Respiratory News and Research

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Research pinpoints potential weak link in bacterial wall-building protein

The wall that surrounds bacteria to shield them from external assaults has long been a tantalizing target for drug therapies. Indeed, some of modern medicine's most reliable antibiotics disarm harmful bacteria by disrupting the proteins that build their protective armor.

28 Mar 2018

Tackling Hand Hygiene Barriers in Healthcare

Hand hygiene is critical to preventing the spread of infection in hospitals. Current methods are outdated, and new technologies are expensive. Zoono's products offer an alternative to alcohol-based hand sanitizers that protect the skin's surface for longer.

28 Mar 2018

UC researcher granted patent for potential pulmonary infection treatment

A researcher in the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine has been granted a U.S. patent for a potential treatment for a pulmonary infection in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

27 Mar 2018

Study identifies genetic factors linked to severity of acute viral bronchiolitis

A scientific study conducted at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in São Paulo State, Brazil, has identified genetic factors associated with the severity of acute viral bronchiolitis. The study was supported by the Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP. Its results were published in the journal Gene.

27 Mar 2018

Neem Biotech to share findings on cystic fibrosis biofilm disruption at ECFS Basic Science Conference

Neem Biotech, a Wales-based R&D biotech working in the field of novel antimicrobial drug development, announced today that it will be presenting results of its ongoing development work into the impact of NX-AS-401, its lead candidate,on biofilms in chronic cystic fibrosis lung infections at the 15th European Cystic Fibrosis Basic Science Conference taking place from 21st to 24th March 2018 in LoutrakiKorinthias, Greece.

From Neem Biotech 22 Mar 2018

Measles infection in early childhood could contribute to later COPD

In a new Respirology study, having measles—a highly contagious respiratory infection—during early childhood was linked with an increased risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in middle age, but only in adults with asthma and a considerable history of smoking.

21 Mar 2018

Study: Premature babies have higher risks of health complications in Bangladesh

A recently published study in Bangladesh titled Clinical outcome of the late preterm infants shows that premature babies can develop major neonatal complications that need admission in a neonatal intensive care unit.

20 Mar 2018

Genetic variant discovery could improve safety, effectiveness of drugs for asthma and COPD

Research from the University of Liverpool, published today in Lancet Respiratory Medicine, identifies a genetic variant that could improve the safety and effectiveness of corticosteroids, drugs that are used to treat a range of common and rare conditions including asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

16 Mar 2018

Research establishes use of chimeric cells as potential therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Cells made by fusing a normal human muscle cell with a muscle cell from a person with Duchenne muscular dystrophy --a rare but fatal form of muscular dystrophy -- were able to significantly improve muscle function when implanted into the muscles of a mouse model of the disease.

16 Mar 2018

Researchers explore whether MERS-CoV is a threat for Africa

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a lethal disease in humans, caused by a coronavirus (MERS-CoV). It was first identified in man in 2012, in the Arabian Peninsula.

15 Mar 2018

Leicester research could help identify people with asthma of different severities

A team of researchers from the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre – a partnership between Leicester’s Hospitals, the University of Leicester and Loughborough University - has identified biological variations in lung tissue samples that for the first time can help identify people with mild asthma from those with moderate or severe asthma.

15 Mar 2018

The Importance of Fetal Fibronectin Testing for Women with Symptomatic Preterm Labor

Preterm birth is a dangerous condition that often goes undiagnosed. Fetal fibronectin (fFN) is a biomarker for preterm labor, but testing for fFN is widely underused. We explore this issue with Dr. Michael S. Ruma, a maternal-fetal specialist from the Perinatal Associates of New Mexico.

14 Mar 2018

New guidelines intend to provide template for optimal, most up-to-date DMD care

Diagnostic and treatment advances are helping patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy - one of nine major types of muscular dystrophy that affects males - live into their 30s and beyond, raising challenges in such areas as education, vocation, levels of independence, personal relationships, emotional health, and intimacy.

13 Mar 2018

Study findings formalize clinical quality indicators for emergency care in Africa

The need for emergency care in low-income and middle-income countries has never been greater, but until now, measurable indicators for providing this care have been lacking. A study conducted by the sidHARTe - Strengthening Emergency Systems Program at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health in collaboration with the African Federation of Emergency Medicine fills this gap, identifying 76 quality indicators for emergency care for use in critical care facilities in Africa.

13 Mar 2018

Study validates Xpresys Lung 2 for differential diagnosis of early stage lung cancer

Integrated Diagnostics today announced the e-publication of full results of a large prospective clinical trial validating its Xpresys Lung 2 in the peer-reviewed medical journal CHEST¸ the official journal of the American College of Chest Physicians, titled: Assessment of Plasma Proteomics Biomarker’s Ability to Distinguish Benign From Malignant Lung Nodules: Results of the PANOPTIC trial.

12 Mar 2018

Mystery 'disease X' warnings from WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned about a mysterious disease X that is caused by a virus and can cause a worldwide pandemic in the near future. WHO has come up with a list of diseases that can cause an outbreak or epidemic among the general population, mainly because of the lack of resources for fighting them.

12 Mar 2018

Aging and lung tissue stiffness contribute to function decline

New research suggests that certain areas of the lungs are more likely than others to show age-related damage that compromises respiratory function. The paper is published ahead of print in the American Journal of Physiology - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology.

9 Mar 2018

Impaired transport processes in neurons contribute to neurodegenerative disorders

Two partners have to find their way to each other in order to transport substances to the remote ends of special nerve fibers to maintain their function. If this partnering process is disturbed, the cells may die in the worst case, resulting in neurodegenerative disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or spinal muscular atrophy.