RxPG News : Respiratory Medicine

Obese children have respiratory problems during surgery

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 07:39:25 PST

A new study from the University of Michigan Health System finds that obese children are much more likely than normal-weight children to have problems with airway obstruction and other breathing-related functions during surgery.

New York Methodist Hospital to study airway bypass treatment for emphysema

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:05:00 PST

Brooklyn, NY, February 4, 2007 -- New York Methodist Hospital today announced the start of the EASE (Exhale Airway Stents for Emphysema) Trial, an international, multi-center clinical trial to explore an investigational treatment that may offer a significant new, minimally-invasive option for those suffering with advanced widespread emphysema. The study focuses on a procedure called airway bypass that involves creating pathways in the lung for trapped air to escape and in turn, relieve emphysema symptoms including shortness of breath.

Short sleep times in patients with chronic medical diagnoses associated with obesity

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 10:09:26 PST

A study published in the December 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine (JCSM) demonstrates an association between short sleep times and obesity in patients with chronic medical problems.

Strong link between air pollution and acute bronchitis diagnoses in preschool-aged children

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 15:06:05 PST

In one of the first studies to examine air pollution in relation to infant and early childhood health, a UC Davis researcher has discovered a strong link between exposure to components of air pollution and acute bronchitis diagnoses in preschool-aged children. Those components – polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs – contribute to air pollution from a variety of sources, including coal burning, vehicle exhaust, wood-burning stoves, tobacco smoke and grilling food

Mediterranean diet halves risk of progressive lung disease

Mon, 14 May 2007 20:09:19 PST

A Mediterranean diet halves the chances of developing progressive inflammatory lung disease (COPD), reveals a large study, published ahead of print in Thorax.

Newborns with respiratory distress should be evaluated for primary ciliary dyskinesia

Wed, 21 Feb 2007 06:05:47 PST

Newborns with respiratory distress should be evaluated for primary ciliary dyskinesia, a rare genetic disease that has features similar to cystic fibrosis, says Thomas Ferkol, M.D., from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He reports finding that about 80 percent of patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) have a history of newborn respiratory distress.

Slow-release morphine helps in chronic treatment resistant cough

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 13:50:19 PST

Slow-release morphine helped a group of patients with long-term, treatment-resistant chronic cough reduce their daily cough score levels by 40 percent.The research results appear in the second issue for February 2007 of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, published by the American Thoracic Society.

Inhaled treatments work better for asthmatic kids

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 10:53:36 PST

New York, Jan 24 - Inhaled treatments work better for children suffering from asthma compared to other methods of treatment, say scientists after comparing the effectiveness and safety of different medicines.

Dogs may help prevent kids from wheezing

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 18:41:37 PST

Washington, Dec 6 - Exposure to multiple dogs along with presence of a certain types of bacteria could help prevent kids from wheezing, says a new study.

Acute lung injury is prevented by FoxM1 protein

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 17:56:00 PST

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine have identified a molecule that plays a critical role in the recovery of lung tissue following severe injury.

Six-minute walk test predicts mortality rates in patients with pulmonary fibrosis

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 17:46:00 PST

For idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients awaiting lung transplantation, a simple walk test can predict mortality rates. A new study found that individuals with IPF who can cover less than 680 feet during the six-minute test are four times more likely to die than those who can walk greater distances.

A dog in home may worsen asthma in children

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 21:08:00 PST

A new study from researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) suggests that having a dog in the home may worsen the response to air pollution of a child with asthma. The study was published this week in the online edition of Environmental Health Perspectives, the journal of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes is due to functional abnormalities in beta cells

Mon, 10 Jul 2006 06:21:00 PST

A growing number of cystic fibrosis patients are battling a second, often deadly complication: a unique form of diabetes that shares characteristics of the type 1 and type 2 versions that strike many Americans. Many of these patients are teens who take enzymes to help digest their food and undergo daily physical therapy to loosen the thick, sticky mucus that clogs their lungs. But despite treatments that are helping thousands to live decades longer than ever before, when diabetes strikes, their life expectancy plummets -- on average by two years for men and an astounding 16 for women.

COPD patients using beta-agonist inhalers are at risk

Mon, 10 Jul 2006 06:15:00 PST

A new analysis that compares two common inhalers for patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) finds that one reduces respiratory-related hospitalizations and respiratory deaths, but the other -- which is prescribed in the majority of cases -- increases respiratory deaths.

Beta-agonists linked with increased number of respiratory deaths -study shows

Sat, 08 Jul 2006 20:36:00 PST

Beta-agonists more than double death rate in COPD patients

Wed, 05 Jul 2006 15:18:00 PST

No evidence for inhaled corticosteroids efficacy in cystic fibrosis

Thu, 15 Jun 2006 16:57:00 PST

In comparison to cystic fibrosis (CF) patients who regularly use inhaled corticosteroid, those who did not use these drugs for six months exhibited no positive or negative effects in terms of major disease factors. Such factors include amount of lung function decline, number of antibiotics prescribed, time to onset of acute chest exacerbation or frequency of using a bronchodilator.

Lung function test underused in patients with COPD

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 20:14:00 PST

At least two thirds of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) do not receive lung function testing that is recommended for the accurate diagnosis and effective management of the disease, suggesting that the majority of patients are diagnosed with COPD based on symptoms alone. New research published in the June issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), finds that only one third of patients recently diagnosed with COPD underwent spirometry, a noninvasive lung function test, to confirm COPD or to manage their condition. Current national guidelines recommend spirometry for the diagnosis and management of COPD.

Wrinkles clue to risk of progressive lung disease (COPD)

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 20:05:00 PST

Middle aged smokers, who are heavily lined with wrinkles, are five times as likely to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD for short, suggests research published ahead of print in Thorax.

Antibiotics reduce risk of dying from COPD attack by 77 percent

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 20:21:00 PST

People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease often experience short term worsening and aggravation of their symptoms. To date, there has been conflicting evidence as to whether these exacerbations should be treated with antibiotic therapy. A new systematic review to be published in The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2006 now concludes that they should be used. The researchers found that antibiotics reduce the risk of dying from the attack by 77%, decreases the risk of treatment failure by 53% and decrease the risk of developing pussy sputum by 44%. There is, however, a small increase in the risk of developing diarrhoea. Many people question whether antibiotics should be used to combat exacerbations of COPD. The uncertainty stems from the growing desire to use antibiotics only when necessary, combined with the recognition that up to one third of exacerbations of COPD have are not caused by infections, and some others are due to viral infections.

Women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) fare worse than men

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 20:02:00 PST

Women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) fare worse than men both in terms of the severity of their disease and their quality of life. These differences may play a role in the increased death rate seen among female patients with COPD, said researcher Claudia Cote, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of South Florida in Tampa. The researchers studied 85 women, and compared them with 95 men who had the same levels of COPD severity according to guidelines of the Global Initiative for Chronic Lung Disease (GOLD). They found that female patients were significantly younger than male patients with the same severity of disease. The women had lower lung function, more trouble breathing, and reported a worse quality of life. The women also received a worse score on the BODE index, which looks at lung function, nutritional status, symptoms and exercise capacity in order to measure a COPD patient's disease severity and predicted survival.

Hcp1 plays a critical role in cystic fibrosis infection

Sat, 10 Jun 2006 13:43:00 PST

Harvard Medical School researchers have discovered one way that a hardy disease-causing bacteria could be surviving in the lungs of chronically infected cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. This work is important because pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) use protein secretion systems to cause disease in their hosts. In the case of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the host may be a cancer patient with a weakened immune system, a burn patient, or a person with cystic fibrosis (CF). Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), a pathogen that infects more than 80 percent of cystic fibrosis patients, is a leading cause of these patients' death. PA is difficult to treat because it is resistant to many drugs.

Infants exposed to cigarette smoke are more likely to develop allergic rhinitis

Thu, 18 May 2006 03:16:00 PST

University of Cincinnati (UC) epidemiologists say itâs environmental tobacco smokeânot the suspected visible moldâthat drastically increases an infantâs risk for developing allergic rhinitis by age 1.

PEAK Trial: Inhaled steroids do not prevent chronic asthma

Thu, 11 May 2006 17:36:00 PST

Daily treatment with inhaled corticosteroids can reduce breathing problems in pre-school-aged children at high risk for asthma but they do not prevent the development of persistent asthma in these children, according to new results from the Childhood Asthma Research and Education (CARE) Network supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health.

Breathing Heliox 28 significantly improve the exercise performance in COPD

Sat, 15 Apr 2006 18:48:00 PST

Breathing a special gas mixture may significantly improve the exercise performance of individuals with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). During an endurance walking test, the patients found that they could improve their walking distance by 64 percent with less shortness of breath.

Telithromycin antibiotic could help in asthma attack

Sat, 15 Apr 2006 18:08:00 PST

A relatively new kind of antibiotic has been found to provide faster relief from an asthma attack, but more research is necessary before the drug can be prescribed, says a study.

Combined treatment cuts inflammatory cells in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Mon, 03 Apr 2006 06:48:00 PST

The combination of two existing clinical treatments, salmeterol and fluticasone propionate, can significantly reduce inflammatory cells in the airways of current and former smokers being treated for moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Study finds in utero arsenic exposure tied to lung disease

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 21:04:00 PST

Children who are exposed to high levels of arsenic in their drinking water are seven to 12 times more likely to die of lung cancer and other lung diseases in young adulthood, a new study by University of California, Berkeley, and Chilean researchers suggests.

Cystic fibrosis research could benefit from multi-functional sensing tool

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 16:17:00 PST

Researchers are using an innovative, multi-functional sensing tool to investigate adenosine triposphate (ATP) release and its role in cystic fibrosis. The ATP study marks the first application of a novel sensing system developed by a research team led by Christine Kranz at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Loss of CFTR-mediated fluid secretion is the culprit in cystic fibrosis

Sun, 19 Mar 2006 20:56:00 PST

Scientists at Stanford University have determined that the buildup of sticky mucus found in cystic fibrosis is caused by a loss in the epithelial cell's ability to secrete fluid. This research appears as the "Paper of the Week" in the March 17 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, an American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology journal.

Tomatoes, carrots can cut asthma risk

Sun, 19 Mar 2006 20:14:00 PST

Eating plenty of tomatoes, carrots and leafy green vegetable could help in reducing asthma risk in women, says a study.

COPD is slated to become world's biggest killer by 2020 - WHO

Mon, 13 Mar 2006 20:31:00 PST

A smoking-related illness that narrows one's breathing passage is slated to become the world's third biggest killer by 2020, according to the WHO. Called Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), the ailment entails two specific health problems: chronic-obstructive bronchitis and emphysema of the lungs.

Inhaled steroid may work better for normal-weight people

Thu, 23 Feb 2006 12:18:00 PST

As the nation's collective waistline has swelled in recent decades, rates of asthma diagnoses also have accelerated. Indeed, much research has affirmed a link between the two conditions. But doctors also recognize that asthma may not behave the same way among people who have different body types. With a variety of asthma medications on the market, what kinds work best for lean people and what kinds work best for obese people? The answer may be different for each group. A new study suggests that people who are overweight or obese may have better results with the prescription pill sold as Singulair than with a type of inhaled steroid, while leaner people may have better luck with an inhaled steroid, called beclomethasone and sold as beclovent, vanceril and other brand names. The findings appear in the new issue of the European Respiratory Journal.

Female foetus could increase expectant woman's asthma

Fri, 03 Feb 2006 15:38:00 PST

Asthmatic women pregnant with girls are more likely to experience severe asthma symptoms than those carrying a male foetus, says a study.

New Model To Help Physicians Identify Patients With Pulmonary Embolism

Wed, 25 Jan 2006 00:27:00 PST

Looking at 10 easily obtained risk factors, including age, blood pressure and medical history, could help physicians identify patients with pulmonary embolism who are at low risk of death in the short term and therefore are candidates for outpatient treatment, according to a new study in the January 23 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

CAPRIE study: Moxifloxacin more effective in elders pneumonia

Tue, 24 Jan 2006 23:52:00 PST

A newer antibiotic medication proved more effective at knocking out community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in patients 65 and older than the antibiotic that has been the front-line CAP treatment the last decade, according to a national study coordinated at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Using microDMx sensor to develop better instruments to treat lung disease

Tue, 24 Jan 2006 15:57:00 PST

A new technique based on the same technology used to detect chemical warfare agents and explosives is being employed by scientists at The University of Manchester to treat hospital patients with lung disease.

New treatment for cystic fibrosis patients

Thu, 19 Jan 2006 13:10:00 PST

Scientists have discovered a new therapy for lung problems associated with cystic fibrosis that they say may reduce the use of antibiotics.

Osteopontin may be useful in the treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Thu, 12 Jan 2006 05:41:00 PST

In an article in the Jan. 15 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh researchers report that a serious, life-threatening form of pulmonary fibrosis, called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, lacks all the hallmarks of inflammation and is probably unnecessarily treated with anti-inflammatory drugs.

Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonia (IIP) Linked to Linked to Genes and Smoking

Wed, 02 Nov 2005 13:03:00 PST

New research shows that idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP), a group of potentially fatal disorders that affects the lungs, may be caused by an interaction between a specific genetic background and cigarette smoking. In a study of 111 families that had at least two relatives with IIP, people who smoked cigarettes were three times more likely than non-smokers to develop the disease. The research was supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), both institutes within the National Institutes of Health.

Childhood Asthma Affecting More than Just Breathing

Wed, 26 Oct 2005 23:57:00 PST

Recent research has shown that kids with asthma may also be at risk for psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, and problems in their social lives including peer interactions. This study, recently published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, is one of the first to examine relationships among asthma, anxiety and depression, and several aspects of social functioning in urban children.

Genetic variations influence cystic fibrosis' severity

Sat, 08 Oct 2005 05:24:00 PST

Subtle differences in other genes -- besides the defective gene known to cause the illness cystic fibrosis -- can significantly modify the inherited disease's severity, a large new multi-center national study has concluded. The study, led by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Case Western Reserve University researchers, for the first time shows that particular versions of the transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFb1) gene are largely responsible for how badly the illness affects patients' lungs.

Omalizumab has long-term benefits in severe allergic asthma

Thu, 29 Sep 2005 20:49:00 PST

New long-term data show that Xolair® (omalizumab), a first-in-class monoclonal antibody for treating severe allergic asthma, helped patients to maintain control of their disease and was safe and well-tolerated in studies lasting more than three years. The data were presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) congress in Denmark, along with results from seven clinical studies showing that Xolair significantly improved the lung function of patients.

CD23 structure revealed by NMR spectroscopy

Wed, 21 Sep 2005 19:22:00 PST

The structure of a molecule that regulates levels of the key antibody involved in allergic reactions and asthma, IgE, has been revealed by researchers from Oxford University and Kings College London. The study, published in Journal of Experimental Medicine, will help in the discovery of drugs to treat these two conditions.

Bacteria in Household Dust May Trigger Asthma

Fri, 09 Sep 2005 15:30:00 PST

New research shows that bacteria lurking in household dust produce chemicals that may trigger asthma and asthma-related symptoms such as wheezing. These bacterial chemicals, called endotoxins, particularly those found on bedroom floors, were linked with increased respiratory problems in adults. This study, supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), a part of the National Institutes of Health, is the first nationwide study of endotoxins in the household environment, and it involved analysis of more than 2,500 dust samples from 831 homes across the U.S.

Role of Osteopontin in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Thu, 08 Sep 2005 16:22:00 PST

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic progressive scarring disease of the lung in which gradually the walls of the air sacs of the lungs become replaced by fibrotic tissue. When scarring forms, there is an irreversible loss of the tissue's ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream.

Early life tobacco exposure more harmful to lungs

Tue, 06 Sep 2005 20:35:00 PST

A new study finds early life exposure to second-hand smoke can produce life-long respiratory problems. The study of 35,000 adult non-smokers in Singapore found that those who lived with a smoker during childhood had more respiratory problems, including chronic cough. Study participants who reported eating more fruit and soy fiber as adults seemed to be protected against some of the negative health effects often associated with early tobacco exposure.

How to design a better drug to treat cystic fibrosis

Sun, 04 Sep 2005 08:30:00 PST

There is no cure for cystic fibrosis. Management of the disease varies from person to person and generally focuses on treating respiratory and digestive problems to prevent infection and other complications. Treatment usually involves a combination of medications and home treatment methods, such as respiratory and nutritional therapies.

Emotion processing centers in brain linked with asthma

Mon, 29 Aug 2005 22:15:00 PST

The mere mention of a stressful word like "wheeze" can activate two brain regions in asthmatics during an attack, and this brain activity may be associated with more severe asthma symptoms, according to a study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers and collaborators.

Study Shows Benefits of Inhaled Corticosteroids in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Mon, 15 Aug 2005 18:02:00 PST

Researchers who designed two different studies to reduce potentially biased results among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients who used inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) reported a 30 percent reduction in risk for either rehospitalization or death from the disease.

Investigators Reveal a Key to Viral-Induced Asthma

Mon, 15 Aug 2005 17:59:00 PST

Researchers have discovered a new way to distinguish virus-induced asthma from that of allergen-caused disease based on a study of 59 asthma patients who were experiencing an acute exacerbation

T lymphocytes cause airway thickening in asthma

Sun, 14 Aug 2005 14:30:00 PST

MUHC scientists have discovered that our body's own defense mechanism causes some of the most serious asthma symptoms. The study by MUHC researchers Dr. David Ramos-Barbón, Dr. Elizabeth Fixman and Dr. James Martin, published in a recent issue of Journal of Clinical Investigation (JCI), reveals that T lymphocytes--our body's defense cells--are responsible for the airway thickening, which increases the chances of a dangerous asthma attack.

Protective effect of statins against pneumonia

Mon, 25 Jul 2005 17:35:00 PST

Patients hospitalised because of pneumonia are at less risk of dying from the disease if they have been taking the widely used cholesterol-lowering drugs 'statins' before hospital admission. These results, published today in the Open Access journal Respiratory Research, suggest another beneficial use of statins, which are prescribed to an increasing number of patients to prevent and treat high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and vascular disease.

M. catarrhalis, a "Harmless" Bacterium Found to Cause 10 Percent of COPD Flare-Ups

Thu, 21 Jul 2005 23:23:00 PST

A ubiquitous bacterial strain thought to be uninvolved in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in fact is responsible for 2-4 million flare-ups of the condition that occur annually in the United States, researchers from the University at Buffalo have shown.

Inhale magnesium sulphate along with beta-2-agonists during asthma attacks

Wed, 20 Jul 2005 15:07:00 PST

Severe asthma attacks can be life threatening and intravenous magnesium sulphate is known to help, but inhaling nebulised magnesium sulphate can also improve lung function.

MAC Treatment can cause ocular toxicity

Sat, 16 Jul 2005 00:13:00 PST

Ethambutol, a vital component of multidrug regimens for Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease, can cause ocular toxicity if taken on a daily basis, according to a study in the second issue for July 2005 of the American Thoracic Society's peer-reviewed journal. Writing in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the researchers recommended monthly visual acuity and color discrimination testing for patients taking doses of the drug greater than 15 to 20 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, those who receive the medication for longer than 2 months, and patients with renal insufficiency since the compound is cleared by the kidneys

Key to Potential Vaccine to COPD Bacteria

Sat, 16 Jul 2005 00:13:00 PST

Researchers believe that the acquisition and reasonably quick clearance of a bacterial strain called Moraxella catarrhalis from the lungs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients results in long-lasting, strain-specific protection from reacquisition and has important implications for vaccine development. The investigators assessed 104 adults with COPD for 81 months. They said that bacteria cause many of the exacerbations which characterize the disease and that such organisms, through chronic colonization, contribute to the airway inflammation that is the hallmark of the disease.

Vitamin D Repletion Regimen for CF did not work

Sat, 16 Jul 2005 00:13:00 PST

The recently published vitamin D repletion regimen suggested by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Consensus Panel on Bone Health for replacing the vitamin in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients has been called by researchers who tested it "strikingly ineffective." Out of 66 adults with CF, only 5 patients who had been treated with 50,000 international units of the vitamin per week for eight weeks had their serum levels corrected to the recommended degree.

Giving oxygen may do more harm than good - Study

Tue, 12 Jul 2005 13:09:00 PST

Doctors and paramedics who give their patients oxygen the most commonly administered "drug" in the world may be doing more harm than good, a Queen's University researcher contends.

Findings offer therapeutic potential for human asthma treatment

Wed, 06 Jul 2005 13:24:00 PST

Disruption of a single gene, Nrf2, plays a critical role in determining the susceptibility to asthma. A research team led by Shyam Biswal, PhD, at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found the absence of Nrf2 exacerbated allergen-mediated asthma in mice models. The studys findings, published in the July 4, 2005, edition of the Journal of Experimental Medicine, may hold therapeutic potential for the treatment of human asthma.

Little benefit of antibiotics for uncomplicated lower respiratory tract infections

Wed, 22 Jun 2005 13:16:00 PST

Patients with uncomplicated lower respiratory tract infections, such as bronchitis, who were given antibiotics had little difference in symptom relief compared to patients who did not receive antibiotics, according to a study in the June 22/29 issue of JAMA.

Key milestone in antifungal treatment for severe asthma

Thu, 16 Jun 2005 18:00:00 PST

University of Manchester researchers announced today that they have reached a key milestone in their study of the antifungal treatment of asthma.

Another rung on the Asthma ladder

Sun, 29 May 2005 16:26:00 PST

Xolair® halves rate of severe exacerbations and significantly improves quality of life in patients at risk of life-threatening asthma attacks

Interferon alpha Therapy for the Treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis - Study

Wed, 25 May 2005 11:47:00 PST

Amarillo Biosciences, Inc. (ABI) (OTC BB: AMAR) today announced that the Company has been supplying its low-dose orally administered interferon alpha (IFNa) to a pilot clinical trial in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Indacaterol : A Novel Beta2-agonist for Asthma and COPD

Tue, 24 May 2005 10:54:00 PST

Novartis' development compound indacaterol (QAB149) may provide a new standard for beta2-agonist therapy in
patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to data presented at the centenary meeting of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) this week.

Data Presented for Iloprost Therapy for the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Mon, 23 May 2005 19:57:00 PST

CoTherix, Inc. announced today that researchers have presented results involving inhaled iloprost therapy for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a debilitating and potentially fatal disease characterized by high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries.

FDA Gives Clearance to the First Cystic Fibrosis DNA test

Tue, 10 May 2005 09:18:00 PST

Tm Bioscience Corporation (Toronto, Ontario; TSX: TMC), a leader in the commercial genetic testing market, is pleased to announce that its Tag-It(TM) Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Kit is the first multiplexed human disease genotyping test to be cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an in vitro device (IVD) for diagnostic use in the United States.

Pirfenidone Shows Favorable Effects in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Wed, 04 May 2005 10:28:00 PST

InterMune, Inc. today announced that the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (AJRCCM) published results from a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase II trial evaluating pirfenidone for the treatment of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Home-Away®Oxygen System Approved by FDA for Easy Oxygen at Home

Mon, 25 Apr 2005 08:15:00 PST

In-X Corporation, of Denver, CO, developer and manufacturer of home oxygen liquefaction systems received FDA Clearance today for the Home-Away® System. The Home-Away System enables patients with Long Term Oxygen Therapy (LTOT) needs to produce liquid oxygen in their home, thus eliminating the need for expensive deliveries.

AD 237 : An Inhaled Long-acting Anti-muscarinic for the Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Phase II

Mon, 18 Apr 2005 09:03:00 PST

Novartis announced that it has signed a global development and commercialization agreement with Vectura Group plc and Arakis Ltd. for AD 237, an inhaled, long-acting, anti-muscarinic agent for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Cockroach Allergens Have Greatest Impact on Childhood Asthma

Fri, 08 Apr 2005 04:11:00 PST

New results from a nationwide study on factors that affect asthma in inner-city children show that cockroach allergen appears to worsen asthma symptoms more than either dust mite or pet allergens.

A1 lets lungs breathe a sigh of relief

Sun, 03 Apr 2005 13:11:00 PST

Patients with lung and heart disease are commonly given supplemental oxygen, however very high concentrations of oxygen administered for extended periods of time can trigger lung injury.

Asthma patients' immune systems respond differently with allergies

Sun, 03 Apr 2005 10:33:00 PST

Researchers from the University of Chihuahua in Mexico report that immune systems of patients with asthma responded differently to a common laboratory challenge, depending on whether their white blood cells had been obtained during a time when they were suffering from common season allergic rhinitis or when they were free of such allergic symptoms.

Zileuton Shows Significant Benefit in Prevention and Chronic Treatment of Asthma

Sat, 02 Apr 2005 08:39:00 PST

Critical Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRTX), today announced that it has submitted a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the Company's investigational asthma drug ZYFLO(R) Filmtab(R) (zileuton tablets). Approval of the sNDA would allow Critical Therapeutics to begin marketing its version of ZYFLO in the United States.

Mometasone furoate Shows Substantial Improvement in Lung Function in Persistent Asthma

Fri, 01 Apr 2005 09:14:00 PST

Schering-Plough Corporation today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of ASMANEX® TWISTHALER® 220 mcg (mometasone furoate inhalation powder) for the first-line maintenance treatment of asthma as preventive therapy in patients 12 years of age and older.

Mometasone furoate is also the only inhaled asthma controller therapy approved for once daily initiation and management of asthma in patients previously treated with bronchodilators alone or inhaled corticosteroids. Clinical studies with Mometasone furoate have shown substantial improvement in lung function, decreased use of rescue medication, decreased incidence of nighttime awakenings and significant improvements in daytime symptoms such as coughing and wheezing.

Association found between high body mass index (BMI) and asthma

Tue, 01 Mar 2005 17:34:00 PST

In a cohort of New Zealand children who were followed from birth to age 26, overweight, expressed as higher body mass index, was significantly associated with asthma wheeze in females, but not in males.

Pulmonary complications after nonthoracic surgery are more frequent than cardiac complications

Tue, 01 Mar 2005 17:34:00 PST

According to the authors, pulmonary complications after nonthoracic surgery are more frequent than cardiac complications and are associated with a greater increase in hospital length of stay.

Montelukast significantly reduced Asthma exacerbations in young children

Wed, 16 Feb 2005 19:33:00 PST

Montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, significantly decreased the rate of exacerbations and lengthened the time between exacerbations in 2- to 5-year-old asthma patients who suffered from intermittent symptoms. The researchers pointed out that montelukast significantly reduced by almost 32 percent the rate of exacerbations over 12 months, as compared with results from patients on placebo. The average rate of exacerbation episodes was 1.60 episodes per patient per year, compared with 2.34 for placebo. (Leukotrienes are biologically active compounds that function as chemical mediators. They have vasoactive properties that help regulate allergic and inflammatory reactions. Medical antagonists are designed to counteract specific functions.) According to the authors, asthma usually begins and has its greatest prevalence in children younger than 5 years.

Data shows care of patients with COPD not good enough in UK

Fri, 11 Feb 2005 21:07:00 PST

More than one in ten patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) admitted to hospital in UK is dead within 90 days of admission, and over 1 in 3 are readmitted to hospital during that time.

Marijuana smoking may increase risk of respiratory infections

Thu, 13 Jan 2005 14:51:00 PST

Smoking marijuana is associated with increased risk of many of the same symptoms as smoking cigarettes--chronic bronchitis, coughing on most days, phlegm production, shortness of breath, and wheezing, according to a Yale study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

Role for the A1 adenosine receptor in protecting against asthma

Tue, 04 Jan 2005 19:35:00 PST

Levels of the signaling molecule adenosine are increased in the lungs of asthmatics, and elevations of adenosine correlate with the degree of airway inflammation, suggesting that adenosine may play a provocative role in acute asthma attacks. Therefore much research has been focused on drugs that may potentially interact with known adenosine receptors the activation of which can have proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory effects, depending on the receptor type. Theophylline, the most widely prescribed drug for the treatment of airway disease worldwide, is able to block both pro- and anti-inflammatory actions of adenosine, potentially decreasing its efficiency. Researchers are now focused on determining the role of each adenosine receptor so that they may design drugs to interact with specific receptors and reduce airway inflammation.

Higher procalcitonin levels are strong predictors of unfavorable outcome in ventilator-associated pneumonia

Mon, 03 Jan 2005 18:36:00 PST

Higher procalcitonin levels on days 1, 3, and 7 following diagnosis are strong predictors of unfavorable outcome in microbiologically confirmed ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), the most frequent hospital-acquired infection in patients on mechanical ventilation. The investigators studied procalcitonin as a prognostic marker in VAP among 63 patients enrolled in the study. Among the 63 patients, 38 (60 percent) had unfavorable outcomes. There were 14 deaths, 21 recurrences, and 3 documented extra-pulmonary infections, with the average time to unfavorable outcome at about 16 days. Their results showed that serum procalcitonin concentrations decreased during the clinical course of VAP but were higher in patients with unfavorable outcomes than in those with favorable results. (Procalcitonin is the precursor molecule of calcitonin, which regulates calcium concentrations in the blood.

BERYLLIUM SENSITIZATION PROGRESSES TO CHRONIC BERYLLIUM DISEASE

Mon, 03 Jan 2005 18:34:00 PST

In a clinical follow-up study lasting almost 5 years, researchers have shown that individuals who are beryllium sensitive progress to chronic beryllium disease at a rate of 6 to 8 percent per year. Seventeen of 55 persons identified over 10-year period with beryllium sensitization who had had no evidence of chronic beryllium disease on initial lung biopsy showed diseased tissue on later clinical evaluations. The investigators found that 38 of the 55 remained beryllium sensitized after an average follow-up of 4.8 years.

Longterm airflow obstruction in survivors of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Mon, 03 Jan 2005 18:30:00 PST

In a study of school-age children who were survivors of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), the chronic lung disease of prematurity, researchers uncovered long-term airflow limitation as demonstrated by impaired lung function test results, while at the same time finding low levels of a marker of pulmonary cellular dysfunction, exhaled nitric oxide. The investigators studied 31 school-age survivors of BPD, comparing their test results with 31 patients with asthma, 31 preterm children without BPD, and 31 healthy control children born at term.

High-risk asthma patients reduce asthma medication use in days after hospitalization

Thu, 16 Dec 2004 16:37:00 PST

In a study of high-risk patients with severe asthma who were hospitalized for serious exacerbations, researchers showed that within 7 days of discharge their use of prescribed inhaled corticosteroids and oral steroids had fallen rapidly to approximately 50 percent of their prescribed dose. The investigators measured post-hospital adherence in 52 inner city asthmatics by means of electronic medication monitors, self-report, canister weight (for inhaled corticosteroids) and pill counts (for oral corticosteroids). The researchers noted that their results provided strong evidence that even under optimal conditions with free medications and intensive inpatient education, discontinuation of both inhaled corticosteroids and oral corticosteroids was common within 7 days of discharge from the hospital.