Allergy
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Sublingual immunotherapy in children modulates allergen-induced in vitro expression of cytokine mRNA in PBMC.
During subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), there is a local mucosal shift from Th2 to Th1 type cytokine predominance and downregulation of interleukin (IL)-5 and eosinophilia. According to recent studies IL-10- and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta-induced tolerance is another key phenomenon in SCIT. Few data to date is available on mechanisms and roles of these cytokines in sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). ⋯ Sublingual immunotherapy induced a dose-dependent systemic allergen-specific immunological response in children with AR. During high-dose SLIT, there was activation of regulatory cytokine IL-10 and an inhibitory effect on IL-5 expression increase that was associated with TGF-beta.
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Comparative Study
The alpha-chain of high-affinity receptor for IgE (FcepsilonRIalpha) gene polymorphisms and serum IgE levels.
The high-affinity receptor for immunoglobulin-E (IgE) (FcepsilonRI) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of allergy, but there are only two published studies on its alpha subunit (FcepsilonRIalpha) genetic variability in allergic diseases. ⋯ Our findings of genotype-related differences in IgE levels in allergic patients suggest an impact of -344 C>T but not -95 T>C gene polymorphism of FcepsilonRIalpha on total levels of IgE. The genetic variability in FcepsilonRIalpha at the -344 nucleotide of its regulatory sequence, though not related to atopy, predicts higher levels of the immunoglobulin.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of basophil activation tests using CD63 or CD203c expression in patients with insect venom allergy.
Flow cytometric basophil activation tests have been developed as cellular tests for in vitro diagnosis of IgE-mediated reactions. Different activation markers (CD63 or CD203c) with distinct ways of regulation have been used after stimulation with various allergens. ⋯ These results support the reliability of basophil activation tests using either CD63 or CD203c as cellular tests in the in vitro diagnosis of patients with bee or wasp venom allergy with a slightly higher sensitivity for the CD203c protocol.
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Diagnosis of anaphylaxis from neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA) is not always straightforward. ⋯ The BAT constitutes a reliable instrument to diagnose anaphylaxis from rocuronium. The technique also allows quick and simultaneous testing of different potential cross-reactive NMBA and to tailor a safe alternative.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Cost-effectiveness of asthma control: an economic appraisal of the GOAL study.
The Gaining Optimal Asthma ControL (GOAL) study has shown the superiority of a combination of salmeterol/fluticasone propionate (SFC) compared with fluticasone propionate alone (FP) in terms of improving guideline defined asthma control. ⋯ The GOAL study previously demonstrated the improvement in total control associated with the use of SFC compared with FP alone. This study suggests that this improvement in control is associated with cost-per-QALY figures that compare favourably with other uses of scarce health care resources.