Study of inflammatory biomarkers in COPD and asthma exacerbations.

Introduction: Exacerbations are critical events in the course of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These events are potentially life-threatening, and the studies have shown that they have tremendous implications on long-term disease control and the overall prognosis of the patients. The aim of this study was to examine adipokines, cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP) as potential biomarkers in asthma and COPD.

Predictors of positive sputum cultures in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background And Objective: Although sputum culture in patients with an acute exacerbation of COPD is of uncertain value, it is routinely done. The ability to clinically identify patients likely or unlikely to yield bacterial sputum isolates would potentially reduce unnecessary tests. The objective of this study was to identify the clinical predictors of positive sputum cultures in this patient population.

Mesothelioma: treatment and survival of a patient population and review of the literature.

Background: Our purpose was to evaluate the survival of patients with pleural and intraperitoneal malignant mesothelioma and, particularly, to estimate the efficacy of chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy and surgery. A review of the literature with respect to these parameters is included.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-five patients with malignant mesothelioma (28 with pleural and 7 with intraperitoneal) were enrolled.