The Role of Serum Coagulation Factors in the Differential Diagnosis of Patients with Pneumonia and Parapneumonic Effusion.

The aim of this study was to identify the participations of the serum coagulations and fibrinolysis factors that contribute to the differential diagnosis of the patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) without effusion, uncomplicated parapneumonic effusion (UCPPE) and complicated parapneumonic effusion (CPPE). The coagulations system is fundamental for the maintenance of homeostasis, and contributes to the inflammatory process responsible for CAP and the parapneumonic effusion. The factors of coagulations and fibrinolysis participate in the cellular proliferation and migration as in the synthesis of the inflammatory mediators.

The Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus in COPD Patients with Severe and Very Severe Stage of the Disease.

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in privies diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with severe and very severe disease, which ware stable.

Methods: We investigated 100 subjects, all of them smokers, with smoking status >10 years. They were stratified in two groups.

Analysis of Lymphocyte Immunological Reactivity in Patients with Pleural Effusions of Different Aetiology.

Background: The proportion of T and B lymphocytes in pleural fluids and blood may point to the presence of local immunological phenomena in pleural disorders.

Aim: Aim of study was to evaluate the lymphocyte phenotype and the ratio between helper (CD4+) and cytotoxic/suppressor (CD8+) lymphocytes in malignant and non-malignant effusions.

Material And Methods: We studied 48 patients with pleural effusions.

Analysis of Plasma Concentrations of Theophylline in Smoking and Nonsmoking Patients with Asthma.

Background: While dosing theophylline in asthmatics, we should consider that a lot of medicines, substances, conditions and diseases affect the clearance of theophylline, such as smoking, macrolide antibiotics, barbiturates, oral contraceptives, heart and liver insufficiency, alcohol, calcium-antagonists, pneumonia, viral infections, hypoxemia, etc.

Aim: The aim of the study is to investigate the concentrations of theophylline during the day in smoking and nonsmoking patients with asthma.

Material And Methods: We have estimated the concentrations of theophylline 6 times daily by the HPLC method (Keith Muir, J Chromatography) in 20 smoking and 20 nonsmoking asthmatic patients, who were treated with theophylline sustained-release tablets 175 mg twice daily.

Predictive Factors for the Effect of Treatment by Noninvasive Ventilation in Patients with Respiratory Failure as a Result of Acute Exacerbation of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) applies ventilator support through the patient's upper airway using a mask.

Aim: The aim of the study is to define factors that will point out an increased risk of NIV failure in patients with exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Patients And Methods: Patients over the age of 40, treated with NIV, were prospectively recruited.