Respirology : official journal of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology
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Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a central chemokine in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and the IL-8 gene contains a functional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) -251A/T in its promoter region. We hypothesized that IL-8 -251A/T SNP is associated with PaO(2)/FiO(2) in critically ill patients. ⋯ Critically ill Caucasian patients who had the AA genotype of IL-8 -251A/T had an increased risk of PaO(2)/FiO(2) <200. The AA genotype was associated with greater IL-8 mRNA expression than the AT or TT genotypes.
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Drainage of the pleural space is a common procedure. The safety of chest tube insertion in patients using clopidogrel has not been investigated. ⋯ Given the known effects of clopidogrel on platelet function, these results were interpreted as indicating that clopidogrel therapy is a relative but not an absolute contraindication to chest tube insertion, if an experienced operator places a small-bore tube under ultrasound guidance.
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A single dose of 10 Gy radiation to the thorax of rats results in decreased total lung angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity, pulmonary artery distensibility and distal vascular density while increasing pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) at 2 months post-exposure. In this study, we evaluate the potential of a renin-angiotensin system (RAS) modulator, the ACE inhibitor captopril, to mitigate this pulmonary vascular damage. ⋯ Captopril resulted in a reduction in pulmonary vascular injury that supports its use as a radiomitigator after an unexpected radiological event such as a nuclear accident.
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Population-based data on pleural infections are limited. This study describes the temporal trends in the incidence, management and outcomes of pleural infections in Taiwan. ⋯ These findings suggest that advances in the management of pleural infections and subsequent severe sepsis may have led to a reduction in the risk of short-term mortality in Taiwan.
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Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is important in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In patients with emphysema, lung hyperinflation identified radiologically as shortening and flattening of the diaphragm is associated with impaired HRQoL. It remains unclear whether shortening of the diaphragm and/or alteration in chest wall shape are associated with reduced pulmonary function and HRQoL. ⋯ Reduced lung volume around the diaphragm correlated with lung hyperinflation and HRQoL, independent of emphysema severity. This needs to be verified in additional studies.