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Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis have a different composition of microbes in the airways

Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have a different microbiome composition in their lower airways than those with COPD or healthy individuals. The study found that IPF patients share similarities between their oral cavity and lower airway microbiomes, suggesting microaspiration as a potential cause.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 6, 2022

Race-based equations may lead to under-treatment of lung disease in black patients

A recent study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that using race-based equations to evaluate lung disease can lead to under-treatment of Black patients. The research, conducted by a team at the University of California - San Francisco, used data from SPIROMICS, a multi-center cohort of ev...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateDec 16, 2021

Study questions widely used race-based formula to define lung disease

A long-term epidemiologic study found that a race-based formula for diagnosing lung disease is no better than a race-neutral equation, which could lead to more accurate diagnoses and treatments. The study used data from thousands of patients and compared the two formulas, finding that the race-neutral equation yielded better predictions.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateDec 16, 2021

Study associates regular vigorous physical activity with improved cardiac response to exercise in people with COPD

Research found that individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience cardiac autonomic dysfunction, which is improved by regular vigorous physical activity. The study assessed participants' ability to increase heart rate during exercise and recover afterwards, finding a relationship between vigorous physical act...

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalAnnals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2021

Researchers deliver road map of lung development

A team of researchers has created a detailed map of the proteins in human lungs, shedding light on how the organs develop and function. The study found that the immune system in the lungs continues to mature after birth, providing new avenues for understanding diseases such as asthma and COVID-19.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 18, 2021

Air pollution and proximity to blue and green spaces found to be key factors affecting quality of life of people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

High air pollution exposure worsens COPD patients' quality of life, while living far from green spaces also reports negative effects. Access to blue and green spaces improves mental and physical health through increased physical activity.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalEnvironmental Research·DateNov 5, 2021

New X-ray technology: Dark-field X-ray technology improves diagnosis of pulmonary ailments

Researchers at Technical University of Munich have developed a new X-ray method for respiratory diagnostics using dark-field chest imaging, allowing for early detection and treatment follow-up of respiratory ailments. The technology reduces radiation dose by a factor of fifty compared to traditional computed tomography.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalThe Lancet Digital Health·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 26, 2021

A Chinese medical journal review sheds light on T-cell responses in respiratory diseases

Researchers comprehensively review T-cell responses to respiratory viral infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), highlighting key characteristics of peptide-reactive T-cells. The review aims to improve understanding of the underlying mechanisms, leading to more effective immune protection and treatment methods.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 30, 2021

Scientists show how mucus protein contributes to worsening COPD, asthma, lung conditions

Researchers at UNC School of Medicine discovered that MUC5AC mucin disrupts airways in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. The study suggests that MUC5AC could be a target for better therapeutics to address the sticky mucus associated with these conditions.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 22, 2021

Repeated injury to airway stem cells could be major factor in chronic lung disease

Researchers link repeated injury to airway stem cells with chronic lung disease, suggesting that biological aging of these cells may contribute to the development of this condition. The study found that injury caused activation of a subset of stem cells, leading to their premature aging and loss of functional capacity.

SourceAlphaMed Press·JournalStem Cells Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2021

Preoperative chest CT improves assessment of postoperative mechanical ventilation

A single-center retrospective study found that preoperative thoracic CT findings can complement preoperative clinical risk factors to improve risk assessment for the need of postoperative mechanical ventilation. Bronchial wall thickening, pericardial effusion, and anteroposterior chest diameter were identified as independent predictors...

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeCase study·DateSep 2, 2021

Tailoring treatment of patients with the lung disease COPD

The study found that patients with low risk of exacerbations do not benefit from low to moderate dose inhaled corticosteroids, while high doses are associated with severe side effects. Tailoring treatment according to patient characteristics, such as age and blood cell count, can minimize over- and underuse of inhaled corticosteroids.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalThe Lancet Digital Health·TypeNews article·DateAug 25, 2021

Phase 1 clinical study reveals how stem cells alleviate COPD inflammation in humans

A new clinical study reveals that treatment with mesenchymal stromal cells reduces inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study provides insights into the therapeutic potential of MSCs as a novel treatment for COPD, which is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.

SourceAlphaMed Press·JournalStem Cells Translational Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 18, 2021

To avoid severe COVID-19 outcomes, people with asthma should stay on top of the condition with control medication during the pandemic

Researchers found individuals with well-controlled asthma have significantly lower odds of hospitalization and ICU admission compared to those with uncontrolled asthma. Asthma patients using their medications showed a decrease in worsened COVID-19 outcomes.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalThe Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology In Practice·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 10, 2021

Researchers reverse emphysema in mice by injecting blood vessel wall cells

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have discovered that injecting mice with pulmonary endothelial cells can reverse the symptoms of emphysema. The study found that targeting endothelial cell function may represent a strategy for treating patients with advanced COPD or emphysema. Injecting healthy lung endothelial cells and/or inhibi...

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJul 21, 2021

Home oxygen therapy for adults with COPD and ILD: New ATS clinical practice guideline

The new ATS clinical practice guideline provides comprehensive guidance on long-term and ambulatory oxygen therapy for adults with COPD and ILD. The guideline recommends LTOT for severe chronic resting room air hypoxemia in both COPD and ILD patients, and suggests ambulatory oxygen for moderate exertional room air hypoxemia in COPD pat...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateNov 17, 2020

Face masks unlikely to cause over-exposure to CO2, even in patients with lung disease

A study published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society found that wearing face masks has minimal impact on gas exchange in healthy individuals and those with severe lung impairment. The researchers stress the importance of wearing masks to prevent COVID-19 infection, especially for patients with lung disease.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·DateOct 2, 2020