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Biomedical subjects

U Wahn

Publications and source records attributed to U Wahn.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

[Adrenal cortex function in children with bronchial asthma in fluticasone therapy].

In order to study the adverse reaction of a new, inhaled steroid (Fluticasone) on the pituitary-adrenocortical axis in asthmatic children, we investigated 7 children (aged 7 to 15 years) before and during treatment with Fluticason (100-200 micrograms/day). For the dosage tested, we found no depression of adrenal function, neither in circadian cortisol secretion nor in hCRH-stimulation-test. Another 7 asthmatic children under treatment with Budesonide (800 micrograms/day) were examined by the same tests. They equally did not show an adrenocortical suppression. However, in 4 other children under therapy with oral prednisone (2.5 to 7.5 mg/day), there was a marked suppression on adrenocortical function, even with low doses of the steroid. We conclude that Fluticasone (as well as Budesonide) in the above dosages represent a safe therapy for bronchial asthma in children.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1992

Abnormal length of cilia--a cause of primary ciliary dyskinesia--a case report.

A 7-year-old Turkish boy had suffered from chronic coughing from early childhood. Severe bronchiectasis in the right lung was confirmed by bronchography. Ciliary beat frequency determined in a bronchial mucosal biopsy was markedly decreased (5.7 Hz). Electron microscopy revealed cilia with a length of 15 microns. No structural abnormality was found. A possible link between the abnormally long, slow beating cilia and the clinical symptoms is discussed.

Bronchi↗
PubMed1992

Comparison of the residual allergenic activity of six different hydrolyzed protein formulas.

The residual allergenic activity of protein hydrolysates contained in marketed "hypoallergenic" infant formulas can be determined both by in vivo methods (skin prick tests, provocation tests) and by in vitro methods (radioallergosorbent test, radioallergosorbent inhibition, crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis, basophil histamine release). In general, whey hydrolysates containing a high percentage of larger peptides have the highest capacity to induce positive skin test and provocation test results, and to bind to human serum IgE antibodies of cow milk-sensitive children. Casein hydrolysates appear to have very little residual allergenic activity. Before hypoallergenic formulas are prescribed for cow milk-sensitive children, individual testing (e.g., skin test, challenge tests) is recommended.

Child↗
PubMed1992

How allergenic are hypoallergenic infant formulae?

In a comparative study six different protein hydrolysates, marketed as 'hypoallergenic' infant formulae were investigated by skin prick tests, RAST, RAST inhibition and titrated provocation tests. When hydrolysates containing a high percentage of larger peptides were found to have the highest capacity to induce positive skin tests, provocation tests and to bind to human serum IgE antibodies of cow's milk allergic children. Casein hydrolysates appeared to have the least residual allergenic activity. We recommend that 'hypoallergenic' formulae should be tested in each case, before being prescribed to cow's milk sensitive children.

Allergens↗
PubMed1992

Diurnal variation of urinary histamine and 1-methylhistamine excretion in healthy children.

In order to establish a noninvasive method of monitoring immediate hypersensitivity reactions in children, we studied the diurnal variation of urinary histamine and 1-methylhistamine excretion and the influence of food intake in a group of 14 healthy nonatopic children (aged 2-16 years). Histamine and 1-methylhistamine in spontaneous urine samples were determined by radioimmunoassay. Mean variation of 2-h intervals was much higher for urinary histamine than for 1-methylhistamine (45% of base-line level versus 24%). There was no circadian rhythm or influence of food intake. The short half-life of histamine released into blood circulation may be the main reason for the higher variation of histamine excretion. In children, urinary 1-methylhistamine is less influenced by diurnal variation and is therefore more suited to monitor immediate hypersensitivity reactions than urinary histamine itself.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Analysis of IgE-binding factors (sCD23) within newborn sera.

Factors are discussed as potential diagnostic parameters of atopic disorders. The amounts of sCD23 in sera from newborn children (n = 4,329) were determined by radioimmunoassay with monoclonal antibodies specific for CD23. The sCD23 levels ranged between 0 and 81.5 ng/ml of CD23-specific mAb. Furthermore, the sera of newborns with more than 5 ng/ml (n = 45) were analyzed by SDS/PAGE and subsequent autoradiography using 125I-labeled IgE (PS). These experiments indicate that newborn sera with normal sCD23 amounts contain an IgE-binding activity with a molecular weight of 25 kD; this component was not observed within sera containing elevated amounts (> 5 ng/ml). In addition, a 60-kD IgE-binding component was detected within most of all newborn sera (76.4%). The data show that the IgE-binding pattern of newborn children and the pattern of adult donors are different. Our data suggest that the measurement of quantitative sCD23 amounts combined with the analysis of the molecular weight pattern of the IgE-binding factors might be a helpful diagnostic parameter with regard to IgE-associated diseases.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1992

Mineral metabolism in erythrocytes from patients with cystic fibrosis.

In patients with cystic fibrosis plasma concentrations of Zn and Mg were unchanged, plasma Ca concentrations were somewhat decreased, but plasma Fe concentrations were drastically reduced; the ratio Cu/Fe in plasma was increased. The Mg and Zn contents of erythrocytes from patients were unchanged. Therefore, the Mg and Zn content of erythrocytes cannot serve for the detection of patients with cystic fibrosis and their heterozygotes, as has been suggested. Cl(-)-dependent Mg2+ efflux from Mg(2+)-loaded erythrocytes was not affected in cystic fibrosis. Na(+)-dependent Mg2+ efflux was increased only in erythrocytes from patients with the most severe clinical symptoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Three cases of adolescent near-fatal asthma: what do they have in common?

Three adolescent asthmatics are described, who suffered from near fatal asthmatic attacks. The events occurred suddenly and required intubation and ventilation. However, the bronchial obstruction was fully reversible within less than 24 hours and the recovery complete. The similarities are discussed and a hypothesis for the differentiation to other well-known severe asthma attacks is introduced. Our three cases might be representative of a certain risk group of asthmatics.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[In vivo studies of residual allergen activity of hydrolysate feeding].

The capacity of food proteins to induce IgE-mediated reactions can be reduced by hydrolysis, heat treatment or ultrafiltration. It was the aim of our study to investigate the capacity of hydrolysates used for dietary purposes in cow's milk allergy to induce allergic symptoms in cow's milk sensitive children. Six different hydrolysates were tested by skin prick test and oral provocation test in 17 cow's milk sensitive children. Our data indicate that certain hydrolysates induce positive skin reactions as well as allergic symptoms after oral challenge. Casein hydrolysates were found to have the least residual allergenic activity. From our data we conclude that hydrolysates should be tested by titrated oral challenges before used in the diet of cow's milk sensitive children.

Anaphylaxis↗
PubMed1992

[Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis--past and present aspects].

Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis can be divided into two forms: a seasonal one (pollen-induced) and a perennial one (e.g. provoked by house dust mites). There is still a tendency for underdiagnosing the disease, especially concerning the perennial form. Besides the typical diagnostic procedures, measurement of mediators in the nasal lavage are used for scientific research as well as for clinical reasons nowadays. The clinical picture is described with the terms "sneezer", "blower" and "blocker". During an acute phase of the disease the patients feel generally sick--due to the immunological inflammation. The new nonsedating oral antihistamines are the first choice for the saisonal form, whereas topical steroids are the "gold standard" for the perennial form. Guidelines for therapy are discussed.

Allergens↗
PubMed1992

[In vitro studies of cellular immunity in chronic bronchitis with and without corticosteroid medication].

In 29 patients with chronic bronchitis, 17 of whom were receiving systemic prednisolone, parameters of cellular and humoral immunity from the blood were evaluated and compared with a control group. Serum concentrations of immunoglobulins IgG, A and M, IgG subclasses, lymphocyte subsets and lymphocyte response to mitogenes (PHA, ConA, PWM), antibodies (anti-CD3) and tetanus antigen were determined. Whereas T cell subsets did not show any difference between all groups, the relative proportion of B lymphocytes was lower in the patient group without corticosteroids. Both patient groups showed a decreased lymphocyte response. As expected, serum IgG was lower in the steroid group, which could not be explained by additional cellular findings. Our data indicate that patients suffering from chronic bronchitis may show signs of a decreased cellular immunity.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Lymphocyte subsets in whole blood and isolated mononuclear leucocytes of healthy infants and children.

The determination of lymphocyte subsets utilizing monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry has become essential in the evaluation of immunological status. Using a standardized method it was found that in healthy children the percentage of CD 8+ (Leu 2+) positive cells increases significantly (P less than 0.01) during infancy, whereas the percentage of CD 4+ (Leu 3+) positive cells decreases with age (P less than 0.01). The percentage of CD 3+ (Leu 4+) cells remains constant. The ratio of CD 4/CD 8 positive cells is significantly (P less than 0.001) higher in infants than in older children. Other subpopulations (HLA DR+, Leu 7) were found to be constant in all age groups. For the comparison of data on lymphocyte subsets obtained by flow cytometry a standardized test procedure is important.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Short-term effect of solidified benzyl benzoate on mite-allergen concentrations in house dust.

The effect of solidified benzyl benzoate (bb) foam and powder on concentrations of the major allergens of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p I) and D. farinae (Der f I) in dust samples from mattresses and carpets in 22 households was investigated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. All houses had been demonstrated to have significant (greater than or equal to 2000 ng/gm of dust) mite-allergen concentrations on mattresses. Dust samples were collected from mattresses and carpets before treatment and on days 10, 30, and 60 after the first treatment. There was a second application on day 10. Der p I and Der f I were determined by a sandwich-type ELISA with monoclonal noncross-reacting antibodies to Der p I and polyclonal monospecific antibodies to Der f I. There was a significant reduction of mite allergens in mattresses and carpets within both bb-treated and control groups, but only the results on carpets of the bb-treated group were significantly different from results of the control group on days 30 and 60 (p less than 0.05).

Allergens↗
PubMed1991

Histamine measurement in whole blood and cell supernatants. A comparative study of two different radioimmunoassays.

Histamine as an important mediator of the allergic reaction has been measured by a number of methods both in whole blood and cell supernatants after in vitro release. We compared the fluorometric histamine assay with two radioimmunoassays and studied detection limit, recovery, cross-reactivity and accuracy in buffer-based standards as well as the sensitivity after IgE-mediated in vitro release from washed cells and whole blood. Our data indicate that the double-antibody RIA (Pharmacia) can be used for studies of basophil histamine release in both whole blood and cell supernatants. Due to significant cross-reactivity to N-methyl-histamine it cannot be used for histamine determinations in plasma. The second radioimmunoassay using succinyl-glycine as an acylating reagent and monoclonal antibodies, which have been raised to acylated histamine, is the most sensitive assay without any cross-reactivity with methylhistamine.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗