The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology
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J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · Apr 2015
Overweight children report qualitatively distinct asthma symptoms: analysis of validated symptom measures.
Past studies of asthma in overweight/obese children have been inconsistent. The reason overweight/obese children commonly report worse asthma control remains unclear. ⋯ Overweight/obese children with early-onset asthma display poorer asthma control and a distinct pattern of symptoms. Greater shortness of breath and β-agonist use appears to be partially mediated via esophageal reflux symptoms. Overweight children with asthma may falsely attribute exertional dyspnea and esophageal reflux to asthma, leading to excess rescue medication use.
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J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · Apr 2015
ReviewEbola: a holistic approach is required to achieve effective management and control.
The current Ebola outbreak in West Africa has already caused substantial mortality and dire human and economic consequences. It continues to represent an alarming public health threat in the region and beyond and jeopardizes the provision of health care and other services in the affected countries. ⋯ However, there is a long way to go. In this review we summarize the current knowledge, examine the sociocultural context in West Africa, and outline priority areas for future research.
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The ongoing epidemic of Ebola virus in West Africa and attendant cases described in other parts of the world has focused attention on this heretofore rare disease. In this brief opinion article, we provide a short primer on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, US-based hospital preparedness, vaccine and therapy development, and control of Ebola virus disease for noninfectious disease physicians.
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Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with different phenotypes. Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy is a mainstay of treatment for asthma, but the clinical response to ICSs is variable. ⋯ A noninvasive panel of biomarkers in steroid-naive asthmatic patients predicts clinical responsiveness to ICS therapy.
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J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · Apr 2015
The sphingosine-1-phosphate/sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 axis regulates early airway T-cell infiltration in murine mast cell-dependent acute allergic responses.
Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive sphingolipid produced by mast cells (MCs) on cross-linking of their high-affinity receptors for IgE by antigen that can amplify MC responses by binding to its S1P receptors. An acute MC-dependent allergic reaction can lead to systemic shock, but the early events of its development in lung tissues have not been investigated, and S1P functions in the onset of allergic processes remain to be examined. ⋯ Activation of S1PR2 by S1P and downstream signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling in MCs regulate early T-cell recruitment to antigen-challenged lungs through chemokine production.