Chest
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Paradoxically, the vast majority of research models intended to understand the relationship between exogenous exposures and lung disease are reduced to a single inhalant. This approach is understandable given the practical challenges of investigation, but it is problematic in terms of translation to the real-world human condition. Furthermore, use of data from such models can lead to underestimation of effect, which may adversely influence regulatory imperatives to protect public health based on the most robust information. ⋯ From DNA methylation in the epithelium, to inflammatory mediators and allergen-specific antibodies in the airway, to airflow limitation and symptoms, the addition of a common second exposure induces profound changes. In addition, genetic variation significantly alters the product of these relationships, and capturing multidimensional interactions may reveal susceptible populations who are particularly affected by these exposures and may merit focused measures for protection. Collectively, better modeling, and ultimately deeper knowledge, of these complex relationships has important implications for personalized health and prevention, development and refinement of pharmacologic agents, and public health responses to climate change and the staggering burden of pollution-driven disease worldwide.
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Chronic cough in interstitial lung disease (ILD) causes significant impairment in quality of life. Effective treatment approaches are needed for cough associated with ILD. ⋯ The evidence supporting the management of chronic cough in ILD is limited. This guideline presents suggestions for managing and treating cough on the best available evidence, but future research is clearly needed.
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Comparative Study
Tumor Spread Through Air Spaces Identifies a Distinct Subgroup With Poor Prognosis in Surgically Resected Lung Pleomorphic Carcinoma.
Tumor spread through air spaces (STAS) has recently been reported as a novel form of lung adenocarcinoma invasion that can negatively affect survival; however, its role in pleomorphic carcinoma remains unclear. The goal of this study was to characterize tumor STAS in pleomorphic carcinoma, including its association with clinicopathologic features and prognosis. ⋯ In this first study of its kind, tumor STAS in patients with pleomorphic carcinoma was shown to be associated with high recurrence rates and poor survival after surgical resection. Hence, tumor STAS can serve as a predictor of postoperative survival; this information will enable better risk stratification and more effective clinical management of patients with this rare type of tumor.
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A 62-year-old woman with no medical history was admitted to the ED for fever, acute respiratory failure, and pain in the right lower limb. Three months prior to presentation, she had spent 45 days travelling through India and Thailand. ⋯ Despite this antibiotic treatment, her symptoms worsened and she developed, over the following 3 weeks, general weakness and arthralgia/myalgia. Due to the severity of hypoxemia, the patient was immediately transferred to the ICU.
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Clinical Trial
Left Atrial Volume as a Biomarker of Target Organ Damage in Cardionephrology: A Study in a Wide Range of Renal Function.
Cardiac chamber size was previously studied by echocardiography, among patients with progressive kidney disease only. We aimed to explore the relations between all heart chamber volumes as assessed by CT pulmonary angiography and renal function, throughout all ranges. ⋯ A simple concomitant volumetric analysis of all four cardiac chambers by CT pulmonary angiography demonstrated that differences in volume correlate with renal function even within the normal range spectrum. The difference was most evident in the left atrium. This finding may be the first clue to evolving cardiorenal syndrome and may serve as a target for early therapeutic interventions.