Association between Childhood Atopic Disease and Parental Atopic Disease in a Population with High Consanguinity

The aim of the study was to investigate the association between asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema in Qatari schoolchildren with allergic conditions in their parents. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 3500 Qatari schoolchildren aged 6–14 years in period: February, 2003–February, 2004. A questionnaire was used to collect the clinical history of asthma and allergic rhinitis in their parents and siblings. It was found that 21.6% of asthmatic children had mothers with asthma and 18.2% fathers with asthma. This contrasted with 6.8% of non-asthmatic children who had fathers with asthma and 9.4% mothers with asthma. As for allergic rhinitis, 26.5% of asthmatic children had mothers with allergic rhinitis and 25.3% fathers with allergic rhinitis. The frequency of either parent of the asthmatic children having allergic rhinitis was 41.8% and for both parents was 10.0%. The frequency of siblings having asthma was 36.6%, allergic rhinitis 16.4%, and eczema 29.1%. The present study revealed a strong association between respiratory allergies and eczema in parents, and their asthmatic children

The Cystic Fibrosis Airway Microbiome and Pathogens

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder resulting from genetic defects in the gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. CFTR dysfunction in patients with CF leads to a number of pleiotropic manifestations with the prime pathology being mucus plugging in the airways and paranasal sinuses. Patients with CF are prone to polymicrobial infections and the airway microbiome in such patients changes continuously and evolves over time. The composition of the airway microbiome in CF patients is dependent on a number of factors including geographic variation, type of genetic mutation (e.g., ΔF508), antibiotic exposures, and chronic infection with certain pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Proteomic and genomic approaches to understanding the microbiome of patients with CF have provided new insights into the pathogenesis of this disease. High‐throughput pyrosequencing, Sanger sequencing, and phylogenetic microarray analysis have enabled the recognition of multiple lineages and clonal populations of a single bacterial species within the same patient. This provides a unique opportunity to explore novel therapeutic approaches to this disease (for instance, use of probiotics and environmental manipulation) and potentially translate them into bedside clinical interventions

Prospective Cohort Studies in Medical Research

Cohort studies are the analytical design of observational studies that are epidemiologically used to identify and quantify the relationship between exposure and outcome. Due to the longitudinal design, cohort studies have several advantages over other types of observational studies. The purpose of this chapter is to cover the various characteristics of prospective cohort studies. This chapter is divided into three main sections. In the first we introduce the concept and ranking of cohort studies, as well as the advantages and disadvantages. In the second we focus on the design of cohort studies, mainly its prospective aspect, and the distinguishing features from the retrospective type. The section also covers the essential characteristics of a cohort study design and its varied applications in medical research. In the third we go over examples of prospective studies in the medical field. For each, an overview of the study design is given, along with a random selection of study findings/impact, strengths and weaknesses

Corticosteroids and Their Use in Respiratory Disorders

Corticosteroids are adrenal hormones that play important physiologic roles including modulation of glucose metabolism, protein catabolism, alteration of calcium metabolism, regulation of bone turnover, suppression of immune system, and down-regulation of the inflammatory cascade. Because of their diverse effects, corticosteroids have been used therapeutically for treating a wide variety of auto-immune, rheumatologic, inflammatory, neoplastic and infectious diseases. In the field of pulmonology, corticosteroids have been used for the treatment of reactive airway diseases (such as asthma and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sarcoidosis, collagen vascular diseases (such as vasculitic disorders), eosinophilic pneumonitis, idiopathic interstitial pneumonias and infectious disorders (such as laryngotracheobronchitis). Different formulations of corticosteroids are commercially available including tablets, intravenous injections, intramuscular formulations and inhaled preparations. Long-term use of corticosteroids is often limited by their adverse effects, which include abnormal fat deposition, weight gain, diabetes mellitus, cataracts, glaucoma, osteoporosis, osteonecrosis, elevated risk of fractures, increased susceptibility to infections, proximal myopathy, depression, psychosis, adrenal atrophy with risk of Addisonian crisis, abdominal striae, acne vulgaris, delayed wound healing, easy bruising, electrolyte abnormalities and increased risk of peptic ulcer disease. As our understanding of corticosteroids advances, we may be able to identify individuals at higher risk of experiencing adverse effects

The Effect of Using Applied Mathematics Lessons On 7th Grade Students’ Attitudes Towards Mathematics

This study aims to explore the effect of using applied mathematics lessons on 7th grade students’ attitudes towards mathematics in Qatari preparatory governmental schools. It investigates the change in students’ attitudes after being exposed to a series of applied math media content, customized based on the students’ environment. A quantitative research design approach was used by implementing an attitude towards mathematics measurement inventory (ATMI) before and after experiment for an experimental group and controlled group. The ATMI covers four dimensions which represent different aspects of the attitude. Eighty eight participants responded to the assessment surveys and provided their responses to the forty items in the questionnaire. The results showed a significant difference between the experimental group and the controlled group data in the dimensions of value and motivation. However, the analysis didn’t provide evidence of a significant change in participants’ enjoyment and confidence. This can be a result of the limited time of the experiment and the short duration of the media content compared to the length of the math classes. Therefore, a list of further investigation areas were provided, such as studying the proper media duration and the type of content that links mathematics more to daily life experiences

Asthma and obesity in the Middle East region: An overview

This paper aims to cover the current status of asthma and obesity in the Middle East, as well as to introduce the various studies tying the two diseases; further expanding on the proposed mechanisms. Finally, the paper covers recent literature related to sphingolipids and its role in asthma, followed by recommendations and future directions. In preparation of this paper, we searched PubMed and Google Scholar, with no restrictions, using the following terms; asthma, obesity, Middle East, sphingolipids. We also used the reference list of retrieved articles to further expand on the pool of articles that were used for this review

Pet ownership and associated respiratory diseases

Background Studies have shown that pets are very important sensitizing agents in patients with asthma. Respiratory disorders and allergic diseases are common in the State of Qatar

Bronchogenic Cyst as an Unusual Cause of a Persistent Cough and Wheeze in Children: A Case Report and Literature Review

Wheezing and cough are common case scenarios that pediatricians encountered in their office practices. Although a bronchogenic cyst is an uncommon condition, it is essential to be considered in the differential diagnosis of a chronic cough and wheezing among young children who fail to respond to appropriate medical treatment. A 28-month-old girl was referred to our pediatric pulmonology clinic with persistent symptoms of a cough and wheeze unresponsive to standard asthma therapy. This presentation prompted us to undertake a detailed diagnostic evaluation. The evaluation exposed a cystic mass in the middle mediastinum compressing the trachea and left main bronchus. The cyst was excised and confirmed pathologically to be a benign bronchogenic cyst. Subsequently, the patient recovered well and had been free of respiratory symptoms during follow-up visits. This report highlights one of the rare causes of wheezing and cough in young children and emphasizes the importance of considering it in the differential diagnosis of a child presenting with refractory asthma-like symptoms. This is important for early diagnosis and management and to avoid unpredictable complications of this treatable condition

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in patients with cystic fibrosis

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a pulmonary disorder that often occurs in patients with asthma or cystic fibrosis (CF) and is characterized by a hypersensitivity response to the allergens of the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. In patients with CF, growth of A. fumigatus hyphae within the bronchial lumen triggers an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated hypersensitivity response that results in airway inflammation, bronchospasm, and bronchiectasis. In most published studies, the prevalence of ABPA is about 8.9% in patients with CF. Since the clinical features of this condition overlap significantly with that of CF, ABPA is challenging to diagnose and remains underdiagnosed in many patients. Diagnosis of ABPA in CF patients should be sought in those with evidence of clinical and radiologic deterioration that is not attributable to another etiology, a markedly elevated total serum IgE level (while off steroid therapy) and evidence of A. fumigatus sensitization. Management of ABPA involves the use of systemic steroids to reduce inflammation and modulate the immune response. In patients who do not respond to steroids or cannot tolerate them, antifungal agents should be used to reduce the burden of A. fumigatus allergens. Recent studies suggest that omalizumab may be an effective option to reduce the frequency of ABPA exacerbations in patients with CF. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to better establish the efficacy of omalizumab in managing patients with CF and ABPA