Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease as a Main Factor of Premature Aging.

(1) Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is defined as an inflammatory disorder that presents an increasingly prevalent health problem. Accelerated aging has been examined as a pathologic mechanism of many chronic diseases like COPD. We examined whether COPD is combined with accelerated aging, studying two hormones, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and growth hormone (GH), known to be characteristic biological markers of aging.

Role of histamine in altering fluid recycling in normal and post-traumatic rabbit peritoneum.

This study aims to investigate if histamine induces electrochemical alterations in the normal and post-traumatic peritoneum. Peritoneal rabbit specimens were obtained before surgery and 10 days post-operatively and were mounted in Ussing chambers. Histamine solutions were added facing the intra-peritoneal and outer-peritoneal surface.

IGF-1 alters the human parietal pleural electrochemical profile by inhibiting ion trans-cellular transportation after interaction with its receptor.

Objective: The effect of IGF-1 in the human pleural permeability and the underlying mechanisms involved were investigated.

Design: Specimens from thoracic surgical patients were mounted in Ussing chambers. Solutions containing IGF-1 (1 nM-100 nM) and IGF-1 Receptor Inhibitor (1 μΜ), amiloride 10 μM (Na(+) channel blocker) and ouabain 1 mM (Na(+)-K(+) pump inhibitor) were used in order to investigate receptor and ion transporter involvement respectively.

Two-year mortality of patients with COPD in primary health care: an observational study.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, with high rates of underdiagnosis. There are no studies about following up COPD patients in primary health care. The aim of the current study was to estimate two-year mortality for COPD patients in primary care and assess the parameters associated with mortality.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs alter the human mesothelial pleural permeability via ion cellular transportation by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis.

Background: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used in clinical practice as analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs. Studies have implicated them in participating in permeability throughout various tissues such as the kidneys and lungs.

Objective: The effect of NSAIDs on the pleural permeability and the underlying mechanisms whereby this effect is mediated were investigated.

COPD prevalence and the differences between newly and previously diagnosed COPD patients in a spirometry program.

Aims: To evaluate the prevalence and severity of COPD in a primary care population participating in a spirometry program. Differences between newly and previously diagnosed COPD patients were identified.

Methods: A spirometry program was conducted in 15 primary care centres.

Pleural electrophysiology alterations in spontaneous pneumothorax patients.

Physiology changes of the pleura in spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) patients are not known with its etiology remaining unclear. The aim of the study was to investigate the pleural electrophysiology profile of SP patients and to compare it with the normal pleural electrophysiology. Specimens from nine patients who underwent surgery for persistent SP were obtained after wedge resection (apical visceral) and apical pleurectomy (apical parietal) alongside with parietal specimens over the 8th-9th rib (caudal parietal).

Pleural electrophysiology variations according to location in pleural cavity.

The aim of the study was to compare the electrophysiology profile of sheep pleura originated from different locations of the pleural cavity with the respective profile in humans. Sheep specimens obtained from upper and lower lung lobes, 1st-4th and 8th-12th rib, ventral-dorsal diaphragm and mediastinum were mounted between Ussing chambers. Human visceral tissues were obtained from patients subjected to lobectomy.

Human parietal pleura present electrophysiology variations according to location in pleural cavity.

The aim of the study was to investigate if human pleura from different anatomical locations presents electrophysiology differences. Specimens were stripped over the 2nd-5th rib (cranial), 8th-10th rib (caudal), and mediastinum during open surgery and were mounted between Ussing chambers. Amiloride and ouabain were added towards mesothelial surface and trans-mesothelial potential difference (PD) was measured after 1, 5, 10 and 20 min.