Mortality rate of lip, oral cavity and pharynx malignant tumors in Serbia within a period 1991-2009.

Background/aim: Lip, oral cavity and pharynx malignant tumors account for 3.7% of all cancer deaths worldwide, with significant geographic variations in frequency and distribution. The aim of this descriptive epidemiologic study was to analyze the mortality rate of lip, oral cavity and pharynx malignant tumors in Serbia proper within a period 1991-2009.

IgE cross-reactivity between meadow fescue pollen and kiwi fruit in patients' sera with sensitivity to both extracts.

Background: The presence of IgE reactivity to kiwi fruit and grass pollen allergens which could be caused by cross-reactivity has been detected in many patients with allergy. Proper identification of allergens as well as cross-reactive components is essential for understanding fruit- and pollen-associated hypersensitivity.

Methods: Using the sera from the polysensitized patients with specific IgE to grass pollen and kiwi fruit we tested reactivity to both allergen sources.

Isolation and biochemical characterization of a thaumatin-like kiwi allergen.

Background: Kiwi fruit allergy, as well as its association with hypersensitivity to other foods and to pollen, has been extensively reported in the last few years. Several IgE-binding components have been detected in kiwi extract, but only one 30- kd allergen has been isolated; it was identified as actinidin (Act c 1). Recently, we have reported a 24-kd kiwi protein to be a potential major allergen in a group of patients with oral allergy syndrome (OAS).

The influence of a residual group in low-molecular-weight allergoids of Artemisia vulgaris pollen on their allergenicity, IgE- and IgG-binding properties.

Background: Reaction of epsilon-amino groups of lysine with potassium cyanate, maleic, or succinic anhydride leads to allergoids of low molecular weight. No study has been performed to compare their properties and investigate the influence of a residual group on allergenicity and human IgE- and IgG-binding of these derivatives.

Methods: Allergoids of a pollen extract of Artemisia vulgaris were obtained by means of potassium cyanate, and succinic and maleic anhydride.

Isolation and partial characterization of Fes p 4 allergen.

More than 75% of grass pollen-allergic patients produce specific IgE antibodies against group-4 allergens. Purification and characterization of different grass group-4 allergens should help to further understand their allergenicity. In this study, an attempt was made to isolate and characterize Fes p 4 allergen by several biochemical and immunochemical methods.