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Time to get serious about the detection and monitoring of early lung disease in cystic fibrosisStructural and functional defects within the lungs of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) are detectable soon after birth and progress throughout preschool years often without overt clinical signs or symptoms. By school age, most children have structural changes such as bronchiectasis or gas trapping/hypoperfusion and lung function abnormalities that persist into later life. Despite improved survival, gains in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) achieved across successive birth cohorts during childhood have plateaued, and rates of FEV1 decline in adolescence and adulthood have not slowed. This suggests that interventions aimed at preventing lung disease should be targeted to mild disease and commence in early life.
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Alpha-1 antitrypsin mitigates the inhibition of airway epithelial cell repair by neutrophil elastaseFree NE activity is deleterious for epithelial homeostasis and support the hypothesis that proteases in the airway contribute to CF structural lung disease
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Protocol for a study of the psychosocial determinants of health in early childhood among children with cystic fibrosisThis protocol outlines the study aims to investigate the causal effect of psychosocial functioning, parenting and attachment on physical health outcomes in...
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Infection, inflammation,and lung function decline in infants with cystic fibrosisBetter understanding of evolution of lung function in infants with cystic fibrosis...

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Treat early to protect lungsEarly intervention is being touted as the key to preventing lung damage in children with cystic fibrosis.

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Rhinovirus Infection Is Associated With Airway Epithelial Cell Necrosis and Inflammation via Interleukin-1 in Young Children With Cystic FibrosisThis study found rhinovirus infection drives necrotic cell death in cystic fibrosis airway epithelial cells
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Pseudomonas aeruginosa Resistance to Bacteriophages and Its Prevention by Strategic Therapeutic Cocktail FormulationAntimicrobial resistance poses a significant threat to modern healthcare as it limits treatment options for bacterial infections, particularly impacting those with chronic conditions such as cystic fibrosis (CF). Viscous mucus accumulation in the lungs of individuals genetically predisposed to CF leads to recurrent bacterial infections, necessitating prolonged antimicrobial chemotherapy. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections are the predominant driver of CF lung disease, and airway isolates are frequently resistant to multiple antimicrobials.
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Airway macrophages display decreased expression of receptors mediating and regulating scavenging in early cystic fibrosis lung diseaseCystic fibrosis (CF) airway disease is characterized by chronic inflammation, featuring neutrophil influx to the lumen. Airway macrophages (AMs) can promote both inflammation and resolution, and are thus critical to maintaining and restoring homeostasis. CF AM functions, specifically scavenging activity and resolution of inflammation, have been shown to be impaired, yet underlying processes remain unknown.
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Prevalence of tracheobronchomalacia is higher than previously reported in children with cystic fibrosisTracheobronchomalacia (TBM) is estimated to be present in 1 in 2100 children. Previous reports suggest the prevalence is higher in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). This has clinical implications with potential to influence airway clearance and lung health.