This study shows that rapamycin significantly attenuates ovalbumin (OVA)-induced eosinophils inflammation in local airways, peripheral blood and bone marrow, likely through a direct inhibition of eosinophil differentiation from their progenitor cells independently of the levels of IL-5.

This study addresses the relationship between serum SIRT1 and asthma. Serum SIRT1 increased in adult patients with asthma patients, correlated positively with immunoglobulin E levels and negatively with pulmonary function. In OVA-sensitized asthmatic mice models, elevated serum SIRT1 levels were confirmed, and decreased expression of this molecule was observed in lung tissue.

Excessive MMP release and the imbalance of their inhibitors are implicated in bronchiectasis pathogenesis. Our study showed that MMP-8 and MMP-9 levels significantly correlated with clinical measures of bronchiectasis, and that baseline MMP-9 levels predicted future risks of exacerbations, which may offer rationales for future clinical application of MMP inhibitors.

Secreted mucins are important for airway defence. However, their role in airway bacterial colonization in non-CF bronchietasis has not been studied previously. Our study demonstrates that airway MUC2 levels are higher in patients with non-CF bronchiectasis and airway bacterial colonization, especially in those with severe disease and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

This preliminary 12-month cohort study investigates the prevalence and incidence of falls in a sample of community-dwelling people with COPD. A high fall prevalence, incidence rate and a combination of patient and disease-related fall risk factors were identified in people with COPD.

Inhalation of asbestos fibres produces persistent oxidative stress and inflammation in lungs. N-acetylcysteine is an anti-oxidant used as adjunct therapy in airway disease. In this randomized control trial, supplemented NAC neither replenished total combined thiols in blood nor reduced markers of inflammation and oxidation in asymptomatic asbestos-exposed individuals.

This is the first description of lung function in healthy African infants. Lung function in African infants differs to that of European infants. Population-specific reference data are important.

See Editorial, page 1006

The present study is the first to reveal that early bronchoscopy in mechanically ventilated patients with aspiration pneumonia was associated with low mortality, short duration of mechanical ventilation and decreased length of stay. This finding will aid the decision-making on when to perform bronchoscopy in aspiration pneumonia.

A lung-protective ventilation strategy (combining low tidal volume, positive end-expiratory pressure and recruitment maneuvers) results in decreased postoperative plasma levels of sRAGE as compared with non-protective ventilation in patients without lung injury undergoing major abdominal surgery.