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Biomedical subjects

G Rasp

Publications and source records attributed to G Rasp.

54 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

[Therapy of allergic rhinitis].

Nasal allergy is due to a change in the immunoreactivity of an individual. B-lymphocytes produce allergen-specific IgE antibodies after the antigen is presented to T-helper cells. IgE bound to mast cells leads to mast cell activation in the case of antigen contact. Mast cells release mediators and induce local inflammation. The symptoms of allergic rhinitis are caused by various factors and are different in individuals, and hence therapy must be in accordance with the necessities in the individual. There are four principles of therapy in allergic rhinitis. The first and best is allergen avoidance. It is the first choice in animal allergy and important in mite allergy. It is difficult for mold allergy and impossible for pollen allergy. The second is immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is a specific form of controlled allergen admission that changes immunoreactivity into allergen tolerance in a major part of patients. Immunotherapy is a very important tool if performed by a physician with experience. The third principle is drug therapy. With todays drugs, it is still symptomatic. alpha-sympathomimetic vasoconstrictors administered systemically (and, still better, locally) relieve nasal stuffiness. Parasympatholytic drugs can abort pathological secretions. Cromoglycate (DNCG) is a local prophylactic drug improving all symptoms of allergic rhinitis. DNCG is the first choice in pollinosis. Antihistamines are usually given systemically, and the modern drugs have no sedative effect. Clinical effects are comparable to DNCG, and there are new substances available for local therapy. Steroids given systematically improve all symptoms of allergy and inflammation after a certain delay. Due to side effects, local steroids are preferred today.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1993

Tryptase in nasal fluid is a useful marker of allergic rhinitis.

Tryptase is a mast cell-specific marker of degranulation. To investigate the possible diagnostic value of tryptase in allergic rhinitis, we measured the levels in both serum and native nasal fluid with a sandwich RIA-assay (Pharmacia). Twenty-three allergic patients and five patients with chronic ethmoidal sinusitis were included. Eighteen of the 23 allergic patients were tested within the pollen season or had perennial rhinitis; the remainder were tested at least 1 month out of the pollen season. None of the patients had detectable serum tryptase (> 0.1 ng/ml). Also patients with chronic ethmoidal sinusitis showed no tryptase in nasal fluid. One of seven allergic patients tested out of season had slightly increased nasal tryptase of 1.8 ng/ml. In patients with active nasal allergy, the tryptase in nasal fluid ranged from 6.4 ng/ml to 640 ng/ml with a mean of 101 ng/ml and SD 173. These results show a clear distinction between active and non-active nasal allergy and other non-mast-cell-related nasal disease. Further, nasal tryptase release by natural allergen exposure is even higher than that observed in allergen challenge tests.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1992

[Visagnost--a strip test for in vitro allergy diagnosis in comparison with Magic Lite and Cap-FEIA: I. Total IgE determination].

The diagnosis of allergic airway diseases, especially allergic rhinitis, is based on medical history, clinical examination and further tests. Since the detection of IgE, total IgE in serum has become a major tool in the diagnosis of immediate allergy. Although in-vivo-tests like skin prick test are performed in almost every allergologist's practice, the capability of determining IgE was restricted to special laboratories. As shown for semiquantitative glucose dipsticks, a rapid and easy method has advantages for both patient and doctor. A recently developed dipstick test (Visagnost, in U.S. Quidel allergy screen) for allergy screening now enables every practitioner to determine total IgE levels within less than one hour. For the evaluation of the diagnostic value of this dipstick test, we compared the total IgE levels in the sera of 56 patients with two modern methods (Magic Lite, Ciba-Corning, and Cap-FEIA, Pharmacia). Visagnost is an enzyme-immuno-assay with the solid phase on the dipstick. It can be performed in serum, plasma or whole blood, in this study the test was performed in serum. Magic lite is a combined solid-liquid-phase immuno-assay with a final chemiluminescent reaction, the incubation time is about two hours. Cap-FEIA is a solid phase sandwich ELISA with a fluorescent reaction and an incubation time of at least four hours. Patient's sera were shock-frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80 degrees C until examination. Visagnost gave results in four ranges of minor 20 U/ml, 21-50 U/ml, 51-100 U/ml and more than 100 U/ml.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay↗
PubMed1992

[Visagnost--a screening test for in vitro diagnosis of allergy compared with Magic Lite and Cap-FEIA. II. Allergen-specific determination of IgE].

Diagnosis of allergic diseases is based on medical history, clinical and specific tests. Although the role of specific IgE-determination used for allergy diagnosis is cleared, the technique might be expensive for routine screening. The development of a new dip-stick screening device (Visagnost Inhalationsallergien, in U.S. Quidel allergy screen) gives us the possibility of fast and easy screening without laboratory equipment. For the evaluation of the diagnostic value of Visagnost we compared the device with two modern standard laboratory techniques, Magic Lite SQ (Ciba-Corning) and CAP-FEIA (Pharmacia). We tested the most relevant allergens in Germany, in detail birch, grass, rye, ragweed, alternaria, cat, dog and the housedust mites D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae. We found a mean "RAST"-class of 1.55 (SD 1.25) for Magic Lite SQ, a mean of 1.24 (SD 1.62) for Visagnost and a mean of 1.93 (SD 1.70) for CAP-FEIA. Plotting the results for each of the examined methods, Magic Lite SQ seems to be more sensitive in lower specific IgE-levels, while CAP-FEIA gives more results of high IgE-levels, Visagnost ranging in between in general. Dividing the "RAST"-class results in the negative group of class 0 and 1 and in the positive group of class 2 and more, Visagnost revealed a sensitivity of 57% compared to CAP-FEIA and 63% to Magic Lite SQ, respectively. Specificity was 95.8% for CAP-FEIA and 90.7% for Magic Lite, while the positive predictive value for Magic Lite SQ was 87.9% and 95.7% for CAP-FEIA. Magic Lite gave a negative predictive value of 69.5% while 58.7% for CAP-FEIA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Allergens↗
PubMed1992

[Allergic rhinopathy: Magic Lite SQ Allergy Screen Inhalant and CAP-FEIA SX1--comparison of two allergen-specific screening tests in serum].

Although total IgE determination in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis has been proposed for screening, specific tests seem to be more efficient. In this study, Magic Lite SQ Allergy Screen Inhalant (ML) and CAP-FEIA Phadiatop (CF) were compared in serum in a group of 101 patients with allergic rhinitis (41 women, 60 men, mean age 31.4 years, range 7-69) and 37 controls (17 women, 20 men, mean age 38.3 years, range 6-68). All patients were suffering from nasal disease. The diagnosis based on case history, skin prick test, total and specific IgE determination and nasal challenge tests. ML was found to have a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 83.8% while CF achieved a sensitivity of 94.1% and a specificity of 94.6%. Efficiency was 92.8% for ML and 94.2% for CF. A positive predictive value of 94.2% for ML and of 97.9% for CF was calculated while the negative predictive value was 88.6% for ML and 85.4% for CF. It is concluded, that both ML and CF are suitable allergy screening tests able to give a 100% diagnostic security in combination with further examinations, especially regarding the case history.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Leiomyosarcoma of the external ear canal].

We report on a 45-year-old male patient with the signs of exophytic, obstructive and painless tumour of the right external auditory canal developed within a period of about 3 months. The tumour was completely removed in local anaesthesia and histologically found to be a leiomyosarcoma. The only possible origin of this lesion might be the smooth muscle cells of the local blood vessels or the mm. arrectores pilorum.

Ear Canal↗
PubMed1991

[Sensitization against storage mites in allergic rhinopathy].

In the past 15 years, storage mites became more common as an agent in allergic airway disease. Sensitization to storage mites has been reported in farmers and grain workers. There were some studies investigating local populations, especially in the north of Europe. The sensitization to storage mites in a rural population seems to be similar to the rate found for Dermatophagoides. The main diseases caused by storage mites are allergic rhinitis and asthma. Although there is a cross-reactivity between Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and storage mites, most of the antigens were distinct from house dust mite antigens. In our study, we analysed sera obtained from patients with known house dust mite allergy. Patients with a RAST class 2, 3 or 4 for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus were tested for specific IgE-antibodies against storage mites. The test was performed using the Melja EAST-technique. We obtained a sensibilization rate of 7% for Acarus siro (d70), 17% for Lepidoglyphus destructor (d71), 3% for Tyrophagus putrescentiae (d72) and 13% for Glycyphagus domesticus (d73). According to our results we can conclude that storage mites are relevant allergens in allergic rhinitis, especially in the rural population in Bavaria. Therefore, routine testing in patients with perennial rhinitis is proposed.

Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗
PubMed1989

Primary structure of a proteinase inhibitor released from goat serum inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor.

An acid-resistant trypsin inhibitor was released from goat serum inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor and isolated by affinity chromatography. The primary structure of the inhibitor was established and the inhibitory properties were estimated. The inhibitor designed gIK-14 was characterized as a serine proteinase inhibitor from the family of the double-headed Kunitz-type inhibitors as suggested.

Alpha-Globulins↗
PubMed1987

The amino-acid sequence of the trypsin-released inhibitor from sheep inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor.

The amino-acid sequence of the inhibitory part of the sheep serum inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor (ITI) was determined. The inhibitor is composed of two covalently linked Kunitz-type domains. The reactive site of the C-terminal antitryptic domain contains arginine in position 71 (P1) and glycine in position 73 (P'2), whereas ITI derived inhibitors hitherto investigated contain phenylalanine in these positions. The reactive site of the N-terminal elastase inhibiting domain contains leucine in position 15 (P1) and methionine in position 17 (P'2), as in ITI-derived inhibitors of pig and horse.

Alpha-Globulins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Malignant salivary gland tumors: squamous cell carcinoma of the submandibular gland in a child.

PURPOSE: Malignant neoplasms of the salivary glands are extremely unusual in the pediatric age group. METHODS: We report an 11-year-old boy who presented with a mass in the left submandibular region and a second mass in the jugularfacial venous angle. RESULTS: Histologic evaluation determined that this was a squamous cell carcinoma of the submandibular gland with metastasis to a cervical node. Review of the literature was undertaken to identify the rate of malignant salivary gland tumors in children. Malignant salivary gland tumors are extremely rare in children. When malignancy does occur, nearly 90% are present in the parotid gland. The submandibular gland is effected in 7.7% of cases. The most common malignancy in salivary glands of children is the mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma occurs in less than 2% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Salivary gland tumors are very rare in children in contrast to adults. The proportion of malignant tumors in children is higher than that observed in adults; however, it is not possible to draw conclusions concerning treatment from the few case reports that exist. A higher rate of local recurrence and cervical lymph node metastasis may be expected in children.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of the TEMPO+ ear-level speech processor and the cis pro+ body-worn processor in adult MED-EL cochlear implant users.

A study was conducted to compare the new MED-EL TEMPO+ ear-level speech processor with the CIS PRO+ body-worn processor in the COMBI 40/COMBI 40+ implant system. Speech tests were performed in 46 experienced subjects in two test sessions approximately 4 weeks apart. Subjects were switched over from the CIS PRO+ to the TEMPO+ in the first session and used only the TEMPO+ in the time between the two sessions. Speech tests included monosyllabic word tests and sentence tests via the telephone. An adaptive noise method was used to adjust each subject's scores to approximately 50%. Additionally, subjects had to complete a questionnaire based on their 4 weeks of experience with the TEMPO+. The speech test results showed a statistically significant improvement in the monosyllabic word scores with the TEMPO+. In addition, in the second session, subjects showed a significant improvement when using the telephone with the TEMPO+, indicating some learning in this task. In the questionnaire, the vast majority of subjects found that the TEMPO+ allows equal or better speech understanding and rated the sound quality of the TEMPO+ higher. All these objective and subjective results indicate the superiority of the TEMPO+ and are mainly attributed to a new coding strategy called CIS+ and its implementation in the TEMPO+. In other words, based on the results of this study, it appears that after switching over from the CIS PRO+ to the TEMPO+, subjects are able to maintain or even improve their own speech understanding capability.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nasal IL-16 and MIP-1 alpha in late-phase allergic response.

Late-phase response in allergic rhinitis is characterized by tissue eosinophilia and influx of CD4+ T-cells. IL-16 and MIP-1 alpha are highly chemotactic on T-cells and on eosinophils. Both IL-16 and MIP-1 alpha have been demonstrated to be up-regulated after challenge in the late-phase response in various atopic conditions other than allergic rhinitis. The aim of our study was to determine the expression of IL-16 and MIP-1 alpha in nasal secretions following allergen challenge in allergic rhinitis, and to compare these with characteristic late-phase mediators such as IL-5 and ECP. Nasal secretions of 14 allergic volunteers challenged intranasally by their specific allergen were studied from 20 minutes to 8 hours after allergen challenge. Nasal secretions were analyzed by routine ELISA for IL-16, MIP-1 alpha, IL-5, and ECP. IL-16 and MIP-1 alpha increased significantly in nasal secretions of challenged allergic patients in the late-phase response. IL-16 revealed highest amounts 5 hours after challenge, whereas MIP-1 alpha peaked at 7 hours. Both correlated significantly (r = 0.917, p < 0.05) at 6 hours. IL-5 and ECP peaked between 6 and 8 hours and correlated significantly (r = 0.951, p < 0.01) at 6 hours as well. Our data demonstrate that IL-16 and MIP-1 alpha are expressed in the late-phase response in allergic rhinitis in a more or less similar kinetic like IL-5 and ECP. They are suggested to be responsible for the observed influx of eosinophils (IL-5, IL-16, and MIP-1 alpha) and CD4+ T-cells (IL-16 and MIP-1 alpha) into the challenged allergic mucosa.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Determination of the diagnostic efficacy of the multi-RAST test (Phadiotop) in allergic rhinitis].

Diagnosis of IgE mediated allergic rhinitis is based on medical history. Prick-test (of the skin) and determination of increased IgE levels by serum (PRIST and RAST) as well as intranasal provocation test. To search the potential diagnostic value of a multi-RAST test (Phadiotop) in serum and nasal fluids, 508 with rhinitis were studied: In 267 patients nasal allergy was confirmed by the above mentioned tests. Phadiotop revealed a sensitivity of 98.1% in serum and 79.0% in nasal fluid. Specificity of Phadiotop was 95.9% in serum and 97.5% in nasal fluid. Our results show that the determination of Phadiotop can be considered as a very sensitive screening test for allergy detection.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Diagnosis of allergic rhinitis by determining of tryptase and eosinophil cationic protein in nasal secretions].

In the last years, the role of nasal mast cells and the eosinophils in the immediate hypersensitivity reaction of allergic rhinitis has been well documented. Tryptase and the eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) are specific activation markers for mast cells and esosinophils respectively. To determine the possible diagnostic value of these markers in allergic rhinitis we measured the levels in both serum and native nasal fluid using sandwich RIA-assays. Twenty eight seasonal allergic patients (16 with active allergy and 12 with extraseasonal allergy) and 11 patients with chronic sinusitis were studied. Twenty one normal healthy donors served as controls. We could not detect increased levels of tryptase and ECP in the serum of all patients and healthy donors. In contrast, patients with active allergy showed very higher levels of ECP than patients of the three other groups. Similarly, nasal ECP was higher in patients with nasal pathology than in healthy subjects. The highest levels were found in the patients with active allergic rhinitis. Our results show that both native nasal fluid tryptase and ECP can be used as markers of local inflammation and that the assessment of their levels can be useful in the diagnosis and follow up of mucosal inflammation in the nose.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Determination of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in nasal secretions of patients with rhinitis].

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is an integrin involved in the regulation of cell migration and activation in various tissues. ICAM-1 expression has been shown to be associated closely with cell infiltration in allergic diseases. We analyzed the possible participation of soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) in the pathogenesis of various diseases of the nasal mucosa by measuring sICAM-1 levels in nasal secretions using sandwich ELISA. Soluble ICAM-1 levels in patients with allergic rhinitis and nasal polyposis did not increase with respect to healthy controls, but patients with chronic sinusitis had higher sICAM-1 levels. Soluble ICAM-1 levels also increased in patients with allergic rhinitis after a provocation test with the specific allergen. These results show that ICAM-1 is involved in the pathogenesis of chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Acoustic rhinometry: determination of early and late-phase reactions in allergic rhinitis].

Allergic rhinitis is characterized by morphological changes in the nasal cavity that produce airway obstruction. Acoustic rhinometry (AR) was used to analyze changes in the nasal airways of 10 patients with allergic rhinitis who underwent a nasal provocation test with 1000 biological units of specific allergen. Acoustic rhinometry was carried out 10, 20, 30, 45, and 60 minutes, and 2 and 8 hours after exposure to allergen. The parameters analyzed were minimal cross-sectional area (MCA) and a new parameter, volume A (VA), obtained by integration of the distance/area graph surrounding the anterior part of the lower turbinate. The early-phase reaction after exposure to allergen was a 10-30% reduction of MCA and VA compared with baseline value. The late-phase reaction was one-third as strong. The contralateral MCA and VA were affected only minimally in the early-phase reaction, but a symmetrical response was observed in the late-phase reaction. VA changes were more evident than MCA changes. The results show that acoustic rhinometry is suitable for measuring local changes following exposure to nasal antigens, particularly if both VA and MCA are evaluated.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Treatment of nasal polyposis with systemic and local corticoids].

Surgical or medical treatment of nasal polyposis still is a challenge in otorhinolaryngology. A study was made of the effectiveness of combined local and systemic, steroid treatment. Thirty-seven patients with different grades of nasal polyposis received a combination of systemic (methylprednisolone oral 10 days) and local (inhaled budesonide, day 8 to day 28) steroids. Therapeutic effects were measured using nasal endoscopy with a four-stage system for grading nasal fossa involvement and a symptomatic scale of none, mild, moderate, and severe. The mean endoscopic score decreased from 1.14 on day 1 to 0.14 on day 28 and the symptom score from 2.8 to 1.2. The results show than nasal polyposis can be treated successfully with combined local and systemic steroid treatment.

Administration, Inhalation↗