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High CO2 concentration in inhaled air has been shown to negatively impact work performance and increase acute health symptoms. As respiratory CO2 is constantly exhaled, it may not dissipate in surrounding air in absence of adequate air movement and is instead re-inhaled into the airways (breathing in a CO2-rich bubble). In this study, we explored the impacts of context-dependent factors such as office activities, desk settings, and personal differences on the inhalation zone CO2 concentration and on concentrations at a below-neck wearable sensor. While all factors were found to significantly impact measurements at both measuring points, desk settings (empty desk, desk with a fan, desk with laptop, desk with monitor) was found to be the most dominant factor. Presence of a small portable desk fan was found to significantly reduce the CO2 concentration. On average, we observed a 177 ppm reduction in CO2 concentration when using a fan, which is 25 ppm higher than the background CO2 measurement (650 ppm). Among 41 test subjects, we found distinct relationships between the inhalation zone CO2 concentration and the wearable sensor measurements and, by applying a hierarchical clustering algorithm, we found 4 clusters of relationships. While below-neck wearable sensors could be used as an exact measure of inhalation of CO2 concentration for 29% of the subjects, we identified a boundary point (917 ppm) separating high and low inhalation zone CO2 concentration measurements.

Chronic rhinosinusitis is divided into two groups, which are Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and without nasal polyps (CRSsNP). The rate of post-surgical recurrence in the CRSwNP is high, and predicting factors are unknown. This study aims to identify and evaluate risk factors associated with treatment-resistant and recurrent CRSwNP. This cross-sectional study evaluates demographic data and atopic risk factors in patients with CRSwNP, including a high IgE level (≥100 U/mL), skin prick test (SPT) for aeroallergens, aspirinexacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), and asthma prevalence. An oral aspirin challenge was performed to diagnose AERD. 191 patients with CRSwNP were enrolled, with 73 patients in the recurrent, and 118 patients in the non-recurrent group. The mean age of the patients in the recurrent group was 45.08±12.05. The mean age of the patients in the non-recurrent group was 42.89±11.73. 49. Asthma prevalence in recurrent- CRSwNP is significantly higher than non-recurrent CRSwNP Asthma severity in recurrent CRSwNP and AERD patients was significantly higher than in nonrecurrent CRSwNP and non-AERD patients. The level of IgE in the recurrent- CRSwNP is higher than non-recurrent CRSwNP. Positive SPT results for tree, weed, and mite allergens were higher in the non-recurrent- CRSwNP group compared to the recurrent CRSwNPgroup. Asthma had a significantly higher difference in AERD compared to non-AERD. The level of IgE in AERD is higher than non-AERD. Recurrent CRSwNP patients and AERD patients had Higher IgE levels. Asthma is more prevalent and more severe in both AERD and recurrent CRSwNP. However, a positive SPT result has been seen higher in non-recurrent CRSwNP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory pulmonary disease which affects 10%–20% of children and adolescents. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is one of its most effective therapies. The effect of systemic corticosteroids on decreasing bone mineral density (BMD) was investigated and proved in children; however, the influence of ICSs on bone density has still remained unclear. This study evaluates the bone mineral density of children and adolescents with asthma in southern Iran and the associated factors, for example, amount of used inhaled steroid. Method: This case‐control study enrolled 41 children and adolescents (aged 8–18 years) with asthma and their age and gender‐matched controls in 2019–2020. Serum Calcium, phosphate, vitamin D, and bone mineral density were measured. Their physical activity, sun exposure, and fracture history were evaluated subjectively. Results: Lumbar BMD and BMD Z‐score in patients showed no significant difference with controls (p = 0.23, p = 0.73). Also, it showed that there was no significant difference in biochemical studies, growth, and bone densitometry parameters between patients who used ICSs for less than 3 months/year corticosteroid therapy compared to those with equal or more than 3 months/year usage. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 28% and 8% in the controls and patients, respectively (p = 0.005). Conclusion: The present study showed that 9.46% of children and adolescents with asthma had low bone mass for chronological age, and it is not significantly higher than normal population. Dosage of inhaled steroid did not associate with osteoporosis in these patients. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients was lower than normal population, probably due to receiving vitamin D in their routine follow‐ups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bronchiectasis is a clinical syndrome characterized by chronic cough, sputum production, recurrent respiratory infections, and permanent bronchial dilation. The association between the level of alpha- 1 antitrypsin (AAT) and bronchiectasis is controversial. In this study, we aimed to investigate this association in children with idiopathic bronchiectasis. The study was conducted on 20 patients with idiopathic bronchiectasis as the case group (mean age 15.9±2.1) and 20 healthy individuals as the control group (mean age 14.9±2.6). Serum AAT level was measured using nephelometric analysis (g/L). Other criteria including sex, parent consanguinity, number of hospitalizations, age of the first symptom were evaluated in both groups related to AAT level. The mean serum level of AAT in the case and control groups were 1.3±0.29; 1.5±0.59, respectively, with statistical significance (P=0.001). There was a significant difference between the two groups in the AAT level distribution, according to AAT normal range (P=0.01). The case group had a more positive attitude toward consanguinity than the control group (66.7% versus 33.3%; P<0.001). The results showed that 80% of patients had the first symptom of disease under one year of age, 6.6% 1-5 years, 6.6% 5- 10 years, and 6.6% in more than ten years old. In the case group, 53.3% had a history of medical hospitalization for one time, 26.7% two times, while 20% of the patients had no medical hospitalization. Decreased AAT serum level and high consanguinity rates may be considered as two risk factors for idiopathic bronchiectasis occurrence in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ataxia-telangiectasia is a multi-system disorder in which neurologic impairment and immune deficiency are observed. In the present study, patients with ataxia-telangiectasia were followed to provide information regarding clinical and immunological features. Methods: We report a case series of 18 patients diagnosed with ataxia-telangiectasia, who were referred to a tertiary center of clinical immunology from 2008-2018. Clinical presentations, medical records and lab data were observed during this period with a mean follow-up time of 4.57 ± 2.66 years. Results: The mean age of the patients was 10.92 ± 3.24 years (11 females and 7 males). Thirteen patients (72.22%) were from families with consanguinity. Ataxia was the most common clinical feature, observed in 18 (100%) patients. The predominant clinical presentations were tremor and oculocutaneous telangiectasia, observed in 14 (77.8%) patients; dysarthria and oculomotor apraxia, observed in 13 (72.2%) patients. Infections were recorded in 12 (70.6%) patients. Decreased IgG level and IgA levels were observed in 5 (33.3%) and 6 (40.0%) patients, respectively. Decreased B-cell number and T-cell number were noted in 7 (46.67%) and 11 (73.33%) patients, respectively. Three (16.7%) patients were diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and two of them expired subsequently. Conclusion: Ataxia-telangiectasia is a progressive disease with no established therapy; so, it necessitates early diagnosis and follow-up of the patients. The presented clinical and immunological data in this study may help with diagnosis and management of the disease complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]