Links
to Journal Articles Delivered Directly to Your Computer
The latest links to journal article abstracts on Respiratory, Pulmonary,
COPD, Mechanical Ventilation,
Ventilator Weaning, Respiratory Therapy, Asthma, Cardio-Vascular, Sleep
Apnea, CPAP, BiPAP, Decannulation and other related clinical topics. Add the Northeast Center for Special
Care Journal Watch
to your favorite RSS program.
American Journal of Industrial Medicine Published Online: 13 Aug 2008
In recent decades, the use of artificial nails including methacrylates (MAs) has increased. This study presents the first two clinical cases of occupational asthma (OA) caused by sculptured nails containing MAs.
Treatment options for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have considerably improved in the past few years. Endothelin (ET)-receptor antagonism has been established as a first-line option for the majority of PAH patients
Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging, Volume 28, Number 5, September 2008 , pp. 332-336(5)
In capnovolumetry, the expiratory CO2 concentration of exhaled air is plotted against the volume and thereby allows to determine functional dead space volumes.
We report a case of a 44-year old female who presented to her physician complaining of mild dyspnea. A follow-up chest X-ray and chest computed tomography scan revealed a giant bilateral intrathoracic mass, filling the right thoracic cavity and extending across the anterior mediastinum into the left chest cavity.
Allergy, Volume 63, Number 9, September 2008 , pp. 1110-1123(14)
The epithelial layer occupies a strategic important location between an organisms' interior and exterior environment. Although as such it forms a physical barrier between both environments, it became clear that the role of the epithelium extends far beyond this rather passive role.
Testicular involvement by sarcoidosis is a rare condition. A 23-year-old Japanese man had asymptomatic bilateral testicular lesions, which were detected by gallium scintigram, together with lesions located bilaterally in the uvea, lungs and hilar, and mediastinal lymph nodes and unilateral supraclavicular lymph nodes.
Gastroesophageal reflux (GOR) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), possibly due to pulmonary aspiration of refluxed acid. Risk of aspiration of gastric contents is increased during sleep due to decreased oesophageal clearance mechanisms and may be further increased by the presence of OSA.
Obesity is an important factor in the development of asthma. Aspirin hypersensitivity affects 5-10% of asthmatics. The association between obesity and aspirin hypersensitivity in asthma is unclear. This study evaluated the association of BMI and asthma in patients with aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA) and aspirin-intolerant asthma (AIA).
Several sets of guidelines have advocated initial antibiotic treatment for community-acquired pneumonia due to Gram-negative bacilli in patients with specific risk factors. However, evidence to support this recommendation is scarce.
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 2008, doi:10.1164/rccm.200711-1617OC
Most deaths in the intensive care involve withholding or withdrawing multiple life-sustaining therapies, but little is known about how to proceed practically and how it affects family satisfaction.
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 2008, doi:10.1164/rccm.200803-386OC
The etiology and pathogenesis of angiogenesis in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is poorly understood. Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor (IaI) is a serum protein that can bind to hyaluronan and may contribute to the angiogenic response to tissue injury.
Despite the introduction of new drugs that have changed the course of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), some patients are still refractory to treatment and deteriorate rapidly.
Journal of Prosthodontics, Volume 17, Number 6, August 2008 , pp. 462-467(6)
The aim of this study was to determine the mineral status of mandibles, femurs, and spines in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients under long-term inhaled corticosteroid therapy.
American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs, Volume 8, Number 4, 2008 , pp. 213-217(5)
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severely disabling disorder characterized by sustained elevations of pulmonary vascular resistance, ultimately leading to right-heart failure and death. Intravenous epoprostenol has been widely used in patients with PAH, leading to long-term clinical benefits and improved survival.
Allergy, Volume 63, Number 9, September 2008 , pp. 1202-1210(9)
Asthma exacerbations represent the main source of costs and morbidity in asthma care, and drugs specifically designed to prevent exacerbations are needed. A prerequisite is to dispose of a precise knowledge of inflammatory events leading to exacerbations.
Diseases of the Esophagus Published Online: 2 May 2008
Lung and esophageal dysfunction are common in patients with connective tissue disease (CTD). Recent reports have suggested a link between pathologic gastroesophageal reflux and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) after lung transplant.
The Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society 5:703-706 (2008)
At least two populations of epithelial stem/progenitor cells give rise to the lung anlage, comprising the laryngo-tracheal complex versus the distal lung below the first bronchial bifurcation. Amplification of the distal population requires FGF9-FGF10-FGFR2b-Sprouty signaling. Residual pools of adult stem cells are hypothesized to be the source of lung regeneration and repair.
Journal of General Internal Medicine 0884-8734 (Print) 10.1007/s11606-008-0749-z
Although depression is a risk factor for adverse outcomes in chronic illness, little is known about the prevalence or risk factors for depressive symptoms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Pediatric Dermatology, Volume 25, Number 4, July/August 2008 , pp. 484-486(3)
An 8-year-old boy, treated with a short course of steroids for asthma, developed a fever with abdominal pain and a generalized vesicular rash after contact with varicella-infected classmates.
American Journal of Clinical Oncology. 31(4):340-344, August 2008
Although preexisting pulmonary fibrosis (PF) on chest radiograph is known to be a risk factor of gefitinib-related interstitial lung disease (ILD), the significance of PF detected by chest computed tomography (CT) on the development of gefitinib-related ILD has not been investigated sufficiently.
American Journal of Clinical Oncology. 31(4):384-389, August 2008
The aim of pleurodesis in malignant pleural effusions is to prevent reaccumulation of the fluid, symptoms, and avoid the need for repeated hospitalization for thoracentesis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of erythromycin as a pleural sclerosing agent.
American Journal of Transplantation Volume 8 Issue 9, Pages 1921 - 1930
Pathologic obliterative bronchiolitis (OB)/Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (pathologic OB/BOS) is the major obstacle to long-term survival post-lung transplantation (LT). Our group has demonstrated that pulmonary hypertension (PH) complicates the course of chronic inflammatory lung diseases that have similarities to pathologic OB/BOS and that vascular remodeling of the bronchial circulation occurs during BOS. Consequently, we hypothesized that PH is associated with pathologic OB/BOS and may result from a vasculopathy of the allograft pulmonary circulation.
American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. Vol. 39, pp. 289-295, 2008
Hyaluronan (HA) is present at the apical surface of airway epithelium as a high-molecular-weight polymer. Since HA depolymerization initiates a cascade of events that results in kinin generation and growth factor processing, in the present work we used primary cultures of human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells grown at the air-liquid interface (ALI) to assess hyaluronidase (Hyal) activity by HA zymography, gene expression by quantitative real-time PCR, and localization by confocal microscopy.
American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. Vol. 39, pp. 296-304, 2008
The GABAB receptor is a dimer composed of R1 and R2 components and classically couples to the heterotrimeric Gi protein. In addition to their location on neurons, GABA and functional GABAB receptors have been detected in peripheral tissue such as airway smooth muscle.
Pediatric Pulmonology Published Online: 4 Aug 2008
The large dead space associated with face masks might impede the accuracy and feasibility of multiple-breath washout (MBW) measurements in small infants. We asked if a low dead space nasal mask would provide measurements of resting lung volume and ventilation inhomogeneity comparable to those obtained with a face mask, when using the MBW technique. Unsedated preterm infants breathing without mechanical assistance and weighing between 1.50 and 2.49 kg were studied.
European Radiology 0938-7994 (Print) 10.1007/s00330-008-1134-3
The usefulness of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (DWI) for differentiating central lung cancer from postobstructive lobar collapse (POC) was investigated.
European Radiology 0938-7994 (Print) 10.1007/s00330-008-1131-6
We assessed with computed tomography (CT) densitometry the prevalence of emphysema in 266 smokers and former smokers enrolled in the ITALUNG trial of lung cancer screening with low-dose thin-slice CT.
To estimate the incidence rates for asthma, rhinitis and eczema symptoms and to investigate the importance of different influential factors for the incidence of these symptoms.
Allergy, Volume 63, Number 9, September 2008 , pp. 1235-1238(4)
Asthma is a complex genetic disorder characterized by chronic inflammation in the airways. Identification of genetic risk factors for asthma has been complicated due to genetic heterogeneity and influence from environmental risk factors.
Pediatric Blood & Cancer Published Online: 12 Aug 2008
Management of pediatric patients with malignant and hematological diseases is frequently associated with pulmonary complications. We assessed pulmonary function at diagnosis and during a 5-year follow-up to identify risk factors associated with pulmonary deterioration.
International Journal of Clinical Practice Published Online: 8 Mar 2006
Sarcoidosis is a chronic disease with an unknown aetiology. Our aim was to evaluate the pattern of seasonality of stage 1 sarcoidosis subjects who had symptoms by all cases, by age and by both genders. In this study, we used Roger's test for cyclic variation to prove that this seasonal variation was more than chance.
Pediatric Pulmonology Published Online: 30 Jul 2008
It has been suggested that infants dynamically regulate their tidal flow and end-expiratory volume level. The interaction between muscle activity, flow and lung volume in spontaneously sleeping neonates is poorly studied, since it requires the assessment of transcutaneous electromyography of respiratory muscles (rEMG) in matched comparison to lung function measurements.
Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 27(8):699-703, August 2008
In children, pleural empyema is a recognized complication of severe pneumonia and is characterized by loculated effusions with fibrin septations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between proinflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-[alpha] (TNF-[alpha]), interleukin-1[beta] (IL-1[beta]), and IL-6], intrapleural fibrinolytic system enzymes [tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1)], and common biochemical indices during pleural infection.
The effect of sleep apnea on mortality and cardiovascular morbidity is mainly unknown. We aimed to study whether sleep apnea is related to stroke, death, or myocardial infarction in patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease.
Allergy, Volume 63, Number 9, September 2008 , pp. 1244-1247(4)
Neurogenic inflammation may participate in the development and progression of bronchial asthma. The molecular mechanisms underlying neurogenic inflammation are orchestrated by a large number of neuropeptides including tachykinins such as neurokinin A (NKA) and substance P. Tachykinins are secreted from sensory airway nerves and inflammatory cells after allergens exposure.
Respiratory diseases represent a significant burden in primary care. Determining the temporal variation of the overall burden of respiratory diseases on the health care system and their potential causes are keys to understanding disease dynamics in populations and can contribute to the rational management of health care resources.
The association between bronchial obstruction severity and mortality in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is well established, but it is unknown whether disease-specific health status measures and multidimensional assessment (MDA) have comparable prognostic value.
Neutrophil products like matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), involved in bacterial defence mechanisms, possibly induce lung damage and are elevated locally during hospital- acquired pneumonia (HAP).
The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 12, Number 9, September 2008 , pp. 1092-1098(7)
Approximately half of the world's population, and up to 90% of households in rural areas of developing countries, depend on biomass for cooking and heating.
Accidental chlorine (Cl2) gas inhalation is a common cause of acute airway injury. However, little is known about the kinetics of airway injury and repair after Cl2 exposure.
Sleepiness at the wheel is a major risk factor for traffic accidents. Because of the potential medical and legal implications, in this study, we evaluated the correlation between subjective and objective measures of sleepiness and driving performances in patients suffering from excessive daytime sleepiness.
Allergy and Asthma Proceedings, Volume 29, Number 4, 7/8 2008 , pp. 376-379(4)
Occupational asthma (OA) accounts for 5-10% of all asthma in adults. Although OA secondary to enzymes has been reported, it is rare in the context of food preparation.
To identify variables contributing to interfacility differences in mortality among residents of long-term care facilities who have lower respiratory tract infection.
Allergy and Asthma Proceedings, Volume 29, Number 4, 7/8 2008 , pp. 365-370(6)
Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) is a novel experimental procedure involving the application of controlled heat from a radiofrequency source to the airway wall as a means to reduce airway smooth muscle in the airway wall.
Pediatric Pulmonology Published Online: 4 Aug 2008
Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) experience repeated infectious respiratory exacerbations leading to a continuous decline in lung function. The exacerbations are treated in hospital or at home.
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 2008, doi:10.1164/rccm.200712-1890OC
Pulmonary hypertension is a common complication of chronic hypoxic lung diseases and is associated with increased morbidity and reduced survival. The pulmonary vascular changes in response to hypoxia, both structural and functional, are unique to this circulation.
Lung fibrosis, reduced lung compliance and severe hypoxemia found in patients with acute lung injury often result in the need for the support of mechanical ventilation.
Proteomics is increasingly leading to biomarker discovery in human disease. Epithelial lining fluid (ELF), until now only recovered indirectly, diluted in BAL fluid, is an attractive sample for lung disease proteomics.
The occurrence of pleural effusion after ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation has been described; however, little has been elucidated about the nature, prevalence, or characteristics of the effusions. Our study details the prevalence of pleural effusion and pleural fluid characteristics in VAD patients at our institution.
Leptin is a protein hormone produced by adipose tissue. Leptin has proinflammatory properties and is usually elevated in patients with chronic heart failure. We assessed if serum leptin relates to the loss in lung function in noncachectic patients with chronic heart failure.
Sleep bruxism (SB) is a stereotyped movement disorder that is characterized by rhythmic masticatory muscle activity (RMMA) and tooth grinding. Evidence has suggested that SB is associated with sleep arousals and that most RMMA episodes are preceded by physiologic changes occurring in sequence, namely, a rise in autonomic sympathetic-cardiac activity followed by a rise in the frequency of EEG and suprahyoid muscle activity.
Allergy and Asthma Proceedings, Volume 29, Number 4, 7/8 2008 , pp. 371-375(5)
Chronic airway inflammation in children with asthma might be present even in the absence of pathological lung function tests and is known to increase the risk of permanent pulmonary damage.
Yellow nail syndrome (YNS) is a rare condition defined by the presence of yellow nails associated with lymphedema and/or chronic respiratory manifestations. Several aspects of this disorder remain poorly defined.
The present study examines the anti-inflammatory effects of the LTRA pranlukast in addition to ICS and LABA, among asthmatic patients with normal pulmonary function and unremarkable clinical symptoms.
Lung disease has become the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in scleroderma (SSc) patients. The frequency, nature, and progression of interstitial lung disease seen on high-resolution CT (HRCT) scans in patients with diffuse SSc (dcSSc) compared with those with limited SSc (lcSSc) has not been well characterized.
Lung transplantation involves vagal nerve interruption resulting in sensory airway denervation and impairment of the cough reflex. Following lung transplantation, it is unclear whether functional recovery of the cough reflex occurs over time. Our objective was to evaluate the afferent limb of the cough reflex in lung transplant recipients.
Obesity is associated with an increased prevalence of asthma, especially in women, and appears to be more severe in the obese. This study aimed to determine if obese subjects have a specific asthma phenotype.
Allergy, Volume 63, Number 9, September 2008 , pp. 1239-1243(5)
The Th2 cytokine interleukin-13 (IL-13) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We sought to examine IL-13 expression in COPD subjects in induced sputum and bronchus specimens. We hypothesized that inflammatory cells expressing IL-13 localize to the airway smooth muscle bundle and bronchial glands.
Allergy, Volume 63, Number 9, September 2008 , pp. 1211-1217(7)
Filaggrin (FLG) null mutations are important genetic predisposing factors for atopic asthma and have recently been shown to influence controller and reliever medication needs in asthmatic children. Our objective was to study the role of FLG null alleles in asthma exacerbations.
Allergy, Volume 63, Number 9, September 2008 , pp. 1186-1194(9)
Adenosine is a signalling nucleoside that has been proposed to contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma. Adenosine is produced in inflammatory environments and acts via adenosine receptors (A1R, A2AR, A2BR, and A3R) expressed by a wide variety of cells, resulting in pro- and anti-inflammatory effects.
International Journal of Clinical Practice Published Online: 14 Apr 2008
A wide range of lasers have been used in the larynx. Diode laser is a portable and relatively inexpensive laser which is delivered via a glass fibre hand-held probe. The objective of this study was to report our experience with the use of diode laser in a variety of paediatric airway pathologies.
Horseshoe lung is a rare pulmonary anomaly characterized by fusion of the posterobasal portions of the right and left lung behind the heart anterior to the aorta and the spinal column.
American Journal of Transplantation Published Online: 28 Jul 2008
Lymphangiomatosis is a rare disease of lymphatic proliferation for which no adequate treatment is known. We report the first successful case of bilateral lung transplantation for the treatment of end-stage pulmonary lymphangiomatosis.
American Journal of Transplantation Published Online: 28 Jul 2008
We have analyzed the evolution of renal status beyond the perioperative period in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) undergoing lung transplantation and presented histological analysis of 15 patients biopsied for an episode of accelerated renal function loss (RFL).
Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 27(8):753-755, August 2008
A prospective, school-based study included daily monitoring for incidence of symptomatic streptococcal-associated pharyngitis and monthly determinations of group A streptococcal prevalence.
Academic Emergency Medicine Published Online: 11 Jul 2008
The objectives were to determine patient and treatment-response factors associated with relapse after emergency department (ED) treatment for acute asthma.
Sleep disturbances may be associated with impaired glucose metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate sleep duration and quality in relation to glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.
American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. Vol. 39, pp. 356-363, 2008
Migration of fibroblasts plays an essential role in tissue repair after injury. Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a multifunctional mediator released by many cells that can be released in inflammation and after injury.
American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. Vol. 39, pp. 373-379, 2008
{beta}2-adrenergic receptors are expressed on different cell types in the lung, including respiratory epithelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and macrophages.
American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. Vol. 39, pp. 312-323, 2008
Oxidative stress as a result of cigarette smoking is an important etiologic factor in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a chronic steroid-insensitive inflammatory disease of the airways.
The burden of children's chronic cough to parents is largely unknown. The objectives of this study were as follows: (1) to determine the burden of chronic cough using a purposely designed questionnaire, and (2) to evaluate psychological
(child's anxiety and parental emotional distress) and other influences on the reported burden of cough.
Increased expression of cysteinyl leukotriene receptors (cysteinyl leukotriene receptor-1 [LT1-R]; cysteinyl leukotriene receptor-2 [LT2-R]) has been detected in adenotonsillar tissue from children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) compared to control subjects.
Pediatric Pulmonology Published Online: 4 Aug 2008
This is an extended open study of oral prophylactic treatment with egg yolk antibodies against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Anti-Pseudomonas IgY, of 17 Swedish patients with cystic fibrosis.
Despite a variety of benefits brought by pulmonary rehabilitation to patients with COPD, it is unclear whether these patients are more active during daily life after the program.
To identify predictors of 30-day mortality and hospital costs in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) attributed to potentially antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (PARGNB) [Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter species, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia].
Tiotropium plus formoterol was superior in lung function over the day compared to salmeterol plus fluticasone in patients with moderate COPD. Long-term studies in patients with severe COPD are warranted to assess the relative efficacy of different treatment combinations.
Tracheostomy tube malposition is a barrier to weaning from mechanical ventilation. We determined the incidence of tracheostomy tube malposition, identified the associated risk factors, and examined the effect of malposition on clinical outcomes.
Plasma endothelin and adrenomedullin are increased in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, hypoxia, and pulmonary infections, conditions that predict survival in patients with COPD.
Secretory leukoproteinase inhibitor (SLPI) is an important inhibitor of neutrophil elastase (NE), a proteinase implicated in the pathogenesis of lung diseases such as COPD.
Liver International, Volume 28, Number 8, September 2008 , pp. 1080-1086(7)
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and obstructive sleep apnoea are associated with metabolic syndrome and atherosclerotic heart disease. This study evaluates the potential association between the NAFLD subtypes and a number of polysomnographical (PSG) parameters.
To test several patient-oriented asthma outcome measures and the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measure of appropriate medication for persistent asthma to determine the most useful quality indicator of asthma care.
We present the MR imaging findings in an atypical pulmonary hamartoma in a 12-year-old boy. CT showed no evidence of fat or calcifications in the tumour.
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 295: H569-H577, 2008
There is increasing evidence that TGF-{beta} family member cytokine bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-4 plays different pathophysiological roles in the pulmonary and systemic circulation.
Pediatric Blood & Cancer Published Online: 22 Jul 2008
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial pediatric solid cancer. Lung metastasis is rarely detected in children with newly diagnosed neuroblastoma. We aimed to describe the incidence, clinical characteristics, and outcome of patients with lung metastasis at initial diagnosis using a large international database.
The Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society 5:731-735 (2008)
Proof-of-concept (PoC) trials are an important component of the new therapeutic development paradigm, contributing to the goal of accelerated progression from bench to bedside.
Scavenger receptors are important components of the innate immune system in the lung, allowing alveolar macrophages to bind and phagocytose numerous unopsonized targets.
Sleep and Breathing 1520-9512 (Print) 10.1007/s11325-008-0209-3
A non-obese patient who was admitted initially with hypoglycemia had multiple episodes of cardiopulmonary arrests requiring resuscitations and a short period of mechanical ventilation.
Smoke from biomass combustion has been identified as a major environmental risk factor associated with adverse health effects globally. Deposition of the smoke particles in the lungs is a crucial factor for toxicological effects, but has not previously been studied experimentally.
The Restoring Health Program, a multi-disciplinary model of care for patients with chronic lung diseases, heart failure, and diabetes, was established to improve the quality of life and function for patients with these target chronic diseases, while reducing their disproportionately high demand on acute health care services.
Pediatric Pulmonology Published Online: 4 Aug 2008
Traditionally, adenotonsillectomy (AT) has long been the treatment of choice for obstructive sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in children. AT is usually considered a safe procedure, which cures 80% of children with SDB. Accumulated data have however challenged this overly simplistic view.
Intensive Care Medicine 0342-4642 (Print) 10.1007/s00134-008-1220-7
To compare the pattern of lung uptake of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) by positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in patients with lung contusion that developed or did not progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Pediatric Pulmonology Published Online: 30 Jul 2008
Corticosteroid therapy is not routinely recommended in true bronchiolitis. However, since bronchiolitis and the first asthma attack are impossible to distinguish, some infants with the first wheezing episode receive corticosteroids. Optimal duration of corticosteroid therapy in this scenario is unknown. This study compared efficacy of multiple administrations and a single dose of dexamethasone in bronchiolitis
Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 27(8):677-680, August 2008
Human bocavirus (HBoV) can be found in a substantial proportion of children with respiratory tract diseases. The relative importance of HBoV in viral respiratory tract illnesses is not yet well known.
Interstitial lung disease, which is common in patients with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), can progress to severe pulmonary fibrosis. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate has recently been shown to prevent experimental pulmonary, dermal, and renal fibrosis.
Presently used markers of infection in bronchiectasis are inadequate to judge stability or make decisions about antibiotic treatment during bacterial exacerbations. Procalcitonin (PCT) is a new marker that has been used in community-acquired pneumonia and promises to allow much more specific and sensitive monitoring of patients with bacterial infections.
Sleep and Breathing 1520-9512 (Print) 10.1007/s11325-008-0208-4
Animal models have shown a quantal slowing of respiratory pattern when exposed to opioid agonist, in a pattern similar to that observed in central sleep apnea.
The standard medical management for patients in extremis from massive pulmonary embolism (PE) is systemic thrombolysis, but the utility of this treatment relative to catheter-directed intervention (CDI) is unknown. We evaluated the effectiveness of CDI as part of a treatment algorithm for life-threatening PE.
The benefits of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for acute hypercapnic respiratory failure caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are well recognized and consequently its use is widespread
Journal of Thoracic Oncology. 3(8):858-864, August 2008
Introduction: We investigated the value of lung perfusion imaging in predicting the risk of developing pulmonary complications after chemoradiation (CRT) or radiation therapy (RT) for lung cancer.
Patients with bronchiectasis often have impaired quality of life (QoL), which deteriorates with exacerbations. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in QoL and how these were influenced by changes in airway physiology and inflammation in patients with bronchiectasis before and after resolution of an exacerbation.
Patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) commonly develop weight loss, muscle wasting, and consequently poor survival. Nutritional supplementation and anabolic steroids increase lean body mass, improve muscle strength, and survival in patients enrolled in comprehensive rehabilitation programs.
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 295: H778-H785, 2008
Recurrent and intermittent nocturnal hypoxia is characteristic of several diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, obesity-hypoventilation syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea.
PEDIATRICS Vol. 122 No. 2 August 2008, pp. 273-278
This study aimed to examine whether pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus were appropriately diagnosed in the community and to determine subsequent rates of unwarranted use of antibiotic treatment for tics and obsessive-compulsive symptoms without the identification of an infection.
Sleep Medicine Volume 9, Issue 6, Pages 684-688 (August 2008)
The autosomal recessive disorder PARK6 manifests as early-onset Parkinson’s disease (PD) with a particularly mild progression. PARK6 is of particular scientific interest, since it is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the mitochondrial protein kinase PINK1 and may thus serve as a model for oxidative damage in PD and in other basal ganglia disorders.
Sleep Medicine Volume 9, Issue 6, Pages 675-683 (August 2008)
In order to test the hypothesis that upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) is merely an extension of the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea (OSA/H) to less severe pharyngeal collapse during sleep, we compared the severity of hypersomnolence and the prevalence of insomnia in UARS patients to the patterns observed for OSA/H patients.
Sleep Medicine Volume 9, Issue 6, Pages 660-666 (August 2008)
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is an effective treatment for sleep apnea (SA), although the evidence for improving chronic heart failure (CHF) is inconclusive. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of CPAP treatment on the left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) among other cardiological variables in a randomized, multicenter, placebo (sham-CPAP)-controlled study.
Sleep Medicine Volume 9, Issue 6, Pages 652-659 (August 2008)
Nocturnal positive pressure ventilation (PPV) has been shown to be effective in patients with impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR). We investigated the effect of a bi-level PPV and adaptive servo ventilation on LVEF, CSR, and quantitative sleep quality.
Sleep Medicine Volume 9, Issue 6, Pages 646-651 (August 2008)
To assess the impact of Cheyne-Stoke respiration-central sleep apnea (CSR-CSA) on quality of life (QOL) in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). QOL was established using the MLHFQ (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire), and the FOSQ (Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire).
Sleep Medicine Volume 9, Issue 6, Pages 637-645 (August 2008)
Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and death in chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the association between mild reductions in renal function and SDB is uncertain.
Scavenger receptors are important components of the innate immune system in the lung, allowing alveolar macrophages to bind and phagocytose numerous unopsonized targets.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a human pathogen that is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia. It harbours a large number of lipoprotein genes, most of which are of unknown function.
Streptococcus pyogenes of the M1 serotype can cause streptococcal toxic shock syndrome commonly associated with acute lung injury. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of neutrophils and their secretion products in M1 protein-induced lung damage.
It was previously reported that the gain-of-function -28 guanine allele of the promoter single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; cytosine to guanine substitution of nucleotide -28 (-28C>G)) in the CC chemokine ligand 5 gene (CCL5) was associated with susceptibility to late-onset asthma in patients who developed asthma at age >40 yrs.
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews, Volume 4, Number 3, August 2008 , pp. 174-186(13)
Pulmonary neuroendocrine cell (PNEC) system consists of solitary cells and innervated clusters, neuroepithelial bodies (NEB), widely distributed throughout the airway mucosa of mammalian lungs.
Airway mesenchymal cells, such as myofibroblasts and airway smooth muscle cells, contribute to inflammation, airway remodelling and hyperresponsiveness in asthma by excessive proliferation and inflammatory mediator production.
Although eosinophils produce cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) in large quantities, information on the relationship between CysLTs and eosinophilic pneumonia (EP) is lacking. Inflammatory mediator concentrations in urine were quantified to clarify the relationship between CysLT concentrations and EP severity.
What
is RSS?
