bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibitory effects of formoterol and terbutaline on the development of late phase skin reactions
Authors: GRÖNNEBERG R. , ZETTERSTRÖM O. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe capacity of the β2‐agonist terbutaline and the longer‐acting β2‐agonist formoterol to suppress the development of late phase skin reactions to anti‐human IgE was evaluated in 17 healthy volunteers. Anti‐IgE injected intradermally per se induced an early weal and flare reaction, followed by a progressively increasing induration, the LCR, with a duration of ≥ 24 hr. The LCR was inhibited by 40% when the weal was infiltrated with formoterol 250 ng 30 min after challenge (n=9, P < 0.01). The same anti‐LCR effect was achieved by compensating for the shorter duration of action of terbutaline with repeated drug infiltration in 12.5 μg doses of the weal produced by anti‐IgE up to 3½ hr after challenge (n=8). The data support the hypothesis that β2‐agonists, both short‐and long‐acting, inhibit IgE‐dependent LCRs by preferentially interacting with inflammatory events after the initial mast cell degranulation
Eosinophil cationic protein in peripheral blood of pediatric patients with allergic diseases
Authors: SUGAI T. , SAKIYAMA Y. , MATUMOTO S. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryWe have studied the levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in peripheral blood obtained from 68 children with bronchial asthma and 11 children with atopic dermatitis. The ECP mean concentrations of the patients were 23.7 ± 21.4 μg/1 and 21.2 ± 18.7 μg/1 for bronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis respectively, which were significantly higher than the control value, 5.8 ± 2.3 μg/1 (P < 0.005). TNF was unmeasurable in almost all the samples and no significant difference was observed between normal controls and asthmatic children. A significant correlation was observed between serum levels of ECP and blood eosinophil counts in both diseases (r=0.873; P < 0.01 and r=0.740; P < 0.01, respectively). However, no obvious correlation was observed between serum levels of ECP and IgE levels. ECP levels were significantly reduced by treatment and normalized in parallel with blood eosinophil counts in the patients with total IgE levels less than 800 U/ml. Irrespective of the total IgE levels, the reduction of serum ECP levels was correlated with a decrease in the number of asthmatic attacks and/or improvement of pulmonary function. These results suggest that the ECP levels in peripheral blood indicate an increased activity of eosinophil and would be a more useful marker than eosinophil counts for making clinical analyses and estimating treatment efficacy in paediatric patients with allergic diseases.
Altered distribution of IgG subclasses in aspirin‐induced asthma: high IgG4, low IgG1
Authors: SZCZEKLIK A. , SCHMITZ‐SCHUMANN M. , NIZANKOWSKA E. , MILEWSKI M. , ROEHLIG F. , VIRCHOW CHR. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryWe have determined IgG subclass concentrations in 100 patients with aspirin‐induced asthma and 80 healthy controls. Patients on chronic corticotherapy (n= 64) had significantly lower total IgG levels than patients not receiving steroids (n= 36) or controls. Corticotherapy was not associated with changes in the subclass distributions. In patients, the most striking finding was elevation of IgG4. It was not related to corticotherapy or serum IgE levels. The rise in IgG4 was accompanied by a modest, though statistically significant, depression of IgG1. No changes of IgG2 and IgG3 concentrations were observed. Thus, aspirin‐induced asthma is characterized by a distinct pattern of distributions of IgG subclasses. It is suggested that in aspirin‐induced asthma elevation of IgG4 might result from chronic antigenic stimulation, of viral origin, and that determination of IgG subclass distribution might be of clinical interest.
The onset and recovery from airway hyperresponsiveness: relationship with inflammatory cell infiltrates and release of cytotoxic granule proteins
Authors: GUNDEL R. H. , WEGNER C. D. , LETTS L. G. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryPrevious studies from our laboratory have demonstrated a temporal relationship between eosinophil influx into the airways and the onset of airway hyperresponsiveness to inhaled methacholine. The purpose of the present study was to extend this observation by evaluating changes in airway cellular composition and measuring the levels of granulocyte‐derived mediators recovered in BAL fluid during the onset and recovery from antigen‐induced airway hyperresponsiveness. Airway cellular composition, airway responsiveness to inhaled methacholine and the levels of BAL fluid EPO and MPO were monitored over a 32 day study in eight adult male Ascaris suum sensitive cynomolgus monkeys. Repeated Ascaris suum inhalation (nine challenges during days 0–21) resulted in a selective, sustained airway eosinophilia that was temporally related with the onset and maintenance of airway hyperresponsiveness (r= 0.67, P < 0.001). The level of BAL eosinophil‐derived EPO was increased and remained elevated concurrent with the increase in airway eosinophils and airway responsiveness. During the recovery phase (days 22–32) the actual number of eosinophils remained elevated, while BAL EPO levels were significantly decreased. The recovery phase was also associated with a transient increase in the number of BAL neutrophils and MPO concentration. We conclude that the number and state of activation of airway eosinophils directly correlate with the onset and maintenance of airway hyperresponsiveness. Recovery from airway hyperresponsiveness is associated with a decrease in eosinophil activation and a transient increase in the number of activated neutrophils.
Viruses as precipitants of asthma symptoms. I. Epidemiology
Authors: PATTEMORE P. K. , JOHNSTON S. L. , BARDIN P. G. 
Published: April 2006

Christopher Robin had wheezles and sneezles, they bundled him into his bed.They gave him what goes with a cold in the nose, and some more for a cold in the head.They wondered if wheezles could turn into measles, if measles would turn into mumps;They examined his chest for a rash, and the rest of his body for swellings and lumps.They sent for some doctors in sneezles and wheezles, to tell them what ought to be done.All sorts and conditions of famous physicians came hurrying round at a run.They all made a note of the state of his throat, they asked if he suffered from thirst;They asked if the sneezles came after the wheezles, or if the first sneezle came first.They said, ‘If you teazle a sneezle or wheezle, a measle may easily grow.But humour or pleazle the wheezle or sneezle, the measle will certainly go.’They expounded the reazles for sneezles and wheezles, the manner of measles when new.They said ‘If he freezles in draughts and in breezles, then PHTHEEZLES may even ensue.’Christopher Robin got up in the morning, the sneezles had vanished away.And the look in his eye seemed to say to the sky, ‘Now, how to amuse them today?’A. A. Milne, Now We Are Six, 1927.
Effect of corticosteroid treatment on interleukin‐1 and tumour necrosis factor secretion by monocytes from subjects with asthma
Authors: VECCHIARELLI A. , SIRACUSA A. , CENCI E. , PULITI M. , ABBRITTI G. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryPeripheral blood monocytes (PBM) may be activated in asthmatic patients, a condition usually reverted by corticosteroid (CS) treatment. In the present research we have evaluated the spontaneous or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced production of interleukin 1 (IL‐1) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) by PBM obtained from 14 asthmatic subjects during an asthmatic attack and after 1 week of CS treatment. The control group included 20 healthy volunteers. PBM obtained during severe asthma showed a pattern of IL‐1 and TNF secretion similar to that of normal subjects. After CS treatment, IL‐1 levels did not change significantly in comparison to baseline values, while LPS‐induced TNF production was apparently related to the degree of airway obstruction after CS treatment. In fact, TNF production by PBM from CS‐responsive subjects was significantly decreased in comparison to the levels determined before CS treatment, while PBM from CS‐resistant subjects produced the same cytokine levels regardless of CS treatment. The present study suggests that the determination of LPS‐induced TNF secretion by PBM could be used to confirm the effectiveness of CS treatment in asthma.
Effect of azelastine on the seasonal increase in non‐specific bronchial responsiveness to methacholine in pollen allergic patients. A randomized, double‐blind placebo‐controlled, crossover study
Authors: BALZANO G. , GALLO C. , MASI C. , COCCO G. , FERRANTI P. , MELILLO E. , SECCIA G. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryAzelastine, a phthalazinone derivative, is a new potent, long acting, orally active anti‐allergic compound with particularly strong H1‐histamine receptor antagonistic effects which has been proven to possess in vitro and in vivo a number of anti‐inflammatory properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether azelastine would be able to prevent and/or reverse the seasonal increase in non‐specific bronchial responsiveness to methacholine in pollen allergic patients. Twelve atopic patients (5 males, mean age 31 years), skin positive exclusively to grass and/or Parietaria pollen extract, with rhinitis and mild asthma occurring in the spring for at least two years previously, were studied. After a 2 week run‐in period, oral azelastine, 4 mg twice daily, or placebo, was given for 2 weeks from the start of the pollen season, according to a randomized, double‐blind design. After 2 weeks, the treatments were crossed over. During both the run‐in and study periods, patients recorded rhinitis and asthma symptoms, additional antihistamine and bronchodilator drugs taken and peak expiratory flow measurements. A methacholine inhalation test was carried out on four occasions in each patient: before the run‐in period, before the start of the treatment, and at the end of the two 2 week treatment periods. Azelastine significantly reduced rhinitis symptoms and the need for antihistamine drugs, whereas asthmatic symptoms, use of bronchodilator drugs, peak flow recordings and bronchial responsiveness to methacholine were unaffected by the treatment. Compliance level and adverse side‐effects were not significantly different between active treatment and placebo. In the final subjective evaluation of the two treatments, eight out of 12 patients preferred azelastine. Thus, azelastine has been confirmed to be effective and safe in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. However, in our patients, we have not been able to demonstrate any anti‐asthmatic action of the drug.
Type I allergy induced by Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL)
Authors: EBNER C. , KRAFT D. , PRASCH F. , STEINER R. , EBNER H. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryDuring the last few years Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) has been extensively used to detect minimal amounts of endotoxins of Gram‐negative bacteria in products of the pharmaceutical industry, in food stuff, body fluids, house dust and room air. LAL is produced from cells of the haemolymph (amoebocytes) of the horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus), which respond with an extremely sensitive clotting system upon contact with endotoxins. In this study we demonstrate by typical case history, positive skin test and ELISA the occurrence of Type I allergy to LAL in a patient suffering from conjunctivitis and rhinitis at work.
Histamine content, synthesis and degradation in human nasal mucosa
Authors: ABE Y. , OGINO S. , IRIFUNE M. , IMAMURA I. , FUKUI H. , WADA H. , MATSUNAGA T. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryHistamine content and enzyme activities of histamine metabolism, histidine decarboxy‐lase (HDC), histamine N‐methyltransferase (HMT) and histaminase (diamine oxidase, DAO) in human nasal mucosa were determined with a highly sensitive and specific fluorescent method which was combined with high performance liquid chromatography. Histamine content and HDC activity were determined in 10 specimens of nasal polyp, nine specimens of maxillary sinus and five specimens of inferior turbinate. HMT and histaminase activities were determined in 15 specimens of nasal polyp, nine specimens of maxillary sinus and five specimens of inferior turbinate obtained during surgical therapy. Histamine and activities of HDC, HMT and histaminase were detected in all specimens except the case of histaminase activity in one specimen of nasal polyp. The mean values of histamine content and activities of HDC, HMT and histaminase of human nasal mucosa were 137.3 nmol/g wet weight, 26.3 fmol/min/mg protein, 26.4 pmol/min/mg protein and 0.5 pmol/min/mg protein, respectively. Histamine content in the mucosal tissue of the maxillary sinuses was significantly higher than that of nasal polyps or inferior turbinates. There were no significant differences in HDC activities among three kinds of nasal mucosa. Activities of HMT and histaminase, including their kinetic constants (Km and Vmax values for histamine) indicated that HMT has a greater potential than histaminase for histamine degradation in the human nasal mucosa. The presence of these enzymes suggests that these activities constitute an important modulating factor in histamine mediated allergic and inflammatory reactions in human nasal mucosa.
In vivo allergenic activities of eleven purified members of a major allergen family from wheat and barley flour
Authors: ARMENTIA A. , SANCHEZ‐MONGE R. , GOMEZ L. , BARBER D. , SALCEDO G. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryEleven purified members of the α‐amylase/trypsin inhibitor family from wheat and barlcy that showed very different IgE‐binding capacities when previously assayed in vitro. were used in double blind in vivo diagnostic tests to further evaluate their allergenic activity. These tests were carried out in 31 patients who showed allergic scnsilization to wheat flour as veritied by skin test, RAST and challenge test. The three members of the protein family with highest igl; binding in vitro (the glycosylated subunits of tetrameric α‐amylase inhibitors CM16* from wheat and CMb* from barley, and the barley monomeric inhibitor BMAI‐1) were found to be the strongest allergens as indicated by‐skin sensitivity in prick tests.
Histamine‐releasing serum factors as a predictor of the outcome of insect sting reactions. Results from a multicentre study*
Authors: MOSBECH H. , SKOV P. STAHL , EBBESEN F. , EBBESEN K. , NORN S. , KRISTENSEN K. S. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryCord blood cells were incubated (passively sensitized) with sera from 27 patients with previous systemic reactions to insect stings. Histamine release (HR) from these cells was measured following exposure to venom extracts at increasing concentrations. The aim was to see whether this parameter could predict more efficiently than RAST and skin test the outcome of a subsequent re‐sting. Results showed that HR from passively sensitized cells tended to reflect skin sensitivity and specific IgE levels. If patients were not re‐stung during the follow‐up period, HR from the passively sensitized cells frequently decreased whereas an increase was seen (in 6/13) when using sera collected after re‐sting. In conclusion HR from passively sensitized cord blood cells could not satisfactorily predict re‐sting reactions in the serum donors.
Relation between bronchial responsiveness to methacholine and levels of IgE antibody against Dermatophagoides farinae and serum IgE in asthmatic children
Authors: TAKEDA K. , SHIBASAKI M. , TAKITA H. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe relation between non‐specific bronchial responsiveness and allergic sensitivity was evaluated in children with asthma. Bronchial responsiveness was determined by methacholine inhalation challenge test, and was expressed as a provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PC20). RAST titre for Dermatophagoides farinae and serum IgE level were evaluated as parameters of allergic sensitivity. When the PC20 vaiues, RAST titres for D. farinae. and serum IgE levels of 47 asthmatic children and 16 normal controls were compared. the asthmatic children had significantly lower PC20 values and higher D. farinae‐RAST titres and serum IgE levels than the normal controls. The correlation analyses in 47 asthmatic children have shown that there is no significant correlation between PC20 values and RAST titres for D. farinae (r= 0.04. P > 0.1) or between PC20 values and serum IgE levels (r= < 0.03 P > 0.1). These results suggest thaty although both bronchial hyperresponsiveness and allergic sensitizalion may be in some way related to one another in children with asthma, the magnitude of allergie sensilization does not influence the degree of the non‐specific bronchial responsiveness.
Rapid onset of action of levocabastine eye‐drops in histamine‐induced conjunctivitis
Authors: STOKES T. C. , FEINBERG G. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryLevocabastine is a recently developed, potent H1‐receptor blocker intended for topical application. Seventeen healthy non‐atopic volunteers participated in this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study undertaken to investigate the speed of onset of action, efficacy and tolerability of levocabastine eye‐drops after a histamine challenge. The degree of histamine‐induced ocular inflammation was found to be significantly less after administration of levocabastine compared with placebo. Furthermore, levocabastine was shown to be rapidly effective with an onset of action within 10 min. Levocabastine eye‐drops were well‐tolerated and no adverse reactions to the study drug were reported. Levocabastine eye‐drops appear to be a valuable therapeutic approach for the treatment of histamine‐mediated ocular allergies.
Absence of functional inhibition of cloned human β2‐adrenergic receptors by autoantibodies in asthmatic subjects
Authors: POTTER P. C. , VAN WYK L. , WHITE D. , DAKERS B. S. , CHUNG F. Z. , DOWDLE E. B. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryUsing guinea‐pig lung membranes and cloned human β2‐receptor adrenergic receptors the effects of whole serum, plasma, purified immunoglobulins and cellular activation products on β2‐adrenergic receptor ligand binding and function were investigated. Sera from 24 non‐asthmatic subjects and 115 asthmatics in different clinical categories were studied. There were no significant differences between antagonist ([125I] cyanopindolol) inhibition mediated by serum, plasma or by purified IgG when the asthmatics were compared with non‐asthmatics. There was also no inhibition of 10−6m isoproterenol stimulated cAMP release from L cells expressing human β2‐adrenergic receptors, by plasma, DEAE purified IgG fractions from asthmatics and non‐asthmatics, or by products of activated platelets or lymphocytes. Since we have no evidence that immunoglobulins from asthmatic subjects exert functional inhibition of human β2‐adrenergic receptors we conlcude that autoantibodies to the β2‐adrenergic receptors do not play an important functional role in the pathophysiology of asthma.
Suppressive effects of elimination diets on T cell responses to ovalbumin in hen's egg‐sensitive atopic dermatitis patients
Authors: SHINODA S. , KONDO N. , FUKUTOMI O. , AGATA H. , SUZUKI Y. , SHIMOZAWA N. , TOMATSU S. , YAMADA Y. , TAKEMURA M. , NOMA A. , ORII T. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryWe investigated the effect of elimination diets on T cell responses to ovalbumin (OA) in hen's egg‐sensitive atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. The proliferative responses of both peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and T cells with monocytes to OA decreased after elimination diets, but those to Candida albicans or phytohemagglutinin (PHA) did not decrease after elimination diets. The proliferative responses of CD4+ T cells with monocytes to OA decreased after elimination diets. In these patients, clinical symptoms of AD improved. These results indicate that T cells, especially CD4+ T cells, respond to food antigens in food‐specific lymphocyte responses, and that elimination diets may be able to initiate reduction of the responsiveness of food‐sensitive T cells, especially CD4+ T cells. Moreover, the surface marker phenotypes of the T cells responding to OA were analysed. Our results showed that CD4+CD45RA+ T cells tended to increase. The increase in circulating CD4+CD45RA+ T cells might function as systemic suppression against immune responses in the skin.
Influence of Kupffer cell phagocytosis blockade on the production of ovalbumin‐specific IgE and IgG1 antibodies in an experimental model
Authors: VIDAL C. , QUINTELA A. GONZÄLEZ , CUERVAS‐MONS V. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of Kupffer cell phagocytosis blockade (KCPB) on the production of reaginic (IgE) and non‐reaginic (IgGl) ovalbumin antibodies in an experimental animal model. Forty‐two female heterozygous Gunn rats were injected with two 100 μg doses of ovalbumin separated by 13 days, into jugular vein (Group I, n= 10), portal vein (Group II, n= 10), jugular vein with prior KCPB (Group III, n= 10) and portal vein with prior KCPB (Group IV, n= 12). KCPB was induced with gadolinium chloride (5 mg/kg body weight, 24 hr before each ovalbumin administration). Antibodies were determined by passive cutaneous anaphy‐laxis in sera obtained 12 days after the first dose of ovalbumin and 8 days after the second one. No antibodies were detected at any time in Group II. The maximum response was observed in Group IV in which, after two doses of ovalbumin, 100% of the animals presented IgGl and 58% presented detectable IgE antibodies. Differences between group IV and the other groups were statistically significant. This phenomenon does not seem to be due to a systemic effect of gadolinium chloride since humoral response was not increased in Group III with respect to Group I. It is concluded that the liver represents a barrier to IgE and IgG1 sensitization. KCPB not only eliminates this barrier, but also clearly increases antibody production to a protein antigen (ovalbumin) arriving at the liver through the portal vein.
Characterization of Aspergillus umbrosus carbohydrate antigens by biotinylated lectins and IgG response to mannan/mannoprotein antigens in patients with farmer's lung
Authors: KAUKONEN K. , SAVOLAINEN J. , VIANDER M. , TERHO E. O. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryTwenly‐one different biotinylated lectins were used to recognize the carbohydrates of Aspergillus umbrosus, one of the most common microbes that patients with farmer's lung in Finland are exposed to. The glycoprotein fraction of A. umbrosus was bound especially well by Concanavalin A and consisted mainly of carbohydrates mannose and glucose. The carbohydrate fraction of A. umbrous antigens were isolated from the crude extract of A. umbrosus with Con A‐Sepharose affinity chromatography. Serum IgG antibodies to A. umhrosus mannoprotein fraction were determined in 57 patients with farmer's lung, 10 asymptomatic exposed farmers and 10 healthy controls by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae mannan were used as controls. Patients had high levels, whereas asymptomatic exposed farmers showed moderate, and healthy controls low levels, of IgG antibodies to the A. umbrosus mannan/mannoprotein fraction. There were no significant differences in the mean antibody levels between the patients and controls against C. albicans or S. cerevisiae mannose fraction although in all groups more antibodies were detected against C. albicans than S. cerevisiae.