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Biomedical subjects

M Gouitaa

Publications and source records attributed to M Gouitaa.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Immunotherapy with an aluminum hydroxide-adsorbed Juniperus ashei foreign pollen extract in seasonal indigenous cypress pollen rhinoconjunctivitis. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of standardized Juniperus ashei extract was assessed in patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis due to European cypress pollens. METHODS: Forty adults with European cypress-allergic rhinoconjunctivitis were randomized to receive immunotherapy or a matched placebo. Specific immunotherapy was performed with a standardized, aluminum hydroxide-adsorbed J. ashei extract with a potency of 100 IR (arbitrary index of reactivity) containing 54 microg of Jun a 1/ml (Alustal, Stallergenes, France). Subcutaneous injections started in October 2000. The maintenance dose was 0.30 ml of the 100-IR concentration per month. Rhinitis and conjunctivitis symptoms were rated according to a 4-point score. RESULTS: Seventeen patients from the treated group and 15 patients from the placebo group completed year 2001; 14 in each group completed year 2002. A statistically significant improvement (41%, p < 0.02) in the conjunctivitis symptom score was observed in actively treated patients compared to the placebo group at the peak of the 2001 pollen season. Improvement in rhinitis (17%) was not significant. This significant improvement was greater at the peak of the 2002 pollen season (63%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study therefore indirectly validates the concept of treatment by major allergen because J. ashei is absent from the region in which this study was conducted.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2005

Air pollution and atopy.

Relationships between air pollutants and atopy can be studied within 3 different settings. In vitro, exposure of pollen to air pollutants induce morphological changes and seems to facilitate extrusion on allergenic material out of the pollen grain. In animal as well as in human experiments, air pollutants, especially diesel exhaust particulates, are able to trigger an IgE-response. Epidemiological surveys also show that air pollutants trigger symptoms in patients. In contrast, whether or not air pollutants can induce de novo allergic diseases is still a matter of debate. Some surveys suggest that, in humans also, air pollutants, especially diesel-exhaust particulates, could trigger allergic sensitization and development of atopic diseases. At home, other pollutants can be involved: volatile organic compounds have pro-inflammatory properties and favour T-cell sensitization. Relationship between exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke or occupational hazards and atopic sensitization have led to discordant results.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2002

[Factors associated with smoking in sixth grade (11-13 years old)].

Because smoking begins most often in adolescence it is important to define clearly, with a view to prevention, the motivation of an adolescent to smoke. The role of the social group is well known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potentially preventative role of knowledge in the field of respiration and the effects of cigarette smoke on one hand and of involvement in activities involving breathing on the other. The group studied was made up of 1,802 pupils at state schools, randomly selected, in the city of Marseilles. These pupils filled in an anonymous questionnaire in the classroom. The overall percentage of non-responders was very small. Overall 10.5% if the children declared that they had already smoked, more often boys (13.1%) than girls (8.1%). In contrast to smoking by the father, smoking by the mother and siblings significantly influenced smoking in the child. The child was not influenced by smoking by a sibling of the same sex. The proportion of children having already smoked increased progressively in proportion to the number of smokers in the household. Using a logistical regression analysis the following were predictive of smoking: being a boy, having a best friend who smoked, and the number of smokers in the family. On the other hand a history of allergy, an understanding of the effects of the environment on the respiratory system, knowledge of the effects of cigarettes, and finally involvement in sport, playing a wind instrument or singing in a choir were not associated with a lower incidence of smoking. These results call into question the effectiveness of the standard preventative methods and of anti-smoking programmes that are based on such strategies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Risk factors in severe asthma].

Risk factors for severe acute asthma involve the patient, the environment and the society in general. In addition, there are strong interrelationships between these factors. Personal characteristics linked to acute severe asthma include age (teenagers), denial leading to poor compliance, depression with atypical symptoms in children, and some medical features of asthma associated with increased severity. Environmental factors include airborne allergens, infections, irritants such as air pollutants and passive smoking. Life events have not been extensively studied but are likely to play a predominant role. The social setting, particularly the health care system, acts as an interface between the patient and the environment. Most all asthma deaths are avoidable and related to dysfunctions in the health care system.

Adolescent↗