The natural history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the USA, and it remains one of the few diseases that continues to increase its numbers. The development and progression of COPD can vary dramatically between individuals. A low level of lung function remains the cornerstone of COPD diagnosis and is a key predictor of prognosis. Lung function, however, is not the only factor in determining morbidity and mortality related to COPD, with factors such as body mass index, exercise capability and comorbid disease being important predictors of poor outcomes. Exacerbations of COPD are additional important indicators of both quality of life and outcomes in COPD patients. Definitions of exacerbations can vary, ranging from an increase in symptoms to COPD-related hospitalisations and death. COPD exacerbations are more common in patients with lower levels of lung function and may lead to more rapid declines in lung function. Better understanding of the natural history of COPD may lead to better definitions of specific COPD phenotypes, better interventions and improved outcomes

Photometric Observation And Period Study of GO Cygni

Photometric observations of GO Cyg were performed during the July-October 2002, in B and V bands of Johnson system. Based on Wilson's model, the light curve analysis were carried out to find the photometric elements of the system. The O-C diagram which is based on new observed times of minima suggests a negative rate of period variation (dP/dt<0) for the system.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, 4 tables, submitted to Ap&S

Search for annual and diurnal rate modulations in the LUX experiment

Various dark matter models predict annual and diurnal modulations of dark matter interaction rates in Earth-based experiments as a result of the Earth’s motion in the halo. Observation of such features can provide generic evidence for detection of dark matter interactions. This paper reports a search for both annual and diurnal rate modulations in the LUX dark matter experiment using over 20 calendar months of data acquired between 2013 and 2016. This search focuses on electron recoil events at low energies, where leptophilic dark matter interactions are expected to occur and where the DAMA experiment has observed a strong rate modulation for over two decades. By using the innermost volume of the LUX detector and developing robust cuts and corrections, we obtained a stable event rate of 2.3±0.2  cpd/keVee/tonne, which is among the lowest in all dark matter experiments. No statistically significant annual modulation was observed in energy windows up to 26  keVee. Between 2 and 6  keVee, this analysis demonstrates the most sensitive annual modulation search up to date, with 9.2σ tension with the DAMA/LIBRA result. We also report no observation of diurnal modulations above 0.2  cpd/keVee/tonne amplitude between 2 and 6  keVee.Various dark matter models predict annual and diurnal modulations of dark matter interaction rates in Earth-based experiments as a result of the Earth's motion in the halo. Observation of such features can provide generic evidence for detection of dark matter interactions. This paper reports a search for both annual and diurnal rate modulations in the LUX dark matter experiment using over 20 calendar months of data acquired between 2013 and 2016. This search focuses on electron recoil events at low energies, where leptophilic dark matter interactions are expected to occur and where the DAMA experiment has observed a strong rate modulation for over two decades. By using the innermost volume of the LUX detector and developing robust cuts and corrections, we obtained a stable event rate of 2.3$\pm$0.2~cpd/keV$_{\text{ee}}$/tonne, which is among the lowest in all dark matter experiments. No statistically significant annual modulation was observed in energy windows up to 26~keV$_{\text{ee}}$. Between 2 and 6~keV$_{\text{ee}}$, this analysis demonstrates the most sensitive annual modulation search up to date, with 9.2$\sigma$ tension with the DAMA/LIBRA result. We also report no observation of diurnal modulations above 0.2~cpd/keV$_{\text{ee}}$/tonne amplitude between 2 and 6~keV$_{\text{ee}}$

Restricted spirometry in the burden of lung disease study

PubMedID: 22863565BACKGROUND: The presence of restrictive lung disease has classically required the measure of total lung capacity to document 'true' restriction, which has limited its detection in large population-based studies. METHODS: We used spirometric data to classify people with restricted spirometry (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1]/forced vital capacity ? 0.70 and FEV1 &lt; 80% predicted) in the Burden of Lung Disease (BOLD) Study and determined the relation between this finding and demographic factors and the presence of chronic diseases, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: Overall, we found that 11.7% of men (546/ 4664) and 16.4% of women (836/5098) had restricted spirometry. Prevalence varied widely by site, from a low of 4.2% among males in Sydney, Australia, to a high of 48.7% among females in Manila, The Philippines. Compared to people with normal lung function, those with restricted spirometry had a higher prevalence of diabetes (12.2% vs. 4.6%), heart disease (15.0% vs. 7.7%) and hypertension (38.8% vs. 22.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Restricted spirometry is a common finding in population studies. Additional research is needed to better define and describe the mechanisms that lead to restricted spirometry and potential interventions. © 2012 The Union

Respiratory Symptoms among US Adults: a Cross-Sectional Health Survey Study

Introduction: Data collected through ongoing, state-based, cross-sectional health surveys could be used to better understand the contribution of respiratory symptoms to impaired health among the US adult population. Methods: We used the 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System telephone health survey in four states (Kentucky, Florida, South Carolina, Texas) to describe the relationship between symptoms, associated factors such as tobacco smoking, and health impairments. Self-reported productive cough, shortness of breath (SOB), and dyspnea on exertion (DOE) were categorized as minimal, moderate, or severe. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression models with age as a covariate to assess relationships of symptoms with other factors. Results: Among adults ≥ 18 years, respiratory impairment [current asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or a current moderate or severe symptom] occurred in 39.1% of the population. More than half of adults reporting moderate or severe symptoms had not been diagnosed with asthma or COPD, particularly with DOE and productive cough. Subjects were at greater risk of moderate and severe SOB or productive cough with increasing age, prolonged smoking duration (≥ 20 years), being an ever-smoker, or if reporting COPD, current asthma, or any other comorbidity except cancer. Morbid obesity [body mass index (BMI) &gt; 35 kg/m2] was associated with severe DOE at a rate similar to current asthma or COPD (25.6%, 95% CI 20.9–30.3%; 20.8%, 95% CI 16.4–25.1%; 21.3%, 95% CI 17.5–25.1%, respectively); it was the most common cause of DOE. SOB was associated with worse general health impairment and limited ambulation compared with other symptoms. Tobacco smoking prevalence and race varied among states, affecting symptom prevalence. Conclusion: In the largest US survey in decades, we provide a current perspective of respiratory symptoms among adults of all ages. While known risk factors were apparent, low-risk persons also frequently reported symptoms and impairments. © 2022, The Author(s).Open access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]