Respiratory Research - Latest articlesThe latest articles from Respiratory Research (ISSN 1465-9921) published by BioMed CentralThe value of ischemia-modified albumin compared with d-dimer in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism- May 30, 2008 Study objectiveThe primary aim of this study was to investigate whether IMA levels are helpful in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE). The secondary aim was to determine whether IMA was more effective alone or in combination with clinical probability scores in the diagnosis of PE. Thirdly, the sensitivity and specificity of IMA is compared with D-dimer both with and without clinical probability scores in patients with suspected PE. Methods: Consecutive patients presenting to the emergency..http://respiratory-research.com/content/9/1/49 Severe asthma exacerbation: role of acute Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection- May 30, 2008 Background: Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae are associated with acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma (AEBA). The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between these acute bacterial infections and the severity of AEBA. Methods: We prospectively analysed consecutive patients admitted to the Emergency Department with acute asthma exacerbation. In every patient peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurement was performed on admission, and spirometry during follow-up....http://respiratory-research.com/content/9/1/48 Dynamics of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine release during zcute inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an ex vivo stu- May 29, 2008 Background: Exacerbations of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are an important cause of the morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. Strategies to reduce exacerbation frequency are thus urgently required and depend on an understanding of the inflammatory milieu associated with exacerbation episodes. Bacterial colonisation has been shown to be related to the degree of airflow obstruction and increased exacerbation frequency. The aim of this study was to asses the kinetics.http://respiratory-research.com/content/9/1/47 Could a defective epithelial sodium channel lead to bronchiectasis- May 28, 2008 Background: Bronchiectasis is defined as a permanent dilation of the airways arising from chronic bronchial inflammationinfection. In 50% of cases, no etiology can be identified. Recently, the role of the epithelial sodium channel ENaC has been pointed out in the pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis, a disease due to mutations in the CFTR gene and causing bronchiectasis in the airways. Moreover, it was found that transgenic mice overexpressing ENaC present cystic fibrosis-like lung disease...http://respiratory-research.com/content/9/1/46 Non-invasive measurements of exhaled NO and CO associated with methacholine responses in mice- May 27, 2008 Background: Nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) in exhaled breath are considered obtainable biomarkers of physiologic mechanisms. Therefore, obtaining their measures simply, non-invasively, and repeatedly, is of interest, and was the purpose of the current study. Methods: Expired NO (ENO) and CO (ECO) were measured non-invasively using a gas micro-analyzer on several strains of mice (C57Bl6, IL-10--, AJ, MKK3--, JNK1--, iNOS-- and eNOS--) with and without allergic airway inflammation...http://respiratory-research.com/content/9/1/45 Synthesis of tenascin and laminin beta2 chain in human bronchial epithelial cells is enhanced by cysteinyl leukotrienes via CysLT1 receptor- May 26, 2008 Background: Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) are key mediators of asthma, but their role in the genesis of airway remodeling is insufficiently understood. Recent evidence suggests that increased expression of tenascin (Tn) and laminin (Ln) 2 chain is indicative of the remodeling activity in asthma, but represents also an example of deposition of extracellular matrix, which affects the airway wall compliance. We tested the hypothesis that CysLTs affect production of Tn and Ln 2 chain by human...http://respiratory-research.com/content/9/1/44 Angiotensin II type 2 receptor antagonist reduces bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice- May 23, 2008 Background: The role of angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2) in pulmonary fibrosis is unknown. To evaluate the influence of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) and AT2 antagonists in a mouse model of bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Methods: We examined effects of the AT1 antagonist (AT1A) olmesartan medoxomil (olmesartan) and the AT2 antagonist (AT2A) PD-123319 on BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis, which was evaluated by Ashcroft's pathological scoring and hydroxyproline content of...http://respiratory-research.com/content/9/1/43 Cigarette smoke enhances Th-2 driven airway inflammation and delays inhalational tolerance- May 20, 2008 Background: Active smoking increases asthma severity and is related to diminished treatment efficacy. Animal models in which inhalation of both allergen and mainstream cigarette smoke are combined can help us to understand the complex interaction between both agents. We have recently shown that, in allergic mice, the airway inflammation can be cleared by repeated allergen challenge, resulting in the establishment of a state of inhalational tolerance. Methods: In this study, we assessed in vivo..http://respiratory-research.com/content/9/1/42 |