bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
IgE‐mediated anaphylaxis to Thiomucase®, a mucopolyssacharidase: allergens and cross‐reactivity
Authors: Caballero T. , Alonso A. , De Miguel S. , Martín‐Esteban M. , Varga B. , Pascual C. Y. , López‐Serrano M. C. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Thiomucase® is a mucopolysaccharidase obtained from ovine tissues mainly used to facilitate the diffusion of local anaesthetics and in the treatment of cellulitis. A patient with an anaphylaxis in relation to the intramuscular administration of Thiomucase® is reported. Objective: To investigate Thiomucase® allergens and their possible relationship with dander allergens and animal albumins. Material and methods: Skin prick tests (SPT) and serum‐specific IgE were performed with Thiomucase® and danders. Thiomucase® SDS‐PAGE immunoblotting was performed in order to study allergens. RAST/CAP inhibition and SDS‐PAGE immunoblotting inhibition were carried out to study the cross‐reactivity. Results: Skin prick tests (SPT) were positive to Thiomucase®, animal dander (cat, dog, sheep, other), bovine serum albumin (BSA), and echinococcus. Specific IgE was also positive to Thiomucase®, animal dander (cat, dog, sheep, other), BSA and echinococcus. In the RAST‐CAP inhibition assays BSA was nearly completely inhibited by Thiomucase®, Thiomucase® was partially inhibited by BSA and cat and Echinococcus granulosus was partially inhibited by sheep and Thiomucase®. In the Thiomucase® SDS‐PAGE immunoblotting several proteins fixed IgE, ranging from 20 kDa to > 94 kDa, the strongest with 43 kDa. The IgE fixation to BSA, cat and sheep in the SDS‐PAGE immunoblotting was completely inhibited by the preincubation of the serum with Thiomucase®. Conclusions: An IgE‐mediated anaphylaxis to Thiomucase® is documented. Multiple allergens are recognized in Thiomucase® by the patient serum, the main with 43 kDa. Partial cross‐reactivity with BSA, cat dander and sheep dander is documented.
Comparison of cetirizine, ebastine and loratadine in the treatment of immediate mosquito‐bite allergy
Authors: Karppinen A. , Kautiainen H. , Petman L. , Burri P. , Reunala T. 
Published: March 2003

Background:  People frequently experience whealing and delayed papules from mosquito bites. Whealing is mediated by antisaliva immunoglobulin (Ig)E antibodies and histamine. Cetirizine, ebastine and loratadine have earlier shown effects on mosquito‐bite reactions but no comparative studies exist.Methods:  A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over study was performed with cetirizine 10 mg, ebastine 10 mg and loratadine 10 mg in 29 mosquito‐bite‐sensitive adults exposed to Aedes aegypti mosquito‐bites. The size of the bite lesion and the intensity of pruritus (visual analog scale) were measured at 15 min and 2, 6 and 24 h.Results:  Cetirizine and ebastine, but not loratadine, decreased significantly the size of whealing (P < 0.01) and accompanying pruritus (P < 0.001) compared to placebo. Cetirizine was most effective on pruritus but caused more often sedation than ebastine or loratadine. The delayed bite symptoms remained too faint for any statistical comparison.Conclusion:  This comparative study in mosquito‐bite‐sensitive adults shows that cetirizine and ebastine decrease significantly whealing and accompanying pruritus, and that cetirizine seems to be the most effective against pruritus.
Development of new IgE specificities to allergenic components in birch pollen extract during specific immunotherapy studied with immunoblotting and Pharmacia CAP System™
Authors: Movérare R. , Elfman L. , Vesterinen E. , Metso T. , Haahtela T. 
Published: March 2003

Background: New IgE sensitizations to proteins in allergen extracts have been shown to occur during allergen‐specific immunotherapy (IT). However little is known about the kinetics of the changes in antibody reactivities. Methods: Twenty‐four allergic children and adults were treated with birch pollen rush IT (RIT). Fifteen matched patients served as allergic controls. Sera were obtained at regular intervals for up to three years and analyzed with immunoblotting and Pharmacia CAP System™ with recombinant (r) birch pollen allergens (rBet v 1, rBet v 2, and rBet v 4). Results: All birch‐allergic patients had specific IgE to the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1, but only three had IgE to rBet v 2 and/or rBet v 4 at the beginning of the study. New IgE sensitizations developed in 65% of the birch RIT‐treated patients when studied by immunoblotting. Twenty‐nine percent of the patients developed new sensitizations to rBet v 2 and/or rBet v 4 during RIT as measured by Pharmacia CAP System. Generally, new specific IgE reactivities occurred after at least one year of RIT, and only at low levels (< 1 kUA/l). Conclusions: Sensitization to additional allergenic pollen components frequently occurs during prolonged birch RIT. However, the IgE levels are low and the clinical relevance is not known.
Passive sensitization of human airways induces mast cell degranulation and release of tryptase
Authors: Berger P. , N′guyen C. , Buckley M. , Scotto‐Gomez E. , Marthan R. , Tunon‐de‐Lara J. M. 
Published: March 2003

Background: This study was designed to examine the effect of passive sensitization (PS) on human bronchial mast cells. PS with asthmatic serum induces a hyper‐responsiveness to nonspecific agonists, and immunoglobulin (Ig)E binding mainly on mast cells.Methods:  Bronchi dissected out from 19 lung specimens were incubated in normal or asthmatic serum. Immunohistochemistry was performed using monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) directed against tryptase, chymase, or c‐kit. Mast cells were classified as fully granulated (type I), partly (type II) or largely degranulated (type III). Tryptase was measured in supernatant using ELISA. Contractile response was recorded in a separated set of experiments using an organ bath system.Results:  PS decreased both tryptase positive cells (47.9 ± 10.0 vs. 26.7 ± 4.8 cell/mm2, P = 0.003) and chymase positive cells (26.1 ± 3.3 vs. 14.9 ± 1.8 cell/mm2, P = 0.01), but did not alter the number of c‐kit positive cell. PS decreased the proportion of type I (55.4 vs. 28.9%, P < 0.0001) and, concomitantly increased that of types II (23.2 vs. 41.0%, P < 0.0001) and III (21.4 vs. 30.1%, P = 0.04). Following PS, tryptase concentration significantly increased and the magnitude of histamine response, was correlated with the amount of type II mast cells.Conclusion:  PS of human isolated bronchi induces a mast cell degranulation related to in vitro hyper‐responsiveness, along with a tryptase release.
Cross‐reactivities between date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) polypeptides and foods implicated in the oral allergy syndrome
Authors: Kwaasi A. A. A. , Harfi H. A. , Parhar R. S. , Saleh S. , Collison K. S. , Panzani R. C. , Al‐Sedairy S. T. , Al‐Mohanna F. A. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Date fruit and pollen antigens share a number of cross‐reactive epitopes. Date pollen has been shown to cross‐react with antigens from Artemisia, cultivated rye (Secale cereale), Timothy grass (Phleum pratense), Sydney golden wattle (Acacia longifolia) and Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) pollen. The present study was carried out to examine any cross‐reactivities between date palm polypeptides and antigens of some common foods and vegetables that have been implicated in the oral allergy syndrome (OAS). Because most of such cross‐reactivities in other allergens are attributable to the presence of carbohydrate chains and profilin, their role was also investigated.Methods: Fresh extracts of 20 common fruits and vegetables were prepared. Putative date profilins were isolated by affinity chromatography using a poly L‐proline column. Date fruit extracts were digested by various endoglycosidases and the immunoglobulin (Ig)E binding of the postdigest products was assessed in immunoblots. Rabbit antisera to whole date fruit extracts, Timothy grass profilin and putative date profilins, as well as human sera from date sensitive individuals were used in immunoblotting, ELISA and in inhibition experiments.Results: IgG, ELISA and immunoblot results with the different rabbit antisera and date‐sensitive atopic sera showed several antigenic cross‐reactivities and similar cross‐reactivities were seen with birch, date and timothy grass profilins. IgE, ELISA and immunoblot experiments with pooled date sensitive human sera showed a range of cross‐reactivities with some food extracts. A number of the IgE cross‐reactivities could be inhibited after preabsorption of pooled sera with date extracts. Sixty‐six percent of individual date hypersensitive human sera bound IgE in putative date fruit profilin and their pooled sera bound IgE in birch pollen profilin. IgE‐binding of the endoglycosidase digested date fruit extracts to atopic serum pool was restricted to only a very low molecular weight band of 6.5–8 kDa.Conclusion: These results indicate that date palm polypeptides share cross‐reactive IgG and IgE epitopes with a number of foods implicated in the oral allergy syndrome, bind to birch and Timothy grass profilins and bind IgE through glycosyl residues. The clinical relevance of these cross‐reactivities needs to be further elucidated.
Characterization of the human T cell response to rye grass pollen allergens Lol p 1 and Lol p 5
Authors: Burton M. D. , Papalia L. , Eusebius N. P. , O'Hehir R. E. , Rolland J. M. 
Published: March 2003

Background:  Knowledge of dominant T cell epitopes of major allergens recognized by allergic individuals is required to improve efficacy and safety of allergen immunotherapy. Rye grass pollen (RGP) is the most important source of seasonal aeroallergens in temperate climates and Lol p 1 and Lol p 5 are the two major IgE‐reactive allergens. This study aimed to characterize the T cell response to these allergens using a large panel of RGP‐sensitive individuals.Methods:  Short‐term RGP‐specific T cell lines (TCL) were generated from 38 RGP‐sensitive subjects and stimulated with Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 allergens and synthetic 20‐mer peptides. Proliferative responses were determined by 3H‐thymidine uptake and IL‐5 and IFN‐γ in culture supernatants analysed by ELISA.Results:  Of 17 subjects tested for reactivity to both allergens 16 (94%) responded to Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5, establishing these as major T cell‐reactive allergens. Sites of T cell reactivity were spread throughout the allergen molecules but regions of high reactivity were found. For Lol p 1 these spanned residues 19–38, 109–128, 154–173, 190–209, and for Lol p 5 37–56, 100–119, 145–164, 154–173, 190–209, 217–236 and 226–245. IL‐5 and IFN‐γ were produced by T cells cultured with proliferation‐inducing peptides.Conclusions:  T cell responses to RGP major allergens have been extensively characterized, providing fundamental information for developing T cell‐targeted immunotherapy for RGP allergy.
Skin test reactivity to natural and recombinant Blomia and Dermatophagoides spp. allergens among mite allergic patients in the UK
Authors: Simpson A. , Green R. , Custovic A. , Woodcock A. , Arruda L. K. , Chapman M. D. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Many asthmatics in tropical and subtropical areas have positive skin prick tests to both Dermatophagoides spp. and to the mite Blomia tropicalis. This may be due to recognition by IgE of cross‐reactive allergens between the different mite species or because of sensitization to species‐specific allergens. A 14‐kDa Blomia tropicalis allergen, Blo t 5, has been cloned and shows 40% sequence homology with Der p 5. The aim of this study was to investigate reactivity to B. tropicalis in patients known to be sensitized to D. pteronyssinus and to assess allergenic activity and cross‐reactivity of recombinant (r) Group 5 allergens amongst these patients, who live in the UK and who are not exposed to B. tropicalis in their homes.Methods: Patients (n = 19) with asthma and/or rhinitis were selected based on clinical history and a positive skin prick test to D. pteronyssinus extract and were compared with non‐allergic skin test negative controls (n = 10). IgE antibody responses to Blomia tropicalis, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, rDer p 5 and rBlo t 5 were compared by quantitative intradermal skin testing using serial 10‐fold dilutions of each allergen. End point titre was the highest dilution giving an 8 × 8 mm wheal at 15 min. IgE antibodies to Blomia tropicalis, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, rDer p 5 and rBlo t 5 were measured using RAST, CAP and RIA, respectively.Results: All 19 patients had positive skin tests to D. pteronyssinus at concentrations of 0.001 to 1 AU/ml and 10 were skin test positive to rDer p 5 at concentrations of 10−4 to 5 µg/ml. Positive intradermal tests to Blomia tropicalis were seen in 12/19 patients at concentrations of 0.002 to 2 µg/ml. However none of the patients had positive skin tests to rBlo t 5. Non‐allergic controls were all skin test negative at the highest concentration of each allergen tested. All subjects had quantifiable specific IgE to D. pteronyssinus, but only two had IgE to B. tropicalis. IgE to Der p 5 was found in six patients, but no patients had IgE to Blo t 5.Conclusions: This study of patients naturally exposed to D. pteronyssinus but not to Blomia tropicalis, provides evidence for IgE mediated cross‐reactivity between allergens produced by both mite species. The results suggest that the Group 5 allergens of D. pteronyssinus and B. tropicalis are species‐specific.
The 18 kDa peanut oleosin is a candidate allergen for IgE‐mediated reactions to peanuts
Authors: Pons L. , Chery C. , Romano A. , Namour F. , Artesani M. C. , Guéant J.‐L. 
Published: March 2003

Background : Peanut allergy is one of the five most frequent food allergies in children and in adults. Recently, we purified and evaluated the allergenicity of peanut oleosins, a family of small‐sized proteins involved in the formation of peanut oil bodies.Methods:  Allergenicity of the purified native protein and of the recombinant protein was tested by Western blot and by IgE‐RIA.Results:  We found IgE‐binding with oleosin in 3 of 14 sera of patients who had suffered an allergic reaction to peanuts. Two sera reacted weakly against 16–18 kDa proteins corresponding to oleosin monomers, in Western blot. The main reacting bands had a molecular size estimated at ≈34 kDa, ≈50 kDa and ≈ 68 kDa and could therefore correspond to oleosin oligomers. IgE reactivity was higher in extracts from roasted peanuts. The same phenomenon occurred with crude soybean oil fraction, with two bands of 16.5 and 24 kDa corresponding to monomers, and two bands of 50 kDa and 76 kDa corresponding to dimers and trimers, respectively. The 18 kDa band was observed in the 3 Western blots of a membrane‐enriched fraction of recombinant oleosin produced in the Sf9‐baculovirus expression system (performed with the 3 patient sera).Conclusions:  We have characterized a new peanut allergen which belongs to the oleosins, a family of proteins involved in the formation of oil bodies. The protein may be involved in some of the allergic cross‐reactions to peanuts and soybeans.
Organ donation in Hawaii: impact of the final rule
Authors: Higashigawa Kevin H , Carroll Chris , Wong Linda L , Wong Livingston M 
Published: March 2003

Background. In an effort to increase organ donation, the Department of Health and Human Services issued the Final Rule in 1998. The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) later required hospitals to notify organ procurement organizations (OPO) of all deaths and imminent deaths in order to remain eligible for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. We set out to determine the impact of the Final Rule on organ donation in Hawaii.Methods. Medical records of all deaths between January 1999 and December 2000 at 17 acute‐care hospitals were reviewed to determine the number of medically suitable, potential organ donors.Results. Of 9427 deaths, 144 were potential organ donors. In 1999, before the Final Rule, 60 of 75 (80%) potential donors were identified and 40 (53%) were referred to the OPO. In 2000, after the Final Rule, the identification rate was 83% and the referral rate was 70%.Conclusions. Although, the Final Rule increased the referral rate slightly, medical centres must continue to improve their identification of potential donors and prompt referral. This is not only to comply with the Final Rule, but ultimately to increase organ donation to meet the needs of the ever‐expanding list of patients waiting for organs.
The treatment of bipolar depression
Authors: Sachs Gary S , Koslow Courtney L , Ghaemi S Nassir 
Published: March 2003

Objectives:

The treatment of the depressed phase of bipolar disorder is understudied and remains a common clinical dilemma for clinicians. Compared to the manic phases, episodes of bipolar depression are more frequent and of longer duration, yet the literature on this problem is minimal. The few methodologically sound studies find that treatment effective for unipolar depression are also efficacious for bipolar depression. However, standard antidepressant agents may cause acute mania or a long‐term worsening of bipolar illness. This paper reviews the available literature on the treatment of bipolar depression and offers recommendations for clinical management.

Methods: A literature search was conducted using keywords ‘bipolar disorder’, ‘depression’, ‘drug therapy’, ‘antidepressants’, ‘lithium’, and ‘anticonvulsants’.

Results: If effectively treated by lithium, patients are spared the risk of antidepressant‐induced mania. If lithium is not sufficient treatment for acute depression, the combination of lithium and a standard antidepressant appears to reduce the risk of affective switch, as well as the induction of a long‐term rapid‐cycling course. Additionally, tapering antidepressant medication after periods of sustained remission can be beneficial in limiting the risk of affective switch and acceleration of the cycle rate.

Conclusions: Doctors must be cautious in prescribing antidepressants for bipolar depression. Use of antidepressants alone should be avoided.
Design and implementation of a randomized trial evaluating systematic care for bipolar disorder
Authors: Simon Gregory E , Ludman Evette , Unützer Jürgen , Bauer Mark S 
Published: March 2003

Objectives:
Everyday care of bipolar disorder typically falls short of evidence‐based practice. This report describes the design and implementation of a randomized trial evaluating a systematic program to improve quality and continuity of care for bipolar disorder.
Methods:
Computerized records of a large health plan were used to identify all patients treated for bipolar disorder. Following a baseline diagnostic assessment, eligible and consenting patients were randomly assigned to either continued usual care or a multifaceted intervention program including: development of a collaborative treatment plan, monthly telephone monitoring by a dedicated nurse care manager, feedback of monitoring results and algorithm‐based medication recommendations to treating mental health providers, as‐needed outreach and care coordination, and a structured psychoeducational group program (the Life Goals Program by Bauer and McBride) delivered by the nurse care manager. Blinded assessments of clinical outcomes, functional outcomes, and treatment process were conducted every 3 months for 24 months.
Results:
A total of 441 patients (64% of those eligible) consented to participate and 43% of enrolled patients met criteria for current major depressive episode, manic episode, or hypomanic episode. An additional 39% reported significant subthreshold symptoms, and 18% reported minimal or no current mood symptoms. Of patients assigned to the intervention program, 94% participated in telephone monitoring and 70% attended at least one group session.
Conclusions:
In a population‐based sample of patients treated for bipolar disorder, approximately two‐thirds agreed to participate in a randomized trial comparing alternative treatment strategies. Nearly all patients accepted regular telephone monitoring and over two‐thirds joined a structured group program. Future reports will describe clinical effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness of the intervention program compared with usual care.
Quetiapine in the treatment of rapid cycling bipolar disorder
Authors: Vieta Eduard , Parramon Gemma , Padrell Elena , Nieto Evaristo , Martinez‐Arán Anabel , Corbella Barbara , Colom Francesc , Reinares Maria , Goikolea Jose M , Torrent Carla 
Published: March 2003

Vieta E, Parramon G, Padrell E, Nieto E, Martinez‐Arán A, Corbella B, Colom F, Reinares M, Goikolea JM, Torrent C. Quetiapine in the treatment of rapid cycling bipolar disorder. Bipolar Disord 2002: 4: 335–340. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2002
Introduction:
This prospective open‐label study assessed the impact of add‐on quetiapine in the treatment of rapid cycling bipolar patients.
Methods:
Fourteen rapid cycling bipolar patients were treated with quetiapine, which was added to their ongoing medication regimen for 112 ± 33 days. At the beginning of the study, five were manic, three were in a mixed state, three were depressed, two hypomanic and one was euthymic. Patients were assessed prospectively with a modified version of the Clinical Global Impression Scale for Bipolars (CGI‐BP), the Young Scale for mania (YMRS) and the Hamilton Scale for Depression (HDRS).
Results:
A significant reduction of the following scale scores was observed:• a 1.8 point reduction for the general CGI‐BP (p=0.013),• a –1.3 point for the mania subscale (p=0.016),• a –1.01 point for the YMRS (p=0.025).Improvement in depressive symptoms was not significant, neither in the CGI‐BP (–1 point, p=0.074) nor in the HDRS (–5.2 points, p=NS). The most common side‐effect was sedation (n=6, 43%). Doses of quetiapine were significantly reduced by the end of the study (443 ± 235 mg/day versus 268 ± 190 mg/day, p=0.008) and they also differed according to the initial episode to be treated (720 ± 84 mg/day for mania, and 183 ± 29 mg/day for depression, p=0.023).
Conclusions:
Quetiapine could possibly be an effective treatment for rapid cycling bipolar patients. Adequate doses for acute episodes could significantly differ according to the episode polarity and the length of treatment.
Myo‐inositol‐1‐phosphate (MIP) synthase: a possible new target for antibipolar drugs
Authors: Agam Galila , Shamir Alon , Shaltiel Galit , Greenberg Miriam L. 
Published: March 2003

Agam G, Shamir A, Shaltiel G, Greenberg ML. Myo‐inositol‐1‐phosphate (MIP) synthase: a possible new target for antibipolar drugs.  Bipolar Disord 2002: 4(Suppl. 1): 15–20. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2002Inositol metabolism is well characterized in yeast at a molecular level, and yeast is the only eukaryote in which genetic, molecular and functional genomic approaches to identify lithium, valproate and inositol targets may be combined readily. It has been shown that lithium inhibits yeast inositol monophosphatase (encoded by INM1 and INM2), and both valproate and lithium reduce intracellularinositol. Unlike lithium, valproate causes a decrease in intracellular inositol‐1‐phosphate as well, suggesting that myo‐inositol‐1‐P (MIP) synthase is a site of valproate action in the yeast PI cycle. MIP synthase is the rate‐limiting step in inositol biosynthesis and is highly regulated in response to inositol. Yeast genes that are affected by both lithium and valproate in the phosphoinositide pathways (INO1 increased over 10‐fold, INO2 increased twofold and INM1 decreased about twofold) have been identified. It has also been reported previously that both lithium and inositol mildly up‐regulate IMPA1 (encoding mammalian inositol monophosphatase) expression in human cells. These findings indicate that IMPA is regulated only mildly by lithium, and therefore may not be the major target in the inositol pathway. Given the substantial evidence for the role of inositol in the mechanism of action of lithium and valproate,the opposing and mild effects of lithium on the genes encoding inositol monophosphatase in yeast and human cells, but the powerful effect of lithium and valproate on INO1 in yeast, it is hypothesized that human hINO1 is a factor in the psychopharmacology of mood stabilizers.