Purification and characterization of a major cross-reactive allergen from Epicoccum purpurascens.

Background: Epicoccum purpurascens (formerly nigrum) (EP), is a ubiquitous saprophytic mould found both indoors and outdoors. Several studies have reported sensitization to EP in 5-7% of different populations worldwide. The diagnosis of mould allergy requires a standardized fungal extract that contains all its important allergenic proteins.

Systemic absorption of FD&C blue dye associated with patient mortality.

The addition of FD&C blue dye to enteral feeds is a common practice in hospitals to detect aspiration. However, the degree of systemic absorption and safety of this dye in critically ill patients has not been studied. A patient with sepsis who died after systemic absorption of FD&C blue dye No1 is described.

Purification and characterization of a cross-reactive 45-kD major allergen of Fusarium solani.

Background: Fusarium solani (FS) is an important source of fungal allergen. A 45-kD major allergen of FS showed reactivity with patients' sera sensitive to many fungi.

Objectives: To purify and characterize a 45-kD common allergenic protein from FS, which may be useful for the diagnosis of and therapy for fungal allergy.

Effect of various stabilizing agents on Imperata cylindrica grass pollen allergen extract.

Background: Allergen extracts are unstable, heat labile or susceptible to proteases. Stability of allergen extracts is important for proper diagnosis and therapy of allergic disorders.

Objective: The present study was undertaken to determine the preservation and stabilization conditions of Imperata cylindrica (Ic) grass pollen extract.

Prodrug and covalent linker strategies for the solubilization of dual-action antioxidants/iron chelators.

Water soluble prodrugs of hybrid free radical scavenger/iron chelating molecules, based on 3,5-disubstituted-4-hydroxyphenyl derivatives and 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4(1H)-pyridinone (deferiprone), have been prepared. Related hybrid molecules containing a covalent poly(ethylene)glycol or an amine linker were also synthesized.

Antigenic and allergenic cross-reactivity of Epicoccum nigrum with other fungi.

Background: Previous studies have identified Epicoccum nigrum (EN) as an important aeroallergen. Shared allergenicity among some fungi responsible for type I allergic disorders has been reported.

Objective: To study the cross-reactivity among different fungi and to identify immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgE binding components shared between EN and 10 other fungi known to cause respiratory allergy.

Allergenic cross-reactivity of Curvularia lunata with other airborne fungal species.

Background: Curvularia lunata is an important fungus for respiratory allergic disorders. Previous studies indicated cross-reactivity of Curvularia with other fungi. However, the cross-reactive allergenic component (s) were not identified.

Comparative evaluation of market spacer and home made spacer in the management of bronchial asthma.

Introduction: A study was conducted to compare the efficacy of market available spacer (with valve) and home made spacer (without valve)--Bislery bottle.

Material And Methods: Fifteen patients of bronchial asthma were included in the study. With the use of both devices there was significant bronchodilator effect.

Identification of cross-reactive proteins amongst different Curvularia species.

Background: Curvularia lunata is an important inhalant allergen. The present study was undertaken to investigate the shared IgG- and IgE-binding components among seven Curvularia species prevalent in the aerospora.

Methods: Seven different Curvularia species were grown in a semisynthetic medium for 13 days.

HIV-1 reverse transcriptase mutations found in a drug-experienced patient confer reduced susceptibility to multiple nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) genotypes were obtained from 13 patients treated with stavudine. No previously-reported mutations indicative of stavudine resistance were found in these patients and no novel mutations occurred in more than two patients. One patient, treated with stavudine for 1 month and treated previously with zidovudine, zalcitabine and lamivudine, carried a mutation at codon 75 of the RT (V75M).

Are all older adults with persistent pain created equal? Preliminary evidence for a multiaxial taxonomy.

Background: Persistent pain is grossly undertreated in older adult sufferers, despite its high prevalence in this age group. Because of its multidimensional impacts, including depression, sleep disruption and physical disability, patients with persistent pain often benefit from interdisciplinary pain clinic treatment. This treatment is expensive, however, and may not be required by all patients.

Standardizing Imperata cylindrica--source material for quality allergen preparations.

Background: Tropical countries experience wide variations in daytime temperature and relative humidity. This affects the quality of the source material used for allergen extracts. The present study was undertaken to standardize the processing and preservation conditions of Imperata cylindrica grass pollen.

Infections caused by Gemella spp.: case reports from India.

Human infections caused by Gemella spp. are rare. We report here our experience of the isolation of species of Gemellae from various clinical samples.

Emergence of drug resistance mutations in a group of HIV-infected children taking nelfinavir-containing regimens.

HIV-1-infected children are often treated with therapy regimens including protease inhibitors (PIs). We monitored the virologic response in a small group of pediatric patients undergoing therapy with regimens including the PI nelfinavir and determined whether new drug resistance mutations were present immediately after virologic failure. Seventeen reverse transcriptase inhibitor (RTI)-experienced children starting nelfinavir-containing therapy regimens were studied.

Sarcoidosis manifested as hypercalcemic pancreatitis.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease of unknown etiology and with protean manifestations. Pancreatic involvement is unusual, with only a few case reports in the literature. Granulomatous infiltration is the usual cause.

Response of Mycobacterium habana vaccine in patients with lepromatous leprosy and their household contacts. A pilot clinical study.

Single dose vaccination was carried out with Mycobacterium habana vaccine, 31 lepromatous leprosy cases receiving 1.5 mg (1.5 mg = 6.

Prevalence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in patients with bronchial asthma.

Two Hundred patients with bronchial asthma were studied to identify the prevalence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). The patients selected required intermittent short courses of steroids and their mean duration of illness was 12 years. Absolute eosinophil count was > 500/mm3 in 53% of the cases.

Lipoprotein(a) and coronary heart disease in Indian population.

Objective: Present study was undertaken to evaluate the role of lipoprotein(a) in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients and its relationship with other established risk factors.

Methods: Blood samples of 67 control patients (non-cardiovascular problems) and 222 CHD patients (> or = 4 weeks post myocardial infarction) were analyzed. Lipoprotein(a) was measured in serum samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay utilizing rabbit polyclonal antibodies against purified human Lp(a).

Allergens of Epicoccum nigrum grown in different media for quality source material.

Background: The Epicoccum nigrum (EN) extract used in allergy disorders exhibits batch-to-batch variations in protein composition and allergenic potency. In this study, the allergens of EN grown in different media were investigated.

Methods: EN was grown in five different nutrient media as stationary cultures at 25 degrees C for 5-23 days.