Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology
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Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is implicated in airway remodelling and asthma development. We studied VEGFA gene variants and plasma levels and the development of lung function, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and asthma in childhood. ⋯ VEGF gene variants are associated with lung function at school age, but not at birth, suggesting a role of VEGF in post-natal lung function development.
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Hairdressers demonstrate increased IgE sensitisation to neuromuscular blocking drugs due to occupational exposure to quaternary ammonium ion compounds.
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Exhaled breath contains disease-dependent volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which may serve as biomarkers distinguishing clinical phenotypes in asthma. Their measurement may be particularly beneficial in relation to treatment response. ⋯ Breath analysis by eNose can identify asthmatic patients and may be used to predict their response to steroids with greater accuracy than sputum eosinophils or FeNO. This implies a potential role for breath analysis in the tailoring of treatment for asthma patients.