A lack of supporting evidence from placebo-controlled trials for antibiotic treatment of mild and moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease raises scientific and ethical questions about trials that attempt head-to-head comparisons of antibiotics for this condition.

Intestinal colonization with Bacteroides fragilis in three-week-old children appears to be associated with a positive Asthma Predictive Index, and may be a target for treatment and prevention studies in asthma

In England, malignant melanoma and breast cancer are common among the wealthy, while lung and cervical cancer have a high incidence in more deprived groups, suggesting a need to tailor screening and prevention programs to the local population.

Mothers in Afghanistan who lack education and autonomy and who were themselves married as children tend to have children with poorer health and nutritional status.

A predisposition for adult snoring has been associated with early life environment such as exposure to pets, respiratory infections and family size, according to a study involving over 15,000 patients.

Professor Chris McManus
University College London, UK