Effects of the tulobuterol patch on the treatment of acute asthma exacerbations in young children.

The tulobuterol patch (TP) is a beta(2)-adrenergic agonist with a favorable pharmacokinetic profile used for asthma management in Japan. Because it contains tulobuterol in a molecular, crystallized form that is gradually absorbed percutaneously, TP exerts a prolonged bronchodilator effect exceeding 24 hours. Although it is a well-established treatment for asthma and wheezing, few studies have investigated whether it can reduce or prevent the symptoms associated with upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in young children.

[A trial of hierarchical cluster analysis of hospitalized wheezy infants and young children based on clinical factors].

Background: It has been estimated that there are several phenotypes constituting wheezy infants, in addition to true asthma.

Objective: The aim of this study is categorized wheezy infants and young children by cluster analysis and to turn out of categorized frequency.

Subjects And Methods: The study included 53 subjects aged less than 2 years old who were admitted with wheezy exacerbation.

[Helper T cell paradigm: Th17 and regulatory T cells involved in autoimmune inflammatory disorders, pathogen defense and allergic diseases].

The helper T cell paradigm, divided into two distinct subsets, Th1 and Th2 cells, characterized by distinct cytokine and functions, has been expanded to IL-17-producing Th17 cells. Th1 cells producing IFN-γ are involved in delayed-type hypersensitivity, effective in intracellular pathogens defense, while Th2 cells secrete IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and IL-25 and has a central role in IgE production, eosinophilic inflammation, and the protection for helminthic parasite infection. Th17 cell lineages, expressing IL-17 family of cytokines and IL-23-mediated functions on T cells, plays a role in immune response to fungi and extracellular pathogens and autoimmune inflammatory disorders.

[Relation of the time course of Japanese Pediatric Asthma Control Test (JPAC) and Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) score with respiratory function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO)].

Background And Object: Two major convenient questionnaires of asthma control in childhood, Japanese Pediatric Asthma Control Program (JPAC) and Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) have been available in Japan. The aim of this study is to evaluate relationship of two questionnaires in terms of the changes of respiratory function and fractional nitric oxide (FENO) in each individual.

Subject And Methods: The 102 samples from patients with asthma aged 6 to 11 years old and their parents' answers for the two questionnaires at regular visits were collected.

[The comparison of Japanese pediatric asthma control test (JPAC) with the childhood asthma control test (C-ACT) based on respiratory function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FEno)].

Background And Object: Two major convenient questionnaires of asthma control in childhood, Japanese Pediatric Asthma Control Program (JPAC) and Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) have been available in Japan. The aim of this study is comparison of utilities of these questionnaires by means of respiratory function and fractional nitric oxide (FENO).

Subject And Methods: The 154 samples from patients with asthma and their parents answered to two questionnaires at regular visits.

A study of the factors responsible for the development of allergic diseases in early life.

In order to analyze the determinants involved in the development of allergic diseases early in infancy, we examined the environmental and genetic factors that might affect the induction of such diseases during infancy, using a questionnaire. Maternal pharyngitis during pregnancy was significantly related to the development of atopic dermatitis in their progeny. Moreover, the frequency of the maternal infection was associated with a significantly increased risk of allergy in their infants.

Fetal growth promotion in allergic children.

Several in vitro studies have suggested the presence of Th2-skewed immunity during pregnancy in infants with atopic diseases. Our study indicated that allergic infants showed a higher birth weight and shorter gestational period at birth than those of non-allergic peers. Moreover, allergic mothers gave birth to neonates whose birth weights and gestational ages were higher and shorter than those of the non-allergic mothers, respectively.

Effect of lecithin-bound iodine on the patients with bronchial asthma.

Lecithin-bound iodine (LBI), which has been reported to be a potential candidate for one of the therapeutic modalities for children with bronchial asthma based on the in-vitro study, was also found to be effective in relieving the symptoms of patients with childhood asthma. In addition to the in-vitro effect of downregulation and upregulation of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), respectively, the clinical effect of LBI was highlighted through the concomitant upregulation of IFN-gamma production by the patients' lymphocytes, which were treated with LBI for 8 weeks. Therefore, LBI may reduce the signs of bronchial asthma by upregulating the synthesis of IFN-gamma that is a representative Th1 cytokine.

Somatropin promotes dermatophagoides farinae-specific IgE generation independently of IL-4 and IL-10.

Interleukin (IL)-10 accelerates the IgE production of anti-CD40- and IL-4-stimulated PBMC by enhancing the IL-6 production of T lymphocytes or antigen-primed spleen cells, in addition to its role as a regulator of the inflammatory responses. To further investigate the mechanisms enhancing IgE synthesis, we determined the effect of somatropin as well as IL-10 on the secretion of Dermatophagoides farinae (Df)-specific IgE by K7 cells, which originate from an EBV-immortalized cell line. Df-pulsed autologous T cells, as well as the supernatants of these cultures, increased the synthesis of Df-specific IgE.

Dermatophagoides-induced interleukin-10 production by peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with asthma in remission.

Interleukin (IL)-10 is a cytokine that regulates inflammatory responses. We studied the role of IL-10 in the development of tolerance to Dermatophagoides farinae in asthma patients in remission, since asthma improves in most children during adolescence. The spontaneous production of IL-10 by cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was higher in patients with active asthma than in normal subjects.

Roxithromycin promotes lymphocyte apoptosis in Dermatophagoides-sensitive asthma patients.

A new macrolide, roxithromycin, may be an effective treatment for asthma. Lymphocyte apoptosis is impaired in patients with asthma, while spontaneous apoptosis increases during remission, and such changes may be involved in the onset and remission of mite-sensitive asthma. Lymphocyte apoptosis was evaluated by incubating cells from patients with asthma in the presence of roxithromycin.