...AIT is the unique causal treatment for respiratory allergy. Furthermore, a first real-life experience reported that high serum sIgE levels could predict positive response to AIT in 75 adults with ...allergic rhinitis.5 AIT effectiveness was calculated considering both clinical improvement and drug use (prescribed on demand) reduction. ...allergen sIgE could be considered a potential biomarker to individuate AIT responder. 1 S.J. Galli, Toward precision medicine and health: opportunities and challenges in allergic diseases, J Allergy...
COVID-19 is an emerging issue that has significant consequences on psycho-social well-being.
In this regard, a survey was conducted on a large group of adolescents in Italy. The survey investigated ...four items: concerns and fears, information on the pandemic, provisions of public authorities (e.g., lockdown), and impact on everyday life.
Adolescents actively participated in the survey. COVID-19 affected emotions and lifestyle. COVID-19 influenced relationships with peers and parents. There were regional differences.
The current research highlighted the remarkable, healthy, and certainly unexpected, emotional balance of the new generations in the face of a sudden, unpredictable phenomenon capable of jeopardizing life itself. While understanding the gravity of the phenomenon and willingly adapting to all the necessary precautions, the adolescents still seemed to express an excellent ability to manage situations of insecurity and to deal with unfavorable and adverse conditions by adapting to the new routine and finding alternative and innovative means of meeting their social and psychological needs.
Background Severe asthma might be associated with overexpression of T h 17 cytokines, which induce neutrophil recruitment via neutrophil-mobilizing cytokines in airways. Objective To study ...IL-17–related cytokines in nasal/bronchial biopsies from controls and mild asthmatics (MAs) to severe asthmatics (SAs) in relation to exacerbation rate. Methods Inflammatory cells and IL-17A+ , IL-17F+ , IL-21+ , IL-22+ , and IL-23+ cells were examined by immunohistochemistry in cryostat sections of bronchial/nasal biopsies obtained from 33 SAs (21 frequent exacerbators FEs), 31 MAs (3 FEs), and 14 controls. IL-17F protein was also measured by ELISA in bronchial/nasal lysates and by immunohistochemistry in bronchial tissue obtained from subjects who died because of fatal asthma. Immunofluorescence/confocal microscopy was used for IL-17F colocalization. Results Higher number ( P < .05) of neutrophils, IL-17A+ , IL-17F+ , and IL-21+ cells in bronchial biopsies and higher numbers ( P < .01) of IL-17F+ and IL-21+ cells in nasal biopsies were observed in SAs compared with MAs. Bronchial IL-17F+ cells correlated with bronchial neutrophils ( r = 0.54), exacerbation rate ( r = 0.41), and FEV1 ( r = −0.46). Nasal IL-17F+ cells correlated with bronchial IL-17F ( r = 0.35), exacerbation rate ( r = 0.47), and FEV1 ( r = −0.61). FEs showed increased number of bronchial neutrophils/eosinophils/CD4+ /CD8+ cells and bronchial/nasal IL-17F+ cells. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis evidenced predictive cutoff values of bronchial neutrophils and nasal/bronchial IL-17F for discriminating between asthmatics and controls, between MAs and SAs and between FEs and non-FEs. IL-17F protein increased in bronchial/nasal lysates of SAs and FEs and in bronchial tissue of fatal asthma. IL-17F colocalized in CD4+ /CD8+ cells. Conclusions IL-17–related cytokines expression was amplified in bronchial/nasal mucosa of neutrophilic asthma prone to exacerbation, suggesting a pathogenic role of IL-17F in FEs.
Purpose of Review
Otitis media (OM) is a disease with high prevalence in infancy; it has a substantial burden on healthcare resources, and a relevant impact on the quality of life of families. The ...link between OM and allergic rhinitis (AR) is still debated. However, there is agreement about the relevance of type 2 inflammation on turbinate hypertrophy (TH) generation. There is also evidence that TH is associated with middle ear dysventilation: a pathogenic factor promoting OM. Therefore, a vicious circle among AR, TH, and OM may occur.
Recent Findings
There are some recent studies exploring this issue through different approaches, such as epidemiological, mechanistic, and therapeutic. Identifying allergy as a pathogenic factor for OM could improve the management of OM patients. Vice versa, suspecting AR in OM patients, could be reasonable in selected patients.
Summary
The current narrative review provides an overview of the evidence concerning the potential role of AR, and associated TH, in OM patients.
The post-viral acute cough (PAC) is a widespread symptom, mainly in childhood and adolescence, and is usually associated with an acute upper respiratory infection, namely the common cold. The use of ...cough relievers is, therefore, impressive, as documented by the market data. There are many medical devices and dietary supplements for treating PAC, which contain non-pharmacological components. Ancient people used traditional herbs to treat PAC. Thus, a well-established tradition considers natural remedies as an effective and safe way to relieve PAC. The herbal agents include polyphenols, flavonoids, saponins, glucosides, and alkaloids. Also, the European Medicine Agency has recognized the value of plant extracts and other natural substances to treat PAC. Nevertheless, a few studies investigated the role of non-pharmacologic remedies for PAC. There is some evidence for honey, glycerol, Althea officinalis, Drosera rotundifolia, Grindelia, Hedera helix, Pelargonium sidoides, Sambucus nigra, Thymus vulgaris, hyaluronic acid, and saline solutions. However, further rigorous studies should confirm natural products' efficacy and safety to relieve PAC.
A type-2 immune response usually sustains wheezing and asthma in children. In addition, dysbiosis of digestive and respiratory tracts is detectable in patients with wheezing and asthma. Probiotics ...may rebalance immune response, repair dysbiosis, and mitigate airway inflammation. As a result, probiotics may prevent asthma and wheezing relapse. There is evidence that some probiotic strains may improve asthma outcomes in children. In this context, the PROPAM study provided evidence that two specific strains significantly prevented asthma exacerbations and wheezing episodes. Therefore, oral probiotics could be used as add-on asthma therapy in managing children with asthma, but the choice should be based on documented evidence.
Purpose of Review
Otitis media (OM) is a disease with high prevalence in infancy; it has a substantial burden on healthcare resources and a relevant impact on the quality of life of families. The ...link between OM and allergic rhinitis (AR) is still debated. However, there is agreement about the relevance of type 2 inflammation on turbinate hypertrophy (TH) generation. There is also evidence that TH is associated with middle ear dysventilation: a pathogenic factor promoting OM. Therefore, a vicious circle among AR, TH, and OM may occur.
Recent Findings
There are some recent studies exploring this issue through different approaches, such as epidemiological, mechanistic, and therapeutic. Identifying allergy as a pathogenic factor for OM could improve the management of OM patients. Vice versa, suspecting AR in OM patients could be reasonable in selected patients.
Summary
The current narrative review provides an overview of the evidence concerning the potential role of AR, and associated TH, in OM patients.
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