Immunologic significance of respirable atmospheric starch granules containing major birch allergen Bet v 1

BACKGROUND: Birch-pollen allergens are an important cause of early spring hay fever and allergic asthma. Recently, we reported a mechanism for the release of respirable allergenic particles from birch pollen containing the major allergen Bet v 1. In this study, we aimed to assess the immunologic significance of the released Bet v 1-containing starch granules in the environment. METHODS: A two-site monoclonal antibody-based assay (ELISA) was employed to quantitate Bet v 1 in high-volume air sampler filter extracts, and immunogold-labelling was used on sections of these extracts to localize Bet v 1. Immunoblot analyses were performed with pooled sera from patients sensitive to birch pollen. RESULTS: Atmospheric starch granules contained Bet v 1, and the concentration increased upon light rainfall. Sera from patients allergic to birch allergens recognized extracts from isolated starch granules. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical implications of these findings are that starch granules released from birch pollen are potentially able to trigger allergic asthmatic reactions to Bet v 1, since the allergen occurs in respirable particles. Thus, clinicians can advise asthma patients to remain indoors on days of light rainfall during the birch-pollen season to avoid high levels of allergen exposure.     

血透对慢性肾功能衰竭患者心脏结构和功能的影响

目的 探讨慢性肾功能衰竭（ＣＲＦ）患者心脏结构和功能的改变及血液透析对心脏的影响。方法 ４０例正常对照及２０例慢性肾衰患者血透前后分别用彩色多普勒超声心动图（ＵＣＧ）进行心脏结构和功能的测定,并监测透析前后血压、肾功能的变化。结果 ＣＲＦ患者与正常对照组相比,ＳＢＰ显著升高（Ｐ〈０．０１）,ＡＯＥ降低,ＬＡＤ、ＲＡＡ、ＩＶＳＴ、ＬＶＰＷＴ及ＬＶＭＩ均明显增高（Ｐ〈０．０１）,心脏收缩功能代偿性增强     

彩色多普勒超声评价肾外肾动静脉瘘所致复杂血流动力学改变

目的 应用彩色多普勒超声主人肾外肾动静肪 所致血流动力学改变。方法 采用Ｇａｔｅｗａｙ ＦＸ彩色多普勒超声仪进行检查,对腹部受累血管进行观察、测量和分析,并与ＤＳＡ和手术结果进行对照。结果 彩超能够显示肾外肾动静脉瘘的瘘口和血流动力学改变,受累脏器的缺血性改变,以及心脏的结构和功能的改变。结论 彩超可较好地评价发生于腹部大血管的动静脉瘘的血流动力学改变,并很好地与动脉瘤、囊性病变和管道扩张等进行鉴     

Scoring approaches to the recognition of cases of sudden infant death syndrome

The aim of this study was to create a scoring method to distinguish between sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and cases of sudden death resulting from life-threatening conditions (LTC). Four hundred infants less than one year old who died suddenly out of hospital in St Petersburg between 1983 and 1990 and who underwent a complete autopsy, were entered into the study. In 200 cases, the main diagnosis was SIDS, while in the remaining 200 cases, death was interpreted as resulting from LTC; 115 clinical and 240 morphological signs and symptoms were evaluated in each case. The statistical approach was based on the method of stepwise logistic regression analysis and it helped to identify 6 clinical and 12 morphological signs which, combined, made it possible to distinguish between SIDS and non-SIDS (LTC) cases most accurately.     

Allergic characteristics of urban schoolchildren with atopic eczema in Ghana

Background Atopic eczema is an increasing clinical problem in Africa. Objective To determine allergic characteristics and to identify possible risk factors for eczema among schoolchildren in an urbanized area in Ghana. Patients and methods Schoolchildren aged 3–16 years with eczema were recruited. For each patient, one to three age‐ and sex‐matched controls were selected. All children completed a questionnaire and were skin prick tested with a panel of allergens. Blood was drawn to determine the total and allergen‐specific IgE. Conditional logistic regression models with the matching factors included in the model were used to calculate the odds ratios and to adjust for possible confounders. Results A total of 52 children with eczema (27 boys and 25 girls) and 99 controls were included. Levels of total IgE were found to be 9.1 (1.1; 78.4) times more often elevated in children with eczema. This association was mainly driven by elevated IgE levels against cockroach antigen. Children with eczema were found to have 2.0 (0.87; 4.7) times more often positive skin prick tests (SPT), but this association diminished to 1.2 (0.40; 3.6) after adjustment for total IgE levels. Frequent washing with soap was identified as a risk factor for the development of eczema among these children. Conclusion Schoolchildren with eczema in Ghana were characterized by elevated IgE levels especially against cockroach antigen. The association between eczema and positive SPT was much weaker suggesting immune hyporesponsiveness of the skin. After adjustment for IgE level, SPT were less suitable to distinguish children with and without eczema.     

Persistence of chlamydial infection after treatment for neonatal conjunctivitis

A high incidence of pharyngeal infection was found in babies with isolation-positive chlamydial conjunctivitis. Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated from the pharynx of 12 (52%) of 23 babies before treatment, and was reisolated from the eyes of 4 (12%) of 34 and from the pharynx of 14 (41%) of 34 after treatment. C trachomatis was reisolated significantly more often from babies treated only with topical tetracycline for 4 weeks (75%) than from those treated with both topical tetracycline and oral erythromycin for 2 weeks (32%). Reisolation from the eyes was associated with only minor clinical signs. Radiological signs of an inflammatory lesion in the chest were found in 2 of 8 babies examined because of persistent cough. These signs were not associated with high or rising titres of serum chlamydial antibody.