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Background: IL-6 trans-signaling is critically involved in the initiation and promotion of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Therefore, we investigated the clinical relevance of soluble members of IL-6 trans-signaling system in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Methods: IL-6, interleukin 6 soluble receptor (IL-6 sR) and soluble gp130 (sgp130) were measured by ELISA method in plasma from CSU patients and the healthy subjects. The data were related to activation of the acute phase response as indicated by serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration and compared between patients stratified by the disease activity. Results: Concentrations of IL-6, IL-6 sR, sgp130 in plasma and CRP in serum were significantly elevated in CSU patients compared with the healthy controls. CRP correlated significantly with IL-6 and sgp130, similarly IL-6 correlated significantly with sgp130. By contrast, CRP and IL-6 did not correlate significantly with IL-6 sR. However, significant correlation was noted between IL-6 sR and sgp130. Conclusions: Concentrations of IL-6 and its soluble receptors were significantly elevated in patients with CSU, suggesting upregulation of the IL-6 trans-signaling in the disease. In addition, our results support the concept that the system may be involved in pathogenesis of the systemic inflammatory activation in CSU patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is considered as an important immunomodulating and anti-inflammatory hormone. Despite the continuing interest in DHEA replacement therapy, our knowledge of its effects upon asthma is very limited. DHEA is able to reverse cytokine imbalances associated with asthma, may prevent and attenuate allergic inflammation in airways, and does not possess the undesirable side effects of glucocorticoids; therefore, it may be potentially applied in the treatment of asthma. The steroid-sparing effect observed with DHEA clinically could appear especially favorable in asthmatic patients receiving oral treatment and those inhaling high doses of glucocorticoids. In addition, DHEA and its analogs might prove useful in reversing relative glucocorticoids insensitivity in patients with corticosteroid-resistant asthma. In this review we have focused specifically on DHEA’s role in asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood platelets participate actively in immune-inflammatory processes. Responding to the variety of stimuli such as cell activation leads to the release of several mediators, including RANTES, platelet factor 4, beta-thromboglobulin, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17), serotonin and arachidonic acid metabolites. It also affects the expression of immunomodulatory and adhesive molecules, including CD154 and P-selectin. Immune-inflammatory processes associated with skin diseases could induce platelet activation, which, in turn, would contribute to acceleration and modulation of these processes. Activated platelets are capable of facilitating leukocyte rolling in the skin and the release of skin inflammation mediators. Changes in platelet function and behaviour may occur in certain types of skin inflammatory conditions and platelets might then be an important effector cell of the skin immune system, contributing to the pathogenesis of some skin inflammatory disorders. The changes in platelet activity and reactivity have been demonstrated to show distinctly different pathogenic mechanisms in cutaneous diseases, such as urticaria, atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome and psoriasis. Considering the risk of cardiovascular events, some of them seem to be of clinical significance. This contribution is a brief outline of the present knowledge of the platelet function in dermal disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: As chronic urticaria in pre-menopausal women was accompanied by lower serum concentration of DHEA-S and because it had been known that endocrine profiles changed along with ageing, in the present study we investigated DHEA-S behaviour in post-menopausal women suffering from chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). Methods: Serum concentration of DHEA-S was measured in 32 post-menopausal women, aged between 49 and 66, suffering from CIU, as well as in 30 healthy subjects matched for age, body mass index, and years since menopause. Results: No statistical difference in DHEA-S serum concentration was found between the CIU patients and the controls (median 99.63ug/dl versus 108.25ug/dl, respectively). Conclusions: The observations made recently and those of our previous results may point to the existence of two different hormonal patterns of DHEA-S circulating concentration in female patients suffering from CIU, depending on age of the disease onset. The scope of the study has been limited however, due to the small number of subjects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Decline in circulating DHEA-S concentration may be a phenomenon accompanying chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). IL-6 is a multifunctional proinflammatory cytokine which exerts a wide range of biological effects. A functional link between DHEA-S and IL-6 has been described. Therefore, the present study was performed to evaluate circulating concentration of IL-6 in patients with CIU and to study its relationship with DHEA-S and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration. IL-6 plasma concentration was determined in 18 female non-atopic patients with CIU who had negative response to autologous serum skin test and 20 non-atopic healthy controls. Plasma concentration of IL-6 was statistically higher in CIU patients than in the control group, although all the values were found within the range of the normal subjects. CIU patients showed significantly lower DHEA-S concentration in serum than the controls. CRP concentration remained within the normal range and did not differ between the two groups. We did not find a significant correlation between concentration of IL-6 and DHEA-S, or CRP. It seems that the processes associated with CIU may be accompanied by slightly elevated plasma concentration of IL-6 and substantially decreased serum concentration of DHEA-S as compared with the healthy subjects. However, no association between IL-6 and DHEA-S concentration in the peripheral circulation of CIU patients was proved, suggesting that both phenomena may not be related to each other. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Patients suffering form house dust mite-sensitive persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR) seem to show changed platelet aggregability following mite allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT). However, in patients with grass pollen-sensitive intermittent allergic rhinitis, platelet release reaction in vivo, measured by beta-TG, did not change significantly during the dose increase phase of subcutaneous SIT with grass pollen allergoids. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of SIT with house dust mite allergen extracts on the degree of circulating platelet activity in patients with PAR. The study comprised 14 patients sensitized to house dust mite allergens with PAR during the early phase of subcutaneous SIT with house dust mite allergen extracts—Dermatophagoides farinae 50 p.c. and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus 50 p.c. (Novo-Helisen® Depot, Allergopharma, Germany). SIT comprised subcutaneous injection of allergen extracts during approximately 3 months. Blood was collected before SIT, as well as immediately before, 30min and 24h after maximum dose injection. Plasma levels of PF-4 and beta-TG, platelet activation markers were measured using commercial ELISA kit. PF-4 and beta-TG basal levels were not significantly different between the patients and the healthy subjects. PAR patients treated with SIT showed no significant differences in plasma levels of the markers between the different points of the study. Thus, it seems that the degree of platelet activation measured by PF-4 and beta-TG does not change in PAR patients during hyposensitization with mite allergen extracts, after the maximum dose was reached. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Oxidative stress is an important event in lesional skin of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). In the present study, we assessed blood oxidant/antioxidant status of patients suffering from CIU with positive response to autologous serum skin test (ASST) and with negative ASST, to improve our understanding of biological processes and the part of oxidative stress in this disease. Activities of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), copper–zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/ZnSOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and catalase (CAT) as indices of enzymatic antioxidant capacity, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) level as a maker of lipid peroxidation were measured in plasma and erythrocytes from 14 CIU female patients showing positive ASST, 31 CIU female patients with negative ASST and in 19 sex- and age- matched healthy subjects. The antioxidant enzyme activity in plasma and in erythrocytes did not differ significantly among the three groups. Also, the plasma and erythrocytes MDA levels were similar in the three groups. Based on our results, it seems that systemic activity of the enzymatic antioxidants (CuZn/SOD, MnSOD, GSH-Px, and CAT) as well as level of lipid peroxidation determined by MDA may not be increased in the course of immune-inflammatory processes associated with CIU. We also suggest that the systemic oxidant/antioxidant status of CIU patients, showing positive response to ASST, may not be different from that of CIU patients with negative ASST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Platelet may become activated following antigen challenge to participate then actively in the immune-inflammatory response. Moreover, some evidence proves that specific immunotherapy induces changes in the platelet function. The objective of this study was to determine circulating platelet activity during the early phase of allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) in patients with grass pollen-sensitive allergic rhinitis. Twelve grass-pollen allergic patients (seven men and five women) with intermittent allergic rhinitis were treated with specific subcutaneous allergoid preparation. SIT was received by six weekly injections, the vaccine dose increasing until the maintenance level was reached. Blood was sampled at four different time points: before and directly before SIT, 30min and 24h after the maximum dose injection of the vaccine. Plasma level of beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG), marker of platelet activation in vivo was measured using ELISA method. Baseline beta-TG level did not differ significantly among the patients and healthy subjects. Moreover, no significant differences were observed in the degree of platelet activity between the different times of this study in the patients group. We failed to detect any significant changes in circulating platelet activity, the measure of plasma level of beta-TG, in patients with grass-pollen induced intermittent rhinitis during the course of the dose increase phase of grass pollen SIT. In particular, it seems that both early (after 30min) and late (after 24h) changes in plasma level of this marker do not occur following the maximum dose administration of the allergen vaccine during the early SIT phase. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Kasperska-Zajac A, Rogala B, Nowakowski M. Assessment of platelet activity as expressed by plasma levels of platelet factor 4 andβ-thromboglobulin in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria. Blood platelet significance in inflammation is recognized but poorly characterized in urticaria. It is known that platelets are activated during inflammatory processes and are involved in modulating inflammatory and immune response via various mediator release. The aim of our study was to investigate the functional state of platelets, expressed by release reaction of C-X-C chemokines such as platelet factor 4 (PF-4) andβ-thromboglobulin (β-TG) in chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). Plasma levels of PF-4 andβ-TG, which are established markers of in vivo platelet activation and which play important role in inflammatory processes, were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 19 patients with CIU and in 25 healthy subjects. Mean plasma PF-4 level in CIU patients and control subjects was 5.01 ± 1.67 and 4.13 ± 2.05 IU/ml, respectively, whereas that forβ-TG was 29.3 ± 14.0 and 25.2 ± 12.6 IU/ml, respectively. In our small study, there have been no significant differences found between the members of the control and CIU group regarding plasma levels of PF-4 andβ-TG. Further studies should be performed to elucidate whether any systemic platelet activation occurs in CIU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Previously we reported that patients sensitized to pollen-allergens who had seasonal allergic rhinitis and seasonal asthma may show increased plasma levels of platelet activation markers during grass pollen season. Objective. To find out whether the pattern of platelet activity measured by plasma PF-4 level in the same group of patients changed off-season compared with the pollen season as well as in comparison with healthy control subjects. Methods. Off-pollen season, plasma PF-4 level was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 16 grass pollen allergic patients who had seasonal allergic rhinitis and seasonal asthmatic symptoms (none of them had any history of allergic diseases outside the season) and in 29 healthy nonatopic subjects. Results. Plasma PF-4 level in the patients off-pollen season was significantly lower as compared with the season and did not differ significantly as compared to the healthy subjects. Conclusions. This observation taken along with our previous results indicates that patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and asthma symptoms may have an increased circulating platelet activation, yet this phenomenon disappears in the asymptomatic period of the disease. This might indicate that platelet activation within the systemic circulation is an important factor in the development of seasonal allergic airway inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium tetradecyl sulfate is a sclerosing agent that has been widely used to treat varicose veins of the legs and digestive tract. Despite the multitude of side-effects of sclerotherapy procedures and sclerosing-drug administration, the medical literature reports only on a few cases of life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions resulting from sodium tetradecyl sulfate therapy, A case is reported of a 49-year-old woman who developed anaphylactoid reaction after the administration of the Fibro-vein for varicose veins in the legs. Attention is drawn to this adverse event and underlines the necessity for potential hypersensitivity assessment before the drug application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evidence gathered has pointed to the fibrinolytic system, which apart from its major role in hemostasis may also be involved in inflammatory and immune processes. To understand better the role of fibrinolysis in urticaria, we measured plasma levels of the urokinase system associated molecules such as urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), its soluble receptor (suPAR; CD87) and an inhibitor, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) activity in chronic urticaria (CU) patients. Plasma was obtained from symptomatic sixteen CU patients (12 females and 4 males) showing positive response to autologous serum skin test (ASST), 28 CU patients with negative ASST (20 females and 8 males) as well as from healthy subjects matched by sex and age. The plasma level of uPA and suPAR antigens, PAI-1 activity did not differ significantly among the three subjects groups. The data obtained suggest that CU patients showing positive response to ASST have plasma profile of the urokinase system-associated proteins, which is not markedly different as compared with CU patients with negative ASST as well as healthy subjects. Our findings have also confirmed the earlier studies, suggesting that systemic fibrinolysis may not be involved in chronic urticaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of autoimmune aetiology of some cases of chronic urticaria (CU) has been supported by several observation including wheal-and-flare reaction induced by intradermal injection of autologous serum as well as association with other autoimmune diseases, in particular Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). It is known that activated platelets may actively participate in immune-inflammatory processes. Therefore, we assessed whether autoimmune phenomenon associated with CU influence the systemic platelet activity measured by circulating level of platelet factor 4 (PF-4). Plasma level of PF-4 was analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in twelve women with strong positive response to autologous serum skin test (ASST) suffering from CU, twelve female patients with strong positive ASST suffering from both CU and untreated, HT as well as sixteen healthy women. All the subjects were clinically and biochemically euthyroid. There were no statistically significant differences between the CU patients with or without euthyroid HT and plasma PF-4 level in healthy controls. In patients with both CU and thyroiditis, plasma level of PF-4 did not correlate significantly with the level of antibodies against thyroperoxidase. It seems that circulating level of the platelet-derived chemokine is not increased in CU patients with positive response to ASST, regardless the occurrence of euthyroid HT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We have previously reported, increased plasma IL-6 concentration in chronic urticaria. In addition, it has been suggested that IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) may be useful markers of the disease activity. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a systemic inflammation is present in delayed pressure urticaria (DPU). Methods Plasma IL-6 and serum CRP concentrations, biomarkers of acute phase response, were measured in DPU, and the healthy subjects matched by age, gender, and BMI using ELISA method. Results DPU patients showed significantly higher plasma IL-6 and serum CRP concentrations than the healthy subjects. Conclusions Similarly to the known locally increased IL-6 activity in DPU lesions, the elevated circulating levels of IL-6 and CRP have been currently found in DPU. This indicates that the disease induces a systemic inflammatory process, termed the acute phase response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: It has been hypothesised that house dust mite is as a causative and/or deteriorating factor in some cases of chronic urticaria. In this report we describe two patients with the history of respiratory house dust mite allergy and chronic urticaria, which resolved in the course of house dust mite immunotherapy. Basing on literature and our own experiences, we can only speculate that some patients suffering from mite-induced respiratory allergy and concomitant chronic urticaria may benefit additionally from allergen immunotherapy, manifesting as the withdrawal or alleviation of urticaria symptoms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Although chronic urticaria (CU) is a common and primarily affects females, there is little data on how pregnancy interacts with the disease. Objective: To analyse the treatment use by CU patients before, during and after pregnancy as well as outcomes of pregnancy. Methods: PREG‐CU is an international, multicentre study of the Urticaria Centers of Reference and Excellence network. Data were collected via a 47‐item‐questionnaire completed by CU patients who became pregnant during their disease course. Results: Questionnaires from 288 CU patients from 13 countries were analysed. During pregnancy, most patients (60%) used urticaria medication including standard‐dose second generation H1‐antihistamines (35.1%), first generation H1‐antihistamines (7.6%), high‐dose second‐generation H1‐antihistamines (5.6%) and omalizumab (5.6%). The preterm birth rate was 10.2%; rates were similar between patients who did and did not receive treatment during pregnancy (11.6% vs. 8.7%, respectively). Emergency referrals for CU and twin birth were risk factors for preterm birth. The caesarean delivery rate was 51.3%. More than 90% of new‐borns were healthy at birth. There was no link between any patient or disease characteristics or treatments and medical problems at birth. Conclusion: Most CU patients used treatment during pregnancy especially second‐generation antihistamines which seem to be safe during pregnancy regardless of the trimester. The rates of preterm births and medical problems of new‐borns in CU patients were similar to population norms and not linked to treatment used during pregnancy. Emergency referrals for CU increased the risk of preterm birth and emphasize the importance of sufficient treatment to keep urticaria under control during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The study investigated health-related quality of life in relation to mental status (anxiety and depression) and demographic factors in patients before and after total hip replacement due to osteoarthrosis. Methods. The SF-36, HADS, socio-demographic data questionnaire was delivered to a group of 184 subjects (108 females, 76 males) at the mean age at the time of surgery of 59 years. Questionnaires were delivered to the subjects 2 weeks before the surgery and 6 months after the operation (by mail). Results. Patients after hip replacement showed significant improvement in health-related quality of life in most domains of SF-36 score and summary scale of PCS (Physical Component Summary Scale) and MCS (Mental Component Summary Scale). They also showed improvement in mental status. Elderly patients were more likely to show worse score in MCS and PCS before and after surgery. BMI (body mass index) was correlated only with preoperative PCS. Mental status was associated with postoperative PCS and MCS. Patients who were satisfied with the results of the surgery showed higher PCS and MCS score. Conclusion. Hip replacement surgery brings significant improvement to the quality of life. Age and mental status of those patients influence markedly their postoperative performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Information/communication technologies such as mobile phone applications (apps) would enable chronic urticaria (CU) patients to self‐evaluate their disease activity and control. Yet, recently Antó et al (2021) reported a global paucity of such apps for patients with CU. In this analysis, we assessed patient interest in using apps to monitor CU disease activity and control using questions from the chronic urticaria information and communication technologies (CURICT) study. Methods: The methodology for CURICT has been reported. Briefly, a 23‐item questionnaire was completed by 1841 CU patients from 17 UCAREs across 17 countries. Here, we analyzed patient responses to the CURICT questions on the use of apps for urticaria‐related purposes. Results: As previously published, the majority of respondents had chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU; 63%; 18% chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU) [CIndu]; 19% with both), were female (70%) and in urban areas (75%). Over half of patients were very/extremely interested in an app to monitor disease activity (51%) and control (53%), while only ∼1/10 were not. Patients with both urticaria types versus those with CSU only (odds ratio [OR], 1.36 [1.03–1.79]) and females versus males (OR [95% CI], 1.47 [1.17–1.85]) were more likely to be very to extremely interested in an app to assess disease control. Conclusions: Overall, half of the patients with CU were very to extremely interested in using an app to assess their disease activity and control. Development of well‐designed apps, specific to disease types (CSU, CIndU, CSU + CIndU, etc), validated by experts across platforms would help improve the management and possibly outcomes of CU treatment while providing important patient information to be used in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic urticaria (CU) predominantly affects women, and sex hormones can modulate disease activity in female CU patients. As of now, the impact of pregnancy on CU is largely unknown. Aim: To analyze the course and features of CU during and after pregnancy. Patients and methods: PREG‐CU is an international, multicenter study of the Urticaria Centers of Reference and Excellence (UCARE) network. Data were collected via a 47‐item questionnaire completed by CU patients, who became pregnant within the last 3 years. Results: A total of 288 pregnancies of 288 CU patients from 13 countries were analyzed (mean age at pregnancy: 32.1 ± 6.1 years, duration of CU: 84.9 ± 74.5 months; CSU 66.9%, CSU + CIndU 20.3%, CIndU 12.8%).During pregnancy, 51.1% of patients rated their CU as improved, 28.9% as worse, and 20.0% as unchanged.CU exacerbations most commonly occurred exclusively during the third trimester (in 34 of 124 patients; 27.6%) or the first (28 of 124; 22.8%). The risk factors for worsening of CU during pregnancy were having mild disease and no angioedema before pregnancy, not taking treatment before pregnancy, CIndU, CU worsening during a previous pregnancy, treatment during pregnancy, and stress as a driver of exacerbations. After giving birth, urticaria disease activity remained unchanged in 43.8% of CU patients, whereas 37.4% and 18.1% experienced worsening and improvement, respectively. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the complex impact of pregnancy on the course of CU and help to better counsel patients who want to become pregnant and to manage CU during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There are only limited data on CC and CXC chemokines regulation in children with asthma. Aim: We compared the serum profile of selected CC and CXC chemokines in patients with atopic asthma and healthy children. Material and methods: Serum concentration of CC chemokines RANTES, MCP-1, and CXC chemokines IP-10, MIG, IL-8, RANTES was measured using cytometric bead array in 44 children with atopic asthma and 17 healthy subjects. Results: The concentration of RANTES was significantly higher and the MIG level was lower in all children with asthma as compared to their control counterparts. We observed increased RANTES and decreased MIG levels also in patients with stable asthma when compared with children in the control group. The IP-10 concentration was similar between the whole asthma group and healthy controls, while significantly increased levels of this chemokine in acute asthma have been observed when compared to stable asthma. For MCP-1 and IL-8, the serum concentration was similar in all compared groups. The MIG concentration correlated positively with IP-10, IL-8, and CRP levels and negatively with the eosinophil count. A negative correlation between the IP-10 and eosinophil count and a negative correlation between FEV1 and IP-10 were found. Conclusions: An increased serum RANTES level in children with asthma may result in enhancement of Th2 lymphocyte recruitment into the airway. A decreased expression of Th1 chemokine MIG in children with stable asthma may contribute to a diminished antagonizing effect on Th2 cytokine production and hence intensify Th2 predominance. An increased IP-10 level in children during an asthma attack suggest that this chemokine is a serological marker of disease exacerbation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a powerful enhancer of vascular permeability and inflammatory response; however its significance in chronic urticaria is poorly recognised. Aim. To compare free circulating levels of VEGF and its soluble receptors (sVEGFR1 and VEGFR2) in patients with different forms of chronic urticaria. Methods. The concentrations of VEGF and its receptors in plateletpoor plasma (PPP)/plasma were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in chronic urticaria: (1) chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) with positive autologous serum skin test (ASST), (2) CSU with negative response to ASST, (3) CSU with concomitant euthyroid Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (CSU/Hashimoto), (4) delayed pressure urticaria (DPU), and the healthy subjects. Results. There were no significant differences in VEGF concentration in PPP between CSU groups and the healthy subjects. Contrary, VEGF concentration was significantly higher in DPU and CSU/Hashimoto patients as compared with the healthy subjects and CSU groups. Furthermore, VEGF value in CSU/Hashimoto patients during the remission was similar to that of the active period and significantly higher than the healthy subjects; VEGF concentration was significantly correlated with TSH. Plasma concentrations of sVEGF1 and sVEGF2 were similar in chronic urticaria patients and the healthy subjects. Conclusions. Increased free circulating VEGF concentration may result from the urticarial process itself as well as concomitant Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nitric oxide (NO) is involved in eating behavior and inflammatory response. Moreover, there is evidence that NO production is altered in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). Aim: To assess whether the overproduction of NO in AN can affect NO level in exhaled air. Materials and methods: Exhaled NO level was studied in 23 girls with AN and compared with that of healthy age- and gender-matched nonatopic controls. Results: Exhaled NO levels were significantly higher in girls with AN compared with healthy age-matched controls. Conclusions: It appears that anorexia nervosa was accompanied by a higher level of exhaled NO, likely resulting from a systemic increase in NO production because of the severe catabolic state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is associated with activation of acute phase response. On the other hand, it is known that systemic inflammation may lead to increased formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), associated with pathogenesis of various diseases. Aim. We aim to test whether chronic inflammation manifested by activated acute phase response may provide a mechanism for increased serum AGEs concentration in CSU. Methods. Concentrations of AGEs were measured spectrofluorimetrically in serum of CSU patients and the healthy subjects. Results. Serum AGEs and albumin concentrations in CSU patients were significantly lower as compared with the healthy subjects. Serum CRP concentration was significantly higher in patients with CSU than in the controls. Significant positive correlation was observed between AGEs and albumin concentrations in the subjects. Conclusions. CSU is not associated with increased circulating AGEs concentrations, despite the enhanced systemic inflammatory response. Paradoxical decrease of serum AGEs concentrations is probably a reflection of lower concentration of "negative acute phase proteins" such as albumin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Very little is known about the role of adipokines in atopic dermatitis (AD) in children. This study aimed at analyzing the serum levels of resistin, apelin, and visfatin in children with AD in relation to body weight, AD severity, and gender. Serum concentration of adipokines was measured in 27 children with AD and in 46 healthy subjects. Selected biochemical parameters were evaluated and skin prick test was performed. Serum levels of resistin and apelin were significantly higher, whereas serum visfatin concentration was significantly lower in children with AD versus healthy controls, although an increase in resistin levels was exclusively demonstrated in boys. In AD group, a significant increase in apelin levels in girls was documented. There was no relationship between adipokines levels and the degree of allergic sensitization. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the serum apelin cutoff value differentiating children with AD from those without was >137.8pg/mL. Resistin and visfatin cutoff values were >3.8 ng/mL and ≤ 2.13 ng/mL, respectively. Apelin and visfatin can serve as excellent indicators to distinguish children with AD from those without disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To cite this article: Machura E, Rusek-Zychma M, Jachimowicz M, Wrzask M, Mazur B, Kasperska-Zajac A. Serum TARC and CTACK concentrations in children with atopic dermatitis, allergic asthma, and urticaria. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2012: 23: 278-284. Abstract Background: Thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) and cutaneous T cell-attracting chemokine (CTACK/CCL27) belong to the CC chemokine family, which plays an important role in immune-inflammatory processes. It has been demonstrated that serum concentrations of TARC and CTACK are increased in patients with various allergic diseases. Aim: To compare serum TARC and CTACK concentrations between children with different clinical manifestation of mast cell-dependent diseases, such as atopic allergy and urticaria. Methods: A total of 87 children including 26 with mild to severe atopic dermatitis (AD), 43 children with controlled allergic asthma symptoms (treated and untreated with anti-inflammatory drugs), and 18 children with urticaria were recruited into the study. The control group consisted of 31 healthy non-atopic children. Results: Serum concentrations of TARC and CTACK were significantly higher in children with AD than in healthy controls. No significant differences in serum concentrations of the chemokines between asthmatics, urticaria patients, and healthy controls were found. The severity of AD symptoms significantly correlated with serum CTACK and TARC concentrations. Conclusion: These findings, in conjunction with earlier data, indicate that differences may exist in circulating concentrations of TARC and CTACK, between patients with atopic allergy and urticaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Abstract: Total hip replacement is one of the most successful orthopaedic interventions in improving considerably the patients'' performance, nevertheless some patients demonstrate declined functional ability following an operation. Such condition is not a consequence of medical illness or the surgery itself but might rather be associated with mental status. The authors conduct an investigation concerning the relation between some psychological and psychiatric factors and their influence on health-related quality of life in patients after total hip replacement. Methods: Into the study group we included 102 subjects undergoing total hip replacement (59 female, 43 male). In all subjects we measured depression (Beck Depression Inventory – BDI), anxiety (State and Trait Anxiety Inventory – STAI), sense of coherence (SOC-29), personality traits (Eysenck Personality Inventory – EPI) and health related quality of life (SF-36). Results: The postoperative values of the PCS and the MCS for the whole group of patients correlated negatively with the SOC values (p =0.04 and p =0.03 respectively). Neuroticism (EPI) and anxiety as a trait (STAI) were also associated with postoperative performance, both in mental (p =0.03 and p =0.008 respectively) and physical (p =0.005 and p =0.04 respectively terms). Conclusion: Total hip replacement improves significantly the patient''s health-related quality of life at 6months after surgery, what is influenced by sense of coherence, neuroticism and anxiety as a trait. Above mentioned factors should be taken into account when rehabilitation and social readaptation processes are planned. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]