Chlamydia pneumoniae-immunoglobulin E antibody responses in serum from children with asthma.

Chlamydia pneumoniae is an obligate intracellular bacterium that causes respiratory infections in humans. An association between persistent C. pneumoniae infection and asthma pathogenesis has been described.

Intravenous methylprednisolone versus intravenous methylprednisolone combined with inhaled budesonide in acute severe pediatric asthma.

Introduction: Corticosteroids are important part of acute severe asthma (ASA) management in pediatric intensive care units. Few studies look at the efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in critical care settings. We aimed to investigate the potential beneficial effects of ICS when added to intravenous corticosteroids in pediatric patients with ASA admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

The impact of adenotonsillectomy on pediatric asthma.

Objective: To determine asthma outcomes in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy (T&A) for treatment of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).

Hypothesis: Asthmatic children will demonstrate improvement in asthma control after T&A compared to asthmatic children not undergoing surgical treatment.

Study Design: Prospective cohort.

induced tumour necrosis factor alpha responses are lower in children with asthma compared with non-asthma.

Introduction: respiratory tract infection has been implicated in the pathogenesis of reactive airway disease and asthma. Innate cytokine responses that are protective of infection with intracellular pathogens may be impaired in patients with asthma. Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a cytokine related to functions of monocytes and may inhibit infection.

Doxycycline suppresses Chlamydia pneumoniae induced interferon-gamma responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in children with allergic asthma.

Persistent respiratory infections caused by Chlamydia pneumoniae have been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases (e.g. asthma).

IgE anti-respiratory syncytial virus antibodies detected in serum of pediatric patients with asthma.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes lower respiratory tract disease in infants and young children, and is a public health concern, as is the increase in pediatric asthma. Respiratory viral infections may trigger asthma exacerbations. However, it remains unknown whether RSV infection may have a specific association with asthma.

The prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing in children with asthma and its behavioral effects.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children with asthma compared to non-asthmatic children and to determine if behavior problems are associated with asthma and SDB.

Study Design: Cross-Sectional.

Methods: Parents of 263 children with asthma and 266 controls ages 2 to 15 years attending routine pediatric office visits completed the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) and the Child Behavior Checklist.

IgE anti Hepatitis B virus surface antigen antibodies detected in serum from inner city asthmatic and non asthmatic children.

Viral Hepatitis type B (HBV) is a public health concern, but has not been linked to asthma. Immunoglobulin (Ig) G is involved in HBV immune responses; less is known about IgE antibodies (Abs) against HBV in asthma. Given the importance of HBV, we sought to determine whether HBV vaccine contributes to asthma in children, by stimulating specific IgE production.

Asthmatic children have increased specific anti-Mycoplasma pneumoniae IgM but not IgG or IgE-values independent of history of respiratory tract infection.

Background: Bronchial asthma is exacerbated by Mycoplasma pneumoniae-induced upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in children. Specific IgM and IgG isotypes are involved in the immune response to M. pneumoniae, but little is known about the role of specific IgE antibodies against M.

The business case as a strategic tool for change.

The authors discuss the clinically focused business case, when it is and is not needed, and the knowledge and skills the nurse executive must master to use the business case effectively as a strategic tool. Necessary skills include translating nursing practice proposals into cost-effective change initiatives and marketing those changes to colleagues.