bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exudative hyperresponsiveness of the airway microcirculation in seasonal allergic rhinitis
Authors: SVENSSON C. , ANDERSSON M. , ALKNER L. GREIFF. U. , PERSSON C. G. A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
Mucosal exudation of plasma is a non‐injurious, physiological response of the airway microcirculation to different inflammatory processes. The exudative response is similar in the nose and bronchi and exudation occurs in both allergic asthma and rhinitis. The educative response is a specific end‐organ function of the mucosal microcirculation that may be altered in airway diseases.Objective
This study examines the hypothesis of altered responsiveness of the superficial airway microcirculation to vascular permeability‐increasing challenges in sustained allergic inflammation.Methods
Fourteen patients with birch‐pollen induced allergic rhinitis were studied for 7 weeks during a Swedish birch‐pollen season. Nasal symptoms (itching, sneezing. blockage, and discharge) were recorded and the occurrence of pollen was determined. The plasma exudation response was examined by topical histamine challenges at the end (May) and well out of (December) the season. Challenge and lavage were carried out concomitantly using a‘nasal pool’ ‐device. The unilateral nasal cavity was filled for consecutive 10 minute periods with saline and two concentrations of histamine (80μg/ mL and 400μg/mL). The lavage fluid levels of different‐sized plasma proteins (albumin‐66 000 D. fibrinogen‐340000 D, and α2‐macroglobulin‐725000D) were determined.Results
The pollen season was mild resulting in only minor nasal symptoms. Histamine produced exudation of all plasma proteins across the microvascular epithelial barriers with particularly strong correlation between the levels of albumin and α2‐macroglobulin (r =0.98; P< 0.001). The exudative response to histamine was concentration‐dependent (P<0.05) and, furthermore, it was significantly greater late into the season compared with outside the pollen season (albumin: P < 0.05. tibrinogen: P<0.05. α2‐macroglobulin: P<0.01).Conclusion
We conclude that histamine produced concentration‐dependent nasal airway exudation of bulk plasma in subjects with seasonal rhinitis and that this response is abnormally great during the pollen season. Whether angiogenesis or increased responsiveness of the mierovascular endothelium may explain this phenomenon now remains unknown. We suggest that a mierovascular exudative hyperresponsiveness may characterize allergic airway disease.
Effect of intranasal fluticasone proprionate on the immediate and late allergic reaction and nasal hyperreactivity in patients with a house dust mite allergy
Authors: DE GRAAF‐IN'T VELD C. , GARRELDS I. M. , JANSEN A. P. H. , VAN TOORENENBERGEN A. W. , MULDER P. G. H. , MEEUWIS J. , VAN WIJK R. GERTH 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
Patients with perennial allergic rhinitis develop nasal symptoms not only after allergen exposure, but generally also after non‐specific stimuli.Objective
To evaluate the effect of 2 week's treatment with fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray (FPANS) on the nasal clinical response, inflammatory mediators and nasal hyperreactivity.Methods
Twenty‐four rhinitis patients allergic to house dust mite (HDM). participated in a douhle‐blind. placebo‐controlled crossover study. After 2 week's treatment with placebo or 200 μg FPANS twice daily, patients were challenged with HDM extract. Symptoms were recorded and nasal lavages were collected for up to 9.5 h after challenge. Nasal hyperreaclivity was determined by histamine challenge 24 h later. Results Because of a carry‐over effect for the immediate symptom score, for this variable only the data from the first treatment period were used. FPANS treatment resulted in a significant decrease of nasal symptoms with 70%. 69% and 63% after 100. 1000 and 10000 Biological Units (BU)/mL of HDM extract respectively. Active treatment resulted in a 76% decrease of the late‐phase symptoms. FPANS treatment significantly reduced albumin influx after HDM 1000 BU/mL with 62% and tended to reduce tryptase release after HDM 1000 BU ml. (P 0.0629). During the late phase FPANS treatment reduced albumin influx with 67% and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) release with 83%. No effect of FPANS was seen on histamine levels. FPANS significantly decreased histamine‐induced symptom score with 34%, secretion with 32%, and sneezes with 41%.Conclusion
FPANS significantly inhibits the immediate and late allergic response, and nasal hyperreactivity, probably by suppressing mast cells and eosinophils in the nasal mucosa.
Anaphylactic reaction to lychee fruit: evidence for sensitization to profilin
Authors: FÄR J. , WÜTHRICH B. , VIETHS S. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground and Objective
Due to the increasing popularity of exotic fruits in the Western diet, allergologists are confronted with allergic reactions to substances in these plants. The present report describes an anaphylactic reaction after the consumption of lychee fruit (Litchi sinensis). The atopic patient also suffers from rhinoconjunctivitis due to a sensitization against pollen of the Compositae family as well as from dyspnoea after eating sunflower seeds. Our goals were to determine crossreactivity between antibodies against lychee fruit and other plants and to characterize the allergen.Methods and results
Specific IgE against lychee fruits were detected by an EAST assay. The allergen was characterized by immunoblot, immunoblot inhibition and KAST inhibition assays. Broad crossreactivity between lychee fruit and other plants was found and profilin identified as the protein responsible for the patient's complex allergy syndrome.Conclusion
Lychee fruit contains a significant amount of profilin. Consumption of this exotic fruit can cause severe anaphylactic reactions in patients being sensitized against the plant pan‐allergen profilin.
Introduction to positional cloning
Authors: PAPADOPOULOS N. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe most common procedure for isolating genes that predispose to a certain disease is positional cloning. This process is initiated by mapping the responsible gene to its location on a chromosome linked to the disease. Successive cloning of the region results in the isolation of candidate genes. Finally, identification of mutations by mutational analysis points to the correct gene.
Oral antihistamine/decongestant treatment compared with intranasal corticosteroids in seasonal allergic rhinitis
Authors: NEGRINI A. C. , TROISE C. , VOLTOLINI S. , HORAK F. , BACHERT C. , JANSSENS M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThis international, multicentre, randomized, double‐blind, double‐dummy, parallel‐group trial was undertaken to compare the efficacy and tolerability of once‐daily astemizole‐D (10mg astemizole plus 240 mg pseudoephedrine) with beclomethasone nasal spray (0.05mg/ml) two puffs/nostril administered twice daily in a total of 204 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Treatment duration was 4 weeks, Although investigator assessments of symptom severity were generally comparable in the two treatment groups throughout the trial, statistically significant differences in favour of astemizole‐D for sneezing and ocular symptoms were apparent at the end of the 4‐week treatment period (P < 0.05). Patient diary data support these findings, with significant differences in favour of the antihistamine/decongestant combination reported for ocular symptoms after 2 weeks of treatment (P < 0.05) and non‐significant trends for sneezing after 2 weeks and ocular symptoms over the entire treatment period (P= 0.07). Use of rescue medication for ocular symptoms was also significantly lower in the astemizole‐D treatment group (P < 0.05). A wide range of adverse experiences were reported, however, there were no statistically significant differences in the type or incidence of those between the two treatment groups. In conclusion, astemizole‐D appears to be at least as effective and well tolerated as intranasal beclomethasone in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis, providing at least comparable relief from all nasal symptoms including congestion and significantly greater relief from ocular symptoms than the topical steroid.
Chronic asthma and chiropractic spinal manipulation: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: NIELSEN N. H. , BRONFORT G. , BENDIX T. , MADSEN F. , WEEKE B. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe purpose of this randomized patient‐ and observer‐blinded cross‐over trial was to evaluate the efficacy of chiropractic treatment in the management of chronic asthma when combined with pharmaceutical maintenance therapy. The trial was conducted at the National University Hospital's Out‐patient Clinic in Copenhagen, Denmark. Thirty‐one patients aged 18–44 years participated, all suffering from chronic asthma controlled by bronchodilators and/or inhaled steroids. Patients, or who had received chiropractic treatment for asthma within the last 5 years, who received oral steroids and immunotherapy, were not eligible. Patients were randomized to receive either active chiropractic spinal manipulative treatment or sham chiropractic spinal manipulative treatment twice weekly for 4 weeks, and then crossed over to the alternative treatment for another 4 weeks. Both phases were preceded and followed by a 2‐week period without chiropractic treatment. The main outcome measurements were forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), daily use of inhaled bronchodilators, patient‐rated asthma severity and non‐specific bronchial reactivity (n‐BR). Using the cross‐over analysis, no clinically important or statistically significant differences were found between the active and sham chiropractic interventions on any of the main or secondary outcome measures. Objective lung function did not change during the study, but over the course of the study, non‐specific bronchial hyperreactivity (n‐BR) improved by 36% (P= 0.01) and patient‐rated asthma severity decreased by 34% (P= 0.0002) compared with the baseline values. The results do not support the hypothesis that chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy is superior to sham spinal manipulation in the management of pharmaceutically controlled chronic asthma in adults when administered twice weekly for 4 weeks.
Pollen allergy in the Bilbao area (European Atlantic seaboard climate): pollination forecasting methods
Authors: ANTÉPARA I. , FERNÁNDEZ J. C. , GAMBOA P. , JAUREGUI I. , MIGUEL F. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryForecasting pollination can help the allergist to establish the appropriate treatment and advice for patients. Based on previous studies, we have related the climate variables with the grass pollen counts in the search for pollination predictors. By relating the meteorological data of the temperature recorded every 6h and of the rainfall in hourly periods, together with the daily pollen counts obtained by the Hirst volumetric system, over a period of 3 years, we have tried to predict the start, duration and severity of the grass pollination, as well as the days of peak pollination. We have established a relationship by means of a polynomic regression originating from the mean cumulated temperature higher than 9°C [R2= 0.927 (P= 0.0001)], with the pollination season starting from 300°C and the maximum peak at 356°C, in the 3 years of the study. During the days of pollination, peaks higher than 50 grains/m3 coincide with average daily temperatures of 18.7±3 and lower than 50 grains/m3 with temperatures of 16.8 ± 3 (significant to 95%). The duration of the pollination is influenced by the cumulated average temperatures (from 800 to 900°C) and especially by precipitation at the start of and during pollination. In order to forecast grass pollination, the cumulated average temperatures are useful, starting from a basal (9°C), pollination begins when this sum is greater than 300°C, whereas when 800°C is reached and depending on the rainfall during the season, pollination will end. The total severity of pollination seems to depend on the rainfall prior (in the same year) to the start. During pollination, the days with an average temperature of 18.7 ± 3°C and an absence of rainfall between 4 and 12 h, will be the days with a presence of more than 50 grains/m3. Thus, it is possible to forecast and estimate risk factors in the long‐term (by means of the rainfall prior to pollination) and in the short‐term (for the following day, if a weather forecast is available) so as to offer it to those members of the population affected by pollinosis.
Immunotherapy with Alpare® in patients with respiratory allergy to Parietaria pollen: a two year double‐blind placebo‐controlled study
Authors: D'AMATO G. , KORDASH T. R. , LICCARDI G. , LOBEFALO G. , CAZZOLA M. , FRESHWATER L. L. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryAllergy to Parietaria judaica pollen causes significant morbidity in many areas of the world. In addition to rhinitis, patients who are allergic to this pollen have a high incidence of asthma. The pollinating season is long, making this particular allergy challenging for clinicians to treat. This study was designed to determine if immunotherapy with an alum adsorbed partially purified Parietaria extract (Alpare Parietaria) containing a targeted maintenance dose of 12 500 BUs was effective in decreasing rhinitis symptoms in patients allergic to Parieiaria. Using a double‐blind placebo‐controlled technique 36 patients received placebo or active extract for 2 years. Twenty (11 placebo and nine active) completed the 2 year study. Efficacy of treatment was evaluated by determining changes in skin reactivity, visual analog scores, diary symptom scores and end of study assessments. Reactions were monitored as well. Skin‐test suppression was marginally significant in the actively treated group after 1 year and showed even more significant suppression after the second year. Nasal block, rhinorrhoea and sneezing all were significantly decreased in the active group. The nasal provocation test did not show a significant change after 1 year, in either group, but after 2 years of treatment the active group did show significant improvement. Although almost all patients in the actively treated group experienced local reactions, the incidence of systemic reactions was not different between the two groups. In conclusion, immunotherapy with this extract at this dose was effective in ameliorated rhinitis symptoms in patients allergic to Parietaria judaica.
Substance P induces histamine release from human pulmonary mast cells
Authors: HEANEY L. G. , CROSS L. J. M. , STANFORD C. F. , ENNIS M. 
Published: April 2006

SummarySubstance P elicits histamine release from human skin and rodent mast cells. Since neuropeptide‐mediated reflexes may be important in asthma, we examined the ability of substance P to stimulate human mast cells obtained at bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). BAL samples were obtained at routine bronchoscopy from 35 non‐preselected patients. Histamine release experiments were performed in a standard manner using substance P and the calcium ionophore A23187. Both substance P (50 μM) and A23187 caused histamine release (median 26.7%, range 6.2–62.8% and 32.1%, 7.7–56.8% respectively) which was significantly greater (P < 0.0001) than the spontaneous release (median 15.6%, range 4.1–33.4%), i.e. that in the absence of any stimulus. Substance P induced histamine release was via an energy dependent process and was blocked by preincubation with antimycin A. A significant correlation was observed between substance P induced release and spontaneous release but was not observed with A23187 induced release. Mast cell counts correlated significantly with substance P induced release but not with spontaneous or A23187 induced release. The substance P induced histamine secretion was elicited at similar concentrations to those used with rodent and human skin mast cells. Asthma is associated with increased numbers of mast cells which have both increased spontaneous and stimulated secretory responses. Thus, in vivo, the bronchoconstrictor action of substance P may in part result from activation of mast cells in the bronchial lumen.
Mast cells and T lymphocytes in chronic urticaria
Authors: BARLOW R. J. , ROSS E. L. , MACDONALD D. M. , BLACK A. KOBZA , GREAVES M. W. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryMast cells are considered to be the primary effector cells in urticaria but it is possible that lymphocytes contribute to the formation of weals by secreting histamine releasing factors. The aim of this study was to examine the population of mast cells and to quantify the T cell subsets and their activation status in delayed pressure urticaria (DPU), chronic idiopathic urticaria and normal controls. Three biopsies were obtained from each of four patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria but not DPU. Three biopsies were taken from each of 13 patients with DPU, from a combination of unchallenged skin and at 0, 2, 6, 24, 48 and 120 h after weighted steel rods (diameter 1.5 cm) had been applied to the thighs. Three biopsies were similarly obtained from each of four normal controls before an identical pressure challenge and at 6, 24 and 48 h afterwards. The chloracetate esterase stain was used to demonstrate mast cells and an alkaline phosphatase anti‐alkaline phosphatase immunohistochemical technique to assess the phenotypic and activation characteristics of the T cell infiltrate. The mast cell count did not differ significantly between unchallenged skin from DPU patients and normal controls. Following a pressure challenge to the DPU patients, the number of stainable mast cells decreased significantly to a level comparable with that in spontaneous weals of chronic idiopathic urticaria. Investigation of T cell subsets showed a preponderance of CD4+ cells over CD8+ cells. There was no evidence of T cell activation in chronic idiopathic urticaria or DPU when compared with normal controls. These data support the view that mast cell degranulation occurs in chronic idiopathic urticaria and suggest that it may also play a role in the pathogenesis of DPU. There was no evidence that lymphocyte activation occurs in either condition.
Molecular cloning of cDNA coding for the 68 kDa allergen of Penicillium notatum using MoAbs
Authors: SHEN H‐D. , LIAW S‐F. , LIN W‐L. , RO L‐H. , YANG H‐L. , HAN S‐H. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryTo characterize the 68 kDa allergen of Penicillium notatum (also known as P. chrysogenum), a molecular antibody (MoAb) (P40) was previously generated. For cDNA cloning, three more MoAbs (3F, 5A3, 5G2) were generated in the present study. A mixture of all the four MoAbs was used in cloning of the gene coding for the 68 kDa allergen from a λgt11 cDNA library of P. chrysogenum. A cDNA clone (A6) with DNA insert of about 0.5 kb which encodes for the 3′‐terminal nucleotide sequence of the 68 kDa allergen was obtained. The cloned sequence contained two putative N‐glycosylation sites. The reduction in molecular weight from 68 to 62 kDa in immunoblotting after treatment of the crude extract of P. notatum with N‐glycosidase F indicates that the 68 kDa allergen is a glycoprotein. Nucleotide sequence determination showed that 188 (54%) of the 348 nucleotides of the cDNA sequence obtained were identical to the same region of the nucleotide sequence of the beta‐N‐acetylglucosaminidase gene of Candida albicans. Although the cDNA clone obtained did not encode the full‐length gene of the 68 kDa allergen, polypeptide expressed from the A6 cDNA showed positive immunological reactivities to all four MoAbs used in the cloning experiment and to IgE antibodies in sera of asthmatic patients. There was a loss of immunoblotting activity to the 68 kDa component after absorption of MoAb P40‐containing culture supernatant with filters blotted on plaque lawns of cDNA clone A6. Moreover, the immunoblotting activity remained when the MoAbs affinity‐purified with filters containing polypeptides encoded by the cDNA insert of clone A6 were used. These two observations indicate that clone A6, which encodes 117 amino acid residues of a putative 560‐residue polypeptide, is a cDNA clone of the 68 kDa component of P. notatum. In conclusion, results obtained from cloning and characterization of a partial cDNA clone described in this study suggest that the 68 kDa allergen of P. notatum is a beta‐N‐acetylglucosaminidase.
Benzalkonium chloride in a decongestant nasal spray aggravates rhinitis medicamentosa in healthy volunteers
Authors: GRAF P. , HALLÉN H. , JUTO J.‐E. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryA randomized double‐blind parallel study with 20 healthy volunteers was performed to research the effect of a preservative in a decongestant nasal spray on the development of rhinitis medicamentosa. Ten subjects received oxymetazoline nasal spray with benzalkonium chloride and the others used oxymetazoline nasal spray without the preservative three times daily for 30 days. Before starting the course of treatment and after its conclusion, recordings of the mucosal surface positions were made with rhinostereometry followed by histamine challenge tests. Symptoms of nasal stuffiness were estimated on visual analogue scales (0–100) in the morning and the evening just before using the nasal spray. After 30 days, rebound swelling and nasal stuffiness were found in both groups. In the group receiving oxymetazoline nasal spray with benzalkonium chloride the mean rebound swelling was 1.1 mm and the estimated mean evening symptom score for nasal stuffiness was 43. In the group without benzalkonium chloride the corresponding variables were significantly less marked, with a mean rebound swelling of 0.5 mm (P<0.05) and a mean evening symptom score of 25 (P<0.05). The increase in histamine sensitivity in both groups was interpreted as a sign of nasal hyperreactivity. A new type of nasal spray bottle was used that has been shown to prevent bacterial contamination. In conclusion, the long‐term use of benzalkonium chloride in oxymetazoline nasal spray accentuates the severity of rhinitis medicamentosa in healthy volunteers.
Sensitization to Ganoderma lucidum in patients with respiratory allergy in India
Authors: SINGH A. B. , GUPTA S. K. , PEREIRA B. M. J. , PRAKASH D. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryAlthough human sensitization to basidiomycete Ganoderma has been reported in New Zealand. North America and Europe, hypersensitivity due to this fungi is not known in India, in spite of its prevalence in the atmosphere. We have studied the atmospheric concentration of Ganoderma in different localities within Delhi and the sensitization level to this fungi amongst the Indian population. Aerobiological sampling, using a Burkard personal slide sampler, was carried out in Delhi for 2 consecutive years (October 1989 September 1991). The sampler was operated at 10 day regular intervals for 10min to trap the spores. The peak season for Ganoderma is recorded from July to September with highest average monthly catch of 336 spores/m3 in September 1991 from south Delhi. Antigenic extracts were prepared from both, the spores and whole body of Ganoderma lucidum. The results of intradermal skin tests conducted on 172 patients revealed that 28.48% and 17.44% of patients showed marked skin reactivity to spore and whole body extracts, respectively. A significant correlation (r= 0.963, P < 0.01) was found between intradermal and skin‐prick tests. More than 80% of the intradermal test positive patients had significantly (P < 0.01) elevated IgE antibodies to the fungi in question. Thus, sensitization to Ganoderma lucidum has been reported for the first time in the atopic population of India.