Alternate day calorie restriction improves clinical findings and reduces markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in overweight adults with moderate asthma.

Asthma is an increasingly common disorder responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality. Although obesity is a risk factor for asthma and weight loss can improve symptoms, many patients do not adhere to low calorie diets and the impact of dietary restriction on the disease process is unknown. A study was designed to determine if overweight asthma patients would adhere to an alternate day calorie restriction (ADCR) dietary regimen, and to establish the effects of the diet on their symptoms, pulmonary function and markers of oxidative stress, and inflammation.

Inferior vena caval filters: key considerations.

Surgical interruption of the inferior vena cava (IVC) as a means to prevent pulmonary embolism and its consequences has been entertained since the end of the 19th century. Initial methods were crude, however, but their deficiencies led to the development of newer techniques. Despite increasing indications and use of permanent IVC filters there remains controversy regarding their efficacy and complications.

The granulopoietic cytokine response and enhancement of granulopoiesis in mice during endotoxemia.

In response to bacterial infection, the production of neutrophils by the bone marrow is accelerated. This study investigated the granulopoietic cytokine response and granulopoiesis during endotoxemia. Male Balb/c mice were intravenously challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 20 microg in 100 microL of saline per mouse).

Pectus excavatum with inspiratory inferior vena cava compression: a new presentation of pulsus paradoxus.

A 29-year-old man with pectus excavatum presented with exercise intolerance, pulsus paradoxus, and paradoxically split S2. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed the heart shifted leftward and a pectus severity index of 7.18.