Tag Archives: lung
Cultured macrophages help predict lung toxicity of inhaled nanoparticles
Many small particles of industrial or occupational origin are believed to infer an inflammatory or otherwise toxic potential to human health upon inhalation. Knowledge on this issue is especially important for the very small nanoparticles, which measure
Using computers to understand the deposition of pollutant and therapeutic aerosols in the human lungs
In an urban setting, suspended pollutant particles enter our lungs along with air we inhale. A good portion of them gets deposited on our airways, often inducing toxic effects. A young child or an elderly patient facing
Fish gills help understand human lung disease
Persistent inflammation of the lung leads to fibrosis, a serious and poorly understood disease that causes scarring of the lungs. A poor prognosis of only approximately 3 years survival after diagnosis demonstrates the lack of understanding of
Fluorescent carbon dots integrated hydrogels for lung cancer therapy
Cancer is considered as one of the leading cause of death worldwide. Due to the ever changing lifestyle of the modern society, the incidence of cancer is on the rise. Lung cancer is the most frequently diagnosed
Three dimensional quality assurance protocol for thoracic and genitourinary radiation therapy
After cancer diagnosis one treatment option is the use of external radiation. As the radiation traverses the patient it deposits most of its energy in the tumor, which causes irreparable damage to the cancer cells. One type
The use of multisite ultrasound in cardiac arrest – the SESAME-protocol
Cardiac arrest is the most critical emergency. The sudden interruption of oxygen supply damages the brain after some minutes. Finding a cause for efficiently fixing the problem is the main target of the frontline physician. Ultrasound is
Side effects of radiation therapy: Why me?
Most lung cancers are treated with radiation therapy, often in high doses. Although these treatments are absolutely required to prolong life (by killing the tumor or slowing its growth), radiation treatment can have negative side effects that
The many faces of macrophages in lung cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, accounting for more deaths than breast, prostate, and colon cancer combined. Within the past decade, the role of the immune system in the development and progression of
Diminished disease-free survival following lung cancer surgery
Treatment of lung cancer requires removal of a portion of a vital organ, which may reduce life expectancy. This would be acceptable when surgery prevents death from cancer. It is harmful in cases identified by screening in
Specific danger signals associate with non-infection-related COPD exacerbations
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive and chronic lung disease, leading to difficulties with breathing for the patients. This is caused by the destruction of the lung sacs (alveoli), called emphysema and by inflammation of
Back to the future – looking at COPD with new eyes
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a broad term for diffuse lung disease caused by chronic inflammation of the airways. Patients with COPD become increasingly short of breath and often start to feel as if they are
Diagnosis of small cell lung carcinoma metastases
Cancer is defined by unscheduled cellular growth and metastatic spread into other organs of the body. Tumor cells gain their capacities form genetic alterations, also known as mutations, leading to altered protein functions and signaling pathways. Tumors
A central theory of biology
Like all sciences, Biology began with the systematic categorization of plants and animals, beginning with Linnaeus’s Binomial Nomenclature. That process was based on the appearance of organisms, which we know is subjective due to the way that
Using tumor DNA to refine lung cancer staging and treatment
The treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is guided by disease stage as assessed by clinical and pathologic criteria. Clinical tumor stage is determined by imaging including computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron
Specialised vesicle proteins which reduce the development of bacterial lung injury
Lung injury can occur from many stimuli including bacteria, asbestos and trauma. Injury occurs following breakdown of the barrier which lines blood vessels in the lungs. This breakdown forms gaps in lung vessels through which fluid and
Lung mechanics and pulmonary function testing in cetaceans
Marine mammals live a life of dual constraints. These air breathing animals need to spend time at the surface to replenish O2 used and remove CO2 produced by metabolism. However, food is underwater and the longer they
Many factors determine prognosis in resected lung cancer. Is visceral pleural involvement one of them?
Prognosis after pulmonary resection for primary lung cancer is closely related to tumor stage, since stage predicts the risk recurrence. Lung cancer staging is based on the TNM system that evaluates tumor size and contiguous tissue infiltration
In vivo imaging of the lung inflammatory response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Chronic inflammation of the airways is a central component in lung diseases and is frequently associated with bacterial infections. Monitoring the pro-inflammatory capability of bacterial virulence factors in vivo is challenging and usually requires invasive methods. The
Sponge toxin kills lung and breast cancer cells in mice
Peloruside A is a potent toxin that was isolated from a New Zealand marine sponge. It has a similar mechanism of action to the commonly used taxane-type anticancer drugs, including paclitaxel and docetaxel, that block the action
To beam or not to beam: Safely scanning mouse lungs for lung disease and therapy research
Lung diseases are among the most important causes of sickness and death in the world. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung fibrosis and emphysema are examples of such devastating and life-threatening conditions. Doctors can help by relieving symptoms,
