation time and enabled high‐resolution reflectance measurements in the field.
Gerbera jamesonii, Osteospermum sp. and Argyranthemum frutescens: New Hosts of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. chrysanthemi
Authors: Minuto A. , Gullino M. L. , Garibaldi A. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe pathogenicity of five isolates of Fusarium oxysporum obtained from infected gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii), chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium), Paris daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens) and African daisy (Osteospermum sp.) plants was tested on some varieties of the following Compositae hosts: C. morifolium, G. jamesonii, Argyranthemum frutescens (Paris daisy) and Osteospermum sp. and compared with the host range and pathogenicity of an isolate of F. oxysporum f. sp. chrysanthemi obtained from the ATCC collection. The results indicated that isolates of F. oxysporum from G. jamesonii as well as those from A. frutescens and Osteospermum sp. belong to the forma specialischrysanthemi. The isolate from gerbera was virulent on all tested varieties of gerbera, C. morifolium, A. frutescens and Osteospermumsp. Similar results were obtained testing the isolates obtained from A. frutescens and Osteospermumsp. The strain from C. morifolium infected cultivar of gerbera, A. frutescens and Osteospermum sp. The pathogenicity of isolate of F. oxysporum f. sp. chrysanthemi obtained from the ATCC showed a different cultivar range particularly in the case of chrysanthemum and gerbera.
γ‐Amino Butyric Acid Control of Arginine Vasopressin Release from the Ewe Hypothalamus In Vitro: Sensitivity to Oestradiol
Authors: Ghuman SPS , Prabhakar S , Smith RF , Dobson H 
Published: May 2007

ContentsThe present study aims to ascertain the influence of γ‐amino butyric acid (GABA)A or B receptors on arginine vasopressin (AVP) release in vitro and determine whether E2 modulates GABA–AVP interaction. Within 10 min of ewe killing, saggital midline hypothalamic slices (from the anterior preoptic area to the mediobasal hypothalamus along with the median eminence, 2‐mm thick, two per ewe) were dissected, placed in oxygenated minimum essential media (MEM)‐α at 4°C and within 2 h were singly perifused at 37°C with oxygenated MEM‐α (pH 7.4; flow rate 0.15 ml/min), either with or without E2 (24 pg/ml). After 4‐h equilibration, 10‐min fractions were collected for 4 h interposed with a 10‐min exposure at 60 min to a specific GABAA or B receptor agonist or antagonist at various doses (0.1–10 mm). GABAA (muscimol; no E2, n = 7 perifusion chambers, with E2, n = 11) or GABAB (baclofen; no E2, n = 8, with E2, n = 15) agonists (10 mm) did not influence AVP concentrations. However, AVP release increased (p < 0.05) 20–30 min after exposure to 10 mm GABAA or B antagonists (bicuculline, no E2, n = 7: from 4.6 ± 0.7 to 33.0 ± 0.4, with E2, n = 17: from 11.9 ± 1.4 to 32.8 ± 6.0; CGP52432, with E2, n = 14: from 14.0 ± 2.6 to 28.8 ± 3.9 pg/ml). At the end of the collection period, hypothalamic slices responded to KCl (100 mm) with AVP efflux (p < 0.05). GABAB but not GABAA antagonist‐stimulated AVP release was enhanced in the presence of E2. In summary, AVP release is under the inhibitory influence of GABA input with further potentiation by E2 through GABAB receptors in vitro.