Inflammatory cells and apoptosis in respiratory and limb muscles of patients with COPD.

Discrepancies exist regarding the involvement of cellular inflammation and apoptosis in the muscle dysfunction of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with preserved body composition. We explored whether levels of inflammatory cells and apoptosis were increased in both respiratory and limb muscles of COPD patients without nutritional abnormalities. In the vastus lateralis, external intercostals, and diaphragms of severe and moderate COPD patients with normal body composition, and in healthy subjects, intramuscular leukocytes and macrophage levels were determined (immunohistochemistry).

Oxidised proteins and superoxide anion production in the diaphragm of severe COPD patients.

In the diaphragms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, the nature of oxidatively modified proteins and superoxide anion production were explored. Diaphragm specimens were obtained through thoracotomy because of localised lung lesions in COPD patients (16 severe and eight moderate) and 10 control subjects. Lung and respiratory muscle functions were evaluated.

Multiple independent primary cancers do not adversely affect survival of the lung cancer patient.

Objective: Diagnosis of multiple independent primary cancers is increasing in many settings. Objectives of this study were to analyze clinical characteristics, organ location, and prognosis associated with the presentation of multiple independent primaries when a lung cancer is involved.

Methods: We analyzed all patients with a histology-proven diagnosis of lung cancer registered from January 1990 to December 2004 at the Tumor Registry of the Hospital del Mar, Barcelona.

Low- vs high-dose almitrine combined with nitric oxide to prevent hypoxia during open-chest one-lung ventilation.

Background: Almitrine combined with inhaled nitric oxide (NO) can prevent hypoxia during one-lung ventilation (OLV). The optimal dose of almitrine that would provide therapeutic advantage with few side-effects during open-chest OLV has not been established.

Methods: Forty-two patients undergoing thoracotomy were randomly allocated to three groups: placebo, almitrine 4 microg kg(-1) min(-1) and inhaled NO 10 p.