MicroRNA for treating cancer and asthma

A microRNA that regulates inflammation shows promise as a treatment for inflammatory diseases such as asthma and cancer. The microRNA, known as miR-223, is highly expressed in blood cells that cause inflammation (neutrophils). When they're working correctly, those blood cells protect the body against infections, but sometimes they damage host tissue instead of microbes, causing chronic inflammation and disease.

To uncover the link between miR-223 and inflammation, a Purdue University research team created a zebrafish totally deficient of miR-223. Then they cut off a small chunk of its fin. "The inflammation was really robust," said Qing Deng, a professor of biological sciences at Purdue and corresponding author of the paper. "Neutrophils accumulated at the wound and they just kept coming. This is consistent with the literature, but we wanted to understand why."

Extensive gene expression analysis led them to pathway NF-kB, a protein complex found in nearly all animal cell types that regulates inflammation and cell proliferation. Heightened activation of this pathway is the cause of increased inflammation, although it's limited to the deeper, or basal, layer of the epithelium. This means any therapeutics would need to reach the basal layer to work.

The same pathway plays an important role in human bronchial epithelial cells, which are critical in the development of asthma, according to the study. MiR-223 suppresses the pathway, which means supplementing it to epithelial cells could help control inflammatory disease.
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Immune signature predicts asthma susceptibility

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease driven by the interplay of genetics, environmental factors and a diverse cast of immune cells. Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology (LJI) identified a subset of T cells, whose frequency serves as early childhood immune signature that predicts the risk of developing asthma later on.

Children who, at the age of one, had a higher frequency of MAIT cells appear to be less likely to develop asthma by the age of seven. Consistent with the "hygiene hypothesis," which holds that increased microbial exposure in the first years of life is protective for asthma, the team's findings also indicate that the presence of house dust components that stimulate the innate immune system decreases asthma risk.

Unlike conventional T cells, which belong to the adaptive arm of the immune response and take a few days before they are fully trained on a single, specific protein fragment or peptide antigen, MAIT and iNKT cells recognize molecular components common to many microbes. The team analyzed the frequency of different types of immune cells in blood collected from 110 one year-old study participants, the presence of immune-stimulatory components in the subjects' house dust and asked whether any of the factors correlated with an increased of asthma at age seven.

Certain immune signatures such as having more MAITs that are protective in humans MAIT cells are unique in that they are borne to make gamma interferon, which could help skew the immune system toward an asthma-protective. And while the absolute numbers of iNKT cells had no bearing on asthma risk, the iNKT cell antigenic content in house dust from subjects' houses did. iNKT activity reflects a home environment with increased microbe exposure and prevents asthma.
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Mould in lungs causes asthma

A team at The University of Manchester have found that in a minority of patients they studied, a standard treatment for asthma-oral steroids was associated with increased levels of the treatable mould Aspergillus in the lung.

The findings could be of valuable help to asthmatics who endure severe and difficult to treat symptoms, by giving doctors the information they need to plan their care more effectively. The team stress there is no danger to asthmatics from steroid therapy and that patients should continue taking their steroid inhalers or tablets as prescribed.

About 40 percent of people with severe asthma have allergies to Aspergillus in their lungs. The research showed that severe asthmatics with allergies were ten times more likely to carry higher levels of mould when on corticosteroid treatment. Individuals in the study receiving antifungal therapy had lower quantities of the mould in the lung; the fungal load was much higher if the therapy had been stopped.

Aspergillus infection is usually treatable, but might be able to explain why some asthmatic patients are having persistent symptoms on steroids. There is no danger to any individuals taking steroids to alleviate their asthma. But nevertheless this data is important because it may help doctors to consider additional treatments to individuals with allergies to this mould associated with steroids, so they may be helped more effectively.

Dr. Bowyer and Dr. Livingstone Chisimba, also from The University of Manchester and colleagues from Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust examined the airways of 48 people with mild to severe asthma and 10 volunteers with no symptoms. With higher Aspergillus loads seen in those on oral steroids.

Though different fungi were found with variation between individuals, the most common was Aspergillus. Multiple different isolated spores of the mould were detected in the same lung, Excess mucus is a characteristic feature of asthma. Excess mucus is able to protect Aspergillus from the body's normal defences.
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Plastic pollution causes autoimmune conditions

Plastic pollution has become so widespread that human may be inhaling up many pieces a day.
Fibres from fleece and polyester clothing and particles from urban dust and car tyres are the biggest sources of so-called microplastics in the air.

 The tiny specks are lighter than air and could cause asthma, heart disease and auto-immune conditions, according to research, that reveals washing a single polyester garment can produce many plastic fibres.

This plastic pollution is on the rise as more synthetic clothing is produced. Exposure to plastic pollution may cause asthma, cardiac disease, allergies and auto-immune diseases.
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Exposing children to germs and pets reduces the risk of asthma

Asthma is a chronic disease that frequently aggravates and narrows the airways, leading to wheezing, coughing, breathlessness and a tight chest.

According to National Institute of Health, contact with cats, dogs, mice and cockroach at three months lowers chance of having asthma by age seven. Exposure to certain bacteria in house dust during infancy was also associated with a reduce risk.

According to a study, exposing children to pets and germs early reduces their risk of developing asthma. Exposure to allergens early in life, before asthma develops, has a preventive effect.

Early-life environment can influence the development of certain health conditions, preventing asthma before it develops is the best method of preventing it. Exposure to different indoor allergens, bacteria and bacterial products early in life may reduce the risk of developing asthma.

Researchers discovered that higher concentrations of cockroach, mouse and cat allergens present in dust samples collected from the children's homes at three months were linked to a lower risk of asthma by age seven.
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Respiratory tract infections linked to asthma

Respiratory tract infections in young children are linked to an increased risk of asthma and worse lung function in children who had upper respiratory infections like colds, sinusitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis and otitis.

Children with respiratory tract infections have increased risk of developing asthma. Children who had suffered from lower respiratory tract infections, such as bronchitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia and general chest infections can develop asthma.

Lung function is an objective measure of the function of the lungs and airways. Lung function could be affected without leading to symptoms, or it could lead to asthma or wheezing.

A child could be diagnosed with lung function unaffected, upper respiratory tract infections were not associated with worse lung function in children. However, lower respiratory tract infections at any age are link with worse lung. Lung function in childhood is related with lung function in adulthood.
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Moldy house causes asthma

Mould triggers asthma, visible mould in homes is associated with the beginning of wheezing in children, mould and leaks may be be found in the bedrooms and homes of children who had just started wheezing compared to the children who had never wheezed.

The more mould, the greater the risk that children would start wheezing. The use of extractor fans, avoiding drying of clothes inside the room and opening the windows for fresh air may reduce the growth of mold.

Asthma is a condition that affects the airways,common symptoms include wheezing, coughing, breathlessness and having a tight chest.

 Researchers assessed the homes of children showing symptoms of asthma and discovered that condensation, damp and mould are present in their  rooms, mold will make asthma worse if you already have it and increase the risk of having it if you don't.

 Mould and leaks were more likely to be found in the bedrooms and homes of children who had just started wheezing compared to the children who had never wheezed.
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Indoor pollution can destroy lungs

Indoor pollution from central heating, gas cookers, cleaning products, chemicals, and mold can damage lungs, trigger asthma and cause respiratory diseases.

Poor ventilation, the use of open central heating and regular use of air conditioner prevents fresh and natural air from getting to our lungs, since we spend more time indoor. Our lungs is prone to damage because of regular exposure to indoor pollution.

 Airtight contain a great number of pollutants and chemicals, many of which can have serious health effects on our health. Warmth, moisture and lack of ventilation also make it easier for bacteria and viruses to breed easily and spread indoor.

Central heating, pets, open fires, chemicals found in household cleaning agents like soap and detergents, the fumes generated by cooking, perfumes and dust. All these contributed to indoor pollution.

Moisture in airtight home encourages the proliferation of irritant mold and fungal spores as well as house-dust mites that trigger asthma attacks and breathing difficulties associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Good ventilation will create way for gaseous exchange and improve indoor air quality and prevents respiratory allergies. Getting rid of airborne allergens and improving indoor air can prevent respiratory allergies.
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How to manage asthma

Asthma is a respiratory condition marked by attacks of spasm in the bronchi of the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing.

Treatment of asthma starts with the
controlling the symptoms, normalizing the lungs function and adjusting medication in response to changes.

Bronchodilator is used for treatment of chronic asthma. Acute exacerbations in people with mild persistent, moderate persistent, and severe persistent asthma.

A bronchodilator is a substance that dilates the bronchi and bronchioles, decreasing resistance in the respiratory airway and increasing airflow to the lungs.

Inhaler is recommended for all asthma patients, patients with more constant asthma should use asthma maintenance medications.

Effective treatment for asthma must involve a physical and breathing examination, spirometry testing should be repeated every year if the patient did not get better.

Chest imaging is recommended if the patient has a smoking history, chemical exposure, lungs disease and lungs cancer.

Asthma control medication
For mild intermittent asthma- Cromolyn sodium, nedocromil, low-dose inhaled corticosteroid and leukotriene modifier are used.

Moderate persistent asthma medium dose inhaled corticosteroid alone with cromolyn sodium or nedocromil, leukotriene modifier and long-acting bronchodilator.

Severe persistent asthma - High-dose inhaled corticosteroids, oral corticosteroids; high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus leukotriene modifier, plus long-acting bronchodilator, plus leukotriene modifier, plus long-acting bronchodilator.
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Asthmatic children may develop heart failure

Asthma makes the left ventricle of the heart to become thick which can cause the heart muscle to lose elasticity and fail to pump blood.

Researchers examined patients with heart disease and analyzed their asthma history. After a 10 year follow-up, those with asthma had a higher left ventricular mass compared to those without asthma.

Researchers discovered that the risk of heart failure was stronger in patients with high and raised blood pressure.
Because the left side of the heart has to work harder to pump blood round the body.

The left side of the heart becomes enlarged when blood pressure is too high or when you have a health condition that causes the heart to work harder.

 High blood pressure and an enlarged left side of the heart increase the risk of a heart attack than normal-sized heart.
Change of lifestyle and medical treatment can reduce risk of cardiovascular disease in asthmatic patients.

Asthmatic children may have heart problems later in life. Thickening of the
heart's left ventricles can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, and may lead to heart failure.

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Taking vitamin D in pregnancy protect babies from asthma

Taking vitamin D supplements in pregnancy strengthens babies' immune systems, which may lower their risk of developing asthma, new research reveals.

The unborn babies of expectant mothers who take more than the recommended daily vitamin D dose for pregnant women respond better when exposed to simulated pathogens.

Researchers from King's College London analysed the impact of taking a 4,400 IU vitamin D supplement every day during a woman's second and third trimester versus the recommended daily intake of 400 IU.

Study participants were randomised at 10 to 18 weeks of pregnancy to receive either high or low dose vitamin D.

The researchers then took umbilical cord blood samples from 51 pregnant women to assess the responsiveness of newborns' immune systems when exposed to simulated pathogens.

Results show that blood samples of babies born to mothers taking the higher vitamin D dose, had a greater immune response.





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Diesel pollution can damage your heart

Diesel fumes alter the structure of the heart and increases risk of cardiovascular diseases.

They found those who lived in areas of high diesel air pollution were more likely to have an enlarged chamber on the left side of their heart.

If this left ventricle becomes too big the heart loses pressure and power.
This means it cannot pump as much blood, raising the risk of heart attack, heart failure and death.

Experts are aware of the impact of diesel fumes on human health, including the risk of asthma, dementia and cancer.

Air pollution can damage children's DNA

Children exposed to high levels of traffic-related air pollution have evidence of a specific type of DNA damage called telomere shortening.

Young people with asthma also have evidence of telomere shortening, according to the preliminary research by John R. Balmes, MD, of University of California, Berkeley, and colleagues.

The results suggest that telomere length may have potential for use as a biomarker of DNA damage due to environmental exposures and chronic inflammation.

The study included 14 children and adolescents living in Fresno, California -- the second-most polluted city in the United States. The researchers assessed the relationship between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a "ubiquitous" air pollutant caused by motor vehicle exhaust; and shortening of telomeres, a type of DNA damage typically associated with aging.

As the exposure to PAHs increased, telomere length decreased, children with asthma were exposed to higher PAH levels than those without asthma.
The relationship between PAH level and telomere shortening remained significant after adjustment for asthma and other factors.

 Research suggested that children may have different telomere shortening regulation than adults, which might make them more vulnerable to the damaging effects of air pollution.

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How to treat disease with exercise

Regular exercise can prevent many health problems, and prevents diseases like diabetes, asthma and arthritis.

Exercise improves endurance, builds muscle, burns fat, and increases flexibility.

Diabetes
Diabetic who exercise regularly build muscle, making them less likely to store extra glucose as fat. It also lowers glucose in the blood and improves insulin sensitivity.

Asthma
It strengthen lungs and prevents regular attack.

Arthritis
Exercise reduces pain related to arthritis.