bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of a novel Candida albicans 29 kDa IgE‐binding protein – purification, cDNA isolation and heterologous expression of Cand a 3
Authors: Chou H. , Tam M. F. , Chang C.‐Y. , Lai H.‐Y. , Huang M.‐H. , Chou C.‐T. , Lee S.‐S. , Shen H.‐D. 
Published: December 2004

Background: Candida albicans has been implicated in human allergic disorders. However, many of its immunoglobulin E (IgE)‐reacting components have not yet been identified. The purpose of the present study is to characterize a novel 29 kDa IgE‐binding protein from C. albicans.Methods: The 29 kDa protein was partially purified and its tryptic digests subjected to mass spectrometric analysis. The cDNA encoding this protein was isolated and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. Monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) were raised against the 29 kDa protein purified from C. abicans extracts.Results: We isolated a 29 kDa IgE‐reacting component from C. albicans. The protein was digested on‐gel with trypsin and the masses of the resulting fragments were determined in a MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometer. The data were searched against protein sequences deduced from the C. albicans genome. An open reading frame that possibly encodes the 29 kDa IgE‐reacting component was identified. The cDNA corresponding to the open reading frame was isolated. It encodes a 236 residues protein that has 62% sequence identity to that of a hypothetical protein (YDR533c) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Conserved domain search suggests that the encoded protein belongs to the ThiJ/PfpI family. The cDNA isolated was inserted into a pQE‐30 vector for protein expression in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein can react with IgE antibodies in sera from asthmatic patients and two MoAbs that were generated against the purified native 29 kDa protein from C. albicans.Conclusions: We identified and cloned a novel 29 kDa IgE‐reacting component (Cand a 3) from C. albicans. The recombinant proteins produced from this clone and the MoAbs prepared may be useful in the standardization of diagnostic extracts. They are also instrumental in elucidating the role of C. albicans in clinical allergy.
RANTES, eotaxin and eotaxin‐2 expression and production in patients with aspirin triad
Authors: Pods R. , Ross D. , van Hülst S. , Rudack C. , Maune St. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Polyposis, asthma, aspirin‐intolerance and aspirin‐triad are mostly accompanied with eosinophilia of mucosal airways. Chemotactic cytokines, the CC‐chemokines regulated on activation, normal T‐cell expressed (RANTES), eotaxin, and eotaxin‐2 activate and attract eosinophilic leukocytes to the site of inflammation. This points to the implication of CC‐chemokines in eosinophilia of nasal tissue of these diseases.Methods:  Therefore, nasal polypous tissue specimens of patients suffering from chronic nasal polypous sinusitis (NP), intrinsic asthma (ATA), aspirin‐intolerance (AINA), and aspirin‐triad (TRIAD) were investigated. The amount of mRNA and protein of CC‐chemokines was analyzed using semi‐quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and chemokine‐specific enzyme‐immuno‐assays. The patterns of CC‐chemokines were compared.Results:  The mRNA‐expression as well as protein synthesis of CC‐chemokines was quantified in all tissues investigated. The expression of RANTES‐mRNA in NP, ATA, AINA, and TRIAD (averaging 148–324%d‐glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase) and protein synthesis (0.13–0.15 ng/mg tissue weight) did not differ significantly. But the protein synthesis of eotaxin‐ and eotxin‐2‐mRNA was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in TRIAD (3.3 pg/mg and3.4 ng/mg tissue weight) (4 ng/mg tissue weight), than in NP, ATA, or AINA (1.8 pg/mg and 2.1 ng/mg, 2.1 pg/mg and 1.6 ng/mg, or 1.7 pg/mg and2.2 ng/mg tissue weight, respectively).Conclusion:  Patients suffering from TRIAD in association with tissue eosinophilia were characterized by elevated eotaxin and eotaxin‐2 mRNA‐expression as well as protein‐synthesis. This pointed to the implication of eotaxins and RANTES in eosinophilia‐associated diseases. Further studies will have to prove, whether the analysis of these chemokines might improve the diagnosis of eosinophilia associated polyposis and initiate the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Nasal inflammation and bronchial reactivity to methacholine in atopic children with respiratory symptoms
Authors: Sale R. , Silvestri M. , Battistini E. , Defilippi A.‐C. , Sabatini F. , Pecora S. , Rossi G. A. 
Published: December 2004

Background: In atopic subjects, dysfunctions of the upper and lower airways frequently coexist and allergic rhinitis seems to constitute a risk factor for the occurrence of asthma in predisposed individuals.Aim of the study: To evaluate whether in atopic subjects nasal inflammation could reflect changes in respiratory functions, 11 allergic children, sensitized to house dust mites (HDM), with rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma and 10 nonatopic controls (ctrs) were studied.Methods: All subjects underwent nasal brushing to detect percentages of nasal eosinophils (Eos %) and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) expression by nasal epithelial cells. In the same day pulmonary function tests, i.e. forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced expiratory flows at 25–75% of the vital capacity (FEF25−75%) and methacholine (MCh) bronchial inhalation challenge were also evaluated.Results: Pulmonary function parameters were not significantly different in allergic children and in ctrs (P > 0.05), while a significant increase in bronchial reactivity to MCh, expressed as Pd20 MCh, was detected in the former population (P < 0.05). As compared with ctrs, allergic children showed elevated Eos % and ICAM‐1 expression (P < 0.05). When nasal inflammation and pulmonary function parameters were compared, a significant correlation was found between nasal Eos % and bronchial reactivity to MCh (P = 0.002).Conclusions: These data support the concept of significant links between upper and lower respiratory tract involvement in atopic children sensitized to HDM.
Nuclear transport factor 2 represents a novel cross‐reactive fungal allergen
Authors: Weichel M. , Schmid‐Grendelmeier P. , Flückiger S. , Breitenbach M. , Blaser K. , Crameri R. 
Published: December 2004

Background: Ubiquitously occuring moulds are important allergenic sources known to elicit IgE‐mediated allergic diseases and to share cross‐reactive allergens. Limited information is available about the molecular structures involved in cross‐reactivity. We aimed to clone and characterize cross‐reactive mould allergens.Methods: Phage surface‐displayed Alternaria alternata and Cladosporium herbarum cDNA libraries were screened using sera from Aspergillus fumigatus‐sensitized patients. Inserts encoding putative allergens were sequenced, and recombinant proteins used to demonstrate cross‐reactivity by inhibition experiments and skin test. Three‐dimensional homology models of cloned putative nuclear transport factor 2 (NTF2) were constructed based on known NTF2 structure to corroborate the functional and structural properties of the novel allergens.Results: After six rounds of affinity selection, the libraries were enriched for clones displaying allergens. Sequencing of inserts showed that some clones derived from Alternaria alternata and Cladosporium herbarum contain open reading frames predicting proteins of 124 and 125 amino acids corresponding to NTF2. The recombinant proteins were able to bind and cross‐inhibit IgE binding and to elicit type I skin reactions in mould‐sensitized individuals, demonstrating the allergenicity of the proteins.Conclusions: NTF2 represents a novel cross‐reactive fungal allergen as demonstrated by sequence homology, three‐dimensional modelling, inhibition experiments and skin test reactivity.
Validation of the classification of ARIA (allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma)
Authors: Demoly P. , Allaert F.‐A. , Lecasble M. , Bousquet J. ,   PRAGMA
Published: December 2004

Background: Allergic rhinitis is commonly divided into seasonal and perennial rhinitis. The recent Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) workshop proposes to replace these terms by intermittent vs persistent rhinitis.Methods: In order to test the new ARIA classification against the classical one used in medical practice in France, we designed two cross‐sectional surveys: (i) a spring survey, where 1321 general practitioners enrolled 3026 patients consulting for seasonal allergic rhinitis and (ii) an autumn–winter survey, where 1346 doctors enrolled 3507 patients for perennial allergic rhinitis. Both doctors and patients filled out a specific questionnaire on allergic rhinitis.Results: Focusing on the number of days per week and consecutive weeks per year, the patients described the duration of their symptoms (based on an auto‐questionnaire). About 43.7% of the patients, classified by their doctor as seasonal, did in fact have persistent rhinitis, whereas 44.6% classified as perennial had intermittent rhinitis.Conclusions: The proposal of the ARIA expert panel defining the chronology of allergic rhinitis as number of days per week and consecutive weeks per year is likely to change daily physician practice.
Comparison of standard and modified SPT method
Authors: Zawodniak A. , Kupczyk M. , Górski P. , Kuna P. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryBackground: The aim of our study was to compare clinical significance and economical factors of commonly used standard skin prick tests (SPT) method with new, modified and more handy way of performing SPT.Methods: Twenty‐one subjects [with an average age of 23 years (SD ± 2.72)] with known sensitivity to examined allergen extracts were tested with histamine, negative control solution and standard allergen extracts (Allergopharma, Reinbeck, Germany). SPT were applied to the volar surface of randomly assigned forearm with two methods: standard technique using lancet needle to prick the epidermis under small drop of extract and tested method using lancet needle which was dipped in extract before prick. In this method all extracts were placed in marked, small, plastic chambers.Results: Mean wheal to histamine was 5.49 (standard method) and 5.01 (modified method). There was no statistical difference between the standard and modified method for size of wheal to histamine (P = 0.654) and to allergen extracts (n = 36, P = 0.824, Wilcoxon test). Economical analysis revealed that examined SPT technique is cheaper than standard method.Conclusion: Examined method may be considered to be an alternative for performing SPT as it is safe, cheaper and more convenient than standard technique. Summary statement: Comparison of standard and modified SPT method revealed the new method to be more economical.
Effects of chronic lithium administration on rat brain phosphatidylinositol cycle constituents, membrane phospholipids and amino acids
Authors: Pettegrew Jay W , Panchalingam Kanagasabai , McClure Richard J , Gershon Samuel , Muenz Larry R , Levine Joseph 
Published: December 2004

Objective:
There is evidence linking affective disorders and their treatment to alterations in membrane phospholipid metabolism, the phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) second messenger cycle and brain excitatory and inhibitory amino acids. This study examines lithium effects on rat brain metabolites associated with the above systems and their reversal by myo‐inositol.   Methods: Thirty rats were treated for 14 days with i.p. lithium, saline or lithium plus myo‐inositol. 1H, 31P and 7Li NMR were used to measure brain metabolites.   Results: Lithium, administered alone or with myo‐inositol, resulted in brain lithium concentrations of approximately 0.6 μM/gram brain tissue. Brain myo‐inositol was unchanged when lithium was co‐administered with myo‐inositol.Lithium increased brain inositol‐1‐phosphate (I1P) by 98% compared with saline and this effect was not attenuated by the addition of myo‐inositol. Lithium treatment decreased phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) and PtdIns by 3% and 8%, respectively. Lithium also decreased taurine levels by 8% and increased aspartate levels by 9%. The above effects of lithium on PtdSer, PtdIns and taurine were attenuated or abolished by the co‐administration of myo‐inositol.   Conclusions: Lithium alters levels of key membrane phospholipids and appears to affect the balance between inhibitory and excitatory amino acids in rat brain. Co‐administration of myo‐inositol attenuates some of these lithium effects on brain metabolites.
The effect of previous mood states on switch rates: a naturalistic study
Authors: Gitlin Michael , Boerlin Harold , Fairbanks Lynn , Hammen Connie 
Published: December 2004

Objectives:  A recent study suggested that post‐manic depressions (post‐MD) may differ from post‐euthymia depression (post‐ED). The goal of this study was to compare the switch rates and length of depressive episodes stratified by the pre‐depression mood states.Methods:  The course of 72 prospectively observed depressions in 28 patients with Bipolar I depressions were divided into post‐MD versus ED. The two groups, both all episodes and first observed episode, only were compared in their switch rates and length of episode.Results:  Almost two‐thirds (65%) of episodes were rated as ED. There was no difference in switch rates between the two groups, whether analysed by all episodes, first episodes only, or episodes not treated with antidepressants. Length of depressive episodes were also not significantly different between the two groups.Discussion:  These findings do not suggest different switch characteristics between post‐MD and post‐ED.
Anti‐inflammatory cytokine response and the development of multiple organ failure in severe sepsis
Authors: Loisa P. , Rinne T. , Laine S. , Hurme M. , Kaukinen S. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  The production of proinflammatory cytokines activates the systemic inflammatory response in sepsis. Patients also develop a compensatory anti‐inflammatory reaction, which may have an important down‐regulatory effect on the overactive inflammation. However, the role of this anti‐inflammatory response in sepsis is not completely clarified. In this prospective study, we investigated the relationship between the pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokine profiles in severe sepsis and their role in the development of multiple organ failure (MOF).Methods:  Thirty‐eight patients meeting the criteria for severe sepsis were studied. MOF was defined as a maximum SOFA score of 10 or higher. Serial measurements of the proinflammatory IL‐6 and IL‐1β and the anti‐inflammatory IL‐10 and IL‐1ra were used. The cytokine samples were taken at the onset of sepsis and on the third and fifth day during the ICU period.Results:  The initial IL‐10 and IL‐1ra responses were identical in patients with or without MOF. The anti‐inflammatory cytokine levels remained elevated in the MOF patients, whereas in patients without MOF the levels declined. The IL‐6/IL‐10 ratio was significantly higher in the MOF patients on days 1 and 3 compared with patients without MOF.Conclusions:  We could not demonstrate overproduction of anti‐inflammatory IL‐10 in MOF patients. On the contrary, the high IL‐6/IL‐10 ratio indicates that IL‐10 deficiency may contribute to the development of MOF in severe sepsis.
Adjusting positive end‐expiratory pressure and tidal volume in acute respiratory distress syndrome according to the pressure–volume curve
Authors: Pestaña D. , Hernández‐Gancedo C. , Royo C. , Uña R. , Villagrán M. J. , Peña N. , Criado A. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Management of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients implies the selection of the adequate ventilatory parameters, essentially PEEP and tidal volume (Vt), to prevent ventilator‐induced lung injury. These parameters should be reset as the lung injury evolves. Among the different methods proposed for the adjustment of the ventilator, the measurement of the P–V curve has emerged as a useful, although debated, tool. Our aim has been to study the relationship between the different inflection points of the P–V curve in ARDS patients, and to assess the changes in the empiric PEEP and Vt (PEEPemp, Vtemp) following its use.Methods:  P–V curves were measured in 27 patients (lung injury score [LIS] ≥ 2, 69 measurements) by means of the low‐flow continuous inflation method.Results:  A lower inflection point (LIP) was found in all patients and, although it correlated with the PEEPemp, there was only a fair concordance, so the PEEP was modified in 80% of the cases. The expiratory inflection point (EIP) was significantly lower than the LIP (6.3 ± 1.7 vs. 8.1 ± 3.2, P = 0.008). An upper inflection point was observed in 16 measurements (23%) and the Vt was reset in 20% of the cases. Both PEEP and Vt were readjusted on 10 occasions (14%). Only the EIP was significantly higher on the first 3 days of mechanical ventilation. The LIS was correlated with all the inflection points. There were no differences for any parameter independent of the cause of the ARDS (pulmonary/extrapulmonary).Conclusions:  The quasi‐static measurement of the P–V curve is a simple method, easy to interpret, for objective adjustment of the ventilatory parameters in ARDS patients as the lung injury evolves. The implementation of this strategy may vary the empiric clinical practice. The role of the EIP for the evaluation of the severity of lung injury deserves further investigation.
Prediction of severity of mean arterial pressure elevation after tracheal intubation in hypertensive patients by preanesthetic recurrence quantification analysis of heart rates
Authors: Yum M. K. , Kim H. S. 
Published: December 2004

Background: We tried to determine whether the severity of additional mean arterial pressure (MAP) elevation after endotracheal intubation during general anesthesia could be predicted with preanesthetic recurrence quantification analysis of heart rates in hypertensive and normotensive patients.Methods: Twenty‐four newly diagnosed hypertensive patients and 34 normotensive patients were included. We defined ΔMAP = maximal mean MAP after endotracheal intubation – average MAP before general anesthesia. We classified each of the hypertensive and normotensive patients into mild (ΔMAP ≤ 35 mmHg [median value of ΔMAP in the hypertensive patients]) and severe group (ΔMAP > 35 mmHg). Using preanesthetic RR interval data, we calculated classical linear and non‐linear indices of RR interval dynamics, and performed recurrence quantification analysis to calculate three preanesthetic recurrence indices, percentage of recurrence (%REC), percentage of determinism (%DET), and maximal length of recurrence (Lmax).Results: In the hypertensive patients, all preanesthetic classical indices showed no significant difference between the mild and severe group and showed no significant linear correlation with the ΔMAP. However, the Lmax was significantly higher in the severe than in the mild group (16.10 ± 3.79 vs. 7.90 ± 0.73, P < 0.005) and, moreover, linearly correlated with the ΔMAP (r = 0.671, P = 0.001). In the normotensive patients, all preanesthetic classical and recurrence indices showed no significant difference between the two groups.Conclusion: In hypertensive patients, the severity of additional MAP elevation after tracheal intubation during general anesthesia can be predicted by the preanesthetic recurrence quantification analysis of heart rates.
A new short‐acting non‐depolarizing muscle relaxant (SZ1677) without cardiovascular side‐effects
Authors: Vizi E. S. , Tuba Z. , Mahó S. , Foldes F. F. , Nagano O. , Dóda M. , Takagi S. , Chaudhry I. A. , Saubermann A. J. , Nagashima H. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  In order to facilitate rapid tracheal intubation, the development of a rapid onset, short duration, non‐depolarizing muscle relaxant without cardiovascular side‐effects would be a significant accomplishment in the field of anesthesiology. The aim of the present study was to test the action of a new non‐depolarizing muscle relaxant (SZ1677) on neuromuscular transmission, muscarinic (M2, M3) receptors and cardiovascular reactions and to compare it with clinically used muscle relaxants.Methods:  Neuromuscular transmission was studied by recording muscle contractions elicited by indirect electrical stimulation, using (i) in vitro isolated phrenic nerve‐hemidiaphragm preparation of mice, rats and guinea pigs and (ii) in vivo sciatic nerve‐anterior tibial muscle preparation of anesthetized rats, guinea pigs and cats. Cardiovascular effects of muscle relaxants were evaluated on the grounds of their effects on changes of blood pressure and heart rate induced by electrical stimulation of the right vagal nerve in anesthetized cats. To study postsynaptic antimuscarinic affinity of muscle relaxants on M3 receptors, oxotremorine‐induced contractions of longitudinal muscle strip of guinea pig ileum were registered in their presence and absence.Results:  One of more than 120 newly synthesized non‐depolarizing muscle relaxants compounds, 1‐3[α‐hydroxy‐17β‐acetyloxy‐2β‐(1,4‐dioxa‐8‐azaspiro[4,5]dec‐8‐yl)‐5α‐androstane‐16β‐il] ‐1‐(2‐propenyl)pyrrolidinium bromide (SZ1677), excelled with its advantageous pharmacological properties: relatively short duration of action, no accumulation and lack of unwanted side‐effects. Pharmacodynamic studies show that SZ1677 is a non‐depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent with a relatively short duration and rapid onset of action in a variety of laboratory animal species. It is without cumulative effect, does not reduce blood pressure, and fails to produce tachycardia. Significant cardiac vagal blocking effects were not observed even at concentrations or dosages of 8 times the ED90. This compound, unlike many other muscle relaxants, does not have atropine‐like effects on human atrial tissue; it does not increase the release of NA from sympathetic innervation in the heart. In all practical ways, at least from the vantage point of the preclinical study, SZ1677 compares favorably with all presently available short‐acting muscle relaxants, including rapacuronium.Conclusion:  In experiments, SZ1677 proved to be a short‐acting neuromuscular blocking compound having a large safety margin between the doses required to produce neuromuscular block and those likely to lead to cardiovascular side‐effects.
Gender differences in drug effects: implications for anesthesiologists
Authors: Pleym H. , Spigset O. , Kharasch E. D. , Dale O. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  The gender aspect in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anesthetics has attracted little attention. Knowledge of previous work is required to decide if gender‐based differences in clinical practice is justified, and to determine the need for research.Methods:  Basis for this paper was obtained by Medline searches using the key words ‘human’ and ‘gender’ or ‘sex,’ combined with individual drug names. The reference lists of these papers were further checked for other relevant studies.Results:  Females have 20–30% greater sensitivity to the muscle relaxant effects of vecuronium, pancuronium and rocuronium. When rapid onset of or short duration of action is very important, gender‐modified dosing may be considered. Males are more sensitive than females to propofol. It may therefore be necessary to decrease the propofol dose by 30–40% in males compared with females in order to achieve similar recovery times. Females are more sensitive than males to opioid receptor agonists, as shown for morphine as well as for a number of kappa (OP2) receptor agonists. On this basis, males will be expected to require 30–40% higher doses of opioid analgesics than females to achieve similar pain relief. On the other hand, females may experience respiratory depression and other adverse effects more easily if they are given the same doses as males.Conclusion:  These examples illustrate that gender should be taken into account as a factor that may be predictive for the dosage of several anesthetic drugs. Moreover, there is an obvious need for more research in this area in order to further optimize drug treatment in anesthesia.