Articles tagged with Lungs
A new set of evidence-based guidelines recommend lung cancer screening for high-risk populations in Ontario using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). The guidelines suggest annual screening for two years, followed by biennial screenings until a negative result is obtained. The recommended parameters for LDCT include 120 to 140 kVp and...
A Stanford study found that blocking an inflammation-producing molecular pathway reverses pulmonary hypertension in rats, suggesting a potential cure for the deadly disease. The research could also lead to better understanding of other inflammatory diseases.
A new study confirms that arsenic exposure can impair lung function, with doses of 120 parts per billion causing damage comparable to decades of smoking. The study found significant impairment of lung function associated with lower concentrations than previously reported.
A new study has found that two forms of iron are needed to control cystic fibrosis lung infections. Targeting both ferrous iron (Fe(II)) and ferric iron (Fe(III)) was more effective in preventing biofilm formation than targeting only one form.
Researchers found that the signaling protein calcineurin upregulates Ang-2, promoting angiogenesis in lung endothelial cells. This pathway is crucial for metastasis, offering new targets for lung cancer therapy.
Researchers found increased expression of interleukin-33 (IL-33) in human airways, linked to mucus production and other genes implicated in COPD. A mouse model also showed IL-33-producing epithelial progenitor cells induced by viral infection, suggesting potential therapeutic strategies.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have identified a new therapeutic target for COPD by linking acute viral infections to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Viral infection triggers the production of IL-33, a signaling molecule that activates immune cells to produce excess mucus in the lungs.
Researchers at University of Southampton have discovered new markers of tuberculosis that may help in developing new diagnostic tests and treatments. Lung damage releases specific proteins, which can be used to screen individuals and halt transmission between population groups.
A large nationwide study found that people with rheumatoid arthritis are at a higher risk of developing potentially fatal blood clots in the legs and lungs. The study revealed that patients with rheumatoid arthritis were more than twice as likely to develop these clots, with the risk being highest among younger adults.
Research reveals that burning incense generates indoor air pollutants that cause inflammation in human lung cells, similar to cigarette smoke. The study recommends improving ventilation and using alternative combustion devices to mitigate this health risk.
A new study published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery found that oversized donor lungs are associated with a 30% increased chance of survival one year after the operation. The researchers analyzed data from over 4,500 double lung transplants and single lung transplants performed between 2005 and 2010.
Researchers found that injected methamphetamine significantly enhanced colonization of the lungs by Cryptococcus neoformans and accelerated progression of the disease. The fungus can cause a deadly brain infection when it crosses the blood-brain barrier, which is more susceptible due to drug-induced changes in the blood-brain barrier.
Scientists at NIST have developed a new standard reference material (SRM) for medical computed tomography (CT), enabling hospitals to calibrate their CAT scanners and link tissue density measurements to international standards. The SRM allows for accurate calibration, which is crucial for diagnosing lung diseases effectively.
A recent study published in Nature identifies a population of multi-potent cardiopulmonary progenitor cells, named CPPs, that coordinate heart and lung co-development. These cells are essential for adaptation to terrestrial existence and have implications for diseases such as pulmonary hypertension.
A study by Weill Cornell Medicine found that even healthy-looking smokers have damaged airway cells with characteristics similar to those in aggressive lung cancer. The researchers discovered that these cells express human embryonic stem cell genes, which are normally only active in developing embryos.
A Loyola University Medical Center study found that treating acid reflux through laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery could help prevent chronic rejection in lung transplant patients. Certain biomarkers in lung fluid can predict BOS and immune system activity.
At high altitudes, pulmonary hypertension develops as a normal adaptive response but can become life-threatening if exaggerated. Research highlights the need for targeted drug therapy, with potential new directions emerging in understanding epigenetic mechanisms and their role in disease
A new rodent study reveals that chronic drinking intensifies lung damage caused by particulate matter, leading to decreased lung function. Chronic drinking impairs alveolar macrophage function, which plays a critical role in protecting the lungs from particulates and airway repair.
A new lung probe using advanced technology will enable doctors to detect and monitor up to 20 key indicators of disease in critically ill patients, improving diagnosis and treatment. The probe will also help premature babies by replacing regular blood tests with real-time disease readouts.
A recent study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that digital chest tomosynthesis (DT) holds promise as a first-line lung cancer screening tool. DT improved sensitivity in detecting lung nodules compared to conventional chest radiography, while providing lower costs and radiation dosages.
A common genetic variant of the MUC5B gene is linked to an increased risk of interstitial lung disease and symptoms such as shortness of breath and cough. The study suggests that this variant may be a key indicator for predicting individuals at risk for pulmonary fibrosis, potentially paving the way for prevention efforts.
Treatment with A1-PI slows the progression of emphysema in patients with Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency by preserving lung density. The study showed significant clinical and statistical benefits, confirming the efficacy of augmentation therapy.
Researchers found a genetic risk factor for pulmonary fibrosis in people with the MUC5B gene variant, associated with increased lung inflammation and scarring. The study suggests that pulmonary fibrosis may be part of a larger syndrome, potentially leading to early detection and treatment.
A new device, Lung Volume Reduction Coil (LVRC), has shown significant improvements in lung function, ability to exercise, and quality of life for patients with severe emphysema. The device, implanted through a minimally invasive procedure, gathered and compressed diseased lung tissue, allowing healthy tissue to function more efficiently.
Researchers have discovered that carnitine supplements can normalize blood vessel dysfunction associated with congenital heart defects and even prevent damage after corrective surgery. High daily doses of carnitine for the first four weeks of life may also prevent endothelial dysfunction in children with heart defects.
A new pumpless paracorporeal lung assist device has been successfully used to support young children with severe respiratory failure until they can undergo a lung transplant. The device helped patients recover or reach the average wait time for pediatric donor lungs, offering improved survival chances.
A consortium of scientists found that breathing ultrafine particles from engineered nanomaterials can cause lung inflammation and damage. The study examined the health effects of two types of nanomaterials and showed similar findings across different labs.
Researchers discovered that lungs with fluid in the lungs no longer pump water out as believed, but instead pump it in. This finding has important implications for treating lung edema, a common symptom of heart disease.
Researchers found that ambrisentan treatment worsened IPF progression and hospitalization rates. Assessing acute changes in Lung Allocation Score can inform organ wait-list strategies to reduce post-transplant mortality. Inexpensive behavioral interventions helped TB patients in poor countries quit smoking, offering a basis for effecti...
Scientists studying the Human Coronavirus-Erasmus Medical Center have discovered a potential treatment strategy for the new Middle East virus. The researchers found that certain compounds could treat the infection by altering lung cells' response to infection, which might help prevent the virus from reproducing.
Researchers found that tumors with ALK gene rearrangements can harbor up to 20% of additional mutations, including EGFR and MET genes. These coexisting mutations may impact treatment response to targeted therapies.
A commonly used drug, ACE inhibitor, can limit radiation damage to the lungs and heart in cancer patients. The study found that this treatment improved the heart's function and decreased fibrosis in the heart after irradiation.
The study found that lymph node volumes were estimated at 30% lower in low-dose scans compared to high-dose scans. Lung nodule volume was also significantly affected, with 46% lower volumes in low-dose scans.
Researchers from BUSM have developed a genetic signature for COPD from airway cells, providing a new way to study the disease and monitor patient response to treatments. This approach has shown consistent gene-expression changes in both airway and lung tissue cells in individuals with COPD.
A study using neutrons has explained how ozone causes severe respiratory problems by attacking the fatty lining of lungs. The attack leads to increased surface tension, impairing oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange.
The new software tool, CANARY, uses data from existing CT images to match each pixel of the lung nodule to one of nine unique radiological exemplars. This classification method has an excellent correlation with microscopic analysis and may help address issues with current screening methods.
A new nuclear medicine technique can detect early changes to the lung caused by cigarette smoke exposure, providing a noninvasive method for studying lung dysfunction in preclinical models. This technique has the potential to be applied clinically to study and diagnose the early stages of COPD.
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine identified a biological pathway that triggers excessive inflammation in pneumonia and sepsis, leading to improved lung function and survival in animal models. The team developed small molecules to inhibit this protein, offering hope for new treatments for these conditions.
A recent study found that vitamin D levels in the blood are linked to improved lung function in adults. The study also discovered that people with a history of tuberculosis had lower vitamin D levels, which improved when levels rose.
A study published by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer found that 54% of patients with early stage node-negative lung adenocarcinoma had tumors with at least one biologically relevant mutation. The researchers also discovered mutations associated with drug resistance in these patients.
A Yale University study found that hyperoxia can activate stress pathways in developing lungs, leading to conditions like bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Blocking Cox2 with a pain drug reversed BPD in mice, suggesting it as a potential treatment target.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are developing a wearable artificial lung to serve as a bridge to transplant or recovery in patients with acute and chronic lung failure. The device, called PAAL, is designed to provide longer-term respiratory support while maintaining excellent blood compatibility.
A study found significant variation in vena cava filter use among California hospitals, with some hospitals using them up to 38.96% of the time. Hospital characteristics such as small bed count, rural location, and private status were associated with increased VCF use.
Researchers discovered that maxillary sinuses change size to accommodate different climates, affecting nasal cavity shape and function. The study found a significant correlation between nose size and sinus volume in both African and European populations.
Researchers at National Jewish Health have discovered a naturally occurring lipid, POPG, that reduces inflammation and inhibits infection by the influenza virus and RSV. The lipid offers a promising approach for the prevention and treatment of these respiratory infections.
A study found that lung ultrasound can detect asymptomatic lung congestion in dialysis patients, who are at high risk of premature death and cardiac events. Treating this condition may improve cardiovascular health and prevent deaths.
A Johns Hopkins study of patients with acute lung injury found that one in three ventilated ICU patients developed PTSD symptoms lasting up to two years. The researchers suggest that preventing and treating PTSD in these patients is crucial, as it can impair quality of life and slow recovery.
The Harvard Wyss Institute's Lung-on-a-Chip has won a UK award for its potential to revolutionize drug development by reducing animal testing. The device, which mimics the complex functions of the human lung, has been used to study a life-threatening condition and identify potential new therapies.
Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a way to repair lung damage caused by asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by tweaking gene expression. They found that epigenetic regulators, including HDAC2, play a critical role in regulating lung development and regeneration.
Scientists successfully use parthenogenic stem cells to develop functional heart muscle and treat pulmonary fibrosis. Researchers find that inhibiting a protein called ROCK attenuates myofibroblast survival and prevents lung scarring.
Pulmonary fibrosis is a scarring of the lungs that causes shortness of breath and fatigue. Researchers identified a mechanosensitive cellular signaling pathway in myofibroblasts, which promotes survival and prevents normal cell disappearance after wound healing.
Researchers from Cardiff University have discovered hundreds of fungal particles in the lungs of asthma sufferers and healthy individuals alike. The study reveals that asthma patients have a distinct array of fungal species not present in healthy lungs, potentially leading to new treatment avenues.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that reduced lung function in infancy is associated with wheezing beyond childhood. The study, which followed participants from birth to age 18, suggests that early airway function and later exposures such as smoking may contribute to the development of obstructive respiratory diseases.
A recent study reveals that cigarette smoke-induced miRNA expression alterations, specifically the repression of miR-487b, play a crucial role in lung carcinogenesis. Loss of miR-487b increases oncogene expression and enhances tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis in both normal and cancer cells.
Researchers discovered that steroid drugs can suppress a molecule key to rapid bone loss in rib fractures, reversing bone loss and improving lung function. The study's findings challenge the conventional understanding of steroids as causing bone loss.
Two new methods for detecting and measuring the levels of antisense drugs in cells have been developed, allowing researchers to track PMO delivery to individual cells and quantify its presence in tissue. These methods will advance the field of PMO research and provide valid alternatives to current time-consuming detection techniques.
A University of Liverpool study found that people with cystic fibrosis who live in deprived areas have lower weight, height, and BMI compared to those from more affluent areas. They are also more likely to experience worse lung function and pick up severe lung infections.
Researchers identify metabolic switch that turns on aggressive infection in antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The discovery could lead to new treatments for cystic fibrosis patients and superbugs.
Researchers at Temple University Health System have identified a potential target for treating sepsis: the STIM1 protein. By blocking its activity, they halted a cascade of cellular events that lead to out-of-control inflammation and protected lungs from severe damage. The findings may lead to new treatment strategies against sepsis.
Scientists use magnetic levitation to create laboratory techniques for growing tissues virtually identical to those found in people's bodies. Researchers combined four cell types to replicate bronchiole deep inside the lung, creating realistic lung tissue.