Articles tagged with Respiratory Disorders
Researchers have developed a suite of parameters that can be used to quantitatively measure different physical characteristics of the lung. The parameters were found to be highly sensitive and specific for diagnosing fibrosis and edema in an animal model, using only five necessary parameters.
A new study found that routine laboratory tests are not reliable for diagnosing Long COVID, with no biomarker among 25 clinical laboratory values providing a clinically useful diagnosis. The researchers suggest treating symptoms rather than relying on lab results to diagnose the condition.
Researchers found high expression of OLAH linked to fatal disease outcomes, while low levels were associated with recovery. The enzyme drives severe disease through inflammatory responses and fatty acid production.
Researchers from POSTECH and KRICT created a 3D artificial lung using bioprinting technology, closely mimicking the human respiratory tract. This model allows for accurate testing of COVID-19 drugs and development of therapeutic treatments, potentially shortening the drug development process to under 5 years.
A new study from the University of Surrey found that higher faecal bacterial diversity at one month old is positively associated with the athletic performance of Thoroughbred foals. Lower bacterial diversity in early life also increases the risk of respiratory disease and soft-tissue issues.
Researchers found that children's immune systems attacked their own tissues after latching onto a coronavirus protein resembling one found in multiple organs. Early intervention was crucial to prevent death in these cases, and the study has implications for understanding other autoimmune diseases.
A new study from Murdoch Children's Research Institute has identified changes in certain blood proteins that can predict bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm babies. By combining these protein changes with gestational age, birth weight, and sex, clinicians can make more accurate predictions of BPD risk within 72 hours of life.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed two nasal sprays, NanoSTING and NanoSTING-SN, to prevent respiratory virus transmission. NanoSTING is an immune activator that can protect against multiple viruses, while NanoSTING-SN is a pan-coronavirus vaccine that can prevent transmission to unvaccinated individuals.
The review paper examines the scope of people affected by long COVID, ranging from fatigue to cognitive impairment, and current treatment options. Researchers emphasize the need for biomarkers and targeted therapies to address root causes of the disease.
A new model developed by Penn State researchers more accurately predicts the causal relationship between genetic and environmental factors in disease development. The study found that lifestyle and environmental factors play a larger role than previously believed, offering new opportunities to mitigate disease risk.
Researchers at UC San Francisco found a link between healthy diets and a younger biological age. Even when people eat healthy diets, each gram of added sugar is associated with an increase in epigenetic age. The Mediterranean diet had the strongest association with lower epigenetic age.
The American College of Chest Physicians has released a new clinical guideline for managing central airway obstruction, providing evidence-based recommendations to guide its management. The guideline emphasizes the importance of shared decision-making and a multidisciplinary approach in optimizing care and improving outcomes.
Researchers created a new cell model to study the effects of senescence on lung fibroblasts. Senescent alveolar epithelial cells triggered fibrotic activation in lung fibroblasts, which was attenuated by senolytic therapy.
The Tulane University-led COBRE will investigate biological sex and gender differences to improve medical outcomes, focusing on differences in autoimmune diseases, pneumonia infections, and treatment responses. The center aims to develop sex-specific miniaturized models of human tissues and organs to study disease progression.
The study compared FDG-PET/CT and CT for evaluating treatment response in unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma patients. The results showed that both imaging modalities provided accurate findings for tumor response evaluation, with high concordance between the two methods.
A new study reveals that micro- and nanoplastics may boost the risk of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The tiny particles are absorbed into the human body through food, air, and other sources, potentially leading to increased inflammation and severity of these conditions.
Researchers used single-cell sequencing technology to study immune responses in healthy adult volunteers exposed to SARS-CoV-2. They discovered unique immune responses associated with resisting sustained viral infection and disease, including activation of specialized mucosal immune cells and a reduction in inflammatory white blood cells.
A Pusan National University study finds that heatwaves significantly impact public health among individuals with disabilities, increasing the risk of hospitalizations by 1.07 times. This results in a substantial economic burden, highlighting the need for well-informed public health policies to address these vulnerable groups.
Research finds that Huntington’s disease damages microscopic blood vessels in the brain, affecting coordination between neuronal activity and oxygenation. The study uses non-invasive measurement techniques to monitor disease progression and evaluate potential treatments.
A new study has found that FAPI PET/CT is more effective than FDG in predicting progressive pulmonary fibrosis in ILD patients. The study's results suggest that FAPI PET/CT can identify high-risk patients who require closer monitoring or preventive treatment.
Scientists discover Epstein-Barr virus alters gene regulation in nasopharyngeal cancer cells, leading to rapid tumour growth. The study offers new insights into the link between EBV and NPC, shedding light on intricate processes underlying disease progression.
By 2050, at least 61% of US adults (184 million people) are projected to have some type of cardiovascular disease, with total costs tripling to $1.8 trillion. Population shifts, high blood pressure, and obesity will drive this increase.
Early admission of COVID-19-positive patients to skilled nursing facilities was associated with preventable cases and mortality among residents. Facilities with staff and PPE shortages were disproportionately affected, underscoring the importance of adhering to infection-control protocols.
The American College of Chest Physicians' CHEST Critical Care and CHEST Pulmonary journals have been indexed with the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), enhancing their open access content's accessibility and usage. The indexation is attributed to strong editorial boards led by Hayley Gershengorn and Matthew Miles.
Weo electrolyzed water (WEW) has been shown to attenuate cellular senescence in both normal fibroblasts and breast cancer cells. The study found that WEW modulated markers of cellular senescence, inflammation, and stress response genes in a cell type-dependent manner.
A study led by BCNatal and UPF found that growth-restricted fetuses have differences in lung vascular resistance, which can be normalized with extra oxygen. The research uses artificial intelligence techniques to analyze fetal blood flow and predicts the development of respiratory health problems later in life.
A new study found that patients living in the most deprived areas have more severe symptoms and a poorer survival rate than those living in wealthier areas. Additionally, patients farthest from a pulmonary fibrosis centre also had shorter life expectancy.
Researchers discovered that IL-6 signaling in CD4-positive T cells promotes pulmonary hypertension development and progression. Treating mice with IL-6 inhibitors improved symptoms and decreased damage to the lungs and heart.
Researchers found that iron is a regulator of energy usage by immune cells in the lungs, which can help treat asthma and other allergic diseases. Blocking or limiting iron uptake may reduce asthma severity.
Researchers developed a non-invasive imaging technique to visualize cardiac micro-vessels in high resolution, enabling better understanding of cardiovascular diseases. The study improves diagnosis and treatment of conditions like microvascular coronary disease and cardiomyopathies.
A study published in Environmental Research found a significant association between black carbon particles and cardiac fibrosis, a marker of heart disease. The risk is higher for hypertensive individuals, with smokers facing the highest risks among non-hypertensive individuals.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have discovered a way to boost protective effects of sphingolipids in blood vessels, slowing the development and progression of coronary artery disease. The study suggests revising current views on ceramides' role in the disease, instead finding that their levels remain stable in endothelial cells.
The American Thoracic Society has recognized 15 individuals with the 2024 Respiratory Health Awards for their outstanding contributions to lung disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. These awards acknowledge leadership in research, education, or clinical care, as well as exemplary professionalism and humanism.
A new study published in Thorax reveals that increased physical activity and higher body mass index can help recover early-life lung function deficits, leading to normal values in adolescence. The study analyzed data from over 1,100 children and adolescents aged 4-18 years, identifying four trajectories of lung function growth.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine discovered a pathway that reverses idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a common type of lung scarring. The study found that inhibiting the molecular brake MKP1 is essential for spontaneous resolution of fibrosis, offering new hope for patients with IPF.
Researchers have discovered a direct link between the C122Y mutation in the Kir2.1 potassium channel and life-threatening arrhythmias in Andersen-Tawil syndrome, which affects fewer than 1 in a million people. The study highlights the importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac arrhythmias.
Researchers found RSV was less common but similar in severity to COVID-19 and influenza among unvaccinated patients. Among vaccinated patients, RSV disease was more severe than both COVID-19 and influenza for serious outcomes.
Researchers mapped expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) across 38 cell types in the lung, revealing cell-type-specific and disease-associated genetic control of gene regulation. This understanding will aid in developing therapeutics targeting PF mechanisms.
A new complex-carbohydrate biomolecule has been identified as crucial for Bordetella bacteria to colonize the nose and transmit to a new host. The discovery opens up possibilities for creating a new drug or vaccine that interferes with this glycan, potentially eliminating whooping cough transmission.
A new study published in Stroke found that exposure to artificial, bright outdoor nighttime light may increase the risk of cerebrovascular disease and stroke. The research, which analyzed data from over 28,000 adults living in China, suggests that higher levels of outdoor light pollution at night may be a risk factor for these conditions.
A systematic review by Gogichadze et al. suggests that active pulmonary TB screening programs targeting vulnerable populations in low-TB-incidence countries are cost-effective. The authors conclude that screening immigrants and other high-risk groups is a viable approach to detecting latent infections.
Scientists have discovered six proteins that can accurately diagnose tuberculosis (TB). The breakthrough study paves the way for a simple blood test to detect the bacteria, which could prevent millions of cases annually. TB is the world's deadliest infectious disease, killing over one million people each year.
A new study found that a viral infection can cause cognitive impairments by damaging the blood-brain barrier, leading to memory loss and learning difficulties. Researchers developed a gene therapy that stimulated the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway to prevent this damage and improve cognitive function in mice infected with SARS-CoV-2.
Researchers demonstrate efficacy of airborne ultrasound technology to detect low-amplitude movements produced by vocalizations at the chest surface. The technology allows for contactless mapping of surface vibrations, offering a better window on respiratory health and enabling better diagnoses of respiratory diseases.
Researchers at UVA Health discovered a potential blood test to predict patients with severe COVID-19 who are likely to recover well and those at risk of long-term lung problems. The study found that patients with late-resolving symptoms had fewer immune cells in their blood, correlating with symptom severity.
Tulane University researchers have developed a CRISPR-based platform for diagnosing nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections, allowing for accurate results in as little as two hours. The blood test can identify over 93% of patients with an NTM infection, enabling rapid treatment plans and reducing the risk of complications.
A new study found that common respiratory viruses such as colds and RSV play a larger role in triggering intussusception than previously thought. Hospital admissions for the condition decreased significantly during COVID-19 lockdowns, with a notable drop in cases among children under two.
A global rise in Legionnaires' disease since 2000 has puzzled experts. The study suggests that a decline in sulfur dioxide air pollution may be contributing to the increase, as airborne water droplets carrying Legionella bacteria become more acidic and inhospitable to the bacteria.
A study published in PNAS reveals that increased concentration of lysolipid can cause severe impacts on lung inflation, leading to respiratory distress. The research identifies frequency dependence and proposes a way to tailor treatment processes for each patient.
A UMass Amherst study found that government vaccine recommendations can benefit drugmakers like Pfizer, while also increasing vaccine uptake among seniors. However, the study suggests that direct-to-consumer advertising did not lead to a significant reduction in infection and mortality rates from pneumococcal disease.
Researchers used generative AI to design a lead molecule for treating fibrosis, a biological process associated with aging. The compound, INS018_055, demonstrated significant efficacy in preclinical studies and showed promising results in clinical trials, accelerating drug discovery and providing new therapeutic options.
A study by Texas A&M University found that only 9% of older Americans had been vaccinated against RSV prior to this fall and winter. The study also revealed that men were more likely to be vaccinated than women, and those who were vaccinated had higher levels of concern about the disease.
A large-scale study has found a significant link between smoking and DNA methylation, with two new epigenetic markers identified that differ by race or ethnicity. The research could lead to better ways to predict smoking-related disease risk and improve early detection and treatment.
Researchers found that Indigenous communities in California were exposed to 1.7 times more wildfire smoke than expected, with the average annual exposure being a critical factor in understanding long-term health effects. The study proposes new metrics to measure cumulative exposure and duration of smoke exposure.
A new study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that childhood tonsillectomy is not associated with an increased risk of obesity in adulthood. The research followed 132 children who underwent tonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea and found no link to weight gain in adulthood.
A study by UC San Francisco researchers found that daily cannabis users had a 25% increased risk of heart attack and a 42% increased risk of stroke compared to non-users. The study also found significant cardiovascular risks associated with cannabis use, including coronary heart disease and the combination of heart attack and stroke.
The Almodóvar lab is studying the link between HIV and pulmonary hypertension, a condition that increases pressure in lung arteries. By examining the interactions between different cell types and using a humanized mouse model, researchers hope to propose novel therapies to prevent lung diseases in people with HIV.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a coating that bolsters the safety of fresh produce and provides enhanced protection against bacteria and fungi. The coating combines wax with nano-encapsulated cinnamon-bark essential oil in protein carriers to enhance antibacterial properties.
A large-scale analysis found that people eating healthy, plant-based diets were 19% less likely to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), while those on unhealthy diets were at a 22% higher risk. The study suggests that diet quality plays a crucial role in managing OSA risk.
Researchers have identified macrophages, immune cells that gobble up foreign substances, in the pleural cavity around the lungs. These cells play a crucial role in reducing inflammation and disease during flu infections.