bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of low dose fluticasone/salmeterol combination on surrogate inflammatory markers in moderate persistent asthma
Authors: Currie G. P. , Syme‐Grant N. J. , McFarlane L. C. , Carey F. A. , Lipworth B. J. 
Published: December 2004

Background: Noninvasive surrogate markers provide valuable information on the asthmatic inflammatory process. We wished to examine the effects of low dose fluticasone/salmeterol combination on different commonly used inflammatory markers in moderate persistent asthma.Methods: Twenty‐five moderate persistent atopic asthmatics were enrolled of whom 20 completed an open label study. Following an initial 4 week steroid washout period in which patients took salmeterol 50 μg dry powder inhaler 1 puff BD, they received the addition of fluticasone as fluticasone 100 μg/salmeterol 50 μg combination dry powder inhaler 1 puff BD for the next 2 weeks. Exhaled nitric oxide, spirometry, methacholine PD20, sputum/blood eosinophils and sputum/serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) were measured following the salmeterol only and fluticasone/salmeterol combination treatment periods.Results: Compared to salmeterol alone (i.e. after the steroid washout), the use of fluticasone/salmeterol combination conferred significant improvements (P < 0.05) in all surrogate markers of inflammation apart from serum ECP. Geometric mean fold changes were 4.3‐fold/1.3‐fold for sputum/blood eosinophils, 2.2‐fold/1.2‐fold for sputum/serum ECP, 2.3‐fold for methacholine PD20 and 1.8‐fold for exhaled nitric oxide.Conclusions: Surrogate markers apart from serum ECP may be used as a guide to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory effects of low dose inhaled corticosteroids. Sputum markers tend to be more sensitive than blood when assessing the anti‐inflammatory response.
Effects on inflammation parameters of a double‐blind, placebo controlled one‐year course of SLIT in children monosensitized to mites
Authors: Marcucci F. , Sensi L. , Frati F. , Bernardini R. , Novembre E. , Barbato A. , Pecora S. 
Published: December 2004

Background: Clinical documentation about effects on local markers of inflammation of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in children is still poor.Methods: Twenty‐four children (age range 4–16 years, average 8.5 years) monosensitized to house dust mites (HDMs) were randomized to receive active or placebo SLIT for this allergen according to a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled design. Before treatment and 10–12 months later the following parameters were checked: ECP and tryptase in sputum and nasal secretion, serum and nasal mite‐specific IgE (sIgE), allergen‐specific nasal challenge test (sNCT), nasal symptoms and tryptase after sNCT.Results: Nasal tryptase and nasal IgE in basal conditions were unchanged in treated children but significantly increased in untreated children (P = 0.0156 and P = 0.0313, respectively). The threshold for sNCT was unchanged in both groups of children, but the symptom score after sNCT was unchanged in the placebo group and significantly decreased in the active group (P = 0.0084). The nasal tryptase after sNCT was unchanged in the active group and significantly increased in the placebo group (P = 0.0218). Intergroup comparison showed a significant difference in oral tryptase and nasal tryptase after sNCT in favour of the active group.Conclusions: These interim results after only 1 year of treatment show that SLIT in children monosensitized to HDMs is able to avoid the spontaneous increase in both nasal sIgE antibodies and in local allergic inflammation in basal conditions. These outcomes are confirmed and supported by the decrease of symptoms in the active group combined with the increase of nasal tryptase only in the control group in both cases after sNCT.
Rhinoconjunctivitis, bronchial responsiveness, and atopy as determinants for incident non‐work‐related asthma symptoms in apprentices exposed to high‐molecular‐weight allergens
Authors: Gautrin D. , Ghezzo H. , Malo J.‐L. 
Published: December 2004

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the role of rhinoconjunctivitis (RC), taking into account atopy and the level of bronchial responsiveness to methacholine, on the incidence of respiratory symptoms and in the development and/or worsening of asthma.Methods: We examined data from a prospective study in 769 students starting exposure to high‐molecular‐weight occupational allergens and who were serially followed for up to 44 months.Results: The presence of RC symptoms at baseline was significantly associated with an increased risk of developing shortness of breath and wheezing in atopic subjects regardless of PC20 level and in subjects with a PC20 ≤ 32 mg/ml regardless of atopic status. RC symptoms were significantly associated with the development of exercise‐induced respiratory symptoms. Multivariate analyses indicated that having a measurable PC20 was significantly associated with the incidence of all respiratory symptoms studied, whereas baseline seasonal RC was associated only with incident exercise‐induced respiratory symptoms; atopy played a minimal role, and only through an interaction with seasonal RC.Conclusion: Of the three potential factors for the development of respiratory symptoms that we considered, i.e. RC symptoms, having a measurable PC20 and atopy, having a measurable PC20 is the most significant one.
Peach profilin: cloning, heterologous expression and cross‐reactivity with Bet v 2
Authors: Rodríguez‐Perez R. , Fernández‐Rivas M. , González‐Mancebo E. , Sánchez‐Monge R. , Díaz‐Perales A. , Salcedo G. 
Published: December 2004

Background: Peach is among the main foods causing allergic reactions in the Mediterranean adult population. Only a single peach allergen, named Pru p 3, has been characterized. However, a potential role of profilin has also been suggested in grass pollen‐associated allergy to peach.Methods: Complementary DNA clones for two different peach profilin isoforms were obtained by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction using non‐degenerated primers. Expression of recombinant peach profilin was performed in Escherichia coli, and confirmed using rabbit polyclonal antibodies to sunflower pollen profilin. Twenty‐nine individual sera from patients with peach allergy proved by double‐blind, placebo‐controlled food challenges (DBPCFC), either with (n = 15) or without (n = 14) specific IgE to Bet v 2, were used in immunodetection assays to test recombinant peach profilin reactivity.Results: Each peach profilin cDNA included an open reading frame coding for a 131 amino acid protein. The peach profilin isoforms, designated Pru p 4.01 and Pru p 4.02, showed 80% of amino acid sequence identity, and were very similar (>70% identity) to allergenic profilins from plant foods and pollens. Recombinant Pru p 4.01 was expressed in E. coli as a nonfusion protein, displaying the expected molecular size and reacting with anti‐profilin antibodies. rPru p 4.01 was recognized by all sera (15 of 15) with specific IgE to Bet v 2, whereas no sera (zero of 14) without IgE to this birch allergen reacted with rPru p 4.01.Conclusions: Peach profilin Pru p 4 is very closed to other allergenic profilins from plant foods and pollens. A complete correlation between reactivity to rPru p 4 and rBet v 2 has been found in sera from peach allergic patients.
High prevalence of IgG and IgA antibodies to 19‐kDa Helicobacter pylori‐associated lipoprotein in chronic urticaria
Authors: Bakos N. , Fekete B. , Prohászka Z. , Füst G. , Kalabay L. 
Published: December 2004

Background: Chronic urticaria has been described in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection. We studied the titer of IgG and IgA type antibodies against H. pylori in patients with and without urticaria of unknown etiology. We also investigated the prevalence of antibodies against H. pylori‐associated lipoprotein 20 (lpp20) in patients with and without chronic urticaria.Methods: The concentration of anti‐H. pylori antibodies (IgG and IgA) was determined by the RIDA test. The level of anti‐lpp20 antibodies was determined by Western blot using various H. pylori antigens (from 19 to 120 kDa).Results: Patients with chronic urticaria and H. pylori infection (subgroup 1, n = 33) had high IgG and IgA titers whereas all patients with chronic urticaria and without H. pylori infection (subgroup 2, n = 23) were seronegative (P = 0.0128 for IgG and P = 0.003 for IgA). Titers in subgroup 1 did not differ significantly from a control group (n = 33) with severe H. pylori‐associated gastritis without urticaria. The prevalence of the anti‐lpp20 antibodies was significantly higher in subgroup 1 compared to the control group (93.9 vs 21.2%, P < 0.0001 for IgG, and 46.1 vs 6.3%, P < 0.0029 for IgA).Conclusions: We suggest that IgG and IgA antibodies to H. pylori‐associated lpp20 may play role in the pathogenesis of chronic urticaria.
Egg white proteins as inhalant allergens associated with baker's asthma
Authors: Escudero C. , Quirce S. , Fernández‐Nieto M. , de Miguel J. , Cuesta J. , Sastre J. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Bakery workers may develop IgE‐mediated allergy to liquid and aerosolized hen's egg proteins that are commonly used in the baking and confectionery industries.Methods:  We studied four bakery workers who had work‐related allergic respiratory symptoms upon exposure to egg aerosols. The causative role of egg proteins in their respiratory symptoms was investigated by immunologic and specific inhalation challenge (SIC) tests.Results:  Skin prick tests to egg white extract and to lysozyme gave positives responses in all the subjects, to ovalbumin in two, to ovomucoid in one and to egg yolk in two subjects. They were also sensitized to wheat, rye and barley flours. Specific IgE determinations to egg white were positive in all patients, to lysozyme in two, to ovalbumin in three, to ovomucoid in two and to egg yolk in two of them. Methacholine inhalation tests revealed bronchial hyperresponsiveness in all workers (PC20 < 16 mg/ml). SICs were performed with aqueous extracts of lysozyme (n = 4), ovalbumin (n = 2) and ovomucoid (n = 1), which elicited isolated early asthmatic reactions in all subjects. Double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, oral challenge tests with raw egg white were positive in three subjects.Conclusions:  These bakery workers had developed IgE‐mediated occupational asthma to hen's egg white proteins.
Epidemiologic evidence of a relationship between airway hyperresponsiveness and exposure to polluted air
Authors: Jang A.‐S. , Yeum C.‐H. , Son M.‐H. 
Published: December 2004

Background: There has been an increase in allergic diseases as a result of increased air pollution emanating from traffic and various industries.Objective: This study evaluated the association between air pollution and airway hyperresponsiveness in a cross‐sectional study of a cohort of 670 children, aged 10–13 years.Methods: We measured spirometry and conducted allergic skin tests and methacholine challenge tests in 670 schoolchildren. The methacholine concentration causing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PC20) was used as the threshold of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Thresholds of 16 mg/dl or less were assumed to indicate AHR.Results: All of the schoolchildren had normal pulmonary function. Of the children, 257 (38.3%) had AHR. There was a significant increase in AHR in schoolchildren living near a chemical factory [45.0% (138/306), 6.50 ± 0.48] compared to those in rural [31.9% (52/163), 9.84 ± 0.83] and coastal [33.3% (67/201), 7.17 ± 0.68] areas. Atopy was significantly more prevalent near the chemical factory vs the coastal and rural areas [35.6% (109/306) vs 27.3% (55/201) and 23.3% (38/163), respectively, P < 0.007]. Schoolchildren with atopy had lower PC20 than those without atopy (5.98 ± 0.60 vs 8.15 ± 0.45, P < 0.001). Positive allergy skin tests and living in a polluted area were risk factors in multivariate analyses adjusted for sex, parents’ smoking habits, age, body mass index, nose symptoms and lung symptoms (odds ratio for location = 2.4875, confidence interval 1.6542–3.7406, P < 0.000; odds ratio for allergy skin test = 1.5782, confidence interval 1.1130–2.2379, P < 0.0104).Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that more children living in polluted areas have airway hyperresponsiveness than do those living in less polluted areas.
Evaluation of asthma knowledge and quality of life in Hungarian asthmatics
Authors: Meszaros A. , Orosz M. , Magyar P. , Mesko A. , Vincze Z. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  The objective was to develop an educational instrument, to assess its impact as an intervention instrument and to examine quality of life (QoL).Methods:  119 asthmatics were randomized (64 in the intervention and 55 in the reference group). The education instrument was developed based on the EuroPharm‐Forum Guidelines and its impact assessed by a self‐developed questionnaire. Patients’ QoL, asthma knowledge was assessed twice, once before and after the education seminar, education was only provided for the intervention group. QoL was measured with the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and a visual analogue scale (VAS).Results:  We found significant differences in answers to the asthma questions, by 40% improvement, but no changes in the control group. In inhaler‐use technique, we could not find significant changes neither in the intervention nor in the control group. There were no significant differences between the results of the two visits neither with the VAS nor with the SGRQ on the QoL data.Conclusion:  The results indicate that asthmatics experience lower QoL. As the subjects were regularly controlled asthmatics they had better general knowledge and inhaler‐use technique was expected. The results suggest that it is necessary to regularly refresh asthma knowledge, to assess patients’ self‐management plans to achieve long‐term effectiveness of asthma management.
Analysis of the CD4+ T cell responses to house dust mite allergoid
Authors: Kalinski P. , Lebre M. C. , Kramer D. , De Jong E. C. , Van Schijndel J. W. P. M. , Kapsenberg M. L. 
Published: December 2004

Background: Modified allergen extracts (allergoids) with reduced IgE‐binding capacity are successfully used in immunotherapy of atopic allergy. Their reduced T‐cell stimulatory capacity is less well studied and is a subject of the present study.Methods: We compared the ability of native house dust mite extract (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus; HDM) and the glutaraldehyde‐modified allergoid (HDM‐GA) to induce the proliferation and cytokine production by fresh PBMC and by DC‐stimulated polyclonal Th cells and HDM‐specific Th cell clones.Results: Freshly isolated T cells showed a partially reduced responsiveness to HDM‐GA, differentially pronounced in different donors. HDM‐specific Th cell clones prepared from three donors showed either a complete loss of reactivity to HDM‐GA, or completely preserved responsiveness. The frequency of nonreactive clones was donor‐dependent (2/3, 3/10 and 1/10). GA modification of HDM did not interfere with the cytokine production profile of HDM‐specific T cell clones.Conclusions: The reduced stimulatory potential of HDM‐GA results mainly from a loss of certain Th cell epitopes, rather than impaired allergen uptake and presentation, or induction of suppressive factors. Varying frequencies of allergoid‐nonreactive HDM‐specific Th cells may result in differential responses of individual patients to immunotherapy.
Peanut allergen Ara h 3: Isolation from peanuts and biochemical characterization
Authors: Koppelman S. J. , Knol E. F. , Vlooswijk R. A. A. , Wensing M. , Knulst A. C. , Hefle S. L. , Gruppen H. , Piersma S. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Peanut allergen Ara h 3 has been the subject of investigation for the last few years. The reported data strongly depend on recombinant Ara h 3, since a purification protocol for Ara h 3 from peanuts was not available.Methods:  Peanut allergen Ara h 3 (glycinin), was purified and its posttranslational processing was investigated. Its allergenic properties were determined by studying IgE binding characteristics of the purified protein.Results:  Ara h 3 consists of a series of polypeptides ranging from approximately 14 to 45 kDa that can be classified as acidic and basic subunits, similar to the subunit organization of soy glycinin. N‐terminal sequences of the individual polypeptides were determined, and using the cDNA deduced amino‐acid sequence, the organization into subunits was explained by revealing posttranslational processing of the different polypeptides. IgE‐binding properties ofAra h 3 were investigated using direct elisa and Western blotting with sera from peanut‐allergic individuals. The basic subunits, and to a lesser extent the acidic subunits, bind IgE and may act as allergenic peptides.Conclusions:  We conclude that peanut‐derived Ara h 3, in contrast to earlier reported recombinant Ara h 3, resembles, to a large extent, the molecular organization typical for proteins from the glycinin family. Furthermore, posttranslational processing of Ara h 3 affects the IgE‐binding properties and is therefore an essential subject of study for research on the allergenicity of Ara h 3.
The value of perinatal immune responses in predicting allergic disease at 6 years of age
Authors: Prescott S. L. , King B. , Strong T. L. , Holt P. G. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Characterizing early abnormalities in immune development of allergic individuals provides an important basis for defining disease pathogenesis and future prevention strategies. This study compares patterns of early immune responses in an established cohort based on allergic outcomes and allergen skin prick test (SPT) reactions at 6 years of age.Methods:  Children from an original birth cohort (n = 60) consisting of 44 high risk (HR) (family history of allergy) and 16 low risk (LR) (no family history) were reassessed at 6 years of age. Detailed clinical information about allergic disease was obtained (n = 53) and a subgroup (n = 31) consented to have allergen SPT to common food and inhalant allergens. Data from previous immunological assessments performed at birth, 1 and 2 years of age, including lymphoproliferation and cytokine [interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐5, IL‐6, IL‐10, IL‐13 and interferon (IFN)‐γ] responses to ovalbumin (OVA), house dust mite (HDM), cat allergen (Fel d 1), phytohaemaglutinin (PHA) and tetanus toxoid, were re‐analysed based on the 6‐year clinical outcomes.Results:  Twenty‐eight HR and three LR children had a clinical history of allergic disease at 6 years of age including doctor diagnosed asthma (n = 17) and/or eczema (n = 24). Most children (78%) with atopy at 6 years had positive SPT to the allergens tested, and 70% had symptoms within the last year. Children at genetic risk (family history) of allergy had weaker (P = 0.017) polyclonal T helper 1 (Th1) IFN‐γ responses in the neonatal period compared with LR children. Although children with allergic disease at 6 years also tended to have weaker neonatal IFN‐γ responses compared to those with no symptoms, but this was not quite significant (P = 0.05). A positive SPT to HDM at 6 years was associated with higher IL‐13 responses to HDM at 1 year (P = 0.02), whereas allergic disease at 6 years was associated with higher IL‐5 messenger RNA (mRNA) responses to HDM at 1 year (P = 0.01). Despite these associations, regression analysis demonstrated that the only significant early predictors of allergic sensitization at 6 years of age were a family history of allergic disease, and atopic symptoms at 2 years. Importantly, none of the early immunological parameters measured were significantly predictive of allergic disease or allergic sensitization in these 6‐year‐olds.Conclusions:  Although our observations suggest that subtle differential alterations in cytokine responses during early immune development are associated with different aspects of subsequent atopy, there are still no early predictive biomarkers of disease. A positive family history of allergy remains the dominant predictive factor.
Safety of rush insect venom immunotherapy. The results of a retrospective study in 178 patients
Authors: Wenzel J. , Meissner‐Kraemer M. , Bauer R. , Bieber T. , Gerdsen R. 
Published: December 2004

Background: Venom immunotherapy (VIT) is regarded as an established and efficient treatment of Hymenoptera venom allergy. Different frequencies of side‐effects have been reported in the literature, depending on the hyposensitization regimen (conventional outpatient programme, rush immunotherapy, ultra rush immunotherapy) and the venom preparation. Aim of this study was to evaluate safety and tolerance of rush VIT in patients treated with a 7‐day protocol in our department.Methods: VIT protocols of 178 patients treated at the Department of Dermatology and Allergy of the University of Bonn were analysed retrospectively. All patients had been treated with a standardized venom preparations (ALK‐SQTM). We used a modified VIT‐protocol with a 2‐day break to reduce systemic side‐effects.Results: During the course of VIT in 15 patients (8.4%) systemic reactions grade I (Mueller scale) were observed, in seven (3.9%) grade II, in six (3.4%) grade III and in four (2.2%) grade IV. A total of 146 patients (82.1%) had no or only local reactions.Conclusions: The rate of systemic adverse reactions Mueller Grade I–IV of 17.9% of the ‘Bonn rush VIT protocol’ appears to be relatively low compared with the data in the literature.
Immunochemical characterization of Russian thistle (Salsola kali) pollen extracts. Purification of the allergen Sal k 1
Authors: Carnés J. , Fernández‐Caldas E. , Marina A. , Alonso C. , Lahoz C. , Colás C. , Lezaun A. 
Published: December 2004

Background: Salsola kali (Russian thistle) is a weed which belongs to the Chaenopodiacea family. It is widely distributed along the coasts of Europe, North Africa, USA and Australia. The objectives of this study were to study the allergenic composition of S. kali pollen and to purify an important allergen from the pollen extracts of this plant.Methods: A population of 66 individuals with specific IgE‐mediated allergic symptoms and positive skin tests to S. kali were included in the study. Specific IgE to S. kali was determined by direct enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The antigenic and allergenic profile of S. kali was evaluated by sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE), isoelectric focussing (IEF) and immunoblot. Allergen purification was conducted by preparative SDS‐PAGE. The allergenicity of the protein was evaluated by skin testing, direct ELISA, ELISA inhibition and immunoblots.Results: Specific IgE to S. kali was detected in 39 of the 66 individuals (59%). An allergen with a molecular weight of approximately 43 kDa was purified. This allergen was termed Sal k 1. A partial sequencing was obtained and no homology was found with other known proteins/allergens. The allergenicity of Sal k 1 was tested in vitro and in vivo. Of the 39 individuals with a positive specific IgE determination to S. kali, 26 (66.6%) had detectable specific IgE to Sal k 1. Twenty of these 39 individuals were skin‐prick tested with the purified allergen (0.5 mg/ml) and all of them had a positive skin test to the purified allergen. Ten additional individuals, used as negative controls, had a negative response.Conclusions: Sal k 1, an important allergen of S. kali, is recognized, in vitro, by approximately 67% of the patients sensitized to S. kali. Twenty patients with a positive skin test to a standardized S. kali extract had a positive reaction to the purified allergen.