Effect of different inhalant allergens on T-cell subsets in adults with bronchial asthma.

Objective: We analyzed the impact of different inhalant allergens on T-lymphocyte subsets in patients diagnosed with bronchial asthma. Methods: The study included 57 bronchial asthma patients and 22 healthy controls. Asthma patients were categorized into dust mite, animal hair, pollen, and mold groups. Flow cytometry was used to measure the cells in the case group and control group. These T-lymphocyte subset markers were evaluated among patients with bronchial asthma caused by different allergens as well as between the case group and control group. Results: Peripheral blood CD4+ T-cells, CD8+ T-cells, CD4/CD8 ratio, and Th17/Treg ratios were all higher in the case group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subsets were compared among the four groups, and it was found that there were statistical differences in the Th17/Treg ratio among the four groups (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences observed among the four groups in terms of CD3+ cells, CD4+ cells, CD8+ cells, Th1 cells, Th2 cells, Th17 cells, Treg cells, Th9 cells, and Th22 cells. Further pairwise comparison was made, and the results suggested that the peripheral blood Th17/Treg ratio in the pollen mixed group was lower than that in the dust mite mixed group, animal hair mixed group, and mold mixed group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Patients with bronchial asthma show varied T-lymphocyte subset responses to different inhalant allergens. Elevated CD4+ T cells and Th17 cells in peripheral blood could indicate asthma risk. However, small sample size may introduce bias to these findings.

A Case in which Eosinophilic Meningoencephalitis Occurred during Oral Corticosteroid Tapering and after Switching from Anti-IL-5 to Anti-IgE Treatment.

A 49-year-old man with severe eosinophilic asthma, sinusitis, and esophagitis was admitted with a sudden severe headache. The patient was diagnosed with eosinophilic meningoencephalitis based on frontotemporal abnormalities on brain magnetic resonance imaging and high eosinophil counts in the cerebrospinal fluid. His allergic-disease control levels were poor, requiring regular oral corticosteroid (OCS) use. He was switched from anti-interleukin (IL)-5 to anti-IgE therapy because of worsening urticaria and asthma symptoms during OCS tapering. We suspect this was a case of complex eosinophilic meningoencephalitis caused by the combination of OCS tapering and anti-IL-5 therapy cessation that acquired anti-IgE antibody sensitization based on positive drug-induced lymphocyte stimulation test results.

Is bronchial asthma a risk factor for emotional well-being in adolescence? A comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate whether bronchial asthma could be a risk factor for emotional well-being during adolescence. METHODS AND MEASURES: This is a comparative cross-sectional design. A total of 450 participants aged 12 to 16 years (M = 13.61 and SD = 1.84) were included (150 with bronchial asthma and 300 healthy). For both groups, self-esteem, emotional distress, problems with peers, family styles and psychosocial bonds were assessed. T-tests and multi-group structural equation modelling were used for comparative analyses, and the moderating role was analysed through PROCESS. RESULTS: The t-tests showed a difference in means between the groups, finding lower self-esteem scores in adolescents with asthma, but better emotional well-being, a greater number of bonds and healthier family styles than those of their healthy peers. In the multi-group, the moderating role of bronchial asthma on emotional well-being in adolescence could not be assessed. Moderation analyses indicated that asthma was a moderating variable for the relationship between self-esteem and emotional well-being in adolescence. CONCLUSIONS: Asthma can be a stressful event that makes emotional well-being difficult in the adolescent stage, but there seem to be other more influential factors such as perceived family style or self-esteem.

[Differences in the elastic work of breathing of the pulmonary parenchyma in patients with bronchial asthma and COPD].

AIM: To determine and compare the work of breathing to overcome elastic resistance (Ael) in patients with bronchial asthma (BA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with similar changes in the elastic properties of the parenchyma in the same settings of ventilation disorders (grade 1). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Differences in the manifestations of similar changes in the elastic properties of the lungs in patients with BA and COPD were evaluated. To identify differences, a comparative study was conducted on Аel overcome in BA patients with positive bronchodilator (with salbutamol) and bronchoconstrictor (with methacholine) tests, with reduced and preserved bronchial conductance (groups 1 and 2, respectively), and in COPD patients with negative bronchodilator and bronchoconstrictor tests (group 3). All study patients showed a grade 1 lung ventilation disorder (a decrease in the one-second forced expiratory volume by 15-35%). The results were compared with each other and with the control group (group 4, healthy non-smokers). All study patients were comparable by age and sex. The respiration mechanics was studied using simultaneous registration of spirogram and transpulmonary pressure, and the parameters of bronchial conductance and ventilation were determined using body plethysmopressography using the Jager software and hardware system. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In COPD patients, Ael was significantly increased (p>0.05), whereas in both BA groups, it was unchanged. Increased elastic work of breathing in patients with COPD may be associated with the involvement of certain types of contractile elements, which are preserved in patients with BA at the initial stages of the disease.

[Blood eosinophilia in patients with severe bronchial asthma and chronic polypous rhinosinusitis treated with dupilumab: A review].

Bronchial asthma and chronic polypous rhinosinusitis are diseases associated with a T2-inflammatory immune response. These nosologies can be combined, creating the preconditions for a more severe course of multimorbidity, requiring the use of genetic engineering biological therapy. Dupilumab is a monoclonal antibody that can specifically bind to the alpha subunit of the interleukin-4 receptor and block the action of interleukins 4 and 13, which play a key role in the development of T2 inflammation. Numerous studies have demonstrated the high effectiveness of this medicament. The use of dupilumab in some cases may be accompanied by an increase in eosinophils in the blood. This article presents scientific base and our own experience in treating patients with dupilumab-associated eosinophilia, in addition we describe an algorithm for examining this group of patients for the purpose of timely diagnosis of diseases such as eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, eosinophilic pneumonia, etc. It should be noted that in the most cases eosinophilia during targeted therapy with dupilumab is temporary and does not cause clinical manifestations.

The Possible Roles of IL-4/IL-13 in the Development of Eosinophil-Predominant Severe Asthma.

Bronchial asthma is characterized by airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airway obstruction. Eosinophils contribute to the pathogenesis of airway disease mainly by releasing eosinophil-specific granules, lipid mediators, superoxide anions, and their DNA. Type-2 cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 also play roles in the development of bronchial asthma. Among these cytokines, IL-4 is involved in T-cell differentiation, B-cell activation, B-cell differentiation into plasma cells, and the production of immunoglobulin E. Although IL-13 has similar effects to IL-4, IL-13 mainly affects structural cells, such as epithelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and fibroblasts. IL-13 induces the differentiation of goblet cells that produce mucus and induces the airway remodeling, including smooth muscle hypertrophy. IL-4 and IL-13 do not directly activate the effector functions of eosinophils; however, they can induce eosinophilic airway inflammation by upregulating the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (for adhesion) and CC chemokine receptor 3 ligands (for migration). Dupilumab, a human anti-IL-4 receptor α monoclonal antibody that inhibits IL-4 and IL-13 signaling, decreases asthma exacerbations and mucus plugs and increases lung function in moderate to severe asthma. In addition, dupilumab is effective for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and for atopic dermatitis, and IL-4/IL-13 blocking is expected to suppress allergen sensitization, including transcutaneous sensitization and atopic march.

[The effectiveness of targeted therapy of various genetically engineered biological drugs in the treatment of bronchial asthma].

This article presents the experience of successfully switching therapy from omalizumab 150 mg to benralizumab 30 mg/1 ml in a patient with a combined allergic and eosinophilic phenotype in the presence of hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The effectiveness of biological therapy was evaluated when switching from omalizumab 150 mg subcutaneously at a dose of 600 mg for 36 weeks. Therapy for the drug benralizumab 30 mg/1 ml subcutaneously the first three injections monthly, the rest a month later for 52 weeks with bronchial asthma (BA), a severe uncontrolled course with a combined allergic and eosinophilic phenotype in the presence of hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in a patient Ch., born in 2004. Switching therapy from omalizumab 150 mg to benralizumab 30 mg/1 ml allowed to achieve complete control of asthma symptoms (AST = 23 points), to achieve the absence of asthma exacerbations during 52 weeks, restore respiratory function to normal values, as well as improve the quality of life. The study reflects the good tolerability, high efficacy and safety of biological therapy when switching from one genetically engineered biological drug (GIBP) omalizumab 150 mg to another GIBP benralizumab 30 mg/1 ml in severe uncontrolled asthma with a combined allergic and eosinophilic phenotype in the presence of hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Therapy with benralizumab 30 mg/1 ml in severe BA has demonstrated a more effective clinically significant improvement in the course of the disease, control of symptoms of the disease. Reduction of exacerbations, normalization of respiratory function indicators, complete control of the disease has been achieved. Consequently, the use of different biological molecules for the therapy of BA with a combined allergic and eosinophilic phenotype contributes to achieving disease control, improving the patient's quality of life and reducing the dose of oral glucocorticosteroids. The targeted biological drug benralizumab 30 mg/1 ml has a targeted effect on the key links in the pathogenesis of severe uncontrolled asthma with a combined allergic and eosinophilic phenotype in the presence of hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and reduces the burden of severe disease.

[Control status and follow-up of acute attacks in children with bronchial asthma with normal pulmonary ventilation function]. / è‚ºé€šæ°”åŠŸèƒ½æ­£å¸¸çš„å„¿ç«¥æ”¯æ°”ç®¡å“®å–˜æŽ§åˆ¶æƒ å†µåŠæ€¥æ€§å‘ä½œéšè®¿çš„ç ”ç©¶.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the control status of bronchial asthma (referred to as "asthma") in school-age children with normal pulmonary ventilation function and the occurrence of acute attacks within 1 year of follow-up. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of 327 children aged 6-14 years with bronchial asthma and normal pulmonary ventilation function from April to September 2021. Based on the measured value of one second rate (FEV1/FVC), the children were divided into the ≥80% group (267 cases) and the <80% group (60 cases). The pulmonary ventilation function, asthma control level, and occurrence of acute attacks within 1 year were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The baseline pulmonary ventilation function in the <80% group was lower than that in the ≥80% group, and the proportion of small airway dysfunction was higher than that in the ≥80% group (P<0.05). After standardized treatment for 1 year, the small airway function indices in the <80% group improved but remained lower than those in the ≥80% group (P<0.05). The rate of incomplete asthma control at baseline was 34.6% (113/327), and the asthma control level in the <80% group was lower than that in the ≥80% group (P<0.05). After standardized treatment for 1 year, the asthma control level in the <80% group remained lower than that in the ≥80% group, and the proportion of acute asthma attacks was higher than that in the ≥80% group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one-third of school-age children with asthma still have incomplete asthma control when their pulmonary ventilation function is normal. Among them, children with measured FEV1/FVC<80% have an increased risk of acute asthma attacks and require close follow-up and strengthened asthma management.

Prevalence and Factors Affecting the Optimal and Non-optimal Peak Inspiratory Flow Rate in Stable and Exacerbation Phases of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Bronchial Asthma in India.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchial asthma pose significant threats and challenges to global health care, emphasizing the need for precise inhaler therapies to overcome this burden. The optimal peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR) is a crucial determinant for the right selection and effective use of an inhaler device. It also helps to improve the treatment effectiveness of obstructive airway diseases worldwide as it allows effective drug delivery to distal airways and lung parenchyma. It is used as a selection criterion by physicians around the world for selecting personalized inhaler devices. OBJECTIVE: To find out the optimal and non-optimal PIFR prevalence and its influencing factors in stable and exacerbation phases of COPD and bronchial asthma in Tamil Nadu, India. METHODOLOGY: It is a single-center, observational, cross-sectional study conducted from February 2022 to August 2023. The patients who meet the diagnostic criteria specified by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines for COPD and the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines for bronchial asthma are enrolled in our study. The PIFR was measured using a hand-held digital spirometry device, along with demographic data collection. Statistical analyses, including t-tests and chi-square tests, were performed using SPSS version 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). RESULTS: Gender, height, and disease severity significantly impacted the PIFR. Females, normal BMI individuals, and those with moderate disease severity exhibited higher optimal PIFR rates. Stable or exacerbation phases, disease, and smoking status do not influence either optimal or non-optimal PIFR. Notably, substantial differences in lung function parameters were observed between optimal (60-90 L/min) and non-optimal PIFR (insufficient: <30 L/min, suboptimal: 30-60 L/min, excessive: >90 L/min) groups, highlighting their impact on respiratory health. CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes the importance of personalized inhaler strategies, considering gender, height, and disease severity. Proper inhaler device selection, continuous monitoring of inhaler technique, and tailored inhaler education at every OPD visit are vital for optimizing effective COPD and bronchial asthma management and improving adherence to treatment.

Changes of GH-IGFs and its relationship with growth retardation in children with bronchial asthma.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between Growth Hormone Insulin-like Growth Factors (GH-IGFs) and growth retardation in children with bronchial asthma. METHODS: 112 children with bronchial asthma and 50 healthy children were studied. Serum GH, IGF-1, and Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 (IGFBP3) were assessed by ELISA. GH-IGFs-related parameters were compared, and the correlation between the parameters and bronchial asthma severity was analyzed. The bronchial asthma group was divided into the growth retardation group and non-growth retardation group to analyze the diagnostic value of GH-IGFs in growth retardation and the relationship between GH-IGFs and growth retardation. RESULTS: GH, IGF-1, and IGFBP3 in the bronchial asthma group were lower. GH, IGF-1, and IGFBP3 levels were decreased with the severity of bronchial asthma. GH, IGF-1, and IGFBP3 in the growth retardation group were lower than those in the non-growth retardation group. The AUC of GH-IGFs combined detection was higher than that of GH and IGFBP3 alone detection. GH < 9.27 µg/L and IGF-1 < 179.53 mmoL/L were risk factors for growth retardation in patients with bronchial asthma. CONCLUSION: GH-IGFs-related parameters have diagnostic value for growth retardation in children, and decreased levels of GH and IGF-1 are risk factors for growth retardation in children.

Quality-of-Life Assessment in Children with Mild to Moderate Bronchial Asthma.

Background and Objectives: Assess the quality of life of children aged 2-10 with mild to moderate bronchial asthma. To evaluate the general health condition of children with mild and moderate severity bronchial asthma. To determine health changes in children with mild- and moderate-severity bronchial asthma as they grow older. To evaluate the impact of mild- and moderate-severity bronchial asthma on children's daily and social activities, physical health, emotional state, and general well-being. Materials and Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in March-June 2020. Parents or guardians of 2-10-year-old children without bronchial asthma and children with mild to moderate bronchial asthma were interviewed after receiving their written informed consent. The questionnaire was based on the standardized quality-of-life quiz SF-36. A total of 248 questionnaires were collected-106 from the parents or guardians of children with bronchial asthma and 142 from parents/guardians of children without bronchial asthma. For further analysis, 106 children without bronchial asthma and with no chronic conditions were selected. Quantitative variables were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test and qualitative data using the chi-square (χ2) criteria. Quantitative data were described by giving means, medians, and standard deviations (SD); qualitative features by giving relative frequencies. Statistical data were analyzed using SPSS and Excel 2020. Results: Children with mild and moderate asthma exhibit poorer health compared to their healthy counterparts. Only 20.7% of respondents with asthma reported excellent or very good health, contrasting with 64.1% of healthy children (p < 0.001). As children with asthma age, their general condition improves, with 46.2% showing improvement in the past year, while 42.5% of healthy children had a stable condition (p < 0.05). In various activities, children with asthma face more constraints than healthy children (p < 0.05), including energetic activities (sick-59.5%; healthy-10.3%), moderate activities (sick-24.5%; healthy-4.7%), climbing stairs (sick-22.7%; healthy-3.8%), and walking over 100 m (sick-9.4%; healthy-0%). Children with asthma are more likely to experience exhaustion, anxiety, tiredness, lack of energy, and restraint in public activities (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Parents/caregivers of children with mild to moderate bronchial asthma rate their health worse than those of healthy children do. As children with mild to moderate bronchial asthma grow, the disease impact on their overall well-being decreases. Children with mild to moderate bronchial asthma, compared to healthy children, experience more limitations in vigorous or moderate activities; face more difficulties climbing stairs or walking more than 100 m; frequently feel exhaustion, anxiety, fatigue, or lack of energy; and encounter restrictions in social activities.

Study on Predicting Clinical Stage of Patients with Bronchial Asthma Based on CT Radiomics.

Objective: To explore the value of a new model based on CT radiomics in predicting the staging of patients with bronchial asthma (BA). Methods: Patients with BA from 2018 to 2021 were retrospectively analyzed and underwent plain chest CT before treatment. According to the guidelines for the prevention and treatment of BA (2016 edition), they were divided into two groups: acute attack and non-acute attack. The images were processed as follows: using Lung Kit software for image standardization and segmentation, using AK software for image feature extraction, and using R language for data analysis and model construction (training set: test set = 7: 3). The efficacy and clinical effects of the constructed model were evaluated with ROC curve, sensitivity, specificity, calibration curve and decision curve. Results: A total of 112 patients with BA were enrolled, including 80 patients with acute attack (range: 2-86 years old, mean: 53.89±17.306 years old, males of 33) and 32 patients with non-acute attack (range: 4-79 years old, mean: 57.38±19.223 years old, males of 18). A total of 10 imaging features are finally retained and used to construct model using multi-factor logical regression method. In the training group, the AUC, sensitivity and specificity of the model was 0.881 (95% CI:0.808-0.955), 0.804 and 0.818, separately; while in the test group, it was 0.792 (95% CI:0.608-0.976), 0.792 and 0.80, respectively. Conclusion: The model constructed based on radiomics has a good effect on predicting the staging of patients with BA, which provides a new method for clinical diagnosis of staging in BA patients.

Successful Treatment of Mucus Plug Due to Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis Using Dupilumab.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) often necessitates treatment with systemic steroids and antifungals, which are associated with relapses and side effects. We report an 82-year-old woman with eosinophilic asthma, experiencing sputum production and dyspnea, who was diagnosed with ABPA based on her chest CT, pulmonary function tests, and elevated blood eosinophils and immunoglobulin E. Due to the presence of osteoporosis and diabetes, standard steroid therapy was considered a high risk. Instead, we administered dupilumab, an interleukin 4 receptor alpha (IL4-Rα) antibody targeting Th2 cytokine signaling. Remarkable improvements were observed within two weeks, including reduced sputum and dyspnea. After 12 weeks, significant enhancements in asthma control and lung function, along with decreased fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels were noted, with chest CT showing resolution of most of the mucus plugs. This case demonstrates dupilumab's potential as a viable ABPA treatment alternative, particularly for patients who are unsuitable for systemic steroids. More research on the long-term effectiveness and safety of such biologics is needed.

Nasal nitric oxide measurement in allergic rhinitis and non-allergic rhinitis: a meta-analysis.

The goal of this meta-analysis was to study nasal nitric oxide (nNO) measurements in allergic rhinitis (AR) and non-allergic rhinitis (non-AR). The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (no: CRD4202124828). Electronic databases from PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane were all thoroughly searched and studies were chosen based on the qualifying requirements. The quality of the studies was evaluated by Joanna Briggs Institute evaluation tools, and publication bias using funnel plots. The meta-analysis included 18 studies, whereas the systematic review included 20 studies, totaling 3097 participants (1581 AR, 458 non-AR, and 1058 healthy/control). Patients with AR had significantly greater nNO levels than the control group, although this did not change significantly before or after treatment. AR patients had significantly greater nNO levels than non-AR patients, but there was no significant difference between non-AR patients and healthy controls. Nineteen of the studies were of high quality and the remaining one was of moderate quality. nNO measurement has a promising role in the management of AR and non-AR patients, but more investigations are needed to document clinical benefits.

Clarifying the relationship and analyzing the influential factors of bronchial asthma in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

BACKGROUND: Bronchial asthma is closely related to the occurrence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, which can easily have adverse effects on children's learning and social interactions. Studies have shown that childhood asthma can increase the risk of ADHD and the core symptoms of ADHD. Compared with children with ADHD alone, children with asthma and ADHD are more likely to show high levels of hyperactivity, hyperactive-impulsive and other externalizing behaviors and anxiety in clinical practice and have more symptoms of somatization and emotional internalization. AIM: To explore the relationship between ADHD in children and bronchial asthma and to analyze its influencing factors. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Dongying People's Hospital from September 2018 to August 2023. Children diagnosed with ADHD at this hospital were selected as the ADHD group, while healthy children without ADHD who underwent physical examinations during the same period served as the control group. Clinical and parental data were collected for all participating children, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify risk factors for comorbid asthma in children with ADHD. RESULTS: Significant differences were detected between the ADHD group and the control group in terms of family history of asthma and allergic diseases, maternal complications during pregnancy, maternal use of asthma and allergy medications during pregnancy, maternal anxiety and depression during pregnancy, and parental relationship status (P < 0.05). Out of the 183 children in the ADHD group, 25 had comorbid asthma, resulting in a comorbidity rate of 13.66% (25/183), compared to the comorbidity rate of 2.91% (16/549) among the 549 children in the control group. The difference in the asthma comorbidity rate between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that family history of asthma and allergic diseases, maternal complications during pregnancy, maternal use of asthma and allergy medications during pregnancy, maternal anxiety and depression during pregnancy, and parental relationship status are independent risk factors increasing the risk of comorbid asthma in children with ADHD (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Children with ADHD were more likely to have comorbid asthma than healthy control children were. A family history of asthma, adverse maternal factors during pregnancy, and parental relationship status were identified as risk factors influencing the comorbidity of asthma in children with ADHD. Clinically, targeted interventions based on these factors can be implemented to reduce the risk of comorbid asthma. This information is relevant for results sections of abstracts in scientific articles.

Assessment of bronchodilator responsiveness to salbutamol or ipratropium using different criteria in treatment-naïve patients with asthma and COPD.

Background: The criteria for significant bronchodilator responsiveness (BDR) were published in 2005 by the European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society, which were revised in 2021, however, data on the agreement between these two recommendations in untreated patients with airflow limitation are missing. Aims: We aimed to study BDR to salbutamol (SABA) or ipratropium bromide (SAMA) in patients with suspected bronchial asthma or COPD at initial clinical presentation using the 2005 and 2021 criteria and explore clinical factors associated with BDR+. Methods: Symptomatic, treatment-naïve patients with expiratory airflow limitation (n = 105, 57 men, age (mean ± standard deviation): 65 ± 10 years) underwent BDR testing with 400 mcg salbutamol (day 1) or 80 mcg ipratropium bromide (day 2) and BDR was measured after 15 and 30 minutes. Clinical factors with risk for BDR+ were assessed with binomial logistic regression analysis. Results: We found a good agreement between the number of 2005-BDR+ and 2021-BDR+ patients at 15 and 30 minutes post-salbutamol and post-ipratropium (88.6-94.8%). More patients showed BDR+ after 30 minutes than following 15 minutes using either criterion. When results at 30 minutes are considered, the number of patients with 2005-BDR+ (82%) was higher than that of 2021-BDR+ (75%), with the proportion of SAMA+ patients being higher than that of SABA+ (2005: 70% vs. 49%, Fisher exact p < 0.01; 2021: 64% vs. 41%, p = 0.001). 2005-BDR+ and 2021-BDR+ to SABA were associated with decreasing pre-BD FEV1% predicted and the presence of cough. More patients with asthma were in the SABA+ group compared to the SAMA+ group (2005: 71% vs. 53%, Fischer exact p = 0.04; 2021: 77% vs. 52%, p = 0.02). Conclusions: Fewer patients show BDR+ according to the 2021 criteria in comparison with the 2005 recommendations, and protocols for BDR testing may consider the assessment of response to both SABA and SAMA after 30 minutes.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis and biological agents: the ARIA-ITALY Survey.

Summary: Background. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an inflammatory disease that affects the nasal mucosa and the paranasal sinuses. CRS can be associated by nasal polyposis (CRSwNP phenotype) in up to 30% of patients and it is frequently associated with bronchial asthma. CRSwNP shows predominantly an underlying activation of type 2 inflammatory pathways with the involvement of eosinophils, IgE, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-13. Biological drugs that target these inflammatory cytokines are currently a therapeutic option recognized by guidelines for the treatment of uncontrolled form of the disease. Methods. As part of the activity of the "ARIA-Italy" working group, a panel of 255 Italian Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialists, pneumologists and immuno-allergologists actively participated in this national survey and answered a series of questions geared toward understanding the main criteria for patient characterization and therapeutic decision, highlighting multidisciplinarity, and the implementation of the management of CRSwNP patients, as a part of the precision medicine concept and the appropriate use of the biologicals. Results. Two hundred and fifty-five experts and specialists participated in the survey. Conclusions. The results of this survey obtained from an extensive number of active specialists throughout Italy allow some important concluding remarks to be drawn. The main points of agreement were that multidisciplinary care teams provide many benefits but that, once the team is established, meetings and communication between members must be coordinated. Finally, the dissemination of national disease registries and the continuous updating of guidelines and position papers related to CRSwNP and comorbidities should be encouraged.

Potential Impact of SOD2 (rs4880; p.Val16Ala) Variant with the Susceptibility for Childhood Bronchial Asthma.

Oxidative stress is a sophisticated situation that orignates from the accumulation of reactive free radicals within cellular compartments. The antioxidant mechanism of the MnSOD enzyme facilitates the removal of these lethal oxygen species from cellular components. The main goal of this pertained work is to study the contribution of the SOD2 (rs4880; p.Val16Ala) variant to the development of bronchial asthma among children. The study's design was carried out based on a total of 254 participants including 127 asthmatic children (91 atopic and 36 non-atopic) along with 127 unrelated healthy controls. Allelic discrimination analysis was executed using the T-ARMS-PCR protocol. This potential variant conferred a significant association with decreased risk of bronchial asthmatic children under allelic (OR = 0.56, P-value = 0.002), recessive (OR = 0.32, P-value = 0.011), and dominant (OR = 0.51, P-value = 0.040) models. Additionally, atopic and non-atopic asthmatic children indicated a protection against bronchial asthma development under allelic, and dominant models (p-value < 0.05). Our findings suggested that the SOD2*rs4880 variant was correlated with decreased risk of childhood bronchial asthma.

Galectin-10 in serum extracellular vesicles reflects asthma pathophysiology.

BACKGROUND: Novel biomarkers (BMs) are urgently needed for bronchial asthma (BA) with various phenotypes and endotypes. OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify novel BMs reflecting tissue pathology from serum extracellular vesicles (EVs). METHODS: We performed data-independent acquisition of serum EVs from 4 healthy controls, 4 noneosinophilic asthma (NEA) patients, and 4 eosinophilic asthma (EA) patients to identify novel BMs for BA. We confirmed EA-specific BMs via data-independent acquisition validation in 61 BA patients and 23 controls. To further validate these findings, we performed data-independent acquisition for 6 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps and 7 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. RESULTS: We identified 3032 proteins, 23 of which exhibited differential expression in EA. Ingenuity pathway analysis revealed that protein signatures from each phenotype reflected disease characteristics. Validation revealed 5 EA-specific BMs, including galectin-10 (Gal10), eosinophil peroxidase, major basic protein, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin, and arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase. The potential of Gal10 in EVs was superior to that of eosinophils in terms of diagnostic capability and detection of airway obstruction. In rhinosinusitis patients, 1752 and 8413 proteins were identified from EVs and tissues, respectively. Among 11 BMs identified in EVs and tissues from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, 5 (including Gal10 and eosinophil peroxidase) showed significant correlations between EVs and tissues. Gal10 release from EVs was implicated in eosinophil extracellular trapped cell death in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION: Novel BMs such as Gal10 from serum EVs reflect disease pathophysiology in BA and may represent a new target for liquid biopsy approaches.

Effectiveness of allergen immunotherapy with house dust mite extract for pediatric bronchial asthma.

Aim: We compared the effectiveness of rush subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) using standardized house dust mite (HDM) extract for pediatric bronchial asthma (BA). Methods: We followed the pediatric BA treatment score during 3 years of treatment. We assessed the median time to no longer requiring long-term control pharmacotherapy (LTCP) for BA (LTCP-free). We compared the outcomes after adjustment for confounding factors and propensity score matching. Results: Patients in the HDM SCIT group achieved the LTCP-free status significantly earlier than those in the HDM SLIT group after adjustment for confounding factors and propensity score matching. Conclusion: Patients treated for pediatric BA with rush HDM SCIT had earlier onset of therapeutic effects than those with HDM SLIT.