Effectiveness of a mucolythic agent as a local adjuvant in revision lumbar spine surgery. (65/152)

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Effect of COPD treatments on MRP1-mediated transport in bronchial epithelial cells. (66/152)

BACKGROUND: Smoking is the principle risk factor for development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) is known to protect against toxic compounds and oxidative stress, and might play a role in protection against smoke-induced disease progression. We questioned whether MRP1-mediated transport is influenced by pulmonary drugs that are commonly prescribed in COPD. METHODS: The immortalized human bronchial epithelial cell line 16HBE14o- was used to analyze direct in vitro effects of budesonide, formoterol, ipratropium bromide and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on MRP1-mediated transport. Carboxyfluorescein (CF) was used as a model MRP1 substrate and was measured with functional flow cytometry. RESULTS: Formoterol had a minor effect, whereas budesonide concentration-dependently decreased CF transport by MRP1. Remarkably, addition of formoterol to the highest concentration of budesonide increased CF transport. Ipratropium bromide inhibited CF transport at low concentrations and tended to increase CF transport at higher levels. NAC increased CF transport by MRP1 in a concentration-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that, besides their positive effects on respiratory symptoms, budesonide, formoterol, ipratropium bromide, and NAC modulate MRP1 activity in bronchial epithelial cells. Further studies are required to assess whether stimulation of MRP1 activity is beneficial for long-term treatment of COPD.  (+info)

Improving mucociliary clearance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. (67/152)

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Characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Spain from a gender perspective. (68/152)

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Fluticasone and N-acetylcysteine in primary care patients with COPD or chronic bronchitis. (69/152)

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The role for S-carboxymethylcysteine (carbocisteine) in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. (70/152)

Prescription of mucoactive drugs for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is increasing. This development in clinical practice arises, at least in part, from a growing understanding of the important role that exacerbation frequency, systemic inflammation and oxidative stress play in the pathogenesis of respiratory disease. S-carboxymethylcysteine (carbocisteine) is the most frequently prescribed mucoactive agent for long-term COPD use in the UK. In addition to its mucoregulatory activity, carbocisteine exhibits free-radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory properties. These characteristics have stimulated interest in the potential that this and other mucoactive drugs may offer for modification of the disease processes present in COPD. This article reviews the pharmacology, in vivo and in vitro properties, and clinical trial evidence for carbocisteine in the context of guidelines for its use and the current understanding of the pathogenic processes that underlie COPD.  (+info)

Pregnancy in a woman with uncorrected tetralogy of fallot. (71/152)

Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) is the most common form of cyanotic congenital heart disease after 1 year of age, with overall incidence approaching 10% of all congenital heart disease. Natural survival (i.e. without corrective procedure) into the fourth decade is extremely rare (only about 3%), but there is a tendency of increasing number of women with cyanotic congenital heart disease living 3 to 4 decades and are becoming pregnant. Because of significant physiology adaptation and changes, pregnancy and delivery process are troublesome for mostly unhealthy women, including those with uncorrected ToF. For ToF patients, it remains an important cause of maternal morbidity (62,5%), and even mortality (10%) and has significant effects on fetal outcome. Discussed below a case of pregnancy in a 28 year old woman with uncorrected ToF, was diagnosed to have pneumonia, ToF-class III-IV of New York Heart Association, secondary polycythemia caused by hypoxia, and uncompensated metabolic acidosis on 25th week pregnancy. Through delicate medical care, patient's condition improvement can be seen. Patient decided to continue the pregnancy. Without optimal either obstetrical or medical management, prognosis of pregnancy in patient with uncorrected ToF is poor.  (+info)

Management of chronic rhinosinusitis in CF. (72/152)

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