Serum Levels of Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin: A Biomarker for Asthma Severity in Adult Asthmatics

PURPOSE: Eosinophilic inflammation is a key component of severe asthma (SA). However, there has been no reliable serum biomarker for the eosinophilic inflammation of SA. We hypothesized that serum eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) could predict the eosinophilic inflammation of SA in adult asthmatics. METHODS: Severe asthmatics (n = 235), nonsevere asthmatics (n = 898), and healthy controls (n = 125) were enrolled from Ajou University Hospital, South Korea. The serum levels of EDN and periostin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared between severe and nonsevere asthmatics. Their associations with total eosinophil count (TEC) and clinical parameters were evaluated; clinical validation of the K-EDN kit for the measurement of serum EDN was evaluated. RESULTS: Severe asthmatics were older and had longer disease duration with significantly lower levels of forced expiratory volume in 1 second and methacholine PC20 than nonsevere asthmatics. Significant differences were found in TEC or sputum eosinophil count (%) between the groups. The serum levels of EDN and periostin were significantly higher in severe asthmatics than in nonsevere asthmatics and in healthy controls (all P < 0.05). Although significant correlations were found between serum EDN levels measured by the 2 kits (ρ = 0.545, P < 0.0001), higher correlation coefficients between serum EDN levels measured by the K-EDN kit and TEC were higher (ρ = 0.358, P < 0.0001) than those between serum EDN levels measured by the MBL kit and TEC (ρ = 0.319, P < 0.0001) or serum periostin level (ρ = 0.222, P < 0.0001). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that serum EDN levels measured by the K-EDN kit predicted the phenotype of SA (P = 0.003), while 2 other biomarkers did not. CONCLUSIONS: The serum EDN level may be a useful biomarker for assessing asthma severity in adult asthmatics.

Comparison of nasal cytokine profiles of human metapneumovirus and respiratory syncytial virus

BACKGROUND: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) share some epidemiological and clinical characteristics; however, few studies have examined the mechanisms by which these viruses induce airway inflammation. OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to compare cytokine profiles in hMPV and RSV patients to investigate possible differences in inflammatory pathways. METHODS: Nasopharyngeal aspirate specimens were collected from 1,008 pediatric patients hospitalized for acute lower respiratory tract infection with wheezing and 20 normal healthy controls. Patients were tested for 7 common respiratory viruses then divided into hMPV (n = 35) and RSV groups (n = 67). T helper (Th) 1 (interferon [IFN]-γ), Th2 (interleukin [IL]-4, eotaxin) and Th17 (IL-1β, IL-6) cytokine profiles were analyzed in the 3 groups. RESULTS: IFN-γ and IL-2 levels were significantly increased in the hMPV and RSV groups compared to the control group (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively). IL-4 levels were significantly higher in the RSV group compared to the hMPV and control groups (p = 0.0003 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Eotaxin levels showed a tendency to be higher in the RSV group compared to the hMPV group (p = 0.0580), and significantly higher compared to the control group (p < 0.0001). IL-1β levels were significantly higher in the hMPV compared to the RSV group (p < 0.0001), and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the hMPV group compared to the control group (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that hMPV and RSV have different inflammatory mechanisms. hMPV induces airway inflammation by the Th17 pathway through release of IL-1β and IL-6, whereas RSV acts through the Th2 pathway.

A Preliminary Study of Computerized Cognitive Ability Enhancement Program Using Smart-Toy for Children

OBJECTIVES: This study was to examine the effectiveness of computerized cognitive ability enhancement program (CCAEP) using Smart-toy. The CCAEP using Smart-toy which can interact with children via bluetooth is a kids-friendly and convenient method for improving children's cognitive abilities by increasing their motivation for performing the program. We developed the CCAEP which designed to train auditory-verbal memory, visual-spatial memory, auditory-verbal working memory, and visual-spatial working memory. METHODS: Eighteen children aged 8 to 10 participated in CCAEP individual training composed of 8 sessions of 40 minutes each for 4 weeks. The effect of the training was measured with Smart Toyweb's cognitive assessment tasks (smart device based assessment) as well as traditional neuropsychological tests before and after the training. RESULTS: Children showed significant improvement in auditory-verbal memory, visual-spatial memory, auditory-verbal working memory and visual-spatial working memory abilities after the training. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated promising results suggesting the effectiveness of CCAEP using Smart-Toy in clinical settings as well as school and home situations. Further controlled study with larger sample size including various clinical groups is needed to confirm the present results.

Dietary Habits and Taste Preferences of the Korean Americans According to Self Body Image Perception and Length of Residence in US

BACKGROUND: Weight overestimation of Korean Americans may be associated with dietary habits and preferences for foods and tastes. METHODS: The subjects were 100 Korean Americans in New York City and LA and 100 Koreans in Seoul, who were 20-29 years old. Self-reported questionnaire consisted of age, height, weight, length of residence in US, preferences for 10 foods and 5 tastes, dietary habits and perception of self body image. Korean Americans were further divided into 3 groups according to length of residence in US. RESULTS: More Korean American women underestimated (27.3% vs. 5.8%), and less overestimated their body weights, than Korean women (31.8% vs. 53.8%, P=0.008). Korean Americans who overestimated their own body weights had significantly higher preference for salty taste and significantly lower dietary habit score regarding regular meals. CONCLUSIONS: Overestimation of self body size, rather than longer residence in US may be associated with the undesirable dietary habit and taste preference of Korean Americans, highlighting the importance of correct body image.