PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Bishara

Publications and source records attributed to H Bishara.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in Israel: ethnic clustering.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a rare disease in which a surfactant-like phospholipid-rich protein accumulates in the lungs. The disease is amenable to effective therapy by total lung lavage. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence, ethnic distribution and course of PAP in Israel. METHODS: A countrywide survey was conducted during which pulmonologists were questioned about patients with PAP. The patients were examined and their charts, radiological images, pathological slides and physiological data were reviewed. RESULTS: The survey yielded 15 patients (8 females) during the period 1976-98 (14 in the last decade), giving a prevalence of 3.7 x 10(6) and an incidence of 0.36 x 10(6)/year. Mean age of the patients was 33 +/- 13 years (range 0.5-46 years). Seven patients were North African (two were siblings), four were from Iraq and two were Arabs; there was only one Ashkenazi Jew (a child). Symptoms at the onset were dyspnea and chest pain. Spontaneous remission occurred in at least 3 patients, and 10 patients required 1-4 bronchoalveolar lavage treatments. The subjective and physiological response was favorable, but there was less consistent radiological improvement. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of PAP in Israel is approximately 3.7 x 10(6). Most cases occurred in Jews who had immigrated from North Africa or Iraq, and two were siblings. The prevalence among the Arab population appears to be similar. This clustering suggests the existence of a genetic predisposition. The course of the disease appears to be similar to that reported elsewhere.

Adolescent↗

Electrically-activated dilator muscles reduce pharyngeal resistance in anaesthetized dogs with upper airway obstruction.

There is current controversy as to whether electrical stimulation of upper airway musculature can be used us a beneficial treatment modality in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. Increased upper airway (UAW) muscle activity decreases UAW resistance (Ruaw) in isolated UAW of dogs. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of UAW muscle contraction on UAW patency in anaesthetized dogs in vivo breathing spontaneously through partially and completely obstructed UAW. Airflow and supraglottic pressure were measured to obtain Ruaw. Ruaw could be regulated by inhalation of a rubber balloon implanted transcutaneously in the pharyngeal submucosa to produce partial or complete obstruction. Wire electrodes were implanted bilaterally into the genioglossus (GG), geniohyoid (GH), sternothyroid (ST), and sternohyoid (SH) muscles for electrical stimulation (ES), and into the alae nasi for electromyographic (EMG) recording. Three levels of electrical stimulation were delivered to each muscle before and during partial or complete UAW obstruction. Genioglossus and geniohyoid stimulation both resulted in a significant reduction in Ruaw, which was most pronounced during partial obstruction, reducing Ruaw from 54 +/- 11 to 14 +/- 3 and from 74 +/- 12 to 31 +/- 5 cmH2O.L-1.s, respectively. At low voltage, stimulation of the genioglossus was more effective than stimulation of the geniohyoid in reducing Ruaw. Furthermore, electrical stimulation of the genioglossus but not of the geniohyoid released total obstruction. In contrast, electrical stimulation of the sternohyoid and sternothyroid produced no significant change in Ruaw. These findings demonstrate that selective UAW dilatory muscle contraction in spontaneously breathing anaesthetized dogs reduces Ruaw in the presence of UAW obstruction and releases UAW occlusion, with the genioglossus being the most effective muscle. This favours further attempts to investigate the benefits of electrical stimulation of selected upper airway muscles in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.

Airway Obstruction↗

[Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis].

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a rare disease of unknown etiology characterized by alveoli filled with PAS-positive material high in protein and lipid. A 30-year-old man was referred because of respiratory failure. 2 years previously exertional dyspnea and productive cough appeared and gradually worsened. A year later he sought medical advice but defaulted on follow-up. After further deterioration he returned for treatment. On examination he had tachypnea and cyanosis. Diffuse crackles were audible in both lungs. X-ray revealed diffuse bilateral airspace consolidation. Arterial blood gases on air showed PaO2 41 mm Hg, PaCO2 35 mm Hg, and pH 7.46. There was a restrictive pattern on pulmonary function testing. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy with broncho-alveolar lavage and transbronchial biopsy established the diagnosis of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. Whole lung lavage lead to gradual improvement over the next few weeks. However, chest X-ray, arterial blood gases and pulmonary function tests failed to revert completely to normal. Such severe manifestations and such an aggressive course as in this case might have been prevented had the diagnosis been made and treatment instituted earlier in the course of the disease.

Adult↗

Differential lung ventilation: a review and 2 case reports.

The respiratory parameters of some of the patients with acute respiratory failure deteriorates while using conventional ventilation. These patients suffer unilateral lung disease and the failure to respond favourably to therapy is due to increased intrapulmonary shunt. There is a reflex vasodilation in the injured lung. Functional residual capacity is reduced in the injured lung and the compliance decreases. Gas flow is then deviated to the other lung, thus increases alveolar collapse and decreases regional compliance in the injured lung. These events cause severe hypoxemia. We present here two cases with unilateral lung disease that failed to respond to conventional mechanical ventilation. Asynchronized differential lung ventilation was found to be the therapeutic answer to the problem. We discuss the pathophysiology of unilateral lung injury and the physiology of differential lung ventilation.

Acute Disease↗