Posture-induced nasal obstruction in patients with allergic rhinitis

Nasal resistance is affected by posture. In this study, the effects of supine and lateral recumbent positions were investigated in eight normal subjects and 31 patients with allergic rhinitis. Of the 31 patients with allergic rhinitis, five showed unilateral complete nasal obstruction and one patient showed bilateral complete obstruction during the change of posture. Total nasal resistance had a tendency to increase with repeating the change of posture (a paired t-test, P < 0.05). The supine and lateral recumbent positions did not induce variable changes in total nasal resistance in normal subjects. Posture induces complete nasal obstruction in the supine or lateral recumbent positions in some patients with allergic rhinitis.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of antibody-mediated demyelinating experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

Two models of demyelinating experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) were studied on Lewis rats in whom the disease was induced by injections of either (i) lentil-lectine binding myelin glycoproteins plus myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific T cells (36 rats), or (ii) myelin/oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-specific monoclonal antibody plus MBP-specific T cells (16 rats). In our 24 control rats, 20 received MBP-specific T cells only, and four received myelin glycoproteins plus purified protein derivative-specific T cells. The extent of the resulting blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, vasogenic oedema and/or demyelination was assessed in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. The results show that in both demyelinating EAE models the disease appeared more quickly, progressed very rapidly and was more severe than when induced with a similar number of MBP-specific T cells alone. Almost all animals developed hypercute EAE, with a very high mortality rate. MRI showed a very intense BBB breakdown and vasogenic oedema in all the normally ‘leaky’ areas of the central nervous system, and focal lesions corresponding to plaque formation in the brain stem or spinal cord near the ‘leaky’ areas. During the 40-day observation period, the rare survivors of this hyperacute form of EAE presented a chronic form of EAE with serious sequelae. Our results demonstrate that the synergistic effect observed between MBP-specific T cells and antibodies to myelin glycoproteins, especially to myelin/oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, does not only induced demyelinating lesions and chronic clinical signs, but is further responsible, via the normally ‘leaky areas’, for the fatal increase of the BBB breakdown and vasogenic oedema of which there are ample acute clinical signs.     

Comparative study of TRUE Test and Finn Chamber patch test techniques in Singapore

This is a report on a comparative study of the reactivity of TRUE Test and Finn Chamber patch test techniques. 413 patients attending a contact dermatitis clinic in Singapore were simultaneously patch tested with panels 1 and 2 of the TRUE Test standard series and with corresponding allergens (Hermal, Hamburg) using Finn Chambers. The left/right application of the TRUE Test and Finn Chambers was randomized. The concordance of positive patch test reactions to the 2 test techniques was studied. The number of patient with positive reactions was 38% and 42% for TRUE Test and Finn Chamber techniques, respectively (n.s.). The overall concordance of positive patch test reactions was 64% (209/328). 13% (42/328) of positive reactions appeared on TRUE Test only and 24% (77/328) on Finn Chamber only. When only relevant positive reactions were considered, the concordance rate was 67%; 11.6% of positive reactions appeared on TRUE Test only and 21% on Finn Chamber only. Positive reactions to p-phenylenediamine (PPD) and neomycin were more frequent with the Finn Chamber technique than with TRUE Test, i.e., false negative reactions to PPD and neomycin were more likely to occur with TRUE Test. It appeared that the TRUE Test and Finn Chamber techniques were comparable when used for patch testing. However false negative and false positive patch test reactions can occur when using either technique.     

Sequential occurrence of IgA nephropathy and Henoch-Schönlein purpura: support for common pathogenesis

We report a patient who developed Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) 13 years after he presented with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). In both HSP and IgAN renal biopsy most commonly reveals focal proliferative glomerulonephritis on light microscopy and immunofluorescence displays mesangial IgA deposits. In addition, patients with HSP or IgAN have elevated serum IgA levels, circulating IgA immune complexes, IgA-bearing lymphocytes, immunoglobulin-producing cells, and binding of IgG to glomerular components of similar molecular weight. The occurrence of both diseases in the same patient or the same families and the presence of immune abnormalities compatible with HSP or IgAN in relatives of patients with these diseases suggest a common pathogenesis.     

Protein C concentrate prevents peripartum thrombosis.

A protein C deficient woman, with a past history of recurrent thrombosis and purpura fulminans, was successfully treated with protein C concentrate in the peripartum period. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

IL-12表达障碍与支气管哮喘关系研究进展

支气管哮喘是由Th2介导的Ⅰ型变态反应,与内源性IL-12生成不足有关,该文综述了IL-12的生物学效应、IL-12表达障碍与支气管哮喘的关系以及IL-12、重组IL-12（rIL-12）在支气管哮喘治疗方面的应用前景。IL-12与Ⅰ型变态反应关系密切,内源性IL-12表达不足使支气管哮喘患者免疫系统向Th2方向偏移,在过敏原或病毒等外因的刺激下发生支气管哮喘。用IL-12对支气管哮喘进行免疫治疗已在动物实验中取得了显著效果,将IL-12、rIL-12或IL-12的内源性诱生物应用于人体的方法也在不断探索中并取得了一定效果,基于IL-12的治疗方法可能为支气管哮喘等变应性疾病的免疫治疗开辟新的途径。     

Cross-sectional study of allergic disorders associated with breastfeeding in Japan: The Ryukyus Child Health Study

Uncertainties remain as to whether breastfeeding is protective against childhood allergic disorders. Positive relationships of breastfeeding with asthma and atopic eczema were observed in two previous Japanese studies. This cross-sectional study investigated the association between the feeding pattern after birth and the prevalence of allergic disorders during the past 12 months in Japanese schoolchildren. Study subjects were 24,077 children aged 6-15 yr in Okinawa. The outcomes were based on diagnostic criteria from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. Allowance was made for age, sex, number of siblings, smoking in the household, paternal and maternal history of asthma, atopic eczema, and allergic rhinitis, and paternal and maternal educational level. Breastfeeding, regardless of exclusivity, for 13 months or longer and exclusive breastfeeding for 4-11 months were independently associated with a higher prevalence of atopic eczema, particularly among children without a parental allergic history. A clear positive dose-response relationship was observed between prolonged duration of breastfeeding, regardless of exclusivity, but not exclusive breastfeeding, and the prevalence of atopic eczema. We found a significant positive trend for atopic eczema across the three categories (formula milk, partial and exclusive breastfeeding) in the first 4 months of life although the odds ratio for exclusive breastfeeding was not statistically significant. No material association was found between the feeding pattern after birth and the prevalence of wheeze or allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Prolonged breastfeeding may be associated with a higher prevalence of atopic eczema in Japanese children.     

鼻内窥镜下微波凝固治疗常年性变应性鼻炎近期疗效观察

目的 :观察微波凝固治疗常年性变应性鼻炎的近期疗效。方法 :患者随机分为两组 ,治疗组 96例经鼻内窥镜行微波凝固筛前神经及下鼻甲治疗 ;对照组 72例采用鼻内窥镜下 15 %硝酸银烧灼治疗 ,治疗部位同治疗组。结果 :在治疗结束 1个月后进行疗效评定。治疗组总有效率 10 0 % ,对照组总有效率 72 .2 % (P <0 .0 0 5 )。结论 :鼻内窥镜下微波凝固筛前神经及下鼻甲治疗常年性变应性鼻炎 ,具有视野清晰 ,操作简便 ,疗效显著等优点 ,有较好的临床应用价值。     

腺病毒载体介导CTLA4Ig基因治疗小鼠变应性鼻炎

目的 检测CTLA4Ig-重组腺病毒载体（Ad-CTLA4Ig）在变应性鼻炎治疗中的作用。方法 采用卵清蛋白（OVA）致敏和激发诱导小鼠变应性鼻炎。实验组在OVA激发前30min予以Ad-CTA4Ig腹腔注射。未转CTLA4IgcDNA的腺病毒载体（Adv）作对照。比较各组动物鼻部症状和鼻粘膜形态学改变，并采用ELISA法测定血清中OVA－特异性IgE水平。结果 CTLA4Ig重组腺病毒实验组小鼠鼻部症状和鼻粘膜病理改变不明显，并且血清中OVA－特异性IgE水平明显低于对照组（P＜0.05）。结论 Ad-CTLA4Ig可防治小鼠应变性鼻炎的发生，提示CTLA4Ig-重组腺病毒载体有可能运用于临床变应性鼻炎的治疗。