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Allergy & Clinical Immunology MedPulse®

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MedPulse is a weekly index of key news and features on Medscape's specialty sites compiled by Medscape's Editors.

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FROM THE EDITOR

Happy Holidays!

Al Saint Jacques

Editor, Medscape Allergy Clinical Immunology

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:NEWSMEMBER NEWSUSER SUPPORT

NEW FEATURES THIS WEEK

CONFERENCE COVERAGE

13th Annual Congress of the European Respiratory Society (ERS)

The latest clinical information on asthma, COPD, and IPF from the ERS.Medscape Pulmonary Medicine

CLINICAL UPDATE

Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis and Its Comorbidities

Treatment of allergic rhinitis, the sixth leading chronic disease in the United States.Medscape Allergy and Clinical Immunology

CME CIRCLE

Selecting Appropriate IGIV Therapy

Human intravenous immunoglobulin (IGIV) can vary widely in how it is manufactured and those variations may affect clinical utility. Learn more about variations in production of IGIVs.

ASK THE EXPERTS

Ask the Experts on Treatment in End-Stage COPD

In an end-stage COPD patient who is dyspneic at rest, is it justified to use inhaled beta2 agonists and inhaled ipratropium at regular intervals, such as every 4 hours? If so, for how long?Medscape Pulmonary Medicine 5(2) 2003

Ask the Experts on Inhaled Steroids in Steroid-Resistant Asthma

Are inhaled steroids still indicated in cases of proven steroid-resistant asthma?Medscape Pulmonary Medicine 5(2) 2003

JOURNAL SCAN

Allergy & Clinical Immunology Journal Scan, November 2003

Review of articles on airway responsiveness in asthma, fluticasone reducing urinary LTE4 levels in nocturnal asthma, assessment of ED asthma treatment, and causative factors leading to asthma severityMedscape Allergy & Clinical Immunology 3(2) 2003

Pulmonary Medicine Journal Scan, November 2003

Review of articles on use of oxygen in exercise training in nonhypoxemic COPD patients, anabolic steroids in the rehab of COPD patients, assessing smoking in asthma and COPD, and near-fatal asthmaMedscape Pulmonary Medicine 7(2) 2003

JOURNAL ARTICLES

Research and Practice

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) contains over 4000 compounds, including several carcinogens, irritants, and toxic agents.Am J Public Health 93(12) 2003

NEWS

Allergen Exposure Does Not Aggravate Response to Rhinovirus Infection in Asthmatics

Among patients with mild asthma, priming the airways with repeated low-dose allergen exposure prior to rhinovirus (RV) infection is not associated with an aggravated response with regard to airway obstruction and airway inflammation, according to a study published in the November 15th issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.Reuters Health Information 2003

Interferon Markedly Improves Lung Function in Steroid-Resistant Asthmatics

Treatment with interferon-alpha is associated with dramatic clinical benefits in patients with corticosteroid-resistant asthma, new research shows. Moreover, these benefits occur even in patients who have progressed to Churg-Strauss syndrome.Reuters Health Information 2003

Beta-2-Adrenergic Receptor Gene Polymorphisms Affect Asthma Phenotype

Spirometric values and bronchodilator responsiveness in patients with asthma appear to be linked to different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the beta-2-adrenergic receptor (B2AR) gene, investigators in Boston report.Reuters Health Information 2003

Repeat BCG Vaccination Improves Lung Function in Asthmatics

A second annual Bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccination (BCG) shifts the immune system from a pathologic Th2 response into a protective Th1 response in patients with asthma, Korean investigators report. This shift results in improved lung function.Reuters Health Information 2003

MEMBER NEWS

COMPREHENSIVE, PRINTABLE DRUG INFORMATION

Medscape DrugInfo provides clinical information on drug indications, adverse effects, interactions, and other cautionary guidance, as well as handouts for your patients. Click DrugInfo from the top of any page, or search by drug name.

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