Fruit-Flavored E-Cigarettes Linked to Increased Risk of Nocturnal Dry Cough

Although in vitro and animal studies have identified the pulmonary toxicity of electronic cigarette (ECIG) flavors, epidemiological evidence on their respiratory effects remains limited. This study explored the longitudinal association between exposure to flavored ECIGs and the occurrence of nocturnal dry cough among users using data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study (2014-2019).
 A secondary analysis was conducted on 18,925 adults, totaling 38,638 observations, employing weighted-incidence estimates and generalized estimating equation models to assess both unadjusted and adjusted associations.
Findings revealed that the weighted incidence proportion (WIP) of nocturnal dry cough was significantly higher among current (WIP: 16.6%) and former fruit-flavored ECIG users (WIP: 16.6%) compared to non-ECIG users (WIP: 11.1%). Current users of fruit-flavored ECIGs had a 40% higher risk of reporting nocturnal dry cough compared to non-users (aRR: 1.40). Former ECIG users of multiple flavors and other flavors had a markedly increased risk of cough, with 300% and 66% higher risks, respectively (aRR: 3.33 and aRR: 1.66).
The significant association between fruit-flavored ECIG use and increased risk of nocturnal dry cough highlights a potential early indicator of respiratory inflammation and disease risk, raising concerns about the respiratory health impact of flavored ECIGs. Further studies are needed to assess the long-term implications of these findings on respiratory health.
 

Sediflù may be Effective for Pediatric Cough, suggests SEPEDIA Clinical Trial

This pilot randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of Sediflù, a herbal-based medical device, in treating persistent nocturnal and diurnal cough in children aged 3 to 7 days with either dry or productive cough. The study enrolled pediatric patients experiencing upper respiratory tract infections, assigning them to receive either Sediflù or a placebo.

The primary outcomes included the assessment of Sediflù’s soothing effects on dry and productive coughs both during the day and at night, alongside evaluating cough-related impacts on sleep quality for both the child and their parents, as well as cough frequency and severity.

Results demonstrated significant improvements in both nocturnal and diurnal cough scores in the Sediflù group starting from day 2, with marked reductions in daytime cough severity observed at days 3 and 7. Sediflù was well-tolerated, and its use was associated with notable enhancements in the quality of sleep for both children and their parents.

These findings suggest that Sediflù syrup may serve as an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for managing persistent coughs in young children with upper respiratory infections, potentially reducing cough duration and improving overall quality of life for affected families.

Recent medical technologies in the management of cough

Recent research indicated that Eladis® exhibited overall effectiveness and a statistically significant superiority compared to the placebo. The data from this study were presented in the journal Terapevticheskii arkhiv.

This phase III clinical trial enrolled 250 individuals aged 18 to 65 years suffering from acute respiratory viral infections with acute bronchitis or upper respiratory tract involvement. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups of 125: one group received Eladis® (40 mg tablets), while the other group received a placebo. The study drugs were administered as one tablet twice daily for a duration of seven to fourteen days. Following the treatment, patients were followed up (on day 7±2) to evaluate the therapy effects on the frequency and intensity of daytime and nighttime cough, the frequency of coughing episodes, the severity of cough, the duration until clinical resolution of cough, and the effect on the severity of the main symptoms associated with acute respiratory viral infections.

Significant differences were observed among the study groups in the percentage of patients who achieved a reduction in coughing attack frequency by 50% or more by day five (p value <0.0001). Additionally, the Eladis® group demonstrated clinical resolution of cough two days earlier, with a median time of six days compared to eight days in the placebo group. By day five of treatment, there was a substantial decrease in both the frequency and severity of cough attacks, exceeding 3.5 points. All these effects were correlated with the drug's high safety profile.

Therefore, Eladis® demonstrated overall efficacy and a statistically significant benefit in comparison to the placebo.

The causal associations between metabolites and allergic diseases

Recent research demonstrated that imbalances in multiple circulating and urinary metabolites could be associated with the development and progression of allergic diseases. These findings are important for devising targeted strategies for both the prevention and treatment of allergic conditions. The results of this study were documented in the journal Respiratory Research. 
A two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis was undertaken to examine possible causal associations between circulating and urinary metabolites and allergic diseases. The exposures were obtained from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) that included four hundred and eighty-six circulating metabolites, as well as a GWAS that targeted fifty-five urinary metabolites. Outcome data related to allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma, and allergic rhinitis (AR) were sourced from the FinnGen biobank in Europe (Cohort 1) and the Biobank Japan in Asia (Cohort 2). The MR findings from both cohorts were integrated through a meta-analysis.
The analysis utilizing MR identified a total of six urinary metabolites and fifty circulating metabolites in Cohort 1, alongside two urinary metabolites and fifty-four circulating metabolites in Cohort 2, which may have a causal relationship with allergic diseases. A subsequent meta-analysis of the MR findings highlighted 1-arachidonoylglycerophosphoinositol (odds ratio 2.178; 95% confidence interval 1.388-3.419; P value = 7.15E-04) and stearoylcarnitine (odds ratio 8.654; 95% confidence interval 4.399-17.025; P value = 4.06E-10) as the most significant causal circulating metabolites associated with allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma, respectively. Additionally, tyrosine (odds ratio 0.601; 95% confidence interval: 0.380-0.952; P value = 0.030), histidine (odds ratio 0.734; 95% confidence interval: 0.594-0.907; P value = 0.004) and alanine (odds ratio 0.280; 95% confidence interval: 0.125-0.628; P = 0.002) were identified as urinary metabolites that provide the most substantial protective effects against atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma, and AR, respectively.
Thus, it can be concluded that imbalances in multiple circulating and urinary metabolites may be associated with the onset and advancement of allergic conditions. The implications of these results are important for creating targeted interventions for both the prevention and treatment of allergic conditions.