Articles: function.
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Semin Respir Crit Care Med · Apr 2015
ReviewInhaled Antibiotics in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and Non-CF Bronchiectasis.
Bronchiectasis is a pathological diagnosis describing dilatation of the airways and is characterized by chronic lung sepsis. Bronchiectasis has multiple etiologies, but is usually considered in terms of whether it is due to the genetic disorder cystic fibrosis (CF) or secondary to other causes (non-CF bronchiectasis, NCFB). Inhaled antibiotics are used in bronchiectasis to suppress bacterial pathogens and reduce long-term lung function decline. ⋯ In this article, the use of inhaled antibiotics in CF and NCFB is considered in the light of improved understanding of the lung microbiome and why more tailored therapy may be needed based on molecular identification of the microbial pathogens present. The evidence for the use of currently available inhaled antibiotics and advances in inhaled drug packaging and delivery devices are discussed. Finally, the urgent need for prospective randomized clinical trials in CF and NCFB is highlighted and areas for future research identified.
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Development and application of psychophysical test paradigms to assess endogenous pain modulation in healthy controls and in patients yielded large body of data over the last 2 decades. These tests can assist in predicting pain acquisition, in characterizing pain syndromes and related dysfunctions of pain modulation, and in predicting response to treatment. This chapter reviews the development of thought on pain modulation in the clinical setup, focusing on conditioned pain modulation, and update on accumulated data regarding the mechanism, protocols of administration, and applications in the clinic.
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Sepsis, defined by the presence of infection and host inflammation, is a lethal clinical syndrome with an increasing mortality rate worldwide. In severe disease, the coagulation system becomes diffusely activated, with consumption of multiple clotting factors resulting in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). When present, DIC portends a higher mortality rate. Understanding the mechanisms that tie inflammation and diffuse thrombosis will allow therapeutic interventions to be developed. The coagulopathy of acute sepsis is a dynamic process that is time and disease burden specific. Whole-blood testing of coagulation may provide more clinically useful information than the classical tests. Natural anticoagulants that regulate thrombosis are downregulated in sepsis. Patients may benefit from the modulation of the coagulation system when systemic inflammation and hypercoagulopathy exist. Proper timing of anticoagulant therapy may ultimately lead to decreased incidence of multisystem organ dysfunction. ⋯ The prevention of DIC in septic patients is a key therapeutic target in preventing death from multisystem organ failure. Stratifying patients for therapy using thromboelastometry, specific markers for DIC, and composite scoring systems is an area of growing research.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Apr 2015
ReviewNutrition and metabolic support for critically ill patients.
Acute critical illness increases the risk of malnutrition, are more obese, and have multiple comorbidities and frequent pre-existing nutritional deficits. There is a vast amount of research and literature being written on nutritional practices in the critically ill. We review and discuss herein the important nutrition literature over the past 12 months. ⋯ Nutrition and metabolic support of critically ill patients is a complex and diverse topic. Nutritional measurements, requirements, and modes and routes of delivery are currently being studied to determine the best way to treat these complicated patients. We present just a few of the current controversial topics in this fascinating arena.
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Semin Respir Crit Care Med · Apr 2015
ReviewFungi in cystic fibrosis and non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.
Bronchiectasis is a pathologic bronchial dilatation with loss of function that can result from multiple inflammatory and infectious injuries to the conducting airways of the lung. Molds, particularly the filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, have been implicated as a common cause of both cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF bronchiectasis, the latter primarily in patients with severe asthma. The pathogenesis of mold-associated bronchiectasis is usually due to atopic sensitization to mold allergens in the presence of active chronic endobronchial fungal infection with host innate and adaptive immune deviation to a Th2-dominated inflammation, a condition known as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) (or allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis if a non-Aspergillus mold is implicated). Diagnostic criteria of ABPA continue to evolve, while treatment relies upon downregulation of the allergic inflammatory response with immunomodulatory agents and antifungal pharmacotherapy.