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Retrograde type A dissection during or after endoluminal graft repair of the descending thoracic aorta is a potentially lethal complication unique to thoracic endografting. Our aim is to increase its awareness and to review possible etiological factors.
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 2008, doi:10.1164/rccm.200801-101OC
There are few follow-up studies on long-term cardiopulmonary function after pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA), the operation of choice for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 2008, doi:10.1164/rccm.200803-380OC
Oxidative stress is a key contributor in COPD pathogenesis caused by cigarette smoking. NRF2, a redox-sensitive transcription factor dissociates from its inhibitor KEAP1 to induce antioxidants that inhibits oxidative stress.
Thorax. Published Online First: 11 February 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.091371
There is little previous information of the effects of size-fractioned particulate air pollution and source-specific fine particles (PM2.5; <2.5 µm) on asthma and COPD among children, adults, and the elderly.
Thorax. Published Online First: 16 May 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.092056
Lung transplantation is an important option to treat patients with advanced Cystic Fibrosis (CF) lung disease. We report the outcomes of a large UK cohort of CF lung transplantation recipients.
Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology doi:10.1111/j.1540-8167.2008.01120.x
Despite encouraging results of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF), it is unclear whether there is genuine cure or there is an important attrition rate. We sought to determine the long-term outcome of the initial responders who experienced a prolonged AF-free complete response.
COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Volume 5, Issue 3 June 2008 , pages 171 - 176
Cold air hyperventilation is an indirect challenge (cold air challenge, CACh) with high specificity and low sensitivity in defining asthmatic subjects. A small proportion of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients present with positive CACh.
COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Volume 5, Issue 3 June 2008 , pages 177 - 186
Computed tomographic based indices of emphysematous lung destruction may highlight differences in disease pathogenesis and further enable the classification of subjects with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 2008, doi:10.1164/rccm.200801-062OC
Accurate pleural fluid pH and glucose measurement is a key component in diagnosis and management of patients with pleural effusion. Standardized methods of pleural fluid collection have not been defined.
Primary Care Respiratory Journal Volume 17 Issue 2 June 2008 Pages 114-116
Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG) is a relatively uncommon collagen vascular disease that can lead to both upper and lower airway disease. Subglottic stenosis is one manifestation of the airway disease and can occur even during the quiescent phase of the disease, independent of an active inflammatory response.
Primary Care Respiratory Journal Volume 17 Issue 2 June 2008 Pages 62-72
Asthma causes a substantial burden of morbidity and mortality, affecting 300 million people worldwide - a figure predicted to increase to 400 million by 2025.
Primary Care Respiratory Journal Volume 17 Issue 2 June 2008 Pages 73-78
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. Canada has ten provinces and three territories.
Primary Care Respiratory Journal Volume 17 Issue 2 June 2008 Pages 97-103
To assess whether exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) measurements improve management and clinician confidence in patients presenting with non-specific respiratory symptoms.
Primary Care Respiratory Journal Volume 17 Issue 2 June 2008 Pages 104-110
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.
Primary Care Respiratory Journal Volume 17 Issue 2 June 2008 Pages 111-113
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.
Journal of Negative Results in BioMedicine 2008, 7:3
The potential for tolerance to develop to zafirlukast, a cysteinyl leukotriene (CysLT) receptor antagonist (LRA) in persistent asthma, has not been specifically examined.
Simple aspiration is recommended as first-line treatment for all primary spontaneous pneumothoraces requiring intervention. However, the optimal salvage treatment remains unclear when simple aspiration is unsuccessful for controlling symptoms.
To determine if selective intubation, use of early nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) at birth with a low threshold for early surfactant treatment, reduces the need for intubation in very preterm infants in the first days after birth.
A post hoc analysis of data from a prospective cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) conducted alongside a randomized controlled trial (National Emphysema Treatment Trial - NETT) was used to assess the impact of using different imputation methods for missing quality of life data on the estimation of the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). The NETT compared lung-volume-reduction surgery plus medical therapy with medical therapy alone in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to emphysema.
Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 2008. Volume 11 Number 2
An 81-year-old male was admitted to the Emergency Service with the complaints of vomiting for 10 days and an intraabdominal mass increasing in size gradually for 6 months.
Modern Rheumatology 1439-7595 (Print) 10.1007/s10165-008-0081-9
Pulmonary artery involvement as the initial predominant clinical manifestation in Takayasu arteritis (TA) is rare. We describe a young adult female who presented with life-threatening complications of proximal pulmonary arterial involvement of Takayasu arteritis.
Journal of Trauma-Injury Infection & Critical Care. 64(6):1415-1419, June 2008
The diagnosis and management of blunt thoracic aortic injuries has undergone many significant changes over the last decade. The present study compares clinical practices and results between an earlier prospective multicenter study by the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma completed in 1997 (AAST1) and a new similar study completed in 2007 (AAST2).
To assess the significance of grunting respirations in children and their potential association with serious bacterial infections, and to identify characteristics unique to this patient group.
Inspired air humidification has been reported to show some benefit in bronchiectatic patients. We have investigated the possibility that one effect might be to enhance mucociliary clearance.
BKCa channels regulate pulmonary arterial pressure, and protein kinase C (PKC) inhibits BKCa channels, but little is known about PKC-mediated modulation of BKCa channel activity in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle.
Bronchial asthma as such exists because airway smooth muscle (ASM) contracts excessively in response to various stimuli. After several decades during which research was mainly focused on airway inflammation, increasing attention is now being paid to a possible abnormal behaviour of ASM.
COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Volume 5, Issue 3 June 2008 , pages 163 - 169
Neutrophils are considered to play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and severe asthma. Recent guidelines recommend the use of a combination of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting {beta}2-agonists (LABA) in the treatment of COPD with exacerbations and asthma not adequately controlled by ICS alone.
The Internet Journal of Rheumatology. 2008. Volume 4 Number 2
Methotrexate induced interstitial pneumonitis can easily be misdiagnosed as it usually presents as community acquired pneumonia. Also, when a patient presents with symptoms of pneumonia, esoteric causes stands at the bottom of our differential diagnosis.
Smoking is a known risk factor for the development of several lung diseases, autoimmune diseases, and IgM rheumatoid factor (RF) in nonrheumatic persons.
The Internet Journal of Rheumatology. 2008. Volume 4 Number 2
We report a case of SAPHO syndrome with pulmonary complications. A fifteen-year-old boy with a history of pustulosis presented with chronically swollen legs and left hemi thorax. The clinical presentation, the negative bacteriology, the lesions on radiology and the histology were in favour of the syndrome.
Diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection is traditionally based on serology, which may require more than two weeks for diagnostic antibodies to develop. PCR-based methods offer earlier diagnosis. During a community outbreak of MP infection, we compared semi-nested and real-time PCR of oropharyngeal swabs with serology for diagnosis of MP infection at different time points after disease onset.
European Journal of Pediatrics 0340-6199 (Print) 10.1007/s00431-008-0712-3
The aim of this study was to assess the serum concentrations of Clara cell secretory protein (CC16) in association with acute and chronic lung injury in mechanically ventilated preterm neonates.
Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care. 11(4):435-442, July 2008
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the fifth leading cause of mortality in the world. This study reviews diet as a risk or protective factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, mechanisms of malnutrition, undernutrition consequences on body functioning and how to modulate nutritional status of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
PEDIATRICS Vol. 121 No. 6 June 2008, pp. e1555-e1562
Students often miss school because of gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses. We assessed the effectiveness of a multifactorial intervention, including alcohol-based hand-sanitizer and surface disinfection, in reducing absenteeism caused by gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses in elementary school students.
COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Volume 5, Issue 3 May 2008 , pages 153 - 162
Deficiency of the antiprotease alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) and exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) contribute to the development of early onset emphysema. CS-induced apoptosis of alveolar cells including endothelial cells plays critical role in the lung destruction. AAT deficiency is associated with increased lung tissue destruction as well. We hypothesize that AAT protects lung alveoli from noxious environmental stimuli such as CS-induced apoptosis.
Pediatric Surgery International 0179-0358 (Print) 10.1007/s00383-008-2182-0
Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare tumor with a particular histological pattern of myofibroblasts and mixed inflammatory infiltrate. IMT has been rarely described in association with malignancy.
A 23-year-old man was bilaterally stabbed with knife creating 10 cm wide wounds similar to minithoracotomy incisions. Initially, the patient had no cardiac or respiratory activity.
COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Volume 5, Issue 3 May 2008 , pages 147 - 152
A significant proportion of patients with COPD show post-bronchodilator improvement in lung volume even though this response is rarely considered when classifying subjects as having reversible or irreversible airway disease.
Strategies aiming at reducing antibiotic use are required in the intensive care unit (ICU). Although antibiotic treatment is recommended in patients with severe exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a bacterial etiology is found in only a half of these patients.
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 2008, doi:10.1164/rccm.200701-031OC
Sustained arrhythmias are common in postoperative and cardiac intensive care units (ICUs), but their incidence and prognosis in general ICUs have never been reported.
Pulmonary edema induces changes in airway and lung tissues mechanical properties that can be measured by low-frequency forced oscillation technique (FOT). It is preceded by interstitial edema which is characterized by the accumulation of extravascular fluid in the interstitial space of the air-blood barrier.
Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare intrathoracic neoplasm of early childhood arising in the lung or visceral pleura. Approximately 150 cases have been reported in the literature, with only one previously documented case of PPB in siblings.
Lung injuries are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Pulmonary diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease characterized by loss of lung elasticity, small airway tethers, and luminal obstruction with inflammatory mucoid secretions, or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis characterized by excessive matrix deposition and destruction of the normal lung architecture, have essentially symptomatic treatments and their management is costly to the health care system.
Arthritis Care & Research Volume 59 Issue 6, Pages 867 - 875
Outcome measures for pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with systemic sclerosis (PAH-SSc) are only partially validated. The aim of the present study was to establish an expert consensus regarding which outcome measures are most appropriate for clinical trials in PAH-SSc.
We manage patients with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect, major systemic-to-pulmonary collateral arteries, and diminutive central pulmonary arteries with a staged approach. The first procedure is a central end-to-side aortopulmonary shunt (Melbourne shunt) intended to cause growth and development of the central pulmonary arteries. We subsequently measured central pulmonary artery growth after Melbourne shunt.
Sleep and Breathing 1520-9512 (Print) 10.1007/s11325-008-0190-x
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder that disproportionately affects blacks. While clinical and epidemiologic data indicate intraethnic differences in several medical diseases, little is known about whether OSA symptoms differ within the black ethnic group.
COPD may be characterized by significant changes in airway mucosal blood vessels, which may contribute to bronchial airway remodeling. The airway wall is more vascularized in COPD patients than in healthy subjects, though this phenomenon is less evident than in asthmatic patients.
The Clinical Respiratory Journal doi:10.1111/j.1752-699X.2008.00070.x
Baseline clinical and physiological variables have been described as relevant predictors of survival among patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
Collective experience with pulmonary rehabilitation and disease management has shown that patients with lung diseases including COPD and restrictive lung diseases live a longer and more productive quality of life if they can remain active.
A combined sample (n = 132) of asthma (70%, n = 92) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (30%, n = 40) patients was assessed for short-term and longitudinal changes in perceived health status (HS), quality of life (QoL), and trait anxiety after a 4-week inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program (PRP).
Pulmonary rehabilitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) improves exercise tolerance and health status, however, these effects have been shown to decline after termination of the rehabilitation program.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Vol 177. pp. 1307-1313, (2008)
Epidemiologic studies have shown that exacerbation of asthma is modulated by environmental endotoxin. High levels of endotoxin are associated with asthma symptoms and the current use of asthma medication. However, the underlying mechanisms by which endotoxin modulates asthma are not completely understood.
The latest links to journal article abstracts on Respiratory, Pulmonary, COPD, Mechanical Ventilation, Ventilator Weaning, Respiratory Therapy, Asthma, Cardio-Vascular, Sleep Apnea, CPAP, BiPAP, and other related clinical topics
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Control is the aim of asthma management and clinical trials show that control can be achieved in the majority of patients. However, population surveys show that poorly controlled asthma still imposes a considerable burden.
Spirometry is the best test to detect airway obstruction, categorize the severity of obstructive lung diseases, and objectively measure changes in severity because of disease progression or treatment. However, peak flow may be helpful to rule out moderate to severe airway obstruction and for home monitoring in some patients with asthma.
International Journal of COPD Issue: ON-LINE EARLY
This study examined the role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in recruiting inflammatory cells to the lung after induction of injury with either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or cigarette smoke. Hamsters injected with either ET-1 or its precursor peptide (Big ET-1) prior to treatment with LPS or cigarette smoke had markedly increased concentrations of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) despite a reduction in total numbers of BALF leukocytes.
Thorax. Published Online First: 5 June 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.094060
Sarcoidosis is a multiorgan, granulomatous, inflammatory disease with unknown aetiology. Familial clustering of cases and ethnic variation in the epidemiology suggests a genetic influence on the disease susceptibility.
Obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by complete or partial obstruction of the airway during sleep resulting in pauses in breathing (apneas) along with loud snoring, and frequent arousals from sleep. In addition to suffering from fragmented sleep and excessive daytime drowsiness, patients with OSAHS are at risk of serious ophthalmic complications including primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION), idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), and floppy eyelid syndrome.
Future Microbiology, Volume 3, Number 3, June 2008 , pp. 329-339(11)
Despite extensive immunization, the disease pertussis remains one of the world's leading causes of vaccine-preventable deaths. An estimated 50 million cases and 300,000 deaths occur every year.
Arch Dis Child. Published Online First: 6 June 2008. doi:10.1136/adc.2007.128736
Bronchiolitis is the commonest reason for hospital admission in infancy and the most frequent cause of acute respiratory failure in children admitted to paediatric intensive care units in the UK and North America.
European Journal of Pediatrics 0340-6199 (Print) 10.1007/s00431-008-0744-8
We report a 28-day-old female infant with pertussis presenting as severe acute bronchiolitis with cyanosis. On admission, the patient’s symptoms were similar to those of acute
bronchiolitis.
Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology doi:10.1111/j.1540-8167.2008.01188.x
Early arrhythmia recurrences are common within the first month after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. The long-term consequences of these early recurrences (ER) are controversial.
Thorax. Published Online First: 5 June 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2008.095786
Respiratory failure remains the leading indication for intensive care unit admission and a leading cause of death for HIV-infected patients in spite of overall improvements in ICU mortality. It is unclear if these improvements are due to combination antiretroviral therapy, low tidal-volume ventilation for acute lung injury, or both.
Thorax. Published Online First: 5 June 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.093740
Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), obesity and insulin resistance (IR) occur frequently in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS). We hypothesized that in these patients EDS is a marker of IR, independently of obesity.
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Volume 65, Number 6, June 2008 , pp. 841-847(7)
Among subjects with COPD, high-dose inhaled formoterol produced a dose-related increase in forced expiratory volume in 1 s without a corresponding reduction in dyspnoea or increase in walk distance.
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Volume 65, Number 6, June 2008 , pp. 803-810(8)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease represents a major global health care burden for both primary and secondary care providers and is the most common respiratory condition necessitating hospital admission.
PEDIATRICS Vol. 121 No. 6 June 2008, pp. e1524-e1527
Colorimetric carbon dioxide detectors are used for confirmation of endotracheal intubation. The colorimetric carbon dioxide detectors that are used for neonates are labeled for use with infants and small children >1 and <15 kg. The objective of this study was to determine the minimal tidal volume that causes a breath-to-breath color change on 2 colorimetric carbon dioxide detectors.
PEDIATRICS Vol. 121 No. 6 June 2008, pp. e1510-e1516
The protective role of breastfeeding against severe acute lung disease in infants is well established, but its mechanism is unclear. Most hypotheses assume that breastfeeding confers similar passive protection to every infant; however, a few observations have suggested that the benefits of breast milk against severe lung disease may differ according to gender
Breathing cold air without proper temperature exchange can induce strong respiratory autonomic responses including cough, airway constriction and mucosal secretion, and can exacerbate existing asthma conditions and even directly trigger an asthma attack.
The benefits of beta-adrenergic stimulation have been described in acute lung injury (ALI), but there is still no evidence of its anti-inflammatory effect in these patients. Biomarkers in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) were used to study the effects of salbutamol on lung inflammation in mechanically ventilated patients with ALI.
Thorax. Published Online First: 27 May 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.093724
Little is known on the long term outcomes of individuals with mild COPD, as defined by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD).
The association between severity of exposure to sulfur mustard (SM) and late respiratory complications is not clear. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of late pulmonary complications in patients with mild, moderate, and severe initial symptoms of sulfur mustard exposure.
Thorax. Published Online First: 5 June 2008 doi:10.1136/thx.2007.092858
The association between gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation has so far remained unclear.
Clear decrements in lung function have been reported in patients with diabetes over the past two decades, and many reports have suggested plausible pathophysiological mechanisms.
Combination therapies with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and either long-acting {beta}2 agonists (LABA) or leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA) are commonly used to help patients maintain control of their asthma. LABA and LTRA have different mechanisms of action and both provide complementary benefits when combined with ICS.
European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation. 15(3):270-277, June 2008
To assess the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease and its implications for exercise limitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.
We present a novel approach for treatment of nonstump postlobectomy bronchial fistula. Our patient had right lower lobectomy for T3 N2 M0 adenocarcinoma. An increased air leak developed 8 days later, and bronchoscopy revealed the presence of a bronchial fistula.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and construct validity of the Participation in Life Activities Scale, an instrument designed to measure older school-age child and early adolescent level of involvement in chosen pursuits.
Sleep and Breathing 1520-9512 (Print) 10.1007/s11325-008-0189-3
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is often treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) but the effectiveness of treatment is probably limited by poor compliance. CPAP manufacturers are thus attempting to devise more comfortable PAP devices in an effort to improve compliance. An example of such a novel device is Flexible expiratory-modulated PAP (C-Flex mode Respironics REMstar Pro, Murraysville, PA, USA).
Infantile pyknocytosis is a rare condition characterized by transient neonatal hemolytic anemia associated with increased pyknocyte count on blood smear. We describe three siblings with infantile pyknocytosis, born to consanguineous parents.
Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Volume 100, Number 6, June 2008 , pp. 538-544(7)
In 1997, national guidelines emphasized that inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) are key therapy for individuals with all classes of persistent asthma, including children.
Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Volume 100, Number 6, June 2008 , pp. 601-607(7)
Extra-fine hydrofluoroalkane-beclomethasone differs from other inhaled corticosteroids by its fine aerosol characteristics. Therefore, extra-fine hydrofluoroalkane-beclomethasone may be particularly useful for treating peripheral airway inflammation in asthma.
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 294: L1068-L1075, 2008
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are critical for the recognition of inhaled pathogens that deposit on the airway epithelial surface. The epithelial response to pathogens includes signaling cascades that activate the EGF receptor (EGFR).
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 294: L1043-L1048, 2008
Perfluorocarbons (PFC) reduce the production of various inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-{alpha}. The anti-inflammatory effect is not entirely understood. If anti-inflammatory properties are caused by a mechanical barrier, PFC in the alveoli should have no effect on the inflammatory response to intravenous LPS administration.
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 294: L1023-L1031, 2008
Since they were introduced more than five decades ago, a variety of single-pass indicator, thermal, and osmotic dilution approaches have been developed for detecting and measuring excess fluid in the lungs.
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 294: L1137-L1148, 2008
The inflammatory response following particle inhalation is described as a key event in the development of lung diseases, e.g., fibrosis and cancer. The essential role of alveolar macrophages (AM) in the pathogenicity of particles through their functions in lung clearance and mediation of inflammation is well known.
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 294: L1110-L1118, 2008
{beta}-Catenin plays a dual role in cellular signaling by stabilizing cadherin-mediated cell-cell contact and by regulating gene transcription associated with cell cycle progression. Nonetheless, its presence and function in airway smooth muscle have not been determined.
Background: Mediators of preferably mesenchymal repair such as transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and mediators of polarized cellular immunity such as interleukin (IL)-13 are thought to be of key importance for progression of lung fibrosis.
American Journal of Hematology Published Online: 13 Feb 2008
Among adults with sickle cell disease (SCD), pulmonary complications are a leading cause of death. Yet, the natural history of lung function in adults with SCD is not well established.
Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 27(6):519-525, June 2008
In Greece, the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) became available in October 2004 and it was incorporated into the national immunization schedule in January 2006.
Mechanicalventilation can affect the lung, causing edema and alveolar inflammation. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) plays an important role in this inflammatory response.
colon; Delayed time to antibiotic administration has been linked with higher mortality for patients with community-acquired pneumonia, but the impact of antibiotic resistance on clinical outcomes has been controversial. In the current study we assess the combined impact of antibiotic resistance and antibiotic timing on outcomes, including inhospital mortality, complications, length of stay, and time to stability, for patients hospitalized with community-acquired bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia.
colon; Legionella is an important cause of nosocomial and community-acquired pneumonia in both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients worldwide; however, the clinical course and optimal antibiotic therapy of Legionella pneumonia (LP) in patients with cancer is uncertain.
Sleep and Breathing 1520-9512 (Print) 10.1007/s11325-008-0191-9
The exact pathophysiology leading to pharyngeal collapse in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) remains incompletely understood. Prior research has shown that normal men have a longer pharyngeal airway than women, and it has been hypothesized that this difference may play a role in the gender-related differences in OSAS.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Vol 177. pp. 1331-1337, (2008)
In vitro studies, animal experiments, and human exposure studies have shown how ambient air pollution increases the risk of atopic diseases. However, results derived from observational studies are inconsistent.
Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences Volume 22 Issue 2 Page 236-240, June 2008
In a previous study, it was found that patients treated with noninvasive ventilation (NIV) reported larger dysfunctions in sleep-related parameters as assessed with the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) and Health Index questionnaires than those treated with tracheostomy.
Journal of Neurosurgery June 2008 Volume 108, Number 6
There is little evidence addressing whether procedures requiring adjunctive devices lead to an increased frequency of thromboembolic complications. The authors report their experience with 155 aneurysms treated with and without adjunctive devices.
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry Published Online: 23 May 2008
The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003 had an enormous impact on Hong Kong society and the suicide rate was also at its historical high, 18.6 per 100,000. The most significant increase was found among the older adults aged 65 or above.
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, June 2008, p. 2260-2262, Vol. 52, No. 6
Among 76 macrolide-nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates collected between 2003 and 2005 from Central Russia, the resistance mechanisms detected in the isolates included erm(B) alone (50%), mef alone [mef(E), mef(I), or a different mef subclass; 19.7%], or both erm(B) and mef(E) (30.3%). Isolates with dual resistance genes [erm(B) and mef(E)] belonged to clonal complex CC81 or CC271.
Sleep and Breathing 1520-9512 (Print) 10.1007/s11325-008-0194-6
Catathrenia is a rare, idiopathic, sleep-related respiratory condition characterized by irregular groans, which occur during prolonged expiration in sleep.
There is growing evidence that obstructive sleep apnea is associated with coronary artery disease. However, there are no data on the course of coronary stenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
Impaired endothelial homeostasis underlies the pathophysiology of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We speculated that PAH patients are deficient in circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), potentially contributing to endothelial dysfunction and disease progression.
Annual Review of Pathology: Mechanisms of Disease Vol. 3: 523-555 (Volume publication date February 2008)
Airway smooth muscle plays a multifaceted role in the pathogenesis of asthma. We review the current understanding of the contribution of airway myocytes to airway inflammation, airway wall remodeling, and airflow obstruction in this prevalent disease syndrome. Together, these roles make airway smooth muscle an attractive target for asthma therapy.
Occup Environ Med. Published Online First: 4 January 2008
Although associations have been found between levels of ambient airborne particles and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population, little is known about possible cardiovascular effects from high exposure to particles prevailing in underground railway systems. This led us to investigate risk markers for CVD in employees exposed to particles in the Stockholm underground system.
Granzymes (Grs), serine proteases present in granules of effector lymphocytes, are involved in several host immune responses, including the activation of cell death and inflammatory pathways.
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 294: L1226-L1232, 2008
Prostacyclin is a short-lived metabolite of arachidonic acid that is produced by several cells in the lung and prominently by endothelial cells. It increases intracellular cAMP levels activating downstream signaling thus regulating vascular mesenchymal cell functions.
Swine confinement workers are at increased risk of airway diseases, including mucus membrane irritation syndrome, chronic rhinosinusitis and chronic bronchitis.
Adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) bronchoprovocation reproduces the lung function abnormalities that occur spontaneously during acute asthma and detects peripheral airway inflammation better than direct bronchoconstrictive agents. Pulmonary gas exchange disturbances may reflect changes in small airways related to airway inflammation rather than bronchoconstriction alone.
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 294: L1166-L1173, 2008
Small pulmonary arteries (SPA), <500 µm diameter of the cat, constrict when exposed to hypoxia, whereas larger arteries (large pulmonary arteries; LPA), >800
µm diameter, show little or no response. It is unknown why different contractile responses occur within the same vascular bed, but activator or repressor proteins within the smooth muscle cell (SMC) can modify myosin phosphatase and myosin light chain kinase
(MLCK), thereby influencing the phosphorylation state of myosin light chain
(MLC) and ultimately, contraction.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Vol 177. pp. 1391-1396, (2008)
We compared continuation-phase regimens incorporating pyrazinamide, isoniazid, and/or rifampin with those containing isoniazid and rifampin to evaluate the hepatotoxicity of pyrazinamide.
On rare occasions, acute aortic dissection may cause pulmonary artery obstruction when there is aortic rupture with hemorrhage into the common adventitia of the aorta and pulmonary artery.
The objective of the present study was to investigate exposure-response relationships between current endotoxin exposure and allergic and respiratory symptoms in adults, taking into account farming exposures during childhood.
In idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, incidence is higher in males, and females may have better survival. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the rate of increase in desaturation during serial 6-min walk testing would be greater, and survival worse, for males versus females.
Exposure to particulate matter and ozone cause adverse airway reactions. Individual pollutant effects are often addressed separately, despite coexisting in ambient air.
The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American). 2008;90:1272-1281
While early spinal fusion may halt progressive deformity in young children with scoliosis, it does not facilitate lung growth and, in certain children, it can result in thoracic insufficiency syndrome.
The aim of the present study was to identify risk factors for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), with special emphasis on modifiable risk factors and those applicable to the general population.
Data on the individual and collective impact of chronic airflow obstruction at a population level are scarce. In a nationwide survey, dyspnoea, quality of life and missed working days were compared between subjects with and without spirometrically diagnosed chronic airflow obstruction.
Ciclesonide is delivered as a small-particle inhaled corticosteroid and improves lung function and airway hyperresponsiveness. The objective of the present study was to assess whether ciclesonide can specifically improve small airway function in asthma.
Adrenal insufficiency is believed to occur frequently in severe sepsis and septic shock. The aim of the present study was to determine whether adrenal function is also related to the severity of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).
Latent viral infection has been implicated in the pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is known to be important in pulmonary fibrosis. The current authors hypothesised that EBV is associated with the pathogenesis of COPD.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Vol 177. pp. 1370-1376, (2008)
Monge's disease is characterized by an excessive erythrocytosis, frequently associated with pulmonary hypertension, in high-altitude dwellers. It has a considerable impact on public health in high-altitude regions. A preliminary study demonstrated the efficiency of acetazolamide (Acz) (250 mg/d for 3 wk) in reducing serum erythropoietin and hematocrit.
Bronchopulmonary foregut malformations are rare and often prove to be extremely difficult to diagnose. The presented case is a 44-year-old man complaining about cough and hemoptysis.
Occup Environ Med. Published Online First: 16 April 2008
The ability to measure temporal trends in disease incidence is important but valid methods are needed. We investigated UK trends during 1996-2005 in work-related skin and respiratory diseases including non-malignant pleural disease, asthma, mesothelioma and pneumoconiosis and the potential for bias when using surveillance systems for this purpose.
European Journal of Pediatrics 0340-6199 (Print) 10.1007/s00431-008-0713-2
Clara cell protein (CC16) is an anti-inflammatory protein and a biomarker of pulmonary epithelial cells and alveolocapillary membrane injury in adults. We investigated whether low cord blood concentrations of CC16 are associated with the development of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants and the relationship between CC16 and its pro-inflammatory counterpart, the secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) enzyme. CC16 concentration, sPLA2 activity and IL-6 concentration were measured in cord blood plasma from 79 preterm infants (25 controls, 37 infants who developed RDS and 17 infants who developed BPD).
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Vol 177. pp. 1314-1321, (2008)
The angiopoietins (Ang) comprise a family of growth factors mainly known for their role in blood vessel formation and remodeling. The best-studied member, Ang-1, exhibits antiapoptotic and antiinflammatory effects.
The Oxford Transport Strategy (OTS) was a major traffic intervention implemented in June 1999. It involved a wide range of permanent changes focused primarily on the city centre of Oxford (England).
Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in childhood obesity is associated with hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia and inflammation and by these mechanisms, SDB could contribute to development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Inhibition of tyrosine kinases can reverse pulmonary hypertension but little is known about the role of serine-/threonine kinases in vascular and myocardial remodeling.
Within the respiratory specialist community, there is growing recognition that classification of asthma based on severity of symptoms alone may not accurately reflect the clinical status of a patient. It follows, therefore, that treatment decisions based on this classification can lead to suboptimal management of asthma.
Some literature suggests that outcomes of CAP in patients with solid tumor without neutropenia may be better than in cancer patients with neutropenia. In order to investigate the role of neutrophils in this population, we retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients with CAP admitted to 3 tertiary care hospitals from 01/2001 through 12/2005.
Since systemic sclerosis (SSc) also involves the heart, the aim of the present study was to evaluate possible differences in right ventricular (RV) pump function between SSc-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH; SScPAH) and idiopathic PAH (IPAH).
Br J Sports Med. Published Online First: 3 June 2008
To investigate the effects of DifflamTM Forte Anti-inflammatory Throat Spray on the incidence of upper respiratory symptoms (URS) and inflammatory responses following a half-marathon race. Design and Setting: Double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial conducted in association with a half-marathon event.
nnals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Volume 100, Number 6, June 2008 , pp. 551-557(7)
National asthma guidelines recommend that patients with persistent asthma regularly use an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) in addition to as-needed albuterol, yet recent debates question whether this combination is equally efficacious in all ethnicities.
Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Volume 100, Number 6, June 2008 , pp. 545-550(6)
To examine differences in the effectiveness of a program to reduce use of health care services in urban-dwelling black and Hispanic children as a way to understand the origins of disparities.
Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Volume 100, Number 6, June 2008 , pp. 558-565(8)
An association between salmeterol use and serious asthma episodes or asthma-related mortality has been noted in 2 clinical trials; however, a causal relationship has not been established. To date, observational studies have not replicated this finding.
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 294: L1049-L1054, 2008
Hog confinement workers are at high risk to develop chronic bronchitis as a result of their exposure to organic dust. Chronic bronchitis is characterized by inflammatory changes of the airway epithelium.
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 294: L1127-L1136, 2008
Zinc is an essential micronutrient and cytoprotectant involved in the host response to inflammatory stress. We tested whether zinc transporters, the critical regulators that maintain intracellular zinc concentrations, play a role in cell survival, particularly in lung epithelia, during inflammation.
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 294: L1094-L1101, 2008. First published April 4, 2008;
The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) is a member of the immunoglobin superfamily of multiligand receptors. Following ligand binding, mechanisms associated with host defense, tissue remodeling, and inflammation are activated.
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 294: L1076-L1084, 2008
Macrophage metalloelastase (MMP-12) is described to be involved in pulmonary inflammatory response. To determine the mechanisms linking MMP-12 and inflammation, we examined the effect of recombinant human MMP-12 (rhMMP-12) catalytic domain on IL-8/CXCL8 production in cultured human airway epithelial (A549) cells. Stimulation with rhMMP-12 resulted in a concentration-dependent IL-8/CXCL8 synthesis 6 h later. Similar results were also observed in cultured BEAS-2B bronchial epithelial cells.
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 294: L1187-L1196, 2008
Chemokine receptors control several fundamental cellular processes in both hematopoietic and structural cells, including directed cell movement, i.e., chemotaxis, cell differentiation, and proliferation. We have previously demonstrated that CXCR3, the chemokine receptor expressed by Th1/Tc1 inflammatory cells present in the lung, is also expressed by human airway epithelial cells.
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 294: L1206-L1216, 2008
GABAA channels are ubiquitously expressed in neuronal tissues, and in mature neurons modulate an inward chloride current resulting in neuronal inhibition due to membrane hyperpolarization. In airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells, membrane hyperpolarization favors smooth muscle relaxation. Although GABAA channels and GABAB receptors have been functionally identified on peripheral nerves in the lung, GABAA channels have never been identified on ASM itself.
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 294: L1102-L1109, 2008
The present studies were designed to determine whether our findings in mice showing that the Bcl-2-associated protein X (Bax), which plays a role in the resolution of allergen-induced mucous cell metaplasia, can be applied to asthma in humans.
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 294: L1197-L1205, 2008
The importance of lung tissue in asthma pathophysiology has been recently recognized. Although nitric oxide mediates smooth muscle tonus control in airways, its effects on lung tissue responsiveness have not been investigated previously.
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 294: L1158-L1165, 2008
Organ regeneration in mammals is hypothesized to require a functional pool of stem or progenitor cells, but the role of these cells in lung regeneration is unknown. Whereas postnatal regeneration of alveolar tissue has been attributed to type II alveolar epithelial cells (AECII), we reasoned that bronchioalveolar stem cells (BASCs) have the potential to contribute substantially to this process.
Most fatalities from fires are not due to burns, but are a result of inhalation of toxic gases produced during combustion. Fire produces a complex toxic environment involving flame, heat, oxygen depletion, smoke and toxic gases.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Vol 177. pp. 1338-1347, (2008)
The 2002 American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society classification of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias identified nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) as a provisional diagnosis. Concern was expressed that NSIP was a "wastebasket" category, difficult to distinguish from other idiopathic interstitial pneumonias.
The scientific literature does not supply enough information about the effects of postural changes on diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), in particular regarding the prone position.
The epithelium of the human airway wall serves as structural and functional barrier against inhaled and deposited particulate antigen. Recently we have shown that human blood monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDC) and human blood monocytes derived macrophages (MDM) collaborate as sentinels against foreign particulate antigen by building a transepithelial interacting cellular network.
Being able to do things other kids do is the desire of schoolage children and adolescents with asthma. In a phenomenology study, adolescents identified participation in life activities as the outcome variable and primary motivator for behavioral changes in coming to accept asthma as a chronic condition.
The purpose of this study was to establish whether a correlation exists between the CT pulmonary angiographic clot burden score, the ECG score at diagnosis, and the 12-month mortality rate among patients diagnosed with pulmonary embolism.
To describe an outbreak of extended-spectrum {beta}-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in the intensive care units (ICUs) of a hospital and the impact of routine and reinforced infection control measures on interrupting nosocomial transmission.
Journal of Hypertension. 26(6):1181-1187, June 2008
Patients with sleep apnea syndrome have an increased risk of cardiovascular events and frequently show a nondipper pattern (blunted nocturnal decline <10%) of systolic blood pressure. We investigated neurohumoral activation and risk factors in relation to nocturnal blood pressure dipping pattern and sleep apnea syndrome.
Bronchopleural fistula is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after pulmonary resection. Different techniques of reinforcing the bronchial stump to prevent this complication have been described. Pledgeted sutures have been suggested for this purpose but have the potential to erode into the bronchus years after resection.
A metallic stent for tracheobronchial stenosis provides a possible solution for poststenting complications such as sputum retention. We describe our experience with a novel anatomy-conforming metal stent placement at the carina.
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW, 2008;17: 93-95
BOS is the most important cause of late mortality after LTx. Until 5 years ago, the prevalence was around 30% and 50%, 3 and 5 years after LTx. Introduction of azithromycin (AZI) improved the FEV1 in 40% of BOS patients.
Severe myocardial dysfunction after blunt head injury is a rare but potentially lethal complication. We describe remarkable myocardial recovery after severe hemodynamic deterioration in a young man with brain injury, due to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. Because of the severity of brain damage, the patient succumbed after diagnosis of brain death. Postmortem histopathological examination of the heart showed severe myocardial necrosis.
Extralobar pulmonary sequestration usually occurs between the left lower lobe and the diaphragm; occurrence in the hilum has not been reported previously. An unusual case of extralobar pulmonary sequestration, presenting initially as a hilar bronchogenic cyst in a 43-year-old female, is described.
Prior evidence has suggested a direct relationship between the level of house dust mite (HDM) allergen exposure, sensitisation and asthma. A recent cross-sectional study indicated a bell-shaped relationship between HDM exposure and sensitisation [1]. We examined the effects of cumulative HDM allergen exposure during the first 5 years of life on outcomes at age 5 years in Sydney, a high HDM environment.
The purpose of this study was to assess the radiographic features of pulmonary fusariosis, an increasingly encountered cause of severe opportunistic mold pneumonia.
There is no criterion for the timing of surgical resection of pulmonary metastasis. In this study, we investigated the optimal period for pulmonary metastasectomy.
We determined the rate of nosocomial viral respiratory infection in infants and the effect of an infection control program during 4 winter seasons. The rate of nosocomial viral respiratory infection decreased from 6.09 episodes per 100 patients admitted during the first study year to 1.46 episodes per 100 patients admitted during the last study year.
Although asthma treatment guidelines recommend daily inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use for all persistent asthma, pediatricians may recommend alternative treatment plans for children with mild persistent disease. The authors administered a survey of pediatricians to describe prescribing patterns for mild persistent asthma.
Surgical correction of anomalous left coronary artery from the right pulmonary artery is achieved by either direct implantation of the left coronary artery into the aorta or creation of a conduit between the two.
Pulmonary artery reconstruction is frequently needed during surgery for congenital heart disease. Exposure of the main pulmonary artery and its branches is difficult if they are hypoplastic with a large anteriorly placed aorta. In redo operations, adhesions make this not only technically difficult, but also prone to bleeding.
Continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) is a well known and safe method of treatment patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). The effects of CPAP administration on the upper respiratory tract are known. However its effects on the lower respiratory tract still needs to be determined. Studies on bronchial hyperreactivity in patients treated by CPAP are contradictory.
Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae are associated with acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma (AEBA). The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between these acute bacterial infections and the severity of AEBA.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is mainly caused by smoking, and smoking cessation is the single most important intervention to prevent disease progression. Most studies show that many initially successful quitters relapse within 1 year. Our aim was to study the outcome of a smoking cessation program after 1 and 3 years.
A prospective case control study to determine the association of early introduction of solids with admission to hospital with pneumonia was undertaken at Mount Hagen General Hospital (MHGH) in the highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG) over a 3-month period in 2005.
Immediate-type hypersensitivity to glucocorticosteroids is rare but well known among allergists. Surprisingly, very few reports of glucocorticosteroid hypersensitivity in children exist although glucocorticosteroid treatment is particularly common in this age group.
Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) has long been advocated for patients with respiratory disorders, but little definitive evidence exists to support its use in this population.
The present study describes an adult male who has had recurrent episodes of pulmonary infiltrates with severe acute respiratory failure over a period of 10 yrs. Clinical and pathological characteristics revealed bronchiolitis obliterans with organising pneumonia (BOOP) that responded dramatically to prednisone.
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 294: L1217-L1225, 2008
Transforming growth factor-{alpha} (TGF-{alpha}) is a ligand for the EGF receptor (EGFR). EGFR activation is associated with fibroproliferative processes in human lung disease and animal models of pulmonary fibrosis. We determined the effects of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors gefitinib (Iressa) and erlotinib (Tarceva) on the development and progression of TGF-{alpha}-induced pulmonary fibrosis.
European Journal of Pediatrics 0340-6199 (Print) 10.1007/s00431-008-0726-x
Congenital unilateral absence of a pulmonary artery is a rare anomaly most frequently accompanied by other cardiovascular anomalies. We report a 10-year-old girl presenting with fatigue and recurrent hemoptysis who was initially misdiagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis.
Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 27(6):512-518, June 2008
Florida experiences year-round outbreaks of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), but it is unknown if there is a correlation between RSV virology data and disease-related hospitalizations. We analyzed RSV surveillance and hospitalization data for the state of Florida to determine if there is an association between seasonal virology data and the incidence of International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, clinical modification (ICD-9-CM) coded hospitalizations for RSV lower respiratory tract illness.
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, June 2008, p. 1964-1969, Vol. 52, No. 6
The population structure (serotypes, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis [PFGE] types, and multilocus sequencing types) of 45 mef-positive Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates [carrying mef alone (n = 17) or with the erm(B) gene n = 28)] were studied. They were selected from among all erythromycin-resistant isolates (n = 244) obtained from a collection of 712 isolates recovered from different Spanish geographic locations in the prevaccination period from 1999 to 2003.
Chronic postoperative empyema remains a challenge for thoracic surgeons. Free musculocutaneous flap transplantation may provide a good alternative option in the treatment of these refractory complications after pulmonary resections. Three patients with chronic postoperative empyemas combined with bronchopleural fistulas underwent obliteration of the empyema tracts with free rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap transplantations.
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, June 2008, p. 2014-2018, Vol. 52, No. 6
Twenty-one Serratia marcescens, ten Klebsiella pneumoniae, and one Escherichia coli isolate with carbapenem resistance or reduced carbapenem susceptibility were recovered from intensive care units (ICUs) in our hospital. Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-PCR and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis demonstrated that all the S. marcescens isolates belonged to a clonal strain and the 10 K. pneumoniae isolates were indistinguishable or closely related to each other.
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, June 2008, p. 2266-2269, Vol. 52, No. 6
This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of 364 Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates and studied the genotypes of S. pneumoniae with high level {beta}-lactam resistance in Taiwan.
We report a case of sudden leaflet fracture of an Edwards-Duromedics mitral valve 17-years after its implantation. The patient had a history of an asymmetrical motion of the valve, five months earlier. A computed tomography scan showed two fragments that had embolized to the right brachiocephalic artery and left common iliac artery. An emergency mitral replacement surgery was successfully performed.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance characteristics of all the ventilators proposed for home noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation in children in France.
It is unknown whether formoterol and salmeterol, two long-acting β2-adrenoreceptor agonists, have regulatory functions in the production of T-helper cell
(Th) type 2- and Th1-related chemokines by monocytes and bronchial epithelial cells.
Vertebral osteomyelitis is a very rare and intractable complication after vascular surgery. We describe a case of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis induced by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus sepsis following surgery for traumatic rupture of the aortic arch, successfully managed with long-term antibiotic therapy for 75 weeks.
This study was undertaken to determine the diastolic Doppler echocardiographic correlates of pulmonary vascular resistance calculated on cardiac catheterization in patients with secondary pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 27(6):559-561, June 2008
The Palivizumab Outcomes Registry collected data on 19,548 high-risk infants who received >=1 dose of palivizumab and followed prospectively from 2000 through 2004. Ninety-one children with cystic fibrosis (CF) were identified who received palivizumab off label. None of the infants with CF who received prophylaxis was hospitalized as a result of respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract infection. Evaluations of palivizumab use in infants with CF could be warranted.
Bronchopulmonary neuroendocrine tumors (BP-NETs) comprise 20% of all lung cancers and represent a spectrum of tumors arising from neuroendocrine cells of the BP-epithelium. Although they share structural, morphological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural features, they are separated into 4 subgroups: typical carcinoid tumor (TC), atypical carcinoid tumor (AC), large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), and small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), which exhibit considerably different biological characteristics.
A low arousal threshold is believed to predispose to breathing instability during sleep. The present authors hypothesised that trazodone, a nonmyorelaxant sleep-promoting agent, would increase the effort-related arousal threshold in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients.
The extent of respiratory dysfunction is not well characterised in children with neonatal chronic lung disease (nCLD) too young to perform spirometry. Forced oscillations are easily performed by healthy young children; however, they may be more difficult for those with nCLD. The present study aimed to describe the feasibility of using the forced oscillation technique in children with nCLD in a routine clinical setting and to investigate the influence of neonatal factors on subsequent lung function.
The nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) exhibit heterogeneous pathogenicity in humans. Articles on known and potential human factors capable of producing susceptibility to NTM lung disease (NTMLD) were identified by a systematic search of the medical literature, and are reviewed in the present study.
Necrotising pneumonia (NP) is a severe complication of community-acquired pneumonia characterised by liquefaction and cavitation of lung tissue. The present study describes the epidemiology, aetiology, management and outcomes of children hospitalised with NP over a 15-yr period.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a leading global cause of morbidity and mortality that is characterised by inexorable deterioration of small airways obstruction with emphysema associated with cellular inflammation and structural remodelling. Other features include apoptosis as well as proliferation of cells, and both tissue repair and lack of tissue repair.
In the lungs, parenchymal and vascular remodelling share pathomechanisms that may explain the relatively high prevalence (30-40%) of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in interstitial lung disease (ILD) patients. Notably, PH significantly contributes to exercise limitation and dismal prognosis of ILD patients.
International Journal of COPD Issue: ON-LINE EARLY
Recent years have seen the emergence of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) as an important tool for management of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Several well conducted studies in the recent years have established its role in the initial, as well as later management of these patients.
There is growing evidence that obstructive sleep apnea is associated with coronary artery disease. However, there are no data on the course of coronary stenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
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