American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Jul 2013
Endothelial microparticles in mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema. The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease study.
Basic research implicates alveolar endothelial cell apoptosis in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema. However, information on endothelial microparticles (EMPs) in mild COPD and emphysema is lacking. ⋯ CD31(+) EMPs, suggestive of endothelial cell apoptosis, were elevated in mild COPD and emphysema. In contrast, CD62E(+) EMPs indicative of endothelial activation were elevated in severe COPD and hyperinflation.
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Jul 2013
Contribution of moxifloxacin or levofloxacin in second-line regimens with or without continuation of pyrazinamide in murine tuberculosis.
High-dose levofloxacin (L) (1,000 mg) was as active as moxifloxacin (M) (400 mg) in an early bactericidal activity trial, suggesting these fluoroquinolones could be used interchangeably. Whether pyrazinamide (Z) contributes sterilizing activity beyond the first 2 months in fluoroquinolone-containing second-line regimens remains unknown. ⋯ In murine tuberculosis, M had superior efficacy compared with L despite lower serum drug exposures and may remain the fluoroquinolone of choice for second-line regimens. Z contributed substantial sterilizing activity beyond 2 months in fluoroquinolone-containing second-line regimens, largely compensating for L's weaker activity.