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Author

Toby Hunt

Other affiliations: University of South Australia
Bio: Toby Hunt is an academic researcher from Imperial College London. The author has contributed to research in topics: Asthma & Rhinovirus. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 9 publications receiving 537 citations. Previous affiliations of Toby Hunt include University of South Australia.
Topics: Asthma, Rhinovirus, Interleukin 13, COPD, Exacerbation

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: IL-33 and type 2 cytokines are induced during a rhinovirus-induced asthma exacerbation in vivo and relate to exacerbation severity, which is a novel therapeutic approach for asthma exacerbations.
Abstract: Rationale: Rhinoviruses are the major cause of asthma exacerbations; however, its underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We hypothesized that the epithelial cell–derived cytokine IL-33 plays ...

473 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: There was high level of evidence with a low risk of bias supporting Heliox's effectiveness in improving the intensity and endurance of exercise when compared to room air for people with COPD and little conclusive evidence was found to determine whether Heliox altered the sensation of dyspnoea during exercise.
Abstract: One of the most important determinants of physical and mental well-being of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is participation in physical activity. The ability to alter the sensation of dyspnoea during exercise may improve both exercise duration and intensity. Despite the low density, inert nature, strong safety profile and multiple applications of helium gas, the potential benefit of helium-oxygen gas mixtures as an adjunct therapy to modify disease symptoms and exercise capabilities in obstructive lung diseases has only recently been explored. This is a systematic review of the available peer-reviewed evidence exploring whether symptom modification (perceived levels of dyspnoea) and exercise performance in COPD (either intensity or duration of work) are modified by inhalation of Heliox. Eight experimental studies met inclusion for this review. A variety of methodologies and outcome variables were used negating meta-analysis and hampering direct comparison between interventions. Overall, there was high level of evidence with a low risk of bias supporting Heliox's effectiveness in improving the intensity and endurance of exercise when compared to room air for people with COPD. Little conclusive evidence was found to determine whether Heliox altered the sensation of dyspnoea during exercise.

29 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Comparisons with age-matched population data showed people with COPD spent less time engaged in personal-care activities (self-care and sleeping) and chores than people in similar age groups.
Abstract: "Physical inactivity" and "sedentary lifestyles" are phrases often used when describing lifestyles of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Evidence suggests activity types, independent of energy expenditure, influence health outcomes, so understanding patterns of time use is important, particularly in chronic disease. We aimed to identify reports of time use in people with COPD. Predefined search strategies were used with six electronic databases to identify individual activity reports (including frequencies and/or durations) in which community-dwelling people with COPD engaged. Eligible studies were assessed independently against predefined criteria and data were extracted by two reviewers. Data synthesis was achieved by aggregating activity reports into activity domains (sports/exercise, screen time, transport, quiet time, self-care, sociocultural, work/study, chores, and sleep). Twenty-six publications reported 37 specific daily activities. People with COPD were found to spend extended periods in sedentary behaviors (eg, standing [194 min/day]; sitting [359 min/day]; lying [88 min/day]), have limited engagement in physical activity (eg, walking [51 min/day]; exercising [1.2 episodes per week {ep/w}, 13 min/day]), have high health care needs (medical appointments [1.0 ep/w]), and experience difficulties associated with activities of daily living (eg, showering [2.5 ep/w, 60 minutes per episode]; preparing meals [4.7 ep/w]). Little data could be found describing how people with COPD use their time, and data synthesis was problematic because of variations in methodologies, population differences, and research emphases. Identified data largely referred to posture and were skewed according to country, assessment methods, and disease severity. Comparisons with age-matched population data showed people with COPD spent less time engaged in personal-care activities (self-care and sleeping) and chores than people in similar age groups. The incorporation of time-use outcomes in future research designs should be encouraged. Ideally, these tools should use consistent frameworks and comparable outcome measures in order to provide clearer descriptions of time use in chronic disease.

26 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
27 Nov 2013-PLOS ONE
TL;DR: In older adults with chronic illness, the MARCA is a valid and reliable tool for capturing not only the time and energy expenditure associated with physical and sedentary activities but also information on the types of activities.
Abstract: Objective: To determine the reliability and validity of the Multimedia Activity Recall for Children and Adults (MARCA) in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Design: People with COPD and their carers completed the Multimedia Activity Recall for Children and Adults (MARCA) for four, 24-hour periods (including test-retest of 2 days) while wearing a triaxial accelerometer (Actigraph GT3X+H), a multisensor armband (Sensewear Pro3H) and a pedometer (New Lifestyles 1000H). Setting: Self reported activity recalls (MARCA) and objective activity monitoring (Accelerometry) were recorded under freeliving conditions. Participants: 24 couples were included in the analysis (COPD; age 74.467.9 yrs, FEV1 54613% Carer; age 69.6610.9 yrs, FEV1 99624%).

14 citations


Cited by
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Proceedings Article
22 Aug 1999
TL;DR: The accessibility, usability, and, ultimately, acceptability of Information Society Technologies by anyone, anywhere, at anytime, and through any media and device is addressed.
Abstract: ▶ Addresses the accessibility, usability, and, ultimately, acceptability of Information Society Technologies by anyone, anywhere, at anytime, and through any media and device. ▶ Focuses on theoretical, methodological, and empirical research, of both technological and non-technological nature. ▶ Features papers that report on theories, methods, tools, empirical results, reviews, case studies, and best-practice examples.

752 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: 15 years of discoveries on IL‐33 protein are highlighted, including its molecular characteristics, nuclear localization, bioactive forms, cellular sources, mechanisms of release and regulation by proteases, and important roles in allergic, fibrotic, infectious, and chronic inflammatory diseases.
Abstract: Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is a tissue-derived nuclear cytokine from the IL-1 family abundantly expressed in endothelial cells, epithelial cells and fibroblast-like cells, both during homeostasis and inflammation. It functions as an alarm signal (alarmin) released upon cell injury or tissue damage to alert immune cells expressing the ST2 receptor (IL-1RL1). The major targets of IL-33 in vivo are tissue-resident immune cells such as mast cells, group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) and regulatory T cells (Tregs). Other cellular targets include T helper 2 (Th2) cells, eosinophils, basophils, dendritic cells, Th1 cells, CD8+ T cells, NK cells, iNKT cells, B cells, neutrophils and macrophages. IL-33 is thus emerging as a crucial immune modulator with pleiotropic activities in type-2, type-1 and regulatory immune responses, and important roles in allergic, fibrotic, infectious, and chronic inflammatory diseases. The critical function of IL-33/ST2 signaling in allergic inflammation is illustrated by the fact that IL33 and IL1RL1 are among the most highly replicated susceptibility loci for asthma. In this review, we highlight 15 years of discoveries on IL-33 protein, including its molecular characteristics, nuclear localization, bioactive forms, cellular sources, mechanisms of release and regulation by proteases. Importantly, we emphasize data that have been validated using IL-33-deficient cells.

504 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
16 Apr 2019-Immunity
TL;DR: The cytokine networks driving asthma are reviewed, placing these in cellular context and incorporating insights from cytokine-targeting therapies in the clinic, to argue that the development of new and improved therapeutics will require understanding the diverse mechanisms underlying the spectrum of asthma pathologies.

501 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: To elucidate the efficacy, safety, and patient characteristics of responsiveness to mepolizumab (a humanized monoclonal antibody against interleukin 5), a large number of patients with severe, eosinophilic asthma were enrolled in 81 multinational centers.
Abstract: ID Pavord, S Korn, P Howarth. Lancet. 2012;380(9842):651–659 To elucidate the efficacy, safety, and patient characteristics of responsiveness to mepolizumab (a humanized monoclonal antibody against interleukin 5). Previous small, proof-of-concept studies in subjects with severe, eosinophilic asthma revealed that mepolizumab decreased exacerbation rates. From 81 multinational centers, 621 pa-tients were enrolled. Major inclusion criteria included: age 12 to 74 years, asthma diagnosis with objective measures, ≥2 asthma exacerbations requiring oral corticosteroids in the last year, refractory asthma as defined by the American …

387 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article attempts to reconcile the large body of information on RSV and why after many clinical trials there is still no efficacious RSV vaccine and few therapeutics.
Abstract: SUMMARY Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is a significant cause of hospitalization of children in North America and one of the leading causes of death of infants less than 1 year of age worldwide, second only to malaria. Despite its global impact on human health, there are relatively few therapeutic options available to prevent or treat RSV infection. Paradoxically, there is a very large volume of information that is constantly being refined on RSV replication, the mechanisms of RSV-induced pathology, and community transmission. Compounding the burden of acute RSV infections is the exacerbation of preexisting chronic airway diseases and the chronic sequelae of RSV infection. A mechanistic link is even starting to emerge between asthma and those who suffer severe RSV infection early in childhood. In this article, we discuss developments in the understanding of RSV replication, pathogenesis, diagnostics, and therapeutics. We attempt to reconcile the large body of information on RSV and why after many clinical trials there is still no efficacious RSV vaccine and few therapeutics.

332 citations