摘要:

Recent climatic trends in Europe have been examined in the context of longer term variations and vegetation zonation. The most recent computer models of future climatic changes resulting from increasing carbon dioxide emissions are discussed in relation to the possible impacts that the predicted climatic shifts may have on the distribution and abundance of the main allergenic pollen types. The probable repercussions of these changes on the patterns and incidences of seasonal allergic rhinitis are considered. This study focuses on pollen fromBetula, thePoaceae, Ambrosia, ParietariaandOlea, but also examines the implications of climatic change for other aeroallergens, including those from various crops such asBrassicaspecies (oil‐seed rape) andHelianthemum(sunflowers). In the case of natural distributions, the response of the plants to climatic changes are viewed in relation to the potential migration rates of the species. For agricultural crops, shifts in the location of productive areas involve agricultural economics both at the national and European community levels. In addition to broad regional impacts, this study examines the influence of increasing ultraviolet radiation on pollen production over various areas of Europe, and considers the effect of changing airflow trajectories on the long‐range transport of pollen with pollution from central and northern Europe into Scandina

ISSN:0105-4538    

DOI:10.1111/j.1398-9995.1994.tb04233.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0105-4538    

DOI:10.1111/j.1398-9995.1994.tb04246.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Evidence suggests that allergic disease is becoming more common, particularly in industrialized societies. Two studies of schoolchildren from Aberdeen, Scotland aged 8–13 years were undertaken in 1964 and 1989 using identical questionnaires, and found that the reported prevalence of asthma had risen from 4.1% to 10.2% during this period, hay fever from 3.2% to 11.9% and eczema from 5.3% to 12%. Indication that air pollution may contribute to this increase has come from several studies. In Japan, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis was found to be more prevalent in individuals living near motorways than in cedar forests. Severe asthma also occurs more commonly than mild asthma in children living in polluted areas. Exercise‐induced asthma and the use of asthma medication were twice as high in a town near two power stations compared with a non‐polluted town. A recent study in Finland showed that admissions to hospital with severe asthma correlated with atmospheric levels of nitrogen dioxide. Deterioration in peak flow recordings in asthmatics and exacerbations of symptoms in hay fever sufferers correlate with ambient levels of ozone. Elucidation of the mechanisms by which exposure to air pollutants may influence the frequency of allergic disease or exacerbate symptoms has come fromin vitroandin vivoexperiments in animals and man. Animals exposed to ozone, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particles from diesel exhaust, together with allergens, show more ready development of allergic sensitization compared with those exposed to allergen alone. The dose of allergen necessary to produce a 20% fall in FEV1(forced expiratory volume in 1 second) in mild asthmatics is reduced by previous exposure to ozone or a mixture of nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide. It has also been suggested that the allergic potency of pollen grains may be increased when they are coated in pollutants. Bronchial and nasal lavage studies have shown that air pollutants can induce an influx of inflammatory cells and proinflammatory cytokines into the respiratory tract. Studies on human epithelial cells cultured to confluencein vitrohave indicated that exposure to nitrogen dioxide can decrease ciliary beat frequency which would, in theory, reduce allergen clearance and increase the risk of sensitization. Further, exposure of these cells to either ozone or nitrogen dioxide induces the release of inflammatory mediators, such as leukotriene C4, and proinflammatory cytokines, including granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor, tumour necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐8. This effect can be attenuated by the use of anti‐in

ISSN:0105-4538    

DOI:10.1111/j.1398-9995.1994.tb04234.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

The aim of the study was to assess the therapeutic efficacy of loratadine on pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis, considering the patients’ sensation of itch. Sixteen patients, mean age 24.8 years, with moderate or severe atopic dermatitis were included in a double‐blind and placebo‐controlled study with a six‐period, multi‐crossover design. The patients were given 10 mg loratadine or placebo every day, alternating between loratadine and placebo every 2 weeks. The degree of pruritus during the day and during the night was recorded by the patients every morning and every evening, respectively, on a 10‐cm visual analog scale. The study detected a significant effect of loratadine, as compared with placebo, on pruritus during the day, pruritus during the night, and severity of rash. At least nine of the 16 patients included were classified as responders and only one as a nonresponder to loratadine treatment. It is concluded that loratadine may be tried as an adjuvant therapy in the management of severe and moderate atopic dermatitis, in patients complaining

ISSN:0105-4538    

DOI:10.1111/j.1398-9995.1994.tb00768.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0105-4538    

DOI:10.1111/j.1398-9995.1994.tb04247.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

The purpose of this study was to assess the time of onset of action of acrivastine in suppressing the wheal response to histamine (10 mg/ml) and allergen (10000 and 100000 BU/ml) in the skin prick test. Ten subjects with a well‐documented allergy to pollen received single doses of 8 mg of acrivastine and placebo according to a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover treatment design. Duplicate skin prick tests were performed 0, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 60 min after medication. The results demonstrated a statistically significant suppression of the wheal reactions 15–20 min after medication, depending on the reaction producers used. The sum of all three producers showed a statistically significant effect on the wheal reaction 15 min after medication. The upper 95% confidence limit for time lag from dosing of acrivastine until reduction from placebo level commences was 6.5 min. The study substantiates that orally administered acrivastine has a rapid onset of action in the skin of allergic subjects. The results indicate that allergen SPT is a more sensitive tool for studying antihistaminergic activity than histam

ISSN:0105-4538    

DOI:10.1111/j.1398-9995.1994.tb00769.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Biological hypersensitivity is the fundamental feature of atopy, and patients suffering from this syndrome are characterized by their ability to produce high levels of IgE in response to low amounts of antigen. This hypersensitivity results in a range of acute and chronic diseases, such as asthma, rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis and atopic dermatitis. In addition to their biological effects, these diseases may have psychological consequences in terms of stress, anxiety or depression. However, atopic patients, far from displaying a typical depressive psychological profile, are characterized by their increased emotional sensitivity. Atopic individuals alert us to the presence of allergens but perhaps they also indicate something about our way of life. Are the symptoms displayed by allergic patients, their wheezing, sneezing or itching skin, more than a simple biological response?

ISSN:0105-4538    

DOI:10.1111/j.1398-9995.1994.tb04235.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0105-4538    

DOI:10.1111/j.1398-9995.1994.tb04248.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Treatment strategies for allergic diseases are based on allergen avoidance, pharmacotherapy and immunotherapy. Allergen avoidance should always be attempted, even if it is rarely complete and needs several days or weeks to be effective. Pharmacotherapy is aimed at reducing symptoms arising from allergen triggers and inflammation. In seasonal allergic diseases, a short treatment course is sufficient to reverse nonspecific hyperreactivity and symptoms. In chronic allergic diseases, however, inflammation is of major importance and symptoms are not always readily controlled. Moreover, the treatment should be prolonged as proposed by Guidelines for the Management of Asthma and Rhinitis (1, 2). Effective and well‐tolerated drugs are now available and some may be combined for rhinitis or asthma therapy. In rhinitis, first‐line therapy is still based on non‐sedating antihistamines and topical corticosteroids. Cromoglycate and other drugs may also be used. For asthma, antiinflammatory therapy is the first‐line treatment. In mild sufferers, cromoglycate, nedocromil or low‐dose inhaled steroids can be used. For more severe disease, high doses of inhaled corticosteroids are proposed. Bronchodilators are used as ‘rescue’ medications, though many patients with severe symptoms need regular bronchodilator therapy. Long‐acting β‐agonists have been introduced recently, but their exact place in the management of asthma is not yet fully established. Immunotherapy was first introduced in 1911 and was based on decades of physicians' experience, rather than on rational thought. Standardized allergens have improved the efficacy of immunotherapy, but the safety of this treatment needs to be improved. New research on immunotherapy is underway which shows promise. A major problem for both pharmacotherapy and immunotherapy in allergic disease

ISSN:0105-4538    

DOI:10.1111/j.1398-9995.1994.tb04236.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0105-4538    

DOI:10.1111/j.1398-9995.1994.tb04237.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY