Formyl peptide receptor ligands promote wound closure in lung epithelial cells.

Mitochondrial antigens released from damaged cells act as "danger signals" capable of promoting innate immune cell migration and activation via formyl peptide receptors (FPRs). Lung epithelial cells are equipped to migrate and mount innate immune responses in the context of acute lung injury. The goal of this study was to determine whether lung epithelial cells express FPRs, which are capable of responding to mitochondrial antigens to promote wound closure and inflammation.

Delays and efficiency in the bronchoscopy suite: perception meets reality.

Procedural delays or late start times in the bronchoscopy suite can impact operational efficiencies and potentially patient care. To date, little data have been published examining the potential causes of such delays or ways to prevent them in the bronchoscopy unit. In a quality assessment project at a major medical center, we surveyed members of the bronchoscopy team to determine perceptions of the existence of delays in the bronchoscopy suite and possible causes.