The dynamic immunological indices in in vivo stimulation with a Candida antigen

The results of the study of some immunity characteristics in patients with broncho-pulmonary diseases of allergic etiology, appearing under the influence of yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida, before the intradermal injection of Candida antigen and 24 and 48 hours after such injection are presented. A decrease in the content of peripheral blood lymphocytes, in the levels of T- and B-cells, changes in the frequency and intensity of immediate and delayed hypersensitivity reactions under the influence of antigenic stimulation have been established.     

Effects of Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Lepidoptera: Thaumetopoeidae) larvae on the degranulation of dermal mast cells in mice; an electron microscopic study

The pine caterpillar Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Lepidoptera: Thaumetopoeidae) is found in pine woods. Hairs of the T. pityocampa caterpillar cause a cutaneous reaction in humans and animals. Mast cells are responsible for allergic reactions in mammals. In this study male swiss albino mice were divided into two groups: 5 mice in the control group and 25 mice in the experimental group. The dorsal skin of mice was shaved. The mice in the experimental group and T. pityocampa larvae (fifth instar, approximately n=100) were put in the same cage. Dermal mast cells of mice exposed to T. pityocampa were examined with a transmission electron microscope and compared to the control group 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours after exposure. Dermal mast cell degranulation in mice was observed 12 and 24 hours after exposure.     

CpG oligodeoxynucleotides can reverse Th2-associated allergic airway responses and alter the B7.1/B7.2 expression in a murine model of asthma

CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) administered during Ag sensitization or before Ag challenge can inhibit allergic pulmonary inflammation and airway hyperreactivity in murine models of asthma. In this study, we investigated whether CpG-ODN can reverse an ongoing allergic pulmonary reaction in a mouse model of asthma. AKR mice were sensitized with conalbumin followed by two intratracheal challenges at weekly intervals. CpG-ODN was administered 24 h after the first Ag challenge. CpG-ODN administration reduced Ag-specific IgE levels, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid eosinophils, mucus production, and airway hyperreactivity. We found that postchallenge CpG-ODN treatment significantly increased IFN-gamma concentrations and decreased IL-13, IL-4, and IL-5 concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and spleen cell culture supernatants. Postchallenge CpG-ODN treatment also increased B7.1 mRNA expression and decreased B7.2 mRNA expression in lung tissues. These results suggest that CpG-ODN may have potential for treatment of allergic asthma by suppressing Th2 responses during IgE-dependent allergic airway reactions. The down-regulation of Th2 responses by CPG-ODN may be associated with regulation of the costimulatory factors B7.1 and B7.2.     

Reduction in skin test reactions to inhaled allergens during a 12 weeks stay in the alpine climate

Fiftyfour allergic patients with bronchial asthma or obstructive lung disease were investigated at admission and discharge after a 3 months hospitalization period in the alpine valley Davos. An intracutaneous skin test procedure was carried out with 16 common inhalant allergens. Histamine 0.01 mg/ml was used as a positive control and a phosphate buffered saline with 0.03% HSA and 0.5% phenol were used as negative controls. A liophylized control for house dust mite was used for every patient on admission and discharge, in order to control loss of allergen potency of the vial. Furthermore, an additional freshly prepared vial of house dust mite allergen was analyzed after it was opened and stored at 4°C after 3 months. The wheal and flare reactions were calculated separately for the early reaction (at 15 minutes) and the late reaction (at 6 hours). The sum of wheal/histamine index and fare/histamine index were calculated for the early phase reactions and analyzed according two-tailed paired student's t tests. Using RAST inhibition, the liophylized house dust mite showed the same allergen concentration as in the fluid form. The 3 months old vial was analyzed and showed the same allergen concentration as was expected. Results for histamine reactions on admission and discharge showed no significant difference. Patients showed no reactions on the negative controls. Differences were found between skin test reactions on admission and discharge for the sum of early wheal reactions (p = 0.0001), and to certain allergen wheal such as house dust mite and some other common allergens. We conclude that during a 12 weeks stay in the alpine climate Davos, intracutaneous early wheal reactions to certain allergens are decreasing possibly reflecting a decreased exposure. The late reaction showed no significant change.     

7起乙型脑炎疫苗异常反应的调查和分析

对１９９３～１９９７年间因接种乙脑疫苗引起的７起异常反应进行了调查和分析，主要是Ⅰ型变态反应（０．３３％～１．６％）和心因性反应（１１．７％～２４．２％）。反应一般发生在第３针以后，有些发生在第６针。症状表现为过敏性休克、紫癜、荨麻疹、血管神经性水肿、气喘等。对变态反应的发生频率、反应机理、处理方法和预防等问题进行了讨论     

The spliceosome catalyzes debranching in competition with reverse of the first chemical reaction

Splicing of nuclear pre-mRNA occurs via two steps of the transesterification reaction, forming a lariat intermediate and product. The reactions are catalyzed by the spliceosome, a large ribonucleoprotein complex composed of five small nuclear RNAs and numerous protein factors. The spliceosome shares a similar catalytic core structure with that of fungal group II introns, which can self-splice using the same chemical mechanism. Like group II introns, both catalytic steps of pre-mRNA splicing can efficiently reverse on the affinity-purified spliceosome. The spliceosome also catalyzes a hydrolytic spliced-exon reopening reaction as observed in group II introns, indicating a strong link in their evolutionary relationship. We show here that, by arresting splicing after the first catalytic step, the purified spliceosome can catalyze debranching of lariat-intron-exon 2. The debranching reaction, although not observed in group II introns, has similar monovalent cation preferences as those for splicing catalysis of group II introns. The debranching reaction is in competition with the reverse Step 1 reaction influenced by the ionic environment and the structure of components binding near the catalytic center, suggesting that the catalytic center of the spliceosome can switch between different conformations to direct different chemical reactions.     

The intensity of respiration and heat emission from seedlings of Festuca pratensis (Hud.) and Hordeum vulgare L. during pathogenesis caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoem

The presented work was conducted on seedlings of spring barley and meadow fescue which differ in the degree of sensitivity to leaf spot pathogen Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoem. The seedling reaction to inoculation with mycelium and conidia was examined in glasshouse conditions on the basis of respiration intensity and heat production. The leaf respiration was measured using Clark-type electrode, while heat emission was evaluated by means of isotermic microcalorimeter. The measurements were performed after 1, 3, 6, 10, 24, 48, 72, 168 and 240 hours since the inoculation moment. Leaves of meadow fescue were characterized by the most intense respiration at the 6^th hour, while barley leaves at the 24^th and 72^nd hour after inoculation. In the case of meadow fescue the greatest heat production was noted in the period between 24 and 168 hours after inoculation. Simultaneously, at the 48^th hour the smallest rate of respiration was observed. Barley leaves emitted the greatest amount of heat only in the first 3 hours of the pathogenesis. In these hours the smallest respiration rate was noted. The observed, opposing reaction of respiration intensity and heat emission in the infected seedlings of both species may illustrate a disorder in metabolic processes in plants during pathogenesis. The plants studied differed in the time of their reaction to pathogen attack: barley responded earlier in heat production, while fescue extended respiration rate in the first hours after inoculation. This is clearly observable, when coefficients of metabolic inefficiency (heat rates per mole O₂) are compared. In the case of barley the highest rates were noticed just after inoculation, whereas in fescue at the 48^th hour. In both species attack of pathogen caused high metabolic efficiency.     

ST-segment elevation associated with allergic reaction to echocardiographic contrast agent administration

We report a case of an allergic reaction after the administration of an echocardiographic contrast agent which resulted in ST-segment elevation. Hypersensitivity and allergic reactions are known causes of acute cardiovascular events. However, only limited reports are available which suggest the exact mechanism of the occurrence of angina or myocardial infarction during severe allergic reactions. In our case, through invasive imaging (coronary angiography and IVUS) we have shown for the first time a transient coronary spasm in the absence of intra-coronary thrombus and only minimal neointimal hyperplasia.     

Anaphylaxis due to thiopental sodium anesthesia.

Anaphylaxis due to an anesthetic is one type of cardiovascular emergency that can occur during general anesthesia. Anaphylactic reactions to muscle relaxants have been documented. Barbiturates, used as sedatives, are well known to produce cutaneous reactions, but anaphylaxis after their ingestion seems to be rare. Generalized allergic reactions to thiopental sodium during anesthesia are mentioned in the product monograph for Penthothal sodium, and rare case reports of anaphylactic reactions to infused thiopental have appeared, generally in the anesthesiology literature. Documentation of the immunologic responses to thiopental sodium has been limited to the demonstration of an allergic reaction to thiopental by skin testing in some cases. This report describes a woman who, after having tolerated thiopental sodium and other general anesthetics, became sensitive to this agent and had a severe acute reaction at the time of induction of general anesthesia.     

Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Psoriasis Patients: Typical,Delayed, and Non-Interacting

Psoriasis is characterized by an apoptosis-resistant and metabolic active epidermis, while a hallmark for allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is T cell-induced keratinocyte apoptosis. Here, we induced ACD reactions in psoriasis patients sensitized to nickel (n = 14) to investigate underlying mechanisms of psoriasis and ACD simultaneously. All patients developed a clinically and histologically typical dermatitis upon nickel challenge even in close proximity to pre-existing psoriasis plaques. However, the ACD reaction was delayed as compared to non-psoriatic patients, with a maximum intensity after 7 days. Whole genome expression analysis revealed alterations in numerous pathways related to metabolism and proliferation in non-involved skin of psoriasis patients as compared to non-psoriatic individuals, indicating that even in clinically non-involved skin of psoriasis patients molecular events opposing contact dermatitis may occur. Immunohistochemical comparison of ACD reactions as well as in vitro secretion analysis of lesional T cells showed a higher Th17 and neutrophilic migration as well as epidermal proliferation in psoriasis, while ACD reactions were dominated by cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and a Th2 signature. Based on these findings, we hypothesized an ACD reaction directly on top of a pre-existing psoriasis plaque might influence the clinical course of psoriasis. We observed a strong clinical inflammation with a mixed psoriasis and eczema phenotype in histology. Surprisingly, the initial psoriasis plaque was unaltered after self-limitation of the ACD reaction. We conclude that sensitized psoriasis patients develop a typical, but delayed ACD reaction which might be relevant for patch test evaluation in clinical practice. Psoriasis and ACD are driven by distinct and independent immune mechanisms.     

Usefulness of CV 205-502 in a case of allergy to ergot-derived drugs.

This study reports a case of allergy to ergot-derived drugs in a patient with a prolactin (PRL)-secreting microadenoma. The anamnesis revealed allergic reactions to the administration of analgesics and antibiotics. The administration of dopamine agonist drugs, such as bromocriptine (BRC; 2.5 mg) or lisuride (0.2 mg), induced after a few minutes the appearance of nausea, vomiting, postural hypotension, headache, edema of the glottis with dispnea and acroedema. The edemas disappeared a few hours after the administration of antihistaminic drugs while nausea, vomiting, postural hypotension and headache persisted for a few days. Therefore, the patient was tested with another dopamine agonist non-ergot-derived drug, quinagolide (CV 205-502), which did not cause side effects or allergic reactions. Furthermore, not only was the responsiveness to the drug optimal but it also normalized the PRL levels, and menses reappeared after more than a 5-year amenorrhea. This report suggests that ergot-derived drugs, such as lisuride and BRC, seldom induce allergic reactions apart from common side effects. Consequently, the feasibility of using a new drug with a different molecular structure (non-ergot derived) effective in the therapy of hyperprolactinemic syndromes represents a good alternative to conventional therapy.     

Reactions in the oral mucous membrane after exposure to CarisolvTM ‐ combined results from a clinical screening test in humans and an experimental study in rats

Objective: To evaluate reactions in the oral mucosa after direct contact with Carisolv^TM Setting: The Faculty of Odontology in Göteborg, Sweden. Subjects: 34 healthy persons for a clinical screening test and 35 Sprague Dawley rats for a histological study. Desing: Mixed Carisolv^TM or 0.5 % NaOCl were soaked in paper and applied to either side of the medial frenula of the lower lip of 34 persons. The solutions were left on the oral mucosa for three minutes. Inspection was made and photographs were taken immediately after exposure and also after 1 hour, 24 hours, and 72 hours. Mixed Carisolv^TM was applied in a similar manner as described above to 35 adult Sprague Dawley rats. The animals were killed and biopsies were taken immediately after Carisolv^TM exposure and also after 1 hour, 24 hours, and 48 hours. The biopsies were sectioned and prepared for histomorphometrical evaluation in light microscopy where cells were counted on regions from the epithelium layer deeper into the mucous membrane. Results: Some adverse reactions were detected on the oral mucosa of humans up to 24 hours after Carisolv^TM exposure for 3 minutes. The detected inflammatory reactions were slight and no patient felt any discomfort. The results of the histological study on rat did not show any statistically significant increase of the number of cells at any time after Carisolv^TM exposure. Conclusions: If the oral mucosa gets in direct contact with Carisolv^TM for 3 minutes no or only a weak inflammatory response may be expected.     

Direct in vivo monitoring of acute allergic reactions in human conjunctiva

Immediate allergic reactions are initiated by allergen-induced, specific IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation and involve leukocyte recruitment into the inflamed site. We compared conjunctival signs, symptoms, and in vivo leukocyte rolling and extravasation into sites of inflammation in five patients allergic to birch pollen and in 10 nonallergic controls who received a challenge to birch allergen or histamine. Both the specific allergen in allergic patients and histamine, both in patients and in healthy controls, induced symptoms and signs of an immediate allergic reaction together with leukocyte rolling within the conjunctival blood vessels. However, only allergen, not histamine, caused leukocyte extravasation into the site of inflammation in the allergic patients. Allergen also increased expression of endothelial P-selectin in conjunctival vessels and slowed the rolling of leukocytes which is required for their extravasation from blood circulation into the target tissue. Finally, i.v. heparin strongly reduced the number of slowly rolling cells during allergen- or histamine-induced reactions and this can probably hinder the leukocyte extravasation after allergen exposure. These findings suggest that slow rolling is required for leukocyte extravasation in acute allergic reactions, and it can be inhibited by heparin in vivo in therapeutically relevant conditions.     

破伤风抗毒素临床反应观察报告

作者对兰州生物制品研究所常规生产的3批破伤风抗毒素（TAT）进行了临床反应观察。结果表明,TAT皮内试验假阳性反应率平均为13．3％,阳性反应率为0．9％。450例患者注射后过敏反应发生率为0,年龄,性别因素与皮试阳性率及注射后反应无相关性。     

Purification and some properties of isozymes 1 and 5 of lactate dehydrogenase from fox heart and skeletal muscles]

An improved method is described for the isolation of isozymes 1 and 5 of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from heart and skeletal muscles of foxes. The method includes salt fractionation with ammonium sulphate, chromatography on DEAE- and CM-celluloses and affinity chromatography on AMP-Sepharose. The preparations of LDH isozymes 1 and 5 turned out to be homogeneous both in 7,5% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and under immunodiffusion analysis. It is shown that the pH optimum for LDH-1 is 10.2-10.4 for LDH-5 it is 9.5-9.6 in the case of the direct reaction, and the pH optimum is 7.6-7.8 for LDH-1 and 7.3-7.4 for LDH-5 in the case of reverse reaction. The values of Mikhaelis constants were determined for substrates and coenzymes in direct and reverse reactions. It is found that the excess of lactate and pyruvate causes substrate inhibition of both LDH-1 and LDH-5. The activities of LDH-1 and LDH-5 showed an unexpected similar sensitivity to the inhibitory effect of high pyruvate concentrations.     

An efficient system for catalyzing ester synthesis using a lipase from a newly isolated Burkholderia cepacia strain

The synthesis of ethyl-oleate by the lipase from the newly isolated strain Burkholderia cepacia LTEB11 in three different systems has been studied - immobilization on a hydrophobic support (Accurel EP 100®), encapsulation in reverse micelles, and direct addition of powdered free enzyme to the reaction medium. The immobilized enzyme performed best, giving a 70% ester yield in 10 h, this yield being five-fold greater than that obtained for reversed micelles, and two and a half times greater than that obtained for direct addition. An increase in the amount of immobilized enzyme preparation added gave a 100% ester yield in 3 h. The immobilized preparation was quite stable, giving a 100% yield of ethyl-oleate during 11 repeated reactions, and 50% yield after 24 reactions. These results suggest that the lipase of our strain of B. cepacia LTEB11 immobilized on Accurel has good potential for application in biocatalysis in organic media.     

Phosphoproteomic analysis of AML14.3D10 cell line as a model system of eosinophilia

Eosinophils act as effectors in the inflammatory reactions of allergic diseases including atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis patients and others with allergic disorders suffer from eosinophilia, an accumulation of eosinophils due to increased survival or decreased apoptosis of eosinophils. In this study, a differential phosphoproteome analysis of AML14.3D10 eosinophil cell line after treatment with IL-5 or dexamethasone was conducted in an effort to identify the phosphoproteins involved in the proliferation or apoptosis of eosinophils. Proteins were separated by 2-DE and alterations in phosphoproteins were then detected by Pro-Q Diamond staining. The significant quantitative changes were shown in nineteen phosphoproteins including retinoblastoma binding protein 7, MTHSP75, and lymphocyte cytosolic protein 1. In addition, seven phosphoproteins including galactokinase I, and proapolipoprotein, were appeared after treatment with IL-5 or dexamethasone. Especially, the phospho-APOE protein was down-regulated in IL-5 treated AML14.3D10, while the more heavily phosphorylated APOE form was induced after dexamethasone treatment. These phosphoproteome data for the AML14.3D10 cell line may provide clues to understand the mechanism of eosinophilia as well as allergic disorders including atopic dermatitis.     

Removal of gelatin from live vaccines and DTaP—an ultimate solution for vaccine-related gelatin allergy

From the early 1990s infants started to receive acellular pertussis vaccine combined with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (DTaP) before live vaccines such as measles, rubella, and mumps vaccines, which contained gelatin as a stabilizer. Then, an increasing number of cases of anaphylactic/allergic reactions to those live vaccines were reported. Almost all these cases had a previous history of receiving three or four doses of DTaP containing gelatin.Anaphylactic/allergic reactions to live measles vaccine were analyzed using information obtained from the Reporting System, a retrospective study, as well as from the Monitoring System, a prospective study. Dramatic decreases in anaphylactic/allergic reactions to live measles vaccines were observed immediately after each manufacturer marketed gelatin-free or gelatin (hypo-allergic)-containing live measles vaccine, and since the end of 1998 reports on anaphylactic/allergic reactions to live measles vaccine have almost ceased.     

Delayed hypersensitivity to house dust-storage mites Thyrophagus putrescentiae in experimental allergic dermatoses]

House dust mites and storage mites proved to be one of the main allergens causing hypersensitivity in atopic dermatitis in allergic patients. The authors reproduced experimental allergic dermatosis on the model of delayed type hypersensitivity in guinea pigs, caused by sensitization to the allergen from the mite's bodies Tyrophagus putrescentiae--species having wide distribution in the country. The results characteristic for T-cell type hypersensitivity have been obtained: delayed positive skin tests after 24 hours, typical histomorphological picture (strong allergic alteration, epidermis desquamation, vasculitis, dermis T-cell infiltration and spongiosis--Waksman's syndrome). It is concluded that side by side with humoral IgE-mediated reaction there is strong delayed T-cell hypersensitivity to the storage mites Tyrophagus putrescentiae.