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Wrona J, Hardy P, Youssef C, Adeleke S, Martin MA, Gerald LB, Pappalardo AA. Stock Inhalers: A Qualitative Data Analysis of Illinois Health Policy Trials and Triumphs. THE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH 2024. [PMID: 39098995 DOI: 10.1111/josh.13500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma reliever medication access is critical, especially in schools. Policies that "stock" reliever inhalers in schools provide failsafe medication access. This research aims to understand barriers and facilitators to Illinois stock inhaler policy implementation. METHODS We conducted 18 semi-structured interviews in 2021-2022 with key school-based and non-school-based partners (school administrators, nurses, governmental agencies, and advocacy leaders). Through Atlas.ti, code frequencies compared (Fisher's exact test), and a thematic analysis performed. RESULTS Four themes emerged: facilitators, barriers, program rationale, and process considerations. The common facilitators were "Finding a provider," having a "Champion," and "Funding". Barriers included "Not enough school nurses," "Pharmacy refusal to fill prescriptions," and "Feeling overwhelmed." All were supportive of the rationale for stock inhalers. Non-school-based informants (p < .01) were more likely to mention medication donations, while school staff reported having enough nurses as a facilitator (p < .01). School staff reported concerns about children with asthma not having their medication significantly more than other partners (p = .02). IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL HEALTH POLICY, PRACTICE, AND EQUITY Our analysis revealed that school partners recognize the value of stock inhalers. Barrier mitigation to support the funding, prescription access and processing, and training are essential to success of stock inhaler programming. Multilevel collaborative efforts through coalitions could be a potential solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Wrona
- School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Paige Hardy
- School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Caroline Youssef
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Semmy Adeleke
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Molly A Martin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lynn B Gerald
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, at Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Office of Population Health Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Andrea A Pappalardo
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Adeleke SA, Ongtengco A, Youssef C, Hardy P, Pappalardo AA. Addressing critical barriers for sustainability of asthma stock inhaler policy implementation and resultant programming. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2024:S1081-1206(24)00373-9. [PMID: 38942380 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2024.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma is a prevalent health concern among Illinois (IL) children, and management is significantly influenced by social determinants. There were 17 states who have adopted stock inhaler laws, but implementation varies widely. OBJECTIVE To assess critical barriers to implementation and address sustainability of stock inhaler programming in school-based asthma care in IL. METHODS Semistructured interviews were conducted with high asthma burden school districts in IL to assess barriers in implementing stock inhaler policies and resultant programming. Thematic analysis was performed using Atlas.ti (Scientific Software Development GmbH, Berlin, Germany) to identify and code "threats" to future sustainability. Data were synthesized and presented to stakeholders for barrier mitigation. A schematic flowchart outlining steps to support sustainability was created. RESULTS A total of 18 interviews were conducted with key community partners across 8 IL school districts, representing rural, urban, and suburban areas. Analysis revealed 25 barriers, with several identified as "threats" to future sustainability, including liability concerns, follow-up care assurance, funding/resources, pharmacy dispensing practices, district-level readiness to change, and nurse staffing. Stakeholders formed a statewide coalition to address these barriers, increase awareness, plan evaluations, and advise on state funding allocation. A national stock inhaler toolkit tailored to school administrative needs was developed to support sustainability efforts. CONCLUSION Strategic stakeholder and community engagement are vital for establishing and sustaining stock inhaler programs that adhere to policy mandates. Many districts face challenges initiating and maintaining such programs without critical barrier mitigation and support. Collaborative solutions are necessary to ensure effective school-based asthma management and mitigate persistent pediatric asthma health disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Semmy A Adeleke
- College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
| | - Ana Ongtengco
- College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Rockford, Rockford, Illinois
| | - Caroline Youssef
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Paige Hardy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Andrea A Pappalardo
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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Smith LB, O'Brien C, Kenney GM, Waidmann TA. Black-White Disparities in Asthma Hospitalizations and ED Visits Among Medicaid-Enrolled Children. Hosp Pediatr 2024; 14:490-498. [PMID: 38752291 DOI: 10.1542/hpeds.2023-007477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Asthma is a common, potentially serious childhood chronic condition that disproportionately afflicts Black children. Hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits for asthma can often be prevented. Nearly half of children with asthma are covered by Medicaid, which should facilitate access to care to manage and treat symptoms. We provide new evidence on racial disparities in asthma hospitalizations and ED visits among Medicaid-enrolled children. METHODS We used comprehensive Medicaid claims data from the Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System. Our study population included 279 985 Medicaid-enrolled children with diagnosed asthma. We identified asthma hospitalizations and ED visits occurring in 2019. We estimated differences in the odds of asthma hospitalizations and ED visits for non-Hispanic Black versus non-Hispanic white children, adjusting for sex, age, Medicaid eligibility group, Medicaid plan type, state, and rurality. RESULTS In 2019, among Black children with asthma, 1.2% had an asthma hospitalization and 8.0% had an asthma ED visit compared with 0.5% and 3.4% of white children with a hospitalization and ED visit, respectively. After adjusting for other characteristics, the rates for Black children were more than twice the rates for white children (hospitalization adjusted odds ratio 2.45, 95% confidence interval 2.23-2.69; ED adjusted odds ratio 2.42; 95% confidence interval 2.33-2.51). CONCLUSIONS There are stark racial disparities in asthma hospitalizations and ED visits among Medicaid-enrolled children with asthma. To diminish these disparities, it will be important to implement solutions that address poor quality care, discriminatory treatment in health care settings, and the structural factors that disproportionately expose Black children to asthma triggers and access barriers.
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Roche IV, Ubalde-Lopez M, Daher C, Nieuwenhuijsen M, Gascon M. The Health-Related and Learning Performance Effects of Air Pollution and Other Urban-Related Environmental Factors on School-Age Children and Adolescents-A Scoping Review of Systematic Reviews. Curr Environ Health Rep 2024; 11:300-316. [PMID: 38369581 PMCID: PMC11082043 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-024-00431-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This scoping review aims to assess the impact of air pollution, traffic noise, heat, and green and blue space exposures on the physical and cognitive development of school-age children and adolescents. While existing evidence indicates adverse effects of transport-related exposures on their health, a comprehensive scoping review is necessary to consolidate findings on various urban environmental exposures' effects on children's development. RECENT FINDINGS There is consistent evidence on how air pollution negatively affects children's cognitive and respiratory health and learning performance, increasing their susceptibility to diseases in their adult life. Scientific evidence on heat and traffic noise, while less researched, indicates that they negatively affect children's health. On the contrary, green space exposure seems to benefit or mitigate these adverse effects, suggesting a potential strategy to promote children's cognitive and physical development in urban settings. This review underscores the substantial impact of urban exposures on the physical and mental development of children and adolescents. It highlights adverse health effects that can extend into adulthood, affecting academic opportunities and well-being beyond health. While acknowledging the necessity for more research on the mechanisms of air pollution effects and associations with heat and noise exposure, the review advocates prioritizing policy changes and urban planning interventions. This includes minimizing air pollution and traffic noise while enhancing urban vegetation, particularly in school environments, to ensure the healthy development of children and promote lifelong health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés Valls Roche
- ISGlobal, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona-PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain.
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Mònica Ubalde-Lopez
- ISGlobal, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona-PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carolyn Daher
- ISGlobal, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona-PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mark Nieuwenhuijsen
- ISGlobal, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona-PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mireia Gascon
- ISGlobal, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona-PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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Hedrick ED, Matulka RA, Conboy-Schmidt L, May KA. Evaluation of anti-Fel d 1 IgY ingredient for pet food on growth performance in kittens. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1355390. [PMID: 38505000 PMCID: PMC10948519 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1355390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The domestic cat (Felis catus) is one of the most common pets. Worldwide, approximately one in five adults are sensitive to cat allergens. The major cat allergen is the secretoglobulin Fel d 1, which is primarily produced in the salivary and sebaceous glands. Chickens produce IgY antibodies, which are similar in structure to mammalian IgG. When chickens are exposed to Fel d 1, anti-Fel d 1-specific IgY (AFD1) is produced and is naturally concentrated in egg yolk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the tolerability, effects on growth and food consumption, and potential adverse effects of a chicken egg product ingredient containing AFD1 in kittens. Methods This was a blinded, controlled study. Twenty-seven (27) eight-week old kittens were randomly assigned to three feeding groups containing 0 ppm AFD1 (Group 0), 8 ppm AFD1 (Group 1), and 16 ppm AFD1 (Group 2) for 84 days. Veterinary exams and bloodwork were performed on Day 42 and Day 84, and body weight and body condition score (BCS) were monitored weekly. Results Throughout the study, there were no signs of nutritional deficiency or adverse clinical events in any of the subjects. Administration of a chicken egg product ingredient containing AFD1 in the diet (whether in coating or combination of coating and top dress) had no significant effect on body weight nor food consumption, and all subjects maintained a healthy Body Condition Score (BCS) throughout the study. Moreover, there were no biologically significant differences in the mean clinical chemistry and hematology parameters. Discussion This study demonstrated that a diet formulated to contain up to 16 ppm AFD1, included in the coating and the top-dress of dry kitten food, was well tolerated, promoted adequate growth, and exhibited no adverse effects.
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Finell E, Tolvanen A, Shuttleworth I, Durrheim K, Vuorenmaa M. The identification environment matters: Students' social identification, perceived physical school environment, and anxiety - A cross-level interaction model. BRITISH JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2024; 63:429-452. [PMID: 37747119 DOI: 10.1111/bjso.12686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The social identity approach to health argues that well-being depends on the psychosocial circumstances of the groups to which individuals belong. However, little is known about how the average level of identification in the group - 'the identification environment' - buffers the negative health consequences of stressors. We used multilevel modelling to investigate whether identification environment in a school modified the association between the students' perceptions of the quality of their school's physical environment and their reported levels of anxiety. In two representative samples of Finnish school students (N = 678 schools/71,392 students; N = 704 schools/85,989 students), weak identification environment was related to increased anxiety. In addition, in schools where identification environment was weaker, the student level relationship between perceived physical environment and anxiety was stronger, and students were more anxious. Our results provide evidence that identification environment needs to be considered when we analyse how group membership affects well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eerika Finell
- Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Asko Tolvanen
- Methodology Centre for Human Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Ian Shuttleworth
- School of Natural and Built Environment, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Kevin Durrheim
- Faculty of Humanities, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Maaret Vuorenmaa
- Public Health and Welfare, Knowledge Management and Co-Creation, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
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Yarsky E, Banzon TM, Phipatanakul W. Effects of Allergen Exposure and Environmental Risk Factors in Schools on Childhood Asthma. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2023; 23:613-620. [PMID: 37651001 PMCID: PMC11262705 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-023-01108-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review aims to assess the prevalence of common allergen exposures and environmental risk factors for asthma in schools, examine the underlying mechanisms of these environmental risk factors, and explore possible prevention strategies. RECENT FINDINGS Cockroach, mouse, dust mites, fungi, viral infections, ozone pollution, and cleaning products are common allergen exposures and environmental risk factors in schools which may affect asthma morbidity. Novel modifiable environmental risk factors in schools are also being investigated to identify potential associations with increased asthma morbidity. While several studies have investigated the benefit of environmental remediation strategies in schools and their impact on asthma morbidity, future studies are warranted to further define the effects of modifiable risk factors in schools and determine whether school mitigation strategies may help improve asthma symptoms in students with asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Yarsky
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Tina M Banzon
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wanda Phipatanakul
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Aris IM, Perng W, Dabelea D, Padula AM, Alshawabkeh A, Vélez-Vega CM, Aschner JL, Camargo CA, Sussman TJ, Dunlop AL, Elliott AJ, Ferrara A, Joseph CLM, Singh AM, Breton CV, Hartert T, Cacho F, Karagas MR, Lester BM, Kelly NR, Ganiban JM, Chu SH, O’Connor TG, Fry RC, Norman G, Trasande L, Restrepo B, Gold DR, James P, Oken E. Neighborhood Opportunity and Vulnerability and Incident Asthma Among Children. JAMA Pediatr 2023; 177:1055-1064. [PMID: 37639269 PMCID: PMC10463174 DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.3133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Background The extent to which physical and social attributes of neighborhoods play a role in childhood asthma remains understudied. Objective To examine associations of neighborhood-level opportunity and social vulnerability measures with childhood asthma incidence. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study used data from children in 46 cohorts participating in the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program between January 1, 1995, and August 31, 2022. Participant inclusion required at least 1 geocoded residential address from birth and parent or caregiver report of a physician's diagnosis of asthma. Participants were followed up to the date of asthma diagnosis, date of last visit or loss to follow-up, or age 20 years. Exposures Census tract-level Child Opportunity Index (COI) and Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) at birth, infancy, or early childhood, grouped into very low (<20th percentile), low (20th to <40th percentile), moderate (40th to <60th percentile), high (60th to <80th percentile), or very high (≥80th percentile) COI or SVI. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcome was parent or caregiver report of a physician's diagnosis of childhood asthma (yes or no). Poisson regression models estimated asthma incidence rate ratios (IRRs) associated with COI and SVI scores at each life stage. Results The study included 10 516 children (median age at follow-up, 9.1 years [IQR, 7.0-11.6 years]; 52.2% male), of whom 20.6% lived in neighborhoods with very high COI and very low SVI. The overall asthma incidence rate was 23.3 cases per 1000 child-years (median age at asthma diagnosis, 6.6 years [IQR, 4.1-9.9 years]). High and very high (vs very low) COI at birth, infancy, or early childhood were associated with lower subsequent asthma incidence independent of sociodemographic characteristics, parental asthma history, and parity. For example, compared with very low COI, the adjusted IRR for asthma was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.75-1.00) for high COI at birth and 0.83 (95% CI, 0.71-0.98) for very high COI at birth. These associations appeared to be attributable to the health and environmental and the social and economic domains of the COI. The SVI during early life was not significantly associated with asthma incidence. For example, compared with a very high SVI, the adjusted IRR for asthma was 0.88 (95% CI, 0.75-1.02) for low SVI at birth and 0.89 (95% CI, 0.76-1.03) for very low SVI at birth. Conclusions In this cohort study, high and very high neighborhood opportunity during early life compared with very low neighborhood opportunity were associated with lower childhood asthma incidence. These findings suggest the need for future studies examining whether investing in health and environmental or social and economic resources in early life would promote health equity in pediatric asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izzuddin M. Aris
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Wei Perng
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
| | - Dana Dabelea
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
| | - Amy M. Padula
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Akram Alshawabkeh
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Carmen M. Vélez-Vega
- University of Puerto Rico (UPR) Graduate School of Public Health, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Judy L. Aschner
- Department of Pediatrics, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, New Jersey
- Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Carlos A. Camargo
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Tamara J. Sussman
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York
| | - Anne L. Dunlop
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Amy J. Elliott
- Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Department of Pediatrics, University of South Dakota School of Medicine, Sioux Falls
| | - Assiamira Ferrara
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland
| | | | - Anne Marie Singh
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin–Madison
| | - Carrie V. Breton
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Tina Hartert
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Ferdinand Cacho
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Margaret R. Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Barry M. Lester
- Department of Pediatrics, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Nichole R. Kelly
- Department of Counseling Psychology and Human Services, Prevention Science Institute, University of Oregon, Eugene
| | - Jody M. Ganiban
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Su H. Chu
- Department of Medicine, Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Rebecca C. Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
| | - Gwendolyn Norman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Leonardo Trasande
- Department of Pediatrics, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York
| | - Bibiana Restrepo
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento
| | - Diane R. Gold
- Department of Medicine, Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Peter James
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Emily Oken
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
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Ulrich L, Yell J, Holtzlander M. Asthma medication use and health care utilization evolution during pandemic times. Pediatr Pulmonol 2023; 58:2757-2760. [PMID: 37401870 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.26575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Pediatric asthma care was significantly impacted by the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, with significant decline in asthma health care utilization noted early in the pandemic. We compared Emergency Department (ED) utilization rates and prescription fill rates of controller and quick relief asthma medications between March and December 2020 versus 2021 in a county-specific pediatric Medicaid population to evaluate for changes later in the pandemic. Our data showed an increase in ED utilization by 46.7% (p-.0371) in the second year of the pandemic. There was no significant change in prescription fills for reliever medications (p-.1309) during this time with increased ED utilization for asthma but there was a significant decline in controller medication fills (p-.0039). This data suggests a potential explanation for resurgence of asthma health care utilization because of decreased controller medication fill and use during a time frame that also saw increased viral positivity rates. The poor medication adherence rates despite this increase in ED visits suggests that new interventions may be needed to assist patients with asthma medication adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Ulrich
- Pediatric Pulmonology Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Center for Clinical Excellence at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Joshua Yell
- Pediatric Residency Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Melissa Holtzlander
- Pediatric Pulmonology Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Ferrari S, Blázquez T, Cardelli R, De Angelis E, Puglisi G, Escandón R, Suárez R. Air change rates and infection risk in school environments: Monitoring naturally ventilated classrooms in a northern Italian urban context. Heliyon 2023; 9:e19120. [PMID: 37809762 PMCID: PMC10558299 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The importance of building ventilation in avoiding long-distance airborne transmission has been highlighted with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemics. Among others, school environments, in particular classrooms, present criticalities in the implementation of ventilation strategies and their impact on indoor air quality and risk of contagion. In this work, three naturally ventilated school buildings located in northern Italy have undergone monitoring at the end of the heating season. Environmental parameters, such as CO2 concentration and indoor/outdoor air temperature, have been recorded together with the window opening configurations to develop a two-fold analysis: i) the estimation of real air change rates through the transient mass balance equation method, and ii) the individual infection risk via the Wells-Riley equation. A strong statistical correlation has been found between the air change rates and the windows opening configuration by means of a window-to-volume ratio between the total opening area and the volume of the classroom, which has been used to estimate the individual infection risk. Results show that the European Standard recommendation for air renewal could be achieved by a window opening area of at least 1.5 m2, in the most prevailing Italian classrooms. Furthermore, scenarios in which the infector agent is a teacher show higher individual infection risk than those in which the infector is a student. In addition, the outcomes serve school staff as a reference to ensure adequate ventilation in classrooms and keep the risk of infection under control based on the number of the students and the volume of the classroom.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Ferrari
- Dept. of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - T. Blázquez
- Dept. of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - R. Cardelli
- Dept. of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - E. De Angelis
- Dept. of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - G. Puglisi
- Dept. of Energy Efficiency Department, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Rome, Italy
| | - R. Escandón
- Instituto Universitario de Arquitectura y Ciencias de la Construcción, Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - R. Suárez
- Instituto Universitario de Arquitectura y Ciencias de la Construcción, Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
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Biagioni B, Cecchi L, D'Amato G, Annesi-Maesano I. Environmental influences on childhood asthma: Climate change. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2023; 34:e13961. [PMID: 37232282 DOI: 10.1111/pai.13961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is a key environmental factor for allergic respiratory diseases, especially in childhood. This review describes the influences of climate change on childhood asthma considering the factors acting directly, indirectly and with their amplifying interactions. Recent findings on the direct effects of temperature and weather changes, as well as the influences of climate change on air pollution, allergens, biocontaminants and their interplays, are discussed herein. The review also focusses on the impact of climate change on biodiversity loss and on migration status as a model to study environmental effects on childhood asthma onset and progression. Adaptation and mitigation strategies are urgently needed to prevent further respiratory diseases and human health damage in general, especially in younger and future generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Biagioni
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Cecchi
- Centre of Bioclimatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- SOS Allergy and Clinical Immunology, USL Toscana Centro, Prato, Italy
| | - Gennaro D'Amato
- Division of Respiratory Diseases and Allergy AORN Cardarelli and University of Naples, Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Isabella Annesi-Maesano
- Department of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases, Montpellier University Hospital, Institute Desbrest of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Montpellier and INSERM, Montpellier, France
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12
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Lovinsky-Desir S, Volerman A. Applying Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic to Improve Pediatric Asthma Care. Pulm Ther 2023; 9:15-24. [PMID: 36443534 PMCID: PMC9707220 DOI: 10.1007/s41030-022-00207-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma is the most common chronic childhood condition and is a risk factor for severe respiratory viral infections. Thus, early during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic there was concern that children with asthma would be at risk for severe COVID-19 illness and that asthma control could worsen as a result of the pandemic. This article seeks to summarize what was learned in the early stages of the pandemic about the impact of COVID-19 on children with asthma. We review evidence from several studies that demonstrated a significant decline in asthma morbidity in the first year of the pandemic. Additionally, we describe several potential mechanisms that may explain the reduced frequency in childhood asthma exacerbations as well as review lessons learned for future management of childhood asthma. While the COVID-19 pandemic initially brought uncertainty, it soon became clear that the pandemic had several positive effects for children with asthma. Now we can apply the lessons that were learned during the pandemic to re-examine asthma care practices as well as advocate for best approaches for asthma management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Lovinsky-Desir
- Department of Pediatrics and Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Anna Volerman
- Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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13
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Sauliene I, Valiulis A, Keriene I, Sukiene L, Dovydaityte D, Prokopciuk N, Valskys V, Valskiene R, Damialis A. Airborne pollen and fungi indoors: Evidence from primary schools in Lithuania. Heliyon 2023; 9:e12668. [PMID: 36685406 PMCID: PMC9850001 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of children suffering from respiratory allergies and asthma has been increasing worldwide and, hence, it is crucial to understand the burden of inhalant biological particles present in school facilities, where children spend one third of their life. From the perspective of indoor air quality, while there are numerous studies on outdoor bioaerosol exposure, there are still uncertainties regarding the diversity and deposition of airborne pollen and fungi indoors. When it comes to schools, there is limited research as to the potential bioaerosol exposure. Here we studied the indoor environment of public schools aiming to reveal whether primary schools of different sizes and at localities of different levels of urbanization may exhibit a variability in the biodiversity and abundance of particles of biological origin, which could pose a risk to child health. To achieve this, 11 schools were selected, located in a variety of environments, from downtown, to city centre-periphery, and to the suburbs. Fungal and pollen samples were collected from various surfaces in school classrooms and corridors, using passive air sampling and swab sampling. We demonstrated that fungi and pollen are detected in school premises during and after the vegetation season. The highest diversity of bioaerosols was found on the top of cabinets and windowsills, with Penicillium, Cladosporium and Acremonium being the most abundant indoors. The levels of fungi were higher in schools with more students. The diversity and amount of pollen in the spring were significantly higher than in samples collected in autumn. Our findings complemented existing evidence that bioaerosol measurements in schools (including kindergartens or informal education facilities) are vital. Hence, we here suggest that, in addition to monitoring air quality and bacterial levels indoors, fungi and pollen measurements have to be integrated in the existing regular biomonitoring campaigns so as to prevent exposure, increase awareness and manage efficiently allergic symptomatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrida Sauliene
- Institute of Regional Development, Siauliai Academy, Vilnius University, Siauliai, Lithuania
| | - Arunas Valiulis
- Clinic of Children's Diseases, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania,Department of Public Health, Institute of Health Sciences, Medical Faculty, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Ilona Keriene
- Institute of Regional Development, Siauliai Academy, Vilnius University, Siauliai, Lithuania
| | - Laura Sukiene
- Institute of Regional Development, Siauliai Academy, Vilnius University, Siauliai, Lithuania
| | - Dovile Dovydaityte
- Institute of Regional Development, Siauliai Academy, Vilnius University, Siauliai, Lithuania
| | - Nina Prokopciuk
- Clinic of Children's Diseases, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Vaidotas Valskys
- Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | - Athanasios Damialis
- Terrestrial Ecology and Climate Change, Department of Ecology, School of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece,Corresponding author.
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14
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Andrenacci B, Ferrante G, Roberto G, Piacentini G, La Grutta S, Marseglia GL, Licari A. Challenges in uncontrolled asthma in pediatrics: important considerations for the clinician. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2022; 18:807-821. [PMID: 35730635 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2022.2093187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite symptoms control being the primary focus of asthma management according to guidelines, uncontrolled asthma is still an issue worldwide, leading to huge costs and asthma deaths at all ages. In childhood, poor asthma control can be even more harmful, as it can irreversibly compromise the children's lung function and the whole family's well-being. AREAS COVERED Given the problem extent, this review aims to discuss the leading modifiable causes of uncontrolled asthma in Pediatrics, giving some practical insights regarding the critical role of families and the main tools for monitoring control and drug adherence, even at a distance. The most recent GINA documents were used as the primary reference, along with the latest evidence regarding the management of asthma control and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on asthma. EXPERT OPINION In managing pediatric asthma, a multidisciplinary, multi-determinant, personalized approach is needed, actively involving families, schools, and other specialists. In addition to current strategies for implementing control, electronic health strategies, new validated asthma control tools, and the identification of novel inflammatory biomarkers could lead to increasingly tailored therapies with greater effectiveness in reaching asthma control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Andrenacci
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giuliana Ferrante
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynaecology and Paediatrics, Pediatric Division, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giulia Roberto
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giorgio Piacentini
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynaecology and Paediatrics, Pediatric Division, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefania La Grutta
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gian Luigi Marseglia
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Pediatric Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Amelia Licari
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Pediatric Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
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15
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Kalayci O, Miligkos M, Pozo Beltrán CF, El-Sayed ZA, Gómez RM, Hossny E, Le Souef P, Nieto A, Phipatanakul W, Pitrez PM, Xepapadaki P, Jiu-Yao W, Papadopoulos NG. The role of environmental allergen control in the management of asthma. World Allergy Organ J 2022; 15:100634. [PMID: 35341023 PMCID: PMC8917313 DOI: 10.1016/j.waojou.2022.100634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Allergen exposure may exacerbate asthma symptoms in sensitized patients. Allergen reduction or avoidance measures have been widely utilized; however, there is ongoing controversy on the effectiveness of specific allergen control measures in the management of children with asthma. Often, allergen avoidance strategies are not recommended by guidelines because they can be complex or burdensome, although individual patients may benefit. Here we explore the potential for intervention against exposure to the major allergens implicated in asthma (ie, house dust mites, indoor molds, rodents, cockroaches, furry pets, and outdoor molds and pollens), and subsequent effects on asthma symptoms. We critically assess the available evidence regarding the clinical benefits of specific environmental control measures for each allergen. Finally, we underscore the need for standardized and multifaceted approaches in research and real-life settings, which would result in the identification of more personalized and beneficial prevention strategies.
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16
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Ahmad K, Kabir E, Ormsby GM, Khanam R. Are wheezing, asthma and eczema in children associated with mother's health during pregnancy? Evidence from an Australian birth cohort. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 79:193. [PMID: 34749801 PMCID: PMC8577022 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-021-00718-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study investigated the prevalence of wheezing, asthma, and eczema among Australian children using longitudinal data from birth to 15 years of age. This study also examined the association between maternal health status during pregnancy and their offspring's respiratory and allergic morbidities using sex-segregated data. METHODS This study used data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) where approximately 5000 children of a birth cohort across Australia were surveyed in 2004. These children were followed biennially in eight waves up to their age of 15 years until 2018. The status of the children's wheezing, asthma, and eczema were reported by the mothers upon doctors' diagnosis (for asthma) or self-assessment (for wheezing or eczema). Binomial logistic regression models were used to analyse associations between maternal health during pregnancy and their children's health outcomes. RESULTS Asthma prevalence among 0-1-year aged children was 11.7%, increased to 15.4% when the children were 10-11 years old, and then decreased to 13.6% when they were 14-15 years old. Wheezing and eczema were most prevalent when the children were 2-3 years old (26.0 and 17.8% respectively) and were least prevalent when the children were 14-15 years old (7.3 and 9.5% respectively). Maternal asthma, smoking during pregnancy, and pre-pregnancy obesity were significantly associated with an increased risk of wheezing and asthma in Australian children. Childhood eczema was associated only with maternal asthma. These associations were stronger among male children up to age 10-11 and during adolescence (12-15 years of age), female children were more prone to wheezing, asthma, and eczema. CONCLUSION This is a comprehensive longitudinal study of Australian children (0-15 years of age) to assess the prevalence (with sex-specific differences) of wheezing, asthma and eczema as well as the association between these respiratory and allergic morbidities and maternal health during pregnancy. The study findings suggest that careful medical and obstetric monitoring, improved specific age-sex wise risk factor prevention for children and health promotion for pregnant women would help protect child health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kabir Ahmad
- School of Business, Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts, and Centre for Health Research, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia. .,Research Unit, Purple Informatics, Dhaka, Bangladesh. .,Present Address: School of Business, Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts, and Centre for Health Research, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia.
| | - Enamul Kabir
- School of Sciences, Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, and Centre for Health Research, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia
| | - Gail M Ormsby
- Independent Researcher, Professional Studies, Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia
| | - Rasheda Khanam
- School of Business, Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts, and Centre for Health Research, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia
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17
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Deng X, Thurston G, Zhang W, Ryan I, Jiang C, Khwaja H, Romeiko X, Marks T, Ye B, Qu Y, Lin S. Application of data science methods to identify school and home risk factors for asthma and allergy-related symptoms among children in New York. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 770:144746. [PMID: 33736384 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Few studies have comprehensively assessed multiple environmental exposures affecting children's health. This study applied machine-learning methods to evaluate how indoor environmental conditions at home and school contribute to asthma and allergy-related symptoms. METHODS We randomly selected 10 public schools representing different socioeconomic statuses in New York State (2017-2019) and distributed questionnaires to students to collect health status and home-and school-environmental exposures. Indoor air quality was measured at school, and ambient particle exposures (PM2.5 and components) were measured using real-time personal monitors for 48 h. We used random forest model to identify the most important risk factors for asthma and allergy-related symptoms, and decision tree for visualizing the inter-relationships among the multiple risk factors with the health outcomes. RESULTS The top contributing factors identified for asthma were family rhinitis history (relative importance: 10.40%), plant pollen trigger (5.48%); bedroom carpet (3.58%); environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) trigger symptom (2.98%); and ETS exposure (2.56%). For allergy-related symptoms, plant pollen trigger (10.88%), higher paternal education (7.33%), bedroom carpet (5.28%), family rhinitis history (4.78%), and higher maternal education (4.25%) were the strongest contributing factors. Conversely, primary heating with hot water radiator was negatively (-6.86%) associated with asthma symptoms. Younger children (<9 years old) with family history of rhinitis and carpeting in the bedroom were the prominent combined risk factors for asthma. Children jointly exposed to pollen, solvents, and carpeting in their home tended to have greater risks of allergy-related symptoms, even without family history of rhinitis. CONCLUSION Family rhinitis history, bedroom carpet, and pollen triggers were the most important risk factors for both asthma and allergy-related symptoms. Our new findings included that hot-water radiator was related to reduced asthma symptoms, and the combination of young age, rhinitis history, and bedroom carpeting was related to increased asthma symptoms. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlei Deng
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
| | - George Thurston
- Department of Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY 12144, USA
| | - Wangjian Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
| | - Ian Ryan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
| | - Connie Jiang
- Department of Statistics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
| | - Haider Khwaja
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA; Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, USA
| | - Xiaobo Romeiko
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
| | - Tia Marks
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
| | - Bo Ye
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
| | - Yanji Qu
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Training in Cardiovascular Diseases, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Shao Lin
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA.
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18
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Rosário Filho NA, Urrutia-Pereira M, D'Amato G, Cecchi L, Ansotegui IJ, Galán C, Pomés A, Murrieta-Aguttes M, Caraballo L, Rouadi P, Chong-Neto HJ, Peden DB. Air pollution and indoor settings. World Allergy Organ J 2021; 14:100499. [PMID: 33510831 PMCID: PMC7806792 DOI: 10.1016/j.waojou.2020.100499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Indoor environments contribute significantly to total human exposure to air pollutants, as people spend most of their time indoors. Household air pollution (HAP) resulting from cooking with polluting ("dirty") fuels, which include coal, kerosene, and biomass (wood, charcoal, crop residues, and animal manure) is a global environmental health problem. Indoor pollutants are gases, particulates, toxins, and microorganisms among others, that can have an impact especially on the health of children and adults through a combination of different mechanisms on oxidative stress and gene activation, epigenetic, cellular, and immunological systems. Air pollution is a major risk factor and contributor to morbidity and mortality from major chronic diseases. Children are significantly affected by the impact of the environment due to biological immaturity, prenatal and postnatal lung development. Poor air quality has been related to an increased prevalence of clinical manifestations of allergic asthma and rhinitis. Health professionals should increase their role in managing the exposure of children and adults to air pollution with better methods of care, prevention, and collective action. Interventions to reduce household pollutants may promote health and can be achieved with education, community, and health professional involvement.
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Key Words
- AR, allergic rhinitis
- Air pollutants
- BAL, bronchoalveolar lavage
- CO, carbon monoxide
- CO2, carbon dioxide
- COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- DEPs, diesel exhaust particles
- Environmental pollution
- FEV1, forced expiratory volume
- FeNO, fractional exhaled nitric oxide
- GM-CSF, granulocyte and macrophage growth stimulating factor
- GST, glutathione S-transferase
- HAP, household air pollution
- HEPA, High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance
- ILC2, innate lymphoid cells
- Indoor air pollution
- NCD, non-communicable disease
- NO, nitric oxide
- NO2, nitrogen dioxide
- O3, ozone
- PAH, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
- PM, particulate matter
- PMNs, polymorphonuclear leukocytes
- Pollution
- SO2, sulfur dioxide
- TRAP, Traffic-related air pollution
- TSLP, thymic stromal lymphopoietin
- VOCs, volatile organic compounds
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gennaro D'Amato
- Division of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases, High Specialty Hospital A. Cardarelli, School of Specialization in Respiratory Diseases, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Cecchi
- Centre of Bioclimatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; SOS Allergy and Clinical Immunology, USL Toscana Centro Prato, Italy
| | | | - Carmen Galán
- Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, International Campus of Excellence on Agrifood (ceiA3), University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Anna Pomés
- Basic Research, Indoor Biotechnologies, Inc, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | | | - Luis Caraballo
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia
| | - Philip Rouadi
- Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, Eye and Ear University Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Herberto J. Chong-Neto
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - David B. Peden
- UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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19
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Toyran M, Yagmur IT, Guvenir H, Haci IA, Bahceci S, Batmaz SB, Topal OY, Celik IK, Karaatmaca B, Misirlioglu ED, Civelek E, Can D, Kocabas CN. Asthma control affects school absence, achievement and quality of school life: a multicenter study. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2020; 48:545-552. [PMID: 32763026 DOI: 10.1016/j.aller.2020.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Asthma may have a detrimental effect on school attendance and achievement. Friend relations, attendance to school activities, quality of life (QOL) of asthmatic children may be negatively affected. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors influencing school functioning for asthmatic school-age children. MATERIALS AND METHODS From January to May 2019, parents and school-age children who were followed by a diagnosis of asthma for more than one year, from seven pediatric allergy centers, were given a standard questionnaire including questions about child's disease, school performance, absenteeism, home-family-school conditions. A pediatric QOL questionnaire was filled out by children. For evaluating control in the previous year, children who had more than two exacerbations and/or had any exacerbations needing systemic corticosteroids in the previous year were defined as inadequate control. School absence over nine days was taken into account as this has been shown to bring a risk for successful school life. RESULTS 507 patients were included. Asthma control status was found to be effective on school absence (p < 0.001), on school success (especially math scores) (p < 0.001), on friend relations (p = 0.033), QOL (p < 0.001), attendance to school activities (p < 0.001). Regular follow-up (p < 0.001), regular use of asthma medication (p = 0.014), tobacco smoke exposure (p < 0.001), heating with stove at home (p = 0.01) affected asthma control. School conditions such as crowdedness (p = 0.044), humidity of the class (p = 0.025), knowledge of teacher about child's asthma (p = 0.012) were effective on asthma control independent of home conditions and asthma treatment parameters. CONCLUSION School interventions are important to improve asthma management.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Toyran
- Ankara City Hospital, Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - I T Yagmur
- Ankara City Hospital, Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - H Guvenir
- Malatya Training and Research Hospital, Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Clinic, Malatya, Turkey.
| | - I A Haci
- Health Sciences University, Dr.Behçet Uz Children Training and Research Hospital, Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, İzmir, Turkey.
| | - S Bahceci
- Cigli Training and Research Hospital, Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, İzmir, Turkey.
| | - S B Batmaz
- Tokat State Hospital, Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology Clinic, Tokat, Turkey.
| | - O Y Topal
- Ankara City Hospital, Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - I K Celik
- Ankara City Hospital, Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - B Karaatmaca
- Ankara City Hospital, Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - E D Misirlioglu
- Ankara City Hospital, Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - E Civelek
- Ankara City Hospital, Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - D Can
- Balıkesir University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Balıkesir, Turkey.
| | - C N Kocabas
- Muğla Sitki Kocman University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Mugla, Turkey.
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20
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Howard EJ, Vesper SJ, Guthrie BJ, Petty CR, Ramdin VA, Sheehan WJ, Gaffin JM, Permaul P, Lai PS, Bartnikas LM, Cunningham A, Hauptman M, Gold DR, Baxi SN, Phipatanakul W. Asthma Prevalence and Mold Levels in US Northeastern Schools. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE 2020; 9:1312-1318. [PMID: 33091637 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma is among the most common chronic diseases of children in the United States (US). Mold exposures have been linked to asthma development and exacerbation. In homes, mold exposures have been quantified using the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI), and higher home ERMI values have been linked to occupant asthma. OBJECTIVE In this analysis of the School Inner-City Asthma Study (SICAS), we aimed to evaluate the ERMI's applicability to measuring mold in schools compared with homes and to examine the prevalence of asthma in relationship to students' demographics and the physical characteristics of school buildings. METHODS Northeastern US schools (n = 32) and homes (n = 33) were selected, and the 36 ERMI molds were quantified in a dust sample from each classroom (n = 114) or home. School building characteristics data were collected from SICAS. Asthma prevalence and student demographics data were obtained from government websites. Linear regression and mixed models were fit to assess the association of the current asthma prevalence and physical characteristics of the school, make-up of the student body, and the ERMI metric. RESULTS Levels of outdoor group 2 molds were significantly (P < .01) greater in schools compared with homes. The presence of air-conditioning in school buildings correlated significantly (P = .02) with lower asthma prevalence. CONCLUSION The prevalence of asthma in student bodies is associated with many factors in schools and homes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evin J Howard
- Bouvé College of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, Northeastern University, Boston, Mass
| | - Stephen J Vesper
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Barbara J Guthrie
- Bouvé College of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, Northeastern University, Boston, Mass
| | - Carter R Petty
- Institutional Centers for Clinical and Translational Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Valeria A Ramdin
- Bouvé College of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, Northeastern University, Boston, Mass
| | - William J Sheehan
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Jonathan M Gaffin
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Perdita Permaul
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Allergy and Immunology, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
| | - Peggy S Lai
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Lisa M Bartnikas
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Amparito Cunningham
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Marissa Hauptman
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Region 1 New England Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, Boston, Mass
| | - Diane R Gold
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Mass
| | - Sachin N Baxi
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Wanda Phipatanakul
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
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21
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Pyrri I, Zoma A, Barmparesos N, Assimakopoulos MN, Assimakopoulos VD, Kapsanaki-Gotsi E. Impact of a green roof system on indoor fungal aerosol in a primary school in Greece. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 719:137447. [PMID: 32112954 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A primary school was investigated for airborne fungi by a culture-based method, in classrooms underneath a green roof in comparison to conventional concrete roofs. A portable Burkard sampler was used for the collection of air samples onto petri dishes with 2% Malt Extract Agar. The fungal aerosol mean concentration was 71 CFU m-3 (range 17-176 CFU m-3, median 51) in the classroom directly under the green roof, significantly lower than 192-228 CFU m-3 (range 0-1090 CFU m-3, median 69) under the concrete roofs and 188-412 CFU m-3 (range 0-2183 CFU m-3, median 771) in ground floor classrooms. The Indoor/Outdoor ratio was 0.4 for total fungi and 0.2-1.1 for predominant genera underneath the green roof, whereas 1-2.1 and 0.3-3.2 respectively for the rest of classrooms. The Potential Exposure Dose (PED) for fungal particles was calculated to 4.6 CFU kg-1 and 9.3-35.3 CFU kg-1 respectively. The genera Penicillium, Cladosporium and Aspergillus prevailed indoors and in ambient air. Aspergillus concentrations indoors correlated significantly with the concentration of the coarse fraction (PM10) of particulate matter. The genus Penicillium increased indoors during late spring and summer, in temperature 20-23 °C and relative humidity 42-53% and also predominated in ambient air, both indicative of multiple anthropogenic sources of amplification. The evidence about the green roof positive effect on microbial indoor air quality (mIAQ) is a matter of concern for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Pyrri
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Biology, Section of Ecology & Systematics, Panepistimioupoli, Athens GR-157 84, Greece.
| | - Artemis Zoma
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Biology, Section of Ecology & Systematics, Panepistimioupoli, Athens GR-157 84, Greece; University of Bern, Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Cell Biology, Baltzerstrasse 4, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nikolaos Barmparesos
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Physics, Section of Applied Physics, Panepistimioupoli, Athens GR-157 84, Greece
| | - Margarita Niki Assimakopoulos
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Physics, Section of Applied Physics, Panepistimioupoli, Athens GR-157 84, Greece
| | - Vasiliki D Assimakopoulos
- National Observatory of Athens, Institute for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development, Lofos Koufou, GR-152 36 Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia Kapsanaki-Gotsi
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Biology, Section of Ecology & Systematics, Panepistimioupoli, Athens GR-157 84, Greece
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22
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Naclerio R, Ansotegui IJ, Bousquet J, Canonica GW, D'Amato G, Rosario N, Pawankar R, Peden D, Bergmann KC, Bielory L, Caraballo L, Cecchi L, Cepeda SAM, Chong Neto HJ, Galán C, Gonzalez Diaz SN, Idriss S, Popov T, Ramon GD, Ridolo E, Rottem M, Songnuan W, Rouadi P. International expert consensus on the management of allergic rhinitis (AR) aggravated by air pollutants: Impact of air pollution on patients with AR: Current knowledge and future strategies. World Allergy Organ J 2020; 13:100106. [PMID: 32256939 PMCID: PMC7132263 DOI: 10.1016/j.waojou.2020.100106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Allergic rhinitis affects the quality of life of millions of people worldwide. Air pollution not only causes morbidity, but nearly 3 million people per year die from unhealthy indoor air exposure. Furthermore, allergic rhinitis and air pollution interact. This report summarizes the discussion of an International Expert Consensus on the management of allergic rhinitis aggravated by air pollution. The report begins with a review of indoor and outdoor air pollutants followed by epidemiologic evidence showing the impact of air pollution and climate change on the upper airway and allergic rhinitis. Mechanisms, particularly oxidative stress, potentially explaining the interactions between air pollution and allergic rhinitis are discussed. Treatment for the management of allergic rhinitis aggravated by air pollution primarily involves treating allergic rhinitis by guidelines and reducing exposure to pollutants. Fexofenadine a non-sedating oral antihistamine improves AR symptoms aggravated by air pollution. However, more efficacy studies on other pharmacological therapy of coexisting AR and air pollution are currently lacking.
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Key Words
- AER, Allergic eosinophilic rhinitis
- AP, Activator protein
- AR, Allergic rhinitis
- ARE, Antioxidant response element
- Air pollutants
- Air pollution
- Allergic rhinitis
- Antioxidant enzymes
- CFS, Chronic fatigue syndrome
- CO, Carbon monoxide
- COPD, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Climate change
- DAMP, Damage-associated molecular patterns
- DEP, Diesel exhaust particles
- ECAT, Elemental carbon attributable to traffic
- ECP, Eosinophil cationic protein
- GSH-Px, Glutathione peroxidase
- HDM, House dust mites
- HEPA, High efficiency particulate air
- HO, Hemeoxygenase
- HVAC, Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
- IAP, Indoor air pollution
- IAQ, Indoor air quality
- INS, Intranasal steroids
- Indoor air quality
- LDH, Lactate dehydrogenase
- MCP, Monocyte chemotactic protein
- MSQPCR, Mold specific quantitative PCR
- NAR, Non allergic rhinitis
- NF-κβ, Nuclear factor kappa β
- NO2, Nitrogen dioxide
- NOx, Nitric oxides
- Nrf2, Nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor
- O3, Ozone
- OAP, Outdoor air pollution
- Occupational rhinitis
- Oxidative stress
- PAMP, Pathogen-associated molecular patterns
- PM, Particulate matter
- PON, Paraoxonase
- RNS, Reactive nitrosative species
- ROS, Reactive oxygen species
- SO2, Sulphur dioxide
- SOD, Superoxide dismutase
- TLR, Toll like receptor
- TNF, Tumor necrosis factor
- TOS, Total oxidative status
- TRAP, Traffic related air pollutants
- UFP, Ultra-fine particles
- VOCs, Volatile organic compound
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jean Bousquet
- INSERM U 1168, VIMA: Ageing and Chronic Diseases Epidemiological and Public Health Approaches, Villejuif, France
- University Versailles St-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France
- Allergy-Centre-Charité, Charité–Universita¨tsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Gennaro D'Amato
- Division of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases, High Specialty Hospital A. Cardarelli, Napoli, Italy; School of Specialization in Respiratory Diseases University Federico II Naples, Italy
| | - Nelson Rosario
- Pediatric Respiratory Medicine Division, Complexo Hospital de Clinicas, UFPR, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Ruby Pawankar
- Dept. of Pediatrics, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - David Peden
- UNC Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma, and Lung Biology; Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Dpt. of Pediatrics UNS School of Medicine, USA
| | | | - Leonard Bielory
- Medicine & Ophthalmology Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University Nutley, New Jersey, USA
| | - Luis Caraballo
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
| | - Lorenzo Cecchi
- Centre de Bioclimatology, University de Florence, Florence, Italy
- SOS Allergy and Immunology, Prato - USL Toscana Centro, Italy
| | - S. Alfonso M. Cepeda
- Fundación Hospital Universitario Metropolitano de Barranquilla, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | | | - Carmen Galán
- Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, University of Córdoba, Spain
| | | | - Samar Idriss
- Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, Eye and Ear University Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Todor Popov
- Alexander's University Hospital Clinic of Allergy & Asthma, Bulgaria
| | - German D. Ramon
- Alergia e Inmunología, Hospital Italiano Regional del Sur, Bahía Blanca-Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Erminia Ridolo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Università; di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Menachem Rottem
- Allergy Asthma and Immunology, Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel
- Rappaport Faculty of Medicine Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Wisuwat Songnuan
- Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Systems Biology of Diseases Research Unit, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Philip Rouadi
- Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, Eye and Ear University Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
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23
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Stempel H, Federico MJ, Szefler SJ. Applying a biopsychosocial model to inner city asthma: Recent approaches to address pediatric asthma health disparities. Paediatr Respir Rev 2019; 32:10-15. [PMID: 31678039 DOI: 10.1016/j.prrv.2019.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Pediatric asthma in inner cities is often severe and children living in these urban locations with socioeconomic disadvantage experience greater asthma morbidity. There are many interconnected risk factors that individually, and in combination, enhance asthma morbidity. These include biologic factors innate to the child, such as genetics and allergen susceptibility, as well as factors related to the family and neighborhood context. The biopsychosocial model can be used to frame these risk factors and develop interventions specific to the inner city. Successful inner city asthma interventions exist and key characteristics include multi-tiered components that operate within the community to coordinate disease management resources between patients, families and health care systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary Stempel
- Department of General Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Monica J Federico
- The Breathing Institute and Pulmonary Medicine Section, Children's Hospital Colorado and Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Stanley J Szefler
- The Breathing Institute and Pulmonary Medicine Section, Children's Hospital Colorado and Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
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24
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Satyaraj E, Wedner HJ, Bousquet J. Keep the cat, change the care pathway: A transformational approach to managing Fel d 1, the major cat allergen. Allergy 2019; 74 Suppl 107:5-17. [PMID: 31498459 PMCID: PMC7156987 DOI: 10.1111/all.14013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Background Allergies to cats are the most common animal‐origin allergy, and affect approximately 1 in 5 adults worldwide. The prevalence of allergy to furry animals has been increasing, and allergy to cats is a major risk factor for the development of asthma and rhinitis. The diagnosis of cat allergy is now well established. The exact significance of component‐resolved diagnosis in the diagnosis of cat allergy remains to be fully understood. Allergen avoidance is effective but often has a psychologic impact. Allergen immunotherapy is not well demonstrated. There is a need for innovative approaches to better manage cat allergens. Next‐generation care pathways for asthma and rhinitis will define the place of cat allergen avoidance. Methods and Results This manuscript, based on content presented at the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Congress 2019, provides information on the prevalence and impact of cat allergies and the molecular biology of Fel d 1, the major cat allergen. Discussion The authors present the scientific basis of a novel care pathway that utilizes anti‐Fel d 1 IgY antibodies to safely and effectively neutralize Fel d 1 after its production by the cat but before human exposure. Conclusion Efficacy of a feline diet with an egg product ingredient containing anti‐Fel d 1 IgY antibodies was demonstrated in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo, and further validated by a pilot exposure study involving cat‐allergic human participants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Harold James Wedner
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis MO USA
| | - Jean Bousquet
- University Hospital Montpellier France
- MACVIA‐France Fondation partenariale FMC VIA‐LR Montpellier France
- INSERM U 1168 VIMA: Ageing and Chronic Diseases Epidemiological and Public Health Approaches Villejuif France
- UMR‐S 1168 Université Versailles St‐Quentin‐en‐Yvelines Montigny le Bretonneux France
- Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin Berlin Germany
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25
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Azmeh R, Greydanus DE, Agana MG, Dickson CA, Patel DR, Ischander MM, Lloyd RD. Update in Pediatric Asthma: Selected Issues. Dis Mon 2019; 66:100886. [PMID: 31570159 DOI: 10.1016/j.disamonth.2019.100886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Asthma is a complex condition that affects 14% of the world's children and the approach to management includes both pharmacologic as well as non-pharmacologic strategies including attention to complex socioeconomic status phenomena. After an historical consideration of asthma, allergic and immunologic aspects of asthma in children and adolescents are presented. Concepts of socioeconomic aspects of asthma are considered along with environmental features and complications of asthma disparities. Also reviewed are links of asthma with mental health disorders, sleep disturbances and other comorbidities. A stepwise approach to asthma management is discussed that includes pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic strategies in the pediatric population. The role of immunotherapy and use of various immunomodulators are considered as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roua Azmeh
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
| | - Donald E Greydanus
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States.
| | - Marisha G Agana
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
| | - Cheryl A Dickson
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States; Health Equity and Community Affairs, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States
| | - Dilip R Patel
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
| | - Mariam M Ischander
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
| | - Robert D Lloyd
- Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine, Yakima, Washington, United States
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26
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Kotsiou OS, Peletidou S, Vavougios G, Karetsi E, Stavrou V, Zakynthinos G, Gourgoulianis KI, Daniil Z. Exhaled nitric oxide as a marker of chlorine exposure in young asthmatic swimmers. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2019; 123:249-255. [PMID: 31247303 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2019.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Swimming is recommended for people with asthma. However, the inevitable exposure to chlorine and its disinfectant byproducts in indoor swimming pools could be responsible for bronchial inflammation and asthma development. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a noninvasive marker of airway inflammation that predicts asthma exacerbations. OBJECTIVES To evaluate pretraining and posttraining FeNO levels in young swimmers with asthma attending an indoor chlorinated pool compared with a set of healthy swimmers and to examine the potential risk of exposure to chlorine as a factor associated with bronchial inflammation. METHODS A total of 146 children (8-18 years old) constantly attending an indoor chlorinated swimming pool were enrolled. Spirometry and FeNO measurements were performed 30 minutes after their arrival at the pool and immediately after exercise. Pre-exercise and postexercise spirometric and FeNO levels were assessed in a random subgroup of 14 swimmers (10 with asthma and 4 without) who performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing. RESULTS Asthma was detected in 23 swimmers. In swimmers with asthma, preswimming FeNO values were significantly elevated compared with swimmers without asthma and their FeNO values measured before cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Postexercise FeNO values were significantly decreased by approximately one-third in healthy children and children with asthma in all sporting backgrounds. However, postswimming FeNO values remained significantly higher in swimmers with asthma compared with those without asthma. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC ratio values showed no significant difference before and after 2 types of activity. CONCLUSION Elevated FeNO levels before and after swimming were recorded in swimmers with asthma not observed in a different exercise field. The presence of chlorine in the indoor swimming pool seems to explain this finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ourania S Kotsiou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.
| | - Sotiria Peletidou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - George Vavougios
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Eleni Karetsi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Vasileios Stavrou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - George Zakynthinos
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | | | - Zoe Daniil
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
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27
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Pham MN, Wang J. Management of food allergies and asthma in schools. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2019; 121:391-399. [PMID: 30290894 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2018.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Michele N Pham
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, The Elliot and Roslyn Jaffe Food Allergy Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Kravis Children's Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Julie Wang
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, The Elliot and Roslyn Jaffe Food Allergy Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Kravis Children's Hospital, New York, New York.
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28
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Louisias M, Ramadan A, Naja AS, Phipatanakul W. The Effects of the Environment on Asthma Disease Activity. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am 2019; 39:163-175. [PMID: 30954168 PMCID: PMC6452888 DOI: 10.1016/j.iac.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Asthma is highly prevalent and causes significant morbidity in children. The development of asthma depends on complex relationships between genetic predisposition and environmental modifiers of immune function. The biological and physical environmental factors include aeroallergens, microbiome, endotoxin, genetics, and pollutants. The psychosocial environment encompasses stress, neighborhood safety, housing, and discrimination. They all have been speculated to influence asthma control and the risk of developing asthma. Control of the factors that contribute to or aggravate symptoms, interventions to eliminate allergen exposure, guidelines-based pharmacologic therapy, and education of children and their caregivers are of paramount importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margee Louisias
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Fegan Building, 6th floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amira Ramadan
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Fegan Building, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
| | - Ahmad Salaheddine Naja
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Fegan Building, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Wanda Phipatanakul
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Fegan Building, 6th floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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29
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Haktanir Abul M, Phipatanakul W. Severe asthma in children: Evaluation and management. Allergol Int 2019; 68:150-157. [PMID: 30648539 DOI: 10.1016/j.alit.2018.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe asthma in children is associated with significant morbidity. Children with severe asthma are at increased risk for adverse outcomes including medication-related side effects, life-threatening exacerbations, and impaired quality of life. It is important to differentiate between severe therapy resistant asthma and difficult-to-treat asthma due to comorbidities. The most common problems that need to be excluded before a diagnosis of severe asthma can be made are poor medication adherence, poor medication technique or incorrect diagnosis of asthma. Difficult to treat asthma is a much more common reason for persistent symptoms and exacerbations and can be managed if comorbidities are clearly addressed. Children with persistent symptoms and exacerbations despite correct inhaler technique and good medical adherence to standard Step 4 asthma therapies according to the guidelines1,2, should be referred to an asthma specialist with expertise in severe asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehtap Haktanir Abul
- Division of Respiratory Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wanda Phipatanakul
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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30
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Agache I, Miller R, Gern JE, Hellings PW, Jutel M, Muraro A, Phipatanakul W, Quirce S, Peden D. Emerging concepts and challenges in implementing the exposome paradigm in allergic diseases and asthma: a Practall document. Allergy 2019; 74:449-463. [PMID: 30515837 DOI: 10.1111/all.13690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Exposome research can improve the understanding of the mechanistic connections between exposures and health to help mitigate adverse health outcomes across the life span. The exposomic approach provides a risk profile instead of single predictors and thus is particularly applicable to allergic diseases and asthma. Under the PRACTALL collaboration between the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), we evaluated the current concepts and the unmet needs on the role of the exposome in allergic diseases and asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Agache
- Faculty of Medicine; Transylvania University; Brasov Romania
| | - Rachel Miller
- Columbia University Medical Center; New York New York
| | - James E. Gern
- School of Medicine and Public Health; University of Wisconsin; Madison Wisconsin
| | - Peter W. Hellings
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology; University Hospitals Leuven; Leuven Belgium
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology; Academic Medical Center; Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Marek Jutel
- Wroclaw Medical University; Wrocław Poland
- ALL-MED Medical Research Institute; Wroclaw Poland
| | - Antonella Muraro
- Food Allergy Referral Centre; Department of Woman and Child Health; Padua University hospital; Padua Italy
| | - Wanda Phipatanakul
- Harvard Medical School; Boston Children's Hospital; Boston Massachusetts
| | - Santiago Quirce
- Department of Allergy; Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research and CIBER of Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES); Madrid Spain
| | - David Peden
- UNC School of Medicine; Chapel Hill North Carolina
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31
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Nasirian H, Salehzadeh A. Control of Cockroaches (Blattaria) in Sewers: A Practical Approach Systematic Review. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 56:181-191. [PMID: 30462285 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjy205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Periplaneta americana (L.) (Blattaria: Blattidae), the American cockroach, is the most important invasive urban pest of sewer environments colonizing there with high significance of human public health and household allergens need to be controlled. Therefore this practical approach systematic review perform internationally to highlight and provide a detailed P. americana control in sewers. Of the 474 papers, 129 papers were selected to become this practical approach systematic review study of cockroach control in sewers. To control the American cockroaches, many studies have been conducted in various fields describing from an angle. The results were classified and discussed in getting cockroaches from sewers into buildings and their elimination, insecticide susceptibility, application of dust, bait and Inesfly paint insecticide formulations, biocontrol, and futuristic action categories. A recommending manner to achieve a successful P. americana cockroach control in sewers is using a combination of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies resulted in significant reductions of cockroach infestations and asthma health outcomes. Use of P. americana breeding thelytoky, push-pull strategies and an automated sewer robot, and integrating health into the future buildings may be new approaches of P. americana control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Nasirian
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aref Salehzadeh
- Department of Medical Entomology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
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32
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School-based interventions: Where do we go from here? J Allergy Clin Immunol 2018; 143:550-551. [PMID: 30395889 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2018.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Revised: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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