UNASSIGNED: Asthma is one of the respiratory disorders caused by chronic airway inflammation. IL-4 has been identified as one of the participating interleukins in the severity of asthma.
UNASSIGNED: A case-control study was conducted to determine the association of rs1805010, a single nucleotide polymorphism in the interleukin 4 receptor α chain, with asthma and immunoglobulin E and IL-17A serum levels in Iranian populations.
UNASSIGNED: ELISA was used to investigate the relationship between three different varieties of SNP I50V and serum IL-17A levels, as well as total IgE levels. Based on GINA criteria, patients were classified into mild, moderate, and severe groups based on the association between SNP I50V, IL-17A, and total IgE. In order to analyze the data, the student-t-test and the one-way ANOVA were used.
UNASSIGNED: The SNP I50V was associated with asthma in a significant way (p = 0.001). IL-17A and total IgE levels were significantly higher in asthmatic patients than in control participants (p 0.05 and p 0.021, respectively), but neither showed any association with SNP I50V in the asthmatic patients.
UNASSIGNED: Asthma patients have a higher prevalence of the I allele, reflecting the significance of Th2 cells. Although total IgE and IL-17A levels increased in both disease subgroups, total IgE level augmentation correlates directly with disease severity, while IL-17A level enhancement does not.

Alzheimer\'s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative brain disease that is the most common cause of dementia among the elderly. In addition to dementia, which is the loss of cognitive function, including thinking, remembering, and reasoning, and behavioral abilities, AD patients also experience respiratory disturbances. The most common respiratory problems observed in AD patients are pneumonia, shortness of breath, respiratory muscle weakness, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The latter is considered an outcome of Alzheimer\'s disease and is suggested to be a causative factor. While this narrative review addresses the bidirectional relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and Alzheimer\'s disease and reports on existing studies describing the most common respiratory disorders found in patients with Alzheimer\'s disease, its main purpose is to review all currently available studies using animal models of Alzheimer\'s disease to study respiratory impairments. These studies on animal models of AD are few in number but are crucial for establishing mechanisms, causation, implementing potential therapies for respiratory disorders, and ultimately applying these findings to clinical practice. This review summarizes what is already known in the context of research on respiratory disorders in animal models, while pointing out directions for future research.

Background and Objectives: Preterm birth is a significant concern in obstetrics and neonatology since preterm neonates are at higher risk of various health complications and may require specialized care. The optimal mode of delivery in preterm birth is a matter of debate. This study aimed to evaluate the mode of delivery in preterm neonates and the associated neonatal outcomes. Material and Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study including all preterm neonates born between January 2010 and December 2020 at the 3rd Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. The mode of delivery in relation to gestational age groups and the cause of preterm birth were analyzed. Neonatal outcomes were also evaluated according to gestational age, indication and mode of delivery. Results: A total of 1167 preterm neonates were included in the study; the majority of them were delivered via cesarean section (76.1%). Most of the preterm neonates (n = 715; 61.3%) were delivered at 32+0-36+6 weeks, while cesarean section was the most common mode of delivery after 28+0 weeks. Furthermore, spontaneous onset of labor (OR: 6.038; 95% CI: 3.163-11.527; p < 0.001), multiple gestation (OR: 1.782; 95% CI: 1.165-2.227; p = 0.008) and fetal distress (OR: 5.326; 95% CI: 2.796-10.144; p < 0.001) were the main causes of preterm delivery at 32+0-36+6 weeks. The overall mortality rate was 8.1% among premature neonates. Regarding morbidity, 919 (78.7%) neonates were diagnosed with respiratory disorders, 129 (11.1%) with intraventricular hemorrhage and 30 (2.6%) with necrotizing enterocolitis. Early gestational age at delivery was the main risk factor of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Notably, the mode of delivery did not have any impact on neonatal survival (OR: 1.317; 95% CI: 0.759-2.284; p = 0.328), but preterm neonates born via cesarean section were at higher risk of respiratory disorders, compared to those born via vaginal delivery (OR: 2.208; 95% CI: 1.574-3.097; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Most preterm deliveries occurred in the moderate-to-late preterm period via cesarean section. Early gestational age at delivery was the main prognostic factor of neonatal morbidity and mortality, while the mode of delivery did not have any impact on neonatal survival. Future research on the mode of delivery of the preterm neonates is warranted to establish definitive answers for each particular gestational age.

Opioids are mainly used as adjuncts to the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia, postoperative analgesia, and treating moderate to severe cancer pain and chronic pain. However, the hazards of these drugs to various organ organs still need to be further explored. This study used the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database to determine whether commonly receiving opioids was higher than the baseline risk for all other medications. FAERS was asked about adverse events (AEs) for the opioids \"morphine,\" \"fentanyl,\" \"oxycodone,\" \"hydromorphone,\" \"sufentanil,\" and \"remifentanil\" from the first quarter of 2004 (2004Q1) through the second quarter of 2023 (2023Q2). Disproportionality signaling analysis was performed by calculating reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio (PRR), Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN), and Empirical Bayesian Geometric Mean (EBGM). AEs with system organ classes (SOCs) of \"cardiac disease,\" \"neurologic disease,\" and \"respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal disease\" were then screened. The statistical analysis included 12,819,518 reports in the FAERS database from 2004Q1 to 2023Q2, of which 236,619 AEs were reported as \"primary suspect\" for the six drugs mentioned above, which were selected as \"cardiac disorders,\" \"nervous system disorders,\" and \"respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders.\" Some AEs identified in this study are consistent with the drug labeling, such as bradycardia, respiratory depression, and somnolence. In addition, some unexpected and significant acute adverse drug reactions (ADRs), such as toxic leukoencephalopathy and coma, may occur. This study identified potential new and unexpected ADRs for opioids, providing valuable evidence for safety studies of opioids.

BACKGROUND: The medicinal application of natural plant remedies is well established. These medicinal plants are still in use within the Palestinian community to treat several illnesses. This research is intended to study the use of natural plants to treat different types of respiratory tract disorders.
METHODS: This ethno botanical study focused on the medicinal plants that are used to treat respiratory diseases in the northern part of Palestine; Nablus, Tulkarm, Qalqilia, and Jenin. A questionnaire was distributed to 120 respondents. The data obtained included names of the plants used, the parts used, the diseases for which the products were applied, as well as the method of preparation. To evaluate results, percentages (%), Fic (factor of informant consensus), and FL (fidelity-level) were calculated.
RESULTS: A total of 120 participants were selected for the final analysis. The highest percentage of herbal use was reported for flu 85.8% (103 participants) followed by cough 83.3%, while the lowest percentage of users was for bronchitis with 54.1%. The study showed that 31 plant species of 19 families were used for respiratory disorders treatment. Six species were from the Lamiaceae family, three species from the Apiaceae family, two species from Amaryllidaceae, Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, Rutaceae and Zingiberaceae, and one plant species for each of the rest of families. Leaves and fruits were the most commonly used parts of plants. Decoction was the method of preparation and was taken as a hot drink. Chamomile, mint, sage, lemon, and ginger were in the recipes for the five respiratory diseases.
CONCLUSIONS: In Palestine, patients with respiratory diseases rely heavily on the use of herbal remedies. Leaves and fruits were the most commonly used plat elements. Age and marriage were significantly associated with the use of botanical remedies. Whereas there was no significant association between the source of information about medicinal plants and the location where medicinal plants were purchased. It is vital to conduct comprehensive clinical investigations and pharmacological assessments of these herbal remedies, in order to identify their efficacy, safety, and toxicity levels.

UNASSIGNED: Inspiratory muscle training has been introduced as one of the effective methods in pulmonary rehabilitation, and attention to this technique in patients with COVID-19 is still being studied.
UNASSIGNED: In the present study 52 patients who have undergone the period of the COVID-19 disease were randomly divided into two groups. In the control group, in addition to the routine treatment prescribed by a specialist physician, rehabilitation was performed by performing diaphragmatic breathing exercises, pursed-lips breathing, chest expansion, and simple stretching exercises. In the intervention group in addition to the rehabilitation program provided to the control group, patients used an inspiratory muscle training device. This pulmonary rehabilitation program was performed twice a day and 30 repetitions each time with a two-minute rest after every 10 exercises. After 4 weeks, patients in both groups were referred to the hospital for reassessment of the distance of the 6-minute walk test, SF-12 questionnaire results, dyspnea, and S-index. To compare quantitative variables between the two groups we utilized a student t-test. Type one error was put at P≤0.05.
UNASSIGNED: The comparison of 6MWT values shows that the mean of this index in the intervention group is significantly higher than the control group (p = 0.002). Also, the S-index of the two groups showed a significant difference (p=0.024). Results show a significant increase in the SF-12 quality of life questionnaire in patients using IMT (p=0.001).
UNASSIGNED: IMT improves pulmonary functions, 6MWT, and SF-12 Questionnaire in recovered COVID-19 patients.

Outdoor PM2.5 was sampled in Pretoria, 18 April 2017 to 28 February 2020. A case-crossover epidemiology study was associated for increased PM2.5 and trace elements with increased hospital admissions for respiratory disorders (J00-J99). The results included a significant increase in hospital admissions, with total PM2.5 of 2.7% (95% CI: 0.6, 4.9) per 10 µg·m-3 increase. For the trace elements, Ca of 4.0% (95% CI: 1.4%-6.8%), Cl of 0.7% (95% CI: 0.0%-1.4%), Fe of 3.3% (95% CI: 0.5%-6.1%), K of 1.8% (95% CI: 0.2-3.5) and Si of 1.3% (95% CI: 0.1%-2.5%). When controlling for PM2.5, only Ca of 3.2% (95% CI: 0.3, 6.1) and within the 0-14 age group by 5.2% (95% CI: 1.5, 9.1). Controlling for a co-pollutant that is highly correlated with PM2.5 does reduce overestimation, but further studies should include deposition rates and parallel sampling analysis.

UNASSIGNED: There is a dearth of publications on the prevalence of venous thromboembolism in Ghana. Knowledge of the prevalence of venous thromboembolism, which is often undetected clinically, will help save lives as appropriate interventions can be made as well as provide a general clue to clinicians on detecting venous thromboembolism and pulmonary embolism.
UNASSIGNED: The study employs a retrospective design with data extracted from the Autopsy Daybook of the Pathology unit, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, 2009 to 2016. Data on patients\' demographics were retrieved to establish diagnoses and age and gender distribution. Analysis was made of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis as a cause of death recorded on death certificates using the criteria of the International Classification of Diseases, version 10.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 150 cases of deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism were available for the study period and the results showed an average age of 45.3 years with a standard deviation of 19.96. The ages ranged between 3 years and 96 years with the age group 31 to 40 years being the modal age group. Males recorded the highest number of cases with 92 (59.35%) compared to females with 63 (40.65%). Respiratory disorders, of which pneumonia is the most prevalent, are the leading clinical condition that is often misdiagnosed in place of pulmonary thromboembolism.
UNASSIGNED: VTE is a major health problem especially among the elderly, but unfortunately the clinical diagnosis is usually missed by clinicians hence the need to maintain a high suspicion index.

The VACTERL association (VACTERL) is the nonrandom occurrence of at least three of these congenital anomalies: vertebral, anal, cardiac, tracheoesophageal, renal, and limb anomalies. Despite suggestions for involvement of several genes and nongenetic risk factors from small studies, the etiology of VACTERL remains largely unknown.
To identify maternal risk factors for VACTERL in offspring in a large European study.
A case-control study was performed using data from 28 EUROCAT registries over the period 1997-2015 with case and control ascertainment through hospital records, birth and death certificates, questionnaires, and/or postmortem examinations. Cases were diagnosed with VACTERL, while controls had a genetic syndrome and/or chromosomal abnormality. Data collected included type of birth defect and maternal characteristics, such as age, use of assisted reproductive techniques (ART), and chronic illnesses. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate confounder adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).
The study population consisted of 329 VACTERL cases and 49,724 controls with recognized syndromes or chromosomal abnormality. For couples who conceived through ART, we found an increased risk of VACTERL (aOR 2.3 [95% CI 1.3, 3.9]) in offspring. Pregestational diabetes (aOR 3.1 [95% CI 1.1, 8.6]) and chronic lower obstructive pulmonary diseases (aOR 3.9 [95% CI 2.2, 6.7]) also increased the risk of having a child with VACTERL. Twin pregnancies were not associated with VACTERL (aOR 0.6 [95% CI 0.3, 1.4]).
We identified several maternal risk factors for VACTERL in offspring befitting a multifactorial etiology.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSA) is characterized by snoring associated with repeated apnea and/or obstructive hypopnea. The nasal airways of OSA patients, measured via acoustic rhinometry, could be significantly narrower than healthy subjects and this reduced nasal structure can impair olfactory function. The relationship between nasal structure and olfactory function, assessed via behavioral test results, indicates that there is a high prevalence of nasal airflow problems. Based on these assumptions, the purpose of this study was to carry out an assessment of olfactory perception in OSA patients through the Chemosensory Event-Related Potentials (CSERP), investigating the N1 component and the Late Positive Component (LPC). Twelve OSA patients, non-smokers, were recruited in the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit, scored with the Epworth Sleepiness Scales, after Polygraphic Recording, Apnea Hypopnea Index and Body Mass Index evaluation. The control group consisted of twelve healthy controls, non-smokers, recruited as volunteers. Subjects, during an EEG recording, performed an oddball olfactory recognition task based on two scents: rose and eucalyptus. Main results highlighted differences in N1 and LPC between OSA and controls. OSA patients presented faster N1 latencies and greater amplitude. The same trend was found in LPC, where OSA showed decreased latency and increased amplitude during rose stimulation, in the right inferior frontal cortex. and faster latencies in left centroparietal cortex OERP results can suggest an impairment in endogenous components. This result could be the consequence of the exogenous perceptual difficulty highlighted in N1 component. The increased arousal could also be related to the respiratory activity involved during the olfactory task.