[Studies of cellular immunity in medical workers with occupational asthma and obstructive bronchitis in health care institutions of Primorsky Krai]

Research was carried out on the basis of voluntary consent to the study of the characteristics of cellular immunity from the blood samples of the medical staff of health institutions of Primorsky Krai suffered from occupational bronchial asthma and obstructive bronchitis. For this purpose, 23 female patients with a diagnosis of occupational asthma, 100 female cases with obstructive bronchitis were examined. Mean age was 47.9 +/- 3.5 years. The control group was consisted of 30 healthy women, average age of 46.7 +/- 3.7 years. The aim of our study was to investigate the changes of cellular immunity in health care workers with occupational asthma and obstructive bronchitis. There is an urgent need to study the dynamics of immunogram for proper interpretation and to take measures to prevent complications timely.

[Role of opportunistic infection causative agent in etiology of obstructive bronchitis and prolonged subfebrility in children]

AIM

Determine the role of opportunistic infections causative agents in ethology of obstructive bronchitises and prolonged subfebrilities in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

56 children with the diagnosis of obstructive bronchitis and 46 children with the diagnosis of prolonged subfebrility were examined for the presence of herpes, mycoplasma and pneumocystic infections. EIA, IIF, rapid culture method, PCR were used.

RESULTS

The highest number of cases of mixed infection was detected in children with HHV-6 infection. Mixed infection was diagnosed 6 times more frequently in children with obstructive bronchitis and 9 times in children with prolonged subfebrility. The number of children with pneumocystosis in combination with other infections was 2.4 and 2 times higher than with monoinfection; with CMV infection--4 and 2 times; with HSV infection--5 and 4 times; EBV infection--6 and 3.7 times. The only exception was mycoplasmosis detected in children with obstructive bronchitis where the difference between the number of mono and mixed infection cases was insignificant.

CONCLUSION

The data obtained give evidence of wide spread of opportunistic infections.

[The multiplex polymerase chain reaction for detection of ventilator-associated trachea-bronchitis and pneumonia in patients with common pathogens]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinical utility of multiple polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR) in the rapid detection of the common pathogens in ventilator-associated trachea - bronchitis (VAT) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

METHODS

Sputum samples of 75 patients complicated VAT or VAP in surgical intensive care unit (SICU), were examined by bacterial culture, ordinary PCR, the M-PCR detection. The pathogen detection rates among three methods were compared.

RESULTS

The Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae of the positive detection rates were 50.7%, 45.3%, 30.7%, 41.3% and 58.7% by bacterial culture. By ordinary PCR, the positive detection rates were respectively 88.0%, 89.3%, 78.7%, 85.3% and 93.3%, and by M-PCR, the positive detection rates were respectively 92.1%, 90.7%, 82.7%, 89.3% and 96.0%. The positive rates of five common pathogens of ordinary PCR and M-PCR were higher than those of bacterial culture (all P < 0.05). The M-PCR had merit for rapid detection compared with ordinary PCR.

CONCLUSION

Compared with bacterial culture, ordinary PCR and M-PCR yield higher positive rates in identifying five common pathogens of VAT and VAP, meanwhile, it also demonstrated the tendency that M-PCR may save cost and labor power.

Successful treatment of plastic bronchitis with low fat diet and subsequent thoracic duct ligation in child with fontan physiology

Plastic bronchitis is a rare condition characterized by the formation and expectoration of long, branching bronchial casts that develop in the tracheobronchial tree and cause airway obstruction. Plastic bronchitis has become increasingly recognized as a feared complication of the Fontan operation with a mortality of up to 50%. We report an 11 year old boy who developed severe plastic bronchitis following Fontan repair and the successful long-term control of cast formation utilizing a low-fat diet and subsequent thoracic duct ligation.

Successful management of plastic bronchitis in a child post Fontan: case report and literature review

PURPOSE

Plastic bronchitis is the occlusion of the major bronchial airways by a firm, gelatinous mucoid cast. It is a rare condition, which while classically described in asthma and sickle cell disease has greater mortality in patients with congenital heart disease. The management of this disease is obscure given the lack of clinical data regarding treatment therapies.

METHODS

We describe a case of an 11-year-old female status after Fontan surgery who presented with respiratory distress secondary to atelectasis of the right lung.

RESULTS

A bronchoscopy was performed demonstrating an obstructing bronchial cast with successful extraction. The plastic bronchitis continued to recur and she was placed on multiple inhaled mucolytics as well as inhaled tissue plasminogen activator with temporary resolution. Further evaluation of the etiology of her casts revealed that she had elevated pulmonary arterial pressures. Repeated bronchoscopic removal of the casts was utilized as well as continuation of the aggressive airway clearance. Ultimately fenestration of her Fontan was performed along with treatment of pulmonary vasodilators sildenafil and bosentan. Although there was improvement of the cast formation, her airway clearance could only be weaned to four times a day therapy with which she was discharged home after a 3-month hospitalization. She continues to remain on this therapy and has not required hospitalization since the initial incident over 1 year ago.

CONCLUSIONS

Plastic bronchitis in a patient with Fontan physiology presents a treatment dilemma that may require comprehensive therapy in severe cases such as described.

Respiratory health effects of large animal farming environments

With increases in large animal-feeding operations to meet consumer demand, adverse upper and lower respiratory health effects in exposed agriculture workers are a concern. The aim of this study was to review large animal confinement feeding operational exposures associated with respiratory disease with a focus on recent advances in the knowledge of causative factors and cellular and immunological mechanisms. A PubMed search was conducted with the keywords airway, farm, swine, dairy, horse, cattle inflammation, organic dust, endotoxin, and peptidoglycan, among items were published between 1980 and now. Articles were selected based on their relevance to environmental exposure and reference to airway diseases. Airway diseases included rhinitis, sinusitis, mucus membrane inflammation syndrome, asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and organic dust toxic syndrome. There is lower prevalence of immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated asthma and atopy in farmers and their children, but organic dust worsens existing asthma. Multiple etiologic factors are linked to disease, including allergens, organic dusts, endotoxins, peptidoglycans, and gases. Large animal confinement feeding operations contain a wide diversity of microbes with increasing focus on gram-positive bacteria and archaebacteria as opposed to gram-negative bacteria in mediating disease. Toll-like receptors (TLR) and nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)-like innate immune pathways respond to these exposures. Finally, a chronic inflammatory adaptation, tolerance-like response in chronically exposed workers occurs. Large animal confinement farming exposures produce a wide spectrum of upper and lower respiratory tract diseases due to the complex diversity of organic dust, particulates, microbial cell wall components, and gases and resultant activation of various innate immune receptor signaling pathways.

Long-term stabilization of respiratory conditions in patients with spinal muscular atrophy type 2 by continuous positive airway pressure: a report of two cases

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 2 is a motor neuron disease that leads to severe congenital muscle atrophy. The majority of adult patients are at risk of death due to respiratory failure. Here, we report on two patients with SMA type 2 who repeatedly developed bronchitis and pneumonia. The patient in Case 1 was a 48-year-old female lacking exon 7 of the survival motor neuron gene (SMN) 1. The patient in Case 2 was a 37-year-old female lacking exons 7 and 8 in SMN 1 and exon 5 in the neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein (NAIP) gene. We applied continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in both cases because their data on polysomnography showed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). CPAP treated their respiratory symptoms as well as those due to OSA. Moreover, CPAP stabilized the respiratory condition of Case 1 for seven years and seven months and that of Case 2 for five years and four months. These findings suggest that CPAP alone can achieve long-term improvement in the respiratory condition in patients with SMA type 2.

Hospital admissions for asthma and acute bronchitis in El Paso, Texas: do age, sex, and insurance status modify the effects of dust and low wind events?

BACKGROUND

El Paso County (Texas) is prone to still air inversions and is one of the dust "hot spots" in North America. In this context, we examined the sub-lethal effects of airborne dust and low wind events on human respiratory health (i.e., asthma and acute bronchitis) between 2000 and 2003, when 110 dust and 157 low wind events occurred. Because environmental conditions may not affect everyone the same, we explored the effects of dust and low wind within three age groups (children, adults, and the elderly), testing for effect modifications by sex and insurance status, while controlling for weather and air pollutants.

METHODS

We used a case-crossover design using events matched with referent days on the same day-of-the-week, month, and year with conditional logistic regression to estimate the probability of hospital admission, while controlling for apparent temperature (lag 1), nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter of 2.5μm or less.

RESULTS

Children (aged 1-17) were 1.19 (95% confidence interval: 1.00-1.41) times more likely to be hospitalized for asthma three days after a low wind event, and 1.33 (95% CI: 1.01-1.75) times more likely to be hospitalized for acute bronchitis one day after a dust event than on a clear day. Girls were more sensitive to acute bronchitis hospitalizations after dust events (1.83, 95% CI: 1.09-3.08) than boys, but less sensitive than boys to acute bronchitis hospitalizations after low wind events (0.68, 95% CI: 0.46-1.00). We found general trends with regard to dust and low wind events being associated with increased odds of hospitalization for asthma and bronchitis amongst all ages and adults (aged 18-64). Adults covered by Medicaid and adults without health insurance had higher risks of hospitalization for asthma and acute bronchitis after both low wind and dust events.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that there were respiratory health effects associated with dust and low wind events in El Paso, with stronger impacts among children and poor adults. Girls and boys with acute bronchitis were differentially sensitive to dust and low wind events.

Inhaled antibiotic therapy for ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis and ventilator-associated pneumonia: an update

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in mechanically-ventilated patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT) was previously believed to be an intermediate stage between colonization of the lower respiratory tract and VAP. More recent data, however, suggest that VAT may be a separate entity that increases morbidity and mortality, independently of the occurrence of VAP. Some, but not all, patients with VAT progress to develop VAP. Although inhaled antibiotics alone could be effective for the treatment of VAP, the current consensus of opinion favors their role as adjuncts to systemic antimicrobial therapy for VAP. Inhaled antibiotics are increasingly employed for salvage therapy in patients with VAP due to multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria. In contrast to VAP, VAT could be effectively treated with inhaled antibiotic therapy alone or in combination with systemic antimicrobials.

[Effect of ambient air PM10 concentration on the hospital outpatient visit of respiratory diseases in Shenzhen City]

OBJECTIVE

To explore quantitatively the impact of the ambient air PM10 concentration (inhalable particulate matter) on the hospital outpatients for respiratory diseases.

METHODS

Daily hospital visits data in 2008 was collected from a hospital in Shenzhen, meteorological data and air pollution data were collected from Shenzhen Meteorological Bureau and Shenzhen Environmental Protection Bureau, respectively. There was a time serial analysis using semi-parameter generalized additive model extend Poisson regression, after controlled with long-term tend, the-day-of-week, meteorological factors and other air pollutants. Excess relative risks (ER) of daily hospital visits associated with increased PM10 level were estimated.

RESULTS

Ambient air PM10 concentration were no association with the increase of outpatients for respiratory in the same day. The lagged effect of 5 days with an ER of 1.113% (95% CI 0.613% - 1.616%) was observed. Except (PM10 + CO) model, the ER value increased when SO2, NO2, CO concentrations were introduced.

CONCLUSION

The ambient air PM10 concentration could positively associated with the increase of daily hospital visits for respiratory diseases in Shenzhen.

Significance of cannabis use to dental practice

The illicit use of the three main forms of cannabis-marijuana, hash, hash oil-pose certain obstacles and challenges to the dental professional. There are a number of systemic, as well as oral/head and neck manifestations, associated with cannabis use. Dentists need to be aware of these manifestations in order to take whatever precautions and/or modifications to the proposed treatment that might be necessary.

[The radical minimal access thoracoplasty by funnel chest in adults]

A new technique of radical thoracoplasty, performed with a small size incision, using the sternocostal complex fixation with nitinol plates with shape memory and the surgical toolkit required for the purpose, has been successfully introduced. 23 patients underwent surgery using the technique. Tree patients had early postoperative complications: 2 cases of exudative pleurisy and 1 case of bronchitis aggravation. Good cosmetic results was achieved in all operated patients. The mechanical ground of the technique is based on the use of the effective force of the sternum traction and the pressure of the plate on the tissues below. The main advantage of the method is avoidance of the transverse sternotomy.

A case of sinobronchial allergic mycosis; possibility of basidiomycetous fungi as a causative antigen

We herein report a case of sinobronchial allergic mycosis (SAM) caused by basidiomycetous (BM) fungi (probably Phanerochaete velutina). The patient with bronchial asthma that accompanied allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) fulfilled all 6 criteria for diagnosing SAM. In this case, the BM fungus may act as an allergen, reacting continually in both the upper and lower respiratory tract. The antifungal drug (itraconazole 50 mg/day) seemed to achieve a partial response. Basidiomycetous fungi may attract attention because of the possibility as a causative antigen in this new clinical concept of SAM.

Severe obliterative bronchitis associated with Stevens-Johnson syndrome

We report a case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) in which the patient had been diagnosed with severe obliterative bronchitis. A 29-year-old woman was admitted with a high fever and a widespread vesicular rash. She was diagnosed with SJS and betamethasone administration was started. After one month, her vesicular skin rash improved; however, she developed respiratory failure and was assisted with mechanical ventilation. Computed tomography of the chest demonstrated a hyperlucent lung with narrowing of the peripheral vessels. Bronchoscopy revealed an occlusion of the bronchus when the patient exhaled. The flow-volume curve revealed a severe obstructive pattern. The patient was diagnosed with obliterative bronchitis following SJS. She was treated with a bronchodilator and steroids, but could not breathe adequately without the ventilator. During the following year, her PaCO(2) increased to 100 torr and her heart function also continued to worsen. Despite intensive treatment, she died one year and seven months after the onset of SJS. In SJS and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) patients, chronic pulmonary complications are rare, but there is no effective therapy for obliterative bronchitis following SJS/TEN. Therefore, early awareness of this condition is needed and lung transplantation must be considered at an early stage of this disease.

[Organisational and legal issues of medical rehabilitation for patients with occupational diseases caused by dust]

The study based on Rehabilitation Center No 2 in Rostov region covered 100 male patients with dust obstructive bronchitis. The authors considered organisational and legal problems of medical rehabilitation for patients with occupational diseases caused by dust. The authors also specified and suggested stages of individual medical rehabilitation and efficiency criteria for rehabilitation, exeplified by dust obstructive bronchitis patients. Data show that creation and accomplishment of individual medical rehabilitation programs for dust obstructive bronchitis patients enable to optimize rehabilitation process, provide continuity of medical rehabilitation, evaluate efficiency of rehabilitation measures on each step of medical rehabilitation. Higher efficiency of rehabilitation is achieved by individual rehabilitation added by nebulizer treatment, efferent therapy, psychologic correction and specialized education for chronic patients with obstructive lung diseases.

Respiratory tract infections after cardiac surgery: impact on hospital morbidity and mortality

AIM

Nosocomial pneumonia (NP) and tracheobronchitis after cardiac surgery are associated with worse outcomes. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with NP and tracheobronchitis after cardiac surgery and to determine the impact of these infections on hospital morbidity and mortality.

METHODS

We evaluated 1600 adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery under standard cardiopulmonary bypass. Data were collected prospectively. All NP and tracheobronchitis episodes were confirmed by a semiquantitative culture of endotracheal aspirate. Logistic regression analysis was done to identify risk factors for respiratory tract infection and mortality.

RESULTS

The rate of NP was 1.2% (15.6 episodes per 1000 days of mechanical ventilation) and that of tracheobronchitis was 1.6% (21 episodes per 1000 days of mechanical ventilation). Significant independent risk factors for respiratory tract infection (pneumonia or tracheobronchitis) were: left ventricular ejection fraction < 30% (P = 0.001), chronic renal failure (P < 0.0001) and urgent surgery (P < 0.0001). Patients with NP had significantly higher mortality (42% versus 0.9%, P < 0.0001) than patients without respiratory tract infection. The median hospital length of stay was significantly longer in patients with pneumonia (42 days) and tracheobronchitis (28 days) than in patients without any respiratory tract infection (11 days, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

NP after cardiac surgery is associated with severe outcomes. Independent risk markers for respiratory tract infection were left ventricular ejection fraction < 30%, chronic renal failure and urgent surgery.

Asthma in older adults

Asthma in older people is common and is characterised by underdiagnosis and undertreatment. Ageing is associated with unique issues that modify expression, recognition, and treatment of the disease. In particular, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) both overlap and converge in older people. This concurrence, together with absence of precise diagnostic methods, makes diagnosis complex. A multidimensional assessment that addresses airway problems, comorbidities, risk factors, and management skills will draw attention to key needs for intervention. Increased attention to the complications of asthma and obstructive airway disease in older people is needed, specifically to develop effective systems of care, appropriate clinical practice guidelines, and a research agenda that delivers improved health outcomes.

[Approach of acute bronchitis in general practice]

Acute bronchitis is a frequent infection in general practice. Its origin is usually viral, but frequently, antibiotics are prescribed in this situation, without any clinical benefit. There are several reasons for this, the most important is probably the difficulty of GP's to distinguish on clinical ground alone between "viral type, meaning spontaneously healing ", and "bacterial type, meaning potentially dangerous" acute respiratory infections. The emergence of bacteria resistant to antibiotics is defined by the W.H.O. as a major problem of public health. One of the most important measures is the diminution of antibiotic prescriptions. The approach outlined here will help this purpose. The combination of four clinical parameters (fever <38 degrees C, heart rate <100', respiratory rate <24' and a normal auscultation) will allow to avoid the prescription of antibiotics, this constellation in acute bronchitis being sufficiently characteristic of "a viral type" of infection. In case of doubt, the measurement of the CRP, allows to avoid antibiotics if the value is normal (or slightly elevated). This approach is valuable in adults with an otherwise normal health, outside severe chronic illness (which could weaken immunity) and for adults <65 years of age.

Gastro-esophageal studies in relationship to respiratory problems

Gastroesophageal reflux represents a physiological phenomenon in the first year of life. The reflux associated with clinical complications is defined as "gastroesophageal reflux disease" (GERD), that may be esophageal or extra-esophageal, as is for respiratory problems. Nuclear medicine investigations have given an important contribution to the diagnostic assessment and therapeutical management of GERD in children, by means of the following procedures: scintigraphy of the gastroduodenal transit and reflux detection, scintigraphic quantification of gastric emptying, scintigraphy of the esophageal transit, radioisotopic salivagram, scintigraphy of lung perfusion, ventilation and of mucociliary clearance. All of these investigations are among the less irradiating nuclear medicine procedures, therefore particularly adapted to paediatrics. The main clinical advantages of this body of information include: improvements in the management of many asthmatic children, surgical anti-reflux intervention success-rate increase, prompt regional lung alterations detection for preventing stable tissue damage, and many others.

Risk factors for chest illness in chronic spinal cord injury: a prospective study

OBJECTIVE

Chest illnesses commonly cause morbidity in persons with chronic spinal cord injury. Risk factors remain poorly characterized because previous studies have not accounted for factors other than spinal cord injury.

DESIGN

Between 1994 and 2005, 403 participants completed a respiratory questionnaire and underwent spirometry. Participants were contacted at a median of 1.7 yrs [interquartile range: 1.3-2.5 yrs] apart over a mean (SD) of 5.1 +/- 3.0 yrs and asked to report chest illnesses that had resulted in time off work, spent indoors, or in bed since prior contact.

RESULTS

In 97 participants, there were 247 chest illnesses (0.12/person-year) with 54 hospitalizations (22%). Spinal cord injury level, completeness of injury, and duration of injury were not associated with illness risk. Adjusting for age and smoking history, any wheeze (relative risk = 1.92; 95% confidence interval: 1.19, 3.08), pneumonia or bronchitis since spinal cord injury (relative risk = 2.29; 95% confidence interval: 1.40, 3.75), and physician-diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (relative risk = 2.17; 95% confidence interval: 1.08, 4.37) were associated with a greater risk of chest illness. Each percent-predicted decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 sec was associated with a 1.2% increase in risk of chest illness (P = 0.030).

CONCLUSIONS

In chronic spinal cord injury, chest illness resulting in time spent away from usual activities was not related to the level or completeness of spinal cord injury but was related to reduced pulmonary function, wheeze, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a history of pneumonia and bronchitis, and smoking.

[Clinical investigation of postinfectious cough among adult patients with prolonged cough]

To prospectively investigate the incidence and clinical findings of "postinfectious cough" among adult patients with prolonged cough, enrolled from July 2006 to June 2008, we studied the serum antibodies of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Bordetella pertussis in those who complained of cough lasting 3-8 weeks but with no abnormalities on their chest X-ray films. Mycoplasma pneumoniae bronchitis, Chlamydophila pneumoniae bronchitis, and pertussis were diagnosed based on serological criteria in 5.5%, 4.1%, 9.2% of the cases, respectively. Postinfectious cough including "post-common cold cough" comprised 39.4% of all prolonged cough cases. The above diseases lacked specific clinical findings, making it difficult to differentiate between diseases causing postinfectious cough. Postinfectious cough is thought to be a common clinical entity, however further definitions of the diagnostic criteria and rapid diagnostic procedures are desirable, first to prevent familial transmission, and secondly to differentiate from allergic diseases that cause chronic cough.

[Medical handicap and otorhinolaryngologic foreign bodies about 4 original cases]

The multiple variant of aero-digestive foreign bodies' pathology determine many complex aspects with regard to their physiopathology, nature, and their location. The presence of a medical handicap or any particular condition could increase morbidity and expose to major risks. We are reporting here about 4 cases including an esophagus foreign body in a leprosies patient, an esophago-gastric case in a mental disorder patient, and two laryngeal-tracheal-bronchial cases during epileptic episodes. From the rarity of such accidents in an adult to their happening during a loss of consciousness or a delirious state, the clinical history is always missing. The symptoms are atypical and may misguide. The classical penetration syndrome cannot be reported. Only a clinical examination carefully conducted and completed with targeted para clinical examinations can help make early diagnosis. Endoscopy of the Esophagus on one hand, and endoscopy of the trachea and lungs on the other hand were used to extract these foreign bodies.

[Evaluation of matrix metalloproteinases (pro-MMP-1, MMP-2,8) and their inhibitor (TIMP-1) contents in patients with occupational lung diseases]

Studies of matrix metalloproteinases in patients with occupational bronchopulmonary diseases and in individuals exposed to asbestos dust revealed hyperactivated protease system--lower level of MMP-1 proenzyme and increased production of TIMP-1 (metalloproteinases inhibitor)--in all the examinees groups. Patients with pneumoconiosis and occupational dust bronchitis demonstrated increased neutrophilic elastase that is activator of metalloproteinases inducing sclerotic changes and pulmonary fibrosis.

Pseudomembranous tracheobronchitis caused by Aspergillus in immunocompromised patients

We report 2 cases of Aspergillus pseudomembranous tracheobronchitis in patients with diabetes. The first patient succumbed to progressive obstructive respiratory failure despite mechanical ventilation and antifungal therapy. However, the second patient survived. Aspergillus tracheobronchitis should be considered in immuno-compromised patients presenting with cough, chest pain, fever, dyspnea and upper airway obstruction. Early bronchoscopy and histologic examination should be performed. Early, appropriate treatment may be life saving.

Smoke free policies in Europe. An overview

This article is an overview of the current status of implementation of smoke free legislation in Europe and particularly in Romania. It overviews mostly how these laws are put to work. Comments are made on the scientific evidence of the harm induced by second-hand smoking, well known cause of lung cancer, cardiac disease, low birth weight and chronic respiratory diseases like bronchitis and asthma, especially in children. In the countries where the smoke free legislation was successfully implemented (Ireland, Italy, Scotland) there is evidence of reduced prevalence of the smoking induced diseases, especially acute coronary attacks. The article emphasizes on the major role of healthcare professionals in reducing the smoking level, but also on the involvement of politicians, especially the newly elected Romanians in the European political organisms.

Inflammatory mechanisms and treatment of obstructive airway diseases with neutrophilic bronchitis

Obstructive airway diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are major global health issues. Although considered as distinct diseases, airway inflammation is a key underlying pathophysiological process in asthma, COPD and bronchiectasis. Persistent neutrophilic airway inflammation (neutrophilic bronchitis) occurs with innate immune activation and is a feature of each of these airway diseases. Little is known about the mechanisms leading to neutrophilic bronchitis and few treatments are effective in reducing neutrophil accumulation in the airways. There is a similar pattern of inflammatory mediator release and toll like receptor 2 expression in asthma, COPD and bronchiectasis. We propose the existence of an active amplification mechanism, an effector arm of the innate immune system, involving toll like receptor 2, operating in persistent neutrophilic bronchitis. Neutrophil persistence in the airways can occur through a number of mechanisms such as impaired apoptosis, efferocytosis and mucus hypersecretion, all of which are impaired in airways disease. Impairment of neutrophil clearance results in a reduced ability to respond to bacterial infection. Persistent activation of airway neutrophils may result in the persistent activation of the innate immune system resulting in further airway insult. Current therapies are limited for the treatment of neutrophilic bronchitis; possible treatments being investigated include theophylline, statins, antagonists of pro-inflammatory cytokines and macrolide antibiotics. Macrolides have shown great promise in their ability to reduce airway inflammation, and can reduce airway neutrophils, levels of CXCL8 and neutrophil proteases in the airways. Studies also show improvements in quality of life and exacerbation rates in airways diseases.

Fontan patient with plastic bronchitis treated successfully using aerosolized tissue plasminogen activator: a case report and review of the literature

Plastic bronchitis is an uncommon condition characterized by the production of large pale bronchial casts that obstruct the tracheobronchial tree. The cellular content, cohesiveness, and often rubber-like consistency distinguish bronchial casts from the usual mucus plugs found with such disease states as asthma. Plastic bronchitis can be found secondary to many conditions, and a simplified classification scheme organizes it into two groups: an inflammatory type consisting of casts with an eosinophilic inflammatory infiltrate and an acellular type with a predominance of fibrin distinguished by its relative lack of cellular infiltrate, its mucin predominance, and its appearance only in children with congenital cyanotic heart disease. This report describes a 5-year-old girl who experienced plastic bronchitis 3 months after a Fontan procedure for hypoplastic left heart syndrome that was treated successfully with aerosolized tissue plasminogen activator.

Outdoor air pollution, genetic susceptibility, and asthma management: opportunities for intervention to reduce the burden of asthma

Outdoor air pollution at levels occurring in many urban areas around the world has substantial adverse effects on health. Children in general, and children with asthma in particular, are sensitive to the adverse effects of outdoor air pollutants, including ozone, nitrogen oxides, and respirable particulate matter. A growing number of studies also show that children living in environments near traffic have increased risks of new-onset asthma, asthma symptoms, exacerbations, school absences, and asthma-related hospitalizations. The large population of children exposed to high levels of outdoor air pollutants and the substantial risks for adverse health effects present unexploited opportunities to reduce the burden of asthma. Because the evidence indicates significant adverse effects of air pollution at current levels, there is clearly a need to reduce levels of regulated pollutants such as ozone, as well as unregulated pollutants in tailpipe emissions from motor vehicles. Achieving this long-term goal requires the active involvement of physicians and medical providers to ensure that the health of children is at the top of the list of competing priorities for regulatory policy decision-making. Clinical approaches include treatment to control asthma and patient education to reduce adverse effects of the disease. Reduction in exposures also can be approached at a policy level through changes in schools and school bus operations. Beyond clinical and public health approaches to reduce exposure, another strategy to be used before clean air goals are met is to decrease the susceptibility of children to air pollution. Emerging research indicates that dietary supplementation for individuals with low antioxidant levels is one promising approach to reducing susceptibility to air pollution. A second approach involves induction of enzymatic antioxidant defenses, especially for individuals with at-risk genetic variants of key antioxidant enzymes.

Water-pipe (narguile) smokers in Lebanon: a pilot study

We carried out a comparative study to assess the demographic and social characteristics of water pipe (WP) smokers, the association with cigarette smoking and chronic respiratory diseases and the dependence profile on 4 groups: exclusive WP smokers, exclusive cigarette smokers, mixed smokers and absolute non-smokers. Cigarette smoking was statistically significantly higher in WP smokers than non-WP smokers; 36.5% of exclusive WP smokers smoked > or =7 WPs/week. Chronic respiratory disease and chronic bronchitis were reported more frequently in exclusive WP smokers than absolute non-smokers. WP smoking seems to be as great a risk factor as cigarette smoking for chronic respiratory disease.

[Vascular endothelial growth factor - structure, function and role in airways inflammation and the clinical course of asthma]

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is produced by a wide range of cells and plays an important role in normal and pathological angiogenesis. The formation of the vascular system is essential for inflammatory process in airways, especially in the course of chronic lung diseases - for example bronchial asthma. Increased level of VEGF in serum and induced sputum has been demonstrated in patients with stable asthma, as well as during the exacerbation of this disease. VEGF end VEGF-receptor's expressions is closely correlated with neovascularization and seems to be an important predictor of the lung's remodeling. Due to direct causative relationship between inflammatory process and angiogenesis in airways, it was suggested, that inhibiting VEGF's activity would have an anti-inflammatory effect on airways. In this article the potential role of vascular endothelial growth factor in airways inflammation, remodeling and the clinical course of bronchial asthma is presented.

[Anatomic features of the structure of lobar and segmental bronchi in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis]

Digital videotape recording was done in 81 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis involving the upper lobe of one of the lungs during bronchoscopy. Video filming was used to measure the cross-section area of the ostia of all segmental bronchi of the intact and affected lung. The findings suggest that there is some increase in the mean values of the cross-section area of the ostia of the bronchi draining the affected lobe as compared with the similar parameters in patients in whom this lung is intact. The endoscopic signs of diffuse atrophic endobronchitis are also more significantly frequently detected on the ipsilateral side of the involvement.

The relationship of respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions to the southern California wildfires of 2003

OBJECTIVE

There is limited information on the public health impact of wildfires. The relationship of cardiorespiratory hospital admissions (n = 40 856) to wildfire-related particulate matter (PM(2.5)) during catastrophic wildfires in southern California in October 2003 was evaluated.

METHODS

Zip code level PM(2.5) concentrations were estimated using spatial interpolations from measured PM(2.5), light extinction, meteorological conditions, and smoke information from MODIS satellite images at 250 m resolution. Generalised estimating equations for Poisson data were used to assess the relationship between daily admissions and PM(2.5), adjusted for weather, fungal spores (associated with asthma), weekend, zip code-level population and sociodemographics.

RESULTS

Associations of 2-day average PM(2.5) with respiratory admissions were stronger during than before or after the fires. Average increases of 70 microg/m(3) PM(2.5) during heavy smoke conditions compared with PM(2.5) in the pre-wildfire period were associated with 34% increases in asthma admissions. The strongest wildfire-related PM(2.5) associations were for people ages 65-99 years (10.1% increase per 10 microg/m(3) PM(2.5), 95% CI 3.0% to 17.8%) and ages 0-4 years (8.3%, 95% CI 2.2% to 14.9%) followed by ages 20-64 years (4.1%, 95% CI -0.5% to 9.0%). There were no PM(2.5)-asthma associations in children ages 5-18 years, although their admission rates significantly increased after the fires. Per 10 microg/m(3) wildfire-related PM(2.5), acute bronchitis admissions across all ages increased by 9.6% (95% CI 1.8% to 17.9%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease admissions for ages 20-64 years by 6.9% (95% CI 0.9% to 13.1%), and pneumonia admissions for ages 5-18 years by 6.4% (95% CI -1.0% to 14.2%). Acute bronchitis and pneumonia admissions also increased after the fires. There was limited evidence of a small impact of wildfire-related PM(2.5) on cardiovascular admissions.

CONCLUSIONS

Wildfire-related PM(2.5) led to increased respiratory hospital admissions, especially asthma, suggesting that better preventive measures are required to reduce morbidity among vulnerable populations.

Yellow nail syndrome

A 70-year-old man presented with a three-year history of thickened and slow growing, yellow-to-green, discolored fingernails and toenails with loss of lunulae and cuticles. He also had a concurrent history of chronic sinusitis with persistent productive cough. His presentation was consistent with the diagnosis of yellow nail syndrome (YNS), which is a rare disorder classically characterized by the triad of yellow dystrophic nails, lymphedema, and respiratory tract abnormalities but which more frequently manifests with only two of three features. The exact mechanism of YNS remains unknown; however, it is thought to reflect functional and/or anatomic defects in the lymphatic vasculature. Treatment options are limited and often unsuccessful, but spontaneous remission occurs in approximately 30 percent of affected patients.

Aberrant gene promoter methylation in sputum from individuals exposed to smoky coal emissions

BACKGROUND

Recent studies suggested the potential for aberrant gene promoter methylation in sputum as predictive marker for lung cancer. Here, the promoter methylation of p16, MGMT, RASSF1A and DAPK genes was investigated in sputum of individuals exposed to smoky coal emissions in Xuan Wei, China, where the lung cancer rate more than 6 times the Chinese national average.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sputum DNA of 107 noncancer individuals and 58 lung cancer patients was screened for promoter methylation using methylation-specific PCR.

RESULTS

Promoter methylation of the p16 gene was detected in about half [51.4% (55/107)] sputum DNA from noncancer individuals, a frequency higher than that observed for the RASSF1A (29.9%), MGMT (17.8%) and DAPK (15.9%) genes. Furthermore, the p16 gene was affected by promoter methylation at a frequency even higher among the lung cancer group, compared with the noncancer group [70.7% (41/58) versus 51.7% (55/107), p = 0.017].

CONCLUSION

Individuals exposed to smoky coal emissions in this region harbored frequent promoter methylation of these genes in their sputum and some of such alterations may be involved in lung tumor development.