Quantification, epitope mapping and genotype cross-reactivity of hepatitis B preS-specific antibodies in subjects vaccinated with different dosage regimens of BM32.

Background: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are a global health problem. There is a need for therapeutic strategies blocking continuous infection of liver cells. The grass pollen allergy vaccine BM32 containing the preS domain of the large HBV surface protein (LHBs) as immunogenic carrier induced IgG antibodies in human subjects inhibiting HBV infection in vitro.

Fast effectiveness of a solubilized low-dose budesonide nasal spray in allergic rhinitis.

Background: Budesonide, a poorly water-soluble corticosteroid, is currently marketed as a suspension. Budesolv is a novel aqueous formulation containing dissolved budesonide showing increased local availability in preclinical models. Budesolv contains ~85% less corticosteroid than the marketed comparator.

Clinical efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy is associated with restoration of steady-state serum lipocalin 2 after SLIT: a pilot study.

Background: So far, only a few biomarkers in allergen immunotherapy exist that are associated with a clinical benefit. We thus investigated in a pilot study whether innate molecules such as the molecule lipocalin-2 (LCN2), with implications in immune tolerance demonstrated in other fields, may discriminate A) between allergic and non-allergic individuals, and B) between patients clinically responding or non-responding to sublingual allergen immunotherapy (SLIT) with house dust mite (HDM) extract. Moreover, we assessed haematological changes potentially correlating with allergic symptoms.

Long-term effects of a house dust mite sublingual immunotherapy tablet in an environmental exposure chamber trial.

Background: Treatment with SQ house dust mite (HDM) sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) tablet is effective for HDM respiratory allergic disease, but data on long-term effects are lacking.

Objective: Post hoc analyses were conducted to determine the long-term effect of SQ HDM SLIT-tablet on nasal, ocular, and cough symptoms 1 year after discontinuation of treatment.

Methods: Study participants underwent environmental exposure chamber (EEC) challenges at baseline and week 24 in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial (NCT01644617) during which participants received daily 12 SQ-HDM, 6 SQ-HDM, or placebo for 24 weeks.

Mechanisms, safety and efficacy of a B cell epitope-based vaccine for immunotherapy of grass pollen allergy.

Background: We have developed a recombinant B cell epitope-based vaccine (BM32) for allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) of grass pollen allergy. The vaccine contains recombinant fusion proteins consisting of allergen-derived peptides and the hepatitis B surface protein domain preS as immunological carrier.

Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled AIT study to determine safety, clinical efficacy and immunological mechanism of three subcutaneous injections of three BM32 doses adsorbed to aluminum hydroxide versus aluminum hydroxide (placebo) applied monthly to grass pollen allergic patients (n=70).

Effect of intensive care after cardiac arrest on patient outcome: a database analysis.

Introduction: The study aimed to determine the impact of treatment frequency, hospital size, and capability on mortality of patients admitted after cardiac arrest for postresuscitation care to different intensive care units.

Methods: Prospectively recorded data from 242,588 adults consecutively admitted to 87 Austrian intensive care units over a period of 13 years (1998 to 2010) were analyzed retrospectively. Multivariate analysis was used to assess the effect of the frequency of postresuscitation care on mortality, correcting for baseline parameters, severity of illness, hospital size, and capability to perform coronary angiography and intervention.

Peripheral erythrocytes decrease upon specific respiratory challenge with grass pollen allergen in sensitized mice and in human subjects.

Background And Aims: Specific hyper-responsiveness towards an allergen and non-specific airway hyperreactivity both impair quality of life in patients with respiratory allergic diseases. We aimed to investigate cellular responses following specific and non-specific airway challenges locally and systemically in i) sensitized BALB/c mice challenged with grass pollen allergen Phl p 5, and in ii) grass pollen sensitized allergic rhinitis subjects undergoing specific airway challenge in the Vienna Challenge Chamber (VCC).

Methods And Results: BALB/c mice (n = 20) were intraperitoneally immunized with grass pollen allergen Phl p 5 and afterwards aerosol challenged with either the specific allergen Phl p 5 (n = 10) or the non-specific antigen ovalbumin (OVA) (n = 10).

Prevalence and prognosis of COPD in critically ill patients between 1998 and 2008.

The epidemiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in critically ill patients is largely unknown. The aims of the study were: 1) to determine whether COPD, either as the cause of intensive care unit (ICU) admission or as a comorbid condition, is an independent risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality; and 2) to investigate time trends in proportion and outcome of acute respiratory failure in patients with COPD admitted to ICUs. Prospectively recorded data from 194 453 adults consecutively admitted to 87 Austrian ICUs over a period of 11 years (1998-2008) were retrospectively analysed.

Development of demographics and outcome of very old critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units.

Purpose: To evaluate the development of demographics and outcome of very old (>80 years) critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units.

Setting: All consecutive patients admitted to 41 Austrian intensive care units (ICUs) over an 11-year period.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected data.