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β-1,3-glucanase rOle e 9 and MnSOD rAsp f 6 IgE reactivity are the signature of atopic dermatitis in the Mediterranean area.
Scala, E, Abeni, D, Guerra, EC, Pirrotta, L, Locanto, M, Meneguzzi, G, Giani, M, Russo, G, Asero, R
Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2020;(4):487-498
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atopic dermatitis (AD) represents a chronic skin disorder seriously affecting patients' QoL and is often associated with immunological imbalance, disorders of the skin barrier function and environmental factors. OBJECTIVE We extensively studied the proteomic IgE sensitization profile in a large AD Mediterranean cohort. METHODS A total of 588 individuals with moderate-severe (70.6%) or mild and/or history of (29.4%) AD were evaluated in comparison to 1285 unselected atopic controls (AC) with a history of adverse reactions to foods, allergic rhinitis and/or bronchial asthma by means of ImmunoCAP ISAC112 ® and Allergy Explorer-ALEX® microarray analysis. RESULTS The olive tree pollen β-1,3-glucanase rOle e 9 and the manganese superoxide dismutase from Aspergillus rAsp f 6 were the molecules most significantly associated with AD occurrence and allowed to discriminate among the moderate and severe forms of disease. An IgE hyper-reactivity to cypress, grasses, olive tree, house dust mites (including rDer p 11), and to all cross-reactive components except profilin and polcalcin was observed. About 60% of adults with severe AD were sensitized to nsLTPs. Cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCDs) IgE was found in about one-third of AD participants. Hen eggs nGal d 1 IgE sensitization was more prevalent in the paediatric population, whilst rAsp f 6 and rOle e 9 reactivity was found particularly in older patients. Despite the status of widespread IgE sensitization to both environmental and food allergens, a reduced frequency of patient-reported severe reactions to food or of asthma was observed in AD patients compared to AC, particularly in case of concomitant Ole e 9 reactivity. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Testing IgE reactivity to a large panel of molecular components unveils important associations between IgE reactivity profiles and AD clinical presentation, highlights the allergens useful for a precise AD signature and allows the detection of interesting sensitisations patterns.
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Dose of allergens in a peanut snack (Bamba) associated with prevention of peanut allergy.
Hindley, JP, Filep, S, Block, DS, King, EM, Chapman, MD
The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology. 2018;(2):780-782
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The diagnostic value of component-resolved diagnostics in peanut allergy in children attending a Regional Paediatric Allergology Clinic.
van Veen, LN, Heron, M, Batstra, M, van Haard, PMM, de Groot, H
BMC pediatrics. 2016;:74
Abstract
BACKGROUND To date, diagnosing food allergies in children still presents a diagnostic dilemma, leading to uncertainty concerning the definite diagnosis of peanut allergy, as well as to the need for strict diets and the potential need for adrenalin auto-injectors. This uncertainty in particular is thought to contribute to a lower quality of life. In the diagnostic process double-blind food challenges are considered the gold standard, but they are time-consuming as well as potentially hazardous. Other diagnostic tests have been extensively studied and among these component-resolved diagnostics appeared to present a promising alternative: Ara h2, a peanut storage protein in previous studies showed to have a significant predictive value. METHODS Sixty-two out of 72 children, with suspected peanut allergy were analyzed using serum specific IgE and/or skin prick tests and specific IgE to several components of peanut (Ara h 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9). Subsequently, double-blind food challenges were performed. The correlation between the various diagnostic tests and the overall outcome of the double-blind food challenges were studied, in particular the severity of the reaction and the eliciting dose. RESULTS The double-blind provocation with peanut was positive in 33 children (53 %). There was no relationship between the eliciting dose and the severity of the reaction. A statistically significant relationship was found between the skin prick test, specific IgE directed to peanut, Ara h 1, Ara h 2 or Ara h 6, and the outcome of the food challenge test, in terms of positive or negative (P < .001). However, we did not find any relationship between sensitisation to peanut extract or the different allergen components and the severity of the reaction or the eliciting dose. There was no correlation between IgE directed to Ara h 3, Ara h 8, Ara h 9 and the clinical outcome of the food challenge. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that component-resolved diagnostics is not superior to specific IgE to peanut extract or to skin prick testing. At present, it cannot replace double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges for determination of the eliciting dose or the severity of the peanut allergy in our patient group.
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Process conditions affect starch structure and its interactions with proteins in rice pasta.
Barbiroli, A, Bonomi, F, Casiraghi, MC, Iametti, S, Pagani, MA, Marti, A
Carbohydrate polymers. 2013;(2):1865-72
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Abstract
Structural changes of starch and proteins in rice pasta were investigated as a function of raw-materials and pasta-making conditions, and their impact on cooking behaviour and glycaemic index was assessed. Rice pasta was prepared from untreated or parboiled rice flour by conventional extrusion or by extrusion-cooking. Starch structure was studied by assessing starch accessibility to specific enzymes (α-amylase and pullulanase), and by evaluating the molecular properties of fragments from enzymatic action. Protein solubility in presence/absence of chaotropes and accessibility of protein cysteine thiols allowed to evaluate the intensity and nature of inter-protein interactions. Parboiling stiffens the protein network in rice flour and makes starch more accessible to hydrolysis. Pasta-making induced further changes in the starch structure, that were most evident in pasta made from untreated rice and were mainly related to the amylopectin fraction. Thus, the interplay among structural modifications on starch and/or proteins affects the features of products.
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Course of mitogen-stimulated T lymphocytes in cancer patients treated with Viscum album extracts.
Büssing, A, Stumpf, C, Tröger, W, Schietzel, M
Anticancer research. 2007;(4C):2903-10
Abstract
BACKGROUND In a prospective observational study, the impact of two different dose regimes of a commercially available fermented Viscum album L. extract (VA-E, Iscador) on the function of T lymphocytes from cancer patients was investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 71 cancer patients were enrolled. These patients attended two different sections of a tumor outpatient clinic which are used to apply different VA-E escalation schemes. Our hypothesis was that a rapid dose escalation of subcutaneously applied VA-E may induce strong local reactions at the injection side (>3 cm diameter) and may have an effect on the functional competence of T lymphocytes (mitogen-activated interleukin-2 receptor alpha chain), which was recorded over an observation period of six month. RESULTS Within this observation period, a decline of stimulated T cell function was observed, particularly in patients with colorectal or prostate cancer; this decline was not seen in patients with breast cancer (who received lower mean concentrations per month) nor in patients with dose adaptation in response to too strong local reactions. CONCLUSION With respect to T-cell function, our results indicate that in patients without local reactions, a long lasting mistletoe extract application should be withheld periodically to allow T-cell reactivity to recover.
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Reducing malignant ascites accumulation by repeated intraperitoneal administrations of a Viscum album extract.
Bar-Sela, G, Goldberg, H, Beck, D, Amit, A, Kuten, A
Anticancer research. 2006;(1B):709-13
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malignant ascites is a major problem in the management of advanced stages of certain malignancies. The possibility of reducing the accumulation of ascites by intraperitoneal injections of a Viscum album extract (Iscador M) was evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-three patients, with end-stage malignancies of varying histology, requiring repeated peritoneal punctures, were eligible for analysis. The time-interval between the first two punctures was measured and defined as the baseline. Following each subsequent puncture, Iscador M 10 mg was injected intraperitoneally. The intervals between later punctures were compared to previous intervals. RESULTS Following the first injection, the median time-interval between injections increased from 7 to 12 days, reaching 13 days after the second injection. No toxicity was observed. CONCLUSION This phase II study suggests that installation of Iscador M into the peritoneal cavity may reduce the need for repeated punctures. A randomized trial is needed to confirm these promising preliminary results.
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The dry plant extract of common bean seed (Phaseoli vulgari pericarpium) does not have an affect on postprandial glycemia in healthy human subject.
Cerović, A, Miletić, I, Konić-Ristić, A, Baralić, I, Djordjević, B, Djuricić, I, Radusinović, M
Bosnian journal of basic medical sciences. 2006;(3):28-33
Abstract
The aim of present study was to assess the effects and safety of a dry Phaseoli vulgari pericarpium (PVP) extract on postprandial glycemia in healthy participants. A randomized crossover experiment where participants received either PVP extract or placebo. Chemical compounds in dry extract were assessed by established methods. Eighteen healthy participants (9 male and 9 female) aged 29+/-4,8 years, body mass index (BMI) 23+/-3,7 kg/m(2) were recruited among students and staff at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade. All participants were able to follow the study protocol without difficulty. The participants received either PVP extract or placebo 30 minutes before a 50g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The protocol followed the guidelines for the OGTT with blood samples drawn at 0, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min. This study demonstrated that there was no significantly effect of the PVP extract on incremental blood glucose (IBG) and their areas under the curve (AUC) neither male nor female participants. However, IBG together with AUC changes were significantly lower in male compared with female participants in treated and untreated groups. The presence of chrome, soluble fiber, vitamin C, protein, glucose and lectins were also quantified. The applied amount of PVP extract was unable to produce the postprandial hypoglycemia. We assumed that amounts of chrome, soluble fiber, vitamin C which have beneficial effects on diabetes treatment were sufficient to produce hypoglycemia.
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Development and validation of an instrument to measure the effects of a mistletoe preparation on quality of life of cancer patients: the Life Quality Lectin-53 (LQL-53) Questionnaire.
Kirchberger, I, Wetzel, D, Finger, T
Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation. 2004;(2):463-79
Abstract
Mistletoe preparations standardised to the content of mistletoe lectin are supposed to improve quality of life (QoL) in patients with cancer. To obtain a validated and sensitive research instrument, the Life Quality Lectin-53 (LQL-53) Questionnaire was developed in three phases: item generation via interviews with 42 patients, item selection by means of a study with 109 cancer patients, and psychometric testing. The LQL-53 includes 46 items assigned to the subscales 'General well-being', 'Emotional well-being', 'Vitality' 'Hope', 'Locus of control', Social relationships', and 'Physical complaints', plus seven items dealing with possible adverse effects of mistletoe treatment. Psychometric testing was carried out in a study with 112 patients with solid tumours who were treated with a mistletoe preparation standardised to mistletoe lectins for 12 weeks. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was between 0.72 and 0.94. Test-retest reliability was > or = r of 0.72. Subscales correlated highly with external criteria. Construct validity, as determined by Multitrait Scaling Analysis, resulted in an optimal assignment of items to subscales (scaling success) for four of the subscales. During the course of the therapy, significant improvement in QoL was found in all subscales. In two of the subscales, effect size was high (>0.80), and in five other subscales it varied between 0.53 and 0.78.
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[Role of immunomodulatory treatment with Iscador QuS and Intron A of women with CIN1 with concurrent HPV infection].
Jach, R, Basta, A, Szczudrawa, A
Ginekologia polska. 2003;(9):729-35
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The paper presents the role of immunomodulatory treatment with Iscador QuS and Intron A of women with CIN1 and CIN2 with concurrent HPV infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS Clinical material consisted of 96 women aged 18-52 years of life. The women were divided into three groups. Group A (35 women) treated with Iscador QuS administered s.c. twice a week for 3 months, group B (30 women) treated with Intron A, administered twice a week in the cervical injections for 3 months and control group K (31 women) without treatment followed up with cytology and colposcopy. RESULTS In the group A (Iscador QuS) CIN remission was observed in slightly higher percentage (non significant) comparing to the control group. In the group B (Intron A) remission CIN was observed in 24 (80%) cases which was statistically significant comparing to the control and A groups. There were no progression of CIN in the group B and the stationery process was observed statistically more frequent comparing to the control and A groups. There was observed statistically higher percentage of cases without HPV infection in all groups during the experiment. The remission concerned both high and low oncogenic potency viruses. In the highest percentage CIN with concurrent HPV infection remission was observed in the B (Intron A) group. CONCLUSIONS 1/Iscador QuS and specially Intron A increases the CIN1 and CIN2 remission rate. 2/These two agents may also affect the HPV remission.
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No beneficial effect of isopathic prophylactic treatment for birch pollen allergy during a low-pollen season: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of homeopathic Betula 30c.
Aabel, S
The British homoeopathic journal. 2000;(4):169-73
Abstract
The objective of this research was to determine if the homeopathic medicine Betula 30c is more effective than placebo at reducing symptoms of pollen allergy in patients sensitive to birch pollen. It was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Tablets were given both as a prophylactic agent, once a week four weeks before the pollen season and as an acute remedy during the pollen season. The study was done in Oslo, Norway, in May 1996 and involved 73 children, adolescents and young adults from 7 to 25 y of age. Allergy-symptoms were assessed on a visual analogue scale (VAS) by patients or parents. Main outcome measure was the median (with its 95% confidence interval) of the symptom scores for all the treated patients, each day during a 10-day period. The pollen count was very low in 1996, only three days were high enough to provoke allergic symptoms. Surprisingly, the verum treated patients fared worse than the placebo group; they used more rescue medication and had higher symptom scores during these three days. Homeopaths might attribute the findings to a putative aggravation response, but the results certainly do not lend support to the usefulness of the tested prophylactic approach, under conditions of low allergen exposure.