bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rhinasthma: a new specific QoL questionnaire for patients with rhinitis and asthma
Authors: Baiardini I. , Pasquali M. , Giardini A. , Specchia C. , Passalacqua G. , Venturi S. , Braido F. , Bonini S. , Majani G. , Canonica G. W. 
Published: December 2004

Introduction: To date we have available specific instruments assessing health‐related quality of life (HRQL) in rhinoconjunctivitis or in asthma, but not instruments evaluating rhinitis and asthma together, although they often coexist. The aim of our study was to develop and validate a specific quality of life (QoL) questionnaire for adult patients with rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma or both.Materials and methods: A pool of 42 items covering the main symptoms and problems related to respiratory allergy, was generated based on literature review and clinical experience. The items were randomly listed and presented to 148 consecutive outpatients 46 suffering from asthma (age 32.9 ± 14.3 years), 53 suffering from rhinoconjunctivitis (age 32.6 ± 11.5 years) and 49 from asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis (age 35.6 ± 12.2 years). The patients were asked to indicate which item they had directly experienced and for each of them, its importance on a four‐point scale (1 = not important; 4 = very important). Twelve items were cancelled from the list, because of low importance or redundance. In the instrument validation phase, 104 patients (42 with rhinoconjunctivitis alone and 62 with asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis) were evaluated with the generic instrument SF‐36 and the new questionnaire (RHINASTHMA).Results: RHINASTHMA was able to differentiate patients with rhinitis from those with both rhinitis and asthma. In stable condition, RHINASTHMA showed good reliability. The factor analysis extracted three factors with a good reliability (0.93, 0.87, 0.76).Discussion: RHINASTHMA is the first tool aimed at evaluating HRQL impairment in patients with rhinitis and/or asthma. It provides a short and simple assessment, and has overall psychometric properties. This is of relevance because of the frequent asthma–rhinitis comorbidity.
Inhibitory effects of ketotifen on eotaxin‐dependent activation of eosinophils: consequences for allergic eye diseases
Authors: Woerly G. , Loiseau S. , Loyens M. , Schoch C. , Capron M. 
Published: December 2004

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ketotifen on different parameters of human eosinophil functions, namely chemotaxis, oxidative metabolism and mediator release, induced after activation.Methods: Eosinophils from hypereosinophilic patients or normal donors were purified by Percoll gradient and the magnetic cell separation system. Chemotaxis was studied using the Boyden chamber technique using three potent chemoattractants: formyl‐methionine‐leucine‐phenylalanine (fMLP), interleukin (IL)‐5 and eotaxin. Oxidative metabolism was determined by a luminol‐dependent chemiluminescence assay after activation with eotaxin or secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA). The release of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil derived neurotoxin (EDN) was measured by radioimmunoassay after activation with sIgA.Results: At pharmacologically active concentrations and in a dose‐dependent manner, ketotifen significantly inhibited the chemotaxis of eosinophils to fMLP, IL‐5 and eotaxin. The production of reactive oxygen species induced by eotaxin and sIgA was decreased by ketotifen, showing a more pronounced effect when cells were activated by eotaxin. Activation by sIgA resulted in ECP and EDN release, which was partially inhibited by ketotifen.Conclusions: Through inhibition of chemotaxis, ketotifen might limit the number of eosinophils at the inflammation site during allergic reaction. Furthermore, inhibition by ketotifen of main inflammatory mediators release suggests a potential role of the drug in limiting the pathological potential of eosinophils.
IgE‐reactivity to seven Malassezia species
Authors: Zargari A. , Midgley G. , Bäck O. , Johansson S. G. O. , Scheynius A. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground: Malassezia yeasts play a role in the pathogenesis of atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS). The revised genus Malassezia includes several species which all are natural habitants of the human skin. In this study, we evaluated the presence of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to different Malassezia spp. in AEDS patients to allow optimization of the characterization of the IgE antibody profile of IgE‐associated AEDS.Methods: Ninety‐six adult patients, with a clinical diagnosis of AEDS, were included in the study. Seventeen of the patients had IgE antibodies to M. sympodialis, ATCC 42132 (m70 ImmunoCAP, Pharmacia, Diagnostic AB, Uppsala, Sweden). The IgE antibodies to seven Malassezia spp. were measured and inhibition immunoblotting was performed to investigate whether M. sympodialis contains all the allergen components present in the other Malassezia spp.Results: Twenty per cent of 79 AEDS patients with a negative m70 ImmunoCAP test had IgE antibodies to at least one of the other six Malassezia spp. tested. Our inhibition studies indicated that Malassezia spp. to a great extent, share allergenic determinants. However, Malassezia species also contained species‐specific allergens.Conclusion: The use of only one species of Malassezia is not sufficient to detect all patients IgE sensitized to Malassezia. To obtain an optimal allergen preparation both common allergenic components as well as species‐specific allergens have to be considered.
Cc‐chemokine eotaxin as a marker of efficacy of specific immunotherapy in patients with intermittent IgE‐mediated allergic rhinoconjunctivitis
Authors: Jahnz‐Różyk K. , Targowski T. , Głodzinska‐Wyszogrodzka E. , Płusa T. 
Published: December 2004

Background: Allergen‐specific immunotherapy (SIT) is believed to be a valuable remedy in several allergic diseases; however, an accurate immunological marker of the efficacy of this treatment method has not been found yet. Cc‐chemokine eotaxin, owing to its selective action on eosinophils, seems to play an important role in the pathophysiology of allergic response. The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of eotaxin in monitoring of SIT efficacy in patients with IgE‐mediated allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.Methods: One hundred and twenty‐two patients with seasonal IgE‐mediated allergic rhinoconjunctivitis due to tree‐ (birch, n = 42; hazel/alder, n = 14) or grass/cereal‐ (n = 66) pollen received allergen‐specific immunotherapy.Serum eotaxin levels were determined four times in every patient, shortly before immunotherapy (Evaluation 0), immediately after the treatment (Evaluation 1), in the height of pollen season (Evaluation 2) and at least 2 weeks after the pollen season (Evaluation 3). Serum eotaxin levels were simultaneously measured in 59 healthy people from the control group. Changes in serum eotaxin levels were assessed in the healthy and allergic groups. Clinical symptoms of IgE‐mediated rhinoconjunctivitis were evaluated and compared with serum eotaxin concentration changes.Results: Mean values of eotaxin concentrations in serum during Evaluations 0–3 did not significantly differ in the healthy subjects and the patients with IgE‐mediated rhinoconjunctivitis (P > 0.05). Moreover, no statistically significant differences in the serum eotaxin levels between the visits were observed in the patients who received immunotherapy (P > 0.05); however, immediately after immunotherapy (Evaluation 1) the mean serum level of eotaxin was lowest and closest to the serum eotaxin concentration in the control group at the same visit. No significant correlation between the mean value of the serum eotaxin level in the height of pollen season (r = −0.12, P > 0.05) or mean changes of the eotaxin levels between Evaluations 2 and 1 (r = −0.03, P > 0.05), on the one hand, and the cumulative score of symptoms and drug, on the other, were found.Conclusions: The results allow to conclude that although eotaxin plays a significant role in the mechanism of antigen‐specific immunotherapy, its serum expression remains a poor marker of SIT efficacy.
IgE‐mediated sensitization to predatory mites in Swedish greenhouse workers
Authors: Johansson E. , Kolmodin‐Hedman B. , Källström E. , Kaiser L. , van Hage‐Hamsten M. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Predatory mites are used as biological pesticides worldwide for control of spider mites and other pests in greenhouses. The aim of this study was to investigate if predatory and spider mites give rise to sensitization among greenhouse workers who use biological pesticides.Methods:  Blood samples were collected from 31 greenhouse workers from Stockholm area who were using the predatory mites Phytoseiulus persimilis and Hypoaspis miles for control of pesticides. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) binding to extracts of P. persimilis and H. miles and of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae was analysed with sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) and immunoblotting.Results:  A total of 16 workers displayed IgE antibodies to one or more of the three mite species, 32% (n = 10) to P. persimilis, 52% (n = 16) to H. miles and 26% (n = 8) to T. urticae. At least 17 IgE binding components in the molecular weight ranging from 28 to >94 kDa were identified in P. persimilis. In H. miles, at least 11 components were detected, among them at least one major component at about 70 kDa. Twenty‐four IgE binding components were found in T. urticae.Conclusions:  In this study we have for the first time shown that the predatory mites P. persimilis and H. miles can cause IgE‐mediated sensitization among greenhouse workers. The clinical relevance of sensitization to predatory mites needs to be investigated in further studies.
Staphylococcal enterotoxin induced IL‐5 stimulation as a cofactor in the pathogenesis of atopic disease: the hygiene hypothesis in reverse?
Authors: Heaton T. , Mallon D. , Venaille T. , Holt P. 
Published: December 2004

Background: The incidence of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) colonization on the skin of patients with atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS) is approximately 90% and a variety of evidence implicates epidermal staphylococcal infection as a pathogenic factor in atopic dermatitis. However, the mechanism(s) underlying the effects of this organism in the disease process are unclear. The cellular responses of AEDS suffers and asymptomatic atopic individuals to bacterial superantigens (SAg) were investigated in an attempt to elucidate the role of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) in atopic disease.Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from normal nonatopic adults, asymptomatic atopic individuals, patients with active AEDS and patients with active allergic asthma. The cells were cultured for 24 or 96 h with house dust mite (HDM), SEB and phytohaemagluttinin (PHA), and the supernatants were assayed for cytokine levels.Results: Staphylococcal enterotoxin B selectively stimulates the production of interleukin (IL)‐5 in AEDS sufferers but not in asymptomatic atopics or nonatopics. Additionally, we observed comparable susceptibility to the IL‐5‐stimulatory effects of SEB in allergic asthmatics.Conclusions: Given the central role of IL‐5‐driven eosinophilia in progression from mild atopy to severe disease, these findings provide a plausible mechanism for the AEDS‐promoting effects of staphylococcal SAg. Staphylococcal enterotoxin B may also have a similar role in atopic respiratory disease.
Quality of life and patients' satisfaction in chronic urticaria and respiratory allergy
Authors: Baiardini I. , Giardini A. , Pasquali M. , Dignetti P. , Guerra L. , Specchia C. , Braido F. , Majani G. , Canonica G. W. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Few articles are available about chronic urticaria (CU) impact on patients’ quality of life (QoL). The aim of our study was to evaluate QoL in CU patients both focusing on health status and subjective satisfaction. We adopted two generic tools: SF‐36 (an health status questionnaire) and SAT‐P (a satisfaction profile).Methods:  Twenty‐one untreated patients (five males, 16 females; aged 46.3 ± 12.4) affected by CU, were enrolled. SF‐36 and SAT‐P scores of CU patients were compared with scores of a group of 27 patients with respiratory allergy. Published reference values of 608 and 241 Italian healthy subjects were used as controls, respectively, for SF‐36 and SAT‐P.Results:  Patients with CU compared with allergic patients referred significantly lower scores in physical functioning (P = 0.046), role physical (P = 0.01), bodily pain (P = 0.0001), general health (P = 0.0043) and role emotional (P = 0.04), and compared with reference sample reported lower scores in all SF‐36 domains (P < 0.0001).SAT‐P scores of CU patients compared with patients with respiratory allergy and with reference sample were significantly lower in many aspects of daily life.Conclusions:  These results show a significant impact on health status and on subjective satisfaction in patients with CU: the symptoms affect everyday life, limiting and impairing physical and emotional functioning, and acts as an indirect burden on life satisfaction.
Efficacy of the topical nasal steroid budesonide on improving sleep and daytime somnolence in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis
Authors: Hughes K. , Glass C. , Ripchinski M. , Gurevich F. , Weaver T. E. , Lehman E. , Fisher L. H. , Craig T. J. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Improving quality of life is considered to be a major endpoint and motivation for clinical intervention in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR). In addition to classical symptoms of congestion, pruritus, and rhinorrhea, patients will often complain of not being able to sleep well at night and of feeling fatigued during the day. Like sleep apnea, PAR has also been shown to cause sleep disturbance and consequently worsen daytime fatigue and somnolence.Hypothesis: It is proposed that by decreasing nasal obstruction due to allergic rhinitis by treating with the topical steroid budesonide, symptoms of daytime fatigue and somnolence can be improved.Methods: Twenty‐two subjects were enrolled in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover study using Baalam's design. Patients were treated with either budesonide 128 μg/day or placebo. Subjective data include the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire, Rhino‐conjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, and a daily diary recording nasal symptoms, sleep problems, and daytime fatigue.Results: The results illustrated that the topical nasal corticosteroid significantly improved daytime fatigue (P = 0.03), somnolence (P = 0.02), and quality of sleep (P = 0.05) compared to placebo in patients suffering from PAR.Summary: Budesonide is able to improve congestion, sleep, and daytime somnolence.
Polygalacturonase (pectinase), a new oilseed rape allergen
Authors: Chardin H. , Mayer C. , Sénéchal H. , Poncet P. , Clément G. , Wal J. M. , Desvaux F. X. , Peltre G. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Type I hypersensitivity to rapeseed pollen allergens was described as the result of a cross‐sensitization with various pollens that could constitute an aggravating factor in birch or grass pollen allergies. Recently, a few rapeseed pollen allergens were described. The aim of the present work was to identify new rapeseed pollen allergens by using two‐dimensional gel analysis, microsequencing, and mass spectrometry.Methods:  Water extractable proteins from oilseed rape pollen or stamen were separated by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis. The proteins were then electroblotted onto a nitrocellulose (NC) sheet. The NC sheets were successively incubated with (1) individual human sera pre‐selected for their immunoglobulin E (IgE) reactivity to rapeseed pollen proteins, (2) alkaline phosphatase (AP)‐conjugated goat anti‐human IgE and (3) AP substrate. The allergens localized by this method were then identified by microsequencing andMALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry analysis.Results:  Of the 18 sera studied, five recognized a wide multispot zone with a molecular mass around 43 kD and pIs between 6.5 and 8.5. The results obtained with two representative sera are shown. From this zone, two isoforms of the polygalacturonase enzyme were identified by microsequencing. Confirmation was obtained through MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry analysis.Conclusion:  The present results allow the identification of a new rapeseed allergen that can be the main allergen for some patients.
Use of CD63 expression as a marker of in vitro basophil activation and leukotriene determination in metamizol allergic patients
Authors: Gamboa P. M. , Sanz M. L. , Caballero M. R. , Antépara I. , Urrutia I. , Jáuregui I. , González G. , Diéguez I. , De Weck A. L. 
Published: December 2004

Background: We assessed the reliability of basophil activation test (FAST) and sulphidoleukotriene production (CAST) in the in vitro diagnosis of allergy to metamizol, evaluating its sensitivity and specificity.Methods: Twenty‐six patients allergic to metamizol and 30 control individuals were studied. Skin tests with metamizol, FAST, and CAST were performed.Results: FAST sensitivity was 42.3% and specificity 100%. The PPV of FAST is 100% and the NPV 99.4%. The likelihood ratio for a positive value cannot be calculated because the specificity is 100% and the likelihood ratio for a negative value is 0.58. CAST sensitivity was 52%, and specificity 90%. The PPV of the test is 5% and the NPV 99.5%. The likelihood ratio for a positive result was 5.2 and that for a negative result 0.53. FAST detects a larger number of cases when patients are studied within the first 6 months after the clinical reaction (χ = 4.2, P = 0.04) than later. Together with skin tests, FAST allowed detection of 69.2% patients allergic to metamizol, the same as CAST 76%. The joint use of the three techniques allowed identification of 76.9% of cases.Conclusions: FAST and CAST are useful for the diagnosis of allergy to pyrazolones. Its usefulness clearly increases when recent reactions are studied.
Selective insufficiency of IFN‐γ secretion in patients with hyper‐IgE syndrome
Authors: Ito R. , Mori M. , Katakura S. , Kobayashi N. , Naruto T. , Osamura Y. , Aihara Y. , Yokota S. 
Published: December 2004

Background: Hyper‐immunoglobulin E (IgE) syndrome is a complex immune deficiency characterized by chronic eczematous dermatitis, recurrent staphylococcal infections, pneumatoceles, reduced neutrophil chemotaxis, and variably impaired T cell function. Although decreased interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) production in patients with hyper‐IgE syndrome is pointed out and known as a cause of reduced neutrophil chemotaxis, precise mechanism of their inadequate production of IFN‐γ remains unknown. To elucidate the pathogenesis of the defective production of IFN‐γ in patients with hyper‐IgE syndrome, we assessed the in vitro production and secretion of IFN‐γ by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with hyper‐IgE syndrome.Methods: Chemotaxis of neutrophils, mRNA levels of several cytokines, intracellular production and extracellular secretion of IFN‐γ, interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), and IL‐4 by PBMCs from three patients with hyper‐IgE syndrome were determined.Results: The transcription of IFN‐γ mRNA and the production of its protein molecules progressed normally. However, selective insufficiency in the secretion of IFN‐γ molecules was found in patients with hyper‐IgE syndrome.Confocal laser scanning microscopy clearly demonstrated the accumulation of IFN‐γ in patients with hyper‐IgE syndrome.Conclusion: We demonstrated that there was a selective insufficiency in the secretion of IFN‐γ in patients with hyper‐IgE syndrome. We hope that this fact would offer a new paradigm for understanding this disease.
Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT) application and vacuum cleaning, a combined strategy to control house dust mites
Authors: Codina R. , Lockey R. F. , Diwadkar R. , Mobly L. L. , Godfrey S. 
Published: December 2004

Background: The effectiveness of acaricides in homes is controversial.Objective: To determine whether disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT) combined with vacuuming lowers dust mite numbers and their allergens in carpets and sofas.Methods: A 6‐month study was carried out with 93 homes, which were randomized into three groups: (i) active, received DOT; (ii) placebo, received water; and (iii) control, received no application. Active and placebo homes were vacuumed weekly. Dust was collected from carpets and sofas at the start of the study and every 2 months thereafter and quantified for live, total mites, and mite allergen levels.Results: At 2 months, live mite numbers in active carpets were 3 ± 1, in placebo carpets 129 ± 48, and in control carpets 177 ± 39 mites/g. The corresponding numbers in sofas were 3 ± 2, 81 ± 31, and 134 ± 45 mites/g, respectively (P < 0.001 active vs placebo and vs. control). Live mites in carpets and sofas remained lower in the active group at 6 months (P < 0.001). Total mites in active carpets decreased from 555 ± 69 at baseline to 223 ± 32 mites/g at 6 months (P < 0.001) and mite allergen levels from 1.36 ± 0.13 to 0.85 ± 0.16 μg/g (P < 0.001). Total mites in active sofas remained unchanged, but mite allergen levels decreased from 1.48 ± 0.25 at baseline to 0.7 ± 0.15 μg/g at month 6 (P < 0.05).Conclusion: DOT kills mites in carpets and sofas, and, combined with vacuuming, effectively reduces total mites in carpets and mite allergen levels in carpets and sofas.
Allergy to millet: another risk for atopic bird keepers
Authors: Bohle B. , Hirt W. , Nachbargauer P. , Ebner H. , Ebner C. 
Published: December 2004

Background: Millet has been reported to induce not very frequent but severe anaphylactic reactions following ingestion. Seven individuals who all kept cage birds experienced allergic reactions after ingestion of millet‐containing food.Methods: We investigated the immunoglobulin E (IgE)‐reactivity of these individuals to millet employing immunoblotting, RAST and skin prick tests. As the sensitization possibly occurred via the inhalant route we investigated millet‐specific IgE levels of 16 additional sera from bird keepers with proven atopy, in retrospect.Results: All patients who had experienced reactions after ingestion of millet displayed millet‐specific IgE. Sixty‐three percent of the atopic bird keepers possessed millet‐specific IgE. By means of immunoblotting three major allergens in millet extract were detected.Conclusions: Our results indicate that millet plays an important role as inhalant allergen for atopic bird keepers. A sensitization to millet may subsequently also elicit food allergy.
Association between infections and signs and symptoms of ‘atopic’ hypersensitivity – results of a cross‐sectional survey among first‐year university students in Germany and Spain
Authors: Uter W. , Stock C. , Pfahlberg A. , Guillén‐Grima F. , Aguinaga‐Ontoso I. , Brun‐Sandiumenge C. , Krämer A. 
Published: December 2004

Background: This study assessed the hypothesis that a decreased exposure to childhood infectious diseases is associated with signs and symptoms of ‘atopic’ hypersensitivity diseases.Methods: A cross‐sectional survey was performed among 1368 Spanish and German first‐year university students between 1997 and 1999, including self‐administered questionnaire data and serological tests.Results: No association between the disease outcomes and hepatitis A, Helicobacter pylori infection and herpes simplex infection was observed in logistic regression analyses, adjusting for potential confounders (centre, sex, smoking, parental education). In contrast, vaccination against hepatitis B was associated with a decreased risk for the outcomes allergic rhinitis (OR 0.63, 95% CI: 0.42–0.95) and total serum IgE above 100 U/ml (OR 0.56, 95% CI: 0.39–0.81). Conversely, seropositivity to HBc antigen was significantly associated with high total serum IgE (OR 2.04, 95% CI: 1.34–3.06).Conclusions: Our study partly confirmed and partly contradicted previous evidence and hypotheses, respectively, concerning the role of the infections considered. The observation of a decreased risk in persons vaccinated against hepatitis B warrants further, prospective investigation.