October 13, 2016

Endotypes of allergic diseases and asthma: An important step in building blocks for the future of precision medicine

Allergology International
Vol. 65 (2016) No. 3 p. 243-252


http://doi.org/10.1016/j.alit.2016.04.011
INVITED REVIEW ARTICLE

Acute eosinophilic pneumonia following heat-not-burn cigarette smoking


Takahiro Kamada, Yosuke Yamashita, Hiromi Tomioka

Abstract
A 20-year-old man was admitted with acute respiratory failure. He had started smoking 20 heat-not-burn cigarettes (HC) per day 6 months previously, then purchased a second device for smoking HC to increase smoking to 40 cigarettes per day 2 weeks before hospitalization. Acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) was diagnosed based on medical history, chest high-resolution computed tomographic findings, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid eosinophilia. On starting treatment with prednisolone, the patient exhibited complete recovery. A relationship between cigarette smoking and AEP has been suggested. HC were released in September 2015 in Japan, Italy, and Switzerland. HC attract attention as a cigarette generating less harmful substances than a conventional cigarette. We herein report the first case of AEP caused by smoking HC. HC are expected to spread around the world. In the same way as a conventional cigarette, HC should be recognized as a potential cause of AEP.

‘As above, so below’ examining the interplay between emotion and the immune system


Volume 143, Issue 3
November 2014 
Pages 311–318
Samuel Brod, Lorenza Rattazzi, Giuseppa Piras, Fulvio D'Acquisto

Summary
While the concept of a palpable relationship between our mental and physical well-being is certainly not new, it is only in the light of modern scientific research that we have begun to realize how deeply connected our emotional and immune states may be.
We begin this review with a series of studies demonstrating how four fundamental emotional responses: anger, anxiety, mirth and relaxation are able modulate cytokine production and cellular responses to a variety of immune stimuli.

October 9, 2016

Antibodies and Superantibodies in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps

Article in Press
Abstract
Background
Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is associated with local immunoglobulin hyperproduction and the presence of IgE antibodies against Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxins (SAEs). Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is a severe form of CRSwNP in which nearly all patients express anti-SAEs.

October 1, 2016

Clinical implications of microbial biofilms in chronic rhinosinusitis and orbital cellulitis

BMC Ophthalmology

 
OPEN ACCESS
 
OPEN PEER REVIEW

  • Niranjan NayakEmail author,
  • Gita Satpathy,
  • Sujata Prasad,
  • Alok Thakar,
  • Mahesh Chandra and
  • TC Nag
BMC OphthalmologyBMC series – open, inclusive and trusted201616:165
DOI: 10.1186/s12886-016-0340-z
Background
Discovery of sessile mode of microbial existence (Biofilm state) focussed much interest, during the recent years, on the study of biofilms in many recurring and chronic infections. However, the exact role of microbial biofilms in chronic rhinosinusitis and orbital cellulitis were not elucidated earlier. The purpose of the present study was to look for the adherent property and biofilm producing ability of the clinical isolates in chronic rhinosinusitis and orbital cellulitis, and to look for the effects of antimicrobial agents on these biofilms by colorimetric assay and ultrastructural analysis.

September 30, 2016

Kounis syndrome: an update on epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapeutic management


1Western Greece Highest Institute of Education and Technology, Department of Medical Sciences, 7 Aratou Street, Queen Olgas Square, Patras 26221, Patras, Greece
Abstract
Kounis syndrome has been established as a hypersensitivity coronary disorder induced by various conditions, drugs, environmental exposures, foods and coronary stents. Allergic, hypersensitivity, anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions are associated with this syndrome. Vasospastic allergic angina, allergic myocardial infarction and stent thrombosis with occluding thrombus infiltrated by eosinophils and/or mast cells constitute are the three reported, so far, variants of this syndrome.

Recommending Oral Probiotics to Reduce Winter Antibiotic Prescriptions in People With Asthma: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial

    Ann Fam Med vol. 14no. 5 422-430
+Author Affiliations
  1. 1Harambee Surgery, NHS East Lancashire CCG, Lancashire, United Kingdom
  2. 2Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
  3. 3Integrative Health Science, Stetson University, DeLand, Florida
  4. 4Department of Paediatrics, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
  1. CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Robert J. Boyle, MBChB, Wright Fleming Building, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, r.boyle@nhs.net
Abstract
PURPOSE Evidence from studies mainly in children has shown that orally administered probiotics may prevent respiratory tract infections and associated antibiotic use. We evaluated whether advice to take daily probiotics can reduce antibiotic prescribing for winter respiratory tract infections in people with asthma.

Mast cell desensitization inhibits calcium flux and aberrantly remodels actin

J Clin Invest. 2016. doi:10.1172/JCI87492.

First published September 26, 2016 - 
Abstract
Rush desensitization (DS) is a widely used and effective clinical strategy for the rapid inhibition of IgE-mediated anaphylactic responses. However, the cellular targets and underlying mechanisms behind this process remain unclear. Recent studies have implicated mast cells (MCs) as the primary target cells for DS. Here, we developed a murine model of passive anaphylaxis with demonstrated MC involvement and an in vitro assay to evaluate the effect of DS on MCs.