Lung
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The underlying biological mechanisms of the frequent exacerbator phenotype of COPD remain unclear. We compared systemic neutrophil function in COPD patients with or without frequent exacerbations. ⋯ This study is the first to report aberrant receptor-mediated blood neutrophil function in the frequent exacerbator of COPD.
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Comparative Study
Lung Clearance Index (LCI) in Patients with Bronchiolitis Obliterans: A Preliminary Report and Comparison to Cystic Fibrosis Patients.
Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) is a chronic airway disease following an insult to the lower respiratory tract. Lung clearance index (LCI) measures ventilation inhomogeneity and has been studied in cystic fibrosis (CF). We aimed to evaluate LCI in BO and to compare it to LCI in CF patients. ⋯ Similar to CF, LCI may provide estimation of ventilation inhomogeneity in BO. The results indicate greater small airway involvement and air trapping in BO. Further prospective longitudinal studies evaluating the correlation of LCI measurements with multiple clinical and physiological parameters should be performed to assess the clinical benefit of LCI measurement in BO.