Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Jun 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialOnce-daily budesonide via Turbuhaler improves symptoms in adults with persistent asthma.
Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of twice-daily budesonide Turbuhaler (Pulmicort Turbuhaler, AstraZeneca, Wilmington, DE) for the treatment of mild to severe asthma. ⋯ Budesonide Turbuhaler 400 microg administered once daily in the AM is efficacious and safe for inhaled corticosteroid-naive asthmatic adults.
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · May 2001
Comparative StudyCharacterization of aerosol output from various nebulizer/compressor combinations.
Different commercially available nebulizers and compressors are available. However, the optimal combination for drug delivery is unknown. ⋯ Marked variability exists in the flow rates among different commercially available compressors used for home nebulization of inhaled pulmonary medications. Different nebulizer/compressor combinations have markedly different performance characteristics which could result in different efficacy and safety profiles of the medications being administered via these devices. We recommend that this type of information be used as a starting point for selecting different nebulizer/compressor combinations. Further clinical evaluation is warranted.
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The infant with persistent or recurrent wheezing during the first 2 years of life poses a diagnostic dilemma, which can be a source of anxiety to both physicians and parents. A suggested diagnostic approach to the causes of infantile wheezing is outlined. ⋯ This review discusses the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of the wheezing infant. We suggest that infant pulmonary function testing may be used as one diagnostic aid in the workup of the wheezing infant.
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Mar 2001
Evaluation of Th1/Th2 ratio and cytokine production profile during acute exacerbation and convalescence in asthmatic children.
Th2-type cytokines, such as IL-4 and IL-5, are generally believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma. In contrast, Th1-type cytokine, especially interferon (IFN)-gamma, is thought to have a downregulatory effect on Th2 immune response cells. Thus, the imbalance of Th1 and Th2 cells may be a key factor in relation to disease severity. ⋯ The decrease of IFN-gamma+ and IL-4+ cells detected at the single-cell level may explain the potential mechanism of convalescence from acute asthma attacks. High Th1/Th2 ratio and low IL-5 production from the PBMC of normal controls support the idea of a biased Th2 immune response in asthmatic patients.