Ethnicity corrections in pulmonary function test reports: what to do?
Extract
The 2023 American Thoracic Society (ATS) document on race and ethnicity in pulmonary function test interpretation advocating "race-neutral prediction equations" [1], and the subsequent editorial on the same subject, in a recent issue of the European Respiratory Journal [2], are timely, in spite of some disagreement. For many years, pulmonary function laboratories have (alternatively, they may have chosen not to) reduced the predictions (based on age, height and sex) for lung volumes and capacities (but not for the transfer factor, TLCO) by 10–15% for patients of African or Asian ancestry. In my book on pulmon...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - May 2, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Hughes, M. Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research
Cannabis smoking is associated with advanced epigenetic age
Extract
Cannabis use has been controversial, largely having been designated a controlled substance over the past century. While certain studies have linked cannabis smoking with harmful effects such as increased respiratory symptoms and faster lung function decline in older adults [1, 2], these findings have not been fully replicated by others [3]. The link between cannabis and disease pathogenesis may best be explored through DNA methylation. This mechanism consists of the addition or removal of a methyl group at a cytosine–guanine residue (CpG), can be influenced by exposures, and can modify transcription. Methylat...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - May 2, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Hernandez Cordero, A. I., Li, X., Yang, C. X., Ambalavanan, A., MacIsaac, J. L., Kobor, M. S., Doiron, D., Tan, W., Bourbeau, J., Sin, D. D., Duan, Q., Leung, J. M., the CanCOLD Collaborative Research Group Tags: Research Letters Source Type: research
Bedaquiline, pretomanid and linezolid in multidrug-resistant and pre-extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis in refugees from Ukraine and Somalia in Germany
Extract
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2023 tuberculosis (TB) report, in the European Union region there are approximately 200 000 TB cases per year, among which 30 000 are rifampicin resistant (RR) with treatment success rates of 57% [1], indicating a considerable gap from the United Nations' goal of an 80% reduction by 2030. In 2022, the WHO guideline for the treatment of multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB recommended as new first-line regimen for MDR-TB (resistance to at least isoniazid and rifampicin [2]) bedaquiline, pretomanid, linezolid and moxifloxacin (BPaLM), and for pre-extensively drug-resistant tub...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - May 2, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Trauth, J., Kantelhardt, V., Usenko, B., Knipper, M., Kuhns, M., Friesen, I., Herold, S. Tags: Research Letters Source Type: research
Correcting and harmonising the terminology for exhaled gases
Extract
Frequently, the abbreviations and methods used for measuring and reporting respired gases do not follow the standardisation, definitions and symbols that experts in the field have agreed on. This has become apparent for exhaled nitric oxide, where expired gas is commonly and incorrectly denoted by "e" rather than by "E", much like "i" instead of "I" for inspired [1]. Why is standardisation important? (Source: European Respiratory Journal)
Source: European Respiratory Journal - May 2, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Högman, M., Wagner, P. D. Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research
Multitasking within the airway epithelium
Extract
Asthma frequently begins in childhood. The first manifestation is often recurrent wheezing during the preschool years, predominantly associated with viral respiratory infection and perturbation of the airway microbiome. Sometimes early onset wheeze is transient, but it can evolve into persistent asthma with multifactorial wheeze triggered by infections, allergens, irritants or exercise. This progression of persistent wheeze evolving into allergic or nonallergic asthma can last a lifetime and is treatable but not curable. Emerging evidence indicates that risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms differ among as...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - May 2, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Gern, J. E., Ober, C. Tags: Editorials Source Type: research
Rifampicin has no role in treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease and bactericidal sterilising drugs are needed: a viewpoint
Extract
Current rifampicin/ethambutol/azithromycin regimens for the treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease (MAC-PD) are long, toxic and yield relatively poor outcomes [1]: a meta-analysis lumping nodular bronchiectatic disease and fibro-cavitary disease reported a 65% prolonged culture conversion rate; following initially successful treatment, recurrence rates of 30% have been reported [2]. (Source: European Respiratory Journal)
Source: European Respiratory Journal - May 2, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: van Ingen, J., Hoefsloot, W., Dartois, V., Dick, T. Tags: Editorials Source Type: research
High risk of lung cancer in surfactant-related gene variant carriers
Conclusions
The high risk of lung cancer among SRG variant carriers suggests specific screening and diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. The benefit of regular computed tomography scan follow-up should be evaluated. (Source: European Respiratory Journal)
Source: European Respiratory Journal - May 2, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Brudon, A., Legendre, M., Mageau, A., Bermudez, J., Bonniaud, P., Bouvry, D., Cadranel, J., Cazes, A., Crestani, B., Degot, T., Delestrain, C., Diesler, R., Epaud, R., Philippot, Q., Theou-Anton, N., Kannengiesser, C., Ba, I., Debray, M.-P., Fanen, P., Ma Tags: Genetics Original Research Articles Source Type: research
Gasdermin B, an asthma-susceptibility gene, promotes MAVS-TBK1 signalling and airway inflammation
Conclusions
GSDMB promotes ISGs expression and airway inflammation upon respiratory virus infection, thereby conferring asthma risk in risk allele carriers. (Source: European Respiratory Journal)
Source: European Respiratory Journal - May 2, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Liu, T., Liu, S., Rui, X., Cao, Y., Hecker, J., Guo, F., Zhang, Y., Gong, L., Zhou, Y., Yu, Y., Krishnamoorthyni, N., Bates, S., Chun, S., Boyer, N., Xu, S., Park, J.-A., Perrella, M. A., Levy, B. D., Weiss, S. T., Mou, H., Raby, B. A., Zhou, X. Tags: Mechanisms of lung disease Original Research Articles Source Type: research
Advances in COPD imaging using CT and MRI: linkage with lung physiology and clinical outcomes
Recent years have witnessed major advances in lung imaging in patients with COPD. These include significant refinements in images obtained by computed tomography (CT) scans together with the introduction of new techniques and software that aim for obtaining the best image whilst using the lowest possible radiation dose. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has also emerged as a useful radiation-free tool in assessing structural and more importantly functional derangements in patients with well-established COPD and smokers without COPD, even before the existence of overt changes in resting physiological lung function tests. Tog...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - May 2, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Elbehairy, A. F., Marshall, H., Naish, J. H., Wild, J. M., Parraga, G., Horsley, A., Vestbo, J. Tags: Asthma and allergy State of the Art Source Type: research
Reply: Asthma and cardiovascular disease: the strength of triangulation
Extract
In their correspondence, M.C. Tattersall and co-workers noted that our study reports contrasting findings to some earlier studies, including their own. They have raised several methodological points regarding our triangulation approach which leveraged two wholly different methods (traditional observational study and Mendelian randomisation) and multiple entirely different datasets [1]. We have discussed each of their concerns here. (Source: European Respiratory Journal)
Source: European Respiratory Journal - April 25, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Bloom, C. I. Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research
Asthma and cardiovascular disease: embracing disease heterogeneity is required
Extract
We read with interest the recent original research investigation by Valencia-Hernández et al. [1]. This observational study used two approaches to investigate the association of asthma and coronary heart disease (CHD): medical records and Mendelian randomisation (MR). Their results differ compared to many other prior studies investigating the association of asthma and CHD [2]. We applaud the authors for the thoroughness of the investigation; however, we have identified key methodological considerations in this study which may account for differences in the conclusions, compared to prior studies. (Source: Eur...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - April 25, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tattersall, M. C., Gangnon, R. E., Jarjour, N. N. Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research
B-cells in pulmonary arterial hypertension: friend, foe or bystander?
There is an unmet need for new therapeutic strategies that target alternative pathways to improve the prognosis of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). As immunity has been involved in the development and progression of vascular lesions in PAH, we review the potential contribution of B-cells in its pathogenesis and evaluate the relevance of B-cell-targeted therapies. Circulating B-cell homeostasis is altered in PAH patients, with total B-cell lymphopenia, abnormal subset distribution (expansion of naïve and antibody-secreting cells, reduction of memory B-cells) and chronic activation. B-cells are re...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - April 25, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Sanges, S., Tian, W., Dubucquoi, S., Chang, J. L., Collet, A., Launay, D., Nicolls, M. R. Tags: Pulmonary vascular disease Review Source Type: research
Early life exposure to pollens and increased risks of childhood asthma: a prospective cohort study in Ontario children
Extract
Asthma is a disease characterised by wheeze, cough and shortness of breath, and constitutes the most prevalent chronic disease among children [1]. Various phenotypes have been specifically identified in the paediatric population, and include early transient wheeze, current wheeze/asthma, and mild or moderate asthma [2]. Lifestyle behaviours, genetics, maternal and paternal factors, and environment exposures have been identified as risk factors in the multifactorial aetiology of childhood asthma [3]. (Source: European Respiratory Journal)
Source: European Respiratory Journal - April 18, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Stanescu, C., Talarico, R., Weichenthal, S., Villeneuve, P. J., Smargiassi, A., Stieb, D. M., To, T., Hebbern, C., Crighton, E., Lavigne, E. Tags: Research Letters Source Type: research
ERJ Podcast April 2024: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
As part of the April issue, the European Respiratory Journal presents the latest in its series of podcasts. Chief Editor James Chalmers interviews Ritesh Agarwal (Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India) about the revised International Society for Human and Animal Mycology ABPA working group clinical practice guidelines for diagnosing, classifying and treating allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis/mycoses. (Source: European Respiratory Journal)
Source: European Respiratory Journal - April 18, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: Podcast Source Type: research
"Therapeutic improvement of CFTR function and reversibility of bronchiectasis in cystic fibrosis." M.O. Wielpütz and M.A. Mall. Eur Respir J 2024; 63: 2400234.
(Source: European Respiratory Journal)
Source: European Respiratory Journal - April 18, 2024 Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: Author corrections Source Type: research
