Aberrant Expression of Novel Cytokine IL-38 and Regulatory T Lymphocytes in Childhood Asthma.

We investigated the expression of novel anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-38 and regulatory T (Treg) lymphocytes in childhood asthma patients. The protein and mRNA expression level of IL-38, periostin, peripheral CD4⁺CD25⁺CD134⁺ T lymphocytes as well as CD4⁺CD25(high)FoxP3⁺ and CD4⁺CD25(high)CD127(-) Treg lymphocytes from 40 asthmatic patients and 20 normal control (NC) subjects were studied using ELISA, qPCR and flow cytometry. Serum and supernatant cytokines/chemokines were determined by multiplex assay.

Domestic exposure to aeroallergens in Hong Kong families with asthmatic children.

Indoor aeroallergen exposures increased asthma symptoms in Caucasians, but their determinants and relationship to asthma and allergy in Asians are unclear. This study investigated exposures to cat, cockroach, and Blomia tropicalis allergens in 115 Hong Kong families with asthmatic children. Patients underwent exhaled nitric oxide and spirometric measurements.

Indoor determinants of endotoxin and dust mite exposures in Hong Kong homes with asthmatic children.

Background: Domestic endotoxin enhances airway inflammation and increases asthma severity in Caucasian children, but little data are published on indoor endotoxin exposure in Asian countries. This study investigated house dust endotoxin and Der p 1 levels in Hong Kong families with asthmatic children, and their effects on asthma severity.

Methods: 115 asthmatics from a pediatric clinic underwent fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and spirometric measurements.

Predicting changes in clinical status of young asthmatics: clinical scores or objective parameters?

Preventing asthma exacerbation is an important goal of asthma management. The existing clinical tools are not good in predicting asthma exacerbations in young children. Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) was recently published to be a simple tool for assessing disease control in young children.

Parent-reported adverse food reactions in Hong Kong Chinese pre-schoolers: epidemiology, clinical spectrum and risk factors.

The epidemiology of adverse food reactions (AFRs), including the potentially life-threatening food allergy (FA), in Asia is unclear. AFR is believed to be less prevalent than in Caucasians. This study determines the prevalence, clinical features and risk factors for parent-reported AFR in Chinese pre-school children in Hong Kong.

Pro-oxidative effects of Chinese herbal medicine on G6PD-deficient erythrocytes in vitro.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-deficient subjects are susceptible to chemical-induced oxidative haemolysis. Little is known concerning the haemolytic properties of Chinese herbal medicine on G6PD-deficient subjects. Our objective was to investigate the pro-oxidative effect of 18 commonly used Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) on human G6PD-deficient red blood cells.

Pro-oxidative effects of tea and polyphenols, epigallocatechin-3-gallate and epigallocatechin, on G6PD-deficient erythrocytes in vitro.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-deficient subjects are vulnerable to chemical-induced hemolysis if exposed to oxidative agents. Recent studies reported that green tea and its constituents might act as pro-oxidants. Our objective was to investigate effects of tea and its polyphenolic components on the oxidative status of human G6PD-deficient erythrocytes.

Multiplex primer extension reaction screening and oxidative challenge of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase mutants in hemizygous and heterozygous subjects.

The primary objective of our study was to provide a simple and reliable assay for identifying the majority of G6PD genetic variants in the Chinese population. We optimized the multiplex primer extension reaction (MPER) assay for simultaneous screening of 14-point mutations in 98 G6PD-deficient subjects. Our data demonstrated that this method is precise, cost-effective and has successfully identified mutations in 97 out of 98 subjects, including all heterozygous mutants.

Lack of association between NOS2 pentanucleotide repeat polymorphism and asthma phenotypes or exhaled nitric oxide concentration.

Nitric oxide (NO) plays an immunoregulatory role in balancing cellular immunity. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase gene (NOS2) is upregulated upon exposure to proinflammatory cytokines and microbial exposure. The (CCTTT)n polymorphism in NOS2 promoter confers protection against infections and immunological disorders including atopy.

Clinical and technical factors affecting pH and other biomarkers in exhaled breath condensate.

Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH appears to be a robust measure of asthma. However, the association between EBC pH and clinical factors and airway inflammatory markers remains unclear. The objectives of this study were to investigate the factors determining EBC pH in asthmatic children, and the reproducibility and effects of collection devices on EBC pH in nine healthy, nonsmoking adults.

Analysis of growth factors and inflammatory cytokines in exhaled breath condensate from asthmatic children.

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), AA isoform of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-AA), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) are involved in the pathogenesis of airway inflammation in asthma. These molecules are closely associated with cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin (IL)-4. This study investigates the relation between childhood asthma and levels of these mediators in exhaled breath condensate (EBC).

The relation between obesity and asthmatic airway inflammation.

Epidemiologic studies suggest increased asthma prevalence in obese subjects. However, the relation between obesity and airway inflammation remains unclear. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the relation between obesity indices and exhaled nitric oxide (ENO) and leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) in children with asthma.