Acute-phase markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), have been studied in inflammatory and malignant disorders. We examined the diagnostic value of these ...

Accumulating evidence confirms the presence of pan-airway inflammation in allergic rhinitis patients. Smoking is known to affect the asthmatic airway inflammation. However, no study has evaluated the impact of smoking on ...

Pleural effusion is a common clinical problem in everyday clinical practice. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a 34-45 kDa homodimeric glycoprotein, which is a potent mediator of angiogenesis and vascular ...

Background Acute exposure to cigarette smoke is related to airway and systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. Little is known about the acute effect of cigarette smoking in smoking asthmatics. The aim of this study was ...

The pathways underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations (ECOPD) remain unclear. This study describes the clinical., functional and biochemical changes during recovery from ECOPD. Thirty hospitalized ...

P>Background The imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants is referred to as oxidative stress and has been associated with various respiratory disorders. The aim of this study was the assessment of 8-isoprostane (8-iso-PGF(2 ...

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the escalation of fibrosis and remodeling which are central to the subsequent progression of a parapneumonic pleural effusion to empyema. Objectives: The ...

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc-endopeptidases responsible for degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) components including basement membrane collagen, interstitial collagen, fibronectin, and various ...