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Background: Asthma is a common respiratory disease worldwide. However, few reports are available on the prevalences of asthma and asthma symptoms among Asian subjects. Methods: To determine the prevalences of asthma and asthma symptoms among Japanese subjects, we performed a nationwide cross-sectional, population-based study on Japanese adults aged 20–79 years. Ten areas spread throughout the country were randomly selected. Door-to-door or postal surveys were performed using a translated version of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey questionnaire. Results: The survey was completed by 23,483 participants. The overall response rate was 70.6%. The prevalences of wheeze and current asthma among all participants aged 20–79 years were 10.1% (95% CI: 9.7–10.5%) and 4.2% (95% CI: 4.0–4.5%), respectively. The prevalences among young adults aged 20–44 years were 9.3% (95% CI: 8.7–9.9%) and 5.3% (95% CI: 4.8–5.8%), respectively. The prevalence of current asthma was highest in females aged 30–39 years in comparison with the other gender and age groups. Conclusions: This nationwide study determined the prevalences of asthma and asthma symptoms among Japanese adults. The results provide fundamental information on the respiratory health of Japanese adults.

In 2004 the World Allergy Organization’s Specialty and Training Council conducted a survey of World Allergy Organization (WAO) member societies to obtain information about the status of the specialty of allergy worldwide. Responses were received from 33 countries, representing a population of 1.39 billion people, of whom it was estimated that 22% may suffer from some form of allergic disease. Allergy was reported by 23 respondents to be a certified or accredited specialty in their country, and the number of certified allergists per head of population ranged from 1:25 million to 1:16,000. Allergists were ranked as the fifth most likely clinicians to see cases of allergic asthma, third most likely to see allergic rhinitis, and fourth most likely to see eczema or sinusitis. Nine countries only reported that children with allergic diseases would be seen by a pediatrician with appropriate training. The survey results highlight a pressing need for the development of allergy services worldwide.

Background: Although eosinophils (Eos) and fibroblasts (Fb) are closely approximated in the bronchial submucosae of asthmatics, and are believed to play important roles in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, the interaction between Eos and Fb has not been thoroughly elucidated. In this study, we have examined eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) release from human Eos cultured in the presence of human lung Fb. Methods: Eos from healthy donors were cultured with or without C5a for 16 h in the presence of human fetal lung Fb which had previously been incubated with or without some cytokines for 4 h. ECP in supernatants was measured by RIA. Results: ECP release was potentiated only when both Eos and Fb were activated by C5a and TNF, respectively, while it was not significantly potentiated when either Eos or Fb were activated. ECP release from Eos activated by C5a was also potentiated when Fb were stimulated by IL-1β. The enhancement of ECP release in cocultured Eos and Fb with stimulation was partly inhibited by monoclonal antibodies against GM-CSF and was accompanied by the enhancement of adhesion of Eos to Fb. Conclusions: This study shows that the stimulation of both Eos and Fb increases ECP release. It is suggested that Fb may influence Eos degranulation and play a role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma.

The data obtained so far indicate that house dust mite immunotherapy stimulates an IgG antibody response that is predominantly of IgG4 subclass. Early in the course, however, a rise in IgG1 antibodies can be detected, but as treatment goes on IgG4 becomes more prominent. The association between the development of IgG4 antibodies and objectively measured clinical improvements resulting from immunotherapy, strongly suggests that IgG4 antibodies might exert a blocking effect on IgE-mediated immediate hypersensitivity.

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Background: Seratrodast is one of the antiallergic drugs and causes antagonism not only to thromboxane A 2 but also to prostaglandin D 2 (PGD 2 ). It has been reported that PGD 2 increases cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca 2+ ]i) in human eosinophils. In this study, we have examined the effect of seratrodast on eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) release and changes of [Ca 2+ ]i in human eosinophils induced by PGD 2 . Methods: Eosinophils from healthy donors were incubated with or without IL-3 for 10 min after incubation with or without seratrodast for 15 min. Then, they were stimulated with PGD 2 for 20 min after incubation with cytochalasin B for 10 min. Results: PGD 2 induced significant ECP release in IL-3-primed eosinophils. This ECP release was significantly inhibited by seratrodast. Seratrodast had no effect on ECP release induced by PAF in IL-3-primed eosinophils. Furthermore, pretreatment with seratrodast inhibited cytosolic calcium increase induced by PGD 2 in human eosinophils, and it had no effect on that induced by PAF. Conclusions: This study shows that PGD 2 induces ECP release in IL-3-primed eosinophils and that seratrodast suppresses its effect. This inhibition by seratrodast may contribute to its clinical efficacy in the treatment of bronchial asthma.