The clinical respiratory journal
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Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is a newly discovered inflammatory biomarker. suPAR has not been previously studied in differentiating noncardiac pleural effusion (PF) from cardiac PF. The aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic value of suPAR in PF. ⋯ suPAR is a potential new marker for the discrimination between cardiac and noncardiac PF.
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Severe community-acquired pneumonia (sCAP) have been as defined pneumonia requiring admission to the intensive care unit or carrying a high risk of death. Currently, the treatment of sCAP consists of antibiotic therapy and ventilator support. The use of invasive ventilation causes several complications as does admission to ICU. For this reason, non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has been used for acute respiratory failure to avoid endotracheal intubation. However, few studies have currently assessed the usefulness of NIV in sCAP. ⋯ Successful treatment is strongly related to less severe illness as well as to a good initial and sustained response to medical therapy and NIV treatment. Constant monitoring of these patients is mandatory.
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Airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) is widely used in adult critical care settings. However, information on the use of APRV in the pediatric population is limited. ⋯ APRV could be safely used in pediatric ARDS patients, without significant hemodynamic compromise or side effects.
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We aimed to determine the incidence and the prognostic impact [mortality and length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay (LOS)] of pulmonary embolism (PE) in critically ill patients with severe acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ⋯ Our study showed that PE is common in patients with severe COPD exacerbation requiring ICU admission. Moreover, PE was significantly associated with higher mortality and ICU LOS in critically ill patients with severe COPD exacerbation.
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Autoimmune responses mediated by cluster of differentiation 4(+) T cells may contribute to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, little is known about the frequency of peripheral blood Th17 cells and of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in Chinese patients with COPD. This study is aimed at determining the frequency of circulating Th17 and Tregs in patients with moderate and severe COPD, heavy smokers and healthy controls (HC). ⋯ An imbalance of circulating Th17 cells and Tregs is associated with the deterioration of pulmonary function in patients with moderate and severe COPD.