American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Apr 2012
Fetal and infant growth and asthma symptoms in preschool children: the Generation R Study.
Low birth weight is associated with an increased risk of wheezing in childhood. ⋯ Weight-gain acceleration in early infancy was associated with increased risks of asthma symptoms in preschool children, independent of fetal growth. Early infancy might be a critical period for the development of asthma.
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Apr 2012
Role of YKL-40 in bronchial smooth muscle remodeling in asthma.
Bronchial remodeling, including increased bronchial smooth muscle (BSM) mass, contributes to bronchial obstruction in asthma. However, its mechanisms are complex and remain controversial. Recently, a role of the chitinase 3-like 1 protein (YKL-40) has been evoked in asthma. Indeed, YKL-40 concentration was increased in asthmatic serum, and correlated with asthma severity and subepithelial membrane thickness. Nevertheless, the role of YKL-40 on BSM cells remains to be investigated. ⋯ This study indicates that YKL-40 promotes BSM cell proliferation and migration through a PAR-2-dependent mechanism.
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Apr 2012
Galactose-α-1,3-galactose-specific IgE is associated with anaphylaxis but not asthma.
IgE antibodies to the mammalian oligosaccharide galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-gal) are common in the southeastern United States. These antibodies, which are induced by ectoparasitic ticks, can give rise to positive skin tests or serum assays with cat extract. ⋯ These results provide a model of an ectoparasite-induced specific IgE response that can increase total serum IgE without creating a risk for asthma, and further evidence that the main allergens that are causally related to asthma are those that are inhaled.