Respiratory investigation
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Respiratory investigation · Dec 2013
Review Case ReportsScedosporium aurantiacum brain abscess after near-drowning in a survivor of a tsunami in Japan.
Many victims of the tsunami that occurred following the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011 developed systemic disorders owing to aspiration pneumonia. Herein, we report a case of tsunami lung wherein Scedosporium aurantiacum was detected in the respiratory tract. A magnetic resonance image of the patient's head confirmed multiple brain abscesses and lateral right ventricle enlargement. In this case report, we describe a potential refractory multidrug-resistant infection following a tsunami disaster.
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Cigarette smoking is the primary causative factor for lung carcinoma and respiratory bronchiolitis (RB), particularly RB-associated interstitial lung disease (RB-ILD). However, the link between lung cancer and RB/RB-ILD remains undefined. We examined whether pathological fibrosis lesions exist simultaneously in patients with lung carcinoma because the fibrous lesions could be precancerous. ⋯ Squamous cell carcinoma located in peripheral areas was primarily observed in patients with RB with fibrosis, whereas adenocarcinoma was primarily observed in patients with RB without fibrosis. Interstitial fibrosis with RB caused by continuous heavy cigarette smoking may increase the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma.
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Respiratory investigation · Sep 2013
ReviewRecent progress in the diagnosis and management of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a form of pulmonary hypertension caused by non-resolving thromboembolisms of the pulmonary arteries. In Japan, in contrast to Western countries, CTEPH is more prevalent in women. A Japanese multicenter study reported that a form of CTEPH unrelated to deep vein thrombosis is associated with HLA-B⁎5201, suggesting that this form of CTEPH may be associated with vasculopathy. ⋯ Further investigations into treatments that target endothelial dysfunction and hyperproliferative CTEPH cells are needed. Recently, balloon pulmonary angioplasty has emerged as a promising treatment modality in Japan. A specialized medical team, including at least one expert surgeon, should make decisions regarding patients' candidacy for pulmonary endarterectomy and/or balloon pulmonary angioplasty.
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Respiratory investigation · Sep 2013
Visualized changes in respiratory resistance and reactance along a time axis in smokers: a cross-sectional study.
Early detection of changes in respiratory function in smokers is important for the prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The objective of this study was to investigate any changes in the respiratory impedance of smokers with normal FEV1/FVC. ⋯ Approximately 60% of smokers were shown to exhibit apparent impedance changes despite having normal FEV1/FVC values. Smoking-induced early remodeling of the small airways may be responsible for the observed changes in airway function of smokers. Further studies are necessary to determine if the change in respiratory impedance observed in smokers is an early indicator of COPD.