Respiratory medicine
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Respiratory medicine · Oct 2011
Comparative StudyPregnancy related treatment disparities of acute asthma exacerbations in the emergency department.
Asthma is one of the most common medical conditions complicating pregnancy. Despite the presence of published guidelines outlining the care of the pregnant patient with asthma, disparities in the treatment of acute asthma exacerbations in the emergency department related to pregnancy status are known to exist. We sought to determine if pregnancy status affected the treatment of women presenting to a tertiary emergency department for care of acute asthma exacerbations. ⋯ In this population of asthmatics presenting to a tertiary emergency department with acute asthma exacerbations, pregnant women were less likely to receive appropriate therapy with systemic corticosteroids.
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Respiratory medicine · Oct 2011
Reduced apoptosis of CD8+ T-lymphocytes in the airways of smokers with mild/moderate COPD.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by chronic inflammation in airways and lung parenchyma. CD8+ T-lymphocytes, crucial effector and regulatory cells in inflammation, are increased in the central and peripheral airways in COPD. The aim of this study was to assess the role of apoptosis in the accumulation of CD8+ T-lymphocytes within the airway wall in COPD. ⋯ TUNEL and immunohistochemistry techniques were used to identify apoptosis and cell phenotype, respectively. The percentage of apoptotic CD8+ T-lymphocytes was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) in smokers with mild/moderate COPD than in non-smokers, smokers with normal lung function, and smokers with severe/very severe COPD, and was positively related to values of FEV(1) and FEV(1)/FVC ratio, both in central and in peripheral airways. These data suggest that reduced apoptosis of CD8+ T-lymphocytes may be an important mechanism that contributes to the accumulation of these cells in the airway submucosa in smokers with mild/moderate COPD.
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Respiratory medicine · Oct 2011
Angiotensin-converting enzyme polymorphism affects outcome of local Chinese with acute lung injury.
Acute Lung Injury (ALI) with genetic predisposition is fatal. Relationship between angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion (ACE I/D) polymorphism and the prognosis of local Chinese patients with ALI was investigated; meanwhile, the mechanisms involved were explored. ⋯ ACE I/D polymorphism is a prognostic factor for ALI. Patients with the DD genotype have higher mortality of ALI. Polymorphism influences the expression of ACE gene in LPS-stimulated PBMC, DD genotype leads to higher level of mRNA and enzyme activity. It may be one of the mechanisms involved.
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Respiratory medicine · Oct 2011
The need for medication reconciliation: a cross-sectional observational study in adult patients.
Poor communication of drug therapy at care interface often results in medication errors and adverse drug events. Medication reconciliation has been introduced as a measure to improve continuity of patient care. The aim of this cross-sectional observational study was to evaluate the need for medication reconciliation. ⋯ This study provided evidence in a small sample of patients on the discontinuity of drug therapy at patient discharge in a hospital in Slovenia and its implications for patient care. To ensure continuity and safety of patient care, medication reconciliation should be implemented throughout a patient's hospital stay.
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Respiratory medicine · Sep 2011
Review Meta AnalysisComputerized lung sound analysis as diagnostic aid for the detection of abnormal lung sounds: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
The standardized use of a stethoscope for chest auscultation in clinical research is limited by its inherent inter-listener variability. Electronic auscultation and automated classification of recorded lung sounds may help prevent some of these shortcomings. ⋯ While quality data on CLSA are relatively limited, analysis of existing information suggests that CLSA can provide a relatively high specificity for detecting abnormal lung sounds such as crackles and wheezes. Further research and product development could promote the value of CLSA in research studies or its diagnostic utility in clinical settings.