Research on the lungs and respiratory health. Covers asthma prevention, immune cell activity, age-related decline, and pulmonary care.
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 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
A new variant of retinoic acid receptor beta has been discovered, which may play a role in vitamin A resistance in lung cancer. The variant, RAR-beta-1', was found to be expressed in normal lung cells and sensitive to retinoic acid, but not in resistant or lung cancer cells.
Researchers found that wheezing prevalence follows distinct patterns by age 6 and stability of lung function is maintained through school years. Children with early wheeze tend to have lower lung function levels but stable rates.
Researchers found that macrophages from TB patients have high levels of DC-SIGN, a protein that helps Mycobacterium tuberculosis infect lung cells. Infection with TB causes nearby uninfected cells to also express DC-SIGN, making them more susceptible to infection.
A newly discovered protein called alpha-defensin can kill Bacillus anthracis bacteria, the causative agent of anthrax. The skin form of anthrax is harmless due to neutrophils' ability to identify and kill microbes, whereas the lung form remains fatal, prompting hope for new treatments.
Researchers found that bird flu virus H5N1 induces higher levels of pro-inflammatory proteins in human lung cells compared to the human flu virus H1N1. This imbalance can lead to severe lung inflammation and may explain the severity of avian flu virus infections.
Researchers discovered a genetic basis for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, with those having ever smoked cigarettes being 3.6 times more likely to develop the disease. The study also highlights the importance of avoiding cigarette smoking as a preventive measure for this devastating lung condition.
Researchers developed a breath test that measures sulfur compounds in exhaled breath to detect bacterial growth in cystic fibrosis patients. The test found significantly higher levels of sulfides in cystic fibrosis patients, suggesting an increased amount of bacterial growth in the lungs.
Researchers have identified a protein called CCL5 that protects macrophages from premature death during respiratory viral infections, allowing them to continue fighting the infection. This discovery may lead to new methods to hasten recovery and reduce symptoms of influenza and the common cold.
Researchers have identified a molecular defect in red blood cells as an important cause of pulmonary hypertension, a potentially fatal lung condition. A new therapy that replenishes SNO levels in the blood has shown promise in reversing the disease.
Researchers discover DMT1 protein shields lung cells from toxic particles, including vanadium, by regulating iron transport. The finding offers new insights into lung protection and potential therapeutic applications.
Gleevec has been found to reverse lung vascular remodeling and pulmonary hypertension in experimental models. Larger clinical trials are planned to test its safety and effectiveness.
Massachusetts General Hospital has been designated as a Specialized Center for Cell-Based Therapy for Heart, Lung and Blood Diseases. The center aims to develop new ways of regenerating or repairing damaged tissues using stem cell biology and tissue engineering.
Researchers found a common genetic defect that prevents proper lung repair, increasing risk of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in families with a history of the disease. Smoking is also a major contributor to the disease, particularly among those with a family history.
Researchers discovered that low doses of azithromycin can halt and reverse lung function decline in the majority of lung transplant patients with BOS, offering a new hope for treatment.
Researchers found reduced MAO A levels in smokers' lungs, which may contribute to physiological effects of smoking like changes in blood pressure and pulmonary function. Smokers also retained tracer chemicals longer and had lower delivery into arterial blood supply.
Researchers used PET scanning to track monoamine oxidase (MAO A) levels in smokers and nonsmokers, finding that MAO A was 50% lower in smokers' lungs. Smokers also held onto a tracer chemical longer and had reduced delivery of tracer into arterial blood supply.
A study identified osteopontin as a protein more prevalent in lungs of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The protein increased cell proliferation and movement involved in lung fibrosis, offering potential new treatment targets.
Researchers at Imperial College London have made a major breakthrough in growing human lungs for transplantation using embryonic stem cells. The cells will be used to repair damaged lungs, particularly in cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
A new study found that inhaling small amounts of carbon monoxide after transplant surgery can prevent the development of a lethal inflammatory reaction in mice. This could lead to a new treatment regimen for human patients, preventing complications such as obliterative bronchiolitis and improving their chances of survival.