Background: The fractional concentration of nitric oxide (NO) in exhaled breath (Fe NO ) is increased in asthma. There is a general assumption that NO synthase (NOS) 2 in epithelium is the main source of NO in exhaled breath. However, there is no direct evidence to support the assumption and data from animal models suggest that non-inducible NOS systems have important roles in determining airway reactivity, regulating inflammation, and might contribute significantly to NO measured in exhaled breath. Methods: Bronchial epithelial cells were obtained from healthy, atopic, and asthmatic children by nonbronchoscopic brushing. Exhaled NO (Fe NO ) was measured directly using a fast response chemiluminescence NO analyser. RNA was extracted from the epithelial cells and real time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the expression of NOS isoenzymes. NOS2 was examined in macrophages and epithelial cells by immunohistochemistry. Results: NOS1 mRNA was not detectable. NOS3 mRNA was detected in 36 of 43 samples at lower levels than NOS2 mRNA which was detectable in all samples. The median Fe NO was 15.5 ppb (95% CI 10 to 18.1). There was a significant correlation between Fe NO and NOS2 expression (R = 0.672, p,0.001). All epithelial cells exhibited NOS2 staining, whereas staining in the macrophages was variable and not related to phenotype. Conclusions: Only NOS2 expression was associated with Fe NO in respiratory epithelial cells obtained from children (R = 0.672; p,0.001). This suggests that Fe NO variability is largely determined by epithelial NOS2 expression with little contribution from other isoforms.

SUMMARY Integrin α3 is a transmembrane integrin receptor subunit that mediates signals between the cells and their microenvironment. We identified three patients with homozygous mutations in the integrin α3 gene that were associated with disrupted basement-membrane structures and compromised barrier functions in kidney, lung, and skin. The patients had a multiorgan disorder that included congenital nephrotic syndrome, interstitial lung disease, and epidermolysis bullosa. The renal and respiratory features predominated, and the lung involvement accounted for the lethal course of the disease. Although skin fragility was mild, it provided clues to the diagnosis.

Virus-associated pulmonary exacerbations, often associated with rhinoviruses (RVs), contribute to cystic fibrosis (CF) morbidity. Currently, there are only a few therapeutic options to treat virus-induced CF pulmonary exacerbations. The macrolide antibiotic azithromycin has antiviral properties in human bronchial epithelial cells. We investigated the potential of azithromycin to induce antiviral mechanisms in CF bronchial epithelial cells.Primary bronchial epithelial cells from CF and control children were infected with RV after azithromycin pre-treatment. Viral RNA, interferon (IFN), IFN-stimulated gene and pattern recognition receptor expression were measured by real-time quantitative PCR. Live virus shedding was assessed by assaying the 50% tissue culture infective dose. Pro-inflammatory cytokine and IFN-β production were evaluated by ELISA. Cell death was investigated by flow cytometry.RV replication was increased in CF compared with control cells. Azithromycin reduced RV replication seven-fold in CF cells without inducing cell death. Furthermore, azithromycin increased RV-induced pattern recognition receptor, IFN and IFN-stimulated gene mRNA levels. While stimulating antiviral responses, azithromycin did not prevent virus-induced pro-inflammatory responses.Azithromycin pre-treatment reduces RV replication in CF bronchial epithelial cells, possibly through the amplification of the antiviral response mediated by the IFN pathway. Clinical studies are needed to elucidate the potential of azithromycin in the management and prevention of RV-induced CF pulmonary exacerbations. @ERSpublications Azithromycin reduces rhinovirus load in CF bronchial cells, possibly through the induction of the interferon pathway

Background: Newborn screening for CF started 01/2011 in Switzerland. We investigated the parents' opinions about the information received, their feelings, and overall approval of the screening. Methods: This is a prospective questionnaire survey of all parents of positively screened children. Parents were phoned by CF-centres and invited for diagnostic investigations. They completed a questionnaire after the visit to the CF-centre. Results: From 2011-2013, 246 families received the questionnaire and 138 (56%) replied. Of these 77 (60%) found the information received at birth satisfactory; 124 (91%) found the information provided in the CF-centre satisfactory. Most parents (n = 98, 78%) felt troubled or anxious when the CF-centre called, 51 (38%) remained anxious after the visit. Most parents (n = 122; 88%) were satisfied with the screening, 4 (3%) were not, and 12 (9%) were unsure. Conclusions: The smooth organisation of the screening process, with personal information by a CF specialist and short delays between this information and the final diagnostic testing, might have contributed to reduce anxiety among parents. Most families were grateful that their child had been screened, and are happy with the process.

The goal of asthma treatment is to obtain clinical control and reduce future risks to the patient. To reach this goal in children with asthma, ongoing monitoring is essential. While all components of asthma, such as symptoms, lung function, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and inflammation, may exist in various combinations in different individuals, to date there is limited evidence on how to integrate these for optimal monitoring of children with asthma. The aims of this ERS Task Force were to describe the current practise and give an overview of the best available evidence on how to monitor children with asthma.22 clinical and research experts reviewed the literature. A modified Delphi method and four Task Force meetings were used to reach a consensus.This statement summarises the literature on monitoring children with asthma. Available tools for monitoring children with asthma, such as clinical tools, lung function, bronchial responsiveness and inflammatory markers, are described as are the ways in which they may be used in children with asthma. Management-related issues, comorbidities and environmental factors are summarised.Despite considerable interest in monitoring asthma in children, for many aspects of monitoring asthma in children there is a substantial lack of evidence. @ERSpublications ERS statement summarising and discussing the available literature on monitoring children with asthma

This review focuses on the methods available for measuring reversible airways obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and inflammation as hallmarks of asthma, and their role in monitoring children with asthma. Persistent bronchial obstruction may occur in asymptomatic children and is considered a risk factor for severe asthma episodes and is associated with poor asthma outcome. Annual measurement of forced expiratory volume in 1 s using office based spirometry is considered useful. Other lung function measurements including the assessment of BHR may be reserved for children with possible exercise limitations, poor symptom perception and those not responding to their current treatment or with atypical asthma symptoms, and performed on a higher specialty level. To date, for most methods of measuring lung function there are no proper randomised controlled or large longitudinal studies available to establish their role in asthma management in children.Noninvasive biomarkers for monitoring inflammation in children are available, for example the measurement of exhaled nitric oxide fraction, and the assessment of induced sputum cytology or inflammatory mediators in the exhaled breath condensate. However, their role and usefulness in routine clinical practice to monitor and guide therapy remains unclear, and therefore, their use should be reserved for selected cases. @ERSpublications Review on the role of lung function, measurement of BHR and airway inflammation in monitoring of children with asthma

In this cohort of high-risk preschool children, elevated FeNO is associated with increased risk for school-age asthma. The new API including FeNO identifies children at risk of later asthma comparably to the classical API, but does not require blood sampling.

No abstract