ABSTRACr A rapid, simple method for measuring bronchial responsiveness to inhaled histamine is described. The method was used to obtain dose response curves in 50 atopic subjects with varying respiratory and nasal symptoms. The cumulative dose of histamine which caused a 20% fall in the one second forced expiratory volume (PD2>FEV.) varied between 0*046 and greater than 39 ,umol and correlated with the severity of symptoms. The reproducibility of the PD2,FEv,, determined from duplicate measurements in 15 subjects with varying degrees of bronchial responsiveness was found to be satisfactory. When the PD2OFEV, from this rapid method was compared with that obtained from the dosimeter method no significant difference was found. The dose delivered by this method was shown to be cumulative. May 1983 drive the nebuliser, so the equipment is cumbersome.

The prevalence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in adult populations is not known. To document its prevalence and distribution and to determine the factors associated with it, a random sample of the adult population of Busselton, Western Australia, was studied. Spirometric function, bronchial responsiveness to histamine, and atopic responses to skin prick tests were measured. Respiratory symptoms were determined by questionnaire. Data were obtained from 916 subjects. Of these, 876 underwent a histamine inhalation test and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to histamine (defined as a dose of histamine provoking a 20% fall in FEV1 equal to or less than 3 9 jmol) was found in 10-5%. Another 40 subjects with poor lung function were tested with a bronchodilator and 12 were found to have bronchial hyperresponsiveness (defined as a greater than 15% increase in FEV1), making the total prevalence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness 11-4%. The prevalence of current asthma, defined as bronchial hyperresponsiveness plus symptoms consistent with asthma in the last 12 months, was 5-9%. The distribution of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in the studied population was continuous. There was a significant association between it and respiratory symptoms, atopy, smoking, and abnormal lung function (p < 0-001 for all associations). There was no association with age, sex, or recent respiratory tract infection.

BackgroundPatients with allergic rhinitis often trivialise their condition, self-manage inappropriately, and would benefit from health care intervention. The primary point of health care contact for these self-managing allergic rhinitis patients is the community pharmacy. With the majority of allergic rhinitis treatments being available for purchase over the counter, without health care professional contact, we know little about how the patients self-manage. This study aims to identify the burden of allergic rhinitis in the community pharmacy and to identify key opportunity for intervention.MethodsPharmacy customers, who purchased nasal treatment in a community pharmacy, were approached with a research-administered questionnaire that collected data on medical history, symptoms and products purchased for the treatment of nasal symptoms.ResultsOf the 296 participants, 69.9% self-managed with over-the-counter medications; with 68% experiencing allergic rhinitis symptoms and only 44.3% of this subgroup had a doctor’s diagnosis. Nasal congestion (73.6%) was most commonly experienced and oral antihistamines were most commonly purchased (44.3%), indicating a pattern of suboptimal management. A third of participants (36.5%) experienced moderate-severe symptoms, persistently, which impacted on their daily living. Medication selection was mainly based on pharmacy customers’ perceptions of medication effectiveness (47.6%).ConclusionA majority of participants that self-selected over-the-counter medications have symptoms consistent with allergic rhinitis, with almost half not having received a diagnosis. Medication purchasing patterns suggest that sub-optimal therapeutic decisions made by participants, even when they are experiencing significant symptoms. This study uncovers the hidden burden of allergic rhinitis in the community pharmacy and a missed opportunity to intervene and refer if necessary. Patients need to be guided through appropriate treatment as this study showed that many should be referred to a medical practitioner.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s40733-017-0036-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Australian patients with severe allergic asthma report a high disease burden and have extensive comorbidity. Symptomatic response to omalizumab was high despite significant comorbid disease. Omalizumab is an effective targeted therapy for severe allergic asthma with comorbidity in a real-life setting.

Large differences in COVID‐19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage were associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS‐CoV‐2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS‐Cov‐2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT 1 R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistanceas well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID‐19. The nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block the AT 1 R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are given: Kimchi in Korea, westernized foods and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof‐of‐concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2‐associated antioxidant effects helpful in mitigating COVID‐19 severity.

Objectives:The first aim of the study (i) assess the current asthma status of general-practitionermanaged patients receiving regular fixed-dose combination inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta 2 agonist (FDC ICS/LABA) therapy and (ii) explore patients' perceptions of asthma control and attitudes/behaviors regarding preventer inhaler use. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study of Australian adults with a current physician diagnosis of asthma receiving ࣙ2 prescriptions of FDC ICS/LABA therapy in the previous year, who were recruited through general practice to receive a structured in-depth asthma review between May 2012 and January 2014. Descriptive statistics and Chi-Square tests for independence were used for associations across asthma control levels. Results: Only 11.5% of the patients had controlled asthma based on guideline-defined criteria. Contrarily, 66.5% of the patients considered their asthma to be well controlled. Incidence of acute asthma exacerbations in the previous year was 26.5% and 45.6% of the patients were without a diagnosis of rhinitis. Asthma medication use and inhaler technique were sub-optimal; only 41.0% of the preventer users reported everyday use. The side effects of medication were common and more frequently reported among uncontrolled and partially controlled patients. Conclusions: The study revealed the extent to which asthma management needs to be improved in this patient cohort and the numerous unmet needs regarding the current state of asthma care. Not only there is a need for continuous education of patients, but also education of health care practitioners to better understand the way in which patient's perceptions impact on asthma management practices, incorporating these findings into clinical decision making.

Summary The aim of this study was to determine if prophylactic therapy leads to a reduction in the severity of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in subjects with severe asthma. Measurements of bronchial responsiveness to histamine were made in two groups of subjects for periods up to 2 years. Thirteen subjects in the study group took regular medication and used a home monitor of airway function to determine the medication requirements needed to maintain optimal airway function. A control group of eleven subjects was managed with the same drugs but without daily monitoring and without any attempt to keep daily lung function at optimal levels. Subjects in the study group had a 10‐ to 100‐fold decrease in the severity of BHR, which was independent of the improvement in baseline lung function. All but one subject in the study group became symptom free and six were able to maintain the improvement in BHR and symptoms on reduced medication. There was no change in the severity of BHR or in the baseline lung function in the control group. It is concluded that it is possible to reduce the severity of BHR in subjects with severe asthma by the use of pharmacological agents. This reduction in severity appears to require the long‐term use of medications, including aerosol corticosteroids, with daily home monitoring to allow adjustment of the amount of treatment required.

Patients with severe allergic asthma above recommended dosing criteria for omalizumab have significantly improved symptom control, quality of life and lung function to a similar degree to within-range participants, achieved without dose escalation above 750 mg.