bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Purification and characterization of the main allergen of Plantago lanceolata pollen, Pla l 1
Authors: Calabozo B. , Barber D. , Polo F. 
Published: March 2003

English plantain (Plantago lanceolata) pollen is an important cause of pollinosis in the temperate regions of North America, Australia and Europe. However, very little is known about its allergen composition.The aim of this study was to identify plantain allergens, and to isolate and characterize a major allergen.Allergens were identified by immunoblotting with individual allergic patients' sera. Isolation of the major allergen was achieved by sequential reverse‐phase and size‐exclusion HPLC. Allergenic characterization was performed by ELISA and immunoblotting after SDS‐PAGE with sera from plantain‐allergic patients. N‐terminal amino acid sequence was established by Edman degradation.Allergograms showed that 13 out of the 14 sera assayed had IgE to a group of proteins with a molecular weight in the range of 16–20 kd, that turned out to be different isoforms or variants of the major allergen Pla l l. Eighteen amino acid residues from the N‐terminal end of one of the isoforms, and 10 of three others, were sequenced, and a partial sequence identity with Ole e 1 was found. Prevalence of specific IgE to purified Pla l 1 in plantain allergic patients was 86%, and represents about 80% of the total IgE‐binding capacity of the plantain extract.The most relevant allergen from P.lanceolata pollen, Pla l 1, has been purified and characterized. This contributes to a greater knowledge of the allergen composition of this important weed, and clears the way for the standardization of plantain allergen products in terms of major allergen content.
Increased concentration of fecal α1‐antitrypsin is associated with cow's milk allergy in infants with atopic eczema
Authors: Majamaa H. , Aittoniemi J. , Miettinen A. 
Published: March 2003

Background The use of fecal α1‐antitrypsin in the monitoring of intestinal inflammation in infants with atopic eczema and food allergy was evaluated.Methods The study material comprised 26 atopic infants with confirmed food allergy. Fecal samples were collected before an elimination diet and 3 months later for the determination of α1‐antitrypsin.Results Nine (35%) of the 26 patients demonstrated an increased fecal concentration of α1‐antitrypsin (median 3 mg/g; range 2.8–6.4 mg/g). In all nine patients (100%) the oral cow's milk challenge was positive as opposed to only six (35%) in those with normal α1‐antitrypsin concentration (P = 0.0024). No further connections between α1‐antitrypsin and other food allergies were detected. As a result of an adequate elimination diet, the fecal concentration of α1‐antitrypsin was normalized in seven patients, with a favourable clinical response in atopic eczema in six and no improvement in one patient.Conclusions Our results indicate that serial determinations of fecal α1‐antitrypsin provide a useful non‐invasive tool for the detection and follow‐up of intestinal inflammation in a certain group of atopic infants with cow's milk allergy and severe inflammation of the gut.
Antigen‐specific IgE and IgA antibodies in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid are associated with stronger antigen‐induced late phase reactions
Authors: Stokes Peebles R. , Hamilton R. G. , Lichtenstein L. M. , Schlosberg M. , Liu M. C. , Proud D. , Togias A. 
Published: March 2003

The mechanism(s) leading to the development of late phase allergic reactions is (are) unknown. Previous studies have indicated that a relationship between serum IgE and the late phase exists.To explore the relationships between allergen‐specific immunoglobulins in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids and the magnitude of airflow limitation during the late phase response to inhaled allergen.Ragweed‐specific IgE, IgA, secretory IgA (sIgA) and IgG were measured in BAL fluid and in the serum 1–5 weeks before whole lung antigen challenge with ragweed extract, in 16 ragweed allergic asthmatics. In addition, BAL and serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and BAL fibrinogen levels were determined and BAL cells counted and differentiated. The latter procedures were repeated in a second BAL performed 24 h after the end of the ragweed challenge. After the challenge, lung function was monitored hourly for 8 h, to record the magnitude of airflow limitation.Ragweed‐specific immunoglobulins were detected in 25% to 37.5% of BAL samples. Compared to the subjects with undetectable BAL fluid ragweed‐specific IgE levels at baseline, those with detectable antibodies had stronger late phase reactions as determined by the nadir of FEV1 between hours 4 and 8 after the ragweed inhalation challenge (P = 0.0007). Allergen‐induced changes in BAL ECP and fibrinogen levels were also higher in those subjects with detectable ragweed‐specific IgE in baseline fluids (P = 0.03 and P = 0.005, respectively). Significant relationships between BAL antigen‐specific IgA, serum ragweed‐specific IgE and IgA and the late phase reaction were also found.The results of this study point towards the possibility that allergen‐specific IgE and IgA may be independently involved in the pathogenesis of the late phase reaction. This notion merits further exploration.
Citrus red mite (Panonychus citri) may be an important allergen in the development of asthma among exposed children
Authors: Kim Y.‐K. , Park H.‐S. , Kim H.‐Y. , Jee Y.‐K. , Son J.‐W. , Bae J.‐M. , Lee M.‐H. , Cho S.‐H. , Min K.‐U. , Kim Y.‐Y. 
Published: March 2003

BackgroundRecent investigations have demonstrated that spider mites are important allergens in the development of asthma in fruit‐cultivating farmers.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitization rate to the citrus red mite (Panonychus citri) in children living in rural areas, and to determine the allergenic cross‐reactivity with other mites.MethodsA total of 7254 children (ages 7–15 years) living in rural areas were enrolled, and each subject was evaluated by a questionnaire and a skin prick test. Allergenic cross‐reactivity was evaluated by ELISA inhibition tests.ResultsThe most common sensitizing allergens were house dust mites, followed by citrus red mite and cockroach. High serum‐specific IgE bindings to the citrus red mite were detected in 21 of 100 randomly selected subjects. The prevalence of asthma was higher among those with positive skin responses to the citrus red mite than with negative skin responses to this mite. ELISA inhibition tests showed that IgE bindings to this mite were minimally inhibited with additions of domestic mites.ConclusionSpider mites such as the citrus red mite may be important outdoor allergens among children living in rural areas, and spider mite‐derived allergens have unique allergenic determinants compared with domestic mites.
Temporal relationship between air pollution and hospital admissions for asthmatic children in Hong Kong
Authors: Wong G. W. K. , Ko F. W. S. , Lau T. S. , Li S. T. , Hui D. , Pang S. W. , Leung R. , Fok T. F. , Lai C. K. W. 
Published: March 2003

Background Many epidemiological studies have shown positive association between respiratory health and current levels of outdoor air pollution in Europe and America.Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the association between air pollution and the number of childhood admissions for asthma in Hong Kong.Methods Daily counts of childhood admission for asthma to a large teaching Hospital were obtained from the computerized database for the period 1993–1994. A Poisson regression allowing for seasonal patterns and meteorological conditions was used to assess the associations between the number of Hospital admissions and the three pollutants: nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and inhalable particles (measured as PM10, particles < 10 µm in aerodynamic diameter).Results A total of 1217 children under 15 years of age were admitted for asthma during the study period. The calculated annual hospitalization rates were 283 and 178 per 100 000 for boys and girls, respectively. The mean PM10, NO2 and SO2 levels were 44.1 µg/m3, 43.3 µg/m3, and 12.2 µg/m3, respectively. Daily admission for asthma increased significantly with increasing ambient level of nitrogen dioxide (relative risk (RR) = 1.08 per 10 µg/m3 increase), sulphur dioxide (RR = 1.06) and inhalable particles (RR = 1.03). No association was found between hospital admission and humidity, temperature or atmospheric pressure.Conclusion This is the first daily time series study of childhood admissions for asthma and air pollution in Hong Kong. The results support that current levels of air pollution contribute to the respiratory morbidity in asthmatic children in Hong Kong.
Safety of a specific COX‐2 inhibitor in aspirin‐induced asthma
Authors: Szczeklik A. , Nizankowska E. , Bochenek G. , Nagraba K. , Mejza F. , Swierczynska M. 
Published: March 2003

In a subset of patients with asthma, aspirin and several other non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAID) that inhibit simultaneously cyclooxygenase‐1 (COX‐1) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) precipitate dangerous asthmatic attacks.We tested the hypothesis that in patients with aspirin‐induced asthma the attacks are triggered by inhibition of COX‐1 and not COX‐2.In twelve asthmatic patients (seven men, five women, average age 39 years) oral aspirin challenge precipitated symptoms of bronchial obstruction with fall in FEV1 > 20%, and a rise in urinary leukotriene E4 (LTE4) excretion; also in five patients the stable metabolite of PGD2, 9α11βPGF2, increased in urine. The patients then entered a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over study in which they received either placebo or rofecoxib in increasing doses 1.5–25.0 mg for 5 consecutive days, separated by a 1‐week wash‐out period. No patient on rofecoxib developed dyspnoea or fall in FEV1 > 20%; mean urinary LTE4 and 9α11βPGF2 urinary levels, measured on each study day for 6 h post‐dosing, remained unchanged. Two patients on placebo experienced moderate dyspnoea without alterations in urinary metabolites excretion. At least 2 weeks after completion of the study, all patients received on an open basis 25 mg rofecoxib without any adverse effects.NSAID that inhibit COX‐1, but not COX‐2, trigger asthmatic attacks in patients with asthma and aspirin intolerance. Rofecoxib can be administered to patients with aspirin‐induced asthma.
Der p 1 and Der p 2 induce less severe late asthmatic responses than native Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract after a similar early asthmatic response
Authors: Van Der Veen M. J. , Jansen H. M. , Aalberse R. C. , Van Der Zee J. S. 
Published: March 2003

Background The models for exposure to house dust in research and clinical practice are selected with respect to their role in IgE‐mediated immediate hypersensitivity. The use of isolated major allergens instead of complex allergen extracts is becoming increasingly popular as it offers some important advantages for quantitative measures in diagnosis and research.Objective To compare house dust mite extract and isolated mite major allergens with respect to their ability to induce early and late asthmatic responses and bronchial hyperreactivity.Methods Bronchial responses to house dust mite (HDM, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) extract and isolated major allergens from HDM (Der p 1 and Der p 2) were compared in a double‐blind, randomized, cross‐over study in 20 patients with mild to moderate asthma who were allergic to HDM. Allergen was titrated to a standardized early asthmatic response. Bronchial hyper‐responsiveness to histamine (PC20histamine) was determined before and after allergen inhalation to assess allergen‐induced bronchial hyper‐responsiveness and IL‐5 was measured in serum. In addition, the allergens were applied in intracutaneous skin tests and activation of basophil leucocytes and proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was tested in vitro.Results After a similar early asthmatic response (mean Δforced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1),max−29.4 (SD 7.2) vs. −33.1 (8.6) %; mean difference 3.6 (95% CI −0.9 to 8.2) %), the late asthmatic response (mean ΔFEV1,max−45.9 (21.9) vs. −32.7 (22.3) %; mean difference 13.2 (3.8–22.3) %), the degree of allergen‐induced bronchial hyper‐responsiveness (mean ΔPC20histamine, 1.8 (1.0) vs. 1.2 (0.9) doubling dose; mean difference 0.6 (0.2–1.1) doubling dose) and serum IL‐5 at 6 h were found to be significantly higher after bronchial challenge with HDM extract than after challenge with an isolated HDM major allergen. Likewise, there was an increased late skin reaction with HDM compared with isolated major allergen after a similar early skin reaction.Conclusion Constituents of HDM extract, other than Der p 1 or Der p 2, with no significant influence on the IgE‐mediated early asthmatic response contribute significantly to the allergen‐induced late asthmatic response and bronchial hyper‐reactivity.
Importance of inflammatory and immune components in a mouse model of airway reactivity to toluene diisocyanate (TDI)
Authors: Matheson J. M. , Lange R. W. , Lemus R. , Karol M. H. , Luster M. I. 
Published: March 2003

Background Nearly 9 million individuals are exposed to agents in the workplace associated with asthma, and isocyanates represent the most common cause of occupationally induced asthma.Objectives Nonetheless, the immunological mechanisms responsible for isocyanate‐induced asthma are not clear. A murine model for toluene diisocyanate (TDI) asthma is described and employed to examine inflammatory and immune components that may be involved in the disease.Methods Groups (n = 6) of C57BL/6J and athymic mice were sensitized by subcutaneous injection (20 µl on day 1, 5 µl on days 4 and 11), and 7 days later challenged by inhalation (100 p.p.b., days 20, 22 and 24) with TDI. Twenty‐four hours following the last challenge the tracheae and lungs were examined for histological changes as well as for the expression of Th1, Th2 and pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Mice were also examined for airway reactivity to methacholine challenge and for specific and total IgE and IgG antibodies.Results TDI sensitization resulted in increased reactivity to methacholine challenge as well as a significant inflammatory response in the trachea and nares of wild‐type mice, but not in the athymic mice nor in the lungs of the C57BL/6J mice. Airway inflammation was characterized by inflammatory cell influx, goblet cell metaplasia and epithelial damage. Histological changes in the trachea were accompanied by increased mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)‐4, tumour necrosis factor α, lymphotoxin β, lymphotactin and Rantes, as well as TDI‐specific IgG antibodies and elevated levels of total IgE. IgE‐specific antibodies were not detected with this exposure regimen but were produced when the TDI concentrations were increased.Conclusions These studies provide a unique murine model for occupational asthma that generates both inflammatory and immune mediators similar to those occurring in TDI‐induced asthma in humans.
Freezing of homogenized sputum samples for intermittent storage
Authors: Holz O. , Mücke M. , Zarza P. , Loppow D. , Jörres R. A. , Magnussen H. 
Published: March 2003

Background Among the reasons that restrict the application of sputum induction in outpatient settings is the need for processing of samples within 2 h after induction.Objective The aim of our study was to assess whether freezing is suitable for intermediate storage of sputum samples before processing.Methods We compared differential cell counts between two sputum aliquots derived from the same sample. One aliquot was processed within 2 h after production and one, after it had been frozen under addition of dimethyl‐sulfoxid (DMSO) and stored up to 10 days at −20 °C. Thirty‐five samples were frozen immediately prior to preparation of cytospins, and 10 samples were frozen at an even earlier stage, directly after homogenization.Results In both sets of experiments we observed a significant relationship between frozen and native samples regarding macrophages, neutrophils and eosinophils, as indicated by respective intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.96, 0.96, and 0.93 in the first, and of 0.92, 0.96 and 0.77 in the second experiments.Conclusion Our results indicate that the freezing of sputum samples at different stages of processing does not alter sputum morphology to an extent that affects the results of differential cell counts.
Prevalence of immunoglobulin E for fungi in atopic children
Authors: Nolles G. , Hoekstra M. O. , Schouten J. P. , Gerritsen J. , Kauffman H. F. 
Published: March 2003

Background The prevalence of sensitization to fungi in young atopic patients in relation to age and clinical importance is largely unknown.Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of sensitization to different fungi in atopic children in relation to age and other aeroallergens.Methods A total of 137 atopic children (male 62%, female 38%; mean age 5 years and 9 months, range 5 months−14 years) were studied. Sera of all patients were routinely tested for total IgE and specific IgE against aeroallergens and milk. Positive sera were also tested for IgE against Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cladosporium herbarum and Penicillium chrysogenum, using the Pharmacia Enzyme CAP procedure.Results In this study in atopic children total IgE showed a significant linear relation with age, whereas specific IgE against outdoor fungi, indoor fungi and house dust mite showed significant non‐linearity with age. Prevalence of specific IgE for Cladosporium ranked first, followed closely by Aspergillus and Alternaria. Calculation of the sensitization of indoor and outdoor fungi showed maximum prevalence at 7.8 years, followed by lower values at higher ages. A similar significant relation was also found for Alternaria, while this relation was not significant for the other individual fungi. Specific IgE for indoor and outdoor fungi was associated with the presence of specific IgE for aeroallergen and milk. We found that all children aged 4 years and older showed IgE for house dust mite that did not decline with increasing age.Conclusions Sensitization to fungi is prevalent in childhood, with an age‐dependent distribution reaching maximum values at 7.7–7.8 years, followed by a decline for all fungal sensitization with increasing age. The importance and relative contribution of fungal sensitization to airway disease, compared with the other allergens, remains to be established.
Increased release of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 in the plasma of acute severe asthmatic patients
Authors: Belleguic C. , Corbel M. , Germain N. , Léna H. , Boichot E. , Delaval PH. , Lagente V. 
Published: March 2003

Background Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are likely to be relevant mediators of the extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and airway remodelling.ObjectiveWe have compared the levels of MMPs, eotaxin and soluble interleukin 2 receptor (IL‐2R) in the plasma of healthy subjects, atopic patients and asthmatic patients.Methods The asthmatic patients were separated into two groups, either well controlled on inhaled therapy or acute severe asthma. Patients with acute severe disease had all received systemic corticosteroids from 12 to 48 h before the blood was taken. Blood was recovered in EDTA tubes, incubated with either f MLP, PMA or vehicle for 10 min and centrifuged. MMP‐9, TIMP‐1, IL‐2R and eotaxin levels were measured in the plasma by ELISA. Moreover, the activity of MMPs was also evaluated by zymography.Results An increased basal level of MMP‐9 and IL2‐R was observed in acute severe asthma. Following stimulation with f MLP and PMA there was an enhanced production of MMP‐9 in the plasma of all groups of patients. However, the MMP‐9 level was significantly enhanced in acute severe asthma, compared with the others. No difference was found for the TIMP‐1 level between the patients. The eotaxin level in plasma was found to be significantly lower in acute severe asthmatics compared with the others groups. Zymography technique showed a significant increased activity of MMP‐9 (92 kDa) but not MMP‐2 (66 kDa) in the plasma of patients with acute asthma.Conclusion The increased in MMP‐9 production and activity observed in the present study suggests a process of extracellular matrix degradation in acute severe asthmatic patients and proposes MMP‐9 as a non‐invasive systemic marker of inflammation and airway remodelling in asthma.
Low prevalence of atopy in young Danish farmers and farming students born and raised on a farm
Authors: Portengen L. , Sigsgaard T. , Omland Ø. , Hjort C. , Heederik D. , Doekes G. 
Published: March 2003

Background Recent studies have shown that in several countries atopic sensitization to common allergens (common atopy) and atopic symptoms are markedly less prevalent in children living on a farm, compared with non‐farm children living in the same rural areas. Living conditions on farms may, however, vary largely between different countries. It is also not yet known whether the ‘protective’ effect of a farm environment can also be found in adults.Materials and methods Common atopy and respiratory health were assessed by skin prick tests (SPT), questionnaire and measurement of bronchial hyper‐responsiveness (BHR) in the Sund Stald (SUS) study, a cohort study on respiratory health in Danish farming students and conscripts from the same rural areas as controls. Results of SPT were confirmed by IgE serology in all SPT+ subjects and a subset of SPT– subjects. Prevalences of common atopy, respiratory symptoms and bronchial hyper‐ responsiveness were compared for farmers and controls, and for those who had or had not lived on a farm in early childhood.Results In multiple logistic regression analyses adjusting for ever smoking and a familial history of allergy, both being a farmer (ORs 0.62–0.75) and having had a farm childhood (ORs 0.55–0.75) appeared to contribute independently to a lower risk of sensitization to common allergens as assessed by SPT and IgE serology. A farm childhood was also inversely associated with high total IgE (OR 0.68), presence of respiratory symptoms (ORs 0.69–0.79) and BHR (OR 0.61) in these analyses. Direction and strength of the association between being a farmer and respiratory symptoms or BHR varied widely (ORs 0.69–1.28).Conclusion The ‘anti‐atopy’ protective effect of a farm childhood could be confirmed in Danish farming students: prevalences of positive SPT, specific and total IgE, allergic symptoms and BHR were lower in those being born or raised on a farm. Past exposure to the farm environment in early childhood may therefore also contribute to a lower risk of atopic sensitization and disease at a later age.