Determining an optimal case definition using mid-upper arm circumference with or without weight for age to identify childhood wasting in the Philippines.

In resource-limited areas, where accurate weight-for-height Z-scores are hard to obtain, Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) is a simple tool to identify wasted children. MUAC alone, however, may miss identification of many wasted children, leading to untimely intervention and potentially death. Our study aimed to identify the best-performing case definition to detect wasting by Weight-for-Height z-scores (WHZ) in Filipino children aged 6-59 months.

TGF-β1 overexpression in severe COVID-19 survivors and its implications for early-phase fibrotic abnormalities and long-term functional impairment.

Introduction: In post-COVID survivors, transforming growth factor-beta-1 (TGF-β1) might mediate fibroblast activation, resulting in persistent fibrosis.

Methods: In this study, 82 survivors of COVID-19-associated ARDS were examined at 6- and 24-months post-ICU discharge. At 6-months, quantitative CT analysis of lung attenuation was performed and active TGF-β1 was measured in blood and exhaled breath condensate (EBC).

Effect of physical activity in lymphocytes senescence burden in patients with COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is regarded as an accelerated-age disease in which chronic inflammation, maladaptive immune responses, and senescence cell burden coexist. Accordingly, cellular senescence has emerged as a potential mechanism involved in COPD pathophysiology. In this study, 25 stable patients with COPD underwent a daily physical activity promotion program for 6 mo.

Endothelial dysfunction and persistent inflammation in severe post-COVID-19 patients: implications for gas exchange.

Background: Understanding the enduring respiratory consequences of severe COVID-19 is crucial for comprehensive patient care. This study aims to evaluate the impact of post-COVID conditions on respiratory sequelae of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Methods: We examined 88 survivors of COVID-19-associated severe ARDS six months post-intensive care unit (ICU) discharge.

Medium-Term Disability and Long-Term Functional Impairment Persistence in Survivors of Severe COVID-19 ARDS: Clinical and Physiological Insights.

Background: Although the medium- and long-term sequelae of survivor of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) of any cause have been documented, little is known about the way in which COVID-19-induced ARDS affects functional disability and exercise components. Our aims were to examine the medium-term disability in severe COVID-19-associated ARDS survivors, delineate pathophysiological changes contributing to their exercise intolerance, and explore its utility in predicting long-term functional impairment persistence.

Methods: We studied 108 consecutive subjects with severe COVID-19 ARDS who remained alive 6 months after intensive care unit (ICU) discharge.