N M Siafakas

..This review article summarizes the current knowledge regarding the contribution of vascular remodeling, as well as the pathogenetic and therapeutic implications of pivotal angiogenic mediators, in COPD...

..However, the relation between EBC 8-isoprostane and parameters which have a known predictive value in COPD, remains vastly unknown, and so does subsequently its clinical value...

..Our results confirm previous experiments and support the hypothesis of a disturbance in the balance between the pro- and anti-apoptotic mediators in COPD...

..All cases were followed up for 12 months, and there was no recurrence of bleeding. CONCLUSION: Bronchial artery embolization is an effective tool for the evaluation and treatment of massive idiopathic hemoptysis...

..As the involvement of TLRs has not yet been fully elucidated, the aim of the current study was to examine the expression of various TLRs in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients with ILDs...

..This paper presents the translated interfaces, the flowcharts and the steps that are considered as necessary for this feasibility study in Crete, Greece...

..In this longitudinal study we aimed to investigate changes in sputum and nasal lavage SLPI, CC16, elafin and HBD-2 levels in healthy smokers after 6 and 12 months of smoking cessation...

..The aim of this study was to explore induced sputum (IS) CD4+ Th1 T-lymphocyte subpopulation and to compare them with those of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in patients with sarcoidosis...

..Symptomatic respiratory tract involvement is not common in Crohn's disease. Upper-airway obstruction has been reported before in Crohn's disease and usually responds well to steroid treatment...

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..abstract:..

..This observation suggests that alexithymia should be taken into consideration when drafting specific psychotherapeutic interventions for these patients...

..Thus, in addition to exposure to exogenous factors, host factors, most likely several genes, are involved and affect various pathways of the pathogenesis of COPD...

..The significant association between microsatellite DNA instability and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations indicates that somatic mutations could be involved in the pathogenesis and natural history of the disease...

..In a previous study, we demonstrated that microsatellite DNA instability (MSI) is a detectable phenomenon in sputum cells of COPD patients. Therefore, we hypothesize that this genetic alteration may indicate susceptibility to COPD...

..The aim of this study was to investigate further the mechanism(s) of respiratory muscle dysfunction after cholecystectomy and the effect of digoxin on the impaired respiratory muscle function...

..Obviously, the above scenario needs further experimental exploration. However, it is an attractive model for the initiation of the abnormal inflammation in COPD, comprising oxidative DNA damage of LEBCs and host immune response...

..This will provide the basis for therapeutic decisions that will be discussed, including an overview of recent advances...

..05). This may indicate that lung parenchyma is also involved in active IBD. Our results suggest that the function of the small airways and diffusion capacity of the lungs are affected in patients with IBD...

..008). Symptoms were associated to the absence of a ventilation system. We concluded that occupational exposure in dental technicians in Crete did not affect lung function. The prevalence of pneumoconiosis in this study was 9. 8%...

..Three patients with a lung function impairment were treated with oral corticosteroids. One nontreated patient died due to progression of the disease...

..We aimed to investigate the short-term respiratory effects of heavy, occupational wood smoke exposure among traditional charcoal production workers...

..UK could be the thrombolytic of choice given the potentially dangerous allergic reactions to SK and relatively little higher cost of UK...

..g. neurological diseases, depression, alcoholism) might be used to treat this subgroup. In conclusion, new more effective drugs are needed in order to fight the panepidemic of smoking globally...

..HGF seems to be the prominent molecule in Hodgkin's disease, which may be used to monitor the disease status and the response to treatment...

..To assess the level of knowledge for bronchial asthma of the primary healthcare physicians serving a rural population on the island of Crete, both before and immediately after a one-day educational course...

..To our knowledge, this is the first report describing a miliary pattern as presenting radiological sign in a patient with tuberculosis who subsequently developed a new miliary pattern due to sarcoidosis...

..567, P=0.04). CONCLUSION: In spite of treatment with inhaled steroids, SPA and COPD exhibit distinct sputum inflammatory cell patterns, although SPA with fixed airflow limitation and COPD patients have similar numbers of neutrophils...

..Sarcoidosis is a benign disease of unknown etiology characterized by chronic inflammation, which may be associated with an increased incidence of developing malignancy...

..Thus, our data suggest that microsatellite DNA analysis does not facilitate the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion...

..7-94.6% among the three groups. Our results suggest that IL-6 at levels > or =72.1 fmol/ml, alpha1-AT at > or =170 mg/dl and alpha1-AG at > or =52.3 mg/ml give strong evidences for malignancy in exudates...

..How should the clinician behave in this case and what are the pitfalls of the MDT approach? In addition, since diagnosis is the major predictor of prognosis, are there any other tools available to predict prognosis?..

..We hypothesized that afferents from respiratory muscle and/or chest wall are significant in breath-holding...

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..The aim of this study is to provide data on the epidemiology of ILDs in Greece, under the ATS/ERS international consensus...

..Spirometry was performed every 6 months. The effect of frequent exacerbations on lung function was investigated using random effects models...

..It is shown that sputum induction is a practical and safe procedure and an important research tool of local inflammation of bronchial asthma...

..Further studies are needed to identify the role of loss of heterozygosity and microsatellite instability in the investigation of genetic susceptibility of asthma and thus, in its pathogenesis...

..The drainage of pleural fluid results in an increase in lung volume that is considerably less than the amount of aspirated fluid, while hypoxemia is not readily reversible upon fluid aspiration...

..2%) in at least one locus. Our data suggest that genomic instability in pulmonary sarcoidosis could be due to MMR defects, while alterations of lymphocyte-specific agents could account for granuloma formation...

..Finally, SI could also guide treatment; such as, sputum eosinophilia in COPD could predict response to inhaled corticosteroids...

..32-p21.1, 5q32-q33.1, 9p21 and 17p13.1 where MYCL1, FHIT, SPARC, p16(Ink4) and TP53 genes have been mapped respectively. These data provide new insights into IPF pathogenesis and a new perspective for its correlation with lung cancer...

..In addition, we have provided evidence suggesting the possibility that CD8+ lymphocytes might not play a major role in sarcoidosis...

..Our aim was to assess dyspnea and adverse events in COPD patients who undergo SI following a safety protocol...

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..Further large-scale studies are needed to define the precise role of IL-12 and IL-18 in the immunopathogenesis of this disorder...

..Further studies are needed in a higher number of patients in order to define the precise role of both cytokines during the immunoregulatory response with IFN-gamma-1b...

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..CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that an imbalance both in T-lymphocyte subpopulation (CD4/CD8) and in CD8+ cell subsets (Tc1/Tc2) characterizes the inflammatory responses of smokers with established COPD...

..These findings suggest that CD8(+) T-lymphocytes play a significant role in the inflammatory process of COPD...

..54, p = 0.01) and CD4+/CD8+ ratio (r = 0.74, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that different information is obtained by IS and BALF and thus, the two methods are complementary in IPF...

..These data support the hypothesis that fibrosis is a multistep process that involves both collagen accumulation and changes in the molecules that modulate the biomechanical properties of fibrils...

..To investigate which cells are the main source of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) production in stable patients with asthma and the associations among H(2)O(2) levels, airway inflammation, and disease severity...

..Although it can be speculated that reducing inflammation may prevent and/or treat COPD exacerbations, the existing anti-inflammatory treatments are modestly effective...

..Smokers with hemoptysis are at increased risk for lung cancer and need to be extensively evaluated with chest CT and bronchoscopy...

..This review summarizes recent research on potential laboratory markers in smokers and subsequent COPD development...

..2 to -36.5; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Nasal continuous positive airway pressure therapy is highly effective for the treatment of the obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome, whereas AOP has no significant effect...

..Future therapeutic strategies may aim at regulating inflammation and NO synthesis during COPD exacerbations...

..This may suggest a possible distinct role for both collagens in the modulation of the extracellular matrix during the onset of fibrotic process...

..03, P=0.02, respectively) were found at the onset of exacerbation compared to stable state. We conclude that a CD8+ve type-2-mediated immune response is induced at the onset of severe COPD exacerbation...

..Larger studies are needed to investigate further the clinical and inflammatory characteristics of NEA before we are able to categorize asthma patients into those with or without eosinophilic inflammation...

..The challenge of future targets for therapeutic intervention is to reconcile different pathogenetic pathways, and we strongly suspect that no single approach will be sufficient for a lethal disease with few therapeutic options...

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..Considering that bronchoalveolar lavage is a minimally invasive procedure, these cells are optimal candidates with which to elucidate the properties and capabilities of pulmonary DC...

..The role of tumor markers in the diagnosis and prognosis of lung cancer is under investigation...

..The view that IPF is untreatable at present requires reconsideration, as improved survival has been suggested in three controlled trials of IFN-gamma1b in IPF therapy...

..The present study aims to evaluate the role of Th1 cytokines by monitoring changes in Induced Sputum (IS) samples, before and after treatment with IFN-gamma-1b in patients with IPF...

..The elucidation of mediators that orchestrate this aberrant tissue repair will allow the development of novel interventions to treat this devastating disorder...

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..The increased expression of proapoptotic molecules in epithelial cells in IPF may be involved in the inadequate and delayed reepithelialization, which in turn contributes to fibroblast proliferation...

..Our study showed that the immunopathology of pediatric and adult asthma is similar and sputum induction provides opportunities for comparison of airway inflammation in childhood and adult asthma safely...

..However, extended studies are needed to verify the pathophysiological consequences of these findings...

..Therefore, the aim of our study was to measure the levels of 8-isoprostane in the expired breath condensate of patients with sarcoidosis, and to investigate the relation of 8-isoprostane level to disease activity...

..This paper is a review of the current knowledge on the apoptotic pathways involved in COPD pathogenesis and their interaction with other known contributing factors...

..The same was not true for the ATS and BTS severity scales. Better correlation was achieved with the GOLD scale...

..However, better survival has been reported for current smokers with IPF, although this might reflect less severe disease at presentation (a "healthy smoker effect")...

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