Search results for "RESPIRATORY SYSTEM"
showing 10 items of 1829 documents
Amplification of human β-glucoronidase gene for appraising the accuracy of negative SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR results in upper respiratory tract specimens
2020
Real-time reverse transcription polymerase-chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the mainstay of Covid-19 diagnosis. False-negative RT-PCR results may hamper clinical management of patients and hinder the adoption of epidemiological measures to control the pandemic. The current study was aimed at assessing whether amplification of β-glucoronidase (GUSB) gene would help estimate the accuracy of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR negative results in upper respiratory tract (URT) specimens. URT specimens that tested negative by SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR displayed higher GUSB RT-PCR cycle thresholds (CT) (P=0.070) than those testing positive (median, 30.7; range, 27.0-40.0, and median 29.7; range 25.5-36.8, respectively), this re…
Effect of omalizumab on angioedema in H1-antihistamine-resistant chronic spontaneous urticaria patients: results from X-ACT, a randomized controlled …
2016
Background Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) severely impacts quality of life (QoL), especially in patients with wheals and angioedema. Omalizumab is approved as add-on therapy for CSU patients; however, its effect on patients who are double-positive for wheals and angioedema has not been systematically studied. Objective The primary objective was to evaluate the efficacy of omalizumab vs placebo at week 28 using the Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life (CU-Q2oL) questionnaire. Number of angioedema-burdened days, time interval between successive angioedema episodes, disease activity, angioedema-specific and overall QoL impairment were secondary objectives. Methods X-ACT was a phase III, rand…
Reproducibility of aerobic and anaerobic thresholds in 20-50 year old men.
1984
The reproducibility of the aerobic (AerT) and the anaerobic (AnT) threshold was studied in 33 men aged 20–50 years. They completed two maximal exercise tests on a bicycle ergometer. The thresholds, as $$\dot V_{O_2 }$$ (l·min−1), were determined visually by two investigators using both the blood lactate and the respiratory indices. The respiratory variables were measured with a computerized breath-by-breath method; samples of venous blood were drawn every 2nd min and analysed enzymatically for lactate. The reproducibility of the AerT (r=0.94) and of the AnT (r=0.96) were equally good. The AnT can be determined either from blood lactate concentrations (AnTLa) or from ventilatory and gas exch…
Tree-pollen allergy is efficiently treated by short-term immunotherapy (STI) with seven preseasonal injections of molecular standardized allergens.
1998
The efficacy and tolerance of short-term immunotherapy (STI) by seven preseasonal injections of tree-pollen allergens (ALK7 Fruhbluhermischung) was investigated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study with 111 rhinoconjunctivitis patients. Nasal and bronchial symptoms simultaneously analyzed, and nasal symptoms as a single end point, but not the overall score of nasal, bronchial, and conjunctival symptoms, showed a significantly lower increase with STI during birch-pollen exposure (both P=0.033, n=105, Mann-Whitney U-test). However, a selective analysis with patients from centers with high recruitment figures (n> or =10 patients, n=29 STI, n=32 placebo) showed a significant…
Low Cross-Reactivity Between Cisplatin and Other Platinum Salts.
2019
Background Hypersensitivity reactions to platinum salts (PS) (cisplatin [CI], carboplatin [CA], and oxaliplatin [OX]) can be severe and their incidence is increasing due to their widespread use in cancer treatment. Objective To determine the rate of cross-reactivity between PS and whether CI can be administered without prior allergy testing in patients with a history of CA or OX hypersensitivity. Methods From September 2002 to April 2016, patients with suspected immediate PS hypersensitivity were tested and cross-reactivity between the 3 PS was evaluated. We then studied patients who were given CI without desensitization after immediate hypersensitivity to other PS. Results A total of 155 p…
Serum surfactant protein D and exhaled nitric oxide as biomarkers of early lung damage in systemic sclerosis
2017
Background Interstitial lung disease (ILD) complicates the course of systemic sclerosis (SSc), representing the main cause of death in these patients. The identification of parameters that can predict the early onset and progression of ILD in SSc represents an unmet need in clinical practice. The study was designed to explore whether the surfactant proteins (SP) A and D may be used as noninvasive tools for the early identification of ILD in SSc. Alveolar exhaled nitric oxide (NO) was investigated as a surrogate marker of distal inflammation. Methods Unselected consecutive subjects newly diagnosed with scleroderma and subjects free of respiratory and systemic diseases were recruited. All pat…
Angiotensin converting enzyme has an inhibitory role in CGRP metabolism in human skin
2005
The neutral endopeptidase (NEP) is important for calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) degradation, while the role of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) remains unclear. By using dermal microdialysis we explored the effect of phosphoramidon (NEP blocker), captopril (ACE blocker) and a mixture of both drugs on the intensity of electrically-induced CGRP-mediated neurogenic flare. The results reveal that phosphoramidon elevated flare intensity, but that this was not further increased by adding captopril. In contrast, neurogenic flare was decreased when the drug mixture was applied in compared to NEP only. Electrically released CGRP levels could be measured directly in perfusates containing p…
Three-dimensional images contribute to the diagnosis of mucous retention cyst in maxillary sinus
2011
Objective: To evaluate the detection of mucous retention cyst of maxillary sinus (MRCMS) using panoramic radiography and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Study Design: A digital database with 6,000 panoramic radiographs was reviewed for MRCMS. Suggestive images of MRCMS were detected on 185 radiographs, and patients were located and invited to return for follow-up. Thirty patients returned, and control panoramic radiographs were obtained 6 to 46 months after the initial radiograph. When MRCMS was found on control radiographs, CBCT scans were obtained. Cysts were measured and compared on radiographs and scans. The Wilcoxon, Spearman and Kolmorogov-Smirnov tests were used for statistical…
Assessment of the relationship between lung parenchymal destruction and impaired pulmonary perfusion on a lobar level in patients with emphysema.
2006
Abstract Purpose To assess the relationship between lung parenchymal destruction and impaired pulmonary perfusion on a lobar level using CT and MRI in patients with emphysema. Material and methods Forty-five patients with severe emphysema (GOLD III and IV) underwent inspiratory 3D-HRCT and contrast-enhanced MR-perfusion (1.5T; 3.5 mm × 1.9 mm × 4 mm). 3D-HRCT data was analyzed using a software for detection and visualization of emphysema. Emphysema was categorized in four clusters with different volumes and presented as overlay on the CT. CT and lung perfusion were visually analyzed for three lobes on each side using a four-point-score to grade the abnormalities on CT (1: predominantly smal…