The Indirect Benefit on Respiratory Health From the World’s Effort to Reduce Transmission of SARS-CoV-2

Respiratory diseases are one of the prime topics of concern in the current era due to improper diagnostics tools. Gene-editing therapy, like Clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats- associated nuclease 9 (CRISPR/Cas9), is gaining popularity in pulmonary research, opening up doors to invaluable insights on underlying mechanisms. CRISPR/Cas9 can be considered as a potential gene-editing tool with a scientific community that is helping in the advancement of knowledge in respiratory health and therapy. As an appealing therapeutic tool, we hereby explore the advanced research on the application of CRISPR/Cas9 tools in chronic respiratory diseases such as lung cancer, Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and cystic fibrosis (CF). We also address the urgent need to establish this gene-editing tool in various other lung diseases such as asthma, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The present review introduces CRISPR/Cas9 as a worthy application in targeting epithelial-mesenchymal transition and fibrinolytic system via editing specific genes. Thereby, based on the efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9, it can be considered as a promising therapeutic tool in respiratory health research.

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Serum bilirubin and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a systematic review

BMC Pulmonary Medicine ◽

10.1186/s12890-021-01395-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

David M. MacDonald ◽

Ken M. Kunisaki ◽

Timothy J. Wilt ◽

Arianne K. Baldomero

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Health Status ◽

Lung Function ◽

Serum Bilirubin ◽

Respiratory Health ◽

Airflow Obstruction ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Chronic Obstructive ◽

Strength Of Evidence ◽

Acute Exacerbations

Abstract Background Bilirubin is a potent antioxidant and higher serum bilirubin levels have been associated with improved COPD outcomes. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the association between serum bilirubin levels and lung function (FEV1), prevalence/incidence of COPD, acute exacerbations of COPD, respiratory health status, and mortality. Methods MEDLINE® and Embase were searched using Ovid® (search updated October 1st, 2019). We included studies that measured serum bilirubin levels and outcomes of interest in adults with or without underlying lung disease. We excluded studies of those with liver disease or drug-induced elevations in bilirubin. We used the Newcastle–Ottawa scale to assess individual study risk of bias (ROB) and the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality—Evidence Based Practice tool to assess overall strength of evidence (SOE). Two authors independently determined eligibility, performed data abstraction, assessed ROB, and determined SOE. Results Thirteen studies (5 low risk of bias, 3 moderate and 5 high risk) were included. We found low strength of evidence for the association between higher bilirubin levels and lower risk of acute exacerbations of COPD (2 studies), mortality (3 studies), COPD diagnosis (4 studies), and lung function (FEV1) (8 studies). We found insufficient evidence on the relationship between serum bilirubin and respiratory health status/exercise capacity (1 study) and airflow obstruction (FEV1/FVC ratio) (4 studies). Conclusion Higher bilirubin levels may be associated with lower mortality and improved COPD outcomes. Randomized trials are needed to evaluate the effect of medications that raise serum bilirubin on COPD outcomes. PROSPERO registration: CRD42019145747.

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Nasal symptoms increase the risk of snoring and snoring increases the risk of nasal symptoms. A longitudinal population study

Sleep And Breathing ◽

10.1007/s11325-020-02287-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Maria Värendh ◽

Christer Janson ◽

Caroline Bengtsson ◽

Johan Hellgren ◽

Mathias Holm ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Respiratory Health ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Northern Europe ◽

Nasal Breathing ◽

Nasal Symptoms ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Study Population ◽

Independent Risk Factors

Abstract Purpose Humans have a preference for nasal breathing during sleep. This 10-year prospective study aimed to determine if nasal symptoms can predict snoring and also if snoring can predict development of nasal symptoms. The hypothesis proposed is that nasal symptoms affect the risk of snoring 10 years later, whereas snoring does not increase the risk of developing nasal symptoms. Methods In the cohort study, Respiratory Health in Northern Europe (RHINE), a random population from Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, born between 1945 and 1973, was investigated by postal questionnaires in 1999–2001 (RHINE II, baseline) and in 2010–2012 (RHINE III, follow-up). The study population consisted of the participants who had answered questions on nasal symptoms such as nasal obstruction, discharge, and sneezing, and also snoring both at baseline and at follow-up (n = 10,112). Results Nasal symptoms were frequent, reported by 48% of the entire population at baseline, with snoring reported by 24%. Nasal symptoms at baseline increased the risk of snoring at follow-up (adj. OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.22–1.58) after adjusting for age, sex, BMI change between baseline and follow-up, and smoking status. Snoring at baseline was associated with an increased risk of developing nasal symptoms at follow-up (adj. OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.02–1.47). Conclusion Nasal symptoms are independent risk factors for development of snoring 10 years later, and surprisingly, snoring is a risk factor for the development of nasal symptoms.

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