Effects and mechanisms of actions of Chinese herbal medicines for asthma.

Chin J Integr Med. 2011 Jul;17(7):483-91

Authors: Hong ML, Song Y, Li XM

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of airways that affects approximately 300 million adults and children worldwide. Most therapy currently uses bronchodilators and corticosteroids. Systemic side effects from chronic use of these drugs are concern. Chinese medicine (CM) has a long history of human use in China and other Asian countries and well received by the patients. But as one component of Western integrative medicine (WIM), it is required that CM use is supported by scientific evidence. On the other hand, there are also suggestions that Western standardized medicine should consider personalized practice. In recent years there have been an increasing studies to narrow the gap between CM, the personalized medicine and Western medicine, evidence based medicine. This communication reviews several CM studies published in the English language in details by reviewing the effects and mechanisms of actions on asthma from clinic and experimental studies.Chinese herbal medicines exhibit broad actions on multiple asthma pathologic mechanisms. These mechanisms may involve antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, inhibiting airway remodeling and normalization of hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal (HPA)-axis disturbances. However, the mechanisms of actions of Chinese herbal medicines for asthma are not fully understood. More controlled clinical studies are warranted and some anti-asthma CM may be proved to be effective when used as monotherapy or complementary asthma therapies.

PMID: 21725872 [PubMed - in process]

Patient Satisfaction with a Pressurized Metered-Dose Inhaler with an Integrated Dose Counter Containing a Fixed-Dose Mometasone Furoate/Formoterol Combination.

J Asthma. 2011 Jul 4;

Authors: Laforce C, Weinstein C, Nathan RA, Weinstein SF, Staudinger H, Meltzer EO

Introduction. Inhaled delivery devices that are easy to use and facilitate dose tracking may lead to improved patient satisfaction and adherence. Patient satisfaction with a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with an integrated dose counter containing a fixed-dose mometasone furoate/formoterol combination (MF/F MDI dose counter) was evaluated in subjects with persistent asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods. In this multicenter study (N = 272, age range: 12-92 years), subject experience and satisfaction with MDI devices was evaluated using baseline and poststudy surveys. Subjects responded to the baseline survey based on their previous MDI experience, then received MF/F MDI 100/10 μg with the integrated dose counter for 4 weeks before completing the poststudy survey. This evaluation was part of a broader study objective to assess performance of the MF/F MDI dose counter. Results. At baseline, 52% of subjects reported being extremely satisfied with their previous MDI. After using the MF/F MDI dose counter, a relative increase of 43% in overall satisfaction was observed. Approximately 90% of subjects agreed the MF/F dose counter helped them track doses and was easy to use; >80% agreed the inhaler was of good quality and well designed. Subjects agreed the dose counter relieved anxiety about running out of medication (68%) or taking a subtherapeutic dose (65%). Nearly 80% of subjects had no reservations about the MF/F MDI dose counter, and most subjects stated they would request it from their physician (66%) and recommend it to a friend (75%). Conclusions. The MF/F MDI dose counter was found to be easy to use and have overall high patient satisfaction.

PMID: 21726121 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

The pathologic diagnosis of lung cancer is undergoing a remarkable transformation, largely driven by new therapies that are dependent on histologic type and/or molecular changes. Lung cancer is diagnosed pathologically by a histologic or cytologic approach. Because 70% of lung cancer patients present in advanced stages, the diagnosis is established by small biopsies or cytologies. However, previous classifications by the World Health Organization (WHO) have not specifically addressed this problem. Because of the rapid advances in lung adenocarcinoma occurring at every level, there is a new lung adenocarcinoma classification sponsored by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, American Thoracic Society, and the European Respiratory Society (IASLC/ATS/ERS) and developed b...

This review discusses the most common pediatric respiratory emergencies and their management. A detailed discussion of the entire spectrum of respiratory illness in children is beyond the scope of this text. Rather, the review presents an updated, systematic approach to management with careful attention to the relevant existing evidence. (Source: Pediatric Emergency Medicine Practice)