The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology
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J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · Jun 2001
Changes in sputum cell counts after exposure to occupational agents: what do they mean?
Exposure to occupational agents can induce eosinophilic inflammation in subjects with occupational asthma (OA). It might also induce nonspecific changes in airway inflammation in subjects without OA. ⋯ Exposure to occupational agents per se does not induce airway inflammation. Changes in both sputum eosinophil counts and methacholine responsiveness are satisfactory predictors of a significant bronchial responsiveness to occupational agents.
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J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · Jun 2001
L-Selectin is required for the development of airway hyperresponsiveness but not airway inflammation in a murine model of asthma.
Airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) are fundamental features of asthma. Migration of inflammatory cells from the circulation into the lungs is dependent on adhesion molecule interactions. The cell surface adhesion molecule L-selectin has been demonstrated to mediate leukocyte rolling on inflamed and noninflamed pulmonary endothelium. However, its role in the development of airway inflammation and AHR in asthma has not been examined. ⋯ L-selectin plays a crucial role in the development of AHR but not allergic inflammation in an animal model of asthma. L-selectin represents a potential target for novel asthma therapies specifically aimed at controlling AHR.
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J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · May 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialAddition of salmeterol to low-dose fluticasone versus higher-dose fluticasone: an analysis of asthma exacerbations.
Adding salmeterol to low-dose fluticasone propionate (FP) produces greater improvements in pulmonary function and symptom control than increasing the dose of FP in patients who remain symptomatic with low-dose FP. ⋯ Salmeterol plus low-dose FP was more effective than higher dose FP alone in reducing asthma exacerbations in patients with persistent asthma. The ability to detect deteriorating asthma and the severity of exacerbation was similar between groups.
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J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · May 2001
Metropolitan home living conditions associated with indoor endotoxin levels.
Household endotoxin exposure in allergy and asthma has been gaining attention for its dual potential to exacerbate these conditions in individuals with established disease and to abrogate atopy before disease onset. ⋯ Indoor endotoxin exposure can be increased by the presence of animals in the home and decreased with central air conditioning. In some homes without animals, where allergen exposure adequate for sensitization still occurs, there are lower levels of house dust endotoxin. Therefore in homes without animals, factors that influence allergen and endotoxin levels in house dust probably differ. Households with detectable allergen levels but low endotoxin levels may provide a predisposing environment for animal allergen sensitization.