Respiratory care
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This study was conducted to measure the serial changes in pulmonary function over 12 months after lobectomy in subjects with lung cancer and to evaluate the actual recovery of pulmonary function in comparison with the predicted postoperative values. ⋯ Actual pulmonary function compared with predicted postoperative values improved over time over 1 y after lobectomy. However, this improvement was not observed in subjects with COPD or in those who underwent thoracotomy or received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.
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Bubble CPAP, used for spontaneously breathing infants to avoid intubation or postextubation support, can be delivered with different interface types. This study compared the effect that interfaces had on CPAP delivery. We hypothesized that there would be no difference between set and measured levels between interface types. ⋯ Set flow had a profound effect on measured CPAP. The concomitant drop in measured pressure with high and low flows could be attributed to increased resistance to spontaneous breathing or insufficient flow to meet inspiratory demand. Clinicians should be aware of the effect that the interface and flow have on CPAP delivery.
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To our knowledge, there is no study on the level of telomerase in subjects with COPD during an exacerbation period. The objective of this work was to compare lipid peroxidation, telomerase, zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and malondialdehyde levels in asymptomatic smokers and subjects with COPD exacerbation. ⋯ The reason why the subjects had a reduced Cu/Zn ratio and increased levels of telomerase, Cu, and Zn is likely to be oxidative stress, which can be defined as an increased exposure to oxidants and/or decreased antioxidant capacities It is obvious from this study that lung oxidant-antioxidant balance is abnormal in subjects with COPD exacerbation and also that the increased level of telomerase is associated with this imbalance.