Search results for " season"

Identification of a Lipid Transfer Protein as a New Allergen From Morus alba Pollen.

2017

Determinants of influenza vaccination among solid organ transplant recipients attending Sicilian reference center

2016

Among solid organ transplant recipients, influenza infection is commonly associated with higher morbidity and mortality than immunocompetent hosts. Therefore, in these subjects influenza vaccination is of paramount importance. The main objective of the study was to assess compliance to vaccination and analyze factors associated with influenza vaccination of solid organ transplant recipients admitted to the Sicilian solid organ transplant Reference Center IRCCS-ISMETT in Palermo during 2014–2015 influenza season. Thirty one (37.8%) out of 82 solid organ transplant recipients were vaccinated against influenza. The main reason for vaccination refusal was fear of adverse reaction (n = 16, 31.4%…

Effects of allergen exposure on methacholine and AMP-induced air trapping in pollen-sensitive subjects

2011

Summary Background The effect of pro-inflammatory stimuli on bronchoconstrictor-induced air trapping has not been studied. Objective To determine the effect of natural allergen exposure, a pro-inflammatory stimulus, on methacholine- and adenosine 5′-monophospate (AMP)-induced air trapping. Methods Airway responsiveness to methacholine and AMP before and during the pollen season was obtained in 25 subjects with pollen allergy and in 10 healthy controls. The response was expressed by the sensitivity (PC 20 value) and by the slope and intercept of the FVC values recorded at each step of the challenge against the corresponding FEV 1 values. Results The slope and intercept FVC versus FEV 1 value…

BASALIT trial: double-blind placebo-controlled allergen immunotherapy with rBet v 1-FV in birch-related soya allergy.

2016

Background Conflicting results exist on the effect of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) on pollen-related food allergy. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of one-year AIT with the folding variant (FV) of recombinant (r) Bet v 1 on birch-related soya allergy. Methods Of 138 subjects with Bet v 1 sensitization, 82 were positive at double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) with soya. A total of 56 of 82 were randomized in the ratio of 2:1 (active: placebo). Per-protocol population (PPP) had received ≥150 μg of allergen or placebo preparation. Outcome measures: lowest observed adverse effect levels (LOAEL), postinterventional occurrence of objective signs (objS) at any dose level, sI…

Nasal tactile sensitivity in allergic rhinitis

2011

These preliminary data show a decrease in nasal tactile sensitivity and point out interesting aspects of the nasal chronic inflammatory condition in allergic rhinitis.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of allergic rhinitis on nasal tactile sensitivity during the intercritical period.A total of 70 patients aged between 18 and 67 years (average 42 years), with a positive history of allergy caused by seasonal outdoor allergens, were included (group A). Patient outcome was assessed by the nasal monofilament test: a set of 20 Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments was used to detect nasal sensitivity for both nasal cavities. The sensitivity threshold was recorded as the minimum monofilame…

Genetically engineered hybrid proteins from Parietaria judaica pollen for allergen-specific immunotherapy

2006

Background Despite the use of conventional allergen-specific immunotherapy in clinical practice, more defined, efficient, and safer allergy vaccines are required. Objective The aim of the study was to obtain hypoallergenic molecules by deleting B-cell epitopes, which could potentially be applied to Parietaria judaica pollen allergy treatment. Methods Three hybrid molecules (Q1, Q2, and Q3) derived from fragments of the 2 major P judaica pollen allergens, Par j 1 and Par j 2, were engineered by means of PCR. Hybrid structures were compared with their natural components by means of circular dichroism, and their biologic activities were compared by using T-cell proliferation assays. Their IgE-…

Comparison of olfactory function in patients with seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis

1998

Hyposmia is a common symptom in allergic rhinitis. However, little is known about differences in the olfactory function of patients with seasonal or perennial allergy. A prospective controlled study was performed on 28 patients with allergic rhinitis to grass pollen and on 47 patients with allergic rhinitis to mites. Sixty-six healthy volunteers served as a control. Olfactory function was evaluated by a modified Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center testing procedure for threshold, identification, and discrimination. The grass pollen-allergic patients were tested preseasonally and after 3 weeks of intraseasonal grass pollen exposure; the mite-allergic patients and the volunteers…

Association between affective temperaments and season of birth in a general student population.

2011

Abstract Background Several studies indicate a significant association between birth season and personality and neuropsychiatric disorders. The aim of our present study was to investigate the association between affective temperaments and season of birth in a nonclinical sample. Methods 366 university students completed the standardized Hungarian version of the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego-Auto-questionnaire (TEMPS-A). Ordinary Least Squares regression was applied to explain the relationship between TEMPS-A subscale and birth season of the respondents. Results We found a significant association between temperament scores and birth season in the case of the Hy…

Bronchoconstriction induced by inhaled adenosine 5′-monophosphate in subjects with allergic rhinitis

2001

Adenosine and its related nucleotide, adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP) induce bronchoconstriction in asthmatics, probably caused by histamine release from airway mast cells. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of inhaled AMP on lung function in subjects with allergic rhinitis.A total of 52 adults (28 subjects with allergic rhinitis, 14 asthmatics and 10 healthy subjects) were challenged with increasing concentrations of AMP and methacholine. Airflow was assessed after each concentration and the response to each bronchoconstrictor agent was measured by the provocative concentration required to produce a 20% fall (PC20) in forced expired volume in one second (FEV1).All 14 …

Exhaled Nitric Oxide and Bronchial Responsiveness to Adenosine 5′-Monophosphate in Subjects With Allergic Rhinitis

2002

Study objectives: To determine differences in exhaled nitric oxide (ENO) between subjects with allergic rhinitis with and without increased responsiveness to direct and indirect bronchoconstrictor agents. Study design: Cross-sectional study with the order of challenge tests randomized. Setting: Specialist allergy unit in a university hospital. Patients: Thirty-eight subjects without asthma with allergic rhinitis and 10 healthy nonatopic control subjects. Measurements and results: Participants were challenged with increasing concentrations of adenosine 5monophosphate (AMP) and methacholine. ENO was measured with the singleexhalation method. A positive response to both bronchoconstrictor agen…