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Effects of human rhinovirus on epithelial barrier integrity and function in children with asthmaThis study demonstrates novel intrinsic differences in tight junctions gene and protein expression between airway epithelial cells of children with and without asthma
Research
Pressurised metered dose inhaler-spacer technique in young children improves with video instructionRepeated video instruction over time improves inhaler technique in young children
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Associations of early-life pet ownership with asthma and allergic sensitization: A meta-analysis of more than 77,000 children from the EU Child Cohort NetworkStudies examining associations of early-life cat and dog ownership with childhood asthma have reported inconsistent results. Several factors could explain these inconsistencies, including type of pet, timing, and degree of exposure. Our aim was to study associations of early-life cat and dog ownership with asthma in school-aged children, including the role of type (cat vs dog), timing (never, prenatal, or early childhood), and degree of ownership (number of pets owned), and the role of allergic sensitization.
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Clinical significance and applications of oscillometryRecently, "Technical standards for respiratory oscillometry" was published, which reviewed the physiological basis of oscillometric measures and detailed the technical factors related to equipment and test performance, quality assurance and reporting of results. Here we present a review of the clinical significance and applications of oscillometry.
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Cord-blood respiratory syncytial virus antibodies and respiratory health in first 5 years of lifeTo determine the potential longer-term effects of maternal antenatal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination, we examined the association between cord-blood RSV-neutralizing antibodies (RSV-NA) and RSV infections in the first 2 years of life, RSV-NA at 3 years, and respiratory health to age 5 years.
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Parental preconception BMI trajectories from childhood to adolescence and asthma in the future offspringRecent evidence suggests that parental exposures before conception can increase the risk of asthma in offspring. We investigated the association between parents' preconception body mass index (BMI) trajectories from childhood to adolescence and subsequent risk of asthma in their offspring.
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Does machine learning have a role in the prediction of asthma in children?Asthma is the most common chronic lung disease in childhood. There has been a significant worldwide effort to develop tools/methods to identify children's risk for asthma as early as possible for preventative and early management strategies. Unfortunately, most childhood asthma prediction tools using conventional statistical models have modest accuracy, sensitivity, and positive predictive value.

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National Asthma Week: 10 things you need to know about asthmaAsthma affects about half a million Australian children and is one of the most common reasons why kids need to see a doctor or go to emergency.
Research
Airway-associated adipose tissue accumulation is increased in a kisspeptin receptor knockout mouse modelAirway-associated adipose tissue increases with body mass index and is a local source of pro-inflammatory adipokines that may contribute to airway pathology in asthma co-existing with obesity. Genetic susceptibility to airway adiposity was considered in the present study through kisspeptin/kisspeptin receptor signalling, known to modulate systemic adiposity and potentially drive airway remodelling.
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Effect of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO)-based asthma management during pregnancy versus usual care on infant development, temperament, sensory function and autism signsAsthma during pregnancy is associated with a range of adverse perinatal outcomes. It is also linked to increased rates of neurodevelopmental conditions in the offspring. We aimed to assess whether fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO)-based asthma management during pregnancy improves child developmental and behavioural outcomes compared to usual care. The Breathing for Life Trial was a randomised controlled trial that compared FENO-based asthma management during pregnancy to usual care.