Airway Epithelium Senescence as a Driving Mechanism in COPD Pathogenesis.

Cellular senescence is a state of permanent cell cycle arrest triggered by various intrinsic and extrinsic stressors. Cellular senescence results in impaired tissue repair and remodeling, loss of physiological integrity, organ dysfunction, and changes in the secretome. The systemic accumulation of senescence cells has been observed in many age-related diseases.

Valaciclovir for Epstein-Barr Virus Suppression in Moderate-to-Severe COPD: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) frequently is measured at high levels in COPD using sputum quantitative polymerase chain reaction, whereas airway immunohistochemistry analysis has shown EBV detection to be common in severe disease.

Research Question: Is valaciclovir safe and effective for EBV suppression in COPD?

Study Design And Methods: The Epstein-Barr Virus Suppression in COPD (EViSCO) trial was a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial conducted at the Mater Hospital Belfast, Northern Ireland. Eligible patients had stable moderate-to-severe COPD and sputum EBV (measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction) and were assigned randomly (1:1) to valaciclovir (1 g tid) or matching placebo for 8 weeks.

Deciphering Respiratory-Virus-Associated Interferon Signaling in COPD Airway Epithelium.

COPD is a chronic lung disorder characterized by a progressive and irreversible airflow obstruction, and persistent pulmonary inflammation. It has become a global epidemic affecting 10% of the population, and is the third leading cause of death worldwide. Respiratory viruses are a primary cause of COPD exacerbations, often leading to secondary bacterial infections in the lower respiratory tract.

Mechanisms of Virus-Induced Airway Immunity Dysfunction in the Pathogenesis of COPD Disease, Progression, and Exacerbation.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the integrated form of chronic obstructive bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema, characterized by persistent small airway inflammation and progressive irreversible airflow limitation. COPD is characterized by acute pulmonary exacerbations and associated accelerated lung function decline, hospitalization, readmission and an increased risk of mortality, leading to huge social-economic burdens. Recent evidence suggests ~50% of COPD acute exacerbations are connected with a range of respiratory viral infections.

Home oxygen therapy in patients with COPD: safety issues for nurse prescribers.

Two landmark studies demonstrated survival benefit in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) complicated by chronic hypoxaemia with the prescription of long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT). Best practice evidence therefore recommends that individuals with stable COPD and resting hypoxaemia (PaO≤7.3 kPa) should be assessed for long-term oxygen therapy.

Respiratory viral infection: a potential "missing link" in the pathogenesis of COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is currently the third most common cause of global mortality. Acute exacerbations of COPD frequently necessitate hospital admission to enable more intensive therapy, incurring significant healthcare costs. COPD exacerbations are also associated with accelerated lung function decline and increased risk of mortality.

Punishment Attacks in Post-Ceasefire Northern Ireland: An Emergency Department Perspective.

Northern Ireland (NI) has been in a post-conflict state for over twenty years. However, injuries sustained during paramilitary Punishment Attacks (PA) remain a common hospital presentation. The aim of this study was to compare the current province-wide frequency and cost with data collected from the same unit in 1994, the end of the so called, "Troubles".

Surgical versus endoscopic treatment of bile duct stones.

Background: Between 10% to 18% of people undergoing cholecystectomy for gallstones have common bile duct stones. Treatment of the bile duct stones can be conducted as open cholecystectomy plus open common bile duct exploration or laparoscopic cholecystectomy plus laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LC + LCBDE) versus pre- or post-cholecystectomy endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in two stages, usually combined with either sphincterotomy (commonest) or sphincteroplasty (papillary dilatation) for common bile duct clearance. The benefits and harms of the different approaches are not known.

Surgical versus endoscopic treatment of bile duct stones.

Background: Between 10% to 18% of people undergoing cholecystectomy for gallstones have common bile duct stones. Treatment of the bile duct stones can be conducted as open cholecystectomy plus open common bile duct exploration or laparoscopic cholecystectomy plus laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LC + LCBDE) versus pre- or post-cholecystectomy endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in two stages, usually combined with either sphincterotomy (commonest) or sphincteroplasty (papillary dilatation) for common bile duct clearance. The benefits and harms of the different approaches are not known.

A reminder of the classical biochemical sequelae of adult gastric outlet obstruction.

The commonest cause of gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) is pyloric stenosis secondary to peptic ulcer disease or gastric carcinoma. Patients with GOO have unique metabolic sequelae, namely hypochloraemic, hypokalaemic metabolic alkalosis with paradoxical aciduria and hypocalcaemia. A case of a patient presenting as GOO is discussed.

Colonic injury following percutaneous endoscopic-guided gastrostomy insertion.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a common practice usually offered to patients who are unable to tolerate or swallow oral feed and require long-term nutrition. We present a case of early pneumoperitoneum after a PEG placement due to colonic perforation. The patient was severely malnourished and had a medical history of brain injury, cerebrovascular accident cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and bilateral below knee amputations from a bomb blast 13 years ago.