The impact of COPD-bronchiectasis association on clinical outcomes: insights from East Asian cohorts validating the ROSE criteria.

Background: The radiology, obstruction, symptoms and exposure (ROSE) criteria provide a standardised approach for identifying the "COPD-bronchiectasis (BE) association." However, the clinical implications and outcomes of the COPD-BE association in East Asian populations remain unclear. Our study applied the ROSE criteria to assess the prevalence, clinical impact and outcomes of the COPD-BE association in an East Asian cohort, and compared that cohort with nonsmoking BE patients with fixed airflow obstruction (FAO) and those without FAO.

A Two-Staged, Risk-Stratified Strategy Combining FEV/FEV and COPD Diagnostic Questionnaire Acts as an Accurate and Cost-Effective COPD Case-Finding Method.

Background And Objective: Symptom-based questionnaires and handheld lung function devices are widely used for COPD case finding, but the optimal combination remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy (DA) of various combinations of handheld lung function devices and questionnaires and develop a COPD case-finding strategy.

Methods: This cross-sectional, prospective, observational study enrolled participants aged ≥ 40 years with respiratory symptoms and ≥ 10 smoking pack-years.

House dust mites stimulate thymic stromal lymphopoietin production in human bronchial epithelial cells and promote airway remodeling through activation of PAR2 and ERK signaling pathway.

House dust mites (HDM) are common aeroallergens linked to airway inflammation and remodeling in asthma. Protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) may mediate these immune responses. However, how the epithelium influences fibroblasts toward airway remodeling remains unclear.

Correlations between blood vessel distribution, lung function and structural change in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background And Objective: Correlations between the image analysis of CT scan, lung function and quality of life in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of pulmonary blood-vessel distribution and the extent of fibrosis on the lung function and quality of life of patients with IPF.

Methods: Patients were enrolled in an IPF registry and had completed pulmonary function tests, chest HRCT, St.

The Accuracy of PUMA Questionnaire in Combination With Peak Expiratory Flow Rate to Identify At-risk, Undiagnosed COPD Patients.

Introduction: The English PUMA questionnaire emerges as an effective COPD case-finding tool. We aimed to use the PUMA questionnaire in combination with peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) to improve case-finding efficacy in Chinese population.

Methods: This cross-sectional, observational study included two stages: translating English to Chinese PUMA (C-PUMA) questionnaire with linguistic validation and psychometric evaluation, followed by clinical validation.

Long COVID symptoms after 8-month recovery: persistent static lung hyperinflation associated with small airway dysfunction.

Background: Limited research has investigated the relationship between small airway dysfunction (SAD) and static lung hyperinflation (SLH) in patients with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) especially dyspnea and fatigue.

Methods: 64 patients with PASC were enrolled between July 2020 and December 2022 in a prospective observational cohort. Pulmonary function tests, impulse oscillometry (IOS), and symptom questionnaires were performed two, five and eight months after acute infection.

Using Machine Learning with Impulse Oscillometry Data to Develop a Predictive Model for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Asthma.

We aimed to develop and validate a machine learning model using impulse oscillometry system (IOS) profiles for accurately classifying patients into three assessment-based categories: no airflow obstruction, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Our research questions were as follows: (1) Can machine learning methods accurately classify obstructive disease states based solely on multidimensional IOS data? (2) Which IOS parameters and modeling algorithms provide the best discrimination? We used data for 480 patients (240 with COPD and 240 with asthma) and 84 healthy individuals for training. Physiological and IOS parameters were combined into six feature combinations.

Angiotensin-(1-7) attenuates SARS-CoV2 spike protein-induced interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 production in alveolar epithelial cells through activation of Mas receptor.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins (SP) can bind to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in human pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells (HPAEpiC) and trigger an inflammatory process. Angiotensin-(1-7) may have an anti-inflammatory effect through activation of Mas receptor. This study aims to investigate whether SARS-CoV-2 SP can induce inflammation through ACE2 in the alveolar epithelial cells which can be modulated through angiotensin-(1-7)/Mas receptor axis.

The role of transforming growth factor-β2 in cigarette smoke-induced lung inflammation and injury.

Aims: Transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) plays an important role in pleiotropic functions and has been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive lung disease. The role of TGF-β2 in regulating cigarette smoke (CS)-induced lung inflammation and injury has not been investigated, and its underlying mechanism remains unclear.

Main Methods: Primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBECs) were treated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE), and the signaling pathway of TGF-β2 regulating lung inflammation was investigated.

Unmet Need for Oral Corticosteroids Use and Exacerbations of Asthma in Primary Care in Taiwan.

Patients with asthma are treated in primary healthcare facilities (PHCFs) in Taiwan, where the asthma control status associated with acute exacerbation (AE) and use of oral corticosteroids (OCS) and short-acting β2-agonist (SABA) inhalers remains unclear. A cross-sectional, close-ended, face-to-face questionnaire survey invited board-certified physicians who treat adult asthma patients in PHCFs. The contents of the questionnaire included three parts: rescue OCS to treat AE, regular OCS for asthma control, and AE-related adverse outcomes.

Pulse corticosteroid therapy in the treatment of steroid-refractory immune checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis: Case report and review.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated promising therapeutic outcomes in treating a variety of malignancies, but immune-related adverse events (irAE) may develop. Among all the irAE, immune-related pneumonitis was relatively common and life-threatening. High-dose corticosteroid was recommended for the initial management, but a part of patients developed steroid-refractory pneumonitis.

Shared Decision-Making Facilitates Inhaler Choice in Patients with Newly-Diagnosed Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Multicenter Prospective Study.

Purpose: Inadequate inhaler technique and nonadherence to therapy are associated with poorer clinical outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Shared decision-making (SDM), based on clinical evidence, patient goals and preferences, improves quality of care. This study aims to investigate the initial patients' choices of inhaler devices in patients with newly-diagnosed COPD after an SDM process.

Potentiality of impulse oscillometry to evaluate bronchodilator reversibility in untreated adult patients with newly diagnosed asthma.

Background: Identifying positive bronchodilator reversibility (BDR) helps the diagnosis of asthma. However, not all patients can adequately perform the forced expiration during the spirometry test. An alternative test is required.

Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide Guided-Therapy in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Stratified, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with eosinophilic airway inflammation represents a distinct phenotype that might respond to treatment with inhaled corticosteroids. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) might predict eosinophilic inflammation and guide treatment option. We hypothesized that COPD patients with different baseline levels of FENO might have differentiated response to treatment with salmeterol/fluticasone (SFC) or tiotropium (TIO).

Blood tryptase and thymic stromal lymphopoietin levels predict the risk of exacerbation in severe asthma.

Some patients with severe asthma experience exacerbations despite receiving multiple therapy. The risk of exacerbation and heterogeneous response to treatment may be associated with specific inflammatory molecules that are responsive or resistant to corticosteroids. We aimed to identify the independent factors predictive for the future risk of exacerbation in patients with severe asthma.

The clinical manifestations and interval changes of reverse-transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reactions among different specimens of coronavirus disease 2019 patients.

Background: Since December 2019, a number of cases and deaths due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic have been reported worldwide. In spite of clinical manifestations similar to the SARS-CoV epidemic in 2003, affected organs and severity are yet to be defined. Moreover, viral load alterations and viral shielding among different specimens remained scarce.

Functional parameters of small airways can guide bronchodilator use in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) may present comorbid obstructive lung diseases with small airway dysfunction (SAD). Existing guidelines suggest that inhaled bronchodilators should be used if the ratio of forced expiratory volume in the 1st second and forced vital capacity (FEV/FVC) < 0.7 in IPF.

Using lung ultrasound changes to evaluate the response of recruitment maneuver in a patient recovering from coronavirus disease 2019 with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Lung ultrasound (LUS) is widely used in intensive care units because it provides timely information noninvasively. The use of LUS is recommended to minimize transfers in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the pandemic. The clinical efficacies of bedside chest X-ray (CXR) and LUS have not been compared in these patients.

Small Airway Dysfunction by Impulse Oscillometry in Symptomatic Patients with Preserved Pulmonary Function.

Background: Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are characterized by persistent airway inflammation and airflow limitation. Early detection of these diseases in patients with respiratory symptoms and preserved pulmonary function (PPF) defined by spirometry is difficult. Impulse oscillometry (IOS) may have better sensitivity than effort-dependent forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% (FEF) to detect small airway dysfunction (SAD).

Independent factors associate with hospital mortality in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requiring intensive care unit admission: Focusing on the eosinophil-to-neutrophil ratio.

Background: Factors associated with hospital mortality are unclear in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission. We aimed to characterize these patients and identify factors associated with hospital mortality.

Patients And Methods: We used a retrospective observational case-control design and recruited patients between January 2015 and March 2017.

Long-acting muscarinic antagonist versus long-acting β2 agonist/corticosteroid for moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: Exacerbation risk assessment.

Background: Whether the beneficial effects of long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) are better than those of long-acting β2 agonist/corticosteroids (LABA/ICS) in preventing exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the risk of exacerbations in moderate to severe COPD patients receiving LAMA versus LABA/ICS.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients diagnosed with COPD (2008-2010).

Glycopyrronium bromide inhibits lung inflammation and small airway remodeling induced by subchronic cigarette smoke exposure in mice.

The effects of long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonists (LAMAs) have not been evaluated in a model with simultaneous lung inflammation and small airway remodeling induced by cigarette smoke (CS). We exposed the mice to CS for four weeks with daily treatment with a LAMA (glycopyrronium bromide, NVA237) or its vehicle. Human bronchial epithelial cells (PBECs) and lung fibroblasts were exposed to CS extract (CSE) or acetylcholine with or without NVA237 treatment.

Sleep disorders and an increased risk of Parkinson's disease in individuals with non-apnea sleep disorders: a population-based cohort study.

Sleep disorders are common non-motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease. Our study aims to explore the relationship between non-apnea sleep disorders and future Parkinson's disease. This is a cohort study using a nationwide database.

Post-bronchodilator Reversibility of FEV and Eosinophilic Airway Inflammation in COPD.

Introduction: The relationship between bronchodilator responsiveness and eosinophilic airway inflammation has not been well documented in COPD. It has been investigated in this retrospective study. This issue has grown in importance due to increasing interest in the asthma-COPD overlap syndrome.