bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intestinal inflammation in children with atopic eczema: faecal eosinophil cationic protein and tumour necrosis factor‐α as non‐invasive indicators of food allergy
Authors: MAJAMAA H. , MIETTINEN A. , LAINE S. , ISOLAURI E. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
Food allergy is contemplated in atopic eczema. Early recognition of food allergies is difficult and the diagnosis is often missed because of the non‐specificity of symptoms. New non‐invasive tests are clearly needed.Objeetive and methods
We measured the concentrations of tumour necrosis factor‐α, eosinophil cationic protein and α‐1 antitrypsin in faeces as indicators of intestinal inflammation induced by double‐blind placebo‐controlled oral cow's milk challenge in infants and young children with atopic eczema.Results
An increased α‐l antitrypsin concentration (>2mg/g) after cow's milk challenge was detected in 43% of the infants positive as compared with 11% of the infants negative to challenge P= 0.02. The concentration of eosinophil cationic protein in faeces increased after cow's milk challenge in patients positive to challenge (P=0.02) but not in those negative to challenge (P=0.79). The concentration of eosinophil cationic protein was enhanced particularly in patients manifesting immediate‐type reactions to the cow's milk challenge. The concentration of tumour necrosis factor‐α increased after cow's milk challenge in patients positive to challenge (P=0.005) but not in those negative to challenge (P =0.25). The concentration of tumour necrosis factor‐α in faeces was enhanced particularly in patients manifesting delayed‐type reactions to the cow's milk challenge.Conclusion
We conclude that in children with atopic eczema food allergy is associated with intestinal inflammation indicating that more general immunologic disturbances than previously thought take place in these patients. We further suggest that faecal eosinophil cationic protein, tumour necrosis factor‐α and α‐1 antitrypsin distinctly indicate various reaction types of food allergy. Parallel testing with eosinophil cationic protein and tumour necrosis factor‐α may signiticantly enhance the accuracy in diagnosis of food allergy in patients with atopic eczema.
The effects of a kinin antagonist on changes in lung function and plasma extravasation into the airways following challenge of sensitized guinea‐pigs
Authors: FEATHERSTONE R. L. , PARRY J. E. , CHURCH M. K. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
It has been suggested that kinins may play a role in allergic pathophysiology of the airways, contributing to bronchoeonstrietion and oedema formation. Raised levels of kinin generating enzymes and kinins are found in the airways during allergic responses.Objective
Using an in vivo animal model of allergen induced increase in airways resistance we investigated the effects of the brady kinin antagonist Hoe 140, in order to assess the possible contribution of kinins to this response.Methods
Guinea‐pigs were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OA) or saline via the endotracheal route and the resulting increase in airways resistance was measured by whole body plethysmography. At 240min after challenge, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was taken and albumin content and kallikrein‐like activity defennined by rocket immunoelectrophoresis and use of artificial substrates respec tively. Pretreatment of animals with the bradykinin antagonist Hoe 140 at 6.7, 20 or 66.7nmol/kg or aprotinin (46 000 kallikrein inhibitor units/kg) was by i.p. injection 10 min before challenge.Results
Pre‐treatment with Hoe 140 dose dependently attenuated the increase in airways resistance following allergen challenge. Kallikrein‐like activity and albumin in BALF were unaltered. Aprotinin reduced the kallikrein‐like activity in BALE but did not alter airways resistance.Conclusion
Kinins may contribute to a significant part of allergen‐induced airways resistance increase in this model but not via an effect on plasma extravasation.
Does an allergy skin test on school‐children predict respiratory symptoms in adulthood?
Authors: KAGAMIMORI S. , NARUSE Y. , KAKIUCHI H. , YAMAGAMI T. , SOKEJIMA S. , MATSUBARA I. , BI‐LI‐FU  , KATOH T. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
It is interesting from the correct point of preventive health care whether allergy skin tests at entry have the positive relationship with common respiratory symptoms such as persistent cough, persistent phlegm and wheeze with colds at end point in longitudinal studies.Objective
The purpose of this study is to investigate this relationship in subjects followed from when they were school‐children until they were young adults. Methods Young adults aged 18–31 years who had participated in an allergy skin test and a health survey for common respiratory symptoms during primary and junior high school were asked about their respiratory symptoms at the end‐point in the follow‐up study. Three cohort groups were employed in the follow‐up study.Results
According to a multiple logistic analysis with adjustments made for sex. symptoms at entry in childhood, and age and smoking habits at the end‐point. young adults with a positive skin test to an extract of house dust as school‐children showed a higher prevalence of wheeze with colds compared with those with a negative skin test. However. this relationship was not found for persistent cough or persistent phlegm. indeed. the latter symptom was significantly associated with negative skin tests in one cohort group.Conclusion
The respective symptoms at entry in childhood were also predictors of their occurrence in young adults. The results show that the common respiratory symptoms such as persistent phlegm and wheeze with colds in childhood are related to those in young adults rather than is an allergy skin test to an extract of house dust in childhood.
CD28 expression is increased in venom allergic patients but is not modified by specific immunotherapy
Authors: TSICOPOULOS A. , LABALETTE M. , AKOUM H. , DUEZ C. , WALLAERT B. , DESSAINT J. P. , TONNEL A. B. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
Recognition of antigen bound to the major histocompatibility complex by the T cell receptor is insufficient to lead to T cell proliferation and effector function, which require co‐stimulatory signals, such as those resulting from the interaction of CD28 expressed on T lymphocytes and CD80/CD86 expressed on APCs. Lack of interaction between these accessory molecules during antigen stimulation leads to a state of antigen‐specific lymphocyte unresponsiveness. Previous studies have shown that rush venom immunotherapy decreases venom‐specific T cell proliferation very early after the initiation of the rush.Objective
In order to see whether this hyporeactivity was associated with a down regulation of accessory molecules, we studied CD28 surface expression on T lymphocytes from 10 non‐atopic controls and from 10 non‐atopic patients undergoing rush venom immunotherapy.Methods
Peripheral blood samples were collected before the rush (day 0), at the end of the rush (day 1), at day 15 and at day 45. CD28 expression was analysed using flow cytometry with double labelling of the CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte subpopulations.Results
At baseline CD28 was expressed at a higher level on T lymphocytes from allergic patients than from control subjects (P < 0.04), and in particular on the CD8 subset (P < 0.01), reflecting a decrease in the suppressive CD8+CD28– subpopulation. No changes were found in the percentages of total CD28+ T cells, CD4+ CD28+ or CD8+CD28+ cells at the different time points after the initiation of immunotherapy.Conclusion
These results suggest that the CD28 pathway is probably involved in the development of allergic reactions, but at least at the phenotypic level, CD28 expression remained unchanged after rush venom immunotherapy.
Lack of evidence of a significant association between HLA‐DR, DQ and DP genotypes and atopy in families with HDM allergy
Authors: HOLLOWAY J. W. , DOULL I. , BEGISHVILI B. , BEASLEY R. , HOLGATE S. T. , HOWELL W. M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
HLA class II genetic polymorphism has been variably implicated in susceptibility to specific immune responsiveness to house dust mite (HDM) allergens, and may also influence the development of atopy.Objective
In order to assess accurately the influence of HLA alleles in the atopic immune response, we typed 22 families selected from 131 previously obtained randomly selected families (i.e. without regard to atopy or asthma), chosen on the basis of two or more members having skin prick reactivity to HDM.Methods
Each individual was fully typed for HLA‐DRB1, DQA1, DQB1 and DPB1 class II alleles using a combination of sequence‐specific oligonucleotide probes (SSOP) and sequence‐specific primer (SSP) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) typing and direct sequencing.Results
Using appropriate statistical tests, no significant allelic associations were found between any DRBl, DQB1 or DPBl alleles and atopy or skin prick reactivity to Dermataphagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) or D. farinae (Der f). However, positive associations were found between DQA 1*0301 and skin prick reactivity to Der f (P= 0.009) and atopy (P= 0.027). Sib‐pair analysis revealed no significant sharing of alleles between affected sib pairs for any of the phenotypes studied.Conclusion
These results fail to confirm a previously reported association between the DRB1*04 and 07 haplotypes and atopy, and suggest that HLA class II restriction does not play a major role in the development of the IgE response to domestic house dust mite allergens in the British population.
A comparison of serum haptoglobin levels between acute exacerbation and clinical remission in asthma
Authors: KOH Y. Y. , KIM Y. W. , PARK J. D. , OH J. W. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
Bronchial asthma is characterized by airway inflammation, which underlies the phenomenon of bronchial hyperresponsiveness. The concentration of serum haploglobin (Hp), one of the acute phase reactant proteins, has been reported to correlate with bronchial hyperresponsiveness. The extent to which bronchoconstriction or airway inflammation contributes to airflow obstruction of exacerbation is presumed to determine the responsiveness to the initial bronchodilator therapy.Objective
To see whether the Hp levels vary with the disease status of asthma, and also to test whether the Hp level at an acute exacerbation(AE) is correlated with the degree of response to initial bronchodilator therapy.Methods
We measured serum Hp levels in 50 children with asthma at the times of an AE and a clinical remission(CR), and analysed the data according to the response to the initial bronchodilator therapy at AE.Results
The serum concentration of Hp at AE (228.5 ± 80.8mg/dl, mean ± SD) was significantly (P < 0.01) higher than that at CR (152.3 ± 49.8mg/dl) in the total study population. The difference of Hp levels between AE and CR was more marked (101.7 ± 82.2 mg/dl) in the subjects (n= 19) who responded poorly (post‐bronchodi‐lator FEV1 < 75% predicted) to the initial bronehodilator therapy at AE than that (61.0 ± 56.5mg/dl) of those (n= 31) who responded well (post‐bronchodilator FEV1± 75% predicted). The Hp level at AE eorrelated with the degree of response to initial bronchodilator therapy (r=−0.36, P < 0.05), whereas it had no relationship with the severity of exacerbation (r= 0.04. P= 0.79).Conclusion
Our results showed that Hp levels may be increased al ihe time of exacerbation in a given asthma patient. The finding that the elevation of Hp level at AE is more marked in the cases with poor response to initial bronchodilaior therapy at AE suggests that the increased Hp level at AE in asthma might relied the degree of airway inflammation.
New mattresses: how fast do they become a significant source of exposure to house dust mite allergens?
Authors: CUSTOVIC A. , GREEN R. , SMITH A. , CHAPMAN M. D. , WOODCOCK A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
Sensitization and exposure to mile allergens is a major risk factor for asthma. Little is known about the rate of build‐up of allergens in the mite microhabitats.Objectives
To investigate the rate of increase in mite allergen levels in new mattresses.Methods
Der p 1 was measured in the dust samples collected from six identical new single mattresses over a period of 2 years.Results
Der p 1 increased significantly at 4 months as compared with baseline level (P < 0.01), but no difference was found between the concentrations at 4. 8, 12 and 24 months. There was a significant correlation between Der p 1 concentration in mattresses at 4.8, 12 and 24 months and Der p 1 levels in the bedroom carpet at the beginning of the study.Conclusions
New mattresses can become a significant source of exposure to mite allergens after a short period of time (< 4 months). There is little justification for advising mite sensitive patients to replace their mattresses as a part of avoidance regime.
Drug‐associated anaphylaxis: 20 years of reporting in the Netherlands (1974–1994) and review of the literature
Authors: VAN DER KLAUW M. M. , WILSON J. H. P. , STRICKER B. H. CH. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
Since 1963, the Drug Safety Unit of the Dutch Inspectorate for Health Care (DSU) holds a voluntary reporting system.Objective
To analyse all reports received in the years 1974 to 1994, registered as anaphylaxis or as a diagnosis that could contain cases of anaphylaxis.Methods
All reports were classified as probable or possible anaphylaxis according to previously described criteria and the causal relationship between exposure and anaphylaxis was assessed.Results
Nine hundred and ninety‐two reports possibly concerning anaphylaxis were received between 1974 and 1994. Fifty‐six were unclassifiable. The remaining 936 reports concerned 326 men and 610 women. Three hundred and forty‐five reports were classified as anaphylaxis probable, 485 as anaphylaxis possible, and 106 as anaphylaxis unlikely by previously specified criteria. Drugs frequently associated with anaphylaxis (causal relationship certain or probable) were: glafenine (326 reports classified as anaphylaxis probable or possible), combination preparations with (propy)phenazone or propyphenazone/phenacetine (39), diclofenac (30), dextran (20), ibuprofen (14), floctafenine (12), allergen extracts (12), sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim (12), and trimethoprim (11). There is probably substantial under‐reporting as well as reporting bias in these data. Furthermore, many reports were classified as possible and not as probable anaphylaxis because the temporal relationship was unknown or not reported.Conclusion
Drugs that caused anaphylaxis most frequently were glafenine, NSAID and certain antibiotics. Data from a voluntary reporting system such as the DSU are valuable as an early warning system for drugs that may induce anaphylactic reactions.
Intradermal challenge with interleukin‐8 causes tissue oedema and neutrophil accumulation in atopic and non‐atopic human subjects
Authors: DOUGLASS J. , DHAMI D. , BULPITT M. , LINDLEY I. J. , SHUTE J. , CHURCH M. K. , HOLGATE S. T. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
Interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) is a cytokine with potent neutrophil chemotactic and activating properties and is active in inflammatory conditions in man. It has been identified in human inflammatory skin conditions where it is likely to be responsible for both neutrophil recruitment from the circulation and possibly T‐lymphocyte chemoattraction. Studies in animals also suggest that IL‐8 may augment skin oedema.Objective
To study the effects of intradermally administered IL‐8 in humans on tissue oedema and cellular recruitment in atopic and non‐atopic volunteers.Method
Interleukin‐8 (1.2 ± 10−7M) in the presence and absence of histamine was administered by intradermal injection. Wheal and erythema area were measured at regular intervals and 3 h following challenge punch biopsies were taken for immunocytochemistry. Cellular infiltrate was measured by immunocytochemical identification of neutrophils, eosinophils and T‐lymphocytes in glycol‐methacrylateembedded sections.Results
In the presence of histamine, IL‐8 provoked a significantly greater wheal area when compared to that produced by histamine alone (P < 0.001). In the presence of histamine, IL‐8 produced a significantly greater neutrophil infiltrate (P < 0.05); however, neither lymphocyte or eosinophil infiltration was found to be increased with IL‐8 challenge. There was no difference observed between atopic and non‐atopic subjects, nor were any effects of IL‐8 demonstrated in the absence of histamine.Conclusion
This study demonstrates that in human skin, IL‐8 induces increased microvascular permeability and neutrophil infiltration, but not eosinophil or T‐lymphocyte chemoattraction.
Survey of gastrointestinal reactions to foods in adults in relation to atopy, presence of mucus in the stools, swelling of joints and arthralgia in patients with gastrointestinal reactions to foods
Authors: BENGTSSON U. , HANSON L. Å. , AHLSTEDT S. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
Food intolerance in adults is mostly associated with vague symptoms and not clearly related to atopy and food allergy. A combination of different pathogenetic mechanisms may be responsible for the symptoms.Objective
The aim of this study was to describe patients with a history of food‐related gastrointestinal symptoms in relation to the presence of mucus in the stools, joint swelling and arthralgia and to determine whether or not there is an association between the presence of these parameters, atopic disease and the presence of immune complexes in serum.Methods
Fifty‐eight patients consecutively referred to our clinic with food‐related gastrointestinal symptoms were investigated.Results
Thirty‐five patients (60%) had mucus in their stools, 24 patients (41%) complained about joint swelling and 41 patients (71%) had arthralgia. There were no correlations between these parameters and atopy according to Phadiatope test or skin prick test (SPT). No correlations were found between the occurrence of mucus in the stools, arthralgia and joint swelling. There were significantly higher levels of circulating immune complexes in patients with a history of arthralgia compared with patients with no such history (P < 0.03) and the number of individuals with the presence of such immune complexes was higher among the patients with arthralgia than among the patients without. In general the patients did not relate the exposure to certain foods to symptoms like joint swelling, arthralgia and presence of mucus in the stools. However, there were significant positive correlations between food‐related gastrointestinal symptoms in the following instances: chocolate‐induced gastrointestinal symptoms and mucus in the stools (P= 0.006), vegetable‐induced gastrointestinal symptoms and mucus in the stools (P= 0.002) and meat‐induced gastrointestinal symptoms and mucus in the stools (P= 0.003). In a group of individuals without foodrelated symptoms investigated separately, a very low frequency of mucus in the stools, joint swelling and arthralgia was seen (none, two and three individuals of the 20 subjects, respectively). Of 41 patients with immediate onset of gastrointestinal symptoms, 20 were atopic according to Phadiatope and SPT, Of 11 patients with late onset of symptoms 10 were negative in Phadiatope and SPT (P < 0.05). The most frequently involved foods were fruits, vegetables, milk, fish and meat.Conclusion
The results suggest the involvement of different inflammatogenic mechan isms in food‐related gastrointestinal symptoms.
A role for the sodium, potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na+, K+ ATPase) enzyme in degranulation of rat basophilic leukaemia cells
Authors: GENTILE D. A. , SKONER D. P. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
A circulating inhibitor of the sodium, potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na+, K+ ATPase) enzyme has been described in allergic subjects. Recent studies have suggested that the Na+, K+ ATPase enzyme may be involved in the signal transduction pathways of various cell types and that inhibition of its activity can modulate histamine release from basophils and mast cells.Objective
The purpose of this study was to determine if modulation of Na+, K+ ATPase activity alters degranulation in the 2H3 subline of rat basophitic leukaemia cells (RBL‐2H3), a mucosal mast cell model bearing high‐affinity Fc receptors for IgE.Methods
Degranulation was measured by the release of both exogenous serotonin and endogenous histamine. Na+, K+ ATPase activity was assessed by ouabain‐sensitive [86rubidium] uptake ([86Rb] uptake) and ex situ enzyme activity.Results
Ouabain‐sensitive [86Rb] uptake and degranulation increased in parallel and in a dose–response fashion with increasing Fc receptor cross‐linking. Additionally, incubation with ouabain, a known inhibitor of Na+, K+ ATPase activity, decreased both anti‐IgE and calcium ionophore‐induced degranulation, but increased spontaneous degranulation, each in a dose‐response manner. Moreover, the effect of ouabain on degranulation was reversed by rinsing and mimicked by other known inhibitors of Na+, K+ ATPase activity. Finally, in the absence of anti‐IgE or calcium ionophore, stimulation of ouabain‐sensitive [86Rb] uptake by the sodium (Na+) ionophore monensin was associated with a corresponding dose–response increase in ouabain‐sensitive degranulation. These experiments demonstrate that ouabain‐sensitive [86Rb] uptake increases following IgE receptor cross‐linking in RBL‐2H3, and that factors which modulate Na+, K+ ATPase activity in these cells may also regulate degranulation.Conclusion
The results of this study suggest an important role for Na+, K+ ATPase activation in the signal transduction pathway of stimulated RBL‐2H3.
Allergenic and antigenic determinants of latex allergen Hev b 1: peptide mapping of epitopes recognized by human, murine and rabbit antibodies
Authors: CHEN Z. , VAN KAMPEN V. , RAULF‐HEIMSOTH M. , BAUR X. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
The rubber elongation factor in Hevea rubber (Hev b 1) is one of the most important latex allergen and is leading cause oflatex type 1 hypersensitivity in children with spina bifida.Objective
The aim of this study was to define the allergenic and antigenic epitopes of Hev b 1.Methods
The immunoglobulin‐ (Ig)E and IgG antibody binding sites on Hev b 1 allergen were delineated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using synthetic overlapping peptides covering the whole Hev b 1 sequence. In order to improve the binding capacity and specificity all peptides were biotinylated at the N‐terminal end via a 6‐aminohexanoic acid as spacer and then adsorbed to streptavidin pre‐coated microtitre plates. Fine mapping to define the essential amino acid residues for the antibody binding was achieved by using overlapping peptides with one amino acid offset.Results
It was demonstrated that the IgE epitopes were located in different regions of Hev b 1 including the C‐terminal segment (121–137) and the segments with amino acid residues of 30–49 and 46–64. Two monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) II2F3 and II4G9 raised against purified Hev b 1 recognized the C‐terminal segment only. The results of epitope mapping with three rabbit antisera revealed that five positive peptides, including the epitope peptides 31–49, 46–64 and 121–137, were involved in the antibody‐binding sites. Eine mapping on the segments 46–64 and 121–137 showed that the two MoAbs reacted with the peptide 125–134 in the C‐terminal region, whereas the peptide with amino acids 124–134 was essential for recognition by human IgE antibodies. Epitopes to rabbit polyclonal IgG and human IgE were also found to be involved in the amino acid residues of 47–59.Conclusion
Our results indicate that the most allergenic/antigenic portions of Hev b 1 allergen are the C‐terminal region and the region with amino acid residues of 31–64. In both regions, the minimal IgE‐binding epitope is almost identical with the IgG‐binding epitope.