bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Autologous bacteria induce chemotaxis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) from non‐atopic asthmatics
Authors: ŻAK‐NEJMARK T. , MAŁOLEPSZY J. , KRAUS‐FILARSKA M. , NADOBNA G. , JUTEL M. , STANKIEWICZ M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe chemotactic response of peripheral blood MNC from healthy subjects and non‐atopic asthmatics against the respective pathogen isolated and cultured from sputum of individual patients was investigated. We found that the wide range of concentrations of autologous bacteria induced chemotaxis of MNC from asthmatics but showed no influence on MNC from healthy subjects. This finding might explain the mechanism of lymphocyte accumulation in the lungs of non‐atopic asthmatics.
Effects of cytokines on human basophil chemotaxis
Authors: TANIMOTO Y. , TAKAHASHI K. , KIMURA I. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBasophil chemotactic activity (BCA) of eight recombinant human (rh) cytokines was examined. Highly purified basophils were obtained by Percoll discontinuous gradients, followed by negative selection using flow cytometry. Then BCA was measured by means of modified Boyden chamber method. Both interleukin (IL)‐3 and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) had much more potent BCA than complement C5a, leukotriene B4 and platelet activating factor, well known as granulocyte chemotactic factors. Chemotaxis rather than chemokinesis was shown in chequerboard analysis of basophil migration induced by IL‐3 and GM‐CSF. Relatively high concentrations of IL‐5 also induced basophil migration, although predominantly chemokinetic. IL‐8 had apparent BCA, which was not so high as that of C5a. In contrast, IL‐2, IL‐4, interferon(IFN)‐γ and granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) had no significant BCA. These findings suggest that IL‐3, IL‐5, GM‐CSF and, perhaps, IL‐8 have an effect on basophil migration as well as modulation of basophil mediator release and may provide some insight into the basophil accumulation observed in late‐phase allergic responses.
IgE, IgG, IgG1 and IgG4 patterns in yellow jacket allergic patients during immunotherapy with a venom depot extract
Authors: JEEP S. , MEYSEL U. , KUNKEL G. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryUsing immunoblot studies, detailed antibody patterns were performed with the sera of 10 yellow jacket allergic patients undergoing specific immunotherapy with a yellow jacket venom SQ‐depot extract (ALK, Denmark). Five males and five females (age range 10–65, mean 48 years) were investigated. All patients had a history of systemic reactions after an insect sting and a positive skin‐prick test at a dose of at least 100 μg/ml yellow jacket venom.Yellow jacket venom (ALK) was separated on a 7.5–20% SDS–PAGE, transferred to nitrocellulose (NC), and then the NC‐strips were incubated with the patients’sera. For detection of IgE, IgG, IgG1 and IgG4, an alkaline phosphatase linked 2nd antibody was used. Prior to immunotherapy, a strong IgE binding was detected at 25 kD in nine of 10 patients, representing Antigen‐5 (Ag‐5) as major allergen. Reactivity to this antigen was also present with the other immunoglobulin classes, although not as marked. In addition, a second frequent IgG and IgG1‐binding band was seen at 35 kD (phospholipase A). Only weak or no binding to this band was found with IgE and IgG4. Binding to hyaluronidase (43 kD) was seen only in three cases.During immunotherapy, a significant increase in IgG and particularly IgG4 staining was found with Ag‐5, whereas hyaluronidase induces mainly an IgG1 response and phospolipase A showed only a weak IgG response. In addition, the formation of new IgG4 binding to proteins in the region of about 70–90 kD was found in most patients. The dose necessary for the induction of this antibody formation was ≥ 150.00 SQ yellow jacket venom. We conclude that the increase in the total amount of specific IgG4 to an allergen extract (protein mixture) during immunotherapy gives no information about the increase of IgG4 to the patient's special major allergen.
Diagnostic value of skin and laboratory tests in cow's milk allergy/intolerance
Authors: RÄSÄNEN L. , LEHTO M. , REUNALA T. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe applicability of a panel of five skin and laboratory tests in the diagnosis of cow's milk allergy/intolerance (CMAI) was investigated. The tests used were prick and patch tests, RAST, basophil histamine release test (BHRT) and lymphocyte proliferation test (LPT). Twenty‐two atopic children who had experienced either immediate or delayed cutaneous symptoms upon challenge with cow's milk (CM), and 12 non‐milk‐allergic controls with atopic dermatitis (AD) were included in the study. RAST, prick test, BHRT and LPT to CM and patch test to α‐casein were positive in the CMAI group and non‐milk‐allergic atopic controls as follows: 59% and 33%, 57% and 0%, 55% and 17%, 77% and 17%, 33% and 0%. RAST, prick test and BHRT were more often positive in children exhibiting immediate reactions, and patch test and LPT more often positive in those having delayed reactions to CM. The panel of five tests detected 21/22 children with CMAI and gave false‐positive results in 5/12 of non‐milk allergic controls. The sensitivity and specificity of the panel in the diagnosis of CMAI were 95% and 58%, respectively.
Inhibition profiles of sodium cromoglycate and nedocromil sodium on mediator release from mast cells of human skin, lung, tonsil, adenoid and intestine
Authors: OKAYAMA Y. , BENYON R. C. , REES P. H. , LOWMAN M. A. , HILLIER K. , CHURCH M. K. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryWe have studied an aspect of the functional heterogeneity of human mast cells, namely responsiveness to the inhibitory effects of sodium cromoglycate and nedocromil sodium. The effects of these drugs were examined on the release of histamine and PGD2 from mast cells of human skin, lung, tonsils, adenoids and intestine. A high concentration, 1000 μM, of sodium cromoglycate was required to significantly inhibit histamine release from lung and tonsillar mast cells. Nedocromil sodium, 1000 μM, was more effective than sodium cromoglycate against histamine release from lung, tonsillar and adenoidal cells. Both compounds showed tachyphylaxis in lung and tonsillar mast cells but not in adenoidal and intestinal mast cells. In contrast, in intestinal mast cells, the effect of nedocromil sodium was weaker and more variable than sodium cromoglycate. Skin mast cells differed from mast cells of the other anatomical sites in being unresponsive to sodium cromoglycate and nedocromil sodium. Our results confirm that high concentrations of sodium cromoglycate and nedocromil sodium are required to achieve even modest inhibition of mediator release from human mast cells under in vitro conditions. Notwithstanding this, the results also indicate that differences exist among skin, lung, tonsillar, adenoidal and intestinal mast cells with respect to their sensitivity to sodium cromoglycate and nedocromil sodium, thus extending our knowledge of functional heterogeneity within the human mast cell populations.
Optimized preparation of Aspergillus fumigatus extracts for allergy diagnosis
Authors: LITTLE S. A. , LONGBOTTOM J. L. , WARNER J. O. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryExtracts of Aspergillus fumigatus are required for the measurement of specific antibodies that are important indices in the diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). This study investigated the effect of different culture conditions on the production and release of antigenic and allergenic proteins of A. fumigatus. Increasing the incubation temperature from 25°C to 37°C altered the production of proteins by the mycelium which resulted in the release of a greater number of proteins that reacted with precipitating antibodies. Static sporulating cultures produced a much wider antigenic spectrum than shake cultures although the number of precipitating proteins (5 and 3 respectively) and major IgE binding proteins (5 and 3 respectively) was not greatly altered. The widest range of proteins bound by precipitating antibody or IgE from ABPA serum were released into the culture filtrate during 28 day static incubation at 37°C. The resultant extract proved useful for screening patients for specific IgE and will provide a starting material for the identification of individual antigens or allergens.
Lack of role for mononuclear cell‐derived histamine releasing factors in occupational asthma due to western red cedar
Authors: FREW A. J. , CHAN H. , YEUNG M. CHAN 
Published: April 2006

SummaryOccupational asthma due to Western Red Cedar (WRCA) is attributed to sensitization to plicatic acid (PA), but does not appear to be dependent on PA‐specific IgE antibodies. Exposure to PA induces histamine release in vivo and in vitro, so if IgE is not important. other mechanisms of histamine release must presumably operate in WRCA, To explore the possible role of histamine‐releasing factors in WRCA, peripheral blood mono‐nuclear cells were obtained and cultured with PA, PA‐albumin conjugate plica tic acid‐human serum albumin (PA‐HSA).grass pollen or Concanavalin A using a standard histamine releasing factor (HRF) generation protocol. Supernatants were dialysed to remove endogenous histamine and then assayed for histamine releasing activity using human basophils as targets and a Con A‐induced bulk supernatant as an internal HRF standard. In contrast to some previous reports, spontaneous HRF release from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of WRCA patients (n= 9) and atopic asthmatic subjects (n= 5) was not elevated compared with the non‐asthmatic controls (n= 11; five atopic and six non‐atopic). Both PA and PA‐HSA induced the production of small amounts of HRF by PBMC of WRCA patients, but a similar degree of HRF generation was also observed in PBMC from the atopic asthmatic, atopic non‐aslhmatic, and non‐atopic subjects. The contrast, grass pollen induced the production of HRF by PBMC from the subjects with positive skin tests to grass pollen but not by PBMC of non‐atopic subjects, confirming that our methods and assay were capable of detecting antigen‐specific HRF production. Since neither PA nor PA‐HSA induced significantly elevated HRF production from PBMC of WRCA patients, it seems unlikely that PA‐induced HRFs play a substantial role in the pathogenesis of WRCA.
Study of eosinophil‐endothelial adhesion, production of oxygen radicals and release of eosinophil cationic protein by peripheral blood eosinophils of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: MERTENS A. V. , DE CLERCK L. S. , MOENS M. M. , BRIDTS C. H. , STEVENS W. J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBeside lymphocytes and neutrophils, eosinophils are also involved in the inflammatory reaction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, adhesion characteristics of peripheral blood eosinophils were studied in 43 RA patients and 19 controls, together with the expression of the β2‐integrin Mac‐1 (CD11b/CD18). In addition, the production of oxygen radicals of isolated peripheral blood eosinophils and serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) were measured in order to evaluate eosinophil activation. Adhesion of eosinophils to unstimulated human vascular endothelium was significantly higher in RA patients with active disease (n= 4) compared with controls (n= 14) (P < 0.005) and compared with patients with less active RA (n= 16) (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, the expression of the adhesion molecule Mac‐1 (CD11b/CD18) was not increased in RA patients. ECP levels were higher in RA patients with active disease (P < 0.01). Release of oxygen radicals in response to phorbol stimulation was significantly elevated in active RA compared with controls (P < 0.05) and to less active RA (P < 0.05). We conclude that eosinophils of RA patients, especially those with active disease, are activated or at least primed and are involved in the inflammatory process in RA, analogous to the inflammation in asthma. The higher adhesion to inflamed endothelium is indicative of a higher infiltration in the joints, where tissue damage can be caused by toxic oxygen radicals and by granular proteins, such as ECP.
Annual variations in grass pollen seasons in London 1961–1990: trends and forecast models
Authors: EMBERLIN J. , SAVAGE M. , JONES S. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe record of daily average grass pollen concentrations monitored at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington. London, U.K. since 1961 is the longest duration pollen data set in Europe. Analysis of the results identifies the trends and characteristics of grass pollen seasons over three decades. During this lime seasonal allergic rhinitis has increased significantly in Britain. The annual start dates, length of season and severity are examined in relation to the main meteorological variables of cumulated temperatures above 5‐5°C and precipitation measured at one site within London and two in the surrounding rural areas. Land‐use changes are also considered. Significant decreases have taken place in both the duration and severity of the seasons, particularly between the 1960s and the early 1970s but also through the last 20 yr. This is largely a result of a decrease in pollen abundance in the region. The decline in pollen counts has slowed in recent years due to the increase in flowering grasses caused by the seaside policy and by uncut verges. Grass pollen seasons have tended to start later over the last two decades, despite an increase in the cumulated temperature profiles during late winter and spring. Empirical models have been developed using multiple regressions to incorporate meteorological and pollen data for the last 20 yr in order to forecast the start dates. duration and severity of the grass pollen seasons. These models were applied successful using the data for 1991 and 1992. Predictions of the main characteristics on the pollen seasons can be obtained relatively early in the year through the use of these models by employing the monthly weather forecasts in conjunction with long‐term average weather profiles.
Molecular cloning of a house dust mite allergen with common antibody binding specificities with multiple components in mite extracts
Authors: SHEN H‐D. , CHUA K‐Y. , LIN K‐L. , HSIEH K‐H. , THOMAS W. R. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryPlaque radio‐immuno assay has been used to isolate an FgE‐binding clone from a lambda gt11 library of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus cDNA, The clone HD6 contained DNA encoding a 215 residue protein which contained a predicted 17 amino acid residue leader sequence, no cysteines and a single W‐glycosylation site. The 198 residue mature protein would have a predicted MW of 22 177 D. No homologues were found in searches of the data banks. Sera from 14/38 allergic children reacted strongly with the polypeptide produced by the clone (37%). Skin tests showed reactivity in 16/30 (53%) allergic patients and 0/10 of controls. Affinity purification of rabbit antibodies with the clone showed that antibodies to the polypeptide had specificities to multiple products in mite extracts corresponding to components of Mr 29, 27 and 24 K by Western blotting. Absorption studies of IgE in allergic serum indicated further entities at 13 and 11.5 kD, It is proposed to name this allergen Der p VII.
Histamine‐free diet: treatment of choice for histamine‐induced food intolerance and supporting treatment for chronical headaches
Authors: WANTKE F. , GÖTZ M. , JARISCH R. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryHistamine‐induced food intolerance is not IgE‐mediated. Skin‐prick testing and specific IgE to food allergens are typically negative. Food rich in histamine or red wine may cause allergy‐like symptoms such as sneezing, flush, skin itching, diarrhoea and even shortness of breath. The suspected reason is a diminished histamine degradation based on a deficiency of diamine oxidase. As diamine oxidase cannot be supplemented, a histamine‐free diet was implemented to reduce histamine intake. Forty‐five patients with a history of suffering from intolerance to food or wine (n=17) and chronic headache (n= 28) were put on the diet over months to years. Fish, cheese, hard cured sausages, pickled cabbage and alcoholic beverages had to be avoided. Complaint intensity and drug‐use per week prior to and 4 weeks after a histamine‐free diet were compared. After 4 weeks on the diet 33/45 patients improved considerably (p < 0.01), eight of them had total remission. In 12/45 patients, however, no changes in symptoms were observed. Symptoms of food or wine intolerance significantly decreased (P < 0.02; treatment of choice), headaches decreased in frequency (P < 0.001), duration and intensity. After eating histamine‐rich food symptoms were reproducible and could be eliminated by anti‐histamines in most patients. These data indicate the role of histamine in food and wine intolerance and that histamine‐rich food causes a worsening of symptoms in patients suffering from chronic headaches. Results obtained support the hypothesis of a deficiency of diamine oxidase in patients with intolerance to food or wine.
Abnormalities in histamine pharmacodynamics in chronic urticaria
Authors: KANNY G. , MONERET‐VAUTRIN D. A. , SCHOHN H. , FELDMAN L. , MALLIE J. P. , GUEANT J. L. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryHistamine plays a key role in the pathogenesis of chronic urticaria (CU). The authors of this paper have studied the effects of ingested histamine in 25 patients with CU. A 120 ing dose of histamine. well‐tolerated in the healthy subject, was instillated into the duodenum. Concomitantly. plasma histamine (H) levels and plasma and urinary methylhistamine (MH) levels were measured. Intraduodenal administration of histamine was responsible for the development of an attack of urticaria in 64% of patients, while control subjects were asymptomatic. Plasma histamine levels were significantly higher after digestive histamine challenge (DHC) in patients with CU compared with controls. An abnormal increase in plasma histamine was observed in 72% of them. Plasma MH exhibited the same kinetic behaviour with a usually delayed time‐pattern. Urinary MH concentration was higher in patients presenting with early‐onset urticaria during the first hour than in those with the late‐onset type between 1 and 12 hr after DHC. The coefficient of mcthylation (plasma MH/MH + H) was not significantly different in patients presenting with an attack of urticaria following DHC and in other subjects, Urinary excretion of MH and urinary flow increased significantly in patients presenting with an attack of urticaria following DHC which corresponds to increased absorption of histamine during the 5‐hr period following DHC and its role on excretion by the kidney via vasodilation which it induces. This study demonstrates the abnormal frequency of disturbances in the metabolism of exogenous histamine in patients with CU. Increased plasma H accounts for the abnormal passage of H across the intestinal barrier which can result either from intestinal hyperpermeability and/or a deficit in the enzymatic catabolism of histamine. The systems of methylation and urinary clearance of MH appear to be effective. It is thus postulated that there is a deficit in diamine oxidase (DAO) in the enterocyte. The lack of correlation between the kinetic behaviour of plasma H and the onset of urticaria draws attention to the extent of individual variability in skin reactivity to histamine.
Influence of allergen avoidance at high altitude on serum markers of eosinophil activation in children with allergic asthma
Authors: BONER A. L. , PERONI D. G. , PIACENTINI G. L. , VENGE P. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryA cohort of 12 asthmatic children was followed over several months, during which they moved back and forth from an allergen‐free to an allergen‐rich environment at high and low altitude, respectively. The children were treated with non‐steroidal anti‐asthmatic drugs as clinically needed. Histamine PC20‐FEV1 was unaltered during the study period, whereas serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil protein X (EPX) showed significant changes when the children were exposed to the offending allergens. The total IgE significantly increased during exposure. The serum levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) as well as of chemotactic factors for both neutrophils and eosinophils were unaltered during allergen exposure. We conclude that the serum markers of eosinophil activity ECP and EPX are sensitive indices of allergen exposure in asthmatic atopic children.
The involvement of eosinophils in the patch test reaction to aeroallergens in atopic dermatitis: its relevance for the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis
Authors: BRUIJNZEEL P. L. B. , KUIJPER P. H. M. , KAPP A. , WARRINGA R. A. J. , BETZ S. , BRUIJNZEEL‐KOOMEN C. A. F. M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryAtopic dermatitis (AD) is considered a T‐cell mediated disease. Activated T‐cells, mainly of the CD4‐subtype. are abundantly present in lesional AD skin. Although not many intact eosinophils are present, deposits of eosinophil derived major‐basic‐protein (MBP) and eosinophil‐cationic‐protein (ECP) suggest eosinophil involvement. After patch testing AD patients with aeroallergens, an eczematous reaction develops after 24 48 hr at the site of application. This patch test reaction shows macroscopic resemblance to lesional AD skin and does not take place in normal individuals, asthma and allergic rhinitis patients. Lymphocytes together with eosinophils infiltrate into the dennis 26 hr after allergen application. Twenty‐four to forty‐eight hours after patch testing, eosinophils are in an activated state since they release ECP (being EG2‐positive). At this point in time eosinophils have also infiltrated the epidermis. Here they are EG2‐negative. Forty‐eight to seventy‐two hours after patch testing the eczematous reaction decreases. This coincides with disappearance of eosinophils from both the dermis and the epidermis; then, a dendritic staining pattern can be observed in the epidermis with anti‐eosinophil peroxidase. Thus, eosinophils infiltrate the dermis and epidermis after patch testing AD patients with aeroallergens and release part of their granular constituents. Recent in vitro investigations revealed that eosinophils from the circulation of AD patients react more powerfully in in vitro test systems such as chemi luminescence, chemotaxis and endolhelial adherence and transmigration. 11 is very likely that this activated (= primed) state is caused by the influence of lymphocyte‐derived cytokines like IL‐3, IL‐5 and GM‐CSF, since activated lymphocytes in the circulation (and tissue) may release these cytokines. The primed state of the eosinophils may facilitate tissue inlillration. The subsequent activation of eosinophils within the tissue leading to mediator release and the function of these mediators need to be further elucidated. The close similarity between the cellular events after a patch test reaction to aeroallergens in AD patients and those present in lesional AD skin suggests that the patch test reaction may be a helpful in rim model to study the pathogenesis of AD. The prominent involvement of lymphocytes and eosinophils in this reaction also suggests some similarity with late phase reactions (LPR) observed in the skin after intracutaneous allergen challenge.