Respirology : official journal of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology
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Tuberculosis (TB) is the top killer of the productive age group in developing countries. More than half of cases in the world occur in Asia-Pacific region. The number of cases will increase in the next decades due to increase in urban poor population and HIV incidence, and poor access to health services and poor TB programme. ⋯ There is a strong correlation between the overall quality of TB control in the past and the current primary drug-resistant rate. To solve these problems, priority should be given to nationwide implementation of DOTS in high TB-burden countries with emphasis on ensuring availability of free anti-TB drugs and strengthening primary health care. General hospitals and private sector should be involved in control programmes to prevent drug resistant cases.
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Comparative Study
Determination of adenosine deaminase activity and its isoenzymes for diagnosis of pleural effusions.
We aimed to investigate adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity and the activities of its ADA1 and ADA2 isoenzymes in pleural effusions and also sera with different aetiological origins. ⋯ Determination of ADA and its isoenzymes can help to differentiate the causes of pleural effusion. Increased ADA2 activity is a striking marker of tuberculous effusions. In contrast, increased ADA1 activity was significantly elevated in parapneumonic effusions.
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The aim of the present study was to evaluate the pericardial involvement in patients with malignant mesothelioma caused by exposure to different minerals. ⋯ Pericardial involvement is commonly seen in patients with malignant mesothelioma. Among patients exposed to asbestos or zeolite there was no difference in terms of pericardial involvement. Furthermore, pericardial involvement was not related with the stage of the tumour.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
A double-blind, placebo-controlled steroid-sparing study with budesonide Turbuhaler in Japanese oral steroid-dependent asthma patients. Japanese Pulmicort Turbuhaler study group.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral steroid-sparing capacity of budesonide Turbuhaler. ⋯ Budesonide Turbuhaler, 800 microg and 1600 microg daily, resulted in a significant reduction in oral steroid usage in steroid-dependent patients. The effect was achieved with maintained asthma control together with improvements in lung and adrenal functions.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Intravenous magnesium sulfate in acute severe asthma.
Intravenous magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), as an adjunctive medication to the standard treatment of acute asthma, improves admission rate or severity score in acute severe asthma patients. ⋯ With the present evidence, the hypothesis was not confirmed. Magnesium sulphate as an adjunct to standard therapy did not improve either admission rate or severity score in patients with acute severe asthma.