Augmenting Denver criteria yields increased BCVI detection, with screening showing markedly increased risk for subsequent ischemic stroke.

Purpose: BCVI may lead to ischemic stroke, disability, and death, while being often initially clinically silent. Screening criteria for BCVI based on clinical findings and trauma mechanism have improved detection, with Denver criteria being most common. Up to 30% of patients do not meet BCVI screening criteria.

Examination of Fluconazole-Induced Alopecia in an Animal Model and Human Cohort.

Fluconazole-induced alopecia is a significant problem for patients receiving long-term therapy. We evaluated the hair cycle changes of fluconazole in a rat model and investigated potential molecular mechanisms. Plasma and tissue levels of retinoic acid were not found to be causal.

Remember the Vessels! Craniofacial Fracture Predicts Risk for Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury.

Purpose: The risk factors for blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVIs) are currently under intensive research, yet it is still controversial who should be screened. This study aimed to determine whether craniofacial fractures are associated with BCVI.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective cohort study focused on patients with suspected polytrauma after whole-body computed tomographic angiography of the cervical arteries.

Efficacy and safety of oral alitretinoin (9-cis retinoic acid) in patients with severe chronic hand eczema refractory to topical corticosteroids: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial.

Background: Patients with severe chronic hand eczema (CHE) refractory to topical corticosteroids currently have limited treatment options suited for chronic use, and few controlled clinical studies have investigated new therapies in this setting.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of oral alitretinoin (9-cis retinoic acid) taken at 10 mg or 30 mg once daily for up to 24 weeks, compared with placebo control, in the treatment of severe CHE refractory to topical corticosteroids.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective, multicentre trial was conducted in 111 dermatology outpatient clinics in Europe and Canada.

Hev b 6.01 and Hev b 5 induce pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in latex allergy.

Background: Hev b 6.01 (prohevein) and Hev b 5 [acidic natural rubber latex (NRL) protein] are major IgE-binding allergens in NRL allergy.

Objective: To examine allergen-specific cytokine and chemokine responses in NRL-allergic patients.

Patch test reactions to cosmetic allergens in 1995-1997 and 2000-2002 in Finland--a multicentre study.

Contact sensitivity to cosmetics is common, but the sensitizing chemicals vary between countries and study periods. The present survey aimed at revealing the recent trends in patch test sensitivity with cosmetic chemicals in Finland. We report a retrospective multicentre survey of patch test reactions focusing on cosmetic-related substances and comparing the test results in 1995-97 with those in 2000-02.

Severe reactions from roe without concomitant fish allergy.

Background: Although fish allergy is common, no studies have been published on allergy to fish roe.

Objective: To describe 2 cases of IgE-mediated allergy to 2 roe species.

Methods: Two patients, one with local symptoms and the other with anaphylaxis following ingestion of roe, underwent skin prick testing (SPT) with 2 roe species, whitefish roe (WFR) and rainbow trout roe (RTR).

Transglutaminase-mediated cross-linking of a peptic fraction of omega-5 gliadin enhances IgE reactivity in wheat-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis.

Background: Patients with wheat-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA) experience recurrent anaphylactic reactions when exercising after ingestion of wheat products. We have identified omega-5 gliadin (Tri a 19) as a major allergen in WDEIA, but the role of exercise in eliciting the symptoms remains obscure.

Objective: The aim was to examine whether tissue transglutaminase (tTG)-mediated cross-linking could be involved in modulating the IgE-binding ability and in vivo reactivity of digested omega-5 gliadin peptides in WDEIA.

Humoral and cellular responses to gliadin in wheat-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis.

Background: Wheat-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA) is a severe allergy where wheat ingestion together with physical exercise induces anaphylaxis. We have previously shown that patients with WDEIA have IgE antibodies against gliadin proteins and identified omega-5 gliadin (Tri a 19) as a major allergen.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine gliadin-specific IgG subclass, IgA and IgE antibodies, basophil histamine release and cell-mediated responses in WDEIA.

Allergy to soy formula and to extensively hydrolyzed whey formula in infants with cow's milk allergy: a prospective, randomized study with a follow-up to the age of 2 years.

Objectives: We conducted a prospective, randomized study to evaluate the cumulative incidence of allergy or other adverse reactions to soy formula and to extensively hydrolyzed formula up to the age of 2 years in infants with confirmed cow's milk allergy.

Study Design: Infants (n = 170) with documented cow's milk allergy were randomly assigned to receive either a soy formula or an extensively hydrolyzed formula. If it was suspected that the formula caused symptoms, a double-blind, placebo-controlled challenge (DBPCFC) with the formula was performed.

Wheat omega-5 gliadin is a major allergen in children with immediate allergy to ingested wheat.

Background: Sensitization to wheat by ingestion can lead to food allergy symptoms and wheat-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis. Sensitization by inhalation causes bakers' asthma and rhinitis. Wheat allergens have been characterized at the molecular level in bakers' asthma and in wheat-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis, in which omega-5 gliadin (Tri a 19) is a major allergen.

Rye gamma-70 and gamma-35 secalins and barley gamma-3 hordein cross-react with omega-5 gliadin, a major allergen in wheat-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis.

Patients with wheat-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis experience severe allergic reactions when exercising after ingestion of wheat. The major wheat allergen associated with these reactions is a omega-5 gliadin, and patients following a gluten-free diet have remained free of symptoms. The aim of this study was to examine whether allergens cross-reacting with wheat omega-5 gliadin are present in rye, barley and oats.

Is Helicobacter pylori infection associated with chronic urticaria?

There have been controversial reports of an elevated prevalence rate of Helicobacter pylori infection in chronic urticaria patients. Furthermore, in some studies remission of chronic urticaria has been reported after eradication of H. pylori.

Immediate contact allergy from hydrolyzed wheat in a cosmetic cream.

Immediate contact allergy to cosmetics seems to be rare, since only a few case reports on it have been published. We report on a case of IgE-mediated allergic contact urticaria caused by hydrolyzed wheat in a body cream.

Antigliadin IgE--indicator of wheat allergy in atopic dermatitis.

Background: Cereal grains are recognized as the cause of adverse reactions in some patients exposed to grain or flour by either inhalation or ingestion. Cereal-related diseases, such as celiac disease and baker's asthma, have been well studied and the causative cereal proteins have been characterized. Although cereals form an essential part of daily nutrition, the allergenic proteins causing symptoms on ingestion in atopic dermatitis (AD) have remained obscure.

A novel wheat gliadin as a cause of exercise-induced anaphylaxis.

Background: Food-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis is a severe form of allergy; the reaction is caused by ingestion of a specific food before exercise. This disorder often escapes diagnosis because neither the ingested food nor the exercise alone induces the symptoms.

Objective: The aim of the study was to characterize the allergens involved in wheat-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis and to describe the clinical outcome in a series of 18 adult patients.

Life-threatening, recurrent anaphylaxis caused by allergy to gliadin and exercise.

Background: Exercise-induced urticaria or anaphylaxis is regarded as a distinct form of physical allergy. In some patients the symptoms occur only after ingestion of various food products in connection with exercise. We have come across patients with cereal dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis.

IgA and IgG binding components of wheat, rye, barley and oats recognized by immunoblotting analysis with sera from adult atopic dermatitis patients.

IgA and IgG antibody response of adult atopic dermatitis patients against neutral/ acidic fractions of wheat, rye, barley and oats was analyzed utilizing an immunoblotting method. Moreover, the antibody response against ethanol-soluble fraction of wheat was examined with serum pools of healthy donors, atopic dermatitis patients and patients with dermatitis herpetiformis or adult celiac disease. All patient sera revealed polymorphic IgA and IgG binding to cereal peptides with molecular weights of 11-97 kD.

Stability of cereal allergens.

Background: Ingested cereals and inhaled cereal dusts can cause IgE-mediated allergy. Testing for these allergies yields variable, often undependable results, which could be due to the use of unsuitable or degraded testing materials.

Objective: We studied the effect of storage media, time and temperature on the stability of protein allergens extracted from wheat, rye, barley and oats flour.

Skin-prick test and RAST responses to cereals in children with atopic dermatitis. Characterization of IgE-binding components in wheat and oats by an immunoblotting method.

Background: Hypersensitivity to cereals may occur via inhalation or ingestion. Although cereals are essential in the daily nutrition, only little information is available of the allergens causing symptoms in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to analyse the IgE immune-response to various cereals and specific cereal fractions of wheat and oats in children with severe AD and correlate the results with challenge studies.

Antibody response against wheat, rye, barley, oats and corn: comparison between gluten-sensitive patients and monoclonal antigliadin antibodies.

The antibody response of patients with gluten-sensitive enteropathy and dermatitis herpetiformis against alcohol-soluble prolamines of wheat, rye, barley, oats and corn assessed by immunoblotting was compared to the staining patterns produced by monoclonal antigliadin antibodies. Both monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and patient serum reacted with wheat, rye, barley and oats, the patient serum showing individual variation both in IgA and IgG stainings. A broad reactivity with polypeptides from 30 to 68 kD was, however, typical for patient serum and comparable to the reactivity of two broadly reacting antigliadin MAbs.

IgE-binding components of wheat, rye, barley and oats recognized by immunoblotting analysis with sera from adult atopic dermatitis patients.

The allergen extracts of wheat, rye, barley and oats flours were characterized by IgE-immunoblotting with serum samples from 40 adult patients; 35 patients with atopic dermatitis, one with rhinitis and four with urticaria. All these patients had been positive when skin-prick testing was carried out with one or more of the four flour extracts or displayed one or more positive cereal RAST results. Four non-atopic sera were used as negative controls.

Dose ranging study: cetirizine in the treatment of atopic dermatitis in adults.

One hundred seventy-eight adults with atopic dermatitis were included in this double-blind, parallel, randomized study where the effects of placebo, and cetirizine, 10, 20, and 40 mg administered daily during 4 weeks were measured. Local rescue therapy, which consisted of emollients and 1% hydrocortisone, was permitted and patients in all four groups used it in the same regular way. Severity of atopic dermatitis was measured via the following parameters: pruritus (visual analog scales used by both the investigator and patients), four point scale (absent, slight, moderate and serious) symptom scores for erythema, vesicles, excoriation, and lichenification in 14 body areas and a final visit assessment of the patient's general condition.