Respirology : official journal of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology
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Differences in central airway wall structure in patients with various forms of expiratory central airway collapse can be identified by endobronchial ultrasound using a 20 MHz radial probe. In tracheobronchomalacia due to relapsing polychondritis, the cartilage is thick and irregular while the membranous portion is normal. ⋯ In excessive dynamic airway collapse associated with COPD, on the contrary, the cartilage is normal and the posterior membrane is thin when compared to the normal airway wall structures identified in a patient with physiological dynamic airway collapse. These findings may support the hypothesis that various clinical forms of expiratory central airway collapse are not only different morphologically, physiologically and aetiologically, but also structurally.
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There were three events of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in China from 2003 to 2004. Starting from 2002, we are also aware of the increasing alert of an avian flu pandemic. ⋯ What we have experienced during SARS outbreaks has great implications for the protection of people against a resurgence of SARS and potential attacks of high-pathogenic avian flu viruses. To that end, China has been preparing to contain future pandemics by applying lessons learnt from SARS.
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Controlled Clinical Trial
Airway responses to salbutamol after exposure to chemical warfare.
Increased airway responsiveness to beta-agonists is noted in asthmatics and smokers. The lung may be exposed to chemical warfare agents such as mustard gas and pulmonary complications of exposure range from no effect to severe bronchial stenosis. There is little understanding of airway hyperresponsiveness to beta-agonist drugs in chemical war victims and this study examined airway responsiveness to salbutamol in victims of chemical warfare. ⋯ These results showed increased airway responsiveness to salbutamol in most subjects exposed to chemical warfare; this was correlated with airway calibre.
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Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to contribute to the development of pulmonary oedema, and has been suggested to have a protective role against lung injury. To determine the role of VEGF in acute lung injury (ALI) and ARDS, VEGF levels were measured in lung epithelial lining fluid (ELF) collected from patients with ALI/ARDS. ⋯ In patients with ALI/ARDS, elevated VEGF levels in ELF may predict a better outcome. Increased production of VEGF in the injured lung may contribute to resolution of inflammation in the lung.