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Gender difference of childhood overweight and obesity in predicting the risk of incident asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Obes Rev. 2012 Nov 12;

Authors: Chen YC, Dong GH, Lin KC, Lee YL

Abstract
The aims of our meta-analysis were (i) to quantify the predictability of childhood overweight and obesity on the risk of incident asthma; and (ii) to evaluate the gender difference on this relationship. The selection criteria included prospective cohort paediatric studies which use age- and sex-specific body mass index (BMI) as a measure of childhood overweight and the primary outcome of incident asthma. A total of 1,027 studies were initially identified through online database searches, and finally 6 studies met the inclusion criteria. The combined result of reported relative risk from the 6 included studies revealed that overweight children conferred increased risks of incident asthma as compared with non-overweight children (relative risk, 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.37). The relationship was further elevated for obesity vs. non-obesity (relative risk, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.16-3.50). A dose-responsiveness of elevated BMI on asthma incidence was observed (P for trend, 0.004). Obese boys had a significantly larger effect than obese girls (relative risk, boys: 2.47; 95% CI, 1.57-3.87; girls: 1.25; 95% CI, 0.51-3.03), with significant dose-dependent effect. Proposed mechanisms of gender difference could be through pulmonary mechanics, sleep disordered breathing and leptin. Further research might be needed to better understand the exact mechanism of gender difference on the obesity-asthma relationship.

PMID: 23145849 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Chest CT in bronchopulmonary dysplasia: Clinical and radiological correlations.

Pediatr Pulmonol. 2012 Nov 20;

Authors: Tonson la Tour A, Spadola L, Sayegh Y, Combescure C, Pfister R, Barazzone Argiroffo C, Rochat I

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chest CT is very sensitive in assessing pulmonary damage in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and radiological findings in BPD are well described. Validated CT scores are available to assess BPD, as available in other pulmonary diseases such as cystic fibrosis. AIM: To investigate whether there is a correlation between radiological pulmonary lesions and relevant BPD clinical data (gestational age, type and duration of mechanical ventilation, and severity of BPD) and assess the usefulness of a CT score in evaluating clinical severity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 19 premature infants with BPD born between 1998 and 2007 who underwent at least one chest CT during their first year of life. A total of 29 CT were blindly evaluated by two radiologists for the presence or absence of pulmonary parenchymal abnormalities described in BPD (areas of decreased attenuation, presence of bullae/emphysema, bronchial wall thickening, bronchiectasis, linear, and subpleural opacities). This score was then compared with the most relevant clinical data. RESULTS: All CT scans showed abnormalities. The most frequent lesion was bronchial wall thickening observed in all patients, followed by linear (89.5%) and subpleural (89.5%) opacities. Areas of decreased attenuation were found in 68.4%. Bullae/emphysema and bronchiectasis were the less frequent item described (26.3% and 21.1%, respectively). The presence of areas of decreased attenuation significantly correlated with BPD severity (P = 0.03). However, there was no significant correlation between the CT score and clinical data. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the potential usefulness of chest CT score to assess the severity of BPD. Areas of decreased attenuation seem the most sensitive item to predict BPD severity. More patients are needed to validate this approach and to evaluate the long-term usefulness of CT scan. Pediatr Pulmonol. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID: 23169612 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

The orthodontist and the obstructive sleep apnea patient.

Int J Orthod Milwaukee. 2012;23(3):19-22

Authors: Pliska B, Lowe AA, Almeida FR

Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea is a common breathing disorder with serious effects on a patient's health and quality of life. Orthodontists should be aware of the disease and competent at recognizing common signs and symptoms in their patients. Due to their expertise and familiarity with growth and development as well as orthopedic and surgical correction of the jaws, orthodontists are ideally suited to treat OSA patients. The goal of this article is to provide an overview to orthodontists on the important role they can play in the treatment of this serious and often under-diagnosed disease.

PMID: 23094554 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Impact of compromised pulmonary function on major lung resection for non-small cell lung cancer: retrospective study of 127 cases.

Chin Med J (Engl). 2012 Oct;125(19):3465-71

Authors: Zhang Y, Jiang GN, Gao W, Chen C

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Radical lung resection is the best chance for cure in patients with anatomically resectable non-small cell lung cancer. A retrospective study was performed in an attempt to investigate general rules of major lung resection for non-small cell lung cancer in patients with compromised pulmonary function.
METHODS: Between June 2002 and December 2008, major lung resection was performed in 127 non-small cell lung cancer patients at our institution, who met the criteria of compromised pulmonary function defined as preoperative forced vital capacity < 50% of prediction or preoperative forced expiratory volume in one second < 50% of prediction. Clinical data of the patients were retrospectively reviewed.
RESULTS: The patients consisted of 108 males (85.0%) and 19 females (15.0%) with a mean age of 61.7 years. The morbidity rate was 44.1% (56/127) and the mortality rate was 4.7% (6/127). Multivariate analysis identified PaCO2 (P = 0.023, OR = 2.959, 95%CI 1.164 - 7.522), the percent predicted postoperative diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (P = 0.001, OR = 0.176, 95%CI 0.064 - 0.480) and comprehensive preoperative preparation (P = 0.048, OR = 0.417, 95%CI 0.176 - 0.993) as the independent predictors of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications that were found in 45 cases. Overall 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 90%, 55% and 37% respectively. For overall survival, multivariate analysis revealed that TNM staging (P = 0.004, OR = 1.585, 95%CI 1.154 - 2.178) was the only independent prognostic factor.
CONCLUSIONS: On the premise of integrated preoperative evaluation and comprehensive preoperative preparation, major lung resection provides an optimal therapeutic for selected non-small cell lung cancer patients with compromised pulmonary function. Hypercapnea and the percent predicted postoperative diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide < 40% could be considered as the independent predictive factors for operative risk in those patients.

PMID: 23044307 [PubMed - in process]