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Study: Light and sound alarms improve inhaler use
Asthma patients are more likely to use their corticosteroid inhalers according to doctors’ orders if the inhalers are fitted with alarms that beep and change colors to remind them it’s time to take their medicine, according to a study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Scientists at Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, Wellington, enrolled 110 subjects from 12 to 65 years old in the 24-week study. Ninety subjects completed the study: 44 using inhalers with audiovisual reminder function and 46 controls. All used Smartinhaler MDIs that contained a covert electronic monitor to document when the inhaler was used. All were told to inhale fluticasone propionate 250 g, one actuation twice daily. During the trial’s last 12 weeks, the proportion of medication taken was greater in the audiovisual reminder function group (93 percent) compared with the control group (74 percent). 

Similar increase in adult cigarette use, asthma rates in kids
The increase in adult smoking may be tied to the prevalence of asthma among children in the United States, suggests a recent study in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Scientists at Columbia University in New York City examined data about 4,500 children involved in the National Health Interview Survey, comparing it with American Lung Association data about cigarette in the United States from 1900 to 2003. They found a parallel increase in rates of cigarette use among adults and childhood asthma rates among children. 

Women with asthma have reproductive risks
similar to general population’s for most outcomes
Women with asthma don’t have increased risks for most adverse pregnancy outcomes and obstetric complications, according to study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Researchers at University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom evaluated data from 281,019 pregnancies from the Health Improvement Network database between 1988 and 2004 using logistic regression. Asthma did not significantly increase the risk of hypertension, gestational diabetes, thyroid disorders, assisted delivery, placental abruption, placental previa, pre-eclampsia, or eclampsia. However, when compared with controls, women with asthma had a higher risk of depression, hemorrhaging after delivery, hemorrhaging during delivery, cesarean section and anemia.

FDA approves once-daily antihistamine Xyzal
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved once-daily prescription antihistamine levocetirizine dihydrochloride (brand name Xyzal) for the relief of symptoms associated with seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis and uncomplicated skin manifestations of chronic idiopathic urticaria in adults and children 6 years and older, according to drug makers UCB and sanofi-aventis.

Wynonna Judd to grace the stage at ACAAI’s
Annual Fundraising Dinner: Preview video online
World-renowned vocalist and entertainer Wynonna Judd will perform at the 2007 Annual Meeting Fundraising Dinner, Sunday evening, Nov. 11, at the Gaylord Texan Resort. For a 30-second sneak peek, visit the meeting section of the ACAAI Member Web site.

Innovative, inspired, and imaginative, Wynonna touches the heart and souls of many with her powerful, soulful voice and presence. A 23-year music veteran, she has earned 20 No. 1 hits and a multitude of gold and platinum records. She won the top Female Vocalist award by the Academy of Country Music.

Wynonna is scheduled to release her seventh studio album this year. She is presently on tour across the United States and is a highly sought after performer.

Her other recent accomplishments include a solo Christmas CD in 2006, “A Classic Christmas;” hosting the fourth season of USA Network’s Nashville Star, the most watched country music program in the nation; performing at the esteemed 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway; and writing her first autobiography, Coming Home to Myself, which made The New York Times Top 10 Best Sellers list.

Prior to her first solo record deal in 1992, she shared one of the most celebrated success stories in country music history with The Judds. In just six short years, they had sold more than 20 million records worldwide and had won more than 60 industry awards, including five Grammy’s, nine Country Music Association Awards and eight Billboard Music Awards.

The fundraising event includes a reception, dinner and performance during the ACAAI Annual Meeting, Nov. 8-14, 2007. Net proceeds from the event will be donated to the ACAAI Foundation to support The Consortium on Children’s Asthma Camps, Scholars Return Programs and Young Faculty Support Awards.

The event is supported in part by grants from: Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Sepracor Inc., and Teva Specialty Pharmaceuticals.

Call for Abstracts: Deadline is July 15
The deadline to electronically submit an abstract for the 2007 ACAAI Annual Meeting in Dallas is 11:59 p.m., Sunday, July 15. Only electronic submissions will be accepted.

To submit an abstract, go to the ACAAI Web site and click on the headline "2007 Annual Meeting Abstract Submission." On-screen prompts will take you through the submission process.

If you have already begun to enter an abstract in the system — but did not actually hit the "submit" button — you must go back into the system and submit. After the abstract is submitted, you will receive an e-mail confirmation. Abstracts not officially submitted cannot be considered.

Rely on ACAAI Job Source online service for employment needs
The ACAAI Job Source offers convenient online services for posting and searching employment opportunities within the specialty.

Job seekers can access the Job Source at no cost to search employment opportunities and to post their resumes for advertised positions. An anonymous resume feature enables you to list your experience and qualifications in a protected environment.

A new Job Alert system notifies you by e-mail when a new job has been posted that matches your search criteria. Other program enhancements allow you to save searches, store jobs in an account, keep notes on job opportunities and communicate with employers using an internal messaging system. Candidates stay connected to the employment market while maintaining full control of their confidential information.
Employers can purchase ads for their available positions. When making your purchase, you have the option to pay online with a credit card or to be invoiced. Your account will allow you to post and manage job openings, search and manage job candidates and create a company profile.

The Job Source includes all categories of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology personnel, including physicians, program directors, investigators, laboratory technicians, nurses and administrators.

In Memoriam: John P. McGovern, ACAAI past president
Dr. John P. "Jack" McGovern, ACAAI past president (1968-1969), a well-respected allergist-immunologist and a noted philanthropist, died May 27 at age 85. He is survived by his wife, Kathrine.

Dr. McGovern was a John and Mary R. Markle Scholar in Medical Science at George Washington University School of Medicine and at Tulane University School of Medicine. He joined the faculty of Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas at the Texas Medical Center in Houston in 1956. He contributed to innovative patient care and teaching programs while founding the McGovern Allergy and Asthma Clinic of which he became founder emeritus in 1984. In 1961, he established the John P. McGovern Foundation and served as president and chairman.

At the time of his death, Dr. McGovern held 17 professorships at 15 universities. He was a member of many honorary and professional societies in medicine, science, and health education, and served as past president or chief elected officer of 15 organizations. Additionally, he was the author or co-author of 252 publications, including 26 books, and has been the editor, associate editor, or a member of editorial boards of more than 23 scientific journals.

His service to governmental agencies was extensive and included a four-year presidential appointment to the Board of Regents of the National Library of Medicine, which he chaired in 1973-74, and to which he remained an active consultant.

He received numerous awards and honors including: President Reagan’s Private Sector Initiative Commendation for “his lifetime of meritorious service in medicine and generous voluntary contributions of his community” in 1985; the American Medical Writers Association’s highest honor, the Harold Swanberg Distinguished Service Award in 1988; and the American Medical Association’s Board of Directors’ special Award for Meritorious Service, as well as the Surgeon General’s Medal in 1989.

Dr. McGovern’s wonderful sense of humor defined a highly accomplished physician/citizen who lived a balanced life. He leaves a legacy of accomplishments and service and will be dearly missed.

A memorial service will be held St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 5501 S. Main in Houston, on Thursday, June 7, at 11 a.m. A reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation may contribute to any of the following organizations: HAM/Texas Medical Center Library for the John P. McGovern Historical Collections, the John P. McGovern Children’s’ Zoo at the Houston Zoo and the John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science.

Board Review Corner
Welcome to the Board Review Corner prepared by Soo Kim-Delio, M.D., Senior Representative of ACAAI’s fellows-in-training (FITs) to the Board of Regents. The Board Review Corner is your chance to test your Board preparedness.

To refer to a previous Board Review Corner, click the “FIT Archive” link in the left column.

Review Questions: Chapter 2 of Pediatric Allergy: Principles & Practices, edited by Donald Y.M. Leung, et al. Review questions were written by Drs. Bret Haymore and Soo Kim-Delio, Walter Reed Army Medical Center.