American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
-
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Nov 2014
Network Analysis in the Investigation of Chronic Respiratory Diseases: from Basics to Application.
Chronic respiratory diseases are complex multifactorial disorders whose pathogenesis depends on the interplay between host and environmental factors. To fully understand them and to identify novel treatments, a holistic approach that integrates multiple types and levels of clinical and biological data is necessary. ⋯ Accordingly, this Pulmonary Perspective: (1) outlines the basic concepts of networks in biology and the fundamentals of network analysis, and (2) discusses recent applications of network analysis to understand respiratory diseases. The intent of this Perspective is to provide readers with increased understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of network analysis methods as well as their usefulness in addressing research questions involving chronic respiratory diseases.
-
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Nov 2014
Observational StudyAssociation of Post-discharge Rehabilitation with Mortality in Intensive Care Unit Survivors of Sepsis.
Intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired weakness is a common issue for sepsis survivors that is characterized by impaired muscle strength and causes functional disability. Although inpatient rehabilitation has not been found to reduce in-hospital mortality, the impact of postdischarge rehabilitation on sepsis survivors is uncertain. ⋯ Postdischarge rehabilitation may be associated with a reduced risk of 10-year mortality in the subset of patients with particularly long ICU courses.
-
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Nov 2014
Lung-residing Myeloid-derived Suppressors Display Dual Functionality in Murine Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
Myeloid cells encompass distinct populations with unique functions during homeostasis and disease. Recently, a novel subset of innate cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), has been described in cancer, which suppresses T-cell responses and fosters disease progression. The role of MDSCs in infection is insufficiently addressed. ⋯ Our data reveal that MDSCs provide a niche for pathogen survival and tailor immunity in TB. These findings suggest MDSCs as amenable targets for host-directed therapies and emphasize them as cellular-immune regulators during chronic inflammatory conditions, including chronic infections and microbial complications of neoplastic disorders.