Articles tagged with Lungs
A large-scale study found that NYC firefighters' lung function declined by 12 years of age due to WTC dust exposure, with early arrival time-based periods showing more frequent respiratory symptoms. Researchers emphasize the importance of medical surveillance for high-risk jobs and call for better protective equipment.
The latest NETT results confirm that selected severe emphysema patients with upper-lobe emphysema and poor exercise capacity before surgery can benefit from surgery with improved survival rates. Long-term follow-up also shows symptom relief in some patients, but no improvement in overall survival.
Researchers found that glucocorticoids (GCs) alter the activity of bone-forming and bone-degrading cells, leading to delayed bone formation and resulting in GC-induced osteoporosis. Antisense oligonucleotides can be delivered through cerebrospinal fluid to treat neurodegenerative diseases like ALS.
Researchers found a chemical compound in many air fresheners and deodorizing products may cause modest reductions in lung function. The study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, analyzed blood concentrations of common volatile organic compounds and pulmonary function measures in a representative sample of adults.
Inhaled nitric oxide significantly reduces chronic lung disease and brain injury risk in very low birthweight premature infants. The therapy, given within the first few weeks of life or within 48 hours after birth, appears to protect against long-term breathing problems and brain damage.
Researchers created a 3D computer simulation to mimic the complex process of reopening collapsed airways. The study found that 'fluid inertia' plays a crucial role in assessing the pressure required to reopen blocked airways, which is essential for preventing lung damage.
Researchers conclude that enzyme urokinase is the primary treatment against infection in the lung lining due to its cost-effectiveness. The study suggests a significant healthcare savings of $15 million if used as the first line of treatment for pediatric empyema.
Quitting smoking significantly improves lung function test scores in asthmatics, even after just one week of no cigarettes. The study found a notable increase in lung function improvements compared to high-dose anti-inflammatory treatment.
Researchers have found that gene-expression profiling can predict a lung cancer's prognosis, with tumors resembling early lung development having the worst prognosis. The study identifies key genes involved in biological pathways believed to be crucial in lung cancer development, offering potential targets for therapy.
Familial idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is linked to the ELMOD2 gene, which regulates apoptosis and cell migration. The study identified a susceptibility haplotype associated with an increased risk of IPF, supporting ELMOD2 as a prime candidate gene.
A new nationwide study found that cyclophosphamide improved breathing, lung function, quality of life, functional disability, and skin thickness in patients with scleroderma. The findings will help researchers develop new drug therapies and better understand the disease's development.
A randomized clinical trial has proven that a drug can slow down deterioration of lung function in scleroderma patients. Participants who received treatment had a small but statistically significant improvement in lung function and less shortness of breath compared to those who were not treated.
Researchers found a novel tumor suppressor, HLJ1, that slows down lung cancer cell proliferation and reduces cancer recurrence. Patients with high HLJ1 expression lived longer than those with low expression.
Researchers found that stopping inhaled corticosteroids in cystic fibrosis patients had no significant increase in lung-related adverse effects. The study showed that replacing the medication with a placebo was safe for most patients, suggesting that it may be possible to lower drug burden and reduce side effects.
A recent clinical trial has shown that heart attack patients with cardiogenic shock who undergo emergency angioplasty or bypass surgery within six hours experience improved long-term survival rates compared to those receiving intensive medical therapy. The study enrolled 302 patients and found significant benefits from early revascular...
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh's Simmons Center have developed a warm autopsy program for studying pulmonary fibrosis, allowing them to compare tissue samples from biopsies and organs retrieved soon after death. This approach may help understand IPF mechanisms and lead to new treatments.
A study by Duke University Medical Center found that telephone counseling can improve the quality of life for patients waiting for a lung transplant, reducing emotional distress and anxiety. The researchers believe this approach could be useful for patients with chronic diseases who cannot access face-to-face counseling due to distance...
Researchers compared accuracy of three diagnostic methods for pulmonary embolism, finding chest CT with leg CT scan detects clots in 90% of patients. The study suggests that imaging technologies greatly expand our ability to diagnose and treat disease.
Researchers developed a new MRI technique using hyperpolarized helium to detect early signs of emphysema in asymptomatic smokers. The technology shows promise for early disease detection, surgical planning, and monitoring patient response to treatments without radiation exposure.
Researchers at U-M aim to develop new treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) by understanding the role of fibrocytes and signaling pathways involved in the disease. They found that lipid mediators called cysteinyl leukotrienes may be responsible for inappropriate activation of fibrocytes.
A study of 85 women with COPD found they had lower lung function, more trouble breathing, and a worse quality of life compared to men. The researchers suggest that comprehensive assessments can lead to improved treatment outcomes for all COPD patients
A study of 2,112 adolescents found that low dietary intake of vitamin D is associated with significantly lower lung function. The researchers recommend promoting recommended levels of vitamin D intake to ensure optimal lung function and healthy bones.
Researchers found that aerosolized cyclosporine preserves lung function and reduces chronic rejection in lung transplant patients. The new study used 58 patients and found that those who received the placebo experienced a decline in lung function four times as great as those who inhaled the cyclosporine.
Researchers studied four groups of apprentices, finding that machinists had the worst sensitivity to lung irritants and were more likely to develop asthma and bronchitis. Early occupational exposure to chemicals such as isosyanates may be a risk factor for developing lung disease.
Researchers found that a conservative fluid management strategy improved lung function, shortened mechanical ventilation time, and reduced intensive care unit days without increasing organ failure risk. The study suggests that using less fluid may be more beneficial for patients with acute lung injury or respiratory distress syndrome.
A new study from the Mayo Clinic contradicts previous research suggesting a link between patent foramen ovale (PFO) and stroke risk. The study found that traditional cardiovascular risk factors are more important than PFOs in causing cryptogenic strokes in older adults, while younger patients may have a higher risk associated with PFOs.
Researchers engineered mice with mutated EGFR genes that can be turned on or off to study lung tumorigenesis and treatment responses. Mutations in EGFR drive lung tumors into regression by inhibiting the gene or turning it off.
A $4.5 million partnership aims to improve lung health by studying immune responses to infections and allergens in Canadians affected by asthma, cystic fibrosis, and other respiratory diseases. Experts available for comment on the initiative and its implications.
Researchers found that blocking the H1 histamine receptor can effectively reduce allergic lung responses and alleviate symptoms of hay fever. The study suggests this approach could provide new treatment options for individuals suffering from allergies.
A recent study found that moderate doses of steroids given to patients with late-stage ARDS did not improve survival rates. However, the treatment did reduce lung inflammation and allowed patients to wean off mechanical ventilators earlier. The study's results suggest caution when treating patients with late-stage ARDS with steroids.
The lung has a unique innate immune system, protected by alveolar macrophages that are repressed in steady state, activated when needed, and then re-repressed. This complex circuit allows for brief activation periods to fight invading microorganisms.
Researchers have identified novel drug therapies, including endothelin antagonists and prostacyclin, that improve quality and quantity of life for patients with PAH. These treatments offer hope for patients who previously faced lung transplantation.
Research supports pioneering hypothesis that infants' immature immune systems allow them to accept transplanted organs from mismatched blood groups. This results in improved infant survival and expands the potential donor pool.
Researchers found that short-term yoga practice significantly improved chest wall expansion and lung function in young, healthy adults. The study suggests that yoga may benefit people with illnesses affecting breathing, such as asthma.
A study by Galina Bogatkevich and colleagues found that the amount of antifibrotic glycoprotein HGF was reduced in African-American scleroderma patients compared to Caucasians. This malfunction may explain the greater severity and worse prognosis for African-Americans with pulmonary fibrosis/scleroderma.
Lung surfactant plays a crucial role in balancing host defense and reducing surface tension. Research has also linked surfactant to the innate and adaptive immune systems, with collectins such as SP-A and SP-D regulating immune responses and preventing infection and lung injury.
A randomized study of 140 COPD patients found that a combination therapy significantly reduced inflammatory cells and improved lung function. The treatment, salmeterol/fluticasone propionate, decreased inflammation by 36% and showed improvements in lung function similar to other anti-inflammatory treatments.
Research found that beta carotene slows the decline in lung power, a critical indicator of lung function, associated with aging. The study showed that higher levels of beta carotene and vitamin E in the blood reduced the rate of decline in lung function, particularly in smokers.
The report highlights the reduction in mortality rates following organ transplantation, with primary graft dysfunction being a significant factor affecting long-term survival. Lung transplant patients also experience chronic rejection and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, leading to reduced pulmonary function and quality of life.
Researchers used PET scans to monitor artificially induced lung inflammation in healthy volunteers, allowing for less invasive testing of potential anti-inflammatory drugs. The new imaging process may help diagnose inflammatory lung diseases and improve clinical trials.
A study found that a high level of CRP is associated with an increased risk of developing progressive precancerous lesions in the lungs. The researchers believe that this inflammatory biomarker could help identify individuals at high risk for non-small cell lung cancer and potentially treat them with chemopreventive agents.
Research by Michigan State University reveals that combustion-derived nanoparticles can cause nasal airway inflammation, rhinitis, and epithelial cell injury. The study's findings suggest that the nose is a potential target organ for nanoparticle toxicity, highlighting the need for better occupational and environmental exposure limits.
Researchers have identified CXCR2 as essential for neutrophil migration into the lungs of mice exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The presence of CXCR2 on blood vessel wall cells and epithelial cells lining airways facilitates this process.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation reveals that expression of CXCR2 on blood vessel wall cells mediates neutrophil influx into the lung during acute bacterial infection. Additionally, researchers found that FoxO1 plays a critical role in regulating beta cell numbers during insulin resistance and inhibiting acety...
Healthy preterm infants have reduced lung function, according to a study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. The researchers found that male sex and lower gestational age were significantly associated with reduced expiratory flows in this group.
PULMOTENSION aims to uncover underlying molecular pathways of PH, identify distinct targets for anti-remodelling therapy and test new treatment options in preclinical and clinical trials. The combined expertise in PULMOTENSION extends from gene mutation discovery to therapeutic regimen establishment.
Research found that some masks used in combination with pressurized metered-dose inhalers for children's asthma treatment have poor fit and high dead space volume, reducing medication effectiveness. The study suggests that better-fitting masks are crucial for effective drug delivery.
A significant number of emphysema patients experience improved survival, exercise ability, and quality of life after lung-volume reduction surgery. The study confirms earlier findings and suggests the operation should be recommended for many patients with end-stage emphysema.
A study reveals that angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) plays a pivotal role in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a condition affecting 40% of patients with sepsis. Elevated Ang-2 levels can cause leakiness in lung blood vessels, impairing lung function and leading to trouble breathing.
Researchers found that hypertonic saline treatment increases mucus volume, helping to clear bacteria and debris from airways, potentially limiting lung infections. The study's results could lead to improved outcomes for CF patients, especially if benefits are seen in infants and young children.
A saltwater aerosol solution has been found to restore the thin lubricant layer on airway surfaces, promoting mucus clearance and reducing lung damage in cystic fibrosis patients. The therapy is inexpensive and shows promise for slowing disease progression and improving patient outcomes.
A University of Pittsburgh study suggests that standard anti-inflammatory therapy may not be appropriate for many interstitial lung disease patients. The research used DNA microarray chip technology to distinguish between gene expression patterns of different types of interstitial lung diseases, revealing two vastly different condition...
A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial shows inhaled cyclosporine reduces chronic rejection by two-thirds and death rate by five times compared to placebo. The study, conducted from 1998 to 2001, included 56 lung transplant patients who received either the inhaled drug or a placebo.
A study of 13,041 cystic fibrosis patients found that those enrolled in clinical trials showed a slower decline in lung function compared to non-participants. The authors suggest that access to better healthcare through more office visits may be the key reason for this difference.
The University of California, Davis has been awarded an $8 million EPA grant to establish a research center focused on the health effects of air pollution. The center will study the impact of particulate matter on adults and children, with a goal of informing policy decisions at the national and state levels.
Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University have discovered that ceramide kinase (CERK) is a potential target for developing new anti-inflammatory compounds. CERK catalyzes the production of ceramide-1-phosphate, a signaling lipid that induces inflammatory pathways.
Researchers found that chest x-rays were a reliable predictor of mortality in patients with avian flu, with the severity of findings linked to patient outcomes. Five patients who survived still had abnormal lung appearances on CT scans after discharge.
A new HRCT technique shows that cat allergen exposure can lead to persistent inflammation in small airways, increasing the risk of severe asthma attacks. The study's findings highlight the importance of targeting these regions with treatments.
Researchers discovered cross-reactive T cells in patients with infectious mononucleosis, which stimulated excessive lymphocyte proliferation. Meanwhile, selectively killing regulatory T cells improved the efficacy of cancer vaccines by enhancing tumor-specific T cell responses.
Despite updated guidelines and advances in treatment, a quarter of COPD patients hospitalized with an exacerbation will die within a year. Experts recommend prioritizing prevention of exacerbations and slowing down disease progression over symptomatic relief as the primary goal in COPD management.