bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduced platelet glutathione peroxidase activity and serum selenium concentration in atopic asthmatic patients
Authors: MISSO N. L. A. , POWERS K. A. , GILLON R. L. , STEWART G. A. , THOMPSON P. J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
Asthmatic inflammation results in increased oxygen free radical generation and assessment of the activity of the selenitim (Se) dependent anti‐oxidant enzyme, glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) in asthma may therefore be important. Objective To test the hypothesis that reduced GSH‐Px activity and Se intake contribute to asthmatic infiammation, platelet and whole blood GSH‐Px activities and serum and whole blood Se concentrations were measured and compared in atopic and non‐atopic asthmatic patients and non‐asthmatic control subjects.Methods
GSH‐Px activities of whole blood and isolated platelets were assessed in 41 asthmatic patients (33 atopic) and 41 age‐ and sex‐matched non‐asthmatic sttbjects (15 atopic) by spectrophotometric assay based oti the oxidation of NADPH. Se concentrations were determined by semi‐automated fluorimetric assay. Results Mean (± sd) platelet GSH‐Px activity was lower in asthmatic (89.5 ± 45.7 μmol NADPH oxidized min−1 g−1 of protein) than in non‐asthmatic subjects (109,9 ± 41.9; P= 0.038) and in atopic (89.7 ± 45.1, n = 48) compared with non‐atopie subiects (113.7 ± 40.9, n= 34: P= 0.016). Mean whole blood GSH‐Px activity was also lower in atopic (12.2 ± 5.2 μmol NADPH oxidized min−1 g−1 of Hb) than in non‐atopic subjects (14.5 ± 4.2; P= 0.038). In non‐asthmatic subjects, the mean whole blood GSH‐Px activity was lower in men (9.9 ± 3.5) than in women (14.5 ± 3.7; P = 0.0004) and was positively correlated with age (r= 0.51; P = 0.0006). Mean serum Se was lower in asthmatic (1.07 ± 0.12 μmol/L) than in non‐asthmatic subjects (1.16 ± 0.31; P = 0.036), Using multiple linear regression, asthma was an independent predictor of decreased platelet GSH‐Px after gender, age and serum Se were taken into account (P = 0.048) while atopy was a significant predictor of low whole blood GSH‐Px independent of asthma, gender, age and whole blood Se (P = 0.033).Conclusions
In addition to Se status, atopy, gender and uge all appear to influence GSH‐Px activity, although the relative importance of these factors may difler in asthmatic and non‐asthmatic populations. It seems likely that the reduced activity of this enzyme in platelets und hiood may reflect mechanisms associated with the pathogenesis and severity of asthma.
Absence of linkage between 5q markers and serum IgE levels in four large atopic families
Authors: BLUMENTHAL M. N. , WANG Z. , WEBER J. L. , RICH S. S. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
Both genetic and environmental influences have been suggested to control the immunoglobulin (Ig)E response to allergens and, as a result, provide susceptibility to atopic disease. Two recent reports suggested that a major gene controlling basal IgE levels in humans was transmitted in a pattern consistent with autosomal recessive inheritance and was located on the long arm of chromosome 5 in the interleukin (IL)‐4 gene complex.Objective
The purpose of this report is to evaluate evidence for linkage of IgE with polymorphic genetic markers in the candidate region of 5q in four large pedigrees originally selected for studies of atopy.Method
Four large, highly characterized pedigrees in which IgE levels had been determined and genotypes at markers in the 5q candidate region were evaluated using both lod score and sib pair methods of analysis.Results
In these pedigrees, we reject close to moderate hnkage (up to 5 cM) of an IgE locus with markers on 5q.Conclusion
The genetic aspects of IgE regulation and its role in atopy remain controversial. The data suggest that should major genes be involved in the inheritance of atopy susceptibility, they are likely to be multiple in number and likely to involve interaction with other (exogenous) environmental exposures.
A comparison of the effects of oral cetirizine and inhaled beclomethasone on early and late asthmatic responses to allergen and the associated increase in airways hyperresponsiveness
Authors: BENTLEY A. M. , WALKER S. , HANOTTE F. , DE VOS C. , DURHAM S. R. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
Cetirizine is a non‐sedating H1 antihistamine which is effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and urticaria. It inhibits eosinophil and basophil chemotaxis in late cutaneous allergic reactions in skin windows. Its effect on early (EAR) and late asthmatic reactions (LAR) is less certain.Methods
We examined the effect on EAR and LAR of 3 days treatment with oral cetirizine (15mg twice daily) compared with a single dose of inhaled beclomethasone 10min prior to allergen challenge in a placebo‐controlled (oral and inhaled) doubleblind cross‐over design with three treatment arms separated by 14 days.Results
Cetirizine did not significantly inhibit either the EAR or LAR documented by maximum percentage fall in FEV1 (0‐3 and 6‐9h) or as area under the curve (AUC between 0 and 3 and 6–9 h), Beclomethasone inhibited the LAR compared with placebo (P = 0.02) when expressed as AUC (6–9h). This did not quite reach statistical significance (P = 0.06) when expressed as maximal percentage late fall in FEV1 between 6 and 9h. A greater than twofold increase in airways responsiveness to methacholine was observed 3h after challenge which was significantly reduced by beclomethasone compared with placebo (P < 0.02) and cetirizine (P < 0.05). The data suggest that oral cetirizine does not significantly inhibit either the EAR or LAR. Beclomethasone inhibited both the early increase in airways responsiveness and the subsequent LAR. Our study also confirms the view that early increases in airway responsiveness precede the late response and suggests that these associated events are not dissociable by the pharmacological treatments employed in this study.
Risk factors for latex allergy in patients with spina bifida
Authors: MICHAEL T. , NIGGEMANN B. , MOERS A. , SEIDEL U. , WAHN U. , SCHEFFNER D. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryObjective and methods
In order to study risk factors for latex allergy in patients with spina bifida, we investigated 165 patients with spina bifida (mean age 9 years). Besides answering a questionnaire, patients underwent skin‐prick testing and determination of specific serum IgE to latex as well as a screening test for specific IgE to environmental allergens. A total of 80 patients(49%) were sensitized to latex according to the presence of specific IgE to latex.Results
Skin‐prick tests (SPT) with high ammonia latex milk were performed in 81 of our patients with spina bifida and were positive in 36 patients (46%). Concordance of SPT with specific IgE in serum was good. Nineteen out of 165 patients suffered from a clinically relevant latex allergy: five patients had a history of systemic reactions to latex (e.g. severe bronchospasm, anaphylactic reactions), mostly during surgery. Fourteen patients reported clinical symptoms while inflating a balloon; all these 19 patients were sensitized to latex. Number of operations ranged from one to 26 (mean 5 operations). Concentration of specific IgE to latex in serum correlated well with increasing numbers of operations. Some 32/76 patients (41%) with spina bifida who were sensitized to latex showed an atopic disposition, while 21 out of 81 latex‐negative patients (26%) were atopic. Of 300 consecutive sera (mean age of patients 9 years) sent to our laboratory for routine determination of specific IgE, 144 (48%) were positive in terms of specific IgE to environmental allergens, of which 247144 (17%) were sensitized to latex.Conclusions
From our data we conclude that in order to minimize risk of severe systemic clinical reactions, all patients with spina bifida should be screened for their individual risk of latex allergy to plan preventive measures before operations. Main risk factors for latex allergy seem to be: more than five operations, atopic predisposition, history of clinical symptoms while inflating a balloon, and a sensitization with a CAP‐class of ± 4.
Mite control with low temperature washing. I. Elimination of living mites on carpet pieces
Authors: BISCHOFF E. R. C. , FISCHER A. , LIEBENBERG B. , KNIEST F. M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
Washing of delicate textiles at low temperature combined with mite control is one of the important aims for domestic mite prevention.Objectives
Estimation or assessment of mite numbers without and after the application of detergents or detergents with mite control additive. Trials at low temperature, detergents and washing as usual at household conditions (programme of a household washing machine).Methods
The domestic mite Dermatophagoides farinae can be cultured on carpet samples under favourable conditions, and the breeding success monitored in terms of population and distribution using the free mite mobility test. The mite containing carpets were cut into pieces in order to investigate the effects of washing at low temperature with different commercial detergents with and without an additive for mite control. The heat escape method was used to assess the number of mites remaining on the carpet pieces.Results
The estimation of the mite populations on different carpet pieces before and after washing showed that between 40 and 60% of the mites were able to resist washing, rinsing, spinning and drying. The allergen containing dust, however, was flushed out. In contrast, complete mite control was achieved by the application of the same detergents together with an additive.Conclusion
Mite control by low temperature washing is possible with a mite control additive provided that a concentration of benzyl benzoate of about 0.03% is achieved in the washing suds.
Inhibition of airways inflammation by dexamethasone is followed by reduced bronchial hyperreactivity in BP2 mice
Authors: EUM S.‐Y. , CRÉMINON C. , HAILE S. , LEFORT J. , VARGAFTIG B. B. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
Infiltration of inflammatory cells in the airways is a constant characteristic of asthma and is considered to result in bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR). We have recently developed a tnodel of BHR using a selection of mice, named BP2, which display eosinophil‐dependent BHR following antigen challenges. An anti‐IL‐5 antibody suppressed antigen‐induced eosinophil recruitment to the airways and BHR in BP2 mice.Objective
To investigate the implication of infiltrated inllammatory cells in the induction of BHR in mice.Methods
The effects of glucocorticosteroid dexamethasone on airways eosinophilia and BHR were observed.Results
Administration of dexamethasone at the dose of 1.25 mg/kg i.p. 1 h before each of four antigen provocations suppressed the airways eosinophilia and BHR in response to intravenous 5‐HT and to aerosolized rnethacholine, as well as IL‐5 production in the BALF and in the serum. By contrast, dexamethasone failed to reduce anaphylactic bronchoconstriction.Conclusions
These results suggest that dexamethasone exerts its inhibitory effects on antigen‐induced airways eosinophilia in mice by inhibiting IL‐5 production, but that it does not block the liberation of anaphyiactic mediators in tnice.
Immunohistological analysis of ‘negative’ patch test sites in atopic dermatitis
Authors: BUCKLEY C. , POULTER L. W. , RUSTIN M. H. A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
Variable results have been obtained when patients with atopic dermatitis (AD)) have been patch tested with allergens known to produce a positive prick lest. The significance of patch test results in our understanding of the pathogenesis of AD therefore remains questionable.Objective
This study was designed to determine the relevance of either positive or negative patch test results in relation to the expression of cell mediated immunity to allergens in patients with AD.Methods
Thirty‐five patients with AD exhibiting patch test positivity to one or more aeroallergens on ‘tape stripped’ areas of the back were retested without prior tape stripping. Nine patients again showed positivity to one or more allergens while 26 failed to show positive reactions. In six of the positive patients both positive and negative patch tests were observed. Skin biopsies were taken from these matched positive and negative patch test sites as well as from an area of uninvolved skin. Samples were frozen and cryostat sections were analysed with immunohistological techniques using monoclonal antibodies to investigate the distribution of immunocompetent cells.Results
All positive patch tests exhibited characteristics of a cell mediated immune response. The negative patch test sites were also found to contain evidence of mononuclear cell infiltration. Both negative and positive patch test sites showed significantly greater proportions of T cells compared to uninvolved skin. No increase in numbers of RFD1 positive and RFD7 positive macrophages were observed in either positive or negative patch test sites. Expression of CD23 by CD1 positive Langerhans cells was raised in both negative and positive patch tests compared to uninvolved areas. A significant increase in the population (RFD7+, CD23+) was seen in positive patch test sites compared to uninvolved skin. An increase in the proportion of RFD1 positive cells expressing CD23 was also seen in both negative and positive patch tests compared to uninvolved skin.Conclusions
This paper demonstrates that immunological reactions are promoted at ‘non‐tape stripped’ patch test sites where no clinical evidence of reactivity is seen. Together the data demonstrate that the presence of systemic cell mediated immunity to specific allergens identified in patients by positive patch test, may also be present when no clinical signs are seen at the patch test site.
Development of atopic disease during childhood and its prediction by Phadiatop Paediatric
Authors: Lilja G. , Öman H. , Johansson S. G. O. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
Evaluating in vivo and/or in vitro tests for ‘early’ prediction of childhood allergy is of interest in paediatric allergology.Objective
To determine whether the measurement of Phadiatop Paediatric (PP) during early childhood could be used to predict the development of atopic disease during the first 5 years of life among infants with a family history of atopic disease.Methods
Phadiatop Paediatric was evaluated in 134 infants. The analysis was performed at 6 months, at 18 months and at 5 years of age and the numbers of available serum samples were 61, 85 and 134, respectively. The potential capacity of the test to predict the development of atopic disease was studied by relating the result of the test, a positive or a negative score, to the cumulated incidence of atopic diseases from birth to 18 months of age and from birth to 5 years of age.Results
Three of four children with a positive PP at 6 months of age developed clinical signs/symptoms of atopic disease before 18 months and all four before 5 years of age. The predictive value of a positive test at 18 months for symptoms before 5 years of age was 80% (12/15). If the diagnostic criterion, instead of clinical signs/symptoms of atopic disease, was at least one positive skin‐prick test to major food or inhalant allergens, the predictive value of a positive PP‐test at 18 months decreased to 53% (8/ 15).Conclusion
Although the presence of circulating IgE antibodies, as detected by Phadiatop Paediatric, can predict the development of atopic diseases during childhood, the usefulness of the test is limited by its low sensitivity (22‐47%).
Effect of experimental rhinovirus 16 colds on airway hyperresponsiveness to histamine and interleukin‐8 in nasal lavage in asthmatic subjects in vivo
Authors: GRÜNBERG K. , TIMMERS M. C. , SMITS H. H. , de KLERK E. P. A. , DICK E. C. , SPAAN W. J. M. , HIEMSTRA P. S. , STERK P. J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground Asthma exacerbations are closely associated with respiratory virus infections. However, the pathophysiological consequences of such infections in asthma are largely unclear.Objective To examine the effect of rhinovirus 16 (RV16) infection on airway hypersensitivity to histamine. and on interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) in nasal lavage.Objective Twenty‐seven non‐smoking atopic, mildly asthmatic subjects participated in a placebo‐controlled, parallel study. A dose of 0.5–2.9 ± 104 TCID50 RV16 or placebo was nasally administered. Cold symptoms were recorded by questionnaire throughout the study. Histamine challenges were performed at entry, and on days 4 and 11 after inoculation. Nasal lavages were obtained at entry, and on days 2 and 9. The response to histamine was measured by PC20 (changes expressed as doubling doses: DD). IL‐8 levels were obtained by ELISA, and were expressed in ng/ml.Results RV infection was confirmed by culture of nasal lavage and/or by antibody titre rise in each of the RV16‐treated subjects. Among the 19 RV16‐treated subjects, eight developed severe cold symptoms. Baseline FEV1 did not change significantly during the study in either treatment group (P= 0.99). However, in the RV16‐treated subjects there was a decrease in PC20 at day 4, which was most pronounced in those with a severe cold (mean change ± SEM: –1.14 ± 0.28 DD, P= 0.01). In addition. IL‐8 levels increased in tbe RV16 group at days 2 and 9 (P < 0.001). The increase in nasal IL‐8 at day 2 correlated significantly with the change in PC20 at day 4 (r=–0.48, P= 0.04).Conclusion We conclude that the severity of cold, as induced by experimental RV16 infection, is a determinant of the increase in airway hypersensitivity to histamine in patients with asthma. Our results suggest that this may be mediated by an infiammatory mechanism, involving the release of chemokines such as IL‐8.
Characterization of the 33‐kilodalton major allergen of Penicillium citrinum by using MoAbs and N‐terminal amino acid sequencing
Authors: SHEN H.‐D. , LIN W.‐L. , LIAW S.‐F. , TAM M. F. , HAN S.‐H. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground The 33 kD component has been identified as a major allergen ofPenicillium citrinum, the most prevalent Penicillium species in the Taipei area of Taiwan.Objective This study analyses the isoforms, antigenic cross‐reactivity and the N‐terminal amino acid sequence of the 33 kD allergen of P. citrinum.Methods The composition of isoforms and antigenic cross‐reactivity was analysed by SDS‐PAGE and 2D‐immunobIotting using MoAbs generated. The N‐terminal sequence was analysed by using an automatic gas/liquid phase sequencer.Results Two MoAbs (55A and 34H) against the 33 kD allergen were generated in the present study. In addition to the 33 kD component. MoAb 34H also showed immunoblot reactivity to other components in the crude extract of P. citrinum. Analysed by 2D‐immunoblotting. at least six different isoforms of the 33 kD component with pl values ranging from 6.75 to greater than 7.0 were shown to be reactive to both MoAbs and IgE antibodies in serum of an asthmatic patient. Different immunoblot patterns were observed when both MoAbs were reacted with four different strains of P. citrinum used in the present study. Among another six different Penicillium and four different Aspergillus species tested, only an immunoblot reactivity of MoAb 55 A to the 33 kD component of P. brevicompactum was observed. In 2D‐immunoblotting. components of P. brevicompactum with an MW of about 33 kD and pi values similar to those of the 33 kD component of P. citrinum reacted with MoAb 55A and IgE antibodies in serum of the asthmatic patient. The N‐terminal amino acid sequence of the 33 kD component of P. citrinum was determined to be ANVVQSNVP which was identical to the first 9 N‐terminal amino acids of a heat‐labile alkaline serine proteinase from P. citrinum.Conclusion Results obtained in the present study suggest that the 33 kD major allergen of P. citrinum may be an alkaline serine proteinase.
Life‐threatening, recurrent anaphylaxis caused by allergy to gliadin and exercise
Authors: VARJONEN E. , VAINIO E. , KALIMO K. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground Exercise‐induced urticaria or anaphylaxis is regarded as a distinct form of physical allergy. In some patients the symptoms occur only after ingestion of various food products in connection with exercise. We have come across patients with cereal dependent exercise‐induced anaphylaxis.Objectives The purpose of the present study was to analyse the allergens in cereals responsible for the severe anaphylactic symptoms and to verify the test methods suitable for screening the patients with cereal dependent exercise‐induced anaphylaxis.Methods The patients underwent skin‐prick tests (SPT) with common inhalant and food allergens as well as with various cereal extracts. IgE‐immunoblotting was used to identify the allergenic fractions.Results Five patients found positive in SPT with NaC1 wheat suspension had IgE antibodies to wheat, rye, barley and oats, especially directed against the ethanolsoluble protein fractions in immunoblotting. No IgE antibodies were detected against other cereals. The patients had been unaware of any cereal allergy since anaphylaxis occurred only in association with exercise postprandially. The patients were directed to follow a gluten‐free diet and have been free from symptoms, being able to continue their outdoor physical activities.Conclusion Wheat gliadin and the corresponding ethanol‐soluble proteins of taxonomically closely related cereals were found to be the allergens in cereal‐dependent exercise‐induced anaphylaxis. Skin‐prick testing with NaC1 wheat suspension was a simple and practical test to screen patients with this kind of occult, possibly life‐threatening, allergy to cereals.