bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chemotherapy plus G‐CSF mobilized peripheral blood stem cell harvests from acute myeloid leukaemia patients contain large amounts of polyclonal myeloid linnegCD11cpos dendritic precursor cells
Authors: Sánchez Joaquín , Herrera Concepción , Torres Antonio , Román‐Gómez José , Álvarez Miguel A. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryDendritic cells (DC) are potent antigen‐presenting cells that can induce effective tumour‐specific T‐cell responses. This study investigated leucapheresis products as source of DC precursors in 48 patients undergoing autologous peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation for haematological malignancies. Strikingly, high‐dose cytarabine and etoposide plus granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF) mobilized PBSC harvests from acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients containing the highest number of myeloid linnegCD11cpos DC (mean: 7·04 × 106/kg, range: 1·46–19·67) which was 18·1‐fold higher than in non‐AML patients mobilized using chemotherapy (CT) regimens plus G‐CSF. Clonality of purified linnegCD11cpos DC from CT plus G‐CSF mobilized AML patients (n = 8 ) was assessed using the human androgen‐receptor locus methylation, disclosing a polyclonal pattern in five female patients. These cells displayed morphological and phenotypic features of myeloid DC precursors with expression of HLA‐DR, HLA‐ABC, CD86, CCR5 and CD54 molecules but lacking CD80, CD83, CD1a and CD40 antigens. Short‐term culture with autologous leukaemic cell lysates plus tumour necrosis factor‐α yielded maturated myeloid DC capable of triggering interleukin‐2 and interferon‐γ production by autologous T‐lymphocytes. These findings suggest that the use of post‐remission CT and G‐CSF as mobilizing regimen in AML patients generates PBSC containing high doses of polyclonal myeloid linnegCD11cpos DC precursors, which could be used to design feasible immunotherapy protocols.
Molecular rescue of tumour‐specific T cell receptor idiotype from T cell lymphomas
Authors: Reddy Sunil A. , Levy Ronald 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe T cell receptor (TCR) idiotype on T cell lymphomas can serve as a vaccine target. To clone the relevant genes, 5′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) was performed on 13 T cell lymphomas and nine control samples. Two polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were performed for each TCR chain (α and β) and the proportion of the clonal TCR sequence over the total number of TCR sequences was calculated. For α, the average proportions were 0·43 vs. 0·05. For β these were 0·44 and 0·04. The TCR was identified in 10 of 13 lymphoma samples.
Contributions of the VENFISH program: meso‐zooplankton, Pacific saury (Cololabis saira) and walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) in the northwestern Pacific
Authors: ITO SHIN‐ICHI , SUGISAKI HIROYA , TSUDA ATSUSHI , YAMAMURA ORIO , OKUDA KUNIAKI 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe comprehensive study of the variation of the oceanic environment and fish populations in the northwestern Pacific (VENFISH) was an interdisciplinary scientific program to enhance our understanding of relationships between the ocean environment and the pelagic fishes, Pacific saury and walleye pollock. As prey of saury and walleye pollock, key species of zooplankton were selected and their life history and production were elucidated. Retrospective analyses were also conducted to investigate the mechanisms of production variation in some zooplankton species. Life history and ecology of Pacific saury and walleye pollock were also investigated and substantial improvements to our understanding of them were achieved. In addition, improved information from VENFISH were used to develop several models to investigate saury growth, and population dynamics, and predatory pressure on zooplankton from walleye pollock. Observational and model results indicate the importance of the Kuroshio and the Kuroshio–Oyashio transition region to saury recruitment and of Oyashio transport to walleye pollock recruitment. Moreover, models developed under VENFISH will become the basis of fisheries management models for saury, walleye pollock, and other fishes in the future.
Dog allergen in indoor air and dust during dog shows
Authors: Mussalo‐Rauhamaa H. , Reijula K. , Malmberg, M. , Mäkinen‐Kiljunen S. , Lapinlampi T. 
Published: December 2004

Background and methods:  Dog dander is one of the most important indoor allergens in Nordic countries. Due to the population flow into cities, the number of dogs in urban areas has increased. Dog allergens can be found practically everywhere indoors. We measured allergen content in indoor air and dust during dog shows. Results:  In facilities used for dog shows, the dog allergen content was exceptionally high, up to 2 100 000 ng Can f 1/g dust, but it can be reduced by proper cleaning. The efficiency of cleaning will remain poor if furniture and textiles are not cleaned or the distribution of airborne allergen cannot be prevented. Conclusions:  Dog shows should not be held in public facilities, such as schools, where a significant proportion of occupants are hypersensitive to dog allergens and may therefore suffer symptoms due to the exposure to dog dander.
Atopy patch test in patients with atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome: comparison of petrolatum and aqueous solution as a vehicle
Authors: Oldhoff J. M. , Bihari I. C. , Knol E. F. , Bruijnzeel‐Koomen C. A. F. M. , de Bruin‐Weller M. S. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  The atopy patch test (APT) is an in vivo model to study the induction of eczema by inhalant allergens. This study was designed to compare two commonly used APT methods.Methods:  In the first method, the allergen is dissolved in aqueous solution, which is applied on tape‐stripped skin. In the second method, the allergen is dissolved in petrolatum and applied without tape stripping. Thirteen patients with atopic dermatitis sensitized to inhalant allergens were patch tested using both methods. Reactions were evaluated macroscopically and microscopically after 48 h.Results:  Nine out of 13 patients displayed a positive reaction for both methods. One patient had a positive APT for the aqueous method alone and three for the petrolatum method alone. Reactions were significantly stronger when using the petrolatum method. Histological evaluation of the nine patients positive for both methods showed no significant differences in number of eosinophils, T‐cells and neutrophils.Conclusion:  The APT using the petrolatum vehicle induces a higher number of positive reactions and is significantly stronger relative to the APT using allergen in aqueous vehicle. The cellular influx in both test methods is comparable. Both methods can be used to study the mechanisms in the induction of eczema by inhalant allergens.
A novel inhalation allergen present in the working environment of beekeepers
Authors: Rudeschko O. , Machnik A. , Dörfelt H. , Kaatz H.‐H. , Schlott B. , Kinne R. W. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Inhalation allergies, caused by allergens from various kinds of pollen, house dust mites, animal epithelium, and mould fungi, are strongly increasing in frequency. In 2.6% of the cases the allergen source remains unidentified. The present paper describes a so far unknown inhalation allergy which was observed in the case of a patient working with hives.Methods and results:  The allergen was characterized by immunoblotting, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay inhibition, and isoelectrofocusing, using the serum of the patient. It is present in both the bee bodies and the larvae, has a molecular mass of 13 kDa, and an isoelectric point of 5.85. It is thermolabile and does not cross‐react with allergens from birch, mugwort and timothy grass pollen, mould fungi, or bee venom. The N‐terminal amino acid sequence of allergen from larvae was determined to be 2QIEELKTRLHT12. A similar allergen of 13 kDa was also found in Varroa mite accompanying bee populations.Conclusion:  Honey bees (including the larva stadium) and Varroa mite contain a 13‐kDa protein causing an allergic reaction. Presently, there is no evidence whether the case described is a singular phenomenon or whether this allergen is a more common inducer of allergies among subjects exposed to honey bees. However, a bee and Varroa mite allergy has to be considered for beekeepers after exclusion of known inhalation allergies.
Respiratory allergy in apprentice bakers: do occupational allergies follow the allergic march?
Authors: Walusiak J. , Hanke W. , Górski P. , Pałczyński C. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  This prospective study describes the incidence, risk factors and natural history of occupational respiratory allergy in apprentice bakers.Methods:  Two hundred and eighty‐seven apprentice bakers were examined using a questionnaire, skin prick tests (SPTs) to common and occupational allergens, evaluation of total serum IgE level and specific anti‐flour and α‐amylase IgE, before, 1 year and 2 years after the onset of vocational training. To diagnose occupational respiratory disease, spirometry, histamine and allergen‐specific inhalation challenge tests were performed.Results:  The incidence of work‐related chest symptoms was 4.2% in the first year and 8.6% in the second year of exposure. Hypersensitivity to occupational allergens developed in 4.6 and 8.2% of subjects, respectively. The incidence of occupational allergic rhinitis was 8.4% after 1 year and 12.5% after 2 years, and that of occupational asthma/cough‐variant asthma 6.1 and 8.7%, respectively. The latency period of work‐related rhinitis symptoms was 11.6 ± 7.1 months and chest symptoms 12.9 ± 5.5 months. Only in 20% of occupational asthmatics could allergic rhinitis be diagnosed a stage earlier. In 21 out of 25 subjects with occupational asthma, chronic cough was the sole clinical manifestation of the disease. Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that positive SPT to common allergens was a significant risk factor of hypersensitivity to occupational allergens (OR = 10.6, 95% CI 5.27; 21.45), occupational rhinitis (OR = 3.9, 95% CI 1.71; 9.14) and occupational asthma (OR = 7.4, 95% CI 3.01; 18.04). Moreover, positive SPT to occupational allergens on entry to the training was a significant risk factor of asthma (OR = 6.9, 95% CI 0.93; 51.38).Conclusions:  The incidence of occupational asthma and rhinitis in apprentice bakers is high and increases z with the duration of exposure. Skin reactivity to common and occupational allergens is the main risk factor of bakers’ asthma. Most cases of work‐related respiratory symptoms among apprentice bakers are related to a specific sensitization. In most subjects who developed occupational asthma, rhinitis occurred at the same time as the chest symptoms did.
Association between nasal and bronchial symptoms in subjects with persistent allergic rhinitis
Authors: Downie S. R. , Andersson M. , Rimmer J. , Leuppi J. D. , Xuan W. , Akerlund A. , Peat J. K. , Salome C. M. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  The association between nasal and bronchial symptoms, and the course of bronchial responsiveness and airway inflammation in house dust mite sensitive persistent rhinitis over a prolonged time period has not been thoroughly explored.Objective:  To determine if nasal symptoms were associated with bronchial symptoms in persistent rhinitic subjects, and to assess their bronchial responsiveness and airway inflammation in comparison to nonrhinitic, nonatopic controls. The additional impact of pollen sensitivity on the lower airways in rhinitic subjects was also addressed.Methods:  Rhinitics and controls answered telephone symptom questionnaires once every 2 weeks for 1 year. Every 3 months, exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) and bronchial responsiveness to histamine were measured.Results:  Thirty‐seven rhinitics and 19 controls completed the study. High nasal symptom scores in rhinitic subjects were associated with bronchial symptoms (OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.2–2.5). Bronchial hyper‐responsiveness was present in 32.4% of rhinitic subjects on at least one clinical visit during the year. Pollen allergy caused seasonal variation in eNO (P = 0.03).Conclusion:  In persistent rhinitic subjects, high nasal symptom scores were associated with bronchial symptoms, and many subjects experienced bronchial hyper‐responsiveness during the year. Persistent rhinitic subjects were more at risk than healthy adults of bronchial symptoms and airway inflammation, which are likely risk factors for asthma.
Symptoms of persistent allergic rhinitis during a full calendar year in house dust mite‐sensitive subjects
Authors: Downie S. R. , Andersson M. , Rimmer J. , Leuppi J. D. , Xuan W. , Akerlund A. , Peat J. K. , Salome C. M. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Little is known about the natural course of persistent rhinitis symptoms over a prolonged period.Objective:  To describe the frequency and severity of nasal symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in house dust mite‐sensitive persistent rhinitic subjects and to determine if medication use was related to symptoms.Methods:  Rhinitics and controls were telephoned fortnightly for 1 year to monitor symptoms. QoL was measured every 3 months.Results:  Thirty‐seven rhinitics and 19 controls completed the study. Total nasal symptom scores (TNSS) were ‘high’ for 65% (95% CI ± 6%) of the year in rhinitic subjects. When TNSS increased by 1, the likelihood of nasal medication use increased by 25% (95% CI: 7–46%). General and specific QoL were worse in rhinitic subjects than controls (P < 0.04 and <0.0001). Rhinitics with pollen allergy (n = 21) had seasonal variation in the frequency of high nasal symptom scores (P = 0.02).Conclusion:  Nasal symptom scores were consistently high in rhinitics, and their QoL was worse than controls, even in general QoL. An increase in nasal symptom score increased the likelihood of nasal medication use. These findings help to characterize the course of persistent rhinitis over a previously unstudied period of 1 year.
Fatty acids in colostrum from mothers of children at high risk of atopy in relation to clinical and laboratory signs of allergy in the first year of life
Authors: Reichardt P. , Müller D. , Posselt U. , Vorberg B. , Diez U. , Schlink U. , Reuter W. , Borte M. ,   The Leipzig Allergy Risk Children's Study Group
Published: December 2004

Background:  It remains controversial whether fatty acid (FA) composition of breast milk relates to development of atopy in the infant. This study evaluates FA in colostrum from mothers of children at high risk of atopy in association with atopy at the age of 1 year.Methods:  The FA of colostrum were analyzed for 218 children (60 with low birth weight between 1500 and 2500 g, 84 with a history of maternal atopy, and 74 with an elevated cord blood immunoglobulin (Ig)E of >0.9 IU/ml). Total lipids were extracted, methylated and separated by gas–liquid chromatography. Laboratory screening for allergic sensitization and clinical examination took place within the Leipzig Allergy Risk Children's Study (LARS).Results:  Low birth weight was correlated with low percentage levels of 20:2n‐6, 22:2n‐6, and 22:3n‐3 (r = 0.14, P < 0.05; r = 0.14, P < 0.05 and r = 0.20, P < 0.01, respectively) and low gestational age at birth was correlated with low 22:3n‐3 (r = 0.15, P < 0.05). There was no association between FA and atopic eczema at the age of 1 year. However, high linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n‐6) was linked to high specific IgE against cow's milk protein (P < 0.05), and low docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, 22:5n‐3) was associated with elevated total serum IgE (P < 0.05) at the age of 1 year, respectively.Conclusions:  The polyunsaturated fatty acid composition of colostrum in a high risk newborn population shows associations with atopic sensitization at the age of 1 year and may be predictive for later atopic disease.
High prevalence of storage mite sensitization in a general adult population
Authors: Vidal C. , Boquete O. , Gude F. , Rey J. , Meijide L. M. , Fernández‐Merino M. C. , González‐Quintela A. 
Published: December 2004

Background and aim:  Occupational and nonoccupational storage mite (SM) allergy has received considerable attention in recent years. The study aimed to evaluate both the prevalence and factors associated with sensitization to SMs in a general adult population from a warm and humid area where mites are the predominant allergens.Patients and methods:  An age‐stratified random sample of 720 subjects was drawn from the population older than 18 years of A‐Estrada (Galicia, Spain). From 697 eligible subjects, 469 (67%, median age 54 years, range 18–92 years, 44% males, 75% of cases from a rural environment) agreed to participate. Skin prick tests to SMs (Lepidoglyphus destructor and Tyrophagus putrescentiae), house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus), pollens, moulds and animal danders were performed in all cases. Wheals ≥ 4 mm were considered positive. Epidemiological data were assessed by questionnaire. A design‐based analysis was performed and all calculations were weighted to give unbiased estimates.Results:  Tyrophagus putrescentiae and L. destructor were the leading causes of allergic sensitization throughout all ages. SM sensitization was found in 104 cases (weighted value 24.4%, 95% CI 20.6–28.2). SM sensitization was inversely associated with age. Multivariate analysis showed that SM sensitization was not significantly associated with sex, smoking, educational level, farming profession, rural environment, indoor humidity, presence of pets, livestock or grain storage facilities near home.Conclusions:  SMs (T. putrescentiae and L. destructor) are major aeroallergens in adults in the region studied, even in subjects without occupational exposure.
Interpretation of subjective symptoms in double‐blind placebo‐controlled food challenges – interobserver reliability
Authors: Gellerstedt M. , Magnusson J. , Gråjö U. , Ahlstedt S. , Bengtsson U. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Subjective symptoms after food challenges are difficult to interpret and no standard is available. We discuss a strategy for how to interpret a diary. Furthermore, the interobserver reliability is evaluated.Methods:  Diaries for 32 patients with subjective symptoms were used. The diaries were re‐evaluated with a predefined strategy by three independent observers.Results:  The proportion of positives was 21.9% among the old diagnoses, according to the new approach 34.4% (observers I and II) and 37.5% (observer III) were positive. The new approach had high interobserver reliability (97 and 100%).Conclusions:  The proportion of positives depends on how subjective symptoms are interpreted. Interpretations of subjective symptoms in diaries could be made with high interobserver reliability.
MCP‐1 gene regulatory region polymorphism in Chinese children with mild, moderate and near‐fatal asthma
Authors: Yao T.‐C. , Wu K.‐C. , Chung H.‐T. , Shaw C.‐K. , Kuo M.‐L. , Wu C.‐J. , Huang J.‐L. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  A polymorphism in the monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP‐1) gene regulatory region has been associated with asthma in Caucasians. This polymorphism is possibly endemic to the Asian region, but its impact on Asian populations is unclear. In addition, the relationship of this marker with life‐threatening asthma has not been clarified. The aim of this study was to test the genetic association between the MCP‐1 –2518A/G polymorphism and asthma/atopy in a cohort of Chinese children, with particular emphasis on those patients who had experienced life‐threatening asthma attacks.Methods:  Forty‐eight children with near‐fatal asthma, 134 mild‐to‐moderate asthmatics, 69 allergic‐disorder cases without asthma, and 107 nonasthmatic, nonatopic control children were genotyped by a polymerase chain reaction‐based assay.Results:  Comparison of the four groups of children (n = 358) revealed no detectable differences in genotype or allele frequencies of the MCP‐1 –2518A/G polymorphism. There was no evidence of association between the polymorphism and any of the outcomes of interest including clinical severity, blood eosinophil count, atopy, total serum IgE levels, and degree of bronchial hyper‐responsiveness.Conclusion:  These results suggest that the MCP‐1 –2518A/G polymorphism is not a risk factor for near‐fatal asthma. Furthermore, this polymorphism seems to play no role in the development of asthma or atopy in Chinese subjects, possibly as a result of the genetic heterogeneity between Asian and Caucasian populations with respect to regulation of MCP‐1 expression. Our results underscore the necessity of accounting for ethnic background in the investigation of asthma‐predisposition genes.
Isolation and characterization of a heat‐resistant beef allergen: myoglobin
Authors: Fuentes Mª. M. , Palacios R. , Garcés Mª. M. , Caballero M. L. , Moneo I. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Meat allergy is rarely reported. Most of the described cases are sensitizations to bovine serum albumin.Objective:  The aim of the study was to describe a case of allergy to a new meat allergen and, after its characterization.Methods:  A 35‐year‐old nonatopic female with allergic episodes after ingestion of several types of meat was studied. Skin tests (prick and prick‐to‐prick); total and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) determination; sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and specific IgE determination by immunoblotting under different conditions were performed. A 17‐kDa allergen was semipurified by ethanol fractionation and its amino‐terminal sequence was determined. The existence of specific IgE directed to this protein was studied by immunoblot in 80 atopic patients.Results:  The patient showed specific IgE antibodies to a 17‐kDa protein. During the isolation of this allergen it was found that a 70–90% (vol/vol) ethanol concentration was able to purify the protein. The characterization revealed that it was a heat‐resistant protein without disulfide bonds. N‐terminal amino acid sequence (16 residues) showed identity with myoglobin. The study of specific IgE to this allergen among atopic patients showed that it was recognized by about 1% of the subjects.Conclusions:  We describe a case of meat allergy caused by myoglobin. This is the first described case of monosensitization to this protein.
A promoter polymorphism in the CD14 gene is associated with elevated levels of soluble CD14 but not with IgE or atopic diseases
Authors: Kabesch M. , Hasemann K. , Schickinger V. , Tzotcheva I. , Bohnert A. , Carr D. , Baldini M. , Hackstein H. , Leupold W. , Weiland S. K. , Martinez F. D. , von Mutius E. , Bein G. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  A polymorphism in the promoter region of the CD14 gene, C‐159T, has been shown to be associated with increased levels of soluble CD14 (sCD14) and decreased serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and the expression of a more severe atopic phenotype in previous studies.Methods:  To test if these associations are consistently found in different populations and different age groups, we genotyped 2048 children of different age groups as well as 888 adults from different regions of Germany for the CD14 C‐159T polymorphism.Results:  While an association between this promoter polymorphism and levels of sCD14 could be confirmed in our study population (CC: 1017 ng/ml vs TT: 1370 ng/ml, P = 0.03), no association between CD14 C‐159T genotypes and IgE levels or the prevalence of atopic diseases was seen.Conclusions:  The lack of association between CD14 genotypes and IgE as well as atopic outcomes in this large German study population seems to indicate that CD14 genotypes may not directly be involved in the development of allergies during childhood.