Archivos de bronconeumología
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Arch. Bronconeumol. · Apr 2011
ReviewRelationship between gastro-oesophageal reflux and airway diseases: the airway reflux paradigm.
Our understanding of the relationship between gastro-oesophageal reflux and respiratory disease has recently undergone important changes. The previous paradigm of airway reflux as synonymous with the classic gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) causing heartburn has been overturned. Numerous epidemiological studies have shown a highly significant association of the acid, liquid, and gaseous reflux of GORD with conditions such as laryngeal diseases, chronic rhinosinusitis, treatment resistant asthma, COPD and even idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. ⋯ The evidence for such a relationship relies on the clinical history pointing to symptom associations with known precipitants of reflux. The tools for the diagnosis of extra-oesophageal reflux, in contrast to the oesophageal reflux of GORD, lack sensitivity and reproducibility. Unfortunately, methodology for detecting such reflux is only just becoming available and much additional work is required to properly delineate its role.
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Arch. Bronconeumol. · Apr 2011
Review[Physiology and physiopathology of the distal airways in asthma].
The small airways are those with an internal diameter of less than 2 mm. The contribution of these airways to total airflow resistance is small in healthy individuals but can represent 50-90 % of total airflow resistance in asthmatics. Suspicion of small airways disease has been based on reduction of midexpiratory and instantaneous flows, although wide variability in their values and the absence of a sufficiently validated cut-off point has limited their clinical application. ⋯ The characteristic pattern of peripheral obstruction includes a decrease in frequency-dependent resistance, reduced reactivity and an increase in resonance frequency. Single-or multiple-breath nitrogen washout can also provide specific information on the small airways, although the apparatus required is less frequently available. Analysis through bicompartmental models of exhaled nitric oxide allows alveolar nitric oxide concentrations to be determined, which seems to provide information on inflammatory activity in the small airways.
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To describe our experience in airway complications following lung transplant and to suggest a management algorithm, using different tools from the Interventional Pulmonology armamentarium. ⋯ Airway complications after lung transplant are frequent. Balloon dilation was effective only in a few patients with bronchial stenosis, although the majority ultimately needed a stent. Airway repermeabilization after stent placement improved FEV(1). Based on our experience, we propose a management algorithm for airway complications after lung transplant.
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Arch. Bronconeumol. · Mar 2011
Nuclear translocation of the glucocorticoid receptor in fibroblasts of asthmatic patients with nasal polyposis insensitive to glucocorticoid treatment.
Nasal polyposis (NP) is treated with topical glucocorticoids (GC). Some patients require endoscopic nasal surgery because GC treatment is ineffective. To exert its function, the GC needs to bind with the GC receptor (GR) and the GC-GR complex moves to the cell nucleus. Our aim was to establish whether the poor response to GC is due to an alteration in the translocation of the GR to the nucleus. ⋯ The insensitivity to GC treatment does not appear to be due to an alteration in GR translocation to the nucleus. Neither does the severity of asthma or intolerance to NSAIDs appear to alter GR translocation. The association between atopy and the alteration in GR function deserves further investigation.