ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Asthma is a common respiratory disease worldwide. However, few reports are available on the prevalences of asthma and asthma symptoms among Asian subjects. METHODS: To determine the prevalences of asthma and asthma symptoms among Japanese subjects, we performed a nationwide cross-sectional, population-based study on Japanese adults aged 20-79 years. Ten areas spread throughout the country were randomly selected. Door-to-door or postal surveys were performed using a translated version of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey questionnaire. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 23,483 participants. The overall response rate was 70.6%. The prevalences of wheeze and current asthma among all participants aged 20-79 years were 10.1% (95% CI: 9.7-10.5%) and 4.2% (95% CI: 4.0-4.5%), respectively. The prevalences among young adults aged 20-44 years were 9.3% (95% CI: 8.7-9.9%) and 5.3% (95% CI: 4.8-5.8%), respectively. The prevalence of current asthma was highest in females aged 30-39 years in comparison with the other gender and age groups. CONCLUSIONS: This nationwide study determined the prevalences of asthma and asthma symptoms among Japanese adults. The results provide fundamental information on the respiratory health of Japanese adults.
Subject(s)
Asthma/epidemiology , Adult , Aged , Asthma/physiopathology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Japan/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Respiratory Sounds/physiopathology , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
In order to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, we set up an experiment of twenty four C57BL/6J male mice segregated into 3 groups: normal diet (ND), omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA,) and omega 6 (n-6 PUFA). At the end of the experiment that lasted for 1 month, food consumption of ND and n-3 PUFA were similar while it decreased in n-6 PUFA group. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, and phospholipids profiles were increased in n-6 PUFA. LDL decreased in n-3 PUFA while increased in n-6 PUFA fed mice comparing to control group. On the other hand, there was no difference between treatments in HDL and glucose levels. Expression of leptin (ob) gene transcripts in epididymal fat were significantly elevated in n-6 PUFA mice compared to ND and n-3 PUFA groups while hypothalamic ob receptor A (obRa) mRNA did not changed in response to diet regimes. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy showed different degrees in fatty changes in the liver of both PUFA groups including lipid droplet infiltration and Ito cells with over accumulated lipids. In conclusion, under PUFA dietary supplementation, the hyperlipidemic status and elevated ob expression of n-6 PUFA but not n-3 PUFA fed mice suggests altered lipid metabolism between PUFA groups and/or different endocrine involvement. Moreover, the coincidently structural changes observed in liver of this group direct us to call for further studies to investigate the anti-obesity effect and safety of these PUFA under high supplementation condition.
Subject(s)
Arachidonic Acid/administration & dosage , Dietary Fats, Unsaturated/administration & dosage , Docosahexaenoic Acids/administration & dosage , Eicosapentaenoic Acid/administration & dosage , Fatty Acids, Unsaturated/metabolism , Lipid Metabolism/physiology , Animals , Arachidonic Acid/metabolism , Blood/metabolism , Body Weight , Diet , Dietary Supplements , Docosahexaenoic Acids/metabolism , Eating , Eicosapentaenoic Acid/metabolism , Fatty Acids, Omega-6/administration & dosage , Fatty Acids, Omega-6/metabolism , Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases/metabolism , Leptin/metabolism , Liver/ultrastructure , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Random Allocation , Receptors, Leptin/metabolismABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of Budesonide Inhalation Suspension (BIS) nebulazation by mesh nebulizer in children ages 6 months to 4 years with moderate to severe persistent asthma. METHOD: This 12-week, randomized, open study involved 30 asthmatic children. They were randomized 3 different nebulizer groups, Pari TurboBoy +LC Plus nebulizer, Pari eMotion and Omron MicroAir NE-22U. BIS administered 0.25 mg once daily (qd). Efficacy was assessed by daily card. Safety was assessed by adverse event, plasma cortisol and growth. RESULT: Baseline concentrations of plasma cortisol were significantly high in the group of Omron MicroAir NE-22U compared to other group. Plasma cortisol were decreased significantly at 4 weeks in Omron MicroAir NE-22U compared with baseline, but those in no subjects decreased under normal range. Asthma symptoms were improved significantly from baseline to 12-week. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrate that usage of mesh nebulizer in BIS 0.25 mg qd is effective and safe in young asthmatic children.