Articles tagged with Lungs
A Phase III clinical trial is assessing whether tocilizumab can reduce out-of-control inflammation and improve health outcomes in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. The study aims to determine if the drug reduces mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, and ICU admissions.
A new project led by Murdoch Children's Research Institute has received a $525,000 grant to analyze lung samples from healthy and unwell children to describe lung inflammation in childhood disorders such as asthma and bronchiectasis. The study aims to inform strategies for improving clinical care and pulmonary health throughout life.
A study published in Journal of Internal Medicine found that men with a history of obesity in their late teens are more at risk of developing blood clots (venous thromboembolism) in adulthood. The risk increases progressively, with severe obesity associated with a nearly fivefold higher risk.
Researchers found a 25% increase in ACE2 expression in lung tissues from ever-smokers compared to nonsmokers, suggesting an increased risk for viral binding and entry. Smoking also remodelled gene expression, making it easier for the virus to infect human cells.
Researchers discovered that the loss of NEDD4-2 protein leads to impaired mucociliary clearance and dysregulation of the TGF? signaling pathway, contributing to pulmonary fibrosis progression. The study provides a novel animal model for IPF research, enabling further investigation of disease mechanisms and development of new treatments.
A recent study found that artificial intelligence can provide results comparable to lung function tests in diagnosing emphysema and classifying its severity. The AI system can automatically analyze chest scans and create a 3D model of the patient's lungs, helping doctors better communicate with patients and track treatment progress.
Researchers discover e-cigarette liquid can cause lung tissue repair process to go haywire, leading to scarring. Inhibiting a certain nicotinic receptor may help promote cell death and slow scar formation in affected individuals.
Researchers have identified goblet and ciliated cells in the nose as likely initial infection points for COVID-19 coronavirus. The study found that these cells express key entry proteins used by the virus to infect cells, making them highly accessible to the virus.
A non-invasive low-cost ventilator has been designed and tested by UB researchers, providing efficient respiratory support to patients. The prototype adapted to spontaneous breathing rhythm and provided a feeling of breathing relief similar to commercial devices.
A low-cost, easy-to-build non-invasive ventilator has been developed and tested, performing similarly to conventional commercial devices. The prototype provides effective breathing support for patients with respiratory failure, potentially improving outcomes and alleviating pressure on health systems.
The American Thoracic Society has published its first official guidelines for diagnosing sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease affecting the lungs and other organs. The guidelines recommend a baseline serum test to screen for hypercalcemia, as well as conditional tests for specific symptoms and organ involvement.
A new sensor chip smaller than a ladybug records multiple lung and heart signals, body movements, and sounds to offer the big picture of a patient's heart and lung health. The chip's high resolution and quantified data could identify pathologies and enable clinical readings in the future.
Researchers from Monash University and The Royal Women's Hospital developed a ventilator splitting method that can be used with standard hospital equipment to address the global ventilator shortage. The study, published in Anaesthesia, found that by modifying air pressure, flow, and volume, two lungs of different compliances can be ven...
ETH Zurich researchers have designed cost-effective oxygen concentrators to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The devices use a novel membrane technology and can be replicated almost anywhere in the world using locally available materials.
Researchers developed graphene-based sensors to measure oxygen transport in bovine lung tissue, revealing that a surfactant called cardiolipin disrupts oxygen balance in pneumonia patients. The study also found damaged spots in diseased tissue, which may be responsible for increased oxygen transfer.
A study published in the European Respiratory Journal found that people with COPD and smokers have higher levels of ACE-2, a molecule that allows coronavirus to infect lung cells. Former smokers had similar levels of ACE-2 as non-smokers, highlighting the importance of quitting smoking to protect against COVID-19.
Researchers from Kumamoto University found that the DsbA-L protein plays a crucial role in maintaining lung function in the elderly. They discovered that variations in the DsbA-L gene are associated with changes in respiratory function and antioxidant functionality. The study suggests that boosting DsbA-L expression may help promote he...
A new study finds that using bedroom air filters can significantly improve breathing in asthmatic children. Consistent daily use of filters for two weeks reduced airway resistance, lung inflammation, and increased airway elasticity. The findings suggest that the filters may help prevent asthma flare-ups without costly medications.
A recent study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln suggests that ancient aquatic crocodiles evolved to enormous sizes due to water pressure. The minimum survivable size threshold for these aquatic species was found to be around 10 kilograms, and they surpassed their semi-aquatic and landlocked counterparts in average weight by a fa...
A new online platform, CovED, aims to improve COVID-19 diagnosis by providing healthcare workers with rapid training and image-based diagnostic tools. Developed by DetectED-X, the platform can be accessed for free and is supported by leading corporations and healthcare experts.
A recent study published in Immunity identified the protein Rbm7 as a key player in the development of tissue fibrosis. The researchers found that Rbm7 induces cell death after tissue injury, leading to the recruitment of immune cells that form scar tissue.
A retrospective study of 12 patients with severe COVID-19 found that lying face down improved lung function and reduced the need for high positive pressure. Prone positioning was associated with increased lung recruitability, reducing harm to patients.
Researchers at University of Illinois and Mie University discover salt-loving bacteria secret a peptide that rapidly kills lung cells, leading to acute exacerbation. The finding offers a potential new target for treating pulmonary fibrosis, a disease affecting millions worldwide.
Researchers found that creating hydrogels at room temperature or below results in more robust materials. The findings could improve the 3D printing of biomaterials and enhance their performance in biomedical applications.
ACE inhibitors and ARBs may raise the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes due to increased ACE2 receptors in the lungs. Patients with hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes, and chronic renal disease are more susceptible.
Research finds that high levels of iron build-up in lung cells worsen asthma symptoms and lower lung function. The study suggests a link between iron absorption, immune system responses, and asthma severity.
Researchers found that Aspergillus molds attack the lung's epithelial cells, causing a leaky barrier and triggering an overreaction to future mold exposure. The TRPV4-calcium pathway plays a key role in this response, suggesting new avenues for preventing asthma.
A new study has validated a better way to stratify BPD risk in extremely preterm infants, using a longer duration of supplemental oxygen. The findings suggest that babies who require oxygen for over 120 days are at high risk of respiratory complications and should receive expanded ventilation before discharge.
Including smoking cessation with existing lung cancer screening efforts would significantly reduce lung cancer mortality and increase life-years gained. The study found that point-of-screening cessation interventions could further reduce lung cancer deaths by 14% and increase life-years gained by 81%.
Research led by Andries Steyn found that Mtb bacteria induce increased hydrogen sulfide production in human macrophages, increasing pathogenesis and virulence. The study suggests that targeting hydrogen sulfide production may be useful for managing tuberculosis and other microbial infections.
Researchers have identified three genes linked to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a devastating lung disease. The discovery provides potential targets for new drugs and may lead to improved treatments.
A new study from North Carolina State University found that lung stem cell secretions delivered via nebulizer can help repair lung injuries due to multiple types of pulmonary fibrosis in mice and rats. The treatment resulted in a nearly 50% reduction of fibrosis compared to mesenchymal stem cells counterparts.
A study has described the pathology of SARS-CoV-2, or COVID-19, for the first time in its early phase. The research reveals edema, proteinaceous exudate, and inflammatory cellular infiltration in patients with COVID-19 pneumonina.
A 20-year study found that mid-life weight gain accelerates the natural decline in lung capacity with aging, while weight loss slows it down. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial to stave off serious respiratory illness and extend life expectancy.
Researchers discovered that healthy lung cells support the survival of breast cancer cells, allowing them to form secondary tumours. Targeting the growth of cell protrusions on breast cancer cells can prevent secondary tumour formation.
A new study analyzed weight changes and their impact on lung function over a 20-year period, finding that moderate or high weight gain accelerates decline. Weight loss attenuates lung function decline in obese individuals, while maintaining low weight is crucial for preventing chronic respiratory diseases.
Researchers developed a noninvasive imaging technique to monitor rifampin levels in TB patients. The dynamic 11C-rifampin PET/CT tool successfully tracked the movement of the tagged drug into lesions and cavities, revealing low penetration rates that can change over time.
A new study published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society has found that traditional biomass stoves significantly increase indoor levels of harmful PM2.5 and carbon monoxide, leading to lung inflammation and potentially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in developing nations.
A study has created a database on endothelial cells, which may enhance our understanding of the complex network of blood vessels in the mammalian body. The research team identified 78 endothelial cell subclusters, including unexpected subtypes, that can inform the development of new treatments for diseases.
A Purdue team has received a $3.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to treat antibiotic-resistant lower respiratory infections, a leading cause of death worldwide. The researchers will develop new inhalation therapies using polymyxins and liposomes to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Center for Fetal Therapy report improved lung function in infants born after FETO therapy, which involves a minimally invasive procedure to block the fetal trachea. The study found that prenatal and postnatal monitoring and care were highly coordinated, allowing for favorable outcomes in the 14 infants born.
Researchers identified a molecule that maintains a healthy balance of airway basal stem cells and mature mucociliary cells, potentially leading to new treatments for lung cancer. The compound, Wnt Inhibitor Compound 1 (WIC1), has been shown to limit the proliferation of basal stem cells and restore balance in human cells.
Scientists have discovered a complex biological process in premature lungs that stimulates production of immune cells, which can help fight respiratory infections. The findings could lead to new treatments for premature infants, who are vulnerable to lifelong respiratory illnesses.
Researchers at Monash University have developed a new technology to visualize airflow in the lungs, enabling faster and more accurate diagnoses. The technology can pinpoint localized areas of deficiency and has potential for treating respiratory illnesses earlier.
The Center for Advancing Point of Care Technologies aims to improve quality of life and reduce hospital time for patients with these conditions. Innovations supported by CAPCaT include devices and technologies that help manage hypertension, promote mindfulness and support holistic disease management.
Researchers found that tumor-derived ANGPTL2 stimulates lung epithelial cells, promoting primary tumor-induced neutrophil recruitment and pre-metastatic niche formation. Targeting ANGPTL2 signaling reduced metastatic load in lungs.
Research by Virginia Tech scientists found that tiny titanium oxide nanoparticles in coal smog and ash can cause lung damage in mice after a single exposure. The particles trigger an immune response, leading to macrophage death and lung failure.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have identified the unique genetic program behind primordial lung progenitors, a rare and transient cell type. This discovery may lead to improved stem cell protocols for treating respiratory diseases such as COPD, cystic fibrosis, and lung interstitial disease.
Using a combination of pluripotent stem cells and machine learning, researchers have improved how they generate lung cells. This technique enables the growth of lung cells in a laboratory for over a year, allowing for better modeling of lung diseases and potential personalized treatments.
Sir Magdi Habib Yacoub has been honored with the 2020 Earl Bakken Scientific Achievement Award for his pioneering work in heart-lung transplantation and cardiothoracic surgery. He has performed over 2,500 heart transplants and 20,000 heart operations, transforming small hospitals into major transplant programs.
After recovering from pneumonia, alveolar macrophages transform and retain a memory of their prior experience, influencing future responses to infections. This finding may lead to improved lung defenses against pneumonia in young adults.
A study published in Radiology found that weight loss surgery improves breathing issues in obese patients by reducing air trapping and tracheal collapse. CT scans revealed structural changes to the lung and trachea after surgery, which correlate with improved symptoms and reduced inflammation.
Research suggests that lung bacteria can predict clinical outcomes in critically ill patients, with certain bacteria associated with worse outcomes and the presence of gut-associated bacteria found in the lungs. The study's findings have implications for developing new therapies to prevent and treat critical illness.
Researchers found that human fetal lung microbiomes show changes in diversity during fetal development, with some taxonomic overlap between the placental and lung microbiomes. The study suggests that maternal-fetal microbial DNA transfer may play a role in normal lung and immune system development.
A specialized Lung Rescue Team at Massachusetts General Hospital has significantly reduced mortality rates in patients with obesity and acute respiratory failure compared to standard treatment. By individualized treatment, the team has cut the risk of death by half for up to a year.
New research found that after recovery from a respiratory infection, particular cells in the innate immune system in the lung are more effective, offering extra protection against new infections. This heightened immunity is due to the production of cytokines by lung macrophages, which cause inflammation and help fight pathogens.
A new study published in Annals of Thoracic Surgery found that many 'high-risk' donor hearts can be transplanted with similar survival rates as 'low-risk' donor hearts. The researchers, led by Dr. David Morales, used a risk-based matching system to match donors with recipients and found that the results were promising.
A new study found that delivering the TB vaccine intravenously dramatically improves its potency, offering nearly full protection against TB in monkeys. The vaccine was highly effective when administered via injection into a vein, reducing bacterial burden by 100,000-fold and inflammation in lungs to near zero.
A new study suggests that lowering exposure to mouse allergens can lead to improved lung growth in asthmatic children living in low-income neighborhoods. The research found a strong association between mouse allergen exposure and lung function growth, with potential implications for long-term lung health and even longevity.
Research reveals that flavored e-liquids trigger inflammation, genetic damage, and dysfunction in the lungs, increasing long-term health risks. The study identifies over 40 chemicals in seven flavors, many of which are known to be harmful if inhaled.