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This page shows you the latest news and research items in this category.

Nurses and Physicians Provide Equal Care for Asthma PatientsNurses and Physicians Provide Equal Care for Asthma Patients
A recent review of studies comparing the quality of asthma care provided by physicians vs nurses found no differences in outcomes. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - March 1, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Family Medicine/Primary Care News Source Type: news

BPA Exposure Linked to Childhood Asthma RiskBPA Exposure Linked to Childhood Asthma Risk
Third-trimester exposure to bisphenol A was inversely associated with risk for wheeze at age 5 years in a prospective cohort study, but postnatal exposure was directly associated with risk. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - March 1, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Allergy & Clinical Immunology News Source Type: news

Molecule Discovered That Dampens Pathways That Ignite Inflammation, Clears Away Cells That Fuel Inflammation In Asthma
Scientists from Brigham and Women's Hospital are on the brink of the next treatment advancement that may spell relief for the nearly nineteen million adults and seven million children in the United States suffering from asthma. The scientists discovered two new drug targets in the inflammatory response pathway responsible for asthma attacks. The study was published in Science Translational Medicine. Researchers studied the lungs and blood of 22 people with mild and severe asthma... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - March 1, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Respiratory / Asthma Source Type: news

BPA raises risk for childhood asthma
(Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health) Researchers at the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health at the Mailman School of Public Health are the first to report an association between early childhood exposure to the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) and an elevated risk for asthma in young children. BPA is a component of some plastics and is found in food can liners and store receipts. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - March 1, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news

Which Exercise Test to Use for Chest Pain from an Anomalous Coronary Artery
Abstract Chest pain in children and young people is a frequent cause of contact to general practitioners and outpatient clinics. However, in children, chest pain is typically benign and self‐limiting; it is not usually a manifestation of organic disease, and it is very rarely of cardiac origin. The cause of chest pain often remains undiagnosed. There are a number of chronic conditions known to be associated with recurrent chest pain. Symptoms and signs include crushing left‐sided precordial pain, pain radiating to the left arm or the jaw, pain onset with exercise and subsiding at rest (with asthma excluded), and an abn...
Source: Congenital Heart Disease - March 1, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Brian Bridal Løgstrup, Jørgen Buhl, Agnete Desirée Nielsen, Morten Holdgaard Smerup, Bjarne Linde Nørgaard, Lone Deibjerg Kristensen Tags: Case Report Source Type: research

Dry night cough as a marker of allergy in preschool children: the PARIS birth cohort
ConclusionsThis study provides evidence that persistent/late dry night cough may indicate allergy in preschool children. (Source: Pediatric Allergy and Immunology)
Source: Pediatric Allergy and Immunology - March 1, 2013 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Fanny Rancière, Lydia Nikasinovic, Isabelle Momas Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Detecting gene expression in buccal mucosa in subjects with asthma versus subjects without asthma
ConclusionsBuccal mucosa sampling is a reliable method for detecting changes in gene expression in patients with asthma. This non‐invasive technique may serve as a valuable tool for diagnosing asthma and evaluating therapeutic response. (Source: Pediatric Allergy and Immunology)
Source: Pediatric Allergy and Immunology - March 1, 2013 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Carrie A. Vyhlidal, Amanda K. Riffel, Hongying Dai, Lanny J. Rosenwasser, Bridgette L. Jones Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Chapter I: Weight loss interventions in asthma: EAACI Evidence‐Based Clinical Practice Guideline
ConclusionWeight increases above the obesity threshold significantly increase the risk of asthma. The available studies show weak evidence of benefits from weight reduction on asthma outcomes. (Source: Allergy)
Source: Allergy - March 1, 2013 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: A. Moreira, M. Bonini, V. Garcia‐Larsen, S. Bonini, S. R. Del Giacco, I. Agache, J. Fonseca, N. G. Papadopoulos, K.‐H. Carlsen, L. Delgado, T. Haahtela Tags: Position Paper Source Type: research

Integrative genetic and metabolite profiling analysis suggests altered phosphatidylcholine metabolism in asthma
ConclusionsOur study demonstrated the potential of metabolomics to infer asthma‐related biomarkers by the identification of potentially deregulated phospholipids that associate with asthma and asthma risk alleles. (Source: Allergy)
Source: Allergy - March 1, 2013 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: J. S. Ried, H. Baurecht, F. Stückler, J. Krumsiek, C. Gieger, J. Heinrich, M. Kabesch, C. Prehn, A. Peters, E. Rodriguez, H. Schulz, K. Strauch, K. Suhre, R. Wang‐Sattler, H.‐E. Wichmann, F. J. Theis, T. Illig, J. Adamski, S. Weidinger Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

News Beyond Our Pages
Chronic stress and disease are biologically linked through a complex interaction of multiple pathways. Various studies have used an allostatic load (AL) index, a composite of multiple biologic measures, to quantify individual responses to chronic stress in study participants. Bahreinian et al (Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2013;187:144-52) sought to determine whether preadolescent children with a high AL index were more susceptible to asthma in adolescence. In their prospective follow-up study of participants from the Study of Asthma, Genes and Environment, an AL index derived from the sum of 8 biomarkers was measured in 352 p...
Source: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology - March 1, 2013 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Marc E. Rothenberg, Jean Bousquet, Patricia C. Fulkerson Tags: News beyond our pages Source Type: research

Clinical phenotypes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma: Recent advances
(Source: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology)
Source: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology - March 1, 2013 Category: Allergy & Immunology Tags: Continuing Medical Education examination Source Type: research

The Editors' Choice
The article by Price et al (p 763) explores the use of inhaled corticosteroids and the leukotriene receptor antagonist montelukast in the seldom-studied population of asthmatic patients who smoke cigarettes. Previous research suggests that smoking has a detrimental effect on the efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids for the treatment of asthma. Whereas efficacy studies have demonstrated greater clinical benefit with inhaled corticosteroids than with leukotriene receptor inhibition in nonsmoking asthmatic patients, the randomized controlled trial reported in this article, evaluating asthmatic patients who smoked an average o...
Source: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology - March 1, 2013 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Donald Y.M. Leung, Stanley J. Szefler, Associate Editors of the JACI Tags: The Editors' choice Source Type: research

Prenatal and postnatal bisphenol A exposure and asthma development among inner-city children
Conclusions: This is the first report of an association between postnatal urinary BPA concentrations and asthma in children. (Source: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology)
Source: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology - March 1, 2013 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Kathleen M. Donohue, Rachel L. Miller, Matthew S. Perzanowski, Allan C. Just, Lori A. Hoepner, Srikesh Arunajadai, Stephen Canfield, David Resnick, Antonia M. Calafat, Frederica P. Perera, Robin M. Whyatt Tags: Asthma and lower airway disease Source Type: research

Inhaled steroids may increase S. pneumoniae infection risk
Children with asthma who regularly use inhaled corticosteroids are at significantly increased risk for oropharyngeal colonization by Staphylococcus pneumonia, research suggests. (Source: MedWire News - Respiratory)
Source: MedWire News - Respiratory - February 28, 2013 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: news

Inhaled steroid controller-medication use in childhood has a negative effect on final adult height
Kelly HW, Sternberg AL, Lescher R, Fuhlbrigge AL, Williams P, Zeiger RS, et al. Effect of inhaled glucocorticoids in childhood on adult height. N Engl J Med 2012;367:904-12. Among children with asthma, what is the association of inhaled corticosteroid use and final adult height? (Source: The Journal of Pediatrics)
Source: The Journal of Pediatrics - February 28, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Authors: David P. Skoner Tags: Current Best Evidence Source Type: research

Redefining approaches to asthma: developing targeted biologic therapies.
Abstract Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder canonically associated with type 2 airway inflammation as characterized by elevated levels of eosinophils, immunoglobulin E, and cytokines including interleukin (IL) 4, IL5, IL9, and IL13 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α. However, mounting evidence has shown that considerable heterogeneity exists in human asthma in terms of the nature and intensity of airway inflammation. While many asthma patients achieve acceptable control of symptoms with standard-of-care therapies such as β(2)-adrenergic agonists and inhaled corticosteroids, a minority remains symptomatic des...
Source: Advances in Pharmacology - February 28, 2013 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Arron JR, Scheerens H, Matthews JG Tags: Adv Pharmacol Source Type: research

Eczema severity in preadolescent children and its relation to sex, filaggrin mutations, asthma, rhinitis, aggravating factors and topical treatment: a report from the BAMSE birth cohort
Conclusions More preadolescent girls than boys had eczema. FLG mutations did not influence eczema severity in our population‐based cohort. Prevalence of rhinitis and asthma was associated with eczema severity, with the highest prevalence among boys with moderate‐to‐severe eczema. (Source: British Journal of Dermatology)
Source: British Journal of Dermatology - February 28, 2013 Category: Dermatology Authors: N. Ballardini, I. Kull, C. Söderhäll, G. Lilja, M. Wickman, C.F. Wahlgren Tags: PAEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY Source Type: research

SPC for Fostair® updated for new indication for maintenance and reliever therapy
Source: Personal communication Area: News Section 4.2 of the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for Fostair (beclometasone dipropionate/formoterol) pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI) has been updated to include a new indication of Maintenance and Reliever Therapy. Under these circumstances, patients take their daily maintenance dose of Fostair and in addition take Fostair as needed in response to asthma symptoms. Patients using Fostair in this way should be advised to always have Fostair available for rescue use. (Source: NeLM - News)
Source: NeLM - News - February 28, 2013 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news

Predictors of respiratory sickness absence: An international population‐based study
ConclusionOne in 15 currently employed with asthma, breathlessness, or rhinitis reported respiratory sickness absence. VGDF exposure doubled the odds of respiratory sickness absence, suggesting a focus for disability prevention. Am. J. Ind. Med. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Source: American Journal of Industrial Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Industrial Medicine - February 28, 2013 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Jeong‐Lim Kim, Paul D. Blanc, Simona Villani, Mario Olivieri, Isabel Urrutia, Marc van Sprundel, Torgeir Storaas, Nicole Le Moual, Jan‐Paul Zock, Kjell Torén Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Scientists Discover Molecule That Does Double Duty in Stopping Asthma Attacks
BWH scientists discovered two new drug targets in the inflammatory response pathway responsible for asthma attacks. (Source: BWH for Journalists)
Source: BWH for Journalists - February 27, 2013 Category: Research Source Type: news

Scientists Discover Molecule That Does Double Duty in Stopping Asthma Attacks
BWH scientists discovered two new drug targets in the inflammatory response pathway responsible for asthma attacks. (Source: BWH News)
Source: BWH News - February 27, 2013 Category: Hospital Management Source Type: news

Nitric Oxide Measure Lower in Younger Kids (CME/CE)
SAN ANTONIO (MedPage Today) -- Levels of fractional exhaled nitric oxide, a key measure of airway inflammation related to asthma, are substantially lower in younger children than older ones, a researcher said here. (Source: MedPage Today Meeting Coverage)
Source: MedPage Today Meeting Coverage - February 27, 2013 Category: Journals (General) Source Type: news

UPMC First To Enroll Patients In Inaugural U.S. Trial Inserting Coils In Emphysema-Diseased Lungs
UPMC is the first center in North America to enroll patients into a Food and Drug Administration-approved clinical trial that will test whether the insertion of small coils can collapse diseased lung areas and improve both lung function and exercise tolerance among patients with advanced emphysema. UPMC pulmonologists on Feb. 21 performed the procedure on a 65-year-old Hampton woman in a newly launched study that aims to recruit 315 patients across 30 U.S. and European centers... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - February 27, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Respiratory / Asthma Source Type: news

Epigenetic And Pharmacological Approaches To Lung Repair
Lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are on the rise, according to the American Lung Association and the National Institutes of Health. These ailments are chronic, affect the small airways of the lung, and are thought to involve an injury-repair cycle that leads to the breakdown of normal airway structure and function. For now, drugs for COPD treat only the symptoms. "A healthy lung has some capacity to regenerate itself like the liver," notes Ed Morrisey, Ph.D... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - February 27, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Respiratory / Asthma Source Type: news

One In 3 Ventilated Patients Suffers From PTSD Symptoms
One in three people who survived stays in an intensive care unit (ICU) and required use of a mechanical ventilator showed substantial post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms that lasted for up to two years, according to a new Johns Hopkins study of patients with acute lung injury. Because acute lung injury (ALI) - a syndrome marked by excessive fluid in the lungs and frequent multi-organ failure - is considered an archetype for critical illness, the researchers suspect PTSD is common among other ICU survivors as well... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - February 27, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Respiratory / Asthma Source Type: news

Study Identifies Possible Therapeutic Target To Treat Asthma And COPD
New research examines the role of PKC in airway smooth muscle contraction and raises the possibility that this enzyme could be a therapeutic target for treating asthma, COPD, and other lung diseases. In the lungs, pathological increases in the contraction of the smooth muscle cells (SMCs) lining airway walls - a process that decreases airflow - contribute to the chain of events leading to asthma and COPD, two common lung diseases... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - February 27, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Respiratory / Asthma Source Type: news

C-Section Babies 5 Times More Likely To Develop Allergies
C-section babies are five times more likely to develop allergies by age two than those born naturally. The finding came from a new study conducted by researchers from Henry Ford Hospital and was presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology yearly meeting in San Antonio. The findings coincide with previous research which demonstrated that babies born by c-section are more likely to have asthma than babies delivered naturally... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - February 27, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Allergy Source Type: news

A motivational interviewing intervention to PREvent PAssive Smoke Exposure (PREPASE) in children with a high risk of asthma: design of a randomised controlled trial
Conclusion: The PREPASE study incorporates successful elements of previous interventions and may therefore be very promising. If proven effective, the intervention will benefit the health of children at risk for asthma and may also create opportunity to be tested in other population.Trial registration numberNTR2632 (Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles)
Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles - February 27, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Sasha HutchinsonIlse MestersGerard van BreukelenJean MurisFrans FeronS HammondConstant van SchayckEdward Dompeling Source Type: research

Maternal fish consumption during pregnancy and risks of wheezing and eczema in childhood: The Generation R Study
addoe & L Duijts (Source: European Journal of Clinical Nutrition)
Source: European Journal of Clinical Nutrition - February 27, 2013 Category: Nutrition Authors: E T M LeermakersA M M Sonnenschein-van der VoortD H M HeppeJ C de JongsteH A MollO H FrancoA HofmanV W V JaddoeL Duijts Tags: pregnancy fish consumption asthma symptoms eczema cohort study atopy Source Type: research

Blomia tropicalis Blo t 5 and Blo t 21 recombinant allergens might confer higher specificity to serodiagnostic assays than whole mite extract
Conclusions: The rBlo t 5 and rBlo t 21 allergens contain important epitopes recognized by IgE antibodies of individuals allergic to B. tropicalis antigens. Moreover, the assays using the recombinant allergens had lower IgE cross-reactivity with A. lumbricoides antigens, a fact which would confers higher specificity to serodiagnostic assays than the crude mite extract. However, additional recombinant allergens should be evaluated in order to reach the same sensitivity of the commercially available assays based on mite extract. (Source: BMC Immunology)
Source: BMC Immunology - February 27, 2013 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Kellyanne dos CarvalhoOswaldo de Melo-NetoFranklin MagalhãesJoão PonteFilipe FelipeMariese dos SantosGivaneide dos Santos LimaÁlvaro CruzCarina PinheiroLain de Pontes CarvalhoNeuza Alcântara Neves Source Type: research

BMJ Launches 'Too Much Medicine' Campaign To Tackle The Harms Of Overdiagnosis And Overtreatment
Journal will partner at international conference to find ways to stop harming the healthy Today, the BMJ launches a 'Too Much Medicine' campaign to help tackle the threat to health and the waste of money caused by unnecessary care. Unnecessary care occurs when people are diagnosed and treated for conditions that will never cause them harm and there's growing evidence that many people are overdiagnosed and overtreated for a wide range of conditions such as prostate and thyroid cancers, asthma, and chronic kidney disease... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - February 26, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Litigation / Medical Malpractice Source Type: news

Six Ways to Give Your Child a Healthy Heart for Life
February is heart month—a great time to think about heart health. While we tend to think of heart disease as a problem of adults, it can start in childhood—and the health habits of childhood have everything to do with heart health in adulthood. So as we finish up February, here are six things that parents can do to give their children the best chance of a healthy heart for life: Keep your child at a healthy weight. Being overweight increases the risk of heart disease. We are seeing some of the early changes of heart disease in overweight children—and being overweight as a child increases the likelihood of being overw...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - February 26, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Claire McCarthy Tags: Childhood obesity Claire McCarthy, MD Exercise Health & wellness Healthful eating Parenting heart disease heart health heart month preventing heart disease Source Type: news

Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Meeting Research Update
Increased exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in air pollution is associated with certain immune system effects and asthma diagnosis, according to research reported the 2013 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. (Source: Consultant Live)
Source: Consultant Live - February 26, 2013 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news

Omalizumab Therapy Could Soon Replace Other, More Toxic Treatments For Chronic, Severe Hives And Itch
An international team of researchers has found that a once-a-month, high-dose injection of a commonly used asthma drug is highly effective in treating teens and adults chronically afflicted with hives and severe, itchy rash. The drug, omalizumab, was tested on 323 people at 55 medical centers for whom standard antihistamine therapy failed to quell their underlying, allergy-like reaction, known as chronic idiopathic urticaria or chronic spontaneous urticaria... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - February 26, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Allergy Source Type: news

Delivery By By C-Section Increases Risk Of Allergies In Childhood
For expectant moms who may contemplate the pros and cons of natural child birth or Caesarian section, a Henry Ford Hospital study suggests that C-section babies are susceptible to developing allergies by age two. Researchers found that babies born by C-section are five times more likely to develop allergies than babies born naturally when exposed to high levels of common allergens in the home such as those from dogs, cats and dust mites. The study was presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology annual meeting in San Antonio... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - February 26, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Allergy Source Type: news

Phase III Results: Tiotropium Respimat® Is Effective In Symptomatic Asthma Patients Irrespective Of Their Allergic Status
New Phase III data presented for the first time at the 2013 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Annual Meeting Tiotropium delivered once daily via Respimat™ significantly improved lung function and reduced asthma exacerbations in patients who remain symptomatic despite treatment with at least ICS[1]/LABA[2], irrespective of their allergic status... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - February 26, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Respiratory / Asthma Source Type: news

Between A ROCK And A Hard Place: Fasudil May Treat Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pulmonary fibrosis is a scarring or thickening of the lungs that causes shortness of breath, a dry cough, fatigue, chest discomfort, weight loss, a decrease in the ability of the lungs to transmit oxygen to the blood stream, and, eventually, heart failure. Cells known as myofibroblasts normally secrete materials that are required for wound healing; once the wound has closed, the cells disappear. In pulmonary fibrosis, the myofibroblasts stick around, continuing to secrete wound healing factors that cause fibrosis in the lungs... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - February 26, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Respiratory / Asthma Source Type: news

Airborne Pathogens, Viruses Effectively Trapped By New Device
Washington University engineering researchers have created a new type of air-cleaning technology that could better protect human lungs from allergens, airborne viruses and ultrafine particles in the air. The device, known as the SXC ESP, was created by a team led by Pratim Biswas, PhD, the Lucy & Stanley Lopata Professor and chair of the Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering in the School of Engineering & Applied Science... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - February 26, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Respiratory / Asthma Source Type: news

C-Section May Raise Child's Risk of Allergies, Asthma: Study
Title: C-Section May Raise Child's Risk of Allergies, Asthma: StudyCategory: Health NewsCreated: 2/25/2013 6:36:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 2/26/2013 12:00:00 AM (Source: MedicineNet Allergies General)
Source: MedicineNet Allergies General - February 26, 2013 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: news

Asthma
(Source: eMedicineHealth.com)
Source: eMedicineHealth.com - February 26, 2013 Category: Journals (General) Source Type: news

Asthma Drug Takes the Itch Out of Chronic Hives
(Source: eMedicineHealth.com)
Source: eMedicineHealth.com - February 26, 2013 Category: Journals (General) Source Type: news

Uptake and effectiveness of a community pharmacy intervention programme to improve asthma management
Conclusion: Community pharmacy dispensing records can effectively identify patients with suboptimal asthma management, who can then be referred to their GP for review. Time constraints in busy pharmacies may limit the uptake and effectiveness of face‐to‐face interventions in the ‘real world’ setting, making mailed interventions an attractive option. (Source: Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics)
Source: Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics - February 26, 2013 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: B. J. Bereznicki, G. Peterson, S. Jackson, E. H. Walters, J. George, K. Stewart, G. J. March Source Type: research

Causes of recurrent pneumonia in children in a general hospital
ConclusionThe cause of recurrent pneumonia in children remains elusive in almost a third of patients, partly because the favourable natural history consistent with immune system maturation eliminates the need for further diagnostic procedures. Asthma is more likely a differential diagnostic consideration than an underlying cause of recurrent pneumonia in children. A standardised diagnostic guideline is needed to improve knowledge on causes of recurrent pneumonia in children. (Source: Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health - February 26, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Authors: MF Paulien Hoving, Paul LP Brand Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Distribution of sputum cellular phenotype in a large asthma cohort: predicting factors for eosinophilic vs neutrophilic inflammation
Conclusion: Eosinophilic and paucigranulocytic asthma are the dominant inflammatory phenotypes. Blood eosinophils provide a practical alternative to predict sputum eosinophilia but sputum neutrophil count is poorly related to blood neutrophils. (Source: BMC Pulmonary Medicine - Latest articles)
Source: BMC Pulmonary Medicine - Latest articles - February 26, 2013 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Florence SchleichMaité ManiseJocelyne SeleMonique HenketLaurence SeidelRenaud Louis Source Type: research

Twenty‐First Century Mast Cell Stabilisers
Summary Mast cell stabilising drugs work by inhibiting the release of allergic mediators from mast cells and are used clinically to prevent allergic reactions to common allergens. Despite the relative success of the most commonly prescribed mast cell stabiliser, disodium cromoglycate, in use for the preventative treatment of bronchial asthma, allergic conjunctivitis and vernal keratoconjunctivitis there, there still remains an urgent need to design new substances that are less expensive and require less frequent dosing schedules. In this regard, recent developments towards the discovery of the next generation of mast cell ...
Source: British Journal of Pharmacology - February 26, 2013 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: D F Finn, J J Walsh Tags: Review Article Source Type: research

Systemic Inflammation Is Associated with Differential Gene Expression and Airway Neutrophilia in Asthma
OMICS: A Journal of Integrative Biology , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: OMICS: A Journal of Integrative Biology)
Source: OMICS: A Journal of Integrative Biology - February 25, 2013 Category: Biology Tags: article Source Type: research

Duration of Exclusive Breastfeeding and Childhood AsthmaDuration of Exclusive Breastfeeding and Childhood Asthma
What protective effects of breastfeeding can we expect -- when it comes to asthma? Evidence-Based Nursing (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - February 25, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Nursing Journal Article Source Type: news

C-Section May Raise Child's Risk of Allergies, Asthma
Natural delivery appears to expose babies to beneficial bacteria, researchers say Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Allergy, Asthma in Children, Cesarean Section (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)
Source: MedlinePlus Health News - February 25, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Asthma Drug Treats Chronic Hives, Severe Itch
A commonly used asthma drug, omalizumab, has shown to be effective in treating chronic hives and severe, itchy rash in adolescents and adults. The finding came from a new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine after examining the effects of a once-a-month, high-dose injection of omalizumab on 323 subjects at 55 medical centers. The participants had previously been taking standard antihistamine therapy, however, it did not put an end to their underlying, allergy-like response, referred to as chronic spontaneous urticaria or chronic idiopathic urticaria... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - February 25, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Allergy Source Type: news

Indoor Asthma Interventions Work Best in Rough NeighborhoodsIndoor Asthma Interventions Work Best in Rough Neighborhoods
Community violence increases asthmatic sensitization by forcing kids indoors. A new study outlines how to help families living in violent neighborhoods. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - February 25, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Allergy & Clinical Immunology News Source Type: news