Respiratory medicine
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Respiratory medicine · Mar 2009
Comparative StudyInhaled IL-10 reduces biotrauma and mortality in a model of ventilator-induced lung injury.
High-pressure ventilation induces barotrauma and pulmonary inflammation, thus leading to ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). By limiting the pulmonal inflammation cascade the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 may have protective effects. Via inhalation, IL-10 reaches the pulmonary system directly and in high concentrations. ⋯ Prophylactic inhalation of IL-10 improved survival and reduced lung injury in experimental VILI. Results indicate that this effect may be mediated by the inhibition of stress-induced inflammation and pulmonary biotrauma.
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Respiratory medicine · Mar 2009
Horse allergens: An underestimated risk for allergic sensitization in an urban atopic population without occupational exposure.
Data on allergic sensitization to horse allergen in modern urban areas are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of allergic sensitization and the modality of exposure to horse allergens in atopic patients living in an urban area and without occupational exposure to horse and/or horse-derived materials. ⋯ Our results suggest that allergic sensitization to horse allergens is more frequent than expected in urban-dwelling subjects without direct or occupational exposure to horses. Highly atopic individuals or individuals who are sensitized to common pet dander should undergo SPT and evaluation of serum specific IgE before starting activities involving regular contact with horses such as riding, and before entering environments associated with horses.
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Respiratory medicine · Feb 2009
Echocardiography and brain natriuretic peptide as prognostic indicators in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is associated with poor prognosis. Recently echocardiography and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) have been used as non-invasive markers for PH suggesting that they may also be used as markers for survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of echocardiography and BNP by analyzing their association with survival. ⋯ Although both BNP level and PH by echocardiography are clinically useful non-invasive and easily repeatable markers of prognosis, BNP level seems to be better.
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Respiratory medicine · Feb 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialImpact of volume targeting on efficacy of bi-level non-invasive ventilation and sleep in obesity-hypoventilation.
Volume targeting by bi-level positive pressure ventilation (BPPV) has recently been made available by several manufacturers for home care ventilators. Although it may improve nocturnal ventilation, we hypothesized that increased pressure swings related to volume targeting may have a deleterious effect on sleep structure and patient comfort. ⋯ In stable patients treated by BPPV for obesity-hypoventilation, volume targeting improved control of nocturnal hypoventilation at the expense of a slight decrease in objective and subjective sleep quality, and comfort of ventilation.
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Respiratory medicine · Feb 2009
Multicenter StudyEpidemiology of community-acquired pneumonia in older adults: a population-based study.
This study assessed incidence, aetiology, clinical outcomes and risk factors for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in older adults. ⋯ CAP remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults. Incidence rates in this study largely doubled prior rates reported in Southern European regions.