Research on the lungs and respiratory health. Covers asthma prevention, immune cell activity, age-related decline, and pulmonary care.
The American Heart Association warns that e-cigarette use in adolescents can lead to stunted lung development and altered cardiovascular systems, increasing the risk of heart disease over time. Long-term exposure to e-cigarette aerosols has been linked to increased blood pressure, impaired blood vessel function, and arterial stiffness.
A new study reveals that inhaled fine particles can take a direct route from lungs to brain through blood circulation, potentially contributing to brain disorders. The particles were found to stay longer in the brain than in other organs, raising concerns about the long-term effects of air pollution on cognitive function.
A recent study published in the Journal of Cardiac Surgery found that lung transplant recipients have a standardized mortality rate approximately five times higher than nonhospitalized adults. The main causes of death include rejection of the new organ, pneumonia, and infections.
A new analysis by University of Pittsburgh scientists demonstrates that institutional racism, rather than race-based biology, worsens asthma severity in Black people. The study links discriminatory lending practices from the 1930s to long-term environmental and health inequities, particularly in historically redlined neighborhoods.
A study from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that early antibiotic use disrupts the developing immune system of newborns, increasing risks of severe pneumonia and life-long health issues. Fecal transplants may offer a solution to mitigate these effects.
Researchers identified immune endothelial cells promoting inflammation and developmental endothelial cells supporting cell development, regeneration, and proliferation. The study's findings may lead to targeted treatments for lung infections and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have identified a 'cellular brake' protein that may help prevent autoimmune responses in lung cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy treatment. This finding could enable clinicians to closely monitor high-risk patients and develop preventative strategies.
A study using PET/CT revealed that residual COVID-19 symptoms can be attributed to ongoing lung inflammation. Treatment with steroids and antifibrotic drugs significantly decreased inflammatory activity.
Scientists have proven that inhaled aerosol vaccines provide stronger immune responses and better protection from respiratory infections compared to nasal sprays. This method delivers vaccine droplets directly into the airway, inducing a broader protective response.
A new study found that patients with long COVID have virus-specific T cell levels over 100 times higher than those who recovered from the disease. The research team's findings suggest hidden viral reservoirs may be causing long-term symptoms, guiding future treatments towards vaccines and antiviral medications.
The American College of Chest Physicians' flagship journal CHEST published its June issue featuring 58 articles on various chest medicine topics, including asthma and COPD. The journal is set to expand with two new open-access journals, CHEST Pulmonary and CHEST Critical Care.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai have discovered that zinc, a common mineral, plays an important role in reversing lung damage and improving survival for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). By identifying a molecular pathway involving zinc, the team hopes to develop new therapies to reverse IPF-related lung damage.
African Americans with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are more likely to experience flare-ups due to inadequate sleep, which may boost their risk by up to 95%. The study, published on June 6, 2022, suggests that poor sleep quality may partially explain why African American patients tend to fare worse than white patients. ...
The NIH has launched a clinical trial testing dupilumab, an approved treatment for moderate-to-severe asthma, in children with poorly controlled allergic asthma living in low-income urban neighborhoods. The study aims to define the activity levels of gene networks associated with asthma attacks and improve lung function.
Researchers found that inhibiting caspase 11 reduced inflammation, tissue injury and blood clots in lung tissue of infected mice. This suggests potential therapeutic targets for treating severe COVID-19 symptoms.
New research reveals that age-induced changes in lung fibroblasts reactivate dormant melanoma cells, promoting growth and metastasis. The study found that WNT5A signaling pathway regulates tumor cell dormancy and metastasis initiation, with increased sFRP1 secretion facilitating reactivation in the aged lung.
A recent study published in Pharmaceutics suggests that berberine can suppress the proliferation of lung cancer cells, reduce airway inflammation, and modulate genes involved in inflammation. The researchers used liquid crystalline nanoparticles to enhance safety and effectiveness.
Researchers at Aston University have developed a new antibiotic combination that successfully treated a cystic fibrosis patient's deadly lung infection. The combination of imipenem/relebactam with amoxicillin eradicated the infection, enabling the patient to receive a lifesaving lung transplant.
A recent study reveals that 91% of athletes display dysfunctional breathing patterns, which can lead to increased risk of musculoskeletal injuries. The study emphasizes the importance of screening and addressing these patterns through targeted interventions and breathing training protocols.
A study suggests that lung ultrasounds performed by primary care physicians can accurately diagnose community-acquired pneumonia with high specificity. This could allow for direct antibiotic prescribing, saving time and money for patients and reducing X-ray radiation.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that the type of macrophage present in a person's body may determine how likely they are to develop severe inflammation in response to COVID-19. The research found that an aggressive subset of macrophages, known as M1 macrophages, can cause a cascade of events leading to multi-organ fa...
Researchers have found that light-based therapies such as photobiomodulation and photodynamics can effectively treat a range of post-COVID complications, including muscle and joint damage. The studies, conducted in Brazil, utilized laser irradiation, negative pressure, and other technologies to improve symptoms and promote healing.
A new computer-aided diagnostic tool, Deep-Lung Parenchyma-Enhancing (DLPE), uses artificial intelligence to reveal signs of pulmonary fibrosis in COVID long-haulers, helping to explain respiratory symptoms and improve disease management.
A study by researchers at UCSF found that e-cigarette use costs the US $15 billion annually in healthcare expenditures, with each user paying around $2,000 extra per year compared to non-users. The study, published in Tobacco Control, highlights the growing concern over health care costs associated with e-cigarette use.
Researchers linked dietary cholesterol to exacerbation of viral infections in mice, showing that high levels of cholesterol made mice sicker when infected with influenza. The study found that dietary cholesterol increased the number of cytokine-producing immune cells in the lungs, contributing to excessive inflammation.
Researchers discovered that adaptive immune response against TB matures over time, with key players in immunity becoming activated by three months after infection. The emergence of these activated T cells is inversely correlated with the number of granuloma-contained live bacteria, suggesting they play critical roles in bacterial control.
A global study found a combination of two drugs dramatically reduces the chances of suffering an asthma attack. The combination of albuterol and budesonide lowers the number of sudden episodes of shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing in patients.
A new study reveals that allergic asthma is a significant risk factor for human cardiovascular diseases, with certain medications affecting heart health. Researchers found that inflammatory cells play a crucial role in both conditions and that targeting them may lead to better treatment options.
A study found that significant racial disparities in emphysema prevalence occur predominantly among Black adults, even after adjusting for socioeconomic status and smoking. Traditional measures of lung health using race-specific norms may be under-recognizing impaired respiratory health in Black individuals.
Researchers found significantly higher levels of MMP-2 and MMP-8 in tracheal aspirate samples from COVID-19 patients, contributing to inflammation and tissue damage. The study's findings suggest a novel mechanism underlying severe lung complications and potential new therapeutic targets.
Researchers investigate the role of gut bacteria in pneumonia infection in the elderly, finding that a leaky gut can lead to inflamed lungs. The study suggests that aging compromises immune system control over bacteria, allowing them to migrate to other parts of the body and cause poor outcomes.
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends against routine screening for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in asymptomatic adults who do not recognize or report respiratory symptoms. This decision is based on a lack of evidence showing the benefit of screening in preventing future cardiovascular events.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 81 studies found that COVID-19 patients with cancer had a higher risk of death compared to those without cancer. Younger age, lung, and hematologic cancers were identified as risk factors for poor outcomes from COVID-19
The May issue of the CHEST journal features 56 articles on clinically relevant topics such as asthma, COPD, and critical care. The journal also includes a special Adult Cystic Fibrosis Series with latest epidemiologic data and challenges in managing CF.
Researchers found that hypoxia can activate immune cells called ILC2s, which respond to harmless environmental allergens and drive mucus production and inflammation in the lungs. The study identifies adrenomedullin as a new target for treating inflammatory and allergic lung diseases.
Researchers at UC San Diego describe the underlying signaling pathway that causes PAH and a novel monoclonal antibody therapy that blocks abnormal blood vessel formation. The study reveals two opposing roles of NOTCH ligands and opens a door to a potentially new treatment for PAH.
Researchers found that individuals with a diverse population of macrophage cells, which include M2 and regulatory macrophages, are better protected against severe COVID-19. The study suggests that a balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses is key to preventing the worst symptoms.
The study compared lung perfusion scans during COVID-19 (April 2020 to July 2021) to pre-COVID V/Q scans (December 2018 to March 2020) in a large tertiary care teaching hospital. The results showed a 30% decline in overall lung scans performed during the pandemic.
Researchers found six cases of drug-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus infection linked to environmental spores. The fungus, common in soil and compost, has become resistant to antifungal drugs due to agricultural use, posing a growing threat to lung health.
A UCLA-led team found that an abnormally suppressed immune system, not a persistently hyperactive one, may be to blame for some cases of long COVID-19. The study suggests boosting immunity in those individuals could be a treatment option.
A study in eLife found that fine air pollution particles can increase the risk of lung cancer by altering lung tissue structure and reducing immune cell infiltration. The researchers identified peroxidasin as a key enzyme responsible for this effect, which could lead to new approaches for preventing or treating lung disease.
Rutgers scientists found that inhaled nanoparticles can migrate from the lungs to the placenta and possibly fetal tissues after maternal exposure throughout pregnancy. This discovery raises concerns about the potential health effects of nanoparticle exposure on human fetuses.
A study published in Nature Communications found that BMP9 treatment restored capillary density and improved alveolarization in mice with ACDMPV. The treatment showed promise for improving care for BPD and CDH, two conditions that also affect lung development.
Researchers studied two strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with different lung attack mechanisms, finding that high-transmission strains trigger granulomas that may aid bacterial escape into the airways. In contrast, low-transmission strains cause inflammation that traps bacteria, reducing transmissibility.
A team of researchers developed a novel chip-based infection model to study invasive aspergillosis, a mold infection that affects the lungs. The model allows for live microscopic observation of damage caused by fungal hyphae and the response of immune cells.
Researchers at Charité, MDC, and FU Berlin have studied the mechanisms of action of antibody and dexamethasone treatments for COVID-19. They found that combination therapy is more effective in reducing viral activity and inflammation in lung tissue, suggesting a potential game-changer in treating severe cases.
A retrospective study found that higher coronary artery calcium score, higher pulmonary artery-to-aorta ratio, and lower thoracic skeletal muscle index independently predicted worse overall survival. The PA-to-aorta ratio was the most important predictor of overall survival.
Researchers found a strong association between chronic rhinosinusitis and non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, with CRS diagnoses preceding bronchiectasis by an average of six years. Early treatment of sinus disease may offer therapeutic strategies for preventing bronchiectasis.
Scientists have constructed a detailed map of lung development after birth, providing insights into the genetic and epigenetic factors that affect lung health. The study used next-generation single-cell sequencing technologies to analyze over 80,000 human and mouse lung cells, revealing clues on how cell types communicate and develop.
Researchers found that combining durvalumab with novel agents like oleclumab and monalizumab increased major pathological response rates compared to solo durvalumab. The study also identified key immune cell signatures associated with treatment outcomes.
Researchers from Texas A&M University found that the absence of a functioning Nrf2 gene affects prenatal growth, especially when exposed to ultrafine particulate air pollution. This study highlights a possible mechanism by which ultrafine particles can impact placental function and prenatal health.
A team of University of Minnesota researchers has discovered the molecular properties of lung surfactants, which could lead to improved treatments for respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia and COVID-19. The study found that synthetic lung coatings can help premature infants and adults with respiratory problems breathe easier.
Scientists create nanoparticles coated in mannose to block production of scar-promoting protein in lung cells. The treatment holds promise for preventing severe lung scarring disease.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a new type of cell in the human lung with regenerative properties. The cells, called respiratory airway secretory cells (RASCs), line tiny airway branches and can regenerate other cells essential for alveoli functioning.
A study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine found that astegolimab reduced exacerbation rates by 22% and improved quality of life in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD. Benefits were seen in those with specific inflammatory signals and genetic markers.
Researchers developed a method to identify aggressive early-stage lung cancers and target drugs to tumors likely to respond. They used genomics network models and identified signature genes associated with tumor invasiveness.
Researchers found no evidence that gelada monkeys' hemoglobin provides increased oxygen-carrying capacity, but discovered other physiological adaptations that enable them to thrive at high altitudes. The study sheds light on the mechanisms behind human adaptation and potential treatments for diseases associated with high altitude.
Researchers developed a novel drug to reduce airway mucus that exacerbates common lung diseases. The treatment works by blocking the secretion of mucins, which can block airways and cause life-threatening symptoms.
Researchers have identified a new family of proteins in blood vessels that prevent fluid from entering the lungs, offering a potential new avenue for treating acute respiratory distress syndrome. Stimulating these bitter taste receptors has been shown to provide protection against fluid leak into the lung.
Scientists at University of Illinois and Mie University develop monoclonal antibodies to prevent lung cell death in mouse models of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and acute respiratory disease syndrome. Non-invasive diagnostic tools also presented could aid in predicting disease progression and identifying patients at risk.