Respiration; international review of thoracic diseases
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of adding omalizumab, an anti-immunoglobulin E antibody, on airway wall thickening in asthma.
Omalizumab may inhibit allergic inflammation and could contribute to decreasing airway remodeling in patients with asthma. ⋯ These findings suggest that omalizumab reduced airway wall thickness and airway inflammation. Larger patient studies with longer-term follow-up are needed to show whether omalizumab can truly maintain improved airway wall dimensions.
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Preoperative evaluation of lung resection candidates with impaired pulmonary reserves includes measurement of aerobic capacity. Stair climbing is an attractive low-cost alternative to treadmill exercise testing but it lacks standardisation. ⋯ We found a clinically useful correlation between speed of ascent during stair climbing and VO(2max) during treadmill exercise testing. Climbing to 20 m with an average speed of ascent of ≥15 m/min accurately identified subjects qualifying for pneumonectomy according to established criteria.
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Comparative Study
Enhanced exhalation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in patients with COPD exacerbation: a prospective study.
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and its inhibitor tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) are involved in the pathogenesis of airway inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, no study so far has addressed their value as noninvasive biomarkers of airways inflammation. ⋯ Exhaled MMP-9 and TIMP-1 increased during COPD exacerbation and was negatively correlated with spirometric variables, which suggests the usefulness of their measurement in EBC for the monitoring of airways inflammation. However, to better assess their diagnostic or prognostic value larger studies are necessary.
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The literature shows conflicting results when high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scores of emphysema were correlated with different indices of airflow obstruction. ⋯ These data suggest that in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of varying severity, the presence of pulmonary emphysema is best represented by the impaired gas exchange capability of the respiratory system.
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Expiratory flow-volume (EFV) loops are continuously displayed on the screen of intensive care unit (ICU) ventilators. ⋯ The slope of the angle during the last 50% of expired volume in the COPD patients was associated with worsened respiratory mechanics and higher morbidity.