Sex differences in asthma control, lung function and exacerbations: the ATLANTIS study.

Background: Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with a prevalence and severity that differs between male and female patients.

Question: What are differences between male and female patients with asthma with regard to asthma control, lung function, inflammation and exacerbations?

Methods: We performed a post hoc analysis in the ATLANTIS (Assessment of Small Airways Involvement in Asthma) study, an observational cohort study including patients with asthma from nine countries with a follow-up of 1 year during which patients were characterised with measures of large and small airway function, questionnaires, inflammation and imaging. We compared differences in baseline characteristics and longitudinal outcomes between male and female patients with asthma.

Airway epithelial cell response to RSV is mostly impaired in goblet and multiciliated cells in asthma.

Background: In patients with asthma, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections can cause disease exacerbation by infecting the epithelial layer of the airways, inducing subsequent immune response. The type I interferon antiviral response of epithelial cells upon RSV infection is found to be reduced in asthma in most-but not all-studies. Moreover, the molecular mechanisms causing the differences in the asthmatic bronchial epithelium in response to viral infection are poorly understood.

A bronchial gene signature specific for severe COPD that is retained in the nose.

Introduction: A subset of COPD patients develops advanced disease with severe airflow obstruction, hyperinflation and extensive emphysema. We propose that the pathogenesis in these patients differs from mild-moderate COPD and is reflected by bronchial gene expression. The aim of the present study was to identify a unique bronchial epithelial gene signature for severe COPD patients.

Validation of 'Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score' as a Screening Tool for Early Identification of Sepsis Patients in the Emergency Department.

Sepsis and septic shock are major healthcare problems, affecting millions of people around the world each year. The speed and appropriateness of therapy administered in the initial hours of treatment are likely to influence the outcome. We conducted a study to validate the clinical assessment score named 'quick sequential organ failure assessment' (qSOFA) score for use in the early identification of sepsis patients in the emergency department.