bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation of possible adverse allergic reactions to mycoprotein (‘Quorn’)
Authors: TEE R. D. , GORDON D. J. , WELCH J. A. , TAYLOR A. J. NEWMAN 
Published: April 2006

SummaryMycoprotein (‘Quorn’) is a food produced for human consumption from Fusetrium graminearum. Crossreactivity studies showed that mycoprotein shared multiple common allergenic determinants with Aspergillus fumigates and Cladosporium herbarum and some with Alternaria alternata. There is. therefore, a potential for mould allergic patients to react adversely to inhaled or ingested mycoprotein. Mycoprotein RAST screening of mycoprotein production workers was made during a 2 year period. Two of the production workers had specific RAST binding ≥2% but none reported symptoms. Two of 10 patients referred to hospital following vomiting and diarrhoea after ingestion of mycoprotein had a mycoprotein skin‐prick test weal ≥2 mm but none had a significantly raised RAST. These largely negative results are important and reassuring because consumption of the product in the U.K. is now widespread and increasing.
Sensitization to a weed pollen in a non‐atopic subject during a clinical study. A case report
Authors: GARCÍA‐ORTEGA P. , MARTÍNEZ A. , MARTÍNEZ J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe case of a non‐atopic subject developing occupational sensitization and allergic rhinitis to Mercurialis annua pollen after intense exposure is described. The subject was involved in a clinical study by handling flowering plants daily. Preventive measures should be taken even in non‐atopic subjects exposed temporarily to proteins or potentially allergenic material.
Mite fauna, Der p I, Der f I and Blomia tropicalis allergen levels in a tropical environment
Authors: FERNÁNDEZ‐CALDAS E. , PUERTA L. , MERCADO D. , LOCKEY R. F. , CARABALLO L. R. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryFifty dust samples were collected from the mattresses and bedroom floors of 25 subjects with allergic asthma in Cartagena, Colombia, in order to identify house dust mites and quantitate Der p I, Derf I and Blomia tropicalis allergens. The geometric mean of the total mite density per gram of dust was 418 (range, 40–2280). Twenty‐two samples (44%) had more than 500 mites and four, less than 100. B. tropicalis and Dermatopha‐goides pteronyssinus were found in 96% and 90% of the samples, accounting for 40.1% and 35.7% of the total mites, respectively. Cheyletus malaccensis, Chortoglyphus arcuatus, Pyroglyphus africanus, Orihatids, Grallacheles bakeri. Tarsonemus spp., Suidasia spp., Dermatophagoides farinae and unidentified mites accounted for the rest. The geometric mean of the total mites/gram of dust in mattresses (563.9) was significantly higher than in floor dust (309. 1), P < 0.01. Allergen concentrations and mite numbers were analysed by Spearman rank correlations: B. tropicalis mites vs B. tropicalis allergen, r= 0.54, P<0.001; D. pteronyssinus mites vs Der p I, r= 0.52, P< 0.001. A negative correlation was obtained between B. tropicalis mites and Der p I. Allergens derived from B. tropicalis and other domestic mite species may play an important role in sensitization and allergic symptoms in Cartagena, Colombia.
Allergens from birch pollen and pollen of the European chestnut share common epitopes
Authors: HIRSCHWEHR R. , JÄGER S. , HORAK F. , FERREIRA F. , VALENTA R. , EBNER C. , KRAFT D. , SCHEINER O. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryType I allergy to pollen of the European chestnut (Castanea sativa) represents a major cause of pollinosis in (sub) Mediterranean areas. Using sera from 14 patients with established allergy to pollen of the European chestnut, 13/14 sera (92%) showed IgE‐binding to a 22 kD protein, 2/14(14%) displayed additional binding to a 14 kD protein and 1/14 (7%) bound only to the 14 kD protein of European chestnut pollen extract. Two monoclonal mouse antibodies, BIP 1 and BIP 4, directed against different epitopes of Bet v I (the major birch pollen allergen), and a rabbit antibody to recombinant birch profilin (rBet v II) were used to characterize the proteins of the European chestnut pollen. The recombinant birch pollen allergens, r Bet v I and r Bet v II (profilin) were employed to show common allergenic structures on proteins from both birch and European chestnut pollen by IgE‐inhibition experiments. Despite the fact that the 22 kD protein displayed a higher molecular weight in comparison to the 17 kD major birch pollen allergen, Bet v I, we could demonstrate reactivity of both monoclonal antibodies, BIP 1 and BIP 4, with this protein. A complete inhibiton of IgE‐binding to this 22 kD protein was shown by pre‐incubating sera with purified recombinant Set r I. In addition, the 14kD protein could be identified by IgE‐inhibition studies with recombinant Bet v II and by using a rabbit anti‐profilin antibody as the profilin from pollen of the European chestnut.
IgE specific immune responses to an African grass (Kikuyu, Pennisetum clandestinum)
Authors: POTTER P. C. , MATHER S. , LOCKEY P. , AINSLIE G. , CADMAN A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryKikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandeminum) is widely used as a grazing pasture in Africa and, although it is extensively cultivated as a lawn for sports fields and domestic gardens, its allergenicity has never been studied in vitro. Using an extract of Kikuyu grass pollen, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Western blotting and a monoclonal anti‐human IgE antibody, the specific IgE binding, in the serum of 160 allergic and non‐allergic patients in the Cape Town area, to a Kikuyu grass extract was studied. IgE in the sera of 43/104 known grass‐allergic individuals hound to Kikuyu grass on the Western blots. In addition, 4/28 ‘non‐allergic’ control subjects were found to have Kikuyu grass‐specific IgE. Five different profiles of specific IgE reactivity to Kikuyu grass antigens were oberved. In 29/43 patients, IgE bound to two dominant 48 and 70 kD allergens in the Kikuyu extract. Although a degree of cross‐reactivity with Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylis) was found in immunoabsorption studies, the 48 and 70 kD allergens appear to be unique to Kikuyu grass. Exposure of heparinized blood from Kikuyu grass‐positive patients to the Kikuyu extract stimulated the release of histamine from their basophils in vitro. Kikuyu grass pollen is thus identified as an important aero‐allergen in South Africa.
Gastrointestinal stability of baker's yeast allergens: an in vitro study
Authors: KORTEKANGAS‐SAVOLAINEN O. , SAVOLAINEN J. , EINARSSON R. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryAn in vitro model was established to study the stability of baker's yeast (Saccharomvces cerevisiae) allergens in conditions simulating the gastrointestinal tract. The protocol consisted of 2 hr incubation under gastric conditions (pH 1.2, +37°C and gastric enzymes) and 2 hr incubation under duodenal conditions (pH 6.8, + 37°C and duodenal enzymes). These were studied together and separately, as well as under pure acidic conditions without gastric enzymes. The yeast extracts contained equal amounts of allergen and were analysed by IgE‐immunoblotting. The acidic conditions had partly an enhancing and slightly degrading effect on the yeast allergens, whereas the gastric enzymes destroyed several allergens, including the important intermediate allergens of 31 and 45 kD. After treatment under both gastric and duodenal conditions most of the yeast allergens were destroyed, except mannan and a 10 kD protein component. The findings suggest that the allergen exposure caused by baker's yeast lakes place mainly on the mucosal surfaces orally and oesophageally and through viable baker's yeast organisms that manage to pass the stomach and duodenum and possibly lead to intestinal growth of the organism. Patients with IgE production against the 10 kD allergen and mannan are, however, moderately exposed to allergens consisting of soluble antigenic material only.
Venom‐specific IgG antibodies in bee and wasp allergy: lack of correlation with protection from stings
Authors: EWAN P. W. , DEIGHTON J. , WILSON A. B. , LACHMANN P. J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThis paper investigates the relationship between venom IgG levels and protection from stings. Venom‐specific IgG antibody levels have been measured by radioimmunoassay in untreated wasp‐ (n= 38) and bee‐allergic (n=16) patients presenting with systemic reactions to stings and in a sub‐group of these (wasp= 15; bee = 9), before and after the initial course of venom immunotherapy (VIT). A history was taken of all reactions, the last systemic reaction being graded on a scale of 1–8 and of the number and timing of stings. In untreated patients venom IgG levels were much higher in bee‐allergic patients (mean ± s.e. = 68.2 ± 7.1 % positive pool) than in the wasp group (27.1 ± 4.2%) (P< 0.05 Mann‐Whitney U‐test). There was a marked rise in venom IgG after the initial course of VIT in the wasp group (geometric mean and 95% confidence intervals = 40.5%, 28.8−54.3) but a much smaller rise in the bee group (15.3%, 6.6–24.1), with no overlap in the 95% confidence intervals. Bee patients, who were mainly beekeepers or their relatives, had been more heavily immunized with venom than wasp patients. They had received: (i) more stings (mean number of stings: bee, 26; wasp, 4; P< 0.001) and (ii) more stings per year. Wasp patients received their smaller number of stings over a much longer period, up to 40 yr. There was no correlation between the severity of the last systemic reaction and the venom IgG levels alone or venom IgG and IgE levels in combined analysis in either bee or wasp patients. This study shows that the pattern of IgG response differs in bee and wasp‐allergic subjects, and that most bee‐allergic subjects with systemic reactions have high levels of venom IgG. The degree of immunization with venom seems to be an important determinant of the venom IgG level. Our findings suggest thai venom‐specific IgG levels do not predict systemic reactions to stings and are not useful for monitoring VIT. If protection from stings is IgG‐mediated, our observations suggest that the relevant immune response is more complex, possibly involving IgG sub‐classes, IgG antibodies to individual venom antigens or antibody affinity, and not adequately reflected by measurement of the concentration of venom‐specific IgG.
The determinants of airway hyperresponsiveness to hypertonic saline in atopic asthma in vivo. Relationship with sub‐populations of peripheral blood leucocytes
Authors: SONT J. K. , BOOMS P. , BEL E. H. , BROUCKE J. P. VANDEN , STERK P. J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryIn patients with asthma there is only a weak relationship between airway responsiveness to hypertonic saline and methacholine. We tested the hypothesis that airway responsiveness to hypertonic saline in asthma is related to the presence and activity of inflammatory cells in the peripheral blood. Nineteen atopic asthmatic adults (19–28 yr; PC20 0.06–12.4 mg/ml), not receiving steroid treatment, entered a methacholine and hypertonic saline period in random order. Dose‐response curves to doubling doses of inhaled methacholine (0.03–256 mg/ml) or hypertonic saline (0.9–14.4% NaCl) were obtained twice in each period, 7 days apart. The response was measured by FEV1 Methacholine responsiveness was measured by PC20 METH of FEV1 and responsiveness to hypertonic saline was expressed as the percentage fall in FEV, after 14.4% NaCl (HYP14.4%). Peripheral blood was collected before the second challenge test of each period. Apart from leucocyte counts and serum eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) level, sub‐sets of lymphocytes (CD4 +/CD3 +, CD8 +/CD3 +, CD25 +/CD4 + and VLA‐1 +/CD4 +) were determined using flowcytornetry. HYP14.4% was positively correlated to basophil, eosinophil and monocyte counts (r = 0.64, 0.54 and 0.44, respectively; P< 0.05). The basophil count remained positively related to HYP 14.4% when PC20 METH or FEV1%pred were entered in multiple linear regression analyses (r = 0.66 and 0.75, respectively; P 0.05). There were no significant relationships between HYP14.4% or PC20 METH on one side and ECP level or T‐lymphocyte subsets on the other (P> 0.05). We conclude that airway responsiveness to hypertonic saline is positively related to the number of peripheral blood basophils, eosinophils and monocytes. Basophil count is an independent correlate of responsiveness to hypertonic saline, after correction for mcthacholine responsiveness and baseline lung function. This fits in with active involvement of basophils in airway narrowing to hypertonic saline in vivo.
Effect of murine recombinant interleukin‐5 on bronchial reactivity in guinea‐pigs
Authors: IWAMA T. , NAGAI H. , TSURUOKA N. , KODA A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryWe have reported that an intratracheal injection of murine recombinant interleukin‐5 (mrIL‐5, 15 μg/0.0 ml/animal) induces the increased number of inflammatory leucocytes and epithelial cells in bronchoaiveolar lavage fluid (BALF) 24 hr after administration of mrIL‐5 in guinea‐pigs [1]. In this paper, we have examined the effects of mrIL‐5 on bronchial reactivity in guinea‐pigs. An intratracheal injection of mrIL‐5 (15 μg/0.0 ml/animal) induced airway hyperresponsiveness to acetytcholine (ACh) which was accompanied with eosinophilia and neutrophilia in blood at 24 hr in guinea‐pigs. Bovine serum albumin (BSA, 15 μg/0.0 ml/animal) used as a reference material did not cause airway hyperresponsiveness, blood eosinophilia and neutrophilia. Prednisotone (20 mg/kg, i.p.) inhibited mrIL‐5‐induccd airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophilia and neutrophilia. Ketotifen (2 mg/kg, i.p.) also reduced this airway hyperresponsiveness and neutrophilia but not eosinophilia. In contrast, the injection of 2% disodium cromoglycale (DSCG) into the trachea showed the tendency of inhibitory effects against mrIL‐5‐induced airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophilia and neutrophilia. The present data indicate that mrIL‐5 induces airway hyperresponsiveness, blood eosinophilia and neutrophilia in guinea‐pigs and that prednisolone and ketotifen inhibit mrIL‐5‐induced airway hyperresponsiveness accompanied with reduction of the increased number of leucocytes, suggesting that eosinophils and neutrophilia in blood may be important for the onset of bronchial hyperresponsiveness caused by mrIL‐5 in guinea‐pigs.
Effect of azelastine on substance P content in bronchoalveolar and nasal lavage fluids of patients with allergic asthma
Authors: NIEBER K. , BAUMGARTEN C. , RATHSACK R. , FURKERT J. , LAAKE E. , MÜLLER S. , KUNKEL G. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe study was carried out to investigate the effect of azelastine on the Substance P (SP) concentration in bronchoalveolar (BAL) and nasal (NAL) lavage obtained from atopic grass pollen asthmatics and non‐atopic healthy subjects. In BAL and NAL fluids there was a significant elevation in the baseline concentration of SP between asthmatics and volunteers. Allergen provocation induced a rise of SP in BAL and NAL in asthmatics, but not in volunteers. Azelastine pre‐treatment resulted in a significant reduction of SP in baseline concentration of SP in BAL and NAL from asthmatics. An elevation of SP in BAL or NAL fluids after allergen provocation was not seen in asthmatics pretreated with azelastine. Azelastine did not influence the SP concentration in BAL and NAL of volunteers.
Treatment of mosquito bites with cetirizine
Authors: REUNALA T. , BRUMMER‐KORVENKONTIO H. , KARPPINEN A. , COULIE P. , PALOSUO T. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryEighteen adult subjects sensitive to mosquito bites participated in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study with 10 mg cetirizine. The drug was given prophylactically and the subjects were then exposed to bites of Aedes communis mosquitoes in the field. Bite lesions were measured and pruritus was scored with a visual analogue scale at 15 min, 60 min, 12 hr and 24 hr. Cetirizine significantly decreased immediate wealing and pruritus and, interestingly, also had a clear effect on the delayed 12 hr and 24 hr bite papules and pruritus. The diameter of a 15 min mosquito‐bite weal was 10.10 ± 10.10 mm (mean ±s.d.) with the placebo and 5.5 ± 5.5 mm with cetirizine treatment (P<0.0). The 15 min pruritus scores were 36.36 ± 25.25 and 11.11±13.13 (P< 0.0), respectively. The diameter of the 24 hr mosquito‐bite lesion was 12.12 ± 21.21 mm with the placebo and 7.7±16.16 mm with cetirizine treatment (P<0.0). The 24 hr pruritus scores were 18.18 ± 25.25 and 6.6±14.14 (P<0.0), respectively. These results indicate that, in mosquito‐sensitive subjects, prophylactically administered cetirizine is an effective drug against both immediate and delayed mosquito‐bite symptoms.
Inhibition of neutral endopeptidase potentiates bronchoconstriction induced by neurokinin A in asthmatic patients
Authors: CRIMI N. , PALERMO F. , OLIVERI R. , POLOSA R. , MAORÌ S. , MISTRETTA A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe endogenous tachykinins exhibit a range of properties which may he relevant in the pathophysiology of asthma. Their effects on the airways seem to be modulated by a variety of lung peptidases, including neutral endopeptidase (NEP). In order to evaluate the potential role of endogenous NEP activity in modulating tachykinins‐induced bronchconstriction in man in vivo, six atopic asthmatic patients, with a mean FEV1 value of 3.38 ± 0.76 1, and a histamine PD20 mean value of 0.024 mg. were studied. The influence of inhaled phosphoramidon (a potent NEP inhibitor) was examined against the NKA‐induced bronchospasm in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled randomized study. Changes in airway calibre were followed as FEV1 and agonists responsiveness expressed as PD20 and PD15 for histamine and NKA respectively. Patients received nebulized phospharamidon sodium salt (10−5 M) or a control solution 10 min prior to the bronchoprovocation test with NKA. No significant difference was noticed between any of the study days and after inhaled phosphoramidon on baseline FEV1 values (3.29 ± 0.90 1) in comparison with the control solution (3.31 ± 0.79 1). Inhaled NKA produced a dose‐dependent fall in FEV1 values in all the subjects studied with a mean PD15 value of 20.91 × 10−9 mol. Phosphoramidon administered by inhalation elicited a significant (P < 0.0l vs baseline and control solution) potentiation in the airway responsiveness to inhaled NKA, the NKA PD15 value decreasing to 9.45 × 10−9 mol. The present study confirms that inhaled NKA induces a dose‐related bronchconstriction in asthmatic patients and demonstrates that inhaled phosphoramidon potentiates NKA‐induced bronchoconstriction.
Cloning and sequencing of the Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus group III allergen, Der p III
Authors: SMITH W.‐A. , CHUA K.‐Y. , KUO M.C. , ROGERS B. L. , THOMAS W. R. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryHouse dust mites are widely recognized as major factors involved in the triggering of allergic diseases such as asthma. It is now apparent that the group III allergens of the Dermatophagoides mite species may play a significant role in a number of house dust mite allergic cases. Natural Der p III was isolated by gel filtration of salt precipitated Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract and as reported previously ran as a doublet of Mr 28 and 30 K on sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE). Natural Der fIII was isolated by affinity purification with the 5A12 monoclonal antibody. Amino acid sequence data was generated for both these proteins which was used to construct DNA probes to screen a Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus cDNA library by hybridization and resulted in the isolation of a recombinant Der p III cDNA clone, P3WSI. The 1059 bp cDNA fragment included a 786 bp open reading frame which encodes a pre‐pro region of 29 amino acids and a mature protein of 232 amino acids with a calculated Mr 24985. A search of the BLAST protein database has confirmed that the Der p III P3WS1 clone is approximately 50% homologous with other trypsin proteins. We have confirmed with both our natural protein sequence and the P3WS1 amino acid sequence data that the group III allergens are trypsin‐like proteins.
Epitope analysis of isoforms of the major allergen Phl p V by fingerprinting and microsequencing
Authors: PETERSEN A. , BECKER W.‐M. , SCHLAAK M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe major allergen of timothy grass pollen (Phleum pratense), designated as Phl p V, consists of isoallergenic components of 38 and 32 kDa with pi values of 5.2 7.5 and 4.8 5 9, respectively. The different‐sized proteins reveal similarities in IgE reactivity, N‐terminal sequence and protein staining. For epitope analysis of these allergens u combination of enzymatic cleavage of electrophoretically separated proteins and iminunoblotting techniques with subsequent N‐terminal sequencing was performed. After isolation of the components from two‐dimensional PAGE gels. proteins were enzymatically cleaved and separated by SDS‐PAGE. By endoproteinase Glu‐C cleavage six IgE‐reactive fragments of each 32 kDa protein and three of each 38 kDa allergen were obtained. Microsequencing of the fragments revealed internal sequences that did not show any similarities between the different‐sized allergens. Therefore, we assume only slight structural variations among allergens of similar sizes, whereas the 32 and 38 kDa proteins reveal great differences.
Onset and duration of inhibition of ipratropium bromide nasal spray on methacholine‐induced nasal secretions
Authors: WAGENMANN M , BAROODY F. M. , JANKOWSKI R. , NADAL J. C. , ROECKER‐COOPER M. , WOOD C. C. , NACLERIO R. M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryWe performed a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled cross‐over study with two different concentrations of ipratropium bromide (Atrovent®) nasal spray to evaluate its onset and duration of inhibition. Twenty‐four subjects with perennial rhinitis participated in the trial. Fifteen minutes to 12 hours after administration of ipratropium bromide (42 or 168 μg/nostril) or placebo nasal spray, methacholine challenges were performed and nasal secretion weights measured. After placebo administration the effect of methacholine remained unchanged over the 12‐h‐period. Both the 42 and 168 μg/nostril doses significantly inhibited the nasal hypersecretions induced by methacholine challenge within 15 min of treatment (P < 0.05). The 168 μg dose of ipratropium bromide continued to significantly reduce secretion weights through 6 hours, but the effectiveness of the 42 μg dose disappeared within 3 h. In addition to having a longer duration, the 168 μg/nostril dose produced approximately twice the inhibitory effect of the 42 μg dose.