Alfredo Chetta's Publications List

Preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation in patients undergoing lung resection for non-small cell lung cancer.

2008-12-01T15:37:06Z

BACKGROUND: The impact of short-term preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation on exercise capacity of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undergoing lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer is evaluated. METHODS: A prospective observational study was designed. Inclusion criteria consisted of an indication to lung resection because of a clinical stage I or II non-small cell lung cancer...

Antonio Bobbio, Alfredo Chetta, Luca Ampollini, Gian Luca Primomo, Eveline Internullo, Paolo Carbognani, Michele Rusca, Dario Olivieri (2008) Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 33: 1 95-98

High-resolution computed tomography evaluation of airway distensibility in asthmatic and healthy subjects.

2008-12-01T15:37:06Z

PURPOSE: Airway-wall remodelling may result in reduced airway distensibility in bronchial asthma. This study evaluated the baseline airway calibre and distensibility in asthmatic patients by means of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied seven patients (two men, age range 36-69 years) with chronic asthma [forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV(1))...

A Castagnaro, A Rastelli, A Chetta, E Marangio, P Tzani, M De Filippo, M Aiello, R D'Ippolito, D Olivieri, N Sverzellati, M Zompatori (2008) Radiol Med 113: 1 43-55

Cough efficacy is related to the disability status in patients with multiple sclerosis.

2008-12-01T15:37:06Z

BACKGROUND: Cough is an important defense mechanism, whose main function is to remove mucus and/or foreign bodies from the airways. In patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), respiratory muscle function may be affected and cough may be impaired. OBJECTIVES: Respiratory muscle strength and voluntary cough efficacy were determined in MS patients and controls, and the relationship between cough effica...

Marina Aiello, Anais Rampello, Franco Granella, Matteo Maestrelli, Panagiota Tzani, Paolo Immovilli, Marco Franceschini, Dario Olivieri, Alfredo Chetta (2008) Respiration 76: 3 311-316

How much do GOLD stages reflect CT abnormalities in COPD patients?

2008-12-01T15:37:06Z

PURPOSE: Severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be graded using the classification released in the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) report. Such classification is essentially based on spirometry and does not recognise the role of other measures. The aim of this study was to assess whether the GOLD stages correlate with the extent of pulmonary emph...

M Pescarolo, N Sverzellati, A Verduri, A Chetta, E Marangio, M De Filippo, D Olivieri, M Zompatori (2008) Radiol Med 113: 6 817-829

Effect of aerobic training on walking capacity and maximal exercise tolerance in patients with multiple sclerosis: a randomized crossover controlled study.

2008-12-01T15:37:06Z

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Physical deconditioning is involved in the impaired exercise tolerance of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), but data on the effects of aerobic training (AT) in this population are scanty. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of an 8-week AT program on exercise capacity-in terms of walking capacity and maximum exercise tolerance, as well as its effects o...

Anais Rampello, Marco Franceschini, Massimo Piepoli, Roberto Antenucci, Gabriella Lenti, Dario Olivieri, Alfredo Chetta (2007) Phys Ther 87: 5 545-55; discussion 555-9

Vascular remodelling and angiogenesis in asthma: morphological aspects and pharmacological modulation.

2008-12-01T15:37:31Z

Tissue remodelling can affect the entire bronchial wall, including the vascular component of the mucosa, in bronchial asthma. The bronchial mucosa is more vascularized in asthmatic patients than in healthy subjects, showing an increase in the number and dimension of vessels and vascular area. In addition, vascular changes can contribute to obstructing the airway flow in asthma. Vascular Endothelia...

Alfredo Chetta, Andrea Zanini, Olga Torre, Dario Olivieri (2007) Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets 6: 1 41-45

Chymase-positive mast cells play a role in the vascular component of airway remodeling in asthma.

2008-12-01T15:37:06Z

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence to support a role for total mast cells (MC(TOT)) in the vascular component of airway remodeling in asthma. On the contrary, up to now, no study has addressed the role of chymase-positive mast cells (MC(TC)) in microvasculature changes. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the role of MC(TC) in the vascular component of airway remodeling in asthma. METHODS: We rec...

Andrea Zanini, Alfredo Chetta, Marina Saetta, Simonetta Baraldo, Raffaele D'Ippolito, Antonio Castagnaro, Margherita Neri, Dario Olivieri (2007) J Allergy Clin Immunol 120: 2 329-333

Therapeutic approach to vascular remodelling in asthma.

2008-12-01T15:37:31Z

Bronchial asthma can be characterized by some significant changes in airway blood vessels, which may contribute to airway remodelling. Despite the clinical and functional consequences of bronchial microvascular remodelling in asthma, up to now, little data have been published on the therapeutic approach to this phenomenon. Corticosteroids are the only anti-asthma drugs that act positively on the t...

Alfredo Chetta, Andrea Zanini, Dario Olivieri (2007) Pulm Pharmacol Ther 20: 1 1-8

Microsatellite analysis of induced sputum DNA in patients with lung cancer in heavy smokers and in healthy subjects.

2008-12-01T15:37:06Z

Abnormality in the fragile histidine triade (FHIT), a candidate tumor suppressor gene located in chromosome region 3 (3p14.2), has been frequently found in multiple tumor types, including lung cancer. In this study, the authors assessed the consistency of DNA microsatellite analysis of induced sputum (IS), as compared to that of blood and plasma. They also evaluated the loss of heterozigosity (LOH...

A Castagnaro, E Marangio, A Verduri, A Chetta, R D'Ippolito, M Del Donno, D Olivieri, G Di Cola (2007) Exp Lung Res 33: 6 289-301

Visual score and quantitative CT indices in pulmonary fibrosis: Relationship with physiologic impairment.

2008-12-01T15:37:06Z

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of some computed tomography (CT) quantitative indices (histogram features, ranges of density and one novel volumetric index) in the discrimination between normals and patients affected by lung fibrosis, and to compare their morphologic-functional relationship with the visual score one. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed thin-section CTs and...

N Sverzellati, E Calabrò, A Chetta, G Concari, A R Larici, M Mereu, R Cobelli, M De Filippo, M Zompatori (2007) Radiol Med 112: 8 1160-1172

Assessment and monitoring of ventilatory function and cough efficacy in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

2008-12-01T15:37:06Z

Assessing and monitoring respiratory muscle function is crucial in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, since impaired function can lead to either ventilatory failure or respiratory tract infection. Spirometry, diffusing capacity of the lung, breathing pattern, sleep study, blood gas analysis and respiratory muscle strength tests, as well as cough peak flow and cough expiratory volume meas...

A Chetta, M Aiello, P Tzani, D Olivieri (2007) Monaldi Arch Chest Dis 67: 1 43-52

Walking capacity and fitness to fly in patients with chronic respiratory disease.

2008-12-01T15:37:06Z

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we tested the hypothesis that walking capacity, assessed by the 6-min walk test (6MWT), could be related to the effect of flight simulation at sea level obtained by the hypoxia-altitude simulation test (HAST) in patients with chronic respiratory disease. METHODS: There were 15 patients with interstitial lung disease and 15 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary di...

Alfredo Chetta, Claudia Castagnetti, Marina Aiello, Francesco Sergio, Nicola Fabiano, Panagiota Tzani, Emilio Marangio, Dario Olivieri (2007) Aviat Space Environ Med 78: 8 789-792

Assessment of respiratory muscle fatigue in patients with neuromuscular diseases: a non-invasive approach.

2008-12-01T15:37:31Z

Alfredo Chetta, Marina Aiello (2006) Respiration 73: 4 412-413

Diaphragm paralysis after nephrectomy.

2008-12-01T15:37:31Z

A Chetta, M Aiello, D Olivieri (2006) Thorax 61: 6

Respiratory muscle function in a large cohort of healthy subjects: can strength predict endurance?

2008-12-01T15:37:31Z

Olga Torre, Alfredo Chetta (2006) Respiration 73: 5 581-582

Reference values for the 6-min walk test in healthy subjects 20-50 years old.

2008-12-01T15:37:31Z

In 102 healthy Caucasians, 20-50 years old, we investigated the effect of anthropometrics on the 6-min walk test (6MWT), in order to provide reference values for walk distance (6MWD), oxygen saturation (SpO2), pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (RR), breathlessness perception (VAS) and for the walking distance and body weight product (DW). The mean 6MWD and DW values were 593 +/- 57 and 638+/-44 m ...

Alfredo Chetta, Andrea Zanini, Giovanna Pisi, Marina Aiello, Panagiota Tzani, Margherita Neri, Dario Olivieri (2006) Respir Med 100: 9 1573-1578

Changes in lung function and respiratory muscle strength after sternotomy vs. laparotomy in patients without ventilatory limitation.

2008-12-01T15:37:31Z

A relevant ventilatory defect occurs after sternotomy, a very common thoracic surgical opening. The mechanism of the ventilatory impairment is unclear. Moreover, until now, the effect of sternotomy on pulmonary gas exchange has scarcely been investigated. We evaluated the time-course up to recovery and changes in spirometry, maximum static inspiratory (PI(max)) and expiratory (PE(max)) mouth press...

Alfredo Chetta, Antonio Bobbio, Marina Aiello, Mario Del Donno, Antonio Castagnaro, Andrea Comel, Roberto Malorgio, Paolo Carbognani, Michele Rusca, Dario Olivieri (2006) Eur Surg Res 38: 5 489-493

Respiratory effects of surgery and pulmonary function testing in the preoperative evaluation.

2008-12-01T15:37:31Z

Advanced age, smoking habit, obesity or malnutrition, the coexistence of hypercapnia, bronchospasm or bronchial hypersecretion, the lack of pre-operative preparation and/or a prolonged duration of anaesthesia can negatively influence respiratory function in patients undergoing abdominal or thoracic surgery. Spirometric testing of pulmonary function is recommended in patients with a history of toba...

Alfredo Chetta, Panagiota Tzani, Emilio Marangio, Paolo Carbognani, Antonio Bobbio, Dario Olivieri (2006) Acta Biomed 77: 2 69-74

Oxidative stress during exercise: further proof that being lean is detrimental for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

2008-12-01T15:37:31Z

Marco Confalonieri, Alfredo Chetta (2006) Respiration 73: 6 737-738

Induced sputum: a new tool to monitor idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?

2008-12-01T15:38:35Z

Alfredo Chetta, Dario Olivieri (2005) Respiration 72: 1 26-27

Early smoking-induced lung lesions in asymptomatic subjects. Correlations between high resolution dynamic CT and pulmonary function testing.

2008-12-01T15:38:35Z

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence and significance of the pathological effects of cigarette smoking on the lung and the sensitivity of high-resolution CT (HRCT) in the recognition of early smoking-induced lesions in asymptomatic former or current smokers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective and consecutive analysis of 36 volunteers (16 males, 20 females), 10 non-smokers (3 males; 7...

E Spaggiari, M Zompatori, A Verduri, A Chetta, C Bnà, F Ormitti, N Sverzellati, E Rabaiotti (2005) Radiol Med 109: 1-2 27-39

Chest radiography cannot predict diaphragm function.

2008-12-01T15:38:35Z

The finding of hemidiaphragm elevation on a chest radiograph, in absence of an ipsilateral lung disease, is assumed to indicate severe hemidiaphragm dysfunction. To test this hypothesis we retrospectively reviewed chest radiograph findings and corresponding twitch transdiaphragmatic pressure (T(W)P(DI)) results from 42 (17 female, age range 22-79 years) consecutive patients who underwent phrenic n...

Alfredo Chetta, Amer K Rehman, John Moxham, Denis H Carr, Michael I Polkey (2005) Respir Med 99: 1 39-44

Step-down compared to fixed-dose treatment with inhaled fluticasone propionate in asthma.

2008-12-01T15:38:35Z

BACKGROUND: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) are an effective treatment of asthma even when administered at a low dose. Once asthma is controlled, current guidelines recommend that the dose of ICS be reduced to the lowest possible and effective dose. Although the most appropriate strategy for the stepping down has not yet been defined, quantification of sputum eosinophils and bronchial hyperresponsi...

Antonio Foresi, Berardino Mastropasqua, Alfredo Chetta, Raffaele D'Ippolito, Renato Testi, Dario Olivieri, Andrea Pelucchi (2005) Chest 127: 1 117-124

Differential diagnosis between usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) assessed by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT).

2008-12-01T15:38:35Z

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of high-resolution CT in the differential diagnosis between UIP and NSIP, and the correlations with histological and functional findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients underwent thin-collimation spiral CT (1 mm), with 10-mm interval. Pulmonary function was assessed with a pneumotacograph and body plethysmograph connected with a computer f...

Bnà, Zompatori, Poletti, Spaggiari, Chetta, Calabrò, Ormitti, Berti, Cancellieri, Chilosi (2005) Radiol Med 109: 5-6 472-487

Bronchial reactivity in healthy individuals undergoing long-term topical treatment with beta-blockers.

2008-12-01T15:39:20Z

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of long-term treatment with topical timolol on bronchial reactivity in healthy individuals. METHODS: Twenty-one otherwise healthy individuals with high-pressure primary open-angle glaucoma were enrolled in a randomized controlled clinical trial. Eleven patients underwent 3 years of topical 0.5% timolol treatment followed by a 1-year washout period; 10 patients under...

Stefano A Gandolfi, Alfredo Chetta, Luca Cimino, Paolo Mora, Chiara Sangermani, Maria Grazia Tardini (2005) Arch Ophthalmol 123: 1 35-38

Psychological implications of respiratory health and disease.

2008-12-01T15:38:35Z

The possibility that a subject's psychological status may influence respiratory sensations and that chronic respiratory disease may have psychological consequences has sparked great interest among clinicians and researchers. This paper reviews the existing research on the association between respiratory symptom perception and the psychological status and between chronic respiratory diseases, such ...

Alfredo Chetta, Antonio Foresi, Emilio Marangio, Dario Olivieri (2005) Respiration 72: 2 210-215

Evaluation of quantitative CT indexes in idiopathic interstitial pneumonitis using a low-dose technique.

2008-12-01T15:38:35Z

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare histogram features (mean lung attenuation, skewness, kurtosis) of low-dose and standard-dose CT in a group of patients affected by idiopathic interstitial pneumonitis. METHODS: We analyzed 16 patients affected by idiopathic interstitial pneumonitis. Spiral whole lung thin-section CT acquisition at standard dose (100 mAs) and three additional low-dose (50 mAs) CT ...

Nicola Sverzellati, Maurizio Zompatori, Giovanni De Luca, Alfredo Chetta, Claudio Bnà, Francesca Ormitti, Rocco Cobelli (2005) Eur J Radiol 56: 3 370-375

Vascular endothelial growth factor up-regulation and bronchial wall remodelling in asthma.

2008-12-01T15:38:35Z

BACKGROUND: There is increasing in vitro evidence to support a role for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a major regulator of angiogenesis, as a mediator of fibrosis associated with neovascularization. OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that VEGF is involved both in increased airway mucosal vascularity and in the subepithelial fibrosis of asthmatic patients. METHODS: Bronchial biopsies ...

A Chetta, A Zanini, A Foresi, R D'Ippolito, A Tipa, A Castagnaro, S Baraldo, M Neri, M Saetta, D Olivieri (2005) Clin Exp Allergy 35: 11 1437-1442

Vascular endothelial growth factor in the human diaphragm: new insight into adaptation mechanisms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

2008-12-01T15:37:31Z

Andrea Zanini, Alfredo Chetta (2005) Respiration 72: 6 577-578

Reliability of quantitative computed tomography to predict postoperative lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease having a lobectomy.

2008-12-01T15:38:35Z

OBJECTIVE: To verify the reliability of quantitative computed tomography (CT) to estimate the postoperative lung function in patients with mild to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who underwent a lobectomy. METHODS: Nine COPD patients with lung cancer having a lung lobectomy with preoperative CT were enrolled. By applying a density mask technique and a specific equation, predict...

Nicola Sverzellati, Alfredo Chetta, Elisa Calabrò, Paolo Carbognani, Eveline Internullo, Dario Olivieri, Maurizio Zompatori (2005) J Comput Assist Tomogr 29: 6 819-824

Changes in pulmonary function test and cardio-pulmonary exercise capacity in COPD patients after lobar pulmonary resection.

2008-12-01T15:38:35Z

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT) and Cardio-Pulmonary Exercise Testing (C-PET) are useful to evaluate operability in functionally compromised patients. Although modifications of PFT and C-PET after lung surgery have been widely explored, little information exists as to modifications of exercise capacity in COPD patients undergoing lung resection. We prospectively analyzed the changes in P...

Antonio Bobbio, Alfredo Chetta, Paolo Carbognani, Eveline Internullo, Alessia Verduri, Giulianoezio Sansebastiano, Michele Rusca, Dario Olivieri (2005) Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 28: 5 754-758

Cardiorespiratory response to walk in multiple sclerosis patients.

2008-12-01T15:39:20Z

To ascertain whether fatigue perception is linked to exertion dyspnea and/or to an impaired cardiorespiratory response during walk, 11 patients (8 females, age range 21-46 years) with multiple sclerosis (MS) and mild disability underwent the 6-min walk test. Ten healthy subjects (7 females, age range 25-49 years) were studied, as a control group. Patients did not differ from controls in spirometry...

Alfredo Chetta, Anais Rampello, Emilio Marangio, Stefania Merlini, Fabrizio Dazzi, Marina Aiello, Francesco Ferraro, Antonio Foresi, Marco Franceschini, Dario Olivieri (2004) Respir Med 98: 6 522-529

Induced sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage from patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

2008-12-01T15:39:20Z

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an immunologically induced inflammation of the lung parenchyma, though bronchial airways may be also involved. The aim of this study was to compare the cellular profiles of induced sputum (IS) in patients with newly diagnosed HP to that of healthy subjects, and to examine the relationship between inflammatory cells from IS and BAL. METHODS: ...

Raffaele D'Ippolito, Alfredo Chetta, Antonio Foresi, Emilio Marangio, Antonio Castagnaro, Stefania Merliniaft, Maurizio Zompatori, Dario Olivieri (2004) Respir Med 98: 10 977-983

The lung in immune-mediated disorder: rheumatoid arthritis.

2008-12-01T15:39:20Z

Various pleuro-pulmonary abnormalities are known to complicate vascular collagen diseases, particularly, rheumatoid arthritis. Each component of the respiratory system is affected, either separately or in combination. Although most pulmonary complications appear in an established case of collagen vascular disease, in certain conditions, the lung disease precedes the more typical manifestation. Whi...

Antonio Castagnaro, Alfredo Chetta, Emilio Marangio, Maurizio Zompatori, Dario Olivieri (2004) Curr Drug Targets Inflamm Allergy 3: 4 449-454

Pulmonary function testing in interstitial lung diseases.

2008-12-01T15:39:20Z

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are functionally characterized by a restrictive ventilatory defect due to a reduced distensibility of the lung parenchyma. ILD patients also show a reduced exercise tolerance, the main factors limiting exercise capacity being ventilatory and gas exchange abnormalities. Functional abnormalities in ILDs are typical, but not specific. Despite the fact that different ...

Alfredo Chetta, Emilio Marangio, Dario Olivieri (2004) Respiration 71: 3 209-213

Pleural involvement in systemic disorders.

2008-12-01T15:39:20Z

The collagen vascular diseases are a heterogeneous group of immunologically-mediated inflammatory disorders. Frequently, these diseases affect organ systems outside the thorax as their primary manifestation, but may involve the pleura as a single presenting feature, as part of multisystem involvement, or as an isolated manifestation of a disease that is otherwise quiescent. In this article, we rev...

Marina Aiello, Alfredo Chetta, Emilio Marangio, Maurizio Zompatori, Dario Olivieri (2004) Curr Drug Targets Inflamm Allergy 3: 4 441-447

Inhaled steroids and airway remodelling in asthma.

2008-12-01T15:39:20Z

Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by inflammatory cell infiltration and by some long-lasting structural changes of bronchial wall, defined as airway remodelling. Airway remodelling can significantly affect two important functional characteristics of asthma, i.e. airway hyperresponsiveness and bronchial obstruction reversibility. Airway remodelling might be responsibl...

Alfredo Chetta, Emilio Marangio, Dario Olivieri (2003) Acta Biomed 74: 3 121-125

Chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis? Diagnostic role of high resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT)

2008-12-01T15:39:20Z

PURPOSE: In the diagnosis of extrinsic allergic alveolitis, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is more sensitive and more specific than radiography; however, the accuracy of HRCT is not absolute. The role of HRCT in this field has scarcely been investigated in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to explore the possibilities of HRCT in this field and to analyse the correlations bet...

Maurizio Zompatori, Elisa Calabrò, Alfredo Chetta, Gianfranco Chiari, Emilio Marangio, Dario Olivieri (2003) Radiol Med 106: 3 135-146

Assessment of breathlessness perception by Borg scale in asthmatic patients: reproducibility and applicability to different stimuli.

2008-12-01T15:39:20Z

In asthmatics, the score of bronchoconstriction-associated breathlessness at 20% fall in forced expiratory volume at first second (FEV1) evaluated on a Borg scale (PS20) is a tool successfully used to measure the perception of symptoms. This prospective laboratory study evaluated the applicability of PS20 to assess the breathlessness induced by ultrasonically nebulized distilled water (UNDW) and m...

Alfredo Chetta, Antonio Castagnaro, Antonio Foresi, Mario Del Donno, Giovanna Pisi, Roberto Malorgio, Dario Olivieri (2003) J Asthma 40: 3 323-329

Vascular component of airway remodeling in asthma is reduced by high dose of fluticasone.

2008-12-01T15:40:53Z

We conducted a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study to assess the effect of 6 weeks treatment with low-dose (100 microg twice a day) or high-dose (500 microg twice a day) inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP) on the vascular component of airway remodeling in 30 patients with mild to moderate asthma. We also studied the effect on the inflammatory cells and the basement membrane thickness, a...

Alfredo Chetta, Andrea Zanini, Antonio Foresi, Mario Del Donno, Antonio Castagnaro, Raffaele D'Ippolito, Simonetta Baraldo, Renato Testi, Marina Saetta, Dario Olivieri (2003) Am J Respir Crit Care Med 167: 5 751-757

Cough gastric pressure and maximum expiratory mouth pressure in humans.

2008-12-01T15:39:20Z

Maximal expiratory mouth pressure is a well established test that is used to assess expiratory muscle strength. However, low values are difficult to interpret, as they may result from technical difficulties in performing the test, particularly in patients with facial muscle weakness or bulbar dysfunction. We hypothesized that measuring the gastric pressure during a cough, a natural maneuver recrui...

William D-C Man, Dimitris Kyroussis, Tracey A Fleming, Alfredo Chetta, Farzaneh Harraf, Naveed Mustfa, Gerrard F Rafferty, Michael I Polkey, John Moxham (2003) Am J Respir Crit Care Med 168: 6 714-717

Educational programs and self-management in bronchial asthma

2008-12-01T15:40:53Z

Bronchial asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world and can affect people of all ages. In the last few years there has been a considerable improvement in the etiopathogenetic knowledge of the disease and extremely effective anti-asthmatic drugs are available. However, asthma-related morbidity and mortality are increased, especially in Western countries. In an attempt to revers...

M Del Donno, A Verduri, A Chetta, D Olivieri (2002) Minerva Med 93: 6 437-445

Relationship between outcome measures of six-minute walk test and baseline lung function in patients with interstitial lung disease.

2008-12-01T15:40:53Z

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK: In patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), the six-minute walk test (6MWT) has been rarely used, and up till now, the relationship between outcome measures of the test and baseline lung function has not yet been examined. Therefore, we assessed walk distance, oxygen desaturation, and breathlessness perception during 6MWT, and their relationships to baseline l...

A Chetta, M Aiello, A Foresi, E Marangio, R D'Ippolito, A Castagnaro, D Olivieri (2001) Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis 18: 2 170-175

Whistle mouth pressure as test of expiratory muscle strength.

2008-12-01T15:40:53Z

Expiratory muscle strength is a determinant of cough function. Mouth pressures during a maximal static expiratory effort (PE,max) are dependent on patient motivation and technique and low values are therefore difficult to interpret. This study hypothesized that a short, sharp and maximal expiration through a narrow aperture, a "whistle", might provide a complementary test of expiratory muscle stre...

A Chetta, M L Harris, R A Lyall, G F Rafferty, M I Polkey, D Olivieri, J Moxham (2001) Eur Respir J 17: 4 688-695

Six-minute walking test in cystic fibrosis adults with mild to moderate lung disease: comparison to healthy subjects.

2008-12-01T15:40:53Z

The six-minute walking test (6MWT) has been widely utilized to evaluate global exercise capacity in patients with cystic fibrosis. The aim of this study was to assess the exercise capacity by 6MWT, measuring four outcome measures: walk distance, oxygensaturation and pulse rate during the walk, and breathlessness perception after the walk, in a group of cystic fibrosis adults with mild to moderate ...

A Chetta, G Pisi, A Zanini, A Foresi, G L Grzincich, M Aiello, A Battistini, D Olivieri (2001) Respir Med 95: 12 986-991

Eosinophils in induced sputum from asymptomatic smokers with normal lung function.

2008-12-01T15:40:53Z

Cigarette smoking is the dominant risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, only 10-15% of smokers develop the disease and early changes within the airways are poorly defined.We aimed to compare cell profiles in induced sputum (IS) from asymptomatic smokers to that from healthy subjects, and to ascertain whether or not inflammatory cells in IS are related to lung funct...

R Dippolito, A Foresi, A Chetta, A Castagnaro, R Malorgio, E Marangio, D Olivieri (2001) Respir Med 95: 12 969-974

Eosinophil apoptosis in induced sputum from patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and with asymptomatic and symptomatic asthma.

2008-12-01T15:40:53Z

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic inflammation is known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. Apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death, is characterized by morphologic cell changes and leads to recognition and ingestion by macrophages. Apoptosis could be an important mechanism controlling the resolution of tissue eosinophilia. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigat...

A Foresi, C Teodoro, C Leone, A Pelucchi, R D'Ippolito, A Chetta, D Olivieri (2000) Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 84: 4 411-416

Induced sputum: diagnostic value in interstitial lung disease.

2008-12-01T15:40:53Z

Induced sputum by inhalation of hypertonic saline solution is a noninvasive technique used to collect cellular and soluble material from lung airways. During the past decade, this method has been widely used to assess airway inflammation in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, since it produces reliable results and compares favorably to other invasive techniques, such as biopsy and br...

D Olivieri, R D'Ippolito, A Chetta (2000) Curr Opin Pulm Med 6: 5 411-414

The effect of inflammation on mucociliary clearance in asthma: an overview.

2008-12-01T15:40:53Z

Mucociliary clearance (MCC) is one of the most important nonspecific defense mechanisms of the respiratory tract, and its impairment is a well-documented feature of chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma. In vitro and in vivo data suggest that several inflammatory mediators influence the mucociliary apparatus. Epithelial damage and functional abnormalities have been described in bronchial ...

M Del Donno, D Bittesnich, A Chetta, D Olivieri, M T Lopez-Vidriero (2000) Chest 118: 4 1142-1149

Role of induced sputum in interstitial lung disease.

2008-12-01T15:40:53Z

R D'Ippolito, A Chetta, D Olivieri (2000) Eur Respir J 16: 3 573-574

Effect of sputum induction on spirometric measurements and arterial oxygen saturation in asthmatic patients, smokers, and healthy subjects.

2008-12-01T15:41:11Z

BACKGROUND: Sputum production induced by inhalation of hypertonic saline solution has been proposed as a technique to collect secretions and inflammatory cells from the airways of subjects with bronchial asthma or with a history of smoking. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a sputum induction procedure on spirometric results and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO(2)) in asthmatic p...

A Castagnaro, A Chetta, A Foresi, R D'Ippolito, R Malorgio, D Olivieri (1999) Chest 116: 4 941-945

Induced sputum in patients with newly diagnosed sarcoidosis: comparison with bronchial wash and BAL.

2008-12-01T15:41:11Z

OBJECTIVES: Sarcoidosis is characterized by a diffuse alveolar inflammatory process, although bronchial airways are often involved. This study compares the cellular profiles of induced sputum (IS), bronchial washing (BW), and BAL in newly diagnosed sarcoidosis patients to those in control subjects, and examines whether inflammatory cell counts from IS are correlated with inflammatory cell counts f...

R D'Ippolito, A Foresi, A Chetta, A Casalini, A Castagnaro, C Leone, D Olivieri (1999) Chest 115: 6 1611-1615

Personality profiles and breathlessness perception in outpatients with different gradings of asthma.

2008-12-01T15:41:11Z

We studied the relationship between personality profiles, breathlessness perception and clinical and functional features in 36 outpatient asthmatics (12 females; age range: 18-52 yr). Each patient underwent psychometric evaluation with Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). Breathlessness perception was evaluated by Borg's scale during methacholine (M) challenge, and PS20 (the percept...

A Chetta, G Gerra, A Foresi, A Zaimovic, M Del Donno, B Chittolini, R Malorgio, A Castagnaro, D Olivieri (1998) Am J Respir Crit Care Med 157: 1 116-122

Heat shock protein 70 upregulation is related to HLA-DR expression in bronchial asthma. Effects of inhaled glucocorticoids.

2008-12-01T15:41:11Z

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Antigen processing determines the production of peptides from antigens - including allergens - and their binding to class II major histocompatibility complex molecules, that stimulate T-cell responses. Heat shock protein (hsp) 70 are recognized to have a role in chaperoning antigenic peptides and in facilitating class II peptide assembly. We studied the HLA-DR and hsp70 e...

G Bertorelli, V Bocchino, X Zhuo, A Chetta, M Del Donno, A Foresi, R Testi, D Olivieri (1998) Clin Exp Allergy 28: 5 551-560

Lung epithelial permeability and bronchial responsiveness in subjects with stable asthma.

2008-12-01T15:41:11Z

Lung epithelial permeability of asthmatic patients has been reported to be similar or lower than that of healthy subjects and to be correlated or not to bronchial hyperresponsiveness. To clarify these discrepancies, we evaluated 99mTc-DTPA pulmonary clearance in a group of carefully selected asthmatic patients with mild, stable asthma (n = 13; seven women; mean age +/- SD = 27.69 +/- 6.63 years), ...

M Del Donno, A Chetta, A Foresi, G Gavaruzzi, G Ugolotti, D Olivieri (1997) Chest 111: 5 1255-1260

Airways remodeling is a distinctive feature of asthma and is related to severity of disease.

2008-12-01T15:41:11Z

PURPOSE: Airways remodeling, evaluated as the subepithelial layer thickness, was compared in asthmatic patients with that of healthy subjects, and was related to clinical grading of disease, presence of atopy, and length of asthmatic history. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty-four patients with stable asthma (mean age+/-SD: 26.5+/-9.2 years; 10 female) treated with only inhaled beta2-agonists and eight...

A Chetta, A Foresi, M Del Donno, G Bertorelli, A Pesci, D Olivieri (1997) Chest 111: 4 852-857

Effect of short-term treatment with low-dose inhaled fluticasone propionate on airway inflammation and remodeling in mild asthma: a placebo-controlled study.

2008-12-01T15:41:11Z

In a double-blind, parallel-group study, we examined the effect of short-term treatment with inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP) in a group of 20 nonsmoking asthmatic patients who required only beta2-agonists to control their symptoms. We administered FP (250 microg twice daily) or matched placebo for 6 wk. Methacholine challenge was performed before treatment, after 3 wk, and at the end of treatm...

D Olivieri, A Chetta, M Del Donno, G Bertorelli, A Casalini, A Pesci, R Testi, A Foresi (1997) Am J Respir Crit Care Med 155: 6 1864-1871

Eosinophils, mast cells, and basophils in induced sputum from patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and perennial asthma: relationship to methacholine responsiveness.

2008-12-01T15:41:11Z

OBJECTIVES: We attempted to determine whether inflammation is present in induced sputum of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (AR) as compared with those with perennial asthma (AS) and examined its relationship with bronchial responsiveness to methacholine. METHODS: Sputum was induced in 30 patients with seasonal rhinitis in response to grass pollens only and in 15 patients with stable, asym...

A Foresi, C Leone, A Pelucchi, B Mastropasqua, A Chetta, R D'Ippolito, L Marazzini, D Olivieri (1997) J Allergy Clin Immunol 100: 1 58-64

Short-term treatment with a low dose of inhaled fluticasone propionate decreases the number of CD1a+ dendritic cells in asthmatic airways.

2008-12-01T15:41:11Z

The activation of T-lymphocytes through the recognition of specific allergens is a crucial event in the development of allergic inflammation. Dendritic cells (DC) are potent accessory cells that play an important role in initiating bronchial immune responses by activation of T-lymphocytes. We investigated the distribution of CD1a+ DC in the bronchial biopsies from asthmatic patients, and evaluated...

V Bocchino, G Bertorelli, X Zhuo, P Grima, V Di Comite, R Damia, A Chetta, M Del Donno, A Foresi, A Casalini, R Testi, D Olivieri (1997) Pulm Pharmacol Ther 10: 5-6 253-259

Bronchial responsiveness to distilled water and methacholine and its relationship to inflammation and remodeling of the airways in asthma.

2008-12-01T15:41:26Z

Although bronchial hyperresponsiveness in asthma is associated with inflammation within the airways, it is not known whether the degree and type of inflammation influence the response to different stimuli and whether pathologic changes of airway structure influence the bronchoconstrictive responses. Therefore, number of inflammatory cells in the epithelium and the lamina propria and the basement m...

A Chetta, A Foresi, M Del Donno, G F Consigli, G Bertorelli, A Pesci, R A Barbee, D Olivieri (1996) Am J Respir Crit Care Med 153: 3 910-917

Maintenance therapy: the compliance issue.

2008-12-01T15:41:11Z

D Olivieri, A Chetta (1996) Monaldi Arch Chest Dis 51: 6

The role of leukotriene receptor antagonists in asthma therapy.

2008-12-01T15:41:26Z

D Olivieri, A Chetta (1995) Monaldi Arch Chest Dis 50: 3 170-172

When bronchoalveolar lavage and bronchial biopsies are safe in asthma.

2008-12-01T15:41:26Z

D Olivieri, A Chetta (1993) Monaldi Arch Chest Dis 48: 2 118-120

Prolonged bronchodilating effect of formoterol versus procaterol in bronchial asthma.

2008-12-01T15:41:26Z

The tolerability and the duration of effect of 12 micrograms of formoterol and 25 micrograms of procaterol administered via metered-dose aerosol to 12 stable asthmatic patients were evaluated in a double-blind, placebo controlled trial. FEV1, pulse rate, and blood pressure were measured at baseline and every two hours after dosing for 12 hours. The bronchodilation peak was observed after two hours...

A Chetta, M Del Donno, G Maiocchi, G Pisi, D Moretti, D Olivieri (1993) Ann Allergy 70: 2 171-174

Effect of inhaled disodium cromoglycate and nedocromil sodium on propranolol-induced bronchoconstriction.

2008-12-01T15:41:26Z

We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effect of disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) and nedocromil sodium (NED) on propranolol-induced bronchoconstriction (PIB) in 12 asthmatic subjects 10 to 53 years of age. Placebo (saline solution) and active drugs (10 mg) were aerosolized 30 minutes before bronchoprovocation with inhaled propranolol. Bronchial response to propranolo...

A Foresi, A Chetta, A Pelucchi, G Cavigioli, B Mastropasqua, D Olivieri (1993) Ann Allergy 70: 2 159-163

Histochemical characteristics and degranulation of mast cells in epithelium and lamina propria of bronchial biopsies from asthmatic and normal subjects.

2008-12-01T15:41:26Z

We examined the staining characteristics and degranulation of mast cells in bronchial biopsy specimens taken by fiberoptic bronchoscopy from 13 stable asthmatic patients and eight normal nonsmoking subjects. Specimens were fixed in periodate-lysine-paraformaldehyde, embedded in glycol methacrylate, and stained with toluidine blue (2%) for 30 min (pH 2.7) and 7 days (pH 0.5). The number of mast cel...

A Pesci, A Foresi, G Bertorelli, A Chetta, D Olivieri, D Oliveri (1993) Am Rev Respir Dis 147: 3 684-689

Bronchial responsiveness to inhaled propranolol in asthmatic children and adults.

2008-12-01T15:41:26Z

Inhaled propranolol (P) was administered to a population which included asthmatic children (30 subjects) and adults (43 subjects): 1) to investigate the determinants of induced bronchial response; 2) to examine the relationship with treatment requirements; 3) to determine the relationship with responsiveness to methacholine (M) and ultrasonically nebulized distilled water (UNDW) (50 subjects); and...

A Foresi, A Chetta, A Pelucchi, B Mastropasqua, D Moretti, D Olivieri (1993) Eur Respir J 6: 2 181-188

Bronchial inflammation in mite-sensitive asthmatic subjects after 5 years of specific immunotherapy.

2008-12-01T15:41:26Z

We examined the pattern and degree of the inflammatory process in bronchial biopsy specimens taken by fiberoptic bronchoscopy in eight asthmatic subjects (two women aged 19-38 years) after 5 years of specific immunotherapy (SIT) to mite extracts (SIT group). At the time of study, they received a maintenance dose of mite-extracts (last subcutaneous administration 3 weeks before bronchoscopy). Resul...

A Foresi, A Pesci, A Pelucchi, M Gabrielli, B Mastropasqua, G Bertorelli, A Chetta, D Olivieri (1992) Ann Allergy 69: 4 303-308

Lung function and bronchial responsiveness after bronchoalveolar lavage and bronchial biopsy performed without premedication in stable asthmatic subjects.

2008-12-01T15:41:26Z

We evaluated tolerance, safety, and effects on lung function and bronchial responsiveness of BAL (4 x 50 ml) combined with BB (three to five specimens) performed without premedication in 13 mild and stable asthmatics and eight healthy volunteers. All subjects tolerated bronchoscopy procedures well and without serious side effects. During procedures, no supplemental oxygen was administered and no E...

A Chetta, A Foresi, G Bertorelli, A Pesci, D Olivieri (1992) Chest 101: 6 1563-1568

Inflammatory markers in bronchoalveolar lavage and in bronchial biopsy in asthma during remission.

2008-12-01T15:41:26Z

Bronchoalveolar lavage and BB were performed in 13 asthmatic and six healthy subjects to characterize cellular markers of inflammation in BAL and BB; to compare cellular profile of BAL with cell infiltration in BB; to examine the relationship between bronchial responsiveness and markers of inflammation in BAL and BB. Eosinophils and mast cells were increased in BAL in asthmatic subjects; eosinophi...

A Foresi, G Bertorelli, A Pesci, A Chetta, D Olivieri (1990) Chest 98: 3 528-535

Therapy of asthma in adults: the control of bronchial inflammation.

2008-12-01T15:41:40Z

Inflammatory events involve the airways in asthma. Bronchial inflammation can induce and maintain both variable airflow obstruction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. The rationale of asthma therapy is, therefore, to use drugs which prevent and reduce the inflammation. The control of asthmatic inflammation needs specific management. Interestingly, if corticosteroids are effective, non-steroidal an...

D Olivieri, A Chetta (1989) Eur Respir J Suppl 6: 540s-544s

Early bronchodilating effect of a new oral beta-2-receptor agonist (broxaterol) in bronchial asthma.

2008-12-01T15:41:40Z

In order to determine the bronchodilating activity and safety of two beta-2-receptor agonists, broxaterol and procaterol, compared with a placebo, 12 patients with reversible airway obstruction were tested in a double-blind cross-over study. The drugs were administered orally and the dosage of broxaterol was 0.5 mg, that of procaterol 0.05 mg. Measurements of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)...

A Chetta, G Garavaldi, A Cuomo, G Gurrieri, D Olivieri (1988) Respiration 53: 4 220-224

Evaluation of bronchial responsiveness by pharmacological challenges in asthma. Inhaled propranolol in comparison with histamine and methacholine.

2008-12-01T15:41:40Z

Bronchial challenges with bronchoconstrictive drugs have supplied important information on some relevant pathophysiological aspects of bronchial asthma, i.e. nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Until now histamine and methacholine have been the most widely used inhalation tests. Recently, propranolol, given by inhalation, has been proposed and evaluated for possible application as a bronchi...

A Chetta, A Foresi, G Garavaldi, G M Corbo, A Cuomo, D Olivieri (1988) Respiration 54 Suppl 1: 84-89

Provocative dose and dose-response curve to inhaled propranolol in asthmatic patients with bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine.

2008-12-01T15:41:40Z

This study was carried out to compare bronchial responses to inhaled propranolol (P) and methacholine (M) in a group of asthmatic subjects with mild to moderate bronchial hyperresponsiveness to M; to determine the short term reproducibility of bronchial response to propranolol; and to examine the shape of dose-response curve to P relative to that of M. Doses of M and P were given in mumoles and br...

A Foresi, A Chetta, G M Corbo, A Cuomo, D Olivieri (1987) Chest 92: 3 455-459

Case of retrosternal Morgagni-Larrey hernia

2008-12-01T15:41:40Z

Retrosternal hernia (Morgagni-Larrey) is the less frequent of diaphragmatic defects. Nevertheless its frequency is probably more elevated than commonly believed because very often there is a lack of symptoms. The clinical case which is referred has a typical presentation but it is outlined the difficult interpretation of routine chest x-rays, while a prompt diagnostic suspicion is not always prese...

S Contini, L Bonati, L G Villani, A Chetta (1982) Acta Biomed Ateneo Parmense 53: 5 353-360