Understanding excess mortality during COVID in Belgium: the influence of pre-existing health status and social factors.

Background: This study aims to investigate how pre-existing health status and social background contribute to excess mortality during the COVID-19 crisis in Belgium.

Methods: The study population consists of almost 1.4 million adult members of Solidaris, the second largest health insurance fund in Belgium.

Extracellular matrix turnover in severe COVID-19 is reduced by corticosteroids.

Background: Severe and critical COVID-19 is characterized by pulmonary viral infection with SARS-CoV-2 resulting in local and systemic inflammation. Dexamethasone (DEX) has been shown to improve outcomes in critically ill patients; however, its effect on tissue remodeling, particularly collagen turnover, remains unclear. This study investigated the association between circulating extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling neo-epitopes and COVID-19 severity, their relationship with mortality, and the effect of DEX on these markers.

Assessing public support for air pollution mitigation and control policies: health, socioeconomic, and ideological predictors in an overburdened and vulnerable region of the U.S.

Background: The San Joaquin Valley (SJV) in California is one of the most polluted regions in the U.S. This study examined favorability for air pollution mitigation policies, interventions, and identified predictors amongst region's residents.

Mgl2 cDC2s coordinate fungal allergic airway type 2, but not type 17, inflammation in mice.

Fungal spores are abundant in the environment and a major cause of asthma. Originally characterised as a type 2 inflammatory disease, allergic airway inflammation that underpins asthma can also involve type 17 inflammation, which can exacerbate disease causing failure of treatments tailored to inhibit type 2 factors. However, the mechanisms that determine the host response to fungi, which can trigger both type 2 and type 17 inflammation in allergic airway disease, remain unclear.

Association of environmental, demographic and clinical parameters with physical activity in children with asthma.

Personal characteristics, unfavorable weather conditions and air pollution have been linked with reduced physical activity in children. However, among children with asthma the effects of these parameters remain unclear. This study objectively quantified the physical activity of children with asthma and evaluated its association with environmental, personal, and clinical parameters.

E-cigarettes are not associated with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome among US adults.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many survivors experiencing post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) with symptoms including fatigue, breathlessness, and cognitive complaints. E-cigarette use has already been associated with increased susceptibility to COVID-19 because of its effects on ACE2 receptor expression and inflammation, raising concern that it might worsen the long-term outcomes of COVID-19, including PCS. While traditional smoking is associated with a higher risk of PCS, the role of e-cigarettes remains unclear due to conflicting evidence.

Integrative analysis of single-cell and transcriptome sequencing with experimental validation reveals PKHD1L1 as a novel biomarker in lung adenocarcinoma.

Polycystic kidney and hepatic disease 1-like protein 1 (PKHD1L1) is predicted to encode a large type I transmembrane protein involved in hearing transmission and mediating cellular immunity under physiological conditions. However, its role in cancer progression, especially in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we observed significantly lower expression of PKHD1L1 in LUAD tissues than in normal lung tissues on the basis of the integration of public datasets from the TCGA and GEO cohorts.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of healthcare professionals in the management of patients with hypertension and concurrent bronchial asthma: a cross-sectional study in the Yellow River Delta region of China.

Objective: To assess the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) among healthcare professionals in managing patients with coexisting hypertension and bronchial asthma.

Design: A cross-sectional survey. The reporting of this study followed the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist.

Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 1 Safety Study of Oral Mucosal Immunotherapy in Peanut Allergic Adults.

Background: Oral Mucosal Immunotherapy (OMIT) uses a specifically formulated toothpaste to deliver allergenic proteins to immunologically active areas of the oral cavity. This represents a new delivery mechanism with several features designed to improve food allergy desensitization. OMIT presents advantages over other approaches to allergy immunotherapy due to its targeted delivery and simplified administration.

Hereditary angioedema: patient healthcare experiences within underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in the United States.

Background: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare disorder in which unpredictable angioedema attacks significantly impact patient quality of life (QoL). There is limited information regarding patient experiences and perspectives of HAE management within underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.

Objective: To gain insight into the experiences and perspectives of medical care and treatment for HAE among underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in the US.

Structural elucidation and anti-asthmatic effects of semi-crystalline polysaccharides from Lignosus rhinocerotis (Cooke) Ryvarden.

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by airway inflammation. Lignosus rhinocerotis (LR), a medicinal mushroom rich in polysaccharide, has been traditionally used to treat various diseases, including asthma. This study aimed to fractionate, characterize and evaluate the anti-asthmatic effects of polysaccharides from LR (LRP).

Sex Differences in Long COVID.

Importance: A substantial number of individuals worldwide experience long COVID, or post-COVID condition. Other postviral and autoimmune conditions have a female predominance, but whether the same is true for long COVID, especially within different subgroups, is uncertain.

Objective: To evaluate sex differences in the risk of developing long COVID among adults with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Alcohol septal ablation in drug-refractory hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy patient with multiple comorbidities.

Unlabelled: Septal reduction therapy is an effective treatment for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). Alcohol septal ablation (ASA) is indicated for HOCM patients who are ineligible for surgical myectomy, but several tips exist for the management of high-risk patients with ASA. Here, we present a case of successful ASA in a HOCM patient with multiple comorbidities, including severe obesity, drug-refractory bronchial asthma, poorly controlled diabetes, and steroid-induced immunosuppression.

Association of Infection with Pediatric Asthma in Palestine.

Purpose: Significant debate exists on the association between infection and childhood asthma. We aimed to explore this association in a cohort of children in Palestine while estimating the prevalence of in this population.

Methods: We conducted a prospective case-control study among children aged 6-15 years in Palestine, including 44 asthma cases diagnosed by pediatric pulmonologists and 99 age-matched healthy controls recruited through cluster sampling from schools.

Factors influencing health-related quality of life in children with asthma: insights from Addis Ababa public hospitals.

Background: Bronchial asthma is a global health problem in particular a respiratory condition characterized by broncho spasms that negatively affect the quality of life (QOL) of children. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the health-related quality of life of asthma in children in Ethiopia, and the study area.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the health-related quality of life among asthmatic children aged 7-17 in selected hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Exploring the association between socioeconomic inequalities in chronic respiratory disease and all-cause mortality in China: findings from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.

Objective: Research on the inequality of chronic respiratory disease (CRD) is limited, and the association between CRD and all-cause mortality is not well-established. Investigating the distribution of CRD and its associated mortality risks is essential for improving CRD conditions and developing targeted intervention measures. This study aimed to explore the relationship between inequalities in CRD and all-cause mortality in China.

Vitronectin regulates lung tissue remodeling and emphysema in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Vitronectin (VTN) is an important extracellular matrix protein in tissue remodeling, but its role in COPD is unknown. We show that VTN regulates tissue remodeling through urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) signaling pathway in COPD. In human COPD airways and bronchoepithelial cells and the airways of mice with cigarette smoke (CS)-induced experimental COPD, VTN protein was not changed, but downstream uPA signaling was altered (increased plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, uPAR) that induced collagen and airway remodeling.

Regular versus as-needed treatments for mild asthma in children, adolescents, and adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are recommended treatment for mild asthma. We aimed to update the evidence on the efficacy and safety of ICS-containing regimens, leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA), and tiotropium relative to as-needed (AN) short-acting β2-agonists (SABA) in children (aged 6-11 years) and adolescents/adults.

Methods: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of regular and AN treatment for mild asthma was conducted (CRD42022352384).

Systematic identification of the chemical components of leaves and roots of Didymocarpus heucherifolius Hand.-Mazz. based on UHPLC Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS technology coupled with molecular networking strategy.

Didymocarpus heucherifolius Hand.-Mazz. is plant of the genus Didymocarpus wall.

Increased thyroxine levels of patients with allergic rhinitis.

Allergic rhinitis and asthma are common respiratory conditions with complex etiologies involving genetic, environmental, and physiological factors. In these conditions, the role of thyroid function remains underexplored. This study enrolled 116 participants with a mean age of 29.

Protocol for the enhanced management of multimorbid patients with COPD and severe asthma: role of indoor air quality.

Introduction: Reducing unplanned hospital admissions in chronic patients at risk is a key area for action due to the high healthcare and societal burden of the phenomenon. The inconclusive results of preventive strategies in patients with chronic obstructive respiratory disorders and comorbidities are explainable by multifactorial but actionable factors.The current protocol (January 2024-December 2025) relies on the hypothesis that intertwined actions in four dimensions: (1) management change, (2) personalisation of the interventions based on early detection/treatment of acute episodes and enhanced management of comorbidities, (3) mature digital support and (4) comprehensive assessment, can effectively overcome most of the limitations shown by previous preventive strategies.

Relationship between the magnesium depletion score and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among asthma patients: A Study based on the NHANES population from 2005-2018.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the potential association between magnesium depletion score (MDS), a novel assessment of magnesium status in vivo, and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in asthma patients.

Methods: Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 to 2018, 4757 asthmatics were included in the study and were categorized into four groups based on their MDS levels (MDS=0, MDS=1, MDS=2, and MDS≥3). Survival differences between the different MDS groups were analysed using Kaplan-Meier curves, and weighted multivariate Cox regression models assessed the relationship between MDS and mortality.

Nurse vs physician decision-making in the ED for short acting β2-agonist administration in pediatric asthma.

Objective: To evaluate triage nurses' clinical judgment in determining short acting β2-agonist bronchodilator therapy need for children with shortness of breath in the pediatric emergency department, without prior physician assessment.

Methods: This prospective study compared decision-making between triage nurses and physicians regarding bronchodilator inhalation therapy necessity. Trained nurses assessed children aged 2-18 with shortness of breath, including history-taking, vital signs, and lung auscultation.

Physical health in young males and risk of chronic musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases by middle age: A population-based cohort study.

Background: Cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal disease are among the leading causes of disability in middle-aged and older people. Health and lifestyle factors in youth have known associations with cardiovascular or respiratory disease in adulthood, but largely unknown associations with musculoskeletal disease.

Methods And Findings: We included approximately 40,000 18-year-old Swedish males, who completed their conscription examination in 1969 to 1970, followed up until age of 60 years.

Montelukast Use and the Risk of Neuropsychiatric Adverse Events in Children.

Importance: Spontaneous reports have indicated that montelukast increases the risk of neuropsychiatric adverse events, and the US Food and Drug Administration added a boxed warning about these risks in 2020. However, the potential mechanism is not well understood, and the observational evidence is scarce, particularly in children.

Objective: To assess the potential association between the use of montelukast and the risk of neuropsychiatric adverse events in children and adolescents.