Treatment of cystic fibrosis has advanced to target the early pathophysiologic changes associated with the disease. The current article summarizes the state of the art for cystic fibrosis therapy. Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine
The FDA has approved ciclesonide inhalation aerosol (Alvesco) and a new indication for natalizumab intravenous infusion (Tysabri). Medscape Medical News
This article looks at the assessment of asthma severity and control, with special emphasis on long-term asthma management in urban asthmatics. Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine
In a pilot study of patients with severe treatment-refractory atopic eczema, depletion of B cells by monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody therapy (rituximab) led to "an impressive improvement" in atopic eczema symptoms, reduced skin inflammation and normalization of skin architecture, clinicians from Switzerland found. Reuters Health Information
Daniel Z. Sands, MD, MPH, Senior Medical Informatics Director, Cisco, and Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, updates the status of online healthcare. The Medscape Journal of Medicine
Claudius Conrad, MD, PhD, Senior Surgical Resident, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Department Boston, MA, describes a surprising relationship between music and medicine. The Medscape Journal of Medicine
Airborne antigens transferred to neonatal mice by breast milk can induce tolerance and prevent the development of antigen-specific allergic asthma, a French research team reports in the January 27 Advance Online Publication of Nature Medicine. Reuters Health Information