Additional Reading

Question 1

Summarise the findings of the work into antibacterial epithelial cells

Answer 1

Antimicrobial proteins and peptides (AMPs) are a central component of the antibacterial activity of airway epithelial cells
Been suggested that decreased antimicrobial lung defence contributes to increased susceptibility to microbial infection in smokers and COPD patients
Study exposed primary bronchial epithelial cells of COPD and non-COPD (Ex) smokers) to nontypeable Hemophilus influenzae (NTHi)
Findings show;
- reduced antibacterial activity in COPD cell cultures
- Smoke exposure suppressed the NTHi-induced expression of AMPs
- Despite this suppression the inflammatory responses persisted

Question 2

Summarise the findings of the study into COPD in non-smokers prevalence

Answer 2

Study into the prevalence of non-smoker cases of COPD in Indian state
Found that 56.5% were non-smokers
- 69% of the 200 tested were of low socioeconomic status
- Biomass smoke biggest risk factor

Question 3

Summarise the study into outdoor air pollution and COPD

Answer 3

Study looking at association short-term exposures of particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide with hospital visits and mortality
Found that outdoor particulates and gaseous pollutants threatened COPD patients
Ambient outdoor concentrations of PM, NO2 and SO2 were significantly and positively associated with both COPD-related morbidity and mortality

Question 4

Study into P-rehab

Answer 4

2016 - pulmonary rehabilitation shown to significantly improve the quality of life, dyspnea and functional capacity in COPD

Question 5

Potential future COPD treatments

Answer 5

Oxygen therapy and non-invasive ventilators
Lung volume reduction surgery
Stem cells
Pulmonary rehabilitation
Tailoring of treatments to specific patients (separating into different clinical profiles)
Educating

Question 6

What findings did the NET trial show?

Answer 6

National Emphysema Treatment Trial
Showed improved quality of life, improve symptoms, improve the trajectory of the disease and in some cases improve survivability
Lung reduction in patients with hyperinflation
Showed improvements in quality of life, exercise capacity, and survival rates of 99% at 1 year, 99% at 3 years, and 75% at 5 years

Question 7

How are Stem cells being used in COPD?

Answer 7

Use of autologous adult stem cells from adipose tissue