Endobronchial Ultrasound is Useful in the Assessment of Bronchial Wall Changes Related to Bronchial Thermoplasty.

Background: Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) is an interventional endoscopic treatment for severe asthma leading to the clinical improvement, but morphologic changes of bronchial wall related to the procedure and predictors of a favorable response to BT remain uncertain. The aim of the study was to validate an endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) in assessing the effectiveness of BT treatment.

Methods: Patients with severe asthma who met the clinical criteria for BT were included.

Assessment of Airway Remodeling Using Endobronchial Ultrasound in Asthma-COPD Overlap.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the structural changes of the airways using the endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) in ACO patients compared to severe asthma and COPD patients.

Patients And Methods: The study included 17 patients with ACO, 17 patients with COPD and 33 patients with severe asthma. Detailed clinical data were obtained from all participants.

Combination of endosonography-guided fine-needle aspiration and conventional endoscopic techniques in sarcoidosis diagnosis. Optimal strategy to achieve high diagnostic yield.

Introduction: Diagnosis of sarcoidosis is based on clinical status and radiologic specific findings. Tissue confirmation of noncaseating granulomas is crucial. Pathological confirmation of pulmonary sarcoidosis is most commonly accomplished by bronchoscopy, which has a diagnostic yield of approximately 60%-70%.

Molecular profiling of regulatory T cells in pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Background: Sarcoidosis is characterized by exaggerated immune response to unknown agent and can affect different organs. One of the main players in the pathology of the disease are regulatory T cells (Tregs), however, up to date the mechanisms of the possible molecular alterations of this particular cell subset are not known.

Methods: In the current study we looked for the global transcriptomic changes of miRNAs, using predefined array, and mRNAs (RNA seq analysis) of Tregs of patients with the most predominant form of the disease - acute pulmonary sarcoidosis (PS).

Relationship between the thickness of bronchial wall layers, emphysema score, and markers of remodeling in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

INTRODUCTION    Airway remodeling plays an important role in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Imaging methods, such as computed tomography (CT) and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), may be useful in the assessment of structural alterations in the lungs. OBJECTIVES    The aim of this study was to evaluate a relationship between the severity of emphysema assessed by chest CT, the thickness of bronchial wall layers measured by EBUS, and the markers of remodeling in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in patients with COPD.

Evaluation of factors that influence anxiety and satisfaction in patients undergoing bronchofiberoscopy with analgosedation.

Introduction: Bronchofiberoscopy (BF) is a key tool used in the management of patients with respiratory diseases. Describing factors that contribute to patient anxiety surrounding BF has the potential to influence patient management and willingness to undergo the procedure again in the future if needed.

Objectives: This study sought to understand what factors influence anxiety and satisfaction experienced by patients undergoing BF under conscious sedation.

Assessment of remodeling in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using imaging methods.

Introduction: While spirometry plays a key role in diagnosing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), imaging methods including endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and chest computed tomography (CT) appear to be useful for investigating structural changes in the lungs.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate remodeling in COPD patients using EBUS and chest CT.

Patients And Methods: The study included 33 patients with COPD, 15 patients with severe asthma, and 15 control subjects.

Modern methods for endoscopic treatment of obstructive pulmonary diseases.

Background: Despite modern medicine's greatest efforts, many patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma remain refractory to the best treatments available. Bronchoscopy is increasingly being used to explore new approaches for treating these diseases, and several new techniques have recently shown encouraging results. The purpose of this review will be to shed some light on these methods.

The opinions about e-health among nurses employed in hospitals located in an urban area in Poland.

The acceptance of e-health solutions by users representing the main professional groups in the healthcare system is of key importance for the successful development of this field. The attitude of nurses to information technology may influence the process of shaping an e-health environment. This survey was conducted to assess the use of information technologies and opinions about e-health among nurses employed in hospital centers located in an urban area in Poland.