Thorax
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Randomised, placebo controlled trial of nebulised furosemide for breathlessness in patients with cancer.
Breathlessness is a common and difficult symptom to treat in patients with cancer. Case reports suggest that nebulised furosemide can relieve breathlessness in such patients but few data are available. ⋯ Our findings do not support a beneficial effect from nebulised furosemide in patients with cancer related breathlessness. Listed on the National Research Register (N0170118249) and the UK Clinical Research Network Portfolio Database (1428).
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Angiopoietin-2, permeability oedema, occurrence and severity of ALI/ARDS in septic and non-septic critically ill patients.
Angiopoietin-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may impair vascular barrier function while angiopoietin-1 may protect it. It was hypothesised that circulating angiopoietin-2 is associated with pulmonary permeability oedema and severity of acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) during septic or non-septic critical illness. ⋯ Circulating angiopoietin-2 is associated with pulmonary permeability oedema, occurrence and severity of ALI/ARDS in patients with and without sepsis. The correlation of angiopoietin-2 with VWF suggests activated endothelium as a common source.
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Review Comparative Study
Cost-effectiveness of using continuous positive airway pressure in the treatment of severe obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome in the UK.
A study was undertaken to estimate the cost-effectiveness of using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in the management of patients with severe obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) compared with no treatment from the perspective of the UK's National Health Service (NHS). ⋯ Within the limitations of the model, CPAP was found to be clinically more effective than no treatment and, from the perspective of the UK's NHS, a cost-effective strategy after a minimum of 2 years of treatment.
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The association of murine asthma with adiposity may be mediated by adiponectin, an anti-inflammatory adipokine with reduced serum concentrations in obese subjects. A study was undertaken to examine whether the serum adiponectin concentration is associated with human asthma and whether it explains the association between adiposity and asthma, particularly in women and in premenopausal women. ⋯ A high serum adiponectin concentration may protect against current asthma in premenopausal women but does not explain the association between asthma and adiposity.
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There are many reference equations for the measurement of single breath carbon monoxide diffusing capacity of the lung (Tlco). However, the testing methodologies vary and there are no well documented studies that have developed reference equations for Tlco and alveolar volume (Va) in middle aged and older populations. ⋯ We have described new prediction equations for Tlco in a middle aged population that require validation in other populations.