Lung
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Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) measurements are recommended for the assessment of eosinophilic airway inflammation in asthma. Clinically relevant increases in FENO have been reported 24 h after positive specific inhalational challenge (SIC) tests in occupational asthma. We aimed to determine whether positive SICs could be discriminated from control tests, on the basis of change in FENO. ⋯ FENO changes above the upper confidence limits of ≥20 % or ≥6 ppb may be considered to be outside the range of normality. However, the majority of workers who had clearly positive SICs to common low molecular weight agents also had no statistically or clinically relevant increase in FENO. Therefore, change in FENO does not predict a positive SIC in this group.
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Retracted Publication
Protein-protein interaction network analysis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The aim of this study was to investigate the gene expression profile of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and non-COPD patients. ⋯ Comprehensive analysis of the gene expression profile for COPD versus control reveals helveticoside, disulfiram, and lanatoside C as potential molecular targets in COPD. This evidence provides a new breakthrough in the medical treatment of patients with COPD.
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Epigenetics refers to changes in phenotype and gene expression that occur without alterations in DNA sequence. MicroRNAs are relatively recently discovered negative regulators of gene expression and act at the posttranscriptional level. ⋯ By better integrating network biology with evolving technologies in cell culture and in vivo experimentation, we will better understand epigenetic mechanisms of pulmonary hypertension and identify more diagnostic and therapeutic targets in pulmonary hypertension.
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Comparative Study
Relationship between quantitative CT metrics and pulmonary function in combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema.
Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) is increasingly recognized, as current reports of its clinical features show. To determine CPFE's physiologic and radiologic features, we conducted quantitative assessment of computed tomography scans to compare with those of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ⋯ In CPFE, fibrosis and emphysema apparently existed independently, but both correlate with and likely contribute to the disproportionate reduction in gas exchange. Our study also suggested that pulmonary fibrotic changes may be more important contributors than emphysema for disease progression.
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Observational Study
Early initiation of prostacyclin in portopulmonary hypertension: 10 years of a transplant center's experience.
Portopulmonary hypertension (PoPH) is a subgroup of Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) with particularly poor prognosis. Delay in initiation of parenteral therapy may be the reason for poor outcome. ⋯ Early initiation of parenteral prostacyclin therapy in PoPH patients at a single institution was associated with improved 5-year patient survival from diagnosis as compared to the REVEAL Registry of PoPH patients and allowed for clearance for transplant in 52 % of patients within 1 year.