bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of a single oral dose of prednisolone or cetirizine on inflammatory cells infiltrating allergen‐induced cutaneous late‐phase reactions in atopic subjects
Authors: VARNEY V. , GAGA M. , FREW A. J. , DE VOS C. , KAY A. B. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe effect of a single dose of prednisolone (20 mg) or cetirizine (10 mg) on the immunohistology of the cutaneous late‐phase reaction was determined in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over study in 12 atopic allergic individuals. The subjects were challenged with intradermal allergen (30 BU) 2 hr after ingestion of the drugs or placebo. The magnitude of the cutaneous reactions were determined at 15 min, 6 and 24 hr, and skin biopsies performed at 24 hr. Cetirizine produced a 50% average inhibition of the immediate weal and flare response (P=0.001) and a 27% average inhibition of the 6 hr late‐phase induration (NS). Prednisolone reduced the immediate (27%, P=0.03) and significantly inhibited the late‐phase reaction (53%, P=0.02). Prednisolone significantly inhibited infiltration of CD45+ (total leucocytes), neutrophil elastase+, EG2+ (activated eosinophils) and CD25+ (IL‐2R) cells (P=0.017, 0.005, 0.005 and 0.032 respectively). CD3, CD4, CD8 and HLA‐DR expression was also inhibited but this was not significant. Cetirizine also reduced the numbers of EG2+ cells, particularly those with high counts before treatment but the overall results were not significant. No other changes in the cellular infiltrate were demonstrated when cetirizine was compared with placebo. These findings indicate a single dose of prednisolone significantly reduces leucocyte infiltration and activation as well as the magnitude of the cutaneous late‐phase reaction.
Protection of nedocromil sodium on bronchoconstriction induced by inhaled neurokinin A (NKA) in asthmatic patients
Authors: CRIMI N. , PALERMO F. , OLIVERI R. , PALERMO B. , POLOSA R. , MISTRETTA A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryNeurokinin A (NKA) has been shown to exert a potent contractile action on bronchial smooth muscles both in vitro and in vivo. Although this effect seems to be due either to a direct action of this peptide on specific muscular receptors or to an indirect effect on mast cells and/or nerves, its mechanism of action in bronchial asthma is still unknown. In the present study we have investigated the airway response to inhaled NKA in 10 asthmatic subjects and the activity of the novel pyranoquinoline dicarboxylic acid drug, nedocromil sodium, on this response. Ten asthmatic patients with stable asthma took part in the study consisting of four separate visits. On the first two occasions we derived histamine and NKA PD15 values in absence of any drug treatment. On the following two visits the inhalation challenge with NKA was performed after administration of either nedocromil sodium or matched placebo administered as pressurized aerosols via metered dose inhalers in a randomized double‐blind order. Inhaled NKA produced a dose‐related fall in FEV1 in all the subjects studied. Inhaled nedocromil sodium had a significant effect on the FEV1 response to NKA inhalation, the geometric mean PD15 value increasing from 16.6 to 32.2 × 10−9 mol.We conclude that nedocromil sodium attenuates subsequent responsiveness to inhaled NKA in asthmatic subjects. However, further studies are necessary to investigate the exact role and the mode of action of tachykinins in human airways.
Dust from carpeted and smooth floors. V. Cat (Fel d I) and mite (Der p I and Der f I) allergen levels in school dust. Demonstration of the basophil histamine release induced by dust from classrooms
Authors: DYBENDAL T. , ELSAYED S. 
Published: April 2006

SummarySixty dust samples from schools in Norway were analysed for major allergens from cat and mite after sampling with the regularly used vacuum cleaners for 5 days and with a new model vacuum cleaner for 10 days, respectively. The major feline allergen Felis domesticus allergen I (Fel d I) was detected in all the classrooms, with ranges from 12 to 16 840 ng/m2 floor area. The mean Fel d I concentration was about 11 times higher per unit area carpeted floors as compared with smooth floors after the 10 days sampling period. Mite allergens Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen I (Der p I) and Dermatophagoides farinae allergen I (Der f I) were detected in very low concentrations, with ranges from <1 ng to 104 ng/m2 floor area. These findings suggest that the school is a protective environment against mite infestation, while the prevalence of cat allergens in classrooms seems higher than previously assumed. Basophil histamine release was measured after provocation with 20 dust extracts from 10 different schools. In nine of the 10 schools examined, the basophil histamine release caused by challenge with carpet dust was higher than the corresponding release with smooth floor dust. The calculated floor areas in each school in which dust led to 15% histamine release were from 2 to 55 times larger for smooth floors compared with carpeted floors. These results emphasize previous findings regarding higher allergen concentrations in classrooms with carpeted floors.
Regulation of IgE production in pre‐sensitized animals: in vivo elimination of alveolar macrophages preferentially increases IgE responses to inhaled allergen*
Authors: THEPEN T. , McMENAMIN C. , GIRN B. , KRAAL G. , HOLT P. G. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryIntratracheal inoculation of dichloromethylene diphosphonate encapsulated in liposomes leads to the rapid accumulation of this drug in alveolar macrophage (AM) phagolysosomes, and the death of the majority of these cells over the ensuing 24–48 hr. The technique is highly selective for phagocytes and has no detectable side‐effects on other cells in the lung. The present experiments demonstrate that following AM depletion, pre‐sensitized animals respond to aerosol challenge via secondary serum IgE (but not IgG) responses, and the accumulation of large numbers of allergen‐specific and non‐specific antibody forming cells in respiratory tract regional lymph nodes and in lung and airway tissues; the latter comprise both IgE and IgG plasma cells, which were detected in the approximate ratio of 2.5:1. Moreover, aerosol challenged AM‐depleted animals develop large mononuclear cell infiltrates in the lung and airways, which includes a substantial CD4+ T‐cell component. These results suggest a major role for AM in regulating the magnitude of secondary IgE responses to inhaled allergen.
Protein and allergen content of commercial skin test extracts for soybeans*
Authors: HERIAN A. M. , BUSH R. K. , TAYLOR S. L. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe protein and allergen contents of four commercial soybean skin test extracts were tested by SDS‐PAGE and immunoblotting using sera from soy‐allergic adults. Polyacrylamide gels stained with Coomassie Blue showed an absence of several major soybean proteins, particularly those at higher molecular weights. The acidic subunits of glycinin and beta‐conglycinin, major soybean storage proteins, appear to be absent or present in much reduced amounts. Immunoblots with soy‐allergic sera indicate alteration, reduction, or loss of IgE‐binding in the commercial extracts as compared to extracts of soy flour. In one soy‐allergic patient, skin tests revealed a negative response to three of the commercial soybean extracts and a mild response to one extract. Defatted soy flour obtained from two of the four extract manufacturers was extracted in the laboratory using a standard procedure for the isolation of soybean proteins. In one case, the extract still had an abnormal protein profile on gel electrophoresis while in the other case, the new extraction procedure gave significantly improved extraction of soy protein. Preparation methods appear to be partially responsible for the variable allergen content in commercial soybean skin test extracts.
Prediction of annual variations in atmospheric concentrations of grass pollen. A method based on meteorological factors and grain crop estimates
Authors: SUBIZA J. , MASIELLO J. M. , SUBIZA J. L. , JEREZ M. , HINOJOSA M. , SUBIZA E. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryWe performed an aerobiologic observation of the grasses present in Madrid for 14 years (1978–1991), using volumetric air samplers. The counts obtained show that the major grass pollen release period (average daily grass pollen counts >50 grains/m3 of air) occurs in the months of May and June, although lower counts can occur some days from the end of January onward. There are wide year‐to‐year variations in total atmospheric grass pollen counts, expressed as the total sum of the mean daily concentrations from April 1st to July 30th (ranging from 2568 to 6624). A strong, statistically significant correlation, based on Spearman's rank test and/or simple and multiple linear regressions, was found between the total grass seasonal count and preseasonal rainfall from October to March (R2= 0.64; P= 0.0429). The meteorological variable which gave the correlation with greatest statistical significance (R2= 0.97; P= 0.0016) was the average monthly preseasonal humidity from October to March. A good correlation was also found between March estimates of wheat, rye and barley crops and the total grass count (R2= 0.73; P= 0.006). A model was designed from the above mentioned humidity variable through a multilinear regression analysis, and it was possible to predict, at the beginning of April, total seasonal counts for 1989 (predicted = 5468; actual = 4410; average error = 24%), 1990 (5033; 6090; – 17%)and 1991 (3930; 2568; 53%). These data may help clinicians to predict and prepare themselves for the intensity of the grass pollen season and to explain yearly variations in the severity of symptoms.
The long‐term effect of nedocromil sodium on the maximal degree of airway narrowing to methacholine in atopic asthmatic subjects
Authors: SONT J. K. , BEL E. H. , DIJKMAN J. H. , STERK P. J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryAirway hyperresponsiveness in asthma is characterized by increased airway sensitivity and by excessive maximal airway narrowing. Long‐term inhalation therapy with nedocromil sodium has been shown to reduce increased airway sensitivity in asthma. However, it is unknown whether it also attenuates excessive airway narrowing. We studied the long‐term effects of nedocromil on the maximal degree of airway narrowing to methacholine. Twenty‐seven atopic asthmatic adults (21–39 years), with a measurable maximal‐response plateau on the dose‐response curve (20–55% fall in FEV1), were randomly allocated into two parallel treatment groups. They received either inhaled nedocromil 4 mg q.i.d. or placebo, for 8 weeks following a 2 week baseline period. Every 2 weeks, complete dose‐response curves to inhaled methacholine were obtained. The response was measured by FEV1 and by volume history standardized partial expiratory flow‐volume curves (V̇40p). A maximal‐response plateau was considered if three or more of the highest data points fell within a 5% response range, the maximal response being the average value on the plateau (MFEV1, MV̇40p). Airway sensitivity was defined as the provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PC20FEV1) or 40% fall in V̇40p (PC40V̇40p). Twenty‐four subjects completed the study. Baseline FEV1 or V̇40p did not change during either treatment (P>0.07). There were no significant changes in MFEV1, or MV̇40p during treatment with nedocromil (P>0.07). Neither were these changes significantly different between the two groups (P>0.25). During treatment with nedocromil there was an increase in PC20FEV1 and PC40V̇40p, which was maximal at 6 weeks (mean change±s.d.: 1.0±0.9 doubling dose (DD), and 0.8±0.7 DD, respectively, P= 0.002). The changes in PC20 and PC40 were significantly different between the nedocromil and the placebo group (P<0.05). We conclude that long‐term treatment with nedocromil, in spite of reducing airway sensitivity, does not reduce the maximal degree of airway narrowing to methacholine in mild to moderate asthmatics. This suggests that nedocromil may not be sufficient in the prevention of excessive airway narrowing in asthma.
Can fatal asthma be prevented?—a personal view
Authors: SERAFINI U. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryAn increase in the mortality rate from asthma in several countries has been observed in recent years, notwithstanding the great improvement in pathophysiological findings and the introduction of new effective therapeutic agents. The phenomenon is difficult to explain but the causes of death and identification of high‐risk patients have been widely studied. It is suggested that the most vital aim for physicians is the avoidance of those factors which may contribute to death from asthma. These are particularly: inadequate assessment of its severity by patients, general practitioners and hospital doctors, and inadequate and inappropriate treatment. From the diagnostic point of view, the measurement of airflow rates is necessary to establish the diagnosis in terms of reversibility, quantify the severity and assess the response to therapy. The different entity of reversibility of bronchial obstruction is due to the various mechanisms intervening in different patients. After adequate treatment, according to our observations, the reversibility is more complete in young people and when the duration of the disease is less than 2 years. Trigger factors must also be considered. From the therapeutic point of view, considering that the most important alteration in asthma is the inflammation of bronchial structures with intervention of several inflammatory cells and of numerous different chemical mediators, physicians have to apply treatment aimed at reducing inflammation rather than relying on symptomatic bronchodilator remedies. Treatment should be divided into three phases, according to symptoms: induction, consolidation and maintenance. Finally, on the basis of data here presented and of clinical experience, the essential measures for the prevention of asthma mortality are reported. If general practitioners take them into account, deaths from asthma will be reduced to a minimum.
Variability of crossreactivity of IgE antibodies to group I and V allergens in eight grass pollen species
Authors: VAN REE R. , DRIESSEN M. N. B. M. , VAN LEEUWEN W. A. , STAPEL S. O. , AALBERSE R. C. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryCrossreactivity to Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Phleum pratense, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Secale cereale, Zen mays, and Phragmites communis of IgE antibodies against Lol p I or Lol p V was investigated by means of RAST‐inhibition. Within a group of sera the degree of crossreactivity was demonstrated to be highly variable. Individual sera were not always equally crossreactive to all pollen species. A high degree of crossreactivity for Group I allergens did not necessarily implicate the same for Group V. Group I and Group V representatives were found to be present in all eight species. It was demonstrated that within this group of grass species significant quantitative and qualitative differences exist, with respect to Group I and Group V allergens. Species with a low phylogenetic affinity to Lolium perenne, like Zea mays and Phragmites communis showed a very low degree of reactivity, even when measured with the most crossreactive sera. A higher taxonomic relationship however, did not always implicate a closer antigenic resemblance. Antigenically both allergens from Zea mays are more similar to Lol p I and Lol p V, than the analogues in Secale cereale.
Influence of a positive family history and associated allergic diseases on the natural course of asthma
Authors: ROORDA R. J. , GERRITSEN J. , VAN AALDEREN W. M. C. , KNOL K. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe outcome of childhood asthma was studied in a cohort of 406 asthmatic children, with emphasis on the influence of family history for allergic disease, as well as the influence of associated allergic diseases on prognosis. Sixty‐two per cent had a positive family history for atopy. In young adulthood no differences, either in symptoms or lung function were demonstrated in comparison to subjects with a negative family history. Fifty‐two per cent of the children had no other allergic disease, 48% had either eczema or hay fever or both. When subjects were stratified based on associated allergic disease, no differences in outcome in adulthood were revealed either. It is concluded that neither a positive family history, nor concurrent associated allergic diseases in the child contribute to the prognosis of asthma from childhood to young adulthood. Therefore, environmental factors as well as patient characteristics (including lung function level, level of bronchial responsiveness) are likely to be more important for the prognosis.
The allergen specific B‐cell response during immunotherapy
Authors: SPARHOLT S. H. , OLSEN O. T. , SCHOU C. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe paper examines the allergen specific B‐cell response in peripheral blood from patients undergoing immunotherapy with house dust mite extract. The 12 patients were part of a double blind placebo controlled study, and they were treated with either Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (n= 4), Dermatophagoides farinae extract (n= 3) (Alutard SQ, ALK, Denmark) or placebo (n= 5). Blood was taken every fortnight on day seven after hyposensitization and tested for IgM, IgG, IgA and IgE antibody secreting cells (AbSC) to D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae allergens and for the total number of immunoglobulin secreting cells (IgSC). The data showed a maximum of approximately 120 Der f I + II specific AbSC/106 mononuclear cells (MNC). A comparison of specific AbSC to the major allergens of the two house dust mites demonstrated that there was no measurable species specificity in the B‐cell response that could be correlated to immunotherapy with either of the two extracts. The specific IgM, IgG, and IgA response to Der f I + II was examined in the placebo (39 measurements) and the actively treated (56 measurements) groups, and the results demonstrated a significant rise in specific IgM and IgA AbSC following immunotherapy. The number of specific IgG AbSC did not change. There was a mean of less than one specific IgE AbSC/106 MNC, and no detectable change following the treatment. It is speculated that immunotherapy to inhalant allergens causes the induction of specific IgA AbSC. It would then be these partly differentiated plasma cells that are detected on their way to the bronchial or gut mucosa to exert their protective function mediated by allergen specific secretory IgA.
Effect of topical application with capsaicin on skin responses to bradykinin and histamine in man
Authors: CRIMI N. , POLOSA R. , MACCARRONE C. , PALERMO B. , PALERMO F. , MISTRETTA A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryPre‐treatment with topical capsaicin is known to induce neuropeptide depletion from sensory nerve endings and it is a useful pharmacological tool to evaluate the contribution of these nerves to skin injury and inflammation. To investigate the relative contribution of sensory neural stimulation to the action of bradykinin and histamine, a randomized, double‐blind study has been undertaken evaluating the effect of topical capsaicin pre‐treatment on the responses to intradermal injections of both agonists in 12 healthy volunteers. Capsaicin pre‐treatment caused significant inhibition of the immediate mean flare responses (95% CI) to both bradykinin (from 51.5 [39.7–63.3] mm2 to 16.2 [8.0–24.5] mm2) (P < 0.01) and histamine (from 108.4 [80.4–136.4] mm2 to 52.3 [37.1–67.1] mm2) (P < 0.01). Topical capsaicin elicited a significant inhibition of the weal response induced by histamine, the mean weal area being reduced from 14.8 (12.6–17.0) mm2 to 12.1 (10.1–14.1) mm2 (P < 0.05). In addition, the effect of topical capsaicin was to completely inhibit the bradykinin induced weal response compared to control, the mean weal area (95% CI) being reduced from 13.4(11.4–15.4) mm2 to 8.2 (5.3–11.0) mm2 (P < 0.01). Our findings show that repealed topical application with capsaicin led to a significant reduction of the skin responses to intradermal injections with both agonists, and particularly with bradykinin. The weal responsiveness to bradykinin may entirely follow neuropeptide release from sensory nerves within the skin and the same applies to the flare response, although this is not completely inhibited by topical application with capsaicin.
Bronchial responsiveness to exercise in a random sample of 494 children and adolescents from Copenhagen
Authors: BACKER V. , ULRIK C. S. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryTo investigate the bronchial response to exercise, we studied a random sample of 494 children and adolescents, aged 7–16 years, from Copenhagen. Exercise challenge consisted of steady running on a 10% sloping treadmill for 6 min in a climate chamber. Furthermore, in 464 subjects a histamine challenge test was also performed. Of the 494 subjects studied, 81 (16%) had at least 10% and 30 (6%) at least 15% reduction in FEV1 within 15 min after exercise. Twenty‐nine (6%) subjects had bronchial hyperresponsiveness to both histamine and exercise, 48 (10%) subjects had bronchial hyperresponsiveness to exercise, but histamine responsiveness within the normal range, whereas 340 (73%) subjects had neither bronchial hyperresponsiveness to exercise nor inhaled histamine. With regard to the presence of asthma defined as substantial exercise induced bronchoconstriction (Δ‐FEV1≥10%), exercise testing may not be appropriate for identifying clinical asthma in a random sample, because the highest predictive value of a positive lest was 25%. On the other hand, a history of clinical asthma was frequently associated with increased bronchial responsiveness to exercise (77%). In conclusion, 16% of a random sample of children and adolescents had abnormal bronchial responsiveness to exercise (ΔFEV1≥10%), 6% of the subjects had a ΔFEV1≥15%. Furthermore, because of a low predictive value of a positive test, the exercise challenge test has only a supplementary role in the detection of clinical asthma in population samples.
IgE antibodies to Pityrosporum orbiculare and Staphylococcus aureus in patients with very high serum total IgE
Authors: NORDVALL S. L. , LINDGREN L. , JOHANSSON S. G. O. , JOHANSSON S. , PETRINI B. 
Published: April 2006

SummarySerum IgE antibodies were detected with the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) to a panel of allergens which included Pityrosporum orbiculare, Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum, Cladosporium herbarum, Staphylococcus aureus, animal dander, deciduous tree pollens, grass pollens and foods in 81 consecutive patients with total IgE ≥ 3000 kU/1. Data on atopic and infectious disease characteristics were collected by a questionnaire. IgE antibody concentrations to P. orbiculare were significantly higher than to the other fungi and of the same magnitude as those to animal danders and pollens. High levels of P. orbiculare IgE antibodies were associated with current eczema, especially when it was the only atopic manifestation and demanding specialist care. IgE antibodies to P. orbiculare had the best explanatory value for current eczema in logistic regression analysis. Head‐neck‐face dermatitis was also associated with high levels of specific IgE to the yeast. IgE antibodies to S. aureus were detected in few patients and at low concentrations. Six patients had a history of systemic staphylococcal infections and presented a clinical picture, which was very similar to the hyperimmunoglobulinaemia E syndrome. Among the six were the two cases with the highest levels of IgE antibodies to S. aureus. The demonstration of high levels of IgE antibodies to P. orbiculare, which is a major part of human normal skin microflora, suggests that allergy to this yeast plays an important pathogenic role in eczema.