No abstract available.
Blood Platelets* ; Hypertension, Pulmonary* ; Lung Diseases, Obstructive* ; Platelet Activation*

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of body positioning on PaO2, SpO2, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse, and respiration(above all defined physiologic index), of patients with unilateral lung disease. The subjects for this study were eleven patients admitted to I.C.U. of K.H.M.C. with a diagnosis of unilateral lung disease confirmed by chest X-ray and the attending doctor, from January 30th. to April 20th. 1999. A quasi-experimental repeated-measures cross-over design was used to compare three body positions(semi-Fowler's, lateral decubitus with good lung dependent, and lateral decubitus with diseased lung dependent). Each subject spent 30 minutes in semi-Fowler's position and 2 hours in good lung dependent position and diseased lung dependent position. Starting in the semi-Fowler's position, then in the lateral position with the good lung dependent or the diseased lung dependent as assigned in random order. Thirty minutes after each positioning, arterial blood sample was analyzed. Measurements of all physiologic index were recorded at the specified intervals(0, 30, 60 90, and 120 minutes) in good lung dependent and diseased lung dependent position. Statistical comparison of PaO2 value was done using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test, and Multivariate repeated-measures analysis of variance was performed to analyse the within-subject effect of two dependent position for 2 hours on the five dependent variables: 1. PaO2 2. SpO2 3. systolic blood pressure 4. diastolic blood pressure 5. pulse. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The PaO2 value in the good lung dependent position was significantly higher than the PaO2 value in the diseased lung dependent position(Z=-2.8451, p=.002). 2. The PaO2 value in the good lung dependent position was significantly higher than the PaO2 value in the semi-Fowler's position (Z=-2.6673, p=.003). 3. The difference between the PaO2 value in the semi-Fowler's position and the PaO2 value in the diseased lung dependent position was not significant(Z=-1.2448, p=.10). 4. There were no statistically significance in the trends of physiologic index in the good lung dependent position and the diseased lung dependent position. From the results, it may be concluded that the good lung dependent position is the most effective position for patients with unilateral lung disease that improve oxygenation. Identification of positioning over time may be need further studies.
Blood Pressure ; Cross-Over Studies ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lung Diseases* ; Lung* ; Oxygen ; Thorax

Biomarkers/blood* ; COVID-19/diagnosis* ; Chemokine CXCL10/blood* ; Humans ; Lung Diseases/virology* ; Severity of Illness Index

PURPOSE: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) are major mediators of angiogenesis and are induced by tissue inflammation and hypoxia. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether serum VEGF and Ang-2 are associated with the presence of hemoptysis and the extent of systemic inflammation in patients with inflammatory lung diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 52 patients with inflammatory lung disease between June 2008 and October 2009. RESULTS: The median values of VEGF and Ang-2 were 436 pg/mL and 2383 pg/mL, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between serum Ang-2 and VEGF levels. VEGF levels were not significantly different according to the presence of hemoptysis. C-reactive protein (CRP) and Ang-2 level were significantly higher in patients without hemoptysis (n=26) than in those with hemoptysis (n=26; p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). CRP and arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) were significantly correlated with both serum VEGF (p=0.032 and p=0.016, respectively) and Ang-2 levels (p<0.001 and p=0.041, respectively), after adjusting for other factors. Age and the absence of hemoptysis were factors correlated with serum Ang-2 levels CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that serum VEGF and Ang-2 levels are associated with PaO2 and the severity of inflammation rather than the presence of hemoptysis in patients with inflammatory lung diseases. Thus, hemoptysis may not be mediated by increased serum levels of VEGF and Ang-2 in patients with inflammatory lung diseases, and further studies are required to determine the mechanisms of hemoptysis.
Aged ; Angiopoietin-2/*blood ; Female ; Hemoptysis/*blood ; Humans ; Inflammation/*blood ; Lung Diseases/*blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/*blood

OBJECTIVETo explore the immunomechanism of chronic lung disease (CLD) in premature infants by investigating the changes of 17 cytokines.

METHODSTwenty-six preterm neonates who had been in the NICU for over 28 days were divided into CLD group (n=14) and control group consisting of 12 preterm neonates. Seventeen cytokines, namely interleukin 1b (IL-1b), IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interferon-gamma, tumour necrosis factor alpha, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1b were detected in a single sample of peripheral blood by multi-plex technology (Bio-plex).

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in the level of the 17 cytokines between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe cytokines examined may not be involved in the later period pathogenesis of CLD.

Chronic Disease ; Cytokines ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukins ; blood ; Lung Diseases ; blood ; immunology ; Male ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVETo explore the diagnostic value of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytokeratin-19-fragment (CYFRA21-1) in lung cancer patients.

METHODSThe levels of serum CEA and CYFRA21-1 were measured in 102 patients with lung cancer, 45 patients with benign lung disease and 36 health controls by electrochemiluminescence.

RESULTSThe level of serum CEA and positive rate [(25.77 ± 15.34) ng/ml, 47.1%] were significantly higher in the lung cancer group than that in the benign lung disease group [(4.67 ± 2.21) ml, 7.7%; P < 0.05] and controls [(3.98 ± 3.00) ng/ml, 3.8%; P < 0.05], The level of serum CYFRA21-1 and positive rate [(14.08 ± 8.34) ng/ml, 62.7%] were also significantly higher in the lung cancer group than that in the benign lung disease group [(3.27 ± 2.87) ml, 7.7%; P < 0.05] and controls [(2.69 ± 2.02 ng/ml, 3.8%; P < 0.05]. The difference of level of CEA and CYFRA21-1 between the benign lung disease group and controls was statistically not significant (P > 0.05). Both tumor markers were increased to a different degree in the lung cancer patients at various TNM stages [(CEA: stage II (17.78 ± 8.71) ng/ml, stage III (25.84 ± 7.34) ng/ml, stage IV (34.85 ± 6.99) ng/ml; and CYFRA21-1: stage II (10.05 ± 6.76) ng/ml, stage III (15.93 ± 6.66) ng/ml, stage IV (22.78 ± 4.12) ng/ml]. Combined use of both makers showed a significant higher sensitivity (77.5% vs. 47.1%, 62.8%), but reduced specificity (86.8% vs. 94.0%, 95.6%), and not significantly changed accuracy (83.5% vs. 77.1%, 83.8%) in the diagnosis of lung cancer.

CONCLUSIONSCEA and CYFRA21-1 employed separately are helpful in the diagnosis of lung cancer. Combined detection of these two tumor markers can improve the positivity for diagnosis of lung cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; blood ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; blood ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; blood ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Keratin-19 ; blood ; Lung Diseases, Obstructive ; blood ; Lung Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pneumonia ; blood ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ; blood ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; blood

PURPOSE: This study was designed to see the BP changes according to the time course and the duration of dexamethasone (DXM) therapy in premature infants with chronic lung disease (CLD). METHODS: We studied 27 chronic lung disease patients treated with DXM in NICU, Chonnam University Hospital from January 1994 to May 1998. Systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure were recorded at three times (8 AM, 4 PM, midnight) daily. Data were analyzed by time peroid : Pre DXM means 14 days before DXM therapy, DXM during the therapy and Post DXM 14 days after the completion of therapy. Of 27 patients, 16 received short-course (7 days), and 11 long-course therapy (42 days). RESULTS: Mean gestational age of the patients was 29.3 (+/-1.5) weeks and the mean birth weight was 1,169 (+/-262) gm. Systolic, diastolic and mean BP were significantly increased during the DXM therapy compared to pre DXM (76+/-7 mmHg vs 67+/-9 mmHg, P<0.001, 44+/-6 mmHg vs 38+/-6 mmHg, P<0.001, 55+/-6 mmHg vs 49+/-7 mmHg, P<0.001, respectively). Even 14 days after the completion of therapy, systolic, diastolic and mean BP were not decreased to the level of pre DXM therapy. The maximal increase of BP was noted on the second day of treatment. When the BP changes were compared according to the duration of therapy, post DXM BP was decreased to the level of pre DXM in short course, but not in long course group with the higher post DXM systolic BP than that of short course group (78+/-11 mmHg vs 69+/-7 mmHg, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: BP significantly increased during DXM therapy, particularily on the second day of treatment. Also our result suggests that we have to watch the BP carefully more than two weeks after the completion of therapy.
Arterial Pressure ; Birth Weight ; Blood Pressure* ; Dexamethasone* ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Jeollanam-do ; Lung Diseases* ; Lung*

OBJECTIVE: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is elevated in inflammatory diseases, but its clinical significance in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is unclear. This study evaluated NLR in diagnosing SSc and in predicting lung involvement such as interstitial lung disease (ILD). METHODS: The medical records of 88 patients with SSc and 50 healthy controls were reviewed. Exclusion criteria included active infection or the presence of any hematological, cardiovascular, or metabolic disorder. The NLR was compared between patients with SSc and healthy controls, and associations between NLR and lung involvement were analyzed. RESULTS: The NLR was significantly higher in patients with SSc compared to healthy controls (NLR, 3.95±6.59 vs. 2.00±1.07, p<0.01). Patients with SSc and ILD had higher NLR levels than those without ILD (p<0.01, p<0.05). NLR was negatively associated with forced vital capacity (r=−0.341, p<0.01), but not with diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide. Receiver-operating characteristics analysis of NLR to predict ILD in patients with SSc showed that the area under the curve was 0.763. The cut-off NLR value for prediction of lung involvement was determined to be 2.59 (sensitivity, 0.700; specificity, 0.729; p<0.01). CONCLUSION: NLR may be a promising marker that reflects ILD in patients with SSc, and values greater than 2.59 were useful in predicting ILD.
Blood Platelets ; Carbon Monoxide ; Diagnosis* ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial* ; Lymphocytes ; Medical Records ; Neutrophils ; Scleroderma, Systemic* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Vital Capacity

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of verapamil on hemodynamics and pulmonary gas exchanges during isoflurane-N2O-O2(FIO2, 50%) anesthesia. Hemodynamic measurements and arterial and mixed venous blood gas analyses were made in thirteen healthy patients immediately before (control) and at 1, 5,10min after 5mg of intravenous verapamil administration as single bolus. 1) Verapamil produced a rapid and transient reduction of 15% in mean arterial pressure resulting from a decrease in systemic vascular resistance. 2) Heart rate and cardiac index increased by 14%, 9% respectively only immediately after i.v. verapamil injection and restored thereafter toward control values. 3) SVI, MPAP, PCWP, PVR and CVP revealed only minor changes. 4) Verapamil did not cause any significant changes in intrapulmonary shunt. These findings suggest that during isoflurane-N2O-O2(50%) anesthesia verapamil might safely be used, even in the presence of ventilation/perfusion inequalities, (i.e. lung disease, one lung anesthesia) provided patient has good cardiovascular reserve.
Anesthesia ; Arterial Pressure ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Isoflurane ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Vascular Resistance ; Verapamil*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and structural changes are rare, while right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and structural alteration and/or LV diastolic dysfunction are common. We evaluated the cardiac structure and function in patients with COPD using echocardiography. METHODS: Echocardiography examinations were performed in 69 patients with clinically stable COPD and without a history of heart disease; 22 control subjects with normal lung function were enrolled for comparison. Echocardiography parameters of the COPD patients were compared with those of the controls, and assessed according to the COPD stage classified using the Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria. RESULTS: Patients with COPD had significantly lower body weight (p=0.001) and higher pack-years of smoking than did the controls (p=0.002). The echocardiogram showed that LV end diastolic diameter (p<0.001), LV end systolic diameter (p=0.020), left atrial (LA) diameter (p=0.026), and LV mass in the COPD patients were significantly decreased compared to the controls (p=0.003). However, there were no differences between the COPD patients and controls in the parameters reflecting LV diastolic function and mean RV systolic pressure (RVSP). According to the COPD stage, body weight (p<0.001), body mass index (BMI) (p<0.001), and LV mass were significantly different (p=0.011). In patients with COPD, LV mass (r=0.432) (p<0.001) and BMI were significantly correlated with FEV1% predicted (r=0.600) (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COPD had lower LV mass and LA and LV diameters than did the controls, even though both groups had normal LV function. In particular, the LV mass appeared to correlate with the lung function in the patients with COPD.
Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Echocardiography ; Heart ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Smoke ; Smoking