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April 16-30  2008 Postings  (Note: Some archived links may become inactive)

04/26/2008 11:29 AM

Referral pattern of neonates with severe respiratory failure for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition 2008;93:F104-F107

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remains the mainstay of management in neonates with severe but potentially reversible respiratory failure. In the UK, ECMO is available only as a supraregional service at four centres.


04/26/2008 11:29 AM

Bronchial response pattern of antigen presenting cells and regulatory T cells in children below two years of age

Thorax. Published Online First: 4 February 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.082974

In early childhood, the ability to mount protective immune responses in the airways is impaired, with increased risk of allergic sensitisation to inhaled allergens. Antigen-presenting cells (APC) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) are important modifiers of T-cell immunity, but little is known about their distribution in bronchial mucosa at this age.


04/26/2008 11:28 AM

Bronchoalveolar Immunologic Profile of Acute Human Lung Transplant Allograft Rejection

Transplantation. 85(7):1056-1059, April 15, 2008

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) offers a potential means to diagnose acute rejection and could provide insight into the immune mechanisms responsible for lung allograft rejection.


04/26/2008 11:27 AM

Chaotic nature of sepsis and multiple organ failure cannot be explained by linear statistical methods

Critical Care 2008, 12:417

Severe sepsis and septic shock represent a major cause of mortality in critical care. Even in patients who survived, a clinical course complicated with multiple organ dysfunction leads to significant morbidity, costs, and use of already limited resources. That's why treatment of these patients requires timely mobilization of a logical and scientifically up-to-date plan.


04/26/2008 11:26 AM

Cost-effectiveness of using continuous positive airways pressure in the treatment of severe obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome in the uk

Thorax. Published Online First: 11 April 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.086454

To estimate the cost-effectiveness of using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in the management of patients suffering from severe obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS), compared to no treatment, from the perspective of the UK's National Health Service (NHS).


04/26/2008 11:26 AM

The Role Of A Soluble Tnf-Á Receptor Fusion Protein (Etanercept) In Corticosteroid-Refractory Asthma: A Double Blind, Randomised Placebo-Controlled Trial

Thorax. Published Online First: 1 February 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.086314

TNF-{alpha} is a cytokine recognized as a therapeutic target in chronic inflammatory diseases.


04/26/2008 11:25 AM

Association of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) with Asthma Severity, Total Serum IgE and Blood Eosinophil Levels

Thorax. Published Online First: 23 August 2006. doi:10.1136/thx.2005.057935

Nitric oxide is released by immune, epithelial and endothelial cells, and plays important role in asthma pathophysiology. We sought to investigate the association of inducible NOS (NOS2A) gene repeat polymorphisms with asthma.


04/26/2008 11:24 AM

Familial risks for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among siblings based on hospitalisations in Swede

Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 2008;62:398-401

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disabling condition, for which tobacco smoking, environmental pollution, inherited {alpha}-antitrypsin deficiency and their interactions are predisposing factors. We carried out a family study on COPD in order to address the role of heritable and environmental risk factors at a population level.


04/26/2008 11:23 AM

The minimum clinically important improvement for the Incremental Shuttle Walking Test

Thorax. Published Online First: 4 April 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.081208

The Incremental Shuttle Walking Test (ISWT) is used to assess exercise capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is employed as an outcome measure for pulmonary rehabilitation. This study was designed to establish the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) for the ISWT.


04/26/2008 11:22 AM

Influenza-like illness in residential care homes: A study of the incidence, aetiological agents, natural history, and health resource utilization

Thorax. Published Online First: 4 February 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.090951

Influenza-like illness (ILI) among elderly living in residential care homes (RCHE) is a common cause for hospitalization. We examined the incidence, underlying aetiology, natural history and associated healthcare resource utilization related to ILI in the RCHE population.


04/26/2008 11:21 AM

Regression to the Mean: A Limited Issue in Disease Management Programs for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Disease Management. April 1, 2008, 11(2): 103-110

Our objective was to test for evidence of regression to the mean in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-related health care utilization in a Colorado Medicaid population that met the criteria for, but were not participating in, a COPD disease management (DM) program.


04/26/2008 11:20 AM

Markers Of Treatment Failure In Hospitalized Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Thorax. Published Online First: 1 February 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.086785

Lack of response to treatment in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) worsens outcome. We evaluated the systemic cytokine profile -TNF{alpha}, IL1, IL6, IL8 and IL10- C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) in patients with CAP who had treatment failure.


04/26/2008 11:19 AM

Inhibition of reactive nitrogen species production in copd airways: comparison between inhaled corticosteroid and oral theophylline

Thorax. Published Online First: 31 May 2006. doi:10.1136/thx.2005.058156

Reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are thought to be one of the important factors in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In this study, we examined the effects of theophylline and fluticasone propionate (FP) on RNS production in COPD subjects.


04/26/2008 11:19 AM

Mechanisms of dyspnoea relief and improved exercise endurance after furosemide inhalation in COPD

Thorax. Published Online First: 4 February 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.085993

This study examined the effects of inhaled furosemide on the ventilatory and perceptual response to high intensity, constant-load cycle exercise in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).


04/26/2008 11:18 AM

Management of Primary Pulmonary Artery Sarcoma: Experience of a Single Center

Angiology 2008, doi:10.1177/0003319707305981

Primary sarcoma of the pulmonary artery (PSPA) is extremely rare. Many cases are misdiagnosed as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) because of chronic thromboembolic disease (CTD). Four cases of PSPA with the initial misdiagnosis are reported. The presence of a unique mass in the main pulmonary artery or proximal branches, rapidly progressive dyspnea, and constitutional symptoms should raise the suspicion of PSPA. The pathological diagnosis is usually confirmed during surgery, which is done along with adjuvant chemotherapy, the treatment of choice.


04/26/2008 11:17 AM

Anticholinergics in the treatment of children and adults with acute asthma: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Thorax. Published Online First: 17 June 2005. doi:10.1136/thx.2005.047803

Current guidelines recommend the use of a combination of inhaled beta2-agonists and anticholinergics, particularly for patients with acute severe or life threatening asthma in the emergency setting. However, this statement is based on a relatively small number of randomised controlled trials and related systematic reviews.


04/26/2008 11:16 AM

Overexpression of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: clinico-pathological correlations

Thorax. Published Online First: 14 March 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.088583

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive disorder with a poor prognosis. Epithelial instability is a crucial step in the development and progression of the disease including neoplastic transformation. Few tissue markers regarding epithelial instability have been reported in IPF. Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) is a serine protease inhibitor typically expressed by dysplastic and neoplastic cells of epithelial origin, more often in squamous cell tumours. At present no information is available on its expression in IPF.


04/26/2008 11:16 AM

Can lay people deliver asthma self management education as effectively as primary care-based practice nurses?

Thorax. Published Online First: 15 February 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.084251

To determine whether well-trained lay people could deliver asthma self-management education with comparable outcomes to that achieved by primary care-based practice nurses.


04/26/2008 11:13 AM

Ambient Air Pollution Triggers Wheezing Symptoms in Infants

Thorax. Published Online First: 11 February 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.085480

There is limited evidence for the role of air pollution in development of wheezing symptoms in young children.


04/26/2008 11:12 AM

UK Resuscitation Council guidelines on emergency treatment of anaphylactic reactions: a primary care perspective

Primary Care Respiratory Journal Volume 17 Issue 2 June 2008


04/26/2008 11:11 AM

The use of omalizumab in asthma

Primary Care Respiratory Journal Volume 17 Issue 2 June 2008

Asthma causes a substantial burden of morbidity and mortality, affecting 300 million people worldwide - a figure predicted to increase to 400 million by 2025. Despite the availability of a variety of treatment options and detailed treatment guidelines, many patients with asthma, and in particular those with severe persistent asthma, remain inadequately controlled.


04/26/2008 11:10 AM

Systems for the management of respiratory disease in primary care - an international series: Canada

Primary Care Respiratory Journal Volume 17 Issue 2 June 2008

Canada has a universal health care system funded by the government. All people are supposed to have unrestricted access to all essential health care in a timely fashion.


04/26/2008 11:09 AM

Supporting the diagnosis of non-specific respiratory symptoms in primary care: the role of exhaled nitric oxide measurement and spirometry

Primary Care Respiratory Journal Volume 17 Issue 2 June 2008

To assess whether exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) measurements improve management and clinician confidence in patients presenting with non-specific respiratory symptoms.


04/26/2008 11:09 AM

Subglottic stenosis as a complication of Wegener’s granulomatosis

Primary Care Respiratory Journal Volume 17 Issue 2 June 2008

Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is a relatively uncommon collagen vascular disease that can lead to both upper and lower airway disease.


04/26/2008 11:08 AM

Implementation of an asthma guideline for the management of childhood asthma in general practice: a randomised controlled trial

Primary Care Respiratory Journal Volume 17 Issue 2 June 2008

The aim of the study was to assess, in a randomised, controlled design, the efficacy of different strategies to improve childhood asthma management.


04/26/2008 11:07 AM

EPOS Primary Care Guidelines: European Position Paper on the Primary Care Diagnosis and Management of Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2007

Primary Care Respiratory Journal Volume 17 Issue 2 June 2008

This paper is a summary of the 2007 European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps (EP3OS)1 which was published in Rhinology in 2007.


04/26/2008 11:06 AM

Comparison of tiotropium bromide and combined ipratropium/salbutamol for the treatment of COPD: a UK General Practice Research Database 12-month follow-up study

Primary Care Respiratory Journal Volume 17 Issue 2 June 2008

To compare the effectiveness of the long-acting anticholinergic, tiotropium with ipratropium/salbutamol in reducing the risk of exacerbations and COPD-related referrals in patients with COPD.


04/26/2008 11:05 AM

Alcohol-based pressurised metered-dose inhalers for use in asthma: a descriptive study

Primary Care Respiratory Journal Volume 17 Issue 2 June 2008

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have historically served as the propellants of choice in pressurised metered-dose asthma inhalers, but concern has been raised in recent decades regarding their damaging effect on the ozone layer.


04/26/2008 11:04 AM

A selection of abstracts reviewed and accepted by the Scientific Committee for presentation at the 4th International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) World Conference in Seville, May 28-31st 2008

Primary Care Respiratory Journal Volume 17 Issue 2 June 2008


04/26/2008 11:03 AM

Superoxide dismutase A antigens derived from molecular analysis of sarcoidosis granulomas elicit systemic Th-1 immune responses

Respiratory Research 2008, 9:36

Sarcoidosis is an idiopathic granulomatous disease with pathologic and immunologic features similar to tuberculosis. Routine histologic staining and culture fail to identify infectious agents.


04/26/2008 11:03 AM

Circulating alpha1-antitrypsin in the general population: Determinants and association with lung function

Respiratory Research 2008, 9:35

Severe alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency associated with low AAT blood concentrations is an established genetic COPD risk factor. Less is known about the respiratory health impact of variation in AAT serum concentrations in the general population.


04/26/2008 11:02 AM

Effects of long-term low-dose oxygen supplementation on the epithelial function, collagen metabolism and interstitial fibrogenesis in the guinea pig lung

Respiratory Research 2008, 9:37

The patient population receiving long-term oxygen therapy has increased with the rising morbidity of COPD. Although high-dose oxygen induces pulmonary edema and interstitial fibrosis, potential lung injury caused by long-term exposure to low-dose oxygen has not been fully analyzed.


04/24/2008 03:09 PM

A follow-up study of children hospitalised with community acquired pneumonia

Arch Dis Child. Published Online First: 1 April 2008

To investigate the outcome for children hospitalised with radiologically confirmed community acquired pneumonia (CAP).


04/24/2008 03:08 PM

Endothelial function in children with a history of premature prolonged rupture of membranes and bronchopulmonary dysplasia - a pilot study

Acta Paediatrica doi:10.1111/j.1651-2227.2008.00802.x

To investigate vascular function in children with a neonatal history of generalised inflammation indicated by premature prolonged rupture of membranes (PPROM) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).


04/24/2008 03:07 PM

Considerations in Culturally Directed Asthma Disease Management Programs

Disease Management & Health Outcomes, Volume 16, Number 2, 2008 , pp. 95-105(11)

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases of adults and children in industrialized countries, and has had a marked increase in prevalence over the past 25 years. Asthma disproportionately affects under-represented minority populations, with African Americans and (some) Hispanics having higher rates than other groups. Racial and ethnic disparities in asthma prevalence and severity exist and are partially explained by environmental, social, cultural, and economic factors.


04/24/2008 03:06 PM

The Etiology of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Australia: Why Penicillin plus Doxycycline or a Macrolide Is the Most Appropriate Therapy

Clinical Infectious Diseases 2008;46:1513-1521

Available data on the etiology of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Australia are very limited. Local treatment guidelines promote the use of combination therapy with agents such as penicillin or amoxycillin combined with either doxycycline or a macrolide.


04/24/2008 03:05 PM

Moxifloxacin Monotherapy Is Effective in Hospitalized Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia: The MOTIV Study-A Randomized Clinical Trial

Clinical Infectious Diseases 2008;46:1499–1509

The aim of this study was to show that sequential intravenous and oral moxifloxacin monotherapy (400 mg once per day) is as efficacious and safe as a combination regimen (intravenous ceftriaxone, 2 g once per day, plus sequential intravenous and oral levofloxacin, 500 mg twice per day) in patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia.


04/24/2008 03:03 PM

Effect of mechanical ventilation in the prone position on clinical outcomes in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis

CMAJ April 22, 2008; 178 (9)

Mechanical ventilation in the prone position is used to improve oxygenation in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. We sought to determine the effect of mechanical ventilation in the prone position on mortality, oxygenation, duration of ventilation and adverse events in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure.


04/24/2008 03:02 PM

Identification of Pendrin as a Common Mediator for Mucus Production in Bronchial Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

The Journal of Immunology, 2008, 180: 6262-6269

Excessive production of airway mucus is a cardinal feature of bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and contributes to morbidity and mortality in these diseases. IL-13, a Th2-type cytokine, is a central mediator in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, including mucus overproduction.


04/24/2008 03:01 PM

Extent of uncontrolled disease and associated medical costs in severe asthma - a PHARMO study

Current Medical Research and Opinion, Volume 24, Number 4, April 2008 , pp. 975-983(9)

Asthma is a major public health problem with considerable economic impact. The highest costs being observed in patients with severe asthma. Furthermore, despite the use of recommended therapies, asthma control can still be poor. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the extent of uncontrolled disease and associated medical costs in severe asthma.


04/24/2008 03:00 PM

Advances in the biology, pathogenesis and identification of Pneumocystis pneumonia

Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 14(3):228-234, May 2008

Pneumocystis pneumonia remains the most prevalent opportunistic infection in patients with AIDS. It is also a common devastating infection in patients with other causes of altered immunity. Though scientific study of this fungal pathogen is challenging given the inability to propagate the organism outside of the host lung, studies utilizing advanced molecular techniques and genomic analysis have broadened our understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of Pneumocystis and will be described herein.


04/24/2008 02:59 PM

DNAI1 Mutations Explain Only 2% of Primary Ciliary Dykinesia

Respiration (DOI: 10.1159/000128567)

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare recessive hereditary disorder characterized by dysmotility to immotility of ciliated and flagellated structures. Its main symptoms are respiratory, caused by defective ciliary beating in the epithelium of the upper airways (nose, bronchi and paranasal sinuses). Impairing the drainage of inhaled microorganisms and particles leads to recurrent infections and pulmonary complications.


04/24/2008 02:58 PM

Surgery for pulmonary tuberculosis

Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 14(3):254-259, May 2008

The role of thoracic surgery in pulmonary tuberculosis, in either a diagnostic or a therapeutic role, is well established. This review aims to underline the current indications for lung resection, surgical strategy and outcomes associated with surgery.


04/24/2008 02:57 PM

Respiratory syncytial virus infection in adults

Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 14(3):235-240, May 2008

Respiratory syncytial virus has increasingly been recognized as a clinically significant cause of respiratory tract infections in adults, especially among the elderly and the immunocompromised.


04/24/2008 02:56 PM

Recent antiviral strategies against human coronavirus-related respiratory illnesses

Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 14(3):248-253, May 2008

The main purpose of this review is to summarize the current research (2006-2007) concerning the development of novel anticoronaviral strategies and compounds.


04/24/2008 02:55 PM

Pulmonary nocardiosis: risk factors, clinical features, diagnosis and prognosis

Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 14(3):219-227, May 2008

Pulmonary infection by Nocardia spp. has been recognized for the past 100 years. The number of cases of pulmonary nocardiosis reported in the literature is increasing, and in some cases, a diagnosis is reached even postmortem.


04/24/2008 02:54 PM

Pulmonary defense mechanisms against pneumonia and sepsis

Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 14(3):260-265, May 2008

Pneumonia and sepsis are major causes of morbidity and mortality. Lung defense against pathogens involves innate and acquired immune responses. In this review, we focus on lung pathogens associated with sepsis and the innate immune response to them. In addition to discussing typical lung pathogens, the structural defenses, antimicrobial particles, complement, and cellular components of the immune response against these pathogens are also explored.


04/24/2008 02:53 PM

The impact of home cleaning on quality of life for homes with asthmatic children

Allergy and Asthma Proceedings, Volume 29, Number 2, March/April 2008 , pp. 197-204(8)

Treatment with common household bleach containing hypochlorite destroys dust mites and denatures protein allergens. The purpose of this study was to determine if home use of hypochlorite products results in lowered exposure to bacteria, fungi, and protein allergens and improved quality of life (QOL) for asthmatic persons in the home.


04/24/2008 02:51 PM

The future of the long-acting beta-adrenergic bronchodilators in the treatment of asthma

Allergy and Asthma Proceedings, Volume 29, Number 2, March/April 2008 , pp. 103-108(6)


The combination of long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) bronchodilators with inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) has been shown to be an extremely effective treatment for asthma. Use of LABA as monotherapy for asthma is associated with increased adverse events including exacerbations and asthma deaths.


04/24/2008 02:50 PM

Role of regular treatment with inhaled corticosteroid or leukotriene receptor antagonist in mild intermittent asthma

Allergy and Asthma Proceedings, Volume 29, Number 2, March/April 2008 , pp. 189-196(8)


Current guidelines for asthma treatment do not recommend daily maintenance therapy in patients with mild intermittent (step 1) asthma. However, because there is increasing evidence that airway inflammation is present even in this patient group, maintenance anti-inflammatory therapy may be considered.


04/24/2008 02:50 PM

Risk factors associated with transient wheezing in young children

Allergy and Asthma Proceedings, Volume 29, Number 2, March/April 2008 , pp. 161-165(5)

Transient wheezing in young children has been reported to be independent of atopy. Although persistence of early wheezing has been associated with factors related to allergy in multiple studies, transient wheezing has not been similarly studied.


04/24/2008 02:48 PM

Prevalence of atopy in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus, hepatitis B virus carriers, and healthy children: Role of T helper 1 (Th1)-type immune response

llergy and Asthma Proceedings, Volume 29, Number 2, March/April 2008 , pp. 166-170(5)

The prevalence of allergic diseases such as asthma, hay fever, and atopic dermatitis has increased over the past few decades, especially in developed countries. They are characterized by a chronic inflammatory reaction mediated by T helper 2 (Th2) cells. Two common chronic diseases of childhood-an autoimmune disease, type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM), and a chronic viral infection, hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers-are associated with a Th1-dominant and Th1-insufficient cytokine profile, respectively.


04/24/2008 02:46 PM

Pharmacoeconomic review of medical management of persistent asthma

Allergy and Asthma Proceedings, Volume 29, Number 2, March/April 2008 , pp. 109-122(14)

Asthma affects 20 million Americans and causes a substantial loss of productivity. Medications help to increase symptom-free days and improve quality of life. Examining the cost-effectiveness of different treatments, in addition to their clinical efficacy, allows us to choose the optimal strategy in managing patients.


04/24/2008 02:45 PM

Health care utilization and costs of adult asthma in Taiwan

Allergy and Asthma Proceedings, Volume 29, Number 2, March/April 2008 , pp. 177-181(5)

The burden of asthma is sufficient to warrant its recognition as a high-priority disorder in governmental health strategies in many countries. However, the components of the total health care costs for patients with asthma have not been well studied, and an overall understanding of health care utilization patterns in this population is lacking in Taiwan. We evaluated 95,110 patients aged 18-55 years who were enrolled in the National Health Insurance Research Database from January 1 to December 31, 2002.


04/24/2008 02:44 PM

Harmonia axyridis ladybug invasion and allergy

Allergy and Asthma Proceedings, Volume 29, Number 2, March/April 2008 , pp. 123-129(7)

Beginning in 1916 Harmonia axyridis, an orange/red lady beetle with variable black spotting, was imported into the United States from Asia. This agricultural pest-control predator established independent feral populations in North America by 1988. Subsequently, Harmonia axyridis has become a pest to homeowners and various horticultural enterprises. Seeking winter hibernation sites, ladybug swarms invade human homes/habitats primarily in the fall.


04/24/2008 02:43 PM

Exhaled nitric oxide levels during treatment in patients hospitalized with asthma

Allergy and Asthma Proceedings, Volume 29, Number 2, March/April 2008 , pp. 171-176(6)

The time required for fractional excretion of nitric oxide (FENO) measurements to acutely change after systemic corticosteroids is unknown, limiting the usefulness of this biomarker in hospital treatment and discharge decisions. The purpose of this study was to follow FENO measurements of hospitalized adult patients with asthma receiving therapy and to correlate FENO with forced expiratory volume in 1 second percent predicted (FEV1%). Ten acute asthmatic patients who required hospitalization were recruited and treated with standard therapy.


04/24/2008 02:42 PM

Tracheal Compression by the Innominate Artery and a Megaesophagus

Journal of Bronchology. 15(2):100-101, April 2008

Although vascular anomalies have been reported to cause extrinsic compression of the trachea leading to respiratory distress, achalasia has been less frequently associated with airway compromise. Here, we report the case of a 56-year-old woman with symptomatic tracheal compression between a megaesophagus and a normal innominate artery. Diagnosis of tracheal obstruction was made by direct visualization with flexible bronchoscopy and confirmed by computed tomography scan imaging.


04/24/2008 02:41 PM

Malignancy in Lung Transplantation: Biomarkers, Gender Differences, and Consideration of a Systems Biology Approach

Transplantation. Workshop on Cancer Risk After Solid Organ Transplantation. 85(8S) Supplement:S69-S71, April 27, 2008

We present here new molecular tools such as gene expression microarrays as promising biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis in lung cancer as well as for an early diagnosis of malignancy after lung transplantation.


04/24/2008 02:39 PM

Evaluation of Adapted Whole-Blood Interferon- Release Assays for the Diagnosis of Pleural Tuberculosis

Respiration (DOI: 10.1159/000128575)

Pleural tuberculosis (TB) remains difficult to diagnose despite numerous diagnostic tools. Recently, in vitro interferon (IFN)-gamma-based assays have been introduced in the diagnosis of latent TB, but these techniques have not been established in the diagnosis of active TB disease, including pleural TB.


04/24/2008 02:39 PM

Nuclear Factor-{kappa}B Activation in Airway Epithelium Induces Inflammation and Hyperresponsiveness

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Vol 177. pp. 959-969, (2008)

: Nuclear factor (NF)-{kappa}B is a prominent proinflammatory transcription factor that plays a critical role in allergic airway disease. Previous studies demonstrated that inhibition of NF-{kappa}B in airway epithelium causes attenuation of allergic inflammation.


04/24/2008 02:38 PM

Modulation of Lymphocyte Proliferation by Antioxidants in Chronic Beryllium Disease

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Vol 177. pp. 1002-1011, (2008)

Occupational exposure to beryllium (Be) can result in chronic granulomatous inflammation characterized by the presence of Be-specific CD4+ T cells. Studies show that oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory disorders.


04/24/2008 02:37 PM

Inflammasome mRNA Expression in Human Monocytes during Early Septic Shock

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Vol 177. pp. 983-988, (2008)

Monocytes are central to the initiation of the inflammatory response in sepsis, with caspase-1 activation playing a key role. Monocyte deactivation during sepsis has been linked to poor outcomes.


04/24/2008 02:36 PM

Antisense Therapy against CCR3 and the Common Beta Chain Attenuates Allergen-induced Eosinophilic Responses

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Vol 177. pp. 952-958, (2008)

The drug product TPI ASM8 contains two modified phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotides designed to inhibit allergic inflammation by down-regulating human CCR3 and the common beta chain ({beta}c) of IL-3, IL-5, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptors.


04/24/2008 02:35 PM

Case Report: Identification of a Pulmonary Venous Aneurysm Using Radial Endobronchial Ultrasound and Electromagnetic Navigational Bronchoscopy

Journal of Bronchology. 15(2):116-117, April 2008

Pulmonary venous aneurysms are uncommon. They usually present as mediastinal mass, and little is known about their etiology and pathogenesis. Association with mitral regurgitation has been described. Pulmonary venous aneurysm presenting as a peripheral pulmonary nodule is rare.


04/24/2008 02:34 PM

Pulmonary Nocardiosis Owing to Nocardia otitidiscaviarum

Journal of Bronchology. 15(2):113-115, April 2008

Among the nocardial species, Nocardia otitidiscaviarum (formerly Nocardia caviae) as causative agent of pulmonary disease is rarely reported even in immunocompromised individuals. We report 2 renal transplant recipients presenting with pleural effusion and acute respiratory distress syndrome owing to N. otitidiscaviarum. Culture of bronchial washings led to the diagnosis in both the cases and established importance of early bronchoscopy in diagnosing opportunistic pulmonary infections in immunocompromised individuals.


04/24/2008 02:33 PM

The Unpleasantness of Perceived Dyspnea Is Processed in the Anterior Insula and Amygdala

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Vol 177. pp. 1026-1032, (2008)

The subjective perception of dyspnea, which is an impairing symptom in various cardiopulmonary diseases, consists of sensory (intensity) and affective aspects (unpleasantness). However, little is known about the cortical processing of the perception of dyspnea.


04/24/2008 02:32 PM

Severity of Lymphocytic Bronchiolitis Predicts Long-Term Outcome after Lung Transplantation

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Vol 177. pp. 1033-1040, (2008)

Severe and recurrent acute vascular rejection of the pulmonary allograft is an accepted major risk factor for obliterative bronchiolitis.


04/24/2008 02:31 PM

Clopidogrel Airway

Journal of Bronchology. 15(2):102-103, April 2008

A patient was referred for a focal wheeze on his right chest and blood-tinged sputum for 7 days. After the discontinuation of clopidogrel, flexible bronchoscopy was performed and it showed petechias throughout the airway. We have observed similar changes in other patients on clopidogrel. The "clopidogrel airway" should be recognized by clinicians evaluating patients with cardiovascular disease to better determine the need of additional testing and therapies.


04/24/2008 02:31 PM

Physician's Case Volume of Intensive Care Unit Pneumonia Admissions and In-Hospital Mortality

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Vol 177. pp. 989-994, (2008)

Although several studies have investigated volume-outcome relationships for surgical procedures, there has been no such study of intensive care unit (ICU) patients admitted for pneumonia.


04/24/2008 02:30 PM

Is asthma in childhood different from asthma in adults? Why do we need special approaches to asthma in children?

Allergy and Asthma Proceedings, Volume 29, Number 2, March/April 2008 , pp. 99-102(4)

Childhood asthma poses a number of challenges. In many asthmatic patients, the disease begins in infancy or early childhood and aeroallergen sensitization in the first 3 years of life appears to dictate later outcomes. The airway manifestations of asthma in childhood differ from those in adults and require different therapeutic approaches. Importantly, corticosteroid treatment of childhood asthma appears to have little impact on the progressive loss of lung function in a subset of patients.


04/24/2008 02:29 PM

Children's Factual and Delusional Memories of Intensive Care

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Vol 177. pp. 976-982, (2008)

Delusional memories are significantly associated with post-traumatic stress in adult patients after intensive care.


04/24/2008 02:28 PM

Recent Chronic Beryllium Disease in Residents Surrounding a Beryllium Facility

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Vol 177. pp. 1012-1017, (2008)

Between 1948 and 1969, cases of community-acquired chronic beryllium disease (CA-CBD) were reported in neighborhoods surrounding beryllium facilities. Further surveillance was not performed in these communities, and additional cases have not been reported.


04/24/2008 02:27 PM

Growth Differentiation Factor-15 for Prognostic Assessment of Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Vol 177. pp. 1018-1025, (2008)

Growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15 is a cytokine induced in the heart after ischemia or pressure overload. Circulating levels of GDF-15 provide independent prognostic information in patients with acute coronary syndromes or heart failure.


04/24/2008 02:27 PM

Dynamic Hyperinflation with Bronchoconstriction - Differences between Obese and Nonobese Women with Asthma

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Vol 177. pp. 970-975, (2008)

Symptoms and respiratory function tests may be difficult to assess and interpret in obese patients with asthma, particularly if the asthma is severe. It is unclear whether the dynamic changes that occur during bronchoconstriction differ between obese versus nonobese patients with asthma.


04/24/2008 02:26 PM

Detection of Anaerobic Bacteria in High Numbers in Sputum from Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Vol 177. pp. 995-1001, (2008)

Pulmonary infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) is polymicrobial and it is possible that anaerobic bacteria, not detected by routine aerobic culture methods, reside within infected anaerobic airway mucus.


04/24/2008 02:25 PM

Probiotics for the prevention of nosocomial pneumonia: current evidence and opinions

Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 14(3):168-175, May 2008

Nosocomial infections are common and are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The continuing evolution of multidrug resistant pathogens and ineffective therapy for the infections they cause has stimulated interest in the potential of probiotic products to prevent nosocomial infections. Probiotics are viable microorganisms that colonize the host and exert antibacterial and immunomodulatory effects.


04/24/2008 02:24 PM

Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease

Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 14(3):203-210, May 2008

Pulmonary disease caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria is occurring with greater frequency, and previously unrecognized manifestations of nontuberculous mycobacteria are being identified. Paralleling this increase, improvements in laboratory techniques now allow for more precise identification of nontuberculous mycobacteria and recognition of new species.


04/24/2008 02:24 PM

Early diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections (point-of-care tests)

Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 14(3):176-182, May 2008

Respiratory tract infections are a common reason for prescribing antibiotics, although not all of these infections require such therapy. Rapid diagnosis of etiology using point-of-care tests is a potentially useful way of reducing prescriptions of both unnecessary and unnecessarily broad-spectrum antibiotics. This can also lead to the facilitation of appropriate infection control measures to prevent spread of respiratory viruses within institutions.


04/24/2008 02:23 PM

Atypical pneumonias: current clinical concepts focusing on Legionnaires' disease

Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 14(3):183-194, May 2008

This review provides clinicians with an overview of the clinical features of the atypical pneumonias. Atypical community-acquired pneumonia pathogens cause systemic infections with pneumonia. The key to the clinical diagnosis of atypical pneumonias depends on recognizing the characteristic pattern of extrapulmonary organ involvement different for each pathogen.


04/24/2008 02:22 PM

Aetiology, diagnosis and management of infective causes of severe haemoptysis in intensive care units

Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 14(3):195-202, May 2008

Infective causes of severe haemoptysis have progressively shifted to causes related to chronic inflammatory lung diseases. Physicians should, however, recognize the most common of them, for example necrotizing parenchymal infections, tuberculosis and mycetoma.


04/22/2008 02:49 PM

Correlative Studies of Structural and Functional Imaging in Primary Progressive Aphasia

American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, Vol. 23, No. 2, 184-191 (2008)

To compare and contrast structural and functional imaging in primary progressive aphasia (PPA).


04/22/2008 02:48 PM

WT1 Expression Distinguishes Astrocytic Tumor Cells from Normal and Reactive Astrocytes

Brain Pathology doi:10.1111/j.1750-3639.2008.00127.x

Particularly in small brain biopsies, it might be difficult to distinguish reactive astrogliosis from low-grade or infiltration zones of high-grade astrocytomas.


04/22/2008 02:46 PM

Three-Layered Structure Shared Between Lewy Bodies and Lewy Neurites-Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Triple-Labeled Sections

Brain Pathology doi:10.1111/j.1750-3639.2008.00140.x

Lewy bodies (LBs) and Lewy neurites (LNs) are the hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD). Although LBs and LNs, frequently coexistent, share some histological properties, their appearances are quite different under conventional two-dimensional observation.


04/22/2008 02:45 PM

Portal-systemic shunt encephalopathy presenting with diffuse cerebral white matter lesion: An autopsy case

Neuropathology doi:10.1111/j.1440-1789.2008.00898.x

We report herein an autopsy case of portal-systemic encephalopathy (PSE) presenting with diffuse tissue rarefaction in the cerebral deep white matter.


04/22/2008 02:44 PM

Does Dopamine Still Have a Leading Role in Advanced Parkinson's Disease after Subthalamic Stimulation?

Stereotact Funct Neurosurg 2008;86:184-186

The role of endogenous dopamine in severe Parkinson's disease is often underestimated. We report on a case of acute general motor worsening induced by the ingestion of fluphenazine in a parkinsonian patient successfully treated with STN DBS.


04/22/2008 02:44 PM

A Comprehensive Review of Radiosurgery for Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations: Outcomes, Predictive Factors, and Grading Scales

Stereotact Funct Neurosurg 2008;86:191-199

The management of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) continues to present a challenge to neurosurgeons. The natural history of this condition, as well as the morbidity and mortality of therapeutic interventions, remains incompletely elucidated.


04/22/2008 02:43 PM

The National Registry of Veterans with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Neuroepidemiology 2008;30:180-190

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Cooperative Studies Program has established a National Registry of Veterans with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).


04/22/2008 02:41 PM

Genes and Environmental Exposures in Veterans with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: The GENEVA Study

Neuroepidemiology 2008;30:191-204

Recent reports of a potentially increased risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for veterans deployed to the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War prompted the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a National Registry of Veterans with ALS, charged with the goal of enrolling all US veterans with a neurologist-confirmed diagnosis of ALS.


04/22/2008 02:41 PM

Utility loss and indirect costs after stroke in Sweden

European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation. 15(2):230-233, April 2008

Currently little data exist on the development of quality of life over time in patients suffering from stroke, in particular using instruments that can be adapted in economic studies. The purpose of the study was to assess the utility loss and indirect costs following a stroke in Sweden.


04/22/2008 02:40 PM

Unpleasant auditory illusions and related avoidance behaviour in a child

Epileptic Disorders. Volume 10, Number 1, 35-8, march 2008

Auditory aura is a rare symptom in focal epilepsy. It has been described in autosomal dominant partial epilepsy with auditory features, but is, in general, poorly documented. We report on a 7-year-old, right-handed boy, who suffered seizures characterized by positive auditory illusions with verbal and gestural automatisms and noticeable attempts at covering his ears. Clinical evaluation and video-recording of the seizures, confirmed that most of the ictal behavior was deliberately directed at trying to prevent the unpleasant sensations reaching his ears.


04/22/2008 02:39 PM

Seizures induced by the sight of moving water

Epileptic Disorders. Volume 10, Number 1, 49-52, march 2008

The most frequent precipitants of photic- or pattern-induced seizures are television and discotheque lighting effects. Seizure induction by reflection of bright sunlight on water surfaces has also been reported. We report a patient with seizures induced by the sight of moving water in the absence of bright sunlight.


04/22/2008 02:38 PM

Long-term cognitive and behavioural follow-up in three patients with eye closure-triggered paroxysmal activity

Epileptic Disorders. Volume 10, Number 1, 22-30, march 2008

Purpose. To study clinical, EEG, neuropsychological and behavioural evolution of three patients presenting with epileptic activity triggered by eye closure (EC) over a mean 10-year follow-up period.


04/22/2008 02:37 PM

Ictal hiccup during absence seizure in a child

Epileptic Disorders. Volume 10, Number 1, 53-5, march 2008

Absence seizures are one of the features of idiopathic generalised epilepsy (IGE) and occur as component of many different syndromes. They are commonly associated with various clinical features such as mild clonic components, change in postural tone, automatisms and autonomic phenomena. Childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) is the prototype IGE with typical absence seizures. We report a child who had prominent ictal hiccups during an absence seizure, and discuss the possible mechanisms.


04/22/2008 02:36 PM

Ictal asystole in temporal lobe epilepsy before and after pacemaker implantation

Epileptic Disorders. Volume 10, Number 1, 39-44, march 2008

Events of ictal bradycardia or asystole may be of relevance in epilepsy patients presenting with ictal falls, and are a potential contributor to SUDEP. The literature on ictal bradycardia or asystole is anecdotal and consists of case reports and small case series.


04/22/2008 02:35 PM

Hot water epilepsy: a video case report of a Caucasian toddler

Epileptic Disorders. Volume 10, Number 1, 45-8, march 2008

We present the case report of a 13-month-old Caucasian toddler with symptoms of loss of consciousness, central cyanosis and uncontrolled movements of the upper limbs while taking a warm bath. The diagnosis of hot water epilepsy was supported by an ictal EEG. Hot water epilepsy, also known as bathing epilepsy or water-immersion epilepsy is, in the Caucasian population, a rare form of benign epilepsy, where seizures are provoked by immersion in a hot or even just a warm bath. This is the first comprehensive video publication of a seizure provoked by water-immersion in a Caucasian child.


04/22/2008 02:35 PM

Blockade of androgen receptors is sufficient to alter the sexual differentiation of the substantia nigra pars reticulata seizure-controlling network

Epileptic Disorders. Volume 10, Number 1, 8-12, march 2008

The substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNR) controls seizures in a sex-specific manner. At postnatal day 15 (P15), SNR infusion of GABA A receptor agonist muscimol have proconvulsant effects in males but not in females. In males, administration of an androgen receptor antagonist flutamide between P0-P2 led to the disappearance of the proconvulsant muscimol effects at P15. Thus, activation of androgen receptors is important for the presence of proconvulsant SNR muscimol responses.


04/22/2008 02:33 PM

Interictal regional polyspikes in noninvasive EEG suggest cortical dysplasia as etiology of focal epilepsies

Epilepsia doi:10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01583.x

To evaluate the clinical significance of interictal regional polyspikes in focal epilepsies secondary to cortical dysplasia.


04/22/2008 02:32 PM

Potentiation of anticancer-drug cytotoxicity by sea anemone pore-forming proteins in human glioblastoma cells

Anti-Cancer Drugs. 19(5):517-525, June 2008

The search for new drugs and treatment approaches is of particular importance for glioblastomas (GBMs), as with other types of malignant gliomas, as they are lethal without the available medical care.


04/22/2008 02:31 PM

In Vivo Detection of Thalamic Gliosis

Arch Neurol. 2008;65(4):545-549

To determine whether multisequence MRI of the brain can show thalamic alterations and establish pathoradiologic correlations in a patient with familial fatal insomnia.


04/22/2008 02:30 PM

Epilepsy outcomes in elderly treated with topiramate

Acta Neurologica Scandinavica doi:10.1111/j.1600-0404.2008.01018.x

To explore effectiveness, tolerability and quality of life in elderly patients with epilepsy treated with topiramate.


04/22/2008 02:29 PM

Brain magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities in neuromyelitis optica

Acta Neurologica Scandinavica doi:10.1111/j.1600-0404.2008.01012.x

Brain abnormalities in neuromyelitis optica (NMO) attracted much attention. Our study was to identify the brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities in Chinese NMO patients.


04/22/2008 02:28 PM

Carbon 11-Labeled Pittsburgh Compound B Positron Emission Tomographic Amyloid Imaging in Patients With APP Locus Duplication

Arch Neurol. 2008;65(4):540-544

Positron emission tomography with 11C-PiB and magnetic resonance imaging were performed for 2 patients, 49-year-old and 60-year-old siblings with APP locus duplication, with hereditary Alzheimer disease and cerebral amyloid angiopathy.


04/22/2008 02:27 PM

The Changing Face of Neural Stem Cell Therapy in Neurologic Diseases

Arch Neurol. 2008;65(4):452-456

New insights into the biology of neural stem cells (NSCs) have raised expectations for their use in the treatment of neurologic diseases. Originally, NSC transplantation was proposed as a means of replacing cells in central nervous system diseases that result in cell loss.


04/22/2008 02:26 PM

Parietal Lobe Deficits in Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration Caused by a Mutation in the Progranulin Gene

Arch Neurol. 2008;65(4):506-513

A large British kindred (DRC255) with a PGRN mutation was assessed. Affected individuals presented with a mean age of 57.8 years (range, 54-67 years) and a mean disease duration of 6.1 years (range, 2-11 years).


04/22/2008 02:25 PM

STN-DBS frequency effects on freezing of gait in advanced Parkinson disease

Neurology 2008, doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000303972.16279.46

Severe gait disturbances and freezing episodes (frequently resistant to optimal dopaminergic treatment) often appear in advanced Parkinson disease (PD). Even several years after initiation, high-frequency subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) is still very effective for controlling segmental symptoms. However, there are no long-term data on the management of gait disorders and freezing in STN-DBS.


04/22/2008 02:25 PM

Longitudinal decline in autopsy-defined frontotemporal lobar degeneration

Neurology 2008, doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000303816.25065.bc

The natural history of patients with pathologically proven frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is important from clinical and biologic perspectives, but is not well documented quantitatively.


04/22/2008 02:23 PM

Epilepsia partialis continua: semiology and differential diagnoses

Epileptic Disorders. Volume 10, Number 1, 3-7, march 2008

Epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) is a rare form of focal status epilepticus. It may have vascular, immune-mediated, neoplastic or metabolic-toxic causes. The origin of EPC has been linked with the motor cortex. This has been solidly supported by sophisticated electrophysiological studies.


04/22/2008 02:21 PM

Effectiveness and costs of screening for aneurysms every 5 years after subarachnoid hemorrhage

Neurology 2008, doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000304372.01248.02

Patients who survive after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are at risk for a recurrence despite successful treatment of the ruptured aneurysm and may therefore benefit from screening for new aneurysms.


04/22/2008 02:20 PM

The Evolution of Our Understanding on Glioma

Brain Pathology doi:10.1111/j.1750-3639.2008.00136.x

The description of neuroglia by Virchow in 1848 may be considered the starting point of our understanding of primary brain tumors. At the beginning of the 20th century, surgical removal of primary brain tumors became possible, and therefore, tissue for microscopic analysis and clinical data on survival became available.


04/22/2008 02:19 PM

Pineocytoma and Pineal Parenchymal Tumors of Intermediate Differentiation Presenting Cytologic Pleomorphism: A Multicenter Study

Brain Pathology doi:10.1111/j.1750-3639.2008.00128.x

Cytologic pleomorphism has been described in a limited number of benign pineal tumors, namely pineocytoma (PC) and pineal parenchymal tumors (PPTs) of intermediate differentiation (PPTID).


04/22/2008 02:18 PM

Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Orthotopic Human Glioma Models and Its Relevance for the Study of Anti-glioma Therapy

Brain Pathology doi:10.1111/j.1750-3639.2008.00141.x

Most human gliomas are characterized by diffuse infiltrative growth in the brain parenchyma. Partly because of this characteristic growth pattern, gliomas are notorious for their poor response to current therapies. Many animal models for human gliomas, however, do not display this diffuse infiltrative growth pattern.


04/22/2008 02:17 PM

Radiation-induced glioblastoma in a medulloblastoma patient: A case report with molecular features

Neuropathology doi:10.1111/j.1440-1789.2008.00900.x

We report a case of glioblastoma (GBM) occurring 8 years after radiation therapy for a medulloblastoma. A 15-year-old boy underwent surgery and radiotherapy for a medulloblastoma and 8 years later he developed a second tumor at the same site.


04/22/2008 02:16 PM

Time-resolved contrast-enhanced MR angiography of intracranial lesions

Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Volume 27, Issue 4 , Pages 692 - 699

To determine if contrast-enhanced (CE) MRI of intracranial lesions benefits from time-resolved MR angiography (MRA) during contrast agent injection.


04/22/2008 02:15 PM

Relationship between choline and apparent diffusion coefficient in patients with gliomas

Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Volume 27, Issue 4 , Pages 718 - 725

To examine the relationship between apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) from diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and choline levels from proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) in newly diagnosed Grade II and IV gliomas within distinct anatomic regions.


04/22/2008 02:17 PM

Wind turbines, flicker, and photosensitive epilepsy: Characterizing the flashing that may precipitate seizures and optimizing guidelines to prevent them

Epilepsia doi:10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01563.x

Wind turbines are known to produce shadow flicker by interruption of sunlight by the turbine blades. Known parameters of the seizure provoking effect of flicker, i.e., contrast, frequency, mark-space ratio, retinal area stimulated and percentage of visual cortex involved were applied to wind turbine features.


04/22/2008 02:12 PM

The renin-angiotensin system is upregulated in the cortex and hippocampus of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy related to mesial temporal sclerosis

Epilepsia doi:10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01581.x

As reported by several authors, angiotensin II (AngII) is a proinflammatory molecule that stimulates the release of inflammatory cytokines and activates nuclear factor kB (NFkB), being also associated with the increase of cellular oxidative stress.


04/22/2008 02:11 PM

Variation in the PDE4D Gene and Ischemic Stroke Risk. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on 5200 Cases and 6600 Controls

Stroke doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.107.509992

PDE4D was identified as the first novel gene associated with ischemic stroke risk. Replication studies have produced conflicting results, but many have been small and underpowered. Meta-analysis provides a method to combine this data and determine in a larger sample size whether the association with PDE4D can be replicated.


04/22/2008 02:11 PM

The prevalence of epilepsy and pharmacoresistant epilepsy in adults: A population-based study in a Western European country

Epilepsia doi:10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01579.x


To determine the prevalence of epilepsy in a defined adult population and identify the frequency and principal features of pharmacoresistant epilepsy.


04/22/2008 02:10 PM

Prolonged neurophysiologic effects of levetiracetam after oral administration in humans

Epilepsia doi:10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01562.x

To determine whether neurophysiological effects of levetiracetam (LEV) outlast its serum half-life of approximately 7 h. Demonstration of prolonged effects would help to explain the efficacy of LEV at conventional dosing intervals that are longer than the serum half-life.


04/22/2008 02:09 PM

Granule cell dispersion develops without neurogenesis and does not fully depend on astroglial cell generation in a mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy

Epilepsia doi:10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01595.x

Granule cell dispersion (GCD) appears as a characteristic morphological feature of the mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE).


04/22/2008 02:08 PM

Regional Differences in Diabetes as a Possible Contributor to the Geographic Disparity in Stroke Mortality. The REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke Study

Stroke doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.107.507053

Diabetes and hypertension impart approximately the same increased relative risk for stroke, although hypertension has a larger population-attributable risk because of its higher population prevalence.


04/22/2008 02:07 PM

Effects of high-frequency stimulation on epileptiform activity in vitro: ON/OFF control paradigm

Epilepsia doi:10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01592.x

To determine the effects of high-frequency electrical stimulation on electrographic seizure activity during and after stimulation (ON-effect and OFF-effect).


04/22/2008 02:06 PM

Antiepileptic drugs-best practice guidelines for therapeutic drug monitoring: A position paper by the subcommission on therapeutic drug monitoring, ILAE Commission on Therapeutic Strategies

Epilepsia doi:10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01561.x

Although no randomized studies have demonstrated a positive impact of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) on clinical outcome in epilepsy, evidence from nonrandomized studies and everyday clinical experience does indicate that measuring serum concentrations of old and new generation antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can have a valuable role in guiding patient management provided that concentrations are measured with a clear indication and are interpreted critically, taking into account the whole clinical context.


04/22/2008 02:05 PM

Effect of Prophylactic Transluminal Balloon Angioplasty on Cerebral Vasospasm and Outcome in Patients With Fisher Grade III Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. Results of a Phase II Multicenter, Randomized, Clinical Trial

Stroke doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.107.502666

Cerebral vasospasm continues to be a major cause of poor outcome in patients with ruptured aneurysms. Prophylactic Transluminal Balloon Angioplasty (pTBA) appeared to prevent delayed ischemic neurological deficit in a pilot study. A phase II multicenter randomized clinical trial was subsequently designed.


04/22/2008 02:04 PM

Dopamine agonist therapy in early Parkinson's disease

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008 Issue 2

Dopamine agonists are being used increasingly as first line treatment for Parkinson's disease, but there remains uncertainty about their clinical and cost-effectiveness relative to levodopa.


04/22/2008 02:04 PM

When to Expect Negative Diffusion-Weighted Images in Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack

Stroke doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.107.497453

The frequency of DWI negative cerebral ischemia and clinical factors associated with such a circumstance is not well understood.


04/22/2008 02:03 PM

Stroke in Rural Areas and Small Communities

Stroke doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.107.501643

The management of stroke in rural and regional areas is variable in both the developed and developing world. Informed by best-practice guidelines and recommendations for systems of stroke care, adaptable models of care that are appropriate for local needs should be devised for rural and regional settings.


04/22/2008 02:02 PM

Natural History of Dural Arteriovenous Shunts

Stroke doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.107.506485

Dural arteriovenous shunts with cortical venous reflux or drainage may cause neurological symptoms and death with or without intracranial hemorrhage. Present knowledge about the natural history of these lesions is limited, however. We investigated the incidences of intracranial hemorrhage, progressive dementia syndrome, and death in patients diagnosed in our neurovascular center.


04/22/2008 02:01 PM

Local Intraarterial Fibrinolysis Administered in Aliquots for the Treatment of Central Retinal Artery Occlusion. The Johns Hopkins Hospital Experience

Stroke doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.107.505404

Central retinal artery occlusion results in acute visual loss with poor spontaneous recovery. Current standard therapies do not alter the natural history of disease. Several open-label clinical studies using continuous infusion of thrombolytic agents have suggested that local intraarterial fibrinolysis (LIF) is efficacious in the treatment of central retinal artery occlusion.


04/22/2008 02:00 PM

Durability of Endovascular Therapy for Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerosis

Stroke doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.107.500587

Intracranial angioplasty and stenting are therapeutic options for patients with symptomatic intracranial arterial stenoses intractable to medical therapy. However, the long-term safety and clinical efficacy of these techniques are unknown. We sought to assess the long-term outcome and efficacy of these techniques.


04/22/2008 01:59 PM

Temporal lobe neoplasm and seizures: how deep does the story go?

Epileptic Disorders. Volume 10, Number 1, 56-67

There is a well-described association between the occurrence of developmental tumors and the presence of cortical dysplasia in the neighboring brain tissue. The main surgical approaches in the treatment of medically refractory epilepsy related to such developmental tumors include a lesionectomy versus a tailored cortical resection, often guided by an invasive evaluation.


04/22/2008 01:54 PM

Abnormalities in diffusion tensor imaging of the uncinate fasciculus relate to reduced memory in temporal lobe epilepsy

Epilepsia doi:10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01596.x

To use Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) to explore structural integrity and connectivity of the uncinate fasciculus (UF) in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and its relationship to memory performance.


04/22/2008 01:53 PM

Endoscopic resection of hypothalamic hamartomas for refractory symptomatic epilepsy

NEUROLOGY 2008;70:1543-1548

Hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs), rare developmental abnormalities of the inferior hypothalamus, often cause refractory, symptomatic, mixed epilepsy, including gelastic seizures. We present 37 patients with HH who underwent transcortical transventricular endoscopic resection.


04/22/2008 01:45 PM

Brain SPECT perfusion of frontotemporal dementia associated with motor neuron disease

Neurology.2008; 70: 1575-1576


04/22/2008 01:44 PM

Selective activation of muscle and skin nociceptors does not trigger exaggerated sympathetic responses in spinal-injured subjects

Spinal Cord 22 April 2008

Measurement of sympathetic effector organ responses to selective activation of muscle and skin nociceptors below lesion in spinal cord-injured (SCI) subjects.


04/22/2008 01:43 PM

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy in a patient with autonomic dysreflexia: a case report

Spinal Cord 22 April 2008

To report a case of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy (RPL) in a patient with traumatic cervical spinal cord injury.


04/22/2008 01:42 PM

Framingham Stroke Risk Profile and poor cognitive function: a population-based study

BMC Neurology 2008, 8:12

The relationship between stroke risk and cognitive function has not previously been examined in a large community living sample other than the Framingham cohort. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between 10-year risk for incident stroke and cognitive function in a large population-based sample.


04/19/2008 12:35 PM

Detrimental effects of tobacco smoke exposure during development on postnatal lung function and asthma

Birth Defects Research Part C: Embryo Today: Reviews Volume 84, Issue 1 , Pages 54 - 60

Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) during fetal development and early postnatal life is perhaps the most ubiquitous and hazardous of children's environmental exposures. The developing lung is highly susceptible to ETS.


04/19/2008 12:34 PM

Tailored interventions based on exhaled nitric oxide versus clinical symptoms for asthma in children and adults

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008 Issue 2

The measurement of severity and control of asthma in both children and adults can be based on subjective or objective measures. It has been advocated that fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) can be used to monitor airway inflammation as it correlates with some markers of asthma. Interventions for asthma therapies have been traditionally based on symptoms and/or spirometry.


04/19/2008 12:33 PM

Short-course versus long-course antibiotic therapy for non-severe community-acquired pneumonia in children aged 2 months to 59 months

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 2, 2008

Pneumonia is the leading cause of mortality in children under five years of age. Treatment of pneumonia requires an effective antibiotic used in adequate doses for an appropriate duration. Recommended duration of treatment ranges between 7 and 14 days, but this is not based on any empirical evidence.


04/19/2008 12:32 PM

Use of Whole-body FDG PET-CT to Aid in the Diagnosis of Occult Sarcoidosis

Ocular Immunology & Inflammation, Volume 16, Issue 1 & 2 January 2008 , pages 25 - 27

To report a case where combined whole-body Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET-CT scanning was used to aid in the diagnosis of a patient with occult sarcoidosis.


04/19/2008 12:31 PM

Clinical practice guidelines for hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia in adults

January/February 2008, Volume 19 Issue 1: 19-53

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) are important causes of morbidity and mortality, with mortality rates approaching 62%. HAP and VAP are the second most common cause of nosocomial infection overall, but are the most common cause documented in the intensive care unit setting.


04/19/2008 12:30 PM

A case of necrotizing fasciitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 5 in Saskatchewan

January/February 2008, Volume 19 Issue 1: 69-71

Necrotizing fasciitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae is a rare and grave condition, and only a few cases have been reported. Suggested risk factors include minor trauma, systemic lupus erythematosus, immunosuppression secondary to medication, use of intramuscular anti-inflammatories and alcoholism.


04/19/2008 12:28 PM

Surfactant for pulmonary hemorrhage in neonates

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 2, 2008

In the late 1960's and 1970's, pulmonary hemorrhage (PH) occurred mainly in full term infants with severe pre-existing illness. The incidence of PH was quoted as 1.3 per 1,000 live births. In the older medical literature, the risk factors associated with PH included the severity of the associated illness, intrauterine growth restriction, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), coagulopathy, and the need for assisted ventilation.


04/19/2008 12:27 PM

Ciclesonide versus other inhaled steroids for chronic asthma in children and adults

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008 Issue 2

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are an integral part of asthma management, and act as an anti-inflammatory agent in the airways of the lung. These agents confer both significant benefit in terms of symptom management and improvement in lung function, but may also cause harm in terms of local and systemic side-effects. Ciclesonide is a novel steroid that is metabolised to its active component in the lung, making it a potentially useful for reducing local side effects.


04/19/2008 12:26 PM

Periodic breathing and dysphagia associated with a localized lateral medullary infarction

Respirology doi:10.1111/j.1440-1843.2008.01267.x

A 77-year-old man experienced sudden onset of dysphagia. An MRI revealed a left lateral medullary infarction. Portable polysomnography showed Cheyne-Stokes-like breathing with marked desaturation (lowest SaO2 74%) associated with apnoea.


04/19/2008 12:25 PM

Combustion-Derived Hydrocarbons Localize to Lipid Droplets in Respiratory Cells

American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. Vol. 38, pp. 532-540, 2008

Combustion-generated radicals interact to form polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including carcinogens. PAHs aggregate into 20- to 50-nm particles, which extend into branched-chain structures (soots). Incomplete combustion yields black soot particles and black smoke. Many PAHs, including those in soots, fluoresce upon excitation.


04/19/2008 12:24 PM

Home Non-Invasive Mechanical Ventilation and Long-Term Oxygen Therapy in Stable Hypercapnic Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: Comparison of Costs

Respiration (DOI: 10.1159/000127410)

A cost analysis of nocturnal non-invasive ventilation (NNV) in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients would be helpful in decision making, when the balance between the increased demand and the availability of resources should be checked.


04/19/2008 12:23 PM

Characterization of a panel of six beta2-adrenergic receptor antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy

Respiratory Research 2008, 9:32

The beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2AR) is a primary target for medications used to treat asthma. Due to the low abundance of beta2AR, very few studies have reported its localization in tissues.


04/17/2008 02:58 PM

Gigantic Bronchial Artery Aneurysm Treated With Transcatheter Arterial Embolization: A Case Report

Angiology 2008, doi:10.1177/0003319707306150


04/17/2008 02:57 PM

Case report: Multi-detector CT of left pulmonary artery sling

Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging Year : 2008 Volume : 18 Issue : 2 Page : 124-125

Left pulmonary artery sling (LPAS) is a rare vascular anomaly in which the left pulmonary artery (LPA) arises from the right pulmonary artery (RPA) and enters the left hilum after passing between the trachea and the esophagus; it can cause respiratory distress.


04/17/2008 02:56 PM

Noninvasive Diagnosis of Bronchial Artery Aneurysm Using Dual-Source Computed Tomography Angiography

Acta Radiologica, Volume 49, Issue 3 2008 , pages 291 - 294

Bronchial artery aneurysm is a rare entity, detected in less than 1% of all patients undergoing selective bronchial arteriograms. Approximately 50 cases have been reported so far. Computed tomography (CT) reports of mediastinal bronchial artery aneurysms are rare. We report a case of a bronchial artery aneurysm in an 84-year-old male patient, which had been misdiagnosed as lung cancer for 6 years.


04/17/2008 02:56 PM

Cysteinyl-leukotrienes in nasal lavage fluid in children with asthma

Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Volume 19, Number 3, May 2008 , pp. 227-232(6)

The aim of this study was to investigate repeatability of cysteinyl-leukotrienes (cys-LT) measurements in nasal lavage fluid (NLF) and to determine if cys-LT levels in NLF are related to asthma severity in children.


04/17/2008 02:55 PM

Clinical Evaluation of a Dual-Side Readout Technique Computed Radiography System in Chest Radiography of Premature Neonates

Acta Radiologica, Volume 49, Issue 4 2008 , pages 468 - 474

Recently, the dual-side readout technique has been introduced in computed radiography, leading to an increase in detective quantum efficiency (DQE) compared with the single-side readout technique.


04/17/2008 02:54 PM

A case of tracheobronchitis in ulcerative colitis: a review of literature

The Clinical Respiratory Journal doi:10.1111/j.1752-699X.2008.00053.x

Tracheobronchitis is a rare extraintestinal manifestation of ulcerative colitis (UC) and is often mis-diagnosed and treated as asthma.


04/17/2008 02:53 PM

Costs of Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Predictors of Adherence in the National Emphysema Treatment Trial

COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Volume 5, Issue 2 April 2008 , pages 105 - 116

This study reports the costs associated with rehabilitation among participants in the National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT), and evaluates factors associated with adherence to rehabilitation.


04/17/2008 02:52 PM

Profiling of mRNA Expression in Quadriceps of Patients with COPD and Muscle Wasting

COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Volume 5, Issue 2 April 2008 , pages 75 - 84

Peripheral muscle wasting is a feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Potent therapeutic strategies are needed to improve peripheral muscle mass in these patients.


04/17/2008 02:51 PM

A video-simulation study of the management of asthma exacerbations by physicians in India

The Clinical Respiratory Journal Volume 2 Issue 2 Page 98-105, April 2008

Despite efforts to improve the management of asthma worldwide, few options exist for evaluating the specific needs or the success of these activities in a manner free from bias.


04/17/2008 02:50 PM

Long-Term Effects of Budesonide on Inflammatory Status in COPD

COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Volume 5, Issue 2 April 2008 , pages 97 - 104

A beneficial effect of long-term corticosteroid treatment in patients with COPD may be linked to suppressing inflammation, in particular neutrophilic inflammation.


04/17/2008 02:49 PM

Exercise Testing in Severe Emphysema: Association with Quality of Life and Lung Function

COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Volume 5, Issue 2 April 2008 , pages 117 - 124

Six-minute walk testing (6MWT) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) are used to evaluate impairment in emphysema. However, the extent of impairment in these tests as well as the correlation of these tests with each other and lung function in advanced emphysema is not well characterized.


04/17/2008 02:48 PM

Health Disparities in the United States: Childhood Asthma

American Journal of the Medical Sciences. 335(4):260-265, April 2008

During the last 3 decades, asthma prevalence and morbidity in the United States have dramatically increased. The impact of this chronic respiratory disease has been disproportionately high among inner city residents, particularly lower socioeconomic groups, ethnic minorities, and children.


04/17/2008 02:47 PM

Bronchoscopic Approach to COPD

COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Volume 5, Issue 2 April 2008 , pages 125 - 131

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a highly prevalent condition that has frequent morbidity and mortality, with associated costs of US $ 2.5 billion annually and nearly 14,000 deaths each year. In the most advanced stages it causes debilitating breathlessness which is not improved despite maximal medical therapy including smoking cessation, bronchodilators, steroids and supplemental oxygen.


04/17/2008 02:47 PM

COPD as a Systemic Disease

COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Volume 5, Issue 2 April 2008 , pages 133 - 138

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents an important and increasing burden throughout the world. Classically, COPD has been considered a respiratory condition only, mainly caused by tobacco smoking. However, COPD has important manifestations beyond the lungs, the so-called systemic effects.


04/17/2008 02:46 PM

The Potentially Lethal Nature of Bronchial Casts: Plastic Bronchitis

International Journal of Surgical Pathology, Vol. 16, No. 2, 230-232 (2008)

The gross and microscopic findings from 2 fatal cases of plastic bronchitis (PB) in children, a rare entity characterized by the formation of large mucous casts in the bronchial tree, are presented.


04/17/2008 02:45 PM

Escherichia coli: An unknown and infrequent cause of community acquired pneumonia

Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 40, Issue 5 2008 , pages 424 - 427

Our aim was to describe the incidence, clinical characteristics and outcome of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by Escherichia coli through the analysis of a cohort of patients with this condition.


04/17/2008 02:44 PM

Endothelial Dysfunction in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Angiology 2008, doi:10.1177/0003319707306141


04/17/2008 02:44 PM

A Retrospective Analysis of Hospitalized Patients With Documented Deep-Venous Thrombosis and Their Risk of Pulmonary Embolism

Angiology 2008, doi:10.1177/0003319707309655


04/17/2008 02:42 PM

Selective blockade of NF-kB by novel mutated IkBa suppresses CD3/CD28-induced activation of memory CD4+ T cells in asthma

Nuclear factor kB (NF-kB) overactivation plays a crucial role in T-helper 2 (Th2)-biased allergic airway inflammation by increased activation and decreased apoptosis of CD4+ T cells.


04/17/2008 02:41 PM

Nickel Alterations of TLR2-Dependent Chemokine Profiles in Lung Fibroblasts Are Mediated by COX-2

American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. Vol. 38, pp. 591-599, 2008

Particulate matter air pollution (PM) has been linked with chronic respiratory diseases. Real-life exposures are likely to involve a mixture of chemical and microbial stimuli, yet little attention has been paid to the potential interactions between PM components (e.g., Ni) and microbial agents on the development of inflammatory-like conditions in the lung.


04/17/2008 02:40 PM

Moraxella-Dependent {alpha}1-Antichymotrypsin Neutralization

American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. Vol. 38, pp. 609-617, 2008

The acute phase reactant and protease inhibitor {alpha}1-antichymotrypsin is considered to play a protective role in the airways, but whether it interacts with respiratory bacteria is not known.


04/17/2008 02:39 PM

{beta}-Tryptase Regulates IL-8 Expression in Airway Smooth Muscle Cells by a PAR-2-Independent Mechanism

American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. Vol. 38, pp. 600-608, 2008

Mast cells are central in the development of several allergic diseases and contain a number of pre-formed mediators. {beta}-tryptase, the most abundant mast cell product, is increasingly recognized as a key inflammatory mediator, as it causes the release of cytokines, particularly the chemokine IL-8, from both inflammatory and structural cells.


04/17/2008 02:38 PM

Effect of Variation in CHI3L1 on Serum YKL-40 Level, Risk of Asthma, and Lung Function

NEJM Volume 358:1682-1691 April 17, 2008 Number 16

The chitinase-like protein YKL-40 is involved in inflammation and tissue remodeling. We recently showed that serum YKL-40 levels were elevated in patients with asthma and were correlated with severity, thickening of the subepithelial basement membrane, and pulmonary function. We hypothesized that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that affect YKL-40 levels also influence asthma status and lung function.


04/17/2008 02:37 PM

Clinical Experience with Gefitinib in Indian Patients

Journal of Thoracic Oncology. 3(4):380-385, April 2008

Treatment options are limited in patients with advanced or refractory non-small cell lung cancer and lead to suboptimal outcome and/or benefit. The epidermal growth factor tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib (IRESSA) has been approved in many countries. Increased responsiveness to gefitinib has been demonstrated in particular subsets of patients, for example never smokers and patients of Asian origin.


04/17/2008 02:36 PM

Visual Scoring of Atherosclerosis in Chest Computed Tomography: Findings among Male Construction Workers

Acta Radiologica, Volume 49, Issue 3 2008 , pages 328 - 336

Standard chest computed tomography (CT) examinations may contain valuable and underused information on atherosclerosis.


04/17/2008 02:35 PM

Prophylactic Implantation of Inferior Vena Cava Filter during Endovascular Therapies for Deep Venous Thrombosis of the Lower Extremity: Is It Necessary?

Acta Radiologica, Volume 49, Issue 4 2008 , pages 391 - 397

There is strong controversy as to whether to use filters temporarily in the inferior vena cava (IVC) during endovascular therapies for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in the lower extremity.


04/17/2008 02:35 PM

Commercial versus home-made spacers in delivering bronchodilator therapy for acute therapy in children

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008 Issue 2

Strong evidence supports the use of metered-dose inhalers combined with a spacer for delivering rapid-acting inhaled beta-2 agonists in the treatment of acute exacerbations of asthma in children. The high cost and lack of availability of commercially produced spacers however, have limited their use in developing countries.


04/17/2008 02:34 PM

Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Repair Capacity of the Vascular Endothelium in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Circulation 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.741512

Indirect evidence implicates endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We investigated directly whether dysfunction and inflammation occur in vivo in the vascular endothelium of patients with OSA. The effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on endothelial function and repair capacity were assessed.


04/17/2008 02:33 PM

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

J Am Coll Cardiol, 2008; 51:1527-1538

Significant advances in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have occurred over the last 10 years, starting with the approval of epoprostenol in 1998. Subsequently, multiple additional medications have received approval, including a subcutaneous prostacyclin, an inhaled prostacyclin, and oral medications in 2 separate classes.


04/17/2008 02:32 PM

Review: Treating patients with respiratory disease who smoke

Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease, Vol. 2, No. 2, 95-107 (2008)

The high prevalence of cigarette smoking in patients with respiratory disease puts them at risk of developing clinically important drug interactions. Cigarette smoking reduces the therapeutic response to certain drugs such as theophyllines through the induction of hepatic cytochrome P450 isoenzymes.


04/17/2008 02:31 PM

Exhaled nitric oxide, systemic inflammation, and the spirometric response to inhaled fluticasone propionate in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A prospective study

Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease, Vol. 2, No. 2, 55-64 (2008)

A subset of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may respond more favorably to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), but no simple method is currently utilized to predict the presence or absence of ICS responses in patients with COPD.


04/17/2008 02:31 PM

Arterio-venous access in end-stage renal disease patients and pulmonary hypertension

Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease, Vol. 2, No. 2, 49-53 (2008)

The syndrome of pulmonary hypertension (PHT) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has been described in patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD) therapy via arterial-venous (A-V) access. However, the exact timing for the development of the PHT is unknown. This study was designed to evaluate changes in pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) following creation of the vascular access.


04/17/2008 02:30 PM

Arformoterol and salmeterol in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A one year evaluation of safety and tolerance

Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease, Vol. 2, No. 2, 37-48 (2008)

Concerns have been raised regarding the safety of extended use of long-acting {beta}2-agonists (LABAs). The safety of arformoterol (50 µg QD), and salmeterol (42 µg BID), was assessed over 12 months in subjects with COPD. The study also examined the occurrence of tolerance with these agents, i.e. whether improvement in airway function diminished or frequency of exacerbations increased with 12-months of use.


04/17/2008 02:25 PM

Review: New perspectives in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease, Vol. 2, No. 2, 75-93 (2008)

Idiopathic pulmonary "brosis (IPF) is the most frequent idiopathic interstitial pneumonia with a prevalence ranging from 5 to 15 per 100,000 persons, and above 175 per 100,000 in the older population. IPF is a relentlessly progressive "brotic lung disorder leading to death within a median duration of 3 years.


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