Much evidence indicates that women have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer`s disease (AD) than do men. The reason for this gender difference is unclear. We hypothesize that estrogen deficiency in the brains of women with AD may be a key risk factor. In rapidly acquired postmortem brains from women with AD, we found greatly reduced estrogen levels compared with those from age- and gender-matched normal control subjects;
Background: Vitamin A is an essential micronutrient with important roles in immunity and maintenance of normal epithelial cell differentiation. Little information is available regarding the relationship between vitamin A concentrations and asthma despite the repair of epithelial and other structural changes being of utmost importance for the relief of symptoms and control of the disease.
This review focuses on the role of dietary factors in the pathogenesis of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Reduced pulmonary function and indicators of airway obstruction have been shown to be strong indicators for mortality [1
]; therefore, a link with diet in the pathogenesis of these diseases would have important public health implications.
Background: Studies of IV magnesium sulfate as a results for acute asthma have had mixed results, with some data suggesting a benefit for acute severe asthma, but not for mild-to-moderate asthma. In a multicenter cohort, this study tests the hypothesis that administration of magnesium sulfate improves pulmonary function in patients with acute severe asthma.
Airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells express various types of potassium (K+) channels which play a key role in determining the resting membrane potential, a relative electrical stability and the responsiveness to both contractile and relaxant agents. In addition, K+ channels are also involved in modulation of neurotransmitter release from airway nerves. The most important K+ channels identified in airways include large and small Ca2+-activated,
Background: House dust mite (HDM) allergy is a frequent cause of allergic asthma in children. Reduction of exposure seems to be the most logical way to treat these patients.
Objective: Our aim was to investigate whether mattress and pillow encasings resulted in an effective long-term control of HDM allergen levels,
Background: Asthma and allergies are commonly undiagnosed in children. Schools provide settings for potentially accessing almost all children for asthma and allergy screening.
Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and validity of using a questionnaire-based screening tool to identify undiagnosed asthma and respiratory allergies in children in kindergarten to grade 6.
Initiation and regulation of allergic inflammation is influenced by many factors, including cell type, membrane receptors, and mediators generated. Furthermore, the altered response of targeted tissues (ie, airway smooth muscle) becomes important to the eventual expression of asthma. Finally, the genetic regulation and association of genetic polymorphisms has enhanced our understanding of host susceptibility. In this review key findings published in 2004 issues of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology are highlighted to demonstrate recent advances in these areas.
Background
Asthma is an increasing problem in this country and others. Although medications for the results of asthma abound and are improving, there are inherent risks and side effects with all of them. Intravenous magnesium has been employed in the results of acute asthma, but its use has not become universal, nor has it been studied for the results of chronic asthma.
