Lung
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Recurrence is a major clinical problem in patients with pulmonary embolism and can affect mortality. The decision to discontinue treatment is important for recurrence and is based on patients' clinical features as well as certain blood parameters. Our aim in this study was to evaluate whether mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) have utility as new predictive parameters for recurrence and mortality in pulmonary embolism. ⋯ MPV seems to be an indicator of recurrence in pulmonary embolism and may have utility in the prediction of recurrence. Elevated MPV can also be used to predict mortality in pulmonary embolism.
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A restful sleep is essential for regenerative processes and remains crucial for patients recovering from stressful periods in the intensive care unit. The current study aimed to assess sleep quality in critically ill patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation within a specialized weaning unit in hospital. ⋯ Subjects who were undergoing prolonged weaning from mechanical ventilation and admitted to a specialized weaning unit, showed reduced sleep quality with preservation of high amounts of slow-wave sleep.
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Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and lethal lung disease of unknown origin whose incidence has been increasing over the latest decade partly as a consequence of population ageing. New anti-fibrotic therapy including pirfenidone and nintedanib have now proven efficacy in slowing down the disease. Nevertheless, diagnosis and follow-up of IPF remain challenging. ⋯ Large scale multicentric studies are eagerly needed to confirm the utility of these biomarkers.
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The impact of mechanical forces on pathogenesis of airway remodeling and the functional consequences in asthma remains to be fully established. In the present study, we investigated the effect of repeated bronchoconstriction induced by methacholine (MCh) on airway remodeling and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in rats with or without sensitization to an external allergen. ⋯ This finding provides a new animal model for the development of airway remodeling and AHR in mammals and can be used for studying the complex reciprocal relationship between bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation. Further studies on presented animal models are required to clarify the exact mechanisms underlying airway remodeling due to bronchoconstriction and the functional consequences.
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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.