[Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI)].

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is primarily caused by transfusion of fresh frozen plasma or platelet concentrates and occurs by definition within 6 hours after transfusion with acute shortness of breath, hypoxemia and radiographically detectable bilateral infiltrates of the lung. Mostly leucocyte antibodies in the plasma of the blood donor (immunogenic TRALI) are responsible. Apart from antibodies, other substances such as biologically active lipids, mainly arising from the storage of platelet and red blood cell concentrates, can activate neutrophilic granulocytes and trigger a non-immunogenic TRALI.

Topotecan/cisplatin compared with cisplatin/etoposide as first-line treatment for patients with extensive disease small-cell lung cancer: final results of a randomized phase III trial.

Introduction: This phase III study compared efficacy and safety of topotecan-cisplatin (TP) versus topotecan-etoposide (TE) versus cisplatin-etoposide (PE) in chemo-naïve extensive disease small-cell lung cancer patients.

Methods: Seven hundred and ninety-five previously untreated patients were randomly assigned to TP (topotecan 1mg/m IV, d1-5; cisplatin 75 mg/m IV, d5; n = 358), PE (cisplatin 75 mg/m IV, d1; etoposide 100 mg/m IV, d1-3; n = 345) or TE (topotecan 1mg/m IV, d1-5; etoposide 80 mg/m IV, d3-5; n = 92). Primary endpoint was superiority of TP compared with PE, with the possibility to switch to a noninferiority test.

A phase II study of weekly docetaxel-cisplatin as first-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Introduction: The combination of docetaxel and cisplatin is an effective first-line regimen in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. However, the recommended three-weekly schedule is associated with frequent neutropenia and infections. Because of the toxicity of cisplatin, patients may need to be hospitalized to ensure adequate hydration.

Docetaxel/gemcitabine or cisplatin/gemcitabine followed by docetaxel in the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): results of a multicentre randomized phase II trial.

Background: Most patients (pts) with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receive either single agents or chemotherapy doublets. Recent studies have demonstrated that triple-agent therapies may improve the response rate, but are associated with significant toxicity, and frequently do not prolong survival. A sequential triple-agent schedule may combine acceptable tolerability and good efficacy.

Multicenter randomized trial for stage IIIB/IV non-small-cell lung cancer using every-3-week versus weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin.

Purpose: The combination of paclitaxel with carboplatin is effective in advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This phase III study was designed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of a weekly versus an every-3-week schedule in the first-line treatment of advanced-stage NSCLC.

Patients And Methods: Chemotherapy-naive patients were randomized to receive paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 and carboplatin at an area under the curve of 2 once weekly for 6-8 weeks (arm A) or paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 and carboplatin at an area under the curve of 6 on day 1 every 21 days (arm B).

Phase III study of second-line chemotherapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer with weekly compared with 3-weekly docetaxel.

Purpose: A phase III study to determine whether a weekly docetaxel schedule improves the therapeutic index compared with the classic 3-weekly schedule.

Patients And Methods: Patients with stage IIIB-IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were randomly assigned to docetaxel 75 mg/m2 on day 1 every 3 weeks (3-weekly) and 35 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15 (weekly) for < or = eight cycles. End points included survival (primary), toxicity, and response.

[How are interstitial lung diseases diagnosed in Germany? Results of the scientific registry for the exploration of interstitial lung diseases ("Fibrosis registry") of the WATL].

From 1995 to 1999 we evaluated questionnaires sent by pulmonologists and departments of pulmonology in order to register interstitial lung diseases. On the whole 1142 patients (579 males, 563 females, mean age 51.1 +/- 15.

[Unusual gram positive rods, causing pneumonia].

In the last decade, a growing number of patients with pneumonia, caused by unusual gram positive rods have been observed. Mostly, the patients had been infected as a consequence of impaired immunity. In some cases, bioterrorist activities may also induce pneumonia by gram positive rods (B.

Comparison of two budesonide powder inhalers, Easyhaler and Turbuhaler, in steroid-naïve asthmatic patients.

The objective of this multicenter study was to compare the clinical efficacy, safety, and acceptability of Easyhaler and Turbuhaler for the delivery of budesonide 200 micrograms/dose twice daily in steroid-naïve asthmatic patients. Three hundred and twenty-six newly diagnosed, steroid-naïve adult patients with mild-to-moderate asthma were recruited into this randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group study, comprising a 2-week run-in period and 8 weeks of treatment. Patients received budesonide inhalation powder 400 micrograms/day either via Easyhaler (n = 159) or via Turbuhaler (n = 167), plus salbutamol inhalation powder (100 micrograms/dose) via Easyhaler as rescue therapy.

Cost saving with ultrasonography in a developing country district hospital.

Objective: To estimate the potential monetary reduction induced by the introduction of an ultrasound unit in a major district hospital in a developing country.

Design: Propective study.

Subjects: Patients referred with abnominal diseases and pregnancy.

[Report by the Scientific Working Group for Therapy of Lung Diseases: German Fibrosis Register with initial results].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of interstitial lung diseases (ILD) in Germany. Therefore members of the WATL developed a questionnaire which was sent to pulmonary and other physicians who may encounter patients with ILD. In 1995 altogether 234 patients (105 males, 129 females, mean age 51 years, minimum 12, maximum 88 years) were referred to the registry.

[Clinical studies of the incidence of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis].

On the whole 797 patients (mean age 49.5 +/- 18.6 years) with tuberculosis who were hospitalized during 1987 and the first half of the year 1994 were investigated.

Absence of the left pulmonary artery in a young man with haemoptysis.

We report the case of a white male aged 21 yrs, who was admitted for acute onset of haemoptysis. His past medical history was normal and he had not previously been hospitalized. He was very active in track and field sports and was trained in scuba-diving.

Acute intoxication of a hydrazine-like gas by 19 workers in a garbage dump.

Nineteen workers (18 males, 1 female) of a garbage dump (mean age 39.9 years, range 19-58 years) were admitted to our hospital because of inhalation of a hydrazine-like gas of unknown origin. They complained of an ammoniacal odor with sweet taste followed by burning of the eyes, rawness in the throat and dyspnea, dizziness and nausea.

[Chronic pollution with environmental toxins: formaldehyde].

Formaline is a colourless, strongly odoriferous gas. It is a very important basic component in chemical industry. It has become well known as a poison in residential areas due to its appearance in chipboard panels.

Pleural penetration of ciprofloxacin in patients with empyema thoracis.

We evaluated the pharmacokinetics of a single 200-mg dose of ciprofloxacin, administered as a 30-minute infusion, into pleural exudate in five elderly patients with empyema thoracis. Ciprofloxacin was measured by HPLC and the pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by noncompartmental methods. Mean peak serum levels 30 minutes after administration were 1.