Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Microb Pathog 2019 Feb 15. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA. Electronic address:

Environmental allergens elicit complex immune responses in the lungs that can promote the development of asthma or exacerbate preexisting asthma in susceptible individuals. House dust mites are one of the most common indoor allergens and are a significant driver of allergic disease. Respiratory infections are known factors in acute exacerbations of asthma but the impact of allergen on the pathogen is not well understood. Read More

Respir Res 2019 Feb 14;20(1):33. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.

Background: Early life exposure to tobacco smoke has been extensively studied but the role of second-hand smoke (SHS) for new-onset respiratory symptoms and lung function decline in adulthood has not been widely investigated in longitudinal studies. Our aim is to investigate the associations of exposure to SHS in adults with respiratory symptoms, respiratory conditions and lung function over 20 years.

Methods: We used information from 3011 adults from 26 centres in 12 countries who participated in the European Community Respiratory Health Surveys I-III and were never or former smokers at all three surveys. Read More

Allergy 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Sachs' Children's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

Background: The presence of allergic sensitization has a major influence on the development and course of common childhood conditions such as asthma and rhinitis. The etiology of allergic sensitization is poorly understood and its underlying biological mechanisms are not well established. Several studies showed that DNA methylation (DNAm) at some CpGs is associated with allergic sensitization. Read More

BMC Pulm Med 2019 Feb 13;19(1):40. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

The University of Sydney, St. Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Heart Lung Clinic, Xavier Building. 390, Victoria Street, 2010, Australia.

Background: Although there are theoretical reasons for believing that asthma and atopy may be negatively correlated with tuberculosis, epidemiological studies have had conflicting findings.

Objective: To determine if people with confirmed tuberculosis were less likely to be atopic and less likely to have atopic disease including asthma compared to those with no previous tuberculosis.

Methods: Patients in Lima, Peru with a prior history of tuberculosis were identified from clinic records in this cohort study. Read More

Arthritis Rheumatol 2019 Feb 12. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Mayo Clinic, Rheumatology, Mayo Building, 15-73E, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, Minnesota, United States.

Objective: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is postulated to originate at mucosal surfaces, particularly the airway mucosa. To investigate this hypothesis, we determined the association between RA and asthma, passive smoke exposure, and age of starting smoking.

Methods: This case-control study identified 1,023 cases of RA (175 incident) within a single-center biobank population using a rules-based algorithm that combined self-report with two diagnosis codes. Read More

J Clin Invest 2019 Feb 11. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Division of Asthma Research, Cincinnati Children's Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

Environmental exposures interplay with human host factors to promote the development and progression of allergic diseases. The worldwide prevalence of allergic disease is rising as a result of complex gene-environment interactions that shape the immune system and host response. Research shows an association between the rise of allergic diseases and increasingly modern Westernized lifestyles, which are characterized by increased urbanization, time spent indoors, and antibiotic usage. Read More

Asia Pac Allergy 2019 Jan 21;9(1):e5. Epub 2019 Jan 21.

Allergy Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.

Background: Previous studies have reported that exposure to paraben (Pb) and triclosan (TCS) is associated with allergies. However, Pb and TCS exposure in the Japanese population is not fully understood.

Objectives: The present study was aimed to examine such exposure among Japanese individuals with allergic diseases. Read More

Allergy 2019 Feb 9. Epub 2019 Feb 9.

Department of Pulmonary and Allergy, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, LMU, Lindwurmstraße 4, 80337, Munich, Germany.

Background: Associations between childhood asthma phenotypes and genetic, immunological and environmental factors have been previously established. Yet, strategies to integrate high-dimensional risk factors from multiple distinct data sets, and thereby increase the statistical power of analyses, have been hampered by a preponderance of missing data and lack of methods to accommodate them.

Methods: We assembled questionnaire, diagnostic, genotype, microarray, RT-qPCR, flow cytometry and cytokine data (referred to as data modalities) to use as input factors for a classifier that could distinguish healthy children, mild-to-moderate allergic asthmatics and non-allergic asthmatics. Read More

Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2019 Feb 8. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

University Children's Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.

Background: Allergies are a serious public health issue and prevalences are rising worldwide. The role of antibiotics in the development of allergies has repeatedly been discussed, as results remain inconsistent. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between pre- & postnatal antibiotic exposure and subsequent development of allergies (atopic dermatitis, food allergy, asthma, atopic sensitization and allergic rhinitis). Read More

BMC Pulm Med 2019 Feb 7;19(1):32. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Unit of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, c/o Istituti Biologici II, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134, Verona, Italy.

Background And Objective: Health-related quality of life (HRQL) in respiratory diseases has been generally investigated in clinical settings, focusing on a single disorder. In this study on a general population sample, we assessed the relationship between HRQL and several respiratory diseases studied simultaneously (COPD, current (CA) and past (PA) asthma, allergic (AR) and non-allergic (NAR) rhinitis and chronic bronchitis (CB).

Methods: Controls (n = 328) and cases of NAR (n = 95), AR (n = 163), CB (n = 48), CA (n = 224), PA (n = 126) and COPD (n = 28) were recruited in the centre of Verona in the frame of the Italian multi-case control GEIRD (Gene Environment Interactions in Respiratory Diseases) study; HRQL was measured through the SF-36 questionnaire. Read More

PLoS One 2019 7;14(2):e0211976. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Unit of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.

Background: Smoking is the main risk factor for most of the leading causes of death. Cessation is the single most important step that smokers can take to improve their health. With the aim of informing policy makers about decisions on future tobacco control strategies, we estimated time and age trends in smoking cessation in Europe between 1980 and 2010. Read More

Environ Pollut 2019 Jan 24;247:586-594. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Brain and Cognitive Dysfunction Research Center, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430065, China; Big Data Science and Engineering Research Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430065, China. Electronic address:

Around the globe, worsening air pollution is spawning major public health and environmental concerns, especially in the poorest and most populous cities. As a major secondary air pollutant, ozone is a potential risk factor for exacerbated asthma, although the underlying mechanisms remain uncertain. In this study, we aim to investigate the role of ozone on asthma exacerbation using a classic asthmatic model with allergic airway inflammation by treating Balb/c mice with ovalbumin (OVA). Read More

Respir Med 2019 Feb 28;147:19-25. Epub 2018 Dec 28.

Department of Medicine (Paediatrics), Imperial College, London, UK.

Background: Allergen avoidance is important in allergic asthma management. Nocturnal treatment with Temperature-controlled Laminar Airflow (TLA; Airsonett) has been shown to provide significant reduction of exposure to allergens in the breathing zone, leading to long-term reduction in airway inflammation and improvement in quality of life. Allergic asthma patients uncontrolled on GINA step 4 were found to benefit the most. Read More

J Occup Health 2019 Jan;61(1):128-134

Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, COMWEL Incheon Hospital, Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service, Incheon, Republic of Korea.

Background: Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially fatal type of allergic reaction and is characterized by the rapid development of symptoms in the respiratory and circulatory systems, possibly leading to death if not treated properly. Occupational anaphylaxis, which does not exhibit significant differences in pathogenesis from the nonoccupational form, develops in response to work-related triggers. However, the onset of occupational anaphylaxis can also be triggered by other factors. Read More

J Appl Toxicol 2019 Jan 30. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.

Simultaneous exposure of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and urban particulate matter <2.5 μm (PM2.5) or desert dust exacerbated murine asthma. Read More

Clin Transl Allergy 2019 24;9. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

5Section of Allergology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

The high prevalence of allergic diseases warrants for sufficient health care provisions available to patients with allergic diseases. Allergy care should be delivered by well-trained specialists. However, the current status of allergy care is not well documented. Read More

Clin Chest Med 2019 Mar 19;40(1):71-85. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Pulmonary and Critical Care, Respiratory Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA. Electronic address:

Asthma triggers are exogenous or endogenous factors that could worsen asthma acutely to cause an exacerbation, or perpetuate chronic symptoms and airflow limitation. Because it is well known that recent asthma exacerbations and poor symptom control are strong predictors of future disease activity, it is not surprising that the number of (allergic or nonallergic) asthma triggers in the environment correlates with the disease-related quality of life. There is a need to identify and avoid specific triggers as the centerpiece of disease management, especially in those with heightened sensitivity to certain factors. Read More

Clin Exp Allergy 2019 Jan 28. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Risk Assessment Department (DER), French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES), Maisons-Alfort, France.

Background: Peanut allergy management is based on active avoidance and access to emergency treatment including self-injectable adrenaline. Knowing the dose at which a patient is likely to react is crucial for risk assessment and could significantly improve management by integrating a personalized approach.

Objective: To develop a threshold dose distribution curve model from routinely collected data. Read More

Rev Mal Respir 2019 Jan 24. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Service d'immuno-hématologie, CNHU-HKM, Cotonou, Bénin; Faculté des sciences de la santé, université d'Abomey-Calavi, Bénin.

Introduction: In tropical Africa, allergies are not well documented. The objective of this work was to evaluate, by two methods, the sensitization to mites in children followed for respiratory allergy.

Methods: Skin prick-test and IgE assay by REAST test with 3 mites: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (D. Read More

Environ Int 2019 Mar 23;124:462-472. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Oslo, Norway. Electronic address:

Introduction: Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) has been inconsistently associated with asthma and allergic diseases and increased number of infections in early childhood. We examined the association of PFASs measured in pregnancy with childhood asthma, allergies and common infectious diseases in a prospective pregnancy cohort followed to age 7 years.

Material And Methods: Six PFASs (out of 19 measured) with at least 80% of measurements above the limit of quantification (LOQ) in maternal plasma during pregnancy in two subcohorts of the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) were analyzed in relation to health outcomes: perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), acid (PFOA), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), and perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid (PFHpS). Read More

Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2019 Jan 25. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Section of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, USA.

Allergic diseases are surprisingly common, chronic health conditions. The primary location where the vast majority of people are exposed to allergens and other substances is in their home. This means it is important to understand home environments and how a home's systems function and interact-and that how we occupy these spaces plays a crucial role in both environmental exposure and management of allergic disease. Read More

J Allergy Clin Immunol 2019 Jan 22. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Dr. von Hauner Children´s Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany; German Center for Lung Research (DZL). Electronic address:

Background: The prevalence of atopy is associated with a western lifestyle as illustrated by studies comparing neighboring regions with different socioeconomic backgrounds. Atopy might reflect various conditions differing in their susceptibility to environmental factors.

Objective: To define phenotypes of atopic sensitization in early childhood and to examine their association with allergic diseases and hereditary background in Finland and Estonia METHODS: The analysis included 1603 Finnish and 1657 Estonian children from the DIABIMMUNE multicenter young children cohort. Read More

Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2019 Jan 25. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

University of Pittsburgh, Dept of Environmental and Occupational Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.

Rationale: Corticosteroids (CSs) are the most effective asthma therapy, but responses are heterogeneous and systemic CSs lead to long-term side effects. Therefore, improved understanding of the contributing factors for CS responses could enhance precision management. While several factors have been associated with CS responsiveness, no integrated/cluster approach has yet been undertaken to identify differential CS responses. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2019 Mar 22;657:804-810. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, ROC.

Pollen has long been recognized as a major allergen, having diverse patterns of allergenicity caused by differences in climate, geography, and vegetation. Our research aimed to explore the role of a regionally dominant pollen in Taiwan, Broussonetia papyrifera, on clinical sensitization and daily 5collected and extracted for a skin prick test on 30 volunteers recruited from a medical college. Daily atmospheric pollen levels were measured using a Burkard 7-day volumetric trap. Read More

Am J Ind Med 2019 Jan 24. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linkoping, Sweden.

Background: There is still no consensus about the association between working in dampness-damaged buildings and new onset of asthma among adults. The purpose of this study was to assess asthma in the staff of two psychiatric clinics where some premises were suffering from dampness.

Methods: A 20-year retrospective cohort study was performed using questionnaires. Read More

Cell Rep 2019 Jan;26(4):933-944.e4

Sandler Asthma Basic Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. Electronic address:

Extracellular RNAs (exRNAs) can be released by numerous cell types in vitro, are often protected within vesicles, and can modify recipient cell function. To determine how the composition and cellular sources of exRNAs and the extracellular vesicles (EVs) that carry them change in vivo during tissue inflammation, we analyzed bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from mice before and after lung allergen challenge. In the lung, extracellular microRNAs (ex-miRNAs) had a composition that was highly correlated with airway-lining epithelium. Read More

Obstet Gynecol Sci 2019 Jan 27;62(1):11-18. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Women's Life Medical Science, Seoul, Korea.

Objective: In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of allergic disease in offsprings delivered via the delivery modes of vaginal delivery vs. planned Cesarean section vs. Cesarean section with labor. Read More

Phytomedicine 2018 Sep 5;54:182-194. Epub 2018 Sep 5.

School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. Electronic address:

Background: Clinical evidence gathered in Chinese communities suggested that acupoint sticking therapy could be an alternative treatment for asthma-related diseases. However, its underlying mechanism is still poorly understood.

Aim/hypothesis: In this study, we aimed to investigate the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of acupoint sticking application with 'Treatment of Winter Disease in Summer' (TWDS) prescription by using metabolomics. Read More

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2019 Jan 21. Epub 2019 Jan 21.

Department of Botany, Subdepartment of Plants Biology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 15, 20-950, Lublin, Poland.

The statistics from Europe and the USA have proven a high risk for skin diseases associated with plant contact. Therefore, plant-induced dermatitis is of increasing attention in dermatology. The focus of this paper was to present the current knowledge on aspects of contact allergy related to Asteraceae (Compositae) species. Read More

Respir Med 2019 Jan 16;146:10-17. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

Pulmonary Environmental Epidemiology Unit, CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Via Trieste no. 41, 56126, Pisa, Italy; CNR Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology "A. Monroy", Via U. La Malfa no. 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy.

Background: Although general practitioners (GPs) are frequently the first healthcare professionals whom asthma patients refer to for their symptoms, few studies have explored the extent of adherence to guidelines for asthma management based on data provided directly by GPs. Aims of the present study were to assess drug prescriptions for asthma by GPs and to evaluate prescriptive adherence to GINA guidelines (GL) and its relationship with disease control in real life.

Methods: 995 asthmatic patients (45% males, mean age 43. Read More

Inhal Toxicol 2019 Jan 18:1-10. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

a Cardiopulmonary and Immunotoxicology Branch, Environmental Public Health Division, National Health, and Environmental Effects Laboratory (NHEERL) , U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , Research Triangle Park , NC , USA.

Halogenated platinum salts can trigger the development of occupational asthma. Until recently, laboratory research into the development and manifestation of platinum hypersensitivity responses were hindered by the lack of an animal model suitable for assessing the functional consequences of allergic sensitization. We employed a newly developed mouse model to assess the potential allergenicity of ammonium tetrachloroplatinate (ATCP), compare the relative potency of ATCP and another platinum salt, ammonium hexachloroplatinate (AHCP) and assess potential cross-reactivity. Read More

PLoS One 2019 17;14(1):e0210840. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, South Korea.

Introduction: It is difficult to accurately predict the natural course of allergic rhinitis (AR), because it is affected by a wide variety of environmental influences, as well as genetic predisposition. Considering the high prevalence of allergic rhinitis in children and adolescents, caregivers should be given appropriate information regarding the disease course. This study aimed to understand the prognosis of allergic rhinitis by examining the relationship between allergic sensitization and rhinitis symptoms during this developmental period. Read More

Public Health Res Pract 2018 Dec 6;28(4). Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia,

Objectives: The impacts of climate change on allergens and allergic diseases are important and potentially serious in Australia. Australia is highly vulnerable to such impacts because of its very high prevalence of allergic diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis, and allergic sensitisation to environmental allergens such as certain pollens and fungal spores. This article aims to review published research on the impacts of climate change on allergens and allergic diseases from an Australian perspective. Read More

AIMS Public Health 2018 9;5(4):352-365. Epub 2018 Oct 9.

Associated Centers for Molecular Allergology, Rome, Italy; Center for Molecular Allergology, IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy.

Background: Laboratory Animal Allergy (LAA) has been considered a risk for the workers since 1989 by the NIOSH. About one third of the Laboratory Animal Workers (LAWs) can manifest symptoms to LAA as asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and cutaneous reactions. The prevalence of LAA-induced clinical symptoms has been estimated with a great variability (4-44%) also due to the different methodologies applied. Read More

Front Immunol 2018 12;9:2727. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Division of Asthma Research, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a complex multifactorial inflammatory skin disease that affects ~280 million people worldwide. About 85% of AD cases begin in childhood, a significant portion of which can persist into adulthood. Moreover, a typical progression of children with AD to food allergy, asthma or allergic rhinitis has been reported ("allergic march" or "atopic march"). Read More

Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2019 Jan 9. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Tianjin Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China.

Purpose: In the past 60 years, the prevalences of asthma and allergy among children have increased around the world. Neither genetic nor outdoor environmental factors can explain this increase.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 7366 children in Tianjin, China, on associations of home environment and lifestyles with asthma and allergy. Read More

Allergy Rhinol (Providence) 2018 Jan-Dec;9:2152656718815870. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Foundation for the Development of Medical and Biological Sciences, Cartagena, Colombia.

Background: Epidemiological and experimental studies suggest that air pollution has a negative impact on human health and modifies the environment. However, the clinical implications of changes in environmental allergens secondary to air pollution have been little studied.

Objectives: To explore if the growth conditions of the (rural vs urban area) modify the inflammatory response among patients with allergic rhinitis. Read More

Front Immunol 2018 18;9:2997. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States.

Sex-related differences in asthma prevalence are well established and change through the reproductive phases of life. As children, boys have increased prevalence of asthma compared to girls. However, as adults, women have increased prevalence of asthma compared to men. Read More

Front Immunol 2018 20;9:2992. Epub 2018 Dec 20.

Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of airways mediated by T-helper 2 (Th2) cells involving complex signaling pathways. Although resveratrol has previously been shown to attenuate allergic asthma, the role of miRNA in this process has not been studied. We investigated the effect of resveratrol on ovalbumin-induced experimental allergic asthma in mice. Read More

Postepy Dermatol Alergol 2018 Dec 8;35(6):552-562. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Department of Internal Medicine, Asthma and Allergy, Barlicki University Hospital, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.

The observed global climate change is an indisputable cause of the increased frequency of extreme weather events and related natural disasters. This phenomenon is observed all over the world including Poland. Moreover, Polish citizens as tourists are also exposed to climate phenomena that do not occur in our climate zone. Read More

Pediatr Pulmonol 2019 Mar 6;54(3):245-256. Epub 2019 Jan 6.

The School of Pharmacy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.

Background: Few trials have tested targeted environmental control (EC) interventions based on biomarkers of second hand smoke (SHS) exposure and allergen sensitization in reducing asthma emergency department (ED) visits in children with poorly controlled asthma.

Methods: Overall, 222 children with poorly controlled asthma were randomized into a home-based EC intervention (INT) or control (CON) group and followed for ED visits over 12 months. All children received allergen-specific IgE serologic testing and SHS exposure biomarker testing to inform the EC intervention. Read More

HNO 2019 Feb;67(2):90-97

Klinik für Hals-Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Deutschland.

Allergies are one of the most common chronic diseases in childhood, contributing to a tremendous medical and economical burden in health care systems of most industrialized countries. The development of allergies is dependent on a complex interaction of-among others-environmental factors, nutrition, genetic and epigenetic mechanisms as well as the microbiome. These diverse factors can influence early life immune regulation including innate and adaptive immune mechanisms in a complex fashion. Read More

Rev Alerg Mex 2018 Oct-Dec;65(4):349-356

Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Hospital General Regional 1 "Lic. Ignacio García Téllez', Servicio de Alergología, Mérida, Yucatán, México.

Background: Omalizumab is a monoclonal antibody that controls severe allergic asthma symptoms and reduces exacerbations.

Objective: To analyze quality of life and respiratory function improvement using the mini-AQLQ questionnaire and spirometry, with the use omalizumab as complementary therapy to a treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta 2 agonists.

Methods: Of 30 patients with severe asthma (90 % of females, mean age, 49. Read More

Phytomedicine 2019 Jan 21;52:129-135. Epub 2018 Sep 21.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiology, Shaanxi Province, China. Electronic address:

Background: Allergic asthma and atherosclerosis represent different directions of inflammatory responses of CD4 T cells, and allergic asthma accelerates atherosclerosis formation. Curcumin could ameliorate the progression of both atherosclerosis and allergic asthma.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the roles of curcumin in asthma-accelerated atherosclerosis plaque formation, and the change of CD4 T-cell subsets in this process. Read More

Clin Exp Allergy 2018 Dec 31. Epub 2018 Dec 31.

MACVIA-France, Fondation partenariale FMC VIA-LR, Montpellier, France.

Background: Mobile technology may help to better understand the adherence to treatment MASK-rhinitis (Mobile Airways Sentinel NetworK for allergic rhinitis) is a patient-centered ICT system. A mobile phone app (the Allergy Diary) central to MASK is available in 22 countries.

Objectives: To assess the adherence to treatment in allergic rhinitis patients using the Allergy Diary App. Read More

Arch Environ Occup Health 2018 Dec 30:1-9. Epub 2018 Dec 30.

d Department of Epidemiology , Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences , Kita-ku, Okayama , Japan.

The association between early daycare attendance and risk of allergic diseases remains inconclusive. Therefore, we examined the association among Japanese children on a long-term basis using a nationwide longitudinal survey data. We estimated the association between daycare attendance at age 6 or 18 months and allergy development using information on outpatient visits for atopic dermatitis (AD), food allergy (FA), and asthma and admission for asthma up to 12 years of age as a proxy for developing these diseases, with multilevel logistic regression. Read More

Iran J Public Health 2018 Nov;47(11):1749-1755

Immunology, Asthma and Allergy Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Background: Alteration of environmental factors and air pollution affects the trend of allergic diseases especially in cities such as Tehran. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis and asthma among adults in the capital city of Iran.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed between 2013 and 2016 in Tehran, Iran. Read More

J Allergy Clin Immunol 2018 Dec 21. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC. Electronic address:

Background: Epigenetic mechanisms, including methylation, can contribute to childhood asthma. Identifying DNA methylation profiles in asthmatic patients can inform disease pathogenesis.

Objective: We sought to identify differential DNA methylation in newborns and children related to childhood asthma. Read More

J Allergy Clin Immunol 2018 Dec 19. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. Electronic address:

Background: Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) play a key role in the initiation and maintenance of type 2 immune responses. The prostaglandin (PG) D-chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on T2 cells (CRTH2) receptor axis potently induces cytokine production and ILC2 migration.

Objective: We set out to examine PG production in human ILC2s and the implications of such endogenous production on ILC2 function. Read More

Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2018 Dec 20. Epub 2018 Dec 20.

Brigham and Women's Hospital, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States ;

Mucus overproduction is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in asthma. Mucus overproduction is induced by orchestrated actions of multiple factors that include inflammatory cytokines and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is produced only by pulmonary neuroendocrine cells (PNECs) in the mouse lung. Read More