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Biomedical subjects

F Horak

Publications and source records attributed to F Horak.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

[The determination of the aggressiveness of allergizing types of pollen (author's transl)].

It is a well-known fact that the same amount of various pollen does not cause the same intensity of complaints in different patients with hay fever. This empirically obtained fact has been made objective and applied to the needs of practical allergology. From 1976 to 1978 qualitative and quantitative measurements were carried out on the pollen content of the air in Vienna. At the same time 300 patients with hay fever, who had been thoroughly investigated, made daily recordings of their complaints during the pollen season. A comparison of the two sets of data shows that they correspond well at the time of grass blossoming, yet differ strikingly during the blossoming of trees and herbs. Therefore, the grass pollen count is taken as the basis for any further calculations. By adjusting the amount of all the other types of pollen to the patients' complaints, "correction factors" are established for those types of pollen that are allergologically most important. These correction factors indicate the relative aggressiveness of the individual types in comparison with the grass pollens. In addition, the frequency of sensitization to individual types of pollen was determined in 500 patients at the First Otolaryngological Department of the University Hospital of Vienna. By multiplying the frequency by the correction factor we arrive at the "potency factor" as a measure of the allergological significance of the respective pollen type. The threshold value is indicated as a further parameter. The threshold value is the pollen count per cubic metre of air required to elicit complaints in the average number of sensitized patients. The threshold value for grass pollens is 50 per cubic metre of air; hence the following formula is derived for the determination of the threshold value: (formula: see text). The potency factor and the threshold factor are valuable parameters in the diagnosis, prophylaxis and therapy of hay fever.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed1980

[A modified therapy of hayfever with a depot-preparation (author's transl)].

70 patients with clinically and immunologically verified grass pollen allergy received immunotherapy for the first time in 1977 and 1978. The 70 patients were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 received 18 injections of a 7 grass pollen extract (semi-depot, Allpyral). Group 2 was treated with 3 injections of a tyrosine adsorbed grass pollen vaccine (Pollagen) immediately preseasonal and Group 3 received 5 injections of the same. Therapy was from September 1977 to May 1978. All patients completed dairy cards on a daily basis for the 1978 season including data on additional medication and areas visited. The air pollen concentration was monitored at various sites in Vienna and surrounding area. Reviewing the symptoms of the 3 patients we noted stronger symptoms reported in Group 2 than in Group 1. There was no significant difference in severity of symptoms in Group 1 and Group 3. The data indicate that a treatment with a course of 5 injections of a tyrosine adsorbed grass pollen vaccine is better than a course of 3 injections of the same product, and equivalent to a standard course of therapy with a semi-depot product.

Delayed-Action Preparations↗
PubMed1980

[The relevance of cereal grain pollen in hayfever (author's transl)].

Our studies indicate that rye pollen appears to be an important factor in hayfever in Austria. High air concentration of rye pollen are not only found in the immediate vicinity of the cultivated fields, but also at considerable distance from these fields. It is important to note that the rye plant produces about 8 to 35 times more pollen per anther than the wheat plant. Corn (Zea mays) pollen is found in lower concentrations as an airborn pollen because of its density. The importance of rye pollen in hay-fever has been substantiated in a clinical study and by the "biological exposure test".

Edible Grain↗
PubMed1980

[Reduced allergen immunotherapy of grass pollinosis (author's transl)].

An excellent model for investigating the maximization of specific immunotherapy is grass pollen allergy. Treatment is more effective when the number of component antigens used are reduced. We know that rye and cocksfoot pollen carry major antigens of grass pollen. A controlled clinical study was carried out with 128 patients divided into 5 groups as follows: Group 1 - treatment with a mixture of 7 grass pollen extracts (Allpyral). Group 2 - treatment with a cocksfoot pollen extract (Allpyral). Group 3 - treatment with a rye pollen extract (Allpyral). Group 4 - treatment with a mixture containing 50% rye pollen and 50% cocksfoot (Allpyral). Group 5 - was control group without immunotherapy. In brief, groups 1 to 4 showed better results than group 5. Group 2-cocksfoot, group 3-rye and group 4-cocksfoot-rye showed significantly better results than group 1-7 grass pollen extract. When severe symptoms were present the group 4, rye-cocksfoot treatment was significantly better than the others. This example illustrates the fact that specific allergen use improves the success of immunotherapy. In grass pollen allergy treatment cocksfoot and rye are of particular importance.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

[The diagnosis and prophylaxis in respiratory allergy (author's transl)].

An exact evaluation of the patient symptoms by a variety of methods permits proper diagnosis. A complete diagnosis should include in addition to the skin test, an exposure test, the specific IgE (RAST) determination and possibly the provocation test. A case history is a basic requirement with subsequent evaluation of all test data to reinforce the proposed diagnosis. To minimize allergic symptoms the following is recommended, avoidance of exposure to allergens (rarely possible), reduction of exposure through patient education and use of appropriate prophylactic therapy.

Humans↗
PubMed1979

[Contribution on household dust allergy (author's transl)].

In 1970 the allergy out-patient department of the First Otolaryngological University Hospital of Vienna reported for the first time about the increasing significance of mould fungus allergies in the respiratory tract. RAST now makes in possible to analyze the indivudual fractions of a household dust sensitization by way of experiments. We have seen that in the case of positive RAST reactions to household dust, which is a mixed antigen unspecific as such, evidence can be found for at least one of the antigens "mould fungus", "household dust mite", or "animal hair" in positive RAST categories. Among the 107 cases of the RAST categories 2 und 3 with respect to household dust (h3) a household-dust mite sensitization was evidenced in 88 percent, the respective figures for animal hair sensitization being 49 percent and for mould fungus sensitization 43 percent.

Austria↗
PubMed1979

[Immune serum globulin E in patients with leukoplakia (author's transl)].

Significant changes of humoral factors can occur during the development and growth of malignant tumors. Such can be observed by the periodic recording of immune serum globulin E levels if sensitive RIA methods are employed. Observations of normal persons show largely stable immune serum globulin E levels, and are comparable in patients with leukoplakia of the larynx as well as in patients whose malignant conditions were removed by oepration or radiotherapy. In three patients, a statistically significant increase in serum immune globulin E was recorded immediately before malignant degeneration of known leukoplakia occurred, and was also found in 22 control tumor patients who had experienced local relapses of disease.

Humans↗
PubMed1978

[New possibilities of hyposensitization with pollen-l-tyrosine complexes (author's transl)].

The so far most comprehensive individual study into the clinical findings in the hyposensitization therapy with pollen-L-tyrosine complexes in 253 pollinosis patients, who were first subjected to a hyposensitization therapy, permitted a comprehensive evaluation of the indication possibilities of these preparations (Pollagen, Tyrosin-Allergoid; in other countries available as Pollinex, Polvac, Bencard-Polen). The success of this hyposensitization, which may be reduced to three injections, can be immunologically established and is only slightly smaller than in the case of a specific desensitization over a period of 5--6 months preseasonally. The therapy is indicated first and foremost in patients who either have a moderate or medium-degree sensitization to grass pollens or who come to a medical examination only briefly before the pollen season. The addition of rye pollens obviously gives the preparation Tyrosin-Allergoid an advantage over the mixture of pure grass pollens as used in Pollagen. Rye pollens are responsible for the highest pollen concentrations and thus for the most severe complaints of pollinosis patients. A considerable increase in the therapeutic success, approximately 20%, can be achieved on the basis of a therapy modification, presented here for the first time: The patient is treated preseasonally with a specific desensitization vaccine and immediately before the pollen season he is additionally vaccinated with tyrosine-adsorbed pollen allergens as a kind of booster vaccination.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

[Computer documentation of allergological data on patients suffering from allergies of the ENT-tract (author's transl)].

After a brief discussion of the purpose of EDP in medicine an EDP system is described that serves the collection of data on patients of an allergy department. It was taken into account that in addition to data concerning case histories and the general and special status data on the different courses of therapies and test results can be collected. The system is specifically adapted to the problem of allergies of the respiratory tract, but may also be used--with minor additions or alterations--for internal or dermatological cases. The aim of this documentation is the systemization and at the same time the rationalization of the examination course, without, however, ruling out individual extensions. Such a system facilitates and accelerates not only the collection of data, it also allows a faster systematic disclosure of errors and makes a meaningful scientific evaluation possible.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1977

[The results of comparative examinations in patients with grass pollen allergies (author's transl)].

Detailed histories of 20 patients with suspected hay fever were prepared from questionnaires. These patients were skin-tested with allergens prepared form four different grass mixtures, and a nasal provocative test with a fifth grass preparation was utilized. This latter test was evaluated by the clinical reaction of the nasal mucous membrane, by measuring the temperature variations in the nasal lumen, and by determining the nasal resistance with the use of "passive anterior rhinomanometry" (P.A.R.). In addition, the total serum IgE level and three grass-specific IgE concentrations were determined. The following results were then found: eight patients were consistently positive and four patients were consistently negative in all tests for allergens. Among the remaining eight patients, two false-positive and six false-negative patients by skin tests were uncovered by the additional use of history, IgE determinations and the nasal provocative test with rhinomanometric evaluation.

Allergens↗
PubMed1976

[Antigen spectrum of allergic rhinitis (author's transl)].

The results of 10.000 individual tests have shown that it is necessary to revise and supplement the influences and the emergence of new antigens support this demand. Refined testing for grass pollen seems to be of particular importance, whereby cross reactions must be taken into account. The test program we must, furthermore, take into consideration the geographical incidence distribution of trees and herbs. In Austria, a considerable amount of ragweed pollen has recently been ascertained to be a cause of pollinosis and asthma. The grain pollens are of great importance and so is household dust, which contains regionally different antigens. Animal hairs and epithelia must be tested if the case history indicates possible involvement of these factors. Special mention is made of the increasing significance of mold spores and bacteria. The variety of listed antigens, each of which may cause allergic rhinitis, shows the importance of supplementing the Hansen test. The new priorities in the test programme are incorporated in, and juxtaposed to the Hansen scheme (see Table 1) for clarification.

Allergens↗
PubMed1976

[Results of repeated IgE titre determinations for the early diagnosis of tumour recurrence in the otolaryngological area (author's transl)].

Repeated serum IgE determinations in 292 tumour patients, in parallel with clinical check-ups, show the great diagnostic significance of the serum IgE level. The IgE titre variations give an insight into the tumour-host relationship and, in particular, into the current state of activity of the tumour patients who were found to be tumour-free after specific therapy have constant serum IgE values on repeated examination. The serum IgE level declines significantly during radiotherapy and after operative therapy. Tumour recurrence or metastases cause a sharp increase in the serum IgE level already before clinical manifestations can be ascertained. Hence, this method contributes through continued immunological checks towards an early diagnosis of tumour activity.

Antibodies, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1976

[Analyses of objectifiable ear noises].

The clinical aspects and therapeutical possibilities are presented for two extremely different cases of objectifiable noises in the ears. A specific experimental method (earphones and bone conductor served as microphones) permitted a stereophonic recording. After several amplifications it was possible to tape the noises. By means of two-ray-oscillography and time extension it was possible to analyze the structure of the noises in various ways (oscillogram, synchrony, etc.) Furthermore, sonagraphic analyses of the traditional type as well as isobar sonagraphy were performed. The results achieved were surprising and completely new: It was possible to clearly present, besides typical sound superimpositions, partial tones of varying intensity in sine form up to the 1,5000 Hz range.

Child, Preschool↗