Food-specific antibodies in oesophageal secretions: association with trigger foods in eosinophilic oesophagitis.

Background: Food antigens are clearly implicated in the induction and persistence of eosinophilic oesophagitis. Dietary elimination to identify triggers is tedious and expensive. Alternatives that can mitigate cost and improve patient quality of life during this process are needed.

Incidence and Prevalence of Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Utah Based on a 5-Year Population-Based Study.

Background & Aims: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is often detected in children and is considered to be a rare disease, with prevalence values reported to be below 60 cases per 100,000 persons. To determine whether the incidence of EoE in children in Utah exceeds estimates from regional reports, we calculated incidence and prevalence values over a 5-year period.

Methods: Using consensus guidelines for the diagnosis of EoE, we reviewed pathology records from the Intermountain Healthcare pathology database, from July 1, 2011 through June 31, 2016.

Post-transplantation Development of Food Allergies.

Purpose Of Review: The development of food allergies is increasingly being recognized as a post-solid organ transplant complication. In this article, we review the spectrum of post-transplant food allergy development and the proposed mechanisms for de novo food allergies and the clinical significance they pose.

Recent Findings: The development of new food allergies is disproportionately associated with pediatric liver transplants, where it occurs in up to 38% of select populations.

Population-based familial aggregation of eosinophilic esophagitis suggests a genetic contribution.

Background: Prior familial clustering studies have observed an increased risk of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) mostly among first-degree relatives, suggesting a genetic contribution to EoE, and twin studies have suggested a powerful contribution from environmental factors.

Objective: This study sought to clarify the contribution of genetic factors to EoE through estimation of familial aggregation and risk of EoE in extended relatives.

Methods: The Utah Population Database, a population-based genealogy resource linked to electronic medical records for health care systems across the state of Utah, was used to identify EoE cases and age, sex, and birthplace-matched controls at a 5:1 ratio.

Risk of Autoimmunity in EoE and Families: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Objectives: Recent genome-wide association studies have suggested possible genetic associations between eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and genes associated with autoimmunity. No studies to date have looked at potential genetic association of EoE with specific autoimmune diseases by evaluating such diagnoses within family members. Investigate the risk of specific autoimmune disease within EoE probands and their extended family members.

Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases-1 and -2 in Interleukin-13-Suppressed Elastin in Airway Fibroblasts in Asthma.

Elastin synthesis and degradation in the airway and lung parenchyma contribute to airway mechanics, including airway patency and elastic recoil. IL-13 mediates many features of asthma pathobiology, including airway remodeling, but the effects of IL-13 on elastin architecture in the airway wall are not known. We hypothesized that IL-13 modulates elastin expression in airway fibroblasts from subjects with allergic asthma.

Management of acute attacks of hereditary angioedema: role of ecallantide.

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is characterized as an episodic swelling disorder with autosomal dominant inheritance. Clinical features include nonpitting edema of external or mucosal body surfaces, and patients often present with swelling of the extremities, abdominal pain, and swelling of the mouth and throat, which can lead to asphyxiation. Patients with HAE classically have no associated urticaria, which is often referred to as nonhistaminergic angioedema.

Interleukin-13 induces collagen type-1 expression through matrix metalloproteinase-2 and transforming growth factor-β1 in airway fibroblasts in asthma.

Airway remodelling is a feature of asthma that contributes to loss of lung function. One of the central components of airway remodelling is subepithelial fibrosis. Interleukin (IL)-13 is a key T-helper 2 cytokine and is believed to be the central mediator of allergic asthma including remodelling, but the mechanism driving the latter has not been elucidated in human asthma.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: safety and tolerability of hyperpolarized 129Xe MR imaging in healthy volunteers and patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and tolerability of inhaling multiple 1-L volumes of undiluted hyperpolarized xenon 129 ((129)Xe) followed by up to a 16-second breath hold and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

Materials And Methods: This study was approved by the institutional review board and was HIPAA compliant. Written informed consent was obtained.

Airway fibroblasts in asthma manifest an invasive phenotype.

Rationale: Invasive cell phenotypes have been demonstrated in malignant transformation, but not in other diseases, such as asthma. Cellular invasiveness is thought to be mediated by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). IL-13 is a key T(H)2 cytokine that directs many features of airway remodeling through TGF-β1 and MMPs.

An overview of novel therapies for acute hereditary angioedema.

Hereditary angioedema is an episodic swelling disorder with autosomal dominant inheritance. Attacks are characterized by nonpitting edema of external or mucosal body surfaces. Patients often present with swelling of the extremities, abdominal pain, and swelling of the mouth and throat, which can at times lead to asphyxiation.

Pharmacotherapy of severe asthma.

Severe asthma is a complex and heterogeneous phenotype where management can be challenging. While many patients with severe asthma respond to high-dose inhaled corticosteroids in combination with a long-acting beta-agonist, there remains a significant subset of patients that require oral corticosteroids to control symptoms. Alternative therapies are needed to help reduce the need for continuous oral corticosteroids; however, there are currently very few effective options.

A comparison of brand-name drug prices between Canadian-based Internet pharmacies and major U.S. drug chain pharmacies.

Background: Many Americans have been purchasing their medications from online Canadian pharmacies. Although it is commonly perceived that medications are less expensive in Canada than in the United States, little research has been done to quantify this difference.

Objective: To compare the prices of retail brand-name medications between Canadian Internet pharmacies and major U.