Articles tagged with Lungs
Researchers found that asthma patients frequently move between severity categories, with no single parameter reliably predicting overall severity. This variability may lead to underestimation or overestimation of asthma severity, emphasizing the importance of proper management and daily maintenance treatments.
Researchers have developed a novel system of gene therapy that targets lung stem cells to treat cystic fibrosis. By using a natural compound found in the lungs, the therapy enables airway cells to take up the therapeutic gene and shows substantial recovery from the disease defect.
Researchers found that Cox-2 inhibitors preserve crucial growth-inducing chemicals that help lungs and tissues grow in premature babies. The study suggests these medications may prevent diseases such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia and retinopathy of prematurity, common complications of premature birth.
The NHLBI has launched a major initiative to boost research on protein technologies, awarding $157 million over 7 years to 10 new proteomics centers. The centers will focus on novel technologies related to healthy and diseased heart, lung, blood, and sleep processes.
A study found that a pharmacists' care program improved patients' lung function only slightly, and resulted in more hospital and ER visits. Despite the boost in patient satisfaction with their pharmacists, the modest effect on medical conditions and quality of life was disappointing.
A new study by UC Davis professor Thomas Cahill found that indoor spaces near Ground Zero can be effectively cleaned of very fine particles and toxins, providing reassurance for residents. However, the study also identified diesel pollution from vehicles in the area as a continuing health threat.
A Swedish study of over 3,000 children found that living with a cat significantly reduced the risk of developing asthma. Conversely, continuing smokers showed substantially lower lung function levels, indicating severe to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
A study of 42 female organ recipients found mostly successful pregnancies without birth defects, but lung transplant patients faced higher risks. Complications and health issues were more common in mothers with pre-existing health problems during pregnancy.
Researchers found that elephants have dense connective tissue replacing pleural membranes to withstand pressure, allowing them to breathe while submerged. West's extensive work on respiratory function also explored high-altitude effects and weightlessness on astronauts.
Scientists suggest elephants have an aquatic ancestry, supported by their unique pleural space and snorkeling behavior. The elephant's dense connective tissue replaces delicate pleura, allowing for some sliding of the two surfaces across each other.
A study found that approximately 40% of rejected lungs might have been suitable for transplantation, highlighting the need for re-evaluation of donor selection criteria. This could lead to an increase in the number of available lungs for transplantation, addressing a potential shortage in lung transplantation.
Researchers found that 40% of rejected lungs could have been candidates for transplantation, more than doubling the number of potentially suitable donor lungs. The study highlights the need for a prospective assessment of selection of donors for lung transplantation to potentially save thousands of lives.
Children with a common genetic variant exposed to maternal cigarette smoke in utero are more likely to experience respiratory problems, including asthma and wheezing. Researchers identified a link between the GSTM1 null genotype and increased risk of respiratory symptoms.
Researchers have developed a new drug called O-nitrosoethanol (ENO) that appears to improve oxygenation in newborns with persistent pulmonary hypertension, a potentially life-threatening disorder. The study showed improved oxygenation without adverse side effects, offering hope for treating other diseases of improper oxygenation.
A new study confirmed air pollution is associated with slower lung function growth in children, compared to areas with cleaner air. Lung function growth was found to be about 11% lower in the most polluted community.
Researchers found that inhaled corticosteroids significantly improved disease symptoms and reduced patient exacerbations in a double-blind study of COPD patients. However, ICS treatment had no effect on major inflammatory cell types or lung function in this advanced COPD population.
Researchers at Ohio State University identified 14 genes over-expressed and 12 genes under-expressed in lung cells affected by cancer. The study provides new insights into the genetic basis of lung cancer and could lead to earlier detection methods.
The U-M artificial lung has improved blood flow and reduced risk of clotting, showing encouraging results in sheep tests. The device could potentially bridge lung disease patients to transplant, reducing the average wait time from two years.
Asthma airway remodeling begins in childhood and continues into adulthood, affecting lung function and increasing the risk of respiratory complications. A new study found that 7.4% of children with asthma developed structural abnormalities in their airways at age 18, a rate similar to adults with asthma.
Researchers at MIT have created a biodegradable polymer called biorubber that can stretch and snap back into shape, mimicking the elasticity of human organs. This breakthrough material has potential applications in tissue engineering, including heart tissue, blood vessels, and whole organs for transplantation.
A study by the American Thoracic Society found that non-smoking females with and without asthma experience decreased lung function due to secondhand smoke exposure. High levels of cotinine, a marker of secondhand smoke exposure, were associated with lower lung function in these women.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have found that revascularization procedures can improve outcomes for lung transplant patients with severe coronary artery disease. The study analyzed 350 lung transplants and showed a 88% survival rate for patients who received combined heart bypass, lung transplant surgeries.
A new study suggests that an optimistic outlook may improve lung function in men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Optimism was linked to higher lung function and slower rate of decline in lung function compared to pessimistic individuals, even after controlling for smoking.
A study of 1,555 adults found that drinking white wine may be beneficial for lung health, with greater lung function observed in those who consumed white wine compared to red wine. The antioxidant flavonoids in white wine are thought to play a key role in this protective effect.
A study by the American Thoracic Society found that workers in the food flavoring manufacturing industry may be at risk of developing non-reversible airway obstruction due to exposure to high concentrations of acetaldehyde and capsaicin.
Duke University researchers found depression to be a significant predictor of worse quality of life and perceived shortness of breath in patients awaiting lung transplantation. The study suggests that treating depression could improve outcomes after lung transplantation, which could benefit patients with severe lung disease like COPD.
A study found that drinking white wine recently and over a lifetime was associated with better lung function. The researchers think the antioxidants in wine account for this positive effect. Wine consumption was linked to higher levels of protective antioxidants in the blood, which may help protect lung health.
Researchers at Imperial College London have successfully grown human lung cells in mice, paving the way for potential lung transplants. The breakthrough could address chronic organ shortages and rejection issues, offering new treatment options for life-threatening lung diseases.
Researchers found that blocking ICAM-1 reduced inflammation and fibrosis in lungs treated with radiation. Mice genetically engineered to lack ICAM-1 showed fewer infiltrating leukocytes and less respiratory distress.
Researchers found that fundoplication surgery, used to treat chronic heartburn, improves lung function and has a positive effect on bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) in lung transplant patients. The procedure prevents gastric acids from splashing up the esophagus and into the lungs.
A study published in Nature Medicine found that mice without a functional vitamin C transporter gene died shortly after birth due to severe health problems. The research suggests that vitamin C plays a crucial role in fetal lung development, which could have implications for premature infants and pregnant women.
Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to life-threatening lung disease due to glutathione depletion. Glutathione depletion leaves the lungs vulnerable to injury when a serious illness such as sepsis or pneumonia occurs. Effective therapies for preventing and treating chronic alcohol abuse-related lung damage are still being designed.
Researchers developed an ELISA test that accurately identifies patients with sensitized immune systems, increasing the chances of preventing rejection in pediatric heart transplant patients. The test has shown promising results in lung transplant patients as well, suggesting its potential to become a routine clinical care tool.
University of Pittsburgh researchers found that short abstinence periods, depression/anxiety bouts, and a caregiver's smoking history increase the risk of relapse. They also developed a non-invasive ultrasound technology to detect heart recovery, enabling successful weaning from left ventricular assist devices.
Researchers found that lung injuries among mice lacking CD44 receptors developed inflammation that persisted until the receptors were restored. The study suggests a vital link between the CD44 receptor and the body's healing process.
A study by National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's Asthma Clinical Research Network found that low to medium doses of inhaled steroids improve lung function in most asthma patients. However, high doses may not provide additional benefits but increase the risk of adverse effects.
Researchers found that asthma does not increase the risk of having a common cold, but individuals with asthma are more likely to develop severe respiratory symptoms when infected. Rhinovirus infection was also linked to longer-lasting and more severe lower-respiratory-tract symptoms in those with asthma.
Researchers identified a novel pathway controlling branching morphogenesis, a critical process in development and tissue formation. This finding has implications for understanding diseases involving abnormal branching patterns.
A new study found that a single session of moderately intense exercise improves cognitive function in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly in verbal fluency. The effects are cumulative, suggesting that regular physical activity is necessary to maintain mental benefits.
Researchers found Pseudomonas aeruginosa thrives in low-oxygen environments of the airways, adapting to remove oxygen and producing protective sugar coatings. This discovery suggests a new strategy to target specific enzymes critical for bacterial survival, offering hope for improved treatment options.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are more susceptible to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections due to hypoxic mucus. Hypoxia disrupts the natural antimicrobial properties of mucus, creating an ideal environment for bacterial growth.
Researchers have identified aquaporin-1 protein's role in regulating water movement into and out of cells, a fundamental requirement for life. In a study comparing normal lungs to those without the protein, scientists found increased airway wall thickness and fluid leakage in those with aquaporin-1.
A study on preterm birth found that premature infants' lungs develop under different conditions after birth, affecting lung function. Leukotriene antagonists improved treatment for moderate to severe asthma by increasing pulmonary function and reducing symptoms. A personalized oral appliance also showed significant improvement in child...
UCSD researchers identify fibulin-5 as essential for elastic fiber development and organization. Mice without fibulin-5 exhibit severe skin and lung problems, including emphysema and aortic stiffness.
Researchers found a significant link between sarcoidosis and family history, with affected individuals more likely to have siblings or parents with the disease. Air pollution during adolescence also affects lung function growth and performance, while improved HIV treatment reduces the risk of pulmonary complications.
Children who move away from polluted areas exhibit increased lung function growth compared to those staying in Los Angeles, while pollution levels affect growth rates differently. The study supports earlier findings that air quality impacts children's lung health.
Research found that over 34% of ventilated patients are sexually active, with better lung function and younger age being key factors. Meanwhile, a study in Ethiopia linked home kerosene use to increased allergy risk, while another study showed nearly 40% of COPD exacerbations are caused by respiratory viruses.
A study found excessive inflammation and abnormal markings in lungs of healthy, middle-class children exposed to high levels of air pollutants in Mexico City. The research suggests a significant link between pollution and lung disease in otherwise healthy children.
Researchers discovered a link between the CFTR gene and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis. They found that altered CFTR can change the internal chemistry of lung cells, making them more attractive to certain bacteria.
A Sea Grant study found no Asian or North American lung flukes in over 800 Chinese mitten crabs collected in the San Francisco Bay. The crabs were analyzed alongside more than 400 crayfish, all of which were also free of the parasites.
The OPTIMA study shows that low-dose budesonide alone reduces the risk of severe asthma exacerbations and poorly controlled days by half in previously untreated patients. Adding formoterol improves symptom control and reduces exacerbations in both previously untreated and corticosteroid-treated patients.
Scientists at UNC Chapel Hill have discovered a highly ordered array of signaling molecules controlling the passage of chloride and other ions in healthy people. This breakthrough may lead to new treatments for cystic fibrosis by restoring CFTR function through genetic engineering or drug therapy.
Researchers report significant advancements in sutureless vascular graft surgery, reducing operating time by up to 90%. The new techniques enable quicker connections of blood vessels and minimize damage to the heart, paving the way for minimally invasive surgery on the beating heart.
Researchers discovered that fathers' cigarette consumption levels impact children's lung function, with higher levels associated with greater deficits. Non-asthmatic girls showed the greatest declines in pulmonary function tests, suggesting a potential link between paternal smoking and childhood respiratory health.
The NETT trial found that advanced emphysema patients with severe lung obstruction or evenly distributed damage should not undergo Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS). Instead, high-risk patients had a 30-day mortality rate of 16% and only slightly improved functional outcomes six months after surgery.
A virtual lung model developed at PNNL may help predict pollutant impact on respiratory systems, providing new insights into asthma and other pulmonary diseases. The model simulates how pollutants enter, travel through, and collect in the lungs, enabling scientists to design targeted treatments.
Researchers found that inhaling tobramycin twice daily for 12 months effectively eradicated Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the airways of 14 cystic fibrosis patients, with nine remaining free from infection at two-year follow-up. The treatment regimen cures chronic lung infections in patients started soon after colonisation.
Research reveals antioxidant supplements can mitigate the negative effects of ozone gas on lung function. Additionally, tiny airborne particles are associated with increased risk of hospital admissions for heart disease among diabetics.
Researchers found that ultrasound-induced lung damage is dependent on beamwidth, pulse duration, and exposure duration. The air-blood barrier near the surface of the lung may be the principal target for ultrasound-induced lung damage.
A long-term study of over 1000 Finnish men found that reduced lung function due to smoking increases the risk of death from all causes. Quitting smoking halts this decline and reduces mortality risk, suggesting preserving lung function in later life may predict a longer life.