bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of the reactive subunits of Aspergillus umbrosus involved in the antigenic response in farmer's lung
Authors: KAUKONEN K. , PELLINIEMI L. J. , SAVOLAINEN J. , TERHO E. O. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
Farmer's lung (FL) is the most common form of extrinsic allergic alveolitis and the fungus Aspergillus umbrosus has frequently been associated with FL among Finnish farmers. IgG and IgA class antibodies against Aspergillus umbrosus are found in the serum of FL patients and healthy exposed farmers. So far the immunologically reactive subunits of Aspergillus umbrosus are unknown.Objectives
The purpose of the study was to identify and localize the reactive subunits of Aspergillus umbrosus that are involved in the antigenic response in FL.Methods
The distribution of the primary antibody on the outer wall layers of 4‐ and 11 day‐old fungi Aspergillus umbrosus was studied by pre‐embedding immunolabelling with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)‐ and gold‐conjugated antibodies. The surface carbohydrates of the outer wall layers were studied using FITC‐conjugated lectins.Results
FITC‐conjugated antibodies from FL patient sera reacted with spores (conidia), phialides and hyphae, whereas the fruiting body, cleistothecia, remained unstainable. Immunofluorescence labelling was confirmed by immunolabelling electron microscopy, and gold‐conjugated IgG antibodies were found on the outer cell walls of spinulose conidia, and in a less degree on the outer cell walls of hyphae and phialides. Only single gold particles were found scattered on the surfaces of cleistothecia. The surface carbohydrates of Aspergillus umbrosus conidia. vesicles, phialides and hyphae had a high affinity to GlcNAcβl‐ and Manαl‐/Glcαl‐ specific lectins and only GlcNAcβl‐specific lectins also reacted with the outer cell walls of cleistothecia. Blocking of the antigenic sites of Aspergillus umbrosus by preincubating antigen‐coated enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (FLISA) plates with lectins caused some inhibition, indicating that sites with the highest affinity for lectins were not always antigenic sites.Conclusion
Gold‐ and FITC‐conjugated antibodies were distributed mostly on the outer wall layers of conidia, hyphae and phialides of Aspergillus umbrosus and GlcN Acβl ‐linked lectins had the strongest affinity to the outer wall layers.
A clinical evaluation in children of the Pharmacia ImmunoCAP system for inhalant allergens
Authors: GLEESON M. , CRIPPS A. W. , HENSLEY M. J. , WLODARCZYK J. H. , HENRY R. L. , CLANCY R. L. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
The Pharmacia ImmunoCAP system (CAP) for assaying serum IgE specific antibodies was evaluated in a clinical setting against skin‐prick test (SPT) perfonncd using Dome/Hollister‐Steir allergen extracts. The five cotnmon inhalant allergens D. pteronyssinus. D. farinae, mould mix, grass mix and cat epithelium were tested concurrently by both methods in 167 children aged 7.5–12 years. The specific SPT for D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae were also tested against the CAP house dust mite (HDM) mix.Objective
The purpose of the study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the Pharmacia ImmunoCAP system Tor detecting serum IgE specific antibodies to inhalant allergens in a clinical setting, using the SPT result as the ‘gold standard’.Methods
The SPTs were performed using Dome/Hollister‐Steir allergen extracts. The serum IgE specific antibodies were quantitated using the radioimmunoassay version of the Pharmacia ImmunoCAP system. A history of allergic disease was assessed using a validated questionnaire.Results
SPT gave more positive reactions than CAP with the exception of cat epithelium. The concordance between SPT and CAP results was 91% over all the tests. The concordance with SPT was slightly higher for the specific CAP for D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae (93% and 95% respectively) than for the CAP HDM mix (86% and 90% respectively). There was a higher proportion of positive results for both SPT and CAP in the 115 children defined as having a history of allergic disease. Using SPT defined allergy as the gold standard, the sensitivity of the CAP system was 87% for the two specific house dust mites but was lower for cat epithelium (67%), mould mix (59%) and grass mix (46%). The sensitivity of the CAP system improved for D. pteronyssinus (96%) and the HDM mix (91%) when tested in subjects defined as having a history of allergy associated disease. The specificity of the CAP system showed less variation between allergens and ranged from 90–99%.Conclusion
The results of this study of children aged 7.5–12 years demonstrate that, for the inhalent allergens tested, the Pharmacia ImmunoCAP system perfoms well in the setting of known allergic disease.
Further characterization of histamine releasing chemokines present in fractionated supernatants derived from human mononuclear cells
Authors: KUNA P. , REDDIGARI S. R. , RUCINSKI D. , KAPLAN A. P. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
Histamine releasing factors (HRF) are members of the β chemokine family of cytokines and have been characterized using recombinant proteins. Mononuelcar cell and/or platelet supernatants have been shown to contain HRF and the initial void peak obtained using Mono Q anion exchange chromatography possesses such activity, as do two later peaks eluted from the column.Objective
We wished to further characterize the activity present in the void peak and determine which of the chemokines present are responsible for the activity measured.Methods
We fractionated the void peak obtained from Mono Q chromatography on Mono S. The elution profile of individual chemokities was determined and the fractions were assayed for histamine releasing capability. We used monospecific antisera to inhibit the activity and quantitate the contribution of each protein.Results
The fractions contained MCP‐1/MCAF, CTAPIII/NAP‐2, IL8, and a small quantity of RANTES. About 90‐95% of the total histamine containing capability was attributable to MCP‐1/MCAF. There was a small contribution by CTAPIII/NAP‐2, and RANTES, and no activity associated with IL8.Conclusion
MCP‐1/MCAF is the critical HRF present in the initial void peak obtained by anion exchange chromatography of supernatants derived from human mononuclear cells and platelets. The α chemokine CTAPIII/NAP‐2 has relatively weak activity and IL8 has none although they are prominent in this fraction and overlap with MCP‐1/MCAF. RANTES makes a minor contribution but most of it is eluted in a later peak.
Comparative degree and type of sensitization to common indoor and outdoor allergens in subjects with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma
Authors: BOULET L.‐P. , TURCOTTE H. , LAPRISE C. , LAVERTU C. , BEDARD P.‐M. , LAVOIE A. , HÉBERT J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground and objectives The determinants of variability in the clinical expression of atopy are still to be documented. The goals of this study were to determine, in subjects with a clinical diagnosis of symptomatic asthma or rhinitis, what is the possible contribution of different types of indoor and outdoor allergens to the development of their disease, by looking at the prevalence and degree of sensitization to these allergens according to age and gender.Subjects and methods We analysed allergy skin prick tests to common airborne indoor and outdoor allergens in 3371 consecutive patients, grouped according to diagnosis of allergic asthma, rhinitis, or both. For each of these three groups, we calculated the prevalence of sensitization to indoor/outdoor allergens, the atopic index (Al), the number of positive responses to allergy skin prick test and the mean wheal diameter (MWD) of these responses.Results The prevalence of atopy and the values of Al and MWD peaked in subjects aged 16 to 25 years, declining afterwards; in subjects ± 18 years old, atopic indices were slightly higher in men than in women. In atopic subjects, the prevalence of sensitization was, in decreasing order: housedust (84.2%), cat hair‐epithelium (76.5%), dog hair‐dander (63.0%), house dust mite (54.2%), grasses (51.9%), trees (47.2%) and ragweed pollens (44.9%) and finally, moulds (25.4%). Among subjects sensitized only to outdoor allergens (n= 195), 73.8% had a rhinitis, 11.8% had asthma and 14.4% had both diagnoses; for those sensitized only to indoor allergens (n= 710), these values were respeetively 48.6, 24.5 and 26.9%, and for those sensitized to both indoor and outdoor allergens (n= 1793), the comparable values were 55.5, 14.6 and 29.9%.Conclusion These data show that in our population of subjects with respiratory allergic symptoms, indoor allergen sensitization is strongly associated with asthma, while exclusive sensitization to pollens is associated primarily with rhinitis. Sensitization was more prevalent for indoor allergens than for outdoor allergens in all groups determined according to diagnosis or age. Indices of atopy were higher in men in the group ± 18 years old. Prevalence and degree of sensitization were shown to peak in young adults, regardless of the allergen, and to diminish with age. This study stresses the role of indoor allergens in the development of asthma and shows the variability of allergic manifestations according to the type of sensitization.
Measurement of IgE antibodies against purified grass pollen allergens (Lol p 1, 2, 3 and 5) during immunotherapy
Authors: VAN REE R. , VAN LEEUWEN W. A. , DIEGES P. H. , VAN WUK R. GERTH , DE JONG N. , BREWCZYSKI P. Z. , KROON A. M. , SCHILTE P. P. M. , TAN K. Y. , SIMON‐LICHT I. F. , ROBERTS A. M. , STAPEL S. O. , AALBERSE R. C. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground IgE titres tend to rise early after the start of immunotherapy, followed by a decline to pre‐immunotherapy levels or lower.Objectives We were interested to ktiow whether the early increase in IgE antibodies includes new specificities of IgE, and whether these responses persist.Methods Sera of 64 patients undergoing grass pollen immunotherapy were tested for IgE against four purified grass pollen allergens: Lol p 1. 2, 3, and 5. At least two serum samples were taken, one before the start of therapy and one between 5 and 18 months after the first immunization (mean: 10 months).Results The mean IgE responses to Lol p 1, 2 and 3 showed a moderate but not significant increase. In contrast, the mean IgE response to Lol p 5 showed a significant decrease of >30%. IgE against total Lolium perenne pollen extract moderately increased (>20%), showing that a RAST for total pollen is not always indicative for the development of IgE against its major allergens. For >40% of the patients it was found that IgE against one or more of the four allergens increased, while IgE against the remaining allergen(s) decreased. Eor 10 sera the ratio of IgE titres against at least two allergens changed by at least a factor of 5. The changes in specific IgE also included conversions from negative (< 0.1 RU) to positive (0.6 to 5.0 RU) for five patients. For two patients, the induction of these ‘new’ IgE antibodies against major allergens was shown to result in a response that was persistent over several years.Conclusion Although active induction of new IgE specificities by immunotherapy was not really proven, the observations in this study indicate that monitoring of IgE against purified (major) allergens is necessary to evaluate changes in specific IgE in a reliable way.
Oilseed rape pollen is a potentially relevant allergen
Authors: HEMMER W. , FOCKE M. , WANTKE E. , JÅGER S. , GÖTZ M. , JARISCH R. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryOilseed rape (Brassica napus) (OSR) is a partly wind‐pollinaled crop which has been increasingly cultivated both in Europe and overseas. Allergological data about OSR is scarce and controversial. We evaluated the frequency of sensitizalion to OSR pollen by skin prick test and RAST over a period of 1 yr. Airborne OSR pollen load and the agricullural role of this crop were analysed. Furthermore, six patients were investigated by immunoblot. In 4468 patients with suspect inhalant allergy investigated between June 1994 and May 1995, routine skin prick testing revealed OSR sensitivity in 7.1% ot pollen‐allergic patients. In all, monovalent sensitization was detected in nine patients. Routine pollen counts showed daily maxima not exceeding 50 grains/m3/24 h, but airborne OSR pollen has continuously increased during the last decade correlating with the increasing acreage. Characterization of OSR allergens by immunoblol revealed major allergens of 6/8 kD, 12/14 kD and in the high molecular weight range at 33, 42, 51, 58/61 and 70kD. Some OSR proteins may cross‐react with birch pollen allergens. In summary, the results suggest that OSR pollen is a moderate but true source of allergy and may sensitize despite low pollen exposure.
Characterization of allergens from deer: cross‐reactivity with allergens from cow dander
Authors: SPITZAUER S. , VALENTA R. , MÜHL S. , RUMPOLD H. , EBNER H. , EBNER C. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground Animal hair/dander proteins frequently cause Type I hypersensitivities. Species‐specific and broadly cross‐reacting allergens have been characterized in the past.Methods Sera from eight individuals suffering from symptoms due to exposure to deer and deer‐derived products were investigated by immunoblotting. Extracts from deer, dog, cat, horse, rabbit and cow, respectively, were tested for IgE‐binding. To reveal cross‐reactivities patients' sera were preadsorbed with these extracts prior to testing with deer extract.Results Deer allergens with the molecular mass of 22 and 25 kD (major allergens), as well as 60 kD were identified. The 22 and 25 kD allergens are cross‐reactive with the corresponding cow allergens.Conclusions Deer allergy is a rare sensitization mainly affecting persons exposed to deer, who displayed an atopie disposition. From our results it can be assumed that this hypersensitivity is partly associated with allergy to cow dander.
The measurement of reticular basement membrane and submucosal collagen in the asthmatic airway
Authors: WILSON J. W. , LI X. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground An increase in types III and V collagen below the bronchial epilhelium of the airway is known to be responsible for apparent thickening of the reticular basement membrane (RBM) and is recognized as a characteristic feature of asthma. Wide variations exist in reported ranges of the thickness of the RBM in both asthmatic and control airways. The description of collagen deposition has been confined to the RBM with no previous reports of increased collagen deeper within the bronchial wall (i.e. submucosa), although inflammation is known to extend to deeper levels.Objective The objective of this study was to compare different methods used to measure RBM thickness and to examine collagen deposition in deeper asthtnatic bronchial submucosa.Methods We examined bronchial mucosal biopsies from 15 asthmatic and 13 normal healthy controls to measure RBM thickness by light and electron microscopic methods on resin sections and to estimate the extent of collagen deposition in the submucosa by immunochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies to collagen subtypes on paraffin sections.Resutts Simple staining with toluidine blue on resin sections coupled with light microscopic evaluation was as accurate and less expensive than electron microscopic methods in the measurement of the thickness of RBM (mean ± sd, light tnicroscopy: asthma vs control. 6.01 ± 2.09 vs 3.19 ± 0.55 μm,P < 0.001; electron microscopy: asthma vs control. 6.09 ± 2.19 vs 2.85 ± 0.86 μm, P < 0.01). Using monoclonal antibodies to collagen subtypes and image analysis methods, we identified increased collagen in the submucosa in asthma (type III collagen, asthma vs control: 62 ± 7 vs 51 ± 9%,P < 0.05, type V collagen, asthma vs control: 60 ± 6 vs 52 ± 9%, P < 0.05).Conctusions This study has demonstrated that the RBM may be reliably measured by light microscopic methods. This study shows for the first time that the submucosa of the asthmatic airway contains significantly more collagen than nonnal controls, giving rise to the possibility that airway scar formation may have greater functional implications than has been previously believed from consideration of the RBM alone.
Purification and characterization of a soybean hull allergen responsible for the Barcelona asthma outbreaks. II. Purification and sequencing of the Gly m 2 allergen
Authors: CODINA R. , LOCKEY R. F. , EERNÁNDEZ‐CALDAS E. , RAMA R. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground A low MW allergen from soybean hull, Gly m 1, with two isoallergens, Gly m 1 A and Gly m 1 B, was associated with the asthma outbreaks that occurred in Cartagena, Spain. Using sera of asthmatic epidemic patients (AEP) from Barcelona, three main soybean hull allergens, two of them with MWs atid pIs identical to those reported for Gly m 1 A and Gly m 1 B, were identified.Objective The purpose of this study was to purify and to study the N‐terminal amino acid sequence of the third allergen, which has a MW of 8 kDa.Method The purification procedure combined the double dialysis method and preparative isoelectofocusing (IEF). Specific IgE determination to the fractions obtained demonstrated three peaks, one of them corresponding to the 8 kDa allergen. The pooled fractions containing this allergen were studied by sodium dodecylsulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE), SDS‐PAGEAVestern blot and IEF/Westem blot. Only a band with a MW of 8 kDa and a pI of 6 was obtained. Its allergenic activity was measured and it was demonstrated that the allergenicity of soybean hull correlates with the presence of the 8 kDa allergen. The N‐terminal amino acid sequence of the first 20 amino acids, which was registered at the PIR Data Submission as the N‐terminal partial sequence of Gly m 2, was determined according the Edman degradation method.Results Gly m 2 N‐terminal amino acid sequence lacks homology with that reported for the allergen Gly m 1 but has a homology of 71% with a storage protein from cotyledon of Vigna radiata (cow pea) and 64% with a‘disease response protein’ from Pisum sativum (green pea). These results suggest that Gly m 2 in soybeans could protect against diseases which affect soybean plants.Conclusion This study demonstrates the existence of another soybean hull allergen, Gly m 2, partially responsible for the soybean asthma outbreaks that occurred in Barcelona, Spain.
Hay fever, asthma and number of older siblings — a twin study
Authors: RäSäNEN M. , LAITINEN T. , KAPRIO J. , KOSKENVUO M. , LAITINEN L. A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground It has been suggested that allergic sensitization is inversely related to the number of siblings in the family.Objectives To study whether a similar relation can be observed for hay fever and asthma among Finnish adolescents in a population with relatively low prevalence of atopic diseases.Methods A questionnaire mailed to a nationwide sample of 1849 families with 16‐year‐ old twins assessing the cumulative incidence of doctor‐diagnosed hay fever and asthma among the adolescents and the number of older siblings in the family by parental report.Results The cumulative incidence of hay fever was significantly lower among the adolescents with three or more older siblings (3.9%, 95% CI= 1.2–6.5%) compared with adolescents with fewer older siblings (12.7%, 95% CI=11.4–14.0%). There was no difference in the cumulative incidence of asthma among the adolescents according to the number of older siblings in the family.Conclusions Large number of older siblings appears to be protective against the development of hay fever.
Asthma, bronchial hyperreactivity and mediator release in children with birch pollinosis. ECP and EPX levels are not related to bronchial hyperreactivity
Authors: FERDOUSI H. A. , DREBORG S. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground Symptoms of allergic asthma are triggered by allergen exposure inducing allergic inflammation and hyperreactivity of the bronchi.Objectives To investigate the possible relationship between clinical symptoms and signs of asthma, i.e. bronchial variability as measured by peak expiatory flow rate (PEFR). bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) and mediators of allergic inflammation.Methods Twenty‐eight children with pollinosis. but no obvious history of asthma, were studied at three occasions, i.e. before, during and after (autumn) the birch pollen season. Twelve children sensitive to birch pollen were considered as the case group. Sixteen children, who were only clinically sensitive to grass pollen, served as controls. Subjective symptoms of asthma were recorded by visual analogue scale, BHR was estimated by methacholine bronchial provocation tests, bronchial variability PEFR and circulating mediators of inflammation, i.e. eosinophil cationic protein, eosinophil protein X, myeloperoxidase and tryptase in serum.Results Bronchial hyperreactivity and by PEFR was more pronounced after than during the season (P < 0.01), whereas eosinophil mediators and the peak expiratory flow rate increased during the season (P < 0.05). Except for between PEFR variability and BHR in the autumn (r= 0.45; P= 0.014). no correlations were found. However, in the autumn, the majority of children were still hyperreactive in the bronchi and showed PEFR variability but the levels of eosinophil mediators in serum had returned to normal levels.Conclusion Signs and symptoms of asthma did not correlate with serum levels of mediators of allergic inflammation. Bronchial hyperreactivity and PEFR variability persisted after the pollen season when signs of bronchial inflammation had disappeared. We hypothesize that eosinophil mediators and other markers of allergic inflammation disappear after the late‐phase reaction, whereas BHR persists. This would explain the lack of correlation between the levels of eosinophil mediators in serum and symptoms of asthma and BHR.