Safe removal of tracheal cannula is a major goal in the rehabilitation of tracheostomised
patients to achieve progressive independence from mechanical support and reduce the risk of …

To investigate the relationship between airflow limitation and airway inflammation in smokers,
we examined paraffin-embedded bronchial biopsies obtained from 30 smokers: 10 with …

The expression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB is an indicator of cellular activation and of inflammatory
mediator production. The aim of the present study was to characterise the expression …

Asthma is a complex disorder frequently associated with a poor symptom control, concomitant
morbidity, mortality, and significant health care costs due to lack of compliance or …

In 2013 new “mouthpiece ventilation” modes are being introduced to commercially available
portable ventilators. Despite this, there is little knowledge of how to use noninvasive …

CC-chemokines are chemotactic factors expressed in a wide range of cell types and tissues.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of CC-chemokines in the airways …

Study objectives To evaluate whether office spirometry by general practitioners (GPs) is
feasible and may improve the diagnosis of asthma and COPD. Methods A prospective, …

Background Studies on the inflammatory process in the large airways of patients with mild/moderate
COPD have shown a prevalent T lymphocyte and macrophage infiltration of the …

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in lung lavage fluids is a marker of tissue damage and type II cell
proliferation. Type II pneumocytes are extensively involved in fibrosis. The aim of our study …

Background Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) is a non-pharmacological intervention for severe
asthma whose mechanism of action is not completely explained by a reduction of airway …