Respirology : official journal of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology
-
Expression of genes involved in DNA repair and/or DNA synthesis, including ribonucleotide reductase M1 (RRM1) and excision repair cross-complementation 1 (ERCC1) has been reported to be associated with chemosensitivity to platinum agents and gemcitabine. The aim of this study was to test whether similar associations would be seen between mRNA expression for the RRM1, ERCC1 and ERCC2 genes and in vitro chemosensitivity in lung cancer. ⋯ These in vitro results suggest that further studies are needed to evaluate the expression of the RRM1, ERCC1 and ERCC2 genes as predictive biomarkers for sensitivity to platinum agents and gemcitabine.
-
ARDS is life-threatening acute respiratory failure, and pneumonia is one of the most common causes of direct ARDS. Procalcitonin (PCT) has been evaluated for its utility in determining the aetiology of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), choice of antibiotics and prediction of outcome. This study evaluated the role of PCT in predicting the outcome of patients with ARDS caused by severe CAP. ⋯ PCT analysed within 72 h of the onset of ARDS predicted mortality of patients with ARDS caused by severe CAP.
-
Case Reports
Combined lung fibrosis and 'mechanic's hand': a clinical diagnostic clue to amyopathic antisynthetase syndrome.
Combined interstitial lung disease and the presence of 'mechanic's hands' could be a clinical clue in the early diagnosis of the rare disease, amyopathic antisynthetase syndrome for which anti-Jo-1 antibody is a useful diagnostic tool. The case is reported of a patient who suffered from shortness of breath and dry cough, with pulmonary fibrosis on CXR and CT scan, and interstitial pneumonitis on trans-bronchial biopsy. ⋯ The patient was treated with prednisolone and her clinical picture, including the 'mechanic's hands' and lung fibrosis, subsided gradually, suggesting that the sign may be a useful follow up tool in this disease. Early diagnosis and corticosteroid therapy could be beneficial for these patients.
-
This descriptive study assessed whether a reusable commercially available surgivac pump was a safe and affordable method for draining chronic malignant pleural effusions with an indwelling pleural catheter. ⋯ The use of a surgivac pump to drain malignant effusions via a chronic indwelling pleural catheter is safe and results in a pleurodesis comparable to the more commonly used negative pressure containers (vacuum bottles).
-
Comparative Study
Clinically occult subpleural fibrosis and acute interstitial pneumonia a precursor to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?
The clinical features and acute component of the pathological findings in patients with acute exacerbation of IPF are similar to those of acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP). A growing body of research suggests that acute exacerbation of subclinical IPF is similar to AIP. This study tested the hypothesis that subpleural fibrosis (resembling localized usual interstitial pneumonia) in patients with diffuse alveolar damage can mimic patients with AIP alone. ⋯ Subpleural fibrosis resembling localized usual interstitial pneumonia is often present in patients diagnosed as having AIP. These patients were not distinguishable from those with AIP only, based on the clinicopathological and radiological findings.