Medical Bulletin 11/November/2022

The World Health Organization's most recent estimates (2016) are that over 4.2 million people die prematurely each year due to long-term exposure to fine particulate outdoor air pollution (often referred to as PM2.5,).

Reference:

Scott Weichenthal et al, How low can you go? Air pollution affects mortality at very low levels,Science Advances, DOI10.1126/sciadv.abo3381

Sexual activity maybe an asthma trigger: Study

A new study being presented at this year's American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Louisville, KY, shows that sex can be an undiagnosed trigger for asthma exacerbations.

When people with asthma wonder what forms of exercise might cause an asthma flare, they may not take sexual relations into account.

"We wanted to investigate whether case studies on asthma exacerbations mentioned sexual activity as a possible cause," said Ariel Leung, MD, an ACAAI member and lead author of the study. "Many people don't realize that the energy expenditure of sexual activity is about equivalent to walking up two flights of stairs. Reported cases are infrequent, possibly because those suffering an asthma flare may not realize the trigger."

Reference:

A.M. Aminian,How Allergists are Saving Marriages: A Review on Sexual Intercourse Presenting as Exercise-Induced Asthma, Annals of Allergy Asthma & Immunology

Highly elevated levels of allergens on smartphones: Research

A new study being presented at this year's American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Louisville, KY, showed elevated levels of cat and dog allergens, as well as β-D glucans (BDG) and endotoxin on simulated phone models.

According to the 2018 U.S. Census, smart phones are present in 85% of American households. They are reportedly viewed 14 million times a day, making them potential receptacles for environmental hazards such as allergens.

"Smartphones showed elevated and variable levels of BDG and endotoxin, and cat and dog allergens were found on smartphones of pet owners" says Hana Ruran, lead author on the study. "BDGs are found in fungal cell walls and have been found in many environments and surfaces causing chronic airway and irritant symptoms - making BDGs a consistent marker to study problematic mold. Endotoxin is a potent inflammatory agent and a marker of exposure to Gram negative bacteria."

Reference:

Hana Ruran et al,Innovative Compounds to Reduce β-D glucans, Endotoxin, and Allergens Newly Discovered on Smartphones ,Annals of Allergy Asthma & Immunology

Possible key to future treatment of lethal childhood cancer

Researchers, in a McMaster University-led study, discovered that by blocking the production of an enzyme called DHODH, they were able to halt the growth of MYC gene-amplified medulloblastoma in mouse models, the most aggressive subtype of this cancer.

An enzyme that drives the growth of an often-lethal childhood brain cancer may hold the key to a future treatment, the study said.

Common medulloblastoma symptoms include gait and balance difficulties, nausea, headaches and swelling of the head.

By the time children are diagnosed, the cancer has often spread throughout the brain and into their spinal fluid, especially if it is the MYC-amplified subtype.

Reference:

William Gwynne et al, Cancer-selective metabolic vulnerabilities in MYC-amplified medulloblastoma, Cancer Cell, DOI 10.1016/j.ccell.2022.10.009