In Europe (in + europe)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Evaluation of ash pollen sensitization pattern using proteomic approach with individual sera from allergic patients

ALLERGY, Issue 5 2010
P. Poncet
To cite this article: Poncet P, Senechal H, Clement G, Purohit A, Sutra J-P, Desvaux F-X, Wal J-M, Pauli G, Peltre G, Gougeon M-L. Evaluation of ash pollen sensitization pattern using proteomic approach with individual sera from allergic patients. Allergy 2010; 65: 571,580. Abstract Background:, In Europe, sensitization to ash pollen induces pollinosis with cross-reactivities with other pollen sources. The aim of the study was to identify the repertoire of ash pollen allergens and evaluate the extent of the diversity of the IgE response in ash allergic patients. Methods:, The IgE reactivities of 114 ash pollen- and eight grass pollen-sensitized patients were screened by 1D immunoblot (SDS,PAGE) against ash pollen extract. The IgE reactivities of 13 ash pollen- and two grass pollen-sensitized patients were then evaluated in 2D immunoblots. Some IgE- and non-IgE-reactive proteins were identified by mass spectrometry. Results:, In 1D analysis, 86% of sera showed binding to Fra e 1 (18,20 kDa), 23% to Fra e 2 (14 kDa), 3% to Fra e 3 (10 kDa) and 57% to High Molecular Weight allergens (HMW, >30 kDa). Individual analysis of 2D immunoblots showed several IgE-binding protein areas among which three were more often recognized: (i) Fra e 1 comprising, at least, 15 isoforms, (ii) a series of acidic spots (45 kDa), and (iii) Fra e 2, the ash profilin. HMW allergens could be resolved in four areas; two unidentified, one homologous to ,-galactosidase and the other to sugar transport proteins. A malate deshydrogenase and calmodulin were shown to be IgE-binding proteins and 10 non-IgE reactive proteins were identified. Conclusions:, No direct correlation was evidenced between IgE profile and the degree of sensitization even though 2 spectrotypes could be distinguished. Our data contribute to a better delineation of ash pollen allergens and patterns of sensitization. [source]


Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation as Prehospital Emergency Interventional Care: Treating Acute Pelvic Pain in Young Women

NEUROMODULATION, Issue 2 2006
Renate Barker MD
Abstract Objectives., In Europe, patients with acute pelvic pain are transported to the hospital in an ambulance without an emergency physician. We hypothesized that transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) would be an effective noninvasive procedure for pain treatment. Methods., We conducted a prospective, randomized, blinded study where 100 women were randomly assigned into a real- or a sham-TENS group. TENS began before the transport to the ambulance and was left in place until the arrival at the hospital. Each patient rated her pain on paper using a visual analog scale. Results., Compared to sham TENS, patients with active TENS felt that their pain was reduced by half after treatment (p < 0.01), anxiety scores significantly decreased (p < 0.01), heart rate and arteriolar vasoconstriction decreased significantly (p < 0.01), and nausea (p < 0.01) was lessened. Overall satisfaction with the received care was significantly higher (p < 0.01). Conclusion., TENS is a safe, rapid, and effective analgesic treatment for acute pelvic pain. [source]


Implementation of semi-automated cloning and prokaryotic expression screening: the impact of SPINE

ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D, Issue 10 2006
Pedro M. Alzari
The implementation of high-throughput (HTP) cloning and expression screening in Escherichia coli by 14 laboratories in the Structural Proteomics In Europe (SPINE) consortium is described. Cloning efficiencies of greater than 80% have been achieved for the three non-ligation-based cloning techniques used, namely Gateway, ligation-indendent cloning of PCR products (LIC-PCR) and In-Fusion, with LIC-PCR emerging as the most cost-effective. On average, two constructs have been made for each of the approximately 1700 protein targets selected by SPINE for protein production. Overall, HTP expression screening in E. coli has yielded 32% soluble constructs, with at least one for 70% of the targets. In addition to the implementation of HTP cloning and expression screening, the development of two novel technologies is described, namely library-based screening for soluble constructs and parallel small-scale high-density fermentation. [source]


Recombinant protein expression and solubility screening in Escherichia coli: a comparative study

ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D, Issue 10 2006
Nick S. Berrow
Producing soluble proteins in Escherichia coli is still a major bottleneck for structural proteomics. Therefore, screening for soluble expression on a small scale is an attractive way of identifying constructs that are likely to be amenable to structural analysis. A variety of expression-screening methods have been developed within the Structural Proteomics In Europe (SPINE) consortium and to assist the further refinement of such approaches, eight laboratories participating in the network have benchmarked their protocols. For this study, the solubility profiles of a common set of 96 His6 -tagged proteins were assessed by expression screening in E. coli. The level of soluble expression for each target was scored according to estimated protein yield. By reference to a subset of the proteins, it is demonstrated that the small-scale result can provide a useful indicator of the amount of soluble protein likely to be produced on a large scale (i.e. sufficient for structural studies). In general, there was agreement between the different groups as to which targets were not soluble and which were the most soluble. However, for a large number of the targets there were wide discrepancies in the results reported from the different screening methods, which is correlated with variations in the procedures and the range of parameters explored. Given finite resources, it appears that the question of how to most effectively explore `expression space' is similar to several other multi-parameter problems faced by crystallographers, such as crystallization. [source]


Sunscreen ingredients and labelling: a survey of products available in the UK

CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2007
S. Wahie
Summary Background., In Europe, where sunscreens are classified as cosmetics, products may contain one or several of 27 permitted ,ultraviolet filters'. We were unable to find published data on the frequency of usage of individual ultraviolet (UV)-absorbing chemicals in currently available sunscreens. Aim., To record the active ingredients and labelling characteristics of sunscreens available in the UK. Methods., In 2005, two dermatologists visited seven retail outlets, which stocked a large range of sunscreens. Manufacturers were also contacted. For each product, the names of UV-protective ingredients and the labelling information, including sun protection factor (SPF), UVA protection and age group for which the product was marketed were recorded. Results., Data on 308 skin sunscreen products and 21 lip sunscreens were recorded. For skin products, the SPF ranged from 2 to 60. In total, 23 different UV-absorbing ingredients were found, 4 of which were found in >,25% of products. The child and baby skin sunscreens (n = 52) had a significantly higher median SPF of 40, compared with 15 for the remaining 256 adult products (P < 0.001). The number of UV-absorbing chemicals and the frequency of those commonly used did not differ substantially between child and adult products. Of skin sunscreens marketed for babies, 60% contained 2,6 UV-absorbing chemicals. Nearly half of the skin sunscreens contained at least one of nine UV-absorbing chemicals not available in patch testing formulations from commercial suppliers. Conclusions., The results of this survey indicate current sunscreen content and labelling, and are a benchmark from which new developments can be tracked. More standard sunscreen labelling, particularly separate listing of active ingredients, would be helpful. It was surprising to find UV-absorbing chemicals in products sold for use on babies. [source]