bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of the Chinese translated version of ISAAC core questions for atopic eczema
Authors: Chan H. H. , Pei A. , Van Krevel C. , Wong G. W. K. , Lai C. K. W. 
Published: March 2003

Background The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) was designed to allow international comparison of epidemiological data on atopic conditions in childhood. In so doing, further aetiological information would be obtained that in turn would provide a framework for future studies. The global ISAAC results on the prevalence of atopic dermatitis indicated a 60‐fold variation recorded in different countries. Such a degree of difference may be partially due to the translated questionnaires that were not validated in all of the involved countries.Objective To validate the Chinese version of the ISAAC core questions for atopic eczema.Methods One thousand nine hundred and twenty children aged between 3 and 5 were randomly recruited from 13 kindergartens in Hong Kong. Using a dermatologist's clinical examination as the gold standard, we validated the Chinese version of the ISAAC core questions for atopic eczema. The Youden's Indexes obtained in our study were compared with those obtained in the United Kingdom's validation study.Results The Youden's Indexes obtained in our study were significantly lower than those from the United Kingdom. The low scores were likely to be due to a reduction in the sensitivity of the Chinese questionnaire, which ranged from 23.5% to 70.6%.Conclusion Our findings indicate that the translated questionnaire is less effective than the English version in assessing the prevalence of atopic eczema. The indication of a low prevalence of atopic eczema among the Chinese population reported in previous studies was at least partially due to problems with the translated questionnaire.
Decreased T lymphocyte infiltration in bronchial biopsies of subjects with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Di Stefano A. , Capelli A. , Lusuardi M. , Caramori G. , Balbo P. , Ioli F. , Sacco S. , Gnemmi I. , Brun P. , Adcock I. M. , Balbi B. , Barnes P. J. , Chung K. F. , Donner C. F. 
Published: March 2003

Background Studies on the inflammatory process in the large airways of patients with mild/moderate COPD have shown a prevalent T lymphocyte and macrophage infiltration of the bronchial mucosa. However, bronchial inflammation in more severe disease has not been extensively studied.Objective The aim of the present study was to characterize the lymphocyte infiltration in the bronchial mucosa of subjects with severe, compared to mild, COPD, and to examine the relationship between airflow limitation and T lymphocyte numbers in the bronchial mucosa.Methods We examined bronchial biopsies obtained from nine smokers with severe airflow limitation, nine smokers with mild/moderate airflow limitation and 14 smokers with normal lung function. Immunohistochemical methods on cryostat sections were used to assess the number of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ cells and the number of CD3+ cells coexpressing the chemokine receptor CCR5 (CCR5+CD3+) in the subepithelium.Results Subjects with severe COPD had lower numbers of CD3+, CD8+ and CCR5+CD3+ cells than mild/moderate COPD (P < 0.012, P < 0.02 and P < 0.02, respectively) and control smokers (P < 0.015, P < 0.005 and P < 0.015, respectively). In subjects with airflow limitation the number of CD3+ and CD8+ cells was inversely correlated with the degree of airway obstruction (r = 0.59, P < 0.015 and r = 0.52, P < 0.032, respectively).Conclusions Bronchial inflammation in severe COPD is characterized by lower numbers of CD3+ and CD8+ cells and decreased numbers of CD3+ cells coexpressing the chemokine receptor CCR5. T lymphocyte infiltration is inversely correlated with the degree of airflow limitation.
Intravenous immune globulin effects on serum‐soluble CD5 levels in atopic dermatitis
Authors: Noh G. , Lozano F. 
Published: March 2003

BackgroundIntravenous immune globulin (IVIG) therapy has been tried in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Recently, the presence of serum‐soluble CD5 (ssCD5) in atopic dermatitis was reported.ObjectiveIVIG effects on ssCD5 levels in atopic dermatitis were examined and the correlation of ssCD5 level changes with clinical and laboratory parameters were investigated.MethodsIVIG therapy was tried on 40 atopic dermatitis and 17 recurrent spontaneous abortion patients. Five atopic dermatitis patients received normal saline as a placebo control group. The clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated on day 0, 1, 7 and 21 after administering the IVIG therapy.ResultsWith IVIG therapy, in atopic dermatitis, the ssCD5 level was 5.5 ± 6.2 ng/mL before infusion (day 0), 15.2 ± 12.1 ng/mL on day 1, 13.8 ± 14.1 ng/mL on day 7, and 3.9 ± 4.1 ng/mL on day 21. The clinical severity score was 350.5 ± 120.3 on day 0, 420.4 ± 174.8 on day 1, 250.0 ± 121.2 on day 7, and 115.5 ± 53.9 on day 21. White blood cell (WBC) counts and serum IgE levels showed a gradual decrease with IVIG infusions. Blood eosinophil fractions were 5.3 ± 2.8% on day 0, 8.6 ± 5.2% on day 1, 7.3 ± 3.7% on day 7, and 6.8 ± 4.0% on day 21. Changes in the total eosinophil count were insignificantly parallel with those of blood eosinophil fractionsConclusionIn atopic dermatitis, IVIG therapy increased the ssCD5 levels. Further studies concerning the exact role of ssCD5 are needed.
Repeatability and validity of cell and fluid‐phase measurements in nasal fluid: a comparison of two methods of nasal lavage
Authors: Belda J. , Parameswaran K. , Keith P. K. , Hargreave F. E. 
Published: March 2003

Background There is little information on the repeatability of cell counts and fluid‐phase measurements in nasal fluid obtained by different methods of nasal lavage.Objective To compare the repeatability and validity of total and differential cell counts and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in nasal secretions obtained by two methods of nasal lavage.Patients and methods Twelve healthy subjects and twelve subjects with clinically stable allergic rhinitis were randomly assigned to two nasal lavages (separated by 48 h), by one of two methods in the first week and by the second method in the following week. One method was a modification of the method described by Greiff et al. and Grunberg and coworkers and the other was that described by Naclerio and coworkers.Results Both methods of nasal lavage gave poorly repeatable eosinophil counts and ECP in normal subjects but better repeatability in subjects with rhinitis. The modified Greiff/Grunberg method gave higher and more repeatable total cell count and, in subjects with rhinitis, more reproducible ECP levels compared with the Naclerio method. Both methods were able to discriminate between healthy and rhinitic subjects: mean ± SD eosinophil percentage count and eosinophil cationic protein differences were 4.5 ± 4% (P < 0.05) and 24.5 ± 46.9 µg/L (P < 0.05), respectively, with the modified method and 7.0 ± 4% (P < 0.05) and 26.9 ± 68 µg/L (P < 0.05), respectively, with the Naclerio method.Conclusion Both methods are valid and discriminate between normal and rhinitic subjects. In subjects with rhinitis, although the repeatability of eosinophil counts is similar by both methods, the modified Greiff/Grunberg method gives more reproducible ECP measurements, compared with the Naclerio method.
Safety of sputum induction with isotonic saline in adults with acute severe asthma
Authors: Wark P. A. B. , Simpson J. L. , Hensley M. J. , Gibson P. G. 
Published: March 2003

Background Sputum induction is a safe and effective technique to study airway inflammation in stable asthma. However, it has the potential to induce bronchospasm and the safety and efficacy of the technique in acute asthma has not been determined.Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a protocol to induce sputum using isotonic saline in adults with acute exacerbations of asthma.Methods Adults (n = 47) presenting to the emergency room with acute asthma and an FEV1 > 1.0 L underwent supervised sputum induction with 0.9% saline delivered by an ultrasonic nebuliser. Induction was ceased if there was a fall of 20% or greater from baseline FEV1.Results Subjects had moderate to severe exacerbations of acute asthma. An adequate sputum sample was obtained in 87% of subjects. Four subjects ceased induction because of symptom distress. There was a fall ≥ 20% in 28% of subjects. Bronchoconstriction was successfully reversed by salbutamol in all subjects. Predictors of significant bronchoconstriction were older age, use of ingested corticosteroids, and a requirement for high‐dose nebulized salbutamol for the exacerbation. Maintenance long‐acting β2‐agonist therapy protected against bronchoconstriction during sputum induction.Conclusions Sputum induction in acute asthma using isotonic saline is highly efficacious in obtaining an adequate sputum sample. There is the potential for significant bronchoconstriction to occur but this can be managed safely with minimal discomfort to subjects.
Farming, rural lifestyle and atopy in adults from southern Germany – results from the MONICA/KORA study Augsburg
Authors: Filipiak B. , Heinrich J. , Schäfer T. , Ring J. , Wichmann H.‐E. 
Published: March 2003

Background and objective The increasing urbanization and the decrease in the numbers of farms in southern Germany might be associated with an increasing prevalence of allergic diseases. We compared the prevalence of allergic diseases in farmers, and rural, suburban and urban residents in the small geographical area of Augsburg in southern Germany.Methods In a cross‐sectional survey adults, aged 25–75 years selected from the community population register were investigated. Rural, suburban and urban residents were defined by community size and farmers by occupation. Allergic respiratory disorders were assessed by self‐administered questionnaires and specific IgE antibodies to five common aeroallergens.Results In comparison to rural residents the urban population had an increased risk of allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.2–1.9), atopic sensitization (OR = 1.2; 95% CI: 1.0–1.4) and sensitization against pollen (OR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.2–1.9). There was no difference in the risk of asthma (OR = 1.0; 95% CI: 0.6–1.6) and a decreased risk in the sensitization against house dust mite (OR = 0.8; 95% CI: 0.7–1.0). The suburban residents did not differ from urban residents. Farmers had lower risks in allergic rhinitis, atopic sensitization, sensitization against pollen and mites (OR = 0.63; 0.86; 0.51 and 0.80, respectively) than rural non‐farming residents, however, these differences were statistically not significant. Reported allergic rhinitis with sensitization to pollen was 2.5 times (95% CI: 1.8–3.6) more prevalent in urban than in rural residents.Conclusion A farming environment and rural lifestyle might be associated with unknown protective factors impacting the prevalence of allergies.
Transforming growth factor‐bβ1 mediates coexpression of the integrin subunit aαE and the chymase mouse mast cell protease‐1 during the early differentiation of bone marrow‐derived mucosal mast cell homologues
Authors: Wright S. H. , Brown J. , Knight P. A. , Thornton E. M. , Kilshaw P. J. , Miller H. R. P. 
Published: March 2003

BackgroundMucosal mast cells (MMC) play a central role in gut hypersensitivities and inflammation. They are morphologically, biochemically and functionally distinct from their connective tissue counterparts. Massive hyperplasia of MMC occurs 7–10 days after intestinal infection with nematodes but it has never been possible to replicate this phenomenon in vitro.Objective(1) To determine whether mouse bone marrow‐derived mast cells (mBMMC) grown in the presence of transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 could develop over the same time frame (7–10 days) as MMC in parasitized mice. (2) To compare the early expression of surface receptors (integrins αE and β7, c‐kit and FcεR) with that of the MMC‐specific granule chymase mouse mast cell protease‐1 (mMCP‐1).MethodsMouse bone marrow cells were cultured in the presence of IL‐9, IL‐3 and Stem Cell Factor (SCF) with or without TGF‐β1. mBMMC were quantified after toluidine blue or Leishmans' staining. Expression of MMC‐specific mouse mast cell proteases was analysed by ELISA, immunohistochemistry and RT‐PCR. Surface antigen expression was characterized by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy.ResultsTGF‐β1 promotes the development of abundant MMC‐like mBMMC from bone marrow progenitor cells with kinetics, which closely parallel that seen in vivo. mRNA transcripts encoding mMCP‐1 and ‐2 are readily detectable by day 4 ex vivo in cultures grown in the presence of TGF‐β1. Between 30 and 40% and 75–90% of the cells in these cultures on days 4 and 7, respectively, have typical mast cell morphology, are c‐kit+, FcεR+, integrin αEβ7+, and express and secrete abundant mMCP‐1. The integrin αE subunit is coexpressed with mMCP‐1.ConclusionThe kinetics of mMCP‐1+/αE+ mBMMC development, regulated by TGF‐β1, are consistent with that seen in vivo in the parasitized intestine. The normally down‐regulatory functions of TGF‐β1 in haematopoiesis are superseded in this culture system by its ability to promote the early expression of αE and mMCP‐1.
Cord blood mononuclear cell cytokine responses in relation to maternal house dust mite allergen exposure
Authors: Marks G. B. , Zhou J. , Yang H. S. , Joshi P. A. , Bishop G. A. , Britton W. J. ,   The Caps Investigators
Published: March 2003

Background Cord blood mononuclear cells have demonstrated specific immune responses to environmental allergens.Objective To establish whether the nature of this response is related to the level of maternal antenatal exposure to house dust mite (HDM) allergen and, hence, whether antenatal allergen avoidance may have a role in the prevention of allergic sensitization in children.Methods Children with a family history of asthma were recruited antenatally as subjects in a randomised controlled trial: the Childhood Asthma Prevention Study. HDM allergen (Der p 1) concentrations were measured in dust collected from the maternal bed at 36 weeks gestation. Cord blood mononuclear cells were stimulated in culture, separately, with phytohaemaglutinin (PHA) and HDM extract. Cytokine IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐10 and IFN‐γ concentrations in supernatant were measured by ELISA. mRNA signals for these cytokines were measured using RT‐PCR.Results The median concentration of HDM allergen was 18.4 µg/g (interquartile range 7.3–35.3 µg/g). Median concentrations of IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐10 and IFN‐γ, after PHA stimulation were 4, 19, 401 and 1781 pg/mL, respectively. After HDM allergen stimulation the median concentrations were 0, 0, 20 and 14 pg/mL, respectively. The distribution of mRNA cytokine signals was similar. Neither cytokine protein concentrations nor cytokine mRNA signal levels were correlated with the concentration of HDM allergen in the mothers' beds at 36 weeks gestation.Conclusion These findings do not support the view that the prevention of allergic disease in children requires the institution of HDM avoidance interventions during pregnancy.
DNA microarrays to study gene expression in allergic airways
Authors: Benson M. , Svensson P. A. , Carlsson B. , Jernås M. , Reinholdt J. , Cardell L. O. , Carlsson L. 
Published: March 2003

Background Allergic rhinitis results from interactions between a large number of cells and mediators in different compartments of the body. DNA microarrays allow simultaneous measurement of expression of thousands of genes in the same tissue sample.Objective To study gene expression in nasal mucosal biopsies from patients with allergic rhinitis using DNA micro‐arrays.Methods Nasal biopsies were obtained from 14 patients with symptomatic birch pollen‐induced allergic rhinitis and five healthy controls. RNA was extracted from the biopsies and pooled into one patient pool and one control pool. These were analysed in duplicate with DNA micro‐arrays containing more than 12 000 known genes.Results Approximately half of the genes were expressed in the patient and control samples. Guided by the current literature we chose 32 genes of possible relevance to allergic airway inflammation and investigated their relative expression. Among these, transcripts encoding immunoglobulins and their receptors were most abundant. The expression of cytokines and growth factors was low, whereas their corresponding receptors and cell surface markers displayed higher expression levels. IgA had the highest expression of all 12 626 genes. RT‐PCR showed that IgA1 was the predominant subclass. This was confirmed by the protein level in nasal fluids. Allergen‐specific IgA was significantly higher in patients than in controls and correlated significantly with eosinophil granulae proteins.Conclusion DNA micro‐array analysis can be used to identify genes of possible relevance to allergic airway inflammation. In this study, the expression profile in the nasal mucosa was quantitatively dominated by immunoglobulins, particularly IgA. Protein analyses in nasal fluids indicated a role for allergen‐specific IgA in eosinophil degranulation.
Flow cytometric basophil activation test by detection of CD63 expression in patients with immediate‐type reactions to betalactam antibiotics
Authors: Sanz M. L. , Gamboa P. M. , Antépara I. , Uasuf C. , Vila L. , Garcia‐Avilés C. , Chazot M. , De Weck A. L. 
Published: March 2003

Background In this study, we used flow cytometry to determine the percentage of activated basophils that expressed the CD63 marker after in vitro stimulation by different betalactam antibiotics. The diagnostic reliability of the technique was assessed, as well as its correlation with specific IgE.Methods Fifty‐eight patients with clinical allergy to betalactam antibiotics and presenting positive skin tests to at least one of the allergens (minor determinant mixture (MDM), benzylpenicilloyl‐polylysine (PPL), penicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, cephalosporins) were tested. Thirty subjects non‐allergic to betalactams were also studied as controls. The flow assay stimulation test (FAST) uses flow cytometry to determine the percentage of basophils that express CD63 as an activation marker after in vitro stimulation with allergen. Double labelling with monoclonal antibodies anti‐CD63‐PE and anti‐IgE FITC was used.Results The allergic patients show a statistically greater number of activated basophils than the control subjects, after the incubation of cells with all the betalactams at various concentrations. The sensitivity of the technique is 50%, the specificity 93.3%, the likelihood ratio for a positive value 7.46 and the likelihood ratio for a negative value 0.54. In spite of having a greater sensitivity (37.9%) and specificity (86.7%) than CAP, differences between sensitivity and specificities of both techniques (CAP and FAST) do not reach statistical significance.Conclusion The basophil activation test is a particularly useful technique in the diagnosis of patients with IgE‐mediated allergy to betalactams and allows the identification of 50% of patients. Used in conjunction with CAP, it allows the identification of 65.5% of such patients.
Pollutional and meteorological factors are closely related to complaints of non‐allergic, non‐infectious perennial rhinitis patients: a time series model
Authors: Braat J. P. M. , Mulder P. G. , Duivenvoorden H. J. , Gerth Van Wijk R. , Rijntjes E. , Fokkens W. J. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryBackground Epidemiological studies in the past have focused on meteorological conditions, pollution and pollen and their relationship with symptoms of bronchial hyper‐reactivity, however, there are no epidemiological studies which examine a wide range of such factors and determine their role in nasal hyper‐reactivity.Objective To investigate whether environmental factors can influence symptomatology in non‐allergic non‐infectious perennial rhinitis (NANIPER) patients, who suffer primarily from nasal hyper‐reactivity symptoms.Methods We studied 16 non‐smoking NANIPER patients and seven non‐smoking controls during a 218‐day study period (March–October) by means of daily symptom scores and visual analogue scales for the subsets patency, secretions and sneezing, and compared them to seven primary factors which affected ‘symptoms’ and 10 secondary factors which affected primary factors only.Results The mean symptom scores in the NANIPER and control groups were 2.17 and 0.13, respectively. In NANIPER, the highest correlations of primary factors with symptomatology were found for symptom scores and sneezing with minimum daytime temperature (r = −0.62 and −0.45, respectively), ozone and NO concentrations. Patency and secretions were associated with minimum daytime temperature (r = −0.39 and 0.32, respectively). Time series analysis, however, correcting for several confounders such as autocorrelated symptomatology, showed that minimum daytime temperature and daytime relative humidity made an independent contribution to symptoms. In the control group, correlations were much lower, though present. Time series analysis was not possible.Conclusions We conclude that in a mild climate with relatively low levels of pollution, minor pollution and meteorological disturbances result in substantial changes in nasal reactivity symptoms in NANIPER patients, but not controls, irrespective of other factors such as allergy or infection.
The allergen profile of ash (Fraxinus excelsior) pollen: cross‐reactivity with allergens from various plant species
Authors: Niederberger V. , Purohit A. , Oster J. P. , Spitzauer S. , Valenta R. , Pauli G. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryBackground Ash, a wind‐pollinated tree belonging to the family Oleaceae, is distributed world‐wide and has been suggested as a potent allergen source in spring time.Objective The aim of this study was to determine the profile of allergen components in ash pollen in order to refine diagnosis and therapy for patients with sensitivity to ash pollenMethods The IgE reactivity profile of 40 ash pollen‐allergic patients was determined by immunoblotting. Antibodies raised to purified pollen allergens from tree and grass pollens were used to identify cross‐reactive structures in ash pollen extract. IgE immunoblot inhibition studies were performed with recombinant and natural pollen allergens to characterize ash pollen allergens and to determine the degree of cross‐reactivity between pollen allergens from ash, olive, birch, grasses and weeds.Results The allergen profile of ash pollen comprises Fra e 1, a major allergen related to the major olive allergen, Ole e 1, and to group 11 grass pollen allergens, the panallergen profilin, a two EF‐hand calcium‐binding protein, a pectinesterase‐like molecule and an allergen sharing epitopes with group 4 grass pollen allergens. Thus, the relevant allergens of ash are primarily allergens that share epitopes with pollen allergens from other tree, grass and weed species.Conclusions Allergic symptoms to ash pollen can be the consequence of sensitization to cross‐reactive allergens from other sources. The fact that ash pollen‐allergic patients can be discriminated on the basis of their specific IgE reactivity profile to highly or moderately cross‐reactive allergens has implications for the selection of appropriate forms of treatment.