November 11, 2016

Diagnosis and classification of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies


Authors

  • Abstract
  • The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are a heterogeneous group of diseases, collectively termed myositis, sharing symptoms of muscle weakness, fatigue and inflammation. Other organs are frequently involved, supporting the notion that these are systemic inflammatory diseases. The IIMs can be subgrouped into dermatomyositis, polymyositis and inclusion body myositis. The myositis-specific autoantibodies (MSAs) identify other and often more distinct clinical phenotypes, such as the antisynthetase syndrome with antisynthetase autoantibodies and frequent interstitial lung disease and anti-SRP and anti-HMGCR autoantibodies that identify necrotizing myopathy.

November 8, 2016

Prospective evaluation of testing with baked milk to predict safe ingestion of baked milk in unheated milk-allergic children

Allison Kwan, Maria Asper, Sasson Lavi, Elana Lavine, David Hummel and Julia E. UptonAllergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology201612:54 DOI: 10.1186/s13223-016-0162-9
Abstract
Background
Cow’s milk allergy is one of the most common food allergies affecting young children. A subset of milk-allergic individuals can eat baked milk without allergic symptoms which is beneficial in terms of prognostication and liberalization of the diet. A retrospective study suggested that skin prick testing (SPT) with a baked milk (muffin) slurry may provide a sensitive means of predicting the outcome of a medically supervised baked milk oral food challenge. We evaluated the predictive value of SPT with baked milk to identify unheated milk-allergic children who are able to safely eat baked milk.

The Emperor Has No Symptoms: The Risks of a Blanket Approach to Using Epinephrine Autoinjectors for All Allergic Reactions

Fatal anaphylaxis in humans is rare and unpredictable. We note a trend to provide allergic individuals with care plans that recommend immediate use of epinephrine autoinjectors if allergen ingestion is suspected, even in the absence of any allergic symptoms, without any supporting evidence base. Instructions to use an autoinjector device, irrespective of reaction severity and especially when symptoms are actually absent, are likely to add to parental and patient anxiety.

November 2, 2016

A multi-strain Synbiotic may reduce viral respiratory infections in asthmatic children: a randomized controlled trial

Logo of electronphysLink to Publisher's site
. 2016 Sep; 8(9): 2833–2839.
Published online 2016 Sep 20. doi:  10.19082/2833
PMCID: PMC5074739

Abstract
Background and objective
Asthma is a growing problem worldwide. Acute exacerbations impose considerable morbidity, mortality, and increased cost. Viral respiratory infections are the most common cause (80–85%) of pediatric asthma exacerbations and admissions to the hospital. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a new synbiotic Lactocare® on viral respiratory infections and asthma exacerbations in asthmatic children.

October 31, 2016

Increasing Comorbidities Suggest that Atopic Dermatitis Is a Systemic Disorder

Articles in Press
Atopic dermatitis comorbidities extend well beyond the march to allergic conditions (food allergy, asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and eosinophilic esophagitis), suggesting both cutaneous and systemic immune activation. In reviewing atopic dermatitis comorbidities, Councilors of the International Eczema Council found a strong pattern of immune activation in peripheral blood and the propensity to both skin and systemic infections.

October 27, 2016

Specific Antibodies for the Detection of Alternaria Allergens and the Identification of Cross-Reactive Antigens in Other Fungi

Twaroch T.E.a · Curin M.a · Sterflinger K.b · Focke-Tejkl M.a · Swoboda I.a ·Valenta R.a
aChristian Doppler Laboratory for Allergy Research, Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, and bDepartment for Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria

Abstract:
Background: The mould Alternaria alternata is an important source of respiratory allergens. A. alternata extracts show great variations regarding allergenic potency. The aim of this study was to generate antibody probes specific for important Alternaria allergens and to use them to study allergen expression, depending on different culture conditions, as well as to search for cross-reactive allergens in other mould species. Methods: Synthetic peptides from antigenic regions of A. alternataallergens (Alt a 1, Alt a 2, Alt a 3, Alt a 6 and Alt a 8) were used to raise highly specific rabbit antibodies.

Effect of educational and electronic medical record interventions on food allergy management

Logo of allapSearchwww.oceansidepubl.com
Allergy and Asthma Proceedings
. 2016 Sep-Oct; 37(5): 404–408.
PMCID: PMC5013233
Ari Zelig, M.D.,1 Ilana Harwayne-Gidansky, M.D.,2 Allison Gault, M.D.,3 and Julie Wang, M.D.corresponding author3

Abstract
Background:
The growing prevalence of food allergies indicates a responsibility among primary care providers to ensure that their patients receive accurate diagnosis and management.

Late‐Onset Asthma Predicts Cardiovascular Disease Events: The Wisconsin Sleep Cohort

  •  Am Heart Assoc. 5: e003448
    doi: 10.1161/JAHA.116.003448
  • Original Research - Epidemiology
  1. James H. Stein, MD, FAHA*,1
+Author Affiliations
  1. 1Division of Cardiovascular MedicineDepartment of MedicineUniversity of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public HealthMadisonWI
  2. 2Department of Population HealthUniversity of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public HealthMadisonWI
Abstract
Background Asthma is a heterogeneous syndrome with different clinical subtypes that is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We hypothesized that the late‐onset subtype of asthma is associated with a higher risk of incident CVD.