Pulmonology Commons^™

"Saw-Tooth Sign" In Upper Airway Disorders - A Case Report, S. Sahni, A. Blood, S. Paulus, A. Talwar

Journal Articles

Spirometry flow-volume loop measurement is the screening test of choice to rule out obstructive lung diseases. Flow oscillations occasionally seen on flow volume loops, referred to as a "saw-tooth" sign, are thought to be due to an upper airway obstructive processes associated with upper airway collapsibility. Widely described in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, flow oscillations have also been linked to many other upper airway pathologies. The mechanism by which flow oscillations occur is centered on the inspiratory and expiratory flow of air. It has been theorized that the mechanism of flow oscillations result from rapid intermittent changes in driving pressure …

Lps Down-Regulates Specificity Protein 1 Activity By Activating Nf-Kappab Pathway In Endotoxemic Mice, X. Ye, H. Liu, Y. S. Gong, S. F. Liu

Journal Articles

BACKGROUND: Specificity protein (Sp) 1 mediates the transcription of a large number of constitutive genes encoding physiological mediators. NF-kappaB mediates the expression of hundreds of inducible genes encoding pathological mediators. Crosstalk between Sp1 and NF-kappaB pathways could be pathophysiologically significant, but has not been studied. This study examined the crosstalk between the two pathways and defined the role of NF-kappaB signaling in LPS-induced down-regulation of Sp1 activity. METHODS AND MAIN FINDINGS: Challenge of wild type mice with samonelia enteritidis LPS (10 mg/kg, i.p.) down-regulated Sp1 binding activity in lungs in a time-dependent manner, which was concomitantly associated with an increased …

Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Clinicopathologic Features And Survival Outcomes In Asian Pacific Islanders Residing In The United States: A Seer Analysis, M. S. Hamid, R. Shameem, K. Gafoor, J. George, B. Mina, K. Sullivan

Journal Articles

Background. The objective of our study was to ascertain racial/ethnic disparities in Asian/Pacific Islanders (API) for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) clinicopathologic features and survival outcomes based on various tumor characteristics and treatment modalities. Method. SEER database identified invasive NSCLC cases from 2004 to 2010. Variables included American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage 7, tumor grade, tumor size, histology, age, marital status, radiation, surgery, and reason for no surgery. The Kruskall-Wallis test and the Z test were used to examine differences between races/ethnicities and the referent, non-Hispanic white (NHW). Multivariate Cox proportional analyses were used to establish the weight of …

Pulmonary Rehabilitation And Exercise In Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: An Underutilized Intervention, S. Sahni, B. Capozzi, A. Iftikhar, V. Sgouras, M. Ojrzanowski, A. Talwar

Journal Articles

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare and devastating disease characterized by progressive increases in pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance which eventually leads to right ventricular failure and death. Early thought process was that exercise and increased physical activity may be detrimental to PAH patients however many small cohort trials have proven otherwise. In addition to the many pharmaceutical options, exercise and pulmonary rehabilitation have also been shown to increase exercise capacity as well as various aspects of psychosomatic health. As pulmonary and exercise rehabilitation become more widely used as an adjuvant therapy patient outcomes improve and physicians …

Dyspnea, Depression And Health Related Quality Of Life In Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Patients, A. Talwar, S. Sahni, E. J. Kim, S. Verma, N. Kohn

Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

A Case Of Delayed Bacteremia From An Unusual Pseudomonas Species, A. Palkar, A. Budhatoki, P. Singh

Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

Case Report: Pulmonary Kaposi Sarcoma In A Non-Hiv Patient, A. Kodra, M. Walczyszyn, C. Grossman, D. Zapata, T. Rambhatla, B. Mina

Journal Articles

Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) is an angioproliferative tumor associated with human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8). Often known as one of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-defining skin diseases, pulmonary involvement in KS has only been discussed in a handful of case reports, rarely in a non-HIV patient. Herein we report the case of a 77 year-old- male who presented with a 6-week history of progressive dyspnea on exertion accompanied by productive cough of yellow sputum and intermittent hemoptysis. His past medical history was significant for Non-Hodgkin's Follicular B-Cell Lymphoma (NHL). Patient also had biopsy-confirmed cutaneous KS. His physical exam was notable for …

Clinical Relevance Of The Incidentaloma: A Clinician's Viewpoint, S. Sahni, S. Verma, R.S. Thomas, B. Capozzi, A. Talwar

Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Cytologic Accuracy Of Endobronchial Ultrasound Transbronchial Needle Aspiration Using Needle Suction Versus No Suction, K. Harris, R. Maroun, K. Attwood, M. Chalhoub

Journal Articles

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a relatively new procedure initially used for lung cancer diagnosis, staging and re-staging and extended to benign diseases such as sarcoidosis and other mediastinal lesions. Previously, multiple studies evaluated the use of needle biopsy with no aspiration that did not change the diagnostic accuracy compared with needle biopsy aspiration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All adult subjects who were scheduled to undergo EBUS-TBNA to sample mediastinal lesions were eligible. We evaluated two methods of sampling mediastinal lesions. The first method was the application of negative pressure syringe for needle suction aspiration. The …

Ultrasound In The Diagnosis And Management Of Pleural Effusions, N. J. Soni, R. Franco, M. I. Velez, D. Schnobrich, R. Dancel, M. I. Restrepo, P. H. Mayo

Journal Articles

We review the literature on the use of point-of-care ultrasound to evaluate and manage pleural effusions. Point-of-care ultrasound is more sensitive than physical exam and chest radiography to detect pleural effusions, and avoids many negative aspects of computerized tomography. Additionally, point-of-care ultrasound can assess pleural fluid volume and character, revealing possible underlying pathologies and guiding management. Thoracentesis performed with ultrasound guidance has lower risk of pneumothorax and bleeding complications. Future research should focus on the clinical effectiveness of point-of-care ultrasound in the routine management of pleural effusions and how new technologies may expand its clinical utility. Journal of Hospital Medicine …

Obstructive Sleep Apnea As A Risk Factor For Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, P. Rajan, H. Greenberg

Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

Dyspnea Associated With Silicone Breast Implant Rupture, Katherine Rider, Hatice Kaya, Guillermo Gutierrez

Medicine Faculty Publications

We present a case of a 48-year-old woman with a significant history of atopy. She presented with a 1-month history of dyspnea on exertion. Pulmonary function testing was normal, with no obstruction or reversibility post-bronchodilation. Bilateral breast implant rupture was detected on further investigation for a left upper lobe nodule, and the patient underwent bilateral implant removal. There was an improvement in her respiratory symptoms. Systemic symptoms, labeled as “Autoimmune/Inflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants,” are known to be associated with breast implants, with 14% of women in a cohort developing autoimmune disease secondary to their implants. An improvement in symptoms …

Prevalence Of Tobacco Use Among Women: A Cross Sectional Survey From A Squatter Settlement Of Karachi, Pakistan, Nousheen Iqbal, Muhammad Irfan, Nida Ashraf, Safia Awan, Javaid A. Khan

Section of Pulmonary & Critical Care

Background: While the prevalence of tobacco use has been slowly declining in the developed countries, rates have been steadily rising in the developing countries. This has led to a rapid rise in tobacco related lung diseases among women.

Objective: Determine the prevalence of tobacco use (both smoking and smokeless) among women in an urban squatter settlement (Orangi Town) in Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 19,325 females aged between 15 and 80 years in Orangi Town, an urban squatter settlement in Karachi, Pakistan. Modified questionnaire, developed by World Health Organization WHO and Global Adult …

Relaxation Techniques For People With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review And A Meta-Analysis, Eleonora Volpato, Paolo Banfi, Sheena M. Rogers, Francesco Pagnini

Dartmouth Scholarship

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) people suffer from severe physical impairments, which often elicit significant psychological distress and impact their quality of life. This meta-analysis aimed to assess evidence from the scientific literature on the effects of relaxation techniques. Methods. We investigated 9 databases to select 25 RCTs. Studies included both inpatients and outpatients with COPD. Both respiratory and psychological outcomes were considered.

The Role Of The Complement System In Cigarette Smoke Induced Emphysema Development And Progression, Sarah E. Stephenson

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Emphysema is a complex inflammatory condition of the respiratory tract with an incompletely elucidated pathogenesis. Due to the complexity of the disease, treatment options are limited for patients and have poor efficacy. Therefore a greater understanding of disease pathogenesis is imperative to expand therapeutic strategies. Central to disease development is the activation of the innate and adaptive immune system, however, targeting blockade of only one side of the immune response, has shown little clinical benefit. The complement system, while regarded as an innate immune mechanism, can modulate both innate and adaptive immune responses. Given these dual modulatory effects, the complement …

Perceptions Of Social Isolation And Social Support In Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency And Sarcoidosis: Results Of A Mixed-Methods Study, Susan Krause Flavin

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this dissertation was to explore perceptions of social isolation and social support in individuals with one of two rare lung conditions, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) or sarcoidosis. First, a dimensional concept analysis was conducted to identify key factors contributing to the phenomenon of social isolation. Next, an integrative review of existing instruments to measure social isolation was conducted to identify the most appropriate instrument for the study. Finally, a mixed-methods study was conducted to explore these phenomena in the two populations of interest. Problem: Many rare diseases are chronic, complex and associated with other disabilities (M. …

Allergen Immunotherapy For Allergic Asthma: Protocol For A Systematic Review., Sangeeta Dhami, Ulugbek Nurmatov, Ioana Agache, Susanne Lau, Antonella Muraro, Marek Jutel, Graham Roberts, Cezmi Akdis, Matteo Bonini, Moises Calderon, Thomas Casale, Ozlem Cavkaytar, Linda Cox, Pascal Demoly, Breda Flood, Eckard Hamelmann, Kenji Izuhara, Ömer Kalayci, Jörg Kleine-Tebbe, Antonio Nieto, Nikolaos Papadopoulos, Oliver Pfaar, Lanny Rosenwasser, Dermot Ryan, Carsten Schmidt-Weber, Stan Szefler, Ulrich Wahn, Roy-Gerth Van Wijk, Jamie Wilkinson, Aziz Sheikh

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) is in the process of developing the EAACI Guidelines for Allergen Immunotherapy (AIT) for Allergic Asthma. We seek to critically assess the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and safety of AIT in the management of allergic asthma.

METHODS: We will undertake a systematic review, which will involve searching international biomedical databases for published, in progress and unpublished evidence. Studies will be independently screened against pre-defined eligibility criteria and critically appraised using established instruments. Data will be descriptively and, if possible and appropriate, quantitatively synthesised.

DISCUSSION: The findings from this review will be used …

Pulmonary Arteriovascular Malformation: A Rare Cause Of Unexplained Hypoxia And Acute Dyspnoea In Young Patients, Nousheen Iqbal, Karim Abdur Rehman, Javaid Ahmed Khan, Tanveer Ul Haq

Section of Pulmonary & Critical Care

2014 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) are anomalous vascular connections between arteries and veins in the lung and comprise of two types, simple and complex. PAVMs are associated with congenital conditions such as hereditary haemorrhagic telengiectasia along with acquired causes. We present a case of a 26-year-old man who presented with dyspnoea, palpitations and decreased oxygen saturation as an initial presentation of PAVM, which was treated successively with embolisation.

Clinical Course And Outcome Of Acute Severe Asthma (Status Asthmaticus) In Adults., Ali Khawaja, Hira Shahzad, Murtaza Kazmi, Ali Bin Sarwar Zubairi

Department of Medicine

Objective: To evaluate the clinical course and outcomes in patients with acute severe asthma in a tertiary care setting.
Methods: The retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised data of patients of age 16 and above who were admitted with a diagnosis of acute severe asthma from January 2000 to December 2013.These patients had undergone clinical evaluation to assess the severity of illness as well as the complications and eventual outcomes. SPSS 16 was used for statistical analysis.
Results: Of the 50 patients in the study, 41 (82%) were females. The overall mean …

The Denali Trial: An Interim Analysis Of A Prospective, Multicenter Study Of The Denali Retrievable Inferior Vena Cava Filter., S William Stavropoulos, Ronald F Sing, Fakhir Elmasri, Mitchell J Silver, Alex Powell, Frank C Lynch, Ahmed Kamel Abdel Aal, Alexandra J Lansky, Richard A Settlage, Bart E Muhs, Denali Trial Investigators

Heart and Vascular Articles

Purpose: To assess safety and effectiveness of a nitinol retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filter in patients who require caval interruption to protect against pulmonary embolism (PE).

Materials and methods: Two hundred patients with temporary indications for an IVC filter were enrolled in this prospective, multicenter clinical study. Patients undergoing filter implantation were to be followed for 2 years or for 30 days after filter retrieval. At the time of the present interim report, all 200 patients had been enrolled in the study, and 160 had undergone a retrieval attempt or been followed to 6 months with their filter in …