Articles tagged with Lungs
Researchers discovered that immune cells play a crucial role in the worsening of atopic dermatitis when exposed to food allergens, with implications for prevention and treatment. Additionally, studies identified TIF1-gamma as a tumor suppressor in mouse and human chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.
A study published in Pediatric Pulmonology found that azithromycin can reduce the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants colonized or infected with Ureaplasma bacteria. The treatment showed a 21% reduction in BPD development and death rates in treated infants, compared to placebo.
Scientists have identified MMP-1 as a key enzyme responsible for destroying lung tissue in tuberculosis, leading to the development of drugs that can prevent this damage. The findings suggest that existing MMP inhibitor drugs may be effective in reducing deaths from TB.
A recent NIH-funded genome study has identified a common genetic variant associated with an increased risk of developing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and familial interstitial pneumonia. The variant, found in the mucin 5B gene, is present in over half of individuals with IPF/FIP and increases their risk by five- to eightfold.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Physiology found that prenatal exposure to thirdhand smoke can have as serious or even more negative impacts on an infant's lung development than postnatal or childhood exposure. Pregnant women should take precautions to avoid homes and places where thirdhand smoke is likely to be found.
The La Jolla Institute has identified LIGHT as a promising therapeutic target for chronic asthma, COPD, and other lung conditions. Blocking LIGHT's interactions with its receptors significantly inhibited airway remodeling in mouse models of chronic asthma.
Research at Ohio State University found that polluted air can activate a protein triggering white blood cell release, leading to widespread inflammation. Chronic exposure to particulate matter increases the risk of cardiovascular problems and diseases like diabetes and obesity.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health developed a non-steroid based strategy to improve lung's innate immune defense against bacterial infection in COPD patients. Sulforaphane, an ingredient present in broccoli, was used to enhance the Nrf2 pathway in the lungs.
The Toronto XVIVO System successfully treated and improved the function of high-risk donor lungs, allowing them to be safely transplanted. This technique could significantly expand the donor organ pool and improve outcomes after transplantation.
Researchers discovered that sirolimus stabilizes lung function and improves quality of life in women with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a rare lung disease. OHSU expert Alan Barker co-authored the study, which could also inform cancer treatment.
Dr. Larissa Shimoda's research focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind hypoxic pulmonary hypertension, a condition affecting patients with chronic lung diseases. Her work identifies key changes in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells that contribute to the development of the condition.
A new study found that taking bosentan did not improve health outcomes for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Researchers suggest a subset of IPF patients may still benefit from the drug, but further studies are needed to confirm this.
A study found that early menstruation (before age 10) increases the risk of lung complaints in adulthood, with southern European women being most affected. Women who started their periods earlier also tend to have lower lung capacity and higher body fat.
A study of 60 burn patients found that those who died from their injuries had lower inflammatory responses in their lungs compared to survivors. This unexpected finding may lead to better therapies for improving outcomes in burn care.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has awarded $383,000 to nine state and local organizations to enhance COPD education initiatives across the country. These organizations will focus on increasing awareness among at-risk populations and enhancing leadership for prevention and treatment.
Researchers report that US military personnel in Iraq are frequently exposed to polluted air with fine particulate matter, exceeding guidelines and posing long-term health threats. Chronic exposure has been linked to various health problems, including increased hospital admissions and cardiovascular disease.
Research tracking lung transplant patients living near roads found they had double the risk of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome and mortality. The study suggests traffic air pollution is a significant risk factor for lung transplant recipients, with proximity to main roads impacting health outcomes.
The American Thoracic Society has released updated guidelines for diagnosing and managing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a chronic and progressive lung disease. The new guidelines emphasize evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies, and palliative care.
Researchers at University of Cincinnati have found that sirolimus stabilizes lung function in women with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a progressive and cystic lung disease. The Multicenter International LAM Efficacy of Sirolimus trial showed improved measures of functional performance, quality of life, and reduced VEGF-D levels.
A new study sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute found that sirolimus therapy can improve lung function and quality of life in individuals with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). The treatment was shown to slow disease progression and improve clinical outcomes in patients with this rare and progressive lung disease.
Researchers found elevated levels of endothelial microparticles in smokers' blood, even before symptoms appeared. These findings suggest a potential new diagnostic method for early emphysema detection.
Researchers found that interstitial lung disease is associated with reduced total lung capacity and less emphysema in smokers. Smokers with abnormal lung densities are at increased risk for restrictive lung oxygen volume deficits.
Researchers have discovered the structure of tropoelastin, a key component of elastin that provides elasticity to human tissues. The molecule has near-perfect elasticity, allowing it to stretch up to eight times its original length and return to its shape with no loss of energy.
A study published in Blood reveals a close relationship between pulmonary arterial hypertension and myeloid abnormalities in the bone marrow. The researchers found that blood progenitor cells are increased in patients with PAH, suggesting an abnormal feedback loop connecting blood and lung cell behavior.
Researchers successfully localized single pulmonary nodules in all 19 patients using radio-guided surgery, detecting primary and secondary lung cancers. The technique took an average of 6 minutes to detect the nodule, with no complications during or after surgery.
Researchers found no evidence of viral infection causing acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in most patients. Instead, torque teno virus (TTV) was detected in lung fluid samples from a small percentage of IPF patients, suggesting it may be a marker of lung injury rather than a cause.
Researchers identified a new role for focal adhesion kinase in producing vascular leakiness in lung tissue, increasing expression of E-selectin and attracting cancer cells. Blocking FAK activity reduced both vascular permeability and metastatic cell adhesion.
Researchers found that babies born between 36 and 38 weeks with confirmed fetal pulmonary maturity still face increased risks of neonatal morbidity. Despite recommendations for testing, delivering preterm can lead to respiratory problems and other complications.
A study found that leptin resistance, common in diabetes, helps prevent the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and acute lung injury (ALI). Leptin resistance reduces the formation of inflexible tissue that develops in ALI and ARDS.
Research validates Pentraxin-2/SAP as a novel therapeutic approach for treating lung fibrosis, including IPF. PTX-2/SAP potently inhibits TGF-beta1 driven pathologies without affecting growth factor levels.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine discovered a gene that limits lung damage during acute stress. The bcl3 gene prevents excessive neutrophil production, which can cause life-threatening breathing problems and rapid lung failure.
A £1.74 million grant from the National Institutes of Health has been awarded to improve treatment outcomes for Cystic Fibrosis patients by studying the role of anaerobes in lung damage.
A new international multidisciplinary classification of lung adenocarcinoma has been published by three top lung associations. The classification takes a comprehensive approach, incorporating advances in genetics, clinical information, and molecular studies to improve diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers at National Jewish Health have discovered a critical signaling pathway involved in acute lung injury (ALI), which causes 40% mortality with no approved therapy. The study identified HER2 as a promising target for therapy, building on existing breast-cancer medications.
Researchers found that vitamin D-deficient mice had reduced lung volume, lower airway resistance, and smaller lungs compared to control mice. The study suggests a potential link between vitamin D deficiency and obstructive lung disease, highlighting the need for future studies on prevention and treatment strategies.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered how nanoparticles from diesel exhaust damage lung airway cells, a finding that could lead to new treatments for people susceptible to airway disease. The study showed that the severity of injury depends on an individual's genetic make-up.
Children with severe asthma experience a significant decline in lung function during adolescence, leading to increased symptoms and disease severity later in life. Early identification and treatment are crucial to stem progression.
Researchers have identified a potential treatment for acute lung injury (ALI) and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) by switching the state of macrophages to a reparative state. This approach aims to stop ongoing inflammation and improve lung repair capabilities.
Researchers discovered a specific enzyme inhibitor, delta-protein kinase C, that can help control lung inflammation by protecting the lungs from neutrophil-mediated damage. This could lead to new therapeutic targets for treating acute respiratory distress syndrome and reducing morbidity and mortality associated with sepsis and trauma.
A study found that vitamin D deficiencies are prevalent among patients with autoimmune lung diseases, particularly those with connective tissue disease. The study suggests a potential role for vitamin D in the development of these diseases and improving lung function.
Researchers at U-M have developed a new diagnostic tool to predict bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), the leading cause of death for lung transplant recipients. A high stem cell count after transplantation is linked to an increased risk of developing BOS.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Children's Center discover that the CFTR protein regulates inflammation and cell death in emphysema, potentially leading to new treatments. Decreases in CFTR expression correspond to increased buildup of ceramide, a trigger of inflammation and cell death.
Researchers developed a method to stabilize living lung tissue for imaging, allowing observation of live cell interactions and immune responses to lung injury. This breakthrough impacts disease research by enabling scientists to look deeper into physiological aspects of injury and diseases.
A phase 3 clinical trial found that denufosol can help delay the progression of lung disease in CF patients by preventing mucus formation. The study showed improved lung exhalation rates and reduced symptoms in patients receiving denufosol compared to those on placebo.
Martina Navratilova, a former tennis champion, was hospitalized with pulmonary edema after climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. The study highlights the risks of acute mountain sickness and high-altitude pulmonary edema among climbers of high peaks.
A randomized controlled trial found that a lung protective strategy increased the number of lungs eligible for donation by nearly doubling it compared to conventional ventilation. This method included lower tidal volumes and higher positive end-expiratory pressure levels.
Researchers found that a massive, uncontrolled activation of the complement system led to severe lung damage and death in young adults. The study's findings suggest that this over-reaction is responsible for making healthy young and middle-aged adults seriously ill during pandemic flu, explaining why they are disproportionately affected.
Research suggests moderate to severe COPD may involve an auto-immune component, with 34% of patients having abnormal ANA and AT levels in their blood. The study found a significant association between these auto-antibodies and impairment of lung function.
A University of Edinburgh study reveals that nanoparticles used in various products can cause distinct lung injuries in rats, with some triggering asthmatic reactions and others leading to severe damage. Researchers emphasize the need for improved testing methods to assess nanoparticle risks.
A small study shows that VX-770, targeting the defective CFTR protein, improves lung function and other key indicators in cystic fibrosis patients. The drug has shown promise for treating the root cause of the disease.
Dr. Jay Kolls has been recognized with the prestigious MERIT Award for his work on a discovery that plays a critical role in the body's defense against pneumonia. His research uses genetically engineered mice to investigate the role of lung epithelium and explore how cells control infection defense in the lung.
A study found that a common transmissible strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is prevalent among cystic fibrosis patients in Canada, particularly in those infected with strain A, which is associated with a higher risk of death or lung transplantation. The study suggests cross-infection between CF centers in the UK and Canada.
A new indicator, TLR9 receptor, has been found to mark rapidly progressing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, potentially leading to new treatments. Researchers identified the receptor in patients' lungs and showed its role in fibrotic tissue growth using human cells and mice.
The number of aware COPD cases increased from 65% in 2008 to 69% in 2010, with smokers and nonsmokers showing significant gains. Despite progress, up to 30% of Americans are still unaware of the disease, which claims over 120,000 lives annually.
Researchers used a novel imaging system to track the movement of near-infrared fluorescent nanoparticles from the lungs into the body and out again. The study found that non-positively charged nanoparticles smaller than 34nm in diameter appeared in lung-draining lymph nodes within 30 minutes.
A recent study suggests that the monkeypox virus can cause significant lung damage by decreasing production of proteins involved in maintaining lung tissue structure and lubrication. This finding may lead to new approaches for treating conditions such as bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases.
A child's chances of developing allergies or wheezing are related to their growth in the womb, according to new research. Fetuses that grow quickly early on but falter later may be more likely to develop allergies and asthma as children.
Researchers found that higher estrogen levels are associated with improved blood-pumping efficiency in women on hormone therapy, while testosterone and DHEA increase RV mass in men. These findings may help explain the paradox of better survival in women with PAH.
A significant increase in lung transplant rejection was found in patients with vitamin D deficiency. The study suggests that optimal vitamin D levels are critical for positive outcomes in lung transplant patients.
A study published in Cancer Research found that melanoma cells can use the body's immune system, specifically neutrophils, to control lung metastasis development. By disrupting the interaction between cancer cells and neutrophils, a therapy could decrease lung metastases by about 50 percent.