Biomarkers of Benzene Exposure in Inner City Residents
Lung DiseaseCancerThis study compares air pollution exposures of residents in a South Baltimore community next to major industry with those in a comparison community with much less industry nearby. Parents and children as well as adults alone will be included. Air levels of 3 chemicals that have been found in increased amounts in the community as well as two urinary breakdown products of benzene will be measured. Participants will limit the amount of sorbate preserved foods they eat as this preservative interferes with one of the benzene breakdown products. Benzene air and urine exposure measurements will be compared in each community as well as between communities. By including children and parents we will gather exposure information on children who may be more sensitive that adults to these types of pollution. Lastly, by restricting the amount of food preserved with sorbates, we can decide if this improves the use of ttMA for people exposed to benzene from air pollution.
Modification of Allergic Immunologic Response by Leukotriene Antagonists - Ancillary to ACRN IMPACT...
AsthmaLung DiseasesTo examine the cellular and molecular mechanisms of corticosteroid and leukotriene receptor antagonists, focusing on their effects on T lymphocytes during both chronic (18 months) and acute therapy.
Physical Activity, Body Composition, and Prevalent Asthma
AsthmaLung DiseasesTo investigate the relationship of childhood lifestyle and physical characteristics to prevalent asthma.
Antibiotics in Infancy--Risk Factor for Childhood Asthma
AsthmaLung DiseasesTo examine possible relationships between antibiotic use, as determined by prescriptions filled, and asthma in children ages 6 to 7.
Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of the Device in Detection of Abnormal Findings on Chest X-ray...
Pulmonary DiseaseThis study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the investigational device (Lunit INSIGHT CXR) in the detection of chest abnormalities
The NIOMI Study: Non-Invasive Lung Oxygen Monitoring of Term Infants
Lung DiseasesInfants born prematurely e.g. before 28 weeks of gestational age have a 50% chance of developing neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS). The management of NRDS is currently driven by information obtained from a sampling of arterial blood, pulse oximetry, and x-ray imaging. On the other hand, these tests carry short and long-term negative outcomes for vulnerable patients. Optical technology has been developed to evaluate lung function non-invasively and without any potential risks for the patients. It is based on Gas in Scattering Media Absorbance Spectroscopy (GASMAS) method, using low-power laser light and a photodetector attached directly to the baby's torso.
ScreenFlow: Strategy for Finding Cases of Moderate-to-Severe COPD
Pulmonary DiseaseChronic ObstructiveScreenFlow is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) screening tool currently being studied and iteratively developed that incorporates a questionnaire administered on a tablet and data from a digital peak flow meter to calculate a risk score to identify the risk of developing moderate-to-severe COPD for the participant. The purpose of this study is to assess the usability of ScreenFlow deployed as a free-standing kiosk and observe where users encounter trouble navigating the system. The kiosk will be situated in a public area of a hospital where passersby can approach and fill out a ScreenFlow survey if they meet the eligibility criteria. A subset of participants will be asked to participate in a follow-up questionnaire about their experience using the system and about any follow-up action they may have taken caused by their results from the ScreenFlow screening.
Effects of Iloprost on Pulmonary Hemodynamics and Oxygenation in Patients of Chronic Obstructive...
Video-assisted Thoracoscopic SurgeryChronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseThe inhaled Iloprost, approved for pulmonary hypertension, caused increase in oxygenation, and increase exercise tolerance in ARDS or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Inhaled iloprost has been researched in animal study, but not yet in human during one-lung ventilation. The investigators will enroll patients who diagnosed moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, preoperative pulse oximetry (SpO2) of below 95% at room air or PaO2 /FiO2 ratio< 150 mmHg after initiating one-lung ventilation. The primary outcome is pulmonary oxygenation expressed by PaO2 /FiO2 ratio. And secondary outcome is assessment of cardiac function including Tei-index during nebulizing iloprost. The investigators hypothesized inhaled iloprost will improve oxygenation and decrease the FiO2 in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during one-lung ventilation.
Postmarketing Surveillance of Atrovent® in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Pulmonary DiseaseChronic ObstructiveTo obtain further information on the tolerability and efficacy of Atrovent® inhalets in long term treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease under conditions of daily practice
The Short Physical Performance Battery in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseasePatients with COPD often have limitations to physical performance. There are several tests for evaluating physical performance, unfortunately many of them can be time consuming and require specialized equipment an substantial space. Short physical performance battery is a simple test that requires little resources and can be performed both at institutions and in the homes of patients. SPPB has high predictive abilities in identifying older adults at greater risk for mortality, nursing home admission, hospitalization, and incidence of disability. The investigators would like to evaluate possible changes in the SPPB score after a 4-week rehabilitation program. The investigators would also like to look at possible relationships between the SPPB and other physical performance measures, dyspnea, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and health related quality of life.