bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Atopy in Norwegian and Russian adults: a population‐based study from the common border area
Authors: Smith‐Sivertsen T. , Tchachtchine V. , Lund E. 
Published: December 2004

Background: Several studies have concluded that atopy is more common in Western than in Eastern Europe. We aimed to study whether a similar difference exists between Norwegian and Russian adults living in geographically adjacent areas.Methods: A cross‐sectional population‐based study was performed in Sør‐ Varanger municipality (Norway) and in the cities of Nikel and Zapolyarny (Russia). The Russian cities are heavily polluted by sulfur dioxide from local nickel industry. In addition to questionnaire information, results on IgE sensitization (S‐Phadiatop, Pharmacia & Upjohn, Uppsala, Sweden) were obtained from 3134 Norwegian and 709 Russian participants.Results: A positive Phadiatop was found in 20.7% of the Norwegians (men 21.9%, women 19.7%) and in 27.5% of the Russians (men 35.7%, women 23.0%); the sex‐ and age‐adjusted relative risk of testing positive in Russia being 1.49 (95% CI 1.23–1.81). The Norwegian participants reported more atopic dermatitis and hay fever, although this difference was statistically significant only for atopic dermatitis in women.Conclusion: IgE sensitization was more common in Russia than in Norway, unlike findings from other east–west European studies. The Russians did not, however, report more atopic diseases. This discrepancy might reflect different awareness of allergies in the two countries and demonstrates the need for objective markers of atopy when comparing prevalence in different populations.
Altered intracellular expression of the chemokines MIP‐1α, MIP‐1β and IL‐8 by peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in mild allergic asthma
Authors: Grob M. , Schmid‐Grendelmeier P. , Joller‐Jemelka H. I. , Ludwig E. , Dubs R. W. , Grob P. J. , Wüthrich B. , Bisset L. R. 
Published: December 2004

Background: The ability of chemokines to regulate Th1 and Th2 responses suggests a role in the pathogenesis of atopic disorders such as allergic asthma where Th2 response dominance has been observed. Although the impact of allergic asthma on local chemokine production in the lung has been the subject of investigation, little is know about the influence of disease progression on peripheral chemokine production. We now report use of whole blood culture and flow cytometry to assess the influence of mild allergic asthma on peripheral T‐cell chemokine expression.Methods: Study participants included patients with mild allergic asthma (n = 7) and nonasthmatic controls (n = 7). Following in vitro stimulation of peripheral venous blood with phorbol 12‐myristate acetate (PMA) and ionomycin, flow cytometry was used to estimate the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells producing a number of chemokines, including macrophage inflammatory proteins MIP‐1α and MIP‐1β, RANTES (regulated on activation, T‐cell expressed and secreted), monocytic chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP)‐1, and interleukin (IL)‐8, or the cytokines interferon (IFN)‐γ and IL‐4. Serum levels of MIP‐1α, MIP‐1β, RANTES, MCP‐1, IL‐8, IFN‐γ and IL‐4 were also assessed by quantitative ELISA.Results: Intracellular expression of MIP‐1β by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from allergic asthmatics was significantly reduced in comparison to that observed for nonasthmatics (median = 2.29% (1.75–3.50) vs 4.57% (3.38–6.64), P = 0.05; 14.20% (13.18–17.88) vs 44.10% (30.38–48.70), P = 0.01). Similarly, intracellular expression of MIP‐1α by CD8+ T cells from allergic asthmatics was also significantly lower (3.67% (1.17–5.42) vs 17.10% (4.97–20.43), P = 0.05). Conversely, IL‐8 expression by both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from allergic asthmatics demonstrated significant enhancement (9.93% (7.77–11.28) vs 4.14% (3.61–7.11), P = 0.05; 8.40% (6.97–10.04) vs 4.98% (3.37–6.08), P = 0.05). Examination of intracellular IFN‐γ and IL‐4 revealed no significant difference in the expression of either cytokine by CD4+ T‐cells from allergic asthmatics and nonasthmatics. In contrast, expression of IFN‐γ was significantly reduced in CD8+ T‐cells from allergic asthmatics (24.60% (21.08–32.50) vs 48.40% (41.50–55.28), P = 0.01).Conclusions: The occurrence in mild allergic asthma of peripheral T‐cell chemokine expression suggestive of a diminished Th1 response, coinciding with marginal change in cytokine profiles indicative of a Th2 response bias, confirms the importance of chemokine involvement in the etiology of allergic asthma. The ability to use whole blood culture to estimate chemokine expression in T cell subsets may ultimately provide a practical means to evaluate disease status and to monitor early intervention therapies which target chemokines.
The prevalence of IgE sensitization to formaldehyde in asthmatic children
Authors: Doi S. , Suzuki S. , Morishita M. , Yamada M. , Kanda Y. , Torii S. , Sakamoto T. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Formaldehyde (FA) is well documented as a cause of occupational asthma. Recently, attention has been paid to FA as an allergen and a pollutant that enhances allergic sensitization. We have investigated the prevalence of FA‐specific IgE in asthmatic children and the correlation between IgE sensitization to FA and the severity of asthma.Methods:  One hundred and fifty‐five children were investigated, 122 of them asthmatic and 33 nonallergic. Specific IgE against FA was measured by CAP RAST. In addition, the patients answered a questionnaire, containing questions on clinical features of their asthma, their living conditions, and symptoms of mucosal irritation.Results:  Of all the subjects assessed, FA‐specific IgE was detected in only two asthmatics, and their IgE levels of FA were low (0.42 and 0.46 UA/ml). One of the two patients with FA‐specific IgE had severe asthma and frequent symptoms of mucosal irritation, but the other had mild asthma and only rare symptoms of mucosal irritation.Conclusions:  The prevalence of IgE sensitization to FA appears very low in Japanese children, whether or not they have asthma. Therefore, it appears likely that FA is not one of the major allergens causing childhood asthma.
National survey on the management of rhinopathies in asthma patients by French pulmonologists in everyday practice
Authors: Demoly P. , Crampette L. , Daures J.‐P. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Epidemiological and pathophysiologic studies have shown that allergic rhinitis and asthma often occur in combination. The internationally developed ARIA position paper (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma) recently offered recommendations on allergic rhinitis. As part of this new report and prior to its diffusion, we investigated the management of rhinopathies in asthma patients by pulmonologists in their everyday practice.Methods:  From March to June 2000, 477 (48%) French pulmonologists in office‐based practice participated in the survey. They were asked to include their first five asthmatic adult patients. In addition to descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariate analyzes were performed.Results:  We studied 1623 patients with varying severity of asthma (sex ratio 0.9; median age 35 years). The pulmonologists reported rhinopathy in 76.6% of these, with a chronic course in 91%. Among the patients, 67.1% reported rhinopathy. The diagnosis was allergic rhinitis in 66.2% of participants and nasal polyposis in 10.1%. Examination of the nasal cavities was performed by the pulmonologists themselves in 56.2% of patients. Imaging of the sinuses was performed radiographically in 55.3% of enrolled patients and/or by computed tomography in 17.2%. Referral to an ENT specialist occurred for 21.6% of patients, being more common for patients with rhinitis that failed to respond to medical therapy (although some pulmonologists referred their patients routinely).Conclusions:  The high prevalence of rhinopathies in asthma patients requires that these conditions are recognized and managed by pulmonologists. Thus, our findings support one of the central messages contained in the new ARIA guidelines—asthma patients should be investigated routinely for rhinitis and other rhinopathies.
Effect of ciclesonide on allergen challenge in subjects with bronchial asthma
Authors: Larsen B. B. , Nielsen L. P. , Engelstätter R. , Steinijans V. , Dahl R. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  The aim of this clinical trial was to investigate whether repeated inhalation of the new inhaled steroid ciclesonide reduces the early‐phase (EAR) and late‐phase (LAR) reactions after allergen challenge in patients with mild allergic asthma. Also, this study provides further data on safety and tolerance of ciclesonide.Methods:  The study was designed as a double‐blind placebo‐controlled randomized crossover trial. Following a baseline period, patients were randomized to either of two treatment sequences (ciclesonide/placebo, placebo/ciclesonide) each of which lasted for one week and were separated by 3–5 weeks from the alternate treatment sequence. Patients received 800 µg ciclesonide twice daily by means of a Cyclohaler. At the end of each treatment patients were subjected to an allergen challenge.Results:  Thirteen asthmatic patients (mean FEV1 of 91% predicted) who experienced an EAR and LAR after allergen challenge participated in the study. The time‐average FEV1 decreases 0–2 h (2–12 h) after allergen challenge as measure of the EAR (LAR) were significantly reduced (P < 0.05, one‐sided) from 0.426 L to 0.233 L (EAR) and from 0.443 L to 0.213 L (LAR), respectively. Thus, the study results suggest that ciclesonide significantly lowered the extent of EAR and LAR compared to placebo. Ciclesonide was well tolerated and no drug‐related adverse events were reported. Cortisol excretion in 24‐h urine showed no significant difference between ciclesonide and placebo.Conclusions:  The study supports the efficacy and safety of ciclesonide.
Bronchial hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation in adolescents with asymptomatic childhood asthma
Authors: Obase Y. , Shimoda T. , Kawano T. , Saeki S. , Tomari S. , Izaki K. , Fukushima C. , Matsuse H. , Kohno S. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  About 70% of childhood asthmatics become free of asthma‐related symptoms during adolescence. Little is known about bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and airway inflammation in young adults with “outgrown” childhood asthma.Methods:  We studied 61 nonsmoking medical students (18 intermittent mild asthmatics, 23 students with outgrown childhood asthma but free of asthma‐related symptoms for 10 years (asymptomatic asthmatics) and 20 healthy students). BHR and lung function were measured, and induced sputum samples analyzed for eosinophil count, eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), granulocyte‐macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF), and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α).Results:  BHR was still present in most asymptomatic asthmatics, but it was milder compared with healthy students. Only three subjects with previous asthma had no BHR and no signs of airway inflammation. Percentages of eosinophil, and ECP, TNF‐α and GM‐CSF concentrations in induced sputum of mild asthmatics and asymptomatic asthma groups were higher than in the healthy group. In asymptomatic asthmatics group, the duration of asthma, sputum eosinophil percentage, and the level of TNF‐α in sputum correlated significantly with BHR.Conclusions:  Only a few subjects with longstanding asymptomatic asthma could be considered as cured; most asymptomatic asthmatics continued to exhibit BHR and signs of airway inflammation. The outcome of childhood asthma and BHR was associated with the degree of airway inflammation and the duration of childhood asthma.
The effect of specific immunotherapy on T‐cell receptor repertoire in patients with allergy to house‐dust mite
Authors: Sade K. , Kivity S. , Levy A. , Fireman E. 
Published: December 2004

Background: The precise mechanism of specific immunotherapy (SIT), long used for treating allergic diseases, remains undefined. SIT was shown to act by modifying the immune response of T lymphocytes to antigens. We examined the effect of SIT on the expression and use V‐alpha, ‐beta, ‐gamma and ‐delta chains of T‐cell receptors (TCR) in patients allergic to house‐dust mite.Methods: Peripheral venous blood was taken for lymphocyte TCR analysis from 10 house‐dust mite (HDM) allergic adults before initiating SIT and 6 months after initiating the treatment. Twelve similarly allergic patients without SIT served as controls. TCR chains were identified by fluorescence‐activated cell sorter (FACS) using the following monoclonal antibodies: CD3, CD14, CD8, pan alpha‐beta, pan gamma‐delta, V‐alpha2, V‐alpha12.1, V‐beta5a, V‐beta5b, V‐beta5c, V‐beta8a, V‐beta8b, V‐beta3.1, V‐beta13, V‐beta12, V‐beta6.7, V‐delta1, V‐delta2, V‐gamma9, and V‐gamma4.Results: Analyzed before and 6 months after SIT initiation, lymphocyte TCR showed significantly increased V‐beta5b, V‐beta12 and V‐alpha12.1 values compared to controls (without significant changes in other markers).Conclusions: SIT caused selective expansion of certain V‐beta‐ and V‐alpha‐expressing T cells in patients allergic to HDM. Our results support the notion that the effect of SIT in patients with allergic rhinitis may be achieved by modifying the T lymphocyte response through the modulation of TCR usage.
Molecular cloning, purification, and IgE‐binding of a recombinant class I chitinase from Hevea brasiliensis leaves (rHev b 11.0102)
Authors: Rihs H.‐P. , Dumont B. , Rozynek P. , Lundberg M. , Cremer R. , Brüning T. , Raulf‐Heimsoth M. 
Published: December 2004

Background: Class I chitinase in natural rubber latex (NRL) has been assumed to be an important allergen, especially concerning its cross‐reactivity with fruits like avocado and banana.Objectives: The present study aimed to produce a recombinant latex class I chitinase from Hevea brasiliensis leaves and to study its immunoglobulin (Ig)E‐binding reactivity.Methods: A class I chitinase‐specific complementary DNA from H. brasiliensis leaves was synthesized, subcloned, sequenced and overexpressed in fusion with the maltose‐binding protein (MBP) in Escherichia coli. The IgE‐binding reactivity of this protein was studied by the Pharmacia CAP SystemTM and by immunoblot experiments using sera from latex‐allergic patients.Results: The rHev b 11.0102 was found to have a length of 295 amino acid residues and contains an N‐terminal hevein‐like domain with a 56% homology to hevein. Analysis by the CAP method revealed the presence of rHev b 11.0102‐specific IgE antibodies in 17 of 58 sera (29%) of IgE‐mediated latex‐allergic subjects tested. Immunoblot analysis of the MBP–rHev b 11.0102 fusion protein and the MBP carrier protein as a negative control confirmed the IgE‐reactivity of rHev b 11.0102.Conclusion: Due to its IgE‐reactivity rHev b 11.0102 represents an allergen of intermediate prevalence in NRL. Its property to cross‐react with certain fruits makes it an important supplement in the diagnostic panel of recombinant NRL allergens.
The control of asthma in Italy. A multicentre descriptive study on young adults with doctor diagnosed current asthma
Authors: De Marco Roberto , Bugiani Massimiliano , Cazzoletti Lucia , Carosso Aurelia , Accordini Simone , Buriani Orazio , Carrozzi Laura , Dallari Rossano , Giammanco Giuseppe , Ginesu Francesco , Marinoni Alessandra , Cascio Vincenzo Lo , Poli Albino , Struzzo Pierluigi , Janson Christer ,   for ISAYA study group
Published: December 2004

Background:  Few data are available on the management of asthma in the general population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of asthma control in Italian patients, a decade after the publication of the international guidelines.Materials and methods:  Within the framework of a multicentre, population‐based study on people aged 20–44 years, 18 873 subjects replied to a postal screening questionnaire (response rate = 72.7%) on the presence of asthma symptoms and exacerbations, and their impact on daily life. All subjects reporting having ever had a doctor diagnosis of asthma and either taking medicine for asthma when interviewed or having had an asthma attack in the last 12 months, were considered current asthmatics.Results:  Of the screened subjects, 649 (3.4%) were current asthmatics. Of these, only 14% did not report exacerbations or had been symptom‐free in the last 12 months. More than 20% of current asthmatics had their daily life activities seriously impaired and 54 patients (8%) had at least one hospital/emergency department admission as a result of asthma exacerbation in the last 12 months. The life impairment and the rates of hospitalization significantly increased as the control of the symptoms worsened. The use of asthma drugs was quite common in current asthmatics: 586 (90.2%) reported having been under pharmacological treatment in the last 12 months. Only 63 patients (10%) had the disease under control (neither symptoms nor life impairment): they had a significantly higher percentage of drug use (100%vs 89%) and of daily use prescriptions (50%vs 36%) than non/moderately controlled asthmatics. Poorly controlled asthmatics had a significantly higher percentage of women (63%vs 44%), of patients with the coexistence of chronic cough and phlegm (47%vs 30%) than moderately/well‐controlled asthmatics. The comparison between our data and similar data collected in 1991 in Italy showed that the use of asthma drugs increased by about 12%, while the control of symptoms did not improve in the last decade.Conclusion:  Despite the high percentage of drug users, the control of symptoms and exacerbations was overall poor in Italy and resulted in a heavy individual and social burden, pointing out that the guideline goals have far from been reached in Italy.
Prospective study of mustard allergy: first study with double‐blind placebo‐controlled food challenge trials (24 cases)
Authors: Morisset M. , Moneret‐Vautrin D.‐A. , Maadi F. , Frémont S. , Guénard L. , Croizier A. , Kanny G. 
Published: December 2004

Background: Mustard allergy accounts for 1.1% of food allergies in children. However, double‐blind placebo‐controlled food challenge trials (DB PCFCs) have not yet been proposed.Objective: To carry out DB PCFCs to determine the real frequency of mustard allergy in patients sensitized to mustard.Methods: A prospective study was conducted in 30 subjects aged 3–20 years presenting positive prick tests to ground mustard seeds (Brassica nigra), mustard flour (B. juncea), metabisulfite‐free strong mustard seasoning (B. juncea) and a commercialized allergenic extract (B. nigra). Twenty‐seven subjects were screened for mustard‐specific immunoglobulin E (IgE). PCFCs were carried out either DB or single blind (SB) with up to 1340 mg of metabisulfite‐free seasoning.Results: The mean diameter of the wheal induced by prick tests with the allergenic extract was lower (n.s.) than that induced by the native mustard products: 5.8 mm (1.5–15) vs 6.9 mm (0.5–18) for B. nigra ground seeds, 7.8 mm (1–20) for B. juncea flour and 9.7 mm (3–20) for the strong mustard seasoning. The diameter of the wheal induced by the allergenic extract was significantly different from that induced by the mustard seasoning (P < 0.005). The mean of mustard specific‐IgE values was 8.7 KU/l (0.35–72.4). Seven of 30 food challenges were considered positive. Mean prick test results in the positive and negative PCFC subgroups were 5.5 mm vs 5.9 mm for the commercialized extract, 10.9 mm vs 5.8 mm for B. nigra ground seeds (P < 0.01), 9.9 mm vs 7.1 mm for B. juncea flour (n.s. P > 0.25) and 11.5 mm vs 9.1 mm for the metabisulfite‐free mustard seasoning (n.s. P > 0.1). Mean specific IgE values determined by CAP system radioallergosorbent test (Phadebas Pharmacia) were higher but not significantly so (P > 0.25) in the subgroup with mustard allergy (12.3 K/l vs 7.6 KU/l).Conclusions: About 23.3% of the sensitized subjects were allergic to a routine dose of mustard. Positive prick tests and the presence of specific IgE were not predictive. SB PCFC or DB PCFC is required before recommending avoidance diets.
Similar levels of nitric oxide in exhaled air in non‐asthmatic rhinitis and asthma after bronchial allergen challenge
Authors: Lopuhaä C. E. , Koopmans J. G. , Jansen H. M. , Van Der Zee J. S. 
Published: December 2004

Background: Nitric oxide in exhaled air (eNO) is elevated in allergic asthma compared with healthy subjects and has been proposed as a marker of bronchial inflammation. However, eNO is elevated to a lesser extent in allergic non‐asthmatic rhinitis as well. Considering the distinctive clinical appearances of both allergic diseases, differences in eNO are expected to persist after allergen exposure. The aim of the study was to compare allergen‐induced changes in eNO in house dust mite sensitized patients with asthma and patients with perennial rhinitis without asthma symptoms.Methods: Bronchial allergen challenge was performed in 52 patients sensitized to house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus), of whom 26 had non‐asthmatic rhinitis and 26 had asthma. Levels of eNO were measured before and 1 h, 1 day and 1 week after challenge.Results: At baseline eNO was significantly lower in non‐asthmatic rhinitis compared with asthma (geometric mean eNO (SEM): 121 (1.1) in non‐asthmatic rhinitis vs 197 (1.1) nl/min in asthma, P < 0.006). However, the increase in eNO after bronchial allergen challenge in non‐asthmatic rhinitis, in particular in those patients with a dual asthmatic response, significantly exceeded the increase in asthma resulting in similar levels of eNO after challenge (geometric mean eNO (SEM) at 24 h postchallenge 204 (1.1) in non‐asthmatic rhinitis vs 244 (1.1)nl/min in asthma, P = 0.3).Conclusion: The difference in eNO between non‐asthmatic rhinitis and asthma at baseline is abolished after allergen exposure due to a significantly greater increase in eNO in non‐asthmatic rhinitis.
Maternal oral contraceptive use and atopic diseases in the offspring
Authors: Frye C. , Mueller J. E. , Niedermeier K. , Wjst M. , Heinrich J. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  This study examined the association of maternal oral contraceptive (OC) use – before and after birth – and atopic manifestations in the offspring.Methods:  A total of 2754 East German children aged 5–14 years participated in a cross‐sectional survey in 1998–99. The standardized parental questionnaire in 1998–99 included data on atopic diseases, socio‐economic factors, parental atopy and maternal OC use. Specific immunoglobulin E against common inhalant allergens was measured by radioallergosorbent test (RAST).Results:  Maternal OC use before birth was associated with a higher risk of atopic diseases in the offspring compared with children of mothers who had never taken OC [asthma: odds ratio (OR) 1.6; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.9–3.0; allergic rhinitis: OR 1.5; CI: 0.96–2.2; atopic eczema: OR 2.6; CI: 1.6–4.3; atopic sensitization: OR 1.5; CI: 0.97–2.2]. However, the effect estimates for maternal OC use after birth compared with the never users showed quite similar effects for these atopic conditions. No relations were observed between the prevalences of atopic diseases and maternal age at beginning of OC use, the duration of OC use, the type of contraceptive or maternal age at birth.Conclusion:  This study raises doubts in a true biological association between OC use and atopic diseases.