In the (sub)tropics allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma classification of allergic rhinitis is more useful than perennial-seasonal classification.

Background: Two different allergic rhinitis (AR) symptom phenotype classifications exist. Treatment recommendations are based on intermittent-persistent (INT-PER) cataloging, but clinical trials still use the former seasonal AR-perennial AR (SAR-PAR) classification. This study was designed to describe how INT-PER, mild-moderate/severe and SAR-PAR of patients seen by allergists are distributed over the different climate zones in a (sub)tropical country and how these phenotypes relate to allergen sensitization patterns.

Allergen sensitization linked to climate and age, not to intermittent-persistent rhinitis in a cross-sectional cohort study in the (sub)tropics.

Background: Allergen exposure leads to allergen sensitization in susceptible individuals and this might influence allergic rhinitis (AR) phenotype expression. We investigated whether sensitization patterns vary in a country with subtropical and tropical regions and if sensitization patterns relate to AR phenotypes or age.

Methods: In a national, cross-sectional study AR patients (2-70 y) seen by allergists underwent blinded skin prick testing with a panel of 18 allergens and completed a validated questionnaire on AR phenotypes.

Over diagnosis of persistent allergic rhinitis in perennial allergic rhinitis patients: a nationwide study in Mexico.

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) symptom phenotypes have been described, and two different classifications exist. The former classification, seasonal versus perennial AR (SAR-PAR), and the Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) classifications, intermittent (INT) versus persistent (PER; ≥4 days/wk and ≥4 consecutive weeks) and mild versus moderate/severe. ARIA cataloging of INT-PER is based on the patient's description of the frequency of symptoms.

Regorafenib effects on human colon carcinoma xenografts monitored by dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography with immunohistochemical validation.

Objective: To investigate dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography for monitoring the effects of regorafenib on experimental colon carcinomas in rats by quantitative assessments of tumor microcirculation parameters with immunohistochemical validation.

Materials And Methods: Colon carcinoma xenografts (HT-29) implanted subcutaneously in female athymic rats (n = 15) were imaged at baseline and after a one-week treatment with regorafenib by dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (128-slice dual-source computed tomography). The therapy group (n = 7) received regorafenib daily (10 mg/kg bodyweight).

European and Mexican vs US diagnostic extracts of Bermuda grass and cat in skin testing.

Background: Laboratory testing of various diagnostic extracts has shown lower potencies for several European and Mexican extracts relative to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reference (10,000 BAU/mL). Quantitative skin prick testing (QSPT) with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extracts have previously shown a similar picture.

Objective: To compare European and Mexican Bermuda grass (BG) and cat diagnostic extracts against an FDA-validated extract using QSPT.

Skin prick test evaluation of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus diagnostic extracts from Europe, Mexico, and the United States.

Background: Previous Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay testing of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus diagnostic extracts showed potencies of 36% to 44% for 3 European extracts relative to the FDA standard (10,000 AU/mL).

Objective: To compare biological activity of various European D pteronyssinus diagnostic extracts against an FDA-validated extract using quantitative skin prick tests.

Methods: Six diagnostic D pteronyssinus extracts (1 reference extract, which was made up of 10,000 AU/mL of the FDA-approved extract; 3 European extracts; 1 US-Mexican extract, which is imported as raw material from the United States and sold in Mexico; and 1 Mexican extract) were tested during 2 skin prick test sessions as a concentrate and 2 serial 2-fold dilutions, in quadruplicate, on the backs of 19 patients with D pteronyssinus allergic rhinitis.

Role of intermittent hypoxia in the treatment of bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this review is to describe the impact that exposure to intermittent hypoxic training (IHT) could have on bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This is of particular interest, as an increasing number of patients suffer from severe symptoms of bronchial asthma and COPD and desire more effective and efficient treatment options with fewer side effects.

Recent Findings: Exposure to IHT has been shown to raise baroreflex sensitivity to normal levels and to selectively increase hypercapnic ventilatory response, total exercise time, total haemoglobin mass, and lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide in COPD patients.