Search results for "Allergic"

Inhibitory effects of N-acetylcysteine on the functional responses of human eosinophils in vitro

2007

Background Oxidative stress appears to be relevant in the pathogenesis of inflammation in allergic diseases like bronchial asthma. Eosinophils are oxidant-sensitive cells considered as key effectors in allergic inflammation. Objective The aim of this work was to study the effects of the clinically used antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) on the functional responses of human-isolated eosinophils. Methods Human eosinophils were purified from the blood of healthy donors by a magnetic bead separation system. The effects of NAC were investigated on the generation of reactive oxygen species (chemiluminescence and flow cytometry), Ca2+ signal (fluorimetry), intracellular glutathione (GSH; flow c…

53 Human bio-monitoring of epoxy resins and hardeners in the production of rotor: blades

2018

Introduction In a small company producing rotor blades for aviation from carbon composites, epoxy resins based on Novolac and isophorone diamine as hardener are used. Both compounds can be absorbed via skin contact and were shown to be strong skin sensitizers. As a part of risk assessment, the industrial physician prompted a biological monitoring to determine the internal exposure of the workers. Methods 6 workers were identified with potential contact to the hardener and resin. We have collected pre- and post-shift urine samples at the beginning and mid of the work week and analysed them for the concentration of isophoronediamine and bisphenol-f-diglycidylethermetabolites as biomarker for …

Specific recommendations for PROs and HRQoL assessment in allergic rhinitis and/or asthma: a GA(2)LEN taskforce position paper

2010

The GA(2)LEN taskforce on Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) published in 2009 a position paper concerning PROS and HRQoL assessment in clinical trials on allergy. Because of the specificity of this topic in asthma and rhinitis, specific recommendations are needed. The aim of this position paper is to define PROs and their meaning in asthma and rhinitis research, explore the available tools to provide criteria for a proper choice, identify patient-related factor which could influence PROs assessment, define specific recommendations for assessment, analysis and results spreading, underline the unexplored areas and unmet needs. PROs assessment is gaini…

Non-specific bronchial hyper-responsiveness in children with allergic rhinitis: relationship with the atopic status

2003

An increased prevalence of bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR) has been demonstrated in children from a general population, and in non-asthmatic adults with allergic rhinitis. Thus, also children with allergic rhinitis are expected to be at higher risk of BHR. We evaluated the prevalence of BHR in a sample of non-asthmatic children with allergic rhinitis by means of the methacholine (Mch) bronchial challenge, and by monitorizing the airway patency using the daily peak expiratory flow variability (PEFv). Fifty-one children (ranged 6-15 years of age) with allergic rhinitis, ascertained by skin prick test to inhalant allergens, underwent a 14-day peak expiratory flow monitoring, and a Mch bro…

Association of Blattella germanica sensitization with atopic diseases in pediatric allergic patients

2011

The extent to which the sensitization to the German cockroach Blattella germanica (BG) affects onset/presence of rhinoconjunctivitis (RC) in children is unknown.

Proportional Venn diagram and determinants of allergic respiratory diseases in Italian adolescents

2011

Large variations in prevalence of atopy and allergic diseases are reported worldwide in children, but in epidemiological studies the use of skin prick tests (SPT) and spirometry along with questionnaires is not common in the Mediterranean Area. The present work was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of current asthma (CA), rhinoconjunctivitis (RC), and eczema (E), with atopy and respiratory function, and the role of risk factors for allergic respiratory diseases. A total of 2150 Italian schoolchildren were cross-sectionally investigated through respiratory questionnaire, SPT, and spirometry. A proportional Venn diagram quantified the distribution of CA, RC, and E, stratifying for allergic s…

Anti-IgE antibodies for the treatment of asthma

2005

Purpose of review Allergic asthma is a hypersensitivity reaction initiated by immunologic mechanisms mediated by IgE antibodies. IgE plays a central role in the initiation and propagation of the inflammatory cascade and thus the allergic response. Targeting factors involved in the allergic response, such as IgE, is a novel strategy for new therapies. Attenuating allergic disease by specifically inhibiting IgE and the development of the monoclonal anti-IgE antibody, omalizumab, were major breakthroughs in asthma management. Recent findings Several studies have shown that omalizumab has significant anti-inflammatory effects and that it may act on multiple components of the inflammatory cascad…

Randomized placebo-controlled trial comparing fluticasone aqueous nasal spray in mono-therapy, fluticasone plus cetirizine, fluticasone plus monteluk…

2004

BACKGROUND: Corticosteroids are considered to be particularly effective in reducing nasal congestion and are therefore recommended as first-line treatment in allergic rhinitis patients with moderate to severe and/or persistent symptoms. OBJECTIVE: We compared the clinical efficacy of fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray (FPANS) 200 microg given once daily, administered in mono-therapy or combined therapy with a H1 receptor antagonist (cetirizine, CTZ) or with a leukotriene antagonist (montelukast, MSK), and the combined therapy of CTZ plus MSK in the treatment of patients affected by allergic rhinitis to Parietaria during natural pollen exposure. In addition, we examined the effect of…

Cytokine Production Profile Of T-lymphocytes In Patients With Allergic Asthma Receiving Anti-IgE Therapy

2010

Therapeutic application of T cell receptor mimic peptides or cDNA in the treatment of T cell-mediated skin diseases

2000

An 8-amino acid peptide encoding a sequence of the transmembrane region of the T cell receptor alpha chain (TCR-alpha) was shown to inhibit T cell function by preventing functional assembly of the T cell receptor (mimic peptide). To avoid systemic immunosuppression by peptide application in vivo, we used a topical application of the peptide. In the system of murine contact sensitivity, topical application of the peptide inhibited the elicitation of contact sensitivity following application of a contact allergen in sensitized animals. Alternatively, when naked DNA encoding the peptide sequence was injected into skin before application of a contact allergen to sensitized animals, local immuno…