bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of sensitization to the predatory mite Amblyseius cucumeris as a new occupational allergen in horticulture
Authors: Giséle C. M. , Groenewoud M. D. , De G raaf in ′t Veld C. , Van Oorschot–van Nes A. J. , De J ong N. W. , Vermeulen A. M. , Van Toorenenbergen A. W. , Burdorf A. , De G root H. , Van Wijk R. G. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Protection against thrips, a common pest in bell pepper horticulture is effectively possible without pesticides by using the commercially available predatory mite Amblyzeius cucumeris (Ac). The prevalence of sensitization to Ac among exposed greenhouse employees and its clinical relevance was studied.Methods: Four hundred and seventytwo employees were asked to fill in a questionnaire and were tested on location. Next to RAST, skin prick tests (SPTs) were performed with common inhalant allergens, the storage mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Tp) which serves as a temporary food source during the cultivation process and Ac. Furthermore, nasal challenge tests with Ac were carried out in 23 sensitized employees.Results: SPTs positive to Ac were found in 109 employees (23%). Work‐related symptoms were reported by 76.1%. Sensitization to Tp was found in 62 employees of whom 48 were also sensitized to Ac. Immunoglobulin (Ig)E‐mediated allergy to inhalant allergens appeared to be an important risk factor for sensitization to Ac. Employees with rhinitis symptoms showed a significantly higher response to all Ac doses during the nasal challenge test compared with employees without rhinitis symptoms.Conclusions: The predatory mite Ac is a new occupational allergen in horticulture which can cause an IgE‐mediated allergy in exposed employees. It is biologically active on the mucous membranes of the nose and therefore clinically relevant for the development of work‐related symptoms.
Incidence of peripheral blood eosinophilia and the threshold eosinophile count for indicating hypereosinophilia‐associated diseases
Authors: Kobayashi S. , Inokuma S. , Setoguchi K. , Kono H. , Abe K. 
Published: March 2003

Background: A definite threshold of the peripheral blood eosinophile count that indicates the presence of hypereosinophilia‐associated diseases has not yet been determined.Methods: The threshold eosinophile count at which cases of hypereosinophilia‐associated diseases (n = 25) can be differentiated from those of bronchial asthma (n = 101) was determined. Then, the incidences of eosinophile counts greater than 1.0 × 109/l or the threshold level, were studied by analysis of 43 805 samples sent to the laboratory, and the diseases associated with the increased counts were determined.Results: The eosinophile count in cases of hypereosinophilia‐associated diseases and in those of bronchial asthma were 10.967 ± 1.680 × 109/l and 0.574 ± 0.045 × 109/l, respectively (P < 0.001); the threshold was 2.052 × 109/l. The percentages of samples with an eosinophile count of more than 1.0 × 109/l and 2.052 × 109/l were 0.6% and 0.1%, respectively; the latter comprised of 41 samples from 24 patients including eight with hypereosinophilia‐associated diseases. The patients with hypereosinophilia‐associated diseases had a significantly higher count, and a higher incidence of counts of more than 2.052 × 109/l, than others, including patients with malignancies and symptoms conventionally referred as “atopic diseases”.Conclusion: Hypereosinophilia‐associated diseases are associated with a very high eosinophile count of more than 2.052 × 109/l, which was observed rarely.
Incidence and host determinants of work‐related rhinoconjunctivitis in apprentice pastry‐makers
Authors: Gautrin D. , Ghezzo H. , Infante‐Rivard C. , Malo J.‐L. 
Published: March 2003

Background: The authors recently assessed the incidence and determinants of immunologic sensitization to flour in apprentice pastry‐makers. The aim of this work was to determine the incidence of work‐related rhinoconjunctivitis (RC) symptoms and their determinants.Methods: For this 188/230 entrants (81.7%) were evaluated before starting exposure to flour, and again 10.8 and 16.8 months after. Questionnaires and skin prick testing to common and work‐related allergens were administered at each visit. Bronchial responsiveness to methacholine was assessed at baseline in all subjects and in a subgroup at follow‐up.Results: Thirty subjects (16.1%) reported new work‐related RC symptoms (13.1 per 100 person–years); in three subjects (1.6%), these were accompanied by incident skin prick test reactivity to flour‐derived allergens. Skin prick test reactivity to grass pollens (OR = 3.0, 95% CI, 1.3–6.7) and to pets (OR = 2.5, 95% CI, 1.1–5.9), persistent rhinitis (OR = 3.1, 95% CI, 1.1–8.4), seasonal RC (OR = 2.5, 95% CI, 1.1–5.5), RC on contact with pets (OR = 2.3, 95% CI, 1.03–5.0) and skin prick test reactivity to wheat flour (OR = 10.5, 95% CI, 2.3–46.8), assessed at baseline, were significantly associated with the incidence of work‐related RC symptoms. Multivariate logistic regression analysis yielded significant OR of skin prick test reactivity to wheat flour at baseline (OR = 7.1, 95% CI, 1.7–35.1) and persistent rhinitis (OR = 3.9, 95% CI, 1.01–9.6) for the incidence of work‐related RC symptoms. Increased bronchial hyperresponsiveness at follow‐up was more frequent, although not significantly, in subjects positive to skin prick test to flour on entry and reporting new work‐related symptoms (3/5), than in other subjects (4/17).Conclusions: The incidence of work‐related RC symptoms among apprentice pastry‐makers was high (16.1% 30/186), while a minority (3/30) also developed skin prick test reactivity to flour. Skin prick test reactivity to wheat flour and persistent allergic rhinitis on starting exposure to flour are significant determinants for the development of work‐related RC symptoms.
The unfavorable effects of concomitant asthma and sleeplessness due to the atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS) on quality of life in subjects allergic to house‐dust mites
Authors: Terreehorst I. , Duivenvoorden H. J. , Tempels‐Pavlica Z. , Oosting A. J. , De Monchy J. G. R. , Bruijnzeel‐Koomen C.A. F. M. , Post M. W. M. , Gerth van Wijk R. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Allergic rhinitis, asthma or the atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS) may independently impair quality of life in patients. However, although many allergic patients may suffer from more than one disorder, the effect of concomitant disease — in particular, the impact of AEDS — is largely unknown. As part of a large multicenter clinical trial on the efficacy of mattress casings in house‐dust mite (HDM) allergy, generic quality of life in a mixed population of 224 subjects with rhinitis (n = 198) and/or asthma (n = 111) and/or AEDS (n = 64) was studied. The study aimed to estimate quality of life impairment in these atopic patients and to address the questionissue of whether one atopic disorder goes beyond other existing allergic diseases, thereby causing further impairment to quality of life.Methods: Generic quality of life was assessed by SF‐36. Quality of life in the atopic group was compared with a Dutch norm population. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the effects of disease (i.e. the presence of allergic rhinitis, asthma or AEDS) or disease severity, as assessed by visual analog scores (VAS) for asthma, rhinitis, VAS sleeplessness and VAS itching being considered as major symptoms in AEDS on SF‐36 domains.Results: Compared to the norm group, atopic patients were impaired in: physical functioning; role physical functioning; general health; vitality; and social functioning. The diagnosis of asthma was negatively associated with the SF‐36 subscales for physical functioning (P = 0.02), and general health (P < 0.01). In line with these findings, asthma severity (VAS asthma) was negatively associated with physical functioning (P < 0.01), role physical functioning (P < 0.01), general health (P < 0.0.1), social functioning (P = 0.01), emotional functioning (P = 0.01), and vitality (P = 0.01). VAS sleeplessness had significant negative effect on role physical functioning (P < 0.01), bodily pain (P < 0.01), General health (P = 0.01), mental health (P < 0.01), social functioning (P < 0.01), and vitality (P < 0.01). In contrast, neither the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis or AEDS, nor VAS itching as an outcome parameter of AEDS, exerted additional effects on the SF‐36 domains.Conclusions: Patients with atopic disease based on HDM allergy may have impaired quality of life. The majority of these patients have allergic rhinitis. The (co)existence of asthma, expressed in terms of diagnostic criteria or symptom severity, or the presence of sleep disorders as a consequence of AEDS, may further impair quality of life.
The association between tumor necrosis factor, HLA‐DR alleles, and IgE‐mediated asthma in Taiwanese adolescents
Authors: Lin Ying‐Chu , Lu Cheng‐Chan , Su Huey‐Jen , Shen Chen‐Yang , Lei Huan‐Yao , Guo Yueliang Leon 
Published: March 2003

Background: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DR genes and the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene locus are associated with asthma and IgE production. TNFα‐308G/A frequencies between Japanese and Caucasians in the UK have been found to be different. The roles of HLA‐DRB1 and TNF genotypes are unknown in Taiwanese adolescents with IgE‐mediated asthma (I‐asthma).Methods: From the population of a 1996 nation‐wide survey, we recruited a random sample for a physical examination, determination of total serum IgE (sIgE), dust‐mite‐specific IgE, and HLA‐DRB1, TNFα‐308, and LTαNcoI polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction.Results: A total of 80 I‐asthmatics and 69 non‐asthmatics completed the study. We suggested that I‐asthmatics had a higher frequency of the DR13 gene (OR = 8.6, 95% CI = [1.6–161]). The DR13 gene was associated with high sIgE and high dust‐mite‐specific IgE, especially Dermatophagoides farinae. No TNF haplotype or genotype was associated with I‐asthma. The DR13 gene was linked to the LTαNcoI*1 allele. When sIgE was adjusted by multiple logistic regression, the risk of I‐asthma was much higher for the DR13(+)/LTαNcoI*1 haplotype (OR = 25.6, 95% CI = [2.2–1378]) than for the others.Conclusions: In Taiwanese children sensitized to Der f, the DR13(+)/LTαNcoI*1 haplotype was associated with a much higher risk of having clinical asthma than any other DR13/LTαNcoI haplotype.
Farm residence and exposures and the risk of allergic diseases in New Zealand children
Authors: Wickens K. , Lane J.M. , Fitzharris P. , Siebers R. , Riley G. , Douwes J. , Smith T. , Crane J. 
Published: March 2003

Background:Studies in Europe have reported a reduced prevalence of allergy in farmers' children. We aimed to determine if there is a similar reduction in allergy among New Zealand farm children.Methods:Two hundred and ninety‐three children participated (60%) aged 7–10 years, from selected schools in small towns and the surrounding rural area . Skin prick tests (SPT) to eight common allergens were performed. Parents completed questionnaires about allergic and infectious diseases, place of residence, exposure to animals, and diet, and they provided dust from the living‐room floor. Endotoxin was measured using anLimulusamoebocyte lysate (LAL) assay and Der p 1 using enzyme‐linked immunoassay (ELISA).Results:Current farm abode was found to increase the risk of having symptoms associated with allergy, but not SPT positivity. Independent inverse associations were found for early‐life exposures: at least weekly consumption of yoghurt with hayfever (odds ratio (OR) = 0.3, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.1–0.7) and allergic rhinitis (OR = 0.3, 95% CI 0.2–0.7); any unpasteurized milk consumption with atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS) (OR = 0.2, 95% CI 0.1–0.8); cats inside or outside with hayfever (OR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.1–1.0) and AEDS (OR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.2–0.8); dogs inside or outside with asthma (OR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.2–0.8); and pigs with SPT positivity (OR = 0.2, 95% CI 0.1–0.9).Conclusions:Despite finding a protective effect of early‐life animal exposures, we found a greater prevalence of allergic disease on farms.
Isolation and characterization of Tha p 1, a major allergen from the pine processionary caterpillar Thaumetopoea pityocampa
Authors: Moneo I. , Vega J. M. , Caballero M. L. , Vega J. , Alday E. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Pine processionary caterpillars induce dermatitis by a toxic–irritative mechanism. The existence of true allergic reactions to allergens from these caterpillars has been recently demonstrated by positive immediate skin prick tests and specific IgE determination by immunoblotting using crude larval extracts. The aim of this work was to purify allergens from the crude larval extract in order to characterize IgE‐binding proteins from these caterpillars.Methods: Allergens were separated by ethanol gradient fractionation and reversed phase HPLC. The N‐terminal amino acid sequence of a selected allergen was obtained after SDS‐PAGE and transfer. The clinical relevance of this allergen was measured using sera from patients allergic to caterpillar.Results: An allergen with a molecular weight close to 15 kDa was purified. It was recognized by 9 out of 11 allergic patients (82%). Its N‐terminal amino acid sequence had no homologies to any other protein already described in data bases. For this reason, no information about its biological function could be obtained.Conclusions: This 15‐kDa IgE‐binding protein is a major caterpillar allergen and shows no homologies to other insect allergens already described.
A mouse model of the atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome by repeated application of a crude extract of house‐dust mite Dermatophagoides farinae
Authors: Matsuoka H. , Maki N. , Yoshida S. , Arai M. , Wang J. , Oikawa Y. , Ikeda T. , Hirota N. , Nakagawa H. , Ishii A. 
Published: March 2003

Background: We cultured Dermatophagoides farinae (Df), one of the most common mites in house dust and the most important allergen among natural allergens. With this material, we attempted to produce an animal model of the atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS).Methods: We cultured Df mites in high density and prepared a crude extract of Df (DfE) together with the culture medium. We applied the extract to the back skin of NC/Nga and BALB/c mice three times per week for 8 weeks.Results: In the NC/Nga group, dryness or scaling appeared on the skin, and scratching behavior increased at the second week in the DfE‐treated group. Skin erosion and hemorrhage occurred at the fourth week. The epidermis thickened and deepened into the upper dermis, in which mast cells were highly accumulated, corresponding with the skin lesion of AEDS patients. Specific IgE and IgG to DfE and total IgE were elevated in the sera. Mice treated with an extract of mite culture medium did not develop skin lesions. In the BALB/c group, mice developed specific IgE and IgG to DfE, however, no typical skin lesions appeared. Mast cells in the upper dermis did not increase.Conclusions: Repeated painting of Dermatophagoides extract produced IgE‐associated AEDS‐like lesions on the skin of NC mice.
Decreased intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (CD54) and L‐selectin (CD62L) expression on peripheral blood natural killer cells in asthmatic children with acute exacerbation
Authors: Lin S.‐J. , Chang L.‐Y. , Yan D.‐C. , Huang Y.‐J. , Lin T.‐J. , Lin T.‐Y. 
Published: March 2003

Background: The capacity of inflammatory cells to adhere involves an array of adhesion molecules, and is critical to the inflammatory responses seen in childhood asthma. We aimed to determine the changes of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) and L‐selectin expressed on peripheral blood (PB) T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells in asthmatic children with acute exacerbation and after prednisolone therapy.Methods:  Flow cytometric analysis was performed to determine the expression of ICAM‐1 (CD54) and L‐selectin (CD62L) on T (CD3+) cells and NK (CD3–/CD56+) cells of PB from children with allergic asthma with acute exacerbation and in a stable condition after prednisolone therapy. Atopic subjects without asthma and age‐matched controls were also included for comparison.Results:  Percentages of PB non‐CD3, CD56+ NK cells, but not CD3+ T cells, increased in asthmatic children with acute exacerbation, compared to those assessed in a stable condition after a course of prednisolone. However, significant decrease of ICAM‐1 (P = 0.01) and L‐selectin (P = 0.01) expression on PB NK cells, but not on T cells, were found in children with acute asthma compared to those in a stable condition. NK cells in children with acute asthma showed minimal expression of CD69 and CD25.Conclusions:  Results suggests that either NK cells expressing ICAM‐1 and L‐selectin selectively migrated into inflamed lung tissues, or subsets of NK cells not expressing ICAM‐1/L‐selectin were expanded during acute exacerbation of childhood asthma.
A new oligomeric parvalbumin allergen of Atlantic cod (Gad mI) encoded by a gene distinct from that of Gad cI
Authors: Das Dores S. , Chopin C. , Villaume C. , Fleurence J. , Guéant J.‐L. 
Published: March 2003

Background:  The major allergen of Baltic cod (Gadus callarias) is a 12.3‐kDa parvalbumin with two calcium‐binding sites corresponding to EF‐hand motifs. Our group found a 24‐kDa IgE‐reactive band that was also recognized by a monoclonal antiparvalbumin antibody in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Our purpose was to purify and to determine the cDNA deduced sequence of this new cod allergen.Methods:  Proteins from pre rigor mortis Atlantic cod were separated by gel filtration and the eluted peaks were analysed by SDS‐PAGE and Western blotting with sera of sensitized patients and with antiparvalbumin. Protein bands were microsequenced, RNA transcripts were amplified by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) using primer combinations overlapping the open reading frame.Results:  Four IgE and antiparvalbumin reactive proteins(12.5, 24, 38 and 51 kDa) were detected in gel filtration eluate. The cDNA deduced sequence of the 24 kDa protein had 109 amino acid residues with a molecular weight of 11.5 kDa and a theoretical pI of 4.34. The 24 kDa band corresponded therefore to a dimer of a β‐parvalbumin. Its homology was higher with Sal sI than with Gad cI. This new allergen was named Gad mI.Conclusion:  We have characterized a new parvalbumin allergen in Gadus morhua. This protein formed oligomers in native and in reducing conditions. Gad mI and Gad cI may correspond to two distinct genes of Gadus species.
Associations of angiotensinogen gene mutations with hypertension and myocardial infarction in a gulf population
Authors: Frossard Philippe M , Hill Susan H , Elshahat Yassin I , Obineche Eniyoma N , Bokhari Awais M , Lestringant Gilles G , John Anne , Abdulle Abdishakur M 
Published: March 2003

To date, the human angiotensinogen (AGT) gene and some of its variants represent the best examples of genetic influences that are involved in the determination of essential hypertension (EH) and associated cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). To assess the value of genotypingAGTin a genetically homogeneous population, we carried out a retrospective, case–control study of variants M235T and T174M for putative correlations with CVDs among nationals from the United Arab Emirates (Emirati) – an ethnic group characterized by no alcohol intake and no cigarette smoking.We investigated a sample population of 229 Emirati (119 males and 110 females), comprising groups of controls and patients with clinical diagnoses of EH, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and myocardial infarction (MI). M235T and T174M alleles were determined via assays based on the polymerase chain reaction. T174M showed no correlation with any of the four clinical entities included in this study. T235 alleles, however, occurred more frequently in the EH group and less frequently in the group of MI survivors. We also found that T235 allele frequencies decreased with age, indicating that in the Emirati population, T235 alleles are associated with a reduced life span and that this effect could occur through independent mechanisms underlying genetic susceptibilities to both EH and MI.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms and the future of genetic epidemiology
Authors: Schork Nicholas J , Fallin Daniele , Lanchbury Jerry S 
Published: March 2003

In this review, we consider the motivation behind contemporary Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) initiatives. Many of these initiatives are projected to involve large, population‐based surveys. We therefore emphasize the utility of SNPs for genetic epidemiology studies. We start by offering an overview of genetic polymorphism and discuss the historical use of polymorphism in the identification of disease‐predisposing genes via meiotic mapping. We next consider some of the unique aspects of SNPs, and their relative advantages and disadvantages in human population‐based analyses. In this context, we describe and critique the following six different areas of application for SNP technologies:

Gene discovery and mapping.
Association‐based candidate polymorphism testing.
Diagnostics and risk profiling.
Prediction of response to environmental stimuli, xenobiotics and diet.
Homogeneity testing and epidemiological study design.
Physiologic genomics.

We focus on key issues within each of these areas in an effort to point out potential problems that might plague the use of SNPs (or other forms of polymorphism) within them. However, we make no claim that our list of considerations are exhaustive. Rather, we believe that they may provide a starting point for further dialog about the ultimate utility of SNP technologies. In addition, although our emphasis is placed on applications of SNPs to the understanding of human phenotypes, we acknowledge that SNP maps and technologies applied to other species (e.g. the mouse genome, pathogen genomes, plant genomes, etc.) are also of tremendous interest.
Effects of apolipoprotein A‐IV genotype on glucose and plasma lipoprotein levels
Authors: Larson IA , Ordovas JM , Sun Z , Barnard  , Lohrmann J , Feussner G , Lamon‐Fava S , Schaefer EJ 
Published: March 2003

The effects of apolipoprotein (apo) A‐IV genotype on serum glucose, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose concentrations were ascertained in a population of 373 men and 361 women with a mean age of about 57 years. Subjects were evaluated at entry into a lifestyle intervention program. Apolipoprotein A‐IV genotype variations at residues 347 and 360 were examined, as these mutations affect the sequence of apo A‐IV, a major protein constituent of intestinal triglyceride‐rich lipoprotein and HDL. With regard to the apo A‐IV 360 mutation, 16.4% of the females and 13.4% of the males carried the apo A‐IV 2‐allele, almost entirely in the heterozygous state. No effect of the apo A‐IV 1/2 genotype was observed in either men or women on total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, the total cholesterol (TC)/HDL ratio, or on A‐I, A‐IV and apo B levels. This was also the case for the apo A‐IV 347 mutation. However, women with the apo A‐IV 360 1/2 genotype had significantly (p < 0.005) higher glucose levels (105.5 mg/dl) compared with the 1/1 wild‐type (94.0 mg/dl). All analyses were also adjusted for age, body mass index, medications, alcohol use and cigarette smoking. The prevalence of the 347 mutation was somewhat higher than the 360 mutation, with 29% of the females and 32.0% of the males being heterozygous for this mutation, and 3.9% of the females and 5.4% of the males being homozygous for this mutation.These data are consistent with the concept that the apo A‐IV 360 and 347 genotypes have no significant effect on apo A‐IV levels and other lipid parameters in either gender. However, apo A‐IV 360 1/2 genotype did have a significant effect on serum glucose levels in women.