Comparison of microbial growth on primed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuits in varying environments using different priming solutions.

Background: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a life support device for patients with severe heart and/or lung failure. Emergency situations require immediate ECMO response. Primed circuits have become a routine practice, as it may take 30-60 min to assemble and prime.

Fingolimod impairs inactivated vaccine (CoronaVac)-induced antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Background: The impact of disease-modifying treatments on humoral response induced by inactivated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines is understudied.

Methods: We recruited 34 persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) under fingolimod treatment and 25 healthy individuals. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG indices were measured by ELISA in sera of participants after CoronaVac vaccinations.

Peripheral blood B cell subset ratios and expression levels of B cell-associated genes are altered in benign multiple sclerosis.

The interplay between the immune system, sleep dysfunction and cognitive impairment participates in the progression of disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). Our aim was to identify molecular pathways and B cell associated with separate components of MS disability. Benign MS, non-benign MS patients and healthy controls were recruited.

The effects of photobiomodulation on human dermal fibroblasts in vitro: A systematic review.

Photobiomodulation (PBM) is reported to impart a range of clinical benefits, from the healing of chronic wounds to athletic performance enhancement. The increasing prevalence of this therapy conflicts with the lack of understanding concerning specific cellular mechanisms induced by PBM. Herein, we systematically explore the literature base, specifically related to PBM (within the range 600-1070 nm) and its influence on dermal fibroblasts.

Infant milk formulas differ regarding their allergenic activity and induction of T-cell and cytokine responses.

Background: Several hydrolyzed cow's milk (CM) formulas are available for avoidance of allergic reactions in CM-allergic children and for prevention of allergy development in high-risk infants. Our aim was to compare CM formulas regarding the presence of immunoreactive CM components, IgE reactivity, allergenic activity, ability to induce T-cell proliferation, and cytokine secretion.

Methods: A blinded analysis of eight CM formulas, one nonhydrolyzed, two partially hydrolyzed (PH), four extensively hydrolyzed (EH), and one amino acid formula, using biochemical techniques and specific antibody probes was conducted.

Characterization of mutants of a highly cross-reactive calcium-binding protein from Brassica pollen for allergen-specific immunotherapy.

The major turnip (Brassica rapa) pollen allergen, belongs to a family of calcium-binding proteins (i.e., two EF-hand proteins), which occur as highly cross-reactive allergens in pollen of weeds, grasses and trees.

Carrier-bound Alt a 1 peptides without allergenic activity for vaccination against Alternaria alternata allergy.

Background: The mould Alternaria alternata is a major elicitor of allergic asthma. Diagnosis and specific immunotherapy (SIT) of Alternaria allergy are often limited by the insufficient quality of natural mould extracts.

Objective: To investigate whether recombinant Alt a 1 can be used for reliable diagnosis of Alternaria alternata allergy and to develop a safe, non-allergenic vaccine for SIT of Alternaria allergy.

Patients suffering from non-IgE-mediated cow's milk protein intolerance cannot be diagnosed based on IgG subclass or IgA responses to milk allergens.

Background: Cow's milk is one of the most common causes of food allergy. In two-thirds of patients, adverse symptoms following milk ingestion are caused by IgE-mediated allergic reactions, whereas for one-third, the mechanisms are unknown. Aim of this study was to investigate whether patients suffering from non-IgE-mediated cow's milk protein intolerance can be distinguished from persons without cow's milk protein intolerance based on serological measurement of IgG and IgA specific for purified cow's milk antigens.

Carrier-bound, nonallergenic Ole e 1 peptides for vaccination against olive pollen allergy.

Background: Trees of the family Oleaceae (olive and ash) are important allergen sources in Mediterranean countries, Northern and Central Europe, and North America. The major olive pollen allergen Ole e 1 represents the majority of allergenic epitopes in olive pollen and cross-reacts with Fra e 1, the major ash pollen allergen.

Objective: We sought to develop a safe vaccine for the treatment of Oleaceae pollen allergy.

Staphylococcus aureus fibronectin-binding protein specifically binds IgE from patients with atopic dermatitis and requires antigen presentation for cellular immune responses.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus superinfections occur in more than 90% of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and aggravate skin inflammation. S aureus toxins lead to tissue damage and augment T-cell-mediated skin inflammation by a superantigen effect.

Objective: To characterize IgE-reactive proteins from S aureus.

Microarray and allergenic activity assessment of milk allergens.

Background: Cow's milk is one of the most common causes of food allergy affecting approximately 2.5% of infants in the first years of their life. However, only limited information regarding the allergenic activity of individual cow's milk allergens is available.

Visualization of clustered IgE epitopes on alpha-lactalbumin.

Background: alpha-Lactalbumin (alpha-La) is a major cow's milk (CM) allergen responsible for allergic reactions in infants.

Objective: We performed molecular, structural, and immunologic characterization of alpha-La.

Methods: Recombinant alpha-lactalbumin (ralpha-La) was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified to homogeneity, and characterized by means of mass spectrometry and circular dichroism, and its allergenic activity was studied by using microarray technology, as well as in a basophil histamine release assay.

[+49 A/G genetic polymorphism of cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) in type 7 diabetes: association with autoantibodies and cytokines].

Background: Cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) has been one ofthe non HLA genes more commonly studied in type 1 diabetes mellitus (TID). CTLA-4 is a co-stimulation protein that has a key role in the negative regulation ofT cells and is related with a functional cytokine imbalance, generating a T helper (Th) 1 over Th2 dominance.

Aim: To analyze the association of +49 A/G polymorphism of CTLA-4 and its relationship with autoantibodies and cytokine expression in recently diagnosed TID patients.

Characterization of Der p 21, a new important allergen derived from the gut of house dust mites.

Background: The house dust mite (HDM) Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus is a major allergen source eliciting allergic asthma. The aim of the study was to identify new important HDM allergens associated with allergic asthma.

Methods: A cDNA coding for a new mite allergen, designated Der p 21, was isolated using immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies from patients with allergic asthma out of a D.

Different allergenic activity of grass pollen allergens revealed by skin testing.

Background: Grass pollen is one of the most important allergen sources. The aim of this study was to compare the in vivo allergenic activity of two recently characterized major grass pollen allergens, Phl p 4 and Phl p 13, with three established major grass pollen allergens, Phl p 1, Phl p 2 and Phl p 5 as a basis for the formulation of a grass pollen allergy vaccine based on purified allergens.

Material And Methods: Eighty-two grass pollen allergic patients were skin prick tested with serial dilutions of approximately equimolar concentrations of the purified allergens in a double-blind study.

Mast cell-derived proteases control allergic inflammation through cleavage of IgE.

Background: Cross-linking of mast cell-bound IgE releases proinflammatory mediators, cytokines, and proteolytic enzymes and is a key event in allergic inflammation.

Objective: We sought to study the effect of proteases released on effector cell activation on receptor-bound IgE and their possible role in the regulation of allergic inflammation.

Methods: Using molar ratios of purified recombinant tryptase and human IgE, we studied whether tryptase can cleave IgE.

Detection of an allergen in dog dander that cross-reacts with the major cat allergen, Fel d 1.

Background: A considerable proportion of animal-allergic patients are sensitized to both cat and dog allergens but knowledge about cross-reactive allergens in cat and dog dander is limited.

Objective: To investigate whether dog dander contains an allergen that cross-reacts with the major cat allergen, Fel d 1.

Methods: Recombinant Fel d 1 with the same immunological properties as natural Fel d 1 was used for quantitative (CAP) IgE competition experiments performed with sera obtained from cat-allergic patients (n=36).

Exposure to a farming environment has allergen-specific protective effects on TH2-dependent isotype switching in response to common inhalants.

Background: IgE synthesis by human B cells results from allergen-dependent, T(H)2-mediated isotype switching. Exposure to a farming environment protects against IgE responses.

Objective: We reconstructed allergen-dependent switching patterns in vivo to identify the level or levels at which farm exposure acts to protect against atopy.

A pollen-specific polygalacturonase from lily is related to major grass pollen allergens.

A pollen-specific gene from lily (Lilium longiflorum Thunb. cv. Snow Queen), designated LLP-PG, was characterized.

The major allergen of olive pollen Ole e 1 is a diagnostic marker for sensitization to Oleaceae.

Background: Trees of the family Oleaceae are important allergen sources, with a strongly varying geographic distribution. For example, olive pollen is an important allergen source in Mediterranean countries, whereas ash pollen dominates in Northern and Central Europe and North America. The aim of this study was to compare the profiles of olive and ash pollen allergens and to study the degree of cross-reactivity using populations of allergic patients selectively exposed to olive or ash pollen.

Allergen cleavage by effector cell-derived proteases regulates allergic inflammation.

The key event of allergic inflammation, allergen-induced crosslinking of mast cell-bound IgE antibodies, is accompanied by release of inflammatory mediators, cytokines, and proteases, in particular beta-tryptase. We provide evidence that protease-mediated cleavage of allergens represents a mechanism that regulates allergen-induced mast cell activation. When used in molar ratios as they occur in vivo, purified beta-tryptase cleaved major grass and birch pollen allergens, resulting in defined peptide fragments as mapped by mass spectrometry.