Respirology : official journal of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology
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Bronchoscopy education is undergoing significant changes in step with other medical and surgical specialties that seek to incorporate simulation-based training and objective measurement of procedural skills into training programmes. Low- and high-fidelity simulators are now available and allow learners to gain fundamental bronchoscopy skills in a zero-risk environment. ⋯ Educational concepts including the 'flipped classroom' model and problem-based learning exercises are increasingly used in bronchoscopy training programmes. These learner-centric teaching modalities require well-trained educators, which is possible thorough the expansion of existing faculty development programmes.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Diagnostic performance comparison of the Chartis System and high-resolution computerized tomography fissure analysis for planning endoscopic lung volume reduction.
Endobronchial valve (EBV) therapy is optimized in patients who demonstrate little or no collateral ventilation (CV). The accuracy of the Chartis System and visual assessment of high-resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) fissure completeness by a core radiology laboratory for classifying CV status was compared by evaluating the relationship of each method with target lobe volume reduction (TLVR) after EBV placement. ⋯ When evaluating patients for likelihood of successful EBV therapy, the Chartis System CV assessment and HRCT fissure analysis appear to have comparable accuracy. Both techniques were found to be beneficial for EBV procedure planning.
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The soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) is a promising diagnostic marker for many types of infections. A bivariate meta-analysis was performed to evaluate its diagnostic value for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of Science (from January 1966 to August 2013) for all trials assessing diagnostic value of sTREM-1 for LRTI. ⋯ The Q* of sTREM-1 for distinguishing culture-positive LRTI from culture-negative diseases was 0.79, and the area under SROC curve was 0.86. Current evidence suggests that sTREM-1 is an accurate marker of LRTI. The overall diagnostic value of sTREM-1 for LRTI, community-acquired LRTI and hospital-acquired LRTI is similar.
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Asthma is a chronic and heterogeneous inflammatory disorder with several different phenotypes. Whereas clinical features of asthma are non-specific and pulmonary function tests are often insensitive, further development is needed for efficient treatment or even early diagnosis. Recently, several airway inflammatory biomarkers have emerged as valuable tools in diagnosis and management of asthma. ⋯ Novel therapeutic agents have been developed to target various biomarkers involved in the inflammatory responses and have been investigated in patients with asthma. In this article, we summarized the most studied asthma biomarkers, derived from a variety of biological sources including exhaled gases, induced sputum, serum and urine. Likewise, the effects of current anti-inflammatory asthma treatments on inflammatory biomarkers and some promising biomarkers for developing new targeted therapies are also discussed.