BACKGROUND Restrictive fluid management may protect organ function and improve postoperative outcome in elderly coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients. OBJECTIVE We assessed organ-specific biomarker release to study the contribution of a fluid restrictive closed circuit concept to organ protection in elderly CABG patients. Cardiac, respiratory and abdominal organ injury was measured ...

OBJECTIVES Traffic-related particulate matter (PM) is one of the major sources of air pollution in metropolitan areas. This study is to observe the interactive effects of gene and fine particles (particles smaller than 2.5 μm - PM2.5) on the respiratory system and explore the mechanisms linking PM2.5 and pulmonary injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS The participants include 110 traffic policemen and...

INTRODUCTION Body composition is an important prognostic factor in patients with COPD. The decrease in fat free mass (FFM), muscle mass (MM) and increase in visceral fat is associated with an elevated secretion of cytokines which promote systemic inflammation. The aim of the study was to evaluate body composition and the cytokine profile in patients with COPD in relation with the presence of hy...

AIMS To study whether exposure to nitrogen trichloride in indoor chlorinated pools may affect the respiratory epithelium of children and increase the risk of some lung diseases such as asthma. METHODS In 226 healthy children, serum surfactant associated proteins A and B (SP-A and SP-B), 16 kDa Clara cell protein (CC16), and IgE were measured. Lung specific proteins were measured in the serum ...

OBJECTIVES To study the associations between exposure to bioaerosols and work-related symptoms, lung function and biomarkers of airway inflammation in compost workers. MATERIALS AND METHOD Personal full-shift exposure measurements were performed on 47 workers employed at five windrow plants (n=20) and five reactor plants (n=27). Samples were analyzed for endotoxins, bacteria, fungal and actin...