Immunoelectron-microscopic localization of IgE binding site of mugwort pollen

To elucidate the IgE binding site of mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris r.) pollen, pollen grains were frozen and fixed using a cryocut. They were incubated with antibodies according to the following sequence: Sera pool of individuals who showed mugwort-RAST class 3 or 4, biotin-labeled goat anti-human IgE antibody, streptavidin-peroxidase and diaminobenzidine. Then, they were observed under electron microscopy. The control section was incubated with the sera pool from individuals who showed a negative result on a skin prick test to mugwort pollen. Antigenic activity (electrondense line) was noted on the surface of the exine. There was no activity in cytoplasm or the intine layer. The control section was completely free of activity. It was suggested that the IgE binding site of mugwort pollen was present on the surface of the exine.

G- and D-cell populations, serum and tissue concentrations of gastrin and somatostatin in patients with peptic ulcer diseases

BACKGROUND

Gastric acid is the most important pathophysiologic determinant in the development of peptic ulcer diseases, and gastrin and somatostatin are believed to be physiologic hormonal regulators in gastric acid secretion. The aim of this study is to investigate patterns of these peptides, both in serum and in tissue, and to correlate with numbers of their secretory cells in the antral and the duodenal bulb mucosa.

METHODS

The study population was made up of 256 patients with peptic ulcer (duodenal ulcer, 127; gastric ulcer, 74) and 55 patients with non-ulcer control subjects. Serum and mucosal concentrations of G17, G34 and somatostatin were measured by radioimmunoassay technique and peptides producing cells were identified immunohistochemically using peroxidase-antiperoxidase staining technique.

RESULTS

Serum G17 concentration was significantly decreased in duodenal ulcer patients (93.4 +/- 36.0 pg/ml) and G34 were more than twice as high as G17 both in patients with gastric and duodenal ulcer (210.6 +/- 50.6 pg/ml and 202.7 +/- 48.1 pg/ml vs 103.8 +/- 41.8 pg/ml and 93.4 +/- 36.0 pg/ml). Antral G17 (19.9 +/- 14.8 mcg/g, tissue) and G34 (26.6 +/- 18.5 mcg/g, tissue) were increased in duodenal ulcer patients and duodenal G17 (12.5 +/- 9.5 mcg/g. tissue in Gu and 8.5 +/- 7.4 mcg/g. tissue in DU) and G34 (15.7 +/- 12.6 mcg/g. tissue in GU and 13.9 +/- 12.0 mcg/g. tissue in DU) concentrations were found to be increased in both gastric and duodenal ulcer patients than in non-ulcer subjects (G17: 5.3 +/- 4.9 mcg/g. tissue. G34: 6.5 +/- 4.4 mcg/g. tissue). Only the antral somatostatin concentration was significantly increased in duodenal ulcer patients (5.3 +/- 5.9 mcg/g. tissue). Numbers of the antral G- and D-cell were lowest in GU patients (48.1 +/- 47.4 and 7.9 +/- 12.3) and numbers of both cells decreased proportionately with the severity of atrophic gastritis and/or intestinal metaplasia of the gastric mucosa. D/G cell ratio between non-ulcer subjects and DU patients was similar (1:4 and 1:5) but slightly increased in GU patients (1:7). There was no correlation between numbers of each peptide-producing cells and serum or mucosal concentration of gastrin and somatostatin.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with duodenal ulcer had decreased level of serum G17 in the fasting state while mucosal concentrations of G17 and G34 were increased in the antrum and the duodenal bulb. Patients with gastric ulcer had increased levels of G17 and G34 only in the duodenal bulb mucosa. Only the antral somatostatin concentration was significantly increased in duodenal ulcer patients. Patients with gastric ulcer had lowest numbers of G- and D-cells in the antrum and numbers of both cells decreased proportionately with the degree of chronic atrophic gastritis and/or intestinal metaplasia of the gastric antrum. Numbers of G- and D-cells were not correlated with the serum or mucosal concentrations of each peptide.

Acute appendicitis in patients with acute leukemia

The decision to operate for abdominal pain in patients with leukopenia can be exceedingly difficult. Surgical exploration may be the only effective way to differentiate acute appendicitis from other causes, but it involves considerable risk of infectious complications due to immunosuppression. Leukemic patients, who presented significant RLQ pain, had been indicated for operation, despite having advanced disease or having had received chemotherapy or steroids. Four adult leukemia patients, complicated by acute appendicitis, were reviewed. Two patients were in induction chemotherapy, one receiving salvage chemotherapy due to relapse and the other was in conservative treatment. Two patients were acute myelocytic leukemia (AML), one had acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), and the other had aleukemic leukemia. All patients underwent appendectomy and recovered without complication. Our experience supports the theory that the surgical management of appendicitis in acute leukemia is the most effective way, in spite of leukopenia.

Heterogeneity of IgE antibody response to reactive dye in sera from four different sensitized workers

We studied RAST and RAST inhibition tests to black GR, the most frequent sensitizer among several reactive dyes in our previous study, in order to evaluate the specificity of IgE antibodies to hapten or new antigenic determinants and the crossreactivity between two reactive dyes, black GR and orange 3R, in sera from four different sensitized workers. RAST inhibition studies with black GR-human serum albumin (HSA) conjugate discs demonstrated that black GR-HSA conjugates were the most effective inhibitors. Orange 3R-HSA conjugates, unconjugated forms of black GR and orange 3R were weak inhibitors in two patients and non-inhibitory in one patient, whereas they caused strong dose-dependent inhibitions in one patient. These results suggested that the IgE response to black GR-HSA conjugates might be heterogenous and the crossreactivity between two reactive dyes differed from one patient to another.

Clinical and immunological evaluation of isocyanate-exposed workers

Isocyanates are the most significant cause of occupational asthma in our country. To evaluate the prevalence of work-related respiratory symptoms and immunologic sensitization to it, we performed a questionnaire survey, allergy skin test, radioallergosorbent test (RAST) to toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-human serum albumin (HSA) conjugate and methacholine bronchial challenge test on 23 isocyanate-exposed employees and 9 unexposed controls working in a zipper factory. Six employees (26.1%) complained of work-related respiratory symptoms and three symptomatic workers showed significant bronchoconstrictions on TDI-bronchoprovocation test. Three (13%) asymptomatic workers had high specific IgE antibodies to TDI-HSA and none of the TDI-sensitive asthmatic workers had specific IgE antibody. One of the TDI-sensitive asthmatic workers showed a negative result on the initial methacholine bronchial challenge test, but bronchial hyperresponsiveness developed after the TDI challenge. It was suggested that TDI-sensitive asthma was noted in three (13%) of 23 exposed workers and that asymptomatic workers could have high specific IgE antibody. Measurement of the changes in bronchial hyperresponsiveness after the TDI challenge could be helpful to diagnose TDI-sensitive asthma.

Strain difference in phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase activity and immunoreactivity of medulla oblongata of Sprague-Dawley and Long-Evans hooded rats

Previously, we reported that retinal phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) activity of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats was significantly higher than that of Long-Evans (LE) hooded rats. However, there were no noticeable differences observed in PNMT-immunostaining patterns between the retinae of LE and SD rats. In order to examine this discrepancy, we extended this study to areas of the medulla oblongata harboring PNMT-containing cell bodies. In the present report, we demonstrate that the enzyme activity as well as the immunoreactivity of PNMT in medulla oblongata of SD rats were significantly higher than that observed in the LE strain.

Sodium salicylate sensitivity in an asthmatic patient with aspirin sensitivity

Non-acetylated salicylates have been recommended for use as alternatives to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in aspirin and/or tartrazine-sensitive patients. We experienced a case of an aspirin-sensitive asthmatic patient who developed a broncho-obstructive reaction after taking 100 mg of sodium salicylate. The result of this study suggests that sodium salicylate may cross-react with aspirin in aspirin-and tartrazine-sensitive patients.

The significance of specific IgG and IgG4 antibodies to a reactive dye in exposed workers

To evaluate the significance of specific IgG and specific IgG4 in the development of work-related respiratory symptoms, specific IgG and specific IgG4 to Black GR-human serum albumin (HSA) conjugate were measured by ELISA in 309 dye-exposed workers and 63 unexposed patients as negative controls. A survey revealed that 78 (25.2%) had work-related lower respiratory symptoms with or without nasal, skin or eye symptoms. Specific IgG and specific IgG4 were detected in 23% and 14% of the exposed workers, respectively. The prevalence of specific IgG and specific IgG4 was significantly higher in smokers and workers with specific IgE or those with lower respiratory symptoms (P less than 0.05), but was not associated with work station, duration of dye exposure or atopy. These results suggested that the existence of specific IgG to Black GR-HSA might represent a response to Black GR exposure and be closely related with work-related respiratory symptoms.

Proximity relationships between sites on myosin and actin. Resonance energy transfer determination of the following distances, using a hybrid myosin: those between Cys-55 on the Mercenaria regulatory light chain, SH-1 on the Aequipecten myosin heavy chain, and Cys-374 of actin

Resonance energy transfer measurements have been made on hybrid myosins in order to map distances between sites on the regulatory light chain, heavy chain, and actin as well as to assess potential conformational changes of functional importance. Using scallop (Aequipecten) myosin hybrid molecules possessing clam (Mercenaria) regulatory light chains, we have been able to map the distance between Cys-55 on the regulatory light chain and the fast-reacting thiol on the myosin heavy chain (SH-1). This distance is shown to be approximately 6.4 nm, and it is not altered by the presence or absence of Ca2+, MgATP, or actin. Experiments performed at low ionc strength on heavy meromyosin (HMM) derived from these hybrid myosins gave results similar to those performed on the soluble parent myosin preparations. The distances between Cys-374 on actin and each of the above sites were also measured. Mercenaria regulatory light-chain Cys-55, within the hybrid myosin molecule, was found to be greater than 8.0 nm away from actin Cys-374. Scallop heavy-chain SH-1 is shown to be approximately 4.5 nm away from actin Cys-374, in broad agreement with earlier measurements made by others in nonregulatory myosins. The significance of our results is discussed with respect to putative conformational changes within the region of the heavy chain connecting SH-1 to the N-terminal region of the light chain.

The prevalence of specific IgE and IgG to reactive dye-human serum albumin conjugate in workers of a dye factory and neighboring factories

Previous studies suggest that reactive dyes can induce IgE mediated bronchoconstrictions. To evaluate the significance of specific IgE and IgG antibodies in workers exposed to reactive dyes, we studied the prevalence of Black GR-specific IgG by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, as well as Black GR-specific IgE by RAST, in 176 workers employed in 1 reactive dye factory and 4 neighboring factories. Six employees of reactive dye asthma who were working in factories near the reactive dye factories were noted. The prevalence of specific IgE antibodies in the neighboring factories was higher than in that of the reactive dye factory. The prevalence of specific IgG was highest in the reactive dye factory, and those of the neighboring factories were markedly lower. It was suggested that IgE mediated sensitization to reactive dye could have occurred in employees who were working in neighboring factories, and the prevalence of reactive dye-specific IgG antibody could be used as an in direct method of assessing the exposure of workers to reactive dye.

Clinical and immunologic evaluations of reactive dye-exposed workers

To evaluate type 1 hypersensitivity to reactive dyes, its prevalence, and its relationship to respiratory dysfunction, we studied clinical and immunologic features, including skin prick tests. RAST, and bronchoprovocation tests, of 309 employees working in a reactive-dye industry. Our survey revealed that 78 (25.2%) employees had work-related lower respiratory symptoms associated with or without nasal, skin, or eye symptoms. Among these employees, 38 (48.7%) had nonspecific bronchial reactivity. Thirteen demonstrated immediate (6), dual (6), or late only (1) asthmatic responses after inhalation of four kinds of reactive-dye solutions. Twenty-five employees demonstrated immediate skin responses to black GR dye, and 21 reacted to orange 3R. Fifty-three employees (17%) had specific serum IgE antibody against black GR and orange 3R-human serum albumin conjugate. Specific IgE was detected more frequently in symptomatic employees (30%) and smokers (100%). No association was found between atopy and specific IgE binding. The RAST-inhibition tests of black GR revealed significant inhibitions by black GR-human serum albumin conjugate and minimal inhibitions by unconjugated black GR. Orange 3R RAST-inhibition tests revealed significant inhibitions by conjugated forms of black GR and orange 3R and some inhibitions by two unconjugated dyes, suggesting an immunologic cross-reactivity between these dyes. These findings suggested that reactive dyes could induce immunologic responses, most likely IgE-mediated.

Cellular energy metabolism and regulation

Consistent with the increased demand for nutrients imposed by lactation and growth, those tissues directly involved in the digestion, absorption, and processing of the required additional nutrients show response to these states. During lactation, the rumen, upper intestine, and liver increase in size, and more energy is spent on Na+,K+ transport and on protein turnover. The massive endocrine influences during lactation suggest that the metabolism of other tissues besides these and mammary tissue would be influenced, but evidence is rather sparse. Ion transport and protein metabolism in some muscles may indeed be increased. Although substrate cycles characteristically account for a substantially smaller portion of the energy expenditure in the intact animal than do ion transport and protein turnover, stage of lactation influences some of these cycles, particularly the triacylglycerol fatty acid cycle. The needs for additional quantitative in vivo measurements of metabolic conversions and for mechanistic model description of metabolic events in nonmammary tissues are discussed.

A restriction fragment length polymorphism in the pigeon pro alpha 2(1) collagen gene: lack of an allelic association with an atherogenic phenotype in pigeons genetically susceptible to the development of spontaneous atherosclerosis

A high frequency restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) at the 3'-end of the pigeon pro alpha 2(1) collagen gene was detected using the restriction endonuclease EcoR1. The distribution of this allelic variant was analyzed in DNA isolated from White Carneau pigeons genetically susceptible to the development of spontaneous atherosclerosis. The atherogenic phenotype in individual pigeons was measured by the determination of total cholesterol and cholesterol ester levels in the celiac focus of the thoracic aorta of adult White Carneau pigeons. Aortic wall cholesterol levels correlated with an increase in lesion size. No correlation, however, was observed between allelic variants of the pigeon pro alpha 2(1) collagen gene and the atherogenic phenotype in White Carneau pigeons suggesting lack of linkage between this allelic marker and the genetic susceptibility to spontaneous atherogenesis. This is the first study of its kind in this animal model and serves to provide a basis for the further analysis of co-segregation of RFLPS in candidate genes to this polygenic phenotype.

Significant changes of bronchial responsiveness to methacholine after early asthmatic reaction to toluene diisocyanate (TDI) in a TDI-sensitive asthmatic worker

Current asthma is often diagnostically excluded by the presence of normal bronchial responsiveness. We report on a TDI-induced occupational asthma patient with normal bronchial responsiveness. He had suffered from shortness of breath during and after TDI exposure for several months. His initial methacholine bronchial challenge test showed a negative response. The bronchoprovacation test with TDI showed an isolated immediate bronchoconstriction. The following methacholine bronchial challenge tests revealed that the bronchial hyperresponsiveness developed seven hours after the TDI challenge (methacholine PC20:5.1 mg/ml), progressed up until 24 hours, and returned to normal on the seventh day. This case provides evidence that the response of the airway to TDI may not always be accompanied by bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine. Screening programs utilizing methacholine challenges may not always identify TDI-sensitized asthmatic workers.

Application of a new approach for the quantitation of drug synergism to the combination of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum and 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine

This report describes the application of a new approach, the universal response surface approach, to the quantitative assessment of drug interaction, i.e., the determination of synergism, antagonism, additivity, potentiation, inhibition, and coalitive action. The specific drug combination and experimental growth system for this introductory application was that of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) and cisplatin with simultaneous drug exposure (1, 3, 6, 12, or 48 h) against L1210 leukemia in vitro. To quantitate the type and degree of drug interaction, a model was fitted using nonlinear regression to the data from each separate experiment, and parameters were estimated (K. C. Syracuse and W. R. Greco, Proc. Biopharm. Sect. Am. Stat. Assoc., 127-132, 1986). The parameters included the maximum cell density over background in absence of drug, the background cell density in presence of infinite drug, the 50% inhibitory concentrations and concentration-effect slopes for each drug, and a synergism-antagonism parameter, alpha. A positive alpha indicates synergism, a negative alpha, antagonism, and a zero alpha, additivity. Maximal synergy was found with a 3-h exposure of ara-C + cisplatin, with alpha = 3.08 +/- 0.96 (SE) and 2.44 +/- 0.70 in two separate experiments. Four different graphic representations of the raw data and fitted curves provide visual indications of goodness of fit of the estimated dose-response surface to the data and visual indications of the intensity of drug interaction. The universal response surface approach is mathematically consistent with the traditional isobologram approach but is more objective, is more quantitative, and is more easily automated. Although specifically developed for in vitro cancer chemotherapy applications, the universal response surface approach should prove to be useful in the fields of pharmacology, toxicology, epidemiology, and biomedical science in general.

Reactive dye induced occupational asthma without nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity

Current asthma is often excluded by the presence of normal bronchial hyperresponsiveness. We report two asthmatic patients with normal bronchial hyperresponsiveness and one asthmatic patient with mild bronchial hyperresponsiveness (methacholine PC20; 24 mg/ml) which was presumed to be caused by sensitization and exposure to Black GR, the most frequent sensitizer among reactive dyes. They all complained of lower respiratory symptoms after work as well as at the workstation. The bronchoprovocation test with Black GR revealed isolated immediate bronchoconstrictions in all 3 patients and all had high specific IgE antibodies to Black GR-human serum albumin conjugate. After one worker continued at work for 3 days, he experienced a marked drop of methacholine PC20, and it returned to the pre-exposure level during 1 week. The other patient whose initial methacholine challenge was negative developed bronchial hyperresponsiveness on the first day after the dye bronchoprovocation, and returned to normal bronchial hyperresponsiveness on the third day. These findings suggested that patients with occupational asthma caused by reactive dye may not always have bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine, and the screening program utilizing methacholine challenges may not always identify these patients.

Strain differences between albino and pigmented rats in monoamine-synthesizing enzyme activities of brain, retina and adrenal gland

The present study compared the activities of some of the monoamine synthesizing enzymes in several brain regions, the retina as well as adrenal gland of albino Sprague-Dawley (SD) and Long-Evans hooded (LE) rats. Brainstem, hypothalamic and retinal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity were significantly higher in LE than in SD. In addition to higher enzyme activity, a larger number of TH-immunoreactive perikarya as well as a higher concentration of TH-immunoreactive processes were observed in the retina of LE rats. There was no strain difference in TH activity of caudate nucleus (CN) and substantia nigra (SN). In contrast to brain regions and retina, adrenal TH activity was markedly higher in SD than in LE animals. Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) activity of both the brainstem and adrenal gland in the LE strain was lower than in SD animals. No differences in the AADC activity of hypothalamus, SN and CN were found between LE and SD strains. Phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) activity of the hypothalamus, retina and adrenal gland of LE strains was significantly lower than in SD rats. In spite of the difference in the enzyme activity, there were no marked morphological changes observed in PNMT-immunostaining patterns between the retina of LE and SD rats. Tryptophan hydroxylase activity of both the brainstem and hypothalamus did not exhibit strain differences.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of thiamine deficiency on hepatic cytochromes P450 and drug-metabolizing enzyme activities

To elucidate the mechanisms by which thiamine deficiency affects hepatic microsomal monooxygenase activities, the effect of thiamine deficiency on two constitutive cytochrome P450 isozymes, P450IIE1 and P450IIC11, was investigated, using weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats. The clinical signs of thiamine deficiency were apparent after feeding a thiamine-deficient diet for 3 weeks. Thiamine deficiency caused an increase in P450IIE1, which was determined by N-nitrosodimethylamine demethylase assay and immunoquantitation of P450IIE1. This increase in the P450IIE1 level was mainly attributed to thiamine deficiency per se but not to dietary restriction. Ketone bodies were not elevated in thiamine-deficient rats, whereas ketone bodies were elevated and may have served as inducing factors in calorically restricted pair-fed animals. Injections of pyruvate or pyrithiamine in addition to thiamine deficiency did not potentiate the induction effect. On the other hand, thiamine deficiency did not affect the level of P450IIC11 during the 3 weeks of feeding the thiamine-deficient diet. In addition, thiamine deficiency increased cytosolic glutathione S-transferase activity but not steroid isomerase activity. The present study demonstrates the specificity of thiamine deficiency per se in the induction of P450IIE1 which does not involve an increase in the ketone body level.

Changes in vascular extracellular matrix accumulation reflect phenotypic differences between the arterial wall of pigeons resistant and susceptible to the development of spontaneous atherosclerosis

White Carneau pigeons have previously been shown to be genetically susceptible to the development of spontaneous atherogenesis. The severity of development of atheromatous lesions is considerably greater than a more resistant breed of Show Racer pigeons. Analysis of levels of total hydroxyproline and isodesmosine in the thoracic aorta and celiac bifurcation of prelesion, six-week-old White Carneau and Show Racer pigeons, revealed an increased accumulation of total collagen and cross-linked elastin in the White Carneau arterial tissue. Using dot blot hybridization, measurements of steady state levels of several mRNAs in total RNA extracted from pigeon aortic tissue were also determined. While the increased deposition of extracellular matrix proteins was paralleled by a significantly greater recovery of mRNAs coding for pro alpha 1(1) collagen and elastin, in RNA extracted from White Carneau aortal tissue, increased recovery of mRNAs coding for an intracellular protein, gamma-actin were also observed in White Carneau aortal tissue. No differences in steady state levels of mRNAs coding for pro alpha 1(1) collagen and elastin were observed in RNA extracted from pigeon liver, suggesting a tissue specific increase in the mRNAs coding for these connective tissue proteins in aorta. A markedly reduced cell population however, was responsible for this overall increase in biosynthetic activity in White Carneau pigeon aortic tissue. This was demonstrated by a reduced cell count and by the recovery of reduced levels of total DNA in the thoracic aorta and celiac bifurcation of the White Carneau pigeon. The cell population in White Carneau aortic tissue exhibits therefore a markedly different phenotype with respect to a capacity for the biosynthesis of extracellular and intracellular proteins.

Identification and partial purification of pollen allergens from Artemisia princeps

The pollen of Artemisia has been considered as the main late summer-autumn allergen source in this country. To identify its allergenic components, Artemisia princeps pollen extracts were separated by 10% sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and transferred to nitrocellulose membrane, where IgE binding components were detected by the reaction with sera of twenty Artemisia-allergic patients and 125I-anti-human IgE, sixteen components in the molecular range of 10,000 and 85,000 daltons were detected. Twelve bands bound to IgE from 50% of the sera tested, and two bands (37,000, 23,000 daltons) showed the highest (85%) frequency of IgE-binding in twenty sera tested. When the gel of SDS-PAGE with Artemisia pollen extracts was sliced into 11 allergenic groups (AG) and the protein of each AG was obtained by the gel elution method, the wormwool-RAST inhibition test showed that the AG 10 demonstrated to be the most potent, and the AG 7 was the next. Six AGs showed significant responses (more than 100% of wheal size to histamine, 1 mg/ml) on the skin prick test in more than 50% of the patients tested. It is suggested that electrophoretic transfer analysis with SDS-PAGE may be a valuable method for Artemisia allergen identification, and the possibility of partial purification of allergens by employing gel elution is discussed.

Oral provocation tests with aspirin and food additives in asthmatic patients

Aspirin and food additives are known to induce bronchoconstriction, angioedema or urticaria in susceptible patients. To evaluate the incidence of hypersensitivity to aspirin and food additives, 36 subjects with bronchial asthma, 33 of whom were non-allergic asthmatics and 3 were allergic asthmatics who had a history of aspirin sensitivity, were challenged orally with six compounds: acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), sodium bisulfite, tartrazine, sodium benzoate, 4-hydroxy benzoic acid, and monosodium L-glutamate. Significant bronchoconstrictions were found in 15 (41.7%) of the 36 subjects tested. Eight of the 15 subjects showed positive asthmatic responses to the aspirin, two showed asthmatic responses to the food additives, and five responded to both aspirin and the food additives. It is suggested that ASA and food additives could be causes of clinically significant bronchoconstriction in moderately severe non-allergic asthmatic patients.

The comparison of allergic responses to Dermatophagoides farinae between bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis

The allergic responses of 52 bronchial asthma patients who exhibited a positive bronchoprovocation test with house dust and 50 allergic rhinitis patients who had positive RAST results to Dermatophagoides farinae (D. farinae) were studied, including the measurement of D. farinae-specific IgE using D. farinae-RAST, total IgE and skin reactivity to D. farinae and house dust. A comparison between the allergic rhinitis group in which methacholine PC20 was more than 4.66 mg/mL and the allergic rhinitis group which presented negative results in the methacholine bronchial challenge test, indicated that there were significant differences in skin test reactivity and the ratio of specific IgE to total IgE (P less than .05). The allergic responses we observed were not different between the allergic rhinitis group in which methacholine PC20 was less than 4.66 mg/mL (asthmatic range of methacholine PC20) and the allergic rhinitis group in which methacholine PC20 was more than 4.66 mg/mL. When comparing the bronchial asthma group which showed positive results in D. farinae-RAST and the allergic rhinitis group in which methacholine PC20 was less than 4.66 mg/mL, significant differences were noted in total IgE level (P less than .05). These findings suggest that the development of bronchial asthma in patients with allergic rhinitis might be predicted by measuring the degree of bronchial hyperreactivity and their allergic responses.

Occupational asthma and IgE antibodies to reactive dyes

Reactive dyes have been widely used in recent years. This paper reports nine cases of immediate type occupational asthma to reactive dyes in one dye industry. All patients had had asthmatic symptoms, four had had rhinitis and they had worked for 6 to 25 months. Skin prick tests with reactive dyes were positive and bronchoprovocation tests also produced immediate or dual types of bronchoconstriction. We used the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) technique with nitrocellulose filter paper as a solid phase to detect specific IgE to four reactive dye-human serum albumin conjugates. High specific IgE binding was found in eight asthmatic workers compared with 13 negative controls. The RAST inhibition test revealed that there was no immunological cross-reactivity between 4 reactive dyes. These results suggested that the mechanism of their asthmatic symptoms was immunological, mostly an IgE-mediate reaction.

Structure of the beta-form of poly d(A).poly d(U)

The crystalline beta-form of the sodium salt of poly d(A).poly d(U) trapped in oriented fibers forms a Watson-Crick base-paired, 10(1) double-helix of pitch 3.2 nm. Two molecules are present in a monoclinic unit cell apparently isomorphous with beta-poly d(A).poly d(T). The two chains in each molecule both carry C2'-endo puckered furanose rings but are conformationally not identical. The orientations of the A:U base-pairs relative to the helix-axis are distinctly different from those in classical B-DNA and the overall morphology of the duplex in which they reside resembles that of the alpha-forms of poly (purine).poly (pyrimidine) DNA duplexes previously reported.