Efficacy of bio- and neurofeedback for depression: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: For many years, biofeedback and neurofeedback have been implemented in the treatment of depression. However, the effectiveness of these techniques on depressive symptomatology is still controversial. Hence, we conducted a meta-analysis of studies extracted from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Embase. METHODS: Two different strings were considered for each of the two objectives of the study: A first group comprising studies patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and a second group including studies targeting depressive symptomatology reduction in other mental or medical conditions. RESULTS: In the first group of studies including patients with MDD, the within-group analyses yielded an effect size of Hedges' g = 0.717, while the between-group analysis an effect size of Hedges' g = 1.050. Moderator analyses indicate that treatment efficacy is only significant when accounting for experimental design, in favor of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in comparison to non RCTs, whereas the type of neurofeedback, trial design, year of publication, number of sessions, age, sex and quality of study did not influence treatment efficacy. In the second group of studies, a small but significant effect between groups was found (Hedges' g = 0.303) in favor of bio- and neurofeedback against control groups. Moderator analyses revealed that treatment efficacy was not moderated by any of the sociodemographic and clinical variables. CONCLUSIONS: Heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback and neurofeedback are associated with a reduction in self-reported depression. Despite the fact that the field has still a large room for improvement in terms of research quality, the results presented in this study suggests that both modalities may become relevant complementary strategies for the treatment of MDD and depressive symptomatology in the coming years.

Anticancer drug-loaded quantum dots engineered polymeric nanoparticles: Diagnosis/therapy combined approach.

Primary Effusion Lymphoma (PEL) is an HHV-8-related non Hodgkin lymphoma localized in body cavities (as pleural, peritoneal and pericardial) presenting lymphomatous effusion that, until now, lack of an effective therapy. Curcumin was reported to display pro-apoptotic effect via the inhibition of the JAK/STAT pathway, that is overexpressed in PEL cells, as consequence of virus infection. The administration of curcumin is severely restricted by its physicochemical properties, mainly its low solubility in biological fluid and consequently low bioavailability. Encapsulation into biocompatible and biodegradable PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) could be a strategy to overcome biological limits of curcumin, offering a valuable step forward for its clinical application. In this study we described single-emulsion process for curcumin loading into NPs (encapsulation efficiency about 35%). We applied a post-formulation strategy (NHS/EDC reaction) to decorate the surface of the curcumin-loaded NPs with quantum dots (QDs) as imaging agents (QDs-NPs-Cur, 24pmol of QDs per 100mg of NPs) obtaining tools useful for possible application in theranostic approach. Bifunctionalized NPs were tested in vitro on two PEL's cell line (BCBL-1 and HBL-6). The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated by cytofluorimetric assay by measuring both cell viability and cell density. We found that the NPs significantly improve the cellular effect of curcumin (respect to free drug). Moreover, by means of confocal microscopy, both the localization of bifunctional NPs and of the released drug were easily detectable. Thus, we conclude that the delivery of curcumin using bifunctional traceable NPs is a promising future approach for the diagnosis and the treatment of PEL.

Digestibility, palatability and emotional status after ingestion of an iced dessert: analysis of subjective responses in 100 healthy volunteers.

Food choices are influenced by many factors, perhaps the most important being availability. However, the desire to consume one item over another may be viewed as an outcome of sensory hedonic likes, situation and current internal state. In a previous preliminary report, an improvement of joy and mood, associated with good data of digestibility and palatability, was observed in a group of 30 healthy female subjects who consumed a coffee-flavoured iced dessert immediately after a standardized meal. The aim of this study is to confirm the results previously obtained in a smaller population and to investigate whether any differences between male and female subjects could be observed concerning the digestive process and emotional status. One hundred volunteers, after ENT and psychological assessment, were asked to fill out a Psycho-Emotional Questionnaire to assess their basal emotional pattern before the consumption of an iced coffee-flavoured dessert after a standard meal. After the meal they completed an Organoleptic-Sensory questionnaire, a Dynamic Digestibility questionnaire and again the Psycho-Emotional Questionnaire. In our study, most of the 100 subjects found the tested coffee-flavoured iced dessert pleasant according to the Organoleptic-Sensorial Questionnaire (OSQ), in terms of taste, aspect, texture and smell; moreover, the Dynamic Digestibility Questionnaire (DDQ) showed a good digestive experience in 71 subjects. According to the Psycho-Emotional Questionnaire (PEQ), an improvement of joy, activation and mood, associated with good data of digestibility and palatability was recorded. All these observations are statistically significant and the results seem to show a positive correlation between pleasure in eating such a product and emotional status. No statistically significant differences were recorded between male and female subjects.

Parietaria sublingual allergoid immunotherapy with a co-seasonal treatment schedule.

BACKGROUND: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with monomeric allergoid, given according to the standard scheme, resulted effective and safe. However, the achievement of a clinical benefit requires a long time. We thus performed this study using an administration protocol starting in the co-seasonal period with a 3-day build-up phase and lasting only 6 months, in order to obtain the above benefit in a shorter time. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study, prospective, randomised and controlled versus drug therapy, was conducted on 65 rhinitic and/or asthmatic patients allergic to Parietaria with or without other sensitisations. Twenty-four were allocated to 1,000 AU/week, 21 to 3,000 AU/week and 21 to drug therapy. They were treated from April to September 2006. At baseline, 3 and 6 months a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was performed to assess the patients' well-being. Drug consumption was evaluated by means of monthly diary cards. Bronchial reactivity was investigated at baseline and 6 months by methacholine challenge test. There was a greater VAS improvement in both the SLIT groups than in the controls after 6 months (p<0.05). In patients taking 3,000 AU/week this was already evident after 3 months. There was a significant reduction in rescue medication consumption between 3 and 6 months (p<0.05) in all three groups. The bronchial reactivity was reduced only in the SLIT groups (p<0.001). No adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: At 6 months the allergoid SLIT showed itself to be effective and safe. In addition the subjective clinical benefit was obtained in a more rapid period, i.e. 3 instead of 6 months, when a higher maintenance dose was administered.

Parietaria sublingual allergoid immunotherapy with a co-seasonal treatment schedule

Background: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with monomeric allergoid, given according to the standard scheme, resulted effective and safe. However, the achievement of a clinical benefit requires a long time. We thus performed this study using an administration protocol starting in the co-seasonal period with a 3-day build-up phase and lasting only 6 months, in order to obtain the above benefit in a shorter time. Methods and results: The study, prospective, randomised and controlled versus drug therapy, was conducted on 65 rhinitic and/or asthmatic patients allergic to Parietaria with or without other sensitisations. Twenty-four were allocated to 1,000 AU/week, 21 to 3,000 AU/week and 21 to drug therapy. They were treated from April to September 2006. At baseline, 3 and 6 months a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was performed to assess the patients' well-being. Drug consumption was evaluated by means of monthly diary cards. Bronchial reactivity was investigated at baseline and 6 months by methacholine challenge test. There was a greater VAS improvement in both the SLIT groups than in the controls after 6 months (p < 0.05). In patients taking 3,000 AU/week this was already evident after 3 months. There was a significant reduction in rescue medication consumption between 3 and 6 months (p < 0.05) in all three groups. The bronchial reactivity was reduced only in the SLIT groups (p < 0.001). No adverse events were observed. Conclusions: At 6 months the allergoid SLIT showed itself to be effective and safe. In addition the subjective clinical benefit was obtained in a more rapid period, i.e. 3 instead of 6 months, when a higher maintenance dose was administered

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Safety, tolerability and efficacy of sublingual allergoid immunotherapy with a 4-day shortened build-up phase.

BACKGROUND: Sublingual specific immunotherapy (SLIT) with monomeric allergoid has shown to be safe and effective the studies performed so far. The build-up phase, however, is rather time consuming mainly if performed with the conventional schedule of 14 weeks. AIMS OF STUDY: We evaluated the possibility of shortening and simplifying this phase, through a new build-up scheme of only 4 days, as well as the persistence of the allergoid SLIT efficacy after 12 months. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients (26 M, 13 F, mean age 20.5 years, range 6-49) with a history of moderate/severe rhinitis with or without mild asthma due to perennial and/or seasonal allergens entered the study. The posological schedule, adopting only 1,000 AU tablets, was the following: 1/2 tablet the 1st day; 1/2 table twice the second day; 1/2 table plus 1 table the 3rd day, 1 tablet twice the 4th day; 1 tablet twice weekly from the 5th to the 365th day (maintenance therapy). RESULTS: Only two mild adverse reactions occurred during the initial phase which disappeared with the prosecution of the treatment. During the maintenance therapy no adverse event was observed. Symptoms improved consistently and drug consumption was reduced in most of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The 4-day shortened build-up phase resulted to be safe, well tolerated and effective, already after one year of treatment.

Clinical efficacy and safety of preseasonal sublingual immunotherapy with grass pollen carbamylated allergoid in rhinitic patients. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to confirm the clinical efficacy and safety of a preseasonal sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in a group of allergic patients with seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis with or without mild intermittent or mild persistent asthma. The immunotherapy was administered through the oral mucosa with a monomeric carbamylated allergoid (allergoid SLIT) for grass pollens. A secondary endpoint was to evaluate the effect of the allergoid SLIT on nasal reactivity. METHODS AND RESULTS: A single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed. Patients were selected and randomly allocated to two groups: one group received active treatment (allergoid SLIT) for 2 years and the other received placebo. Both groups received the necessary drug treatment throughout the trial. Thirty-three outpatients (20 men and 13 women, mean age: 30 years; range: 19-43) attending our center were enrolled in the study. Symptoms and medications were scored on diary cards during the pollen season. An allergen nasal challenge was performed at baseline and after 2 years of SLIT to evaluate nasal reactivity. Because the clinical scores were non-normally distributed, the Mann-Whitney and the Chi-square tests for intergroup comparisons and the Wilcoxon test for intragroup comparisons were used. The results were evaluated after 1 and 2 years of treatment. Between the first and second years of treatment, no changes in the scores for the placebo group were found, while for the active vaccine group significant decreases were found in rhinorrhea (p < 0.03), sneezing (p < 0.03), and conjunctivitis (p < 0.02). Symptom scores after nasal challenge decreased (p < 0.03) after 2 years' treatment. Nasal steroid use significantly decreased in the active treatment group during May and June in both the years of treatment (p < 0.02). Only two mild local adverse events were reported in the active group and none was reported in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that the allergoid SLIT is safe and effective in decreasing symptom scores and drug use in rhinitic patients allergic to grass pollen.

Clinical efficacy and safety of preseasonal sublingual immunotherapy with grass pollen carbamylated allergoid in rhinitic patients. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study / Eficacia clínica y seguridad de la inmunoterapia sublingual preestacional con polen de gramíneas con alergoide carbamilado en pacientes con rinitis alérgica. Estudio a doble ciego controlado por placebo

Background: The aim of this study was to confirm the clinical efficacy and safety of a preseasonal sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in a group of allergic patients with seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis with or without mild intermittent or mild persistent asthma. The immunotherapy was administered through the oral mucosa with a monomeric carbamylated allergoid (allergoid SLIT) for grass pollens. A secondary endpoint was to evaluate the effect of the allergoid SLIT on nasal reactivity. Methods and results: A single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed. Patients were selected and randomly allocated to two groups: one group received active treatment (allergoid SLIT) for 2 years and the other received placebo. Both groups received the necessary drug treatment throughout the trial. Thirty-three outpatients (20 men and 13 women, mean age: 30 years; range: 19-43) attending our center were enrolled in the study. Symptoms and medications were scored on diary cards during the pollen season. An allergen nasal challenge was performed at baseline and after 2 years of SLIT to evaluate nasal reactivity. Because the clinical scores were non-normally distributed, the Mann-Whitney and the Chi-square tests for intergroup comparisons and the Wilcoxon test for intragroup comparisons were used. The results were evaluated after 1 and 2 years of treatment. Between the first and second years of treatment, no changes in the scores for the placebo group were found, while for the active vaccine group significant decreases were found in rhinorrhea (p < 0.03), sneezing (p < 0.03), and conjunctivitis (p < 0.02). Symptom scores after nasal challenge decreased (p < 0.03) after 2 years' treatment. Nasal steroid use significantly decreased in the active treatment group during May and June in both the years of treatment (p < 0.02). Only two mild local adverse events were reported in the active group and none was reported in the placebo group. Conclusions: The results of this study show that the allergoid SLIT is safe and effective in decreasing symptom scores and drug use in rhinitic patients allergic to grass pollen

Antecedentes: El objetivo de este estudio fue confirmar, en un grupo de pacientes alérgicos con rinoconjuntivitis estacional con y sin asma leve intermitente o leve persistente, la eficacia clínica y la seguridad de una inmunoterapia (IT) sublingual preestacional a través de la mucosa bucal realizada con un alergoide monomérico carbamilado (alergoide SLIT) para el tratamiento de la alergia al polen de las gramíneas. El fin secundario era evaluar el efecto que el alergoide SLIT tiene en la reactividad de la mucosa nasal. Métodos y Resultados. Se trató de un estudio comparativo doble ciego, aleatorio, controlado con placebo, realizado en un único centro. Los pacientes fueron seleccionados y asignados al azar en dos grupos: a un grupo se le administró el tratamiento activo (alergoide SLIT) durante dos años y al otro se le administró placebo. Ambos grupos recibieron el tratamiento farmacológico necesario durante todo el estudio. Se inscribieron en el estudio treinta y tres pacientes externos (20 hombres y 13 mujeres, edad promedio 30 años; entre 19-43) que asistían a nuestro centro. Durante la estación polínica, se registraron en el diario de los pacientes los síntomas y la medicación. Se expuso a los pacientes al alergeno al inicio del estudio y también al cabo de dos años de la IT para evaluar la reactividad de la mucosa nasal. Debido a que los resultados clínicos no estaban distribuidos de manera normal, se utilizaron las pruebas de Mann Whitney y de Chi cuadrado para comparar los grupos entre sí y la prueba de Wilcoxon para la comparación intragrupal. Los resultados se evaluaron después de uno y de dos años de tratamiento. Entre el primer y segundo año de tratamiento no hubo cambios en los resultados del grupo tratado con placebo, mientras que en el grupo que recibió la vacuna activa disminuyeron significativamente la rinorrea (p<0.03), los estornudos (p<0.03) y la conjuntivitis (p<0.02). Los resultados de los pacientes sintomáticos disminuyeron (p<0.03) luego de la prueba nasal después de dos años de tratamiento. El uso de esteroides nasales disminuyó significativamente en el grupo activo durante los meses de mayo y junio en los dos años de tratamiento (p<0.02). Se informaron únicamente dos casos de efectos adversos locales leves en el grupo activo y ninguno en el grupo placebo. Conclusiones: los resultados del estudio muestran que el alergoide SLIT es seguro y efectivo para disminuir no sólo los síntomas en pacientes riníticos alérgicos al polen de las gramíneas sino también el uso de medicamentos por parte de estos pacientes

Sublingual immunotherapy with Dermatophagoides monomeric allergoid down-regulates allergen-specific immunoglobulin E and increases both interferon-gamma- and interleukin-10-production.

BACKGROUND: The clinical efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for aeroallergens has been demonstrated in several trials, whereas the immunological changes induced by this treatment, which may account for the clinical improvement, are still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of a successful SLIT on the in vitro allergen-driven T cell response and cytokine secretion as well as on the serum levels of chemokines and of IgE, IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies (Abs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp)-sensitive patients with perennial rhinitic and/or rhinitic and asthmatic symptoms were randomized into two groups (13 untreated (UT) and 12 SLIT-treated) for a 1 year and half study. The proliferative response of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) to purified Der p1 allergen, their cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-beta) production and serum levels of chemokines associated with T helper type 1 (Th1) (CXCL10) or T helper type 2 (Th2) (CCL22) responses and of Dp-specific IgE, IgG1 and IgG4 Abs were evaluated before and after 6 months of treatment. RESULTS: SLIT induced a significant reduction of symptom medication scores after 6, 12 and 18 months of treatment in comparison with UT patients. SLIT-treated patients showed a significant decrease in serum levels of DP-specific IgE Abs, whereas total IgE, and specific IgG1 and IgG4 Abs remained unchanged. The proliferative response of allergen-specific T cells to Der p1 in vitro after 6 months of treatment was reduced, while no effect was observed on T cell proliferation to recall antigen (streptokinase). Moreover, Der p1-driven IFN-gamma and IL-10 were significantly increased in culture supernatants of PBMC from 6 month-treated patients in comparison with those detected at the beginning of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the allergen-driven enhancement of IL-10- and IFN-gamma-producing T cells precedes and associates with SLIT-induced down-regulation of specific IgE, thus providing a rationale to explain the clinical benefit of SLIT in allergic patients.

Training with computer-supported motor imagery in post-stroke rehabilitation.

Converging lines of evidence suggest that motor imagery (the mental simulation of a motor act within working memory) is associated with subliminal activation of the motor system. This observation has led to the hypothesis that cortical activation during motor imagery may affect the acquisition of specific motor skills and help the recovery of motor function. In this paper, we describe a clinical protocol in which we use interactive tools to stimulate motor imagery in hemiplegic stroke patients, thereby helping them to recover lost motor function. The protocol consists of an inpatient and an outpatient phase, combining physical and mental practice. In the inpatient phase, patients are trained in a laboratory setting, using a custom-made interactive workbench (VR Mirror). After discharge, patients use a portable device to guide mental and physical practice in a home setting. The proposed strategy is based on the hypotheses that: (a) combined physical and mental practice can make a cost-effective contribution to the rehabilitation of stroke patients, (b) effective mental practice is not possible without some form of support, from a therapist (as in our inpatient phase) or from technology (as in the outpatient phase), (c) the inclusion of an outpatient phase will allow the patient to practice more often than would otherwise be possible, therefore increasing the speed and/or effectiveness of learning, and (d) the use of interactive technology will reduce the patient's need for skilled support, therefore improving the cost-effectiveness of training.

Specific immunotherapy [correction of immunotheraphy] of allergic diseases: a three years perspective observational study.

In order evaluate the long-term benefit of Specific ImmunoTherapy (SIT), administered either subcutaneously or sublingually, in comparison with drug therapy, in terms of efficacy, tolerability and patients' adherence to the treatment, a three year perspective, observational study was carried out over tree years in a rather large number of allergic subjects. One hundred and ten patients of both sex (50F, 60M; age: 22.4 - 35.5 years) were admitted. Sixty of them were rhinitics, some with concomitant mild intermittent asthma or conjunctivitis; 43 had a persistent asthma, often with concomitant rhinitis. Seven had urticaria. Sixty patients were treated with the allergoid sublingual SIT (in tablets) plus drugs on demand, 19 with the subcutaneous SIT (depot, aluminium hydroxide subcutaneous SIT) and 31 with the pharmacological therapy alone, mainly nasal steroids and antihistamines. The treatment efficacy, evaluated after 36 months, by symptoms and drug consumption reduction, was statistically better in the group assigned to the allergoid sublingual SIT than in the other two groups. This was the case also for the tolerability, the patient's compliance and the physicians' and patients' opinion. The present findings, obtained by a non-randomized study, show that the allergoid sublingual SIT was very appreciated by both patients and physicians for the good effectiveness and the high degree of safety guaranteed, in addition to its simplicity of use.

Pollen mixtures used as health food may be a harmful source of allergens.

We describe herein one case of systemic anaphylaxis due to the ingestion of an undefined mixture of pollens, sold as a dietary supplement. The patient, who suffered from rhinoconjunctivitis due to grass pollen (with sensitization to several trees), had a severe episode of anaphylaxis immediately after eating this health food. The episode required emergency care. We attempted to study the pollen mixture responsible, but no pollen granules could be identified. We prepared a solid phase with the pollen mixture, and we observed a RAST positivity with the patient's serum and pools of sera containing specific IgE to trees. Furthermore, a RAST-inhibition assay of the patient's serum showed highly positive results with grasses, birch, alder and Compositae. Therefore, we concluded that the pollen mixture contained determinants capable of cross-reacting with the patient's IgE. This case report is evidence of the possible risks due to the use of undefined herbal products by allergic patients.

An epidemiological survey on the allergological importance of some emerging pollens in Italy.

Epidemiological studies on the pollens responsible for allergic diseases throughout Italy are lacking. Routine diagnostic panels consist prevalently of grass, Parietaria, weeds, birch, olive and mugwort. Considering the great variety of Italian geographical areas and the observation of the growing allergological importance of new botanical species (e.g., ambrosia), a survey on pollen species considered "minor" was necessary. A panel of "emerging" pollens (birch, hazelnut, alder, hornbeam, cypress, ragweed) and a routine panel were used to skin prick test 2,934 consecutive outpatients with respiratory pathology of suspected allergic origin, in 21 centers across Italy. A specific questionnaire was compiled. It was found that 20.1% of patients did not react to allergens tested, 28.2% were positive for at least one emerging pollen and 51.7% did not react to emerging pollens but tested positive for at least one allergen from the routine panel. The prevalence of single pollen species was related to geographical areas. Ragweed pollen was shown to provoke asthma much more frequently than other pollens. Hitherto scarcely considered pollens play a considerable role in causing allergic diseases in Italy. In the great majority of patients, positivity for these pollens was associated with positivity to the better recognized group of pollen allergens, although in some cases they were the primary pathogenic agent. We suggest that these more recently considered allergens be included in routine diagnostic panels.

Development of an immunoradiometric assay for quantitative determination of CrylA(b) protein in transgenic sugarcane plants.

An immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) system was performed to quantify the recombinant CrylA(b) protein produced by transgenic sugarcane lines. The method allowed detection of 0.1-1 ng CrylA(b) per 25 micrograms of soluble protein in leaf extracts from plants transformed with an expression vector containing a truncated version of the CrylA(b) gene from Bacillus thuringiensis. The technique was based upon the use of radioiodinated immunopurified antibodies specific to natural CrylA proteins in a one-step sandwich procedure by direct simultaneous incubation of the leaf extracts with the detecting antibody solution. This IRMA system provides a simple routine method to quantify the CrylA proteins in transgenic plants with different expression levels. We suggest that the methodology presented herein may become an efficient tool to quantify heterologous or native plant proteins, present at low levels in tissue extracts.

Screening for atopy in a coffee processing factory.

Screening for blood IgE mediated allergy (atopy) by the RAST technique among 76 people working in a coffee processing factory showed rather unexpected findings: although we found a prevalence of positivity (17.1%) to the common airborne antigens (pollens, mites, cat, Alternaria tenuis) which was close to the prevalence of atopy among normal adults in our area (19.3%), only one case of allergy to green coffee and two cases to castor bean came to the fore. Specific IgG4 antibodies were measured only for castor bean and green coffee, and rather elevated figures were found: green coffee 17.1%, castor bean 13.1%. The occurence of positive RASTs to castor bean is more likely to be due to contamination of the bags containing green coffee. The low prevalence of RAST positivities to green coffee, and the elevated specific IgG4 antibodies to both castor bean and green coffee antigens, raise several possibilities which are discussed; however, all the subjects but one having elevated specific IgG4 levels to green coffee worked in more exposed areas. Probably IgG4 antibodies in this particular case are acting as blocking antibodies.

Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of the coat protein gene of a Cuban isolate of potato leafroll virus and its expression in Escherichia coli.

Total RNA from infected Physalis floridana was isolated to generate complementary DNA corresponding to the coat protein (GP) gene of a Cuban isolate of potato leaf roll virus (PLRV). This cDNA was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloned into the bacterial expression vectors pEX(1-3) for fusion protein expression in E. coli. The product was detected by antibodies specific for the PLRV CP. The coding sequence of the CP gene was determined, and the predicted length of the CP was 208 amino acids (23 kD). The nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences were compared with the other PLRV isolates and found to be 97-99.5% identical at both the nucleotide and amino acid sequence level of other isolates. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of the PLRVcub CP revealed considerable homology to other luteoviruses. We believe that the protocol described could be applicable to other plant viruses of low abundance or of cumbersome isolation, since this method is less time consuming than the traditional methods of cloning coat protein genes of plant viruses with known sequences.

Prevalence of patent and latent atopy among a general normal adult population in the south east of France by RAST investigation and correlation with circulating total IgE levels.

A population of 512 adults (men: 266, 52%, women: 246, 48%) with mean age 41.4 years (S.D. 10.7) was investigated. This population was subdivided into five groups: Marseilles city, Manosque a small town in a prealpine area, the area surrounding the Etang de Berre, a rural area in Northern Bouches du Rhône and Chateaurenard, a small town in an intensive agricultural area. RASTs to a panel of eight allergens (Lolium perenne, Parietaria officinalis, Cupressus sempervirens, Olea europea, Cat dander, Alternaria tenuis, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and Castor bean seed) were done. 99 subjects were found to have a RAST positive to one or several allergens. The main positives found by RAST were a grass pollen (Lolium perenne) and the mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus with respectively 10.1% and 11.3% of the results followed by the pollens of Olea Europea 4.4%, Parietaria officinalis 3.1% and Cupressus sempervirens 1.9%, Castor bean seed 1.7% Cat dander 0.9% and Alternaria tenuis 0.9%. Allergy to cstor bean (Ricinus communis) seed was found mostly in the Chateaurenard area where castor castor bean pomace is used in the fields as a fertilizer. There is an almost equal number of RAST positivities to mites (13.3%) than to pollens (11.1%). The prevalence of RAST positive was higher in men (24.1%) than in women (14.2%), p < 0.01). This prevalence is lower when age is increasing. Thirty four subjects (6.6%) had clinical symptoms: This group has a higher prevalence of positive RAST in cases of allergic rhinitis (p < 0.01) and of asthma (p > 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Screening for IgE mediated allergy among people working in the Marseilles harbour.

Screening for IgE mediated allergy by RASTs to professional (castor bean, green coffee, peanut, soy protein, wheat, rice), and non professional (pollens, mites, cat, Alternaria tenuis) air borne antigens among 36 people working in the Marseilles harbour has showed rather unexpected findings: only one case of IgE positivity to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (class I) and one case of IgE positivity to castor bean seed (Ricinus communis) (class IV). IgG4 specific antibodies against castor bean and green coffee were also measured by an ELISA technique, with eleven cases of positivity to castor bean and only one case to green coffee being recorded. Several explanations can be put forward for the low incidence of IgE responses to the commonest airborne antigens and to the professional antigens (castor bean being the only offender), and for the rather high incidence of specific IgG4 antibodies to castor bean. Most likely, the low incidence of latent atopy is the result of a natural selection among the workers who gave up their job if experiencing of discomfort. As far as the elevated IgG4 antibody levels to castor bean are concerned, these are probably natural blocking antibodies.