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American Journal of Epidemiology 2008 168(7):796-80
Fish contain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, principally eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, which are known to interfere with the body's inflammatory response and may be of benefit in chronic inflammatory conditions.
Transplant Infectious Disease, Volume 10, Number 5, October 2008 , pp. 339-342(4)
We report a patient who presented 6 months after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) with fever, dyspnea, and pulmonary infiltrates with biopsy-confirmed Pneumocystis jiroveci infection associated with a process of bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP).
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports Volume 8, Number 5 / September, 2008 443-450
Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by mast cell activation, mucus hypersecretion, airway obstruction, influx and activation of eosinophils, and generation of a predominant T-helper type 2-based cytokine environment. In individuals with established asthma, acute exacerbations requiring hospitalization result primarily from pulmonary viral infection, such as with influenza, rhinovirus, or respiratory syncytial virus.
Sleep and Breathing 1520-9512 (Print) 10.1007/s11325-008-0219-1
In obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea (OSAH) patients, an increase of upper airway (UA) collapsibility has been described together with a reduced UA caliber due to inflammation, edema, and fat accumulation in pharyngeal walls.
Acta Oto-Laryngologica First Published on: 12 June 2008
The reported prevalence of vestibulotoxicity (30.4%) in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients supports vestibulotoxicity screening in CF patients during or after tobramycin exposure. Prospective longitudinal investigation is required for a more specific evidence-based proposal.
Thorax. Published Online First: 5 August 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2008.095497
Previous studies of non-smoking individuals with severe alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (PiZZ) have been sparse and included only a limited number of individuals, mostly identified by respiratory symptoms. The aim of this study was to estimate the prognosis of non-smoking PiZZ individuals and to analyze the most common causes of death by including a large number of individuals who had been identified due to reasons other than respiratory symptoms.
Intensive Care Medicine 0342-4642 (Print) 10.1007/s00134-008-1267-5
Mechanically ventilated patients with status asthmaticus who undergo prolonged paralysis are at risk for severe weakness due to myopathy. In the mid-1990s, we changed our usual method of achieving tolerance of ventilatory support in asthmatic patients from continuous paralysis to deep sedation.
Heart rate variability (HRV) is reduced in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the relationships among HRV and characteristics of COPD are unknown.
Intensive Care Medicine 0342-4642 (Print) 10.1007/s00134-008-1299-x
We compared ventilation inhomogeneity assessed by electrical impedance tomography (EIT) and multiple breath washout (MBW) in preterm and term-born infants.
Ann Thorac Surg 2008;86:1123-1129. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2008.05.048
The ideal preservation strategy has yet to be established in lung transplantation. This clinical study compares primary graft dysfunction using antegrade and retrograde perfusion of donor lungs.
Ann Thorac Surg 2008;86:1116-1122. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2008.05.049
The survival after lung and heart-lung transplantation for idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension has been reportedly the lowest among the major diagnostic categories of lung transplant recipients.
Thorax. Published Online First: 11 September 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2008.097931
Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) has been associated with cardiovascular disease in epidemiological and observational studies. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the treatment of choice for OSAS, but the impact of this intervention on systemic inflammation involved in the atherosclerotic process remains unclear.
Canadian Respiratory Journal September 2008, Volume 15 Issue 6: 302-310
sthma care in Canada and around the world persistently falls short of optimal treatment. To optimize care, a systematic approach to identifying such shortfalls or 'care gaps', in which all stakeholders of the health care system (including patients) are involved, was proposed.
Viruses are important pathogens causing respiratory tract infections both in the community and health-care facility settings. They are extremely common causes of morbidity in the competent hosts and some are associated with significant mortality in the compromised individuals.
Ann Thorac Surg 2008;86:1384-1385. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2008.03.039
Sternal malunion can be a significant cause of morbidity in double-lung transplantation when it is performed through a thoracosternotomy or clamshell incision. Some patients experience increased pain with malunion and have delayed or decreased functional recovery.
Ann Thorac Surg 2008;86:1350-1351. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2008.02.039
We report a case of quadrilateral space syndrome related to thoracic surgery. A 21-year-old man underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery for a left-sided pneumothorax.
Ann Thorac Surg 2008;86:1357-1360. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2008.03.053
A 38-year-old man with progressive alveolitis secondary to polymyositis was treated for 52 days with venovenous and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to bilateral lung transplantation.
Ann Thorac Surg 2008;86:1111-1114. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2008.05.062
Isolated rib lesions detected on bone scanning can pose a diagnostic challenge, particularly in patients with a known primary cancer. The purpose of our study was to assess the diagnostic value of radionuclide-guided rib biopsy with an intraoperative gamma probe.
The objective of our study was to evaluate serial CT changes from normal or near-normal lungs to honeycomb lungs in dust-exposed patients who developed chronic interstitial pneumonia.
The purpose of this article is to illustrate the spectrum of central airway and vascular complications in lung transplantation using MDCT, with an emphasis on the usefulness of advanced postprocessing techniques.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether the predominant findings at high-resolution CT influence the accuracy of diagnosis of diffuse lung disease.
Transplant Infectious Disease, Volume 10, Number 5, October 2008 , pp. 303-307(5)
The incidence of pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis carinii (PCP) (organism now renamed Pneumocystis jiroveci) during the early period after cord blood transplantation (CBT) was studied in 120 adults.
Clinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology 1080-0549 (Print) 10.1007/s12016-008-8082-1
Newborn screening (NBS) for cystic fibrosis (CF) has evolved considerably from its beginnings. We review the early history of NBS in the USA and the evolution of CF NBS from its conception in observational studies, to the development of mass-screening methodology in the 1970s, and to its early applications in the USA and other countries.
The aims of this study were to evaluate the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in Italian children and perform serotyping by PCR-based assays directly on clinical samples.
To determine what practices are used by hospitals to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and, through qualitative methods, to understand more fully why hospitals use certain practices and not others.
Intensive Care Medicine 0342-4642 (Print) 10.1007/s00134-008-1277-3
Sleep disruption is well recognized in the Intensive Care Unit. Poor sleep quality likely continues following discharge from hospital in several patients and becomes a chronic disorder in some.
Canadian Respiratory Journal September 2008, Volume 15 Issue 6: 311-312
Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia due to nitrofurantoin has rarely been reported and is associated with poor outcomes. A case of nitrofurantoin-associated bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia responsive to drug withdrawal and corticosteroids is presented.
The aim of this study was to determine if 2 doses of oral dexamethasone are as effective as a 5-day course of oral prednisone in preventing relapse for pediatric asthma exacerbations.
Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 27(9):776-782, September 2008
The objective of the study was to evaluate whether the increase in antibiotic-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage was associated with antibiotic use in the community in children in Southern Israel.
Canadian Respiratory Journal September 2008, Volume 15 Issue 6: 291-294
Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) is an increasingly prevalent comorbidity factor for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). CFRD has been associated with an accelerated decline in clinical parameters and an increased mortality rate.
Canadian Respiratory Journal September 2008, Volume 15 Issue 6: 295-301
Despite the frequency of emergency department (ED) visits for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation, little is known about practice variation in EDs.
Although the relationship between day-to-day temperature changes and COPD mortality is well established, it is not known whether temperature variation within one day, that is diurnal temperature range (DTR), is a risk factor for acute COPD death, independent of the absolute temperature level.
Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 14(6):589-594, November 2008
To update readers on current recommendations for timing of lung transplantation in individuals with end-stage cystic fibrosis lung disease and on the rationale behind listing decisions.
Respiratory Research 2008, 9:67doi:10.1186/1465-9921-9-67
There is mounting evidence that estimates of intakes of a range of dietary nutrients are related to both lung function level and rate of decline, but far less evidence on the relation between lung function and objective measures of serum levels of individual nutrients.
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is associated with high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Randomised controlled trials have shown that, on average, treatment of OSA with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) reduces blood pressure (BP) by 3-5 mm Hg, although with considerable variation between individuals.
A study was undertaken to estimate the cost-effectiveness of using continuous positive airway pressure
(CPAP) in the management of patients with severe obstructive sleep
apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) compared with no treatment from the perspective of the UK’s National Health Service
(NHS).
Sarcoidosis is a multiorgan granulomatous inflammatory disease of unknown aetiology. Familial clustering of cases and ethnic variation in the epidemiology suggests a genetic influence on susceptibility to the disease.
Obesity is a major problem from a public health perspective and a difficult practical matter for intensivists. The obesity pandemic has required treating clinicians to develop an appreciation of the substantial pathophysiological effects of obesity on the various organ systems.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a chronic respiratory, life limiting illness in the Caucasian population. Chronic infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa occurs in more than 80% of adults and this contributes to deterioration in lung function over time.
Every year, an increasing number of people travel to high altitude and travellers with asthma are becoming more common in remote environments.1 It is well recognised that certain situations at high altitude, such as exercising in cold air, may provoke symptoms.
The incidence of empyema in children is increasing worldwide. While there are emerging data for the best treatment options, there is little evidence to support the imaging modalities used to guide treatment, particularly with regard to the role of routine CT scanning.
This paper examines the mechanism causing secondary bacterial infection which often occurs after pulmonary viral infection. C57BL/6 mice were infected intranasally with influenza virus strain A/PR8/34(H1N1).
A 71-year-old female non-smoker had bronchiectasis with productive cough for decades. Two months prior to this admission, she developed dyspnoea on exertion with more severe cough than before.
A 68-year-old woman was referred for investigation of pulmonary artery hypertension. Right heart catheterisation was performed and the tip of the catheter was positioned in the right middle lobe pulmonary artery under fluoroscopic guidance.
Randomised controlled trials can provide strong evidence of the efficacy (or lack) of new drug treatments as well as the occurrence of common side effects.
Oxygen therapy given to acutely ill people is one of the commonest interventions used in modern medicine and has become part of the folklore of our times as a sick patient wearing an oxygen mask is pushed through the emergency department, both in real life and on television.
Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) is a disorder which causes progressive pulmonary hypertension, usually presenting with worsening dyspnoea and right heart failure.
The association of murine asthma with adiposity may be mediated by adiponectin, an anti-inflammatory adipokine with reduced serum concentrations in obese subjects.
Thorax. Published Online First: 17 June 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.091181
Oxidative stress, resulting from increased oxidative burden and decreased level of anti-oxidant proteins, plays a role in the pathophysiology of smoking-related pulmonary emphysema.
Arch. Dis. Child. Fetal Neonatal Ed.. Published Online First: 11 September 2008. doi:10.1136/adc.2008.138487
To test whether intramuscular injection of 30 µg adrenaline reduces the incidence of respiratory distress and hypoglycaemia in term infants delivered by elective caesarean section before onset of active labour.
Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 14(6):559-566, November 2008
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common, life-limiting monogenic disease, which typically manifests as progressive bronchiectasis, exocrine pancreatic dysfunction, and recurrent sinopulmonary infections.
Annals of Thoracic Medicine Year : 2008 Volume : 3 Issue : 4 Page : 128-134
Though there are few studies addressing brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), subclinical BAEP abnormalities in stable COPD patients have not been studied. The present study aimed to evaluate the BAEP abnormalities in this study group.
Thorax. Published Online First: 17 June 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.091215
Granzymes are a sub-family of serine proteases involved in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory disorders. In contrast to granzyme A and B, the role of granzyme K (GrK) in human lung diseases is unknown.
Chinese Journal of Cancer Research Volume 7, Number 1 / March, 1995 61-65
The significance of electronic microscope examination (EM) in the diagnosis of pulmonary neoplasms was evaluated in 40 cases of patients with different kinds of pulmonary neoplasms.
Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 14(6):519-524, November 2008
Obstructive sleep apnea is an increasingly prevalent disease, with a considerable societal burden. The disease is defined by recurrent intermittent collapse of the upper airway.
Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) is the treatment of choice for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. However, some patients develop severe cardiorespiratory compromise soon after separating from cardiopulmonary bypass, either from early reperfusion pulmonary edema or right ventricular failure secondary to residual pulmonary hypertension.
Pulmonary artery sling is often associated with congenital tracheal stenosis and intracardiac anomalies. This study examines the influence of concomitant anomalies and individual surgical procedures.
We describe the first experience of direct bronchial (epi-bronchial) ultrasound to visualize and determine the endobronchial tumor margins for surgical resection.
Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 14(6):551-558, November 2008
Childhood sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is associated with a myriad of health problems that underscore the need for early diagnosis and treatment. Children with SDB present with behavior problems, deficits of general intelligence, learning and memory deficits, evidence of brain neuronal injury, increased cardiovascular risk, and poor quality of life.
Thorax. Published Online First: 5 August 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2008.095349
We evaluated the risk of a subsequent exacerbation after treatment of an exacerbation with oral corticosteroids without (OS) or with antibiotics (OSA), in a historical population-based cohort study comprising patients using maintenance medication for obstructive lung disease.
Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is an uncommon fibrotic lung disease characterized by involvement of the small conducting airways.
Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae is emerging as a significant healthcare-associated pathogen. Clinical cultures detect only a fraction of the colonized population, and patients with asymptomatic colonization are at risk of invasive infection.
Occup Environ Med. Published Online First: 19 September 2008. doi:10.1136/oem.2008.039560
Four diacetyl workers were found to have bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate exposures, respiratory symptoms, lung function and exposure-response relationships.
The Journal of Infectious Diseases 2008;198:1247-1253
Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is an important component of innate immunity, and its deficiency is associated with susceptibility to recurrent infections.
Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions Published Online: 16 Sep 2008
Thrombotic complications of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) can be devastating if not recognized and treated promptly. We describe an unusual case of rapid-onset HIT resulting in massive-bilateral pulmonary emboli in a 70 year-old man who developed chest pain during elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
If descriptors of the sensation of breathlessness are able to differentiate between medical conditions, the language of breathlessness could potentially have a role in differential diagnosis. This study investigated whether the language used to describe the sensation of breathlessness accurately categorized older individuals with and without a prior diagnosis of COPD.
Considerable evidence implicates CD40 signaling in the pathogenesis of atheromas. Exposure to CD40 ligand induces platelet-leukocyte conjugation, a heightened expression of inflammatory cytokines, matrix-degrading enzymes, and procoagulant factors.
Thorax. Published Online First: 4 August 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2008.098244
Clinical advice to pregnant women with asthma is to maintain optimal therapeutic management, however, potential adverse effects of asthma treatments on fetal development remain uncertain. We assessed the association of maternal asthma and gestational exposure to asthma medications with risk of major congenital malformation in offspring.
Interest in databases is growing to allow for outcomes research, assess health-care quality, and determine best practices and resource allocation, and they are increasingly considered as a tool to potentially tie reimbursement to outcome parameters. Little is known about resource use and risk-adjusted morbidity and mortality after therapeutic bronchoscopic interventions.
Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 14(6):595-599, November 2008
There is growing awareness in both adult and paediatric respiratory clinics regarding the importance of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. There has been debate regarding the requirement for investigations to establish an underlying cause of bronchiectasis. Furthermore, there has been growing interest in establishing the role of bacteria in disease progression.
Inhaled anticholinergics (ipratropium bromide or tiotropium bromide) are widely used in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but their effect on the risk of cardiovascular outcomes is unknown.
Thorax. Published Online First: 17 June 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.087387
Angiopoietin-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may impair vascular barrier function, while angiopoietin-1 may protect. We hypothesised that circulating angiopoietin-2 is associated with pulmonary permeability oedema and severity of acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) during septic or non-septic critical illness.
The American Journal of Cardiology Volume 102, Issue 7, Pages 871-874 (1 October 2008)
The clinical course and risk factors associated with {beta}2-agonist therapy for asthma have not been investigated previously in patients with the long-QT syndrome (LQTS).
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, October 2008, p. 3542-3549, Vol. 52, No. 10
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a significant cause of community-acquired pneumonia, which is often empirically treated with macrolides or azalides such as erythromycin or azithromycin. Recent studies have discovered the existence of macrolide-resistant strains within the population that have been mapped to mutations within the domain V region of the 23S rRNA gene.
Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 14(6):512-518, November 2008
Today, numerous studies show that orexin peptides act as regulators of many functions including the control of sleep-wake states, breathing, and central chemosensitivity.
Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 14(6):582-588, November 2008
Numerous studies have demonstrated that patients with chronic illnesses are at an increased risk for depression, with serious direct and indirect consequences for health outcomes.
Thorax. Published Online First: 22 August 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.094706
Acute bronchiolitis is the most common lower respiratory tract infection in infants and there is no evidence that drug treatment alters its natural course.
Pulmonary artery sarcoma is an uncommon neoplasm, and its clinical and radiological presentation usually simulates chronic thromboembolic disease. We present the case of a 77-year-old woman admitted with dyspnea, chest pain, and hemoptysis.
Infection and Immunity, October 2008, p. 4624-4632, Vol. 76, No. 10
The lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are typically chronically infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We used an immunoproteomics approach to analyze the responses of patients to secreted P. aeruginosa proteins.
Although the incidence of serious morbidity with childhood pneumonia has decreased over time, empyema as a complication of community-acquired pneumonia continues to be an important clinical problem.
The Journal of Infectious Diseases 2008;198:1180-1188
Systemic steroids have been advocated in addition to antimicrobial therapy for severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. We evaluated the efficacy of clarithromycin, dexamethasone, and combination therapy for M. pneumoniae respiratory infection.
Thorax. Published Online First: 17 June 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2008.097311
Antibiotic treatment is not recommended for acute bronchitis in immunocompetent patients in industrialized countries. Whether these recommendations are relevant to the developing world and to immunocompromised patients is unknown.
Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 14(6):567-573, November 2008
Ibuprofen was first advocated as a chronic therapy for cystic fibrosis lung disease in 1995, following a favorable report of a 4-year controlled trial. However, clinical use has been limited primarily by the concern about adverse effects.
Additional mechanical pleurodesis for the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is believed to reduce the recurrence of PSP, and a covering procedure with absorbable mesh also shows comparable results.
World J Gastroenterol 2008 September;14(35):5467-5470
We present three cases of patients (at the age of 56 years, 49 years and 74 years respectively) with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), complicated by intra-abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) and respiratory insufficiency with limitations of mechanical ventilation. The respiratory situation of the patients was significantly improved after decompression laparotomy (DL) and lung protective ventilation was re-achieved. ACS was discussed followed by a short review of the literature. Our cases show that DL may help patients with SAP to recover from severe respiratory failure.
Occup Environ Med. Published Online First: 19 September 2008. doi:10.1136/oem.2008.040022
Self-reported exposure to vapors, gas, dust, or fumes (VGDF) has been widely used as an occupational exposure metric in epidemiologic studies of chronic lung diseases. Our objective was to characterize the performance of VGDF for repeatability, systematic misclassification, and sensitivity and specificity against exposure likelihood by a job exposure matrix (JEM).
This review addresses three types of causes of respiratory system limitations to O2 transport and exercise performance that are experienced by significant numbers of active, highly fit younger and older adults.
Adenovirus are the important pathogen of pediatric severe pneumonia. The aim of this study is to analyze the infection, subtype and distribution of adenovirus in autopsied pulmonary tissue of fatal pneumonia in infants and children, and the relationships between adenovirus infection and respiratory illness in South China.
Bacteria from the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) are the only group of cystic fibrosis (CF) respiratory pathogens that may cause death by an invasive infection known as cepacia syndrome.
COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Volume 4, Issue 3 September 2007 , pages 225 - 236
Dyspnea and activity limitation are the primary symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and progress relentlessly as the disease advances. In COPD, dyspnea is multifactorial but abnormal dynamic ventilatory mechanics are believed to be important.
Continuous oxygen therapy is not recommended for emphysema patients who are not hypoxemic at rest, although it is often prescribed. Little is known regarding the clinical characteristics and survival of nonhypoxemic emphysema patients using continuous oxygen. Analysis of data from the National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT) offers insight into this population.
COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Volume 4, Issue 3 September 2007 , pages 177 - 183
Bronchodilators, including long-acting {beta}2-adrenoceptor agonists and anticholinergic bronchodilators, are effective in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Volume 4, Issue 3 September 2007 , pages 195 - 204
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are often caught in a downward spiral that progresses from expiratory flow limitation to poor quality of life and invalidity. Within this downward spiral, exercise tolerance represents a key intermediate outcome.
Pediatric Pulmonology Published Online: 9 Sep 2008
The infiltrate in pneumonia is characterized by a large number of activated neutrophils, for which leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a strong chemotactic agent. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a non-invasive technique for studying the lower airways.
BMC Pulmonary Medicine 2008, 8:18doi:10.1186/1471-2466-8-18
Severe post tracheostomy (PT) and post intubation (PI) tracheal stenosis is an uncommon clinical entity that often requires interventional bronchoscopy before surgery is considered. We present our experience with severe PI and PT stenosis in regards to patient characteristics, possible risk factors, and therapy.
COPD is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality. Perhaps paradoxically, COPD also should be an orphan disease. Importantly, this could advance the development of treatments for COPD.
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in preterm infants. Surfactant replacement therapy has been widely used to prevent and treat RDS in these newborns and has now become a standard of care.
Journal of Hematology & Oncology 2008, 1:13doi:10.1186/1756-8722-1-13
The most common semiquantitative method of evaluation of pulmonary lesions using 18F-FDG PET is FDG standardized uptake value (SUV). An SUV cutoff of 2.5 or greater has been used to differentiate between benign and malignant nodules.
To evaluate the utility of clinical, thin-section computed tomography (CT), and histopathologic findings in predicting the prognosis of patients with usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) or fibrotic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP).
Infection and Immunity, October 2008, p. 4463-4468, Vol. 76, No. 10
In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the lower respiratory tract is commonly colonized by bacterial pathogens, including nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae.
Pediatric Pulmonology Published Online: 10 Sep 2008
We report the case of a 15-month-old male suffering from Late Onset Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome and recto-sigmoid Hirschsprung's disease, an association that has not been reported thus far.
British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 159, Number 4, October 2008 , pp. 956-960(5)
Previous reports have demonstrated an association between psoriasis and the metabolic syndrome. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has also been associated with the metabolic syndrome.
Sleep and Breathing 1520-9512 (Print) 10.1007/s11325-008-0220-8
The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of individuals at high risk for developing obstructive sleep apnea in the Pakistani population using a validated questionnaire.
Sleep and Breathing 1520-9512 (Print) 10.1007/s11325-008-0224-4
An altered autonomic control and response to respiratory events during sleep have been reported in infants with obstructive sleep apnea but appropriate methods are not established.
Interleukin (IL)-21, an IL-2 family multifunctional cytokine, is produced by activated CD4+ T cells and is known to potentially affect growth, survival and function of numerous immune cells. As IL-21 regulates IgE production, a key mediator of various allergic disorders and asthma, it is a prime candidate gene for studying atopic asthma.
Allergology International doi:10.2332/allergolint.O-08-544
In young children with wheezing or bronchiolitis, especially with respiratory syncitial virus, blood eosinophilia and a high eosinophil cationic protein level in nasal secretions predicts subsequent wheezing in later childhood.
Pediatric Pulmonology Published Online: 10 Sep 2008
We present a 9-month-old infant with persistent cough refractory to conventional asthma therapy. An extensive evaluation eventually revealed a Chiari I malformation with syringohydromyelia. His cough resolved one month after surgical decompression, suggesting that brainstem compression from the Chiari malformation directly caused his symptoms. Pediatr Pulmonol.
Apart from the deleterious effects on the lungs, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should be considered a complex, systemic disease involving several organs and systems.
Therapy with inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) decreases the risk of asthma exacerbations. Recent studies have suggested that ICS therapy also may decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease, and perhaps of all-cause mortality. We examined this hypothesis in a large, well-characterized cohort of asthmatic women.
Muscarinic receptor agonists increase water secretion from the acinar cells of respiratory, sweat, salivary, and lacrimal glands. Mice lacking the gene for aqueous water channel aquaporin (Aqp) 5 exhibit methacholine-induced bronchiolar hyperreactivity when compared to normal mice. Individuals with asthma also have enhanced airway responsiveness to methacholine and diminished airway hydration.
Although the available inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/long-acting {beta} 2-agonist (LABA) combinations principally work in a similar fashion, they differ in several important ways, leading to different efficacy.
Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology Volume 52 Issue 4, Pages 307 - 317
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening condition. Multidetector CT pulmonary angiography is currently the imaging method of choice for the detection of PE. The aim of this pictorial essay is to review the appearances of PE on multidetector CT pulmonary angiography, including signs that differentiate acute and chronic PE and markers of severity. The features of a non-diagnostic study and pitfalls leading to a false-positive or false-negative study are presented.
Sleep and Breathing 1520-9512 (Print) 10.1007/s11325-008-0221-7
Subjects on methadone maintenance for drug addiction have been reported to have central sleep apnea (CSA). However, there are few reports of disordered breathing in patients receiving opioids for chronic pain.
Infection and Immunity, October 2008, p. 4414-4421, Vol. 76, No. 10
Hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia is a common and serious complication of modern medical care. Many aspects of such infections remain unclear, including the mechanisms by which invading pathogens resist clearance by the innate immune response and the tendency of the infections to be polymicrobial.
Pediatric Pulmonology Published Online: 10 Sep 2008
Spirometry in pediatrics can be limited by the child's development which is usually related to age. In 2005 the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and European Respiratory Society (ERS) published updated quality control criteria for spirometry.
To evaluate the pathologic patterns, clinical features, and survival among subjects with scleroderma (ie, systemic sclerosis [SSc]) and clinically significant interstitial lung disease (ILD) evaluated at an ILD center.
Many lung diseases are characterized by neutrophil-dominated inflammation; therefore, an understanding of neutrophil function is of considerable importance to respiratory physicians.
Oxidative stress is presumed to impair {beta}-adenoceptor function and airway patency. Erdosteine (E), a mucomodulatory compound, has shown important antioxidant properties.
Respiratory Research 2008, 9:65doi:10.1186/1465-9921-9-65
Surfactant protein D (SP-D) plays an important role in innate defense against influenza A viruses (IAVs) and other pathogens. Genotypic variation between Met and Thr at amino acid 11 in the N-terminus of SP-D is reported to modulate resistance to respiratory infections. One hypothesis is that this variation affects multimerization of SP-D.
Respiratory Research 2008, 9:66doi:10.1186/1465-9921-9-66
We have previously reported that low concentrations of cigarette smoke extract induce DNA damage without leading to apoptosis or necrosis in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs), and that IL-6/STAT3 signaling contributes to the cell survival.
Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown etiology that usually affects the lungs. Although flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy with transbronchial lung biopsy (TBBx) has a high diagnostic yield in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis, variously ranging from 40 to 90%, more invasive procedures often prove necessary.
Journal of General Internal Medicine 0884-8734 (Print) 10.1007/s11606-008-0783-x
To determine which easily available clinical factors are associated with mortality in patients with stable COPD and if health-related quality of life (HRQoL) provides additional information.
Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is caused by a variety of microorganisms. By identifying patients at risk for failure of pathogen identification, it is possible to make an early decision on the extent of diagnostic procedures to be performed.
COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Volume 4, Issue 3 September 2007 , pages 251 - 255
Individuals who have active lifestyles appear to reap substantial benefits. It is therefore of interest to assess level of activity and to determine whether interventions are capable of altering activities of daily life.
Clinical and Translational Oncology Volume 10, Number 8 / August, 2008 512-514
Abstract In a smoking adult with a lung mass, brain masses are usually diagnosed as brain metastases of lung origin. Nevertheless, differential diagnosis between cerebral abscesses cannot be performed based on clinical symptoms or imaging technologies, and histological diagnosis is essential.
Previous, largely uncontrolled studies demonstrated the substantial effects of continuous positive airway pressure ventilation (CPAP) on a variety of physiologic and biochemical markers known to be risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Vertebral fractures in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) may contribute to an accelerated decline in lung function and can be a contraindication to lung transplantation.
Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 27(9):776-782, September 2008
The objective of the study was to evaluate whether the increase in antibiotic-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage was associated with antibiotic use in the community in children in Southern Israel.
We report a 19-year-old female with systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis who developed pulmonary hemorrhage (PH) refractory to conventional immunosuppressive treatment.
The insertion of ventriculoatrial (VA) shunts for the treatment of hydrocephalus is thought to be associated with the development of pulmonary hypertension in adults.
Respiratory viruses are important triggers of acute exacerbations of COPD (AE-COPD). However, the inflammatory response in virus-positive exacerbations is still not fully understood.
Clinical Pulmonary Medicine. 15(5):274-282, September 2008
As part of the evaluation process of patients with pulmonary symptoms, the flow volume loop (FVL) may be important in identifying the presence of functional or anatomic airway abnormalities.
This study assesses the incidence, patterns and natural history of 18F-FDG uptake in post-thoracotomy scars of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.
Clinical Pulmonary Medicine. 15(5):248-253, September 2008
Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is one of the most common opportunistic infections in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It has now become evident that Pneumocystis may also be responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in non-HIV-infected immunocompromised patients.
Clinical Pulmonary Medicine. 15(5):267-273, September 2008
Temporary tracheostomy (TT) is a common critical care procedure in patients with acute respiratory failure who require prolonged mechanical ventilatory support. Usually TT is considered if weaning from mechanical ventilation has been unsuccessful, but both the timing and the method to perform are still controversial.
Clinical Pulmonary Medicine. 15(5):239-247, September 2008
The delivery of drugs to the lungs via the inhaled route has long been established as a successful and effective approach in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Pediatric Emergency Care. 24(9):624-626, September 2008
nfants with previously undiagnosed cardiac conditions may present to the emergency department with nonspecific signs and respiratory symptoms. These patients may be erroneously diagnosed as having bronchiolitis.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society Published Online: 15 Sep 2008
To examine whether treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) results in better cognitive function.
Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected persons. Epidemiology of PCP in the recent era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is not well known and the impact of HAART on outcome of PCP has been debated.
Thorax. Published Online First: 18 August 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.094870
Respiratory viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), can cause asthma exacerbations and bronchiolitis. Both conditions are associated with enhanced cognate immune responses and inflammation and reduced immune regulation. Lung epithelial cells (LECs) can contribute to antiviral and allergic immune responses while gut epithelial cells can inhibit effector T-cell responses.
Clinical Pulmonary Medicine. 15(5):298-299, September 2008
Jugular venous catheterization access does not seem to reduce the risk of infection compared with femoral access, except among adults with a high body mass index, and has a risk of hematoma.
Clinical Pulmonary Medicine. 15(5):258-266, September 2008
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) investigations have more recently focused on long-term outcomes in survivors. Many survivors of ARDS have significant brain-related morbidity, including neurocognitive deficits and psychiatric disorders.
Thorax. Published Online First: 5 August 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2008.095497
Previous studies of non-smoking individuals with severe alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (PiZZ) have been sparse and included only a limited number of individuals, mostly identified by respiratory symptoms. The aim of this study was to estimate the prognosis of non-smoking PiZZ individuals and to analyze the most common causes of death by including a large number of individuals who had been identified due to reasons other than respiratory symptoms.
American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. Vol. 39, pp. 440-447, 2008
High mobility group box1 protein (HMGB1) was originally discovered as a nuclear binding protein, and is known to play an important role in acute lung injury.
Pediatrics International Published Online: 15 Sep 2008
Microbe-specific diagnosis of pediatric community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and the distinction between typical-bacterial, atypical-bacterial and viral cases are difficult.
COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Volume 4, Issue 3 September 2007 , pages 169 - 176
This paper is a post-hoc analysis of a previous study performed to investigate the relationship between computerized tomography (CT) and lung function in 51 outpatients with mild-to-moderate COPD.
Current Opinion in Organ Transplantation. 13(5):477-483, October 2008
Historically, most lung transplant recipients have received triple-drug maintenance immunosuppression consisting of a calcineurin inhibitor, azathioprine, and prednisolone.
Thorax. Published Online First: 18 August 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2008.099044
Long-term noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) might improve the outcomes of pulmonary rehabilitation in severe COPD patients with chronic respiratory failure.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society Published Online: 15 Sep 2008
The objective of this study was to investigate the preventive effect of oral hygiene on pneumonia and respiratory tract infection, focusing on elderly people in hospitals and nursing homes, by systematically reviewing effect estimates and methodological quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and to provide an overview of additional clinical studies in this area.
HIV Medicine, Volume 9, Number 8, September 2008 , pp. 609-615(7)
Despite a recent decrease, bacterial pneumonia (BP) is still the most common admission diagnosis in HIV patients. We analyse BP incidence, characteristics and prevention measures.
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an adverse drug reaction that increases patient morbidity and mortality. The financial impact of HIT to an institution is thought to be significant. The objective of this study was to evaluate the financial impact of HIT.
Pediatric Pulmonology Published Online: 9 Sep 2008
The long- and short-term prognostic value of pediatric spirometry, plethysmography, and gas transfer measurements in cystic fibrosis (CF) were assessed.
Clinical Pulmonary Medicine. 15(5):283-292, September 2008
Community-acquired pneumonia in children is a worldwide problem. Viral infection is common in young children and is of variable severity. Streptococcus pneumoniae remains the commonest bacterial pathogen.
Sleep Medicine Volume 9, Issue 7, Pages 799-802 (October 2008)
As with migraine, female sex hormones may explain the high prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in women and therefore influence RLS severity across the female life cycle.
Sleep Medicine Volume 9, Issue 7, Pages 790-798 (October 2008)
The aim of this study was to evaluate and statistically describe the age-related changes in leg movements (LMs) during sleep in a large group of subjects with restless legs syndrome (RLS).
Sleep Medicine Volume 9, Issue 7, Pages 782-789 (October 2008)
Using transcranial B-mode sonography (TCS), the first morphological marker for restless legs syndrome (RLS), hypoechogenicity of the substantia nigra (SN) has been found.
Sleep Medicine Volume 9, Issue 7, Pages 762-769 (October 2008)
To assess the efficacy and compliance of a traction-based mandibular repositioning device (MRD) for treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) under a patient-driven protocol in a routine outpatient care setting.
Sleep Medicine Volume 9, Issue 7, Pages 753-761 (October 2008)
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with autonomic dysfunction and metabolic abnormalities including obesity, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance.
Sleep Medicine Volume 9, Issue 7, Pages 739-744 (October 2008)
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS [Johns MW. A new method for measuring daytime sleepiness: the Epworth sleepiness scale. Sleep 1991;14(6):540–5]) has been used frequently to assess daytime sleepiness, particularly in the context of clinical sleep disorders.
Sleep Medicine Volume 9, Issue 7, Pages 732-738 (October 2008)
The best method for titration of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome has not yet been established. The 90th or 95th percentiles of the pressure titrated over time by automatic CPAP (A-CPAP) have been recommended as reference for prescribing therapeutic fixed CPAP (F-CPAP). We compared A-CPAP to F-CPAP, which was determined by a common prediction formula.
Sleep Medicine Volume 9, Issue 7, Pages 727-731 (October 2008)
Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is the major complaint in subjects with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). However, EDS is not universally present in all patients with OSAS. The mechanisms explaining why some patients with OSAS complain of EDS whereas others do not are unknown.
Sleep Medicine Volume 9, Issue 7, Pages 715-726 (October 2008)
In the absence of comparative trials a meta-analysis was performed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of the non-ergot derived dopamine agonists, pramipexole and ropinirole, in restless legs syndrome (RLS).
Thorax. Published Online First: 19 June 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2008.095588
To determine whether baseline plasma levels of the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE), a novel marker of alveolar type I cell injury, are associated with the severity and outcomes of acute lung injury, and whether plasma RAGE levels are affected by lower tidal volume ventilation.
Thorax. Published Online First: 19 June 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.086199
Observational epidemiologic studies of dietary antioxidant intake, serum antioxidant concentration, and lung outcomes suggest that lower levels of antioxidant defenses are associated with decreased lung function. Another approach to understanding the role of oxidant/antioxidant imbalance in risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is to investigate the role of genetic variation in antioxidant enzymes, and indeed family-based studies suggest a heritable component to lung disease.
T lymphocytes and especially the subpopulations of CD8+ cells are believed to have a key role in COPD pathophysiology, but there are only few data regarding the role of these cells in COPD exacerbation.
Conflicting data exist regarding the effects of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) on cardiorespiratory fitness in morbidly obese individuals with normal resting left ventricular function.
The aim of the present study was to examine the modification of initial empirical treatment based on the microbiological results of bronchoscopic techniques after comparing the diagnostic yield of protected specimen brush (PSB) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in the immunocompetent patient with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) with results obtained from conventional sputum cultures.
Journal of The American Society of Echocardiography Volume 21, Issue 9, Pages 1028-1034 (September 2008)
Right ventricular (RV) function has major prognostic implications for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Intraventricular dyssynchrony might play an important role in RV dysfunction in these patients.
Our aim was to describe the incidence, clinical characteristics and outcome of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by Escherichia coli through the analysis of a cohort of patients with this condition.
Journal of Asthma, Volume 45, Issue 7 September 2008 , pages 579 - 582
To achieve the best health possible, asthma patients require targeted education to understand the disease and how it may affect them, and what they need to do to keep it controlled.
Journal of Asthma, Volume 45, Issue 7 September 2008 , pages 557 - 560
Though racial disparities in asthma prevalence are well documented, little is known about the burden of asthma in American Indians compared to whites in the United States.
Pediatric Pulmonology Published Online: 9 Sep 2008
Nearly 50 years ago, Wilson and Mikity described a syndrome (WMS) of chronic lung disease (CLD) in premature infants, characterized by early development of cystic interstitial emphysema (PIE), despite minimal ventilatory support.
Pediatric Pulmonology Published Online: 9 Sep 2008
Cystic fibrosis (CF) leads to pathological changes in organs that express the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), including secretory cells of the digestive tract and the pancreas. Maintaining nutritional sufficiency is challenging for CF patients and therefore accurate monitoring is important for their clinical management.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology, July 2008, p. 2231-2240, Vol. 46, No. 7
Community-acquired pyogenic liver abscess caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae is an emerging infectious disease. We explored the capsular polysaccharide synthesis (cps) regions of three non-K1, non-K2 K. pneumoniae strains, A1142, A7754, and A1517, from Taiwanese patients experiencing pyogenic liver abscess.
Journal of Asthma, Volume 45, Issue 7 September 2008 , pages 545 - 547
Asthma that is chronic may influence children's behavioral health and quality of life (QoL) negatively. Objective. To evaluate the frequency of attention deficit and hyperactivity symptoms in children with asthma and to determine if these symptoms are associated with a deterioration of QoL..
Thorax. Published Online First: 5 August 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2008.095349
We evaluated the risk of a subsequent exacerbation after treatment of an exacerbation with oral corticosteroids without (OS) or with antibiotics (OSA), in a historical population-based cohort study comprising patients using maintenance medication for obstructive lung disease.
A study was undertaken to identify and weigh at the time of hospital discharge simple clinical variables that could predict short-term outcomes in patients with pneumonia.
Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TO) is a rare disorder of the large airways characterized by the development of submucosal cartilaginous and bony nodules.
Cough is the most common complaint for which patients in the United States seek medical attention. Few, if any, effective therapies exist for the most common form of acute cough, that due to viral upper respiratory tract infection (URI).
Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation & Prevention. 28(5):289-298, September/October 2008
The pharyngeal muscles are essential for effective lung ventilation because they help maintain an open upper airspace for the unhindered passage of air into the lungs. Sleep, especially rapid-eye-movement sleep, however, causes fundamental modifications of pharyngeal muscle tone and reflex responses that in normal individuals lead to airway narrowing and hypoventilation.
Canadian Journal of Cardiology September 2008, Volume 24 Issue 9: 697-704
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may contribute to the pathogenesis of congestive heart failure (CHF). Nocturnal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy can alleviate OSA and may have a role in the treatment of CHF patients.
Arch Dis Child. Published Online First: 14 August 2008. doi:10.1136/adc.2008.137349
Preterm infants have a substantially increased risk of developing respiratory illnesses. The goal of this study was to consider the impact of modifiable postnatal exposures on respiratory morbidity among a cohort of very low birthweight (VLBW) infants.
We report a severe case of congenital myasthenia gravis in a Chinese newborn who presented with complete ptosis, severe hypotonia, dysphagia and respiratory insufficiency with recurrent apnea that required mechanical ventilatory support since birth.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology, July 2008, p. 2184-2188, Vol. 46, No. 7
Similarities between Streptococcus pneumoniae and viridans group streptococci may result in misidentification of these organisms. In surveillance programs which assess antimicrobial resistance rates among respiratory tract pathogens, such identification errors could lead to overestimates of pneumococcal resistance rates.
Sleep and Breathing 1520-9512 (Print) 10.1007/s11325-008-0218-2
The prevalence of sleep breathing disorders in patients with congestive heart failure is relevantly high. According to historical studies Cheyne-Stokes respiration is an oscillatory ventilation during sleep in up to 40% of patients with congestive heart failure.
Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases Volume 3, Number 3 / 2008 175-179
Clinicians in Spain perceive an increase in the incidence of pediatric empyema. The available objective information is limited because it is a condition, for which there is no specific active epidemiological surveillance.
The present study investigated the utility of rapid microbiological methods in the aetiological diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) according to the severity of CAP. Between 1999 and 2004, 384 adult patients with CAP were studied prospectively.
Thorax. Published Online First: 29 August 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2008.101196
Diagnosis of aspirin-intolerant asthma requires aspirin provocation in specialist clinics. Urinary leukotriene E4 is elevated in aspirin-intolerant asthma.
Thorax. Published Online First: 11 July 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.093302
All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) stimulates elastin synthesis by lung fibroblasts and induces alveolar regeneration in animal models of pulmonary emphysema. However, ATRA treatment has brought disappointing results in human emphysema. We hypothesized that a defect in the ATRA signalling pathway contributes to the defect of alveolar repair in the human emphysematous lung.
Thorax. Published Online First: 4 August 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.093187
Patterns of wheezing during early childhood may indicate differences in etiology and prognosis of respiratory illnesses. Improved characterization of wheezing phenotypes could lead to the identification of environmental influences on the development of asthma and airway diseases in predisposed individuals.
Thorax. Published Online First: 5 August 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.094128
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are structurally and functionally related and play important roles in the innate and adaptive immune system. By genome scanning, we have previously obtained evidence of linkage between chromosome Xp22 and asthma and related atopic disorders. Xp22 harbours the TLR7 and TLR8 genes.
Journal of Asthma, Volume 45, Issue 7 September 2008 , pages 552 - 556
Asthmatics requiring admission to the intensive care unit and/or mechanical ventilation have increased morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study is to examine morbidity and mortality in patients requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation for asthma over a 10-year period. This study also reviews the clinical features and management of these patients.
Ann Thorac Surg 2008;86:962-966. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2008.04.067
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is an unusual occurrence with few cases reported. It is seen after intrathoracic pressure changes leading to alveolar rupture and dissection of air along the tracheobronchial tree. This study was undertaken to provide a thorough clinical and radiologic analysis of this patient population.
Clinical Pulmonary Medicine. 15(5):254-257, September 2008
Necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis is a rare disorder, whose etiology and pathogenesis are a topic of great debate. Diagnosis is often mistaken for "typical" sarcoid, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, lymphoid granulomatosis, or Wegener granulomatosis.
Ann Thorac Surg 2008;86:912-920. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2008.04.073
This retrospective cohort study used a prospective database. Patients who had biopsy-proven, nonbulky N2 disease underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and were restaged or resected, or both.
Pediatric Pulmonology Published Online: 9 Sep 2008
The objective of this study was to examine the effects of a supervised exercise training program performed during an in patient rehabilitation course on various attributes of health-related fitness, e.g., flexibility, balance and coordination.
Thorax. Published Online First: 11 July 2008. doi:10.1136/thx.2007.089557
Little is known about the combination of different medications in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study determined the cost effectiveness of adding salmeterol (S) or fluticasone/salmeterol (FS) to tiotropium (T) for COPD.
Journal of Asthma, Volume 45, Issue 7 September 2008 , pages 561 - 567
The role of inhaled corticosteroids in the treatment of acute asthma exacerbations in children is controversial. This study compared the effect of inhaled budesonide and inhaled fluticasone in controlling acute asthma exacerbations in young children at home.
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