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C Pichler

Publications and source records attributed to C Pichler.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Classical and new proving methodology: provings of Plumbum metallicum and Piper methysticum and comparison with a classical proving of Plumbum metallicum.

OBJECTIVE: To study the reliability of a proving methodology and the reproducibility of proving symptoms. METHODS: Two homeopathic medicines and placebo were given, in a double-blind randomized design, to 31 healthy volunteers (13 Piper methysticum 30C, 11 placebo and 7 Plumbum metallicum 30C), 5 drops 4 times daily, until the onset of unbearable symptoms, or at most for 1 week. The primary outcome measure was the number of phrases containing unusual or new symptoms selected by supervisors (SEL) from unstructured diaries and the number of these symptoms (SYM) present in SELs. The secondary outcome measures were the number of symptoms with modalities of both verum groups concordant with symptoms reported in a previous proving of Plumbum 12C. Other parameters evaluated were repeated and crossed symptoms in SELs. RESULTS: Both medicines showed qualitative and quantitative differences from placebo. Piper: 146 SELs (median: 5), Plumbum: 118 SELs (16), placebo: 48 SELs (2), containing 260 (8), 199 (29) and 58 (2) SYMs, respectively. There was a significant difference from placebo in Plumbum but not in Piper SELs and SYMs (P < 0.05). 31, 24 and 4 'repeated' and 18, 22 and 2 'crossed' symptoms were found in Piper, Plumbum and placebo. 8 and 30 symptoms concordant with the classical proving of Plumbum were found for Piper and Plumbum, corresponding to about 10% and 45% of their total SELs. CONCLUSIONS: Open diaries, supervision and double-blind placebo are useful methods in homeopathic pathogenetic trials. Estimates of concordance should be introduced in proving methodology.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Zafirlukast has no beneficial effects in the treatment of chronic urticaria.

BACKGROUND: Leukotriene receptor antagonists have shown some efficacy in t he treatment of asthma. Injection of LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4 into the skin leads to a weal-and-flare reaction, suggesting an involvement of leukotrienes in the pathogenesis of urticaria. Indeed, various reports have indicated a beneficial effect for leukotriene receptor antagonists in patients with chronic urticaria. OBJECTIVE: To determine the therapeutic effect of the leukotriene receptor antagonist zafirlukast in patients with chronic urticaria. METHODS: The study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study lasting for 12 weeks. Fifty-two patients with chronic urticaria were investigated at a university hospital. The patients were randomized to receive 20 mg zafirlukast b.i.d. or placebo and cross-over was scheduled after 6 weeks. The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated by a daily symptom score, six physical examinations, the requirement of rescue antihistamines (acrivastine) and an overall assessment by the patient andthe investigating physician. RESULTS: Forty-six patients completed the study: zafirlukast was well tolerated without alteration of the investigated laboratory parameters. In comparison with placebo, treatment with zafirlukast resulted in no significant positive effect for any of the efficacy measures. Moreover, we were unable to identify any subgroup of patients with chronic urticaria responding with a therapeutic benefit. CONCLUSIONS: The leukotriene receptor antagonist zafirlukast does not provide a significant therapeutic benefit at a dose of 20 mg b.i.d. in patients with chronic urticaria.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[House dust mites and storage compartment mites as allergy inducers].

Perennial respiratory diseases like chronic rhinopathy or bronchial asthma can often be related to an allergy to indoor allergens. Of these, the most relevant allergens are derived from house dust mites. Epidemiologic data show that 8.9% of the general population exhibit a sensitization to house dust mites. Based on a better knowledge of the biology and the living habits of house dust mites effective allergen avoidance measures can be performed which are, however, quite cumbersome and go beyond just encasing mattresses. Of particular relevance is the reduction of the relative humidity below 50%. Relatives of house dust mites are storage mites which are increasingly realized as an important cause of respiratory allergies. The most important is Lepidoglyphus destructor which is dominant in dust probes from Europe and shows crossreactivity with other storage mites. They are found in barns and grain stores and are thus important causes for occupational respiratory diseases in farmers. The existence of storage mites in house dust is connected with damp housing conditions.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Corticosteroid allergy: a paradox?].

Although corticosteroids have both antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, they can occasionally induce allergic reactions when given topically or systemically. Since cross-reactions exist within the corticosteroid groups A-D, the corticosteroid should be changed to another group whenever suspicion arises. It makes sense to render an allergy-related diagnosis early so that a suitable corticosteroid is ready for an emergency.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2000

[Allergy to house dust mites].

The prevalence of atopic disease in Switzerland is 15-20%. About 30% of these patients have perennial symptoms and a substantial proportion are allergic to house-dust mite proteins. If absolute air humidity is lower than 7.0 g water per kg air, house-dust mites will not proliferate. This is why the occurrence of house-dust mites varies between different regions. About half of the patients with allergy to house-dust mites complain of rhinitis, a quarter of asthma and a quarter of asthma and rhinitis. The diagnosis is usually by history, skin prick tests and if necessary provocation. Therapy includes allergen avoidance (reduction of air humidity in dwellings by ventilation, encasing of mattresses and bedding), medication (mainly topical corticosteroids) and specific immunotherapy.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

IgE cross-reactivity between birch pollen, mugwort pollen and celery is due to at least three distinct cross-reacting allergens: immunoblot investigation of the birch-mugwort-celery syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Allergy to celery is often associated with sensitization to birch and/or mugwort pollen. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: In a multi-centre study, sera from 23 patients suffering from type 1 allergy to celery and 15 patients with positive celery RAST but no clinical sensitization were compared. To examine whether cross-reactivity between celery and mugwort pollen includes cross-sensitization to birch pollen allergens, we determined cross-reacting structures in birch pollen, mugwort pollen and celery by means of immunoblotting. Inhibition studies were performed by preincubation of sera with extracts of birch pollen, mugwort pollen, and celery. RESULTS: We identified three groups of proteins--homologues of Bet v 1 and birch profilin (Bet v 2) as well as a group of proteins with a molecular range of 46 to 60 kD--displaying IgE-cross-reactivity, which were shared by birch pollen and celery. Two of these groups of allergens (profilin and the 46 to 60 kD proteins) were also present in mugwort pollen. In this paper we demonstrate that most cross-reacting allergens present in mugwort pollen and celery can also be detected in birch pollen extract. CONCLUSION: Therefore we propose, from a serological point of view, to extend the mugwort-celery syndrome to the birch-mugwort-celery syndrome.

Allergens↗