A dataset of thermal preferences for Mediterranean demersal and benthic macrofauna.

Climate change is swiftly reshaping marine ecosystems, affecting different biological levels. Changes in thermal conditions profoundly influence ectotherms' growth, behaviour, and functions, making knowledge of species' thermal preferences (TP) crucial for understanding their responses to ongoing warming. However, obtaining this data is challenging due to limited studies, especially for deep-sea demersal and bottom-dwelling species.

Mediterranean fish communities are struggling to adapt to global warming. Evidence from the western coast of Italy.

Climate change has significant impacts on marine ecosystems, resulting in disruptions in biological interactions, shifts in community composition, and changes in the physiology of fish and other marine organisms. In this study conducted in the central Mediterranean Sea, the mean temperature of the catch (MTC) was employed as an indicator to investigate the climatological factors influencing the fish community. The MTC, which utilizes species-preferred temperatures, was calculated using bottom temperature (BT) data weighted against scientific catches.

Determinants of response to hypercapnia and to progressive and transient hypoxia in obstructive sleep apnea patients.

Background: The knowledge regarding the control of breathing during wakefulness in patients affected by obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS) is still challenging. The aim of this study is firstly to analyze hypoxic and hypercapnic ventilatory response in OSA patients in comparison to controls and secondly, to investigate correlations between chemosensivity and both lung function tests, such as arterial blood gas analysis and spirometric parameters, and clinical characteristics, such as age and BMI.

Methods: Seventeen never treated OSA patients (16M; 53±13.

Influence of the Learning Effect on the Diagnostic Yield of Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration of Mediastinal and Hilar Lymph Nodes.

Background: The diagnostic yield of conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is characterized by a learning effect. The aim of this retrospective study was to verify whether a learning curve similarly affected the yield of endobronchial ultrasound-guided (EBUS)-TBNA. To this end, we evaluated the sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy of EBUS-TBNA during the first 3 years of activity.

Exhaled and non-exhaled non-invasive markers for assessment of respiratory inflammation in patients with stable COPD and healthy smokers.

We aimed at comparing exhaled and non-exhaled non-invasive markers of respiratory inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and healthy subjects and define their relationships with smoking habit. Forty-eight patients with stable COPD who were ex-smokers, 17 patients with stable COPD who were current smokers, 12 healthy current smokers and 12 healthy ex-smokers were included in a cross-sectional, observational study. Inflammatory outcomes, including prostaglandin (PG) E2 and 15-F2t-isoprostane (15-F2t-IsoP) concentrations in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and sputum supernatants, fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) and sputum cell counts, and functional (spirometry) outcomes were measured.

Ultrasound in obstructive lung diseases: the effect of airway obstruction on diaphragm kinetics. A short pictorial essay.

The ultrasound study of the chest is showing a continuous development. This technique could be helpful in managing several chest diseases, but it is limited to the acoustic windows provided by intercostal spaces and by the inability to study healthy lung parenchyma and all intra-parenchymal diseases such as chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), because the interaction between ventilated lung and ultrasound generates only artifacts. Currently, there are few applications of ultrasound that are useful in COPD, with recent studies providing some innovation potentially useful in clinical practice.

Lung ultrasonography may provide an indirect estimation of lung porosity and airspace geometry.

Background: Echographic vertical artifacts (B-lines) in chest ultrasonography have often been associated with pathological patterns. A scientifically sound explanation of these artifacts has not yet been proposed.

Objectives: The 'spongy' nature of the lung in its liquid and solid components and the changes that take place in peripheral airspace (PAS) geometry might be the key point to understanding these phenomena.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) incidence and prevalence in Italy.

Background: Studies of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) epidemiology show regional variations of incidence and prevalence; no epidemiological studies have been carried out in Italy.

Objective: To determine incidence and prevalence rates of IPF in the population of a large Italian region.

Methods: in this cross-sectional study study data were collected on all patients of 18 years of age and older admitted as primary or secondary idiopathic fibrosing alveolitis (ICD9-CM 516.

Optimal management of pulmonary arterial hypertension: prognostic indicators to determine treatment course.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rapidly progressive pulmonary vascular disease with a multifactorial etiopathogenesis that can result in right-sided heart failure and death. A number of studies indicate that an early therapeutic intervention yields better results on disease progression as compared to delayed treatment. In this review, we will analyze treatment strategies that may be used for monitoring disease progression and for guiding treatment decisions.

Look at the lung: can chest ultrasonography be useful in pregnancy?

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical value of chest ultrasound (US) in the detection, diagnosis and follow-up of pathologic processes of both peripheral lung parenchyma and pleural space in pregnant women.

Findings: Pregnant women admitted to Obstetric Pathology Hospital Department for respiratory diseases were enrolled. Chest US examination was performed when there was a respiratory disease highly suggestive of pneumonia and/or pleural effusion and chest X-ray (CXR) should have been obtained.

Ultrasonographic assessment of the diaphragm in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: relationships with pulmonary function and the influence of body composition - a pilot study.

Background: Skeletal muscle weakness with loss of fat-free mass (FFM) is one of the main systemic effects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The diaphragm is also involved, leading to disadvantageous conditions and poor contractile capacities.

Objectives: We measured the thickness of the diaphragm (TD) by ultrasonography to evaluate the relationships between echographic measurements, parameters of respiratory function and body composition data.

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry measurement of leukotrienes in asthma and other respiratory diseases.

Leukotrienes (LTs), including cysteinyl-LTs (LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4) and LTB4, are potent inflammatory lipid mediators which have been involved in the pathophysiology of respiratory diseases. LC-MS/MS techniques for measuring LT concentrations in sputum supernatants, serum, urine and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) have been developed. In asthmatic adults, reported LTB4 and LTE4 concentrations in sputum range from 79 to 7,220 pg/ml and from 11.

Ultrasound analysis of diaphragm kinetics and the diagnosis of airway obstruction: the role of the M-mode index of obstruction.

Diaphragm motion in forced expiration can be analyzed using M-mode ultrasound in an anterior subcostal approach. Maximum expiratory diaphragmatic excursion (EDEMax) and forced expiratory diaphragmatic excursion in the first second (FEDE1) are considered the physiopathological analogues of vital capacity (VC) and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1). As the FEV1/VC % ratio is used as a marker of obstruction, our aim was to determine if the ratio FEDE1/EDEMax (M-mode index of obstruction [MIO]) differs between healthy subjects and patients with airway obstruction.

Empyema caused by Prevotella bivia complicating an unusual case of spontaneous chylothorax.

Spontaneous chylothorax is rare in adults. We present an unusual case that was complicated by Prevotella bivia empyema. Full recovery was achieved with chest tube drainage and prompt treatment with intravenous clindamycin.

The role of chest ultrasonography in the management of respiratory diseases: document II.

Chest ultrasonography can be a useful diagnostic tool for respiratory physicians. It can be used to complete and widen the general objective examination also in emergency situations, at the patient's bedside. The aim of this document is to promote better knowledge and more widespread use of thoracic ultrasound among respiratory physicians in Italy.

The role of chest ultrasonography in the management of respiratory diseases: document I.

Chest ultrasonography can be a useful diagnostic tool for respiratory physicians. It can be used to complete and widen the general objective examination also in emergency situations, at the patient's bedside. The aim of this document is to promote better knowledge and more widespread use of thoracic ultrasound among respiratory physicians in Italy.

Respiratory failure in a patient with dermatomyositis.

Since its original description in 1956 the association between interstitial lung disease and polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM) has become well established. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) can be a significant complication in rheumatic diseases (RDs). Although most patients with RD do not develop clinically evident ILD, these systemic autoimmune disorders are estimated to be responsible for approximately 25% of all ILD deaths and 2% of deaths due to all respiratory causes.

Ultrasound-guided pleural puncture in supine or recumbent lateral position - feasibility study.

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate feasibility, safety and efficacy of accessing the pleural space with the patient supine or in lateral recumbent position, under constant ultrasonic guidance along the costophrenic sinus.

Methods: All patients with pleural effusion, referred to thoracentesis or pleural drainage from February 2010 to January 2011 in two institutions, were drained either supine or in lateral recumbent position through an echomonitored cannulation of the costophrenic sinus. The technique is described in detail and an analysis of safety and feasibility is carried out.

Within-day and between-day repeatability of measurements with an electronic nose in patients with COPD.

Electronic noses (e-noses), artificial sensor systems generally consisting of chemical sensor arrays for the detection of volatile compound profiles, have potential applications in respiratory medicine. We assessed within-day and between-day repeatability of an e-nose made from 32 sensors in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We also compared between-day repeatability of an e-nose, fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) and pulmonary function testing.

Husband and wife with sarcoidosis: possible environmental factors involved.

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous multisystem disorder of unclear etiology that involves any organ, most commonly the lung and the lymph nodes. It is hypothesized that the disease derives from the interaction between single or multiple environmental factors and genetically determined host factors. Multiple potential etiologic agents for sarcoidosis have been proposed without any definitive demonstration of causality.

Obstructive sleep apnea and heart disease: the biomarkers point of view.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a highly prevalent disorder. Important risk factors for this disease are represented by obesity, male gender, smoking, some endocrinological disturbances, alcohol intake, use of benzodiazepines, and craniofacial alterations. It is well known that OSAS is a frequent comorbidity as well as a relevant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), especially in patients with hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), arrhythmias, and heart failure.