Calculated Maximal Volume Ventilation (cMVV) as a Marker of Early Respiratory Failure in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Respiratory failure assessment is among the most debatable research topics in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) clinical research due to the wide heterogeneity of its presentation. Among the different pulmonary function tests (PFTs), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) has shown potential utility as a diagnostic and monitoring marker, able to capture early respiratory modification in neuromuscular disorders. In the present study, we explored calculated MVV (cMVV) as a prognostic biomarker in a center-based, retrospective ALS population belonging to the Piemonte and Valle d'Aosta registry for ALS (PARALS).

Triple Therapy in COPD: Can We Welcome the Reduction in Cardiovascular Risk and Mortality?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex disease which consists in the reduction of the airflow and leads to the disruption of the pulmonary tissue due to a chronic inflammation. The progression of the disease is characterized by an exacerbation of the symptoms and the presence of life-threatening systemic complications, such as stroke and ischemic heart disease, with a progressive decline in lung function which can deeply impact the quality of life. Mortality represents the most important COPD outcome, with an increased risk in patients with cardiovascular comorbidities.

SARS-CoV-2 Detection on Bronchoalveolar Lavage: An Italian Multicenter experience.

Background: Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) during the SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) pandemic should be reserved to a limited number of clinical indications. The yield of BAL for the diagnosis of suspected or confirmed pulmonary SARS-CoV-2 infection is still unknown.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic ratio of BAL in detecting SARS-CoV-2 pulmonary infection in patients undergoing bronchoscopy for different indications as well as describe the clinical, radiological, and endoscopic characteristics of patients with SARS-CoV-2 on BAL.

Predictors of reversible airway obstruction with omalizumab in severe asthma: a real-life study.

Background: Omalizumab may modulate airway remodeling in severe asthma. Using forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV) as a surrogate of airway remodeling, we aimed to investigate if an omalizumab add-on in severe allergic asthma may lead to a persistent reversal of airway obstruction and to evaluate the potential biomarkers of airway obstruction reversibility.

Methods: Data were collected before (T0) and after omalizumab add-on for 1 year (T1, 32 patients), 2 years (T2, 26 patients) and 4 years (T4, 13 patients).

Basophil Membrane Expression of Epithelial Cytokine Receptors in Patients with Severe Asthma.

Background: Severe asthma is a heterogeneous disease, which is characterized by airway damage and remodeling. All triggers of asthma, such as allergens, bacteria, viruses, and pollutants, interact with the airway epithelial cells, which drive the airway inflammatory response through the release of cytokines, particularly IL-25, IL-33, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP).

Objectives And Methods: To investigate whether the expression of the IL-25, IL-33, and TSLP receptors on the basophil membrane are associated with asthma severity.

Asthmatic Patients with Vitamin D Deficiency have Decreased Exacerbations after Vitamin Replacement.

Background: Intervention studies with vitamin D in asthma are inconclusive for several reasons, such as inadequate dosing or duration of supplementation or uncontrolled baseline vitamin D status. Our aim was to evaluate the benefit of long term vitamin D add-on in asthmatic patients with actual vitamin D deficiency, that is a serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD ) below 20 ng/mL.

Methods: Serum 25-OHD, asthma exacerbations, spirometry and inhaled corticosteroids (CS) dose were evaluated in a cohort of 119 asthmatic patients.

Asthma management in a specialist setting: Results of an Italian Respiratory Society survey.

Background: Asthma considerably impairs patients' quality of life and increases healthcare costs. Severity, morbidity, and degree of disease control are the major drivers of its clinical and economic impact. National scientific societies are required to monitor the application of international guidelines and to adopt strategies to improve disease control and better allocate resources.

The immunobiological and clinical role of vitamin D in obstructive lung diseases.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which is obtained by conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin by UV ray and by diet. Its role on bone mineralization has been known for over two hundred years, while its non-skeletal effects have been acknowledged only in the last few years. The discovery of important vitamin D properties on the innate and adaptive immune system created a lot of interest in a potential role of vitamin D on diseases characterized by heightened inflammation and oxidative response, and impaired antimicrobial response, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The immunobiological and clinical role of vitamin D in obstructive lung diseases.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which is obtained by conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin by UV ray and by diet. Its role on bone mineralization has been known for over two hundred years, while its non-skeletal effects have been acknowledged only in the last few years. The discovery of important vitamin D properties on the innate and adaptive immune system created a lot of interest in a potential role of vitamin D on diseases characterized by heightened inflammation and oxidative response, and impaired antimicrobial response, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Severe vitamin D deficiency is associated with frequent exacerbations and hospitalization in COPD patients.

Background: Acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) are common and strongly influence disease severity and relative healthcare costs. Vitamin D deficiency is frequent among COPD patients and its contributory role in disease exacerbations is widely debated. Our aim was to assess the relationship of serum vitamin D levels with COPD severity and AECOPD.

Predictors of cardiovascular disease in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common comorbidity in patients with chronic airway obstruction, and is associated with systemic inflammation and airway obstruction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictors of CVD in two different conditions causing chronic airway obstruction, asthma and COPD.

Methods: Lung function tests, clinical and echocardiographic data were assessed in 229 consecutive patients, 100 with asthma and 129 with COPD.