Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews - Volume 14, Issue 3, 2018

Background: An adequate vitamin D status is essential for normal immune function. Vitamin D sub-nutrition is widespread, especially in low sunlight regions and in certain high-risk groups. There is growing evidence that vitamin D supplementation can reduce the risk of infection of the respiratory tract. Objective: The aim was to review the mechanisms whereby vitamin D supports the chemistry of optimal innate and adaptive imm Read More

The aim of this mini-review is to highlight the current state of the problem of nosocomial pneumonia and nosocomial tracheobronchitis in critically ill patients. The important concepts for nosocomial tracheobronchitis, novel genetic and molecular biomarkers of nosocomial pneumonia and nosocomial tracheobronchitis and the role of inhaled antibiotics in the treatment of this condition and their ability to prevent the develop Read More

Lung cancer has been recognized as the most important reason for death and a lifethreatening disease. The late diagnosis of this disease usually limits treatment interventions. The lack of reliable noninvasive biomarkers and therapies results in low survival rates. The current review is designed to uncover the specific role of biomarker genes involved in the non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and demonstrate their high Read More

COPD affects all organ systems by inducing chronic systemic inflammation as well as metabolic alterations. Various pharmacological, medical & surgical approaches are available for management of COPD. We can’t ignore the importance of nutrition to promote the sound state of health in all COPD patients. Intake of essential micronutrients in adequate amount as per recommended dietary allowance (RDA) & maintenance of Read More

Background: Asthma is a multifactorial genetic disease caused by the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. FokI is a polymorphic site in exon II at the 5’ end of the vitamin D receptor gene locus on chromosome 12q13 and can be identified using the FokI restriction enzyme. It has an extensive promoter region capable of generating multiple tissue-specific transcripts, and lies just downstream from the collagen Read More

Background: Troponin is a specific marker for myocardial necrotic injury. Troponin elevations can also occur in other diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and may be useful to predict mortality. The purpose of the present study was to assess the association between circulating cTnI and prognosis among patients with COPD exacerbation without the overt cardiovascular disease. Methods: In d Read More

Background: A shift of cardiac autonomic balance towards sympathetic marks a poor prognosis in several diseases and has also been reported in COPD. Bronchodilators, beta-2 adrenergic agonists and anticholinergic drugs, are the mainstay of treatment of COPD. We hypothesized that drugs belonging to these classes, respectively salbutamol and ipratropium, would cause a sympathetic shift in cardiac autonomic activity as a Read More

Background: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) which also known as Wegener's Granulomatosis is a rare disease. GPA is a heterogeneous disease that involves different organs with variable severities and a relapsing course. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the demographic data, clinical and laboratory presentations, prevalence of involvement in various organs, therapeutic regimens, response to treatment a Read More

Mediastinal fibrosis is a rare disease of diverse etiologies, but sometimes idiopathic. Its evolution is progressive and its complications depend on the structures it compresses. Vascular compressions may lead to superior vena cava syndrome, and pulmonary hypertension. Surgery and endovascular treatment may be effective, but often need to be repeated. Systemic treatments, including corticosteroids, have variable Read More

Aspergillus is an organism responsible for aspergilloma. Massive hemoptysis, which is a life-threatening symptom in a patient with pulmonary aspergilloma, is difficult to treat. Options for definitive treatment include bronchial artery embolization and surgical removal by thoracotomy. We report a 40-year-old housewife with no past medical illness, who presented with recurrent hemoptysis caused by multiple bilateral pulm Read More