Respiratory care
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Comparative Study
Comparison of Therapist-Directed and Physician-Directed Respiratory Care in COPD Subjects with Acute Pneumonia.
The purpose of this retrospective medical record review was to compare the effects of therapist-directed (protocol RT) and physician-directed (non-protocol RT) respiratory therapy on hospital stay and 30-d post-discharge readmission in COPD subjects with acute bacterial pneumonia. ⋯ We interpreted the finding of no difference in mean hospital stay between protocol and non-protocol RT to indicate that protocol RT did not confer a disadvantage to subjects in terms of hospital stay. Additionally, the results suggest that treatment efficacy is not sacrificed when RT is directed by respiratory therapists rather than by physicians regardless of disease severity and that therapist-directed protocols may have been of some benefit in reducing 30-d post-discharge readmission.
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This study aimed to develop an overlap syndrome rat model with intermittent hypoxia (IH) exposure as seen in obstructive sleep apnea, on a base of preexisting emphysema caused by 16 wk of smoke exposure to determine whether IH and emphysema existing simultaneously play overlapped roles on systematic/endothelial inflammation and endothelial damage. ⋯ Regardless of whether IH and emphysema exposure are mechanistically synergistic, this overlap elicits a more severe systematic/endothelial inflammation and endothelial damage; meanwhile, a robust mobilization of EPCs is demonstrated, which is not to mean a robust adherent and repairing capability.
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Review Meta Analysis
The Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous Immunotherapy in Mite-Sensitized Subjects With Asthma: A Meta-Analysis.
Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is widely used in the management of allergic diseases such as allergic asthma. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SCIT in mite-sensitized subjects with asthma. ⋯ Our results suggest that SCIT is helpful in alleviating symptoms and reducing medication used in mite-sensitive asthma subjects, but with no improvement in lung function. The safety of SCIT is acceptable.