Background-Children with cancer frequently have associated cachexia and malnutrition. Failure to thrive affects nearly 40% of oncology patients with advanced or progressive disease. Malnutrition can erode quality of life and adversely impact disease prognosis. Appetite stimulation and increased food intake is one approach to combat cancer-related cachexia.

Asthma continues to be the leading chronic condition among US adolescents. Despite medical advances, many adolescents face uncontrolled asthma mainly due to insufficient self-management skills. Mobile apps pose a promising adjunct to in-clinic asthma care. However, little is known about the usability and effectiveness of such technology. In all, 20 adolescents participated in a 3-month trial to test an asthma app tailored to their age. Qualitative data on adolescents’ experience with the app were inquired. Overall, participants thought the app was functional and user-friendly. The majority expressed that the app assisted them with asthma self-management through tracking of asthma status and text reminders to test their peak flow regularly. They indicated external factors that limited app use and suggested improvements to make the app more engaging and appealing to adolescents. The tested app provides a feasible means to assist adolescent in developing self-management skills, tracking disease status, and communicating with healthcare providers.

This study assessed physicians' receptivity to using mobile technology as a strategy in patient care for adolescents with asthma. Understanding physicians' perceived barriers and benefits of integrating mobile technology in adolescents' asthma care and self-management is an initial step in enhancing overall patient and disease outcomes. We conducted in-depth interviews with second- and third-year pediatric residents and attending physicians who oversee pediatric residents in training (N = 27) at an academic medical center in the southeastern United States. We identified both benefits from and barriers to broader use of mobile technologies for improving asthma outcomes in adolescents. Resident physicians demonstrated greater readiness for integrating these technologies than did attending physicians. Prior to adoption of mobile technologies in the care of adolescent asthma patients, barriers to implementation should be understood. Prior to widespread adoption, such systems will need to be evaluated against traditional care for demonstration of patient outcomes that improve on the current situation.

A digital media product capable of tracking conditions, triggers, and related asthma activities can be a core element of improved asthma control for youth. Improved asthma control will help decrease school absenteeism.

Systemic inflammation, measured by an elevated level of hs-CRP, is seen with persistent short sleep duration in young adult men and persistent long sleep duration in young adult women.

Participants showed interest in using apps for managing their asthma, yet recommended improvements on current design. Whereas national figures point to a more ubiquitous mobile device environment, implementation efforts must respond to participants' recommendations while minding lingering digital divides. Currently available apps lack appealing components that teens seek or desire. Subsequent development should include teens' participation in component design insights.

Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive interstitial lung disease with no current effective therapies. Treatment has focused on antifibrotic agents to stop proliferation of fibroblasts and collagen deposition in the lung. We present the first clinical trial data on the use of losartan, an antifibrotic agent, to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The primary objective was to evaluate the effect of losartan on progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis measured by the change in percentage of predicted forced vital capacity (%FVC) after 12 months. Secondary outcomes included the change in forced expiratory volume at 1 second, diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide, 6-minute walk test distance, and baseline/transition dyspnea index. Methods Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and a baseline %FVC of ≥50 % were treated with losartan 50 mg by mouth daily for 12 months. Pulmonary function testing, 6-minute walk, and breathlessness indices were measured every 3 months. Results Twenty participants with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were enrolled and 17 patients were evaluable for response. Twelve patients had a stable or improved %FVC at study month 12. Similar findings were observed in secondary end-point measures, including 58, 71, and 65 % of patients with stable or improved forced expiratory volume at 1 second, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, and 6-minute walk test distance, respectively. No treatment-related adverse events that resulted in early study discontinuation were reported. Conclusion Losartan stabilized lung function in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis over 12 months. Losartan is a promising agent for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and has a low toxicity profile.

BACkgRoUNdAs the 21 st century unfolds, information technology is predicted to influence the methods by which patients receive health education -"Information technology will be used to change the way care is delivered from an approach centered on the physician visit to one in which tools such as email and Internet-based health information provide continuous communication and information flow between clinicians and patients." 1(p570) Information from the Pew Internet and American Life Project reports that nearly 75% of U.S. adults are regular Internet users, and of these, 80% participate in groups. 2 ABSTRACT Background: Adolescents with asthma are the least compliant age group for asthma management. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore attitudes, beliefs and perceptions of two pediatric physician groups towards using social media technology (SMT) to improve asthma management in adolescents. Methods: We employed in-depth interviews and a focus group to understand pediatric attending physicians' and residents' perspectives of SMT use in asthma management. We analyzed data using the constant comparative method. Results: Physicians acknowledge the importance of health education for asthma management and the potential for SMT. Identified benefits include enhanced understanding of how adolescents perceive asthma, improved patient-provider relationships, the availability of an interactive venue and an additional way to provide accurate information to asthmatic teens. The barriers consisted of time constraints during office hours, personal commitments, work schedules, lack of comfort with the technology and perceived liability issues. Discussion: SMT is considered a valuable tool to reach this target population. The barriers of using SMT need to be overcome for voluntary adoption to occur. Translation to Health Education Practice: SMTs may provide a dynamic platform for both health education and allow physicians to better understand the needs and wants of adolescents with chronic diseases.