Evaluation of a web-based asthma self-management system: a randomised controlled pilot trial

Research article

John M Wiecha^1*, William G Adams², Denis Rybin³, Maria Rizzodepaoli⁴, Jeremy Keller⁵and Jayanti M Clay⁶

BMC Pulmonary Medicine 2015, 15:17  doi:10.1186/s12890-015-0007-1

Abstract (provisional)

Background Asthma is the most common chronic condition of childhood and disproportionately affects inner-city minority children. Low rates of asthma preventer medication adherence is a major contributor to poor asthma control in these patients.

A randomised dose-ranging study of tiotropium Respimat® in children with symptomatic asthma despite inhaled corticosteroids

Research

Christian Vogelberg^1*, Petra Moroni-Zentgraf², Migle Leonaviciute-Klimantaviciene³, Ralf Sigmund⁴, Eckard Hamelmann⁵, Michael Engel² and Stanley Szefler⁶

Respiratory Research 2015, 16:20  doi:10.1186/s12931-015-0175-9

Abstract

Background

A considerable number of children with asthma remain symptomatic despite treatment with inhaled corticosteroids, resulting in significant morbidity, reduced quality of life, increased healthcare costs and lost school days.

Insights and advances in chronic urticaria: a Canadian perspective

Review

Gordon Sussman^1*, Jacques Hébert², Wayne Gulliver³, Charles Lynde¹, Susan Waserman⁴, Amin Kanani⁵, Moshe Ben-Shoshan⁶, Spencer Horemans¹, Carly Barron¹,Stephen Betschel¹, William H Yang⁷, Jan Dutz⁵, Neil Shear¹, Gina Lacuesta⁸, Peter Vadas¹, Kenneth Kobayashi⁷, Hermenio Lima⁴ and F Estelle R Simons⁹

Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology 2015, 11:7  doi:10.1186/s13223-015-0072-2

Abstract

In the past few years there have been significant advances which have changed the face of chronic urticaria. In this review, we aim to update physicians about clinically relevant advances in the classification, diagnosis and management of chronic urticaria that have occurred in recent years.

Effects of Nasal Corticosteroids on Boosts of Systemic Allergen-Specific IgE Production Induced by Nasal Allergen Exposure

OPEN ACCESS

PEER-REVIEWED

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Cornelia Egger, Christian Lupinek, Robin Ristl, Patrick Lemell, Friedrich Horak, Petra Zieglmayer, Susanne Spitzauer, Rudolf Valenta, Verena Niederberger

Published: February 23, 2015

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114991

Abstract

Background

Allergen exposure via the respiratory tract and in particular via the nasal mucosa boosts systemic allergen-specific IgE production. Intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) represent a first line treatment of allergic rhinitis but their effects on this boost of allergen-specific IgE production are unclear.

Sleepiness, inflammation and oxidative stress markers in middle-aged males with obstructive sleep apnea without metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study

Research

Daniela Kuguimoto Andaku¹, Vânia D’Almeida^14*, Gláucia Carneiro², Sônia Hix¹³, Sergio Tufik¹ and Sônia Maria Togeiro¹

Respiratory Research 2015, 16:3  doi:10.1186/s12931-015-0166-x

Published: 14 January 2015

Abstract

Background

The simultaneous occurrence of metabolic syndrome and excessive daytime sleepiness are very common in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. Both conditions, if present in OSA, have been reported to be associated with inflammation and disruption of oxidative stress balance that impair the cardiovascular system. To verify the impact of daytime sleepiness on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, we evaluated OSA patients without significant metabolic disturbance.

The development of a standardised diet history tool to support the diagnosis of food allergy

Review

Published: 19 February 2015
Abstract (provisional)

Isabel J Skypala^1*, Carina Venter², Rosan Meyer³, Nicolette W deJong⁴, Adam T Fox⁵,Marion Groetch⁶, J N Oude Elberink⁷, Aline Sprikkelman⁸, Louiza Diamandi⁹, Berber J Vlieg-Boerstra¹⁰ and the Allergy-focussed Diet History Task Force of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Clinical and Translational Allergy 2015, 5:7  doi:10.1186/s13601-015-0050-2

The disparity between reported and diagnosed food allergy makes robust diagnosis imperative.

No evidence for altered intracellular calcium-handling in airway smooth muscle cells from human subjects with asthma

Research article

David Sweeney^12†, Fay Hollins^1†, Edith Gomez¹², Rajendra Mistry², Ruth Saunders¹,Robert Alfred John Challiss^2* and Christopher Edward Brightling^1*

BMC Pulmonary Medicine 2015, 15:12  doi:10.1186/s12890-015-0009-z

David Sweeney and Fay Hollins contributed equally to this work.

Published: 13 February 2015

Abstract (provisional)

Background 

Asthma is characterized by airway hyper-responsiveness and variable airflow obstruction, in part as a consequence of hyper-contractile airway smooth muscle, which persists in primary cell culture. One potential mechanism for this hyper-contractility is abnormal intracellular Ca2+ handling. 

Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy and its impact on the fetus, the newborn and in childhood

• Marilyn Urrutia‐Pereira^, , 
• Dirceu Solé

doi:10.1016/j.rpped.2014.05.004

Open Access funded by Sociedade de Pediatria de São Paulo

Under a Creative Commons license

Abstract

Objective

Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in pregnant women and their children is an important health problem with severe consequences for the health of both. Thus, the objectives of this review were to reassess the magnitude and consequences of VDD during pregnancy, lactation and infancy, associated risk factors, prevention methods, and to explore epigenetic mechanisms in early fetal life capable of explaining many of the non‐skeletal benefits of vitamin D (ViD).