Respiratory medicine
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Respiratory medicine · Sep 2005
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyComparison of BALF concentrations of ENA-78 and IP10 in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia.
Epithelial neutrophil-activating peptide 78 (ENA-78) and interferon gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP10) belong to the CXC chemokine family and are considered to be important factors in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) and IPF are the two largest subsets of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIP). In patients with NSIP, the prognosis is generally good compared with IPF. Therefore, the pathogenesis of NSIP seems to be different from that of IPF, but this remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the contribution of ENA-78 and IP10 in the two diseases. ⋯ Our results show distinct profiles of CXC chemokines in IPF and NSIP, and suggest that these chemokines play an important role in inflammatory cell recruitment into the lung in patients with IIP.
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Physiotherapy is an integral part of the management of patients in respiratory intensive care units (RICUs). The most important aim in this area is to enhance the overall patient's functional capacity and to restore his/her respiratory and physical independence, thus decreasing the risks of bed rest associated complications. This article is a review of evidence-based effectiveness of weaning practices and physiotherapy treatment for patients with respiratory insufficiency in a RICU. ⋯ However, to date, there are only strong recommendations concerning the evidence-based strategies to speed weaning. Early physiotherapy may be effective in ICU: however, most techniques (postures, limb exercise and percussion/vibration in particular) need to be further studied in a large population. Evidence supporting physiotherapy intervention is limited as there are no studies examining the specific effects of interventions on long-term outcome.
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Respiratory medicine · Sep 2005
Multicenter StudyEtiology of community acquired pneumonia among adult patients requiring hospitalization in Taiwan.
There has not been a comprehensive multi-center study investigating the microbial profile of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Taiwan. ⋯ S. pneumoniae was the most common etiology agent in adult patients hospitalized due to CAP in Taiwan and the spectrum of other major pathogens was similar to studies conducted elsewhere in the world. Empiric treatment recommendations developed in other parts of the world may be appropriately adapted for local use after taking into account local resistance profiles. Our data also support the recommendation that urine antigen test be added as an adjunct to adult CAP etiology diagnosis protocol.
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Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SP) is a rare disorder. ⋯ SP is an entity that evolves correctly without treatment and has no long-term relapses. Once other occasionally associated entities are ruled out, outpatient management can be employed.
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Respiratory medicine · Sep 2005
Is maternal smoking more determinant than paternal smoking on the respiratory symptoms of young children?
It is generally accepted that maternal smoking has more detrimental effects than paternal smoking on the respiratory health of children. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of postnatal exposure due to the smoking behaviour by father and mother in the home, and prenatal exposure from maternal smoking during pregnancy, on the respiratory symptoms in children. ⋯ Our results underline a greater influence of exposure to maternal smoking (prenatal and postnatal) than postnatal paternal smoking on the development of respiratory symptoms in young children.