Vaccination in adult patients with chronic lung diseases.

In Switzerland, additional vaccinations against influenza, COVID-19, Streptococcus pneumoniae and varicella zoster virus (VZV), are recommended for patients with chronic lung diseases such as COPD, asthma or interstitial lung disease, since infectious diseases often lead to exacerbation of lung diseases resulting in increased disease burden and mortality. In this review we give an overview on recommended vaccinations for patients with chronic lung diseases, also including vaccinations against pertussis and RSV, which are recommended in international guidelines. While continuous development of vaccines against S.

Quantification of breathing irregularity for the diagnosis of dysfunctional breathing using proportional tidal volume variation: a cross-sectional, retrospective real-world study.

Objectives: To develop a statistical approach that provides a quantitative index measuring the magnitude of the irregularity of the breathing response to exercise for the diagnosis of dysfunctional breathing.

Design: Cross-sectional, retrospective, real-world study.

Setting: Single-centre study.

Autoreactive T cells targeting type II pneumocyte antigens in COVID-19 convalescent patients.

Background: The role of autoreactive T cells on the course of Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) remains elusive. Type II pneumocytes represent the main target cells of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Autoimmune responses against antigens highly expressed in type II pneumocytes may influence the severity of COVID-19 disease.

[COPD : a still neglected condition].

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous lung disorder with a complex clinical picture. The diagnosis may be difficult at times, as COPD may develop insidiously and remain unnoticed for a long time. Therefore, general practitioners play a central role in early detection of disease.

[COPD - An Underestimated Disease].

COPD - An Underestimated Disease Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous lung condition with a complex clinical picture. The diagnosis is not easy to make because COPD can develop insidiously and remain unnoticed for a long time. Therefore, general practitioners play a central role in the early detection of the disease.

The clinical features of asthma exacerbations in early-onset and eosinophilic late-onset asthma may differ significantly.

Over 20 years ago, the concept of asthma control was created and appropriate measurement tools were developed and validated. Loss of asthma control can lead to an exacerbation. Years ago, the term "clinically significant asthma exacerbation" was introduced to define when a loss of control is severe enough to declare it an asthma exacerbation.

Pulmonary Surfactant Proteins Are Inhibited by Immunoglobulin A Autoantibodies in Severe COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome with fatal outcomes. Evidence suggests that dysregulated immune responses, including autoimmunity, are key pathogenic factors. To assess whether IgA autoantibodies target lung-specific proteins and contribute to disease severity.

[Novelties in the Treatment of Asthma].

For general practitioners there have been important novelties in the treatment of asthma due to recent modifications of the international guidelines from Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). In Step 1, use of short-acting beta2-agonists (SABA) without concomitant inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) as controller is no longer recommended for lack of efficacy and safety reasons. Instead, low dose ICS-formoterol as needed is recommended.

Remdesivir in Coronavirus Disease 2019 patients treated with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies: a case series.

Purpose: COVID-19 patients on anti-CD20 treatment can suffer a delayed viral clearance and worse clinical outcome. We aim to present our experience with remdesivir treatment in anti-CD20-treated patients with prolonged symptoms, a patient population for which no data from randomized controlled trials are available.

Methods: From the beginning of the pandemic until February 2021, we included all consecutive patients from our healthcare network on anti-CD20 treatment with prolonged COVID-19 symptoms, who received remdesivir.

[Novelties in the Treatment of Asthma].

Novelties in the Treatment of Asthma For general practitioners there have been important novelties in the treatment of asthma due to recent modifications of the international guidelines from Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Step 1 no longer recommends the use of short-acting β2-agonists (SABA) without concomitant inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) as a controller because of the lack of efficacy and for safety reasons. Instead, low dose ICS-formoterol as needed is recommended.

Bronchodilator Response in Patients with COPD, Asthma-COPD-Overlap (ACO) and Asthma, Evaluated by Plethysmographic and Spirometric z-Score Target Parameters.

Background: Airflow reversibility criteria in COPD are still debated - especially in situations of co-existing COPD and asthma. Bronchodilator response (BDR) is usually assessed by spirometric parameters. Changes assessed by plethysmographic parameters such as the effective, specific airway conductance (sG), and changes in end-expiratory resting level at functional residual capacity (FRC) are rarely appreciated.

Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is Associated With Elevated Serum Immunoglobulin (Ig) A and Antiphospholipid IgA Antibodies.

Background: Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) frequently entails complications that bear similarities to autoimmune diseases. To date, there are little data on possible immunoglobulin (Ig) A-mediated autoimmune responses. Here, we aim to determine whether COVID-19 is associated with a vigorous total IgA response and whether IgA antibodies are associated with complications of severe illness.

Multimodel inference applied to oxygen recovery kinetics after 6-min walk tests in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

6-min walk tests (6MWT) are routinely performed in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]) kinetics during 6MWT can be modeled and derived parameters provide indicators of patients' exercise capacity. Post-exercise [Formula: see text] recovery also provides important parameters of patients' fitness which has not been extensively investigated in COPD.

Oxygen Uptake Recovery Kinetics after the 6-Minute Walk Test in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: There is a growing interest in exercise parameters capable of objectively evaluating the functional capacity of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to analyze breath-by-breath cardiopulmonary and gas exchange recovery responses of patients with COPD after a 6-minute walk test (6MWT).

Methods: Oxygen uptake (VO2) kinetics of patients were obtained using mobile telemetric cardiopulmonary monitoring during and after a 6MWT.

Oxygen kinetics during 6-minute walk tests in patients with cardiovascular and pulmonary disease.

Background: The 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is representative of daily-life activities and reflects the functional capacity of patients. The change of oxygen uptake (VO2) in the initial phase of low-intensity exercise (VO2 kinetics) can be used to assess submaximal exercise performance of patients.The objective of the following study was to analyse VO2 kinetics in patients with different pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases.

Swiss national guideline for reimbursement of enzyme replacement therapy in late-onset Pompe disease.

Glycogen storage disease type II is a rare multi-systemic disorder characterised by an intracellular accumulation of glycogen due a mutation in the acid alpha glucosidase (GAA) gene. The level of residual enzyme activity, the genotype and other yet unknown factors account for the broad variation of the clinical phenotype. The classical infantile form is characterised by severe muscle hypotonia and cardiomyopathy leading to early death.

Exploring the transcription factor activity in high-throughput gene expression data using RLQ analysis.

Background: Interpretation of gene expression microarray data in the light of external information on both columns and rows (experimental variables and gene annotations) facilitates the extraction of pertinent information hidden in these complex data. Biologists classically interpret genes of interest after retrieving functional information from a subset of genes of interest. Transcription factors play an important role in orchestrating the regulation of gene expression.

Management of parapneumonic effusion and empyema: medical thoracoscopy and surgical approach.

Parapneumonic effusions or empyemas are frequently seen in patients with lower respiratory tract infections. The condition is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Since Gram stains and bacterial cultures are usually negative, treatment focuses on empiric antibiotic treatment and chest tube drainage.

Six-minute walk test enhanced by mobile telemetric cardiopulmonary monitoring.

Background: The 6-min walk test (6MWT) is frequently used to assess overall cardiopulmonary fitness and to predict outcome, but it yields little diagnostic information. Portable telemetric devices allow performing the 6MWT with real-time cardiopulmonary monitoring.

Objectives: The study was designed to analyze feasibility, safety and clinical usefulness of a mobile cardiopulmonary monitoring (MOB)-enhanced 6MWT.