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The author reflects on a global fight for cleaner air as of 2016, and it mentions the air pollution in places such as London, England, New Dehli, India, and Beijing, China, as well as the World Health Organization's estimate that nine out of 10 people live in areas with excessive air pollution. The health issues that are associated with exposure to air pollutants are examined, including asthma, lung disease, and death. Emissions-reduction programs in the U.S. and Mexico are assessed.

The article discusses health aspects of exposure to dirt and hygiene, particularly examining the idea that exposure to dirt in children leads to lower rates of diseases such as Type 1 diabetes and asthma. It highlights a study on diabetes carried out by Finnish physician and researcher Mikael Knip comparing tissue samples in babies and children in Petrozavodsk, in the Republic of Karelia, Russia, and Finland and Estonia. Cultural differences between countries in the study are noted. The author also explores the work of Erika von Muitius, an asthma researcher, comparing asthma rates in Munich, West Germany, and Leipzig, East Germany.

Abstract: The goal of cluster analysis is to assign observations into clusters so that observations in the same cluster are similar in some sense. Many clustering methods have been developed in the statistical literature, but these methods are inappropriate for clustering family data, which possess intrinsic familial structure. To incorporate the familial structure, we propose a form of penalized cluster analysis with a tuning parameter controlling the tradeoff between the observation dissimilarity and the familial structure. The tuning parameter is selected based on the concept of clustering stability. The effectiveness of the method is illustrated via simulations and an application to a family study of asthma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective. This study aimed to explore the association between asthma and atopy in a cohort of children living in a large urban center in Brazil. Atopy was defined by the presence of allergen-specific IgE in serum or by a positive skin prick test. Methods. In a sample of 1 445 Brazilian children, the association between the prevalence of asthma, skin prick test positivity, and allergen-specific IgE in serum was investigated. Results. The prevalence of asthma was 22.6%. The presence of serum allergen-specific IgE was frequent in asthmatics and nonasthmatics, and the prevalence of asthma increased only with levels of allergen-specific IgE ≥ 3.5 kilounits/L. The proportion of asthma attributable to atopy was estimated to be 24.5% when atopy was defined by the presence of allergen-specific IgE. With a given level of specific IgE, no association between skin test reactivity and asthma was observed. Skin prick tests were less sensitive than specific IgE for detection of atopy. Conclusions. Most asthma cases in an urban underprivileged setting in Brazil were not attributable to atopy. This observation has important implications for understanding the risk factors for the asthma epidemic in Latin America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on an initiative focusing on asthma launched by Learn360Awareness, an initiative of the company Learn360, in partnership with the company Health Nuts Media. The initiative is aimed at bringing attention to the various ways by which the effects of daily environment has on students with asthma. The Awareness program features relevant resources and additional facts on asthma from top producers and partners of Learn360.

The article discusses recognition and treatment of work-related asthma. It states that occupational asthma occurs when one is exposed to an inhaled irritant or is sensitized to an agent. It says that it is difficult to establish a relation between the workplace and asthma and distinguish whether asthma is caused by work or pre-existing and aggravated by work. It also mentions that addressing symptoms immediately is important for work-related asthma treatment and prevention.

The article focuses on the 2010 British Occupational Health Research Foundation (BOHRF) Occupational Asthma (OA) Guidance. The guidelines were undertaken in 2010 by an occupational health physician, respiratory physicians and a scientific secretary. Key recommendations in the guidelines include the responsibilities of employers and their health and safety personnel. The management of OA exposure from early identification and avoidance is examined.

The article offers the author's insights on his experience with the existence of cockroaches in his house in New Orleans, Louisiana. It mentions the risk of foodborne diseases from food contaminated by cockroaches and study conducted by epidemiologist Felicia Rabito and colleagues which shows that children hospitalized with asthma indicates high level of cockroach antibodies.

The article explores the role of gut bacteria in the health of children. The author reflects on the development of the infant's immune system and the relationship between levels of bacteria and instances of asthma, allergies, and obesity. Other topics include the impact of antibiotics on the human gut microbiome and breastfeeding.

The article discusses the establishment of a union as the best way to protect workers at the facility of the foam maker Renosol in Selma, Alabama. Topics covered include the damaging effects of toluene diisocyanate (TDI) such as workplace asthma, the facility's violations of federal health and safety laws, and the strong safety programs negotiated by the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW).

The article offers information on occupational lung diseases. Lung disease is the most common problem in occupational health after skin diseases, and they include byssinois, allergic rhinitis and asbestosis. The Health and Safety Executive estimates that occupational asthma (OA) will cost the British economy 1 billion British pounds in the next 10 years from 2010. Patients with OA experience delay in assessment and treatment of their disease because occupational health professionals find the detection and classification of OA difficult.

The article presents a case study of a 7-year old boy who developed episodic asthma attack with loss of consciousness during treatment with timolol for acute sinusitis.

The article reports 4 o'clock in the morning as the possible time for asthma attacks since lung functioning is at its weakest and mentions winter air and cold as possible triggers for asthma attacks.