The impact of different lenses on visual and musculoskeletal complaints in VDU workers with work-related neck complaints: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: The impact of wearing lenses on visual and musculoskeletal complaints in VDU workers is currently unknown. The goal of this study was 1) to evaluate the impact of wearing VDU lenses on visual fatigue and self-reported neck pain and disability, compared to progressive lenses, and 2) to measure the effect of both lenses on head inclination and pressure pain thresholds during the performance of a VDU task.

Methods: Thirty-five eligible subjects were randomly assigned to wear progressive VDU lenses (VDU group) (n = 18) or progressive lenses (P group) (n = 17).

Histamine and leukotriene receptor antagonism in the treatment of allergic rhinitis: an update.

Allergic rhinitis represents a global health burden. The disease can seriously affect quality of life and is associated with multiple co-morbidities. Histamine and leukotrienes are important pro-inflammatory mediators in nasal allergic inflammation.

Glucocorticosteroids in allergic inflammation: clinical benefits in otitis media with effusion.

Allergy and otitis media with effusion are often considered as comorbidities. Evidence points to a role for allergy in the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion in reports of increased prevalence of allergy in patients with otitis media with effusion and presence of late-phase allergic-response inflammatory mediators and cytokines in the middle-ear effusion of allergic subjects. However, the exact mechanism remains unknown.

The innate immune system and its role in allergic disorders.

Background: There has been an increasing prevalence of allergic diseases in the Western world over the last decades. The hygiene hypothesis has been proposed as a possible explanation for this epidemical trend in allergy. A key role in this theory is assigned to the reduced microbial stimulation of the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in early life, which could lead to a weaker Th1 response and a stronger Th2 response to allergens.