Improved Understanding Of COPD
The third most deadly disease in the U.S., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), appears to be partly driven by the action of immune cells circulating in the blood entering into the tissues of the lungs. UC Davis scientists have discovered that this key process begins in the blood vessels around the large airways in the center of the lung. The discovery helps clarify how smoking can bring about this severe respiratory condition. The research also identifies a potential new target for directed drug therapy to counter the disease, which kills about three million people a year in the U.
The Protective Effect Of Fiber For Cardiovascular Health, Especially In Women
Foods high in fibre provide good protection against cardiovascular disease, and the effect is particularly marked in women. This is shown in a new study from Lund University in Sweden. The study, which was recently published in the scientific journal PLOS One, involved the study of the eating habits of over 20 000 residents of the Swedish city of MalmГ, with a focus on the risk of cardiovascular disease. The importance of 13 different nutrient variables (aspects of fibre, fats, proteins and carbohydrates ) was analysed.
Study Suggests Coronary Stents Not Harmful To Patients With History Of Metal Allergy
Study is first to compare clinical outcomes after placing stents in those with and without a history of skin allergy to stent metal components. Cardiologists have long grappled with how to best manage patients with coronary artery disease who report skin hypersensitivity to nickel or other metal components found in stents - small tubes placed in narrowed or weakened arteries to help improve blood flow to the heart. But new Mayo Clinic research, published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions, may help allay these concerns.