Lung cancer is the most common malignant neoplasm in the world and the most frequent cause of cancer deaths among men and second after breast cancer among women. Tobacco smoking is the most important risk factor of cancer development. Asbestos, radon gas, genetic factors, air pollution and passive smoking also play a significant role. Adenocarcinoma, localized in peripheral parts of lungs, is the most often diagnosed cancer among women and non-smokers. Read full text »

Instead of a cooler, Gary Cunningham’s new set of lungs arrived at UPMC Presbyterian in a high-tech box on wheels. The small machine kept the donor lungs functioning and “breathing” outside the body with a constant supply of blood and nutrients. The machine, made by Massachusetts-based TransMedics, allows the lungs to remain at a normal body temperature [1, 4]. It was one of the first case of using mechanical perfusion in normothermia for lung storage before transplanting. There are similar researches in kidney and liver transplantation. Read full text »

Tuberculosis is a common human and animal infectious disease occurring worldwide caused by Gramm positive acid-fast bacteria. The most dangerous for people are typical strains Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis. Every year around 8-9 mln of new cases are reported and 2 million people dies because of the infection and its complication. This places tuberculosis on the top of the leading infectious diseases, with regard to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite the fact that BCG vaccines are available, the situation is very serious because there are many problems i.a. difficulties in detecting myobacteria and its multidrugresistance . (1) Read full text »

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is an infectious disease of the upper respiratory tracts caused by Gramm negative Bordetella pertussis which assimilate with ciliary epithelium and produce toxins. Although the pertussis vaccinations are obligatory for the infants, there is more and more outbreaks in the last years. Like in the UK and USA in 2012. Read full text »

The introduction of electronic cigarettes has revolutionized the life of many smokers. Manufacturers and distributors are glorifying its safety compared to traditional tobacco products. The liquid vapour contains no tar particles or toxins unlike the tobacco smoke. Research carried out in Greece and presented at the Congress of Vienna casts a shadow on the phenomenon of e-cigarettes. Read full text »

Doctors from the National Hospital In Mumbai reported the existence of a new strain of mycobacterium causing tuberculosis which is resistant to all drugs that are presently used in the therapy of the disease. The strain has been called TDR TB (totally drug-resistant tuberculosis). Until the first half of January 2012, 12 cases of infection caused by the new strain were confirmed and 3 of those patients died because of it.

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If you are dealing with parents desperately wanting their offsprings free from sneezing and cough, advise them to buy a cat or a dog! According to the article (1) by Finnish specialists, published in the July issue of Pediatrics journal, keeping furry animals contributes to the lower rate of respiratory infections in the child’s first year of life. Better resistance to microbes might be explained by the enhanced maturation of the immune system, which is presumably provoked by the exposure to antigens carried by animals. Various studies have already tested this hypothesis, but the results were often opposing. This time European researchers try to convince us one more time that, as far as children are concerned, the more dirt the better.

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