IL-5 production by allergen-stimulated T cells following grass pollen immunotherapy for seasonal allergic rhinitis

We have previously identified the hevein preprotein as a common allergen for latex allergic healthcare workers. The B cell epitopes in the hevein protein that are recognized by IgE of latex-allergic individuals have not been identified. In this study, we examined the hevein preprotein using epitope mapping. Overlapping synthetic peptides of 10 amino acids (two aa overlap) were synthesized on a derivatized cellulose membrane using Fmoc chemistry. The peptide spots were probed with pooled sera from 10 latex-allergic patients, and the IgE-reactive peptides identified with anti-IgE MoAbs. We identified six B cell epitopes within the full length hevein preprotein which bound IgE from latex-allergic patients. Two were located in the N-terminal 5-kD hevein domain and four were observed in the 14-kD C-domain. A broad epitope was located between the N-terminal amino acids 13–24. This epitope had nearly complete homology to wheat germ agglutinin (WGA). Immunological cross-reactivity to WGA was confirmed by Western blot analysis with purified WGA, and this reactivity could be inhibited by latex proteins or WGA. Of the five remaining epitopes, four had homologies to other proteins in the pathogenesis-related family of plant proteins (PR-4). The data demonstrate that hevein has multiple IgE epitopes. The significant homology of these epitopes to a broad family of plant defence proteins further explains the increased prevalence of food allergies in latex-allergic individuals.     

Reproductive Toxicity of Sulfamethazine in Swiss CD-1 Mice during Continuous Breeding

Sulfamethazine (SMZ) was evaluated for reproductive toxicityin Swiss CD-1 mice using a continuous breeding protocol. SMZwas administered in the diet at 0, 0.25, 0.5, or 1% (w/w), whichrepresented an average daily intake of 0, 313, 625, or 1250mg SMZ/kg/day, respectively. Exposure of F0 male and femalemice to 1% SMZ for 126 days resulted in a significant decreasein the mean number of live pups per litter and the number oflitters produced (task 2); the percentage pups born alive to1% SMZ females showed a nonsignificant decrease versus controlfemales. The effects on fertility were rapid to onset (1 to4 weeks) and cumulative in nature. F0 male and female body weightswere slightly depressed from 3 weeks to the end of the study.The crossover mating trial (task 3) revealed that the adverseeffect on ferility involved both treated partners in that littersize decreased when either 1% SMZ males were bred to controlfemales or 1% SMZ females were mated with control males. Afterapproximately 155 days of exposure of F0 mice to 1% SMZ, theterminal body weight of 1% SMZ females was significantly decreasedand that of 1% SMZ males showed a nonsignificant decrease. Inaddition, the liver weight to body weight ratio of the maleswas increased. Further, the prostate and seminal vesicle weightto body weight ratios were decreased in 1% SMZ males relativeto control males. No treatment-related gross or histopathologicallesions were noted for the pituitary or reproductive organsof either sex. Sperm assessment indicated no significant differencein the epididymal sperm concentration or percentage motile orabnormal sperm. In conclusion, SMZ was found to be a reproductivetoxicant in the male and female Swiss CD-1 mouse, albeit atrelatively high dietary intake (1250 mg/kg/day), and in thepresence of mild systemic toxicity.     

Soil Moisture and the Distribution of Two Eucalypts

Although narrow leaved peppermint (Eucalyptus robertsonii Blakely) is obviously better adapted than brown barrel (E. fastigata Deane and Maiden) to shallow soils and exposed aspects within the Australian Commonwealth Territory, the two species may also form a mosaic pattern on apparently similar soils within more sheltered habitats. Here, E. fastigata may be sensitively delimited by small variations in soil properties influencing root movement and penetration of light summer rains.     

Changing patterns in interventional bronchoscopy

Background and objective:   Many interventional tools for airway disorders can now be delivered via flexible bronchoscopy (FB), including neodymium-yttrium aluminium garnet laser, electrocautery, argon plasma coagulation, cryotherapy, balloon dilatation and metal or hybrid stents. Comparison of outcomes for patients undergoing rigid bronchoscopy (RB) with those treated using FB highlights the usefulness of the FB approach.
Methods:   A retrospective medical record review of all interventional bronchoscopy procedures performed at Lahey Clinic over the past 8 years was conducted. Patients were categorized into two groups according to the procedure used, that is, RB (251 patients), and FB (161 patients) groups. Patients with malignancies were included as a separate subgroup, comprising 178 RB and 117 FB patients. For every procedure, the location of the lesion, patient survival from the first interventional procedure performed, and in patients with malignancy, additional treatments received such as chemotherapy and radiation were recorded.
Results:   Ninety per cent of RB procedures were performed in patients with tracheal or main stem lesions, while over half the patients undergoing FB had more distal lesions. A trend towards increasing use of FB for interventional procedures in recent years was noted.
Conclusions:   FB is a valuable alternative to RB for treating less advanced malignant disease or distal airway lesions.     

Anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies in the follow-up of adult coeliac disease

Background  The detection of auto antibodies directed against tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG antibodies) has a well-established role in the diagnosis of coeliac disease, but the value of these antibodies in long-term follow-up is controversial.
Aims  To determine if serial anti-tTG antibody measurements could confirm adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) and identify patients at risk of disease complications.
Methods  In a 54-month cohort follow-up study, 182 adult patients were assessed. Data recorded included self-assessment of GFD adherence; anti-tTG antibody concentration and serum ferritin, vitamin B12 and folate. Where available, bone mineral density (BMD) and duodenal histology data were retrieved.
Results  Persistently elevated anti-tTG antibody levels were significantly associated with abnormal duodenal histology ( P  < 0.001), low ferritin ( P  < 0.01) and poor adherence to the GFD ( P  < 0.001). The specificity was >85% while the sensitivity was 39–60%. Anti-tTG antibody concentrations fell rapidly following successful initiation of a GFD, and maintenance of normalization identified those who continued to be adherent to the diet.
Conclusions  This study supports a strategy of using anti-tTG antibody concentrations to monitor newly diagnosed and established patients with coeliac disease, and to target dietetic intervention to reduce the risk of complication.     

SUBANAESTHETIC DOSAGE OF ALTHESIN AS A SEDATIVE FOR CONSERVATIVE DENTISTRY

A randomized partial cross-over clinical trial of two intravenoustechniques for outpatient conservative dentistry was performedin 61 patients. Subanaes'thetic incremental doses of Althesinwere used at 52 sessions and a single sedative dose of diazepamat 45 sessions. Each technique produced similar cardiovascularand respiratory changes. With Althesin, recovery after operationwas more rapid and there was some evidence of a stronger anxiolyticeffect and of less frequent and less severe thrombophlebitis.In contrast, Althesin was sometimes associated with jaw tremoror shivering and was less frequently mentioned by those patientswho expressed a strong preference for one of the two techniques.