Articles tagged with Lungs
A pivotal study found that CyIS significantly reduces chronic rejection and prolongs survival in lung-transplant recipients, offering hope for a breakthrough therapy to address this unmet need. The study demonstrated an 84% four-year survival rate with CyIS compared to 56% with placebo.
The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation has created new, comprehensive guidelines to help organ centers update their policies. The guidelines aim to bridge patients to transplant by offering pharmacological, surgical, and device-based interventions.
Researchers found asthmatics produce lower levels of interferon beta, making them more susceptible to respiratory virus infections. A potential new treatment for asthma attacks involves using a device to top up interferon levels in the lungs.
A new pump device, partnered with stem cell technology, aims to address heart failure and improve heart function. Research on ventricular assist devices (VADs) and pediatric devices is also ongoing, with a focus on developing smaller devices for children and improving outcomes.
AlloMap molecular expression testing enables proactive monitoring of immune system signals, identifying rejection before it occurs. This non-invasive technology eliminates the need for frequent biopsies, improving individual patient outcomes and reducing patient discomfort.
A new study found no significant difference in outcomes between patients ruled out for pulmonary embolism with MDCT and single-detector CT. However, the increased detection rate of small clots may lead to more unnecessary treatment, increasing risks such as hemorrhagic stroke.
A new study identifies SERPINE2 as a novel candidate gene for COPD, particularly in individuals who smoke. The research reveals that SERPINE2 is expressed in lung tissues and cells, and its expression is altered in people with certain clinical characteristics of COPD.
Purpura fulminans is a newly emerging deadly disease characterized by skin lesions and tissue damage. Researchers at the University of Minnesota have identified three recommended treatments for purpura fulminans, including antibiotic therapy against Neisseria meningitidis and methicillin-resistant S. aureus.
UNH has launched its second spinout company, Xemed LLC, backed by three new NIH grants to commercialize a lung imaging technology that could benefit millions suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The technology allows MRI to produce a clear picture of the lungs' interior, enabling doctors to see which parts are affected.
Asthma sufferers experience worsened symptoms when infected with the common cold virus, as their cells replicate more extensively and fail to produce interferon-beta, a potent anti-viral protein. This defect leads to increased pro-inflammatory molecule secretion, recruiting asthma-inducing cells into the lungs.
Researchers analyzed 4,369 chest radiographs from 313 SARS patients and found that lung opacification levels on the seventh day could predict fatal outcomes. Patients with greater than 20% lung opacification were more likely to die from SARS, while those with less than 10% had a higher survival rate.
Research by Ingber and colleagues found that manipulating mechanical force in developing mouse lungs can slow down or speed up growth, which could lead to novel treatments for lung conditions. This study sheds light on the importance of mechanobiology in understanding normal lung development and potential intervention pathways.
A 14-year study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that quitting smoking can add years to life. The study showed a significant reduction in death rates among participants who quit compared to those who continued to smoke.
The study found that sustained quitters had nearly half the overall death rate of those who continued to smoke. Death rates were also lower for coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease, and less than half for lung cancer compared to smokers.
Researchers will investigate the spread of 'superbugs' and develop more effective antimicrobial agents and vaccine strategies to treat lung infections. The goal is to determine when segregation of CF patients is necessary, reducing social strain on families and individuals.
Researchers found that indirect CT venography increases the detection rate of thromboembolic disease by 20% compared to traditional CTPA. The addition of CTV improves diagnosis for patients with pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, saving lives.
Researchers have developed a new treatment that significantly reduces morphine use after hysterectomies, leading to improved lung function and more consistent pain relief. The treatment combines two non-opioid drugs, gabapentin and rofecoxib, which work together to alleviate movement-related pain and promote better breathing.
A recent study found that removing a specific protein from mice with chronic lung disease led to increased inflammation and damage. The discovery contradicts previous theories suggesting the protein's potential benefits in treating asthma.
Researchers discovered impaired lung function test results and low exhaled nitric oxide levels in school-age BPD survivors, indicating distinct pathophysiologic pathways. Meanwhile, individuals with beryllium sensitization progressed to chronic beryllium disease at a rate of 6-8% per year.
A low-density helium/oxygen mixture significantly reduces airflow limitations and lung dynamic hyperinflation in COPD patients, allowing for a substantial increase in exercise endurance time. The study found that the duration of exercise doubled from 4.2 minutes to 9 minutes for patients breathing heliox compared to regular air.
A recent pilot study found that only a minority of subjects received a diagnostic work-up according to published algorithms, and that larger nodule sizes were associated with lower use of biopsy for follow-up. Only 7% of subjects diagnosed with lung cancer within a year of the first positive screen.
A recent study by the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center has found no link between taxane-based chemotherapies and pneumonitis in breast cancer patients. The research, led by Tse-Kuan Yu, analyzed 189 breast cancer patients who received either radiation therapy or chemotherapy followed by radiation.
A new study reveals that patients with asthma experiencing high variability in disease symptoms incur greater direct and indirect costs, including hospitalizations, emergency visits, and lost productivity. High variability patients also report more frequent unscheduled doctor visits and asthma interrupts daily activities more often.
Researchers discovered a key gene that protects lungs from damage caused by environmental pollutants and chronic exposure. The study found 50 genes regulated by Nrf2, which work together to defend against cigarette smoke-induced emphysema.
Research finds that genetic deletion of the Nrf2 gene makes mice more susceptible to emphysema when exposed to cigarette smoke. This suggests a protective role for Nrf2 against oxidative stress and lung damage.
A study found that lung function has a natural rhythm that affects energy levels and best times for exercise and treatments. Patients with respiratory conditions may benefit from adapting therapies to their individual circadian rhythms.
A lightweight, flexible E-Z Board allows intubated patients to easily communicate their needs, reducing frustration and improving caregiver-patient interaction. The board has been sold to over 200 hospitals nationwide and is targeted at rehabilitation medicine, speech pathology, and critical care areas.
Researchers compared two animal-derived surfactants and found that Infasurf improved lung function with fewer doses required. The study suggests a cost savings, as Infasurf was more effective over time.
The CHEST Foundation recognizes medical professionals for their outstanding community service and patient care projects, supporting lung health in 11 countries. Grant money is used to bring primary medical services to vulnerable populations.
A study found that the number of CT scans performed for suspected pulmonary embolism increased significantly between 1997-1998 and 2002-2003, despite only a proportionate increase in actual cases. Radiologists are now seeing smaller abnormalities that were previously undetectable, leading to reconsideration of clinical issues.
A recent study found that over half of patients with COPD are incorrectly diagnosed with asthma, leading to delayed treatment. The study suggests that simple symptom-based diagnostic questions can improve diagnosis rates and improve patient outcomes.
A recent study demonstrated that SPIRIVA significantly reduces COPD exacerbations, improving patient quality of life and reducing healthcare costs. The medication also prolongs the time to first exacerbation and significantly lowers health resource utilization.
Pulmonary fibrosis occurs when normal lung tissue is replaced with thick scar tissue, impairing oxygen flow. Researchers have discovered that TGF-beta causes apoptosis in epithelial cells before fibrosis develops, paving the way for potential treatments by blocking cell death.
A US study found a significant link between exposure to traffic pollutants and an increased risk of bronchitis or physician-diagnosed asthma in children. In contrast, directly observed therapy for tuberculosis patients showed a significantly higher cure rate compared to self-administered therapy.
Researchers found that zoledronic acid can halt the progression of cervical cancer in mice by inhibiting angiogenesis and matrix metalloprotease-9 expression. Additionally, a study on skin cancer revealed that Stat3 is required for initiation and promotion stages, suggesting it as a potential target for cancer therapy
Professor Ken Donaldson proposes the creation of a new discipline, nanotoxicology, to study the potential harmful effects of nanoparticles. The importance of nanotechnology is debated, but its adverse impacts need to be studied to ensure sustainable development.
The PNNL lab will develop a 'pulmonary physiome', a web-based model that provides predictive tools to understand the impact of airborne contaminants on human health. This project aims to improve treatments for asthma and other respiratory ailments.
Researchers found that combination antibiotic therapy significantly improved survival rates among critically ill patients with severe pneumonia, with a mortality rate of 23.4% compared to 55.3% for those on monotherapy. A new test combining symptom questions, body weight data, and oxygen concentration measures shows a 91% predictive ra...
Research at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that COPD patients with the most advanced disease are more likely to harbor Pneumocystis jiroveci in their lungs. This colonization is strongly associated with increased airway obstruction and worse lung function, even after adjusting for smoking history.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive lung damage and increased mortality worldwide. The five-article series aims to increase awareness of COPD through advances in understanding and management.
A study of children with mild to moderate asthma found that a significant number experienced a decline in lung function over four to six years. Children who were male, younger, and had shorter duration of asthma were more likely to experience this decline, regardless of treatment.
Researchers found that a specific adult stem cell travels to the lung through the bloodstream and produces collagen, leading to scar tissue formation. Blocking this mechanism may reduce pulmonary fibrosis, offering new treatments for related disorders like rheumatoid arthritis.
In a study of 18 patients with inoperable lung tumors, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was found to eradicate lung tumors with no relapse in 94% of cases. Minor complications, including pneumothorax, were treated successfully, and the procedure offered benefits such as low costs, short hospitalization times, and good patient tolerance.
Researchers found that lung transplant patients who develop community-acquired respiratory viral infections are at twice the risk of developing bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. Additionally, a study identified unique tumor signatures that can predict lung cancer death within 12 months with an accuracy rate of 87%.
A team of researchers has discovered that people with cystic fibrosis (CF) actually have very little mucus in their airways, contradicting long-held assumptions. The study suggests that the substance clogging CF patients' lungs is pus and that mucus may protect the airway from infection.
Early detection of COPD through a simple spirometry test can slow the loss of lung function, improve symptoms and quality of life, and prevent hospitalizations. Smoking cessation is the only known method to alter the loss of lung function seen in this disease.
Researchers discovered Stat3 regulates the inflammatory response in lung tissue, preventing excessive activation and tissue damage. The study suggests enhancing Stat3 activity could lead to new therapeutic drugs for immune-related diseases like COPD.
Research by Brigid Hogan and Tadashi Okubo found that Wnt signaling can induce a dramatic shift in lung progenitor cells' lineage commitment, generating intestinal cell types. This discovery sheds light on conditions such as Barrett's esophagus and holds potential for programming adult stem cells.
A new study found that D-dimer tests can eliminate the need for CT angiograms of the lungs in 60% of cases, where the result is negative. The test measures the amount of D-dimer in blood, a breakdown product of fibrin, which forms blood clots.
Researchers found that antibiotics can alter the gut microbiome, leading to increased lung sensitivity to allergens. This disruption can trigger a hyperactive immune response, producing allergy symptoms or even asthma. The study suggests that maintaining a healthy balance of gut microbes is crucial in regulating the immune system.
A recent study found that the gene TLR4 plays a crucial role in determining the lung's response to environmental toxins, particularly ozone. Mice with a functional copy of the gene were more susceptible to asthma-like symptoms when exposed to high levels of ozone.
Research reveals that air pollution has a debilitating effect on the lungs of obese children, with twice as strong associations compared to their normal-weight counterparts. The study found that increased inflammation due to obesity exacerbates the negative impact of air pollution on lung function.
A new study found that lung transplants significantly increase the survival rate of cystic fibrosis patients by almost 4.5 years. The study followed 247 patients with CF who were on the waiting list for lung transplantation and found that the risks associated with the surgery decreased over time.
Lung transplant recipients with specific TLR4 gene variants experienced reduced acute rejection rates, suggesting a novel approach to preventing transplant rejection. Researchers believe this finding could lead to improved patient outcomes and survival rates.
The University of Pittsburgh's novel clinical protocol has shown promising results in reducing immunosuppressive medication use for lung transplant patients. With over a year of follow-up, the approach has led to improved one-year survival rates and fewer complications associated with traditional treatments.
A recent study found that undersized hearts can adapt by increasing in mass without affecting function or survival rates. This discovery could expand the heart donor pool to meet growing demand, with 3,490 people currently waiting for a transplant.
Researchers found that RSV can remain dormant in lung tissue for over 100 days after initial symptoms disappear, suggesting a possible link to recurring wheezing and childhood asthma in infected children.
Researchers developed a multi-gene molecular expression assay test to identify the quiescent state after heart transplantation and predict future occurrence of rejection. The test can help manage transplant patients' immunosuppression regimens and reduce discomfort during constant monitoring.
Researchers are investigating the safety of heart and lung transplants for HIV-positive patients when viral infections are well-controlled. Transplant teams must balance anti-rejection drugs with anti-retroviral therapies to avoid complications.
Dr. Magdi Yacoub will receive the ISHLT Lifetime Achievement Award for his pioneering work in heart recovery using support devices. His approach, known as 'bridge to recovery,' has broadened the usage of heart assist devices and improved patient outcomes.