bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Candida albicans and atopic dermatitis
Authors: SAVOLAINEN J. , LAMMINTAUSTA K. , KALIMO K. , VIANDER M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe role of sensitization and exposure to Candida albicans in atopic dermatitis (AD) was studied with skin‐prick tests, yeast cultures and immunoblotting in 156 young adults with AD attending the Department of Dermatology, University of Turku, during 1983–89. Eighteen patients with allergic rhinitis without eczema and 39 non‐atopics were included as controls. Parameters associated with severe AD were simultaneous anti‐C. albicans IgE and saprophytic C. albicans growth. A statistically significant correlation between C. albicans sensitization (specific IgE antibodies) and AD symptoms was observed only in patients with saprophytic C. albicans exposure. No correlation between C. albicans‐specific IgE and AD severity was shown in patients without gastrointestinal growth. Furthermore, severe eczema was seldom seen in patients without saprophytic C. albicans growth. The most important IgE‐binding components of C. albicans in immunoblotting were 27 and 46 kD proteins and mannan, a polysaccharide. IgG and IgA antibodies to C. albicans, mainly towards C. albicans mannan, were found in practically all 70 sera studied. These results suggest a continuous exposure and induction of IgE antibodies by C. albicans in AD patients. Severe phases of AD in colonized patients are associated with IgE synthesis against C. albicans. These findings suggest a role for C. albicans in the exacerbations of AD but the clarification of this subject needs double‐blind placebo‐controlled treatment trials.
Cutaneous late‐phase response in food‐allergic children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis
Authors: CHARLESWORTH E. N. , KAGEY‐SOBOTKA A. , NORMAN P. S. , LICHTENSTEIN L. M. , SAMPSON H. A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryFood hypersensitivities contribute to disease exacerbation in a sub‐group of children with atopic dermatitis (AD). It has been shown that only selected foods are capable of causing clinical reactions when ingested, whereas other foods, to which the patient is equally sensitive by skin‐prick testing, may be tolerated. The purpose of this study was to examine the cutaneous late‐phase response (LPR) to food antigens in food‐allergic patients with AD and to determine if the skin reacted differently to ‘relevant foods’ (foods eliciting positive skin‐prick tests and positive oral challenges) than to ‘non‐relevant foods’ (foods eliciting positive skin tests but negative oral challenges). Using blister chambers adfixed to the skin, six children with AD were challenged epicutaneously with foods to which they had previously been shown to be sensitive. Histamine and PGD2 were measured hourly for 10–12 hr in parallel with quantitation of the cellular traffic. There appeared to be no difference in any of the measured parameters between relevant foods and non‐relevant foods, and the patterns of the LPR cells and mediators were similar to those previously described with aero‐allergens in patients with respiratory allergy. Histamine rose to 13.0±24 ng/ml (P < 0.005) during the first hours, declined to < 1 ng/ml by the fifth hour, and then rose a second time to 6.72 ± 3.4 ng/ml (P < 0.05) during the 12th hour. PGD2 rose to an average of 312 pg/ml (P < 0.05) during the first 3 hr followed by a decline to baseline. The cellular traffic was similar to that observed during the LPR in atopic adults without AD. Neutrophils peaked at 11.2 ± 6.8 × 104 cells but did not reach significance because of background traffic in the control chambers. Eosinophils were significantly increased (P < 0.05) and rose to 2.52 ± 1.7 × 104 cells. Mononuclear ceils (P < 0.05) and basophils (P < 0.38) were also increased but less than either neutrophils or eosinophils. These studies suggest that selectivity in gastrointestinal antigen absorption or differential antigen processing, transport and/or clearing may explain the differences in clinical reactivity to ingested food allergens.
The effect of 10, 50 and 200 μg inhaled fenoterol on exercise induced asthma
Authors: RARE K. F. , JÖRRES R. , MAGNUSSEN H. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryIn a randomized, double‐blind cross‐over study we investigated the protective effect of low doses of fenoterol on the airway response to exercise during cold air breathing. In 12 mild to moderate asthmatics with exercise induced asthma (mean age: 26 [range 19‐25] years), mean FEV1 87% of predicted, exercise challenges were performed under control conditions and 30 mi n after the inhalation from a metered dose inhaler of either placebo, or 10, 50, and 200 μg fenoterol within a 4 week period. Airway response was determined by measuring specific airway resistance, sRaw. Standardization of exercise challenges was achieved by individually maintaining a constant respiratory heat exchange, with an average (range) of 1.24 (0.98‐1.61) kcal/min. Fenoterol aerosol was an effective bronchodilator at all doses administered (P<0.05), with 200 μg significantly more effective than 10 μg. Mean sRaw (s.e.m.) pre vs maximal post exercise after control conditions, placebo and 10, 50, and 200 μg fenoterol aerosol was 12.9(1.4) vs 41.8 (6.3), 13.1 (1.6) vs 41.3 (6.3), 9.6 (1.5) vs 26.6 (6.2), 7.9 (0.9) vs 16.4 (3.6) and 5.5 (0.5) vs 7.4 (0.9) cmH2O.s. The protective effect of fenoterol against exercise induced broncho‐constriction was dose‐dependent and was significantly different from placebo at 50 and 200 μg (P<0.05). From these observations we suggest that in mild to moderate asthmatics 50 μg of fenoterol is a dose which is sufficient to protect against this naturally occurring stimulus.
Monoclonal antibody immunoassay for quantitative analysis of group V allergens in grass pollen extracts
Authors: FAHLBUSCH B. , MÜLLER W.‐D. , SCHLENVOIGT G. , JÄGER L. , WAHL R. , WEBER B. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryA two‐site monoclonal antibody (MoAb) ELISA has been developed for the quantification of the Phleun pratense major allergen, Phl p V. The assay is based on two MoAbs which recognize different non‐overlapping epitopes on the Phi p V molecule; one antibody (1D11) was immobilized on the solid phase and the other (3B2) was biotinylated. An affinity‐purified Phi p V preparation (purity of 95%) was used as standard. The assay has a sensitivity of 10 ng/ml of allergen and is suitable for the detection of group V allergen in aqueous grass extracts. The specificity of the assay was investigated with 14 grass pollen and five non‐grass pollen extracts. Different levels of group V allergen were delected in extracts of grasses, but not in non‐grasses. The assay gives a good correspondence with allergenic activity of extracts as determined by ELISA inhibition using serum pool of allergic patients. The results indicate that the two‐site MoAb ELISA could be very useful in the standardization of allergenic extracts from grass pollen.
Formation of phosphatidylinositol‐4‐phosphate in human peripheral blood eosinophils
Authors: KUROSAWA M. , ISHIZUKA T. , SHIMIZU Y. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryTo evaluate the presence of phosphatidylinositol‐4‐phosphate in peripheral blood eosinophils, venous blood was drawn from normal healthy volunteers. The eosinophils were isolated on a Percoll gradient and were incubated with [γ3P] ATP in the presence of Mg2+. After stopping the reaction, lipid extraction was performed with acidic medium and phospholipids were separated by thin‐layer chromatography on 1% (w/v) oxalic acid‐ and potassium oxalate‐impregnated silica gel plates. Considerable amounts of radioactivity were found to be incorporated into phosphatidylinositol‐4‐phosprmte on both plates. This reaction requires ATP and Mg2+, and maximal response is seen at 10 μm ATP and 20 mm Mg2+. The reaction is dependent upon the time and temperature of the assay system. No significant superoxide anion generation from the eosinophils incubated with ATP at the concentrations used in the study was observed. These results suggest the possible presence of phosphatidylinositol kinase which catalyses the formation of phosphatidylinositol‐4‐phosphate from endogenous phosphatidylinositol in human peripheral blood eosinophils.
Modifications of PC20 and maximal degree of airway narrowing to methacholine after pollen season in pollen sensitive asthmatic patients
Authors: PRIETO L. , BERTÓ J. M. , LOPEZ M. , PERIS A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryWe examined the effect of cessation of exposure to pollen on non‐specific airway responsiveness in 10 grass and/or parietaria pollen sensitive asthmatics. Three methacholine inhalation challenges were performed, the first during pollen season (seasonal period), the second 2 months after the end of season (short lime after seasonal period), and the third 5 months after the end of season (long time after seasonal period). The dose response curves to methacholine were characterized by the PC20 (provocative concentration of methacholine required to produce a 20% fall in FEV|) and maximal response plateau, if possible. A maximal response plateau on the dose‐response curve was considered to he present if three or more data points for FEV1 fell within a 5% response range. The challenge was stopped when FFV1 dropped more than 50% or the highest concentration of methacholine (200 mg/ml) was reached. The geometric mean (range) methacholine PC20 increased from 1.08 (0.18–37.22) in the seasonal period to 4.67 (0.71–200) mg/ml during the long time after seasonal period (P< 0.01). On the other hand, in six subjects in whom it was possible to obtain a plateau on at least one challenge, the level of the maximal response decreased from (mean ± s.e.m.) 44.1 ± 4.9 in the seasonal period to 30 ± 4.4 during the long lime after seasonal period (P < 0.05). These results suggest that in pollen sensitive asthmatic patients, the cessation of exposure to pollen is associated with a reduction of non‐specific bronchial responsiveness (PC20 and maximal degree of airway narrowing to methacholine).
Rapid Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy: comparative safety of three protocols
Authors: BIRNBAUM J. , CHARPIN D. , VERVLOET D. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryWe compared 284 sting‐allergic patients treated with either a 4 day (group 1), 6 hr (group 2) or 210 min (group 3) rapid venom immunotherapy (RVIT) protocol using honey bee (HB) or yellow jacket (YJ) venom at cumulative doses of 527.6 μg, 226.6 μg and 101.1 μg respectively. The 4 day protocol involved four times as many injections as the 210 min protocol and twice as many as the 6 hr protocol. Desensitization was conducted in a hospital providing full emergency resuscitation facilities. In group 1, 1 × 100 μg boosters were given on days 7,10,15 and 45 and, in groups 2 and 3, 2 × 50 μg boosters were given on day 15 and 1 × 100 μg on day 45. The patients in the three groups were comparable with regard to clinical characteristics and immunological reactivity determined by skin tests. All patients had large local reactions. Systemic reactions (SR) occurred in 28.2% of patients in group 1, 28.6% in group 2 and 6.9% in group 3. The mean total cumulative venom dose (s.e.m.) for occurrence of SR was 123.75 (± 24.2) in group 1,183.27 (± 28.5) in group 2, and 36.43 (±9.3) in group 3. HB led to more systemic reactions than YJ venom. The rate of SR decreased when the cumulative venom dose was reduced during RVIT. The median dose was 137.6 μg in group 1, 226.6 μg in group 2, and 21.1 μg in group 3. No systemic reactions were observed after the booster injections. The results of this study suggest that short RVIT protocols with low cumulative doses carry a lesser risk of SR.
Nodules, eosinophilia, rheumatism, dermatitis and swelling (NERDS): a novel eosinophilic disorder
Authors: BUTTERFIELD J. H. , LEIFERMAN K. M. , GLEICH G. J. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThis study presents the clinical and laboratory findings of a novel syndrome associated with eosinophilia. Two young women presented with marked eosinophilia, and large, non‐tender compressible articular nodules arising from the tenosynovium of extensor tendons, dermatitis, episodic swelling of the hands and/or feet and pain in adjacent muscles and joints. Tissue specimens were examined by routine haematoxylin and eosin staining, immunofluorescent staining for eosinophil granule major basic protein (MBP) and rhodamine‐avidin or tryptase staining for mast cells. Plasma levels of MBP and eosinophii‐derived neurotoxin (EDN) were quantilated by immunoassay. The first patient presented in 1967 at the age of 20 and had, in addition to nodules and eosinophilia, dermographism, recurrent episcleritis and axillary urticaria. Biopsy of a nodule showed lenosynovitis with necrotizing granulomas, non‐specific vasculitis, eosinophils and eosinophil degranulation as shown by extracellular deposition of eosinophil granule MBP. Her symptoms responded to low‐dose, alternate‐day predni‐sone and have remained quiescent over the past 15 yr. The second patient presented in 1990 at the age of 28 with generalized pruritic dermatitis for 15 yr, eosinophilia for 2 yr. subcutaneous nodules and non‐limiting pain in several joints. Biopsy of a nodule showed chronic mild tenosynovitis, numerous eosinophils and extracellular deposition of M BP. She remains untreated. Serum IgE values and plasma levels of M BP and EDN were elevated in both patients; mast cells were numerous in their synovial tissue. Based on their clinical courses, these patients reveal the existence of a distinctive, relatively benign eosinophilic disorder with good long‐term prognosis.
Mast cells and mediators in the nasal mucosa after allergen challenge. Effects of four weeks' treatment with topical glucocorticoid
Authors: JULIUSSON S. , HOLMBERG K. , KARLSSON G. , ENERBÄCK L. , PIPKORN U. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe study focuses on the relationship between the tissue density of mast cells, the tissue hislamine levels and the levels of markers of mast cell activation after an allergen challenge of the nasal mucosa of allergic patients. The effect of 4 weeks' treatment with a topical glucocorticoid, fluticasone propionate, was studied in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of 25 hay fever patients. Nasal biopsies were obtained before and after the treatment period for the evaluation of mast cell density and tissue histamine levels. Nasal challenges were performed at 2‐week intervals for 8 weeks using a standardized nasal lavage model. TAME‐esterase was analysed in the returned lavage fluid from all the challenges (weeks 0–8), while the levels of histamine and tryptase were analysed in lavage fluids from challenges performed before and after the treatment period (weeks 0 and 4). The symptoms of nasal allergy were assessed after each challenge. Treatment with fluticasone proprionate did not influence mast cell density, the tissue histamine concentration, the lavage histamine levels or the TAME‐esterase activity, while a reduction in nasal symptoms and tryptase in nasal lavagc fluid was revealed. Our present study again emphasizes the fact that the mast cell is an important trigger cell in the immediate nasal allergic response. The study also demonstrates the usefulness of the measurements of tryptase as an indicator of both mast cell activation and the efficacy of topical steroid treatment.
CD23 expression on B‐lymphocytes and its modulation by cytokines in allergic patients
Authors: COROMINAS M. , MESTRE M. , BAS J. , VERDAGUER J. , VALLS A. , ROMEU A. , BUENDIA E. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe aim of this study was to assess the expression of CD23 on peripheral blood B‐cells. and its in vitro modulation by recombinant human interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) in phytohaem‐agglutinin‐ (PHA) or recombinant human interleukin‐4 (IL‐4)‐stimulaled cultures in atopic patients with Dermatophagoides pteromyssinus hyprrsensitivity and in healthy non‐atopic subjects. Atopic patients with asthma not receiving allergen‐specific immunotherapy (n= 21) were studied and further compared with a group of atopic subjects with asthma under allergen‐specific immunotherapy (n = 21). They were age‐(± 5 yr) and sex‐matched. The results were also compared with those obtained in the non‐atopic group (n= 11).CD23 expression on B‐lymphocytes and its modulation were analysed by flow cytometry using conjugated monoclonal antibodies with a double immunofluorescence method. Atopic patients had an increase in the percentage of B‐cells expressing CD23 in peripheral blood. Phytohaemagglutinin and IL‐4 induced a rise in the percentage of CD23‐positive B‐cells in both atopic groups and non‐atopic subjects. Phytohaemagglutinin provoked an increase in the intensity of CD23 expression on B‐cells from stimulated cultures in all groups, while IL‐4 only produced a significant increase in atopic patients. The presence of IFN‐γ decreased the CD23 expression on B‐cells in PH A‐stimulated culture of atopic patients, whereas it caused an increase in CD23 expression in the non‐atopic group. Furthermore, the presence of IFN‐γ in IL‐4‐stimulatcd cultures induced a decrease in CD23 expression on B‐cells in all cases. These results indicate a difference between atopic and non‐alopic donors in their responses to IL‐4 and IFN‐γ. On the other hand, allergen‐specific immunotherapy did not induce any shift in the expression and modulation of this receptor.
Toxicity and immediate allergenicity of latex gloves
Authors: CORMIO L. , TURJANMAA K. , TALJA M. , ANDERSSON L. C. , RUUTU M. 
Published: April 2006

SummarySurgical latex gloves and a natural rubber latex (NRL) catheter were evaluated for biocompatibilily by cell culture methods and Type I allergic reactions in operating room personnel using latex gloves. The prevalence of relevant immediate allergy to NRL was 5.2% when using eluates made from different latex gloves as allergens and the skin‐prick test methodology. The reliability of a questionnaire in detecting the sensitized persons was limited. Weak positive skin test reactions to surgical latex glove eluates were found to be unreliable as compared with challenging with the corresponding glove. Latex gloves exhibited more toxicity in cell culture than non latex gloves but, inversely, the toxic catheter gave weak positive skin‐prick test reaction in oniy one sensitized person, confirming that the allergenicity and toxicity of natural rubber products do not refer to the same properties of the products. Catheters exhibiting toxicity in cell culture have earlier been found to cause significant clinical symptoms in operated patients, but in the case of surgical gloves this relationship is not clear. One glove brand with a low content of known sensitizing rubber chemicals caused clear toxicity in cell culture but was well tolerated by the hospital personnel.
Standardization of pollen allergens of Parthenium hysterophoms and selection of an in‐house reference extract
Authors: SRIRAMARAO P. , SCHRODER H. , RAO B. S. SUBBA , PRAKASH O. , RAOH P. V. SUBBA 
Published: April 2006

SummaryA standardized in‐house reference extract from the pollen of Parthenium hysterophoms, which is responsible for the high incidence of allergic rhinitis in India, was generated and examined by skin test, radio‐allergosorbent test inhibition and isoelectric focusing. Parthenium reference allergen discs and positive reference serum were also generated. These reference reagents could not only be used for the quantitation of Panhenium‐specific IgE in the sera of rhinitis patients but also for the evaluation of allergenic activity (relative potency and lot‐to‐lot variation) of different batches of Parthenium pollen.
Cough variant asthma is associated with a higher wheezing threshold than classic asthma
Authors: KOH Y. Y. , CHAE S. A. , MIN K. U. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryCough variant asthma is an occult form of asthma in which the only sign or symptom is chronic cough. It is a common problem amongst all ages that frequently goes unrecognized, leading to under diagnosis and under treatment. To characterize the pathophysiological abnormalities in these patients, we performed bronchial provocation tests with methacholine using the stepwise doubling concentration technique, and measured the concentration of methacholine and the severity of airway obstruction when wheezing was first detected. Airway hyper responsiveness, defined as PC20 in the cough variant asthma group was not significantly different from that of classic asthma. There was a good correlation between the PCW (the concentration of methacholine causing wheezing) and the PC20 with the PCW values higher than PC20 values in both groups. However, in the cough variant asthma group, the PCW: PC20 ratio was greater than that of the classic asthma group. Furthermore, the mean % fall in FEV1 at which wheezing was first detected in the former group was significantly larger than that of the latter group. The results indicated that the mechanism for the manifestation of cough without wheeze in the cough variant asthma may be a higher wheezing threshold, i.e. wheezing becomes audible at the greater degree of airway obstruction than classic asthma. They suggested that patients with cough variant asthma may represent a subset of asthmatic subjects whose airways are less able to produce a wheeze.
Comparison of skin‐prick test assay and reverse enzyme immunoassay competition (REINA‐C) for biological activity of allergens
Authors: CASANOVAS M. , MARAÑÓN F. , BEL I. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryAn in vitro technique for measuring the relative potency of allergenic extracts has been developed and compared with the dose‐response skin‐prick test, The in vitro technique is a modification of an EL1SA based on the method of antigen capture using polystyrene microtitre wells as solid phase (REINA‐compelition) and is also based on a doseresponse. Both methods have been applied to allergen extracts of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Phleum pratense, Secale cereale, Lolium perenne, Plantigo lanceolata, Artemisia vulgaris, Salsola kali and Parietaria judaica. For each allergen, the slope of the regression log‐log dose response lines displayed by skin‐prick test and REINA‐C does not show a statistically significant difference, being parallel (P < 0.001), and indicating that the allergen ligand binding kinetics are identical in both methods.
Effect of 443c81, an inhaled μ‐opioid receptor agonist in asthma
Authors: PAVORD I. , HALL I. , WAHEDNA I. , COOPER S. , TATTERSFIELD A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryStimulation of exposed C‐fibre afferent nerve endings by inflammatory mediators may contribute to airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction in asthma through the release of neuropathies from collateral nerve endings. The polar opioid peptide 443c81 is a μ‐optoid receptor agonist which inhibits C‐libre activation and non‐echolinergie neurally mediated bronchoconstriction in animal models. We have compared the effect of 443c81 (5 ml of 1 4 mg ml solution nebulited) four times daily for 7 days with placebo on asthma control in a double‐blind parallel group study of 40 subjects with mild asthma. Twenty subjects (12 male, mean FEV, 83 Predicted) received placebo and 20 (15 male, mean FEV, 91%, predieted) 443e81 after a 1 week run‐in Efficacy was assessed by comparing changes from baseline values in FEV1 provocative dose of histamine causing a 20%, fall in FEV1(PD20), symptom scores, bronchodilator use and home peak flow readings 443c81 had no acute effect on FEV1 and the mean changes in FEV1 after 1 week of treatment were not significantly different placebo 0.9. 443c81 3.8%. One hour after the first dose of 443c81 PD20 mecreased from a geometric mean of 0.88 to 1.48 μmol (mean change 0.76 doubling doses: 95% CI 0.23. 1.29) but this did not differ significantly from the change with placebo (mean difference between 443c81 and placebo 0.63 doubling doses. 95%. CI −0.2. 1.5: P− 0.095). After 1 week's treatmentPD20 was similar to baseline values with 443c81 (0.78 μmol) and placebo (baseline 0.71. post‐treatment 0.93 μmol) Symptom scores including cough scores.) bronehodilator use and peak flow recordings did not change significantly during or following treatment with 443c81 compared with placebo. There were no important adverse events. The lack of effect of 443c81 in our study would not support a role for activation of C‐fibres in asthma.