Researchers published studies on new treatments for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), a potential new treatment for pulmonary hypertension in sickle cell patients using oral arginine, and the benefits of noninvasive ventilation. Early removal of breathing tubes, combined with noninvasive ventilation, significantly reduced hospi...
Researchers found that a humanized anti-human interleuken antibody reduced eosinophils in severe asthma patients, improving pulmonary function. In another study, poor oral hygiene was linked to an increased risk of aspiration pneumonia, with Gram-negative bacteria being the main culprits.
A study of TB patients found that females, older individuals, and those born in Asia were at higher risk for serious side effects. The six-minute walking test showed a significant improvement in distance walked with a continuous course versus a straight out-and-back course.
A national survey of ICU directors found that over 85% identified at least one large barrier to end-of-life care, including unrealistic expectations and insufficient training in communication. The survey also revealed that widely endorsed strategies such as training and symptom management are not always available in institutions.
The study found that physicians can improve ICU end-of-life conferences by providing emotional support, listening to family members' concerns, and allowing them more time to speak. This leads to increased family satisfaction and reduced conflict during the conference.
A study found that one-third of young adults who outgrow asthma may experience a relapse by age 26. Those highly allergic or with bronchial hyper-responsiveness are at greatest risk. The study followed 1,037 New Zealanders to age 26, with detailed respiratory histories every two years.
Exposure to environmental toxins during the first year of life significantly increases asthma risk, with cockroach infestations doubling the likelihood, according to a study led by Dr. Frank Gilliland.
A recent study by Louise M. O'Brien found that snoring in children, even without sleep apnea, can lead to significant cognitive issues such as attention deficits and language difficulties. The research involved 87 children aged 5-7 who snored but did not have obstructive sleep apnea, compared to 31 non-snoring peers.
A study by Therese Mar found a significant association between stagnant air and respiratory deaths, as well as cardiovascular deaths. The research used wind data to analyze the effects of air pollution on mortality over a 28-year period.
A recent study found that linezolid significantly improves the survival rate of patients with hospital-acquired MRSA pneumonia compared to vancomycin. The analysis of two earlier studies showed that patients who received linezolid were more than twice as likely to survive.
Researchers found exponential killing of tuberculosis bacteria was more rapid with isoniazid, followed by rifampin's dominance. A study of acute monocytic leukemia revealed rapidly progressive respiratory distress, highlighting the need for early ICU admission and management.
A study of 589 postmenopausal women found a significant association between menopause and sleep-disordered breathing. Additionally, researchers discovered that statin use can significantly reduce tissue rejection and improve pulmonary function in lung transplant patients. These findings highlight the importance of evaluating sleep-diso...
German researchers found oral sildenafil improves hemodynamics and exercise capacity in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. A study also revealed African-American children have a much higher hospital readmission rate for asthma, over four times that of other races/ethnicities.
A new Composite Physiologic Index (CPI) effectively tracks pulmonary fibrosis in patients and provides a more accurate prognostic indicator for interstitial pneumonia. Additionally, researchers explore the potential of stem cells to treat acute lung injury and its severe form, ARDS.
The new guidelines recommend directly observed therapy for patients with TB to improve treatment completion rates. Four regimens are recommended for treating patients with drug-susceptible organisms, with an initial phase of 2 months followed by a continuation period of 4 to 7 months.
Two new studies report associations between prenatal exposure to maternal smoking and early-onset asthma with deficits in children's lung function. In the first study, a two-month rifampin/pyrazinamide regimen was found to be effective in treating latent TB in high-risk, non-adherent groups, but with potential liver toxicity risks.
Two new studies highlight the severity of sepsis in young US children, with infants and low-birth-weight babies at highest risk. In contrast, imported malaria cases in European countries pose a growing health threat, while disruptions to ICU patients' sleep patterns remain poorly understood.
Research on montelukast treatment for reactive airway disease in infants with RSV bronchiolitis shows increased symptom-free days and nights, while study on exercise capacity in COPD patients reveals it as the best predictor of mortality.
Researchers found that adult CF patients can achieve educational and work accomplishments despite the progressive nature of the disease. Pulmonary function and exercise capacity testing are limited in predicting their ability to work or attend school.
The American Thoracic Society has named two Department of Veterans Affairs clinician-scientists, Rabih I. Bechara and Pierre P. Massion, as the first recipients of its Research Career Development Award. The award will provide $20,000 per year for three years to support their research on respiratory diseases.
Researchers found alterations in airway structure due to cigarette smoke exposure in utero may cause symptoms and abnormal lung function in exposed infants. A potential therapy for premature babies with bronchopulmonary dysplasia has been identified as low molecular weight catalytic antioxidant.
A large study found a dose-related increase in hip fracture risk among older persons using inhaled corticosteroids. High-frequency oscillation ventilation improved lung function in very low birth weight babies, reducing airway damage and improving outcomes.
Researchers studied patients' understanding of living wills, finding significant differences in interpretation, and found that certain ventilator modes can worsen sleep quality. Inspiratory muscle training also improved respiratory function in patients with severe COPD.
Researchers found that halting COPD treatment with inhaled corticosteroids increases exacerbation risk and worsens quality of life. Men are more prone to pharyngeal collapse due to longer airways, which may contribute to their higher obstructive sleep apnea risk. Additionally, patients with OSA showed reduced brain gray matter volume, ...
Researchers found that anti-inflammatory agents are more effective in patients at higher risk of death from sepsis. Spiral computed tomography (CT) scans can help identify up to four times more lung cancers than chest x-rays, with 70% of tumors still in Stage 1.
A recent study reveals that asthma affects over 42,000 US households, with moderate to severe persistent disease prevalent among individuals. Additionally, the research highlights the significant impact of asthma on daily activities, affecting two-thirds of respondents.
A German study found exposure to house dust endotoxin is associated with lower allergic sensitization in school children. Researchers also discovered that females are more sensitive to coughing agents than males. Occupational exposure to dust and fumes is linked to increased respiratory symptoms and asthma risk.
A study of 24,690 British children found a dose-related association between maternal antibiotic exposure during pregnancy and increased risk of asthma, eczema, and hay fever. Another study on Alaskan sled dogs suggests that 'ski asthma' may be a model for exercise-induced airway injury in humans.
A Swedish study of over 3,000 children found that living with a cat significantly reduced the risk of developing asthma. Conversely, continuing smokers showed substantially lower lung function levels, indicating severe to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
A study of 2,950 children found that in utero exposure to maternal smoking was linked to asthma and wheezing, with genetic susceptibility playing a significant role. Low body weight in COPD patients is also associated with greater muscle atrophy and poorer exercise capacity.
The American Thoracic Society's first issue for August 2002 discusses significant reductions in fatal cardiovascular disease among smokers who quit, with a 50-70% higher hazard rate compared to non-smokers. Additionally, the study reveals improved HIV survival rates, with a marked increase in patients receiving HAART and surviving to h...
Researchers found that humming increased nitric oxide levels in the sinuses, boosting ventilation. Smoking by family members was linked to an increased likelihood of children being diagnosed with asthma before age 6. Obstructive sleep apnea was also associated with a significant increase in heart disease.
Researchers found significant effects of air pollution on children's lung function growth rates, with acid vapor showing the most consistent effect. A separate study found no association between antibiotic use in early life and asthma development at age 5.
Researchers found that inhaled corticosteroids significantly improved disease symptoms and reduced patient exacerbations in a double-blind study of COPD patients. However, ICS treatment had no effect on major inflammatory cell types or lung function in this advanced COPD population.
Asthma airway remodeling begins in childhood and continues into adulthood, affecting lung function and increasing the risk of respiratory complications. A new study found that 7.4% of children with asthma developed structural abnormalities in their airways at age 18, a rate similar to adults with asthma.
A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that obesity and smoking significantly increase asthma risk in adults. Women were 94% more likely than men to have asthma, while people in lower socioeconomic groups were 30% more likely to be affected.
A study by the American Thoracic Society found that non-smoking females with and without asthma experience decreased lung function due to secondhand smoke exposure. High levels of cotinine, a marker of secondhand smoke exposure, were associated with lower lung function in these women.
A study of 1,555 adults found that drinking white wine may be beneficial for lung health, with greater lung function observed in those who consumed white wine compared to red wine. The antioxidant flavonoids in white wine are thought to play a key role in this protective effect.
A new study suggests that an optimistic outlook may improve lung function in men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Optimism was linked to higher lung function and slower rate of decline in lung function compared to pessimistic individuals, even after controlling for smoking.
A study by the American Thoracic Society found that workers in the food flavoring manufacturing industry may be at risk of developing non-reversible airway obstruction due to exposure to high concentrations of acetaldehyde and capsaicin.
Researchers have discovered a link between keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) concentrations and protection against bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in premature infants. Additionally, a new pH test offers a simple method to evaluate airway inflammation in diseases such as asthma and COPD.
Research finds that infants with flow limitation in breathing may be more likely to develop asthma, while rhinovirus infection increases disease severity in acute bronchiolitis, and exercise can be safely done by women with sickle cell anemia
A recent study found that stress increases anxiety and depression scores in college students with mild allergic asthma, leading to enhanced airway inflammation. In contrast, intravenous sildenafil reversed vascular resistance in an animal model of neonatal pulmonary hypertension, offering new hope for treating this serious condition.
Two new studies found a relationship between high cat allergen concentrations in the home and increased asthma symptoms among sensitized women. Researchers also discovered common delays in TB diagnosis and treatment, as well as abnormal pulmonary function linked to bacterial infection in cystic fibrosis patients.
Researchers found men had a higher incidence of bacterial pneumonia, with complex cases and higher mortality rates compared to women. The burden of CAP is expected to increase substantially as the elderly population grows, with projected 750,000 cases in 2010 and 1 million by 2020.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with a 3.9% reduction in workforce participation rates, particularly among those with moderate to severe disease. Additionally, sleep-disordered breathing in mildly obese men is linked to glucose intolerance and insulin resistance.
Recent studies have shown that low-dose computed tomography can detect lung cancers at an earlier stage than traditional chest radiography. Additionally, research has found a higher incidence of acute lung injury in Australian intensive care units, with lower mortality rates compared to international studies. Furthermore, experts argue...
A new study found that caregivers with higher perceived stress levels had infants who experienced more wheezing episodes during the first 14 months of life. Additionally, exposure to German cockroach allergen was associated with increased risk of asthma attacks in susceptible children. Researchers also developed a molecular model of th...
A study of 63 young persons found that children who started wheezing between ages 2 to 5 were highly likely to continue wheezing in adulthood. Researchers also developed a brief questionnaire to predict future asthma-related healthcare utilization. Additionally, sleep disordered breathing was linked to obesity and craniofacial abnormal...
A study on preterm birth found that premature infants' lungs develop under different conditions after birth, affecting lung function. Leukotriene antagonists improved treatment for moderate to severe asthma by increasing pulmonary function and reducing symptoms. A personalized oral appliance also showed significant improvement in child...