Articles tagged with Lungs
UofL researchers, led by Jun Yan, will investigate the causes of immune system overresponse in COVID-19 patients, leading to severe lung disease and death. They aim to develop methods to predict, prevent or control this response with potential treatments for other conditions.
A new study found that obstructive sleep apnea causes widespread changes in gene activity in mice, affecting up to 16% of genes, particularly in lung tissue. The findings may lead to diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, including blood tests tracking dysregulated gene products.
Researchers found genetic similarities among strains of Mycobacterium abscessus that cannot be explained by direct person-to-person transmission. Instead, they suggest the pathogen is acquired from environmental exposures, with implications for hospital precautions and public health.
A study by University of Technology Sydney found that plants can remove 97% of toxic compounds, including cancer-causing pollutants, from indoor air in just eight hours. This breakthrough discovery highlights the critical role played by indoor plants and green walls in improving air quality.
Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology found that MAIT cells can be tuned to fight different pathogens via their metabolism, with two distinct subtypes responding to sugar and fat. This discovery may inspire new vaccines and cell therapies to boost the immune response against specific pathogens.
Researchers from Mount Sinai Health System will present studies on pediatric pulmonary vascular disease, asthma, and sleep disorders. The findings focus on prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in children with severe obstructive sleep apnea and associations between diet and lung function decline.
A retrospective analysis of patient data suggests that targeting mucus plugs in the lungs may help prevent deaths from COPD. The study found that patients with mucus plugs had a higher mortality rate compared to those without, with significant associations across different disease phases.
Researchers found variant cells in lungs of IPF patients that can drive fibrosis and inflammation. These cells may be targeted for future therapy, offering new hope for treatment.
Researchers from China explore the mechanisms of action and clinical data of bispecific antibodies, which have shown promise in increasing cytotoxicity against cancerous cells and enhancing immune response towards tumor clearance. Several bsAbs are being evaluated in phase I-III clinical trials for lung cancer treatment.
Researchers discovered that air pollution particles trigger autophagy, a cellular defense process, which has an upper threshold and may reduce its effectiveness against other threats. This finding provides new insights into the link between air pollution and lung disease.
The May issue of the CHEST journal features cutting-edge research on pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. The journal also highlights awareness for cystic fibrosis, a once-fatal childhood condition now affecting adults.
Researchers discovered a link between MCEMP1 protein on mast cells and severe asthma. Inhibiting this protein could provide relief for patients with severe asthma by reducing inflammation in the airway and lungs. The study provides critical information for developing new therapies for long-term lung conditions.
Researchers at McMaster University have found that solriamfetol is the most effective treatment for excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A systematic review of 14 clinical trials and analysis of data from various databases revealed solriamfetol to be the best option.
Joseph P. Mizgerd receives ATS Recognition Award for his work on lung immunology and respiratory infection, focusing on mechanisms of immune resistance and tissue resilience. He is also a dedicated mentor to lung scientists through the NHLBI-funded T32 training program.
Researchers discovered crystalline silica in lungs of coal miners with non-targeted job duties, increasing the risk of severe black lung disease. The study highlights the importance of monitoring silica exposure in all coal miners, regardless of job duties.
A new study found that quitting smoking before a lung cancer diagnosis is associated with higher survival rates. Former smokers who stopped smoking years before their diagnosis had significantly longer survival than current and former smokers diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer.
Nearly half of COVID-19 patients develop secondary bacterial pneumonia, which can lead to death. Machine learning analysis found that this complication offsets the mortality rate from the viral infection itself.
Researchers investigated the cardiovascular effects of glucocorticoids on chicken embryos, finding that Betamethasone (Beta) caused more severe growth restriction, cellular stress, and cardiac dysfunction compared to Dexamethasone (Dex). Dex triggered oxidative stress, while Beta sustained glucocorticoid receptor activation
The National Institutes of Health recognizes World Asthma Day and highlights innovative research on asthma, its causes and treatments. Several NIH institutes conduct and support asthma-related research, including NIEHS, NHLBI, and NIAID.
Researchers successfully delivered stabilized divalent siRNA molecules to animal models that blocked SARS-CoV-2 and prevented infection. The technology is adaptable for other pulmonary diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis and respiratory viruses.
Researchers at the University of Missouri identified occludin protein as a mediator for cell-to-cell transmission of coronavirus. The study found that damaged occludin protein enables virus replication and spread to neighboring cells, worsening symptoms.
Researchers have developed advanced human lung models in the lab, allowing for accelerated discovery of new drugs and reduced reliance on animal testing. The mini lungs can be personalized to individual patients and tested for a range of reactions, including toxicity from pollutants.
A study by University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers reveals that cadmium-induced inflammation increases the severity and mortality of lung infections. The findings suggest that targeting the regulation of PPAR-gamma in macrophages may protect against severe pneumonia.
A new study reveals that young children diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis are at an increased risk of subsequent wheezing, poor lung function, and reduced height and weight. The study found that children who developed PTB before six months old had more than double the risk of wheezing after 6 months.
The American Roentgen Ray Society presents its 2023 Honorary Lecture on Advanced High-Resolution CT, dedicated to the late Dr. W. Richard Webb, who transformed thoracic imaging with his foundational work in HRCT. The lecture explores multiple conditions diagnosed via HRCT and the radiologist's role on multidisciplinary teams.
Researchers found that p21 knockout mice experienced reduced senescent cell presence, alleviated chronic lung inflammation, and improved fitness. Resident epithelial and endothelial cells played a significant role in mediating the p21-dependent inflammatory response.
A study by University of Rochester Medical Center researchers reveals how a biological clock molecule contributes to lung scarring. Low levels of REV-ERBα have been linked to increased collagen production and worse lung damage in patients with pulmonary fibrosis.
The CHEST journal April issue features cutting-edge research on asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and sarcoidosis. Key findings include the potential of efzofitimod as a treatment for managing sarcoidosis. The journal also showcases innovative approaches to clinical practice and education in chest medicine.
A novel treatment approach called balloon pulmonary angioplasty has been shown to be effective in treating chronic blood clots in lung arteries. The procedure improves exercise capacity and quality of life, with some patients able to stop medications altogether. Refinements in technique have improved the procedure's safety and efficacy.
Researchers developed a biologically inspired 'vaping robot' to mimic human breathing patterns and tested commercially available e-liquids containing menthol. The study found that menthol vapers took shallower breaths and had poorer lung function compared to non-menthol smokers, regardless of age or smoking history.
A study published in Annals of the American Thoracic Society has identified disparities in patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment for severe respiratory illness. Men and those with private health insurance are more likely to receive ECMO, while women and Medicaid recipients are less likely.
Researchers found decreased lung injury, coughing up blood, and mortality rates after balloon pulmonary angioplasty between 2013 and 2022. The minimally invasive procedure is now considered a safer option for inoperable CTEPH patients.
The study found that antibiotics slow down biofilm growth and QS molecule production across both strains, with surface type having a significant effect on the non-mucoid strain. The patterned structure was associated with longer latencies before expression of QS molecules were at their peak.
Scientists discovered that B cells play a crucial role in controlling tuberculosis (TB) infections by directing helper T cells, known as T follicular helper (Tfh)-like cells, to granuloma tissue in the lungs where they can activate macrophages. This finding holds promise for developing better treatments and vaccines for TB.
Researchers have developed a new type of nanoparticle that can efficiently deliver CRISPR/Cas9 components to the lungs, allowing for targeted gene editing. In mice studies, the particles delivered mRNA to up to 60% of lung epithelial cells, offering a promising approach to treating genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis.
Researchers found that dexamethasone prevents cytokine storms in severe COVID-19 patients by inhibiting ion channels and reducing immune cell inflammation. This led to improved lung function and reduced mortality rates. The study's findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of steroid treatment in severe COVID-19.
Researchers discovered that fomepizole, an FDA-approved drug, can significantly reduce disease in mice infected with multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. The combination of fomepizole and erythromycin reduced bacterial burdens by 95% in the lungs and up to 700-fold in other organs.
The study found that downregulation of angulin-1/LSR leads to increased claudin-2 expression and altered cell metabolism in human lung adenocarcinoma cells, promoting malignancy. Researchers identified AG1478 and EW-7197 as potential therapeutic agents.
Cancer cells have been found to employ a strategy to evade the immune system's killer T cells by interacting with myeloid cells and suppressing type 1 interferon production. This natural pathway is crucial for recruiting killer T cells to combat cancer spread. Researchers hope to develop new therapeutic approaches, such as forcing tumo...
Researchers found significant decreases in the levels of KRAS, RHOA, RAC1, and CDC42 after PCAI treatment, implicating their role in cancer progression and metastasis. These findings support the potential of PCAIs as potent agents for developing new anticancer therapeutics.
A recent study found that the mitochondrial antioxidant MitoQ can reverse the detrimental effects of HIV and antiretroviral therapy on organs such as the brain, heart, and liver. The researchers used humanized mice infected with HIV and treated them with MitoQ for three months.
A study of 343 mother-child pairs found an association between ambient temperature and newborns' respiratory systems. Climate change is particularly vulnerable to pregnant women and their future children, the findings suggest.
A Phase II trial led by researchers from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center demonstrated that adding ipilimumab to a neoadjuvant combination of nivolumab plus platinum-based chemotherapy resulted in a major pathologic response in half of all treated patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. The treatment also...
Researchers found that fomepizole blocked energy production in bacteria and reduced bacterial burden in mice with pneumonia. The combination treatment prevented invasive disease development, suggesting a potential novel treatment for multidrug-resistant pneumococcal disease.
Health disparities in lung nodule follow-up and treatment are a major concern, with Black and Latino patients at higher risk of delayed follow-up. Researchers have identified prioritized research questions to mitigate these disparities, focusing on patient-clinician communication and culturally trained multidisciplinary teams.
A multicenter study found that patients with cystic fibrosis can safely take a dual combination of CF modulator drugs for four years while maintaining previously achieved clinical improvement. This breakthrough therapy has improved the quality and length of patients' lives, with some even seeing a 15% increase in lung function.
A study of US newspaper articles found that lung cancer screening was generally positively covered between 2010 and 2022. However, crucial aspects such as enrollment criteria and cost issues were frequently omitted, highlighting a need for radiologists to take an active role in media coverage.
Researchers discover that inhibiting a gene crucial for DNA production can significantly reduce destructive cell proliferation and disease progression in pulmonary hypertension. This finding presents a potential treatment target for the condition, which affects females aged 30-60 with limited treatment options.
The American College of Chest Physicians released a clinical practice guideline on respiratory management for patients with neuromuscular weakness, providing evidence-based recommendations for mouthpiece ventilation and airway clearance therapies. The guideline aims to improve care for this vulnerable population.
UVA researchers discovered a metabolic pathway that can modulate COVID-19 inflammation, lung recovery, and host metabolic health. They suggest a potentially viable therapeutic agent that may be combined with existing anti-viral agents to treat severe COVID-19 in patients with underlying metabolic disease.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati developed an innovative breathing device called PEP Buddy, which improves symptoms of breathlessness, quality of life, and oxygen levels in people with COPD. The study found significant reductions in shortness of breath and improvements in quality of life among participants.
A new study found that Black patients with pulmonary fibrosis are significantly younger than their Hispanic and white counterparts, experiencing accelerated disease progression. Lifestyle and socioeconomic factors linked to environmental exposures may contribute to these disparities.
Researchers at Kyoto University found that neutrophils instruct macrophages to form a bacteria-permissive microenvironment, which could have implications for cancer treatment. The study suggests that A9, an enzyme expressed in neutrophils, may play a key role in this process.
Researchers have created a new patient-specific cell model to investigate the cause of congenital diaphragmatic hernia and explore potential treatments. The study found that inflammation alters stem cells in affected lungs, but drug therapy can restore functionality.
The March issue of CHEST journal features 44 articles on topics such as asthma, critical care, and sleep medicine. The journal also includes complementary web resources, including visual abstracts.
Researchers have discovered that fungal spores can exploit the human protein p11 to hijack lung cells and prevent them from destroying the fungus. This finding offers a promising new target for treatment against Aspergillus fumigatus infections, which affect over 300,000 people worldwide each year.
A study published in Radiology found that an AI tool can accurately identify normal and abnormal chest X-rays with a high degree of sensitivity. The tool identified abnormal chest X-rays with a 99.1% sensitivity rate, outperforming clinical board-certified radiologists.
The HALP score, a novel immune-nutritional marker, has been linked to prognostic ability in different cancer types. It integrates indicators of immune status and nutritional status, showing promise as a cost-effective biomarker.
A study found that a commercial water purifier may have caused Mycobacterium abscessus infections in 4 cardiac surgery patients due to chlorine depletion. The hospital's water system was contaminated via municipal water, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and preventing mycobacteria.
High-dose anticoagulation reduces intubations and deaths by 30% in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, especially those with ARDS. The study found a significant reduction in mortality and need for ICU care among patients treated with therapeutic anticoagulation.