Health effects of exposure to chlorination by-products in swimming pools.

Concerns have been raised regarding the potential negative effects on human health of water disinfectants used in swimming pools. Among the disinfection options, the approaches using chlorine-based products have been typically preferred. Chlorine readily reacts with natural organic matter that are introduced in the water mainly through the bathers, leading to the formation of potentially harmful chlorination by-products (CBPs).

Feasibility and Acceptability of an Asthma App to Monitor Medication Adherence: Mixed Methods Study.

Background: Poor medication adherence is a major challenge in asthma, and objective assessment of inhaler adherence is needed. The InspirerMundi app aims to monitor adherence while providing a positive experience through gamification and social support.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the InspirerMundi app to monitor medication adherence in adolescents and adults with persistent asthma (treated with daily inhaled medication).

Anaphylaxis in children and adolescents: The Portuguese Anaphylaxis Registry.

Background: Anaphylaxis is increasing at pediatric age; however, its characterization is hampered by underdiagnosis and underreporting. The aim of this study was to identify the causes of anaphylaxis in children and adolescents in Portugal, thus contributing to a better knowledge of its etiology, clinical manifestations, and management.

Methods: During a 10-year period, a nationwide notification system for anaphylaxis was implemented, with voluntary reporting by allergists.

Anaphylaxis: A Decade of a Nationwide Allergy Society Registry.

Background And Objectives: Anaphylaxis is an acute, life-threatening, multiorgan hypersensitivity reaction. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the causes of anaphylaxis in Portugal in order to improve our knowledge of epidemiology and management.

Methods: We implemented a nationwide notification system for anaphylaxis over a 10-year period, with voluntary reporting by allergists.

Self-medication of anaphylactic reactions due to Hymenoptera stings-an EAACI Task Force Consensus Statement.

An anaphylactic reaction due to a Hymenoptera sting is a clinical emergency, and patients, their caregivers as well as all healthcare professionals should be familiar with its recognition and acute management. This consensus report has been prepared by a European expert panel of the EAACI Interest Group of Insect Venom Hypersensitivity. It is targeted at allergists, clinical immunologists, internal medicine specialists, pediatricians, general practitioners, emergency department doctors, and any other healthcare professional involved.

Drug-induced anaphylaxis survey in Portuguese Allergy Departments.

Background And Objective: Drug-induced anaphylaxis is an unpredictable and potentially fatal adverse drug reaction. The aim of this study was to identify the causes of drug-induced anaphylaxis in Portugal.

Methods: During a 4-year period a nationwide notification system for anaphylaxis was implemented, with voluntary reporting by allergists.

Validation of control of allergic rhinitis and asthma test for children (CARATKids)--a prospective multicenter study.

Background: Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test for Children (CARATKids) is the first questionnaire that assesses simultaneously allergic rhinitis and asthma control in children. It was recently developed, but redundancy of questions and its psychometric properties were not assessed. This study aimed to (i) establish the final version of the CARATKids questionnaire and (ii) evaluate its reliability, responsiveness, cross-sectional validity, and longitudinal validity.

Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test (CARAT) can be used to assess individual patients over time.

Background: The Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test (CARAT10) has been proposed as the first tool to implement the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma initiative guidelines in clinical practice. To serve this purpose, it must have adequate properties to assess the control of an individual over time. This study aimed to prospectively assess the test-retest reliability, responsiveness and longitudinal validity of CARAT10.

The 10th anniversary of the Junior Members and Affiliates of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

This year is the 10th anniversary of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) Junior Members and Affiliates (JMAs). The aim of this review is to highlight the work and activities of EAACI JMAs. To this end, we have summarized all the initiatives taken by JMAs during the last 10 yr.

Heart rate dynamic during an exercise test in heart failure patients with different sensibilities of the carvedilol therapy: heart rate dynamic during exercise test.

Background: Some trials suggest that the titration of Carvedilol is based on rest heart rate from 50 to 60 bpm and a target daily dose of 50 mg/day.

Aim: To evaluate the heart rate dynamic in heart failure patients with different sensibilities of the Carvedilol therapy during an exercise test.

Methods: Patients were divided into four groups and submitted a treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise test: heart rate >60 bpm and Carvedilol60 bpm and Carvedilol > or =50 mg/day (19 patients) (non-optimized low-sensibility); heart rate between 50 and 60 bpm and Carvedilol > or =50 mg/day (16 patients) (optimized); heart rate between 50 and 60 bpm and Carvedilol<50 mg/day (10 patients) (optimized high-sensible group).

Clinical, anamnestic and serological features of peach allergy in portugal.

Background: Peach is a common food allergen source throughout Europe. The aim of this study was to characterize peach allergy in a Portuguese patient population.

Methods: Thirty peach-allergic patients confirmed by double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges and 29 controls were included.

Anaphylaxis to pine nut: cross-reactivity to Artemisia vulgaris?

The use of pine nuts, the seeds of Pinus pinea, is on the increasing in the modern Mediterranean diet. Little more than 20 cases of allergy to this tree nut have been published, and cross-reactivity with pine pollen, peanut and almond has already been reported. We describe the case of a young boy with several episodes of anaphylaxis after pine nut ingestion.