IgE Profiles of Bermuda Grass Pollen Sensitised Patients Evaluated by Phleum Pratense Allergens Phl P 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12

ABSTRACT Background Despite the difference in geographical dominance of certain grasses, a high degree of allergenic similarity or cross-reactivity between Bermuda grass pollen (BGP) and timothy grass pollen (TGP) has been previously demonstrated. The aim of the present study was to ascertain the sensitisation to TGP in 411 patients known for their reactivity to BGP extracts by analysing their reactivity to crude timothy pollen extract and timothy pollen purified allergens, establishing their specific IgE-profiles. Methods Using the immunoenzymatic CAP method we evaluated IgE-specific antibodies for BGP- and TGP-extracts and the timothy recombinant (r) and natural (n) allergens rPhl p 1, rPhl p 2, nPhl p 4, rPhl p 5, rPhl p 6, rPhl p 7, rPhl p 11, and rPhl p 12. Results BGP-IgE positive patients (median = 8.0 kUA/l, 2.8-22.2 kUA/l 25 th -75 th percentile) simultaneously had IgE positive results for TGP (100% of subjects) (median = 48.9 kUA/l, 19.8- > 100 kUA/l 25 th -75 th percentile) and high prevalence of sensitization to 6/8 Phleum pratense allergens (Phl p 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 11, markers of genuine sensitisation to TGP) other than profilin and calcium binding protein. More than 72% of BGP allergic patients were co-sensitised to rPhl p 1, rPhl p 2, nPhl p 4, rPhl p 5, rPhl p 6. A decrease of total and specific IgE with patients' age was observed. Conclusions Our data show that all BGP-allergic patients simultaneously exhibit higher IgE antibody levels to recombinant and natural P . pratense allergens as well as to crude TGP extract. This suggests that when choosing an immunotherapeutic regimen for BGP-sensitised patients (after establishing their IgE profile via purified TGP-allergens), subcutaneous or sublingual TGP-extract vaccines in appropriate doses, in order to influence T epitope specificity, might be beneficial. Though extremely uncommon, in cases where a patient is exclusively BGP allergen-sensitised, BGP-extract therapy is the appropriate therapeutic response

Knowledge growth through inter-organizational knowledge recombination: an analysis of the US semiconductor industry between 1976-2002

Si dà troppo spesso per scontato che le scelte e le soluzioni organizzative incidano profondamente sulle performance aziendali. Conseguentemente, i successi, le forze competitive emergenti, gli interventi efficaci sembrerebbero nascere e dipendere dalle capacità di innovare e di differenziare gli assetti organizzativi. I contributi raccolti in questo volume offrono una risposta meno scontata e più efficace, tracciando a partire dai diversi programmi e progetti di ricerca un percorso che tocca modalità, motivi, tempi e luoghi della differenza organizzativa. Diversi i temi che compongono questo mosaico di studi: il valore dell’organizzazione e le performance aziendali; le relazioni di lavoro e la gestione delle risorse umane; i modelli organizzativi dell’innovazione; le tecnologie di informazione e di comunicazione e gli assetti organizzativi; i fattori istituzionali, la cultura organizzativa e il management della diversità; le differenze organizzative nei settori economici, nelle relazioni interorganizzative e nel family business; le misure e la misurazione delle differenze negli studi organizzativi. Argomenti, tesi e conclusioni presentati e discussi sono un’occasione interessante di approfondimento sia per chi debba progettare, realizzare e gestire forme organizzative innovative, sia per chi voglia elaborare nuovi percorsi di ricerca e di studio