The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology
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J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · Jul 2014
Multicenter StudyFraction of exhaled nitric oxide values in childhood are associated with 17q11.2-q12 and 17q12-q21 variants.
The fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (Feno) value is a biomarker of eosinophilic airway inflammation and is associated with childhood asthma. Identification of common genetic variants associated with childhood Feno values might help to define biological mechanisms related to specific asthma phenotypes. ⋯ This study identified 3 variants associated with Feno values, explaining 0.95% of the variance. Identification of functional SNPs and haplotypes in these regions might provide novel insight into the regulation of Feno values. This study highlights that both shared and distinct genetic factors affect Feno values and childhood asthma.
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J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · May 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyObesity and adiposity indicators, asthma, and atopy in Puerto Rican children.
Whether adiposity indicators other than body mass index (BMI) should be used in studies of childhood asthma is largely unknown. The role of atopy in "obese asthma" is also unclear. ⋯ Adiposity indicators are associated with asthma, asthma severity/control, and atopy in Puerto Rican children. Atopy significantly mediates the effect of adiposity on asthma outcomes. Longitudinal studies are needed to further investigate the causal role, if any, of adiposity distribution and atopy on "obese asthma" in childhood.
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J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · May 2014
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialUnsupervised phenotyping of Severe Asthma Research Program participants using expanded lung data.
Previous studies have identified asthma phenotypes based on small numbers of clinical, physiologic, or inflammatory characteristics. However, no studies have used a wide range of variables using machine learning approaches. ⋯ The unsupervised machine learning approaches used here provide unique insights into disease, confirming other approaches while revealing novel additional phenotypes.
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J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · May 2014
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialDetection of pathogenic bacteria during rhinovirus infection is associated with increased respiratory symptoms and asthma exacerbations.
Detection of either viral or bacterial pathogens is associated with wheezing in children; however, the influence of both bacteria and viruses on illness symptoms has not been described. ⋯ Rhinovirus infection enhances detection of specific bacterial pathogens in children with and without asthma. Furthermore, these findings suggest that M catarrhalis and S pneumoniae contribute to the severity of respiratory tract illnesses, including asthma exacerbations.
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J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · Apr 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialEfficacy and safety of an anti-IL-13 mAb in patients with severe asthma: a randomized trial.
Approximately 5% to 10% of asthmatic patients achieve incomplete symptom control on current therapies. The association of IL-13 with asthma pathology and reduced corticosteroid sensitivity suggests a potential benefit of anti-IL-13 therapy in refractory asthma. GSK679586, a humanized mAb, inhibits IL-13 binding to both IL-13 receptor α1 and α2. ⋯ Although well tolerated, GSK679586 did not demonstrate clinically meaningful improvements in asthma control, pulmonary function, or exacerbations in patients with severe asthma. Further studies are needed to determine whether therapies targeting IL-13, the functionally related IL-4 cytokine, or both can provide clinical benefit in patients with severe refractory asthma or a subpopulation of these patients beyond that achievable with high-dose corticosteroids.