M. Shameem, Nazish Fatima, Asrar Ahmad, A. Malik, Q. Husain
{"title":"Correlation of Serum C-Reactive Protein with Disease Severity in Tuberculosis Patients","authors":"M. Shameem, Nazish Fatima, Asrar Ahmad, A. Malik, Q. Husain","doi":"10.4236/OJRD.2012.24014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4236/OJRD.2012.24014","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: To study the factors influencing sputum smear conversion including Serum C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and its correlation with disease severity in tuberculosis patients. Method: Levels of Serum-CRP concentrations were deter-mined in 60 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, 30 healthy volunteers and patients in follow-up after completion of antitubercular treatment (DOTS therapy). Results: Serum-CRP levels were found to be significantly higher in smear-positive group as compared with the follow-up patients and smear-negative control group. The values were 43.65 ± 23.68, 9.88 ± 5.23 and 4.04 ± 3.85 mg/L respectively (P Conclusion: Serum-CRP levels are significantly correlated with disease severity in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis. Thus these findings from the present study would certainly add new criteria for early diagnosis of TB, which may lead to development of new strategies to treat TB.","PeriodicalId":83134,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of respiratory diseases","volume":"2 1","pages":"95-100"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70582308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
B. Brashier, J. Londhe, S. Madas, Vandana Vincent, S. Salvi
{"title":"Prevalence of Self-Reported Respiratory Symptoms, Asthma and Chronic Bronchitis in Slum Area of a Rapidly Developing Indian City","authors":"B. Brashier, J. Londhe, S. Madas, Vandana Vincent, S. Salvi","doi":"10.4236/OJRD.2012.23011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4236/OJRD.2012.23011","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Poverty is an important surrogate marker for obstructive airway diseases (OAD). Slum constitutes a habitat wherein various poverty related parameters are perpetually prevalent in the ambience. 1/6th of world population lives in slums yet there is no information regarding their health status in context to asthma and COPD. Aims: We investigated the prevalence of asthma and chronic-bronchitis symptoms and associated risk-factors in slum habitats of Pune city. Methodology: 7062 adult slum-dwellers living in 12 slums of Pune city were cross-sectionally interviewed by local healthcare workers with respiratory health questionnaire which was designed using respiratory symptoms of validated European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS II) questionnaire and International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) bronchial symptoms questionnaire. Results: The overall prevalence of selfreported asthma symptoms was 10% (18 - 40 years: 6.5%; >40 years: 13.5%). The overall prevalence of chronic bronchitis was 8.5% [18 - 40 years: 7% (males: 7%, females: 7%); >40 years: 10% (males: 10%, females: 10%)]. Increasing age (p = 0.00), female gender (p = 0.001), unemployment (0.00) current smoking (p = 0.00) and ex-smoking (p = 0.004) emerged as significant risk factor for asthma. While, ex-smoking (p = 0.004) and low-education status (p = 0.00) emerged as significant risk factors for chronic bronchitis. Conclusion: In slums reporting of asthma and chronic-bronchitis symptoms was much higher than what has been reported earlier from India. Asthma was commonly seen in females, old age, unemployed and ever-smokers. While chronic bronchitis was commonly seen in ex-smokers and illiterate subjects. Chronic bronchitis was equally distributed amongst male and females, despite 0% prevalence of smoking in females.","PeriodicalId":83134,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of respiratory diseases","volume":"2012 1","pages":"73-81"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70581958","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Breyer Marie-Kathrin, A. RuttenEricP., A. SpruitMartijn, J. HopWimC., S. PostmaDirkje, M. WoutersEmielF.
{"title":"Systemic Inflammation in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Results from the Cosmic Study","authors":"Breyer Marie-Kathrin, A. RuttenEricP., A. SpruitMartijn, J. HopWimC., S. PostmaDirkje, M. WoutersEmielF.","doi":"10.4236/OJRD.2012.23010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4236/OJRD.2012.23010","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: The study aims to elucidate the association of host-related factors on systemic inflammation in COPD patients. Methods: In 295 clinically stable and optimally treated COPD patients from 39 outpatient centers, age, gender, and body composition (body mass index, BMI; fat-free mass index, FFMI; fat mass index, FMI) were related to inflammatory biomarkers: CRP, fibrinogen, TNFα, and its soluble receptors (s)TNFαR1 and sTNFαR2. Furthermore, forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), BMI, FFMI, and FMI were stratified by quartiles to elucidate the influence on inflammatory biomarkers. Monovariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed for associations between inflammatory biomarkers. Results: Positive correlations were found for FFMI with sTNFαR1, FMI with CRP and age with TNFα, sTNFαR1 and sTNFαR2 (p < 0.01). FEV1 was not correlated with body composition and inflammatory markers. Mono- and multivariate analysis showed weak correlations between the acute phase markers and the TNFα system after correcting for multiple co-variants. Conclusions: This study highlights the modest role of age and body composition on levels of systemic inflammatory biomarkers in COPD. Results show the degree of airflow limitation does not affect systemic inflammation. Last, a weak relationship between acute phase markers and markers of the TNFα system is present in COPD.","PeriodicalId":83134,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of respiratory diseases","volume":"2012 1","pages":"63-72"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70581820","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tania Haque, J. Vossoughi, A. Johnson, Wanda Bell-Farrell, T. Fitzgerald, S. Scharf
{"title":"Resistance Measured by Airflow Perturbation Compared with Standard Pulmonary Function Measures","authors":"Tania Haque, J. Vossoughi, A. Johnson, Wanda Bell-Farrell, T. Fitzgerald, S. Scharf","doi":"10.4236/OJRD.2013.32010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4236/OJRD.2013.32010","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Routine lung function testing requires expensive equipment, or requires maximum expiratory effort. The airflow perturbation device (APD) is a light handheld device, allowing for serial measures of respiratory resistance noninvasively and effortlessly. Methods: In a convenience sample of 398 patients undergoing pulmonary function testing, we compared routine spirometric indices (forced expired volume in 1 second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF)), and airways resistance (Raw-272 patients), to measures of respiratory resistance measured with the APD including inspiratory (IR), expiratory (ER) and averaged (AR) resistance. Results: Measures of lung function were significantly correlated (p < 0.001). On regression analysis, between 7% - 17% of the variance (R2) for FEV1, PEF, and Raw was explained by APD measurements. Approximately 2/3 of the variance in FEV1 was explained by PEF measurements. Conclusions: APD measurements of lung function correlate with conventional measures. Future studies should be directed at exploring the use of the APD device in serial measures of lung function in patients with lung disease.","PeriodicalId":83134,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of respiratory diseases","volume":"115 1","pages":"63-67"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70582553","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Uh, Seung Ah Ko, A. Jang, Sung-woo Park, Yong‐Hoon Kim, Y. Paik, Choon-Sik Park
{"title":"Comparison of Protein Profiles in Sputum between COPD and Acute Exacerbation of COPD","authors":"S. Uh, Seung Ah Ko, A. Jang, Sung-woo Park, Yong‐Hoon Kim, Y. Paik, Choon-Sik Park","doi":"10.4236/OJRD.2012.22004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4236/OJRD.2012.22004","url":null,"abstract":"Background and objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive airflow limitation that is associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lung to noxious particles or gases. Cigarette smoking is the major risk factor for the development of COPD. This study evaluated the levels of cyclophilin B in sputa from patients with COPD and COPD with acute exacerbation (AECOPD). Materials and Methods: Two-dimensional electrophoresis was used for differential display proteomics. Western blotting was used to identify and quantify cyclophilin B in sputum from subjects with AECOPD and COPD. Results: Forty-nine protein spots differed in relative intensity between the AECOPD (n = 6) and COPD (n = 6) subjects. Twenty proteins showed increased expression in the sputum of AECOPD subjects, and 29 proteins were present at lower levels in AECOPD sputum compared with COPD sputum. One of these proteins was associated with cyclophilin B. Cyclophilin B concentrations were lower in sputum from subjects with COPD (n = 4) versus AECOPD (n = 4). Conclusion: The sputum proteomic analysis suggests that changes in various proteins are associated with the development of AECOPD.","PeriodicalId":83134,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of respiratory diseases","volume":"02 1","pages":"25-30"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70581411","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
L. Terziev, V. Shopova, Violeta Y. Dancheva, G. Stavreva, M. Atanasova, A. Stoyanova, T. Lukanov, A. Dimitrova
{"title":"Influence of MnTE-2-PyP on Inflammation and Lipid Peroxidation in Mouse Asthma Model","authors":"L. Terziev, V. Shopova, Violeta Y. Dancheva, G. Stavreva, M. Atanasova, A. Stoyanova, T. Lukanov, A. Dimitrova","doi":"10.4236/OJRD.2012.22006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4236/OJRD.2012.22006","url":null,"abstract":"Our aim was to investigate the effects of MnTE-2-PyP on some markers of inflammation and lipid peroxidation in mouse asthma model. 24 female mice were divided into four groups: group 1, controls; group 2, injected with ovalbumin (OVA); group 3, treated with MnTE-2-PyP; and group 4, treated with ovalbumin and MnTE-2-PyP. The mice from groups 2 and 4 were injected with 10 μg OVA and 1 mg Imject Alum? in 100 μL phosphate buffered saline (PBS) on days 0 and 14. The animals from groups 1 and 3 were injected with 100 μL PBS + Imject Alum? (1:1). The animals from groups 2 and 4 were subjected to a 30 min aerosol challenge of 1% ovalbumin on days 24, 25 and 26 and those from groups 1 and 3 were subjected to aerosol challenge of PBS at the same time and duration. One hour before inhalation, and 12 hours later the animals from groups 3 and 4 were injected with 100 μL MnTE-2-PyP solution in PBS containing 5 mg/kg. The total cell number, total protein content and 8-isoprostane, IL-4 and IL-5 levels in the bronchialveolar lavage fluid increased in group 2 as compared to the control group. Malone dialdehyde content in the lung homogenate and IgE levels in the serum also increased in this group. The total cell number, total protein content, and levels of 8-isoprostane, IL-4, IL-5 and IgE decreased significantly in group 4 as compared to the OVA group. The parameters set out above in group 3 did not differ significantly from those of the control group. MnTE-2-PyP administered intraperitoneally, 48 hours after the last nebulization, reduced the inflammation and lipid peroxidation in mouse asthma model.","PeriodicalId":83134,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of respiratory diseases","volume":"02 1","pages":"37-42"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70581797","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
F. Abdallah, H. Smadhi, R. Mahouachi, A. Chtourou, S. Taktak, A. Ayadi, F. Mezni, A. B. Kheder
{"title":"Asthma-Like Tracheo-Bronchial Amyloidosis","authors":"F. Abdallah, H. Smadhi, R. Mahouachi, A. Chtourou, S. Taktak, A. Ayadi, F. Mezni, A. B. Kheder","doi":"10.4236/OJRD.2012.22008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4236/OJRD.2012.22008","url":null,"abstract":"Localized bronchial Amyloidosis is an uncommon disease of unknown origin. Clinical signs are not specific. Tracheobronchial symptoms are the most frequent. We report a case of a 31 year-old man complaining of asthma-like dyspnea. Bronchoscopy was performed because of ineffectiveness of antiasthmatic treatment, showed a submucosal infiltration with stenosis of both right and left upper bronchi and a complete stenosis of intermediate troncus. Multiple biopsies were performed and concluded to Amyloidosis of AL type. Oral corticosteroids were indicated with clinical improvement.","PeriodicalId":83134,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of respiratory diseases","volume":"02 1","pages":"720-726"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70581984","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
V. Thaver, J. Meyer, R. Cockeran, M. Cholo, R. Anderson, N. Lall
{"title":"Investigation of the Anti-Mycobacterial Mechanism of Action of 7-Methyljuglone *","authors":"V. Thaver, J. Meyer, R. Cockeran, M. Cholo, R. Anderson, N. Lall","doi":"10.4236/OJRD.2012.22009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4236/OJRD.2012.22009","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives: Although the naphthoquinone, 7-methyljuglone (7-MJ), is active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in vitro, neither the cellular site nor mechanism of anti-mycobacterial action of this agent has been identified. The primary objective of the current study was to investigate the mycobacterial outer membrane as a potential target of 7-MJ by measuring the effects of this agent (0.023 - 1.5 mg/L) on microbial ATP levels and uptake of K+ . Methods: Bioluminescence and radiometric (uptake of 86Rb+) procedures were used to assay microbial ATP levels and K+ transport respectively. Results: Exposure of MTB (strain H37Rv) to 7-MJ for 60 min resulted in dose-related decreases in both microbial ATP levels and uptake of 86Rb+ which achieved statistical significance (P < 0.05) at concentrations of 0.4 and 0.1 mg/L respectively. Conclusions: These observations are compatible with the mycobacterial membrane as being the putative site of action of 7-MJ, targeting microbial energy metabolism and K+ transport.","PeriodicalId":83134,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of respiratory diseases","volume":"02 1","pages":"60-62"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70582064","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Should We Measure the FEV1 or the Specific Resistance of the Airways? An Evaluation in Patients with Either COPD, Chronic Dyspnea or Chronic Cough","authors":"K. Simon, V. Maertelaer, A. Noseda","doi":"10.4236/OJRD.2012.22005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4236/OJRD.2012.22005","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative contribution of measuring the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) or the specific resistance of the airways (sRaw) in adults referred for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic dyspnea or chronic cough. Methods: This was a prospective study of 321 subjects referred for lung function testing, in a setting of routine clinical management, for suspicion of COPD (or follow-up of known COPD), chronic dyspnea or chronic cough. The proportions of FEV1 values below the normal range and of sRaw values above the normal range were compared using a Chi-square exact test of Fisher. Results: In the COPD and chronic dyspnea groups, sRaw was as frequently abnormal as FEV1. In the chronic cough group, sRaw was increased in 56.5% of subjects, while FEV1 was decreased in solely 34.8% (p = 0.059). Conclusions: This study suggests that sRaw may be a better tool than FEV1 to detect bronchial obstruction in patients presenting with chronic cough.","PeriodicalId":83134,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of respiratory diseases","volume":"02 1","pages":"31-36"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70581533","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Leonard, Bob A. Lubamba, B. Dhooghe, Sabrina Noël, P. Wallemacq, P. Lebecque, T. Leal
{"title":"Comparative Variability of Nasal Potential Difference Measurements in Human and Mice","authors":"A. Leonard, Bob A. Lubamba, B. Dhooghe, Sabrina Noël, P. Wallemacq, P. Lebecque, T. Leal","doi":"10.4236/OJRD.2012.22007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4236/OJRD.2012.22007","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Nasal potential difference (NPD) test has long been used to assist in the diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and more recently as an outcome measure in clinical trials of new CF therapies. This test has also been adapted to the mouse nose. Objectives: We aimed at evaluating variability of the NPD measurements in CF patients displaying two severe CFTR mutations and in sex-matched healthy controls. NPD recorded from F508del-CF and normal wild-type mice were also compared. Methods and results: In each setting, tests were performed by a single qualified operator. In the clinical setting, the latest standardized operation protocol of the CF foundation was followed. A total of 80 tracings were obtained from 10 patients (23.2 y; range 14 to 32) and 10 healthy subjects (34 y; range 24 to 53), each tested twice, in both nostrils. Two CF and two controls were excluded from the statistical data analysis due to the presence of a single non interpretable NPD tracing (4/80, 5%). To achieve equal sample size, tests were obtained from 8 CF mice and normal wild-type. Comprehensive multivariate analysis of paired data showed a good reproducibility of NPD parameters in the clinical and the preclinical setting; lower variability was observed in mice. However, 95% repeatability limits of NPD parameters were large indicating a large measurement error, poor precision and low within-subject repeatability. In both settings, chloride secretion was shown to be the most reproducible and repeatable parameter. Conclusion: In human as in mice, NPD showed good reproducibility but limited within-subject repeatability.","PeriodicalId":83134,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of respiratory diseases","volume":"2 1","pages":"43-56"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70581897","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}