bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cord blood IgE. II. Prediction of atopic disease
Authors: Hansen L. G. , Høst A. , Halken S. , Holmskov A. , Husby S. , Lassen L. B. , Storm K. , Østerballe O. 
Published: May 2007

Screening of total IgE in 2814 cord blood samples was analysed by Phadebas IgE PRIST in 2 1‐year birth cohorts (1983‐1984 and 1985–1986) in Denmark (n = 1189 + 1625). For follow‐up we chose all infants with cord blood IgE ≥ 0.5 kU/1 and a randomly chosen group of the same size with cord blood IgE < 0.5 kU/1. A total of 762 infants were clinically evaluated at 18 months of age. A diagnosis of definite atopy, probable atopy or no atopy, including both IgE and non‐IgE mediated disease was established. Applying different cord blood IgE cut‐off values (0.3, 0.5, 0.8, 1.1) we did not find an excess of atopic infants among those with elevated cord blood IgE irrespective of the chosen cut‐off value. Atopic predisposition or family history of atopic disease was defined as at least one parent or older siblitig with atopic disease. Significantly more infants with a family history developed atopy at 18 months. In the 2 series the positive predictive values of cord blood IgE≥0.5 were 43% and 46% and the sensitivities were 17% and 15%. The predictive values of having a family history were 48% and 44% and the sensitivities were 55% and 58%. Clinical aspects Cord blood IgE analysed by Phadebas IgE PRIST was a poor predictor of infants developing atopic disease before the age of 18 months.
Effect of a bronchial provocation test with house‐dust mite on blood eosinophilia, eosinophil cationic protein, soluble interleukin‐2 receptor, and interleukin‐6 in asthmatic children
Authors: Van Bever H. P. , Moens M. M. , Bridts C. H. , De Clerck L. S. , Mertens A. V. , Bosmans E. , Stevens W. J. 
Published: May 2007

Eighteen children with perennial asthma and allergy to house‐dust mite (HDM) underwent a bronchial challenge with HDM. Before and 24 h after the test, a venous blood sample was taken to determine levels of eosinophils, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), soluble interleukin‐2 receptor (IL‐2R), and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6). A histamine challenge was performed before and 24 h after the HDM challenge. All subjects showed an immediate asthmatic reaction (IAR). A definite late asthmatic reaction (LAR) was observed in 15 children, a probable LAR in two, and no LAR in one. Because of persistent bronchial obstruction (FEV1>70%), eight children were unable to perform a histamine challenge 24 h after the allergen challenge. These were the children with the lowest prechallenge provocation dose (PD20) of histamine. In the other 10 children, the mean PD20 histamine decreased after the HDM challenge (mean PD20 before was 0.56 mg/ml; after challenge it was 0.14 mg/ml; P= 0.007). After the HDM challenge, an increase was detected in the mean values of blood eosinophils (mean before was 446/mm3; mean after was 733/mm3; P= 0.002), ECP (mean before was 26.3 μg/1; mean after was 34.3 μg/1; P<0.040), and IL‐2R (mean before was 116.35 U/ml; mean after was 128.52 U/ml; P<0.040). On the other hand, IL‐6 remained unchanged after the HDM challenge (mean before was 9.47 pg/1; mean after was 9.70 pg/1; P= 0.360). Furthermore, as compared with a group of normal, age‐matched children (n =18), asthmatic children were found to have higher prechallenge levels of ECP (mean: 10.3 μg/1 compared with 26.3 μg/1) (P>0.001) and IL‐2R (mean: 80.30 U/ml compared with 116.35 U/ml) (P =0.009), but not of IL‐6 (mean: 11.34 pg/1 compared with 9.47 pg/1) (P = 0.436).A correlation was found between the duration of asthma and the severity of the LAR expressed as area under the curve (AUCLAR) (r = 0.50; P<0.040). Furthermore, a correlation was detected between the level of total IgE and the level of ECP (r = 0.51; P<0.030). The decrease in FEV1 during the LAR tended to correlate with the increase of IL‐2R (r = 0.48; P = 0.050). This tendency was not found with the increase of eosinophils, nor with the increase of ECP. We conclude that both lymphocytes and eosinophils are activated by an allergen challenge, but that only the activation of lymphocytes tends to correlate with the LAR, suggesting that lymphocytes are also closely involved in the pathogenesis of the allergen‐induced LAR.
Slight steroid‐sparing effect of intravenous immunoglobulin in children and adolescents with moderately severe bronchial asthma
Authors: Jakobsson T. , Croner S. , Kjellman N.‐I. M. , Pettersson A. , Vassella C. , Björkstén B. 
Published: May 2007

Jakobsson T, Croner S, Kjellman N‐IM, Pettersson A, Vassella C, Björkstén B. Slight steroid‐sparing effect of intravenous immunoglobulin in children and adolescents with moderately severe bronchial asthma.Twenty subjects (aged 6‐20 years) with moderately severe bronchial asthma participated in an open controlled trial with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) given as five monthly infusions with a mean dose of 0.8 g/kg body weight. A follow‐up was performed 4 and 14 months after the treatment period. Nine of 14 children in the treatment group completed the trial. Two children experienced severe headache after the first infusion, another two patients were taken off the study for reasons unrelated to the IVIG therapy, and one patient dropped out from lack of motivation. In six of the IVIG‐treated children, there was a reduction in the daily intake of inhaled steroids at an unchanged or reduced histamine reactivity. Of the remaining three children, two showed a reduction in bronchial hyperreactivity, but their steroid dose was not reduced. Six patients participated in a reference group to determine seasonal variations of symptoms. One of them improved during the study period, and the condition of the other five deteriorated, as indicated by increased medication without reduced histamine reactivity. After 14 months, there were no significant differences in clinical symptoms, nor in sensitivity to histamine between the treated patients and the controls, as the condition had improved also in the latter. We have thus been able to confirm, in a group larger than those in previously published reports, some clinical improvement of asthma by IVIG therapy at a lower dose than previously used and in children with only moderately severe disease. The effect was still present 4 months after the termination of IVIG therapy but not after 14 months. As the effects were small and temporary and the treatment is complicated and expensive, IVIG therapy cannot at present be recommended for general use. A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of the effect of IVIG in asthma is needed.
Prevalence of basidiomycete allergy in the USA and Europe and its relationship to allergic respiratory symptoms
Authors: Lehrer S.B. , Hughes J. M. , Altman L. C. , Bousquet J. , Davies R. J. , Gell L. , Li J. , Lopez M. , Malling H. J. , Mathison D. A. , Sastre J. , Schultze‐Werninghaus G. , Schwartz H. J. 
Published: May 2007

A total of 701 adults living in the USA or Western Europe who had symptoms of allergic respiratory disease were skin prick tested with extracts prepared from eight basidiomycetes species and four Fungi Imperfecti species. In these subjects, the presence of asthma, rhinitis, or both was determined by questionnaire. Overall, 178/701 (25.4%) of the participants reacted to at least one basidiomycete extract. There was no difference in the prevalence of reactivity detected in the USA and Europe (P < 0.005); however, the prevalence of reactors in individual centers from both areas varied significantly. Psilocybe cuhensis was the most potent allergen source in both the USA (12.3% reacted) and Europe (16.0%). Pleurotus ostreatus was second overall (10.6%) and in the USA (10.7%), and third in Europe (10.3%). Pisolithus tinctorius and Coprinus quadrifidus produced the least potent allergens, with only 5.4% of the population reacting. There was a significant relationship (P < 0.005) between basidiospore reactivity and the presence of atopy, asthma, and asthma and rhinitis. Basidiospore reactivity was not associated with the presence of rhinitis alone (P= 0.312). These results suggest that basidiomycetes are important sources of aeroallergens in geographically disparate regions and may be particularly important in patients with asthma.Lehrer SB, Hughes JM, Altman LC, Bousquet J, Davies RJ, Gell L, Li J, Lopez M, Mailing HJ, Mathison DA, Sastre J, Schultze‐Werninghaus G, Schwartz HJ. Prevalence of basidiomycete allergy in the USA and Europe and its relationship to allergic respiratory symptoms.
Prevalence of childhood asthma and allergic diseases in Ankara, Turkey
Authors: Kalyoncu A. F. , Selçuk Z. T. , Karakoca Y. , Emri A. S. , Çöplü L. , Şahin A. A. , Bariş Y. I. 
Published: May 2007

Kalyoncu AF, Selçuk ZT, Karakoca Y, Emri AS, Çöplü L, Şahin AA, Bariş YI. Prevalence of childhood asthma and allergic diseases in Ankara, Turkey.The first epidemiologic survey of the prevalence of childhood asthma and other allergic disease in Ankara, Turkey, was done in May 1992. A questionnaire on factors influencing the atopic status and allergic symptoms was distributed to parents of 1226 children aged 6‐12 years. In this questionnaire, parents were asked to give information about physician‐diagnosed asthma and atopic dermatitis (AD), and self‐reported wheezing and rhinoconjunctivitis (perennial or seasonal). The overall response rate was 85 % and included 502 boys (48.5%) and 534 girls (51.5%). The lifetime prevalences of asthma, wheezing, rhinoconjunctivitis, and AD were 17.4%, 23.3%, 28%, and 6.1%, respectively, and the reported prevalences for the last 12 months were 8.3%, 11.9%, 15.4%, and 4%, respectively. Asthma and other allergic disease had been recognized in 23.2% of the children during the last year; in half of these, more than one disease was present. Eight percent of the families kept pet animals; 95.4% of children had been breast‐fed, of whom 61% for more than 6 months; and at least one person smoked at home in the case of 73.9% of children. Some health insurance was available to 72.8% of the families. Cumulative prevalences of wheezing, rhinoconjunctivitis, and AD were significantly associated with the presence of pets, passive smoking at home, and absence of health insurance. The prevalence of asthma was not affected by any of these factors except atopic family history. In conclusion, asthma and other allergic diseases constitute a major health problem for schoolchildren in Ankara.
Demonstration of the high‐affinity IgE receptor (FcɛRI) on Langerhans' cells of diseased nasal mucosa
Authors: Haas N. , Hamann K. , Grabbe J. , Niehus J. , Kunkel G. , Kolde G. , Czarnetzki B. M. 
Published: May 2007

Haas N, Hamann K, Grabbe J, Niehus J, Kunkel G, Kolde G, Czarnetzki M. Demonstration of the high‐affinity IgE receptor (FcɛRI) on Langerhans' cells of diseased nasal mucosa.Langerhans' cells in the skin have recently been shown to bind IgE molecules via the high‐affinity IgE receptor (FcɛRI). Using two highly specific antibodies against the antibody‐binding α‐chain of this receptor, 29C6 and 6F7, we demonstrate by immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy that Langerhans' cells of diseased nasal mucosa can express the FcɛRI. Tissue sections from hyperplastic nasal conchae and nasal polyps of atopic and nonatopic patients have shown no basic differences in epithelial FcɛRII‐bearing cells. Only a few cells expressed the low‐affinity IgE receptor (FcɛRII) (Tül antibody) in some sections. These findings suggest that Langerhans' cells play an important role in the induction of transepithelial IgE‐mediated allergy and in the mediation of inflammation of the nasal mucosa via their FcɛRI.
A prospective safety‐monitoring study of immunotherapy in mite‐allergy patients with mass‐units‐standardized extract
Authors: de la Cuesta C. González , Feijoo R. , Rico P. 
Published: May 2007

González de la Cuesta C, Feijoo R, Rico P. A prospective safety‐monitoring study of immunotherapy in mite‐allergy patients with mass‐units‐standardized extract.To determine the tolerance of an allergen extract standardized in mass units, we closely monitored the side‐effects, during the buildup phase of immunotherapy treatment, in 88 patients with well‐documented respiratory allergy to house‐dust mite ‘Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus’. Thirty‐four patients ‘38.6%’ suffered from moderate perennial rhinitis, and 54 had mild to moderate bronchial asthma ‘61.4%’. For the desensitizing treatment, we used a depot extract adsorbed in aluminum hydroxide of D. pteronyssinus‘Pangramin® Depot UM’, biologically standardized and having the major allergens Der p 1 and Der p 2 quantified in micrograms. A total of 1244 doses were administered. All patients except one ‘98.9%’ reached the expected maximum dose of 4 μg Der p 1. Only five patients suffered mild adverse reactions ‘5.7%’. All adverse reactions except one appeared to be related to the vial of maximum concentration: vial III ‘4 μg Der p 1’. Considering the number of patients who had adverse reactions and the frequency of adverse reactions per dose, we found no significant differences between rhinitis and asthma sufferers. We think that immunotherapy in doses of 4 μg Der p 1 and 2 μg Der p 2 is well tolerated and should not be avoided in mildly to moderately asthmatic patients when treating house‐dust mite allergy.
Occupational allergy caused by Dianthus caryophillus, Gypsophila paniculata, and Lilium longiflorum
Authors: Vidal C. , Polo F. 
Published: May 2007

Background Occupational allergy to ornamental flowers is seldom reported. Methods We report a case of a 35‐year‐old male flower supplier who developed IgE‐mediated allergic rhinoconjunctivitis with nasal polyps, and contact urticaria and dermatitis after handling Gypsophila paniculata, Dianthus caryophiUtis. and Lilium longiflortim. Results Studies revealed the presence of positive immediate skin prick tests. Rubbing tests were positive to G. paniculata and D. caryophillus. Serum specific IgE was detected against G. paniculata and L. longiflorum. In IgE immunoblot, two IgE‐binding bands (15 and 17 kDa) were obtained against D. caryophillus, and two different bands (19 and 22 kDa) were visible against L. longiflorttm. Conclusions TTiese findings suggest an IgE‐mediated reaction as the mechanism responsible for the respiratory and cutaneous symptoms of the patient. No similar eases of allergy to D. caryophillus and L. longiflorum have been previously reported.
Latex allergy in spina bifida patients – prevention by primary prophylaxis
Authors: Cremer R. , Kleine‐Diepenbruck U. , Hoppe A. , Bläker F. 
Published: May 2007

Background The effect of latex prophylaxis has not been investigated in spina bifida children, a high‐risk group for latex allergy. As repeated operations have been identified as a major cause of latex sensitization, we wanted to find out whether primary latex prophylaxis during surgery could prevent latex allergy in children with spina bifida. Methods In December 1995, we established latex‐free surgery and anesthesia for all patients with spina bifida regardless of their sensitization to latex. Twelve children born after that date (mean age 1.2 years, mean ntmiber of operations 3.3, range 1 ‐7) were tested for specific IgE against latex until December 1997 (ImmunoCap, Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden) and compared with eight children born before December 1995 (mean age 1.3 years, mean number of operations 3.6, range 1–8), in whom a test for latex IgE had been done before the age of 2 years. Results Before we established primary prophylaxis, three of seven children with spina bifida (38%) were sensitized to latex until the age of 2 years. After the establishment of a latex‐free operating theater for spina bifida patients, none of the 12 patients were sensitized to latex despite up to seven operations in each child. Conclusions Primary latex prophylaxis during surgery can prevent latex sensitization in young spina bifida patients.
Nasal response in subjects undergoing challenges by inhaling occupational agents causing asthma through the nose and mouth
Authors: Desrosiers M. , Nguyen B. , Ghezzo H. , Leblanc C. , Malo J.‐L 
Published: May 2007

Background Subjects with occupational asthma (OA) often report nasal symptoms, but nasal reactions to inhalation challenges with occupational agents have not been well characterized. Methods Fifteen subjects with OA (eight due to high‐molecular‐weight agents ‐ flour and guar gum ‐ and seven due to isocyanates) underwent inhalational challenges using closed‐circuit devices (dry particles for high‐molecular‐weight agents and gas generator for isocyanates) on two occasions, 2‐4 weeks apart in a random fashion. On one occasion, they inhaled through the nose and, on another, through the mouth. The FEV, was monitored for up to 8 h afterward, and symptoms were documented with a standardized questionnaire on nasal symptomatology, assessment of nasal resistance by rhinomanometry, and nasal lavage for the examination of cells and mediators. Results Inhaling through the mouth and through the nose:

yielded similar asthmatic responses (25 ± 8% and 22 ± 10% maximum changes in FEV1)
more than doubled the peak nasal symptoms and nasal resistance when the maximum daily response was compared with prechallenge results.

This increase occurred on the days of inhalational challenges through the mouth and through the nose. There were some significant responses assessed by nasal lavage in terms of cells and mediators, again with no differences between the days of challenges through the mouth and through the nose. Conclusions Inhaling occupational agents of high or low molecular weight, including isocyanates, whether through the mouth or nose:

results in a similar asthmatic response
causes a significant nasal response in terms of symptoms and an increase n i nasal resistance
causes some significant changes in inflammatory cells and mediators.
Hay fever – a Finnish nationwide study of adolescent twins and their parents
Authors: Räsäsnen M. , Laitinen T. , Kaprio J. , Koskenvuo M. , Laitinen L A. 
Published: May 2007

Background Like other atopic diseases, hay fever is known to cluster in families. This clustering is due either to effects of a shared family environment or to genetic inheritance. By comparing the occurrence of hay fever among monozygous (MZ) and dizygous (DZ) twin pairs, we were able t o estimate the contribution of genetic and environmental factors in the development of hay fever. Methods A questionnaire mailed to a nationwide sample of 2483 families with 16‐year‐old twins furnished data for the cumulative incidence of physician‐diagnosed hay fever among these adolescents and their parents. Results Among the 1765 twin pairs with data available for analysis, hay fever was reported for 14.1% of boys (95% CI = 12.4‐15.8%) and 10.0% of girls (95% CI=8.6‐11.4%). The MZ twin pairs (probandwise concordance rate=60.3%, 95% CI=52‐68%) were significantly more concordant for hay fever than were DZ twin pairs (31.5%, 95% Cl=26‐36%). Genetic factors accounted for 74‐82% of the interindividual variability in liability to hay fever, variation in shared family environment for 7% at most, and unique (individual) environment for 18%. Conclusions Familial occurrence of hay fever is mainly due to genes predisposing to the trait. Environmental exposures shared in common by family members but varying between families appear to account for at most a modest proportion of the variability in risk of developing hay fever.
Amino acid sequence similarity of Hev b 3 to two previously reported 27‐ and 23‐kDa latex proteins allergenic to spina bifida patients
Authors: Yeang H.Y. , Ward M.A. , Zamri A.S.M. , Dennis M.S. , Light D.R. 
Published: May 2007

Separate studies have reported spina bifida patients to be especially allergic t o proteins of 27 and 23 kDa found in the serum of centrifuged natural rubber latex. An insoluble latex protein located on the surface of small rubber particles, Hev b 3, has similarly been found to be allergenic to spina bifida patients. In this study, internal amino acid sequences of Hev b 3 showed similarity to the published sequences for the 27‐ and 23‐kDa latex proteins. The latter allergens are hence identified as Hev b 3.Determination of the molecular weight of Hev b 3 revealed various species of 22–23 kDa. The consistent gaps of about 266 Da observed between various forms of the intact protein suggest that the protein undergoes post‐translational modification. To determine whether Hev b 3 also occurs i n a soluble form in the latex serum, its presence in molecular‐filtered serum was checked by ELISA and Western blot, TTie results showed Hev b 3 to be largely absent in the C‐serum from fresh latex. The protein is therefore insoluble in its native state. However, a small amount of the solubilized protein was detected in ammonia‐stabilized latex (commonly used in the manufacture of latex products).
PGE2 suppresses excessive anti‐IgE induced cysteinyl leucotrienes production in mast cells of patients with aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease
Authors: Wang X. S. , Wu A. Y‐Y. , Leung P. S. , Lau H. Y. A. 
Published: May 2007

Background:  Aspirin causes bronchospasm in patients with aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD). The contribution of mast cells to the increased cysteinyl‐leucotrienes (cys‐LTs) detected in AERD patients is however not defined.Aims of the study:  Effects of prostaglandin (PG) E2 and inhibitors of cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LO) pathways on mediator release from cultured mast cells of normal subjects, aspirin tolerant asthma (ATA) and AERD patients were compared to better define the role of mast cells in AERD.Methods:  Mast cells were cultured from peripheral blood progenitors and were activated by anti‐IgE. Histamine, PGD2 and cys‐LTs released were then determined.Results:  Basal release of all three mediators was similar in all subjects. Although the release of all three mediators was increased by anti‐IgE, mast cells from AERD patients produced significantly more cys‐LTs (6.9 ± 2.0 ng/106 cells) than normal and ATA subjects (2.3 ± 0.8 and 1.7 ± 0.5 ng/106 cells, respectively). While COX and LO pathway inhibitors did not affect anti‐IgE induced histamine release, they significantly suppressed the production of PGD2 and cys‐LTs, respectively, in all patients. PGE2 significantly enhanced anti‐IgE induced histamine and PGD2 release from mast cells of normal subjects but not those of ATA and AERD patients. In contrast, PGE2 suppressed only anti‐IgE induced cys‐LTs release from mast cells of AERD patients.Conclusion:  We speculate that overproduction of cys‐LTs is unique to mast cells of AERD patients and is particularly sensitive to suppression by PGE2. Consequently reduction of PGE2 production by aspirin removes this endogenous control of cys‐LTs overproduction, resulting in asthma attack.
A Subgroup 1 Tobamovirus Isolated from Brugmansia sp. and its Detection by RT‐PCR
Authors: Ilmberger N. , Willingmann P. , Adam G. , Heinze C. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractA new virus, isolated from a mixed infected Brugmansia sp., was characterized. The viral genome was about 6380 nucleotides (nts) long and showed an organization typically for tobamoviruses with overlapping open reading frames (ORF) of the RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) and the movement protein (MP). The coat protein (CP) was in the same size as known for other tobamoviruses. Phylogenetic analyses of the complete genome indicated that the new isolate belongs to the tobamovirus subgroup 1, despite strong serological reactions with Ribgrass mosaic virus (RMV) specific antiserum in a plate trapped antigen ELISA. Sequence comparisons with species of the genus Tobamovirus revealed >10% overall sequence divergence, which indicates according to the rules of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) that this virus is a new species and we suggest the name Brugmansia mild mottle virus (BMMV) for that isolate. Furthermore, we present a diagnostic reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) protocol for the detection of this isolate which uses a drastically reduced cycling time.